If my lack of posting is any indication, things are moving a little behind around here. I have a lot of things monopolizing my time like work and family. Okay, so I shouldn't begrudge the time family takes and I am thankful for my job, but I'm still having "balance" issues nonetheless.
I spent the month of October working on a new manuscript. One that just seemed to jump in front of me and annoy me, so I had to write it out to settle it down! It is a new direction for me, not YA, and I am enjoying trying something new.
So this dry run in October answered an important question for me. Should I try NANOWRIMO 2011? After getting about 19,000 words written in October and not wanting to stop and try a new MS--the answer was no. There's still a lot of "new" with this MS and if I were to participate in Nano according to the rules, I would need to start a new book.
Just not the "write" time for me this year! I am feeling a little left out when I see all the twitter and facebook posts about Nanowrimo, but maybe next year! And even thought I'm not participating, I am still writing.
Good luck to all who are attempting this marathon! Let us know in December how it turns out!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tumblr
I kept seeing people talking about Tumblr and I decided to try it out. It is like a blog, but seems to be more about pictures and images, so I don't have to think of all the words and stuff. For more frequent updates, inspiration, or just cool photos--come check it out.
Aimee's Window Tumblr
Aimee's Window Tumblr
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Hello!
Hello Everyone!
First, I want to say thanks. I received some very nice messages and phone calls as I dealt with the loss of my Nana. She died peacefully in the early morning hours of June 27th with my mom and my aunt by her side. The week of her funeral turned out to be an amazing time to see family, remember her spirit, and soak up the presence of my parents and remaining grandparents. Goodbyes are never easy, but I have to think about all the amazing things her life produced. Not only was she an amazing artist, whose works fill my house now, but she was just the sweetest woman who was loved by so many. I am happy to say that I have witnessed true love: It was watching my 92 year-old Paw-paw say good-bye to my Nana. They've been married for 63 years. How amazing that I got to witness and experience that!
I'm trying to get things back on track. We have traveled around, had some fun, and spent some money, but I am sad to say my summer is already winding down. Maybe the routine will help me get back on track.
So for now, I leave you with a gratuitous puppy pic from our recent travels. Just because!
First, I want to say thanks. I received some very nice messages and phone calls as I dealt with the loss of my Nana. She died peacefully in the early morning hours of June 27th with my mom and my aunt by her side. The week of her funeral turned out to be an amazing time to see family, remember her spirit, and soak up the presence of my parents and remaining grandparents. Goodbyes are never easy, but I have to think about all the amazing things her life produced. Not only was she an amazing artist, whose works fill my house now, but she was just the sweetest woman who was loved by so many. I am happy to say that I have witnessed true love: It was watching my 92 year-old Paw-paw say good-bye to my Nana. They've been married for 63 years. How amazing that I got to witness and experience that!
I'm trying to get things back on track. We have traveled around, had some fun, and spent some money, but I am sad to say my summer is already winding down. Maybe the routine will help me get back on track.
So for now, I leave you with a gratuitous puppy pic from our recent travels. Just because!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Life on Hold
Just when I thought I might be developing a solid plan for my blog, life takes over.
My grandma (I call her Nana) has been battling Alzheimer's for years. She is so strong and creative, it has been heartbreaking to watch her decline. But the biggest heartbreak is on it's way. She developed a "pressure ulcer" or bedsore a while back, and in one of her rare moments of communication, asked that there be no more hospitals. So they are letting it run its course and infection has set in. She took a turn for the worse last weekend, and they placed her in Hospice care on Monday. I've spent all week bracing and preparing for that dreaded call.
So instead of blogging this week (and in the weeks to come), I am spending time with my kids and husband, calling my mom, looking through old pictures, reading family cookbooks, and journeying back and forth between home and hospitals. I am finding peace day by day as I honor this amazing woman.
That's my Nana in the pink, helping my son break into his candy stash at Easter. The beautiful woman in blue is my other grandmother, Meemaw.
I hope you will bear with me while I "unplug" for a bit. My Nana loved the internet and had she not faded so much in the last few years, I am sure she would have loved reading all these blogs and Facebook statuses. Still, I feel it only proper to honor her in these last few days by spending time with the people she loved most.
My grandma (I call her Nana) has been battling Alzheimer's for years. She is so strong and creative, it has been heartbreaking to watch her decline. But the biggest heartbreak is on it's way. She developed a "pressure ulcer" or bedsore a while back, and in one of her rare moments of communication, asked that there be no more hospitals. So they are letting it run its course and infection has set in. She took a turn for the worse last weekend, and they placed her in Hospice care on Monday. I've spent all week bracing and preparing for that dreaded call.
