Silver Linings

In life, it is the pursuit of answers that make us successful. It's also the pursuit of finding something wonderful in each situation of life. The silver lining. Recently, Donna Hole awarded me with this beautiful award and just in the knick of time. :0) I needed the beautiful reminder that in all things there are both good and bad. In all things we must seek out the good and learn to handle the bad a little better because of it.

Have you remembered to search out the silver linings in your life? Even in your writing? Tell me and snag the award for yourself!

Case of the Mondays

"Do you work at a job where someone asks if you have a case of the Mondays because you're a little cranky?"
I kind of love that line from the movie Office Space. When you are a stay at home mom, a case of the Mondays is a whole new thing. Like... a really busy whole new thing. So in keeping with that, I have a short post for you today. "Yay!" I hear the collective cheer.

Look! I was awarded the Humane award because I've managed to keep my kids alive for ten whole years! Just kidding. It's been one of those weekends, you know?

Pamela from Barbies to Words awarded me this very adorable award. And it's green. How can it get any better, honestly? The only rule that comes with it is to nominate ten other bloggers. I ask that you nominate who you can, just pay it forward. Or, if you are an award free blog and I failed to notice that, please forgive me and pretend nothing happened! :)

I've nominated these bloggers because of their content and their ability to somehow keep up with commenting on a pretty regular basis.

Patti Nielson
Donna Hole
Mystery Writing is Murder: Note- often her tips apply to all genres of writing. (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
Louder Than Noise
Dangerous with a Pen
One Writer's Journey
Putting Pen to Paper
Heather's Oddyssey
Diary of a Virgin Novelist
Invincible Summer

It's a busy day and an even busier week for me around here. My friend made it safely here from the west coast and now the poor thing is sick, sick, sick. I'm worried it may be pneumonia, so we may be visiting the ER tonight. We will see. So...I'm way, way behind in my comments and I hope you can all bear with me. I LOVE YOU COOL KIDS!

Random Honesty

Wow! Wow! Two awards in a week?! New followers?! I'm loving my bloglife. I've just created that term, copyright it please. I mean, people in our world truly rock. I don't care what anyone says.

So, the honest scrap award came to me by way of Caroline at Caroline By Line. How totally freaking awesome is that title? Always been one of my favorites. Definitely check out her blog. Caroline has a fabulous way of presenting reading ideas for kids, writing tips for writers and inspiration for all. I'm so glad I found her in this WWW(new copyright-Weird World of Weblogging). According to rules I tell you ten honest things about myself (uh oh) and then present the award to some of my favorite scrappers bloggers. So, here are ten honest things about me. Watch out!

1. If I never made it as a writer, I would be an actress. Drama is my first name. I mean, I've toned down a little since I hit my uh, thirties. But, I can be quite the drama queen.
2. The first boy I kissed slobbered all over my face and chin. It was so gross that I did anything possible to always be in the same room with my mom so he couldn't do it again. The next boyfriend I had, I didn't let him kiss me for a looooong time.
3. When I was 19, I flew to CA from Texas, then traveled in a '73 Pontiac Lemans (which was totally bitchin', I miss that car!) all the way up the West Coast and then down to CO and back to TX. Alone. I didn't think it was a big deal. I had so many adventures. I could have been killed, robbed and raped at least 30 times according to my naivete and actions. Really, how could I not believe in Angels???
4. I still have my puppy whose name is Puppy from when I was 8 years old. It's one of the last things I have that my great grandmother bought for me. Puppy is no longer very pretty, but he will most likely never leave my home.
5. I hate folding clothes. I hate putting them away even more. It happens to be my children's new chore. :0)
6. I worked for Microsoft when Win95 came out and I thought I was all that. I know nothing.
7. Holy cow, has it really been almost 15 years since Win95?? Please tell me I'm wrong in my math. Oh God-This honesty is that I constantly FORGET that time has passed. How is this possible? Seriously?
8. I use iGoggle as my homepage so that my Reader, Gmail and pertinent headlines are constantly a click away. And yes, I click too much (have to make sure I have comments!!)
9. I think I could live on Subway. I make such sandwiches at home, however it's just not as satisfying as Subway. Why? I think it's because someone else makes it. And cleans up the mess.
10. Up until the day I got pregnant, I swore I would NEVER have kids and NEVER get married. Once I had Rhiannon, I swore I would have NO MORE kids and never move again. 12 moves and two kids later, I give up on NEVER and NO MORE.

And now for my nominations:
JM Diaz at An Ulterior Motive-My one guy follower (I think...are there any other guys that I'm missing?) but I love his blog. He has a great take on writing adventures.
Alexa at Hooked on YA books-a new follower, I love her detailed reviews of the books she reads. If you haven't seen her blog, check it out! She's also striving to meet 150 followers so she can throw a contest. :0)
Laurel's Leaves-Smart, fabulously funny
Regina Rhythm-Always well written, always unique and thoughtful
Steph in the City-Here's some honesty for you on about any subject you'd like. :0)

The High

Wow, I got a nifty winners badge for my blog, a letter of ego-blowing proportions and I can't wait for December 2nds announcement of goodies for Nano winners. I can't even explain the head change I've experienced since the moment I wrote that final sentence-the one that gives me permission to go back and fix all the glorious crap I wrote. :0) Ahhhccomplishment.

Addiction, for all it's horrible qualities, comes in so many forms. It is something that I can often discuss for hours. Not only illegal drugs, but the legal ones-alcohol, coffee, energy drinks, cigarettes, cigars, shopping, cleaning, collecting, etc.. etc.. I'm so happy to have an addiction to writing. I began to doubt myself, but this crazy nano month really showed my inner critic a thing or two. I'm STONED with relief and happiness and accomplishment. I'm addicted and I'm loving it. Please do not intervene.

So, how long will this high last? Is it better than the pot I did indeed inhale in high school? So far, I'm still walking on air, and that is better than the pot in high school. I know that the support of the writing community vastly improves my high. I love them...err.. that's YOU! Thanks to everyone for your encouraging comments, insightful wisdom (Angelia-your tips on wordcount got me to 50K!) and of course-your sense of humor!

Which brings me to this BRAND NEW really pretty award. Thank you Robyn for choosing my blog to receive such an honor. Sorry it has taken me so long to post it! You know what November does to us. It gives us excuses for all the other stuff we usually do. :0) I will be posting my choices for the award on Monday. I have to really think about it....it's hard to choose!! Would I break the rules if I told everyone to grab it for themselves and I'll post links to your blogs? Guess what. I'm breakin' em. Leave me a comment in the comments section telling me how fabulous I am where you found my blog and then take your award. I will post the links on Monday. Wow-I have a lot to do on Monday, suddenly.