Stormy November

Well, I really did not think I would fall off the face of the earth - blog wise - on the 10th. "LIFE" kicked into high gear and I've been spinning plates for more days than I can count. I love to blog and have missed it terribly. I will hit the highlights and, perhaps, write more deatail regarding certain events in future as they are revisited.

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month): This has been an exciting event this month and I am currently sitting t 23,220 words. This is not quite half way, which is a disappointment, but I will continue until I am finished. At this point, my immediate goal is to strive to get as close to 50,000 words as I can possibly manage. All in all, it will be 'that' many words more than I had before :]

We're trying to wrap up the construction in the basement. We've decided to convert it to a rental suite. We are nearly down to 2 people in the house and neither of us feel like moving or navigating the real estate market during this market so... it just seems to make sense. We have set a deadline for ourselves as it has been dragging on and on. Difficult to get it finished when Bryan can only work on it during 'off-hrs'. He's done a fabulous job! It looks so good.

We moved the office from the bsmnt up to the bonus rm. This entailed a much needed deep cleaning of the bonus room, relocating furniture (sore muscles the next day), hauling the office desk up two flights of stairs and placing it, setting up the new computer, hooking up all the printers, modems, blah-blah-blah, re organizing all the files into different drawer configurations (are you tired yet? lol) and answering phones and booking all the while. Then...(did you think I was finished?) Call telus to reassign phone #s (yes we have cat 5 - oops - no, we only have cat 3. Off to purchase a cordless for the home # phone). Call Shaw to hook up the splitter, yes we could have done it ourselves but the signal often drops in a couple days so may as well just have them out to ensure signal strength. Continue organizing - continue answering phone - continue booking. Call a computer tech that knows Macs as well as PCs (NOT an easy task! Still looking for one that doesn't cost nearly $100/hr.)

(NO...I AM NOT POSTING A PIC OF GANGREENE - SERIOUSLY DISGUSTING)

Mom needs ride to wound clinic - gangrenous wound on her ankle - amputation recommended. Mom is horrified. Mom needs ride to vascular surgeon for 2nd consult - amputation recommended - sooner rather than later. Mom is coming to terms with her situation. Mom needs ride to Good Samaritan Continuing Care Facility for tour. Mom says rooms are too small. Mom calls,... surgery set for Monday, Nov 23rd @ 1:30pm. Fever strikes Thursday night, ride in ambulance to hospital. Surgery still scheduled for Monday. Fear of infection makes mom anxious to have the amputation.

AND ALL THE WHILE, I STILL......

Write - harvest Farmville write - scavenge neighboring islands - write - harvest - write - feed fish - write- write - harvest - harvest...

Organize files in anticipation of Dec yellow pages ad for Pack Rules. Need to gather/produce info for website.

Draw names for Christmas gifts. Fun. No idea what to include on my list of 5 things desired for Christmas. I need time and, last I hear, minutes were non-transferable in this life time.

Well, that's enough of all my chaotic life occurrences for the 20 days of November. I'm very interested to see how the last 10 days plays out.

Thanks to my good friends and family for all their support and, not to be forgotten, my dogs. They keep me laughing and I"m ever so grateful for the cuddles! They keep me focused and present.

Day 9 - NaNoWriMo

11,981 words (3,018 of which were written tonight). This is a very good thing as I was beginning to panic about my dilemma. True, it's 1:00am, but I figure if I don't get to 18,000 words by the end of this week, I'm gonna be behind the eight ball in a big way.

Panic grabbed hold of my feet and they hauled me outta the house faster than lightening on a dry summer night. I didn’t rightly know where they was taking me and I didn’t rightly care. I could feel the air hitting my tears as I ran but it did little to cool me. It takes a whole lot more than fast feet and a decent wind too blow away shame. (Excerpt from "Butterflies In The Rain")

You

When I found myself without a mother - again - you were there.

When I hid in the closet at Grandma's because the cousins were too loud and I felt lost - you were there.

When lights and horror were flicked on in the early morning hours - you were there.

When she wouldn't believe anything I said - you were there.

When I wasn't asked to the prom - you were there.

When everyone doubted my marriage - you were there.

When my child lay dull and listless in my arms, too weary to cry - you were there.

When I made the bad decision - you were there.

When I doubted - you were there.

When I could do nothing but stand - you were there.

When the children grew away - you were there.

When I reflect on the past - look toward what is to come - you are here - with me - always with me - and I thank you for being my constant in this life.

