The Inner Workings of a Brilliant Mind. (heh)

I was thinking today about how great it would be if there were some kind of futuristic invention that could help get the ideas from inside my head into a concrete form outside of my head. And then I remembered....oh, yeah. That's called "a blog."

But what I really meant is some kind of invention that would help me keep those thoughts organized and sorted and illustrated with images that would help convey my thoughts. And then I remembered....oh, yeah. That's called "Blogger."

But I really meant, more specifically, that I don't always have the right photos or drawing skills to use for those illustrations, and even if I did, the images I have in my head aren't always a REAL item, but rather some concept I picture with things that are smooshed together or altered or exist solely in my imagination! THAT'S what I need -- a futuristic invention that can instantly replicate those mental images! And then I remembered....oh, yeah. Those are called "Google Images" and "PhotoShop."

So I guess what I really meant is that I need something to make using all those nifty inventions just easier or more frequent. And then I remembered....oh, yeah. That's called "Motivation." (Or, actually, now that I think about it again, it is also sometimes called "AdSense"....though that wasn't really the type of motivation I was originally thinking about. Perhaps one day...)

Anyway, this brilliant brainstorming session really helped me see precisely what I need in order to get more posting done: Motivation & PhotoShop! I'm pretty sure I can pick those on ebay. Ebay's got everything!

I felt so much better after working out this solution to my writer's block...

And then I got to thinking, really, it's not so much "writer's block" as it is "writer's detour." I have plenty of material. I have a folder full of drafts that I simply haven't published. Yes, the ideas are plentiful, but the actual typing and explaining and proof-reading and fixing and making sense to other people get me all bogged down. It's like a long, bumpy, unpaved one-lane dirt road that is unpleasant enough to travel that you sometimes choose not to go even though you really like getting to the other side. (simile!) It's road construction that goes on and on and on, and every time you drive past the workers are taking donut breaks or gathering on the shoulder while leaning on their shovels and admiring their past progress and discussing how to proceed. (metaphor!) And then there are all those distractions along the side of the road. It's sitting down at the computer to drive type, but then reading interesting news headlines and then being sidetracked by daily blog reading and interesting links and then getting some more coffee and -- shoot! I'm still thinking about donuts and I need to get groceries anyway and I could pick up donuts while I'm at the store, and then while I'm out and about I go right past Target and I wonder if that mirror I've been looking at is on sale today?, and then its almost time for the kids to get home and woah where did the day go and now it's almost supper time and it feels so good to sit down and put my feet up for a minute and please hand me the the remote because I wonder what's on Bravo tonight and I'll just check real quick and how on earth did those women not know they were pregnant?? and what? -- it's bedtime already?! (literal!!)

And, hey! Speaking of metaphors & similes, I just had another flash of insight: ideas are like meteors! They're sometimes brilliant. and always fleeting and sudden and unexpected and if you blink you might miss them and if you don't get to the computer fast enough to write them down they just vanish into thi

For Everything Else, There's MasterCard.

6 doctor visit co-pays: $300
chest x-rays: $125
medications: $130
nebulizer rental: TBA

having everyone healthy again: priceless

Happy Easter!

Spring Break 2009

I think mine will, too. Eventually.

I know many of you are far away in some sunny location for Spring Break, but just in case you are near a computer, I wanted to send my greetings!

We're having a truly one-of-a-kind vacation this year. We didn't travel anywhere, but we are having an unbelievable week right here at home! I keep forgetting to pull out my camera, but I did just take a few quick photos to post here and help preserve the memories.

First of all, you'd never guess we're still just at home. I mean, the view is incredible. My jaw dropped to the floor when I looked out the window yesterday! It's astounding.

Sorry, daffodils. I didn't know. IT'S APRIL.

We've had LOTS of R & R, with plenty of lounging around.

They usually had comfy nests of blankets and pillows. Don't worry.

We scheduled a few things, but mainly kept the calendar wide open and flexible and even canceled some previous commitments.

Can you decipher my coding system? Also, notice the ENTIRE WEEK of no school that occurred BEFORE Spring Break ever even started?? We are very lucky; we got TWO weeks off!

I've been relaxing a lot, too -- in fact, I didn't even bother to buy groceries and I've barely even had to cook a meal so far!

I promise they will all be thoroughly Cloroxed before I serve you salad or popcorn.

We've had lots & lots of family time; my husband has been home all week so far, and said he might just take the rest of the week off, too!

He was very sick, too, with a miserably high fever that wouldn't register. Oh, and by the way, I was just thinking the other day how lucky it is that he's not the one who bore the children. And also how lucky it is that he never reads this blog.

Even though we haven't even left the house, we've seen some amazing attractions...

I like to seal them up tight and secure for our archaeologist friends to find. It will give the Michael Crichtons of the future something good to write about.

...and visited some incredible places.

I love you, HDTV. (Especially when you have back-to-back episodes of "I Didn't Even Know I Was Pregnant")

Yep, Spring Break 2009 is definitely proving to be a week to remember!

Hope you're having a memorable week, too, wherever you are!

Boy, I can't wait to see your pictures!!

A Google Giggle to Jump-Start Your Day!

I knew today was April Fool's Day. I mean, yesterday I looked up Family Fun's fake food of the year (fish sticks & peas) and rounded up the ingredients; I printed out some unsolvable puzzles for the kids to work on; I made a bag of CreativiTea (the Earl Gray Matter)...

...but I still had a moment of utter disgust when I read the announcement on my gmail sign-in page this morning. For just a moment, I believed. I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

(click to enlarge)

Then I remembered what day it was.

I clicked to read more about CADIE, and the prank got even funnier:


Really, you must go check out her website. And for further giggles, read some of the comments; they are funny in both directions -- from those who obviously caught on to the joke and responded in kind, and from those who...well, didn't. (Artificial intelligence, indeed!)

What a fun way to start the day -- thanks, gmail! You've inspired me to go do a few pranks of my own.

Happy Foolin', everyone!