Change is Good

Yesterday I felt like crap all day long – that’s why there was no entry yesterday! Some of you who know me, know that I go by a pseudonym when writing and in everyday life. I’m currently looking into changing my name legally to the name I go by. I plan to change it right after my divorce is official. I’m not really sure when that will be, but I hope I will land the funds soon and it can be done.

The List of Things To Do Today

I have listed all the things I need to get done today.

1. Vacuum the Floors
2. Clean under the sink (toss out everything that we don’t use)
3. Organize Kitchen Cabinets
4. Laundry – (Did some of it)
5. Send out Query to Dog Fancy Magazine – (Did it!)
6. Mop all Floors
7. Clean both Bathrooms
8. Clean up the backyard (remove the fencing around the garden)
9. Paint my toenails (did my fingernails yesterday)
10. Try to fix the Desktop Computer – (Couldn’t fix it)

Getting Down To Business

I really need to get down to business. Not just the list above, but with writing and making some real money. I have so many things piling up that need to be paid and kept up and just not making it. I just seem to be losing momentum here somehow. The ideas are here, they get put into print, I ask for quotes, I try to get everything in focus and in order, but then the artilce just never takes form. I post and read articles in magazines, I know what I want to do, what I want to say, what I want it to look like, sound like, feel like, be like – well you get the point. I refuse to give up though – I just somehow need to get some motivation somewhere.

Last night while I was laying in bed about to fall asleep I had so many ideas and basically wrote an entire article (in my head). I was just too tired to get up and get the pen and paper to jot it all down. This morning I woke up remembering that I had an idea, but couldn’t remember anything else about it. Not even the idea. I do that alot, or I’ll be in the shower (all the ideas appear while you’re in the shower) and by the time I get out, all of the ideas have faded away and I can’t remember any of them.

No More MySpace – FaceBook All the Way!

I’m going to quit using myspace all the way! There are just too many viruses on there. I checked my voice mail this morning and there was a message from one of my best friends (she lives in NY) and she said that her myspace account was destroyed along with the computer at her job. She was on myspace and somehow got tangled up with a trojan from the site. I refuse to use myspace any longer. My account is still open and running out of fear of getting a trojan in my laptop. That is the last thing I need. Then I definately will be getting no work completed. Our desktop computer is acting very weird lately. It comes on and only stays on for about 20 minutes then will shut down. We’re not sure what is wrong with it. Maybe I’ll add that as my #10 thing to do today on my list above. I doubt that I can fix it, but hey its worth a try, right?

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Let it Rain – Let it Pour

Today is a lucky day for the area around here! It’s pouring down rain! I love the rain and we are in such a great need of it. Our grass is brown and crunchy – not what grass should be.

So far today, not much has really gotten done around here other than the bed was made up, laundry was caught up, the dishes were loaded in the dishwasher, and a few emails were replied to and oh my Lord, I posted a ton on AW today. So yeah, I guess some did get done. I feel so tired today. It’s raining outside and I guess it’s just one of those days. You know, one of those “lazy” days.

Dieting Update:

My diet is going pretty well. I’ve lost 4 pounds. Of course it’s not just the dieting – I think it’s probably also the exercise. What type – I’ll never tell. 😉

This post may not be as long as the others over this last week. I feel drained. So far I have quite a few questions ready to present during my interview with Freekibble and can’t wait to get started on it. I do however want to have a few more questions just to make sure that I can make at least a 600 word article. I have been contemplating on whether to pitch my artilce idea else where since I would be giving up all my rights to this article as well as it is very low paying. I’m not sure I want to give up all my rights and that is more important at the moment than the money is. I’ll have it all figured out in a day or two… I hope.

I have also had a great idea for another blog that I would love to make a bit of cash from. I’m not really sure how I could do that, but maybe I can figure that out as well in my free time. Well, enough writing for now. I’m going to go relax and maybe post another later.

All Rights Reserved! © 2008 December M. Raynes

Awesome News

I just received an answer to one of my queries for I Love Cats magazine for the profile piece I wanted to do on Freekibble.com – she said:

 “One of my editors does these types of stories for I Love Cats. If you feel strongly enough about this project, I’ll pass it along to her. If you want to try to pitch the idea elsewhere, let me know and I won’t send it to her and I’ll delete it.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Allmendinger
Editor
I Love Cats”

I’m so excited, now to just be able complete it. Oh, I’m so excited. Woo! 🙂 Okay, I’m alright now.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Tuesday – A Brand New Day!

