Things I learned from NaBloPoMo

Well it's over, after a month of having daily blog posts hanging over my head like an unrelenting Sword of Demacles at last I can relax. I was going to treat myself to a day off today but I decided that bloggers all over the world are probably doing that and I hate to be predictable.

So what did I learn? Couple of things actually.

1. I don't like the pressure. It's one thing to write a daily blog post because you want to, it's a totally different thing to feel you have to. Didn't like that. At all.
   
2. There are actually more important things than blogging (didn't know that did you?) yes, it's true!
   
3. (I know I said a 'couple' but I just thought of another) it is quite difficult to explain to people a) why you're doing NaBloPoMo and b) why you are determined to keep doing it even when you don't want to. They just don't get it and you know why they don't get it? Because they understand point two.
   

I actually found it quite difficult, it didn't help that I am very busy at the moment so it was always a case of finding some time to fit it in and there were a few occasions I was writing a post and feeling guilty because I wasn't doing something else I was meant to be doing. Now that is just silly.

So it's back to business as usual, I'll very likely be here most days, but not if I'm too busy or don't have anything to say. We'll be away for Christmas too and the beach house doesn't even have a phone, never mind an internet connection so there won't be any posts that week.

I won't be doing NaBloPoMo again.

Two reasons to celebrate....

....the first and most obvious is that I have completed NaBloPoMo!! Huzzah!!

It is also St Andrew's Day (he is the patron saint of Scotland) and Scotland's National Day. We shall celebrate by holding a Ceilidh, having a wee dram and eating a big plate of haggis. Not really. I have no haggis unfortunately.

Of course just as Christmas is not about presents but about Jesus, St Andrew's Day is not just about Scotland. It's about this man and it would be wrong not to acknowledge that.

3 posts to go....

....after this one that is...until the end of NaBloPoMo. I think I'm going to make it!

I haven't got much to report today, I had a big fight with Wordpress with whom I am trying to start a relationship. It was so good in the beginning, I was full of hope that things would work out between us. Sadly, today our future does not look bright. Wordpress was full of potential but he's (it is male I'm sure of it) a bit too high maintenance for someone of my limited web design and HTML skills (not to mention patience). Why can't they make changing things on it as easy as it is on the Wordpress.com blogs? I didn't think I was asking too much, my needs are simple, but it seems it is not to be. So I think it's over. I'm trying not to be bitter.

Not much else happening, tomorrow is busy, the girls are in the local Christmas pageant with their school and my in-laws are arriving for a short visit. It will be a busy day. I'd better post early, I'd hate to miss one at this late stage.

What was I thinking?

I have to say it....I'm over NaBloPoMo....over it!!!! Clearly I am not a daily posting kind of girl, I'm a nearly every day...or most days....or the days I actually have something to say kind of girl. It seems ridiculous to post when I actually have to sit and think of something to say or just say something pointless to fill the page! I'm busy and it's annoying me and I have a headache and I have to stop the work I'm doing right now and go and cook dinner and I don't want to because I have to finish this work and I really need to keep going (but oh guess what? I also have a bloody blog post to write!).

But I'm also a stubborn kind of girl and I will not be beaten by this.

End of rant.

In other news Aislin went back to school today, there was some conferencing with her teacher and the school principle and some little adjustments had to be made to allow for her giant foot but it all worked out and she was happy to get back and frankly I was happy to see her happy....because I know she has been bored at home and she hasn't complained once. In fact the only time she said something about being incapacitated (not a complaint, just a comment) she followed it up with 'but it's my own fault for jumping off the chair' and I, nor anyone else, had actually said that to her so she worked it out for herself. However, she is only five and five year olds don't always understand about consequences do they? At least not until it's too late.

Hopefully I'll be in a better mood tomorrow...see there's the other problem with this...in normal circumstances if I'm grumpy or stressed or tired or busy or likely to say something I'll regret I just don't post....but with NaBloPoMo there is no such opportunity for restraint!

And it's goodnight from me.

It's not Sunday yet

By my reckoning I still have 3 hours and 10 minutes to get this post in without ruining my NaBloPoMo credibility.

Well. We went. I have been up since 4.45, it's been a long day and I'm exhausted - seriously, it has been non-stop. I've just (finally) put the girls to bed, I read them a story each and Aislin was asleep in about 45 seconds flat. Then I tidied the kitchen and loaded the dinner dishes into the dishwasher. I was just about to have a well deserved glass of wine and a mince pie (yes, I know mince pies in November, it's obscene) and put my feet up when I thought 'Holy crap I still have to do an effing blog post' 'oh! I must remember to do a blog post'.

