I DID IT!! I DID IT!!!

I knew I could do it!! It took some sleepless nights & some hard work. Lots of chocolate... but I DID IT!!!
I made the goal of FIFTY THOUSAND WORDS!! However, the novel is not complete yet! But I reached the goal! So, I'm good to go!!

Final tally: 54,392 words (and counting!!!!)

I will try to post the certificate later. For now, I'm going back to sleep!!! WOO HOO!!!!

UFC - #96 ~ Thanksgiving Time

Hopefully you've had time to digest my last two blogs... and your Thanksgiving dinner from yesterday. As promised... here's my 3rd blog of the day... & again this is to answer the challenge I set on UFC. To see the details of the challenge AND other submissions... CLICK HERE!!

(Basically, it's to take a given word & turn it into reasons of Thanksgiving.)

I am choosing the word... FAMILY

F is for Family traditions... gotta love them!!
A is for the heavenly Aromas from the kitchen of the place you go to have Thanksgiving Dinner... & thankful you didn't have to do any of the preparation!
M is for the Multitude of friends I have here on Multiply! THANKS YOU ALL!! You've made this past year a wonderful one for me!! :o)
I is for the Icicles hanging from the over hangs of houses.
L is for Laughing all the way home after beating your brother-in-law at Scrabble. (Oh, I just couldn't resist bringing up that again!)
Y is for Year-long memories to be able to share with all my readers passengers!!

If you'd like to play along in the comments below... here are the words to use... THANKS; CORNUCOPIA; PUMPKIN; THANKSGIVING; PILGRIMS; NOVEMBER; THANKFUL; FAMILY; and / or FEAST.

Cinnamon rolls and Scrabble...

It maybe Black Friday in the stores... but to me it's Cinny Friday!! I just ate my cinnamon rolls & with the a good night sleep... I'm feeling good!!!!

Highly recommend you read my previous blog, because it will give a little insight into this blog... & that above statement will make a little more sense!!

Well... after doing a couple other things & waiting for Multiply to decide not to load... I'm finally back to finish talking about what happened last night!!

Let me start by saying that my B.I.L., Aloys, is one of the best Scrabble players I've ever seen... him & my sister Gina together are a force to be reckoned with... So, this year, Gina was out cleaning up while the rest of us were playing. (At her request.) But we did (more like I did) called her in on a couple words to just to verify.

Besides she gets excited for anyone who has really neat words or a big play! And man... did I ever come up with one!!

Here's what happened... we all had our 1st turn... & I went to pull out my next few tiles... I had already had one G... and then I draw out 2 more G's... & I'm in my mind... "Oh great... now what am I going to do with THREE G's???"... but then... I pulled out a couple more tiles... and as I'm placing them down in my rack... a word just popped right out at me...

And so, I'm sitting there like... nah... it can't be... Ok... how am I going to pull this one off... I need someone to play something with an S at the end... I think can play ALL my letters...

Hubby is just looking at me shaking his head as if it's not a word... So, then as Aloys is laying his one word down (Hubby & I's turn was right after him.) ... I called out my sister... and I said... Is this a word... & I pointed & she was all excited "YES!"...

She turns to go back out to the kitchen, but then saw Aloys playing the word TOADS... & we both were like... THAT'S PERFECT!!! Gina's says, "I have to see this!"

So, I lay my word down and viola!! All SEVEN tiles used and on a perfectly acceptable word!! (See board below.)


Then after the tally we find out it was 89 total points (that's including 50 for using all 7 tiles in one turn!!) WOO HOO!!! So, you'd think we have a comfy lead... but nope... Aloys is a great player! He laid down a couple good words. (But no more 8 letter ones!)

Then my mom puts down COZI... and I'm like... no, I think that's a Y not an I... and hubby's, "No, it's 2 O's." I then ask, "What happens if I challenge & I'm wrong?"

Aloys: "If MamaRenee (his name for my mom... her 1st born, my other sister, is named Renee & in Africa, from where he's from... they add the 1st born's child to Mama & that's what you call the mom's... Don't know why he doesn't call me MamaMichael... but that's fine... I'd be confused anyway!! LOL) is challenged and she is right, you loose your turn. If she's wrong she looses her turn."

Hubby: "I'm going home if you challenge her."
I didn't want him to go (yeah, he probably would have gotten up & left)...
but Mom & our 4th player & friend of the family, (I'll call P. from here on out) are saying, "you're winning... it won't hurt to challenge."

Me: "What's the score?"

P: You & hubby 156; Aloys 114; Mom: 100; & P: 59.

Me: Thinking that's too close with a player like Aloys... "No, I won't challenge... but after you add up the points... I want to know for sure."

They give Mom her 13 or so points... and I look up, yep... not only is it a Y... but it's COSY!! But it's an older dictionary. So, I waited 'til I got home & checked it out here on the net... I even tried COZI in the Scrabble Dictionary. But it refers you to the COSY spelling.

Oh... yeah... we called Gina back in & she said that it was a word as a "teapot cozi" ... but she was not sure if that was the correct spelling. So, while looking it up on the net... I also looked up to see if I could find a picture of a teapot one... & sure enough I did... (but it is spelled: COSY... for your future reference!!)

Then we continue on... & we all have a couple great more plays &... & eh... some so so plays... but that's a given!

Here's the final board... I'm showing this... & then I'll finish the story... (not sure, but you maybe able to click on it to see a larger version.)

I got another high point word... ZOOS... it was 28 points!! :o) And at some point I played RAH... just to get the plays to start moving up to the top of the board... & glad I did!! :o)

So, we go along... & all the tiles are now taken... & Hubby & I have in our rack... O; T; E; H; O; B; & a blank...

P. plays VIE... & I'm like... perfect!!! & again Hubby is... "where are you going to play it"... so, I show him & he shrugs his shoulders. He didn't think that EH was a word... but Mom & P. say, Yep it's a word. (The complete word I played was BOOTH.) ... So that just leaves us an O; E; & a blank...

My B.I.L. plays the word EMIT... and it's our turn again... hubby & I go back & forth of what to play...

Hubby: "Play the blank & then I have a spot for the other 2 tiles next turn."

