ROW80 Check-In 02-29-12

Howdy!

Here’s how my week looked:

WRITING:

Goal: Work on WIP in evening after kids go to bed.

Reality: This seems to be working well, although I haven’t managed it every night of the week.  Some nights I crash almost as soon as they do.  :)  But, I’m making good progress – the Hubster occupied the kids for a large portion of this weekend, allowing me to get 4-5 hours in – an unheard of chunk of time!  Thanks, T-Man!

BLOGGING/SOCIAL MEDIA:

Goal: Read and promote other’s blogs 1 hr/day in the morning.

Reality: So far I’ve managed to make this work, although I never am able to get to as many blogs as I’d like.

Goal: Write 4 posts/week to stockpile for baby’s arrival.

Reality: This actually hasn’t been a problem at all.  In fact, it’s eeking into my writing time in the evening.  Who knew nesting urges would bleed into blog writing?

Goal: Schedule blog posts for when baby arrives.

Reality: This is going well! I’m so grateful to you lovely volunteers. Those who have already sent me your posts, thanks! And those whose posts are on the way, I can’t wait to see what you send me!  It really means so much to me that you’re willing to help.  These WANA methods are the bomb!

Goal: Reduce blogging to three times a week.

Reality: Yep.  I did it.  And while it’s definitely easier on me, it’s not been easy to accept.  I’ll be interested to see how my traffic fares in March because of the reduced content.  I keep reminding myself that after Little Miss Took arrives and life smooths out again, I can always go back to posting more often.  Right now, though, I’ll stick to this goal.

HOMESCHOOL:

Goal: Ignore social media during homeschool time.

Reality:  This worked about 85% of the time.  There were some down times when I was able to do a little blog-reading on my phone, so I guess you could say I cheated a little.  But, committing to a work/school schedule has really smoothed out lots of bumps.  I think we’re falling into a rhythm here that we can easily maintain.

EXERCISE/EATING HEALTHY:

Goal: Put 5 minute test mile theory back into practice.

Reality: Nope.  Didn’t do it.  Not even a little.  This momma is tuckered out from chasing her offspring around while carrying a giant kicking watermelon in her abdomen.

Goal: Allow myself to nest.

Reality:  Giggle, snort.  I don’t think there would be any stopping me at this point.

Goal: Whole foods brekkie and lunches.

Reality:  Easy, peasy.  This one’s been no problem at all.

So, overall, I’m tickled with how the week went.  I can definitely feel myself slowing down, but the end is in sight, pregnancy-wise, and so it feels pretty short term.  Give me a couple months, and I’ll be zipping around like a crazy woman again!

I hope y’all had happy, productive weeks, too.  Lots o’ love,

Myndi

ROW80 Check-In

Hi happy Row-ers!

I’m keeping it short today.  Last week was up and down – lots of school demands, lots of preggers fatigue.  I think it’s time to re-evaluate what I can realistically get done in the months before and after Little Miss Took is born, and readjust my goals/schedule.

But I’m not going to do that today.  I’ll get it done by Wednesday, and post an update then.  Today, I’m spending time with the family, catching up on blog writing/reading, and working a little on the WIP.

Happy ROW-ing this week!

Big grins,
Myndi

Napping, Fried Chicken, and Pedicures: Arguing w/ Self

This post is utterly uninspired.

Let me tell you what I’d rather be doing right now:

Napping.

Eating fried chicken.  The extra-crispy kind from KFC that’s guaranteed to take minutes, if not hours, off your life with every bite.

Getting a pedicure.

Better yet, eating fried chicken while getting a pedicure, followed up by a very lovely nap.

I’ve promised myself that if I can knock out at least one blog post today, I’ll give myself that nap.

“What about the fried chicken?” I argue back with myself.

“No fried chicken,” I firmly reply.  ”You’ll eat it and then just feel gross.  You don’t really want it.”

“Yes, I do,” I say obstinately.

“No, you don’t,” I insist.  ”Look, do you want a nap or not?”

Pouting.  ”Yes.”

“Then you need to write a blog post.”

“If I write a blog post can I get a pedicure AND a nap?”

“Not today.  Today, just a nap.”

“What if I write a REALLY GOOD blog post?”

“Nope.  No pedicure.  Just a nap.”

Crosses arms in front of chest, scowls at the wall.  ”Fine.  I’ll write a blog post.  But it’s not going to be good.”

Impatiently.  “Just write the damn post.”

There you have it, folks.  My inner dialogue…with myself.  Or should I call it monologue, since it’s only me, talking(arguing) to(with) me?

