Blog-a-thon Hangover!

Announcements at the end.

I suddenly jolted awake from a deep sleep this morning and was immediately relieved to remember that Dorothy and Tramp were not real.  Phew, just a very well done scary story co-authored by a very able and creative group of bloggers. 

Thank you to all 23 of you who helped make yesterday's blog-a-thon work.  It was a great success... on a couple of levels.  Not only were the story's twists and turns suspenseful, but it was fun, and will have raised upwards of $345.00. 

Special thanks to Susan, the excellent writer who got our story off to a perfect start.  Anybody who has ever aspired write KNOWS that putting the first words to paper is the hardest most nerve wracking part.  She handled it like a pro.  Thanks also to Treye - our closer - who took our individual thoughts and masterfully pulled them together for a strong finish.  And yet... in doing so, he left the door open for a Blog-a-thon sequel!  Well done, Treye! 

And, while some of us were busy authoring a scary story, Peggy was busy authoring this morning's blog post... without even knowing it.

Peggy posed such a fun and refreshing string of questions yesterday morning, that I can't resist reprinting them.  Yesterday was a lot of work, so this feels like the perfect deep breath.  Take a shot at answering Peggy's string of questions and let's see what creative ideas we can generate!

"Where is some juicy Hollywood gossip, who's going to the Superbowl... has everybody been naughty or not so nice?  What can we be thankful for!  2009 is just around the corner!!  Have you seen all the cookie pictures on the women's magazines at the check out?  Who's found anything is in a $1 bin??"

Here's my crack at it...

Juicy Hollywood gossip... yikes, not my thing, but I'll take a shot at it.  Today is Maria Shriver's birthday (I wonder who she's eating lunch with); Going to the Super Bowl will be Dallas and Green Bay (again, not my area of expertise); Nice!; I'm thankful for my health, my family and friends, watching my boys grow up, and having the chance to do what I love; My mother in law just delivered a Family Circle Magazine to my house and it has all kinds of cookies on the cover.  I most excited to try the Coconut Snowballs; love the tins and containers in the Target $1 bin.  I've already picked up a few to package some kind of holiday treat for deserving people. 

Announcements:

• Patchwork Denim: Remember to send me the front page of your local paper, along with some kind of proof - anything - that you voted.  The combination of both earns you an "election" patch for your Patchwork Denim.  Don't know what I'm talking about?  Check out the post from 8/7, titled Patchwork. 
  
• Blog-a-thon Update:  Writers, thanks again for your time yesterday.  Ideally I will be able to send Tera the total sum of money raised for the Helping Hand family, one week from tomorrow (11/14).  Please mail whatever money you raised through sponsorships to Claudia K. Beeny at 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, TX 76051.
  

Signing off until tomorrow...

Psst... It's Me...

HemmingRAY

Here to get this Blog-a-thon started.

I'm a bulb of few words, but Claudia is making me post reminders before getting our Blog-a-thon started.

• If you are not participating in the Blog-a-thon, please feel free to read along, but refrain from making posts in the comment section.  We are trying to keep the developing story uninterrupted.
  
• If you're a loud mouth like me, and can't keep quiet... scroll down to the post Claudia made earlier today and add a comment in her section.
  
• Claudia also listed Blog-a-thon time slots that have not been claimed.  Feel free to scroll down, check them out, and claim one!  We are operating on CST!
  
• Writers, please be timely.  If you post late (or early) it will throw off the developing story.
  
• Whether you were able to secure $1.00/minute or a nickel per minute, please send your donation to Claudia K. Beeny at 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, Texas, 76051.
• Also, don't forget to search for the hidden HLAs!

Having said all of that, let's get this show on the road...  

Are you ready?

I, HemmingRAY, will kick us off... in the comment section... 

Blog-a-thon TODAY!

I am filled with hope and pride this morning.

Good morning, everyone.

Last night was a historic event in our nation's history and I feel privileged to have been a part of it.  Regardless of whether your candidate won, we must all acknowledge how lucky we are to live in a country where we have a voice and can choose our leaders.

I would also like to note a point that's been made a few times on t.v.  Red and blue, when combined, makes purple.  Purple... the same color as our friend, Ray's, boots.  I like the coincidence of this and hope it serves as a symbol of Highlowaha's ability to be in community - regardless of political affiliation.  Let our interest in creativity serve as the thing that binds us together.

