Websites, Word Counts, and Worries

  For Christmas the Charmed One gave me something a little out of the ordinary. This present brought a smile to my face, but with it also brought fear. To feel and deal with both of these emotions at once was a bit… weird. This gift involved me dealing with computers, and I don’t deal too well with computers. Yes, I can turn them on and get on the internet and play around. But when it comes to more technical I get heart palpitations and break out into a cold sweat. Needless to say I had to put on my big girl pants and deal with it, which I did. After just a few short weeks I’m happy to tell you that my gift was…

 http://kellyryanwatson.com/Home.html

  That’s right. The Charmed One bought me kellyryanwatson.com! Now, if you go there don’t laugh at how I put it together, I’m still learning. And, if you look at it on the phone I still need to work out some issues with the mobile page. Sorry. But it’s published!!! J

 So with that comes added pressure on my end to actually become published. I can’t think too much about putting the cart in front of the horse like I just did, otherwise I’d start having those panic issues again. I have one goal in mind, and won’t stop until that goal is met. Until then I will continue to reach out and try to get more followers onto the Kelly Ryan Watson bandwagon!

  Yes, the pressures to overcome my fears and build my own website were tough. I even spent an hour on the phone with my web server people trying to figure out why something wasn’t working right. It just must be that kind week. I’ve dealt with some stress over the past few days. One piece of stress was personal that altered the course of our ship. The other was a fun contest I entered.

  Now, the personal stress came Friday. Saturday, still feeling the sting of Friday’s news, I was in a 24 hour writing contest. This was the first time I had entered such a contest and was a tad bit nervous. At exactly one o’clock in the afternoon the people holding the contest emailed every participant with the subject that was to be written about, and word count. I knew it would be a short word count, but honestly I don’t think I’m good at real short stories. I have a hard time with a 4,000 word count short story. I opened my email and saw the subject, which just had to be touched upon, dealt with a flower. BINGO! The word count was 900 words. Yikes. And the people holding the contest emphasized a want for a happy ending. HELLO, that is one reason why I like writing and reading romance. It has to have a happy ending!

  Once I put into my head that many of my blogs are between 400-600 words I calmed down a little. After all, these are kind of like short stories I tell you every week, aren’t they? I researched the flower a little bit, put a couple of characters in my head, and started writing. A few hours later I emerged with an 895 word short story. Phew. I took the final steps and hit submit. Off my little story went, and I felt good. For about an hour. Then different thoughts ran through my head. Thoughts like… I should’ve added this, or I should’ve done that. Self doubt riddled me for the rest of the night, but upon further reflection I think I did good. We’ll see. I’m not holding my breath because I won’t find out results for about six weeks. Until then I’ll keep plugging away!

  Did you get a Christmas present that was out of the norm? How do you deal with stressful situations? What do you think of the website? Are you following me? Would you? Please? J

W.P.I.- The plant that we had to write about was a Galanthus nivalis, or  Common Snowdrop. They flower in early spring (March) and are about 4-6 inches tall. Generally they are used in rock gardens, planting beds, and woodland gardens. Snowdrops like full sun to part shade and live in planting zones 4-7. They will live in zone 3 if you mulch them! Aren’t they cute?

Cliché This

  At one time I wrote about some words that make me smile or giggle, such as lollygagging, or doohickey. There are plenty of them out there, but of course as soon as I sit down to write this they all up and disappear from my brain. That’s okay, because I’m not writing about certain words. I’m writing about certain phrases.

  The Charmed One has a knack for spouting out whacky phrases every now and then. Of course they stick in my brain for infinite periods of time. When the right time approaches for me to use them… I got nothing. So between the Charmed One and a couple of friends of mine I have stockpiled some. Let’s see if you get a little kick out of them like I do.

  One of my all time favorites is, “There’s an ass for every seat.” I had never thought about it until I heard it, now I see so many examples of where it works, and works well. Just today I saw an advertisement for a product called a ‘Toilet Tattoo.’ This is a product that looks like a decal that sticks to the top of your toilet seat. After researching it for two seconds they make all different ones for all different occasions! I just realized now how I put this under the ass for every seat cliché and the product actually involves ass seats! J

  “Don’t get in the weeds,” meaning stay on the topic. When you stray away from the topic you end up in the weeds. Personally, I hate weeds. They’re annoying, and pop up in all the wrong places.

