Showing posts with label gnomes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gnomes. Show all posts

Jul 12, 2010

What the length of my Hair says about me...

I'm an odd carrot (if you hadn't figured that out already) who has some interesting quirks. And because I feel that today is a good day for embarrassing myself, I'm going to list them out then elaborate on one. (Because after embarrassing ones self, it is only right to give a defense)

  1. 1. I shower sitting down. Many people find this strange, I find it relaxing.


  2. 2. I big fat poofy heart things between my toes, especially when I sleep.


  3. 3. I think potato chips taste like awesome sauce when dipped in sour cream. YUM!


  4. 4. I'm obsessed with gnomes. *GASP!*


  5. 5. You can tell how I feel about life by the length of my hair.


When I was a teenager I always imagined I'd have long flowing locks of glorious hair falling down in big fat curls in my wedding. It was almost like a goal.

I dated the same boy all through high school. When we were dating and things were happy and I saw a pretty white wedding in my future I began growing out my hair.

Then things started to go down hill. And I started to think I needed a change. So I asked my friend to help "layer" my hair.

Here's the thing about teenagers...they are NOT in fact professional hair stylists. The approach we took at layering was nothing like the approach that in facts puts pretty layers in your hair. Thus I was left with a the worlds worst head of layerFAIL. Not pretty.

I cried and called my sister home from work to come fix it. Ended up chopping off like 6 inches. Unexpected hair cut = Teenage meltdown...in case you didn't know. Oddly, not even a couple weeks later. I broke up with said boyfriend.
Coincidence? I think not!

This trend has followed me into adulthood.

Every time I began to feel like life was about to change, I chopped my locks. Break ups, pregnancy, job changes, etc. When life is calm and stable, the hair is long. When life is chaotic and out of control...chop chop chop!

So it really shouldn't come as any surprise that I ended up with one of the shortest hair cuts ever for my wedding!



Do your characters have quirks this strange?

Jun 18, 2010

Contests...My unlucky Misfortune...Kinda

There have been a LOAD of contests out there lately. And by load I mean like 534!!! (or something like that)

And like half of them are giving away super fantastic ARCs like Paranormalcy and Linger (and um...it wouldn't hurt for someone to give away Mockingjay. Just Saying....oh and I'm totally cool if someone wants to talk to Becca about throwing a contest out there for Crescendo too!) Anyways...

I keep losing. Every time. (Okay, except for the contest where I won a query and synopsis critique from Suzie Townsend...which may or may not be a tiny bit better than an ARC. It's a big toss up!)

So I've decided something must happen to up my luck. Apparently all my gnomes aren't cutting the mustard!


Maybe I just haven't found that "Lucky" Gnome yet....you know..."The One"...sigh...

So what shall I do in the meantime?

Rabbit's Foot? Yeah that's kinda gross...just saying...

Horse Shoe? Yeah I hung one of those up in the first house I bought...then I lost the house. I'm not a big fan of Horse Shoes.

Lady bug? Well I have quite a few of those crawling around on the windows...so far...still no ARC.

Rainbow? Still trying to find one of those...I think it's hiding next to the ponies...or possibly behind the butterflies.

Falling Star? Dang it!!! All the freaking contests happen during the day. That's not going to happen!

Sigh. I'm not sure I want to go using up my 'Deal with The Universe' on an ARC ... as I'm saving that for something a little more exciting (Possibly an Agent??? Deal w/ Universe may or may not be on the roster for next weeks blog posts)

So what's a girl in need of some killer ARCs to do???


Jan 23, 2010

And so my Prize Becomes an Adventure!


This is the best gnome post ever! (I know right, even better than mine. that's saying something)

So here ya go kids ... head right on over to Southern Princess' Adventures of Gnick the Gnome to see how my contest prize was brought to life!

(I am so swooning over here!)

Jan 22, 2010

Where I admit my true feelings about Mary Poppins...


Alas, the last day of Questions and Answers. Today is a hard one for me ... I will now commence some embarrassing Mary Poppins facts. *clenching my schwetty fists*

Southern Princess said...

questions...hmmmm...Simon covered the #windinyourhaaaiiirrrr sooo....

