A Big Thank You!

Source: PowerPoint

Between my day job and my night job--yeah, that one that's bearing fruit on June 1st--I'm being swallowed by crazy.

And it's taking it's toll on my shoulder muscles which, in turn, are giving the tendons at my elbows fits.

I do a lot of computer mouse work, but I try to take some of the pressure off. I use my left hand for the mouse at work and my right hand for my mouse at home.

But, still. I'm pretty independent (which makes hubby nuts), and I won't always let him help me (even more nuts).

So, I want to do a big shout out to my hubby.

• He's such a wonder man. Biggest heart ever. He'd give you the shirt off his back. 
• So, so supportive of my writing efforts. 
• Handyman extraordinaire
• Retired massage therapist

Yes, you read that last one right. And as soon as I mentioned having trouble with my elbows (I had to go through physical therapy from "tennis elbow" a few years ago and it's still a bit of an ongoing problem), hubby knew what to do. 

He had me on his table this morning before work, working on my hard-as-a-rock, knotted neck and shoulder muscles. Ouch. But it was an even bigger ouch for him because he's got arthritis (and Fibromyalgia). See what I mean? 

So, thanks, honey.

What about you? How is your support group? What kinds of things do you have or wish you had in this area?

Help the Elf

The time has come to Help the  Elf. Poor Pete lost Santa's Naughty and Nice list and was only able to find the Naughty one. What a disaster!

The awesome Angela and Becca over at The Bookshelf Muse (and authors of the fabulous Emotion Thesaurus) have solicited the aid of the blogosphere to help find people who belong on Santa's Nice list. They're hoping that we'll be able to add to the list without Santa being any the wiser.

I found this lady:

Tristi Pinkston

I first saw Tristi (from a distance) at the 2011 Storymakers conference I attended. What a fun, witty lady she was as she helped with the conference. I have since gotten to know Tristi better by reading her books (delightful) and serving with her on the iWriteNetwork board.

What can I say about her? Did I mention that she's funny? Besides that she's kind, generous, friendly, giving, compassionate, and intelligent? Trisit's helpful. SO helpful. She's a wonderful support to fledgling writers, with both encouragement and advice. She's traditionally published and self-published, so she's has had a lot of experience. Tristi is also a freelance editor (you better schedule her soon because her schedule fills early), so she knows her stuff.

Thank you, Tristi, for being you. You're an inspiration to me. I want to be like you when I grow up.

The following I submit in tribute to Tristi: 

Thank you very much!

This is the reprise at the end of my favorite version of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge, starring Albert Finney. When I first saw the movie, this scene made me tear up because it was so poignant after this version of the song. Tristi doesn't need the first rendition.

How about you, Readers? Is there someone you'd like to say Happy Holidays to, or tell them how much they mean to you? JOIN US! There's plenty of days left until Christmas, and sometimes a kind word can lift people up in a way that they really need. It's as easy as sending a free ecard or email note, posting on a Facebook wall or sending out a tweet. So go ahead and spread some kindness and cheer!

You can also check the following for other people on Santa's Nice list:

1.	Angela & Becca	10.	Juli Page Morgan	19.	Yvette Carol	28.	Lynn Kelley
2.	Sheri Larsen	11.	Zena Parks	20.	Robin	29.	R.w.Foster
3.	Linda	12.	Chantel Rhondeau	21.	Robyn Campbell	30.	Kate (themagicviolinist.blogspot.com)
4.	Donna K. Weaver	13.	Marcia Kuma	22.	PK HREZO	31.	Father Dragon Writes
5.	Laura Pauling	14.	Susanne Drazic	23.	Lori Freeland	32.	Monique Bucheger
6.	Ross Lampert	15.	Donna Galanti	24.	Deb A. Marshall	33.	Claire
7.	Natalie Aguirre	16.	Mart Ramirez	25.	Sharon K Mayhew	34.	Rachna's Scriptorium
8.	Not the Library of Alexandria	17.	Jeanelaine	26.	Erin, Creative Soul in Motion	35.	febe moss
9.	Teresa Robeson	18.	KittyB78	27.	stina Lindenblatt	36.	tara tyler