I say ... "If it comes back around... I'm looking for a spot to play all them." I knew there was a spot... but for the life of me I just couldn't see it. (at this point a headache was interfering!)

Finally I look at Hubby & ask... where did you want to play the blank. As I'm saying "don't play it, just show me." he grabs it & puts it up to make REMIT...

ME: "Oh, WAIT... I can play all of them!" ... & so, I put down the O & the E and made ORE and REMIT... for only 10 points... but then because we were the 1st ones done... we got the points that the other players still had in their racks.

Final tally gave Hubby & I: 232; Aloys: 145; Mom: 125; & P: 79!

So... YEP... it was a great Thanksgiving!! I still can't get over that Hubby & I beat Aloys... & at that point I had been up more than 24 hours with about maybe.... MAYBE 10 minutes sleep... and I also had a shooting pain type of a headache. (My neck had to be out of place... because I'm just fine now!!)

All is good... but I know we're going to have a re-match at Christmas... & I doubt I'll get even close to this!! Sure was fun though!! ... & GIGGLERS... ha ha ha!! That was just such a great word to play... coming from me!! "The LOL Queen!!"

Ok... that does it for this stop... I have at least 1 more blog to do... I have to answer my own challenge for the UFC. (If you're a new 'passenger' that's... the United Friends Challenge group that I belong to here on Multiply!!)

Talk to you soon!

A break from writing to REMIND YOU....

Before I get to the reminder... Let me say I am THANKFUL for SLEEP!! Yes... I actually got to sleep last night... Yep, you heard me... AT NIGHT!! WOO HOO!! So, I'm raring to go! I have lots to do today, mainly here on the computer!

Also, this is the 1st of a couple (if not several blogs today!!)... that's a FAIR WARNING!! LOL

Anyway, the reminder is... IF you'd like to send my Grammy a (snail mail) birthday card for her 90th birthday... please be sure to send me a PM (as soon as possible!!) so I can give you an address! (FYI - It will NOT be her address!)

Also, I am thinking of doing a blog for her the day before the OPEN HOUSE we are having... so if you do not want to send a Snail Mail card... you can leave her a message. (Just a heads up... we will have to be reading these messages to her... so no graphics will be needed.) And I'll be doing it on Saturday Dec. 6th! (The party is Sunday Dec. 7th!)

Speaking of writing (as I did in the title)... Did you all see my word count on my front page?? Well, in case you missed it... I'm up to...... (DRUM ROLL......)

34162 words!!! WOO HOO!! I am 68.3% of the way done with 2 & 1/2 days left!!! I CAN MAKE IT!!! I KNOW I CAN!!!! (I'm going to try to get it done today!!!!)

So, that's my goal!! To have my 50,000 words by Midnight tonight (or whenever I go to bed!!) The novel may not end with that... so, we'll see what my final word count is on Sunday!!

Let's see... Oh, yeah... another thing I'm going to be doing today is changing my theme to a winter one... So, if you see bits & pieces of it... & it's clashing with the current one... that's just a heads up about it... but that will be later on!

Also, one of the other blogs today (or maybe a "review") I'll be doing will be to post the address to the Secret Angels / Santa Group!! If you're a part of that page... you may have seen a post... that it's going to be moving to it's own group page... (mainly to make it easier on me... so I don't have to sign out and back in and then back out again & so forth!) And so I can receive updates via my own inbox! ... I didn't know when I started that page.. that's how groups worked. So... I left it go... but it's grown & it's time to have it as a group now!!

So, this is another HEADS UP... Secret Santa (Angels) sign up with be starting MONDAY DECEMBER 1ST!!! (See other review shortly for location!!!)

Let's see... I have one more thing to mention before moving onto another blog... and it's just a little "preview" of the next one!

As you know, yesterday was Thanksgiving here in America... well, as tradition, I spent it with my family yesterday... It started off awful for me, for the fact I could not sleep the night before!! All that sleeping during the day & awake at night caught up with me... & through me off... and I didn't take my Ambien soon enough... & then it got so late that I did not want to take it in fear I would not wake in time!

So... I fought sleep from about 4:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon... when I finally dozed off upstairs ... but then it was only for about 10 minutes!!

Don't worry, it was not just a toss and turn all that time... I did get up several times to do stuff to try to get tired again... but each time I did & laid down to go to sleep... I could get my body to lie perfectly still & practically it all went to sleep... but my mind... GEESH.... IT WOULD NOT "TURN OFF!!!" ... Hence the reason I take Ambien CR to sleep!

It's nights (times) like that remind me that I will probably be stuck taking Ambien (or something like it) for the rest of my life!! Or until my mind gets so old it doesn't want to be in OverDrive all the time!! LOL.

I mean... at one point yesterday morning it got so bad... I decided to write down what I was thinking... and it went from one subject to the next to the next. Including a list of stuff I wanted to do for yesterday. (Which included making Harvest Loaf muffins, which I never ended up doing... because of the no sleep thing.)

Well, anyway... I just counted that list... 28 different ideas! And to think... that's just at one point... my mind was reeling all night long! ... I should have just started the computer back up & just typed away!!! I probably could have finished my novel then!! LOL.... NOW I THINK OF THAT!! LOL!!!



ANYWHOO... The reason I said all that was BECAUSE.... after dinner last night... we played Scrabble. It was my mom; Aloys (pronounced Aloe-weese) (my B.I.L.); a friend of the family, I'll call her P... and my hubby and I!! My hubby and I were teamed up together because well, we usually do... and because I wasn't sure I'd make it!

Well, not only did I make it... but WE WON!! And we won big time too!! So, in the next blog I'll tell you more about that!! (Because I have PICTURES!!!) Hee Hee!!

(Oh... sorry... no family pictures because I was too tired to think of it... It just now crossed my mind! Sorry about that.)

Anyway... it was a fantastic evening... there only 9 of us there... (which is the smallest Thanksgiving that my sister, Gina, has hosted in years!) It was so wonderful just the 9 of us!! Well, it would have been even better if we would have had my other sister Renee and her family... so it would have been 14 then... but they couldn't make it from Michigan. (Oh.. I wonder if Steve (my other B.I.L.) went to WV to go deer hunting?? That's HIS family's tradition!!)

