A Little Blah-Blah-Blah

Going to my first AYSO board meeting tonight. Dinner - paid for! Woot!

Took the fam shopping today - Dropped the guys at Home Depot, took the girls shopping for party stuff. Cannot find a mini-tea set anywhere! Argh!

David had an eye appointment today - increased prescription, ordered glasses. Two to three weeks and they'll be in.

Party planning driving me insane. Why did I volunteer for this again? Eeeeeek! She wanted a nice easy sleepover. lol OK, when the sleepover sounds BETTER? then I know I'm insane.

Watched Galaxy Quest for the first time this week. Very funny! Laughed and laughed. David found it extremely amusing too. On my second disc of NCIS Season 1. We like it. Remember I was looking for a current TV show to watch on DVD? Think I've found it.

Just something I wanna say - Whining drives me batty. For some reason, and I'm sure it's not present company, this has come to the forefront of my mind.

No house painting has happened yet. Monday it rained. Yesterday Bob realized he had no masking tape. Bought some today. So maybe now we can begin. Oh wait, yeah, PARTY on Friday. @@ and it's supposed to rain tomorrow. It was supposed to rain today too, but it didn't. It better not rain on Friday.

Both the queries I sent on Monday got rejections the same night. Dang, those agents are fast! Edited some yesterday. Maybe I can edit a little more before I have to head out. I've been working on the laptop, since it isn't hooked to the internet. Then I don't get as distracted. lol

OK, I'm off! You feel free to hang out and do your thing.

No Soccer, Wolverine at Midnight, Visiting

Although the weather was lovely today, soccer games were all cancelled because the fields were too wet. We have only played two games so far, although today should have been our SIXTH game of eight. So, we have had to reschedule 4 games. Bummer! Messes with the master plan!

I read on weather.com that we had six inches of rain in April and the average rainfall for the month is 2.86 inches. More than DOUBLE.

So, instead of watching one game and coaching another, I went nowhere today. Did some odds and ends around here - weeded out the winter coats and boots, switched my spring clothes into the closet and packed away the winter ones, worked on May lesson plans, oversaw the housecleaning, went for a walk with my family. Only a leetle youtube. :-)

Thursday I went out to dinner with friends and then we went to see X-men Origins: Wolverine at the midnight show. What fun! I'll try to get a review up at Mirkwood soon.

Yesterday was park day for our homeschool group. Windy! The kids barely noticed though. They swarmed over the playground. The moms huddled in groups trying to avoid the wind. I walked three laps around the mile-long track with friends. That helped us stay warm too.

After the park we headed over to my friend Darlene's to play. She'd read my novel so she gave me some much-desired feedback on that and then we watched The Hunt for Red October, which somehow in almost twenty years, I'd never managed to see. Jennifer has been strongly (hehe) suggesting for a long time that I see it, so I took the opportunity when it presented itself. (Jennifer, I turned down THE MATRIX to watch it. Just so you know.... lol)

Friday night I read. And read and read.... I read about 3/4 of a Jodi Picoult novel (Nineteen Minutes) all in that one evening. Finished it today. Very gripping story about a fictional school shooting.

What's ahead for the coming week?
Sunday - Sunday School, Church, Youth Group (D)
Monday - Lessons, Writing, Coach a game (S), Homeschool meeting
Tuesday - Lessons, Writing
Wednesday - Lessons, Writing, Art Class (J, E, D)
Thursday - Lessons, Writing, Soccer (J and maybe S)
Friday - Lessons, Writing, set up for the curriculum sale
Saturday - Coach soccer (S) and watch soccer (J) and go tear down the sale

Only three more weeks of lessons for us before we call our school year finished. We will continue to work throughout the summer, though.

I'd also like to fit in a meeting with my co-leaders. I need to reschedule at least one of Suzy's games since our team ended up with a double-header for Monday night and I don't think they can handle that.

I have a huge to-do list too, that I need to tackle this week!

Washed Out? Washed Up?

This space needs something written in it. So, here goes.

Monday was kind of a wash, at least as far as my own attitude goes. I did push the kids through their lessons but I accomplished nothing at all except laundry. And it rained.

