two days...two days...

Ready…

Set…

GO!

Well, not yet. Not for two days. But I’m ready! Ready for what, you ask? The A-Z Blogfest, that’s what!

All through April, some very committed (or committable) bloggers have signed up to write a new blog every single day except Sundays. I am one of those committable committed ones.
I’m so excited. I have been writing a lot lately. Just not a lot for this blog. It will be amazing to get back to it. And that is exactly why I signed up. I signed up a while ago, maybe a month, maybe more. It seemed so far away, and I was certain I would have time to get back to the blogging. But, as it usually does, time found its way of sneaking up on me. And here we are, two days out, and I haven’t written anything for this blog!

So, it’s time to get a move on. I started the alphabet list of potential topics. I know what I’m starting with. In two days, I’ll be on the letter A, and then B…

In other news, I’ve been the recipient of a reward. I feel, as always, very honored and quite humbled that someone likes my work. Deidra over at A Storybook World has given me the Creative Blog Award.   Go on over and check out her blog, it is beautiful.

I’ll see all of you in two days for the letter A!

An Honest Award

HonestScrap…I’ve been wondering when this would be necessary.

Crap. HonestCrap…I’ve been debating on what to write about.

***BAD WORD THAT STARTS WITH F. HonestFlip…My mind turns at every corner, yet I cannot find words to fit in the swerve.

Foot Taps. HonestTap…I do not like tap water.

Scrap.  HonestScrapAward.  Write.  Now.

Once again, my dear friend and Rebel, Olivia has given me an undeserved award. The Honest Scrap Award. She has given this, in spite of the fact that lately, I cannot figure out how to be honest in words.

Maybe this is the gear-up to get back. Ten honest things about me, as per usual upon the award acceptance speech. But first, I must say thank you to my Rebel, you may have helped me get back into my life, or rather, get my life back.

1. (For my Olivia.) I am 4’10”. I don’t know why, but I haven’t grown in height at all since 5th grade. In reality, I haven’t grown much anywhere since 5th grade.

2. I am currently at a crossroads. I think I’ll choose the road less travelled. No matter what you or anyone else thinks. No, I do not know how this will affect me in the long run, but it’s a risk I’m going to have to live with, not you.

3. I needed the aid of the internet to figure out if it was effect or affect in the last one. In spite of my grammar-superstardom, I still get those two confused. It frustrates me beyond words.

4. I have recently found that I do not believe in the things I have always wanted to believe in. Others believe, but I do not. I guess somethings are not meant for everyone.  And wants cannot always be achieved.

5. Someone asked me to start journaling recently. In spite of my love of writing, it is harder than anything I have had to do in recent memory. It has been helpful, and also has led me to abandon myself fully to new ideas about myself and others.

6. I recently starting Yelping.  No, not dog noises, but the website.  I guess I think since I can (sort-of) cook now, that gives the right to judge others.

7. Learning to cook is the best thing I have done for myself in a long time.

8. My favorite movies are Back to the Future (all three), The Hours, and Annie Hall. I watch the last two every time I’m sick or sad and they make me feel better. I have a tendency to say “la-di-da” like Annie Hall when I can’t think of anything to say.

9. My favorite color has always been green. But I lean towards blue for most purchases.

10. This list took over an hour to write. It is hard to get past my own insecurities.

I’d like to leave you with a song. My current obsession of a song. I can’t stop listening to this one. It’s pretty new, shocking, I know. But there’s something in the beat and the lyrics that drive me to a familiar place.

Awards...and a sneak of what's to come!

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if you have all forgot about me.  I have not forgotten about you.  I have, however been extremely busy and have so much to write about!  I'll try to keep this on track and focused, and update you all slowly in the very near future on the goings-on as of late.

Before I update you all, I have to acknowledge that Olivia from That Rebel With a Blog and my friend from way before cyber-space was an galaxy, has given me an award.  Probably undeserved, as I have been a lame blogger and an out-of-touch friend.  Nonetheless, she has bestowed the "Circle of Friends" award upon me.  It's nice to be remembered and thought of.  It fills my heart with joy. 

I am supposed to give this to others.  The first three are people I know personally.

So first, I must give it back to Olivia.  She is and always has been a constant in my life.  Whether near or far, every time I hear from her, we are real and honest and open with each other.  And it never matters how long it has been since we have talked or seen each other.  Her writing on here keeps me motivated and reminds me to continue with my own. 

Ric over at Marketing Your Business Online is also a face-to-face friend.  He is an inspiration to me in many ways, both business and personal-wise.  I am at home in the home he shares with his wife, I am can be myself around them, nothing more, nothing less.  I have learned the value of working for a goal and doing what you love from him.  He is a true champion.

Pam at Soft Smiles Oral Health Training and Education is Ric's wife.  As much as I have learned from Ric, I have learned the same ten-fold, and then some from Pam.  Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life.  I've never met anyone who lived up to this phrase like her. 

Jerry at Gently Said has been a faithful reader and has constantly commented and encouraged me.  Jerry, I'll get back over and read some of your posts!  You'll hear from me soon! Promise!

