Just a few thoughts...

Writer's Quotes

2010-10-21T14:01:00.000-04:00

I just had to share some writer's quote I came across:

Please do not annoy the writer. She may put you in a book and kill you.
Writer's Block: When your imaginary friends stop talking to you.
My muse is a very bad girl.
I'm plotting against you.

And yes, before you say it, I have been MIA for a wee little bit. I finally completed the house remodel (collective cheer!), but now I am officially and 100% back to writing.

We Won!

2010-01-12T14:23:00.000-05:00

The photo of Duffy and I, taken by Steve Jessmore of the Sun News won Photo of the Year! I will post the newspaper article when it comes out on Sunday. Thank you all for voting and a special thank you to Steve Jessmore for an amazing shot! You rock!

Lite Fare - Rustic Avocado Stuffed Pita

2009-12-30T16:58:00.001-05:00

Recipes are a new feature to the website. While I can't guarantee their frequency, I hope you enjoy them. Bon Appétit.

Those who know me are used to the fact that I don’t eat red meat. Occasionally I’ll eat white meat chicken, but I’m more of a fish and vegetable person. I prefer vegetarian meals above all else. Below is one of my favorite lunches.

Rustic Avocado Stuffed Pita

Ingredients
1 Tbsp Miracle Whip
1 Tbsp Sweet Hot Dijon Mustard
2 Whole Wheat Pitas
1 Medium Avocado, cubed
1/2 cup chopped onion
Salt & Pepper to taste

Toss onion and avocado with mustard and miracle whip. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Spoon into pitas.

Serve immediately. Yields two servings.

Calories: 264, Fat: 10, Carbs: 32

Don’t let the fat count scare you. 85% of the fat in this meal is from the avocado. Avocados contain monosaturated fat, which lowers LDL cholesterol. Of course, all fat should be consumed in moderation.

NOTE: Avocados and onions are HIGHLY TOXIC to animals. Please do not feed any leftovers to your pets.

2009 Photo of the Year!

2009-12-27T16:21:00.001-05:00

I awoke this morning to a photo of Duffy and I on the front page of the Sun News. One of the photos taken of us for the article featuring yours truly, is up for 2009 Photo of the Year.

Please visit the link below and vote for us.

Thank you Steve Jessmore, of the Sun News, for taking this incredible shot!

The photo caption read:
Steve Jessmore - I like this photo of Little River author Amanda Renée spending time with her dog, Duffy, for writing inspiration at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach because it is fun. A wide-angle lens emphasized and exaggerated the closeness of Duffy as he curiously was drawn to me and all the other passers-by as far as the leash would let him fly. Since 2003 [Amanda] Renée has been participating in National Novel Writing Month, where authors write a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days.

The Day After...

2009-12-26T23:50:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. It's the day after and I'm worn out...and stuffed.

2010 is around the corner. Time to think about those resolutions. Just a suggestion, resolve to do something for others this year.

There will be a Blue Moon on New Year's Eve. The next New Year's Eve Blue Moon won't occur until 2028. So look up, raise a glass and Happy New Year!

Where did the time go?

2009-12-20T12:22:00.001-05:00

Wow! I can't believe I haven't blogged since October. NaNoWriMo encompassed most of my November. I completed the 1st draft of It All Started With A Photo Shoot (working title) during that time. Now, I just have the dreaded editing process to go through.

Thanks to my work with NaNo, I was featured in the Sun News on November 1st. I'll post the article and the photos before the end of the month (hopefully).

December has been my wind down from writing, wind up for Christmas month. I'm still wrapping presents. I can't, for the life of me, figure out why it takes me a year and a day to wrap a present. I fly through everything else in life. But not presents. It's as if my brain stops functioning. It's doesn't help when you have a puppy jealous of your attention to the gifts and not him.

Which reminds me, I need to give him a trim and a bath today. I have my work cut out for me. Schnoodle bath and wrapping presents. Oh Joy!

Until next time...

In The Bedroom

2009-10-11T19:21:00.000-04:00

I'm finding I do my best work in the bedroom. Now before your mind wanders into the gutter, I'm talking about my writing.

I usually surf the web, tweet and dawdle on the internet in the living room. I have a separate desktop in my home office for graphics and web design. I usually read in the bedroom. Apparently, reading and writing go hand and hand for me. In the bedroom, I shut off the wireless internet on the laptop. Yes, I know I can turn it back on, but it sucks the life out of my battery. So does having more than one window open.

I can get about three solid hours out of my battery, if I only have my manuscript open in Microsoft Word. Three hours of non-stop writing, then I'm ready for a break while I charge my laptop.

