Simply me

I'm still alive!!

I haven't given up or forgotten about this blog or what I plan to accomplish. It may take a little longer then the original year long intention. But that is ok!

This is meant to enhance my writing and further my creative juices, not hinder or complicate them. I do have a life beyond my blogs and beyond my writing. So, it's all done as a pastime. And it should be enjoyable at all times. It should delight and inspire me, to want to write and inspire you.

I have a regular Monday thru Friday job, just like most everybody else. And that job is about as far away as one can get from paragraphs and poetic rhymes. I'm a maintenance technician, which sounds a lot fancier than it is I assure you. I fix things for a living, appliances, electrical, plumbing... that sort of stuff. I work with my hands, but you would never guess by the feel of my oddly soft hands.

I'm a Jack of trades, and with that a master of none. But I do enjoy the variety of it, I enjoy taking things apart and seeing their inner workings. However, do I want to do it for the rest of my days? No, I just happen to be good at it. And I like the idea of one day being a writer that can fix things. I like surprising people with the unexpected.

So I do intend to finish what I started. I'm just taking a momentary break as I try to find the balance. The balance between life, work, writing and a new hobby, photography. Not sure where life is taking me, but I'm starting to find the groove. And I'm beginning to make it mine.

Bare with me just a tad longer if you have followed along thus far. Balance in all things, finding my balance and I may stumble a bit.

So... check back soon! Ciao!!

Writing prompt #10

"An alien has just abducted you. Give three reasons why it would send you back to earth."

I've been waiting to write on this one. I have a sister who if she doesn't hear from me for awhile. Automatically assumes aliens have abducted me and to please let me send her a text between my probings.

Honestly though, I think if a real abduction ever did occur. I would crap myself, yes... you read correctly I would have Hershey squirts in my pants. (Stand by me reference, a favorite movie of mine.) I think anybody that says they would do otherwise has either not truly thought about it or is just lying. YOUR BEING ABDUCTED BY BEINGS FROM A WHOLE OTHER PLANET!! Crapping yourself is probably the bare minimum of how you would react.

Three reasons why to send me back... I could just given one! Among the human race of all the billions of minds on the planet. I'm a moron!! So... the likely hood of the alien or aliens learning anything by probing me is highly unlikely.

Let's see, I don't know anybody of any real importance to society. I mean to me their priceless but to the majority of the world. Their just another human living their life. I don't own anything of actual importance either. Incase wealth of some kind is the driving force of my abductors.

I think the most important reason. My sister! One she would miss me, two she would annoy them with questions of how many times they probed me that week. And third... she'd probably kick their ass if they didn't eventually return me. Of course, this is after she stops laughing, and then for the rest of my days I will have to put up with probing jokes...

Writing prompt #9

"What one rule from your childhood do you not agree with now that you're an adult?"

I can't say I have one. I believe children should have rules. Life has rules, society has rules, jobs have rules. We are governed by rules. We may not always agree with the rules but they're there to keep us safe. To keep us from harming ourselves or others. To keep us in check so we don't just run rampant like a herd of buffalo trampling anything in our path.

Of course all rules are more like guidelines. We can choose not to follow them. Sometimes bend them with little or no consequence. It's when we flat out don't follow them that has consequences. Say if you decide to climb mount Everest and you haven't prepared for it. "Life's rule - you should always be prepared for whatever adventure you undertake." And no I don't mean fully prepared, like you can account for all things. No, nobody can do that. I mean like you're mentally prepared, you've packed the right equipment, you have experience in mountain climbing, etc... Life, nature, the elements are all wild and untamed. So... sure you can decide to not follow life's rule and head up the mountain with whatever. But the consequence is... you could die!
When the park ranger tells you not to feed the animals and you decide... To hell with the park ranger and feed the wild animals. Consequence... again... you could die!

You see, rules are there for a reason. So the petty rules We all have as children are there to prepare us for just the basic survival necessities of well... life!
I didn't mind going to bed early as a child, sure sometimes I would stay up a little longer reading comic books or whatever. And that was no big deal. But there were times I would stay up A LOT later then I was supposed to. Annndd I would pay for it the next morning by being tired.

So, No! I don't have a childhood rule that I don't agree with now. They helped to make me the well rounded person I am today. If your parents have a rule that you don't agree with I'm sure it's for a good reason. Even if at the time you don't understand what that is.

