Thursday 13: edition 30 (?) - 13 Things I Learned From Softball

I spend a LOT of time at my daughter's softball games so here are thirteen things I learned from softball. 1) The team star usually isn't the prettiest player. 2) If you want to be a good pitcher, batter, or player, you have to practice a lot. 3) Teams that work together win a lot of games. Teams that don't work together, usually lose. 4) You need the right equipment to play the game well. 5) You have to get dirty to have fun. 6) If you don't wear protection, you'll get burned. 7) You have to watch the ball to be able to catch it. 8) If you turn your back on a ball in play, you're liable to get hurt. 9) Watch out for curve balls. 10) If you strike out, it's not the end of the world. 11) You can lose a game and still win the series. 12) Strategy helps. A lot. 13) A good coach is priceless. You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Good Times

I know the economy's bad and peple look at you cross-eyed if you cough or sneeze, but there's still a lot of good things to celebrate. Today, for instance, one of my co-workers had a birthday. Actually, yesterday, another co-worker had a birthday, too. And although my hubby's birthday was a couple weeks ago, we're going to have cake and ice cream with the family tonight. That's a LOT of birthday cake and partying for one week. Last night my daughter's softball ended for the city team. That means another party is on the way. This also means I won't be chained to the softball field nightly and can write/critique/edit/and read more. I plan to start back on my Thursday 13 blogging, too. Yipee! A lot of my author and reader friends just returned from RT (Romantic Times book convention in Orlando) and are pumped on writing, reading, and life. A lot more are gearing up to go to Lori Foster's Readers' and Writers' event in Cincinnati this summer. I'm hoping to but not holding my breath - we'll see. Adam's still on American Idol even though it was a close call. Whew! I'm sooooo glad he's still the competition. I can't wait to see what he'll do each week. His entrance last week has got to be the sexiest entrance in Idol history. I had lunch with two good friends today. I still see a lot of books coming out weekly, so we're still reading and buying books. April was a really beautiful month in Florida and May's starting off pretty, too. I guess the Prozac's working (well, the Lexapro - I figured more people know what Prozac is). I wish I could go to SunFest to see David Cook live, but oh well... I have an edit to do (which means I'm being published) and I don't want to spend that much money - and I've been buying birthday cakes galore this week. :) Plus, I want to critique, blog hop, walk, and Twitter. Oh, and maybe catch a movie. I'm a movie-a-holic. Give me buttery popcorn, a big soda with lots of ice, a huge screen, and a dark theater and I'm in seventh heaven. entered in the drawing for the sequel to Truth, Justice and the Vampire Way - "Blessed Be". You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Thursday Thirteen: version 30 (I think) 13 Things I Dread And Like About Employee Reviews

This week my company is conducting quarterly employee reviews. It's new to us. Until now, we've only held annual reviews. The bigwigs decided that's too far apart not to give feedback. As a manager, I both dread and like this idea. As an employee being reviewed, I mainly dread it. I'm probably funny. I used to enjoy taking tests and being graded. But then I usually earned high grades. But employee reviews is tougher to get an A equivalent on, for me anyway. I've busted my butt, gone way beyond my comfort zone, and still not always received great reviews. Same for book reviews. Anyway, since this is relevant in my life right now here are 13 things I like or hate about employee reviews. 1) I find out what my boss thinks about me. 2) Employees who like the reviews I give of them will like me a lot. At least they won't be mad at me. 3) Employees who hate the reviews I give of them will hate me. At least they'll be mad at me. 4) Concerned employees will try to step up their work. 5) Concerned employees will work on improving their attitude. 6) I'll be arrested for murder. 7) I'll be murdered before they can arrest me. 8) I'll be fired, if I'm not murdered, whether or not I'm arrested. 9) I'll get a demotion and pay lowered, even if I'm not fired or murdered or arrested. 10) I'll get promoted and/or a pay raise because they love me so much. 11) I'll get them over and done with for 3 more months. 12) I'll have an excuse to eat lots of chocolate and soak in a bubble bath. 13) I'll pass another milestone in really becoming a manager (this will be the first review I give to other people). I gotta run and get my hair cut so I look good for my review so I don't get marked down on professional appearance. You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Thursday Thirteen edition 26: Superman Trivia

Thirteen Things about Superman - trivia I adore Superman. I absolutely love him. Actually, it's Clark Kent I love. Heart be still... 1.... Superman's full Earth name is Clark Joseph Kent. 2....... The Jonathon, Martha, and Clark Kent lived on a ten acre farm in Smallville. She inherited it from her first husband, who had passed away. 3....... Clark Kent's favorite meal is Beef Bourguignon (with ketchup) 4....... On the black and white Superman TV show, the Superman costume was actually brown! 5....... Clark Kent met mermaid Lori Lemaris while a senior at Metropolis University. It's a long story, by the fell in love and almost got married! 6....... When Superman started out in the comics, he could only leap, not fly. (about 1/8 mile) 7....... Unless stated otherwise, Superman is always 29 years old in any given story. 8....... Clark and Superman part their hair parted on opposite sides, but the big difference is the forehead lock Superman has. 9....... Gold Kryptonite would take away Superman's powers forever, if he was exposed to it. 10..... White Kryptonite kills any type of plant life. 11..... The initials L. L. feature very prominently in Superman's life. Lana Lang was his boyhood girlfriend, Lois Lane is the love of his life, Lyla Lerrol was a super-hottie Kryptonian that he almost married, and of course, Lex Luthor is his worst enemy. 12...... Lois and Clark's first apartment's address is: Hyperion avenue. They got the place because Bruce Wayne owns it, and as a wedding present, he put Lois and Clark at the top of the tenants list, ensuring they got the home of their dreams. 13.... Robert Redford was offered the part of Superman in the 1978 movie version before Christopher Reeves took it.

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You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)