Either way it was a great day after all!! OH & I didn't even take $hiba with me! For me... that's an IMPROVEMENT... well, actually it was just because I was so stinking tired I didn't want to bother... and it worked out for the best anyway!!

Then after I got home, I checked a few messages and then crashed sometime before 10:00 p.m.... & I didn't wake up until around... well, it was a little light out... & it was for only a moment as Coleman was wanting up on the couch at my feet. Then I fell back fast asleep again until shortly after 8:00 a.m. WOO HOO!!!! I slept through the night!! And I AM AWAKE DURING THE DAY!!

Sorry... you may just not know how happy that makes me feel!! I feel a bit more normal!! (Not that there really is a normal sleeping habits now a days!!)

Well, hubby is up and out of his shower... so, I best be getting up off this couch to put the Cinnamon Rolls in the oven like I promised I would do today! (That's my tradition for him & I... usually it's Thanksgiving morning or the day after!!!!) :)

See you all soon.. (This ride is NOT over yet!!) More stops coming up soon!!! :o)

Toodles for now!! :)

Have a WONDERFUL HAPPY and SAFE DAY!!!

Taking a break from writing to share my thanks.

I know not all are from the US and are celebrating Thanksgiving... However, I still hope you'll take time to remember to give thanks for what you have!

I'll be posting a blog later on (maybe Friday) with my thankful items (will actually be an answer to the UFChallenge that I have made.)... but most of all, I have to give thanks to ALL OF YOU!!! If it wasn't for my friends here, I don't really know how I could have survived this past year or so!!!!

Like most of you, I won't be around much, if at all tomorrow... So, enjoy your day... and if you're with family and / or friends... give them an extra big hug!!! Tell them THANK YOU!!!

Hugs all around!

Ok, I can't forget... need to leave you a few graphics! (I'm not going to go to everyone's blogs this time around... I just don't have the energy... So, I hope you'll enjoy it here!!)

glitter-graphics.com

CALLING for all NaNoWriMo writers.... who else is out there doing this??

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

If you'd like to buddy up on NaNoWriMo... we can encourage each other to get that last push of 50,000 words!!!

WE ALL CAN DO IT!!! I know it!!!

What? They didn't wake me?

That was my very 1st thought once I fully woke up this even around 6:00... YES... I said THIS EVENING!! I thought... goodness the dogs did not wake me up to go out!! I ended up sleeping nearly TWELVE hours!! I really guess I needed the sleep!

I finally fell asleep around 5:30 this morning... I heard hubby's alarms going off, but never heard him get in the shower... nor did I hear him leave. Which means I was sound asleep.

I do remember waking up around 2:00p.m. or so... when Coleman was in my face, because he wanted up on the couch... at my feet... BUT... the little girl (that's Sunny) was already there... So, I picked her up & put her to my chest. (It's so comfy in the winter with her curled up beside me there and Coleman at my feet!) Then I was fast asleep again.

Around 4 or so, I think... I believe I felt Sunny leave me and Coleman jump off the couch... They went to the back room... I think they thought that Dad (my hubby) was home. But I knew it wasn't time... So, I was going to get up... but yep... I fell back asleep... I mean I was SOUND asleep!

I even had a really weird dream too! It was an intense dream... Let me just say this... the farm was on fire!! Scared the daylights out of me!!

Well, I must have been scared enough, because I finally woke up... after a little toss and turning and wiping my eyes... I looked and it's dark out! YIKES... what time is it! I sit up and mumble something to myself (don't remember) & looked at the clock... Before I could even get the words out... "Geesh it's 6:00" the dogs were right there saying... "Come on Mom... we've waited this long... Time to get us OUT!!"

Sunny was dancing around & barking... Coleman was heeling to me (as he always does to us... always in the house, but never outside! LOL)... So... I try to grab my coat & put my slippers on and they're both in my face as I'm sitting on the step trying to get my slippers on... "Silly dogs... I have to get some shoes on 1st!" I was hoping that the snow wasn't too deep for just my slippers.

With Sunny still barking and Coleman doing his spinning it was hard to get him on a leash... but I finally did. (See Sunny is really good... she won't go running off... but the Border Collie in Coleman, we HAVE to have him on a leash!!) ... So, I finally move the towel away from the back door (it's keeping the draft out)... and unlock it... open it... and ZOOM... there they go...

And Sunny is off and Coleman has reached the end of his leash... I can't run (because of my back) and so, it's funny to watch the two of them play for a sec.

Sunny did her little thing right away... Coleman did his walking around and finally did both! They are both enjoying (and Mom is too) the snow... but I wanted to be sure Sunny did the other... so, I walked them to the door... un-clipped Coleman from his leash and guided him in the door so that he was in front of Sunny... so she wouldn't slip in....

Then I went to get her on the leash (to signal her that she needs to do more)... but she turned right around and was back to the yard to do her thing... I waited under the over hang of the garage and soon as she was done... I said "Good Girl"... and she comes back running at full speed and didn't stop 'til she got to the back door.

It was SOOOOO funny... because her ears are flopping & when she runs... she bounces... It's so cute! And she doesn't run that often!! So, it's fun to watch when she's like that!

They are such wonderful dogs... I just love them to pieces!!

Anyway... Just wanted to share my little joy of the day with you!
(P.S. That picture above is the two of them with all their toys!! I know Coleman is obvious... but do you see Sunny?? LOL!!)

Oh... in case you're wondering... I've stalled a little on my novel again. Just can't quite seem to keep going. But I will make the deadline!! I know I will!! (I just have to keep thinking that!!! LOL)

Speaking of... after doing a little research... I've found out they don't read the novel... you can even scramble it before putting it in the word count generator. And they give out the "certificates" to those who've generated 50,000+ words... but what's the point then of writing an actual story? Well... for those of us who truly want to write a novel... it's a challenge!! Even though the plot of our story maybe way off ... or the grammar is left to be desired... This helps you get the majority of the novel done in a given time (1 month)... then you take time to go back and edit it after December 1st!

So, not everyone will have a best seller. Nor will everyone want to share what they wrote... but hey... for those of us who are committed to writing... it's a chance to prove to ourselves that we can do it! And we can also back it up with the "winning certificate" from NaNoWriMo!!

