The opposite of resolute is me.

I hate this part of the year.

I don't set goals.
I don't make resolutions.

I don't like looking back at the past year. It's never good.

I'm not going to kid myself and pretend that all of the sudden I'm going to be organized and motivated because a new year is about to begin.

All I can say is that I hope I get back into my writing. 

I hope it begins to appeal to me again.

I hope that the reading that I've been doing recently helps to spark something in me. 

I hope that spark will turn into a passionate revival of amazing writing that causes the letters on my keyboard to fade with use.

I hope the revival brings quiet satisfaction and yet a burning desire to share my words with the world.

Enough so that I take the next steps to edit and polish and then send out a beautifully finished product that will be accepted and applauded and most importantly ... published.

Hope is not a resolution or a goal. Just a wish.

Happy New Year.
Be safe.
Don't drink and drive.

The aftermath...

I rush around for days and days
A million things on my list
What to buy, what to bake
Decorating bit by bit

The moment comes that I've been waiting for
A surprised face when the paper rips
Everything seems worth it then
All the planning, the work, the trips


Then comes the real hard part
The day after all of it
I wonder where to start cleaning
Where do I put all this shit?

The fridge is full of leftovers
Every surface is covered with presents
The garbage is overflowing
With paper and boxes and remnants


The noise in here is deafening
What was I thinking getting that toy?
The cats eating the tree again
Where's the laughter? Where's the joy?

The moral of this story?
Now thats a damn good question
Next year we should just skip it
But that's just my suggestion
----


Hope you had a great holiday. We absolutely did. Seeing my sons face on Christmas morning is just wonderful. Being with my family is truly amazing. I had Christmas at home, Christmas with my in-laws and Christmas with parents all in one day. I have one more Christmas to go on New Year's Day. We are very lucky.


Getting ready to watch some great bowl games! FSU plays on Thursday and RU plays on Friday! I know what bowl game Tara will be watching on the 2nd! Anyone else?

Short & Sweet: Merry & Happy

I don't care what you celebrate, how you celebrate, when you celebrate or why you celebrate.

If you are celebrating a holiday, or more than one, in the next two weeks I hope you have a great time.

Be safe.

Think of others.

Take pictures.

Have a drink.

Breathe.

No fighting!

Eat something fun without guilt.

Smile.

Let me know how it all goes.

Happy Holidays.
Heather

Fat Bottom Tree

I really think our tree this year looks like a giant Hershey Kiss.

Although it was suggested we decorate the tree in a silvery fashion this year I did choose to go traditional.

There is only about half the ornaments that we usually have, thank you Hurricane Irene, but I tried to space them out nicely. 


We already have a few new replacements but I don't have a tree topper yet.

We used to have a country-ish looking angel. I will just have to wait to find just the right topper to replace her.




While visiting another blog today, Older Mommy Still Yummy, I learned about the Nativity Tray. It's such a nice touch to all the other Christmas traditions.

I'm not a religious person but its basically remembering young children and fuzzy creatures during this giving season.

I left Monica, the author of this blog, a note and she wrote back letting me know that she has started a LINKY for bloggers to show off their decorated trees to each other.

No rules. It's just for fun.


Anyone else not even started their shopping yet or is that just me?

Abby something. Abby Normal!

This month is going to be just a waste for writing.

I can tell already.

I can't even begin to formulate plot. I had trouble remembering my character's names the other day or which story I was working on last.

I'd like to think that after the holidays my life will go back to normal but I'm not sure what normal is for me any longer.

Part of my brain tells me that I need to treat writing like a job. That way I would take it more seriously and give it the time its going to take to finish. 

Another part of my brain tells me that if I was going to work another job it should be for actual money.

There is another part of my brain that just feels guilty all the time no matter what I do.

I suppose making decisions on only a few parts of brain is not a good idea anyway.

Hopefully in January the rest of my brain, the part that writes, might show up!

Meanwhile, still helping out family and getting ready to decorate the house for Christmas.

We did get our tree but we may have a slight dilemma.

When the tree was with its brothers and sisters it looked fantastic and perfect in every way.

We brought him home, placed him in the stand on the porch and took off the netting to let the branches fall only to discover that he is as wide as he is tall!

HOLY GIANT TREE!

It literally looks like a giant chocolate kiss made out of Douglas Fir.

My house may not be big enough to hold him and the junk in his trunk!

I will have to remove ... not move ... but remove furniture to accommodate his girth!

We actually did lose many ornaments and the lights in our basement flood from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene. 

But, thanks to Santa's helper, we do have new lights to put on the 'Fat Bottom' tree and we will be making new ornament memories starting this year.

