I'm starting the second draft.  While I know writing is rewriting, the thought of tackling a new outline and rewriting hundreds of pages feels a bit overwhelming.

One of the fantastic women in my crit group wrote this to me.  It gives me hope.  It encourages me.  It makes me think I can do it.  

I love these women!

You have such a good voice that I know you will get published. Your plot is really taking form. Stick with it and keep going!

Me:  We need aluminum foil.

Fiance:  OK.  I'll pick some up.

Me:  You should get it at Costco. There's a coupon.

*fiance checks Costco coupon book*

Fiance:  There isn't a coupon.

Me:  There has to be.  I saw it.  Give that to me.

*I grab the Costco coupon book.  There is no coupon for aluminum foil.  I realize that I dreamed about seeing the coupon.  I get embarrassed.*

Me:  Oh.  Never mind.  Just pick some up.

*Me wondering why of all things in the universe I could be dreaming about, I am unconsciously choosing to dream about aluminum foil.

Also, in other countries, they spell it aluminium.*

"Near perfect." 

That's what she said about my latest effort.  "Near perfect."

It's high praise coming from another writer (I don't think I've ever used the phrase - I always find something wrong with what I'm asked to critique!).  But even higher praise coming from an editor at a major publishing house.

Definitely motivation to open my computer and keep me writing on this gloomy afternoon.  After all, why not aim for perfect, if you're already nearly there?!

2009 was a great year.  So far 2010 is going perfectly. 

Despite the last few posts, I haven't actually done any wedding planning lately.  I haven't even cracked open my "Wedding Planning for Dummies" book that my sister gave me for Christmas last year.

I have also not cracked open "Gardening for Dummies", given to me by BF.  I am also not going to think about why several people close to me feel compelled to give me "Dummy" books.

Anyway, even without a book, I have managed to grow mint.  I planted my mint plant with the sole purpose of making mojitos.

It's been a bit of a challenge.  The first mojito recipe was too sweet.  The second, the drink tasted kind of boring and was too much work (It involved boiling water, dissolving the sugar and then cooling the sugar water for 2 hours.  As if I can wait 2 hours for my cocktail!)  I think #3 is a charm.  A little sugar, a little tonic water and throw in some home grown mint:

Perhaps I will author Drinking for Dummies.  Or at least write an addendum to Gardening for Dummies to let people know that you don't need to grow a whole garden if you grow enough to make yourself a cocktail.

This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible.  And fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up.

I will not give up.

(Take that, second draft.  Take that.)

Yesterday, I thought I wanted to get married for beautiful pictures.

Today I have realized that I want to get married for another, more important reason.

Twinkly lights.

The balloon lights on the ceiling.  The twinkly lights around the edge.  I'm charmed!  Totally charmed!

I've been engaged for over a year now.  I haven't really been very interested in planning a wedding.  It seems like a lot of work, and a lot of money.

But then I see pictures like this and I think:  Maybe I do want to get married.

Is it weird to want to get married for pretty pictures? 

Because it's about the being MARRIED, right?  Not about a dress and dramatic photos?  Right?

I've been engaged for over a year now, and have done little to no wedding planning.  I just have a hard time focusing on the logistics or it all, and then get angry about how expensive it all is.

There are a few things that I've actually found that I care about.  One is wedding cake.  But that's really less about the wedding and more about the cake.  Pretty much I'll care about cake in any situation.

The thought of having a bunch of flowers that will die quickly has always made me kind of sad.  I was considering some sort of succulent for the tables, but still carrying flowers myself.  

Then I saw these - bouquets made of broaches.  They are so beautiful, so charming and so lovely.

I want, want, want. 

http://www.fantasyfloraldesigns.com/