  I was on the phone with one of my friends the other day when she started yelling, “Run for fun, run for fun!” I found myself with my brows lowered scratching my head. Now, my friend is a physical education teacher so that explains a lot right there. What I can’t explain is the fact that she was yelling this phrase to her little tiny Chihuahua…

  And for one final one, “I’ll beat you like a red-headed step child.” I can tell you that as a red head I actually didn’t hear that one until I was almost twenty years old. This is odd because I thought that I’d heard every red-headed saying there was. For the record I wasn’t beaten. Much! J  

  What is your favorite saying or cliché? Do you use them often, or know someone who does? Do you know of any red heads that were beaten? Do you know of any red heads whose parents had red hair? 

Line Em Up 2013

  I’m sitting at my desk looking out the window while I write this blurb I call my blog. After I’m done I will continue to write my current book, which is oh so close to being done. Afterwards I will move into the living room for some reading and television time. I admit most of it is reading time because there are not a lot of shows that keep my interest. Some do though. Some shows are good enough for me to actually pay attention to it.

  One such show is Castle. I absolutely love the writing, the characters, and the tempo. When the writer finally paired the main characters romantically I jumped for joy. The chemistry between the two begged for it, and they have done a great job of keeping them together but not making it the main storyline of every show.

I write romance! I have to love this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKKQifUKJ4

  Another show that makes me put my book down is Grey’s Anatomy. I have watched this show for years, and until this year I don’t recall needing tissues on hand for every single episode. How and why did that happen? But I am sentimental like that. The sappier the better for me! I have no clue what that says about me.

Taylor Kinney

  For singing shows I like the Voice and the X Factor. I cannot believe how many great singers there are in this country. I can’t hold a note say nothing about a tune! Up until this year I watched American Idol, but I am giving that one up. The judges this year just don’t do it for me. But that’s just me.

  I like the shows Revenge, Modern Family, Downtown Abbey, and Rizzoli and Isles. Oh, and I watch Chicago Fire. Okay, so maybe I watch Chicago Fire for Taylor Kinney. Is there really anything wrong with that? I mean, come on, the man is hot enough to start a fire by just looking at him! Okay, I’m moving on.

  Finally I am really looking forward to the return of Smash. It is one of those shows that really grabbed me and pulled me in. It isn’t your normal murder mystery or forensic science lawyerly blah blah. Smash is a musical drama highlighting Broadway. Honestly if anyone would have told me I would have liked that show I wouldn’t have believed them. The storyline just really isn’t my style. I gave it a chance though, and loved it! Again, it has a snarky man with an accent in it. We all know what that does to me!

  What shows make you put your books down? Do you like murder mysteries? Comedies? Drama’s? Do you watch any of the ones mentioned above? What book are you reading at the moment? Me? Jill Shalvis, Instant Gratification, and I love it.

W.P.I.- With the temperature being in the 60’s here this week it has me itching to get back in the garden. Yea, it’s probably a little too soon. It isn’t too soon to plant bare root trees and shrubs though. One could also put out cold season annuals to fill in empty spots. Even though it is January a warm up always creates things to do! 

Here's Your Sign

  The New Year has begun. Are you back to a normal schedule? Are you experiencing a holiday hangover? Honestly, I didn't really get into the Christmas spirit until we put the tree up. The other day we took it down and that is when that hungover feeling hit. Day by day that feeling seems to lessen. The normal day to day is creeping back in. With that being said I  am in the final stages of finishing book two. The end is in sight and it's kinda sad! I like these characters, and will hate to say goodbye. I am on a roll right now. The words are flowing like the movie that is playing inside my head. So, for this blog I will let the pictures do most of the talking. For once I'll let the pictures make you scratch your head instead of my words!

  It has been a while since I brought you wacky signs. In my searches I have found numerous ones that either made me smile or made my brow crinkle. For example:

  Then there is this...

???

  And this... This could be a sign found here in North Carolina. I swear the bugs are on steroids here.

  Of course it wouldn't be a cool sign blog without this one...

Check out those spurs!

