The challenge begins on Friday

As if my life isn't challenging enough, I joined the October NaNoWriMoPrep Challenge on writing.com. The challenge begins on Friday, October 1. The goal of this contest is to prepare for National Novel Writing Month, which begins on November 1. During the course of the challenge, you plan the novel you will write in November.

I have three names to use for the characters, but I don't have a working title for the novel. I have a problem concerning the title; I have three possible working titles for the novel. Since it's a working title I don't suppose it matters which one I pick. I'll decide before Friday.

The World’s Smallest Multinational

Sebastien International's goal is to become the world's smallest multinational. Watch him prepare for his world tour in an effort to become the world's smallest multinational. Sebastien believes that you do not have "to be big to be big" so he is aspiring to become a multinational.

Sometimes it’s difficult to write 200 words

A writer's life is not easy. Writing word after word becomes a test of endurance. Sometimes I am in the middle of a sentence and my mind goes blank. Sometimes I am in the middle of a paragraph and the doorbell, the telephone, or my mother interrupts me. Since my word count goal for each blog entry is 200 words, these interruptions make writing that many words difficult.

The landline I can ignore unless my mother answers and then I have to go into the breakfast room to talk to whoever is on the other end. The doorbell is a little more difficult to ignore and Mom will not answer the door unless she gets my permission (I suspect the "permission" issue has something to do with Alzheimer's disease, but that is different blog entry).

Mom enjoys sitting in the room with me while I work online or write. Mom is impossible to ignore because she is talking to me all the time I am working. I have to half-way listen to what Mom is saying and respond periodically because otherwise Mom thinks I do not want to talk to her. If I leave the computer and sit down by Mom to talk to her, she gets angry because she believes she is interrupting me. Fortunately, Mom repeats herself a lot so I usually pick up what she is talking about.

Sometimes it is difficult to write 200 words. Sometimes I can only write 100 or 50 words. Sometimes I have to write more then one blog entry to accomplish the 200-word goal.

Your Pupillary Distance should not be a secret

Recent economic conditions have affected both people and business. One of the effects of the economy concerns the way people save money when they buy necessities. Eyeglasses are a necessity and an expensive necessity; therefore, more people are going online to buy their glasses. Pupillary Distance (PD) is necessary to buy properly fitting eyeglasses.

Do you know your PD or Pupillary Distance? Do you know what the term means? PD is the center-to-center distance between your eyes pupils, which is measured in millimeters and 1 inch equals 25.4 millimeters. You have to ask your optometrist for your PD measurement. Most optometrists do not want to give you this measurement because they think you are going online to buy your glasses.

I am one of those people who believe that if something concerns my body, I should know it. My Pupillary Distance is important to the proper fitting of my eyeglasses and I should know what it is. The distance between the centers of my pupils concerns an important part of my body. PD is the difference between glasses that fit properly and glasses that are only eye decorations.

Until recently I did not realize the importance of this measurement. Now that I know how important Pupillary Distance is to my sight, I will ask the next time I go to an optometrist. Everyone should ask what his or her PD measurement because this measurement should not be a secret.

Sometimes I don’t feel like writing in the afternoon

This afternoon is one of those days when I do not feel like writing; however, I have to write. I have to write because I have a minimum daily word count goal. I have to write because I have to make a blog entry. I have to write because I cannot do housework while my mother is awake. That may seem like an odd reason to write, but when you know the circumstances, it is logical.

My mother has Alzheimer's disease and she believes that the housework is her duty. Mom believes that she is the only one in our house who is supposed to do housework. Mom gets angry if I do the housework when she is awake. Therefore, I have to wait until she takes a nap or goes to sleep. This afternoon Mom is not taking a nap, she is sitting on the couch planning the housework she will do tomorrow. I attempt to encourage her to do the household chores she plans, but lately no matter how much I encourage Mom just sets and plans. I am not happy about doing housework at night, but I do it when I can.