Writing prompt #8 (part 2)

"Trick or Treat!!"

Buzz lightyear, another fairy and a miniature Darth Vader were standing on the porch. With their arms stretched out and bags open. They eagerly awaited to see what tasty edible sugary delight the girl in front of them would drop into each of their bags. Emily reached for a bowl that had an assortment of chocolate bars and caramel popcorn balls on top. She put one of each in each of their bags.
"Cute costumes! Happy Halloween guys." Emily said as she closed the door. And headed back to the living room where the girls were already anticipating the rest of Emily's story.
"Lets see... where was I?" "Ah yes, Chrissie ran toward the living room..."

Chrissie's heart was racing as she got to the living room. Where she screamed again as she looked upon the bloodied massacre that was now her living room. The Fire Marshall's body was on the floor with an axe in his head. His wife and son were lying in pools of blood on the other side of the room. They looked like they tried to make a run for it. Chrissie shaking, walked over to the fireplace and grabbed the fire poker.
The house had gone so quiet, Chrissie could hear the loud pounding of her heart. Her mind was racing, her arms were shaking. She stood there breathing frantically.

"Next Up on our Halloween Marathon, "Zombies down under..." came from upstairs. Chrissie grabbed the poker tight as she walked toward the stairs. Someone had turned a television on. She made her way to the second floor. Heart still beating loud, "Thump-Thump! Thump-Thump!"
She slowly walked into her bedroom. Not even paying attention to what was on the television. She walked over and shut it off. The house was eerily quiet nice again.

"Dingggg Donggg!"

Chrissie jumped and ran for the stairs. She practically flew down the stairs. She didn't know who was at the front door. She didn't care, as long as it was a living person and away from this nightmare that had become her evening. Reaching the door, she gripped the poker tight just in case. Turning the handle she slowly opened the door...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" Yelled her husband and daughter and the rest of her guests she had thought were grisly murdered. Chrissie dropped the poker and collapsed.

"Honey, are you ok?" The Mayor asked sitting down holding his wife.
"Honey?"
"You suck! You know that!? You all got me good!" Chrissie said as she opened her eyes.
"I'm going to get you for this!" She exclaimed as she leaned up to kiss her husband.

"Yay!! That was a fantastic story Emily!" Said Abigail as the girls clapped.
"Oooh, can't wait to hear what you come up with next!" Said Brittney as she headed for the snack table.
"Thanks girls! So how about a scary movie now?"

Writing prompt #8 (part 1)

"Plan a "murder mystery" dinner party. Create the dinner menu and the guest list, and design the murder plot."

"Dingggg Donggg!" Signaled the guests were here.

Emily opened the front door to find a pink rabbit, cowgirl, a fairy and what looked like a goodfella in a wife beater.

"Trick or Treat!"

Emily laughed, "come in ladies, welcome to my terror party."
"Nice costume Samantha, what are you supposed to be?" Emily asked.
"I thought it would be funny since I'm pregnant and Italian, to be an overweight mobster." "Heyy! How YOU Do-in!?" Samantha blurted out.
"Ha-ha!" Chuckled the pink bunny.
Emily led her friends into the living room. Candles were lit on the mantle and other parts of the room. A sofa sat on either side of an oak coffee table that sat in the middle of the room. A Victorian Dollhouse  sat on top, opened so you could see the various rooms inside. Several lights lit up the inside rooms, a chandelier lit up a dinner table in the dining room.  Where eight tiny people were seated.

Against the wall was a table filled with chips, candy and various snacks. A punch bowl with frozen eyeballs floating around in some green liquid. Skeletons and spider webs with little plastic spiders dangled on the walls and a Jack-o-lantern sat on a little round table in front of the window.