And maybe that’s cause for concern, the fact that I can carry on entire arguments with myself…

You know what?  I’m not gonna worry about that right now.  This blog post is finished, and I’m off to score a nap.

ROW80 Check-In: Week 3

First of all, let me say to all you who stopped by and left the sweetest, most encouraging words last week, THANK YOU.  I’ve gone back and re-read all your encouragement several times throughout the week – it’s meant so much to me.  If I could squeeze each and every one of you, I would.  Thanks, so much, from the bottom of my heart.

Last week’s check-in turned out to be the start of a week-long pit-stop for me.

With some carefully-worded guidance from my sweet, enduring husband (who knows full-well just how ugly my pregnancy listening filter can make any words, no matter how kind), I decided to all but cut myself off from the web, and focus on the most pressing issue at hand: our homeschool curriculum.

Thankfully, after two months of tears, tripping down the wrong paths, pulling out our hair, etc., I think we’ve finally got it figured out.  The week has been spent diving into this new curriculum, and I’m seeing all the signs that we’ve found one that works: the boys are happy and willing to do their work, sweetZ’s tickled to have her mommy-time back, and I’ve got a couple spare hours a day I can devote to writing/blogging/WANA-ing.  This coming week will really be the true test for all that, since I didn’t write a sentence – blogging or otherwise – last week.  Instead, I snuggled with my girl, napped when I was tired, and had fun helping my boys along.  I’ll add back in my writing responsibilities this week, and see how it goes.

Even though last week was less-than-stellar, goal wise (with the exception of the wholesome brekkie thing, and the reading thing), I’m satisfied.  Some problems, if you don’t stop everything to fix them, will grow into something wholly crippling.  This was one of those problems.  Any homeschooling parent lives with a constant nagging shadow following them around – the fear of somehow failing their kids in a way that will cripple their chances at becoming a successful adult.  It’s a powerful fear, one that will bring me to my knees faster than just about anything.  Last week was one of those weeks, but I’m finally feeling that burden beginning to lift.  Phew.

Hoping your week went well, sweet friendlies!  Sorry I’ve not been to any of your blogs over the past week, but I’ll get back into the swing of blog reading in the coming days.  Much love to you all!

PEOPLE THAT ROCK, or INSPIRING BLOGGER AWARD

Three definitions, straight from the dictionary:

Inspiring: [A person or thing who/that fills someone] with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.

Blogger: An individual or group of users who produce an ongoing narrative on a Web site.

Award: A prize or other mark of recognition given in honor of an achievement.

The very sweet, very cool, very talented pair of girls Debra Kristi and Angela Orlowski-Peart totally made my week last week by giving me this award – TWICE!!  *absolutely humbled*  They’re both inspiring women themselves, and I really, really, really hope you’ll stop by their blogs – I know you’ll love ‘em as much as I do.  Thanks, sweet girls!  Totally honored!

The best part about being given a blog award is that you get to pass it on.  Today I have the happy job of passing the love on to five bloggers that I find inspiring.  Finding those bloggers won’t be hard – I’ve met some amazing bloggers over the past few months.  It’s whittling the list down to five that’ll be the real task.

Lucky for you, I’m up to it.  Here they are, in no particular order.

Blogger #1: Jim LePage  Jim is a graphic/web designer in St. Paul, MN.  His work makes my breath catch in my throat, and his blogs offer a fresh perspective on an often dry and stale topic: The Bible.  Noteworthy posts: An Idiot’s Guide to Reading the Bible; Jesus Christ: Terrorist Killer?; Word: Crucifixion (Crucify Him!)

Blogger #2: Eli McCann – It Just Gets Stranger This blog is a crack-up, from start to finish.  His most recent post (as of me writing this, anyway) The First Eye, had me giggling my arse off because (1) anybody who has an older sibling understands the terror they can inflict on us little ones with made-up monsters so horrifying Stephen King would have a difficult time facing them head-on; (2) I, too, have seen a UFO-flashy-green-light-in-the-sky, only to be mocked and abandoned by the person who saw it with me; and (3) My swimming style can be described as panicked rock slowly sinking (yes, this is similar to my running style of drunk girl slowly being chased by no one).  Definitely a blogger worth checking out.

Blogger #3: Tameri Etherton – A Cup of Tea and Sorcery  I love Tameri’s blog.  Sometimes she cracks me up, like this.  Sometimes she shows me things like this that just take my breath away.  And I find it absolutely fascinating that she can navigate Disneyland without a map.