And who knows... just maybe... maybe someday the novel will actually be a best seller... or even a classic movie!! (I say this... because I know it's true!! One of the "motivation pep talkers" is non other than... the author of "The Princess Diaries"!! (Meg Cabot) Yeah... the one that has a couple popular movies made from... you know the ones.... they star Anne Hathaway!!)

Anyway... when I saw that... that really encouraged me to be sure to get this done some how!!! So... I've spent so much typing of PM's and blogs and other things the past couple days... I feel I've probably wasted some of my words on all that... but you know what! I don't care! I'm feeling good... and I know I'll make this deadline!!! I just know it!!

With that said... There is only FIVE days left... so, don't be shocked if you don't see me around for the next few days... Just keep an eye out on my HOME page and watch my word counter widget!!! You'll know then I'm busy!!! :)

So... now... before I forget... I hope those who celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday will have a wonderful and SAFE one!! Enjoy the family and enjoy the food!!

Take care & hugs to you all!!!

(That's what I call pulling the emergency brake to this RAMBLING TRAIN!! .... SHE'S BAAACK!!!) 

Even the Angels are crying

In our local newspaper was an article about a fire down in Cincinnati... All I can say is please... lift this family up in your prayers. They will need all they can get, especially with the Holiday season upon us!!

The story is SO sad & my heart aches for this mother and father!!! (Just read the article... I can't type anymore. I am trying to fight back the tears even still.)

HUGS TO YOU ALL... & If I haven't said it lately... LOVE YA ALL!!! :o)

My self esteem - CONTACTS ONLY!!!

Yeppers... another CONTACT ONLY ENTRY... (half tempted to make it a no reply entry too... because I'm not looking for sympathy... or even pick me up's... I guess I'm just venting a loud.)

Let me just put it this way... My self-esteem has been shot to... pieces (to put it politely!)

Not to mention a long time friendship... (yeah... this is getting to be a recurring theme it seems like here lately on Multiply... but I think it's because we have so many friends here we want to keep you all informed.)

Now.... I am NOT going to mention names! And I am not going to say what happened. But suffice to say... I was shocked beyond all tonight about somethings... I really should have seen it coming... but I didn't... I was blind sided by this!

I knew some things were going on with this person... but I had not a clue how they felt about me. Yeah... sounds a bit selfish... but someone with a low self-esteem to begin with... AND because this is MY blog... I'm going to be.

BUT... It gets worse... I've found out this person has hurt other friends deeply too! I knew about this before I knew about stuff said about me. SO... I feel even horrible that my other friends are going through a rough time because of just one person.

I don't know if this person will even read it... but if so... I just have to say, "I'm praying for you... and had you just said something to me... I could have corrected my end of the problem at least! ... or at least tried to!"

So, anyway... I don't want to assume anything anymore... so, let me say... if you have a beef with ME... please take it up with me! It may hurt at 1st... but I'll get over it! And 9 times out of 10 I don't realize it's wrong... or if it's bothersome to you. I don't know how many times I have to say it... but I am a "people pleaser"... meaning I don't like to irritate people with my habits. Please tell me... because I try to adjust to everyone whenever possible AND when I can't... or slip up... I'll apologize... AND if it's something I have a reason for doing... I'll let you know. AND maybe you'll have a better way for me...

Do you see now? I don't like to anger anyone... so please... talk to me about it!!

Ok... that rant / venting is done (for now!)

On another subject...

It came to my attention the past couple weeks that you all may have gotten the idea (MY FAULT COMPLETELY) that I was terribly sick... I am truly sorry... I tried to explain it... that it was just a head cold and I had no fever... it just really knocked me for a loop. But I think I had the final knock out with it... because today (well, yesterday... Sunday) I started feeling much better!

So... I am so sorry to have worried you. I tend to over do it some times. I do truly appreciate all the concern. Trust me... I will let you know if there would be any concern. I just felt it was necessary to let you all know why I wasn't around much.

And so you know... if it was bad enough, yes... I would have seen a doctor... (if I could wake up for the appointment!! LOL) Sorry... I have to laugh at myself because this is so funny to me that I could not have gone to the doctor at all while I was sick... because I was sleeping the whole time they were open!!

Well, I guess if I was bad enough, I would have made it some how!!! TRUST ME.... I would have gone!!

OH... by the way... if you get one of them head colds this winter... I suggest TheraFlu... NIGHT TIME... SEVERE COLD!! That knocked it out of not just me... but also my hubby AND also my dad... (and he's in California!) So... I know it's going around!! I sure hope you all can stay away from it!!

Ok... that's all for now... my sleeping habits have got to change one of these days!!!!

Night all!! (Look at the time I posted this!!) ;o)

What was going through his mind...

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

I wonder... I really wonder... what was going through his mind at that moment when this photo was snapped??
(I like Bush... but this is really funny... & there are times that he has his moments... & this is one of them!!)

Ok, if you like President (YES, HE'S STILL OUR PRESIDENT) Bush or not... feel free to put you best caption.

Nope... no prizes... maybe applause & kudos

... AND PUHLEEEEEZZEE... be kind! Remember THIS MAN is our COMMANDER AND CHIEF!! (Have respect, will ya??) Thank you!! :)



P.S. I got this photo from Yahoo News... and here's their caption...
Wearing a traditional Peruvian poncho, President George W. Bush gestures as Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso stands below before the official group photo of the 16th summit of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, in Lima, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

update - GOOD NEWS!!

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Just so you all know... I'm feeling MUCH better today!!

However... I still am not going to be visiting many of your blogs... Still trying to meet that 50,000 word deadline!!

(Geesh... as much as I have written in PM's just now... AND chatted with my sister on the phone... I'd be way OVER the mark!! LOL)

HUGS TO ALL!! & Thank you all for your concern... I'm doing well... Thank you!!! :)

Help NEEDED -- Birthday Card Shower

UPDATES, 1st....
My novel writing took a back seat to.... sleep and just relaxation... I was burned out...

As you'll be able to tell by my front page... I am back to writing again... I'm at almost 17,000 words... which means I'm a little over 33% of the way done. However, since I started late and missed a few days, I'm not up to having to write almost 4800 words a day to make the deadline.