Today is a rainy day – I’m so happy! Well, my plans for today are as follows. Post for some quotes and information on AbsoluteWrite.com and I have received a lot of great feedback. I want to thank the ones who have posted responses to my post. Thank You! 

I have a lot of great ideas and watching the news last night just added a few more to my list. They won’t be full feature articles or anything of that such, but they will be quick tips, list, and filler articles. The easy of the easy, and a great way for me to start.

My list of things to do today isn’t really all that long.
1. Update my Blog (doing it now)
2. Delete/Organize the hundreds of emails (Completed)
3. Post more requests on AW (Completed)
4. Answer Emails (Completed)
5. Finish 2 Parenting Fillers (Half Completed)
6. Clean the Fridge (Completed)
7. Enjoy the Rain (Yay, finally it’s raining!)
8. Work on getting all of the info for my “Is There a Control Freak in Your Marriage” article. (Almost Done)
9. Start up another Filler on Parenting (Started)
10. Finish my “Being a Freelance Writer” article
11. Get the “FreeKibble.com” Profile article questions created
12. Query another magazine with my idea (Completed)
13. Update my FaceBook Profile (Completed)
14. Email Les Parrott, PhD back (Completed)

See 14 things aren’t that bad. Now it’s just getting them all done. So far I’ve posted quite a bit on AW, so maybe I can relax on that issue. Answering emails and getting my profile article in order is probably the most important right now.

Well I posted on AW and oh wow, I couldn’t believe the responses I got and the amount. It was awesome.

Below is an email I got from a dear friend of mine… Read, enjoy, and laugh your arse off!

Today is International Disturbed People’s Day

Please send an encouraging message to a disturbed friend… just as I’ve done.

I don’t care if you lick windows,
take the special bus
or occasionally pee on yourself..
You hang in there sunshine, you’re friggin’ special.

Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you’ll never get back.

Today’s Message of the Day is:

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

Send to all the people you love and don’t want to lose in 2008, even me.
If you get 3 back, you are a great friend.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Today – There’s a plan… I think!

The Plan

Well so far I think there is a plan for today. The key word there is “I think”. I have 5 article ideas that I’m working on. My “Control Freak”, “Potty Training”, “Freelance Writing”, “Freekibble.com” & “10 Questions for your Therapist”. I also have 4 query different query letters to get out today, some research, an outline or two, and a ton of interview questions to put together today for two articles. Pretty much I’m saying its going to be a very busy day for me.

Update:

Well as all plans go, some do not. This is basically what I call a “no go planning day“. Although some of my plans did get done, like for example – I made it to the grocery store and purchased all the needed items for our little cookout tonight. Chicken legs, corn, and beer. I also made it to the bank like I’ve been thinking about doing for a while now. I also organized a few of my quotes from experts for an upcoming article which I wanted to get done over the weekend – That didn’t happen. But finally things are a bit caught up. I also have the FreeKibble.com profile article to get working on as well. The good news is – Tomorrow is a new day and I can have a new plan.

Today I was cruising around online and looking thru some old journals I had on aol. I came across one from an old friend of mine. SlowMotionLife. I have not seen her online or heard from her in years. I often wonder where she is and what she is doing. She was a great inspiration to me way back when I needed it. I never got to thank her. I hope one day she’ll stumble back online and maybe drop me a line or two to let me know she’s alright.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

A Quiet Sunday Evening

Well today was a pretty good day. Nope I didn’t get any writing done today, but I did recieve two response to emails from interviewees. One was from Les Parrott, Ph.D – His newest book is out in your local book store or can be found online. Be sure to check it out. He so graciously answered a few questions I had for an article that I have been working on and sent out a few queries to potential markets in hopes (fingers crossed) that they will love my article idea and say “yes awesome, it’s all yours.” That is the email or phone call I’m waiting for.

I love how helpful everyone in the writing world as well as some of the experts in particular fields are. They are all willing to help out someone. It’s so great to see that.

My Diet

Well, so far so good. I still have kept the 2 pounds off, but I haven’t lost any more. It’s the weekend (I know I should really stick to my diet) but I have been eating a bit of junky type foods, but not in large amounts. Very small amounts – I don’t know, maybe that makes a difference. Tomorrow however, I’m back to rice, veggies, and fruits. I still tend to drink quite a bit of soda. I try not to, but sometimes that is all that really goes with certain foods.

