Not 'Goodbye' . . . Just 'See You Soon'

Some of you may have noticed, but I have been a bad bloggy friend the past little bit. I haven't replied to comments like usual (for those who have their e-mail address available in their user settings), and I haven't visited others blogs.

And I know, I know, it happens to the best of us, but I really do feel terrible about it, because I love all you people who visit and comment on my blog. I can't tell you how happy a little comment makes me. Ridiculously happy. :) 

But alas, despite the less sleep I've been trying to get by on, I'm just not getting everything done. Because some things simply must come first. *cough* kids *cough*

So where I am going with this? I'm going to take a blogging break for the month of April. Hopefully in that time I can catch up on replies and visiting some of your blogs, too, but I must do a few other things first:

1. Spend every possible second enjoying my parents when they come out to visit.
2. Continue potty training little miss dirt monkey (no accidents yesterday!).
3. Finish the big translation job hanging over me.
4. Write 1000 words of my wip [work in progress] every day (or you just might see a post in April after all). For an explanation, check out this post by the fabulous Leigh Moore.
5. Spend time with my hubs every spare second he has.
6. Exercise. Time to find a new race to work towards . . . preferably a shorter one.
7. Relax. Excuse me while I go look up the definition of this word . . .
8. Begin the clearing out process for our move in June. My but junk builds up fast.

Well, I could go on . . . I didn't even mention spending QT with kids, because I hope that's a given . . . though it hasn't been lately. *sigh*

So have a great April everyone! I will miss you, but look forward to hearing all your wonderful news come May. :)

This picture just makes me happy, so I'm sharing it again.

La la la la la! I Can't Hear You.

I feel like I'm one of the few people who did not get to go see The Hunger Games this weekend. Even my brother went to the Midnight Opening . . . my brother!

So today, knowing that there will be a wash of blog posts and tweets exclaiming how much they loved it, I am simply going to plug my ears and pretend I can't hear you.

Because even though I may have read the books, I don't want to hear too much about the movie before I've seen it. I like to be surprised.

It's an -ism. I totally admit that.

I'm the same way with books. I don't want to hear anything beyond the blurb before I read. Unlike my mom who actually skips to the end to read that first. Crazy.

So how about you? Do you read the ending first? Or do you  prefer the blank slate method?

Lessons from Renting

 Over the years, I have lived in many a rented house. Though it is not always my preferred state of things, I have learned a few things:

• I don't like hardwood floors. I thought I would. I think they look lovely . . . but I am not fastidious enough about cleaning them. And every. single. speck. of dust. shows. Yup, not for me.
• White carpet just doesn't work for me.
• Carpet in the bathroom . . . not so much.
• I crave closets. Lots of them! Even better is a closet with hooks on the sides or built-in shelves.
• Closet in the shower, though? I'll pass on that one (and yes, true experience).
• Central heating/AC is an absolute must.
• I love window nooks.
• But I don't do nooks along stairways. Sure they're cute, but with kids . . . I'm constantly getting visions of ER trips.
• Absolutely no indoor wood-paneling. Anywhere.
• I don't like a circle set-up in the house because it will always become a speedway for kids with the hospital being the final stop more often than not.

I'm sure you're wondering why I'm rambling on about my housing likes and dislikes. Here's the thing. It kindof reminds me of critiquing . . .

When you critique someone else's work, it's easier to see the problems. And it's easier to see what is well-done. It just is. You aren't married to it like you are with your own work, and you can use a more discerning eye.

Personally, I can't tell you how much I have learned about my own writing by critiquing others' work. Both from the good and from the bad. Critiquing is not just helping someone else, it's helping yourself.

Do you have critique partners? What have you learned from critiquing others' work?

You Can Do It!

Here's what I've got for you today:

Yup. 13.1 miles.

If I can do that, trust me . . . you can do whatever it is you've been wanting to accomplish!

Hacky Sack Club Inductee: Melissa Sarno

I know I don't usually post on Wednesdays, but after seeing Melissa's deliciously fabulous video, I couldn't resist.  Melissa, of This Too . . ., not only hacky sacks, but she speaks Hindi while doing it!

Perhaps that doesn't sound impressive to you native speakers of Hindi out there, but to us simple folk who are native English speakers, it is truly an accomplishment. And I feel it's relevent to mention that the mere act of speaking while trying to kick a little bag full of bean is a talent in and of itself . . . I certainly didn't attempt it on my video.

Congrats Melissa! Welcome to the Hacky Sack Club!

And if anyone else wants to join, click here for the deets.

Hacky Sack Club Inductee: Leigh Moore

So yay! Amy and I couldn't be more proud. Our Hacky Sack Club numbers are slowly growing.

Leigh over at That's Write, one of my favorite bloggers, has posted her humiliation video, showing off her mad juggling skillz.

Cross my heart and hope to die, I DID NOT coerce her or blackmail her in any way. Seriously.

And the Wall of Shame Fame is finally up. Look up that to that brand-spankin-new tab between "Books" and "Contact Me." I know you want to be on it! Rules for joining are here. Simple version? Post a vlog of any random skill of yours and e-mail us to let us know it's up. Easy as pie.

So anyone else out there ready to join? We still have hacky sacks waiting for good homes!

P.S. Wanted to make a quick mention of a contest over at The Ron Empire Wants You. She's piggy backing onto Ellen Oh's Post titled "Why the Pretty White Girl YA Cover Book Trend Needs to End." A worthy cause that I think deserves some attention.

Quick Inspiration

Today, I'm busy writing, so here's a quick thought to keep us focused:

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

~ Henry Ford

How are your goals coming this year?

This vs. That: Oranges vs. Apples

They may say you can't compare Apples and Oranges, but we, here on this blog, have proven them wrong. (I have no idea who "they" and "them" are, but whoever you are, you're wrong!) Apples and Oranges can, indeed, be compared. And here's our results:

Total votes: 22

Apples: 7 votes; 31%
Oranges: 10 votes; 45%
Neither: 1 vote; 5%
Refuse to take sides: 1 vote; 5%
Depends: 2 votes; 9%
Chocolate: 1 vote; 5%

Ah, but you guys bring me joy with your reasoning. Though I now fear that all my future polls will get at least one vote for chocolate . . . you know who you are! And I can hear a mini avalanche of apples and oranges dropping to the ground while the rest of you change your vote.

So enough asides. My vote went to Oranges. Why? Because as messy as the are, the thought of a sweet juicy orange bursting in my mouth just makes me happy.

Now on to the next debate:

Stay Up Late

vs.

Get Up Early



Courtesy of DailyClipArt.net



Hacky Sack Club Inductee: Catherine Denton

Today, I introduce to you to the first ever Hacky Sack Club Inductee:

Catherine Denton! 

*throws confetti* 
*releases a gaggle of balloons in the sky* 
*toots a new years horn*

Hurray and welcome to the club!

All the rest of you, go check out her Hula-Hacky Movie Debut.

And happy day, Amy and I still have hacky sacks to send if you want to join the club. I know you're thinking about it . . . I have ESPN (hee, hee). We can't wait to see your video next (hacky sack optional)!

The Wall of Shame Fame will be up shortly. :)