My grandmother did housework at night. Grandma did housework when she could not sleep. I would rather write then sleep or do housework myself, but I have not choice. Life is much more pleasant when Mom does not get angry over something. Even though I would rather do housework this afternoon, I will write. I will write until Mom goes in her bedroom and then I will get up and do housework.

Happy Birthday Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is 75 years old this week. This morning I asked Mom what she remember about Hoover Dam when she was here during World War II, my Dad was stationed at Nellis Air force Base during the war. Dad served in the Army Air Corp. Mom said that she visited Hoover Dam, but that they never went down into the Dam because of security concerns. I have to ask Mom more questions about what she remembers.

Coffee and writing

Coffee and writing are inseparable. They go together like a dog and a leash, like a cat and its purr. Setting down at the computer with a hot cup of coffee beside me spurs on my muse. I write a paragraph or two, save the document, and then I take a sip of coffee, while I review the the words I have written. Coffee is a writer's best friend because it forces the writer to stop and take several breaks while writing.

I do not know if all writers have a favorite coffee cup or mug, I know I have a favorite. I have several favorites depending on what I am writing. If I am composing poetry, I sip coffee from a small white cup. If I am writing a blog or journal entry, I have a medium sized tan cup with two black lines around the top. If I am working on a chapter in a novel, I drink coffee from a large Christmas mug.

Most of the time, I drink ground coffee, but sometimes I grind coffee beans. The type of coffee I drink depends on my mood and how much difficulty I am having with the piece. If I am having problems with a piece then I grind the coffee and stand in the kitchen listening to it perk. This gives me a chance to clear my mind and contemplate the subject of my creativity.

Coffee and writing
Creativity's perfume
Love's rich aroma

I have a working printer I am a happy writer

I finally fixed my printer. I put two new cartridges in and it works. This experience has taught me that when I buying printer cartridges to buy both colored and black ink. No matter what the message tells me, from this day forward I will replace both cartridges. I am a writer and I cannot afford to have a printer that does not work.

I am a happy writer because my printer works. I still cannot print more then one page at a time, but that is a minor inconvenience. I can deal with this little irritation. True it takes several hours to print a large document, but I will deal with that when the time come. As long as I can print, the time it takes does not matter. Eventually, I will have to figure out how to solve that problem, but for now, I can print and I am happy.

Welcome Autumn

At last, Autumn has arrived and the days are becoming cooler. It is too early in the season for the tree to change color. This is Las Vegas, while the days become shorter and cooler I doubt the first freeze with come before Thanksgiving.

I like the cooler days because it means our power bill will go down. I have decided to keep the thermostat up to 85 degrees until I turn the hot air on, which I hope is not before Halloween. After I turn the hot air on, then I will keep the air between 55 and 60 degrees. We can put on sweaters and long sleeves if it gets too chilly, but 55 degrees is not that cold.

Welcome cool autumn
The seasons change winter comes
Long sleeves and sweaters

Upcoming writing anniversary

October 31 is my 8th anniversary at writing.com. I joined writing.com in 2002 with a free membership, today I have a premium membership and plan to get a premium plus in 2011.

Writing about Memory lose and Alzheimer's disease

There was a time when I thought that short-term memory lose was the worst thing that could happen. I was wrong! Mom has Alzheimer's disease. Mom has short-term memory lose. Mom has also forgotten that her parents are dead. Mom does not remember attending their funerals. Mom does not remember sitting by her mother's hospital bed.

When Mom and I talk, I am careful not to mention my grandparent's deaths. I refrain from saying they are buried in Blackwell, Oklahoma. My brother sent Mom an anthology containing several of his poems. Mom wants me to read the poems to her. I cannot read one poem to her because it mentions my grandparent's deaths.

When Mom gets upset because her parents do not live with us, I tell her that they sold their house and moved to a retirement village. Mom believes this and it makes her happy.

