Naomi's Quest To Become Published

2005-11-29T17:48:00.000-08:00

What does Christmas mean to you?

The best Christmas I can remember is when I was about 7 or 8. Mum and Dad told us kids ( me and my 2 older brothers) that they couldn't afford Christmas that year and after awhile (like three months) we would be allowed to choose one present.

Every television show, every day at school, every person we saw wished us a Merry Christmas. The thought of not getting a present felt strange. We wouldn't be having Christmas. No special food. No racing under the Christmas tree at the crack of dawn. At first, it was a heavy fist inside my stomach. Would Christmas Day dawn to be disappointing? What was there to look forward to?

Refused to be beaten, the Christmas Spirit humming in my veins, I told myself so what if Mum and Dad didn't have any money? Christmas wasn't about money. I hunted through my cupboards for something that I didn't want anymore and could be used as a present. Now, I have all girl things. With two brothers what could I give them?

I don't remember what I gave them now, but I remember Christmas morning clearly. I received an old bottle of aftershave that stunk and an old book. Each present was wrapped in an old bit of paper from our school books.

The best gift was that my BROTHERS aka the boys that bashed me up whenever they could, actually showed me love and for that one moment in time, had thought about me and wanted my happiness.

To us kids, Christmas had to come. We would make it. The love was in the air that day.

Now, my daughter of six, watches the movie, The Grinch. At the end of the film, once the Grinch steals all the presents, he ponders his actions when the Whos keep celebrating Christmas.

"Maybe...Just maybe...Christmas doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe...Just maybe...It is something more."

This realisation is what that day so many years ago was all about. Christmas is SO MUCH more.

I have had Christmases where you couldn't walk into the loungeroom from all the presents, yet that one day when we had nothing and had to look into our hearts and still give is the best.

Ipod Woes

2005-11-28T18:52:00.001-08:00

My 2 month old pink ipod mini won't work. It's frozen with a sad icon on the lcd screen. I have to take it into the city for repairs. Where it will probably be replaced by a used ipod. The don't replace with new.

I'm trying to write but family stress is everywhere. There's so much of it. My eldest daughter drives me up the wall sometimes. She treats the loungeroom like a grandprix circuit and I tell her to go outside all the time. Tell. tell. tell. Stop, stop, stop. I just get sick of saying it so I give her one warning now and then punish her.

I haven't been sleeping well, because christmas is coming soon and I have lots of things to do. Not to mention, fit into a nice dress come dh's christmas party. Still going to the gym five days a week, but leaving a little earlier than my usual two hours because I'm tired. I'll be getting an early one tonight. Trying to build lean (emphasis on lean) muscle and walk my butt off on the treadmill. It's working because my rear end ACHES!!

Hope all the American Divas at Romancedivas.com had a marvellous Thanksgiving.

Cya.

Naomi's Quest To Become Published

2005-11-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

Hi guys.

Just to update...I haven't been writing much. I just don't seem to have the time. When do other mothers write?

Boring Blog

2005-10-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

I have no idea how to post links to other blogs on my blog. I think it's kinda boring. What do you guys think?? I want funny little knick-knacks and yummy things.

My daughter is having her 6th birthday party at bowling. She is incredibly excited. I'll have to post some pics for y'all. It's her first time and it's great because she has a wild time and I don't have to clean up any mess!

Caught her colouring in the streets on the referdex. I swear. Grrrrrrr.

Breakthrough

2005-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

I had a breakthrough this afternoon. For a couple of weeks I could not pin down my hero. I asked myself out loud all the important questions that I needed to know answers to. Wanting to write a romance novel has driven so crazy that I'm talking to myself.

It was good. The questions floated in the air, instead of in my mind. Why does he do this? What is his past? And, then it came. Slicing into the grey fog. An epiphany.

*mona lisa smile*

2005-10-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

2005-10-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

2005-10-07T15:35:00.000-07:00

Computer Upgrades

2005-10-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

The Doona Diet

2005-10-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

Losing weight while you sleep. Do you think it's possible?