Anyone else asking Santa for brain parts this year?

W.W.W. - The Insecure Writer's Support Group!

Bet you thought you might never hear from me again!

Well, you were both wrong!


I am back and just in time for Alex J. Cavanaugh's The Insecure Writer's Support Group posting day! 

Today we are going to talk about - W.W.W.

We've all had it.
We fear it.
We can't wait to be rid of it.

What is it you ask?

W.W.W. = Writers Without Words

It's that pesky time in a writer's life when all of a sudden the well has run dry. You've reached the end of your rope. Your happy meal is short a few nuggets.

You feel dumber than a fruitcake!

It sucks.

And it happens to all of us and usually at some inconvenient time like ... in the middle of your book.

BUT!!!

Don't give up. Those words will resurface.

Maybe not as quickly as you would hope. Maybe when you least expect them, like when you don't have any paper.

But mark my words! The words will return.

Meanwhile do something productive. Something to stimulate your brain. Clear off that DVR. Read a book. Clean out that kitchen drawer that won't close. Brush the cat.

Whatever you choose just make sure you aren't too far from a pen or a keyboard.

Do any of you suffer from W.W.W.?
It's okay. This is a safe place to share.
 

Anyone in the neighborhood?

7th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree!

This is the other reason why I've been so quiet. Anyone want to come shop tomorrow?

Description

7th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree
Date: 12/03/2011
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Clothing
Accessories
Jewelry
Make-up/Skincare
Gourmet Foods
Kitchen Gadgets
Cookware
Home Décor
Candles
Crafts
Baskets
Pottery
Scrap Booking
Stamps
Gift Baskets
...and so much more!

Warwick Fire Department
Station #2
200 West Street
Warwick, NY 10990
845-986-0573

Warwick Fire Department Auxiliary

Be still like vegetables.

Is it over yet?

Thank the UNIVERSE!

I need some down time. It's time to lay like broccoli.

I don't think I've stopped moving since my son's birthday.

Busy...busy...busy.

Go...go...go...

1 birthday, 2 Thanksgivings, 1 village tree lighting, 1 holiday parade and 1 leftover day.

All wonderful but all exhausting.

The Wallington 10th Anniversary Holiday Parade was new for us this year. Our volunteer fire department decked out one of the engines in holiday lights...

...and drove down to NJ to enter the night parade. It was nuts. Almost 3 hours watching every shape and size emergency vehicle dressed up in lights and decorations rolling down the street with sirens and holiday music blaring. If you ever hear about one of these near you I highly recommend it!

I have been writing but I find when I write by hand in my notebook not only does my hand cramp but I also skimp on the details. I don't finish sentences. I don't add background. I barely tag the dialogue. It's just plain lazy! Typing this stuff onto the computer is going to take a long, long time. 

How was your holiday? Did you eat anything new and different this year? We could share recipes!

It's just the Tryptophan talking...

So I figure...this week...everyone has so much to do that no one will have time to read my blog let alone comment so I'm not going to post anything.

I mean after this.



Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Safe travels. 

Enjoy your day.

Eat, drink and be merry.

Remember to put out the cranberry sauce.

Don't argue at the dinner table.

Watch football or write!

Nap.

Don't forget the camera.


I'll see you all on the flip side.

And...Happy Birthday to my wonderful son, DJ, who turns six today!

I am thankful.

Hand...cramping...ouch...yeah!

I mentioned that I've been away from my laptop a lot lately.

So, I have been bringing work with me when I'm out.

Today I brought a notebook and some printed out pages from a short story I started about a girl on a motorcycle.

After reading through what I had I hand-wrote about 5 pages, front and back!

OWWWW!!

My hand still hurts from cramping up around the pen but I don't care. It was awesome to write.


I'm missing a lot of things going on right now out in the blog world. I feel bad. I'll try to get around to see some of you this weekend. Cause I miss you!


I am thankful for my cats. They are my fuzzy kids and mostly less annoying than the real one.


Have a great weekend.


Go FSU!
GO RU!

Blogging away from the laptop.

I'm sorry I'm not on my regular schedule right now. I have some family and work obligations to take care of and I haven't had time to post or write lately.

Hope you are all doing well.

Everyone ready for Thanksgiving?

I am thankful for my husband and son. One drives me crazy and one keeps me sane.

Thanks is never enough...

 

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

 

Local investments.

Let's face it...we're all broke.

Even if you make a lot of money you're still paying out more for the simple things than you ever have before so you're probably still broke. 

And Christmas is next month.

I'm not a religious person so I don't celebrate a religious Christmas.

I do celebrate the commercial side of Christmas.