Birds and Windows Do Not Mix

This little guy flew straight into our window this morning. He hit the ground and we thought he had a broken neck. He was twitching and on his back like he was about to die. I went out and cupped my hands around him and he jumped out of my hand. Then I picked him up again and he just sat there, stunned. We gave him some water and he just sat there drinking. Later on we put him on a low tree limb and he sat there. A few hours later he was gone. We’re not sure if he survived or not, but he was no where to be found. We have a lot of small birds fly into our windows and some don’t make it. We find their little bodies laying on the ground in front of the windows or on the sidewalk further away. I dont’ understand why they all keep flying into the window, but some say its because it shows the reflection of the sky and trees. I wish they wouldn’t fly into the windows though. I’m afraid that one day they’re going to break on of the windows. This doesn’t just happen in the summer time, but all year around. It’s kind of freaky when you think about it.

My day was pretty good over all. We went to my boyfriend’s Grandmothers 87th Birthday party, ate a great dinner, had some Yorkshire Puddings, cake, icecream, and played a game of Trivial Pursuit – I didn’t win. All around it was great. I had a lot of fun.

I didn’t get any writing done today, but at least I did get this blog entry completed so it counts as some writing along with posting on a few forums earlier this morning.

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe –
with Eggs, Plain Flour, Milk, Cold Water & Lard

Ingredients
2 Eggs
4 oz (125g) Plain Flour
1/4 Pint (150ml) Milk
1/4 Pint (150ml) Cold Water
Salt & Pepper
2 tbsp Lard or Dripping or Cooking Oil*

Directions
Pre-Heat the Oven to 425F (220C, Mark 7). Crack open the Eggs into a cup and mix well. Add the Milk and Water together in a jug. Sieve the Flour into a large bowl and season with a sprinkling of Salt & Pepper. Pour the Eggs into this and stir together well with a fork. Gradually pour in the Milk and Water and stir until you have a stiff batter. Beat or whisk well until you have no lumps **. Allow to rest for half an hour.

Slip the Lard or Dripping into a deep sided baking tin and place just this in the oven. Allow to heat up until visible smoking. Quickly, but carefully, take out and rest on the top of the oven. Pour in the Batter mixture. Place back into the oven and bake for around half an hour until the batter is puffed up, golden brown and crispy.

Serve immediately

Serves 4 as a side dish to a main meal.

Yorkshire Pudding – Notes

* Not the healthiest of ingredients, but Lard does have a higher smoking point than Vegetable Oil. This is important if you want a successful puffed up crispy Yorkshire Pudding. The hotter the fat is when the batter first hits it the better the end result. Once in a while won’t hurt, but alternatively use Vegetable, Groundnut or Sunflower Oil, but not Olive.

** If you have a hand blender place all of these ingredients in a jug and just wiz until thoroughly mixed. If you don’t then these instructions should help avoid lumpiness.

(This recipe comes from TheBrittishShoppe.com.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Why I Became a Freelance Writer…

This morning I was reading on the Absolutewrite.com forum and came across this question. Why did you become a freelance writer? Good Question and I posted my answer as follows.

I became a freelance writer because….

A very good friend (no longer a friend) told me I could never make money by writing on the internet. So of course, me being me – I had to prove him wrong. He had tried to do the same thing – write online content and failed, so in turn he told me it just wasn’t possible. You needed a degree and an agent. HA! Boy did I prove him wrong. I simply winged it. I landed my first keyword assignment (very low paying) but the amount of money wasn’t really the point, it was making money by writing for someone on the internet. After that I decided to do my research and soon started actually making quite a bit of money writing keyword articles and blogs posts.

Once I showed him my articles online and a few magazines I had been published in, he no longer wanted to be friends with me. I guess he really wasn’t a true friend to begin with. I didn’t mean to come across as being a rude *****, but when someone tells me I can’t do something, well my competitiveness kicks in and well, the race is on. And well folks, that is why I became a freelance writer.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Saturday Morning Bright and Early

Well, it’s the weekend and my hunny has went into to work for a few hours and I got up earlier than usual. Today I have quite a few things I want to get done. I’m sitting in my comfy place in the living room sipping on coffee (and enjoying it since I have no more creamer) and don’t feel like going out and picking any up right now.

My List
1- Finish my outline of my Parenting Article.
2- Find an expert and ask them a few questions.
3- Project hunt yet again.
4- Finish Jenna Glatzer’s book.
5- Read thru a few magazines and pick up a few parenting magazines at the store.
And thats about it I think other than maybe go shopping to pick up a few needed things. I guess I will just sit back and relax for most of the day along with trying to complete my 5 objectives I listed above.

