Uh, research??

I need to be stopped. And beaten into submission.

I started off strong! I was working on my writings, getting creative, trying to tap into that right have of my brain (which, for the left brainer, will always bug me that it controls the left side of my body).

However, not feeling confident of my skills (despite my AMAZING cheering section in Dundee, Michigan...yes, they have a Cabela's, can we move on??), I decided I needed to look into what publishers want in a book. I needed to do some research. FINE!!! I've been reading novels for the past four days - SUE ME!! I'm averaging one a day right now, and I still have time to make 3 meals a day, do laundry, clean the house, spread mulch and kill the lawn mower (don't tell Matt I said that...he doesn't like it...thinks I'm cursing myself to forever ruin lawn mowers). Seriously, it only takes me about 5 hours to read a 220 page novel...does that make me odd? Do you find me...fruity?!?

FINE!!! I'm a freak...ishly cute girl. I know. Time to pick up the computer and let the creative juices flow...basically because I've already read all of my library books...

To be a writer

First, let me say that I am VERY disappointed in the lack of response to my "Choose-your-own-adventure" episode of the Gilmore Girls. Apparently you all enjoyed the series finale. Sigh. I must continue on...

So, I've known for a while now that I need to get my butt into gear and start writing...I just don't know exactly what it IS that I'm supposed to write. I even started my own blog dedicated to my writings! And nothing has ever been posted to it; I've actually forgotten how to access it. Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that I KNOW I need to start writing for a REASON.

Could someone please give me a reason??

I mean, let's be honest, some of the funniest stuff you'll read today will be on this blog (just being humble here). I've been complimented time and again on my abilities and encouraged to get out there and WRITE about something! Submit something! Make my education start to pay for itself (DISCLAIMER: If it does pay for itself I do not make any promises to any financial contributors that they will be reimbursed for educational funds...sorry dad). But where do I start? Does anyone have any ideas? What do you want to know about??

These are the things about which I have a lot to write:
- Movies
- Life in a 3-daughter family
- Life in a small town (incidentally, Winchestertonfieldville is the largest city I've ever lived in!!)
- Newly-wed status
- God
- Nothing (I could do a pretty decent column along the lines of the TV show Seinfeld - week after week about nothing)

I don't know that there's really much more to discuss. Even though I can write about those things, are any of you really out there biting your nails WAITING to hear my opinion on them?! Yeah, I didn't think so. Yet you endure...you return again and again to read my ramblings (at least my older sister does...for all I know she could be the only person reading - RIGHT ON SISTER!!)

That's my plea - let me know if you have any ideas, k? I'm really pretty good at this typing thing...it only takes me about 2.5 days to finish a post!!! (Kidding...I can usually finish in two)

Gilmore Girls...rewritten

So, late last night I was telling my hubby about the series finale to "Gilmore Girls" (a moment of reverential silence please). I admit, I haven't seen the final episode, but I've heard about it. However, I was hoping for a different ending. I got to wondering - what were YOU hoping would happen in the last show?? Here are our ideas (DISCLAIMER: Matt was slap happy, tired, and wondering where the "kitty titties" were on our male cat)

Karin: I wanted to see Loreli marry ANYONE, be happy...and get pregnant!! Really, the whole point of the series was the mother/daughter relationship. It would've been GREAT to see Rori move away and Loreli start again:)

Matt: He was hoping to see the car wash blow up and level the whole town. When I explained that the town didn't have a car wash, he thought it would be good to have the town build one first and THEN watch it blow up.

What did you want to see?

Referral

Please see the new post at www.mattsmiracle.blogspot.com
:)

Addendums

To Rebuttal:
I like guns for hunting and for the police to protect me. I'm not insinuating that really anyone should have an automatic weapon at home. Really...how fast and how many bullets do you need to kill a deer??

To Mom:
She also gets homemade chocolate truffles!!

My mom's better than your mom!!!

