Hi All,
This month of November is the National Novel Writing Month. This is the second week of the month long contest and the third year I've participated in it. The idea is to write at least a 50,000 word novel in one months time.
When I first started participating in this novel writing contest/challenge three years ago, I wasn't sure I could keep up the pace that it requires and write that fast. Now, after my third year I find I have no trouble keeping up with it. In fact, I try to get in at least 2000 words a day amongst the many other things I have to get done. It is a lot of fun to participate and well worth the time.
Why don't you check it out for yourself and see what you think?
Go to www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node
An update on my success with the Weight Watchers program:
Over all I have lost about 12 pounds so far and counting. I have to admit that I've done a bit of yo-yoing at times with my weight during birthday celebrations, but I just keep at it each day. And even though it has been a little tough at times, I think the journey is well worth it!
Here's to a slimmer me, and you as well!
S A Slack
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Back on the Ranch!
A friend from Weight Watchers was talking about her experience with a goat and it got me to thinking about the ranch we used to live on a few years back. Actually, I think about it and write about it a lot. We had a lot of things happen to us while on that ranch and with our animals.
Our kids were always volunteering us to bring this animal or that one to school. I usually didn't mind though. We took in geese, chickens, goats, an old rooster, fish, rats, a few puppies we were raising for the Guide Dogs for the Blind, and several other things, and there was always something that happened in the process. And many of our animals were chosen for science fair projects, all humane ones I can assure you.
But one event comes to mind most vividly today. It was the auction.
We decided to take an assortment of fowl to an auction that was over an hour’s drive away. We loaded the birds into their cages and put them into the back of our old jeep and headed out. The crowing and clucking and honking, we did okay with, but the ammonia smell got so strong that by the time we arrived at the auction we had all the windows as far down as possible and my dear husband was driving with his body slammed up against the driver’s door, his head part way out his window trying to see where he was going and I was hanging my head out the passenger’s side window in hopes for a breath of fresh air. Good thing we were only around other animal people at the auction and not going to some social event. We didn’t try it that way again and when it came time for the pigs, well they got to ride in a trailer.
I am still doing good on Weight Watchers and have lost another couple of pounds. Yeah! I've finally found a plan I can stick with and see results. It's great!
Wishing you all a wonderful month. Don't forget to get out and vote!
S A Slack
Our kids were always volunteering us to bring this animal or that one to school. I usually didn't mind though. We took in geese, chickens, goats, an old rooster, fish, rats, a few puppies we were raising for the Guide Dogs for the Blind, and several other things, and there was always something that happened in the process. And many of our animals were chosen for science fair projects, all humane ones I can assure you.
But one event comes to mind most vividly today. It was the auction.
We decided to take an assortment of fowl to an auction that was over an hour’s drive away. We loaded the birds into their cages and put them into the back of our old jeep and headed out. The crowing and clucking and honking, we did okay with, but the ammonia smell got so strong that by the time we arrived at the auction we had all the windows as far down as possible and my dear husband was driving with his body slammed up against the driver’s door, his head part way out his window trying to see where he was going and I was hanging my head out the passenger’s side window in hopes for a breath of fresh air. Good thing we were only around other animal people at the auction and not going to some social event. We didn’t try it that way again and when it came time for the pigs, well they got to ride in a trailer.
I am still doing good on Weight Watchers and have lost another couple of pounds. Yeah! I've finally found a plan I can stick with and see results. It's great!
Wishing you all a wonderful month. Don't forget to get out and vote!
S A Slack
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Fall & Loosing Weight!
Fall is definitely on its way. I love change and I love the change of the seasons. Not only the weather, but the difference in colors as well. Nature holds such beauty any time of the year, and I really enjoy being outside to garden and enjoy it all! And as each season comes along, I look forward to it in earnest.
The hot weather is beginning to cool off and is most welcome to many of us, me included. Oh, to have a little snow here in San Antonio would be nice, but alas, it is not to be. Maybe we'll get a little rain this weekend. That would be good for the area and fun to play in its first sprinkles.
I'm serious to shed these extra pounds! So I began not only an exercise program every day, but 3 1/2 weeks ago I started with the Weight Watchers online program. I have heard much over the years about the many success stories and decided to give it a try myself. I am very impressed with it so far and have lost over 5lbs. I intend to continue with this and make it a life long way of living along with the exercising. I've tried other things before, but nothing has worked for me as well as Weight Watchers has. I'll keep you informed on my progress from time to time.
Have a great week end all!
The hot weather is beginning to cool off and is most welcome to many of us, me included. Oh, to have a little snow here in San Antonio would be nice, but alas, it is not to be. Maybe we'll get a little rain this weekend. That would be good for the area and fun to play in its first sprinkles.
I'm serious to shed these extra pounds! So I began not only an exercise program every day, but 3 1/2 weeks ago I started with the Weight Watchers online program. I have heard much over the years about the many success stories and decided to give it a try myself. I am very impressed with it so far and have lost over 5lbs. I intend to continue with this and make it a life long way of living along with the exercising. I've tried other things before, but nothing has worked for me as well as Weight Watchers has. I'll keep you informed on my progress from time to time.
