** Family Fall Festival - Fundraiser & Fun **

"Bring the Swing" Family Fall Festival   

Please join the Cottleville Firefighters Community Outreach (CFCO) to "Bring the Swing" at the Family Fall Festival. All proceeds to benefit the purchase and installation of the Liberty Swing.


When: This Saturday, October 23, 2010
Time: Noon - 11pm
Where: Cottleville's Legacy Park (behind Cottleville City Hall)

SPECIAL EVENTS:
Ronald McDonald Magic Show: Noon - 1pm
Clydesdale appearance: 1 - 3pm
Washers Tournament: 4pm registration

Event Includes:
Hayrides, DJ, face painting, raffles, bounce house, basketball shootout, hay maze, pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin painting and much more! After dark, enjoy a band, bonfire and the Haunted Hayride! Also, bbq, chili and beer brought to you courtesy of Mannino's Market and the Cottleville Rotary Club.

** The Liberty Swing is a state of the art playground swing that locks wheelchairs into the swing and allows children and adults with disabilities to swing without leaving their chair!

The mission of the CFCO is to "raise our community's educational and awareness levels of safety and health issues in hopes of preventing misfortune..." The CFCO has been raising awareness and funds to bring the Liberty Swing to Cottleville, which will be the 2nd in the state and 13th in the nation! For more information about the CFCO, Fall Festival, Liberty Swing or to donate on-line please visit http://www.cottlevilleswing.com/.  ** Obviously if you don't live near St. Louis, Missouri, you won't be able to attend. If you'd like to be involved, though, and make a donation, please go to the link provided.**

This magnificent swing was invented by an Australian man named Wayne Devine. Please check out the You-Tube videos included on the CFCO website. You'll probably need a hankie when you see the joy and smiles on the children's and adult's faces!

I hope everyone knew I couldn't be in another disheartened temperament again tonight, right? Two days in a row? Never! (that pertains to my political post of yesterday!) And look what a wonderful event I have to share. ☺

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -- Melody Beattie

** From Sweet to Sassy **

A BIG Thank-You to Ellie for awarding me this Happy 101 Sweet Friends Award! Anyone who reads her blog will surely know that she, too, is very much a Sweet Friend! Thanks for thinking of me, Ellie!

Ellie has also just inspired me to "attempt" to make an addendum to my Writing Schedule. As much as I LOVE blogging....writing my own, reading others', leaving comments, meeting newer bloggers, etc....I MUST cut out some of that blogging time and put it toward Writing Time! I hope to announce my decision sometime tomorrow.

P.S. - Posted on 10/18 @ 9:25pm

           Because of a couple of comments I've received already, I just want to make it clear that I am definitely NOT going to stop blogging! I'm just going to cut back on the amount of time I spend on it. I need to get a handle on my time management in general, in order to get all the things accomplished that I sincerely need and want to do. Hopefully, you won't even notice a change. But I'll know! I'll know that I am using all the hours in my day in a productive way....Starting tomorrow!

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I really, truly prefer to not discuss politics and/or religion because we all know where those discussions lead. (You just knew there was a "but" coming, didn't you??) ...BUT, How many of you are sick and tired and disgusted and annoyed and angry at those local political commercials we're bombarded with?? WHEN did the ads stop telling us what GOOD a candidate would do for us....and turn into one that says what BAD stuff the opponent has already done, and will continue to do?? THAT'S the kind of junk that makes us apathetic. Why bother voting? Is every single politician a scoundrel of some sort? How are we to know?

I always think of those famous lines in the movie "Network" made in 1976. Just look how the following words are still true today....34 YEARS LATER:

 "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE! I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it......"  (Spoken by Howard Beale, portrayed by Peter Finch)  

I leave you with the following quotes. All said by the remarkable, extraordinary, the genius...Mark Twain.


"Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it."


"We have the best government that money can buy."

"Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."

♫♪ So Much to Say ♫♪

Every time I say, think or hear the words "so much to say", I always think of the Dave Matthews song. I must admit I rarely understand most of the lyrics to his songs, but I love the tone of his voice and all the magic he does with it. I love most of the music, too......lots of great dancing songs. And...oh yeah...he is definitely easy on the eyes!! Woot!