So say the good folks at 101.9 Sunny Country in beautiful Traverse City, MI. These fine folks have declared my mom THE BEST mom of all the entries they received for their "Mother Load" contest. And WHY did they select her?! Primarily because of her AMAZING daughter (that would be me). I mean, if it wasn't for me she wouldn't have been entered, right?? Okay, so maybe she did a few little things that made me consider writing in. In no particular order, here are some of the reasons I detailed:

-raised three daughters AND was legal guardian for her sister AND her mother (who were physically and/or mentally unable to care for themselves)
-never missed a basketball, volleyball or softball game
-never missed a band or choir performance
-never missed a play (even went to the dress rehearsals!!)
-made breakfast for us EVERY MORNING while we were in school (even on tournament days when there were extra kids in the house)
-made sure we were always on time
-volunteered for GOP and Right to Life
-never took a sick day

Wow!! The bar has been set pretty high! And since, for about eight years, she sacrificed her Mother's Day to help strike play sets I figured I would brag on her for a while...and what a pay off! Tell her what she won Bob!

Lorraine, you and one guest will receive a free overnight accommodation at the Holiday Inn on West Bay in spectacular Traverse City, MI. you will also receive a complimentary bottle of champagne at check-in, breakfast in bed the next day, a spa certificate, Mother's Day brunch for four and four movie passes to Carmike Cinemas!!

Thanks Bob.

Love you mom!!!

My rebuttal

Gosh darn that stupid blogger that won't let me respond to anyone else's blog!!!

Okay, my sister has admitted to having liberal tendencies - AND SHE HAS ACCUSED ME AS WELL!! Humphh. I need to respond.

I am a registered Republican. I will ONLY vote for a Democrat if God were to instruct me to do so. I would rather not place a vote than to vote for a Democrat. I am okay with guns (I can hear the sharp intakes and expulsions of air as my faithful readers gasp, sigh and shout profanities). I don't believe everything the government tells me (be it Democratic OR Republican). I eat well.

Here's the deal...I eat well. I don't like chemicals. I don't like additives. I don't like greed. I LOVE God!!! I can't help but look at His word and wonder why there aren't any stories about ADHD, cancer or manic-depressive disorder. There were sick people healed, demon-possessed people delivered...but no such diseases. Now I haven't suffered these ailments, but I've read about those who have. These are the things I tend to see: (EXAGGERATED FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT)

"I received chemo for cancer. I lost all of my hair, was sick for a year and a half, had horrible abdominal cramping, uncontrollable gas, acne, tooth decay and ingrown toe nails. But it was all worth!!! Now the cancer is technically 'in remission', not gone, and even though I'm physically scarred, have had vital organs removed and will never be able to smell or grow toe nails again (not to mention I'll be taking 14 various pills daily for the rest of my life) - I feel GREAT!"

Hmmmm. And then I read:

"I was diagnosed with cancer. I stopped eating humanly-altered foods and went to an organic, all-natural, the-way-God-created-it diet and the cancer is not only gone, but my hair grew back thicker and shinier, my acne cleared up and I got pregnant when the doctor said I never would!"

Does that make me liberal? No...I think 'smart' is the right word. And the true heart of the decision?

God. Yep. Stick with what He put into play and life will always work out.

Now that I think about it, I was offended at being called a liberal, but I have the cure for that. AS SOON AS THE LIBERALS FIND OUT I'M A SPIRIT-FILLED, IN-LOVE, ON-FIRE CHRISTIAN THEY'LL RUN SCREAMING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!!!

Okay, so I guess its not that bad.

Amazing Me

I'm amazing, and I can't tell you why. I'm the best sister in the world. Can't tell you why. I'm one heck of a friend. Can't tell you why. As I'm writing this I wonder...if I've done all of these great things about which I can't tell you, are they really great? Hmmm...

Michigan: The Tease Me State

I'm considering a petition to my state government to change our state slogan from The Wolverine State to The Tease Me State (hey...the "Show Me" state?!?) This is my reasoning:

Thursday - high 60's
Thursday night/Friday morning - 30's
Saturday - 70's
Saturday night - 60's
Sunday - 80's!!! (woo hoo)
Sunday night - 70's
Monday morning - 70's
Later Monday morning - 60's
Monday - 60's
Tonight's forecast - 30's!!

Okay...I challenge you to prove me wrong...

Here they are - my "adopted" kids!

Ohhhh!!! I spent spring break in Port Huron with all of my "adoptive" kids...my sorority sister's and their kidlets :) It was too much fun!! So, here they are...all my little chi-chis :) Top center we have, slightly hidden, Isabella ("Bella"), Baby Aidan ("Wubie") and Olivia ("Livi"). Yes, they are in pink water :)

Next, we have their cousins...Mr. Lars on the left and big sisters Sage & Jade on the right (go ahead...guess what they do on Friday afternoons??). I even got to go with all three of them to a gymnastics field-trip...do you know how much fun it is to pull 15-20 kids under four out from the big foam pit?! Hee, hee.