Emily stood behind the doll house in her French maid costume. "Nice Dollhouse Emily" said Abigail sitting, trying not to squish her fairy wings.
"Thanks! It's my sisters, she's letting me borrow it for the night."
"Nice boots Cat, I almost bought a pair of those in pink" said Emily. "Speaking of pink..." the girls all look at the pink bunny already stuffing her face with chips and dip. "What's with bunny outfit Brittney? I thought you were going to be a witch?"
"I was... until my dog ate the costume." "Luckily my brother still had this hanging in his closet, so... here I am poofy tail and all! Deal with it!" Said Brittney stuffing more chips in her mouth.
"So Emily what spooky tale do you have for us tonight? And what's with the Dollhouse anyway?" Inquired Abigail.
"Well, tonight I have something special since its Halloween. A murder mystery that takes place in a mansion that looks just like this Dollhouse." Emily leans over the Dollhouse, "it's called The Tale of the Golden Monkey."

"Dingggg Donggg!"

"Honey, are you ready yet? The guests are here." Chrissie said putting her earrings on.
"Of course!" Said the Mayor walking up, "You look absolutely stunning my dear."

"Dingggg Don!"

Anthony opened the door. Standing there was the Sheriff, Fire Marshall, his wife and son.
"Please, come in." Anthony gestured. "May I take your coats?"
"Welcome everybody!" The Mayor shouted as he and his wife walked down the stairs.
"Happy Birthday Chrissie." Said the Marshall's wife giving Chrissie a hug. "You have a beautiful home."
"Thank you, and thank you." "Shall we head into the dining room?"

The dining room was already set up. White linens draped over the top of the cherry table. China dishes with cherry blossom tree patterns. Silverware polished and crystal glasses sat neatly beside the ornate dishes. A crystal chandelier hung over the center looked like a thousand diamonds sparkling in the Sun.
"Where is Isabella?" Asked the Mayor.
"Here I am father!" Walking in in short black shorts a purple webbed tube top and a pointed black hat.
"What do you have on?" Demanded the Mayor.
"Daddy, this is my witch costume! It is Halloween, Duh!"
Isabella sat with a smug look of contentment. The Mayor did not approve... But it was Halloween and the guests were already here. So he simply gave her a stern look.

"Dingggg Donggg!"

"Emily, this story doesn't sound scary at all!" Samantha blurted out. "Where's the killing and the screaming? Jason chasing them around with a chainsaw!"
The girls were in muffled agreement.
"Relax girls, I'm getting there!"
"So... the doorbell."

"Dingggg Donggg!"

Anthony opened the door to a sobbing woman.
"Miss are you alright?" Asked Anthony as he gestured the woman to come in.
Chrissie heard the woman crying and headed to the door. "Wendy what's wrong??" "Where is Frank?"
Sobbing still Wendy stifled out "He's been cheating on me-ee."
"Oh darlin, come here." Chrissie wrapped her arms around Wendy. "It'll be ok..."
"Haa-aappie Birr-rrthda-ayy" Wendy muffled.
"Awe darlin, you didn't have to come, when you're dealing with this mess." Said Chrissie as she comforted Wendy.
"Of course I did! You're my sister!" "And besides, you have the best alcohol in town! And it's free!" The ladies laughed as they headed into the dining room.
"Wendy, good evening happy you could join us." Said the Mayor.
"Anthony would you mind running down to the cellar and getting a few bottles of the Moet?" Asked the Mayor.
"Certainly sir!" Replied Anthony as he headed out of the room.
"Welcome everybody, as you know tonight is my lovely wife's birthday. And I have a special surprise for this evening. My wife enjoys searching for things, So... I've hidden a golden monkey somewhere in the house. And the person who finds it gets five hundred dollars!" Said the Mayor excitedly.
Chrissie's face lit up, her husband knew her all too well. The rest of the guests all clapped.
"As soon as Anthony returns, we shall have a toast and then I will release you to search the house." Said the Mayor.

"Oooh this is getting good!" Brittany said as she popped a handful of popcorn in her mouth.
"Goodness Brit! I thought I was the pregnant one." Said Samantha rubbing her belly.
"I eat when I'm nervous ok!?"
"Shhh you guys! Continue Emily." Gestured Abigail.

"It had been a half hour before anyone noticed Anthony had not returned..." Emily continued.

The guests were having various conversations.
"Honey? Anthony hasn't come back yet." Said Chrissie concerned.
"I'll go check on him." Said the Mayor.
Another half hour had passed and Chrissie was really concerned. There had been no sign of the butler or her husband.
"Will, my husband has not come back yet. And I'm worried, can you come with me, please."
"Of course Chrissie, lead the way."
"Wait! What is going on?" Asked the Fire Marshall.
"Anthony and my husband have been gone a long time." Replied Chrissie.
"Well why don't we all go and find out what has happened." Said the Marshall as he stood up.