I am looking for modern bedroom furniture

I have a three-bedroom house, but I can only use two bedrooms because I do not have furniture for the third bedroom. Right now, the third bedroom is a junk room, but not for long. I am cleaning out that room before the end of 2010. Once the room is empty of all the stuff that is cluttering my life I have to fill it with furniture.

I once considered making that room into an office; I no longer consider an office in that room either feasible or desirable. Making it into a bedroom rather then a junk room or an office makes more sense. Especially with the economy the way, it is today. If I make the spare room into a bedroom, then I can rent it out. In addition, if I have to have someone stay with my mother overnight or for several days, I have a room for that person to sleep.

Therefore, I am looking for Modern Bedroom Furniture. I want a modern bedroom set that is beautiful and comfortable. I want a modern bedroom suite that looks good in the room and matches the furniture in the rest of the house. I think a platform bed would look nice that that room, I know this type of bed is comfortable.

Looking forward to NaNoWriMo

I am looking forward to National Novel Writing Month, which begins on November 1 and ends November 30, 2010. Participants in NaNoWriMo have 30 days to write a 50,000 word novel. This means writing approximately 1,667 words a day. As of today, there are 42 day until NaNoWriMo begins and 11 days until the October NaNoWriMoPrep challenge begins at writing.com.

The October NaNoWriMoPrep challenges starts on October 1 and ends on October 31, 2010. It is 31 days of planning the novel, but not writing the novel. The preparation challenge concerns researching background material, creating characters, and mapping the plot. The October NaNoWriMoPrep challenge gives you a chance to think about your navel for at least 15 minutes a day.

Writers Read

The Sunday paper
Lays in the driveway waiting
A cup of coffee

I enjoy reading the Sunday edition of the Las Vegas Review-Journal while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Perhaps that is the reason I wait until after brewing coffee to pick up the newspaper.

The first official Interactive unboxing of the Nokia N8

The First Official Interactive Unboxing of the Nokia N8 lets you chose the person to unbox this phone. It gives you a choice of three people to unbox the Nokia N8. You can pick Brenda, Ryan, or Suzy to unbox the phone. Each person reveals the items that come with the phone. In addition, you can select the features you want to investigate.

Saturday is trash collection day in my neighborhood

Plastic trashcans wait
For the garbage trucks to come
The sun climbs higher

I rolled the trashcan to the curb when I went outside to pick up the morning paper. The large plastic trashcan was only half-full; however, I cleaned out the fridge this week and the garbage was beginning to smell. The plastic trash receptacle has a lid so the smell was not spreading in the garage, I could smell it every time I opened it to put in another bag of trash.

I wish someone made an air freshener for trashcans, something that I could spray or place inside the can to make it smell better. Perhaps an odor eliminator that would get rid of the smell of spoiled food or used cat litter. I think something like that would sell even in the present economy.

I am looking for Gourmet Food

I am looking for gourmet food. I am look for something my mother has never tasted. I am looking for something I have never tasted. My mother is 89 years old; she has begun trying new combinations of foods and foods she has never experienced. Therefore, I am searching for gourmet foods.

Mom does not eat huge portions, but she does eat more when part of the meal is a food she has never tried. I am looking for items I can incorporate in our daily meals that will encourage Mom to eat more. Mom also eats more when the food is for a special occasion.

I am looking for small food gifts that I can give to Mom to encourage her to eat. I am looking for things like Caviar Gifts, which Mom can eat for snacks between meals. I am looking for gourmet foods from across the world that Mom and I can enjoy together or serve when family and old friends visit.

I am looking for foods like caviar, truffles, or capers. I know Mom would like any of these items because Mom always enjoys new taste sensations. I love gourmet foods myself, I like finding new treats that Mom enjoys and I can give to her as a gift. Mom enjoys eating new foods and getting little gifts, therefore, I am looking for gourmet foods I can give to Mom as gifts.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

I am taking a walk down memory lane
to the first college I attended
my memories are taking me back in time
to the College of Southern Nevada,
to the Community College of Southern Nevada,
to Clark County Community College.