I'm not so worried about that as I am in my story is going to be finished before the goal of 50k is reached. I just thought it would be so cool to have that winning certificate that comes to those who reach that goal!

Had I started on the 1st like everyone else... I would not have had a problem making the goal. It may sound like I'm giving up... but I'm not!!! I'm still going to be plugging away.

Oh, why am I up so early? Well, I haven't been to sleep! For some reason I could not fall asleep this past night! GEEESH!!! I wish my body would make up it's mind... either let me sleep or not at all... that's nerve racking!

Well, I am going to try to catch a few ZZZ's before I have to do my other things today.

OH THAT REMINDS ME... We're going to be celebrating my Grandma's 90th birthday in just a couple weeks... We'd like to SHOWER HER WITH BIRTHDAY CARDS...

I think it would be really neat if she received some from all over the world.

SO, tell you what... send me a PM to let me know you want to send a card and I'll get you a US POSTAL Mail address!!!

If you're NOT on my contact list and wish to do this... that is fine... just know I'll be a little weary at first before I give any info.

Grandma's birthday is Dec 12th... HOWEVER we're going to be having an open house for her on the 7th...

Now, please... do NOT leave any birthday greetings here... for she will not be able to see them. Besides, I may do something else instead, we'll see.

Anyway... Would you like to help in the Birthday Card Shower?? Then send me a PM.... ASAP!!!! Thanks a bunch!!! :)

(Most cards should arrive on time if sent out by Tuesday... Not sure about the ones out of the US... but that's ok, if you still wish to do it, if you're from out of the US... that will just make it even extra special!!!)

Thanks for listening all! :) Night! :)

getting there... (contacts only)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Hey all... I'm ok... I'm not bad enough to see a doctor... Just wiped out. The coughing settled down soon as I did last night. ... So, it just tells me it's something that's going to bug me for a little bit... until this bug is completely gone.

I am still sleeping during the day... trying like crazy to switch it... but it's really hard. Even took my Ambien last night at 11p... but I think something in my mind is making me fight it... because at 7:00a.m. I was still awake... I had to take some TheraFlu nighttime to get to sleep... I only took it because I was starting to get a little stuffy and had a major headache.

BUT GOOD NEWS.... Other than being completely worn out... I'm MUCH BETTER than I have been! I'm just going to keep relaxing another night. So, hopefully tomorrow I can be starting back on better sleep schedule!

Night all! :)

fighting the bug - contacts only!!

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

Well, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still fighting this bug. It's really knocked me for a loop!

This evening I went to the grocery store to pick up prescription for Hubby & I (not for this bug... just our usual stuff.) ... & by the time I got home I was wiped out.

Each time I go do something (when I feel like I'm better) I start to cough. Sooooo... with that said, I've been trying to keep still the last couple days. It's almost 10 p.m. & I just now got on to check my messages. (I didn't want to have to deal with a ton of them tomorrow.)

Anyway, I didn't want any of ya to worry. & Don't!! Because I am OK! I'm just a little weaker than usual.... At least I don't have the stuffy head part... so, my nose can start to unchap now! LOL. (See, I still have a little humor in me.)

Okie dokie... I'm outta here... going to lay back down again! Night all!

(P.S. I've stalled on my novel... I'm just over the 14k mark... & I haven't written since Monday. So, we'll see how it goes. I think I would have done better by now, if I hadn't been sick. We'll see... I may get a burst of energy to write again here in next day or so.)

**HUGS**

Camo - The Puppy

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

It came to my attention that some of you didn't get to see this little guy... Thankfully I had saved it last night. (It is from Yahoo Most Viewed... now it's in the most emailed group.)



If anyone knows the story behind this little guy... Or even who we can give credit to for the picture... please leave a comment below. Thank you! :)

Break time...

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

No.. not from Multiply... just taking a break from writing tonight. I'm going to try to work on my theme.

So, if you're out there perusing through my blogs... don't be surprised if you see some changes and them some clashing photos... It will all get worked out shortly.

Just going to try to make one of my own.

**HUGS**

Yahoo most viewed photo

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Awwww....
If he doesn't have a name already... I think we should call him Camo!

I just had to share!!

On a roll...

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Here I am taking a quick break to give you an update... (& to get a power snack!)

The date today is 1/2 way in the NaNoWriMo challenge... and I'm only a 5th of the way complete... HOWEVER, if you've been paying attention... I only just started on Tuesday.

So, I call reaching the 10,000 word count threshold an accomplishment!! :o)

I have put a counter "widget" on my front page... so, I may not post as many updates as I have been. I don't want to bore the majority of you... and besides, I should be saving my words for the novel. ;o)

Speaking of, I must get back at it. Have to make up for not writing last night!! :)

too tired

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

Well, I've been staring at the computer for the past couple hours... went through my messages and some of ya all's blogs... And I just don't have the inspiration to write tonight.

I'll keep thinking.

I'm feeling ok... not terrific... but I'm getting there. I think a night off will help. So, talk to you all later! NIGHT! :)

How many words can you type in a day?

Well, I am at EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN. Yep, that's 8,516 words in just 3 days. (Well, actually only 2, since I didn't write anything last night!) ... According to another word count widget, I saw I am at 17% of my goal!

WOO HOO!!

*grabs the calculator* That's leaves me at an average of just under 2500 words a day from here on out.

As you can probably tell, I am starting to feel better. At least for now I am!

Don't worry, when you see the time on this blog... I will get plenty of sleep. It just happens that I have been sleeping in the day... and I bet because I've been sick is the reason I had been sleep so much!

Ok, I'll give you that, it is LATE... even for me!! But I feel more relieved since I've wrote a lot.

I'm getting excited how it's all going to! I just hope that I don't end the story before I reach my goal of 50,000 words!!!

I'll give you a tiny glimpse into the storyline...

It's about a girl and a boy... KIDDING!!! Actually, the two main characters is a girl and a boy... but it's actually a suspense type of a novel with a little tiny romance in it.

I think it would be something that Hallmark Movie Channel (HMC) would air.

If you don't know me well, just keep in mind... I write PG stuff! So, if you don't know of the HMC that's just a tip.

Ok... you all twisted my arm... here's a snippet...

