So what's this I hear about a Grab Bag?

So a while back (see my post just below this) I mentioned that I felt blocked.  I couldn't seem to come up with ideas and asked if anyone had great links to writing prompts that might inspire me.  Well, instead of linking to another blog for writing prompts, Dancing Lemur  over at Great Little Stories posted that we should do our own!  It took a few weeks to work out the details, but here we go. Introducing The Grab Bag (Writing Prompts for Bogged-down Bloggers).  If you need inspiration head on over.  Next week, it'll be hosted right here.  Enjoy!

The Grab Bag: Week 1

That kind of mom

I've been reading old posts on my blog lately trying to gain some inspiration.  You may have noticed that my productivity has greatly reduced recently and at best you're getting one post a week. Not that long ago I was writing several times a week, not just regurgitating stories of the boys' adventures, but actually making observations, being creative and heck, funny.  I'm not sure what's changed.

I've been reading other blogs again lately as well.  These other bloggers seem to write with more purpose.  Their posts not only retell stories from their lives, but pull from their experiences analyzing the work of being a mom, a woman, a career person and a writer.  Just like I used to do.

As I think about it, I'm wondering if I've lost that touch.  Maybe I'm in a lull in my writing.  Maybe I'm undisciplined and lazy.  Maybe I'm just too damn tired.  Or maybe I've changed.  Maybe I've become the kind of mom who no longer marvels at the experience of motherhood and instead just slogs through with the single-minded great hope of surviving the day and getting a good night's sleep (or at least something like a good night's sleep).  Maybe I just need more coffee.

Whatever the reason I'm trying to fix it.  I'm prepping for my sabbatical during which I hope to be writing a book.  I'd better find my funny before I get started on that!  While this may not greatly up the frequency of my posts, I'm hoping at least I'll be doing more inspired writing, making you laugh more and feeling a bit more "fulfilled" as a writer in the coming weeks. And I'll probably be drinking more coffee too.


On a side note, if you happen to know of any good resources for writing prompts, please let me know.

Blocked

I'm running out of things to write about. Well, there are plenty of things the boys do on a daily basis that would probably be noteworthy when I'm on my game, but lately I'm lost. I can't seem to think of something interesting to write about, the few bloggy things I have rolling around in my brain aren't fully formed yet and seem to be eluding me.

So what do I do? Take a break? Last time I did that, I swear it dried up the rest of the little sprouts of ideas I was trying give some time to take root. Keep writing little snippets that don't really interest me, or anyone else for that matter? Nah, that sounds like a recipe for failure.

I'm thinking I need to find some of those great blog writing prompts and stick to them. Problem is I can't seem to track down the good ones. So here's what I need from any of you other bloggers who are reading this, would you point me in the right direction? Know of a great writing prompt or idea fountain that gets you going? I need one- or ten! How about leaving a comment with a link? Help a blogger out!

I'm counting on you.

Watch me

So at one point, I thought this was about the greatest video I'd ever seen.

I mean, look how serious they are and how cheerleader, drill team awesome their little dance is. I love it.

Then I saw this:

and it was no contest. Treadmills? Really? Damn right. And for a long time, I didn't think they could out do this.

Then I saw this:

And I can't quit watching it. Neither can the boys. Awesome, just awesome.

Sitting on my ass or How I spent my days off

I've had this week off work. Not really by choice, but I wasn't really opposed to the idea either. Similar to our "Spring Break" in April, this week was required time off for all US employees. Since I'm fairly loaded up with vacation days and I never really take much time off on my own, it works out for me pretty well.

After a few days in Portland with my family, I came back to Seattle with the boys and had two days free of mommy responsibilities while they were at preschool. Sounds heavenly, doesn't it? I'm not trying to say I don't like being a mom, but there are times I wish I had a secret room I could use as a retreat when they keep climbing on me and demanding my attention. I'm glad they like me, but it is hard to be in the spotlight of motherhood at all times.

