I saw a Pin on Pinterest with the title, "15 Minutes a Day to a Clean House." I thought, well, I could give all kinds of advice on keeping a dirty house.
Don't get me wrong. Cleaning is good. It is. It's just not my top priority. It's more like thirty-seven on my list. It falls somewhere between daydreaming about making a bundt cake and the idea of rolling quarters.
Since I'm so nice and generous, I'm sharing my top five secrets to keeping an unclean house. (You're welcome.)
1. Walk on by the piles. Consider them decorations. Magazines feature oodles of homes with stacks of books and collections. Why not call your piles "collections?"
2. Don't glance at the bathroom sink. What the eye doesn't see, the mind won't want to clean.
3. "Forget" to buy cleaners. I think the benefits of this are obvious.
4. Decide the vacuum is too traumatizing for your pets. Park that machine in the closet. For good.
5. Use the fifteen minutes you could have been cleaning to prop your feet on the couch and close your eyes. You deserve some me-time.
Come on, share your best tip on keeping that house dirty!!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Why I Love "Rehab Addict"
I'm a fan of the DIY network. "Renovation Realities" has given me more chuckles and guffaws than most shows on television! Last year, I came across a show on DIY Network called "Rehab Addict." It follows Nicole Curtis, a home renovator, who buys old homes and restores them--on a budget.
I find the show compelling for a variety of reasons.
1. My husband and I have had homes built, and we've tackled many renovation projects. (The credit goes to my talented hubby--I'm more of a "where do you want me?" type of helper.) Last year we completely remodeled the first floor of our house.
2. I'm frugal and always on the lookout for innovative tips. Nicole Curtis recycles and reuses materials in a way I find awesome. I don't think I've ever seen an episode where she drives to Home Depot or Target for new materials.
3. Nicole herself--she takes care of her body and appearance. I can easily fall into let-myself-go mode, so I get inspired to work out, do my hair, and eat better by watching this fabulous lady.
4. The house projects. I'm a "before and after" junkie! I can't get enough of watching rooms or people transform. It's why I also adore "The Biggest Loser."
5. Set in Minnesota's Twin Cities, "Rehab Addict" features little snippets of people riding their bikes or a pretty pond in a park. It satisfies the armchair traveler in me. :)
The bottom line? Nicole Curtis is one of those ladies who won't let anyone stop her from living her dreams. She's a hard worker, believes in what she's doing, and her hair always looks good while she's doing it!
(I really want to perfect the ponytail the way she has!!)
Are there any women on television who inspire you? What is it about them that makes you want to try harder too?
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
I find the show compelling for a variety of reasons.
1. My husband and I have had homes built, and we've tackled many renovation projects. (The credit goes to my talented hubby--I'm more of a "where do you want me?" type of helper.) Last year we completely remodeled the first floor of our house.
2. I'm frugal and always on the lookout for innovative tips. Nicole Curtis recycles and reuses materials in a way I find awesome. I don't think I've ever seen an episode where she drives to Home Depot or Target for new materials.
3. Nicole herself--she takes care of her body and appearance. I can easily fall into let-myself-go mode, so I get inspired to work out, do my hair, and eat better by watching this fabulous lady.
4. The house projects. I'm a "before and after" junkie! I can't get enough of watching rooms or people transform. It's why I also adore "The Biggest Loser."
5. Set in Minnesota's Twin Cities, "Rehab Addict" features little snippets of people riding their bikes or a pretty pond in a park. It satisfies the armchair traveler in me. :)
The bottom line? Nicole Curtis is one of those ladies who won't let anyone stop her from living her dreams. She's a hard worker, believes in what she's doing, and her hair always looks good while she's doing it!
(I really want to perfect the ponytail the way she has!!)
Are there any women on television who inspire you? What is it about them that makes you want to try harder too?
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Do You Avoid Adminstrative Tasks?
I don't always work in my office. One reason I stay away is that I let administrative tasks pile up in there.
As a writer, I consider myself a small business owner. All businesses have someone doing the secretarial work, and in my business that person is me.
I prefer plotting. Writing. Revising. Texting my friends. Gabbing on the phone. Scrolling through Facebook. Pinning on Pinterest. You get the idea.
But I loathe spending money needlessly. I like easy access to important papers. That means spending precious time on the least favorite parts of my job.
We don't have a wireless printer, so I hoard the online documents I need to keep and print them all at once. Often, I don't have a designated file for the receipts and sports' schedules I print, and that means hauling out a stack of manila folders and labeling them. Thirty minutes gone.