Chrissie and the guests headed for the cellar. The wine cellar was the only part of the basement that had been refinished. The stairs going down were still creaky old wood. And their was an instance musty smell as they descended down the stairs. Their was however plenty of lighting to see the boxes stacked up against a wall. An additional wall was added for the cellar. And the smell of the cedar racks and the musty damp odor of the basement were mingling in the air.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Chrissie screamed as she saw Anthony's body lying on the ground.
Will the sheriff immediately went over to check the body. A pool of blood was all around the motionless corpse.
"It looks like he has been stabbed." Said will as he inspected the body.
"I'm going to call this in, where is your phone Chrissie?"
"Upstairs in the kitchen." Replied Chrissie still shaken from seeing the body.
"I'll go with you!" Wendy said as she followed Will up the stairs.
"My husband is not down here! Where is my husband??" Chrissie asked as they looked around the basement.
But no other body was found. Chrissie and her guests headed back upstairs.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!"

"AAAAAHHHHHH!" Screamed the pink bunny hiding her face behind a pillow.
"What the Hell Brit!" Remarked Samantha.
"You trying to make me go into labor early??"
"Sorry..." muffled Brittney from behind the pillow.

Chrissie had just reached the top of the stairs when she heard the scream and rushed toward the kitchen.
"OMG!!" Shrieked Chrissie as she entered the kitchen. Seeing her sister lying on the ground and Will holding his head still kneeling on the floor.
"What the Hell happened??" Asked the Marshall.
"I don't know..." said Will still holding the back of his head.
"I was trying to dial out, but the phone is dead. And I was checking to see if it was plugged in when Wendy came in."
"The light went out, I heard a thud! And turned around and someone hit me in the back of the head."
"It all happened so fast!"
"Is my sister ok??" Chrissie asked sobbing.
Will leaned over to check for a pulse.
"She doesn't have a pulse..."
"Seriously! What the Hell is going on?? Two dead bodies, your husband is missing!" Asked the angered Marshall.
"I don't know! But I have a phone upstairs in my room. Isabella come with me." Said Chrissie.
"I better go with you as well! Everybody else go to the living room and stay there till we get back!" Ordered Will as he followed Chrissie and Isabella toward the stairs.

They reached the top of the stairs.
"Isabella go check the phone in your bedroom."
"I'll go with her." Replied Will.
Chrissie went into her bedroom and the lights flickered. She picked up the phone that was sitting on the nightstand. It was dead, not even a dial tone.
She yelled, "Isabella! How is your phone?"
The whole house had gone quiet. Chrissie could feel her heart about to beat out of her chest.
"Isabella!?" Chrissie yelled nervously as she headed down the hall to her daughter's room.
"Isabella!!?"
"Will!!?"

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Chrissie screamed as she saw the bloodied bodies of Will and Isabella.
Screaming Chrissie ran down the stairs nearly stumbling and falling. She ran towards the living room...

"Dingggg Donggg!"

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Screamed the girls. Who had all huddled onto one couch.

"Dingggg Donggg!"

Emily headed toward the front  door. The girls jumped up to look out the window. Emily opened the door...

Writing prompt #7

"Create ten all-new funny scratch and sniff stickers. Describe the image and smell."

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to come up with ten. Haven't they already come up with every scratch and sniff smell?

When I was a kid I had a sticker collection. I don't think I ever told anybody that. I kept getting stickers from all sorts of things and places. Only I could never decide where to put them. So I kept them all in a brown folder. I even had some scratch and sniffs. A few that I remember we're burnt rubber and buttered popcorn. As you can imagine the burnt rubber was a stinky one.

So... let's see, I bet I could do a few Star Wars ones. The fan in me can imagine standing on Tattoine or standing next to a Jedi when they power up their lightsaber.

#1 Lightsaber - of course the picture would be a lightsaber. I can imagine the smell being a mixture of a stove element heating up and something electrical burning.

#2 Snow - snowflake  picture. Its a mixture of an earthy smell and right before it rains.