As for the Blog-a-thon to start later this morning.  Below are some important points to know.

• Start Time: The Blog-a-thon begins at 10:00 a.m. CST and will be under the cover a new post.  I will put it up at exactly 10:00 CST.
  
• Writing Relay: Blog-a-thoners will participate in a Writing Relay.  This means we will co-author a progressive scary story.  Person #1 starts.  Person #2 builds on the work of person #1.  Person #3 builds on the work of person #2, and on and on.
• Comment Section: If you are not participating in the Blog-a-thon, please DO NOT post in the comment section of the post!  We are trying to keep the story running, without interruption. 
• 15-minute Blocks of Time: Blog-a-thoners are each signed up for a 15-minute block of time.  They do not need to write for the entire time, they must simply be on the blog for 15 minutes (I suggest using some of the time to read what the person before you has written).
• BE TIMELY: Blog-a-thoner, PLEASE be timely!  If you post late, you will throw off the schedule!
• Have FUN!  Remember to have fun with this.  Our Helping Hand family is a worthy cause, in addition to this being a fun exercise in creativity!
• JUMP IN: Didn't sign up, but want to participate (or, want to claim an additional time)?  Jump right in.  Below is a list of times that nobody is currently signed up.  It's helpful if you tell me (make a post here or email me at cbeeny@lslog.com), so I can assure that two people aren't simultaneously writing at the same time. 

Time slots still available:

11:00

11:15

11:30

11:45

12:00

12:15

12:45

1:00

1:15

1:30

2:15

2:30

2:45

3:00

3:15

3:45

4:00

4:15

5:45

6:00

6:15

6:45

8:30

8:45

Thank you, everyone, for helping to make this possible.  Signing off until later this morning...

Psst. It's Me...

DemocRAYcy 

Psst.

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

I'm the real Maverick..

Just look at my boots!

Had to throw that in there.  Hey, it's finally here.  Election day.  I can't believe I've been watching 4 hours of CNN per day for nearly two years.  I know more about David Gergen and John King than anyone should.  When you're watching John tomorrow with his Magic Map watch how he flings the states up and off the screen.  I don't know why, but I want to slap him when he does that.  Claudia thinks he's neighborly.  I've never had a neighbor like that.

David Gergen on the other hand, now he seems like a neighbor.  Only your neighbor could have that bad of a comb-over.  He probably mows the lawn in a jump suit with white socks and black dress shoes.  Probably wears safety goggles too.  That makes me crazy.  Oddly enough though, if I had to pick just one pundit to listen to it would be him.

I voted early, because I don't have a job and I could.  I just kind of hang out and I'm good with that.  At any rate, I'll be camped out in front of CNN hanging on David's every word and lunging at the TV every time another state gets flung out of sight.  I've got dinner being delivered and I'm going to sit in my PJs and boots and soak it all in.  Good luck to all of you that will be standing in line soon.  I'm going back to bed to rest up.  Vote well, all.

Ray out.

Polls Closed: Mixed Election Results

The polls - my polls - closed late last night and the results are mixed.

I visited Matthew's class at Children's Courtyard yesterday because I wanted to see who four year olds - with all of their simplicity and candor - would vote into the office of President of United States of America.  I pulled up a chair in front of the class and started off by enthusiastically asking, "Does anyone know what tomorrow is?"  Eager to please, they shouted back, "Halloween!," "Christmas," "Santa Claus is coming!," "December."

I quickly redirect their enthusiasm by stating, "It's Election Day!"  I brought the book, Duck for President," so I could warm the class up and get them in the mood to vote.  For those of you who haven't had cause to read the book, it's a great little story about a duck who, tired of his lot in life - decides to overthrow his boss, the farmer.  Realizing that running a farm is very hard work, he runs for governor, then President of the United States.  Each time he runs for office, he wins by a small margin and always because a few extra ballots are found in unsuspecting places like the seat of someones pants or the bottom of a plate of pancakes. 

The book was a hit and now the class was ready to vote.  Matthew helped me hand out a ballot and crayon to each child.  The class was instructed to make an "x" in the box next to the picture of man they thought should be elected President of the United States.  I was encouraged to find that almost every four year old knew who the candidates were (though my son continues to refer to Obama as "Rock-o-bama-cain").  Papers folded, they casted their votes by placing them in a box. 