Since I'm frugal, I hate wasting paper. After I print and red-line a manuscript, I fold each sheet in half to use as scrap paper. I prefer to do this at night in front of the television. As a constant note-jotter, I'm saved the expense of buying mini legal pads.
Sometimes my mind wanders when I'm in the middle of these tasks. Next thing you know, I'm sidetracked stacking my to-be-read pile, creating a binder for writing articles I want to save, and perusing old CDs to listen to.
Oh well. I think this is a sign I shouldn't avoid my office, even if I get sucked into the vortex of puttering!
Do you avoid administrative work? Or do you stay on top of it?
Have a fabulous Monday!
As a writer, I consider myself a small business owner. All businesses have someone doing the secretarial work, and in my business that person is me.
I prefer plotting. Writing. Revising. Texting my friends. Gabbing on the phone. Scrolling through Facebook. Pinning on Pinterest. You get the idea.
But I loathe spending money needlessly. I like easy access to important papers. That means spending precious time on the least favorite parts of my job.
We don't have a wireless printer, so I hoard the online documents I need to keep and print them all at once. Often, I don't have a designated file for the receipts and sports' schedules I print, and that means hauling out a stack of manila folders and labeling them. Thirty minutes gone.
Since I'm frugal, I hate wasting paper. After I print and red-line a manuscript, I fold each sheet in half to use as scrap paper. I prefer to do this at night in front of the television. As a constant note-jotter, I'm saved the expense of buying mini legal pads.
Sometimes my mind wanders when I'm in the middle of these tasks. Next thing you know, I'm sidetracked stacking my to-be-read pile, creating a binder for writing articles I want to save, and perusing old CDs to listen to.
Oh well. I think this is a sign I shouldn't avoid my office, even if I get sucked into the vortex of puttering!
Do you avoid administrative work? Or do you stay on top of it?
Have a fabulous Monday!
Friday, March 1, 2013
New Teas! 2 Minute Resolution Vlog
March is here and I'm trying new tea flavors! I drink a ton of hot tea, so it's fun to go beyond my usual and get a little exotic.
Black teas are my favorite. I love the depth and rich flavors. Herbal teas typically are too weak or something for me, but I have a few I sip now and then.
Last month, my resolution was to sketch every weekday. This didn't happen, but I sketched more than I had in three years, so I'm happy!
Do you have anything you're focusing on this month? I'd love to hear it! And let me know what you're sipping lately!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Black teas are my favorite. I love the depth and rich flavors. Herbal teas typically are too weak or something for me, but I have a few I sip now and then.
Last month, my resolution was to sketch every weekday. This didn't happen, but I sketched more than I had in three years, so I'm happy!
Do you have anything you're focusing on this month? I'd love to hear it! And let me know what you're sipping lately!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The End of Month Cram
I'm a goal-setter. Annual, monthly, weekly, and daily goals all fire me up. But the last week of each month usually throws me in a tizzy.
You see, I don't just set goals--I do my best to meet them. Failing to reach my monthly goals means I'll have extra work the following month. Extra work means possibly pushing my annual goals out of reach. I won't let that happen without a fight.
Here are a few ways I rearranged my schedule this week to free up hours.
1. Went grocery shopping at night instead of first thing in the morning.
2. Took a fifteen minute walk outside on Monday to get re-energized (even if it was 30 degrees out).
3. Pushed myself to finish all the laundry Monday night so I wouldn't be distracted later in the week.
4. Planned simple meals (one in the crock pot).
5. Spent less time online.
6. Opted not to watch television, but I still read to relax.
7. Took fifteen minutes each day to work on minor goals. (Filling out bills, revising a short piece, making calls)
None of these things were difficult. They simply gave me an extra thirty minutes to an hour each day. An extra hour here or there often results in me celebrating a "win" by meeting my goals.
Do you set monthly goals? How important is it for you to meet them? Do you ever do the "last minute cram?"
Have a great day!
You see, I don't just set goals--I do my best to meet them. Failing to reach my monthly goals means I'll have extra work the following month. Extra work means possibly pushing my annual goals out of reach. I won't let that happen without a fight.
Here are a few ways I rearranged my schedule this week to free up hours.
1. Went grocery shopping at night instead of first thing in the morning.
2. Took a fifteen minute walk outside on Monday to get re-energized (even if it was 30 degrees out).
3. Pushed myself to finish all the laundry Monday night so I wouldn't be distracted later in the week.
4. Planned simple meals (one in the crock pot).
5. Spent less time online.
6. Opted not to watch television, but I still read to relax.
7. Took fifteen minutes each day to work on minor goals. (Filling out bills, revising a short piece, making calls)
None of these things were difficult. They simply gave me an extra thirty minutes to an hour each day. An extra hour here or there often results in me celebrating a "win" by meeting my goals.