More importantly I celebrate the wonderful traditions of Christmas. Family. Friends. Food. Love. Sharing. Food. Tree. Lights. Food.

To make a long story short...

The below post was floating around on Facebook today. It really struck a chord with me. Well, once I ignored all the blatant anti-foreign-country rants which I removed and only left the great ideas.

Since we are all broke and we still want to celebrate perhaps we could take some of these ideas and implement them this holiday season.

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand lights for the house? If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

Do you celebrate Christmas?

Are you thinking about shopping locally this year?

We're what you call...experts.

Sometimes you just have to listen to the experts.

Readers.

This weekend I was fortunate enough to get to spend some face to face time with my 'editors'. 

It's one thing to send your words off to someone electronically and then they send it back electronically full of notes and ideas that you may or may not agree with.

It's another thing to actually talk about the book. Talk about the characters and find out what they like and what they don't like or don't find believable.

And to tell them what your thought process is to see if its coming across in your words.

I'm really lucky.

And now I have some serious work to do.

But that's okay.

Direction is good.


Thanksgiving is a little more than 2 weeks away. I thought it might be nice to talk about some of the things we are thankful for before things get to crazy with turkey and family and traveling and such.


I'm thankful for your support. I don't have a large group of friends IRL that I do things with or go places with.

Being a full time mom, a part time employee who works out of the house and a writer pretty much keep me in one spot.

Knowing that I can come to you guys for help or humor is great support that I can't live without.

So, thanks.

Anyone else want to share? If not today I will be bringing it up again this week!

This pretty much sums it all up for me...

Saw this on Facebook. Had to share.

This weekend should be full of manual labor as we try to clear our property, and that of my brother in NJ, of large broken tree limbs full of fall colored leaves.

Oh, and don't forget the time change this weekend. Well, for those of us who do that sort of antiquated thing.

The good news is that we gain an hour. The bad news is that we still do something so ancient.

Football should be good this weekend. FSU already played last night, and won, so now we just need to root for Rutgers on Saturday night!

On a final note...Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband on Sunday! Love you!


What are you guys up to this weekend?

Insecure turns to Inspiration!

Welcome to the next installment of Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group.

If you have been following my blog for any length of time you may have noticed that I like to do a little something called...Bitch & Moan.

It's like a disease.

Recently, I haven't been writing as much, mostly due to family obligations, but also because I had hit a wall and probably didn't want to admit it.

Not the kind of wall where you don't know what to write next but more of the wall where you wonder why you are writing at all.

Finally, I reminded myself to send it to my 'editors' to see if they even liked reading what I was writing.

What an ego boost that is!

The comments, questions and complaints are like crack!

It reminds me of a movie called Soapdish with Sally Field. When the long in the tooth soap opera actress gets depressed she goes to the mall and 'accidentally' gets recognized. Soon she is surrounded by adoring fans and signing autographs and kissing babies.

It's just the shot in the arm she needs to get back out there and prove her worth.

Seeing my story through another person's eyes is incredibly helpful. So many times I assume my concepts are getting across but that is not always the case. The feedback gives me new ideas and helps me flesh out the story. Find things that I missed or didn't even know were needed.

And now, I feel revived.

My tiny brain is again spinning the hamster wheel working on my story. My fingers may not be typing yet but I believe they soon will be.

So...thank you 'editors' (you know who you are)! Thank you for asking those questions and making those comments.

Thank you for saying 'I can't wait to read more!' so that I know I must continue and not give up!

I'm late...I'm late...for a very important date!

After a very long day out of the house yesterday I came home to find that the cable/phone/internet service had been restored!

We had lost those sometime on Saturday during the October snow storm. 

18+ inches of snow.

We were fortunate. We did not lose power or heat during the storm. I can't say the same for the rest of the tri-state area. For those unfamiliar with that term it's NY, NJ, CT.

We did lose a lot of branches, small and large, off of our maple trees. Again, we were fortunate that nothing hit our house.

I'll post some pictures shortly.

BUT!!!


Due to the lack of internet I was not able to post my 100 word story that I wrote for Tara Tyler Talks on Halloween!

 










So...better late than never...
------------------------------------ 
 

“I don’t believe in ghosts.”

“Really?” He moves close enough for me to see his pale blue eyes in the dim light of the hallway. “I believe in you.”

“You’re dead.”

“I am.”

I reach out to touch him. He’s solid. “You can’t be real.”

“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters. Either ghosts do exist or my cheese has slipped off its cracker.”

“Maybe.”

“I buried you in this suit.” My body shivers. “Now what? Are you here to tell me something important? Finish your unfinished business?”

“I think I’m here to haunt you.”

“Why?”

