Growing a Stache for Cash!

And it's a Great Cause TOO!

Let me first clarify. I'm not growing a moustache, that would just be wrong on so many levels.

No, this blog post is dedicated to my loving and brave hubby, Brandon, who has agreed for the second year in a row to throw away his razor and grow a creepy stache for Movember.

If you've never heard of Movember, you aren't alone. Until last year I was clueless.

Here's the DownMo:

In the month of November men around the world let their moustaches grow in order to raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer. The event first took place in Melbourne, Australia and has now become a global movement.

Movember

In 2010 nearly 119,000 Canadians (Mo Bros and Sistas, as participants are referred to) raised $22.3 million CAD. That's just the Canadian total!

Women can participate by raising money...growing facial hair is optional ;)

For more information on Movember, check out their Worldwide Movember Website and select your region.


Now back to the blog and my hubby.

Brandon's Pre-Mo Face

For the month of Movember I will be following Brandon's Mo progress. Once a week I will post a picture of him to document how his stache is growing with a short Q&A on his Movember experience. Don't worry, I checked with him first. He's totally cool with having his creepy stache blogged!

The Versatile Blogger Award

I have been given the Versatile Blogger Award by Lillie at Lillie McFerrin Writes. Thanks!

Now, I get to pass it on!

Here are the rules:

Thank the person who nominated you. Tell 7 things about yourself, so that your readers may learn more about you, and nominate 15 other newly discovered bloggers, then let them know you nominated them.

7 Things About Me!

1) I absolutely adore Hockey. I live, sleep and breathe Hockey! My favourite teams are the Vancouver Canucks, who I've loved since childhood and the Winnipeg Jets, a hometown team we lost 15 years ago that arrived back in out city this year! Yay!

2) Last year a friend taught me to knit. I made two scarfs and a hat that was supposed to be for me but ended up being too small. My other friend's little girl was able to fit it though. Great save of wool. 

3) I love to make soup. In fact I've been called the Soup Nazi (from Seinfeld) on more than one occasion. When I make soup have to listen to classical music. It's like a rule or something :) 

4) I make my own jewelry. Mainly earrings and bracelets.

5) I'm just as bad as a kid when it comes to Christmas morning. I get up early and beg my husband to wake up so we can open presents. 

6) I enjoy gardening and I grow vegetables in my back yard.

7) You can often find me singing and dancing in my kitchen ;-)

Winners!

I am happy to pass this wonderful award onto the following awesome bloggers:

1. Julie at Mommy Coach 

2. Dana at The Daily Dose

3. Ava Jae at Writability

4. Violeta at Lyn Midnight Against the Odds

5. Eleanor at A Buddhist On A Blog

6. J. Birch at Birch Writes

7. Dan at Surly Muse

8. Zencherry at The Zen Corner

9. Carissa at My Inner Stillness 

10. Alivia at Alivia Anders

11. Cylee at It's Okay. I'm a Writer.

12. Panda at Just Your Average Procrastinating Author

13. JT at Going for Coffee

14. Melissa at The Undeveloped Story

15. Alison at Fresh Pot of Tea

Don't Forget to Read!

Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How important is reading for a writer? 

Seems like a silly question right? I mean of course in order to write, you need to read. That's a given!

Except for some reason when I get caught up in my writing, I forget to read.

Reading, for me, is like breathing. I don't just read books, I devour them. I'm a bookaholic. I set myself goals each year on how many books I want to finish. Last year my goal was 52 and although I fell short, I still managed over 40 books.

You see I'm a huge geek. For the last few years I've been keeping track of every book I've read. I keep special journals where I rate each book out of 5 and write a little review.

After reaching a career reading high last year, I decided that come January 2011 I would focus my attention on writing. I was worried that I was using reading as an excuse not to write. With sheer determination, I stepped into 2011 without a reading goal or a new journal.

Biggest mistake ever!

You see, I forgot how important reading is. I went almost 3 months before I finished two books.  My friends were amazed and worried about me. Yeah, that's how much I normally read. People worry about me when I'm not.

I let my creative well run dry. There's no better way to put it. Great writers read a lot and if I'm determined to be a great writer...which I am... I need to read.

When I'm feeling as though my writing is terrible or that no one cares what I have to say, I know that I've neglected my other passion.

I still don't have journal for this year, I'm struggling to find a novel that captures my attention and I'm doubting my ability.

Needless to say this January 2012 I'll be keeping track of my reading habits.

 Oh, and I'll have a pretty new journal too!

Hi, I'm not home right now...I'm Guest Blogging!

WriMos FTW!

Just dropped by to say that I'm guest blogging on a FABULOUS site called WriMos FTW!
TODAY (Wednesday, October 19th)

If you can't get enough of my quirky writing or maybe you're curious about what WriMosFTW! stands for...well...what are you waiting for? Check it out!

And since you've stopped by, why not have a little peek at all the talented writers guest posting all October and November.

Want more? Check out NaNoWrMo for all the details on the writing event taking place in November.

And that's all for me. Over and out.

NOTE: Please ignore my repetitive use of the word all....I'm in need of caffeine.  :)