Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Write Stuff Wednesday

Taking a quote from one of my all-time favorite authors (I loved her before I became a wife and mom, playing in those roles now, I appreciate her wisdom even more!)

Drumroll please...

for Erma Bombeck:
Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.

Football fan? I am! Especially college football. (It comes with growing up in a college town). While we don't currently set our table around the game time, we knew (and still know) plenty of fans who do.

Thanksgiving should be about what matters to you and the people special to you. It should be a day to recognize who we are, how much we have, and how much we have to look forward to.

I wish you a day of gratitude, filled with the foods, traditions, and people you love!
Regan

Monday, November 23, 2009

Another Monday Motivator

But this one is the Monday before Thanksgiving! And getting into the spirit of the week:

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~Author Unknown

I hope this finds you at the beginning of a well-earned short week. My kids are only in school Monday and Tuesday this week. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, we had school through Wednesday on the week of Thanksgiving, but I imagine school districts dropped Wednesday from the schedule when so many parents took the extra day anyway.

So on this Monday, I hope you're thankful for that super-short school week. And I hope the break finds you without too much homework to spoil your fun.

Here's wishing you a wonderful turkey day!
Regan

Monday, November 9, 2009

Monday Motivator

This week's motivational moment is courtesy of Dr. Seuss! Nope, you're never to old for clever, wise words. Or the man who combined wisdom and humor so well.




"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose."

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you."

These are two inarguable and amazing truths about life! Your thoughts and your actions can lead you any direction you like. The path may get rocky, but if you stay focused and determined you WILL reach your goal.

Dr. Seuss knew the benefits of learning and showcasing the unique talents inherent in all of us. You are the only person with your gifts - whether it's painting, writing, speaking, woodworking, computers, music, or mechanics. Don't squander or discount those talents and gifts. Embrace what makes you special and use it to the best advantage for you and the community you live in.

Set a great goal today, a goal that celebrates what you have to offer, and go for it!

Regan

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Write Stuff Wednesday

November has arrived and I feel it's best to dedicate the first Write Stuff this month to the November writers phenomenon: NaNoWriMo...say it in that super slow-motion voice for an even better experience.

From the NaNoWriMo site itself comes this statement of truth: "Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved."

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writers Month and it's been held every November since the dawn of time. Okay, fine. The first NaNo was a little more subdued and held by 21 writers in July of 1999 in the San Francisco Bay area. They had a great time, learned a lot, and shared the experience with the world in the acclaimed No Plot? No Problem!



If I read the info at the site correctly, this is year eleven, but I'm hoping this effort goes on until the end of time! I've never participated before and I probably shouldn't indulge this year. (I do have some other projects on my plate). But I'm a pantser (meaning I often write without a detailed plot line) and I love the concept, the energy, and the surprises inherent to the NaNoWriMo effort. So this year, I am (off the record) indulging myself with a few hours of each day devoted to the NaNo word count. So far, I'm a bit behind my goal, but I didn't start right on time either (us pantsers tend to procrastinate too).

The point is to be the Write Stuff this month! Take the plunge and see where your imagination leads. It's not too late to get involved! Visit the site now, buy the book for help down the road and above all - Write Stuff!

Regan