Writers Write But I Don't...

I need to get back in my novel. My word count has not gone up since last week and that bothers me. Technically I should be at  36,674 words but I am only at 3,365. Most of that is summary and not content. So I am 33,309 words behind (LOL) and I am not going to catch up but I am happy to just pick up and keep moving forward. My next novel should pick up pace as well so I am geared for action for National Novel Writing Month in November.

In the meantime I am planning on taking a plotting class from Storywonk.com and I have been listening to Lani & Alastair as they help us stay motivated and learning. I am excited to Be a writer. I know I can do this, I just need to do it! I have cut all online games out of my life. I do not play Words With Friends anymore (in case you were wondering what happened to me), I am not playing Mahjong or Spider Solitaire anymore. I’m barely reading! I am reading the book that Storywonk.com is going to review next week but all my other “for pleasure” reading is on hold. (Just ask my Librarian!)

It’s sad.

So why don’t I have more written? Well, let me think about this.

I spend too much time on Twitter and Facebook re-tweeting and reposting. Yes, that’s true. But I don’t feel that badly about that because that is how I plan to make some money while I am writing and purposely not looking for any kind of work. I learned how to use another blogging platform—Wordpress (still learning it) and as soon as I have a little bit of money I will be moving my blog to KatrinaDuvalois.com … Won’t that be cool? [squeee! I think it’s so cool!]

I have been doing more writing and research for my “job” and we are gearing up to re-launch a business website so my writing/editing skills are needed. I can’t feel bad about that either.

What else have I been doing?

Not much.

We had Crackle’s IEP on Thursday and it went really well. I am so very happy with AVUHSD and the high school staff! We were also approved by our district to have Crackle be picked up by the bus at 8:30 AM instead of 6:57 AM. I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am about this! I will have to adjust my schedule a little but WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! 

Life just got a little better for everyone!

Also, Crackle was approved for more O.T. (Occupational Therapy) for which I have been fighting for since 6^th grade when the O.T. wanted me to exit him; it’s been a FIGHT ever since (she is no longer there, btw, yappari!). His P.E. and A.P.E. will be on consultation basis because the program he is in requires off-campus adventures and Mr. Run-Away cannot do that yet. Maybe by next year? We’ll see and make a call then.

Basically, things are falling into place and as soon as my car gets fixed things will be even that much better. So, for now…

Write. Write. Write.

Yay!

Fitness Sum-up

Friday we cleaned the house. I mean Cleaned the house! Superman attached my feather duster to a telescoping pole so we were able to get the cobwebs out of the corners in the high ceilings. Yay! I cleaned the oven and the cupboards & ceiling above the stove. Yuck!

Needless to say, it was exhausting.

Now we have to do the upstairs. We have an awesome closet upstairs but it’s totally disorganized because it’s become the catch-all for all the junk we don’t know what to do with. All my sewing and knitting is in there but I can’t get to it because of all the extra Junk. ::sigh::

One of the things I want to start is a project a week; sewing or knitting or something creative. In order to do that I need that closet to be put in order. I should take some before and after pictures. Really the rest of the house is okay… except the garage. Grrr. That’s part of the problem. Some of the stuff that belongs in the garage is in the closet and vice-versa. Such a pain. But it looks like we are going to be in the house for at least another year.

Sad. Face. :(

Fit Friday Report:

I did not run this week. I did walk, a little. Thank you to my Zen Pond buddy who “made” me walk with her. We could have done two days but the second day was the cleaning house day and I was Done. (Stick a fork in me I’m done kind of  done.) I’m hoping to get back into the C25K training this week. Tuesday, Peeps! I felt so awesome doing that!

I have been watching what I eat and I am losing. I have no idea what I’m doing that’s working but I am trying to time my carbs (yes, I am eating them). Last night I made pizza and cinnamon rolls and this morning I was down a pound. Huh? And no Splenda in those rolls either! Haha! I am really good about having a protein shake for breakfast (it’s fast and easy) but I fail at lunch (I have no idea what to eat!) and I fail at fresh fruits and vegetables. When we buy them they rot. :/ I’m not sure what to do about that. It’s frustrating.

I would like to juice but I’m not. I keep thinking I will but then I don’t.

