* My Newest Epiphany *

Some of you may be wondering where I've been the past week. I've been extremely busy and have gotten quite a few things accomplished, but as usual, I'm still behind on everything. While lamenting the fact that I'll never get caught up, I had an epiphany. 

There is no such thing as being caught up!

Every day brings new challenges to every one of us, no matter our situation. It doesn't matter whether we're young stay-at-home moms, women who have careers outside the home, middle-aged, retired, whatever. 

Laundry will always pile up. Dishes will get dirty. Tables will get dusty. And rugs/floors will have crumbs and dog hairs on them. That's called life! 

I am SO grateful I have a husband who does not care about these things.

And at this point in my life, I've become much less concerned about the way my house looks, too, unless friends or family are coming over! Then look out! 

And so my deadlines involve writing. I've just completed going through the edited version of my memoir. Next I'll make some changes as suggested by my fabulous editor and friend: Margo Dill 

(I can't say enough wonderful things about Margo -- at least not today! I don't have the time! I just crack myself up sometimes! Seriously, I'll be talking more about Margo at a later date.)

So, this means I'm getting closer and closer to the actual publishing of my book in print! Have I mentioned that a local fellow writer (and member of Saturday Writers) came to me and said he will get my Word document formatted the way createspace needs it....and at no charge to me?? What a great guy. I must use the word "grateful" again! This will help me publish From Pigtails to Chin Hairs much sooner than I thought I could..... 

* Welcome to my newest followers Claire Hegarty, Heather Farrar, and Marie Agneau. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! * 

P.S. I know I "owe" quite a few e-mails and I will do my best to reply soon! Please don't think I've forgotten or that I'm ignoring anyone. 

* Saturday, 2/2 Another P.S. I forgot to mention the beautiful crocheted pink tea cup and other fabulous items I won in Carmelina's 2000 Followers Giveaway! If you're not familiar with Carmelina, please stop by her blog. She is an amazing artist and all around lovely lady!

"When one door closes another one opens." -- Alexander Graham

We Interrupt This Blog Break.....

No, I'm not ready to start blogging again yet, because I'm really rolling along with my writing,(Yay! Finally!) but just wanted to share something that is really BIG....for me.

Some of you may remember my anxiety trying to think of THE RIGHT title for my memoir. Although I wasn't anywhere near being finished, it was extremely important to me to choose one. After I did, I felt I could focus better on writing.

In just the past couple of days, it came to me. I ran it by some writer friends yesterday, and then Lou, my publisher at High Hill Press. Everyone loved it! So......without further ado......my memoir's title is............

From Pigtails to Chin Hairs

A Memoir & More

What do you think? Any thoughts??

"You can't turn back the clock, but you can wind it up again." -- Bonnie Prudden

* Merry Go Round *

I've been on a self-propelled Merry Go Round for quite some time. Pushing and striving to accomplish all the things that are important to me as I go faster and faster without really getting anywhere.....just going around in circles.

Writing my memoir is THE most important thing in my life right now. Add to that blogging and my blog friends, my family and writer friends, handwriting letters, reading as much as I can, entering writing and photography contests & calls for submissions, attending writerly functions, trying to keep up with e-mails, etc.

I'm not complaining, really I'm not. I love being busy, but I'm not talented enough to successfully do everything, so what I've been doing is lots of things inadequately. I feel badly that I haven't kept up with reading everyone's blogs, and/or leaving comments. And I haven't even kept up with thanking everyone for the comments left for me.

(photo: courtesy Google)

So, I'm taking another Blog Break to concentrate on my book. I plan on posting Nostalgic Sundays as often as I can, because those will fit right in with my memoir. And if I come up with something that I feel is important to mention on my blog....I definitely will.

Thanks for your understanding, and I truly hope everyone won't forget about  me! (I will keep in touch by e-mail, too!)