Bottom line to this blog entry...if you're having trouble writing, move. Change rooms. Go outside, take a ride, just move. Even if it means grabbing a pen and a notebook. The change of location can spark new ideas. If you think I'm alone in this thought, check out this weeks NaNoWriMo video. I watched it after I wrote the draft of this blog.

Speaking of ideas, I need to get back to writing...in the bedroom.

NaNo, Writing & Captain Morgan

2009-10-11T03:01:00.006-04:00

Ok...It's 3 AM and I've been writing since 10 AM yesterday! I should be sleeping, but the Schnoodle is running around like a wild animal and the Captain and Diet Pepsi's have made me more awake than I was four hours ago. The dog ate my pizza and I have the munchies with nothing to munch on.

Now, some would say working on two manuscripts, at the same time, is insane. I say, BRING IT ON! I'm thriving on it. I have the attention span of a gnat. My mind is constantly on the next thing. Two manuscripts allows me to bounce around and still be productive without confinement.

Why two? As you know, I'm working on Temporary Tattoos, but November 1st marks the beginning of NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. Participants start writing on November 1st with the goal to write 50,000 words by November 30th. The premise is, with a deadline, you tend to write more. Of course you're only writing a rough draft. But it's amazing what you can accomplish within that month. I do it every year. This year, my NaNo novel is It All Started With A Photo Shoot (IASWAPS for short).

As of today, 30,352 authors have registered for this years NaNo. The count will grow to well over 100,000 by November 1st. And then the fun begins. Authors come from all ages and various countries. Right now, I'm plotting and outlining IASWAPS while writing Temporary Tattoos. Sometimes it's hard to keep both novels straight. But it's all good.

Check out NaNoWriMo.org for more information. I hope to see you there. Now, I need to get back to writing. Ciao!

This Space Reserved

2009-10-04T14:20:00.001-04:00

This space was originally reserved for the local pet shop where I have Duffy groomed. But since the store owner was such a royal bitch to me yesterday, I no longer wish to grace them with my presence, let alone give them a mention here. Believe me when I say, I can now understand the things people say about her.

That being said, I want to say Thank You to Starbucks of North Myrtle Beach for a delightfully entertaining morning. A totally amazingly cute male barista was conducting the VIA Taste Challenge. For those of you who don't know, VIA is Starbucks new instant coffee. Mr. Cutie Barista managed to get every customer in the store involved. He even told us he adds VIA to his Captain Crunch in the morning, for an extra kick. While VIA was nothing to write home about, the experience was. My two minute coffee run became a much longer than anticipated, yet very welcome sojourn. I had an absolute blast. Thanks for the laughs Mr. Cutie Barista. And thank you Starbucks for the free coffee.

Special Shout Out

2009-10-01T10:10:00.003-04:00

A special shout out to Keith Parker, my friend across the pond. I fear he's feeling a little left out lately. I greatly appreciate your friendship and support over the years. Thank you for being you.

Surveys & Temporary Tattoos

2009-09-28T22:01:00.002-04:00

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed the weekend.

Just a quick reminder. Check the bottom right column of this blog for the polling center. New polls will be added often. Topics will vary. I'd love to hear from you.

TEMPORARY TATTOOS...Can I just tell you, the more I write, the more I love this story. I have never been so submersed in a manuscript. It's fun, it's quirky and it moves right along. I love getting my characters in trouble. They get to say and do all the things I never could.

I wrote through most of last night. Two hours of sleep, some extremely strong Vanilla Carmel coffee and I was ready to go. It's like reading a page turner. You have to keep going to see how it ends. I keep writing to see how it all ends up. LOL. I can see these characters traveling through more than one book. Bonus! Ok, back to writing. Ciao!

Scnoodle Gets a Bath

2009-09-27T15:05:00.004-04:00

During - He was not happy!

Shake, Shake, Shake - Now the love seat is all wet! LOL

All Dry - Just a bundle of puppy fluff

Website Revamp

2009-09-26T23:50:00.002-04:00

I finally revamped the website. I hope you enjoy the changes. I personally love the new blog format. Pics were updated, styles were changed and it has a cleaner look. I'm sure I'll be tweaking things here and there. It's late, I'm pooped, now it's time to relax and have a drink.

Dog Flu

2009-09-26T16:54:00.006-04:00

Like their human counterparts, dogs can contract their own version of the flu. They have no natural immunity to Canine Influenza and it is rapidly transmitted between dogs. It has been verified in 30 states to date. An annual vaccine is available. Contact your veterinarian today for more information. Duffy received his today.

New Pics of My Schnoodle

2009-09-01T20:27:00.000-04:00

Duffy took a trip to the groomers on Saturday.