Do you set monthly goals? How important is it for you to meet them? Do you ever do the "last minute cram?"
Have a great day!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Ugly Sweaters
I'm wearing my ugly sweater. It's orange. At least one size too big. It's stretched out, has a stain and several snags, and the color doesn't flatter me. At least that's what Color Me Beautiful tells me. (Psst...I'm a "summer." You can find out your season HERE.)
But let's put the color analysis behind us. Why do I even own this ugly sweater? And why, when I know it's as unflattering as can be, do I insist on wearing it?
It's comfy. It hides my extra pounds. It goes with all of my jeans (since it really shouldn't be worn with anything, by default, it goes with everything) and my sweat pants (should you ever wear a sweater with sweat pants?).
I know I shouldn't wear my ugly sweater, but I can't resist.
I know when a sweater flatters me. It shows off my assets and minimizes my weak spots. The color makes my skin glow instead of washing me out. The material caresses. A scratchy sweater is not a good fit!
The same goes for my writing. I've written different genres, and some fit better than others. I spent a lot of time analyzing what genre best suits my voice. Styles come and go. Will I always write this genre? I don't know! But it's my favorite now. It shows off my assets and minimizes my weak spots. I also carefully consider a book idea for length. Will it be better suited for a category length or a full length novel? When writing and revising, I work hard to develop the theme so it caresses, leaves the reader satisfied.
We don't want to write a book because it feels comfortable. Maybe we've explored the theme in a previous book, or we've read several books with a similar plot. Comfortable isn't going to stand out. It's like the seventeenth rip-off of the Twilight series or eating eleven donuts in a row. Not very satisfying. For the writer or the reader.
Maybe it IS time to throw away my ugly old orange sweater. It's just as easy to pull on a pretty, flattering one.
Do you ever pull on an ugly sweater? Do you ever fall into these writing traps?
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!! Love you!!
Have a fabulous day!
But let's put the color analysis behind us. Why do I even own this ugly sweater? And why, when I know it's as unflattering as can be, do I insist on wearing it?
It's comfy. It hides my extra pounds. It goes with all of my jeans (since it really shouldn't be worn with anything, by default, it goes with everything) and my sweat pants (should you ever wear a sweater with sweat pants?).
I know I shouldn't wear my ugly sweater, but I can't resist.
I know when a sweater flatters me. It shows off my assets and minimizes my weak spots. The color makes my skin glow instead of washing me out. The material caresses. A scratchy sweater is not a good fit!
The same goes for my writing. I've written different genres, and some fit better than others. I spent a lot of time analyzing what genre best suits my voice. Styles come and go. Will I always write this genre? I don't know! But it's my favorite now. It shows off my assets and minimizes my weak spots. I also carefully consider a book idea for length. Will it be better suited for a category length or a full length novel? When writing and revising, I work hard to develop the theme so it caresses, leaves the reader satisfied.
We don't want to write a book because it feels comfortable. Maybe we've explored the theme in a previous book, or we've read several books with a similar plot. Comfortable isn't going to stand out. It's like the seventeenth rip-off of the Twilight series or eating eleven donuts in a row. Not very satisfying. For the writer or the reader.
Maybe it IS time to throw away my ugly old orange sweater. It's just as easy to pull on a pretty, flattering one.
Do you ever pull on an ugly sweater? Do you ever fall into these writing traps?
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!! Love you!!
Have a fabulous day!
Friday, February 22, 2013
When Bad Writing Is Good
I hopped over to Books & Such Literary Agency's blog, Between the Lines, on Wednesday, and I was delighted with agent Rachel Kent's post. She encouraged writers to leave a "bad query" in the comments for an opportunity to win a copy of Liz Johnson's, A Promise to Protect, and the winner will have his or her real query evaluated by Rachel!
It looked like so much fun, I couldn't help but join the party.
And a party it was! As of Thursday, the post had prompted 276 comments. Can you believe it?? Many of them were responses to the bad queries. I read through almost all of them, and I laughed out loud numerous times.
I'm just going to list some of the highlights taken from the comments--the authors are listed at the end of this post!
Botched greetings:
Dear Rachelle Kent, Rach, Hark Woeful Wastrel, Dear Kent Rachel, 'Sup, Dear Lucky One...