"Right now I'm having amnesia and deja-vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." Steven Wright

* To Do Lists *

What kind of things are on your To Do List? Mine just seems to keep getting more added to it, and hardly any crossed off. Go to post office and mail packages. Pick up photographs from art contest. Type up those notes from that meeting a month ago, that I've promised to different people. Do a blog post about different anthologies and contests I want to mention. Read those three library books I borrowed and already had to renew. Contact so-and-so about a guest blog post and book give-away. Write. Write. Write. Calls for Submissions, Contests, and my memoir. Add a zillion more things I need and/or want to accomplish. There's 24 Hours every day, yet even when I'm very careful about not wasting time, I feel like I don't have much to show for it when midnight rolls around. (Notice I haven't even mentioned house cleaning or laundry!)

Every day for the past week, I've told myself that TODAY is the day I'll reply to comments. I'll answer e-mails. I'll get to many of the blogs I want to stop at, read, and comment on. And another day goes by, and it's 12:30am and I have to get some sleep.

Well, at least I did work a lot on a chapter for my memoir the past two days, and I'm very pleased with myself for that. As The Ronald always says, "I've got that going for me!"

"How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on." ~ Zall's Second Law

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Last year on November 30th, I wrote about Doris Day. It had to do with coming across a blogger's profile which said she loves Doris' movies. I have to admit I've probably watched every single movie of hers, numerous times. When I was growing up, I wished I looked like her, could sing like her, and be in movies like her. Well, we all know that didn't happen!

(Doris in the 1950s - courtesy Google)

BUT, as I also wrote in that November post, she did save my life!

(Doris in the 1960s - courtesy Google)

I actually wrote to Miss Day many years ago, telling her that reading her biography gave me the courage to get out of a bad marriage. A chapter in my memoir, Doris Day, A.E. Hotchner, and Me explains it all.

Would you believe I received a reply?? I sure did! She thanked me for writing. (I imagine she had a secretary who answered all her correspondence, but there was her signature.....as far as I know!) And can you also believe I have misplaced that note?? Yep. But, I know it is here, somewhere. I've looked in all the places I would keep something as important as that. I actually kept it in the same file for years. Why and how it got moved, I have no idea. Finding it is high on my List of Things to Do.

I'm writing about Doris again today because her 88th birthday is April 3rd. I have other blog posts already planned for the week, and where better to depict her than Nostalgic Sunday?

* Welcome to my newest follower, Gwen Buchanan. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! * (A funny side note: I reached 300 Followers with Jessie, on Wednesday the 28th, and right away lovely Gwen became 301....until today, that is. Somewhere along the line, I lost somebody, so now I'm at 300 again. And that is perfectly OKAY. I understand those kinds of things. So, Gwen, if you'd like to receive a tiny gift for being my 2nd 300th Follower, please let me know!!

Que sera sera
Whatever will be will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera sera



Doris Day Saved My Life

As I blog hopped the other day, I came across one that really intrigued me....but do I remember whose it was, or how I got there? Of course not. One of the things I liked about this particular blog was that in her Profile, she said she loved Doris Day movies. But it's not because of Doris or any of her leading men. I think it had something to do with the furniture decor in the 60s, and she may have mentioned Doris' costumes, too....but I'm not sure.



(Doris in the 1950s - courtesy Google)



When I first saw the name "Doris Day," I thought, OMG, another Doris Day fan! But it wasn't the case, and that's okay. I won't hold it against her! ☺



(Doris in the 1960s - courtesy Google)

Just last night I read an article about Doris releasing a CD this Friday. What a surprise, because she chose to walk away from the Hollywood lifestyle many years ago.

And as far as Doris saving my life.....I can honestly say that she did, in more ways than one. A chapter in my memoir explains it all.

Welcome to my newest followers, Laura Barnes & Cheryl. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!