“Because. You murdered me.”

------------------------------------

As promised...

Bumble Bee!

That is is for now.

I'll be back tomorrow for the Insecure Writer's Support Group!

How was your Halloween?

F@#$%^&*'N BRRRRR!

Well, another week has gotten by me and I haven't kept up with the blog.

As Fox Mulder would say, I've experienced 'Missing Time'. I blinked and it was Friday.

But, life should be getting back to normal around here soon. I think.

This morning, in the wonderful NorthEast, we have had our first freezing morning. That means the steps were slippy, the car was covered in ice and it's generally REALLY fuckin' cold. 

I didn't even turn on the heat yet because we don't until November, usually. I haven't even purchased the damn replacement filter for the furnace yet. 

This weekend's forecast...snow. 

That is a four letter word that I HATE!

Not just a dusting either, which is what we normally get in November, but a 4-6 inch accumulation. 

In October!

I'm not ready. And not just in the get out the shovels and winter clothing way.

I mean mentally not ready.

Winter is NOT hard here. It's hard in Alaska. It's hard in Canada. It's hard in Russia.

Here, it's just annoying but I'm not ready for it. I'm not ready for the long dark nights. The slush and ice. The cleaning of the cars. The shoveling of the driveway.

Of course my husband and son can't wait. They only think about the good stuff. The snow angels. Snow ball fights. Snow forts. Skiing lessons. Sledding. Hot chocolate and hot coffee after playing in the cold.

I know. I would love to know why I live here too. Sure, we get all four seasons in their glory here in NY. That's one pro but the list of cons is too long to contemplate.

But, as a New Yorker we must make due. We bite the bullet. We bitch and moan and then we go shovel.

Have any complaints about your local weather? Feel free to share.

Hope y'all have a happy and safe Halloween. I'll post pictures of Bumblebee next week.

GO FSU!
GO RU!
 

Best Halloween Pumpkins?

I'm sensing a theme. I don't know why.

I'm still on an unintentional writing break so I thought I would talk about pumpkins. 

Normally some friends that have a farm nearby paint and sell pumpkins for the fall but, due to the fallout from Hurricane Irene, they were unable to this year. 

These are both from 2010. The 'R' is for Rutgers which is a college in NJ where my brother works.

This is for the Florida State Seminoles (sorry Tara). My husband spent some time at this college and we have adopted them as our favorite team.

These I just thought were funny.

Pumpkins are a little scarce around here this year so a little more expensive. I will try to pick up one or two for my son and husband to carve out before the 'big' day.

Do you guys get pumpkins for the fall?

Not to rush us all into next year but Arlee Bird is already gearing up for the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge and even set up its own website this year! Check it out!

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a list of stuff going on and coming up.

And a BIG thank you to Murees Dupe for this One Lovely Blog Award!

Best Halloween Candy?

Anyone remember these days besides me?

Sad but true.

I can remember clear as day my father insisting he get to look through all my candy before I could have any.

He said he was checking for dangerous items but really he was just stealing the good stuff and leaving me with the Zagnuts and tiny boxes of raisins.

Is this better?

I like this better too. Chocolatey goodness.

The problem I'm having is when the nice people at the door offer a basket with too many choices my son always seems to grab for lollipops.

Must be a man thing. Wanting everything on a stick.

Really. I'll eat peeps in any color or shape. 

I have a love/hate relationship with candy corn. They are gross but I will eat them constantly if there is a bowl full anywhere near me.


Do you have a favorite? Maybe something you don't share with the ghouls and goblins at your door?

Best Halloween Movies?

So...my husband and I inadvertently watched the premiere of Season 2 of The Walking Dead. 

I don't get it. 

I mean...I get it...it's a show about zombies.

But I don't get why they made it into a show. I mean haven't we seen that movie? Like A MILLION times? 

Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good zombie movie and they are kind of hard to find.

I mean good ones. 

Honestly, I think the best zombie movie is Shaun of the Dead but I'm weird like that.

Then I started to think about great scary movies for Halloween. 

When I was growing up *mumble* years ago the best scary movies were the ones where you didn't get to see much.

It was all about suspense.

Now its all about the gore factor and they rely too heavily on computer and special effects.

And where's the damn storyline? I mean I don't care if the girl in the pajamas dies or the guy in the woods gets gutted because they haven't given me any story to care about them.

Now when I watch movies I spend all my time saying, "If she carried a firearm that would never have happened."

When I think of scary movies I think of Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Halloween, The Omen, Salem's Lot and Alien. Just to name a few.

So? What do you guys think of when you think of scary movies?

And...what kind of candy are you handing out this year? I'll keep my traveling options open!