Have a great week end all!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hurricane Ike
Once again we are awaiting the land fall of yet another hurricane to hit the coasts of Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This one, Hurricane Ike, is expected to do a large amount of damage not only to the coast, but to many places of the U.S. inland from its initial landing, all the way up to the state of Maine.
It's Friday afternoon here in San Antonio, Texas as I write this and the clouds are moving in and the wind is picking up. Most all of the bottled water, flashlights, and larger-size batteries are gone from the store's shelves, along with various other items, as residents stock up on things to weather the storms' impact. The news and weather channels are full of pictures and images of the wind and flooding damage the hurricane has caused so far, even before it has hit the coast in full force. And many people have decided to stay put who live in the hurricane's path, even though they have been told to leave those areas. But I think the nuttiest ones are those you see that are having what looks like parties down on the beaches of the coast as the hurricane comes in. What are they thinking with the 30 foot waves! One can only hope that the damage won't be as bad as predicted and the loss of life will be minimal if at all.
On a happier note, I received a message that another one of the articles I wrote and submitted has been accepted for publication by a quality magazine. And with the weather like it is outside today and will be through out the weekend, I'll be staying in and working on some more.
It's Friday afternoon here in San Antonio, Texas as I write this and the clouds are moving in and the wind is picking up. Most all of the bottled water, flashlights, and larger-size batteries are gone from the store's shelves, along with various other items, as residents stock up on things to weather the storms' impact. The news and weather channels are full of pictures and images of the wind and flooding damage the hurricane has caused so far, even before it has hit the coast in full force. And many people have decided to stay put who live in the hurricane's path, even though they have been told to leave those areas. But I think the nuttiest ones are those you see that are having what looks like parties down on the beaches of the coast as the hurricane comes in. What are they thinking with the 30 foot waves! One can only hope that the damage won't be as bad as predicted and the loss of life will be minimal if at all.
On a happier note, I received a message that another one of the articles I wrote and submitted has been accepted for publication by a quality magazine. And with the weather like it is outside today and will be through out the weekend, I'll be staying in and working on some more.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wow, is it ever hot!
Yes, it's very hot outside here this week! Hurricane Fay had sent a few rain storms our way to water and cool things off here in San Antonio a few weeks ago, but Hurricane Gustav was a bit short in sending our way any of its moisture. Just a lot of sticky heat! Yesterday, in returning home from a few necessary errands, I burned my hand on our front door's scorching knob, then headed for the kitchen in search of a tall glass of ice cold water.
My heart goes out to all those who felt the wrath of Gustav, and I hope they get the help they need as quickly as possible, but at the same time...I can't wait for the fall and winter months to arrive!
Even though I have a great love for nature and the outdoors, I think I'll enjoy the time I spend inside writing a bit more.
My heart goes out to all those who felt the wrath of Gustav, and I hope they get the help they need as quickly as possible, but at the same time...I can't wait for the fall and winter months to arrive!
Even though I have a great love for nature and the outdoors, I think I'll enjoy the time I spend inside writing a bit more.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Freedom and the Flag
We have just gone through the 4th of July weekend, Independence Day, here in the USA. There were fireworks, music, barbeque, and some rain. We recently moved into a new house, well, previously occupied by others, and I noticed that there was no place to hang up a flag, no holder of any kind. We have always put out our flag for the 4th and other patriotic holidays and I wanted to do so this time as well. So down to Home Depot my husband and I went. We bought the necessary items, including a new flag since ours looked a bit worn out, and went to work installing the mount and flag to the bricks out front. My dear husband worked hard drilling into those bricks, the sweat pouring down his forehead, that we might show our love for this country and to those who fought, and fight, and died that we might live free.
Emotion flooded me from head to toes as I watched the flag flapping in the breeze outside our home. Ever since I was a small child, I have felt a deep emotion when seeing our countries flag flying near me.
We may get stepped on and belittled by the world, even Europe where many of us originated from, for trying to help other countries gain their freedom. This is a sad situation indeed. The world should pull together in this. I love this country and what it tries to do for others.
As I looked around our new neighborhood, and others around our area, it sadden me to see but only a few flags flying from the areas' homes. What has become of patriotism these days? When I was young, almost every house flew the flag proudly from their homes and flag poles, but as the years have gone by this practice has become less and less.
Wake up, America! We enjoy many freedoms others do not. Don't take this freedom for granted as it may not always be this way. Remember those who have fought, and those who do now, to keep not only us, but others throughout the world free from terrorists and the like. Put out those flags and fly them with the honor and respect they deserve.
Emotion flooded me from head to toes as I watched the flag flapping in the breeze outside our home. Ever since I was a small child, I have felt a deep emotion when seeing our countries flag flying near me.
We may get stepped on and belittled by the world, even Europe where many of us originated from, for trying to help other countries gain their freedom. This is a sad situation indeed. The world should pull together in this. I love this country and what it tries to do for others.
As I looked around our new neighborhood, and others around our area, it sadden me to see but only a few flags flying from the areas' homes. What has become of patriotism these days? When I was young, almost every house flew the flag proudly from their homes and flag poles, but as the years have gone by this practice has become less and less.
Wake up, America! We enjoy many freedoms others do not. Don't take this freedom for granted as it may not always be this way. Remember those who have fought, and those who do now, to keep not only us, but others throughout the world free from terrorists and the like. Put out those flags and fly them with the honor and respect they deserve.
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