New Year's Eve

As the New Year approaches we all think about what we want to do to make the coming year better than the last. You know, those things called resolutions.

I don’t make those.

Why?

Well for one, I never stick to them. And two, I hate disappointing myself—I’m my worst critic. I have enough in my life to feel guilty over I don’t need one more thing added to the list. So for 2010 I know I’m going to TRY to adjust a few things.

Here is my list:

Work out a minimum of 3 days a week.

Just be happy or Don't sweat the small stuff
Stop smoking.
Send my books out (which also means finishing them).
Eat better—which means more veggies…blech (trust me I’m a carbivore)

Some of those things I’m going to try and accomplish scare the bajesus out of me, especially when I’m coming off of a dream where I gave up writing all together.

The thought doesn’t scare me as much as it should—which, scares me more.

It’s not that I don’t think my work is good, I do. Is it great…nope. And honestly that’s what bothers me. I’m a perfectionist, I feel as if I have to be the best I can be. Which in the scheme of writing can be completely detrimental to the craft, because in the scheme of things there is no right or wrong way to write—no way to BE perfect. This kills me and my O.C.D. So sometimes I think I might just be a “hobbyist” to writing, and others, it’s all I want. So as you can see this is my hardest goal for 2010.

All of these things come down to mind control, and I can tell you my mind is like Fort Knox, or a puppy with a squeaky toy. Once I make my mind up, it’s usually done. But if I decide to fight it—the same applies.

So what are you going to try to do to make 2010 better?

Oh and let me introduce you to a new member of the Kapkowski household: Maximus

XOXO
LKap

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I'm Full, I'm Tired, and I'm Happy

I'm hoping each of you had a wonderful Christmas and the memories are sweet and long lasting.

Science Guy, Golfer Dude, and I had a great day. I started cooking at 6:00AM. Yes, you read that right, it was six in the morning. I'd cooked a ham the night before, but still needed to cook a pumpkin pie and Chocolate Delight before I started working on the Christmas dinner.

Now mind you there were only three of us eating, but really what's a holiday dinner without all the trimmings. Suffice it to say we have tons of leftovers. But the day was great. We chilled, okay so SG and GD chilled, but I had fun making the food and spending time with the family.

The rest of our family lives in different towns and states so calls were made through out the day. We watched Christmas movies and ate. A lot. Way too much.

Thank goodness we have a week between Christmas and New Years because honestly we all need the rest.

I've done a little shopping for sales on holiday items, but everywhere I went it was completely crazy so I finally gave up. I'll get it next year if I really need it. :0

Oh yeah and I owe a couple of people some books. Really sorry about that. I thought I'd mailed them and then found the boxes with my other boxes (will we ever be truly moved in). So I promise to get them out to you this weekend.

Friday we'll be talking about goals. How we did and making new ones for the new year. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on making goals and checking them out. Kinda like Santa, got check them twice. :)

Hugs,
Vicki

Merry Christmas

Just like L, I can't believe Christmas day is almost here. This wasn't the normal Christmas season in our household. Normally I'm out shopping the day after Turkey day. This year? Not so much. Normally I'm wrapping and shipping gifts to family and friends. This year? Not so much. Normally (are picking up on a theme here), I'm baking goodies for coworker and neighbors. This year? Not so much. I've still done a little baking and bought a few small things for the kids (grown kids), just not like normal (there's that word again).

For anyone who knows me, they know that I love to do all of the above. Yes, I even love shopping during the holidays. Finding that perfect gift, the one that I know he/she is just going to love is even better than getting gifts myself.

This year it's been a wee bit different. The economy finally hit Science Guy's company, we bought a house, he was in the hospital, and well...we bought a house.

At first I had a hard time with not going out and spending the money, buying so many gifts for everyone. I had to finally accept that this Christmas would be different. Now before you say bless her heart or girl, really give it a break, check this out - the funniest thing happened. There I was sitting on my porch watching the reindeer's head turn from side to side and the twinkling of the lit presents under the three spiral trees and I felt peace, joy, and yes, happiness.

