writing – Page 29

A gift, A thank you and a shoutout…

Published on March 3, 2011 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay8 Comments

Amidst the complete craziness of last week I was given the Stylish Blogger Award. How incredibly cool is that? Let me tell you, aside from Colin winning his little award- (*swoon*) this was a highlight in my otherwise grim week! 30ish Mama gifted me this fantastic little bit of bling, and as I understand it, it’s now my turn to pass the bling along…
She is just the sweetest! Thanks, girl, so much!

Now here are the responsibilities that go along with being a reigning Stylish Blogger:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers, or less, its up to you.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

My Seven things:

1} I am a flexitarian, which arguably could mean I am a normal eater, however for me it means that I am primarily a prescitarian (vegetarian who eats fish) who rarely eats meat. The reason for this is because I love a great streak, about once or twice a year, AND bacon is quite fantastic…

2} I try to go to the movies at least once a week. Every once in awhile a week passes without the opportunity but I decided a long time ago that I love the movies, it’s good “me” time, and so it’s a goal…

3} I LOVE lemon… The smell. I love lemon desserts. Lemon cake is my favorite!

4} I’ve been thinking a lot about going back to school because, even though I write professionally, I worry about what I would do if something happened to my husband.

5} I love the ocean. Rain or shine, a quiet beach is my favorite place on the planet.

6} I am getting my passport this year… I have European dreams.

7} I have a bit of a crush on Javier Bardem. The morning after the Oscars my daughter asked me if he was the fat one, in the white suit, who was really old. Sad.

As for my recently discovered, favorite stylish bloggers:
Our Imperfect Life
three65create

the chuppies
melody mae
Always Carried Away
strawberry freckles

Love letters…

Published on February 14, 2011January 17, 2013 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay2 Comments

On Mondays I help teach in a class called Public Speaking. {Anyone who knows me will likely be caught unexpectedly laughing out loud, right now, because I am not a public speaker. Pretty much, to clarify, I sit there and offer the rare bit of feedback. So, sort of like a glorified student… Anyway…} This past week the class assignment was to choose a random item from a pile and give an impromptu speech to the class about what it was, and three different things you could use it for. This sweet girl, roughly 10 years old, took a bottle. My own mind filling with the hundreds of things that bottle could be used for, her very first thing took me by surprise: Put a love letter in it, and send it to sea.

I’m obviously not much of a romantic because that idea did not grace my list. That being said though, I have to admit I LOVED it! I began to think about such things as love letters and the ways in which they can be given…

left on bed pillows…
written in lipstick, on mirrors…
through the mail, sealed with a kiss and perfume scented…
slipped under a door…
attached to a gift…
in a bottle…

A love letter, by it’s very definition, is merely a declaration of one’s love. Every time I reach for my husband’s hand- I’m doing that. Isn’t it an amazing idea to strive to live a life as a love letter? Intentionally acting upon your love, always?

I’m in love with the notion…

Today, in my 28 day challenge, i will:

– write a love letter, to my husband. I will recommit to love him and remind him of all of the reasons that I do.
– try to be a love letter for my family…
– enjoy this day of love and affection with the people I am so lucky to have and love.

Here comes the sun…

Published on January 31, 2011January 17, 2013 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay3 Comments

Is there anything more symbolic in our society than a sunrise? It signifies so much. I, myself, have had many a sunrise moments where life seemed to get brighter and more beautiful after a darkish hell… I wouldn’t necessarily say that my life is in a darkish sort of hell right now, because it isn’t. My life is actually really great, but that’s a different story… It’s just that, well, the sunrise this morning reminded me that- every day, it’s going to come…

Sometimes I need the silliest reminders…

Though I’m not going to get into it in such a public manner, Saturday brought with it some very ugly things that I had to face. I spent the majority of the weekend with a massive knot in my gut and always on the verge of feeling like I was about to be sick at my stomach. Sleep, since then, has been rough… Dreams even worse… But then the sunrise this morning reminded me of everything in my life. Everything good and beautiful, as well as everything gritty and difficult. Life is full of bad, and if we let it that can be overwhelming. Life is full of good too, of great even. It’s just a matter of which we choose to look at…

This morning I’m looking at the sunrise…

This week I plan to:

1} Read a book. (no, i did not do this last week… Gen got the chicken pox and everything sort of went down hill.)

2} have fun with Genny. Good, quality fun.

3} get creative, with Genny.

4} cook 3 things/recipes I’ve never made before.

5} get (at least) 2500 words of writing on the project, done.

6} bake bread. (yes, i did do this last week, using my LAME breadmaker and it was awful. doing it by hand this time.)

7} map out garden plan.

8} hand write five notes/letters.

9} try to forgive more.

10} have a quality date night with Chw.

How’s your week looking?

Authenticity, granted…

Published on January 19, 2011January 17, 2013 by Mae @ Rainydayinmay4 Comments

This morning is the first day, all week, that I’ve had a moment at my computer…

Truthfully, I sort of love that I don’t have computer moments every day. Even more truthfully though, as a writer, i really should…

It’s that ever-questing strive for balance. It’s my inability to juggle everything- like wholesome cooking, laundry, errands, education, a business…

Don’t get me wrong, i love to write. I love, as sick as it sounds, to edit. I love it all. The process. The creativity. The sublimely euphoric feel that comes with it… Is born, again and again, because of it… BUT- i get distracted. Distractions like my ever mounting google reader and facebook.

I have decided to proceed no longer, with RDIM… It was a tough decision. I’ve loved it so much. I have loved the amazing experiences I’ve had, and people I have met through it. I am so grateful for the experience and the doors that it opened. It was a very short journey, at just under three years, but so much bigger than I’d ever thought. Owning a photography business is really rewarding and, if I wasn’t a homeschool mom AND a writer {first and foremost} i would continue it… The three things are each time consuming, and life sucking, on their own. I knew that I had to cut one and, though I struggled with the decision, it was the obvious choice. I have a wedding this weekend, for a dear friend, and a few miscellaneous appointments scattered throughout the next few weeks. January 31st is the last official day though… I’ve already began referring clients and each time I feel better about my decision.

I want to lead an authentic life, and I can’t do that if I’m not being honest with myself by taking on far more than I can handle. Managing many things, half heartedly, isn’t managing them at all. That’s what I’ve learned through all of this…

I am EXCITED for the next chapter in my life as a wife, mother and writer… A lot of things are happening, big changes are coming. Two thousand eleven is a BIG year for my family and i really hope you’ll come along…

post signature

photo courtesy of Get Entreprenurial