Tuesday was better. The rain went away, but the ground was saturated. Soccer was cancelled. I went with Dar and Pam over to the campground to look over the possibilities for homeschool camping. We changed the area we plan to camp in, although it's different than we had originally planned to change it to. Confused yet? So, those plans are underway.

Our neighbors invited us over for a cookout for their youngest daughter's birthday, so we hung out there most of the evening. That was fun. James and I tossed a football back and forth for a long time. Then I went to two libraries.

Started a fluffy book because I need something light and quick to finish out the month. All the usual suspects were unappealing.

Today should be sunny and nice. But all I want to do is write. I have a new idea. Not sure if I should start writing that or continue editing MVR. Well, I haven't edited in a while. (And if you are one of my FMN Beta Readers.... will you update me on where you are? There are a lot of you I haven't heard from!)

Oh yeah, and I got two of the High School Musical soundtracks at the library. Yeah, go ahead and laugh at me now.

Time for a shower. The kids are going to watch a Bible video to start their day today. I'm off!

Btw, David took the photos. FROM OUR ROOF.

Meredith's News

If you're reading here, then you probably know that my pen name is Meredith Malone. Check out HER blog for some exciting news! (Yeah that does make me feel like a split personality! lol) Link in the sidebar.

Hands-on Bible, Hornblower, Happenings

Hmmm... What have we been doing?

Sunday I taught with my new Sunday School curriculum - Group Publishing's Hands-On Bible. LOVED IT and so did my class. The lesson is scripted (meaning it tells me exactly what to say. OK, call me lazy, but I love it!). It is chock-full of hands-on items like chopsticks, sticky darts, and atom balls. There is no silly lesson paper with ugly illustrations or confusing crossword puzzles. What else is there? Lots of Biblically-based concepts, reading from Scripture, and a Bible point repeated through the lesson so the kids "get" it. I am geeked! I was about ready to quit, but with these exciting materials, I think I can keep going until summer!

Monday I wrote 3700 words and Tuesday I achieved 3000. Wednesday was a No Writing Day since I was gone all day and then I was exhausted. The muse did not visit. I hope to write 3000 today and tomorrow and maybe that will wind up my plot! Then it will be revision time.

Bob took all the kids to Chess Club on Tuesday and I had the house to myself to write. When they came home, we went for a 25 minute walk. The weather was lovely - mid-50's and sunny. Lots of squishy grass and mud puddles, but I so loved being outside!

Yesterday was our homeschool Valentine party at the bowling alley. Suzy chose not to bowl (she said she doesn't like bowling), but the other 3 bowled with their friends and had a great time. Then we had snacks together. Check Cornerstone for pix of their Valentine boxes.

After the party, we visited friends for a few hours. The kids played and the moms chatted and watched part of Return of the King. NICE downtime. Not sure why I was so exhausted when the day was finished! LOL

Watched Horatio Hornblower for the first time last night. LOVED IT. Highly recommend. (Dad would like this! Mom, see if you can get it!) David and I started with the first one - The Duel. It's a BBC series (based on books) that takes place around the time of the French Revolution and is about, obviously, a guy called Horatio Hornblower who starts as a British Navy midshipman and eventually makes his way up the ranks. Exciting and noble! Plus there's Ioan Gruffudd. lol (Did I spell that right?)

Got David Left Behind on audio at the library. I'd like to expand his horizons beyond the Eragon and Twilight books. He's listened to all the Eragon books and the first two Twilight books multiple times. And when I say multiple, I don't mean three. lol

We are getting some more gravel for our driveway, supposed to come today. We got some last spring and it's spread out a bit. Not quite the whole driveway is covered now. We have some muddy squishy bits - thus the need for additional stones.

Time to go scrounge up some lunch for the kiddos!

Health Update 2

Bob is a little better every day. He spends his day in the recliner and then moves back to bed to sleep. He isn't taking Vicodin anymore though, just his regular OTC meds that he always takes for pain. He is very sore, but I think he'll mend well.