#3 Friends apartment - a picture of a living room. This is a newer smell to me. But has become a good smell at least to me. Its a mixture of cigarette smoke and perfume. But not like a bar. This is a sweet smoky smell.

#4 The Harbor - picture of a Dock. This one is one of my favorite smells that I can actually smell! Ha! I love walking out on the pier and feeling the wind blow over me. The smell of salt and sea life and whatever else the wind has carried along.

#5 The beach - sand and the water and a setting Sun in the horizon. Probably another favorite of mine. A mixture of salty sea air, suntan lotion and sunkissed skin.

#6 The mountains - a picture of a mountain. Also a favorite. Standing on the side of the mountain, the wind blowing. And this smell of fresh snow, pine trees and probably the freshest air you will ever breathe.

#7 Grandma's kitchen - a picture of a sweet old lady. I remember growing up and walking into my grandma's house. It was always a mixture of old smell, my grandma's perfume and the sweet odor of cookies and breads and cinnamon rolls. The smell of fresh cookies brings an instant comfort to me still.

#8 Vegetable garden - a medley of vegetables. Have you ever stood in the middle of a fresh garden? A mixture of this earthy smell and green plant smell. I can't really describe it. But green plants have a smell, its this musty sharp smell with a hint of sweetness and bitterness.

#9 Thanksgiving - a picture of a Turkey and dressing. Mmm, I almost drool thinking of this one. That smell of Turkey cooking in the oven, butter, sweet potatoes and pumpkin.

#10 Christmas - a picture of a Christmas tree. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Especially when I was growing up and had white Christmases. There was always the smell of pine, apple cinnamon and snow melting. Still brings a smile to my face.

It became easier to do this one. Once I started thinking of my favorite things and places. I'm pretty sure a few of those have already been done. But I don't care haha! Any of these smells excluding the lightsaber, only because I've never actually smelled one. The rest though all bring smiles to me. And any smell that brings a smile to my face I would want out there in the world. Because surely it makes others smile as well.

Writing prompt #6

"Create three original screen names and passwords that the Easter Bunny may use when logging in to check his e-mail."

I skipped a few days so now I get to play ketchup... badum bum! Yes,I know leave the jokes to the professionals!

So... I guess out of 500 prompts your bound to get a cheesy one or even a few. I didn't even know it was possible to email the Easter Bunny. So I looked it up, and apparently there are several websites you can go to to mail the king of Easter eggs.

www.holidays.net/easter/easterBunnyMail being at the top of the list. Just simply put your name, your email address and the letter to the bunny. And I didn't try it but I'm assuming you get an answer in a relatively short time.

I never thought to write the Easter Bunny as a child. But now that I think about it. It may have been the polite proper thing to do. Not a before letter, like to Santa Claus. But a thank you letter for the basket of goodies and the joy of finding the cleverly hidden Easter eggs scattered in the yard or even house. Sometimes both if his bunnyship was feeling generous that year. I look back and think yes! A thank you note or letter would have surely made that Easter Bunny smile knowing how appreciated he was.

What would some of his screen names be? Do you think he would have to change it every few months like the military to prevent a breach of bunny business?
And of course being the Easter Bunny he has a sense of humor. Names like the Egginator, LongEarsMagee, Hopsalot perhaps Harewithflair.

I think passwords he would keep simple, because well it's the Easter Bunny and he has plenty to think about.
Passwords would be: bunny2g0, artsy3gg, endl3ssb3ans. Or simply EestRbunn3e1.

Writing prompt #5

"Write ten original thoughts that will be stuffed inside fortune cookies for perfect strangers to read."

Finally!! The first one that is not personal. I had a thought today, that by the time this written journey is over. Those that have followed along and read will have also glimpsed into my mind. There will surely be quite a few prompts that will require personal experience to complete. I had that thought... That some of my personal thoughts will be out there for all the world to see. Made me feel a little vulnerable...

But I don't have so deviant a past that when it's concluded I can still hold my head up high. Tonight though is not one of those times. Tonight we draw upon our inner Buddha and Confucius and conjure up some philosophical wisdom. "Ah yes, you have learned much young grasshopper!"

