Welcome November!

I know that it is still October, but I thought I would threaten/promise you all that November starts tomorrow.

 

Big deal, right?

 

Oh, it's a big deal alright. November is my big writing month, well my big intending-to-write month anyway. From NaNoWriMo to NaBloPoMo and NaPraPoMo (I think I got all of those correct. For those that don't know, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month, where I am challenged to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I always start November with great plans to follow through with this, only to see them peeter out. This year, I hope that will change, and I am actually planning on posting my daily NaNoWriMo efforts. I will try to keep them under the same heading (Title - part one, etc.) so if you want to follow along, it will be easier. In theory, at least.

 

Now by doing that one would assume that it will take care of my NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) requirements, but I feel like I would be cheating by doing that. Remember it isn't November yet, so this attitude can and most likely will change.

 

The final "obligation" is for NaPraPoMo (I think), which stands for National Prayer Posting Month. This will be a daily prayer post, more often than not it will be a set prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, etc), with the thought being that when you read them you will take a moment to include God in your daily life. Not a bad thing in my humble opinion.

 

For now, I will be off to enjoy the fruits of Halloween, whatever they may be, and resting up for a possible 90 posts next month. I hope that I can do it, especially the novel writing one because I ain't getting any younger, as my lovely daughter reminded me for several days before and after my last birthday.

 

So enjoy your "All Hallows Eve" and pray for those poor souls that could use your prayers, and we'll see you tomorrow.

 

God Bless!

 

Love that Flu from Mexico!

I mean how else could I experience the best of times and the worst of times not to mention that fun experience known as staying home from work.

Daytime Television , now that's excitement!

Now I know how the DVR and TiVo got their start - sick, as in the flu, people at around trying to entertain their rotting minds with some form of, er, ANYTHING! So these, aforementioned sick, people decided that there had to be a cure for this, and people should be able to watch NCIS and Stargate Universe anytime they want to, dang it!

Since I have television on my mind, have you seen that new show "Community ?" Funny stuff.

Okay, so what do we all think of all these extra links? Bells and whistles if you will? I've been playing around with a new program that helps pull in different links, etc. I think that I'll be playing with it a little more, adds a little pizazz, perhaps.

Bad Time to get Sick

Well, pretty much anytime is, but this time in particular is really upsetting. Why? Because I got this in the email yesterday:

 

We would like to congratulate you on making it to the next phase of the selection process for the 2010 Walt Disney World® Moms Panel!

 

It goes on to say that I have to answer three essay questions, which normally is not such a big deal. I mean I can put out 100 words, like that, and even have it all make sense. However.

 

** I prefer a good however,  to a but any day, just so you know.

 

My brain is in a funk from being sick, which just so happens to have started yesterday. Does this mean that my body is putting up a defense shell so that I won't be disappointed if I don't make it to the next level? I surely hope not, because once I saw that they were doing this (opening up a new set of Disney "Moms") I got very, very, VERY excited. Why? Well duh? Have you not paid attention? I could literally stay at Disney World for 24 hours a day, 365 days a week, if they would allow it.

 

I LOVE IT!

 

So, now I have to get my brain to function on a more normal level and come up with some answers for the panel to evaluate. (My normal, abnormal behavior just won't do.) I should probably cool it with that kind of talk as well, you never know who's taking a peek, right?

 

Anyway, if you have any "cures" for the common cold - at least I hope that is all this is - please send them my way. My deadline is Friday at 11PM CST, and there will be NO EXCEPTIONS. So please send me your end all, be all cures and help a Disney freak out, please. :)

 

Say Tootles!!

 

Monster Mash

See what Jenni and the girls did for me and the boys? In order of appearance we have, Benjy, Myself, Timmy, Danny and Andy.

 

Enjoy...

A Ghost Story

This happened about 6 months ago in Louisiana on Hwy 57, just outside of Dulac, a little town in the bayou country of Louisiana , and while it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it's for real.

 

An Ohio businessman, Saul Rubins, abandoned his disabled vehicle on the side of the road, and attempted to hitchhike. The night was pitch dark in the middle of a thunderstorm. Time passed slowly and no cars went by. It was raining so hard he could hardly see his hand in front of his face.

 

Suddenly, through the sheets of rain, he saw a car moving slowly, approaching and appearing ghost-like in the rain. It slowly and silently crept toward him and stopped.

 

Desperately needing a ride, Saul jumped in the car and closed the door. Only then did he realize that there was no one behind the wheel and no sound of an engine to be heard over the rain.

 

Again the car crept silently forward and Saul was terrified, but too scared to think of jumping out and running. He saw that the car was approaching a sharp curve and, still too scared to jump out, he started to pray and beg for his life; he was sure the ghost car would go off the road and into the bayou and he would then drown!

 

But just before the curve, a shadowy hand appeared at the driver's window, reached in and turned the steering wheel, guiding the car safely around the bend.. Then, just as silently, the hand disappeared through the window and Saul was alone again.

 

Paralyzed with fear, Saul watched the hand reappear every time they reached a curve. Finally, scared nearly to death, Saul had all he could take, jumped out of the car, and ran to town.

 

Wet and in shock, he walked into Buster's Coffee Stop. Voice quavering, he ordered a cup of black chicory coffee and then told everybody about his supernatural experience.

 

The room became silent and everybody got goose bumps when they realized Saul was not just some talkative drunk but was telling the truth about what had happened to him.

 

About 30 minutes later two Cajuns, dripping wet, walked into Buster's and one says to the other, "Look, Boudreaux, ders dat idiot that jumped in our car when we wuz pushin' it in the rain!"