So here they are! Finally, someone cute to post on my blog!!! I'd show you their momma's, my dear, dear friends, but one doesn't like photos and the other one got photoed...behind a pile of little tykes :)

Okay...I'm outtie!

Happy...Christmas??

Okay, apparently Michigan weather has the two major Christian mile-stones confused. For Christmas in 2006 we didn't need jackets or even boots. Personally, I enjoyed it :) However, it wasn't quite normal. March was fabulous, starting to warm up and enjoying the jacket-free life-style once again. And then came Spring Break..and our WINTER STORM! What?! Oh yeah, so my little sun baby niece was outside in a short sleeve shirt and shorts...this is what it looked like here this Easter. Woo hoo...yuck.

Happy Easter!!

Easter...what does that really have to do with Christ? HAPPY RESSURRECTION DAY! GLORIOUS SALVATION! Hope y'all get to celebrate life with Christ, enjoying His love and grace toward us all.

:( No good pictures yet...I'll find something good soon! In the meantime, enjoy my baby niece Ella at www.thegabelfamily.blogspot.com

Will I Ever Grow Up?

I hope not, but for right now it might be nice. As an infant I used to go right to sleep, lulled away by the sweet words "Bed Time!". Not anymore. Actually, not for many years. As I've gotten older, I've become more stubborn. Just ask my hubby. When I get really tired I tend to talk...very, very quickly. And very, very incessantly. Even as I write this it's 10:40 pm and I'm tired. I could use a good, solid night sleep, but I'm fighting it. I don't even know why. There's no one to talk to, I've already checked every website that interests me and there's nothing good on TV. Yet here I am, typing my lil' fingers off, just for the sake of typing.

I'm going to eat pizza tomorrow, for the first time in MONTHS. I'm excited. I also get to bond with the Kellerman clan some more...it's gonna be good.

Okay, I'm outtie.

My Babies

Here they are!

My lovely little lady is Midgie...Midgie Moo Moo, or just plain Moomer for those of us who know her more intimately. For quite a while she's suffered an upper respiratory infection; however, she's feeling QUITE lively and frisky these days. In fact, she's feeling SOOOO healthy that Mommy can no longer take naps...at least not without Midgie running up and down and up and down and up and down Mommy's legs, arms, head...you get the picture.

To the right is my big boy. This handsome fellow is Bucket: he enjoys long naps in the window, wrestling with his little sister and annoying his Momma with early morning nibbles on exposed fingers and ears. He's now weighing in at 12 lbs and is hoping to break 15 lbs by his first birthday.

Since we don't have any human kids, these will be my pictures for a while...I'll try to get some other fun stuff too!!

My new camera's here! My new camera's here!

I'm SOMEBODY! (Thanks Steve Martin)

So, I just got my brand new 7.2 mega pixel digital camera!! Whee!! Unfortunately, Matt's out of town and I can't get the cats to sit still long enough to get a good shot, so I don't have anything fun to post yet. However, I may soon introduce you to The Clampets Came to Williamsburg...just not yet. I just wanted to whet your appetite...photos coming soon!

Why do they call them "conveniences"?

Modern conveniences? I think not. As the world rolls on each day we create more and more ways to make life easier...and 400 ways in which that convenience can break down and send us plummetting beyond the dark ages.

In case you haven't met them yet, I have the most ADORABLE nieces! Sarah and Ella (see them both at www.thegabelfamily.blogspot.com). Sarah came into my life when she was four years old; now, she is growing into young womanhood and is quite social and active. I don't get to see her nearly enough, but I try to stay in touch. She is in PA with her mom, stepdad and new baby sister. I have some pictures...I should put them up.

On the other side of the country is Ella. She is the first baby. She is spoiled. She is a boonchkin. As she is the off-spring of my sister, communication is more frequent. As she is the first-born to my sister, pictures are ABOUNDING. As I am on the other side of the country, I DEMAND lots of pictures posted on-line so I can watch her grow from a distance. Did you SEE the swimming pictures?!?! Oooo....

Well, I thought it would be great to finally comment and let my brother-in-law see that people DO look at their family blog and a photo documentary of Ella's first year is more than appreciated by some of us. Yes...that's when modern conveniences stepped in to help out!

