Sunday, December 2, 2007

To word meter or not to word meter. Do I put a little graphic on the sidebar so we can all measure the progress of Book #2? Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I lean towards not adding a word meter. It just feels too invasive. Then again, it could be very motivating. And some of the graphics are quite cute. I don't know what to do. Anyone out there using one/has used one? Any thoughts, people?

Yesterday, Child #4 and I made a cinnamon streusal loaf. Child #4 is very fun to bake with. And baking lends itself well to so many discussions. Like why check the loaf at the earlier time? What's the point of baking soda? And then there are all those yummy fractions!

That said, Child #4 is a zealous stirrer and almost took my eye out.

STOCKING STUFFER NOTE to Ex Hernia Boy: please consider getting me a wooden spoon with a SHORT handle. Or safety goggles.

Today is parent-teacher conferences. I'm off to discuss the brilliance of Child #3 and Child #4. (Not saying that Child #1 and Child #2 aren't brilliant. They just aren't up for conferences.)

Happy Monday to you all!

17 comments:

  1. I like having a word meter because it makes me accountable. Not necessarily to my blog readers but to the monsters on the internet who--while I'm sleeping--will invade my dreams and do mean scary things if I don't keep that little slider moving. Powerful motivation, yeah.

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  2. Gina, would it work as well if you just had the meter on our desktop? Does it have to be on your blog/website? Or is it just more motivating to have it out in the open where others can see it? Okay. End of word meter interrogation. :)

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  3. I've never seen a word meter that isn't web-based. In other words, it's an HTML coded thingy and won't work on your desktop.

    You could use an Excel file instead, or just post a big sticky on your monitor. :)

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  4. Oh, I wondered about the web-based thing. I probably won't use Excel as I'm not great with it. I am, however, a whiz with post-its! We're both up late, eh?

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  5. It's way past my bedtime. I'm in Publicity Mode and I Can't Stop!

    But I should. Zzzzzzzzzz.

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  6. ROFL Barrie!!!
    Don't have an opinion on the word metre thing..but I love the baking story!! And the loaf sounds yummiliscious!!

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  7. In the kitchen with kids. Ahh.

    They are so eager to help. And slow you down sometimes, too. But we're making memories, here, right? They can look back and remember all the good times helping Mommy cook/bake things. That's what's important.

    There's a web-based word meter? Here I thought you were talking about the word count feature in Microsoft Word or similar word processor you are using.

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  8. Hi Shari! Yeah, the word meter has a little bar that fills in the more you write. And, yes, kids do so slow you down in the kitchen. And make the process more messy. But, you're right, we're making memories.

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  9. Good morning, Sherry! Who knew baking could be so dangerous! Glad you like the post.

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  10. *Giggle* zealous stirrer.

    I have one of those, too!

    Hope your conferences went well, and that the teachers recognized the brilliance of your children. I always find that to be a bit of a problem, but that could just be me...:)

    Heidi

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  11. Hi Heidi! If a teacher doesn't recognize the brilliance of one of my kids, I just point it out to them. :) Good luck with your zealous stirrer!

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  12. I tried a word meter on my blog for NaNo, but couldn't figure out how to make it work properly. So now, I have an HTML sidebar area where I manually update the revised word count on my manuscript at the end of the day.

    I'm not sure how I feel about whether it's making me more accountable. It's only been up a week or so. But I figured that having to be honest in public about my progress MIGHT push me forward.

    There is a certain satisfaction in seeing the number grow.

    Struesal sounds yummy :)

    Jen

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  13. I'm both a zealous stirrer and a dough flinger.
    It's a dangerous combination!

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  14. I'd never heard of a word meter. Having one might be a great motivator for me - or a great guilt inducer (which is kind of the same thing...)
    I'll be watching your side-bar!

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  15. Jen, I will keep an eye on your progress meter! :)

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  16. Princess Pointful, thank you for the double warning!

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Comments are always welcome!