* The Countdown is On *

Have you noticed my new Countdown gadget?!  It's kind of hard to miss, isn't it?

I wish I could say I thought of it all by myself, but I did not. I saw a countdown gadget at a new blogger-friend's site. Her name is: June Freaking Cleaver!  (I mean, how could I not check out a blog with a name like that!!) Actually, her blog's name is: The Ratio of Failures, but she lists the "June" name as hers!

Going along with my new determination to get my book completely written, and imposing a deadline on myself, I thought what better way than to have a visual countdown, right here on my blog. Because, after all, I do look at it from time to time!

My publisher told me I need to give her about 2 months from the time I complete my book, until it can finally be published, due to edits, re-writes, etc. I decided I'd like to have it published in time for The Big Read, which is every October in St. Louis. The date I've chosen does have significance in my life. It's the birthday of my late sister, Jo Ann, who died in 1984 from a brain tumor. I would like to honor her, by having accomplished my dream: (of which she never even knew) finishing my first book....part memoir and part current thoughts and observations.

Please send me lots of encouragement and support! I'll definitely need it!

"When you have a great and difficult task, something perhaps almost impossible, if you only work a little at a time, every day a little, suddenly the work will finish itself." -- Isak Dinesen

** Time For A New Look - A New Beginning **

I've really had the urge to get a new template for my blog, especially after seeing so many really cool and unique ones .... But, I also feared trying to get technical and then totally screwing up what I already had, and I certainly didn't want to do that! So, I've chosen a relatively simple and safe one to go with, plus it seems to suit my style. What d'ya think?

It's a New Dawn (not really), a New Day (almost) and time for a New Look! On my blog, that is. I could also use a new look for "me", but one thing at a time!

I've also decided that this coming Sunday, April 25th, the beginning of a new week, will be My New Day, to get totally focused and stay totally focused on the writing of and completion of my book. I've allowed way too many things to get in the way of succeeding and That Stops Now! This is my New Look and my New Beginning!

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts." ~ Unknown

* Hallelujah - Celebrate - I'm Finished! *

In honor of completing my 42 million, hand written certificates, for the children's writing contest.....

I have changed my Play List to play just a snippet of the only song that I feel is appropriate....

You may join in the Sing-a-Long, if you'd like!

*Sorry...no quote on this post. I'm too tired to find one on being too tired.*

** If It's Friday, I Know Where I Am **

I was up rather late again last night, hand writing all the necessary info on the certificates I've been working on for a couple of days. I'm so very happy to announce that I am now on the downhill slope and will have everything completed early today. Knowing that it's for 3rd & 4th Graders who entered a writing contest, made it much more fun than say, for... something adults participated in! And it was a great assignment to help improve my penmanship! Boy, there's a word you don't hear anymore. I proved to myself that I can still write, without it looking like a doctor's prescription for meds.

Okay. Much to do today, so this will be short and sweet! Ah yes....just like me!


"For many children, joy comes as the result of mining something unique and wondrous about themselves from some inner shaft." -- Thomas J. Cottle 

** What? .... It Isn't Still Tuesday?! **

Due to the necessary evils of opening junk mail and bills (no, not a single handwritten note or letter!), and then deciding which bill was urgent enough to pay today.... I don't have much time to blog right now.

PLUS, the fact that I still have 42 million "Participation Awards" to fill out and 10 "Congratulations Awards" to fill out...all in my pretty-as-possible handwriting, which I absolutely must have completed by tomorrow night! Aacckkkk!!

Just wanted to mention two new books that are coming out next month, by two of my favorite authors.
"The Family Man" by Elinor Lipman
"The Red Thread" by Ann Hood

I learned a long time ago, NOT to read the front jackets or much of ANY information about a book. They used to just give enough information for the reader to decide if they might want to read it or not. Then the day came where the jacket gave me the entire plot, AND ruined the story for me!

So, all I can tell you about both books is this:
Elinor's is humorous, while Ann's is (as one review said) a tearjerker!

One more thing. I've read a book or two by both authors, that weren't exactly my favorites and/or didn't quite live up to my expectations, but all in all, I'm really glad I read them all.

P.S. If you have your volume turned off because you don't like hearing music while you read blogs, please give mine a listen. I've changed it again, back to some incredibly beautiful songs.

"Real luxury is time and opportunity to read for pleasure." -- Jane Brody

** I'm Following My Bliss **

Instead of ending with a quote like I usually do, this post itself will be almost entirely a quote. Robin Theiss enlightened me about Joseph Campbell and this quote when we had lunch last week. (Thank you, Robin!)

I'm feeling especially happy tonight, for a variety of reasons.

One, I just found out that my pal, Daisy, at Dancing With Daisy, received the job she recently interviewed for and really wanted! Congrats, Daisy! Y'all must visit her blog and watch/listen to the video she posted! : D

I'm also happy..... and blissful......just because! Just because I have wonderful writer friends, blogger friends, "normal" friends.....as opposed to "abnormal" friends....a wonderful husband and family...AND, because I am "following my bliss"! I am a writer! I am writing my first book and I have a publisher! And, I truly believe every single word of the following quote:


"Follow your bliss.

If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else."
-- Joseph Campbell

** If It's Tuesday, I'm All Messed Up **

(photo: mormonwomensupportingeachother)

In the past few months, maybe even the past year, my Mondays have been so busy that by the time Monday evening rolls around, I truly believe it is Tuesday evening! Does that ever happen to any of you? It's then a huge relief, knowing I have another entire day in the week to accomplish things. Well, tonight, I have no idea what day I think it is. I would say it feels more like Wednesday, which once again, is a huge relief that it is not!

I've decided I'm a little tired right now...probably too tired would be the correct word. I'm starting to get punchy, and no telling what my flying fingers of fate will type, because I've really lost all control over them. I guess I better call it a night, or my blog may not be able to keep its G and/or PG Ratings!

Good night y'all. Hope to hear from all you dear blogger buddies of mine!

"There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep." -- Homer

** Back Home Again **

(photo courtesy gatheringsforwomen.com
It was a wonderful weekend!!

Just the right amount of shopping!

Way too much food!

NEVER too much fun & laughter with girl friends!


* P.S. I got tons of writing material, too. Where can I go for "Stand-Up" around here?!  ☺


"We have been friends together. In sunshine and in shade." -- Lady Caroline Sheridan Norton