Misspellings:
Repreesent, fickshunal novel, hawt guys, luv, genrha...
Titles:
FROM RUMPELSTILTSKIN TO REVELATION
Hawt Amish Space Aliens Warz
FIFTY-ONE SHADES OF GREY
The Nursemaid's Caretaker
SHADES, WIZARDS, & FORKS
Harry Breaks Wind
Descriptions:
"I found in my mamas journal..."
"Lots of fighting, blood and gore, and naughty women."
"It starts out slow, but once you get past all the back story it really picks up."
"I submitted to every agent I can find and your agency is my last hope."
"Feel the colors of the rainbow, riding a unicorn across clouds spun with saccharine moonbeams."
"You have until noon to confirm you are representing my new speculative fiction-slash-medieval cookbook."
"Maybe it will be a love quadrilateral? (You help with that stuff right?)"
"Please visit this website to find out about book, bio, etc. http://www.bad-querier.com"
"It is full of plot twists like obsticals and problems."
"It’s got it all, man, I’m talkin’ a werewolf, some vampires, a nest of drug-dealin’ witches."
Comparables:
"This book would appeal to fans of Twilight, Harry Potter, Shades of Gray, Downton Abbey, and The Giving Tree."
"It’s going to be the next Harry Potter – you know, the one by JK Tolkein?"
"The movie is Jack Reacher meets Downton Abbey meets Twilight meets those elves from the Hobbit meets a bunch of chick lit writers in long dresses, with a Beethoven or Mozart (some old guys in wigs or something) soundtrack, along with a bunch of stuff about drugs and I think traffic violations, with aliens (from space and the South of the Border kind."
"It’s a cross between Leave it to Beaver and Big Bang Theory."
"This could be a classic like that one written by Harper Collins, “To Kill…er, some kind of bird. I don’t remember."
Writing Credits:
"My writing credits include a misdemeanor charge for bad checks that should be expunged before press time."
"I know that my vast experience on my high school newspaper will entice you to read my manuscript."
"Once I won the 3rd grade spelling be and a composition contest in 7th grade, that why I’m qualified tobe a writer and giveing you the honor to be my first queery letter."
"All six people I showed it to have loved the premise and say it will be a huge hit."
"I have just completed my first novel for NaNo."
Extras:
"I know we will have more than just an agent writer relationship. We will be best friends. I look forward to talking to you on the fone everyday."
"I can hear my mom coming down the stairs again, and I’d like to tell her that I have an agent so I can actually sleep past 2:00p.m. tomorrow."
"If I see you representing any novels with Revolutionary, Civil War or WWII settings, I will seek litigation against you for violating my copyright. (Notice the small symbol at the bottom of this proposal.)"
"I know you guys are very busy, so I will call you next week. If I can’t get you, I will just keep calling."
"Remember me! We meet in the bathroom a few years ago at a conference. I was the one who slid my manuscript under the stall door."
"My uncle’s dead but I know he’d love it too and so will you if you actually read it. I’m attaching a picture of my uncle so you’ll can see what a great guy he was when he wasn’t dead."
"Please call me at my boyfriend’s number 555-1234 and let me know how much money you are sending."
"P.S. Do you represent any real authors?"
"I can mail it to you if you agree to pay the postage. The package weighs about fifty pounds."
"The manuscript’s up on ebay. LET THE BIDDING WAR BEGIN!!!"
"Please excuse the notebook paper and purple crayon."
Special thanks to the following bad query contest commenters: Richard Mabry, Meghan Carver, Cynthia Green, Jennifer Major, Jana Hutcheson, Lori, Heather Day Gilbert, Larry, Amanda Dykes, Lee, Ryan LaForge, Brandi Lynch, Morgan Tarpley, Heidi Timmons, Ashley Mays, Leigh Goff, Jennifer Hallmark, Josh, Mindy, Regina Jennings, Patrice, Stacy Voss, Tanya Eavenson, Elaine Faber, Sarah Sundin, Shawn Kuhn, Lynn Johnston, Michelle Gardner, David Todd, Scott. (If I used anything from someone not listed, I'm sincerely sorry!)
Please, go over and read the comments from "Bad Query Contest" if you're at all laughing at these tidbits!! I am so impressed with all of the entries! Love them!!
It looked like so much fun, I couldn't help but join the party.
And a party it was! As of Thursday, the post had prompted 276 comments. Can you believe it?? Many of them were responses to the bad queries. I read through almost all of them, and I laughed out loud numerous times.