It was of his grandfather standing at a lake holding his fishing rod. The caption under it was ‘Tom Jackson caught something alright!’ Lily giggled as she remembered the story she was told.

Ok... that's all I can give you. What I can tell you is that is the start of a story within the story!!!

Would something like that interest you enough to read more??

Word count update...

Well, I did not write at all last night. I was not feeling very well. However tonight I am back at it. Taking a quick break to give you an update.

I am not sure if this meter will update automatically... but here is something you can watch. (If it does, I'm going to put it on my front page, too!)

I tell you... I am bound and determined to make this deadline!!! I figured it out... with a little more than 16 days to go... I have to average about 2900 words each day from here on out. I hope that average will decrease by the end of the weekend.

Seriously?? What is he thinking???

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

Michael Vick thinks he can return to the NFL?? That is just NOT RIGHT!!!

If the NFL has there heads screwed on correctly, they will make sure he is BANNED from the league! If they even consider reinstating him... I think any fans who are dog owners & / or love dogs should boycott NFL....

HOWEVER... BEFORE you start a boycott... let's see what they will say in response!!

update - contacts only!

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

I just wanted you all to know that I'm still fighting this cold. I really do not think it's the flu because I've not had a fever at all.

Don't worry, I have been getting plenty of rest. Yesterday was actually the 1st time I spent so much time on $hiba. I thought I was starting to get better.

However, I couldn't fall asleep until after hubby left for work, which was after 6:00a.m.... & I found a comment on someone's blog that I left around 6:30a... so, it was later when I finally fell asleep. (I say that way, because I thought I left that earlier this morning.)

Anyway, I slept very soundly most of the day... & then in & out of sleep until about 7:00p.m. ...

I wake up breathing through my nose... but that was short lived. ACK!! Then as I get up & move around a little I realize that this cold is on it's way down to my chest.

Oh... & since I've been sick I haven't drank any milk... & the last time I was at the store I had bought 3 gallons, because I was going through it quickly AND I was going to make some pudding... & I knew it would be a bit before I went back to the store... However, I was not planning on being so sick I couldn't drink milk!! So... I have to poor down the drain 2 gallons of milk already. The 3rd gallon I have not opened yet... but it was all the same date. ARGH!!

So, hubby is on his way to the store to go get a 1/2 gallon of milk. I told him until I get better enough to start drinking it & using it like I was... that I did not want anymore than that. (He doesn't drink milk... & he rarely has cereal to use it.)

Anyway... I just wanted to let you all know how I was doing.

Talk to you later! :)

Best month to do it... WRITE A NOVEL...

I had been hearing about this site NaNoWriMo (which stands for National Novel Writing Month) for a couple weeks now. I never went to investigate... (wish now I had sooner... knowing it was something about writing.)

Well, in my boredom-ness (from being sick & been watching too much TV)... I started to peruse some blogs of my friends. I stumbled upon one from SkyeRider in which she had a link to the NaNoWriMo site. (I'd post her blog about it, but it's for her network only).

So, I checked out the site... looked at the rules... & thought... what the hay... I can do this... I'm a RAMBLER... & most of all, I LOVE TO WRITE!! ... I've been itching to write again... but haven't been really inspired. Well, nothing like a contest to get you motivated!!

The goal is to write a novel of at least 175 pages with AT LEAST 50,000 words... by 11:59p.m. November 30th. Has to be original work & nothing that you've published or posted anywhere else before.

Well, I have started many other novels, if you say, & I never quite seem to get them finished. Then I loose the notebook they're in... or lost the file some how. As I said... nothing like getting motivation.

For this "contest", my novel is actually going to be the 2nd installment of a series of ones that I am working on. I have not finished the 1st book yet.... however, in writing it I "unearthed" a way to be able to make it into a series.

Since this site is wanting original work that you didn't start to write until Nov 1st... I'm going to go ahead & start on the 2nd book.

The reason I'm going into all this is because I wanted to let you all know that even though I'm still sick... & not feeling well... I'll be making my down time count for something!

Who knows what it may lead to... WISH ME LUCK!! & If you're a Multiply user... go by SkyeRider's site & wish her luck too! ... I don't know who else is participating. Feel free to comment below if you are a part of NaNoWriMo!!

P.S. When I feel I can, I'll give you a little excerpt from the novel... however, I may wait until after the deadline.



Create yours at BlingyBlob.com!

Boggles the mind

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Ha! You thought this was going to be a blog or review...

Sorry... it's just another BLOGTHING!!! LOL...

Snagged this one from my friend Barb4sun

You Are Boggle

You are an incredibly creative and resourceful person. You're able to dig deep and think outside the box to get things done. You are a non linear thinker. You don't like following directions You draw your inspiration from the strangest places sometimes. You're constantly inspired.

What Board Game Are You?

Tuesday's Ten Thoughts (aka TTT)

Jumping on the bandwagon at least for this week. Since I'm a rambler this will work out great for me!!

The preface about this is just to blog 10 random thoughts.

Random #1: I love the sound of the leaf blower, but does it have to be so HIGH PITCHED.

Random #2: Yeah, I know, I urged hubby to do the leaves today, since it's supposed to be raining for the next 5 days or so... but I regret it now, because he's right out the window next to me, at the moment.

Random #3: For those who are wondering, yes, I'm still sick. I believe it's just a nasty head cold. I have not had a fever, yet. I have my moments when I'm awful & don't want to think. Then have moments where I'm bored to pieces. (Hence why I am on the computer at this moment.)... (Dad, I'll be fine. NO, I don't need to go to the doctor's yet. I just have to wait this one out.) ... It's going to be a long battle, I can feel it already.

Random #4: I guess I'd rather it be a head cold instead of a chest cold... because at least I know it's not bronchitis again... YET!!!

Random #5: Going through a lot of Kleenex... may have to have hubby get another box here in the next day or so.

Random #6: Best thing about being sick... Hubby has been fixing me my food for the most part. (Don't worry, I've been easy on him... soups & etc.)

Random #7: I just realized I'm sitting here in the dark & no TV on... & it's actually... NICE!! (See, I usually have the light on low here in the living room & the TV is usually on for background noise.

Random #8: I hate having to breathe through my mouth!!!!