    Then I found this one. Which I cannot explain at all.

  And then I thought I was done but this one popped out at me...

  And finally this one made me burst out laughing. I hope this doesn't happen a lot.

  Eek! I would hate it if a cow fell off a cliff. Much less it fell off of a cliff onto a car. How horrible!

  I hope you enjoyed these crazy signs. They are always one of my favorites to put together.

  Have you experienced any of these signs in real life? Does your state have bugs as big as that above? Do the police officers in your part of the world wear spurs?

  

Book Torture

The other day I finished a book on my Nook and decided to look over the hardcover and paperback books I have yet to read. Why? I have a small bookshelf that is heaping over with books that are to be read. Somewhere along the lines I decided to try and thin it out so we would have less to take when we move. Brilliant idea, right? NO. And let me tell you why.

  I follow various authors on Facebook or blogs and every now and then they will ask their followers whether they like to read via e-reader or old fashioned book. Most times I am astounded at the amount of people who still like to read real books. There is nothing wrong with that at all. As a matter of fact it makes me happy, but I am not one of those people.

  Why? Let me count the ways…

1.) I don’t have to leave the comfort of my own home to find a book I want to purchase, or wait for it to come after I ordered it on the internet.

2.) I can change the size of the font to ease my aging eyes.

3.) My hand doesn’t cramp while holding the book open.

4.) I don’t have to adjust my body into varying positions to read while trying to work said cramp out of my hand because every reader knows you can’t just put down a good book!

5.) I can adjust the back lighting to read anywhere, whether it be sunny or dark. I don’t have to worry about sitting next to a lamp.

And finally…

6.) I can read my Nook with my fingers in my ears to get maximum intensity out of the book and not be distracted by what is going on around me. Like a loud television… But that is another story all together.

  These are basically all the things I had to deal with while reading a paperback a couple of weeks ago. As a matter of fact, I found myself sitting in such a weird position my neck misaligned and a trip to the chiropractor was needed. Sheesh.

  Sadly I have quite a few to read yet, but I secretly sit and wonder if I just won’t buy them over again on the Nook just so I won’t have to torture my body. I’m sure that authors like James Patterson, Lisa Jackson, Robyn Carr, Sheryl Woods, and Luanne Rice won’t mind making a little extra money because I’m willing to double buy.

  I will admit that most of it is my fault because I hate breaking the spine or wrinkling any pages. Another of my quirks, I guess. Even my mom doesn’t like reading a regular book anymore. She’s an e-reader addict too!

  Here’s the best part. I really don’t know if I should tell you this or not, but… That paperback I read… I got about half way through and realized I had already read it. Sadly, I couldn’t remember how it ended so I continued my own torture and finished it. Honestly, it was Nora Roberts. Come on, any of hers is worth reading twice, right? Right?

  Do you prefer old fashioned or e-reader? Have you ever had to go to a doctor because of a book? Do you have any that I could add to my list? What is the last book you read twice? Who is your author of the moment?

W.P.I. - Did you know that poinsettias are not poisonous? One would have to eat pounds of them before they would get sick. Now that the holidays are behind us don’t just throw out your poinsettias. You can keep them alive throughout the year to provide pretty foliage to your home. If your thumb is really green you may even get it to re-bloom  There are many sites on the internet that explain how. I tend to stick to the collegiate ones for the best advice. 

Resolution Revolution

I can guarantee my neighbors are not dressed like this!

    The year is coming to an end as another lies in wait right around the corner. Are you excited? Or are you wishing that you could hold onto this one a little longer? Do you stay up and celebrate on New Year’s Eve? Or do you treat it just like any other night? Does the city or town where you live celebrate in any way? Do they drop their own ball? Do they shoot off fireworks? Am I full of questions today or what?

  Out here the towns really don’t do anything, but I believe that in Charlotte (North Carolina for those of you just stopping in for the first time) they do a mini version of New York City’s ball drop. Up here in Podunk I am blessed with cannon’s exploding. And I don’t mean just at midnight to scare the New Year back a decade either. These cannons are an all day thing. They start early in the morning as if they need a fourteen hour warm up to blast the New Year in in just the right way. Enough about life in Podunk though. I want to hear about you, and your traditions.