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN), the Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN), and the Clark County Community College (CCCC) refer to the same college. CSN celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2011.

It's not Technology, It's what you do with it

What is it that you do with technology? Do you use technology for business or for play? Technology is an interracial part of our lives; it is a part of our homes, our business, and our cars. Look at this Nokia N8 TV ad for some intriguing uses of technology and the ways in which we interact with technological objects.



Technology is a part of our worldwide cultural experience and connects us with family and friends. Technology educates and gives us glimpses of other countries and places we cannot visit in person. It opens new vistas for our imagination to explore and it puts us in contact with people outside our small group of acquiesces. Technology when used properly is our friend and makes our lives easier.

An Interesting day for Writing

I have to admit the only writing I accomplished today was blog entries. My morning consisted of one interruption after another. This afternoon, I had to take one of the cats to the Vet. The cat, Beauty, came into the living room meowing. She would not stop meowing even when I stroked her, so I knew something was wrong. I called the Vet and made an appointment for 2:00 PM and we took her into the office. The Vet checked her out and took care of the problem.

Beauty had a claw growing into her pads, so the Vet removed it. In addition, she had an ear infection. She is at home now, but I have to put ear drops in her ears every twenty-four hours. I am also going to have to keep an eye on her feet.

Mom was upset when we went to the Vet because she thought that Beauty would not be coming back home.  Mom is happy and sitting on the couch with Beauty, they are both dozing. There are some days when the only thing a writer accomplish is interruptions

I am looking for custom business cards

I am looking for custom business cards. I want a business card that is smooth, stylish and looks professional. I am looking for a company that has a large selection of business card templates sorted by category through which I can browse. I am a writer, so I want a business card that reflects my career choice. However, I want to browse through cards created for other businesses besides writing.

A stylish and professional looking business card is a work of art. It reflects both the business and the personality of the person using the card. I want a business card that reflects both my personality and my business.

I am looking for high quality business cards similar to law enforcement business cards because they look conservative and reveal the talent of the people creating the cards. I want to order business cards from a company that creates conservative and stylish professional looking business cards that are also works of art.

A business card is one of the first things potential customers encounter. It gives the customer an impression of the business and the person operating the business. Since first impressions are important and a business card creates that first impression, it needs to reflect both the type of business and the personality of the business owner.

An encounter with the Blue Screen of Death

This morning, I had an encounter with the Blue Screen of Death. I am not sure what caused the problem this time. I am never sure what causes the memory dump. It occurs without any warning, usually when I am in the middle of something. This is not my first encounter with this phenomenon, it is the first encounter this year. I know the problem has something to do with one of the device drivers. The question is "Which device driver?"

I am sure there must be a story or poem in his experience. I have not used the Blue Screen of Death in any short story, yet. I think a good working title is "The Blue Screen of Death".

September Magazine Reading List

My September magazine reading list is

1. September/October 2010 edition of Writers' Journal
2. September 2010 edition of Writer's Digest
3. October 2010 edition of The Writer

I am not sure which magazine I will begin with this afternoon. Each magazine has a number of articles I want to read. I will begin reading them on my lunch break today.

Looking for Coupons, using Coupons, sharing Coupons

Coupon

I took a five-hour mini vacation

On Thursday, September 9, 2010, I took a five-hour mini vacation. I went to a bookstore, where I bought three writers' magazines, a blank book, and a new mouse pad. After that, I completed some business, went to the grocery store, and then to a fast food restaurant.

Relaxed and happy
Driving across Las Vegas
Enjoyed the outing

Reboost with Boost Mobile

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Boost Mobile. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Boost Mobile allows you unlimited Facebook connectivity for a single monthly price.

Boost Mobile's Re-Boost lets you automatically add funds or make payments to your Boost Mobile account by registering your debit or credit card. Once you register your card payments are automatically made to your Boost Mobile account according to the plan you chose. Boost Mobile gives you a choice of per minute or per day plan and a monthly plan. In either case, your debit or credit card is automatically charged and money added to your account.