Okay -

1. Do you actually like the movie Mary Poppins?

This is the worst question of them all! I now have to make an embarrassing and horrible confession!!!

I have not seen this movie since I was a kid! (GASP!! Oh the horror!)

HOWEVER ... I did enjoy it and I was very impressed by the magic carpet bag. I will not stop searching till I have one of my own!

2. if so, what is your favorite moment in the movie?

The part where they are walking on the ceiling.

3. Have you yet found your Inner Mary Poppins or at least some portion of her?

Sadly the elusive Inner Mary Poppins remains elusive. I'm a creature of imperfection. I have a feeling I will never be "Practically Perfect In Every Way!" but I can't help but keep trying. I'm masochistic like that!

4. If so, how did you discover it & what portion is it?

Well I DID realize I am perfect at loving gnomes. Does that count?

5. Does your significant other call you Mary Poppins?

Nope, he just calls me Marybeth. He's boring!

6. How do your children get along with all the gnomes?

We are one big happy family. They even draw me pictures of the gnomes.

7. Do the gnomes play nice with your kids?

92% of the time. The other 8% they spend trying to bite them. What's up with that!?!

8. Do the gnomes know how to share well with others?

I can't believe you didn't know that gnomes do NOT share. That's why my gardens always die. The gnomes get all upset that I have invaded their territory and they magically make all these weeds. And at the very same time the magically compel me to be too lazy to go remove the weeds. Those gnomes can be pretty evil!

9. If you were a gnome what would you do everyday?

Lie in a hammock!

10. Are your gnomes jealous of the Travelocity Roaming Gnome?

Oh no. They are all friends. The Travelocity Roaming Gnome started my love, so they know if it weren't for him I wouldn't keep them around. If there is animosity they hide it well!

These are the weirdest questions that I have ever asked anyone. ;o)

Oh Southern Princess...I loved your weird questions! They even got a post of their own! I'm pretty nervous about coming out of the Mary Poppins closet though. I hope I don't lose any followers over it! *bites finger nails* I promise I'll go rent it and/or buy it soon!!!

Jan 11, 2010

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Ok well not really a chicken dinner. More like a gnome and a book. But that is WAY better than a chicken dinner!

After careful calculation (You know...when you put down the little line marks to count points...super official!) I have determined the two winners! First place was a shoe in, but second place was close!

Drum Roll Please!!!

(Where's my drum roll? Hold on, grabbing the four year old and a pot and a spoon)

(Ahhhh there is my drum roll. You can hear it right? RIGHT!?! I thought so!)

Second Prize runner up goes to none other than Shannon O'Donnell who will be receiving the original version of Mary Poppins!!! (The crowd goes wild!)

Ok ok...hold your applause...

Let's get that Drum Roll again!

dumdumdumdudmdumdumdumdum

And the grand prize winner of the COOLEST prize I have ever given away is...

wait for it....

wait for it....

Oh yeah ... this is the prize again for anyone who forgot ...
OK and the winner is ...


SOUTHERN PRINCESS!!! (Can you hear the screams?!?!)

If you girls could email me (mb(at)marybethsmith(dot)com) with your addresses that would be awesome!

And so this concludes the Poppins Blog Party! Hope you enjoyed Chateau Poppins, but now it's time to go. My self cleaning bathrooms are having a hay day and the kitchen staff needs a nap.

Feel free to leave your favorite part of the party and/or Chateau Poppins in the comments section!

Jan 4, 2010

Prize Patrol (Oooh I'm kinda like Ed McMann!)

So here it is kids. The exciting day where I announce WHAT you will win from my Poppins (YAY 200 Followers) Party! I've found the perfect little prizes. I couldn't decide on just one, so BONUS!!! There will now be TWO winners!

(Ok ok...calm down...it's not like I said I'm giving out a million dollars or something!)

The GRAND PRIZE winner (winner with the most points by the end of Friday) will receive this super cool craft! (OMG I am so jealous. I want to win my own prize!!!)
Pay no attention to the "For Kids" Label....this is totally an adult craft too!!!

Any the runner up of my awesome contest will win this super awesome copy of Mary Poppins the book! I'm way in love with this cover!