Blogger #4: Jenny Hansen – More Cowbell  Jenny’s the total package.  Sometimes she writes stuff like this that has me mopping up freshly-snorted-out-my-nose-orange-juice from my laptop.  Other times she writes stuff like this that has me shaking my head at her techno-genius.  Then she writes things like this that make me feel better about the bouts of mommy-noia (paranoia for mommies) that I often have.

Blogger #5:  Natalie Hartford – Be Yourself…Everyone Else is Taken  Natalie’s writes and advocates about things that literally shred my heart to bits when I read them, as well as things that have me rolling on the floor with laughter.  Don’t miss out on Natalie’s blog!

There’s my five.  They inspire me because they make me think.  They inspire me because they make me laugh.  Some of them inspire me because they’re my friends, and I hold them, their hurts, their hopes, and their dreams close to my heart.

I hope you dig this list, and that each of these bloggers become a regular stop in your reading!

Guest Post: Jennifer Oliver talks about Doubt

Today’s guest post is brought to you by Jennifer Oliver.  Jennifer describes herself as ‘a day-dreamer, a hopeless romantic, a business woman, a friend, a grandmother, and a wife; but mostly…a writer.’  She currently has four WIP’s in the making, and has become a blogging warrior!  Check out her site here, and go follow her on Twitter!

Today Jenn’s talking about doubt.  That evil little beast that gnaws at the back of our brains, making us second-guess ourselves to the point of paralyzation.

I give you Jennifer Oliver, dear friendlies!

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Something has been bothering me lately.  I’ve tried to deal with it and keep it from causing too much stress, but it crawls in my head somehow and nags at me from the darkened shadows of my mind.

Its called doubt.  And its evil!

It can start out as the tiniest speck, a piece of dust you think you can just blow off.  But unbeknownst to you, it has planted itself in a secluded spot in your brain and is silently growing.  Before you know it you have a whole head full of negativity bursting at the seems to tie you down and hold you back.  It’s a writer’s nightmare!

Even if you aren’t a writer you’ve still probably experienced it at some point in your life.  It can happen to anyone at anytime.  It’s not a rare occurrence, either.  For me, though, it is becoming more of a struggle to tame this demon of mine.

I try to fill myself with positive influences and mantras that strengthen my resolve and boost my motivation. This works for a time, the demon is quite.  But it always comes back.  Sometimes it reappears as a roaring beast eating away at my creativity, other times it is just a small voice whispering of skepticism and apprehension.  Either way, it is quite destructive.

But I refuse to give up this battle. I will not allow it to win and take away my dream of being a published author. I realize that this path I have chosen requires hard work and continual improvement of skill. It takes sacrifice and determination. All of which I am willing to do. It also takes thick skin and a fierce will. There will be harsh reviews that will bring down my spirits. There will be not so kind words that might even bring a tear or two. But I know that these things will only make me stronger. They will only push me to do better.

So why is the seed of doubt blooming in my thoughts and dreams?  I don’t think it has anything to do with the path I’ve chosen, but more about the daily obstacles I have to overcome to get there.  These are things we all must face, the day job, the finances, the needs of the family versus your wants, the random willingness of your muse to cooperate,  and finances – yes that one deserves a second mention!  Let me not forget that little demon voice whispering in the back of my mind “What if my writing sucks?” or “What if no one likes this?”  All of these things tend to make me wonder if I truly have the time or the “umph” in me to get to the finish line.

This is when I take a step back and I go back to basics.  First, I talk to my biggest supporter, my husband.  He always knows how to make me feel better, even if all he does is give me a huge hug and tell me he loves me.  Second, I look to my friends who never fail to offer a smile and a laugh.  Thirdly, I look to other writers and authors  for advice and inspiration.  Last, but probably most important, I write.  I don’t write for acknowledgement or advancement in my novel.  I don’t write to get accolades from others.  No, I write for me.  I write to express my feelings, to get it all out of my system.  I write to really see what the deep down root of the problem is and to find a way to solve it.  I write to make me feel better.  And it always works.

It does something else too.  It gives me a better sense of myself.  It reminds me that I am a writer and will always be a writer.  That is not something that will change, nor do I want it to.  It tells me that writing is in my soul, a part of who I am.  And knowing this, remembering this about myself, gives me the strength to get through all the daily challenges and all the frustrations.  It brings back my motivation and my excitement.  It tames the grisly beast of doubt and reinforces the desire to reach my dreams.  It allows me to tell myself with confidence, “I can do this. I will do this.”  Because I am a writer.

Stick, Stack, STUCK.

Normally I don’t blog about writing.  I don’t know why I shy away from it exactly.  Maybe I think it’s a waste of time for me to write about writing when I could be writing instead of writing about writing.