Excited to know who our next president would be, I ran home to tally the votes.  Election results...  5 ballots eliminated due to hanging chads (voted for both candidates), 3 votes for McCain, and the winner of the 2008 elections...  Barack Obama with a grand total of 18 votes.

Then I had another idea.  Baskin Robbins is currently featuring two flavors, in honor of the presidential election.  Republicans boast the flavor, "Straight Talk" - described as caramel ribbon, chocolate pieces, candy red states  & crunchy mixed nuts swirled into white chocolate ice cream.  Democrats on the other hand stake claim to "Swirl of Change," featuring peanut nougat ice cream whirled with chunks of chocolate covered peanut brittle & caramel ribbon.

What would happen if we could settle our differences using ice cream?  That's right.  A nation-wide ice cream taste test.  The winning flavor clinching the office for his candidate.  To me a stroke of genius.  Vote with your taste buds!  No partisanship, no party lines - just good old fashioned, "My flavor is better than your flavor."

Armed with a quart of each flavor and a whole lot of pink taster spoons, I set my voting booth up outside of Starbucks determined to see who the next President of the United States would be - when left up to our taste buds.  In all, three people abstained from voting (a higher percentage than I would have liked).  In the end... the republicans had a decisive victory.  "Straight Talk" earned 31 votes and "Swirl of Change" left the democrats with only 22 votes.

So which is it?  Which is the more reliable when determining our next President of the United States...  Ms. Latrice's class of four year olds or Baskin Robbins featured flavors?  We shall see!

One more thing.  Whether you're feeling disenfranchised after today's election or depressed, like me, that it's all over, tomorrow brings an opportunity for YOU!  Let your voice be heard by participating in Highlowaha's Blog-a-thon.  A quick reminder that the Blog-a-thon is being hosted to raise money for the Helping Hand family we adopted this holiday season.  How can you get in on it?

• Click on Blog-a-thon (top right hand side of my blog) to see all the times still available. 
  
• Pick an open time that works for you.
  
• Show up on Wednesday ready to participate.
• Participants will be involved in a Scary Story Relay.  The story will begin at 10:00 a.m. , by our first Blog-a-thon participant.  Person #2 will add on to that which was written by person #1.  And on it will go until 10:00 p.m.  
  
• Try to find someone to sponsor you at $1.00/minute.  Ideally we will collect $15.00 per participant (but will settle for a nickel a minute if we have to).  Money will be sent to Claudia K. Beeny at 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, Texas, 76051.
• Still have questions?  Email me at cbeeny@lslog.com

Gotta go hit the voting booth.  Signing off until tomorrow...

P.S.  Don't forget to earn a Election Patch for your Patchwork Denim by sending me proof of your vote, along with the front page of your local newspaper from Wednesday morning (11/5).

Now, go vote.

A Thorny Topic...

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I'm an election junkie

How 'bout you?

Are you feeling the energy?  It's almost palpable.  Presidential elections are tomorrow and I can't wait.  Elections are to me what Christmas is to my sons.  Total anticipation.  Tonight is election eve and tomorrow is Christmas.  All day long tuning into CNN and watching the election results.  I can't think of anything better.  In fact, I've already started worrying about what I'm going to do after the elections.  What will I watch? read about? talk about?  It'll be that same anti climatic feeling kids feel the day after Christmas.

Stop.  That's tomorrow.  Today we have the whole shabang ahead of us.  So snap out of it, and relish the moment.  

Today is about the anticipation of election day and party-planning for Tuesday night's festivities.  We're not hosting a party-party, but our immediate family will hunker down and watch the most anticipated election of our lifetime unravel, one glorious state at a time.  I'll figure out some red and blue treats for dessert (suggestions welcome) and the living room will be adorned with ____ - colored balloons.  It'll be fun (and a great civics lesson for our kids).  

I was toying with what we could do today in celebration of all the excitement.  The Dallas Morning News ran a contest, asking readers to write haiku's.  Been there done that, so haiku's are out.  But what about another form of poetry?  That's when it came to me...

Yes.  Today we will share election day thoughts, by asking you to compose your own, "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue," poem.  Here's my crack at it...

Roses are red

violets are blue

How about a 

Hanging chad or two?

One more try...

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I missed early voting

How 'bout you?