Random #9: I should probably call a family member to see is someone can use an extra gallon of milk. (I have 2 & 1/2 gallons & since I've been sick, I've not been drinking milk. Though, I so still want some CHOCOLATE PUDDING... just have no energy to make.) Don't want that milk to spoil... I think I'll ask hubby to go to neighbors & see if they can use a gallon.

Random #10: Wow... I actually made it to 10 random thoughts. I didn't think I was going to make it. Especially since this is the most I've "spoken" on the computer in the past week or so... Now I'm numb. (Yeah, head cold will do that to you!) I needst to stop.... needst to go read messages, leave very quick replies & lay back down.

Extra thoughts: I don't know when I'll be back again in full capacity... Only one can guess... & pray for a quick healing. (Yeah, hubby's been feeling better. Good thing he got over his just as I was getting mine.)

As for my contacts, you know, I'll keep you up to date. & For the family & friends who read this that is not contacts... you know how to reach me, if you want! :o)

That's it... this train has no more steam. Choo Ch... chug.. chug... sputter...

still sick

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

It's 8:32p.m. & this is the 1st I've been on the computer... & I have no energy to do anything else. Hate being sick.

later.

It stinks being sick, especially on our Anniversary!

Well, I done gone got sick. I thought I had fought it off... but after hubby got sick last week, I knew I was doomed.

I had been sleeping plenty (about 10 to 12 hours a night) for the past week or so... & Thursday (was it then?) I thought I had licked whatever it was that was making me feel so icky.

But like I said, hubby got sick with a nasty cold (maybe the flu) last Sunday. With his asthma, I wish he would have taken a day off & gone to the doctors. But NOOOO he worked all week & then on Thursday he rode his Harley to work & then after went to go look at a prospective new (use) truck... & then to Praise Band practice & home around 9p.m. (by then it was quite chilly.) ... I thought for sure with all that riding in the cold as he does (nothing around his mouth) he would have ended up in the hospital on Friday.

Well, no... he actually started to feel better. I started feeling worse. & Yesterday it began to hit me. Last night was a rough night. I took my Ambien at midnight & usually I'm sound asleep within an hour... Come 6:00a.m. I am still awake & now breathing through my mouth, which I totally despise.

Anyway, I then took some Nighttime Theraflu.... At least I got some sleep not as much as I had... Still breathing through my mouth, made it even a worse time to sleep. I kept waking up.

The only good thing is, I've not had a fever yet. When I do... I'll be knocked out on my feet. Since I have a low body temp (lower than average)... a low grade fever is not good for me.

Sorry to do a blog just on being sick... but I wanted to let you all know what was going on.... even though I am still not sure if it's a cold or the flu.

With both of us being sick & hubby going to pick up the truck... we didn't do a thing for our 12th anniversary last night.... but that's fine by me... for now. I just hope that we can go out for a nice dinner when we are both feeling better.

So, that's the update for now... & this is for my contacts only!

(btw... the only reason I'm up now & working on the computer, is because I had some Fantasy Football stuff to work out... If you play it... you'll know how it is! LOL)

*Waving* ... Going to sign off in just a few minutes. For those who have my cell #... feel free to send me a text.

Friday 5 ~ Kitchen Gadgets

This week's Friday 5 was my suggestion. (For more entries, click that title.) My idea was if it was chosen I'd show you on video my favorite gadgets. It's really hard to pick 5... but I did.

I'm not feeling up to par... & it kind of shows in my delivery... well, to me it does. But anyway, I was reviewing the video & realized I made a couple blunders... I'll list them below the video.

So, here are is my Top 5 Favorite Kitchen Gadgets...


Well, 1 mistake is the cheese knife, the cheese doesn't "go through the holes" ... the holes are there to help the cheese not stick to the knife!

The other is on the Snackmaster... you don't just put one slice of bread on each side... you place one sandwich on each side... it seals it up & make it a great HOT pocket type snack. ... You can also make omelets in it... & I can't remember what else... I mainly use it for sandwiches & quesadillas. YUMMO!!

Oh, the Kitchen Aid Mixer I think is a MUST have for all bakers / cooks / chefs! It's wonderful... & it makes the lightest cupcakes ever!! And it mixes in the chocolate chips into the cookies likity split!!

When I visited my dad in April, he showed me the attachment he has for his mixer. It's a meat grinder. I know my hubby would really enjoy that. One of these days, I'll get one... maybe not a meat grinder... I'm thinking more like a noodle maker... there are an assortment to choose from!

Well, tomorrow is mine & hubby's 12th anniversary... so, I might just ask for an attachment. (Maybe? Oh, especially if he wins some money at the poker game he is at tonight! Hee Hee!!)

Hope you enjoyed your ride. Have a GREAT weekend!!

Hatch Tournament - back by popular demand!!

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Caghs the Cat Lady is up to her ol' tricks again... She has posted a blog with a Hatch Tournament this time... by popular demand.

Go to her blog & pick your egg... & post the code in the comments ON HER BLOG!! & Be sure to read how you'll get to continue!! (Of course, I picked the PINK egg!! :o) Enjoy!!

Friday Five note... I so proud!! :o)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

I made a suggestion not that long ago for the Friday Five group... & VIOLA... they are using it this week!

Now I can't wait to do this one! Since hubby is sleeping... or at least trying to, (poor thing is sick still), I'll have to do it tomorrow... because I want to do this one in the form of a video blog!

Cool! Cool! Cool! :o)

CLICK HERE, if you want to see the details & participate too. (You may have to join the group.)

Weather - Blogthing

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

You Are Rain

You can be warm and sexy. Or cold and unwelcoming. Either way, you slowly bring out the beauty around you. You are best known for: your touch Your dominant state: changing

What Type of Weather Are You?

Thanksgiving Blogthing

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

You Are Pumpkin Pie

Even when people are full - they make room for you. Good or bad, your smell is most likely to arouse a man.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

Fall time (Blogthing)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

You Are a Silly Hat

Cute, funny, and a little dorky.

What Part of Fall Are You?