Boost Mobile has flexible payment options that allow you to make payment in-person, on-line, or by phone. If you want to pay in-person, it is easy to find a re-boost location closest to your home or business. You go to the Boost Mobile website, find the re-boost page and put in your zip code.

Boost Mobile has a dependable no contract nationwide network. The Blackberry unlimited monthly plan gives you unlimited talk, text, e-mail, web access, 411 and IM ability a single monthly price.

Thoughts on the changing season

Morning's chill foretells
The changing of nature's guard
The joy of autumn

An oak tree grows next door, its leaves always turn orange after the first freeze. In Las Vegas, the first freeze is three or four months so the oak tree will remain green for a long time. The early morning chill is the only indication that summer is on its way out. It doesn't get cold enough to wear a sweater, in fact the morning chill is pleasant because it means triple digit days are passing.

Happy Labor Day

On

Labor

Day a flag

celebrates a

workers’ holiday;

no letters delivered,

government offices, banks

and school are closed, while in parks

picnics are spread and children play games:

Happy Labor Day and a better year.

Etheree is a 10-line poem with the following syllable count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 can be reversed, doubled, tripled and so on.

Brainstorming the poem: My Sacred Place

Working Title: My Sacred Place

Sunday seems an appropriate day to begin writing this poem. The objects in my sacred place are (1) a string of 95 green prayer beads, (2) a Baha'i Prayer book, and (3) a nine-pointed star. The beads, which are clear, lay on a blond computer desk. The beads, the computer, and the modem are the only objects on top top of the desk. The beads rest on the desk between the computer monitor and the modem.

The prayer book is deep, dark red with gold letters and a gold flower on the over. The title of the prayer book is "Remembrance of God". This is a small, thick book, which contains both prayers and scripture readings. Attached to the book is a white, silk-like bookmark.

The nine-pointed star is a piece of purple string art resting on top of the fireplace. The fireplace, which is on the east side of the room, is white. The room is silent, calm and tranquil. (I am considering making this a form poem, but I have not decided on the form.)

Reviewing on writing.com

Monday is Labor Day, therefore, I'm spending the day reviewing on writing.com. I know Labor Day is supposed to be a day off work. I don't want to spend the day doing nothing, so I'm going to review stories, articles, and poems on writing.com.

I used to spend one day a month reviewing and no other writing. I want to get back into that habit, so I'm spending Labor Day reviewing. I think I will spend Sunday writing and doing housework. Then on Tuesday get back to my regular scheduled work until Thursday, the day I'm taking a five hour staycation.

Attempting to work a 40-hour week

I am attempting to work a 40-hour week. This would be easy if I worked outside the house; however, I work from home so a 40-hour workweek is a bit more difficult. I am my mother's caregiver, which means interruptions are part of the environment. My office, with my computer is in the living room as well as, the T.V.

I know I can work a 40-hour week; I just have to figure out a schedule. Today, I sit up the time sheet and then figured that I worked about 29 hours this week. Since today is Friday, I doubt I will make the 40-hour goal this week. The most I will work is 35 hours, but that is all right because I learned something that I can implement into next week's schedule.

I am no longer answering my landline because it takes too much time. The landline phone is in the breakfast room, so it takes time to get to the phone. The voice mail picks up after four rings so sometimes I do not get to the phone in time to answer. Answering the phone is not the main issue, but I have control over it.

Earn a Teaching degree on line from USC

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

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USC, an internationally renowned research institution, has over 100 years of experience educating teachers. The USC Rossier School of Education offers field based experience combined with interactive learning. This elite university offers scholarships and a tuition reimbursement program. Receive a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from USC and you become a member of the Trojan Family.

Check the MAT@USC program information to learn bout the Rossier School of Education’s innovative interactive online learning program and read the MAT@USC Student Blog to find out what actual students have to say about the program.