So if you haven't already started accumulating points for my awesome contest march your butt over to my last two posts and put in your answers! (Head over to the Poppins Blog Party and answer a few questions THEN Leave your favorite 'Almost Kiss' in the comments section of the No Kiss Blog Fest Post!) Every point counts so don't miss your chance!!!

YAY!!! I love parties!!!

Jan 1, 2010

Let's Get This Party Started!!!

Holy Crap! The first day of the new year is almost over! I'm not quite sure where the rest of the day wandered off to, but I'm pretty sure it's long gone. So considering that it is almost 10pm I have decided to make our Blog Party a Pajama Party!!! (Partially cuz I'm not in the mood to actually get up and get dressed and all that other good stuff you are supposed to do when you go to party's What?!?! I don't actually have to get up and get dressed to go to my Blog Party? I can stay in bed the entire time? EVEN BETTER! But I still expect everyone else to attend in their PJ's)

So here at my "Yay I Hit 200 Followers Blog Party" we are going to have a great time. I've got Rock Band going over there in my living room. Watch out though...that mic is totally mine! Ok fine, you can play for a little while, but you better not sing any of my favorite songs! (What? It's my party, I totally get to make the rules.)

Now back in the kitchen there is a full buffet style snack station. I guarantee you that if you want it, it's there! Seriously, go look!

And as promised my party comes with contests and prizes. YAY. The prize will not be announced until Monday, but the contest will go for a week, so if you NEED to know what you are competing before you start playing for I suppose you can wait, but c'mon...that would just be lame!

My contest is going to go on a points system. The follower with the most points at the end of next Friday will be my winner and we will have a celebration for them!!!

So here is your first task ... "I'll take gnomes for 500 Alex!" ...

I will give you a series of 3 questions that you will need to answer in the comment section. Each correctly answered question is worth 1 point. And the answers will not be revealed until next Friday. (So you can copy every one else's answers, but there is no guarantee they are correct!)

Question Number One
Why did I buy my first pair of gnomes?


Question Number Two
What is the gnome in the right hand corner of my blog's name?


Question Number Three
How many gnomes do I wish I owned?



****The answers to all of these questions may or may not have appeared in previous blog posts****

Dec 30, 2009

Even I have Goals!!!

It looks to me like everyone is coming up with lists of goals as 2009 draws to an end. I simmered on this for a moment, considered whether or not I should do it myself. I mean I'm not much for following trends, BUT then I decided to go with the flow. It sounded fun enough!

So here we have it kids.
Poppins 2010 Goals

1. Consider giving up dairy. I feel that as long as I am giving it consideration I am making a large step forward. Maybe next year I'll actually do it. But I really like cheese!


2. Acquire more gnomes. I have come to the heart felt decision that 4 gnomes and 2 gnome pictures are not NEARLY enough for a Gnome Connoisseur like me. (That's right! I no longer feel that the term 'Gnome Lover' applies to me! I'm SO much more than that!)

OMG Someone PLEASE make me some of these!!!

3. Stay free and clear from #blogwars! While at the very same time making sure to enjoy every moment of them. (Now this is going to be more difficult than one might expect. I have to watch my P's and Q's and make sure to NOT AT ANY TIME let anything embarrassing about me slip. I'm really good at embarrassing myself on this blog so it's going to be quite the challenge!)

4. Finish editing my book, write a KILLER query, score a perfect agent and sign for an awesome book deal with a HUGE publishing house. It can happen...you just wait and see!

5. Go to the movies ... a lot ... this is going to be one of the best movie years EVER! Percy Jackson, Toy Story 3, Eclipse, The Deathly Hallows, Shrek 4 ... and seriously the list goes on. I'm stoked!


6. Get a second car. I'm hoping this can be accomplished after I complete number 4. I'd REALLY like a mini van with a DVD player and heated seats. Is that really too much to ask for?

7. Have fun with my blog and remember it's not about how many followers you have, it's about how many of those follower love you! (Luckily for me ALL of my followers love me ... right? Right! RIGHT?!?!)

8. Continue building awesome relationships with all you awesome bloggers and writers and mommies. You guys have truly made 2009 one of the best years ever! I'm in love with each and every one of you. But I'm sorry, I'm married. So I'm going to have to keep our love at bay.

