Shaping Up

This blog needs a good exercise plan. Perhaps Jillian Michaels could put it on the 30-Day Shred and give it a nice kick in the bum? It sits here, gathering dust, with only the occasional post, but no longer--it's time for a shape up!

The past year I've worked hard to get back into running shape. I struggled for a few years to get my thyroid under control, and during that time I couldn't maintain the energy to run, but now I'm energized and more grateful than ever that I'm able to hit the pavement. I run every other day, and I've worked up my mileage to train for a half marathon in June. It's been almost five years (!) since I ran the marathon, and it's about time I did another long race. However, when I manage to improve one part of my life, I seem to lag in another...

In my last post--way, way back, over a month ago--I mentioned my bout of homesickness. The truth is I started writing that post three weeks before I published it. I couldn't find the right words. Ironically, I finally managed to communicate my thoughts on the subject while home on a visit. I caved and went home for a week to spend time with my family; I also used it as a personal/writing retreat. I took a 'break' from running over the holidays, which extended a bit further than I meant it to, and I was finding the final novel revisions excruciating. The trip home worked: I managed to get in some refreshing runs by my lovely Deschutes River, and I spent time reading my manuscript and making progress on changes. (I also visited my favorite restaurants and coffeeshops, which may have counteracted the running, but it was well worth it!)

I'm still battling the revision demons, so by the time I start to write a post, all my energy is used up. I have ideas, but when I sit down at the laptop - POOF - all gone. Last week I received a wonderful award from the lovely JJ at Tea Stains, which made me feel particularly undeserving because it is The Prolific Blogger Award. I hung my head in shame for a moment at how unprolific my blog has become of late, but then I decided to buck up and get to work. I've been writing this blog for over four years--and I'm nearing the 400 post mark!--so it's only natural for my motivation to come and go. However, I can't let that stop me. When I write, run, and blog regularly, I feel in balance. My life has been out of balance for ages, and it's time I began a training plan, like I did with running. Baby steps for now, but expect to see me around more often. Besides, an Angie training plan can't be nearly as painful as the 30-Day Shred, right?

A Winner

I am SO excited!

I entered a contest last week. I should mention that I never ever win anything. Ever.

But.

I won!

Over at Women on the Web they are running a contest called Words Move Me. To enter the contest, you have to submit a 'literary moment' that inspired you. The prize? A rose-colored Sony Reader Pocket Edition. (!!)

It looks quite lovely. I can't wait.

Here's the announcement, and my winning entry:

OMG, I won!**

I believe there are two chances left to win...

(**Because I am obsessed with language, I must note that there is a stray comma in my entry that shouldn't be there, but it wasn't in the version I submitted. Grammar Geek out.)

The Horror

...and some nice things.

We really know how to live it up here. We spent a wild and crazy Saturday night attempting to pull two ticks from Drew's belly. Unsuccessfully. Eurgh! It's no secret that I have severe arachnophobia, and that includes all the other nasty critters with creepy wiggly legs. I was a very brave mama holding the Drewser while Husband attempted the impossible feat, and I was bitten at least five times for it! (By Drew, not the critters!) If only Drew knew how much I love him in order to actually look at those nasty beasties. I nearly jumped out of my skin. *Shudders*
First thing Sunday morning we visited the vet, who pulled the buggers out and tested for Lyme Disease. All clear, thank goodness.


Now if I haven't already scared you away with my nasty tale, I do have something more positive to share. A "Love Ya" blog award from Aspiring Writer, Joanne. Here's a description of the award:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers."

I don't feel like I deserve an award since I've been neglecting my blog lately, but I'm thankful for the acknowledgment, so this award means a lot to me. Cheers!

Like Joanne, I'm going to pass this award on to three lovely writing bloggers:

JJ over at Tea Stains has the most excellent taste in brew and is a lovely, supportive friend too. (Oh, I rhymed!)

Marmite & Tea has blogged about books for some time, but began the novel-writing journey last year and is a cheerful and enthusiastic blog chum.

I began blogging around the same time as Yvonne at It Had Better Be Good and we've been buds ever since. She recently finished the second draft of her first novel and is always an inspiration.

Love ya, ladies!

Scribblings

Muchas gracias to JJ for the Superior Scribbler Award.

The Rules
1. Every superior scribbler must name five other super scribblers.
2. Link back to the author and the name of the blog that gave you the award.
3. Display the award and link to this post, which explains the award.
4. Add your name to the Mr Linky List, some way down this page, as a record of who the superest scribblers are.

I pass it on to the following deserving super scribblers:

Marmite and Tea for completing the insanely difficult NaNoWriMo!

Paige at The Last Word who also completed crazy NaNoWriMo.

(Can you tell I'm in awe of writing 50,000 words in one month? And perhaps, just a teensy weensy bit jealous?)

Hullaballoo for her thoughtful and entertaining scribblings.

Caroline for being an inspiring writer and sharing her talents with others.