Why I Couldn't Blog Yesterday

I have found myself in quite the conundrum these past few days. In discussing the matter with my writing friends at the 2nd annual Words In The Park event at the library yesterday, I believe I've discovered what the impetuous to the problem with my neck was. Last week, I believe it was Wednesday, I was scaling the 30" doggy barrier we use to corral the pups (they haven't earned the privilege of free range within the house yet but are getting ever closer) when my foot caught on the top edge and I pitched forward into our four-poster bed -one of the large posts to be exact - Ouch! Thankfully, Graci and Joey were no worse for wear (I was holding them at the time) but I was bruised and sore within a couple of hours. Add to this, the intensive and lengthy runs of typing for NaNoWriMo and falling asleep on a too-worn sofa and I've developed a painfully swollen, tender and binding neck. My big achievement for yesterday was being in attendance at the Words In The Park event. Once the triple advil (not supposed to take that much but I get 'drunkish' on painkillers so I didn't dare, knowing I was going to be in public) took affect, I was able to visit with friends and other attendees. I enjoyed the poetry that was read and the visit with Dr. Kwantes (vet author) and Kelly Ross ("The 5th C"). An afternoon hanging out with writing friends and authors is a fabulous way to take a mind off one's crimpy neck.

A Really Bad Idea

Ever come up with a really bad idea? I have... just can't share them, lol. I'm sure I can come up with a couple that I can share and will post it later. In the meantime, have any you can share? I'm sure I'm in good company.

Bad Idea #1 = cooking eggs in the microwave WITHOUT a cover -ICK! What a mess!

Menopausal Maniac

With my neck giving me such acute trouble the last two days, I've been really irritable and grouchy. I've forgotten just how much pain changes a person's mood. I wonder if this is what menopause will be like. Oh, well. I'll have to sequester myself on those days I may not be fit for human companionship. I may not come out of my hidey hole for a few years. Oh, dread!

THANK YA!

Choosing to take joy in the great things happening in my life right now, I've compiled a list of the top 10. Maybe you could share your top 10 with me. After all, we really do have so much to be thankful for.

1) That soft place to land that God provides - I can always count on it.

2) My Blackberry is here! Hope to get it up and running this weekend.

3)Joey and Pixie came through their surgery yesterday with flying colors and all are healthy and happy.

4)I am able to help my mom (Elsie) during a very difficult health issue.

5)I've successfully written over 8,000 words for Butterflies In The Rain!

6)I am so fortunate to have Linda in my life. She helps me in so many ways that go over and beyond the call of duty for any friend. Love you, lady!

7)My Pack Rules Inc. ad comes out in the Sherwood Park yellow pages in Dec! One more step toward my new career!

8)Since blogging nearly every day for over a month, I am getting better and better at "Titles".

9)I have been able to maintain my recently achieved size 14! Looking forward to another loss soon.

10) Last but certainly never least, my family: I am so incredibly happy I have family that love me enough to put up with my endless shenanigans. They encourage me through tough times when I doubt myself and give me that tough love that is always received with a bit of resistance. Love you guys and thanks for hanging in there with me!

An Ounce Of Prevention =

a pound of cure. This is applicable to the dental care for small dogs, especially, as often their mouths are too small for tooth brushes and all those teeth can become crowded in such a tight space. The first line of defense? Tooth extraction. Often, vets will extract any deciduous teeth when the dog is under general anesthetic for routine spay/neuter. Sometimes, these teeth are not quite ready to be pulled and a follow-up visit to check for stubborn baby teeth may be in order. That is what happened to Joey and Pixie. They are both in at the vets today to have their upper baby canines removed as they are still hanging on for dear life. If left unattended, the crowded teeth offer food particles a place to catch and rot. If your dog has persistent bad breath, it is likely due to tooth decay or food that has become caught between teeth. Making certain that your dog, regardless of his size, has appropriate dental care is key in maintaining overall health.

I've seen too many toothless dogs that are sentenced to mushy food because they've lost all or most of their teeth due to rotting. Budget for dental care when you decide to get a dog and give the topical treatments a try. For my dogs, I use a gel once each day that helps prevent decay and tartar buildup. It keeps their teeth pearly white and negates the need for toothbrushes.

When You Get Caught Red-Handed...

it's hard not to be contrite. Look at the expression on this dog's face. It reminds me of my kids when they were little.

"Did you get into the cookie jar?" I'd ask.

"No," they'd say while sporting the same expression as Randy. Never mind the chocolate smears and crumbs on their chubby cheeks.

That's ok for children. It's to be expected. But what about for me? I feel like Randy when I weigh in at Dr. Bernstein's. I know that coke and fries is going to plaster me to the fridge. My dad used to say, "You ain't foolin' nobody but yourself." I suppose it holds true for children and adults, alike. Here's to no more coke and fries (or anything else that's not on 'The List") until Christmas Eve.

Writing, Writing, Writing...

November is National Blog Month as well as National Novel Writing Month. I have decided, against all sense of reason, to participate in both. Hmmmmmm, only time will tell if I will be successful. Anyway, I will be focusing most my efforts toward my novel, "Butterflies In The Rain". If I finish it... perhaps you will see a copy of it shortly after the new year? The blog will continue, but will likely be brief 'thoughts to ponder' bits and pieces. Hope you enjoy. I am looking forward to reading your blogs as well. Watch for my comments, cuz that is something I love to do.

Take Care & Happy Blogging!

Butterflies In The Rain = 1589 words (goal = 50,000)