I'm just going to list some of the highlights taken from the comments--the authors are listed at the end of this post!
Botched greetings:
Dear Rachelle Kent, Rach, Hark Woeful Wastrel, Dear Kent Rachel, 'Sup, Dear Lucky One...
Misspellings:
Repreesent, fickshunal novel, hawt guys, luv, genrha...
Titles:
FROM RUMPELSTILTSKIN TO REVELATION
Hawt Amish Space Aliens Warz
FIFTY-ONE SHADES OF GREY
The Nursemaid's Caretaker
SHADES, WIZARDS, & FORKS
Harry Breaks Wind
Descriptions:
"I found in my mamas journal..."
"Lots of fighting, blood and gore, and naughty women."
"It starts out slow, but once you get past all the back story it really picks up."
"I submitted to every agent I can find and your agency is my last hope."
"Feel the colors of the rainbow, riding a unicorn across clouds spun with saccharine moonbeams."
"You have until noon to confirm you are representing my new speculative fiction-slash-medieval cookbook."
"Maybe it will be a love quadrilateral? (You help with that stuff right?)"
"Please visit this website to find out about book, bio, etc. http://www.bad-querier.com"
"It is full of plot twists like obsticals and problems."
"It’s got it all, man, I’m talkin’ a werewolf, some vampires, a nest of drug-dealin’ witches."
Comparables:
"This book would appeal to fans of Twilight, Harry Potter, Shades of Gray, Downton Abbey, and The Giving Tree."
"It’s going to be the next Harry Potter – you know, the one by JK Tolkein?"
"The movie is Jack Reacher meets Downton Abbey meets Twilight meets those elves from the Hobbit meets a bunch of chick lit writers in long dresses, with a Beethoven or Mozart (some old guys in wigs or something) soundtrack, along with a bunch of stuff about drugs and I think traffic violations, with aliens (from space and the South of the Border kind."
"It’s a cross between Leave it to Beaver and Big Bang Theory."
"This could be a classic like that one written by Harper Collins, “To Kill…er, some kind of bird. I don’t remember."
Writing Credits:
"My writing credits include a misdemeanor charge for bad checks that should be expunged before press time."
"I know that my vast experience on my high school newspaper will entice you to read my manuscript."
"Once I won the 3rd grade spelling be and a composition contest in 7th grade, that why I’m qualified tobe a writer and giveing you the honor to be my first queery letter."
"All six people I showed it to have loved the premise and say it will be a huge hit."
"I have just completed my first novel for NaNo."
Extras:
"I know we will have more than just an agent writer relationship. We will be best friends. I look forward to talking to you on the fone everyday."
"I can hear my mom coming down the stairs again, and I’d like to tell her that I have an agent so I can actually sleep past 2:00p.m. tomorrow."
"If I see you representing any novels with Revolutionary, Civil War or WWII settings, I will seek litigation against you for violating my copyright. (Notice the small symbol at the bottom of this proposal.)"
"I know you guys are very busy, so I will call you next week. If I can’t get you, I will just keep calling."
"Remember me! We meet in the bathroom a few years ago at a conference. I was the one who slid my manuscript under the stall door."
"My uncle’s dead but I know he’d love it too and so will you if you actually read it. I’m attaching a picture of my uncle so you’ll can see what a great guy he was when he wasn’t dead."
"Please call me at my boyfriend’s number 555-1234 and let me know how much money you are sending."
"P.S. Do you represent any real authors?"
"I can mail it to you if you agree to pay the postage. The package weighs about fifty pounds."
"The manuscript’s up on ebay. LET THE BIDDING WAR BEGIN!!!"
"Please excuse the notebook paper and purple crayon."
Special thanks to the following bad query contest commenters: Richard Mabry, Meghan Carver, Cynthia Green, Jennifer Major, Jana Hutcheson, Lori, Heather Day Gilbert, Larry, Amanda Dykes, Lee, Ryan LaForge, Brandi Lynch, Morgan Tarpley, Heidi Timmons, Ashley Mays, Leigh Goff, Jennifer Hallmark, Josh, Mindy, Regina Jennings, Patrice, Stacy Voss, Tanya Eavenson, Elaine Faber, Sarah Sundin, Shawn Kuhn, Lynn Johnston, Michelle Gardner, David Todd, Scott. (If I used anything from someone not listed, I'm sincerely sorry!)
Please, go over and read the comments from "Bad Query Contest" if you're at all laughing at these tidbits!! I am so impressed with all of the entries! Love them!!
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