My Articles

My parenting article is making some headway. Now to find an expert. I’m still waiting on a reply from the last expert on my “Control Freaks” article. He has not replied to my questions as of yet, but I know that he is probably very busy. I have so many article ideas to get in order and start querying to magazines and search for experts, info, and some quotes from some real day to day people.

Just a quick reflection of my life…

For some reason I just got a quick realization of my life. My life is well, good. I sit here looking over at my two cats laying in the window sill, and think about the man in life, my friends, and my career choice and of how supportive my man is of my career decision. I know he doesn’t like it one hundred percent, but he is still supportive.  I love him so much.

My Diet – Back on Track?

Breakfast: Eggo’s and coffee.
Lunch: Not really sure, but for Dinner we’re grilling out. I just received this in my email – Marinades Help Keep Grilled Meats Safe. We marinade all our meat that goes on the grill except for burgers, however I have a special way of making them. Take ground beef and place into bowl, add chopped yellow onions and a half of a cup of Bar-B-Q sauce. Mix together and form patties. Put them on the grill and cook til done. They are awesome.

Tonight we’re going to have Bar-B-Q chicken legs (I think).  This is a picture of the first Bar-B-Q chicken I ever cooked on the grill. We’ll have grilled corn on the cob to go with this as well and maybe some pasta salad. That is if it doesn’t rain. Looking outside at this moment it is dark, cloudy, and windy with the look and smell of rain on its way. I can’t really complain because we really do need the rain. Our grass is crunchy and brown and thirsting for moisture. A lot of people around where we live have their wells going dry so there is a great need of rain here in our area.

UPDATE: Okay so its the weekend. We didn’t cookout and my lunch wasn’t exactly the best thing to eat. It was a deep-fried chicken breast on way too much buttered toast with tons of mayo, lettuce, and tomato. And a side of tater tots. For dinner I had Pizza. I ate all the toppings off and the inside of the crust (my favorite part along with the pepperoni). Okay on Monday, I’ll start again although I did lose 2 pounds. I’m guessing I’ve gained it all back by now.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

I’m a BAD dieter – BAD BAD BAD!!!

Bad Dieter

Okay, it’s official, I’m a BAD dieter. I skipped breakfast yet again (2nd day in a row) and decided to chow down on fish sticks and steak fries. But on the upside, I weighed my self this morning and have lost 2 pounds & it’s a Friday, so why not eat the bad stuff, just for lunch, and have a salad for dinner?

Newest and Greatest!!! Voila, there it is!

New Article in the Works along with a Query Letter to Parenting Magazine. I’m so excited. I got this great idea and inspiration this morning while Googling “Adopting a Chinese Baby” and Voila! the idea took form and now its almost done. The article is nearly complete and I haven’t even sent out a query yet. I’m so psyched!

Today is my day off from writing on the Mon – Thurs projects so I am free to blog, search for new projects, and work on my queries and magazine articles. This weekend I have nothing planned, so there will be no rush on getting everything done today so I’ll have the weekend free. Which is a relief compared to other Fridays. I can take my time today, which is great.

Adoption

This morning I was searching online about adoption. Since it doesn’t seem that having a baby is in the cards for me, why not adopt. I googled “Adopting a Chinese baby” and came up with quite a few results. There are so many little Chinese girls that are in need of a loving home. Adoption is not a for certain thing, but it’s an option for us. We’re going to research, research, research as much as we can before we make a decision and who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky and get pregnant. 🙂

Does anyone have any great adoption stories from overseas or in this country? Please feel free to share.
© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

15 Minute Tacos – Courtesy of Montel Williams

15-Minute Turkey Tacos Everybody thinks it takes a long time to fix a healthy meal. Try doing it with your kids, and give them a job to do, like chopping up the lettuce and tomatoes. I have three words for you: basic, fast, and easy! Ingredients 1 pounds turkey, lean ground 1 packet(s) taco seasoning mix 2 cup(s) cheese, cheddar, low-fat, shredded 3 cup(s) lettuce, shredded 2 cup(s) tomato(es), chopped 4 taco shells (corn) 1 cup(s) salsa Preparation Brown the turkey in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoning according to the packet. Build your tacos—shell, turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sauce or salsa. Yum! More Info: Be sure to read package labels carefully! I buy only organic taco seasoning, so there aren’t any weird chemicals or extra sodium. And I look for taco brands without partially hydrogenated oils. About This Recipe Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins  Contains Dairy Nutrition Facts Number of servings:4 Amount Per Serving Calories:365 Total Fat:14 g Saturated Fat: 5 g Cholesterol:52 mg Sodium:1388 mg Carbohydrates:28 g Fiber:3 g Protein:31 g

Recipe From Living Well with Montel © 2008

What’s the Funniest Thing…

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever caught your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, or wife doing?