Jen of Spiral Skies for her funny posts, finishing her novel, and keeping up with constant writing (and other creative!) classes.

Enjoy your well deserved award, ladies.
--

I haven't updated here in awhile because I've been busy working on the second draft of my novel. I'm working my way through it--currently on Chapter 10 (out of 15)--despite the fact that the numbers over there haven't increased. ----> I've found it's too difficult to keep an accurate word count because I keep inserting editing comments into my documents, which throws off the numbers. Hey ho. I've also sent off various pieces of writing for contests and things during the past two months, so I'm feeling quite productive. (And terrified. Ahem.)

I'm also keeping busy finishing my crafty Christmas gifts, which proved more difficult than expected. (I'll post pictures and explain later.) We're planning our trip home for Christmas, as well as a trip to Maui in February for my sister's wedding. Phew. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season.

Friendship

Lovely Alix of Marmite and Tea gave me this Friendship Award, which made my day:I can't imagine a prettier award.

Since it cheered me so much, I want to pass it along to a few of my special blogfriends.

JJ over at Tea Stains is a wonderfully supportive fellow writer and tea lover. Sending you pretty teacups for the perfect cuppa PG Tips (my fave too), JJ.

Yvonne over at It Had Better Be Good is a kindred writing soul whose sheer determination and upbeat spirit always inspire me.

Caroline of In Search of Adam fame, writes a popular blog and lovely books, but is always generous with her time and encouragement to new writers.

Hullaballoo over at Hullabrouhaha always cheers me with her sunny and cheeky posts. Hope these pretty teacups add to her new places in blogland and Scotterland.

Lane over at Lane's Write first caught my attention with her cleverly named blog. Her posts always make me giggle, and she is a supportive writerly friend. These teacups should fit well with her little teacup family.

Lifting my cuppa up to these lovely blog friends, whose friendship I greatly appreciate, as well as the many others I didn't mention. Cheers!

Excellence

Fabulous JJ has awarded my blog an E for Excellence! How lovely of her. My Monday feels brighter already.
I can nominate ten new people to receive the award, but I see many of my favorites have already received it, so I will pass it along to five who may not have it yet:

Alix, Caroline, Helen, Hullaballoo, Lucy Diamond


Speaking of excellence, the paperback of lovely Caroline's book In Search of Adam was released Friday in the UK. And look! I found Adam in Silicon Valley: (And the lovely boy helped me with the shopping after he was discovered. How nice of him.)

Drew also found Adam...


(In Search of Adam is not yet available in stores stateside, but check Caroline's site for information on how to obtain a copy online...I've been dying to read it so I'm planning to snag mine while vacationing this spring, but more on that later.)

Not for children

Prompted by JJ's post about her blog rating, I went off to check my own. Apparently this blog is rated R for using sex 4x (really?), whore 2x (interesting), and hurt 1x (wtf, why is 'hurt' rated R?). I am very impressed with myself. Or slightly embarrassed. Hard to say.

Creativity and such

Ah shucks. Hellojed nominated me for another award: the Creative Blogger Award. Here's what she said:

Angie over at Angie's Write has a great turn of phrase and is a fellow writer/blogger; she struggles with her need to write versus a 'proper job'. I hear ya!

Thanks, hellojed! *still blushing* Coincidentally I've been feeling more creative over the last week than I've felt in months. I think the trick was giving myself permission to start something new and work on it as well as the first novel. Somehow it excited interest not only in the second novel idea, but also reinvigorated interest in my first novel, AND inspired me to work on a short story idea. I've had this short story in mind for ages but it was lacking something, which I was finally able to pinpoint last night, at midnight no less. I now keep a writing idea journal and pen on the nightstand for these late night ideas. I've always been a night-owl, and although I can't keep night-owl hours these days with the husband and dog around, I do seem to feel most creative at that hour, so I often find myself sneaking ideas into the journal late at night. This morning, I started the short story and now I'm 2251 words (about 2/3) into it. Hurrah! It's not novel writing, but at least it's getting the creative juices flowing and making me feel really productive since I've written through it so quickly.

So now I s'pose I nominate five creative bloggers? And the Creative Blogger Award goes to:

Helen at Redders Ramblings not only for finishing her first novel draft (huzzah!), but also for those beautiful cakes. We all remember my cake decorating skills, yes?

Kristen of Gold in the Seams of My Hands, not only for braving this blogging malarkey and starting her very own blog, but also for that lovely poetry. I demand more!

Rebecca James published her first novel this spring and is now working on her next meanwhile raising four(!) rambunctious boys and also creating beautiful paintings.

JJ at Tea Stains is writing her first novel while raising kids in a foreign country. I also hear she's a bit of an artist herself (potters creatively).

Clare of Boob Pencil published her first novel with a publisher that subsequently went under; she finished a second novel and is now going through the process of finding an agent. I love how she honestly details her struggles, while keeping her hopes high. Those fabulous drawings of hers in the background of her blog are great too.

To find out more about this award, go here.