9. Find new and innovative ways to waste time and/or keep up my obsessions with twitter and Facebook. (Easiest goal to obtain EVER!)


10. Be me .... um ... or figure out who me is. That might be a better start.

So what are your goals for 2010? Has 2009 been good to you?

Dec 29, 2009

I got SPOILED for Christmas!

Christmas was a little bit tight this year. So my husband and I kept our focus on the kids and bought Rock Band 2 (Just the game, we have The Beatles Rock Band with the Rock Band 1 Set) and a few new songs. Nothing too exciting, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Needless to say this Christmas came with zero expectations. I hadn't asked for anything.

SO ... when I got totally spoiled by my friends and family I was in my own little Chateau Poppins World!!!

And I couldn't NOT share with you some of my favorite presents!!! Well all of my presents were my favorite, but I think you'll understand why a few of these REALLY appealed to me.


Starting to get an idea yet?

Well let's look at these items a little bit closer shall we!

(OMG I'm so excited just thinking about them!)

First up was my Biggest Surprise because it was on my door step when I got home Christmas Night? I didn't even know the post office delivered on Christmas!


Look at these cute little Stationary Cards I got!!!

Homemade for JUST ME by my Mindy!!!

So I pulled out the cards and just look at how cute they are!!!

From the desk of Marybeth Smith
(And she even spelled Marybeth as one word. I'm in love!)

So at our family party on Christmas Eve I got pulled aside. Earlier this year I had inspired my sister to paint something incredible (wait till you see!) and apparently she loves me so much she gave me the painting. BUT not without a box to put it in.



OMG How cute is THAT!

And when you open it up it has all these Gnomes and Gnome Facts!

But the best part I didn't notice till the next day...Look at the umbrellas. (Tears are glistening in my eyes right now guys.)

She even decorated the bottom of the box. My sister rocks

And so inside the box held the coolest painting EVER!!!

And I inspired it!

Oh but I couldn't leave this out...FLUFFY BLANKET!

And to top it ALL off, one of my BFF's sent me this...(Along with some super cute Twilight stuff!)

Aren't we Adorable!

AND on top of all that I got a bunch of other stuff ... Including a super cool dutch oven with all the fixins for Cherry Cobbler and Chili and Cornbread from my parents for camping this summer (Going back to those childhood memories! My parents rock.) A gorgeous necklace from the in-laws and all sorts of other stuff. I can't even think I'm so overwhelmed with all the #windinmyhhhaaaiiiirrrr!

So thank you to all my awesome friends and family and super awesome husband who apparently has something brewing in the background for me once the Holidays are over...sneaky husband!

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

PS I hit 201 Followers which totally means Party Time! I'm shooting for the first of the new year, so you better watch out. We're going to ring in 2010 with a big bang!

Sep 16, 2009

Poppins as compiled by facts and numbers...

I've decided there are some facts, statistics, and numerical things you must know about me. I'm not sure how or why I have decided this, but the decision was made this morning when I dropped my phone...

Fact Number One - I have dropped my phone and estimated 329 times in the last 6 months, which is about 123% more times than the average cell phone owner. This is the reason why I do NOT own an iPhone.






Fact Number Two - If I consume one container of Raspberry Sorbet (it must be the Meijer Brand...) at any given time, I will then proceed to consume at least 17 more containers in the following month because one container simply can not fulfill the craving. Because of this, the sales for Meijer containers of Raspberry Sorbet go up at least 15% with each month that I crave this desert.


Fact Number Three - If I put off the laundry for more than 5 days I will then have approximately 50% more laundry than anticipated and exactly 99% less motivation to fold it. For this reason it took me 2 hours to fold laundry for a family of 5 yesterday.


Fact Number Four - The number of gnomes owned in my house - 3 to be exact, unless you count the picture my father gave me for my birthday, then there are 4 - is not proportionate to the number of gnomes I NEED to own. It's about 412% less.



Fact Number Five - If I invite friends to a Pity Party there will be an abundance of chocolate and not nearly enough Margaritas or Wine. The portion of Wine and Margaritas to chocolate is off by at least 50%. I will remember to bring more booze to the next Pity Party, while at the same time I will keep in mind that the chocolate will be properly taken care of.