Anyhow, as I looked forward to these two days, I had big plans. I was going to sew, I was going to organize, I was going to pamper myself. Right. Like any of that happened. Instead after walking the boys to school, I spent some precious one on one time with Mr. Dog. We took a walk to a local restaurant where we had some food and drew inspiration from an elderly couple who were also dining there. They came in wearing matching suspenders (yes, you read that right), loudly ordered their "usual" before they even sat down and the woman chattered mindlessly about every inane thing, including commenting on the fishing show they had on in the bar "They seem to be catching a lot of fish," while he husband sat silently holding her hand, nodding occasionally. I told Mr. Dog that this couple was us in 30 years, to which he replied with a pantomime finger gun to his head. That means he adores the very idea of it, right?

Today was less active. I took the boys to school, picked up the necessary items for my planned sewing project, then sat on the couch reading stuff on the internet and listening to a book on CD. (Go ahead and mock me, Mr. Dog. You know you want to.) I even caught up on work email and did a few tasks on my to do list so Monday won't be a total horror. I'm so lame. The saddest part is that I felt like I should be doing other things, but I really just wanted to sit on my ass. So I did. And it was freakin' great. You should try it. (but use your own ass, mine's occupied)

Hi, I'm Laura and I am an Aquarius...

I love Law and Order and dogs, but not in a creepy way!

There's a song by the B-52s called "Song for a Future Generation."  The band goes around and you get introductions like "Hello I'm Cindy and I am a Pisces.  I like chihuahuas and Chinese noodles" or "Hey I'm Fred the Cancerian from New Jersey, I like collecting records and exploring the cave of the unknown."  It got me thinking.  Who are you?  I mean, you all know about me, my neuroses and the men who rule my life, but I only get snippets of you from your comments.  So I got an idea (yeah, dangerous, I know), how about you introduce yourself in the style of the B-52s?  Great idea, right?  Come on, it'll be fun!

Sure  they go on to say "Let's meet and have a baby now," which I'm not really feeling, so no pressure.  Just introduce yourself.  It'll be cool! I won't even make you wear that groovy hat!

I'll really write more at some point.

I've been traveling, fighting headaches, enduring really bad hotel food and not really writing. Sorry. I promise, next week I'll write more. Really.

But I've been feeling guilty about more or less ignoring my blog, so I'm going to link you to the post that has been making me burst in to laughter all morning. Go check out this little post over at The Bloggess. You won't regret it.

Merry Christmas!

I need a little help

I'm tired, a little bit sick and just plain spent. What does this have to do with you? Nothing really. Just a lame attempt to explain why my rapid-fire updates on this blog have slowed down. I'm working on my NaNoWriMo novel, which is also stalled mostly due to lack of effort, and I'm having a really hard time coming up with things to blog about.

What I'm asking is that if you have any suggestions for topics, questions you want answered (and no, they don't have to relate to this blog, I'll wing it) or anything you think I could put up here to keep you all happy until my brain starts working well again, please let me know. I'll do my damnedest to oblige. And, I'm going to up the ante, if you give me a winner, I'll send you a present. No, I don't know what it is, but I promise I'll pick something you'll like.

So, there is my offer. Are you going to take me up on it? Leave me suggestions in the comments. If your profile doesn't have an email associated, or if you just want to email me instead of leaving a comment (though keep in mind, I lurve comments!) you can email me at mommy@mommyneedsalatte.com

My Neurotic Need to Know.

Someone is coming here after googling "craigslist Nicefo". Yeah, I've mentioned it before, way back when, but when I see someone end up here after googling that, I'm curious. Who is googling "craigslist Nicefo" and what are they looking for? Are they looking for the Nicefo forum Id? (It's 4231 if that is your purpose)

More curious than why they are googling it is why I care. I can't explain it. Well, maybe I can, but that would be tedious and I'm sure you'd just roll your eyes. So I won't.

If you came here from googling "craigslit Nicefo" be a dear and leave a comment. It's making me a bit crazy. Thanks!

Nothing to see here, please move along

And since you are moving along, why not check out some of the brilliant things these other women have been blogging about. Here are a few recent posts that really hit home for me:

Down To Earth Mama's "Community Organizers: You Have My Respect"

Moomette's "A Sorry Time for Feminists~Ask Your Baby Boomer Mothers"

Bang The Drum's "Sarah Palin: Even Pretty Speeches Need Truth Under Them"

Stefania over at Momocrats' "Lies, Lies, Lies" (really, gotta give her a double thumbs up for the amazing collection of links AND the 80s music nod)

So how's that for passing the buck. I got a blog post up with almost no writing of my own.