BulgingButtons

Not bad for a fat girl


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November Musings

I can’t believe it’s only the second day of November, and already I have regrets. First off, my exercise routine has gone straight out the window. I had some minor surgery which has prevented me from really exercising to the fullest. Truthfully though, since it’s too cold to go in my pool, I probably would not have been exercising anyway. Now that’s not to say that I haven’t done any exercise, I have done some, just not as much as my body needs. I guess since it’s only the second day of the month, it’s not too late to fix the exercise issue. However, I can’t turn back the hands of time, and redo yesterday.

Since yesterday was November 1, I had good intentions of blogging each day in November. I’ve done it before, and really enjoyed the experience. In fact, several years ago one of my November posts was freshly pressed. I enjoyed my far less than 15 minutes of pseudo-fame from that post, and wouldn’t mind seeing some more readers checking out my little corner of the internet.

It’s not really about fame, though. I really would just like to get back into a productive blogging habit. Using my WordPress app on my phone seems to be helpful. At least so far. Maybe if I set an alarm for each day I’ll remember to put up a blog post every day for the rest of this month. No promises though.

One thing I do not regret is the amount of time I’ve been spending quilting recently. Although it’s really my friend who has done the actual quilting. I’ve sent her three quilt tops that she has professionally quilted for me on her large quilting machine. She does excellent work, and she has made my patchwork look terrific.

Another non-regret is the fact that I’ve been a more active football fan this season. When I was a kid, our class took a field trip to our team’s brand new stadium. It was magnificent. That’s when I became a football fan. Back in those days kids would write about their field trips on these giant pieces of paper that had a big space at the top for an illustration. My essay and illustration somehow survived my entire childhood and is now framed in my laundry room. Second grade me decided to illustrate my essay with a crayon drawing of OJ Simpson. We didn’t see The Juice, or any of the players, but the visit to the stadium left an impression on me. So did four trips to the Super Bowl without a win. Last year I rediscovered my team, and this year I’ve been enjoying watching and listening to them. Most weeks we don’t get the game where I live, so I listen to the team’s radio broadcast instead.

The commercials on those broadcasts transport me back to my childhood hometown. I went to school with the dentist, I worked with the daughter of one car dealer, and my first brand new car was purchased from the other. Things don’t really change much in that community.

Anyway, I’m glad the weather has finally cooled down, and we have a few weeks before the Christmas season onslaught begins in earnest. I, for one, plan to enjoy the rest of the month of November. I hope you enjoy it too.


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No November

unnamed.jpgI’m shocked at myself. For the past several years I’ve participated in NaBloPoMo, that crazy challenge to publish a blog post each day. Not only have I participated, I’ve been successful. This year, however, I did not. And by not, I mean NOT. Not one single post has graced this blog since October, and now here we are knee deep in the winter holiday season.

Of course there are reasons, but none of them are terribly compelling. I could have done it. Maybe not a post a day, but at least one post sometime during the month. But nope, I did not. In fact I hummed along day to day more of less ignoring the fact that I even have a blog. A blog which I’ve nurtured for the past five and a half years. A blog that I’ve poured my heart into, not to mention quite a few hours of my life. And yet, there it sat, neglected.

Well, I’m here to apologize. I apologize to anyone who has wondered where I’ve been. I apologize to my poor lonely blog (as if it has feelings). I apologize to myself. I deserve to take the time and spend the energy it takes to sort out my thoughts and share them, even if nobody reads them. I’m back, and hopefully I’ll be around for a long time to come.


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Taking November Off

writers-need-a-break-too.jpgThis year I’ve decided not to attempt NaNoWriMo or NaBloPoMo, the writing challenges that I’ve enjoyed in the past. This year is just far too hectic for me to even think about doing a challenge like either of those. A novel this month? Nope. A blog post each day? Uh uh.

I consider it a good day if I make it to work on time with my lunch in hand and matching shoes on my feet. I’m taking a class, attempting to participate in my writing group, and traveling out of town twice this month. I’ve also agreed to be an advance reader for a friend and prepare a review of the novel for its launch date. In November. Of course. It’s enough.

I do miss the daily routine of blogging before heading off to work, or making sure I get it done before the clock strikes midnight. I miss the links to other fascinating blogs and “meeting” bloggers with huge hearts and imaginations. I even miss the increased blog traffic it generates (I’m not gonna lie people, I like it when the numbers go up). I don’t miss the stress, though. There’s definitely a little pressure there, albeit self-inflicted. At the end, though, I’m always glad I’ve done it. I’ll miss that feeling of satisfaction this year.

Overall, I’m glad I didn’t commit to one more thing. I’ll be out of town, doing classwork, preparing Thanksgiving dinner with my sweetheart, and working. I’m thankful I chose not to stress myself out even more. Sometimes you just have to say enough is enough.