July 15th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

{{SNAP}} and just like that July is half over. Can you believe it? In moments like these, George Carlin’s toilet paper analogy comes to mind. After watching the Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture yesterday (it’s on Youtube, you can watch it for free), I started to think. For the most part, I am a Tigger, but there are times when Eeyore does sneak in. I’m not old by any means, but I am noticing the toilet paper roll of life spinning faster. Although Eeyore the Disney character is adorable, the sentiment he portrays is not, and I don’t want him crowding in on however many days I have left in this world; be it a week or fifty years.

So who are you going to choose to be?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR 

 

 

Your Last Challenge was:

 

 

Oh my God, what was I thinking when I said I wanted to do this on my own?

 

After my aunt passed away last month, I found out she left us some real estate in Florida. Turns out, she owned the top two floors in a warehouse which had been converted to luxury apartments. Correction, all the other floors are now luxury apartments. I on the other hand am staring at nothing but white walls. A clean slate, where I have cart blanche. The prospect is a little intimidating.

Thankfully, along with the apartment, she left enough money to convert the floors into livable space. The only decisions I had made so far were, other than erecting walls to section off the bedrooms, I was going to leave the floor plan open, and we were going to keep the top floor for ourselves and sell the floor below us after it was converted.

I wandered the space which was going to be our new home, sketchpad in hand. When I reached the middle of the cavernous space, I turned in a slow surveying circle, then closed my eyes. Images started to flitter through my brain. I opened my eyes and I could see the finished product. I plopped down, right there in the middle of the empty room and started to draw. My pencil flew across the pages.

 

Your Next Challenge is (K.M. Kinsley, another author, tweeted this question and I thought it would make a great writing challenge. I’ll tell you what the rest of her tweet reads tomorrow.):

 

If you could do anything without fear of failing, what would it be?

 

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

July 14th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

Up bright and early this foggy Sunday morning because the girls need to be at the church by 6:30. Today they are leaving for their Summer Mission Project. For one week, they will be in a tiny town in southwest Pennsylvania helping the residents work on their houses or the community center or some other need this extremely poor town has. They will be sleeping and eating at a convent. There is no TV, no internet and even phone service is a little iffy at times. This will be my oldest daughter’s third trip and my youngest daughter’s first. One whole week of my 18 year old being responsible for my 14 year old – should prove interesting.

 

I’m kinda bummed. I never made it to the party yesterday because I got one of my lovely headaches again. I think it was brought on this time because my allergies have been so bad and I may have a sinus infection. A bunch of years ago my brother-in-law’s brother and his wife and daughter moved out to Kentucky, and other than on Skype during the holidays, I haven’t seen them. I was really looking forward to catching up. I’m not sure when they are headed back. Maybe I’ll get to see them today.

 

Oh well, I need to get my rugrats up and out, so let’s get to the challenges. Have a great day!

 

Your Last Challenge was:

For me, THIS is the happiest place on Earth

 

Some say the beach, some say the mountains, and some do actually say Disney, but for me, this right here, sitting in front of my computer writing, is my happiest place on Earth. Now that’s not to say I don’t mind having my computer with me in any of those places, well maybe not Disney, I think I’d be a little too distracted and busy.

Through my writing I’ve been transported to the seediest or the most historic parts of London, galloped over the English countryside, stood on Ireland’s breathtaking rocky coast, and strolled the spice market in exotic Istanbul. I’ve sailed into the battle of Trafalgar alongside Lord Nelson and I’ve danced the waltz at glamorous balls.

When writing I can be anywhere during any time, past, present or future. I can possess skills, talents and abilities only a handful of people can boast. My only limitation is my imagination, and so far, mine knows no bounds. How could this not be my happiest place on Earth?

 

Your Next Challenge is:

 

 

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.