So instead of blogging this week (and in the weeks to come), I am spending time with my kids and husband, calling my mom, looking through old pictures, reading family cookbooks, and journeying back and forth between home and hospitals. I am finding peace day by day as I honor this amazing woman.
That's my Nana in the pink, helping my son break into his candy stash at Easter. The beautiful woman in blue is my other grandmother, Meemaw.
I hope you will bear with me while I "unplug" for a bit. My Nana loved the internet and had she not faded so much in the last few years, I am sure she would have loved reading all these blogs and Facebook statuses. Still, I feel it only proper to honor her in these last few days by spending time with the people she loved most.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Recipe Roundup
I thought I would share one of my husband's favorite meals. This is a great potluck meal and it freezes really well.
Green Chile Casserole
1-2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can green chilies, chopped
1 small can evaporated milk
1 pound cheddar cheese
1 package flour tortillas
Tear tortillas into pieces. Brown meat and onion together. Add soups, green chilies and milk. Mix well. Layer tortillas, meat mixture, cheese two times in a 9 x13 or casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven until bubbly.
Green Chile Casserole
1-2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can green chilies, chopped
1 small can evaporated milk
1 pound cheddar cheese
1 package flour tortillas
Tear tortillas into pieces. Brown meat and onion together. Add soups, green chilies and milk. Mix well. Layer tortillas, meat mixture, cheese two times in a 9 x13 or casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven until bubbly.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Small Town Life
I grew up in a small town and I live in a relatively small town now. City-dwellers would definitely call my town "small", but compared to where I grew up, it is a veritable metropolis. And by that, we mean that is has a Wal-Mart and a movie theater.
So why small town life? I don't know. It's just me. I like knowing who people are, and I like knowing who their parents were and what their family is like. I like that it only takes 15 minutes to run to the grocery store. I could keep going on, but I just sound like the "Green Acres" theme song.
In this small town life, there are a few staples or even rites of passage. We got to enjoy one of these last week as we celebrated our little town festival. And every good festival or event needs a parade. I love small town parades. It is like the best (and sometimes worst) of a community on display.
During that parade, I had the privilege of watching a float of veterans roll down the street just behind those flags. I hate being mushy in public, but I had to choke back a little emotion as they made their way by. When they passed, the crowds that lined the streets took a moment to realize just who it was sitting on that float. Several of the men had to have been World War II vets based on their ages. They waved their feeble hands and tipped their Army hats at the crowd. We stood and clapped, then the cheer began to roar down the street. It moved me to see the people who lined the streets to stand and clap and cheer for these men who have made such a difference in our world. I know this moment isn't just specific to small town life, but it still makes me proud.
On another note, we are "celebrating" another rite of passage this weekend for small town life: A garage sale. I hate them, but they are kind of necessary evil in our house!
Have a great weekend!
So why small town life? I don't know. It's just me. I like knowing who people are, and I like knowing who their parents were and what their family is like. I like that it only takes 15 minutes to run to the grocery store. I could keep going on, but I just sound like the "Green Acres" theme song.
In this small town life, there are a few staples or even rites of passage. We got to enjoy one of these last week as we celebrated our little town festival. And every good festival or event needs a parade. I love small town parades. It is like the best (and sometimes worst) of a community on display.
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During that parade, I had the privilege of watching a float of veterans roll down the street just behind those flags. I hate being mushy in public, but I had to choke back a little emotion as they made their way by. When they passed, the crowds that lined the streets took a moment to realize just who it was sitting on that float. Several of the men had to have been World War II vets based on their ages. They waved their feeble hands and tipped their Army hats at the crowd. We stood and clapped, then the cheer began to roar down the street. It moved me to see the people who lined the streets to stand and clap and cheer for these men who have made such a difference in our world. I know this moment isn't just specific to small town life, but it still makes me proud.
On another note, we are "celebrating" another rite of passage this weekend for small town life: A garage sale. I hate them, but they are kind of necessary evil in our house!
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
"Hotternhell"
This was the thermometer on our back porch on Sunday, June 12, 2011. The sun was shining on it, so that elevated the temp a little, but geez, that's hot!
That's how we say it in Texas--"It's Hotternhell"(Hotter than hell!)
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