That time of the year again

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about celebration. You enjoy all the fun and fellowship that the holidays bring. You celebrate the holidays in an over the top style. If something is cute, you'll buy it. People end up with a lot of gifts from you - and your house is like a holiday wonderland, full of decorations. During the holidays, you like to feel cozy and comfortable. You're happy to stay inside with a roaring fire and a warm drink. You think the holidays should be nostalgic and sweet. The holidays bring out your inner child. Your best holiday memories are warm and intimate. You remember special moments more than gifts or parties.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

Just a thought

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

Something my hubby said about a week ago, about the election... that if Obama was elected... & I'm sure you've all heard similar remarks... That he maybe be the Anti-Christ... (I still doubt that.)

Well... I guess that I'm really tired, because now the thought has fleeted... Meaning... I can't remember exactly what he said... I'll back it up later... Maybe MamaDi or Caghs can help me out...

But he said something to the fact that "the young will follow him (him, being the Antichrist) in groves".

Anyway, that thought rang through my mind as I watched all this coverage of the election. The majority of those celebrating were the college age kids.

Just a thought... & by the way... this is only for my contacts!!

Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama

As requested by Senator John McCain, I congratulate his opponent. I don't like it... but I do offer my congratulations.

Just to give you some insight into how gracious John McCain is, here are a few quotes from this concession speech Nov 4th, 2008.

"In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance."

"Let there be no reason now, for ANY American to fail to cherish their citizen, in this, the great nation on Earth!"

Mr. McCain also urges all Americans that supported him to join him in "not to just congratulating" Obama, but "offering our next President our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity..." (there was more to this quote... but you get the drift.... Yeah, I'm tired!)

I will still wonder what would have happened had 2 things been different... 1. McCain would have had the amount of funds that Obama had to campaign... & 2. The country would not have been in such a poor economic time.

Can't say gas prices led to this... because they have gone down quite a bit in the past month or so! (It's was under $2 a gallon in some places around here!! FINALLY!!) Let's just hope it stays that way!!

"Whatever our differences... WE ARE FELLOW AMERICANS!!"

He ended his speech with what I think should ring throughout America... & he put it so eloquently said... "I wish God speed to the man who was my former opponent & will be my President. I call on ALL AMERICANS, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe always in the promise & greatness of America. Because NOTHING is inevitable here. AMERICANS NEVER QUIT! WE NEVER SURRENDER! WE NEVER HIDE FROM HISTORY, WE MAKE HISTORY!!"

Laptop battery recall

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

I checked $hiba... *WHEW* not on the list!

Now... check to see if your laptop is listed!!

HEADS UP!!!

 Multiply will be unavailable for a few minutes starting at 8:00PM ET today

Have you been paying attention? ~~ The ANSWERS!!

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Ok... here you go... here are the answers...

#1... I post stuff in the "review" module that probably could go in a blog because my dad reads only my blogs... and I don't want him to have to "wade" through the fun stuff that is mainly just for us Multiply users.

Yes, this is TRUE!! I even said so just before. See... as far as I know, my dad only goes & looks at my blog. When I visited him in April, he was frustrated having to go through all the blogthing quizzes & stuff like that... He was going to a link of my front page. So, while there, I set his link for him to go directly to my blog. That way he can see if there have been any additions AND he can preview it to see if it's anything he'd want to read. :o) .... Putting stuff like this in reviews just help make it easier on him... but does it help you all? For me, if it was your site... I just look in my Multiply Inbox for updates... I figure that's how just about everyone does it. & That they don't go to everyone's front page to see updates. (At least that's what I think!)

#2... My drink "kick" right now is A&W root-beer. Extra points if you remember what it used to be!!

Yes, this is TRUE! Maegan was the only one close enough to what it used to be... & it was PEPSI... CAFFEINE FREE... not Diet. ICK to Diet drinks!

#3... I am 1/2 Italian & 1/2 German. (Hmmm... wonder if I actually shared this with anyone??)

I don't know if I've shared this with anyone... However, I am part Italian... & part Polish & I even have some Indian in me... I think I have German in me to... and some Irish... When I start doing my family tree again, I can give you the percentages more... but it's not 1/2 & 1/2!!

#4... My computers have names. (What are they? ... 3 of them... well, 1 is no longer being used & one is mainly used by my hubby. Extra points if you can remember the name I gave my hubby's computer before I found out it's "real" name!) ... Oh, did you know, it's good to give your computer a name... because operating systems will ask you for it... & They give you examples such as "Home" or "Work" ... however if you give it a unique name, it will help you to remember... oh... that's the one I had that document on... for those who may have multiple computers.)

Oh, wow... I do believe you all got this one right! As far as my computer, that is! Just to recap... my computer is named $hiba (stands for Sheer Heavenly Inspiration By Ability... in hopes to make money with... hence the dollar sign for the S!!) ... My hubby's computer name is JunkYard... I had briefly named it Philly, but then was told it was named JunkYard... I promptly changed it!

#5... I don't like the number 6. (Extra points, what's my favorite #?)

This is TRUE! I especially don't like that # when it is in triplicate. & A couple of you did get my favorite correct... it is 20! & Yep, it's because it's my birth DATE!

#6... Some jobs I've held have been: telemarketer; fast food worker; receptionist; bank teller; & manager.

Yep, that's all TRUE!! I'm even a "manager" currently of "Di's Hope" on SL (Second Life).

#7... I'm a Chiarian.

Again, TRUE! What is a Chiarian? It's someone who has Chiari Malformation. I included a link to past blog that will hopefully help explain it.

#8... My favorite time of the year is Autumn.

Close to true... I do love Autumn... I actually enjoy the beginning of each season. However... WINTER is my favorite!!

#9... I have a degree in Radio & TV broadcasting.

A trick question... sort of... I have a "certificate" in Radio & TV broadcasting... but it's from one of them defunct technical "2 year" schools... so, I doubt it's worth anything anymore.

#10... I have not rode my Harley at all this season. (Extra points if you know why!!)

Yeppers, that is true... Lady Harley has not been on her Harley this year. And yes, it's due to my back injury. If you don't remember... I slipped & fell down three ICY concrete steps this past March. (On election day... the primaries & I missed going to vote... only because I was dealing with a headache.)

Well, that does it for this quiz... how'd you do? Did you learn anything? Maybe I should do this again? Maybe not... it was hard for me to come up with these... For I don't know what I've told everyone.

Take care & Later!