Don't think that I'm not hoping next year to be back to normal, but for me this year is all about family and friends. Those who are here in person and those who are my cyber friends. Each of you are amazing and I'm blessed beyond measure to know you.

This year I've taken time to watch the lights, listen to holiday music, and to watch holiday movies with my family. I'm not stressed with getting to the mailbox in time or if I remembered the gift receipt in case they need to exchange something.

My wish for you and yours is a blessed holiday season, filled with all the wonderful of the spirit and joy shared among friends.

Merry Christmas,

~Vicki

It's the Hap..Happiest Time of the Year....

NOT!

Okay so Scrooge is in the house. This time of year makes me crazy. The running, shopping, volunteering, the wrapping of presents and decorating the house.

Whew...Are you as tired as I am by just reading all that. And that didn't include cleaning the house before and after all the guests come and leave.

I have a friend that makes me listen to Christmas music whenever I'm around her and I have to admit it does help--a little. But this year has seemed to fly by me and I can't catch my breath.

I think the Scrooginess has been exasperated this year because princess is no longer a child--hasn't been in some time. But this year feels like the end of an era. And that would totally explain why I'm feeling a bit meloncholy this year. I never gave much thought to what would happen when the girl child grew up and what it would do to the holidays. Now I know and don't care for it one bit.

On a positive note--I have friends in from Italy and have gotten to spend some time with them over the past week. And for Christmas dinner we have decided to do un-traditional for our family: Lasagne is the main course. I'm very excited about having family and friends around, because I am thankful everyday for having them in my life.

I'll be over on Sasha White's blog on Saturday the 19th - come see me!!!

Not Writing....

I haven’t been writing as much as I should.

Yeah, yeah…bad Laurie.

Honestly I’m in the middle of a major re-write overhaul and it is totally kicking my ass. I’ve found out that I’m one of those people who has written “The End” so many times on this one book that soon it’s going to be in a burn barrel in the back yard.

This book was my baby. I love the characters. I love the plot. But none of it is working the way I want it to. And quite honestly—it’s boring.

Okay, that’s not totally honest. It’s boring to me. How often do you read a book, at minimum 50 or more times? NONE! Even if it’s your favorite book in the whole wide world. Well that’s where I’m at. It was an exciting story a year ago, now…well….

I’ve been busy though, and some of the conversations have really helped me get the gears in my head to start moving again. When I’m helping an author read their story by chapter to make sure it’s moving and working through a few plot problems– that’s helping me look at my work differently. I also wrote a blog (more on that around Dec 19th) for another author friend who is going on Holiday and that got me thinking about stuff. So technically I’m working—just not on my stuff.

But progress comes in different forms that we all need to learn from. It could be as simple as reading a favorite author. Helping another author. Talking with friends over coffee. Laughing, and that idea spurs and idea (which is how the novella I just finished came about). So I take every moment I’m not writing and look around for clues on what’s next.

How about you? How do you get the creative mojo working for you?

Pink Glove Dance

My sister sent this to me and I thought it was very cool. Here's a little background information on it that was in the email. I don't know the person, but she gets mad props IMHO for doing this and getting so many people in the hospital involved.

Our FRIEND'S daughter-in-law, Emily (MacInnes) Somers, created, directed and choreographed this in Portland , Oregon last week for her Medline glove division as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. This was all her idea to help promote their new pink gloves. I don't know how she got so many employees, doctors and patients to participate, but it started to really catch on and they all had a lot of fun doing it.
When the video gets 1 million hits, Medline will be making a huge contribution to the hospital, as well as offering free mammograms for the community. Please check it out. It's an easy and great way to donate to a wonderful cause, and who hasn't been touched by breast cancer?
Ann Somers

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Merry Christmas Yummy!! And Robin Kaye's Book Release Today

OMG, I almost forgot. Robin Kaye's book, Breakfast In Bed releases today!! So excited for this book. Check back this week as I'll have it on the blog.

Life is crazy right now and I promise to be back to normal blogging soon, but in the mean time I thought you might enjoy a little holiday cheer. :D




Hope this brought you a smile.

Hugs,
Vicki