I watched Forks Over Knives but then read a really awesome review that basically said it was bunk. Not enough protein and the science was faulty. Too bad. I recommended it too. Oops. I do think a more plant-based diet is healthy but I’m not very good at it. A product of the modern age, I guess. So I am trying for a more Body-for-Life approach. It’s a good plan. Adding the strength training three days a week and the walking/running three days a week and making sure I am eating healthy; i.e.; protein-carb combos, incorporating more plant-based foods and home-made carbs.

I offered to make some cookies to sell at the football games too. Yum. I love making cookies! I might make bread this week as well. I love to bake. Making the pizza dough was actually fun and I have so many cookbooks on my Kindle app it’s kind of crazy!

So, I wonder, is my diet making my FMS worse? I know I have to eat every 2-3 hours or I feel sick. I am finding also that I have nausea more often (that just started). I am not sure what foods are my triggers. I’m not ready to try a gluten-free diet (still curious about the benefits, though) or removing dairy. Cheese and eggs are my staples.

I am anxious for “real fall” because it’s still too hot here. The mornings and evenings are wonderful but since I’ve been exposed to steamed almond milk (Y.U.M.!!!) I really want cold days. Then I can make soups and other casseroles that make sense for cold weather but just seem too hot for this!

Cultivating an Attitude of Grattitude

There is always lots and Lots and LOTS to be thankful for. I know that. I struggle with my health, my kids (one mostly), life in general… but it’s no excuse to not be Grateful. At least that’s what I think…

I read an amazing quote this week;

"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude."

—Thomas S. Monson, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude"

So here's my Attitude:

A is for The Avengers movie coming out in 5 days. (Yes, I loved Loved LOVED this movie! Joss Whedon, Robert Downey, Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner… what?)

B is for Bones premiering before all the other shows. Thank you FOX for giving me this gift.

C is for all the CSIs. May you live forever.

D is for Doggies everywhere, and their owners. And Dog Shaming.

E is for Everyone. Yes, even the douchebag that cuts me off on the freeway. I am thankful for all the people in the world that make it what it is. I’m sorry for those that wish evil on others but I believe even they have the freedom to choose their behavior.

F is for my Friends. Love my friends. Especially the ones that love me. (LOL)

G is for Gorgonzola cheese. Because it’s the only cheese I can eat besides cheddar and mozzarella and it’s yummy, and sounds fancy.

H is for Hash Browns. Not those nasty things you get at Fast Food places but the yummy ones you can get at Hamburger Hamlet served with sour cream… Oh-My!

I is for Imagination. So glad I have one, and I know how to use it!

J is for Junk that you keep because it once belonged to someone you love. I have a 1965 piece of Chevy “junk” in my garage because my brothers bought it and drove it. It’s my junk.

K is for Katrina. Because I rock and I’m glad I can appreciate myself. (Even when I’m a whiney brat!)

L is for Love. True love, if you will, because I found it, kept it and hope to keep it Forever!

M is for Mommies. All the mommies. You give so much. Mine is my lifeline, I am glad to be one and I’m grateful for all the great mommy examples around me!

N is for Nice people. The people who smile and wave at you when you barely know them. Yes, them. Thank you. You make me feel wanted when I am most insecure.

O is for being OVER stuff. Get Over it. I do. I try. I am. Moving on…

P is for Pie. Pecan Pie. Dutch Apple Pie. Specifically, any Pie my mom makes. Yum.

Q is for Questions. I am so curious and am always asking questions. Sorry if it annoys you but usually I can Google it and get the answer I am looking for… if not there are lots of people to ask, and they tell me! Isn’t that awesome!

R is for Reading. ::sigh:: The most bestest thing in the whole wide world. I love living in the worlds inside my head.

S is for Service. I am so amazed by people who drop everything to serve others. Superman is like that, one of the reasons I married him. My brother is like that too. It’s inspiring.

T is for Television. As much as it can drain my life it is an easy entertainer and storyteller. And I love stories!

U is for Understanding. Feeling Understood is one of the few things in life I truly, Truly seek and appreciate when it’s given. Don’t judge me, just understand. Thank you to those who do this for me and others. You Rock!

V is for videos. (Thank you Crackle). Although videotapes are quite retro these days I still think of them fondly and the many hours of mommy time it gave me (oops).