Fact Number Six - Now that School has started I am now in the car driving 25% of my day at the very least. This is exactly 24% more than I would prefer to be in the car which in my ideal world would only be 15 minutes. Regardless of whether or not the mathematical equation works for this scenario is not important.



Fact Number Seven - I've written approximately 1 and 1/8 novels. The average number of novels written by a writer who scores an agent is 5. So if I spend 12 hours a day every day of the year writing I may possibly have an agent in the next 5 years, however this does not equate to the direct number of brain cells that will in fact be destroyed in the remaining 12 hours of the day where I have gone crazy. Due to this fact I probably will not publish a book until I am at least 47 years old.

Fact Number Eight - As shown by this craptastic blog post, it is obvious that I have spent too much time (at least 2 hours a day which is only 75% of the preferred amount) reading "An Abundance of Katherines" and am now thinking about everything in theories and equations. It is possible that maybe I will go back to being normal once I have finished the book, but the probability is unlikely!



There...I feel much better now that you know these things about me. Sometimes it's just good to get things off your chest! (We won't even go into the numbers and statistics about my chest and/or lack there of......)

Sep 3, 2009

Usually it's all about me ...

... But today I want to make it all about you! (Well most of you anyways!)

I've noticed quite a bit of new people in my comments and as I have been busy reading Percy Jackson getting ready for the school year I haven't had much time to pop over to all of your blogs yet. SOooo I was hoping you'd all like to introduce yourself here in my comments!!!

So Hi ... Welcome ... Let's get to know each other a little better! Tell me all about yourself, your blog, how much you love me, your dreams, your aspirations...

Example

Hi! I'm Poppins. I love gnomes and long walks on the beach coupled with an ice cold Margarita and a fresh new pair of pajama pants. I've written one absolutely fabulous novel and currently I am working on a new even more fantastic one. This is my blog and you should totally read it EVERY day!

Feel free to self promote!!! I'm all about it.

So come ... grab a name tag and introduce yourself already!!! I want to know EVERYTHING about you (in the most non-stalkerish way of course...)

(PS ... if I know you already ... introduce yourself to my other readers. Tell them how awesome YOUR blog is - because let's face it, your blogs are ALL super awesome!)

Aug 21, 2009

I am Raising a Future NY Times Best Selling Author

,
Now...it is possible I say this because of her awesome poem that she Wrote...but let's face it ...we all know the truth! She had me "Gnome"!!!

Gnomes by Awesome Daughter Smith

I was in a garden. A gnome looked at me. Then another. Then another. Then all of them looked at me. They looked creepy. Then I looked at them. I thought I was in Hogwarts. But they weren't real gnomes. they were wind-up gnomes that talked. I didn't understand why they were alive. I shouldn't have gone in moms garden anyways.

The End!

Sniff Sniff....***Eyes Glistening and Heart Racing***...isn't she the best daughter ever! (and hahaha Hogwarts!)

Jul 17, 2009

Little Bitty

"It's all right to be Little bitty..."

And I should know, seeing as I am considerably Little Bitty myself. It was even my nick name at one point, Little Bit. Actually there are a number of things that are super cool and Little Bitty...

1. Gnomes!!! Little Bitty gnomes ROCK!!!2. My kids are super mini...barely on the charts. Ok who am I kidding, they aren't on the charts. But they are WAY COOL! (Ususually...)



3. Let's be frank...dogs and cats are WAY better when they are Little Bitty Babies. Way Cuter!



4. Can you say "Mini Edward"?!?!


Ok well he's probably not AS COOL as the real one...but still....

5. Ummm....mini carrots are kinda cool. Way easier to eat!


See! Little Bitty is kinda awesome...

So I've made a few Little Bitty changes to the side bar of my blog. I added a picture of and link to my Website. I've also added a little "Grab My Button" a bit more towards the bottom. What do you think? Feel free to follow the links and/or grab my button. Oh yeah and I also added the link to Become a Fan of my Facebook Page. Feel free to do that too!!!

Jun 1, 2009

Walk like an Egyptian!

Well I was thinking more along the lines of "Think like a writer!", but with the same tune. I'm wondering if there is a dance to go with this new song I've created? Any takers on putting together some wicked choreography? (We could even try to get it on So You Think You Could Dance!)