Well, mine was my boyfriend. It was shortly after I moved in with him, and he was cleaning out the refrigerator of the leftover beef stew. I had just got out of the shower and walked into the kitchen to find him shoving, cramming, and forcing, the beef stew down the drain – and not a garbage disposal drain. I couldn’t help but laugh at him when the trash can was only a few feet away. I know he probably doesn’t want me posting this on my blog, but no one knows me on here, and those who do, well, they’ve probably already heard the story and know who we are and the kooky things we do.

Another funny thing that he does – all the time – especially when he’s outside is he will be swatting at a bee or jumping around when he’s working on a car. When you’re a bystander and see this, it looks like he’s completely nuts. I only wish I had a video of it.

What is the funniest thing you have witnessed from your other half? – Drop me a comment about your funny thing.

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Finding a Comfy Place to Write

This is just a quick post I decided to post in between organizing a few things. Many writers can just sit at a desk and write. Others search for a place where they can be comfortable when they write. Others struggle to write because their writing areas are just not comfy enough. Well, today my mission was to create a great comfy place for me to write out my articles, queries, and blogs. I’m in an area where it isn’t private, but arranged in a way of where I can work, socialize, and be with my family all at the same time. If you are a writer who must have complete quiet with absolutely no distractions, then this is not the place for you to write.

I have the love seat with the matching ottoman. I put my feet up and sit back and relax while I write. I have the television and a huge picture window to look at if I get to the point of where I’m seeking some inspiration or just need a break. When I’m not writing in this particular spot, I write outside in the shade. I can get really creative out there as long as the bees and mosquitoes leave me alone.

Where is your special place to write? – Drop me a comment on your best place to get creative!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

It’s another day

Well, yesterday I got quite a bit done. The client I was discussing in a previous post paid and we have it all straightened out. No harm, no foul. Anyway, today I have been applying for various writing gigs online and also preparing my interview questions for my “control freak” article. There is so much more to get done and it seems there is just not enough time in the day to do everything.

I have a lot of new ideas floating around in my head for articles. Now I just need to get them out of my head an onto some paper so that I can get them organized and in order. I have a few parenting, animals, writing, relationships, and health. All great topics, now to get them in order.

The Diet Issue

My boyfriend and I both are on a diet now. Last night I made just enough food basically for one person, and we split it. This morning, he said he felt really good and wants to keep eating small amounts. He says he wants to lose a few pounds too. It is very true when you are happy and comfortable in a realtionship you tend to put on a few pounds. I know I definately have. But now the plan is to LOSE IT ALL!!!

Breakfast – Whoops missed it.

Lunch – Tuna on wheat and chips

And for dinner, I think we’re going to have Chili. Yum!

UPDATE:

This is an update on the kitten entry below. Two of the sweet little babies have found home. They went home with an old highschool buddy of mine. The one we were going to keep, well, he’s grown quite a bit. His name is Cooper.

 

     

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

First day of my Diet

Today is my first day of trying to lose about 20 pounds.
So far today I have had breakfast which consisted of Rice (with a bit of butter and sugar) and wheat toast with a bit of butter.
For Lunch I had 1/2 of a chicken salad sandwhich, a handful of chips (I know bad, bad, bad), and some grapes.

For Dinner I had a 1/2 cup of chicken, zuccinni, red & yellow pepper, and pasta mix with a side of garlic bread. And for dessert I had some grapes and a bit of popcorn.

I currently weigh – 1**! (Ha, you really thought I was going to write that! :))

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl

Just another day

Well, I got a few things done yesterday. I couldn’t beleive it. 

Yesterday I finally tracked down an experts name and email address with the help of bestest writing buddy in the world. I finished both of my queries although I have not sent them out yet though. I’m still waiting on a reply from him. I’m going to work on a few more article ideas today to query to particular magazines and hope for a response.

UPDATE: I just sent out 2 queries. One to Ladies Home Journal and the other to Self Magazine. I have 2 more to send out. One to Maxim Magazine and one to Redbook Magazine. Now the waiting game begins – Wish me luck!!!

© 2008 UpSideDownGrl