National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo

So, I started it tonight. I only have 1300-ish out of 50,000 words written so far, but I'm gonna do it.

This is going to be quite a struggle for me, as the topic I've chosen is my brother, Scott. A lot of the individual memories and information will be fiction because I can't remember anything anymore - getting old. :( But, the story is based on real life. It is based on my relationship with my brother, his relationship and addiction to food, and all of our struggles throughout the years.

I am thanking everyone in advance for your support and encouragement through this process. I know it is going to be a very emotional month for me, but the end goal is to get someone to see my story and help Scott. Otherwise, we will all lose him before too long, and I just can't bear to think of that.

There's a link here - on the left somewhere - if you would like to follow along with the story.

To Write a Book, Or Not...

Today is November 1st, 2009. This is the day that NaNoWriMo starts, and it's on my "32 Things" list. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. Every November, for 30 days, people go crazy trying to write a book in one month. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days or less. What this means is, every day, one participating in this event should write about 5-6 pages of a book each day.

I really want to accomplish this feat.

The trouble is, I don't have a story. A book needs to have a plot - a beginning, middle, and end. And some good stuff in between. I think it's supposed to be fictional, so I can't write about my own life. Plus, my life has a beginning, but I'm still in the middle, and how am I supposed to know how it's gonna end?

I actually attempted NaNoWriMo a couple years ago. I was in Newport, Oregon, living with my Mom for a few months, saving money and getting ready to move to Vegas. A strange and unfortunate condition took over my body for 6 solid weeks. As a result of a mis-diagnosis and mistreatment by the Newport Hospital Emergency doctors, I was covered in hives from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. It was a miserable experience. I never slept more than an hour and a half each day. I took between 10 and 80 pills a day to try and remedy my affliction. I was in constant, excruciating pain. My kidneys and liver were failing. And I was in a true state of delirium most of the time. So, I decided to write a book.

I think I got to about 12000 words or so, but it was mostly ramblings. But, it was one of the only happy things I can remember from that time. Hives and kidney failure weren't going to keep me down.

Now, I am in Vegas. My life, and body, are hive-free. I am experiencing lots of happy things. I am actually writing quite often. I'm much more prepared for NaNoWriMo this time around. But I still don't have a story.

I guess I better find one, 'cause time's a-waistin'.

32 Things - A Reminder

Well, as my brain's swirling with all things "pumpkin bread", I have lost sight of my "32 Things" list a bit. I did attempt some stretches the other day, but no exercise lol - unless you call walking to the apartment office to mail pumpkin bread exercise lol. I haven't been on any dates. I haven't seen a movie or taken any photographs. Apparently, I'm just a big slacker! But I've still got a little under 9 months to get it all done - and this pumpkin bread stuff is just way too fun!

Anyway, as a reminder to myself, and perhaps to everyone else (who can help me keep on track), I am reposting my original "32 Things" blog today:


Recently, my Mom turned 60 years old. We talked about starting a blog and I suggested she write a list of 60 things she wanted to do as a 60-year-old. I took my own advice and made a list of 32 things I want to do as a 32-year-old. It's in no particular order, but I plan on trying to achieve them all during the nine remaining months of my 32nd year of life. Here's the list:

1. Lose 32 pounds
2. Read a book a month
3. Start my pumpkin bread business - DONE 10/17/09 YEY!!!
4. Quit smoking
5. See the Grand Canyon
6. Get a massage at least once a month
7. Do a fundraiser
8. Pay off 2 personal debts
9. Attempt to publish a poem I wrote into a children's book
10. Stretch 5 times a week
11. Clean my fish tank
12. Plan a trip to Norway to meet my brother Geir
13. Go on 10 dates
14. Write a cookbook for single people
15. Create a blog - DONE 10/14/09 :)
16. Plan a friend retreat with my 10 closest friends
17. Take artistic photos once a month
18. Start painting again
19. Write an article for a poker magazine
20. Play one poker tournament a month
21. Do NaNoWriMo
22. Buy a house
23. Rebuild my credit
24. Learn yoga
25. Learn how to dance
26. Take a class
27. Exercise 3 times a week
28. Go to a movie bimonthly
29. Try a new food each month
30. Start writing a book
31. Explore Las Vegas bimonthly
32. Have lunch with Oprah and chat about life

Thank You!