Well the moral of the story, or the point of the comment that is, is that it seems to be all I do lately. It doesn't matter what I am doing or thinking, it always feels like one big narration of someone's life being told in my head. I am constantly thinking like a writer. I actually narrated my entire shower Sunday morning, then blogged about it as a comment on Katie's Voice Lessons Post. I think I've seriously crossed over to the Dark Side (I'm really hoping they have cookies!)

How much has writing taken over your brain? Are you still able to go to the bathroom without thinking,

"She sat down slowly upon her porcelain thrown. She'd
had to pee for hours now, but as she had spent the entire morning blogging and jotting down ideas for her new novel, she had put it off."

? Or am I the only crazy one here? (Ok, so I am slightly exaggerating with the whole bathroom reference ... but not much!)


~~~

Alright, so the moment we have ALL been waiting for! AWARD TIME!!! Bring on the ceremonious music and confetti. We now have a gname for the (previously known as The Roaming) Gnome!!! He shall now and forever be know as Gnorris! (not to be confused with Chuck Gnorris, although equally as awesome!)

Thank you Hilabeans for coming up with the perfect gnome gname!!!

You are now the proud winner of The Wee Little Garden Gnome (complete with your own Gnome Guide!)
Please email your shipping address to mb@marybethsmith.com

~~~

And as promised the next 3 winners of my Favorite Gnome Approved Blog award are...

Pajamas and Coffee
- Entertaining and informational when it comes to parenting! She offers some great advice on Mommy Getaway Time. You Rock Marymac!

Booking It - One of the best blogs when it comes to aspiring writers. Her insight and advice have had a large impact on my writing abilities. Thanks Jessica!

Brain Throwup - Well the name alone makes it an award winning blog, but again her take on writing and motherhood are often inspiring. (Not to mention she's a fan of both Harry Potter and Twilight, which makes her a winner in my book anyday!) I love it Katie!

So check out all three blogs. There will be no disappointment involved! Tomorrow I will announce the final winner and the last 8 AMAZING facts about me.

Also, I elaborated a bit on the earlier part of this post on my website today! Check it out!!!

May 29, 2009

Phantastic Phriday - CONTEST...YAY!!!

*** DISCLAIMER: In honor of it being Phriday, and in rephusal to submit to boredom, I have decided that the Letter F shall phrom here on out be replaced with a PH (except phor in pictures, which I have no control over)***

I love contests! So I'm not sure WHAT the prize will be just yet...but we'll get to that part later!
So here it is kids, the best contest EVER!!!

GNAME MY GNOME!

When my phirst Blog winner over at Words Words Words posted her award to day she got the question, "Does the Gnome have a gname?" And I thought, "OMG!!! I never even considered naming him. But we MUST name him. He can't go on gnameless any longer! I need YOUR help! (Why is it I think oph Dora the Explorer every time I say that?)

So in the comments section please place your prephphered gname (and the reason you chose it) phor my little Gnommie up in the right hand corner oph my blog. Monday morning I will announce the winning Gname and it's owner. (I will probably announce the prize at that time too! Um any ideas?)
Have at it phriends!!! Can't wait to hear your ideas! Break out the Baby Naming books and come up with the best Gnome inspired Gname you can think oph!

~~~

Phor my 2nd Phavorite Gnome Approved Blog Award I am choosing On the Path phor her inspiring and insanely educational views on the writing industry. Having just been signed by an agent, Jody is bound to be a successphul author as she is already brilliant and incredibly talented!

And have a happy Phantastic Phantasmagoric Phriday!!!

May 28, 2009

Lack of Focus? (Oooh Sparkly Gnome!)

***Ok, well I've never REALLY set eyes on a Sparkly Gnome, but I'd like to! (I even googled it ... they don't exist ... possibly an idea to patent????)***
~~~
It appears I may be having a temporary lack of focus. (I say temporary because I am in denial of it turning into a possible permanent condition) Now that I have queried my first batch of agents, I can't seem to get my head back on on the 'write' track. I have a new book idea, but instead of actually putting the pretty pink pen (because all stories look better written in pink!) in my hand and splashing the words onto the paper of my new green (I love green!) notebook, I have been sitting here and letting the details swim around in my, already overly crowded, head. I'm not completely sure why I haven't started spilling out my story yet, but there are a few reasons why I think I am keeping it bottled up....