Que sera sera
Whatever will be will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera sera

* If I'm on my blog, I must be back! *

Hey Everyone! I'm happy to say that my Blog-a-Vacation has ended, at least for now. I wish I could report that I increased my word count in my memoir, by leaps and bounds, but that wouldn't be true. You know how sometimes you feel like you need to take a vacation to recuperate from your vacation?


I've been busier than ever with Saturday Writers, posting contest information, working on our October Workshop and First Annual Silent Auction. Thank goodness I have a fabulous person who volunteered to chair the auction for me. Thank you, Jennifer H.!! (Speaking of Saturday Writers, I've also just made the decision to not stay on as president next year. I've really enjoyed it, but it has taken up a lot more of my time (and energy) than I ever imagined.)

I'm very excited and honored to announce that I am the featured writer this Friday on WOW! Women on Writing Blog - The Muffin. So please stop by their blog on Friday, August 26th. You can also check out their guidelines for Friday Speak Out!

I've run across more Calls for Submissions and Contests, but I'll wait for another day to post them.

The Ronald and I have been talking about down-sizing for quite some time and have decided that NOW is pretty much the right time. So, I'll be more involved in what's been an on-going desire: De-cluttering my house! → Also, I have some beautiful office furniture For Sale. Those of you who live in my part of the world and are interested, please e-mail me for information and photos. ←

All of this, plus throw in a little more family drama, and as I wrote on August 1st: "Life always gets in the way of my plans and well intentions."

 ....but, I don't give up.


"Ain't nothin' gonna bring me down!" --  Music & Lyrics by Marvel/Mann

"Don't rain on my parade!" -- Music & Lyrics by Merrill/Styne

* I'M ON A BLOG-A-VACATION *

Just another reminder from yesterday's post: I'm taking a break from blogging, so I can concentrate on what I really need to do, and what I really want to do: Write!

"Writing is my time machine, takes me to the precise time and place I belong." ~Jeb Dickerson



* SOMETIMES A LITTLE BIT OF MAXINE HELPS *

Wow! It's amazing how much I can accomplish when I wake up and I mean Wide Awake, at 5:00 am. After just a few minutes, I realized I wasn't going back to sleep, so I got up and began my day. I glanced at the time I began writing this and was shocked to see it wasn't even noon yet. Woo-hoo...I'm going to make real progress on numerous tasks today. AND, all you writers will be pleased to know I wrote quite a bit in my memoir this morning. I'll be writing much more, too, before the night is over.

Those who've been stopping by for a few months or more, also know that every now and then I get in a mood about choosing a title for my memoir. I make myself crazy for a few days, thinking I can't possibly write another word until THE TITLE is chosen. I've even listed chapter names and asked who thought any of them would make a good title. But that's a bit difficult, since none of you have read any of it yet...well, except for a few people in my critique group!

Part of my predicament is the fact that *I DID have a title. For YEARS. I just KNEW* it was a fabulous, eye-catching title. But...a couple of things have made me question it over the past few months...so I'm kind of back to square one.

Addem: 6:50pm CDT: As some of you know, the title I've been carrying around in my mind, FOR YEARS, is "That Crowbar Changed Everything".  A pretty important person doesn't like it, but everyone else who's ever heard it, loves it and wants to know...."HUH?" What's the story? And as I type this, I'm leaning back toward it again... ☺

What about you? If you're a writer, what makes you crazy from time to time?
And if you're not a writer, I'd like to know what makes you crazy, too!

Also welcome to my newest followers: Mommies Frugal Finds, Sandi, and Linda Medrano. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Yelling really loud can sometimes ease tension…and sometimes it makes everyone else in the library jump out of their skin." -- Maxine

* Milestones, Readings & Writings *

I just realized my number of followers is approaching 200! So, I decided to check the number of posts I've made since I began my blog. I've seen people celebrate when they reach 500 posts, and I thought I might be nearing that number, too.

Well, guess what?? I now have 505 posts! SO....when I do reach 200 Followers, I'll have some kind of celebration. What kind, you may ask? I don't know yet! But I'll let everyone in on it, as soon as I know!

