Celebrate the Small Things-February 27, 2015

Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain!  As always, TheCyborgMom and I are proud co-hosts.

In the world of writing, I can report good progress on my current WIP.  This has been a challenging one, but it seems to be coming together nicely.  At least, I hope it is.

I've also established some writing goals for this year.  I'm aware that I should have done this months ago, but eh, I'm a rebel like that.

I'd also like to celebrate the life of Leonard Nimoy.  I was sad to learn that he passed away earlier today at the age of 83, but I'm glad that he was a part of this world to begin with.  He was a large part of my childhood, and my adulthood too for that matter.  Godspeed, Mr. Nimoy.

And to all of you, I must quote the inimitable Mr. Spock in saying, "Live long and prosper."  Mr. Nimoy certainly did.

What would you like to celebrate?

Express Yourself: Secondary Characters

The Express Yourself Weekly Meme is hosted by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests.

The prompt for this week is: Name a secondary character who you think deserves their own series/stand-alone.

Sometimes the minor characters shine so bright that you can't help but take notice. Others have a mysterious past that you just yearn to know more about.

Both of my answers come from the world of Harry Potter.  This should hardly be shocking. That world is replete with interesting characters.

First of all, I'd like to read more about Luna Lovegood.  She's so delightfully strange, but loyal and good to have around.  She seems like someone I could be best friends with, so I'd love to see her side of things and where life takes her.

The second is Dumbledore.  I find his past so intriguing.  I'd love to read more about how he became the man we knew in the books.  There's a rich story there.

Which secondary characters would you like to read more about?

Celebrate the Small Things: February 20, 2015 and Express Yourself: Apocalyptic Scenarios

Here I am, doing another double post today.  I didn't intend to, but this week didn't go the way I planned.  Sometimes it happens that way.

Let's start things out right and Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain. TheCyborgMom and I are Lexa's proud co-hosts.

I spent a good portion of this week feeling sick.  Yesterday was the worst, but I'm feeling much better today.  I think that's worth celebrating.

Earlier this week, before illness descended upon me, I pulled out a story I'd abandoned months ago and decided to try to finish it.  It seems to be going well so far, and now that I'm on the mend, I hope that will continue to be the case.

The weather here is cold, but at least it's been sunny the last couple of days.  The sunshine always makes me feel happier.

What would you like to celebrate?

The Express Yourself Weekly Meme is hosted by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests.

The question for this week is: What's your favorite kind of apocalyptic scenario (natural disaster, zombie, alien invasion, etc.)?

My husband has plans for what to do during a zombie apocalypse, so that one might be doable.  On the other hand, I've always wanted to meet aliens.  Sure, during an alien invasion they aren't coming in peace, but I look at it this way.  A lot of them will just be soldiers following orders.  They may not want to be a part of the invading.  You never know.  It might be possible to find some sympathizers and create an awesome rebellion out of the deal.  Yes, I'm envisioning myself as a rebel fighter, even though I know I'm not much for running or fighting.  Maybe I'll be the diplomat.  I can be tactful when I want to.  Hmmm.  Maybe.

What's your favorite apocalyptic scenario?

Celebrate the Small Things-February 13, 2015 and Express Yourself: Book Duos

I'm making double posts a regular thing lately.  Hopefully you don't mind!

For starters, it's Friday!  Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain!  I'm a co-host, as is the brilliant TheCyborgMom.

Sorry I'm posting so late.  We ended up spending most of the day in the emergency room. My husband contracted a rather spectacular stomach virus, and things got a bit nasty. Anyway, he's going to be fine.  So that part is worth celebrating at least.

My husband and I also celebrate Friday the 13th as a romantic holiday, simply because we met on Friday, May 13, 2005.  So happy Friday the 13th honey!  I hope you feel better soon!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!  My kids enjoyed their Valentine's Day parties at school, and they came home with significant amounts of candy.  They're happy about that.

What would you like to celebrate?

The Express Yourself Weekly Meme is hosted by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests.

The prompt for this week is:  List your favorite book pairs who have amazing chemistry.  They can be BFFs, love interests, kindreds, or even nemeses.

There are definitely some wonderful duos out there.  Here are but a few.

-Frodo and Sam from The Lord of the Rings books by J.R.R. Tolkien

     The level of loyalty exhibited here is impressive for any friendship.

-Tristan and Yvaine from Stardust by Neil Gaiman

     I love the snark present in this pairing.  They end up falling in love, but the sass never disappears.

-Lily Evans and Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

     We didn't get to see as much of this relationship as I would have liked, but the dynamic fascinates me.  There were definitely some intense feelings going on.

-Beatrice and Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

     These two take sass to the extreme, and I love it!  It helps that nothing stings as brilliantly as a Shakespearean insult.

What fictional duos do you enjoy?

Celebrate the Small Things: February 6, 2015 and Express Yourself: Thank You Notes

I'm bringing you another double posting.

It's Friday!  Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain!  I'm proud to be a co-host, along with the awesome TheCyborgMom.

This week I'm celebrating the return of warm weather.  After a snowy weekend and cold temperatures that followed, today was warm.  I'm posting late because I took advantage of the weather and ran some errands.  The kids and I also walked home from school.

Lyle spent most of the week sick, but he was healthy enough to go back to school today. Yay!

I won some cool dice from Christine Rains, and I got those in the mail yesterday.  I'll definitely have fun with those!

What would you like to celebrate?

Now I'd like to Express Myself.  This weekly meme is hosted by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests.

The question for this week is:  What's the most creative way you can come up with to send a thank you note?

When I say thank you, I like to do something personal.  I've been known to make cards out of children's markers that include funny, personalized poems.  I also like to bake for people.  Nothing says "you rock" like a homemade cake.

If I had ninja's at my disposal, I'd use them to deliver my thank you.  There are few things in this world more memorable than receiving your very own ninja-gram!

How do you like to say thank you?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group: February 2015

Is it the first Wednesday of the month already?  That means it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group to convene once again.  A big thank you goes out to our Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh for making this group possible.  I'd also like to thank this month's co-hosts: Gwen Gardner, Dolorah, Sarah Foster, and M. Pax.

This month I'm exhausted, and it's impacted my writing.  I can't produce as much as I'd like, but I know I shouldn't let it get to me.  It's a symptom of early pregnancy, and it afflicted me with both my boys.  It'll pass.  I know that from experience.  Though it doesn't help that I've had to severely cut back on my caffeine intake.  That's the hardest thing to give up.  I mean, yeah, I'll miss beer, but coffee is the hardest thing to cut back on.

Within a month or so, I should be feeling much more productive, and I'll let that fact reassure me.  I'll also make do by producing a little something each day.  Even if it's only a mere 100 words, I'll take that as a victory.

Are you feeling insecure this month?