The Doona Diet promoted on tv stated you must get 7 - 9 hrs sleep a night, to lose weight.

Mmmm....well, I do know that if I don't go to bed early, I am too tired to go to gym. Sleep refreshes me and helps to relax. Gym controls my weight and allergies. It could also be that new vacuum cleaner I bought with the HEPA filter.

I've always been a big sleeper. I've never been obese.

A link? Who knowzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Pizza Personality (Thanks Kristen!)

2005-09-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

Cheese Pizza

Traditional and comforting.You focus on living a quality life.You're not easily impressed with novelty.Yet, you easily impress others.

What's" Your Pizza Personality?

Poetry

2005-09-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

Untitled. I wrote this at 15.

People clasp what's left
Of an elementary world,
Strings of rope untangled
Hang...
Unmenacingly against the

wind.

I am not going to ask "why?"
It seems so many do.
Look at only what's in front
Of you
And the pain will eat itself
Like the savage that it
is.

I try to do it,
beat the scars, but
Everytime I look at them
It reminds me of who I am.

Never again, I've been a fool thrice
When the pain washes me fully
I feel a
peace.

And puddles know this feeling
As they sit in the dips and holes,
Until the sun dries them up
Like the pain burns our souls.

Princesses On Parade

2005-09-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

You know it.

Spring Festival Is Here

2005-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mission Impossible. Rhiana is the lead heroine. Danger is her middle name. Pink is her codename. No stilettos, but who cares when you look this cute?

Tom Cruise - eat your heart out!

Speeding

2005-09-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. I mean it. Seriously.

My morning started like this: My five year old daughter loves to play tennis. It's not her fault that she can't hit that damn fuzzy green ball very well. She tries. She was so enthusiastic it started to drive me crazy. "Yes, you can go to the tennis clinic, but if you ask me one more time the answer will be no!"

I climb out of bed and start hunting for the sheet of paper that told me what time it started. "Where the **ck is that timetable!" I muttered darkly, moving papers on the table and the computer desk, my haven admist the terror of having daughters. I can't find it. Tension starts twisting my muscles. It had been right there. Near the phone. Where the hell was it?!

Running around like a madwoman because on top of it all I was late. Well I thought I was. I took a wild guess that the lessons started at 9.30 am. No one in their right mind would want earlier. Changing my 1yr old into day clothes and making sure Rhiana had breakfast and Nikki ate also, otherwise she turns into a SCREECHING DEMON that would give a banshee a run for her money. I can't find my car keys. Where the hell is my purse?

"Mum, how many times have I told you to put your keys on the hook as soon as you get home so you don't lose them?" Rhiana asks.

Five going on fifty.

I find them finally. We all get in the car. Now getting in the car is an effort. Bags, racquet, Rhiana hiding around the corner of the driveway. "Get your ass in the car right now!" I demand. Totally about to lose my cool. Nikki won't sit properly in the car seat. Right. Red hot tendrils snake around my nerves. She lets loose an ear piercing screech that I swear deafens you for a few seconds, kinda like a gun shot.

"Stop that," I tell her. Getting down on eye level, I say firmly, "Stop that, Nikki."

Yah right, Mum.

I have a mouth and I'm gonna use it. Duh.

Now I always do the speed limit. Always. My family razz me about it because I drive so slow. But, today I find myself going down the loooong stretch of road that the tennis court is on and those demons that decide your day is going to be s**t injected a healthy dose of lead in my right foot.

Out of nowhere I get pulled over. "Madam you were speeding."

"Oh," I look at the speedgun. It says 67ks.

"It's 50 here," he says. "Do you have a reason for speeding this morning?"

"I'm late for tennis," I say dumbly. The tennis courts were across the road. They made a magical background to a ludicrous morning in hell.

"Well, you can drop your daughter off if you like?" He asks, seeing my girl with her tennis racquet jumping on her seat with excitement at the sight of green courts.