One: I was surprised and saddened to hear of the death of Barbara Billingsley, one of America's greatest TV Moms, but, she lived a wonderful life, right up until the age of 94 years young. Thanks for all the memories, Mrs. Cleaver!

Two: Yesterday, The Ronald and I took grandson Scotty to the Life is Good Festival in St. Charles. The weather was perfect and we had a great time. All proceeds went to the Life is Good Kids Foundation.

I love the entire Live is Good story. If you don't know about it, or the merchandise, etc. click Jake's on Main (Street). I didn't have time to buy anything, but since we're fortunate to have a Genuine Neighborhood store so near, I can certainly get by there sometime soon.

Three: I'm still in a very good writing mode. In fact, I've been working diligently on a Saturday Writers contest that must be snail-mailed by the 20th of this month. (a birthday for a special person, too!) I'm also getting other contests and submissions written on my schedule, in hopes to keep better track of them. I actually got a little networking in at the festival yesterday, too!! Ah yes, Life is definitely Good!!

(courtesy Jake's on Main site, one of T-shirt logos)

* Anthology Acceptance & Other Writing Info *

First of all, I am thrilled to announce that an essay I submitted for the anthology, Cuivre River Anthology, Volume V, has been accepted! More on that at a later date.
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The newest Tiny Lights Sparks newsletter came out today.  Susan Bono is Editor-in-Chief ....extraordinaire! Please check it out, especially the section: Lights Online and then Searchlights & Signal Flares. That's where I submit monthly "answers" to Susan's very curious "questions". I've mentioned quite a few times, too, that anyone can submit their answers and they will be published online. There are no requirements, other than keep it "nice". There is no entry fee, judging, or money award involved, but "Hey...You get to see your work published!" I can't figure out why more of my writer friends haven't sent in some of their scathingly brilliant work!! Also, this month's "Featured Writer" is none other than fellow Missourian and great friend, Theresa Sanders (or Teri as most of us know her!) Why not go to the site and sign up for the monthly newsletter? Tell Susan, "Becky sent me!" ☺

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Welcome to my newest follower!... Betty Henderson, whose blog is Windy Ribbons. Betty's brand new book is just out: From Trash to Treasure; Evolution of an Ozarks Junkyard. Just the title made me curious! I've included the link to High Hill Press, Betty's publisher, where you can read Chapter One, for free! 

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In an attempt to find A GOOD WAY to keep track of the submissions I've sent, PLUS keep track of places I WANT to send my writing to, I typed up a "Writing Schedule", which is similar to the one in Bylines Desk Calendar. Sylvia Forbes, publisher & editor, included a really cute Top Ten Reasons to Buy Bylines Calendar on the website. (Sylvia also came to speak at one of our Saturday Writers meetings and she was excellent.) I hope the writers chosen to be part of the 2011 calendar will be announced sometime soon, because I submitted something and haven't heard yet. Even if I don't make it into the calendar, I'm surely going to purchase one because it is so much more than a calendar. Find out more on the site.
Last of all:  Happy Writing.....and Follow Your Bliss!

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“I began to have an idea of my life, not as slow shaping of achievement to fit my preconceived purposes, but as the gradual discovery and growth of a purpose which I did not know” -- Joanna Field

** Visions of Blissful Messiness **

This is the left front corner of my desk. I noticed it after I uploaded some photos from my camera, which sat on my desk, while plugged into my laptop. I thought it looked so interesting from this angle So, I thought if it looked kinda cool to me....it may also look that way to others!


I wish I could say this is my pile of submissions, but alas...it's mostly junk mail and bills. I have a tendency to ignore that which I do not want to face. But, on top of those envelopes, are some notebooks and calendars which help me with my writing.....and yes, there is ONE anthology submission which I worked on so diligently yesterday afternoon and into the night! I AM writing again! I AM writing again!

(P.S. I inadvertently forgot to mention and welcome my two newest followers: Sandra and DanPloy. Thanks for becoming followers! I hope you enjoy visiting.) 

