Weekend Update 3/9/09

My camera's not that good, and I still haven't figured out my computer's new photo editing software, but I love this shot. We started our weekend off at the zoo, and I got a kick out of these birds. I love how the middle bird is doing the splits, trying to claim perch possession of both branches!! I find it a perfect metaphor for greed.

After our super quick zoo visit, (forgot about winter hours still being in effect), we met DH for pizza. Shamefully we ate out way too much this weekend, but its sort of a last hurrah. Car payments begin this month!

Saturday DH & I had our date. We had Lupper out, (late lunch, early supper). It was suppose to be romantic. I wore a new purple top and was feeling pretty good until the hostess said to me, "All you need is a red hat." Way to deflate my balloon.  DH tried to help by telling me I looked good, but I was feeling old and gray at that point.

I think if the hostess would have been younger than me, I would have thought she was just a beeatch. I guess since she was older than me, she was just trying to acknowledge one of her own. I wanted to scream at her, "LOOK LADY! I'M 1O YEARS AWAY FROM BEING ELIBLE TO WEAR YOUR RED HAT!" I think my purple top is heading to Goodwill even though I've only worn it once.

After our meal, we decided to do books for dessert.  I was really discouraged to see prices on used books are up, but I suppose everyone is hurting. Why should I complain about spending $4.98 for a book that new cost $10.95? I'm still getting it for less than half price.

Maybe dumping all those classic children's books because of the fear of being prosecuted for selling items which may or may not contain lead in them has forced our used book sellers to increase their prices? But hey, I guess its now okay if I allow my 10 and 13 year old to lick and suck their reading materials!

Okay, off my soapbox.

The book I did pick up for $4.95 was Writing Without Teachers by Peter Elbow. Yes, being an unschooler I was sucked in by the title. I'm still on the first chapter but his thoughts on free writing seem dead on. Schools have taught us to edit while we write, being aware of spelling and grammar. We also edit our unacceptable thoughts and feelings while writing.

"The habit of compulsive, premature editing doesn't just make writing hard. It also makes writing dead. Your voice is damped out by all the interruptions, changes, and hesitations between the consciousness and the page." - Peter Elbow.

My goal is to exercise my free writing. Editing comes later, but the idea is to become used to allowing whatever needs to come out, come out. Let go of restrictions and loosen it up- Next time blogger's block rolls around, I may even free write a post. Want to join me?

I should go back to bed...

I could just bury myself under my down comforter and sleep until Friday. Its cold, dark and rainy outside. I stayed up too late watching a brilliant, but NOT FEEL GOOD movie. I'm trying to go through the motions and get myself moving, but its not working. Head hurts! Eyelids must close!

DS12 has a great idea. He wants to write a story, post half of it online, and ask people for $1 if they want to read the story's end. He wants to donate .50 of every dollar to the Red Cross.

I have to figure out a way to make this work. First off, I explained to him that the Red Cross may want the entire $1. They may not like the idea of him making .50. Second, I have to figure out the Paypal/online payment thing. Third, I need to help him develop his own website and finally, how to promote it. But for right now, I'm making him waffles for breakfast, taking a long shower, putting on comfy clothes and staying under my blankie until its time to get ready for work.

Tonight, I must sleep and not watch movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sleep- good. Late night movies- bad!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Have you written a book?

Everyone in their lifetime should at the very least, write one book. Don't you think? Even if no one reads it. Just write it for yourself.

I mentioned this to my boys, since one of them is into writing recently, and they asked me what books I had written. I've written many letters, blogs, term papers, reports, procedures, lists and cards, but I can't say I've really written a book. Maybe when I was a young child I wrote something that my teacher would have asked me to color pictures for and then call a book, but I've never really written a real book.

One of my children then mentioned how difficult it was to get a book published. (He's worried no one will read his book, "The Zone.")

I think it doesn't matter if your book gets published. I think just working through the process of writing and finishing it, is worth it alone. Maybe only your family will read it, but it will still be out there, in written form. As they say, "Don't die with your story still in you."

I think this is going to be my next thing I'm into. I'm going to start writing a book. I have no idea what kind. I tend to read non-fiction, but I have this rich fantasy life in my head! LOL!!

I'm bummed my Multiply page is not working the way I want it too. I really hope this is temporary. I seem to be able to post a blog entry but not insert photos, links, change the font etc. I've just tried to edit the post and to my horror, its all one giant paragraph. BLAH!!!!! I hope this gets fixed!!!!!!!!!!

First Day of Spring....

Ahhh.... Such a lovely first day of spring! We don't need tulips and daffodils. Why would I want to feel grass between my toes? Isn't it more fun to pull on snow boots over two layers of socks?

Actually I feel really bad for the migratory birds that have already made their way this far. They are probably so confused right now. "Did we fly the right direction?"

I'm staying in today baking chocolate chip pies to stuff my family members with at Easter celebrations. The good thing about today's storm is it should be over by tomorrow. I'm also grateful it's hitting us on Good Friday. DH is home from work! Yeah!

More great news! The Badgers won last night!! I had to stop watching at the half because I was scared they'd blow it. The boys and I retreated into the bedroom to watch Shredderman. After the game DH and the boys headed to the boycave to celebrate the victory with a few rounds of pinball on the Wii. I passed out asleep.

DS12 has decided to write a book and doesn't want to use the PC. He wants to use my old typewriter. He says he likes the feel of the keys and their strike on the page. (I can't help but remember he's recently watch Misery with DH.) He has decided to write it with the chapters in chaotic order, for example, chapter 17 first, then chapter 3, then chapter 21 etc. This sounds really ambitious. I don't think I could write this way. I'd have to write the book in order and then rearrange them. It will be interesting to see if he is successful, but one thing is for sure. It will teach him more about writing.

Well the rest of my crew is now awake. I'm off to heat up the oven and get the pies baking.