He looks a little crazed in this photo. LOL!

New Blog Format

2009-09-01T19:16:00.006-04:00

Greetings! I've changed over to a new blog format. Much easier to read and use. You should be hearing more from me now. I selected some of the more interesting posts from the old blog and posted them below.

Row Row Row Your Boat...Originally Posted: 30 August 2009

2009-09-01T19:13:00.004-04:00

Okay, this is bugging me. While I was in the shower, Row Row Row Your Boat was encircling my brain. (Yeah, I know...strange...I assure you, this not on my iPod playlist!) Anywho, every time I arrived at "Life is but a dream..." I wondered. Is it? Is life a dream? Now for those of you who know me, this is NOT a Zen Buddhism thought. It's a...If it is a dream, when the hell do I wake up...or...I don't want it to end thing.

No, I didn't Wikipedia the song. I probably will at some point, but right now I need to blow dry my hair. It's just a thought. Pass me yours in return

Wallpaper Revisited...Originally Posted: 23 August 2009

2009-09-01T19:12:00.004-04:00

FINALLY!

I finally got the remainder of the damn wallpaper off the wall. Yes, it took 8 months! My cousin Scotty thinks it was hung with vinyl floor adhesive.

Remember that scene from Mommie Dearest? NO WIRE HANGERS! Picture that scene, with me in it, screaming NO WALLPAPER EVER!

Nuff said.

Long Year...Originally Posted: 9 August 2009

2009-09-01T19:11:00.006-04:00

Long Year...

One year ago today my grandmother passed. She was my best friend. In June, my buddy, Little Ricky died. My heart died with him. Words cannot not express the shear pain of it all. I won't even try.

A Schnoodle named Duffy came into my life. He's a handful. It took awhile for me to warm up to him, but we've officially bonded. I'll post pics soon.

It amazes me how much can happen over the course of one year. Three deaths, a best friend diagnosed with cancer, a major year long upheaval in my office are just to name a few. And old friend told me years ago, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Yeah well...strength takes time, but I survived. Stronger, maybe a little colder, certainly wiser...and definitely present.

Dear Mr. PaperHanger...Originally Posted: 10 January 2009

2009-09-01T19:10:00.005-04:00

To all the wallpaper hangers of the world...

Dear Mr. PaperHanger

F You!

Sincerly,

The Bitch you are torturing!

I still have no idea why people choose to put wallpaper up in the first place, but they do. And now I am paying the price for it.

25 years ago, JUSTSOMEGUY came in and wallpapered my master bathroom.

CORRECTION

He didn't just wallpaper it. HE F'IN CEMENTED IT TO THE F'IN WALL!!!

Yeah...Cement. It was prepasted paper to begin with and he f'in glued it to the f'in walls. I've tried everything. I can eventually get the paper off, but it leaves this thick, stone hard layer of CEMENT! WTF?! You can't sand the shit off. I wanted to avoid skim coating it, but I guess I have no choice, other than blasting the walls out of the damn room.

I'm cranky. I'm hot BECAUSE IT'S F'IN 70 F'IN DEGREES IN F'IN JANUARY! WTF?! I now have a headache from the DIF fumes because the bathroom doesn't have a window...and I still can't get this shit off the wall.

I thought about hunting the paper hanger asshole down and draggin him over here to get the shit off the walls...but it was 25 years ago. The guy was old then. He's probably dead now. Lucky for him!

Okay...I'm going back in. Doing a shot first. If you hear screaming in the distance, that would be me.

Right Now...Originally Posted: 24 November 2008

2009-09-01T19:08:00.004-04:00

Right Now...

"We take so many things in our lives for granted. Stop. Appreciate what and who is around you. For tomorrow, it may be gone."

That was my Myspace headline for the past few months. I wrote it days after my grandmother died. I still stand by it today.

Thanksgiving is days away, yet it seems to be the forgotten holiday. Stores race from Halloween to Christmas without as much as a glance at Thanksgiving.

This year in particular, I am remembering someone who meant the world to me. My best friend. My grandmother. I am thankful for all the time I spent with her over the years. And even though I balked at moving to South Carolina 3 years ago, it allowed me to see her all the time. That was the best gift of all. The gift of time.

I never knew last Thanksgiving and Christmas would be the last ones we would spend together. I never took any amount of time we spent together for granted. I knew the day would one day come. I just never expected it so soon.