So, for now, I need to sign off.  But let me give you a sneaker of the next posts.  Since I've been here last, I have moved, cooked, and made jelly from my grandma's recipe.  I will be writing about these expierences.  I have never really cooked before, so it has certainly been entertaining.

Later, gators!

I’d like to thank all the little people…oh yeah, I am the littlest person in the room!

I’m pretty new here. I am still learning my way around, constantly adding and deleting to my layout, and still cannot fix the formatting in my comments.

In spite of my newness (or perhaps because of it), I have been given an award! My long-lost dear friend, Olivia has bestowed a blog award upon me. Honored. I am truly honored.

However, in order to be deserving of said reward, I must do two things.

First, I must pass it along to seven fellow bloggers. That is the easy part.

I feel nervous about the second task. I must reveal seven truths about myself. All at once. For all the world (okay, for the very few of you who read my ramblings) to see. Since I am trying my best to take the fear road of Face Everything And Recover, instead of F&%# Everything And Run, I’m going to put seven truths out there. Maybe you’ll respect me tomorrow anyway. Maybe not. Either way, it was a fun night, eh?

1. Is Ivy Bliss my real name? This is the easy one. Yes. Ivy Bliss, in all its bad-ass-ness is, in fact, my real name. I am not famous, nor do I possess the self-confidence it would take to change my name to something that cool. First name, Ivy. Middle name, Bliss. Last name, irrelevant, unless you are my doctor, work at the DMV, or the bank. My last name is irrelevant because you will not be able to pronounce it or spell it. And it just isn’t as cool.

Buddy Hackett. He is how I got my first name. His daughter’s name was Ivy and my parents met them when they worked at a ski resort in Colorado. Apparently, they had the Lorraine McFly moment, “Ivy, what a nice name.” (okay, she said Marty, but we are talking about me here)

A waitress. That’s where my middle name came from. I am adopted. My parents were on the way to the agency to pick me up and they stopped to eat. Because, the kid can wait, we're hungry! Whatever, mom. Thanks for making me lay in that crib in the orphanage while you noshed on some grub. Back to the story, they had already settled on Ivy, but had yet to come up with a middle name, and their waitress’s name at said restaurant was…yep, you guessed it…Bliss.

So there you go. My name. 

2. I am deeply attached to notebooks and pens. They are my tools for writing. I find it difficult to be creative if I am not hunched over a one subject, wide rule, spiral bound notebook with my medium blue papermate flexigrip pen (the one with the cap, not the clicker) in my hand.  (And usually a cigarette in the other.)

I handwrite all my blogs, then type them in. I hand-wrote every paper I wrote for school, even the ten-pagers. I type later.

Yes, this takes a lot of time. But, it is how I work. I love scratching out mistakes. I love the hurried feeling I get in my wrist when I am in the middle of a great flow. But most of all, I love how my handwriting changes as the words go on.

In spite of all this, I love my computer and wish more people and companies in the world would be paperless. What a friggin’ oxymoron I am!

3. I love to take pictures.  I struggle to find the time to find beauty in my life.  I tend to be hyper-obsessively-focused on my life.  And that makes this difficult.  When I am behind a camera, I feel free.  I have made a committment to myself to take pictures of at least one beautiful thing a month this year.  And by one beautiful thing, I mean a roadtrip (even if just for a day) to see a place I have not seen before, or a place I have been, but not appreciated.

4. I love dogs. I feel more comfortable around dogs than I do most people. I am fortunate to be a house sitter for many people and their dogs. I appreciate the loyalty and unconditional love dogs give and strive to be more like that.  (Yep, that's my dog and me!)

5. I am shy and reserved. All my friends are loud and out-spoken. I am fiercely attracted to outgoing people. I suck at small talk. My theory is that they compensate for me, and others, in turn, think I am great at conversation. As long as I am not responsible for the small talk, I can play along. I feel amped up and more alive when I am with these types of people. It is easier to be social.

I prefer deep conversations, and they come as a result of the small talk sometimes, and that is good.

6. I believe in music and that it heals. In many ways, I believe it has saved me over and over again. The power of music feeds my soul and reinforces my life every day. It brings me to a place I am still hesitant to put into words, but I can feel the sound on my insides, and I internalize the words. 

7. I used to love to write. This blog is my attempt to get that feeling again. So far, it’s working.

Well, I guess that wasn’t so bad. Thanks again, Olivia. You are everything I want to be when I grow up! (If that should ever really happen!) To all the bloggers I bestow this award upon, don’t forget your list and thank you for encouraging me to write on!

Guess I should start typing!

And now for the awards!

http://thatrebelwithablog.blogspot.com/ - My inspiration for starting and continuing this blog. I am glad you are back. We will make time for each other.

http://gentlysaid.blogspot.com/ - Thank you for all your good words. I think we share humor in many ways.

http://murrbrewster.blogspot.com/ - You are funny and wonderful. Thank you for your support and comments.

http://psychedelicsister.blogspot.com/ - Your pictures inspire me to take more of my own and see things others don’t.

http://lizzysends.blogspot.com/ - I have just found you, but I like your style.

http://www.ratherbeblogging.com/ - I love the Fonz, too! ;)

http://jkoyanagi.com/ - You are an amazing talent, and I enjoy every sentence!