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what then, is an empty desk?" Albert Einstein

** Dogs Rule Day **

Did you know that today, October 9th, is "Dogs Rule Day"?  I didn't until I read it on The Strawberry Mallard. Anyone who knows me very well and/or reads my blog knows that I am crazy about my dog, Tiger. I really do love all animals, but I'm especially crazy about DOGS!!

Pedigree

Click on the pedigree link to see suggestions of how to spoil your dog....as if we NEED any ideas on that??!!... and also how to post photos on their Facebook page!

I'll just post some of my Tiger favorites right here.

ADDENDUM: SATURDAY, 10:20AM

By the way, I know SHE has a boy dog's name, but SHE is a girl!

I guess I should refer to her as "Tiger Girl", or "Tiger Gal" when I post about her! ☺

And to those of you who have already left a comment, please do not fret. I'm only adding this, so the newer readers will know.

                  LAST, BUT NOT LEAST....I COULDN'T GET HER TO STAND STILL!!

I'm ending with 8 quotes today, because I couldn't choose just one!!

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.  ~Author Unknown

Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window. ~Steve Bluestone

Happiness is a warm puppy. ~Charles M. Schulz

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear. ~Dave Barry

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.  ~Rita Rudner

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.  ~Edith Wharton

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner

** Forgetful, Forgetful Not **

I don't think I've mentioned publicly, here on my blog, that I have a terrible short-term memory. It's not just terrible. It's awful, horrendous, ridiculous and downright embarrassing! (Good thing my long-term memory is in great shape...considering the fact that I'm writing my memoir!)

I once forgot to meet a friend for lunch. Yeah....me and food and a friend....I forgot! I even had it written on my kitchen calendar. For some reason, I was really lazy that morning and stayed in my jammies. I watched TV and just lounged around the family room. Around noon, my cell phone rang. When I saw my friend's name as the incoming call, that's when the load of bricks hit me. OMG! What was I to say? I forgot?? I was SO embarrassed, but fortunately this particular friend was very understanding. Whew!

Lucky for me, I haven't done anything quite that bad since. Sometimes, I still forget to answer e-mails, totally misplace notes I've written to myself, miss writing deadlines, forget to enter blog contests, etc. So, if you haven't heard from me in an amount of time that seems etiquettely correct.....please contact me and let me know that I've once again, screwed up.

I'd also forgotten that (most likely due to my low energy level) I can't be on the go for more than one day at a time. (another one of my favorite old sitcoms!) And since I forgot that little fact, the same thing happened to me today that always happens......I had a very busy Monday and Tuesday.....and so today, I was pretty much totally worthless. Ahhh, but tomorrow is another day!

Two Announcements: Welcome new follower Joe Mirakev! Hey Joe, Whadda'ya know?! Joe is a new friend from Saturday Writers. He's a fun guy, and I can't wait to read some of his writings! It appears he's just started his blog, too, so congratulations, Joe!

Speaking of blogs: Another friend from Saturday Writers, Bea Siros, has just joined the blogging world, too! Yay for Bea! (Soon, you'll both discover how addictive it can be. Bwa ha ha ha!)

"Real friends forgive you when you mess up. Superficial ones don't." -- Becky Povich

First of all, thank you to Terri of Artful Afirmations and Patti of Fill My Cup With Beauty for becoming my two newest followers. I am always so thrilled when I see a new face or two! I truly appreciate all of you.

I posted a while back that I gave myself permission to not write, or think about writing my book...for however long it took to get back into The Zone. It has worked out really well. The self-imposed pressure was lifted. My other creative ideas began to creep back into my thoughts. It's been a nice, little "vacation" from writing!

Today, I woke up with the inkling that Today is Almost The Day! I think attending yesterday's weekly Coffee & Critique group had a lot to do with it. I didn't bring anything to read, but just being around my writer buddies and hearing their thoughts and ideas, caused my cooled-down writing desire to begin percolating again!

"You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won't be able to take a break from being a writer." - Stephen Leigh