Friday, November 30, 2007

Rain, Gift, Writing, Gym

It's bucketing here today. This is very unusual given that we get less than 12 inches of rain annually. Dorothy the Dog is refusing to go outside to use the facilities. This can only result in grief for us both. I ended up driving my children to school so they wouldn't sit all day in wet clothes. What would these creatures do if they lived somewhere that had real weather? Like where I grew up.

Anyway, all this rain gave me another good Christmas gift idea. A super lightweight umbrella. SIX ounces. You barely know it's in your purse or backpack. I love mine. Click here if you're interested.

And here's a link to my favorite dictionary in the whole world: Flip Dictionary

BTW, I got a nice email from Pastimes thanking me for mentioning them on the blog.

In writing news, I've been to the gym four times this week. Wait, wait. It is related. Because I get some of my best ideas at the gym. I hop off the treadmill or elliptical, race over to file cabinet and jot down my thoughts. I can't write (or even read) while on a machine because I'd probably fall off. Which shows you just how athletic I'm not.

In gym news, I bought a new pair of sweatpants, but am very unhappy with them. Who invented plumber sweatpants? There is no sense in that!

Next post, to word counter or not?

31 comments:

  1. You just have to give yourself over to the plumber thing. There's no fighting it!

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  2. Thank you so much for that picture...arrrggghhh. Plumber sweatpants. Not. Please use your gift for good and not evil. It is kind of like getting a song stuck in your head - but I have an awful picture.

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  3. Sorry, Barb, hope you're not stuck with the image all weekend. Maybe this will help....Think long t-shirt!!

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  4. Thanks for the link to the dictionary--I've never seen that before, but now it's on my list. And I need new sweatpants too. ;)

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  5. Alyssa: Once you got Flip, you'll never go back! Seriously, you will love this dictionary. Tell me what you think once you start using it.

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  6. I'm terrified of word counters since I'm incredibly lazy but don't like the world knowing about it!!! And wow, the gym? I'm so in awe!!!

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  7. Well, Amanda, you wouldn't be overly impressed if you actually saw me at the gym! It took me forever to be able to remember the settings on the various gym machines (like where the seat goes, what the weight it, etc.) I carried instructions around with me for months!

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  8. Don't you hate that when you get ideas at the wrong time? It's hard for me to carry around a note pad every where I go just to jot things down. A lot of missed moments to share. That's what I want for Christmas. A snazzy notepad with a chain attached to the belt loops. Or to hold up the back of the plumber pants? ;)

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  9. Shari, you're cracking me up! A lot of times, I have to repeat the idea over and over until I get home to my computer. Not a reliable method!

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  10. I have an umbrella like that.... came from M&S (UK) and it goes everywhere with me!!! I LOVE mine too.

    Love the dictionary!

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  11. plumber sweatpants...guys would think that was "hot" on a female...on a man?? Just gross!!! :)

    What about a little tape recorder and you could "jot" down notes while walkin' and talkin'??

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  12. I'm wondering how much time is spent on the exercise machines and how much time is spent writing...

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  13. Thanks for visiting over at my place. Your blog is really interesting. A mix of thoughts, moods and ideas, with a strong writer's mind at work...

    Best to you for the holidays.

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  14. Barrie,

    It's time to get a digital recorder so you can dictate your book while exercising :-) Multitasking - the solution to life in the fast lane.

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  15. I love the dictionary link, that is too perfect for me. I try to carry around one of those little Franklin Covey work spelling things, and I always leave it at work!! I am impressed you made it to the gym that much this week. That may inspire me to get my butt on my treadmill. It is true, I get some of my best ideas working out, but I forget so quickly. I need to keep a little notebook or something with me or my mind goes blank too quick!!
    Thanks for visiting my blog yesterday!
    XOXO

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  16. We measure our rain in terms of feet not inches. Seriously.

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  17. Barrie,
    So where did you grow up?
    I like rain - it doesn't stay
    around until April.
    great links!
    -gabe

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  18. Thanks for stopping by my blog! we are in the midst of SNOW--rain won't come til April around here, March if we are lucky.

    (I don't have ANY good ideas on an eliptical trainer.)

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  19. Hi Jessica! You'll love the Flip dictionary!

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  20. Hi Sara! Glad to hear you love your umbrella too. The Flip dictionary is amazing!

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  21. Sherry, that's a good idea! And I'm sure they make really small ones now. Thanks!

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  22. Hi Beth! The exercise machines are not the problem. Guess what is? The internet! I've now taken to writing on my old Dell laptop. It's old. It's clunky. But it has no internet access!

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  23. Gary--I enjoyed your blog too! Thanks for visiting back!

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  24. Sandy--You and Sherry think alike! Great minds and all that stuff..

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  25. Eileen--maybe we should try a little digital recorder as suggested by Sherry and Sandy? I enjoyed reading the posts on your blog. Thanks for visiting!

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  26. Michele--thanks for stopping by my blog too. Maybe you should switch to the bike. Ha! Actually, I can't think at all on the bike. Must take a different kind of coordination--which I must be sadly lacking!

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  27. Four trips to the gym?! I am impressed!

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Comments are always welcome!