Over the years, I've realized how short our lives are and how quickly things can change in the blink of an eye. The point of my message to you is not to take anyone in your life for granted. Tomorrow may not come for all of us. I hope it does, but I am a realist. We fight and argue over petty things all the time. We go for days, weeks, months, even years without speaking to our loved ones over stupid things. A petty argument over nonsense, or maybe one of you moved away and you lost track of the other. Whatever the reason, reach out this holiday season and don't let go. I know our lives are busy, but you can find 5 minutes to say hello, especially with the technology we have at our fingertips today. All we truly have is right now. Don't let "now" pass you by.

Are you a cow?...Originally Posted: 30 April 2008

2009-09-01T19:04:00.003-04:00

To all you COWS out there...

And by COWS I don't mean someone's weight. I mean the assholes who insist on talking with their mouths full of food. If you're one of them and I see you do it, I will call you a COW...to your face...I don't care who you are, who's around or how embarrassed you get.

There is this thing called manners. Apparently, people have forgotten them, because I find it extremely hard to believe that so many people were raised in a barn. I do have to say, I've noticed there weren't as many COWS in the north as there is down here in South Carolina. For whatever reason, there is no excuse in my book to talk with food in your mouth.

And if you choke while talking...I'm not coming to save your sorry ass. Turn blue for all I care...It will be a good lesson for you.

And why am I on such a nasty COW kick today? Because I am sick and damn tired of listening to the COW I work with talk with her mouth full all the time!

For five minutes, she spoke to someone, as she stuffed food in her mouth. He was disgusted and I was disgusted to the point where I bit her head off (no pun intended). This is the same COW that eats while she is talking on the phone. WTF?! PUT THE DAMN FOOD DOWN WHEN YOU ARE TALKING! What is so difficult about that?!

Bottom line, it's rude. If you want to talk with your damn mouth full then go the hell outside and get away from me. I have zero tolerance for it.

MOOO DAMMIT MOOO!!!!!

Sunscreen Your Pits...Originally Posted: 14 April 2008

2009-09-01T19:02:00.008-04:00

SUNSCREEN YOUR PITS! Trust me on this one!

Now, one would ask, "How did you burn your pits, Amanda?" Let me tell you...IT WAS EASY! And before you ask...yes, I was drinking...BUT there is no correlation between my armpits and my Margaritas!

It was cloudy yesterday morning...the sun didn't really come out until 1'ish. But when it did, HOLY CRAP!

I was wearing a tank top...and deodorant (Secret to be exact). Well, apparently deodorant works as tanning oil would.

Granted, my chest is totally burnt but my pits are burnt worse. And somehow my arms didn't get any sun. It's not like I had my arms in the air all afternoon.

I don't get it. I just don't get it.

Good God! I hope my pits don't peel. EWWWW!

Withdrawal...Originally Posted: 12 April 2008

2009-09-01T19:01:00.005-04:00

Withdrawal...

(Updated as time goes on)

Today, 10 April 2008, I decided to quit smoking. Actually, I decided last night. But anyway, it sucks. It really REALLY SUCKS!

6:00 am: I'm good. I never smoke in the morning anyway - so I'm good.

7:45 am: Driving to my office - Hmmm...I want one - this is where my first smoke of the day comes in. But it's really foggy out and I have to concentrate on driving - my nic fit came and went very quickly.

11:30 am: This is when I usually take a little break for lunch, go outside and chat on my cell. I want one...but it's still controllable. I opt to continue working and not even go outside.

12:30 pm: We order in from Applebee's - Okay, there goes my diet! But now that I'm finished eating, I WANT ONE DAMMIT!

My heart is racing, I am so lightheaded and anxious...I have to head out to another location soon and I am dreading the drive. It's only 4 miles...but I could have smoked 2 cigarettes in that drive LOL.

Summary...Okay...I was only a half pack a day smoker...I can do this...I can beat this. I know I can, so please don't give me the YOU CAN DO IT speeches or comments. Honestly, that will piss me off right now, so keep it to yourself!

(Yes, that was my inner nicotine deprived bitch speaking - DEAL WITH IT AND DO WHAT I SAY!)

4:00 pm: I made it through the day - but raking the leaves in my backyard is starting to get to me. WHY THE HELL DO LIVE OAKS DROP THEIR LEAVES TWICE A YEAR - and it goes on and on and on for like a month or more! But I did it and I didn't smoke.

7:00 pm: I'm filthy, I'm hungry and NOW I want a cigarette. GRRR

7:15 pm: I just burnt the damn shrimp! GIMME A CIGARETTE!

9:00 pm: I'm clean - I may not be able to smoke, but no one said I couldn't have a margarita or two.

11:30 pm: Oh I'm toasty now. My margaritas consisted of tequila and rum...OH BOY! Nitey Nite!

11 April 2008

7:00 am: I'm good - no cravings

10:00 am: I'm still good - no cravings - no nic fits - I have Radio Margaritaville playing while I'm working and I'm good.