W is for Water. By far my favorite drink! I know, boring as heck, but it’s the truth (especially since I’ve given up Diet Coke).

X is for Xantham gum because it is a Low-carb thickening agent and a key ingredient in my BFFs AMAZING Low-carb cooking!

Y is for YOU! If you are reading this? Thank you!!! (and share!)

Z is for Zen. Zen ponds and friends who offer them. Incense burning and rock gardens (that would never stay “combed” at my house!) I seek Zen and appreciate the few moments I find it.

That was incredibly fun! Test your gratitude! I challenge you to make some kind of Acrostic list of Grattitudes & see all the things you can think of… It will cheer you up! Post or share on your own blog!

Fun!

Well, it worked for me!

What's Not To Love?

Anxious as I was for the new Bones episode to arrive I wasn’t able to watch it until late this afternoon. And (SPOILER ALERT) doggone-it-all the bad guy is loose so you know it will be another season of cyber-crime. 

Lots of Booth and Brennan kissing. 

David Boreanaz… I hear he’s a jerk but he’s sweet to watch. ::sigh::

I love this show because I am enthralled with the whole crime solving through the body and bugs and all that. It started with Law & Order then moved into the CSIs and now I’m totally into Bones. 

I also like Psych but since we’re only getting Hulu-Plus and Netflix for TV I have to either pay for it (had to pay for CSI or watch it on the desktop) I missed all last season of Psych. Superman isn’t crazy about that show, which I don’t understand, maybe because Shawn is so sarcastic. I’m not sure but the word-play between Shawn and Gus makes me laugh my butt off.

I am reading A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin. I am interested in fantasy and Storywonk is doing an analysis of the book at the end of September so I want to be prepared. It’s a lot of narrative. I have a Diana Gabaldon (Outlander) and an Eloisa James (Duchess in Love) waiting to be read. 

It’s called Research. Yay!

In the meantime I have been putting off my school work. Ugh. I have to get some done tonight so this will be short. 

Still considering how I want to write a review (no spoilers? Really? I don’t know if I can do that!) but I think I need to read a bunch (of reviews, reading of books is a no-brainer!) and I don’t do that so much. I like to read movie reviews…

Which, by the way, The Avengers movie is coming out on DVD on Tuesday, September 25^th. Squee!

GO GET IT!

YouTu-Beautiful!

It’s Tuesday.

I love YouTube! There are so many great ways to learn things via YouTube videos! I was surprised by that a few years ago when we were trying to figure out a way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey without an oven. We ended up cooking it in the ground in a pit. It was one of the most delicious and moist turkey we’ve ever had! This was learned by watching countless amounts of "cooking turkey without an oven" searches via YouTube. 

Here is my favorite one. A Boy Scout group doing multiple turkeys at once.

My obsession with using brushes to apply my makeup came from watching YouTube videos. It started with a referral to watch RiceBunny. She is Michelle Phan and currently has a contract with Lancome because of the success she created using YouTube videos to teach makeup application and beauty regimens. I posted a video on a previous post about your night time face washing routine.

She is Awesome.

Lately the news have been covering the account of a young girl who has created quite a sensation via YouTube. Her name is Talia Castellano and she is 13-years-old and she has cancer. She is bald but beautiful and uses makeup to give herself confidence to go out in public. She doesn’t want a wig but feels beautiful because of the makeup techniques she has learned and now teaches.

She was on The Ellen Degeneres show and Ellen made her an honorary Cover Girl. Beautiful!

Just as a side note, September is Children’s Cancer Awarenessmonth. So many children are diagnosed and die from cancer before they even get to have a life. If you are able to help by donating to the cause, click here. Otherwise, just spread the word that we need to keep working toward treatment and cures for cancer that keeps stripping beautiful people from the earth!

A friend of mine has been campaigning for some time for the bald Barbie. It’s an amazing idea and is taking flight, finally. Her daughter has cancer and it’s a day-to-day battle! If you could show your support for the bald Barbie it would help because goal is for Mattel to use the proceeds (profits) to help with cancer patient families in need and for much-needed research.

YouTube is an amazing way the internet expands our knowledge base. If you find a good instructional video, let me know! I love it!