On a different subject, I attended my Coffee & Critique group this morning and read one of the chapters from my book. I was so pleased with everyone's reactions and their suggestions. When I write something that I think is funny, it's obvious that I also want others to think the same thing....and they did!

For those of you who have just begun reading my blog, I'm writing what I've referred to as my memoir, but it also has current happenings, thoughts & observations.....SO....it's a Memoir + More!

The other day when I posted about books' first sentences....I considered sharing the opening sentences of MY book, but it just didn't seem right at that time. Tonight, though, I'd like to post them and ask what you think. Would the following open lines pique your interest??

My mother told me in so many words she thought I was nuts. She convinced herself that my bizarre accident involving a) my head, and b) a crowbar, caused brain damage, triggering my erratic and uncharacteristic behavior. At least in her opinion.

And finally: Thanks and welcome to my three newest followers: Nonna Beach, Summer Ross, and Ames! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!

** Note: added Monday, May 4th, at 10:00 am CDT:  To clarify Donna's statement and respond to JFC's in the Comments below....I did NOT have a savory past or a misspent youth! Last year, when a few of us writer gals got together during the Christmas holiday, we talked about our critique group and how we were going over our alloted time, sometimes. SO, Donna said she was going to bring a timer, or a miniture asian gong. I knew exactly what she was talking about :   

BUT, in my usual mixed up, dyxlexia of the mouth way, I told her, "Don't forget to bring your bong!"

* Contest Prizes! *

Hey Everyone. Don't forget to enter my contest! Do so before midnight tomorrow (Jan 25)

I realized I didn't make it clear when I announced the prizes. There will not be 4 winners. There will be just ONE WINNER. Winner takes all!!

Tomorrow at midnight CST, I'll do the random drawing for the winner of my Name My Book Contest. If you don't know about it and want to enter, or already entered and want to do so again, hop on over to this post and leave a comment. There are NO RULES! You DO NOT have to be a follower. Enter as many times as you want, but each time must have a title suggestion for my memoir. *As I mentioned on the originial post, the winner will be chosen by random drawing. The book title suggested is not guaranteed to be used, it is just a suggestion for the contest.*

Now, here's what everyone's been waiting for. The announcement of the PRIZE(S) to be awarded!

1) Three votive candles from Yankee Candle: Lilac Blossoms, Home Sweet Home, and Ocean Water.

2) Cheery pink & green note card set, complete with envelopes & matching pen.

3) A 7 x 7 hardcover book: Great Kisses...and Famous Lines Right Out of the Movies, compiled by Timothy Knight

4) A 8 x 10 hardcover book: Home Rules, Transform the Place You Live Into a Place You'll Love, by Nate Berkus

~~ Some fabulous prizes to help you get through another winter month! Plus, candles...and a romantic book of onscreen kisses, with comments and quotes....What could be better for next month's Valentine's Day? And I say...give them as gifts to yourself!! You don't need no steenking Valentine....Be your own valentine!! ~~

Hugs and happiness to you all today....wherever you are....Find and Follow your Bliss!!

"Always serve too much hot fudge sauce on hot fudge sundaes. It makes people overjoyed, and puts them in your debt." -- Judith Olney

The Times They Are a-Changin' ..with 2 add'l notes!

Changin'? Oh yeah! After discussing the sample of my cover today with Lou Turner, my publisher, she and I both envision a new direction....for both the cover....and the title! Instead of humorous...we're going to go with a nostalgic look.

I can't even remember how many years it's been since I chose the title for my memoir: That Crowbar Changed Everything! I was so sure IT was the one and only title I would ever want....Hmmm....just goes to show you (and me!) that sometimes what seems like THE only way to do something....ISN'T.

