WiWoDoNaNo

Dear Mom,

Every year on November 1st, writers from all over--at least those that choose to do so--participate in NaNoWriMo.  I've told you about it before... like, last November.  I participated in NaNoWriMo for the past two years and was on the fence about it this year.

So... I'm unofficially going to do NaNo, with my critique group (WWWPs - that stands for Wild Women Wielding Pens - that name came from the clever Sioux), and the other clever one, Tammy created our little unofficial official shield for Wi(ld)Wo(men)DoNaNo. Yes, the other two (Linda and Beth) are clever too. Yeah, me too. I guess that's why we all gel so well.

We'll be writing/rewriting whatever we feel like versus strictly fiction. This way we can ride the wave of NaNoWriMo! Woot! Woot! I learned about Woot! Woot! my first year doing NaNo. I'm not sure if it still exists, but I'm Woot! Wooting! anyway.

Good luck to everyone participating or not... just keep writing.

Stay tuned here for reports of my November daily writing... or in my case, rewriting.

And if you want to see a few photos of where I spent a day in MN, Kate at A Curious Endeavor shows it quite well.

No Fooling, I'm in Sasee

Dear Mom,

Since I've been in this critique group with Sioux, Linda, Tammy, and Beth, I've been feeling a little not-up-to-par with them as they all have been published in Sasee or Chicken Soup for the Soul and a ton of other places.

It does help that I submit my writing and that's what I've been making an effort to do. After reading Sasee's editorial calendar, I jotted down what I could write for the magazine and went to work.

I absolutely love to write. But of course there's a thrill to see something I've submitted get published. Some writers I know do the "Happy Dance" and I was no exception.

My article, We Don't Always Get What We Want, is in the April issue of Sasee. If you haven't been to Sasee, you should check it out. You'll also spot Linda's article, He Married Me Twice.

So I'm celebrating and feeling, well... quite Sasee! No fooling.

Hanging Out O'Christmas Tree

Dear Mom,

A friend Tammy posted: Hangin' with my Uglies--about Christmas ornaments--the cherished ones. I love homemade ornaments from kids... from anyone actually. I'm stealing Tammy's idea and posting my own ornaments, but I think I'll call it, Hanging with my Beauties...

Here's the oldest ornament I have. I was 17 and worked at Ben-Franklin in downtown Ferguson. A co-worker made this for me. I feel terrible because I can't remember her name now. I can picture her face though.

Next are various handmade ornaments from my children. Casey's hand is the base for this Santa:

Jessica's thumbprint made this design:

Rita created this with an upside down heart. The pom-pom stuck on one of the eyes cracks me up:

I'm not sure which kid made this one and I'm surprised it hasn't turned moldy. I don't know what is inside all those cloves:

The next two are more of Jessica's:

Rita was a little crafter way back. She sewed this Santa by hand. You should check out her site on Etsy or her Egabrag Crafts blog.

HO HO HO, Merry Christmas!