Sorry about that last sentence.  Horrifying.  *cringes a little*

But here’s the thing: I’m stuck.  Like, uber stuck.  Stuck like poor Ollie. (If you don’t know who Ollie is, read this.)

Last winter I decided to re-write my work-in-progress from a third person perspective.  Holy cow, it blew the whole thing open.  I loved the added dimensions to the story, the ability to shift view-points and see what’s happening through different perspectives.  It was a good thing.

But as I did it, the story shifted.  And since the story blossomed into one of epic proportions, a little shift  can cause a huge earthquake down the line.  I feel like I’m navigating those story-line waters pretty well right now, but I’ve been plugging away at it for so long, I’ve come to a problem with the third-person perspective.

It’s grown stale.  I’m feeling more and more disconnected from my characters, who I love.  They are vibrant, each with their own story to tell.  But I feel like I’m losing them into a two-dimensional world.  Some days that world feels one-dimensional.  Some characters have blended into the computer screen entirely.

So now I’m toying with the idea of re-writing…again, in first person.  But honestly, I’m terrified of writing more than one character in first person.  What if I can’t make each voice unique?  What if everything becomes unbelievable because every character sounds the same?

Oh, the doubt and self-loathing.

Tell me I’m not the only one stuck in life.  Maybe it’s not in writing.  Maybe it’s a yoga pose you can’t master.  Maybe it’s an inability to make the perfect pie crust.  Maybe it’s that you’ve let your dog’s toenails grow too long because clipping them eebs you out.  (Maybe every single one of those examples comes from my own life.)

I am one messed-up Midwestern chica.

*crooked grin that says I’m smiling, but I’m not happy*

Myn

Instead…

Right.

So I had this uber-clever-funny blog post planned for Friday about how the invention of the dishwasher makes up for the invention of pantyhose.  But this sicky-preggo stuff has me feeling selfish.  All I want to do is sit in a bubble bath and re-read Twilight.  (Yeah, I’m that girl.  No shame here.)  I just can’t seem to get the gumption up to dive into the deep ocean that is pantyhose/dishwasher culture.

So the Dishwasher/Pantyhose post will have to wait while I’m being selfish.  In the meantime, I’m going to keep my Friday post short and sweet.  Because it has come to my attention that some of you out there don’t know who Mumford and Sons are.  I’m not entirely sure how that’s possible, but I’m making it my personal agenda to fix that.

Here’s the thing: Mumford and Sons play good music.  And what do we say about good music, dear friendlies?  SHARE IT!  So take a look at a couple of their videos, and if you like what they do, support them!  Buy their music, go see them in concert, tell everybody you know.  Support the arts and the artists you love!

 

Morning Sickness and WINNING!

The past five dayshave been a crash-course in Morning (aka, all-day) Sickness.  Shafer Offspring#1,2,and 3 were each a pre-natal breeze, but Shafer Offspring #4?  This kid marches to the beat of his/her own drum.  And it’s making sure I know it.

Which means I’m behind.  On everything.  Homeschooling?  The kids are beginning to think that their lessons will be taught by Sponge Bob and Patrick Star.  The book?  Oh, yeah, my literary masterpiece…it’s, um.  Simmering.  Blogging and the class I’m taking about the wonders of blogging?  *mirthful laughter* Oh, that will take care of itself.

Only, it won’t.  None of it will.  And I’m looking at day six of near-uselessness.  Blech.

On the bright side, the world isn’t spinning like a carnival ride today, which means I can sit upright.  Who-hoo!  And I have *just enough* energy to brag a little.

Yesterday, during one of the six, count ‘em, six hours that I was awake, I saw that dear, sweet Ginger Calem had mentioned me in a Twitter post.  I followed the link and found that she had given me an award for my blog!  Of course I immediately started weeping like a fool, which was then followed by a craving for cheese quesadillas, followed by a bout of nauseousness so strong I spent the next forty minutes in the fetal position on the floor, rocking back and forth wondering what the hell I did to piss this little baby off?

After I recovered, I went back and re-read her blog.  It was so sweet and thoughtful, and fun, because, well come on – when is winning stuff ever not fun?  And I really, really, really needed a pick-me-up.  So thanks, Ginger.

Part of the fun of the Versatile Blogger Award is getting to pass it forward – now I get to pick 15 award-worthy blogs I dig and share ‘em with you, and I get to tell you seven things about moi that you most likely didn’t know.

Let’s start with those:

(1) I majored in piano performance in college.  And flunked out.  Twice.  I cite artistic differences.  :)

(2) I have castrated many a bull-calf.

(3) Every single year of my adult life I have decided to take up running…and then I don’t.