1. Always wake with a smile, today begins a new.
2. Remember the past, don't dwell in it.
3. It may not rain everyday, but it will rain.
4. The leaves may fall today, but tomorrow they will grow again.
5. Give this to someone, and say dinner is on me.
6. Dance in the tulips on a stormy day.
7. Laughter is nature's cure for sorrow.
8. Remember someone is always watching, even if it's just your conscious.
9. Give a hug and say have a nice day.
10. Not everything you read is true.

Chinese anyone? One more thing before you go. Whatever fortune you may recieve just remember the beautiful amazing person you are... and...
"Much to learn, you still have..." HAHA!

Writing prompt #4

"Name one thing you wish your cell phone did for you that it currently does not."

This one made me chuckle too when I read it. And I suppose I could wish for something cool. Like my phone was secretly a Transformer. And I could have my very own Einstein Transformer. He'd transform at night and play Xbox with me. Or sit around watching Transformers the movie for the hundredth time. And late at night I would catch him looking up porn, because he used to be a woman's vibrator and is just addicted now.

Yea! That might actually be an 11 on the awesomeness scale. But no... my wish is a little more realistic. And doesn't apply to me anymore. But back when I was dating it would have been useful to have a crazy radar app. But not just the app, the actual phone was advanced enough to detect mental issues. It would work for males and females, because let's face it there are just as many male weirdos.

On the app you could set your level of crazy to match your own. Do I really need to say it? If you know me... you know I'm a little out there! And so the phone would scan your potential date and if the crazy went higher then your settings. You simply wish them goodnight and be on your merry way. No time wasted, no money spent, no hopes coming to light.

A simple go or no go, pass or fail. Now, Now I can already sense feathers being ruffled with this one. I know we all have baggage and skeletons in the closet. We were not born yesterday and let's face it, life hands us more lemons then Apple pie.

But no matter, life happens and we move on. And really... there is not much that smart phones do not do these days, short of transforming... I mean you can control or access just about anything from your phone these days. Can you imagine 5 or 10 years from now? By then... they will probably start implanting them in people! Phone calls come in, and a holographic version of the other person appears.

Someday... someday.

Writing prompt #3

"If you wrote a song about your love life, what would the title be? Write the first verse."

This made me laugh when I first read it. Love life, what's that?? Yelling into the grand canyon, and "what's that?" echoing back at me.

Thoughts drift to a time so long ago. When I gave it all up, perhaps it's karma. Perhaps it's just life and this was the master plan all along. Either way, it all seems foreign to me now.

I may not have a love life, but that does not mean that I am without love. My heart is overflowing with love. You don't need to actually be with someone to love them. You don't need to hold them close to know that is where your heart belongs.

Love is fickle, it's like the lunar cycles making the waters wax and wane. I've seen it, I've experienced it first hand. How one can be the object of affection one day and barely a casual thought the next. That's not for me! "Today's catch of the day!" No thank you! Mmm it sure was delicious while it lasted... And guess what? Oh, look I'm hungry again! "Today's catch of the day!" Bum, Bum, Bummm!

I found a love that is stronger than anything I've ever known. The details don't matter... I know what's in my heart and it will forever be there. Just as the Sun will forever rise and set. The stars forever shining in the evening sky.

So... the song: "Today's catch of the day!"

" Looking off into the horizon
I see a glow and its getting brighter everyday!
Could this be it? Could this be the one?"

"Could I hold your hand, forget the past;
Wake up in your arms, and think.. at last!
Whisper sweet nothings, run my fingers
Thru your hair... would you care?"

"Or, am I Just the catch of the day!
A leaf in the wind, blowing, blowing away!
Where's the words, the voice to say... stay...
No, no, no! I'm Just the catch of the day!
Forever reaching after you've gone away..."

What do you think? A little bit of work it might actually be good! Haha!

Writing prompt #2

"Name the top ten things on your bucket list."

You know, I never had a bucket list. Because having a bucket list is admitting that we have an expiration date. And I would like to think I'm going to live forever.

Of course I know this to not be true and that eventually my time will be over just as everyone else's. But I just never thought about what it is I truly wanted to accomplish before my time is up. Could I die tomorrow and be happy with all I had done? The answer is, yes! And not because I've seen and done everything. But because I've done the things that mean something.

I've had children, I've fallen in love, I met "the one" who remains in my life and is truly amazing. Even more then she knows. I've felt loved, I've experienced families, I've held hands in the moonlight. I've kissed under the stars and woken up next to my loves.