US News and World Report ranked the School of Education ninth among private universities. This is an opportunity to learn from instructors recognized for their contributions to modern education. In addition, USC online students participate in commencement ceremonies, as well as receiving free lifetime memberships in the USC Alumni Association.

Happy Birthday Writing.com

Writing.com is 10 years old this year. Writing.com is a good place to share your work. It is free to join, so join us and celebrate writing.com's 10th birthday.

Reading reviewing
A writing portfolio
Reviewing writing

I am looking for variety for my cats

I work at home and, therefore, I spend a lot of time with my cats. Since I started working at home, I have found that Beauty, Midnight, and Prince like different types of food. I feed them both dry and wet cat food not of the same day, but they get wet or canned cat food about once or twice a month.

When I buy cat food, I look for three things. First, is the company that makes the food a responsible corporate citizen? Second, does the cat food come in convenient and easy to open containers? I have arthritis in my hands, so opening a can of cat food is sometimes difficult. Third, can I save money when I buy the food without sacrificing taste? My cats are extremely particular about what they eat, if they do not like the smell or taste they will not eat the food.

I like to pamper my cats and I have found the best way to do that is to buy hem food that they enjoy eating. When I feed my cats, I watch them eat. I watch them eat because Beauty will let her brothers have her food. I know by the way that they eat if they enjoy the food. When Beauty, Midnight, and Prince like the canned food, they ask for more. They ask for more by meowing and rubbing against my ankles.

I cannot resist answering the telephone

I am a writer. I work at home. I have both a cell phone and a landline. I cannot resist answering the telephones when they ring. Therefore, I have to start unplugging and turning off the phones when I am working. I do not have to answer the phones because both of them have voice mail.

The only phone I have to turn off is the landline because that phone does not have caller ID. When my cell phone rings, I can look at the phone number to see if I need to answer. Since I am my mother's caregiver, I have enough interruptions when I am working without answering nonessential phone calls.

In the last two days, I have answered ten calls. Only three of those ten calls were important and two of those calls came to my cell phone. The other calls concerned politics or someone attempting to sell me something. My Grandmother taught me to answer the telephone whenever it ring, but I cannot do that any more. If I want to get any work accomplished, I am going to have to learn not to answer the phone.

Enhancing Accessibility and Mobility

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

NMEDA, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association, a non-profit trade association educates consumers concerning buying products from qualified merchants. NMEDA does not sell equipment rather it promotes safe driving equipment for people with disabilities. NMEDA requires its members to adhere to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety standards.

Being a caregiver is difficult because you are helping someone you love, someone who wants to be independent, with activities that person would rather perform for him or herself. A NMEDA qualified dealer can help restore independence to the disabled or elderly. NMEDA qualified dealers are also NMEDA members. These qualified dealers, after an "in-person" evaluation, can assist in finding the right customized driving solutions for an individual's lifestyle and needs.

NMEDA's Quality Assistance Program (QAP), a national accreditation program, is the only program recognized by the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. The basis of this program is the goal of constantly satisfying customers through a documented and systematic approach to quality.

Finding a NMEDA qualified dealer is easy. Go to the NMEDA website by clicking on the NMEDA link. Once at the website, click on "Locate a Dealer" and then type your zip code in the search box and click submit. The search returns a list of qualified NMEDA dealers with their brick and mortar address as well as their websites. You can also access driving directions. Going to a NMEDA for mobility equipment ensures that each person with a disability gets equipment specifically suited to his or her needs.

Thankful Thursday, September 2, 2010

Gratitude expressed
Unspoken joy at breakfast
Scrambled eggs bacon

I have eaten bacon and scrambled eggs in years. This morning I fixed bacon in the electric skillet and remembered Grandma Newland fixing bacon for breakfast. After the bacon was fried, Grandma placed it on a clean towel or sheet of paper towel that absorbed some of the grease.