"She has to cross the road," I say, eyebrows near my hairline. "She is five."

"Right, pass over your license please."

I do as he asks and get slogged with a $150 fine.

I could of saved $150 just by sleeping in.

Sweating in Style

2005-09-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

My feet struggle to keep up with the treadmill. If I wasn't holding onto the bar I'm sure I would be flung back onto the carpet. Visions of escalators in shopping centres and me getting sucked under torment me.

I ignore it. Up the speed. Break into a run. Sweat slicks from my nape. My fridge hangs in my eye. I want to be out of breath. To push myself.

I'm upstairs in the local gym. Women's Section, I aptly think of it. It's school holidays so there are lots of people here. I take a long guzzle of cold water and my towel falls between my feet.

Jumping (don't ask me how) to either side of the treadmill, my arms stiffened as I lifted my feet off the recycling black belt before I fell and made myself dizzier than I already am.

I finish an hour of treadmill. Head downstairs to the crunch machine. Love that one baby. Up the weight and start ab exercise. Love it.

Gym is like a social exercise class. Since I'm a mother and normally have one-sided conversations with a 1yr old daughter, gym gives me the freedom to talk to other mothers and expel some tension. I'm not dead from the neck down you know.

Oh yeah, and I wear make-up. Do my hair nice. Buy cute gym clothes. LOL. Just because I'm exercising doesn't mean I have to look daggy. A girl's gotta have incentive.

I do every machine that is free. Last 30 mins, jump back on the treadmill. Walk fast. Just before a run. My hips feel like they might swivel off.

I can feel the pain barrier coming up. I squinch my eyes and let it come. No way am I stopping. Aaaggghhh. Damn. Walk, walk, move those tired legs.

Here it comes. My veins gush with sweetness. I smile. Glorious adrenaline. How I love thee...Let me count the ways...

1. When I feel like giving up you give me a reward.
2. You make me want more.
3. With you I can do anything.

Get off the treadmill again after doing a flat out run for the last five minutes. Stumbling slightly, I grab my things, drink water and collect my girl from creche.

Five days a week of gym is great!

It's My Birthday!!

2005-07-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

Sound the trumpets.

Present the flowers.

Yes, I have turned 26!!!!!!
Not very old to some, but to me OLD! LOL.
I had fun on my birthday and received some lovely gifts. (Greedily unwrapping colourful paper) earrings...how lovely!!
Money...great!!

Thanks for all the kind words from the ladies at Romance Divas!

Split Endz

2005-07-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

I attended the local, best hairdresser last night and now sport the perfect haircut for me. Chocolate brown with blonde foils, layered just reaching past my shoulder blades with a half side sweeping fringe. I need a digital camera so I can take photos.

I am going to Townsville in a month for my sister-in-law's b'day. What would a 40 yr old woman who can buy anything she wants like? A bottle of Chanel No5? A fabulous hand bag? I have no idea...please help!

People didn't even recognise me this morning. LOL. Good sign. I love changing it up.

During a freewrite a character popped into my head and she is so clear. I ask her questions and she answers me. lol. No, I'm not crazy. She is solid and lovable. If she was an animal she would be a beautiful bird. Therefore the hero must be a panther.

2005-07-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

My daughter Nikita Jayne (or Nikki J). The Pout.

2005-07-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Went to Seaworld!!!!

2005-06-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

I had the best time over the weekend!! We went to Seaworld!! It was fantastic!

Shark Bay is awesome. If you're thinking of going to see it, I give it a definite thumbs-up. Last time we went, we were completely fascinated by all the beautiful dolphins, and now, the sharks were our main attraction.

While we were there, it started to rain. Not heavy, but just a shower. It got a little overcast as well. The sharks and fish are from the ocean and as it got a little darker under the water, real life emerged from the sealife. The sharks were definitely on the prowl. They would group together and one would break off, and start circling, then another and another.