Sure there are still things I want to do and see. But if it never happens, I won't be sad or feel like I missed out. They're just there to enhance my already pretty grand life. So, my bucket list is probably more on the mild and boring side. But should not reflect or imply that I, myself am boring.

My bucket list includes and in no particular order.
- seeing my children grow up and seeing what they become.
- holding a grandchild in my arms someday
- seeing my beautiful daughter marry a truly amazing guy.
- having an actual wedding of my own. It scares me and excites me all at the same time! Mainly the standing up in front of a lot of people! (Speech flashbacks...)
- dancing with my daughter
- having another baby, I would love to hear the pitter patter of little feet one more time.
- going camping with my family.
- taking a cruise
- making it to Europe at least once.
- And of course Australia!

I think that's ten. I know none of them are exciting, like climbing mount Everest, or swimming the dolphins. Going on a safari and feeding a lion. Or ziplining thru the Amazon. Which would be fun! But not a loss if I never do. Or seeing the great wall of China, or the great pyramids. Stonehenge or the statues on Easter island.

The world is full of amazing, beautiful, historical, boundary pushing adventures. And if I get to experience some of them. Than great for me! If I don't... no biggie! The world is just too large to see and do it all.

Writing prompt #1

The first page says, " While at the beach you decide to write a message in a bottle. What would it say? Who would you like to find it?"

I would write a letter to my future daughter:

Dear Mia,

Hi baby girl, I know you haven't been a baby for many many years. And probably have a baby or two of your own by now.

I'm writing this letter to you, to thank you for giving me a miracle I never deserved. I remember that day the nurse wheeled you into the room where I was waiting with your mom. The actual delivery had been such a blur of nurses and screaming and acting as a stirrup for one of your mom's legs. That I didn't get the chance to grasp that a beautiful miracle had just arrived. So it wasn't until we were in the recovery room. And the nurse wheeled you in, at that very moment my heart just melted. You were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I picked you up and your tiny fingers wrapped around my finger. I felt so blessed and honored to be your dad.

I told myself that day, I would always be there for you. You would never question if I had your back, or if I loved you. That you would never feel alone or so scared that a hug from your old dad couldn't fix. That I would be a shoulder for you to cry on, when life brought you sad days. An ear to listen when you have to get it all out. Your strength and courage when you feel you just don't have enough. A hand to hold when you just want to take a walk. A helping chef when it's time to bake.

But... I failed. The little girl that used to never leave my side grew up. And I missed it... I may have been there during your first steps, the first time you talked and even the first hairs on your cute bald head. But I missed you turning from the young girl to the beautiful woman you've become. I missed those years when you probably needed me most.

If I could go back in time, I would have stayed. I never would have missed a single day. Because you were and still are my most favorite girl on the whole planet! And the galaxy is not big enough for all the love I feel for you.

So, I hope this letter finds you in good health. That if you got at least one thing from me. It was the joy of life, and that you enjoy every day like it's your last. That your life be filled with love and happiness all your days. That you enjoy all the little things. That you cherish each moment with your little ones. And never miss a day of any of it.

                                  All my love baby girl,
                                    Love Dad

The Journey begins

Starting is always the hardest part...

The challenge: 500 writing prompts in 365 days!

I think we all reach the different points in our lives where we either push forward or we move on. Sometimes it's relationships, sometimes it's career choices. Sometimes, and this is my case... you reach that point where your passion, your dreams need to become a reality or just another thought fading in the wind.

I've spent most of my life putting my passion for writing on the back burner. Always thinking... There is always tomorrow! Well... tomorrow has arrived! And sure I could spend the rest of my days being just a poet, becoming a master of rhymes. But, is that all I am?? Could I truly call myself a writer if all I wrote were haikus and sonnets? Describing the world in poetic tales? Of course I could! But I feel I have more to offer than just my poetry.

So I intend to spend the next year going thru "500 writing prompts" to stir the creative juices. To find out what I'm truly capable of.

I hope you will follow me on this journey of self strengthening. I say that because last year was my self discovery. This is the first step on the road to where I want to be...

I can't say everything I write will be... well, be anything worth reading. But all I can do is try, one can't succeed if one never tries!

So Welcome! To my year long journey! Enjoy!

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