One more thing.  Announcing another patch-yielding event!  If you have Patchwork Denim (or aspire to), take note.  I will award a Election Day Patch to anyone who does two things.  First, send me the front page of your local newspaper for Wednesday, November 5.  Second, send me some kind of proof that you voted (a sticker, a portion of your early-voter receipt, your Girl Scout promise, ... you decide).  My mailing address is: 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, TX. 76051.

Know nothing about Patchwork Denim?!?!?!  It's your chance to acquire cool patches for all kinds of fun events.  Check out the post from 8/7, titled, Patchwork.

That's it.  I'm out for the day.  CNN is calling my name.  You?  Compose a poem.  Tell me how you're planning to spend election night.  Make a suggestion for my election night dessert.  Let us know whether or not you early voted, or anything else that might be on your mind about elections.

Signing off until tomorrow...

It's a Wrap!

Bunny, bunny!

I thought I would spend today wrapping up the month of October, so we can move on in good conscience to the month of November.

First thank you to Cassie Y, Cheryl, Julie, and Kristen all who submitted carved pumpkins to our First Annual Pumpkin Patch competition.  Their entries, coupled with my feeble attempt, made for a spirited competition.  Cheryl's spooky entry #4 won the contest.  She wins a fun Halloween Wilton Cookie mold.  The molds, once decorated, will be nothing short of GREAT Halloween presents for teachers, co-workers, and family members.  Pumpkin Patches are also awarded to Cheryl and all our other participants.

Next.  We only had one person visit our site, after being Boo'd by a Highlowaha member.  Her name is Kuj.  She will receive a post-Halloween treat in the mail from yours truly.  And, who knows... maybe she'll come back to visit again.

Next.  The beginning of Thursday revealed very few Candy Corn lovers, but the latter part of the day....  The latter part of the day produced several people worthy of receiving all our extra candy corn.  Candy Corn Fans are: Mandy, Jane, Casey, BKRoot, Cristine, and Lori.  And the winner of all the candy corn we are willing to ship off is... Christine.  Cristine from Illinois spells her name without an "h," so this is a different Christine.  CHRISTINE if you are out there, send me an email with your shipping address.  That way I can share it with any readers who have candy corn they want to send!  If you are new to us, you don't yet know how much fun mail from our readers can be!

Also, if any of us is connected to Christine, please let her know she is the winner!

Finally,  I realized part way through the month I was TERRIBLE at posting our daily Halloween activity, as promised.  It's a little late now, except that - if interested - you can tuck it away until next year.  And, though my ideas might not be the best, they might spark you to think of new and improved ideas.  I'll list them below.  Remember, the point of these ideas was to have a small daily activity I could do with the boys to build their excitement for Halloween.

1: Today we will BOO a neighbor.

2: Today we will warp the witch (this was a website.  See post from 10/3 ).

3: Today we will create a Halloween story during dinner time.

4: Today we will go on a Hayride

5: Today we will make a Halloween craft.

6: Today we will eat a candy apple.

7:  Today we will wrap ourselves like mummies.

8: Today we will play a round of "killer" at the dinner table.

9: Today we will wrap ourselves like mummies in toilet paper.

10: Today we will line our walkway with luminaries

11. Today we will drink a witches brew with dinner.

12: Today we will get our picture taken at a pumpkin patch.

13. Today we will buy a Halloween pumpkin.

14: Today we will decorate the front door.

15: Today we will wear black and orange

16: Today we will send a Halloween card to an old friend.

17: Today we will tell funny Halloween jokes.

18: Today we will play Pin the Stem on the Pumpkin

19: Today we will bob for apples.

20: Today we will bake a Halloween treat.

21: Today we will write a funny epitaph and then play musical tombstones.

22: Today we will send a scary note to someone

23: Today we will do the Monster Mash

24: Today we will read a Halloween book to our class.

25: Today we will eat pumpkin shaped pancakes

26: Today we will watch the Peanut Gang Halloween special

27: Today we will pick out our Halloween candy

28: Today we will count Jack-o-Lanterns between our house and school

29: Today we will carve our Halloween pumpkin

30: Today we will deliver Halloween treats to our classmates

31: Today we will Trick of Treat.

 

Having said all that, ... Welcome to November.  We have lots in store for the month.  For that we can be... thankful.

Signing off until tomorrow...