Saturday, December 19, 2009
Washing Dishes By Hand
Sometimes progress isn't always the best thing. For several years we've used the dishwasher to wash our dishes. Well, most of them. Of course there were always the dishes left over that couldn't go in the dishwasher for one reason or another, so my sister (or Mom) was stuck washing them. Why not me? you ask. Ha. It was my sister's job, that's why! 
Up until recently, it was my job to empty the dishwasher. This happened daily, sometimes twice a day.
Well, a few months ago, Mom decided we were going to quit using the dishwasher. Just an experiment to see if it made any difference on our electric bill. We kids (I was, at least) were skeptical, but went along with it cheerfully enough. Surprisingly - I found I love washing dishes! We quickly worked out a schedule. Emily is to wash the breakfast dishes, Elisabeth and I do the lunch dishes, and Amy and Mom do the supper dishes. It works out pretty well!
And what do you know? It does make a difference on the electric bill! I guess that means we have an inefficient dishwasher. I'm not kidding about enjoying dishwashing, either. There are so many advantages! First off, We don't have to have all those non-dishwasher-compatible dishes piling up on the counter in between meals. The counter seems to be "freer" of dishes, which I like. The warm water feels good on my cold fingers (just so long as it's not too hot!). And it's nice to do the dishes with a sister. Our home does not have to be filled with the sounds of a super loud dishwasher. No one has to empty the dishwasher! Up until recently, it was my job to empty the dishwasher. This happened daily, sometimes twice a day.Well, a few months ago, Mom decided we were going to quit using the dishwasher. Just an experiment to see if it made any difference on our electric bill. We kids (I was, at least) were skeptical, but went along with it cheerfully enough. Surprisingly - I found I love washing dishes! We quickly worked out a schedule. Emily is to wash the breakfast dishes, Elisabeth and I do the lunch dishes, and Amy and Mom do the supper dishes. It works out pretty well!
One more thing - we don't run out of knives anymore! That might not seem like a big deal. But we used to be running out of knives constantly, it seems. Now that the dishes get washes more often than once a day (in theory at least, right?), the cupboards are more full of dishes.
So you see, technology isn't always that much better. In this case, I think washing by hand is better. That doesn't mean I'm going to start washing clothes by hand, though. Don't get any funny ideas.
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Haven of Rest
Amy and I played this as a special last Sunday (just practicing in this video). The original arrangement was meant for piano accompaniment to a soloist singing, but this works, too! This and other piano arrangements can be found at http://www.thechurchpianist.com/.
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Friday, November 27, 2009
NaNoWriMo 2009
*happy sigh*
50,046 words.
50,046 words.
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
NaNoWriMo Day 21
Just in case any of you thought I'd given up somewhere between Day 6 and Day 21... well, I haven't!
Word Count? 41,217!
To my dismay, I discovered that the word counter on Google Docs and the word counter on the NaNoWriMo website do not agree. And Google Docs, what I have been using, is the one with the higher count. So I'm not really sure which one's right, but it doesn't really matter, since it's only the NaNo counter one that guarantees winning status at the end of the month.
The writing is going super. I've written quite a bit today, mostly thanks to Bluejane -- the two of us have done several word wars. I did my first word war last night, and it's absolutely amazing!! Now I'm just feeling kinda disappointed that I was into the end of week 3 before I discovered them! I don't get tired out like I do just grinding away on my own. Thanks, Blue!
(She and I sorta have this competition going on over who can hit 50,000 words first. It shall be interesting to watch it unfold.)
Okay, I said the writing is going super. It is, but it is not going perfectly, lest you get that idea. I have several scenes that I think are pretty much pointless. But at least they are there, helping fill that progress bar. I can tell I'm getting close to the end of my novel, but I'm not sure how close. And I'm not exactly sure how it's going to end, either.
Hey, if you're a fellow Wrimo struggling with your word count, let me give you a quick hint. Write a scene telling the gospel in great detail. It accomplishes two things. First, anyone who reads your novel will hear how to be saved. And second, It really does wonders on your word count. I wrote a 1,609 word scene with the gospel as the central focus (not like it was all telling about Jesus, but mostly).
And of course, word wars do wonders, too. Throw in a character with a broken heart who can go on for a long time telling all her troubles. Have someone get kidnapped, betrayed, whatever.
Just a few things I've learned this month.
Oh, and go congratulate Narniagirl -- she reached her goal of 25k last night!!! *throws confetti and sets off fireworks*
Word Count? 41,217!
To my dismay, I discovered that the word counter on Google Docs and the word counter on the NaNoWriMo website do not agree. And Google Docs, what I have been using, is the one with the higher count. So I'm not really sure which one's right, but it doesn't really matter, since it's only the NaNo counter one that guarantees winning status at the end of the month.
The writing is going super. I've written quite a bit today, mostly thanks to Bluejane -- the two of us have done several word wars. I did my first word war last night, and it's absolutely amazing!! Now I'm just feeling kinda disappointed that I was into the end of week 3 before I discovered them! I don't get tired out like I do just grinding away on my own. Thanks, Blue!
(She and I sorta have this competition going on over who can hit 50,000 words first. It shall be interesting to watch it unfold.)
Okay, I said the writing is going super. It is, but it is not going perfectly, lest you get that idea. I have several scenes that I think are pretty much pointless. But at least they are there, helping fill that progress bar. I can tell I'm getting close to the end of my novel, but I'm not sure how close. And I'm not exactly sure how it's going to end, either.
Hey, if you're a fellow Wrimo struggling with your word count, let me give you a quick hint. Write a scene telling the gospel in great detail. It accomplishes two things. First, anyone who reads your novel will hear how to be saved. And second, It really does wonders on your word count. I wrote a 1,609 word scene with the gospel as the central focus (not like it was all telling about Jesus, but mostly).
And of course, word wars do wonders, too. Throw in a character with a broken heart who can go on for a long time telling all her troubles. Have someone get kidnapped, betrayed, whatever.
Just a few things I've learned this month.
Oh, and go congratulate Narniagirl -- she reached her goal of 25k last night!!! *throws confetti and sets off fireworks*
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Writing Bug is Contagious
My six-year-old sister Emily has caught it. Today she wrote the following story. Way to go, Em!
Chapter 1
It was a dark and stormy nite. A black figure was oowtside. Wooo woooo it went. It loock [looked] werde. Grase was 5 and she was the only one home. The nabbse [neighbors] hred it to. Sam was the only one home he was 2. Dad was the black figyor. Grase hid under her covers. Sam hid under the table.
I love it! She is still working on it, too. Do you think she qualifies for the Young Writers Program? *grin*
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