Out With the Old, in With the New

Swim season is officially over. At times I thought we weren't going to make it to the end, but we held fast and trudged our way through. Above is a pic of my kiddos at their award party. My eight year old received a Coach's Choice award for 'Most Improved Swimmer' and a neat towel embroidered with her name, a dolphin, and 'State Swimmer'.  It was a proud moment! But whew, what a grueling sport! I NEVER want to go through that again, and the kids feel the same way. You can read about our swimming adventures here and here, if you like. So, with lazy summer drawing to a close and school back in session, I'm thinking I need to make some drastic changes around here.

I have to admit that all summer long I've had this disjointed feeling. Like I'm floating around with no real sense of purpose, unable to get any one thing done. Sort of like when you go to the grocery store without a list. Your intention is to purchase milk and bread, but the second you enter the store you're overwhelmed and distracted by the bright shiny things lining the aisles. And then you end up walking out with beer and gum. It isn't until your hubby goes to make a sandwich later and can't find any bread that you realize you didn't actually accomplish what you'd set out do.

Well that's my life as a writer. I have a million and one things to do and I'm so completely overwhelmed that I can't begin to tackle the load.

Lately I've noticed some of my awesome blogging pals making lists, and then implementing a plan to get it done. I need that! From past experience, I know that I get more done with a list, and I perform better whilst under the gun.

I think it might be best if I tackle one thing at a time--don't want to get so frustrated that I quit before I get started. My most pressing project right now is polishing BOUND (my MS) to the point I'm content enough to set it free. I know I'll never actually be happy, there's always something that can be improved upon--but I am willing to settle on content. So my deadline is 2 weeks, people! Two weeks to get my a** in gear and I'm hoping you all will hold me accountable! See? I wrote it here, now I have to stick to it, no excuses, period.

Also, on a fun note, Prerna Pickett over at The Sands of Writing has honored me with a few awards. I sure do love awards! Prerna describes herself as a "little Indian woman who thinks of herself as a girl"--see how cute she is? She's survived a crazy monkey attack, writes YA and is the coolest chick! If you haven't already met her, you should head over to her blog asap!

Thank you, Prerna!!!

So the deal here is that I'm supposed to share seven things about myself and then pass these awards to five more bloggy friends. Five? Shah, right!

1) Unfortunately I don't have anything near as cool as a monkey attack to reveal, and I certainly don't hang with movie stars--although I did work with Kirstie Alley's niece while I was in college. Does that count? Kirstie used to come into the restaurant and have her niece wait on her. Hmmm, yeah, not as cool as Leonardo DiCaprio.

2) In a way I'm like Rumpelstiltskin (but don't worry, I don't want your first born, my four are plenty)-- the only person in the world with my name at the moment. (hence the alias)

3) When I was fourteen I crashed out in a youth hostile in Paris with some girl I'd never met before. (I got the top bunk--I rock) My parents sure were trusting, I don't even let my kids play up the street if I can't see them, let alone go to another country without me.

4) Ever since I was little, I've always checked my shoes and the bed for spiders and other little critters before using them. My hubby thinks this is weird. But I think he's the weird one! Who wants to sleep with uninvited guests?

5) I hate mayonnaise, ketchup, and a good many other condiments, now that I think about it.

6) I'm a total klutz. I tripped over a divot in my front yard and actually had to have my ankle scoped as a result. True story!

7) Come on! This is sooo freaking hard! One more, one more...ugh...well, growing up, I wanted to be a vet, a doctor or a scientist--I hated writing with a passion and would have rather shaved my head than come up with a term paper.

Wow! I had to seriously dig deep for those random factoids. Now then, the question of who to pass these awards on to. This part has me completely stumped. How do you pick only five when you have scores of people you think are deserving. I don't want to say "Feel free to take the award" because, let's face it, no one ever does.

I want you to have these awards, no, don't look over your shoulder, I'm talking to YOU! If you've made it to the bottom of this post, you are sweet and oh so deserving of them, (and probably a few Excederin to boot). So here's my own 'Lindy Juiced Up Rules' and you Must follow them (please).

1. Copy and paste the awards onto your blog post
2. Jot down seven ridiculous things about yourself--come on, we all want to know more about you!
3. Pass on the awards to your deserving friends!

I'll be coming by to check-- and you wouldn't want to hurt my feelings would you?