* Saturday Centus *

It's Saturday Centus time with Jenny Matlock. If you've never participated in this before, give it a try. It's really lots of fun!

Here's today's rules & prompt:

WORD COUNT - Up to 100 words AND the 7 words of the prompt (107 total maximum words - For those of you that want more words please feel free to link up multiple stories!)
STYLE OF WRITING - Any

USE A PICTURE IF YOU LIKE

THE PROMPT THIS WEEK IS: "what kind of a pizza is this"
My take on the prompt is below, coming in at 107 words.


He prepared a surprise, romantic dinner for me. Hmmm, my boyfriend wasn't much of a cook, at least that I knew of. Maybe he thought after an evening like this, I'd fall into his arms and do the thing he so wanted me to do.


As I stepped into his apartment, he steered me toward the table and pulled out a chair. I knew immediately what dinner was by the mouthwatering aroma rising from my plate to my nostrils.


"What kind of a pizza is this?", I uttered, breathlessly.


"It's your favorite, darling. Now, will you do that favor for me?"


"Oh, you bet I will ."

* I WONDER *

It's been three weeks since my last I Wonder post. I don't remember why I missed the one on August 19th, but I really remember why I missed last week's.

One reason: I was busy getting things ready for the Saturday Writers meeting which was the next day. My scheduled speaker had to cancel and I scrambled for someone to take her place. Many thanks to Debbie Marshall, president of Missouri Writers Guild (MWG), who came to our rescue.

Second reason: I was dealing with what I thought was a very painful toothache. After a visit to my dentist on the 25th, and then an oral surgeon on the 26th.....neither could figure out what was wrong. I told both of them, "What can I say? I'm weird!" So, on Monday, the 29th, I saw my primary doctor and was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. I won't go into details because I don't want to come across as whiny, but I had some really awful pain, for quite a few days. (I knew it wasn't a sinus infection, either, because I had none of the usual symptoms. I get them often enough to know!)

My I Wonder for this Friday is: I wonder how many of you have any special plans for this 3-Day Weekend?

Me? I have no special plans.

 I just want to relax and write, and write and relax, etc.

Also, Welcome to my newest follower, Maryann Miller. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

 

"If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend." ~Doug Larson

Let's all go to the beach!

I'd never been a guest blogger before, until just a couple of days ago over at WOW - Women on Writing, The Muffin. And now, I have another guest post to announce.

(courtesy: Buzzle.com)

I'll be on Under The Tiki Hut tomorrow, Wednesday, August 31st beginning at 7:15am Central Time.

Carol has been hosting guest bloggers on Wednesdays, all summer long. Thanks again, Carol, for inviting me to visit your fabulous, "Blissful" paradise!

Please stop by and leave a comment, and see what happens as I sit on the beach and enjoy the view!

** Note added August 31st, 2:15pm Central Time: So far everyone who has commented on Under the Tiki Hut, either likes or loves my newest idea for my memoir title: Blame it on the Crowbar! **
I'm batting 1,000!!

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James

A Birthday Party for Vern!

During my time away from blogging, our awesome dog Vern celebrated a birthday. He is now 10 years old! We had a small party for him, which I'd never even thought to do for our previous canine family members! And by small party, I mean The Ronald, our son Mark, his girlfriend Jenni and me.

Vern didn't know WHAT was going on. That's Mark holding him.

We got him to stand still long enough for this picture! He doesn't look very happy, does he?!

Oooh, a present! And it's a beefy smelling rawhide bone!

Yum...Loving this other chewy thing, too.



And you're saying, "Where's the birthday cake??"

Well, we didn't have a "real" one, but we used this cool cake candle for photos!

Those of you who don't know the story about Vern, here's a condensed version: Three months after we had to say goodbye to our beloved Tiger, I was ready to look for another dog. Wanted an "older" dog....a companion, and not a frisky puppy. Found Vern, a lab mix, online at a shelter. His age was listed as eight, but found out he was really nine and a half.....big difference in dog years! But, we brought him home with us (in March) and have been in love with this fabulous dog ever since! He is sweet, loving, smart, funny and just plain perfect. Happy Birthday, Vern! May you live MANY more years.

Also, Welcome to my newest follower, Christine. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace."
Milan Kundera

* Did I Mention Contests? *

It feels a bit strange posting something two days in a row. And I mean that in the nicest sense!Yesterday I mentioned Contests and Calls for Submissions. Here are a few I've seen.

*** Added Friday 8:40am:  I totally forgot to include a Give-Away. Shows what happens when I get sidetracked. Below is the information, taken directly from the newsletter I receive every week from Eliza Fayle at Silver and Grace:

"What are your hobbies? Send me pics of your creations or you engaging in your hobbies and I will post them to the Silver & Grace Women are REAL album. Simply send them to eliza@silverandgrace.com

Give-away

Everyone who sends me pics for the Silver & Grace Women are REAL this week will be entered to win the book The Message: A Guide To Being Human by L D Thompson. Give-away ends August 31."

******

The Mona Schreiber Humorous Fiction & Non-Fiction Contest. All entries must be postmarked by December 1st, 2011. Entry fee: $5.00  1st Place - $500  (I love this part: Humor is subjective. Uniqueness is suggested. Weirdness is encouraged.) I can think of quite a few writer/blog friends who would be sensational at this! 


WOW - Women on Writing Contest Flash Fiction. Deadline: August 31, 2011. Entry fee: $10.00  1st Place - $300  *Please don't forget to read my Friday Speak Out *

Writers Digest Contests - Competitions  There are oodles of categories here. Various deadlines. From just skimming through them, it looks like the entry fees are all $20.00, which is pretty steep, but the first prizes are $1,000 - $3,000 plus other promotional goodies. If you are really confident in your writing, then I say, "Go for it!"

Funds for Writers Contests  C. Hope Clark is a writer's best friend, and walking encyclopedia! Check her website for all kinds of info.

Funds for Writers Calls for Submissions Hope also pays for submissions to her site.

Funds for Writers Annual Contest 10th Annual Funds For Writers Essay Contest. Theme for 2011: Diligence. Deadline: E-mail by Midnight (Eastern Time) October 31, 2011.

Winning Writers Contests This is one of those places that posts numerous contests, plus other important information, such as which contests to avoid.

Writers-Editors Contests  Another wealth of information sites.

First Writer Contests This particular link is for free contests, but their site has everything!

I think that's enough for tonight. I don't want to cause any headaches due to an overload of contest information!

(courtesy: google)

"A quotation is a handy thing to have about, saving one the trouble of thinking for oneself."
— A.A. Milne

* 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

We Interrupt This Blog-a-Vacation.....

Just a bit of news to share with my local blog pals: (that's LOCAL, but if LOCO fits, you're included!)

If you haven't already heard, the Spencer Creek Library will be closed beginning September 17th and will reopen in early 2012, in its fabulous, brand new location....next door to the existing one!

Click on the link to find out where to pick up and drop off your library books, etc.

Also, there won't be a gift shop in the new library. I stopped in today and was told they just can't get enough volunteers to fill all the hours they need to stay open. I'll miss that little shop. They always had great bargains on used books and unique gifts. BUT, if you're really looking for a bargain, stop in between now and August 31, (when they will close) because everything in the shop is between 25 cents and 1 dollar! I bought a couple of things but will go back later this evening, after I have time to think about what I might need! (grand children gifts, and my ever-popular give-aways at Saturday Writers meetings!)

Also, Welcome to my newest follower,  The Time Sculptor's Secret, I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!
 "When I got my library card, that's when my life began." ~Rita Mae Brown

* 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