Lately, I haven't had any inspiration at all. I haven't written anything in nearly a year. I've captured a line or two here or there, but I haven't written anything of substance since last year.
This past weekend, my muse returned. She's been doing the polka in my mind ever since.
I wrote a first chapter and a few other bits and pieces. I'm letting the story unfold in my head for now. I'll make a point of recording it in earnest next month for NaNoWriMo.
A small portion of the first chapter was inspired by moments like this. That's my son back when he was 4 months old. He's just shy of 6 years old now.
Okay, I give up on trying to do this on a regular basis. When I remember, I'll roundup the links I've shared and post them here.
I found this Sparrow Mobile through Cool Mom Picks. Like the vast majority of the stuff they feature, this is insanely over-priced (I unsubscribed from the newsletter recently even though I've been a subscriber from the very start because the prices are too insane). The good news, though, is that it can be easily recreated for pennies. I saved a few paint samples specifically because they were shapes which resembled birds. So I could just use those and even customize it to the kids' room colors.
Kid Independent is a new favorite site of mine. They feature lots of handmade items including this super cute owl. I found a ton of items for the kids' wishlist from their Oddball Alphabet feature.
Facebook's Double (D) Standard on Obscenity was originally posted as a note in response to Facebook's constant removal of photographs of breastfeeding babies. I shared that note, but, as expected, it was removed. However, someone copied it and put it up as a blog post so that it could still be shared.
I want to make my son this bow tie from an existing adult necktie. My boy's all about ties of all sort.
These Seven Tips For Interacting With Kids while photographing them is brilliant. I LOVE these ideas. Whether you're a professional photographer looking for tips or a parent who just wants to snap some good shots of your own kids, you'll definitely get great ideas from that article.
I've liked Mattisyahu for quite some time, but just discovered Unique Is My Dove recently. I LOVE the message.
I found a few dresses I would love for my girls. This Cinderella Peasant dress would be adorable with some of the custom fabric she offers. The striking colors and design on this Sunny Autumn Ruffle Dress are just gorgeous.
My father-in-law makes some gorgeous things with wood. Unfortunately, I don't want to get/make anything large until we move and settle in, but when we finally do move, I might see if he'll have time to make this super cute doll crib with storage.
As a coffee-loving, internet-addicted, homeschooling mom, I loved this cartoon.
I recently discovered Middle School Proverbs which sadden me and crack me up. This one and this one are two of my favorites.
I was probably more excited to find an old version of Liz Phair's "Ant in Alaska" than I should have been.
"Well I look at the stars and I know you're under them. I look at the cars and I know you insure them. I look at the books and things people are reading. I know that you've written them too."
It always bothered me that she took out the car insurance line. It doesn't flow right without it and that line has a special place in my heart too.
While we're on the topic of Liz Phair. I resisted most of the music on her self-titled album because it was too poppy. This week, though, I was reminded how much I like this one:
My sister sent me an e-mail forward with photos of a groom and his terminally ill bride. When I checked Snopes, I found it was true and it was even more heartbreaking. Gorgeous photos, horribly sad story.
This "table design" left me wondering, "What design?" It's just some disposable plates on a table. I don't see any design there. Plus that family has the oddest collection of names I've ever heard.
I'm filing this kid's room away for possible inspiration for my youngest's room when we move.
I like this idea, not for a place card, but for a sign to hang (think first names in a bedroom or last name in a hallway).
On Veteran's Day, I shared, Bumper Stick Patriotism Is No Way to Honor Our Veterans.
From that article, "During Veterans Week you're going to hear people -- particularly those for whom Veterans Week merely means we're one week closer to the Iowa Caucuses -- tell us to 'Support Our Troops.' And when they do I'd like us to politely ask them to put their pom poms down for a moment. I'd like us to tell them that if you really want to honor our troops you won't use them for an easy applause line, that you won't use them to get votes, or, most insulting to them of all, to divide us into real Americans and fake Americans."
and "I'd like us to ask them what, other than saying it, are they actually doing to support our troops? I'd like to ask the people who say government's bad what they think of the Department of Veteran's Affairs. When we're fighting two wars, should they get more money or less? And where is that money going to come from -- magic or taxes?"
I thought this name sign was a neat way to use legos.
This XKCD cartoon is funny and sad at the same time.
I want to try making this dog necklace. I, however, want to try altering it so that it looks more like a Chihuahua.
On Kristallnacht Anniversary, Critical Lessons Remain Unheeded. November 9-10 marked the anniversary of Krystallnacht, which plays a large part in my Nanowrimo story and our family (my husband's grandmother's synagogue was destroyed on Krystallnacht).
What's this? Could this be a post unrelated to moving?
Well, what do ya know, it IS.
Once a week, I'm going to try to do a round up of links I found interesting. Take a look and see if you share my interests. Click them all. Glance at them and walk away. Click the ones that sound interesting. It's up to you.
Work sheets, coloring pages, videos, songs, and more
So many kids are going back to school. This is a great resource for those with kids in school, those who homeschool and those who are teachers.
Next in the list of linky goodness is a lolcat. This will be the initiating cat--boldly going where no cat has gone before, this blog. I can annoy assure you, though, that these won't be the last. This, right here, would be me:
Neat idea for using spray paint to give items a whole new look
True, that doll is creepy, but I find her oddly less so when spray painted blue. I think I'll have to use this idea to decorate the kids' room in the new place.
They don't make this big enough for the big 2, but I want one for all the kids.
We have a Chanukah bear which we always jokingly called, "Jew Bear" and I like to insist, "He's Pooh Bear's cousin. You know they're related because they have the same last name."
Some people won't like this, but it is what it is.
I just don't understand why most of the article frames the argument in terms of a personal health decision when earlier, it makes it very clear that it affects others as well as the person smoking.
In the second grade, I spent three months suffering from severe bronchitis. I was on more medications and had more blood tests than I could count. I was miserable. My doctor's notes about the illness say, "Parents are heavy smokers."
This little guy is just too cute and too relevant:
Make It : A Wee Wonderfuls World Contains the pattern for a very cute mermaid. I'm dying to try out the pattern to see if I can make one. Maybe this is something even my biggest girls could try out.
