New Year's Resolution

New Year's Resolution: Improve my blog. How? By actually putting something on it.

Of course, I'm already behind since I'm posting this on March 18th, but it's either that, or wait until 2012 to improve...

Birthday/Christmas List

Yes, it's that time of year again, time to buy me a birthday present. Unfortunately, as each year goes by I dread this special day more and more, so my birthday gifts have to increase in awesomeness in order to compensate. If they don't then I will be wallowing in self-pity and buying wrinkle cream by the five gallon bucket. So my mental health is completely in your hands - no pressure.

Good & Plenty
Pretzel M&Ms
BN or Borders gift card
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
Desk calendar pad
Cool cooking stuff (like a scone pan,
not cast iron and yes, I'm picky)
Pandora beads (click for example)
Rat merchandise (click for example)
Look Ma New Hands
(from Bath & Body Works)
Slatkin & Co. candle (ditto)
acceptable scents:
Winter Candy Apple
Vanilla Caramel
Vanilla Shortbread
Frosted Cranberry
Peppermint

Now of course, these are just examples. If you have a fantastic idea all on your own, then go for it! If you just won the lottery, then I'd like an iPad, a MacBook Pro, or possible a MacBook Air.

Now get shopping! You have ten days.

I'm a Winner!

I have a major muscle spasm in my neck, my house is a disaster, and no one in my family has had real food for the last few days. But I'm a winner! I made it to 50,000 words in 30 days.
Now I'm going to have a nap.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

Here's another book recommendation if anyone's looking for something to read! I checked it out because of the odd title and I really liked it. It's about a girl who suddenly begins to feel the emotions of the person who prepared her food, starting with a lemon cake made by her mother. Unusual premise, really good book.

NaNoWriMo

This month, for the second year running, I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month. This involves writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Fortunately quality doesn't count, only quantity, and anyone who hits 50,000 words is a winner! It's like a Participaction award.
I'm posting a widget to track my progress and shame me into writing something every day. Here's hoping I end the month with a shred of mental health intact!

Already Sick of School

At the tender age of six, Carter is already sick of school. Well, he says he's "tired of going to school." And I believe him. Going to school all day, every day, for five days in a row has got to be exhausting after a year of half days in kindergarten and a summer of doing absolutely nothing.
There have been a couple of incidents, most notably during his first full week of school when I had to carry him out to the car. I did get to say: "I've carried your brother into that school, and I'll carry you too if I have to!" which for some reason is fun to say, but less fun to do. Fortunately he did walk from the car to the school after I pointed out the number of witnesses getting off the line up of buses outside the building. Unfortunately, he stalled at the office and wouldn't go any further. Thank goodness for teachers who don't want you to stick around.
Now he tries the sickness tactic. There have been a few unsuccessful attempts but the best came yesterday when he was lying in bed not wanting to get up and I was trying to coax him awake.
"But I have a fever," he tells me.
I feel his forehead. Perfectly normal.
"No you don't," I reply.
"It hasn't reached my head yet."
He has a great mind. I hope he puts it to good use some day.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

 Excellent book I read recently: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. It's fresh, funny, and I love Flavia deLuce. She's an eleven year old chemistry expert with her own lab in her house and she can solve murders to boot. It's the best thing I've read in awhile, and there's already a sequel, The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag. Read it.