David is about the same, maybe a bit worse. Hard to tell. The cough comes and goes. I am 90% sure it is viral bronchitis. (Did I say this here already? Losing track.....) Anyway, rest, fluids, vitamins, etc... is what the doctor would say. OUR doctor would probably prescribe a useless antibiotic. (Useless because they don't combat viruses, only bacteria.) Anyway, I'm making him sleep more. I gave him the day off lessons on Monday and let him SLEEP IN on Tuesday. (giggles! wondering why? see my post on Cornerstone about bedtimes/wake times... lol) I'm giving him garlic capsules, zinc, vitamin C, echinacea, orange juice, Delsym cough meds (barely touch the cough). I tried tea. That went over like a lead balloon. I will try hot cider today.

I remember having bronchitis when I was pregnant with Suzy. I didn't have any insurance and never went to the doctor for it, so I wasn't officially diagnosed. I coughed for weeks, awful paroxysms. TERRIBLE. (Did I use that word right? No, not "terrible"! LOL)

Oh yeah, my back. Still hurts. It's not a terrible thing, just an annoyance. But like I need one more of THOSE right now. lol I am exercising and going about my business anyway.

OK, I am just procrastinating the writing. I think I am at a painful part in the story and I don't want to write it. I've been avoiding it for days now. I may skip that and write a better part first. That way, at least I know where it's heading.

101 Things I want to complete in 1001 days

101 Things I want to complete in 1001 days

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past — frequently simple goals such as new year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

January 1, 2009 – September 28, 2011 (my 45^th birthday - convenient, eh?)

I may have to tweak some of the goals to be more measurable. It's a work in progress, just like my life. :-) I reserve the right to modify my list at any time.

Personal growth

1. Prayerfully consider options for external activities before committing. (just because everyone is jumping off the bridge doesn’t mean you have to.)