Forty-Two

"Yes! Now..."
"All right," said the computer, and settled into silence again. The two men fidgeted. The tension was unbearable.
"You're really not going to like it," observed Deep Thought.
"Tell us!"
"All right," said Deep Thought. "The answer to the Great Question..."
"Yes!..."
"Of Life, the Universe and Everything..." said Deep Thought.
"Yes!..."
"Is..." said Deep Thought, and paused.
"Yes!..."
"Is..."
"Yes...!!!...?"
"Forty-two," said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.

~ from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

I have been waiting my whole life (well, technically I read the book, for the first time, about twenty years ago, but 'my whole life' sounds way more impressive, right?) for that quote to be used, and now I have a full year to have it apply to me. Well, in some weird sort of manner, but it's only weird if you don't want to grasp the concept by it's tail and swing it around the blogosphere.

Or something like that.

Yes, dear friends, I am now the ripe old age of forty-two. What does that mean, exactly? I have no idea, but it gave me an idea of something to write. Finally.

A list of things that I have found to be true, about me, after forty-two years of life. Ready? Here goes...

1. I am a son of God and I am very content with that. I do not tell you what to believe, although I will tell you what I believe.
2. I am very fortunate to be married to a saint. I'm not taking that lightly, because if you have seen me at my worst, and can still love me, then you are indeed a saint in my book. I love you Jenni, always have and always will.
3. I am very stubborn at times.
4. I do not like not knowing something, and do come across as an arrogant ass at times. To all you that I have offended, please accept my sincerest apologies. I do not mean to offend or belittle you. I just get very excited, in my little head, when I know something, and then am shocked that you don't also know the same things. It's because I think you are smarter than me, believe it or not.
5. I do not have a very strong relationship with my parents - I have no idea why. Used to be very close, but once I left home, it's like they moved on with my chapter in their life. Their loss, as well as, mine.
6. I do have a very strong relationship with my in-laws. For that I am eternally grateful.
7. I am still a huge Denver Broncos fan. Don't even try to change me, because it isn't going to happen.
8. Children. I have seven children.
9. Andy - our oldest, is away at college now, and I have to admit that I didn't think he would be able to handle it. His track record definitely didn't lead me to believe it was possible. I was wrong. And I am very glad that I was wrong. I love you Andy.
10. Benjy - #2, but never lost in the shuffle. You are going to be driving soon, and I am sure that you will tackle this challenge head on, like you handle all the rest. Outstanding soccer player, and very smart. Which is good, because you now say that you want to go to Notre Dame.
11. Jessie - My oldest daughter, and the one that will always be there to take care of someone in the family, be it your brothers or sisters, or eventually your parents. You are a very sweet girl and don't EVER let anyone tell you differently.
12. I should comment at this time that I am not dying, even though it seems like I am writing this as some sort or memorial from me, it's not my intent. Maybe I should stop with the kids for a while.
13. I like to write, I don't like to edit. If I ever plan on succeeding as a writer at some point in my life, I will have to learn how to edit better.
14. I am not perfect.
15. I still have 20/15 vision, however, I think those days are quickly leaving me. Especially when the print gets smaller, and there is less light.
16. I love to read still.
17. I have no money, and I really don't care. After all life isn't all about money, even though society tries to make it so. Would I like a little bit more? Sure, who wouldn't? However, at this point, I have no money.
18. Disney World is the best place to go visit on vacation. Sure, the Grand Canyon is nice. Sure, there are cheaper vacations. However, I would take a Disney World vacation over just about any other. Except maybe a trip to Scotland.
19. Living in the Chicago area is great, as long as you don't watch the politics.
20. Hot humid weather sucks.
21. Icy, windy weather also sucks.
22. I am learning to enjoy camping.
23. I need to learn how to fish, my girls want me to teach them.
24. My time in the Air Force looked a lot worse while I was still in, as opposed to now, as I watch my brothers reach retirement age, before they even turn forty!
25. I have two brothers, two brother in-laws, and four sister in-laws.
26. I have two nephews and four nieces.
27. I love playing Fantasy Football.
28. I love Plurk.
29. I enjoy Facebook.
30. I have written more in my head, than on paper or computer.
31. I need to get out more, and exercise.
32. I'm pretty lazy. Which means I am pretty much overweight.
33. I love Beef Stroganoff. Jenni's is the best, by far.
34. Kaitlynn - My cuddle bug. She can be one of the sweetest girls, yet at a moments notice, she can be pretty mean. I assume this is normal, as it seems that all of my girls are like this, and not a result of my mental illness.
35. Yes, I have a mental illness, and take medication for it.
36. Margaret - My baby girl, she brightens my day every time I see her smile. There is a strong belief that she is my favorite child, amongst those that like to discuss these sorts of things. True, she is a favorite, but I have room for seven favorites.
37. Danny - Holy cow, what an expressive boy. I cannot wait to see what he will grow up to be, he is very imaginative and has a huge heart.
38. Timmy - Even though you have only been around for three months, they have been a pure joy. I just hope that I can be there for you, the way I have been for your siblings. I need to remember that what may seem old to me, id brand new to you.
39. I do not like my job.
40. I do not like lists.
41. There is only one more thing I will say in this list.
42. is not the answer to Life the Universe and Everything.

Whew! That's out of the way, so now I can get into some "real" writing.

Thank you for tolerating my narcissistic nature, it really isn't all about me.

Sunday Shots #1

Trying something new here at 'A Screed In Time' -- Pictures!!

Not promising that they will have all been taken in the past week, but I will try to do that.

Here we go...

Timmy - "What you looking at?"

New picture Wall (notice the new color)

Timmy - "That's right, I own you."

Jessie and Danny

Timmy

Katie and Timmy having a good time

Danny - "It's a bird, a plane..."

Thanks for visiting. :)