The fish would suddenly scatter. They would completely disappear. Then you'd see the sharks cruising past. The fish were so edgy. It was feeding time.

It mimicked real life in the ocean. The sharks turned into predators. Huge, slick, beautiful, menacing predators.

We did all the rides and sometimes more than once. Rhiana (my eldest daughter) loved cartoon beach and all the rides there. I bought souvenirs of Shark Bay. (mug, keyring, bag etc)

I went on the Pirate Ship and was right at the back but didn't have the guts first time around to lift my arms in the air as my bottom was lifting five inches off the seat!! My brother did tho, and I did it the second time around!

All said, it was a great day. LOVED SHARK BAY. Will hopefully post pics of the day and sharks on here and in Romance Divas Website.

Seeya ;-)

School Holidays Aarrgghh!

2005-06-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

School holidays are happening, so my writing time has lessened. Bummer. I have signed up to doorkock for Cancer research and am hoping that I'll do a good job. It's the first time for me.

Lately, I've been trying to fix up my ms. It is hard, but I think free writing is helping me, as it lets my voice shine.

Been to the Allergy Specialist last week. He was of Asian extraction and I could hardly understand a word he was saying. I waited 4 months for that appointment and I was outta there in 20 minutes! I now have to completely disinfect my whole house with eucalyptus oil and my eldest daughter is carrying the spray bottle around with her everywhere. I definitely need a new wet/dry vacuum cleaner for all the wet patches.

Upped my membership to the gym from 3 mnths to a year. I am seeing results already.

Are there any hypnotism tapes to make you believe you're a published author and write fantastic stories like the wind?? LOL. Post if you know of some.....

I have given some thought to personality differences. People are so different. Amazing. Definitely not what you'd think they'd be. Food for thought.

Take A Deep Breath

2005-06-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

That's right. Lately, I've been feeling a little stressed out. Mainly, because of allergies that I developed about 4 months ago to foods that I have eaten all my life. So, I got off my bum and bought a gym membership. It feels soooo good!!

I am not as stressed anymore...sigh... I feel better and am losing weight. Maybe the reason I'm not as stressed is because I'm too exhausted to care lol. The schedule fits in well with my life and I'm enjoying it more than I can say.

Some of my friends exercise at the same gym, and they have children too, so I'm not alone :)

Writer's Workshop

2005-05-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

I went to a free writer's workshop today and it was very informative. The speaker was a published author of children's books and educational work as well as articles for magazines. She is diverse in her writing and spoke how widening your market and going into magazine articles might pay better than waiting for that ms to be accepted. Or while your waiting for your ms to be accepted. LOL. She also said, it gives you more experience with your writing.
I figure, what can it hurt? What to me is success as a writer? Earning a living doing what I love. That's what.

I have a Blog!!!!

2005-05-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

Yippee!! It is so easy to get a blog! Thanks RomanceDivas Kristen.

Ok, for my first post I would like to thank RomanceDivas for all the cool information and say that I am in the midst or struggle of editing a manuscript. I am enjoying it and my progress is alright. LOL. Went to Gym yesterday for the first time since my baby was born, so today I am kinda sore! Oh well, I didn't go there for easy!

I have published a couple of poems online and some in magazines. I am an avid romance reader and love the genre. Back to the ms......

Naomi's Quest To Become Published

Naomi's Quest To Become Published

Ipod Woes

Naomi's Quest To Become Published

Boring Blog

Breakthrough

Computer Upgrades

The Doona Diet

Pizza Personality (Thanks Kristen!)

Poetry

Princesses On Parade

Spring Festival Is Here

Speeding

Sweating in Style

It's My Birthday!!

Split Endz

My daughter Nikita Jayne (or Nikki J). The Pout.

Went to Seaworld!!!!

School Holidays *Aarrgghh!*

*Take A Deep Breath*

Writer's Workshop

I have a Blog!!!!

School Holidays Aarrgghh!

Take A Deep Breath