2. Decide if I am going back to work full time or writing part time

3. Say no to a request that I really want to accept, but would be better if I didn't

Organizational

1. Work on the 101 in 1001 days list - 1-4-09
   

2. Pack up Christmas stuff - 1-4-09
   

3. Redo the job chart - 1-1-09
   

4. Redo the schedule - 1-1-09
   

5. Tag all my photos in Easy Share

6. Redo my recipe book (1 recipe per day)

7. Get caught up in scrapbooking

8. Plan weekly for menus and shop accordingly

9. Make a plan for keeping kids rooms clean

10. Clean out car weekly

11. Revisit the list on a monthly basis. Don’t be afraid to change it!

12. Organize an emergency kit including flashlight and candles

13. Get important papers in order

14. Get rid of 101 things that we no longer use or need
    

15. Clean out my facebook in box

16. Make a list of Christmas traditions

17. List DVD's on DVDswap

18. Catalog all my books on computer

19. Wrap the Christmas books before I put them away.

20. Use my Coke rewards points for something nice

21. Figure out how to use the music feature on my phone.

22. Buy an album for the 8x10 baby photos

Health & Fitness

1. Plan a healthy lifestyle eating program

2. Do monthly breast exams

3. Find a new breakfast (1/2 cup Kashi, 6 oz light yogurt) 1-2-09

4. Lose 5 pounds 1-17-09
   

5. Lose 10 pounds (cumulative)

6. Lose 15 pounds (cumulative)

7. Lose 20 pounds (cumulative)

8. Lose 25 pounds (cumulative)

9. Lose 30 pound (cumulative)

10. Lose 35 pounds (cumulative)

11. Lose 40 pounds (cumulative – be at goal weight)

12. Follow exercise plan for 30 days. (3x/wk, low impact aerobics) 1-31-09

13. Follow exercise plan for 60 days.

14. Follow exercise plan for 90 days.

15. Donate blood

16. Learn to drink coffee black

17. Learn to like three new healthy foods

18. Learn how to utilize Sparkpeople to its full capacities

19. Take my vitamins every day for 6 weeks

Aesthetics

1. Make my house someplace I love to be

2. Grow flowers

3. Paint the final yellow coat on house exterior (with my family)

4. Paint the white trim (or make Bob do it)

5. Repaint each room inside the house
   

6. Replace all window shades with cellular shades

7. Be able to take my wedding ring off (either naturally or get it resized)

8. Keep my nails done for 30 consecutive days

9. Get contact lenses

10. Have a nice family portrait done

11. Find a purse I really like that holds my stuff well

Recreational

1. Find a hobby to do with Bob

2. Find an outdoor hobby to do with all the kids

3. Go camping 5 times in 5 new places
   

4. Teach children how to sew

5. Sew doll clothes

6. Walk with children 3x per week for 4 months
   

7. Go to a circus with the kids

8. Rewatch the LOTR trilogy and ALL the extras

9. Be more intentional about computer time

10. Sew denim Christmas stockings

11. Get my sewing machine fixed or replaced

12. Obtain a larger TV

13. Go horseback riding

14. See Mamma Mia on stage

15. Take the kids to see Fiddler on the Roof

16. Take the girls to the ballet

17. Complete the 999 Reading Challenge in 2009

18. Decide on and complete a reading challenge for 2010

Relational

1. Attend SOF support monthly

2. Plan monthly family game days (with another family???)

3. Reconnect with a certain friend
   

4. Take each child out alone 1x per month
   

5. Go someplace special on our anniversary each year
   

6. Write to my mom once a month

7. Make an effort to call people on the phone

8. Visit in laws 1x per month

9. Write a letter to someone who has helped me each month

10. Write a letter to each of my siblings

Writing

1. Participate in NaNoWriMo 2009

2. Participate in NaNoWriMo 2010

3. Edit Mystery Valley Ranch

4. Send 3 query letters a week

5. Work on Part 2 of Forget me not

6. Write 2000 words a day 6 days a week

7. Type the kids' novels

8. Find something to sew my NaNo patches on

Financial

1. Tweak budget until it works

2. Become debt free

3. Keep the checkbook balanced 6 months in a row

Spiritual

1. Read the Bible from beginning to end

2. Focus on getting to know God through prayer

3. Complete a Bible study – either a group study or personally

Wednesday Whining

OK, not really WHINING, but still....

Got a rejection today for my Egyptian short story. I was really expecting that story to sell. So, I am kind of frustrated about that. I know it's part of being a writer, but it's discouraging all the same. More so, because I have a time limit here.

And no, we still have not heard anything about Bob's disability hearing. So much hinges on that.

James was sick yesterday, but never did throw up - just stomach cramps and gas. Today he seems fine. David has been moping about, but he didn't really get sick either. So maybe the bug has weakened as it moves along. I haven't felt right since Sunday, but I never had any real symptoms, just general ickiness.

Bob went tonight to an alternative pain relief seminar with his mom and brother. It's quite a drive, so he won't be back til later. I will be going to church tonight without him.

Went to the grocery store and saw about 7 people I knew! Odd! LOL Got brown and serve rolls for 25 cents a pack! You can freeze them, you know. Stocked up on a few other things too. Pantry is full to the top. Nice feeling!

We should be getting the check for our totaled car soon, so we've been browsing Craigslist for just the right vehicle.

Thanksgiving was an awesome time! I really enjoyed the time with my siblings especially. I didn't get to spend too much time with Mom and Dad despite staying at their house! What time we did have was nice, though. Seeing my kids playing so well with their cousins is also such a blessing! And being at Sarah's dedication was awesome! If you want specifics of what went on, click on Denise's blog - she did a great recap. My other sisters also wrote some about it.

Writing update

I have been stuck on a plot point and have been trying some things to get a fresh perspective. Tuesday I wrote some character sketches, including details that I'll be able to sprinkle through the novel.

Then yesterday I wrote several first-person sections that won't be in the novel as is, but are helping me to work through some plot issues and character motivations. I am also getting a clearer picture of the characters by doing that. Wrote 2500 words last night.

Perhaps today or tomorrow I can push through my plot issue.

I am at 55,000 words now - have earned all my rewards except the last one (Janet!). Why didn't I put a few in between 50K and 75K. Apparently I thought it would be EASY at that point??? LOL What was I thinking??