I need to stop a moment to say "Thanks" to a few folks...

To L.B. at paradiseknitting.etsy.com for featuring me and my pumpkin bread in her blog, topetsyfinds.blogspot.com which highlights "Top Etsy Finds" she searches out. An altogether altruistic and sweet woman, she also was the first to donate to my "32 Things" fund. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To J.O. at joshark04.etsy.com for being my very first out-of-state pumpkin bread buyer! Wahoo! Thank you!

And to my Mom who is one of my #1 fans. Beside being a source of constant encouragement, support, and premier editing help, she has graciously ordered me up a vacuum-sealer and a Kitchenaid mixer for supreme pumpkin bread production efficiency!

Lastly, to my brother Scott, who is my other #1 fan. Also an encouraging force who has been supportive in many ways, including helping to pick out the perfect pumpkin bread mugshot.

To everyone else, from Facebook, Myspace, and beyond...I'm not for a moment forgetting how wonderful and supportive you all have been this week. It's truly amazing that only 6 days ago I started this blog and since then; a business (with profit already!), new friendships, and new hopes, and new dreams, and new purpose.

PUMPKIN BREAD - #3 on the "List"

Well, everyone, I did it!!

I just started my pumpkin bread business!!! It is #3 on my "32 Things" list, and I've done it! I have my bread for sale now on Etsy at jewelofthelion.etsy.com. Soooo excited!!

It's quite possibly the yummiest tasty treat EVER and I would love for you all to enjoy some, so get shoppin'! :)

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement! This is just wonderful!

Prioritizing "32 Things"

I realize that in order to accomplish my "32 Things" list, I'm going to need to organize it a bit, so I've created three categories:

Lifestyle - #1, 2, 4, 6, 13, 24, 27

Adventure - #5, 10, 12, 16, 17, 20, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32

Creative/Business - #3, 7, 9, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 30

Some of these things I'm supposed to do weekly, some monthly or bimonthly, and some don't really have a schedule. I'll update my blog frequently with any progress I'm making - so wish me luck!

32 Things

Recently, my Mom turned 60 years old. We talked about starting a blog and I suggested she write a list of 60 things she wanted to do as a 60-year-old. I took my own advice and made a list of 32 things I want to do as a 32-year-old. It's in no particular order, but I plan on trying to achieve them all during the nine remaining months of my 32nd year of life. Here's the list:

1. Lose 32 pounds
2. Read a book a month
3. Start my pumpkin bread business - DONE 10/17/09 YEY!!!
4. Quit smoking
5. See the Grand Canyon
6. Get a massage at least once a month - got one in Newport! (Dec. '09)
7. Do a fundraiser
8. Pay off 2 personal debts
9. Attempt to publish a poem I wrote into a children's book
10. Stretch 5 times a week
11. Clean my fish tank
12. Plan a trip to Norway to meet my brother Geir - in the works 1/8/09
13. Go on 10 dates - wouldn't call 'em dates, but....workin' on it ;) 1/8/09
14. Write a cookbook for single people
15. Create a blog - DONE 10/14/09 :)
16. Plan a friend retreat with my 10 closest friends
17. Take artistic photos once a month
18. Start painting again
19. Write an article for a poker magazine
20. Play one poker tournament a month
21. Do NaNoWriMo - Completed, 50217 words in 30 days! 11/1/09-11/30/09!!
22. Buy a house
23. Rebuild my credit
24. Learn yoga
25. Learn how to dance
26. Take a class
27. Exercise 3 times a week
28. Go to a movie bimonthly
29. Try a new food each month
30. Start writing a book - wrote one for NaNoWriMo in November '09 - does that count??
31. Explore Las Vegas bimonthly
32. Have lunch with Oprah and chat about life