So here I am.

Did I mention it's been a long day? Yeah, thought so.

So the Pageant. We got there at 6.15 and still didn't get a front row seat. However we did get a second row position and we had some very nice and considerate people in front of us who were actually aware that they weren't the only people that wanted to see it (unlike other years) so didn't block the childrens' view or wear big hats or erect 5 room tents right in front of us (hey, it could happen!).

I have things to report but not tonight, I'm making lots of typos and keep having to rewrite incoherent sentences ('what's new?' you cry). So tomorrow I shall write a lengthy report on today's events.

Here's a teaser....

Oh and in case you're wondering, yes there were a few clown moments. Only one ended in tears (yes, mine....I'm not proud of being a big baby) but am I the only person that can see these unholy abominations for what they truly are....you look me in the eye and tell me this thing isn't on the attack......{{shudder}}....

I'm going to have nightmares about this one tonight. And I'm home alone.....eeep!

Oh God is it only day 6? and 'on my desk' (late)

Still here...no raids but I'm pretty sure some notes have been added to my already bulging ASIO file.

Well I'm loving this NaBloPoMo...ahem...nothing gets a girl through the day like the irritating, nagging, little thought that you haven't done today's post yet (I blame you for this Cathy). In my 'excitement' yesterday (wow! sarcasm twice already) I forgot all about On My Desk Wednesday!! What an oversight! The only guaranteed blog fodder I have all week and I forgot about it!

Here it is.

On my desk today I have... Mini Sharpies...I'm a stationery addict and these feed my habit....

....a magnifying glass......because I HATE wearing my reading glasses and want to pretend I don't need them.....

....and an Alumni membership card.

Ooh, this is like a game isn't it? Like those I spy books. 'What does this all mean?' I hear you ask. What strange project is she undertaking that requires these items?

Yeah, well sorry....nothing. They have no relevance except that they have been used sometime in the past week and no-one has put them away. Because the truth is that on my desk today there is no work, there are no projects and nothing of the remotest interest to anyone. Sorry.

This is an insult to the great institution that is 'On My Desk'. and will go down in history as the lamest post of my blogging career.

Which reminds me, speaking of careers...I'm a bit disappointed that there haven't been more suggestions for my future. Dave came up with a marvelous idea that I should become a navigator on a starship. This appealed to me enormously (I love Sci Fi) but in the end I just can't do the tight spacesuit I'm afraid.

So come on, what else is there...there will be prizes....ok, there won't be prizes but I need all the help I can get.

Outside

We didn't end up going for a walk yesterday, just pottered about in our garden instead which is even better really. Lots of activity out there at moment, things are growing and flowering and generally showing off.

Pretty no? The light was bad so the colours didn't photograph well, but you get the idea. Don't you?

Today I am finishing some work I have to do (shouldn't take long) and then I may get on with some sewing. I'm not making much progress because I've had other priorities but if I'm productive this morning I may manage a couple of hours this afternoon.

I may also spend some time contemplating my future. The current options no longer please me. If you have any suggestions I'd be glad to hear them.

NaBloPoMo

Well it's NaBloPoMo again and this year I'm participating. I don't know if that is a particularly spectacular announcement because I've been posting just about every day lately anyway. However, I'm committed and this month will go from just about every day to every single day. I was reminded of this annual event by Cathy and I love a bandwagon so I had no hesitation on jumping on this one. I'd sort of intended to do it last year but (conveniently) forgot. So this year it is.

It will be interesting to see how many posts I will actually fill with nonsense about participating in NaBloPoMo. I'll try not to do that. Honest.

Today dawned dark and gloomy. There was a thunder storm this morning and intermittent rain since then (God, I'm even starting to sound like a weather girl). It has not been a day for going outside really and it was the same yesterday so everyone has a touch of cabin fever and we are all, frankly, a bit crabby. It doesn't help that I'm still feeling the after effects of last week's migraine. Inspired by Z I am going to stock up on migraine relief just in case...it may be years before I have another so I guess I'd better watch the 'use by' dates.

I'm spending a lot of time today on stand by near the computer waiting for updates on the latest addition to the family. No, no more babies...not human ones anyway. My sister has a new kitten, a lovely little part Bengal girl...I won't give any more details as I don't think the name is confirmed yet and it's really not my news to give, but if my sister grants permission I will post a photo soon.

I think I might go and suggest to Tom and the girls that we take a walk. None of us really mind walking in rainy weather (in fact I love it) and it might be good to get out for a while (and will give me some fodder for tomorrow's post).