It’s my year.

The year of the tiger.

Great things are going to happen for me this year; I just know it.

Tiger characteristics: Enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, leadership, confidence, charismatic.

Do you know your Chinese Zodiac sign?

Nothing says love like matching outfits.

After receiving a lovely handmade card from my daughter, I dropped her off at my parents house and I’m spending the rest of Valentine’s Day with people I’ve made up.

I think that pretty much sums up my love life.

Hope yours is full of real romance.

There’s not much writing news to blog about and the main topic of conversation here in Minnesota is the weather. Ack! Snow, snow and more snow.

Last night I attended my daugher’s final holiday performance.

Saturday we had her piano recital. She’s been playing piano for 3-1/2 years now and if I do say so myself, she’s pretty darned good. She played Sleigh Bells, a fairly complicated piece, and pounded it out with gusto.

Tuesday she had her holiday dance recital. This is her first year doing jazz. The dance was to I Feel The Magic and it’s pretty aerobic. Lots of fast moves that she worked really hard to master.

Finally last night we had her school program. The 4th and 5th graders performed a play about an angel that goes to a shopping mall in search of Christmas spirit. It was amazing how almost all 80 kids had a line or two. For her part my daughter got fired. She did a great (dramatic) job and got a laugh. A couple laughs actually.

She wants to be an artist or a photographer when she grows up, but I think she’s missing her calling as an actor.

Now, onto the holidays. I’m off for 5 days over Christmas. I got a bunch of books from the library and my TBR pile is overflowing my bookshelves. I hope to read a lot, write a little and relax.

How about you? What are your plans for the holidays?

Today’s goal: I’m going home and cracking open a bottle of vino
Yesterday’s accomplishment: Got through the last of Emily’s events
What I’m grateful for: Spring is getting closer every day!
Quote: “Holidays are an expensive trial of strength. The only satisfaction comes from survival.” -Jonathan Miller

I hope your turkey day finds you surrounded by family and friends.

My daughter is in Florida, visiting my parents, without me. Of course she’s having a great time. That means, I’m alone for Thanksgiving. Not to worry. I have friends who will take me in and feed me turkey. I’m a lucky girl.

Yesterday the Seekers had a great post on gratitude. As hard as this business is, I think it’s important to count your blessings every day. As they point out, many (most) days that’s hard. That’s why I like to include a little reason why I’m grateful when I post. Some days it’s hard to come up with something positive and original (I could say I’m grateful for my daughter and my family and friends every day), but I think it’s good to vocalize what’s going right in my world.

So, this Thanksgiving. What are you grateful for?

Today’s goal: Eat until I burst
Yesterday’s achievement: Used my brand new library card for the first time.
What I’m grateful for: The trials God has bestowed on me because they make me stronger.
Quote: “They who lack talent expect things to happen without effort. They ascribe failure to a lack of inspiration or ability, or to misfortune, rather than to insufficient application. At the core of every true talent there is an awareness of the difficulties inherent in any achievement, and the confidence that by persistence and patience something worthwhile will be realized. Thus talent is a species of vigor.” -Eric Hoffer (1902 – 1983)

Happy, Happy Mother’s Day!

My daughter woke me up this morning with a handmade pop up card and a trivet with her hand print in gold. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Our boat’s in the water. Although it’s been too chilly to sail. Our group is talking about trying today. It’s very windy and cool, but at least it’s sunny.

In less than a month I will be flying to Greece for a week of sailing the Ionian Islands. Of course, I’ve already got a story idea to set there. What good is travel to exotic ports if you can’t research at the same time. Hopefully we can also get a travel article or two out of the trip.

I’ll try and be better about posting. Now that the long dreary winter is over, I’m feeling much less like a hibernating bear.

Today’s goal: Chapter 7 finished
Yesterday’s achievement:
What I’m grateful for: My daughter is vacuuming
Quote: “One must not lose desires. They are mighty stimulants to creativeness, to love, and to long life.”-Alexander A. Bogomoletz

With Halloween over and Thanksgiving approaching, I do believe it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. In no time at all, the snow will be flying (actually my daughter saw flakes of that horrid white stuff yesterday) and people will break out the twinkling lights and decorate their trees. And what every tree needs is a tampon angel. I can see eyes lighting up all over the country. Where can I learn to make this you ask. Right here at Tampon Crafts. Have fun and let me know how those projects turn out.