(4) As a kid I had a hamster named Ollie who was so fat he’d get stuck in his little hamster-tubes.  I’ll never forget his little squeals as I’d push him out with the end of a wooden spoon.

(5) I married the first man who asked.  Best.  Decision.  Ever.

(6) I dislike spaghetti.  Except when I’m pregnant.  When I’m pregnant, I love spaghetti.

(7) I once played Maria in an all-school production of The Sound of Music.  I’m sorry, Rodgers & Hammerstein.  I’m sorry, Julie Andrews.

Phew, glad that’s off my chest.  I’ve been carrying the Rodgers & Hammerstein guilt around for awhile now.

Hey!  Before I get started on ‘the List’, you guys must check out Ginger’s blog, because she’s frigging awesome.  She’d totally be on ‘the List’, but I don’t know if that’s allowable in the rules (Rules?  What rules?  I have no idea if there are actually rules for this…).  Anyway, go check her out, and COMMENT on her blog.  Because we bloggers and crazy about comments.  It’s our frigging cat-nip.  For reals.

Now, for the awards.  Drum roll, please.

Adéye Salem – I had to put this woman’s blog first, because it’s the only blog that I check every single day.  No matter what.  If you all want to know what SuperWoman looks like, Adéye will show you.  She’s amazing.  Mom to seven kids, four who are adopted, and many who have special needs.  Every single child of hers flourishes.  It’s amazing and beautiful, and the love this woman carries for voiceless orphans is nothing short of inspiring.  Adéye Salem is my hero.  Period.

Liz Schulte – I can’t come away from her blog without cracking up.  Her post on genetically engineered salmon and zombies is just so…wow.  Oh my gosh.  Go there right now.

Colin Falconer – Here’s the thing about Colin.  It doesn’t matter what topic he’s writing about, he always manages to grab my attention. Which, in the blogging world, can be tough to do.  After all, if a reader gets bored, she can move on to the next thing in a nano-second, and never look back.  But I’ve never started reading a post on Colin’s blog that I haven’t finished.

Joe Kwon - If you haven’t heard of the band the Avett Brothers, you are really missing out.  They are so, so good, and their cellist, Joe Kwon, is one of my all-time faves.  He has a blog that features pics and food from touring.  It is a fun, visual place to go.

Penny Moore – Penny has two blogs: one for her writing, and one for her book reviews.  I love reading her book reviews.  Not to mention, she’s just a sweetheart of a person.

Jillian Dodd - Two words:  ManDay.  A reason to open your computer Monday morning and face the world.  A little ManDay objectification never hurt anybody.  *contented sigh*

Alicia McKenna Johnson – Alicia’s blog is fun because, well…the stuff she writes about is fun.  Foreign movies, music, off-the wall stuff.  I like all of it.

Kristen - Gezellig-girl’s blog is bright, happy, food-oriented, and fun.

Jody Hedlund – Jody’s blog isn’t the kind I normally find myself spending time at – she spends a lot of time talking about writing, and I usually shy away from that, unless I’m looking for something specific.  But here’s the thing – she gave me a book.  Her latest book, the Preacher’s Bride.  And I read it, even though it’s not a genre I gravitate to.  But guess what – I liked it!  It was good!  I told people about it, and even passed the book on, on the condition that it had to be given to someone else after they finished it.  And now, because of that silly little giveaway, I find myself over at Jody’s blog, just to see what she’s up to.

Kim Mullican - I really like Kim’s frank voice.  And her silly pictures.

Shauna Callaghan – I dig this blog because (a) I always come away from it learning something new, and (b) she’s a typical mom.  I love the typical.  It makes me feel better about my own typical-ness.

Amber West - She’s an accidental gardner who loves to laugh.  Since I am an incurable black-thumb, I will live vicariously through Amber’s accidentally grown sweet potatoes, while enjoying her jokes.

Anthony Salem – Adéye Salem’s husband.  They blog on similar topics – parenthood, family, orphans – but it’s neat to see those topics through a male perspective.

Susie Lindau – Susie’s blog is one I’m new to, but if her costume mishaps are any indication of what’s to come, I’m hooked.

Elena Aitken – She’s in the process of releasing her first novel, which makes me uber-happy-giddy for her.  And her description of being a newby-yoga-ite are so spot on, it’s awesome.

Ali Dent - Ali’s blog has a more serious tone than what I’m typically drawn to.  I like it though.  She feels like one of those friends you could sit down with a cuppa and talk for hours about things that nourish your soul.

Holy cow.  I think I did it.

Now, those of you listed, who feel so inclined, pay it forward!

Big grins and lots of love,

Myn