NaNo 14771

I stopped tonight at 14771 - exactly 2500 words more than yesterday! I put two counters in my sidebar. The calendar counter is set for 75000 words (rather than the NaNo 50K). The other counter (just a progress bar) is an official NaNo counter set for 50K. If you will recall, I am aiming for 75K as that is more likely a size to be published.

I couldn't write during the day today - it all happened tonight after 10pm. Actually it was probably more like midnight by the time I actually buckled down and wrote anything.

A few details - this is a Christian romance set in the American West in the late 1800's. The exact year is unimportant, but it is likely 1881 or 82, unless I run into some anachronisms along the way. My heroine is a young woman from the East who is traveling as a companion to a rich older woman. My hero is a witty charming man from a rich family who has made the personal sacrifice to be a circuit rider (aka saddlebag preacher).

The story was giving me fits at first, but I think I'm getting into the groove now. At first I was avoiding writing, but now I find myself wanting to get back to it.

Tomorrow I have no plans other than the normal household things. I am going to try for a 5000 word day tomorrow. I am posting it here so at least I'll have some accountability. If you see me online, ask me if I am writing!

Flowing Around Me

The work-at-home thing needs some tweaking. I cannot accomplish much of anything sitting at my computer in the living room, while life flows on around me. IT'S NOT WORKING.

Must think on this situation.

Story Submitted, and the Rest of My Life

It's been a full week - writing, editing, getting caught up from being gone all weekend. No reading really, no movies til tonight. Watching Iron Man right now - what cool devices! We watched Speed Racer earlier this evening as a family. Oh wait! I did watch Miracle Match earlier in the week - a soccer movie.

Co-op was today - going well. Will post on that at Cornerstone - I do post at least two times there every week, so if you aren't checking it, you may want to do so.

Weather was gorgeous yesterday and today!

House is all primered white now - going to start on yellow tomorrow. I will probably help some now that the story is written.

Let's see - hay ride tomorrow evening at Bob's family's farm. Soccer games in the AM; they are at different times so I can coach Suzy's and then watch James play.

I finished the story and submitted it for publication today. Please pray they buy it!

I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of anything else just yet. Oh, except I am getting pretty good at WordTwist on facebook, so come there and play with me!

Story Edited, Ready at 14,320

I finished editing the Egypt story tonight. A dear friend read it and gave me some feedback. I made a few more changes and am just about ready to send it off. I need a title and have to write a cover letter.

The final word count - 14,320. Awesome! Still under 15,000!

Oops, it's 3:00 AM. Dang.

Don't think tomorrow (whoops, that would be today!) is going to be an early-start day! ROFL

We also have to do our budget for Financial Peace class sometime tomorrow. Oh joy.

Off to bed now. Perchance to dream. About pharaohs?

Scrapped!

Scrapped all weekend with 9 very wonderful women! Got 51 pages scrapbooked. More on that tomorrow.

Also, I am giving up Diet Coke for an indeterminate amount of time starting Monday. Yikes! I know! Lisa without Diet Coke? No worries though - not giving up coffee. Just trying to save some money. 12 packs of pop are up to $5 now! That's just insanity. So, I'll be giving it up entirely for a bit, trying to kick the habit, and then I'll just have it now and then, as desired. Notice I changed my profile pic?

I edited only a few more pages in the car on the way home from scrapbooking. So, I need to finish that tomorrow afternoon.

For now, lesson plans!

9651

Today's word count is 2300 words!
Total word count is 9651.

I haven't even reached the main conflict yet! Augh!

Tomorrow we go to the Renaissance Festival. I will write in the evening and attempt to get 2000 words, but my goal for the week was 10,000 and I am nearly there now! Go me!

Since the story is not complete, however, I will need to keep writing. I would like to still be done by Monday.

I have three Netflix movies to watch and I have been writing instead. Am I crazy?

7351

I am now at 7351 words, which puts my Wednesday Word Count at 2072. I would estimate the story is half done, so I will probably end somewhere around 15,000 words instead of the lower estimate of 10,000. We shall see. I will write 2000 words a day until it is done.