Okay...I cannot post a comment annonymously. Sure, not a problem. I'll just put my name. Wait...no name, just your account information. Do I have a blogger account? (FYI - I maintain 497,839 blogs from the same email address. I'm geting to know these people well). Well that shouldn't be a problem, let me just type in my info...verify my login? Hmmm. If I have to, I guess I'll press this icon...what? Where am I now? This account has not been activated? Maybe I messed up, lemme try this again. Ten minutes later: I KNOW THAT LOGIN IS UNAVAILABLE - IT'S MINE! I'M JUST TRYING TO LOG IN!!!

And so, no comment. Frustrated and confused that I have somehow been lost in the vast pit that is cyberspace, I rush frantically to my blog dashboard knowing full well that I posted things earlier this week and hoping I can still get back in! NO problem :) All 400,000 blogs, still up and running. Apparently the folks at google and blogger don't mind my smart-%$# blogs, they just don't want my smart-&%@ comments.

Errr. (If you're a frequent viewer you may remember that I ranted and raved about technology about a year ago too...). I'm too worked up to go on now. Okay, I'm calming down. I'm gonna leave for a while. I don't even wanna get started on the stupid pop can deposit in the state of Michigan and how everyone is more than willing to take your $1.20 per 12 pack, but they can refuse to take your cans back for any of a zillion reasons because the companies (let's call them Cepsi and Poke) can refuse to take the cans, so we're paying all kinds of money that we'll never get back because I guess they can't recycle a can with some dirt, but my husband could tell you otherwise, but I'm just rambling now...(the title all makes sense now, doesn't it?)

Matt's Miracle...take a look

Hey folks, more news on Matt's medical condition. Check it out at www.mattsmiracle.blogpsot.com

Death of a Cat Post

After 12 months of distinguished service it is with great sadness and a humble heart that I announce the untimely departure of the Cat Tree. Originally purchased for Inky and Saber Booy, they self-lessly willed the 8', multi-tiered pole to our baby girl Roo. Though Roo loved the tree, and Inky & Saber tolerated it, it was never as loved as by Midgie & Bucket. More than a scratching post, it served as a bed away from home, an excellent piece of exercise equipment as well as a toy and playmate.

The cat post will be laid to rest in the American Waste garbage tote in Westchestertonfieldville this afternoon. A small reception will follow immediately following.

What a GREAT day!!!

Wow! What a great day!!! FIRST - I JUST got my new laptop. Woo hoo!! (Homer Simpson)

For my birthday I combined birthday money, gift cards and a store credit to put towards a Sony Vaio. I was still short but my WONDERFUL, HANDSOME, COMPASSIONATE husband told me not to worry about it...he pitched in the rest of the money for my birthday!! :) (SOOOO many reasons I married that man).

And then - AS IF THE COMPUTER ISN'T ENOUGH - Matt called today to tell me about some tickets his boss gave him...TO THE RED WINGS GAME THIS SUNDAY!!! Yes, that's right! I will be going to the Wings game in TWO DAYS!! Until then, boy will I learn everything about this beauteous machine :)

I feel so competent

I've never considered myself a great driver. I mean, I drive out of necessity, for no other reason. If I could translate myself daily I would never get into a car again, but I must endure.

HOWEVER! This past week I've realized that, no matter how much I hate driving, I am by no means the worst driver in the world. Lemme tell you about my encounters with Vanity Girl and Time to Retire.

First, Vanity Girl. 2/5/07 - every school from Holland up to Central Lake, from Ludington over to Gaylord, is closed. It's 3 degrees with a wind chill 15-25 below zero; visiblity is sketchy and the roads are sheet ice because its too cold for the salt to work. I'm going to run errands and am stuck behind vanity girl. On the above day she is driving her friend across town, but she feels unpretty. She decides to put on MASCARA while DRIVING on SHEET ICE!!! But it gets better...when she's done, she puts her glasses back on. I maintain a safe 14 car-length distance...

Next, Time to Retire. 2/6/07 (My birthday, thank you very much) - schools are meeting, but its still cold as an iceberg. Pulling out of Do-It-Best hardware on Zimmerman Rd. is a cute couple, granny and gramps driving their 26' long Cadillac-Towncar-Lesabre beast of an automobile. I can barely feel my toes with the heat on in my car. They are driving down the road, single digits mind you, with their back driver side door WIDE OPEN! I took a quick peak...nothing in the backseat. Just a wide open door. I hope someone caught up with them...