So, here's the fun part. I was thinking about what kind of contest I'd have for January....and now I know! Please help me with a new title for my memoir! I may not choose any of the suggested titles, but for each one, you'll be entered in the contest. The more titles, the more chances of winning. You don't even have to be a follower. Just leave a genuine possible title. The time frame of the book is from the 1950s til present, and it's both humorous and bittersweet.

I'll choose the winner a week from today, at midnight CST on January 25th, by random.org. The winner will win prizes yet to be determined! (My book title will not necessarily be the one suggested, either.)

Oh, and this little detour has not slowed down my determination or my happiness. In fact, I'm even more excited than I was yesterday! I just hope I can sleep tonight!

**Note: Added Wednesday, Jan 19th, morning. Thanks for all the suggestions already! This is so much fun! I wanted to mention that yesterday before I posted this, I looked on Amazon to check if there were any books already "out there" that had titles I was considering. And guess what?? There were some with the exact titles, and some with similar ones. I then looked just in the memoir section, and there were some that I thought had really strange or just plain bad titles! So, what did that teach me? I'm not really sure yet! But I think when THE title hits me.....I'll know it!!

**2nd Note: Added Wednesday, Jan 19th, afternoon:  It occurred to me that maybe I should provide a little more information about myself and my memoir, too! (I really didn't think that up myself. Someone e-mailed and asked!) So, here's a brief summary:

It will be short stories, in no particular order, about instances in my life....both childhood and adult. Some humorous, some sad...and maybe a little of both in the same story. Childhood vacations at grandma and grandpa's in Iowa. Schools. Jobs.Watching old TV shows in the 1950s & 60s. Parents. Siblings. First marriage "issues". Pet dog stories. My sons. The Ronald. Bus rides. Train rides. You know.....just life!! Oh, and my dad left us when I was about 8 years old. It was very devastating and it was honestly due to him that I became a writer...in my late forties!!

How's that?! I've had this all in my head and on paper for soooooo long, that I forget that not everyone knows all about it, or all about me, etc!

(image courtesy: boxshot3d.com)

"We don't know who we are until we see what we can do." -- Martha Grimes, Writer's Handbook

Finding My Muse, Once Again

My writing brain finally kicked back into gear yesterday. It's been stuck for so long. I'm consciously aware of some of the reasons.....the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, losing Tiger Girl, trying to force a couple of stories for contests and calls for submissions, promoting three anthologies, etc. And then there are those often times lurking thoughts of Who am I kidding? I don't have enough talent to be doing this! etc.

But while cleaning up the kitchen and listening to the radio, the old gears unclenched and I felt my muse returning. It began when I heard Darius Rucker singing. I love that man's voice. He first became hugely successful with the group Hootie and The Blowfish back in the early 1990s. I don't know the story, but somehow he wound up being a country music star now. I say Congratulations! I greatly admire people who reinvent themselves. That's a big part of what I believe about my life.

Encarta Dictionary says this about reinvent: to invent something again, or bring something back into existence, use, or popularity after a period of neglect or obscurity. to change radically the appearance, form, or presentation of something or somebody.

I didn't discover my passion for writing until I was...uh....kind of old! Sometimes I wish I would've discovered it when I was a lot younger.....but things wouldn't have been the same. I wouldn't have the wisdom I have now....what I know about life.....what my life is and has been about. And it took the near death of my estranged father (in May 2001) to trigger those deep, hidden emotions, which flew from my fingertips to my keyboard...and voile'.....a writer was born.

So, I'm getting back to being organized about my writing deadlines and what I want to write about. I've found my muse...again. And I'm reinventing myself, somewhat....again.

And a HUGE Thank-You to Julia Christie for leaving a sweet comment on Tuesday's post which included these words: "...looking forward to a wonderful new year and hearing that your book is finally available!"

How can I not be excited and eager to finish my book, when I read something like that?!

Look Out World -- Here I Come!

"I believe that dreams—daydreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing—are likely to lead to the betterment of the world."-- L. Frank Baum