1. I can't decide WHAT my characters are. Are they people? Are they human? Are they little tiny gnomes running around in a pretty little garden full of flowers and pumkins? (Yeah probably not...) So I don't feel like I can start a story without answering this question. Reasonable enough...right?

2. Well up until yesterday it was because I didn't have a new notebook to devote to it...ruined that excuse.!

3. What if there is still more to do with the other story and I am jumping into the new one too soon! (I suppose choosing not to work on either of them isn't solving this problem though eh?)

4. What if this book is better than the first and my amazing first idea falls to the background even though it was the whole reason I began aspiring to be a novelist in the first place! (wow...that sounds kinda whiney doesn't it....scratch that excuse!)

5. Um....my pink pen ran out of ink....ok um...that's a lie....sigh...

All in all a pile of poor excuses ... well minus the first one. It really is a problem! ...

Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever lost focus on your writing after finishing a novel? What did you do?

Ok, as promised, I am to award my FIRST Favorite Gnome Approved Blog Award (That's right...I changed the name. I just didn't understand the 'Honest Scrap' reference!) And I have chosen this new picture...

So my first award goes to Words Words Words for her entertaining yet informative views on becoming a writer. I especially like her blog titles and occasionally obsure blog topics! Give her site a visit, possibly join her Blogaholics Anonymous!

And 1st 2 Facts about me...

1. God created me a bargain shopper by making me little and able to wear children's clothing and shoes! This comes in handy when trying to save money! (So it's kinda his fault I'm addicted to Target!)

2. I rode my first 2 Wheeler when I was 4 yrs old. Something about having 5 older brothers and sisters that didn't have training wheels brought on the determination! (Full of determination even at a young age...I'm bound to be successful I tell ya!)

May 13, 2009

Why Gnomes are Gnessesary

I went out to dinner with my cousin the other night (Soup, Salad and Breadsticks Baby!!!) We ate, we laughed, we mocked obscure family members...it was lovely. Afterward I needed to take a detour to Target for a prescription. (I love Target...I could live there...seriously!) Unfortunately after we had finished devouring our yummy yummy Italian goodness, the Pharmacy was closed. We then decided to peruse the store. (I mean, we were IN there already. Why waste a perfectly good trip by just walking in and out of this heavenly store? That would be wrong in so many ways!)

We get to the dollar section and what is sitting there? One lonely little gnome...poor little guy...all alone...how sad! I double checked my purse and (of course) what had I done? Forgotten my Target Gift Card!!! (The world stopped. Thunder struck. Screams were heard... possibly from me... and tears formed in the corner of my eyes.) I could not figure out a way to rationalize spending $1 on my debit card and unfortunately a Target shopping spree was not in the budget this week. So I sulked out of Heaven, I mean Target, with my cousin laughing at me.

"You are weird," she says to me. (Um DUH, you are too...remember, we are related...I refrain from saying this aloud)

"But gnomes ROCK!" I explain. She stares at me with confusion, or possibly fear that I have gone completely crazy. I couldn't tell the difference. It was clear what I needed to do to make her understand. I needed to start from the beginning.............


Last year my husband an I took a trip to North Carolina. It was the same time of the year and Target once again had Gnomes in the dollar section. I HAD to get them. I mean isn't it obvious...we were travelling....we NEEDED them! (Helllllloooo Roaming Gnomes!!!) So I bought one for each of us and they sat beside us the entire trip.

Oh No! Dear Husband is driving...I can't look!


It's ok guys. I'll keep you are safe up here, you just rest up.


Oh No! We're Lost!



Oh....did I tell you to turn that way? My bad...




It's an early morning, just because Marybeth doesn't like coffee doesn't mean I don't!



That was some Nasty Coffee! (Should have listened to Marybeth!)


Now OBVIOUSLY you can see why this was necessary....right?!?! After our trip to North Carolina with my awesome Roaming Gnomes, it is safe to say...it was love. Now I need to have gnomes for everything. Unfortunately, the story didn't help her understand. She still thought I was crazy. But I'm not, I swear! You understand...Right? RIGHT!!!!