12:00 pm: Slight heart palpitations - other than that, I'm good.

3:00 pm: Still rockin', still good! I think I have this crap beat!

12 April 2008

10:19 am: Still rockin' - it's so much easier when you want to quit versus quitting because someone asked you to or because you have to. Piece of cake.

By the end of the this week, coughing should subside. My lungs should be clear and I will finally be able to breathe clearer.

Okay - I'm off to a party!

14 April 2008

12:45 pm: Cakewalk...It was easy and I rocked it...I'm done blogging about it

Breathe in...Breathe out...Move on.

Just a note - I started smoking again this year...GRRR

No Pet Left Behind...Originally Posted: 17 October 2006

2009-09-01T18:59:00.003-04:00

NO PET LEFT BEHIND - President signs PETS Act into law!

This past Friday at the White House, President Bush signed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act into law.

This landmark legislation, which was strongly backed by The Humane Society of the United States, requires local and state disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency. During Hurricane Katrina, we saw the government's failure to have a plan for helping animals. Tens of thousands of animals suffered terribly and were lost or left behind because our communities and responders didn't have a plan in place.

With more than 358 million pets in the United States residing in 63 percent of American households, the PETS Act will help ensure that Americans never again are faced with the horrifying choice of abandoning their pet and finding their way to safety, or staying with their pet and remaining in a hazardous, and potentially life-threatening situation.

Some states and local communities have already engaged in disaster preparedness for animals, and with a federal law now in place, the future for you and your companion animal in a disaster is much brighter.

Thanks to all of you for helping pass the PETS Act, and for all you do on behalf of animals!

Happy New Year...Originally Posted: 03 January 2007

2009-09-01T18:57:00.003-04:00

Happy New Year! Every year we make our New Year’s Resolutions. I’ve heard the typical ones and some strangely odd ones, but this year my friend Keith, who doesn’t make resolutions, told me about what his “could” be…and not one of them was about him. It was something I really never thought about. Most, if not all of our resolutions are always centered around ourselves (i.e. lose weight, quit smoking, save money, etc.). Keith spoke of resolving to do something for others or the environment.

I ask you to ponder the following…Why not resolve to be more charitable or give back to your community? What about being more environmentally conscious? Why not resolve to plant a tree this year? Why not volunteer at a community center, orphanage or pet shelter in your area? Even if it’s only for one day. Why don’t you brown bag it and take that $5 you were going to spend on lunch today and give it to a charity? Yes, a $5 contribution does make a difference. Giving something, no matter how small, changes lives.

The point is, everything we do makes a difference as a whole. So while losing weight, quitting smoking and saving money will make you thin, healthy and rich, that doesn’t really do much for anyone except you. Now, I am by no means saying pig out, smoke and spend all your hard earned cash. What I am saying is, let’s not just think about ourselves, but also of our world around us.

When I was 19, I worked for a man whose motto was, “Think globally, act locally”. I laughed at his constantly repeated phrase and even mimicked his heavy Korean accent. But in reality, 15 years later, those four words still echo in my head.

So this year, for each resolution you made for you, make another one for others or the environment. I did.

Have a safe, healthy and wonderful year!

Busy, Busy, Busy...Originally Posted: 27 September 2006

2009-09-01T18:55:00.005-04:00

Busy, busy, busy…I guess you could say I have settled into a routine here. I have met some wonderful people who make my days enjoyable. Of course, I still miss being close to the “Big City”…Broadway, the museums, the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s funny, I always imagined I would settle down quite nicely in a small town. Turns out I’m more city than country…Or shall I say I am a country girl who needs quick access to the city!

I’ve been meaning to mention a charity that I have become very involved in over the past 6 months…Best Friends Animal Society. With the motto NO MORE HOMELESS PETS, Best Friends helps animals around the world find homes. Their sanctuary, located in Kanab, Utah, runs entirely on donations from their members and supporters. Check them out at http://www.bestfriends.org/.

I've Moved...Originally Posted: 06 June 2006

2009-09-01T18:54:00.004-04:00

I officially live in South Carolina now. I say "officially" because I have technically been here since October of last year, but I didn't surrender my New Jersey driver's license until last week. And that broke my heart. A series of comedies and errors led me here...too numerous to list. Regardless of the reasons, I'm here.

They say, when life throws you a bowl of lemons, make lemonade. Well, I have yet to find the sugar, so my lemonade is on the sour side. But, I do live close to most of my family now, and in the end, your family is the one constant in your life.

Sure, I miss my friends and my old stomping grounds terribly. But, God allows for u-turns. So you never know...