The Nature Sounds radio is perfect for this novella - ancient sounding music, water sounds, nature sounds, some of the kinds of music you would imagine as movie soundtrack music. No lyrics, no rhythm to most of it. Usually very peaceful.

I am finding out more about Ancient Egypt every day. Today I researched briefly what kind of furniture would be in a Pharaoh's home, what kinds of plants would grow in his garden and which of those would smell sweet, what jewelry a Middle Kingdom royal couple would wear, and I am sure other things I've assimilated already.

Tonight was our first Financial Peace University class and we enjoyed it. The two younger kids had Pioneer Club, Emily helped in the nursery, and David ran the computer for the club. (Not quite sure what that entails.)

The house painting is moving along, but it looks like the yellow won't cover well over the grey - kind of what we were expecting, but hoping it wouldn't be a problem. So, we'll go tomorrow and get some primer to lighten up the grey before we paint yellow over it.

Miscounted and WORD COUNT 5279

Ooh, I miscounted! I forgot I had written in two separate sections of my notebook today because I had written a scene to insert at the beginning of my story. So I had 7 pages in one place and SIX MORE PAGES in another. So, I wrote THIRTEEN notebook pages today.

Today's word count - 2559
Total word count - 5279

Am I good or what? LOL

So, this story is either a third or one half done, depending on how long it ends up. I think I am right on target with my outline and with the rising action.

Tomorrow I don't go anywhere in the afternoon, so I should be able to write my 2000 words with no problem.

I have a NaNoWriMo idea too. YAY!

Writing Progress - 2720

2720 words done on the Ancient Egyptian novella. Met my goal for today of 2000 words.

I've got my outline and my writing goals of 2000 words per day this week should get me to the end of the story by the weekend. Then I can edit and send it off next week!

Found a Pandora station that allows me to block out the ambient noise here and still allows me to THINK. lol
Nature Sounds Radio
(hope that link works - sorry, if you have dialup, I don't think you'll be able to use Pandora.)

Did you know that ancient Egyptian men usually shaved all their hair, but when they were in mourning, they let their hair grow? I'm uncertain as to whether the women also did this. But it comes in handy for my story.

I have to force myself to go beyond just reading and reading and reading about Ancient Egypt. I could do that for hours. lol I still need to do some research on Pharaonic names - they had at least 5 names - which do we use when???

Writing About Egypt Now

Lisa, forever

Ok, slight change of plans. I found out about a writing opportunity of 10,000-15,000 words and so I'm going to do that before working on any other writing. It's a historical romance that would be published by a major publisher as an ebook. I've chosen to set mine (where else but) in Ancient Egypt.

Since I was able to write 50,000 words in one month, I think I ought to be able to bang out 10,000 words in a week or two and then take a few days to edit. Then I'll try submitting this directly to the publisher.

Today I did a little research into which part of Ancient Egyptian history would be the proper setting. (You did know that the Ancient Egyptian culture flourished for about 3000 years, right? It needed a bit of narrowing down.) I've chosen the Middle Kingdom and probably the time of a pharaoh named Senusret II.

I also did some research into dress, names, and other cultural issues. I outlined my story (novella, or whatever) - the basic plotline. I've written about 600 words of it so far.

I'd have written more, but I hurt my hand by banging it into a doorframe and it hurt quite a bit earlier. I kept an icepack for a while and it feels better now - at least somewhat. Of course, it's my right hand. I'll probably put ice on it more tonight, in hopes that tomorrow it'll feel just fine. I want to get this story written!

Today's Writing.

I am going to start a writing blog (yes, another blog, lol) as soon as I can think of a good name. That way, you don't have to read it if you're not interested, plus readers of my future published books can read it without me having to open up this personal blog to all of them.

Today I wrote 3 more query letters. It's not the writing that takes so long; it's finding the agents to query. I'll wax poetic about that process some other day.

I also typed 1247 words of my new novel, the one set in the 40's. I have about the same amount written that still needs to be typed. I am aiming for this one to be more like 75,000 words (rather than the 50,000 of my NaNoNovel).

I did some research on nicknames and names of people born around 1910-1916.