  Every year I watch and hear of people making resolutions. I hear the same ole… “I want to quit smoking,” or “I want to lose twenty pounds.” Morning shows like the ‘Today Show’ or ‘Good Morning America’ will run story after story about the best possible ways to lose weight, or to get in shape. They’ll run stories on how to quit smoking, or how to save money. Anything one might resolve to do they will cover it. And they’ll cover it to no end. A few weeks later they will also cover how many people gave up on their resolutions. So… Are you a believer in the resolutions? Do you make a vow to yourself or your loved ones that you are going to change a part of who you are?

  I don’t want anyone to misconstrue what I am about to say. If you are a resolution person that is fine and dandy. And good luck to you! I wish you nothing but the best. It’s just I am not a believer in the I-Will-Quit-Something-At-The-Stroke-Of-Midnight type. I am a believer in the You-Have-To-Have-The-Right-Mindset type. I am not a believer in doing something just because everyone else does. I believe in doing something when you are ready. If that day happens to fall on New Year’s, fine.

  Almost three years ago I quit smoking. I didn’t really want to, but I knew I had to. I didn’t try to make a resolution to do it. I knew chances were I might fail. Here’s the thing though. I put myself in the right mindset. I knew I had to be strong to overcome my addiction. I picked a day and went for it. I can’t help it that I picked July 4th, or Independence Day, here in the U.S. If I was going to do it and be successful I wanted to symbolize it in a way. Quirky much? Yes! But because I was strong, and focused on the positive, I overcame the hold that nicotine had on me. It made me a healthier person, and a mentally stronger person than I was before it. Even now when I think I can’t do something I focus on that one aspect and realize I can do just about anything I put my mind to.

  So if you are one that makes resolutions I just suggest that you have the right mindset first. Gear yourself to make the necessary changes that giving up a part of yourself entails. Prepare for obstacles, because there always seems to be some. And don’t ever give up. Be strong and remember even if you fail at first keep trying. If you let the negative into your mind you will never overcome your will to succeed.

  Wow. I did not mean for this rambling to turn into that. Honestly I just wanted it to be a Happy New Year, blah, blah, and good luck with your resolutions. Then suddenly I went waaaay off on another track. Should I go back and fix it? Nah.

  Happy New Year my peeps! I wish you all the best in upcoming year, and hope that this one is better than the last!

Do you believe in resolutions? Have you made any and kept them? What do you do to celebrate the New Year?        

Box It Up

So Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye. Did you have a houseful? Did you get what you wanted? Was your house full of wadded up wrapping paper that the dogs and cats batted around until you were sure there were pieces you wouldn’t find until next Christmas? Better yet, what happened with all those boxes?

  Why do I ask? Well, we are a family of repurposers. If there is a box around we will take it and stuff it away until the perfect sized object can be placed in it. This does mean it may sit and collect dust for… oh… ages. It also means that anything is fair game when it comes to gift giving occasions.

  Is it really a family thing? Yes. I thought it was just me, but then I realized my brother has a garage full of boxes. Now, is that an over exaggeration? Probably, but really I’m not far off. Sorry Doc (brother nickname.) Then I continued to realize it is an inherited thing when my mother told me a story about a Christmas gift. My soon to be niece-in-law opened a gift from my parents. The box revealed a wood moose that was an eye glass holder. My niece-to-be exclaimed, “I love it!” Sadly, my mother had to explain to her that her present inside the box was not what the box showed. Welcome to the family, Erin!

  So I was sort of relieved to find out it wasn’t just me. I come from a family of box hoarders. I do have to admit that it is nice to not really worry about a certain box size. It’s just trying to find it that’s hard! Sometimes there are boxes inside of boxes inside of boxes. B)

  Do you repurpose boxes? Does it run in your family? Is there anything else you repurpose? Like say…wrapping paper? Or tissue paper? Maybe that is a blog for another time! Or not. J

W.P.I. - Most corrugated boxes today are made from recycled paper. Recycling 1 ton of cardboard saves 9 cubic yards of landfill space and 46 gallons of oil. I think of my repurposing of boxes as recycling also. With efforts in recycling boxes and paper think of how many tree’s are being saved!