Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Style Question Wednesday - Summer Party Dressing, one year of blogging and World War Z

I realized this morning that it has been exactly one year since I started this blog.  It has been a really interesting experience and I want to thank my initial "followers" - I think in the beginning there were maybe 6 of us and I was just thrilled that I wasn't talking to myself (though I do that, too!)  I always find that word follower so odd; it conjures up images of Jim Jones and Guyana, but is that just me?  Wouldn't subscribers have been a better word?  But I am always thrilled when anyone chimes in, follower or not!

I have mentioned before that this daily blog has become my version of morning pages from The Artist's Way.  When I began writing here one year ago, I was heading into a crossroads year; I was finishing my fourth decade, I felt emotionally and physically exhausted from my work, my family responsibilities (especially the needs of my very frail father) and from the sense that I had "settled" for a career, which though I was good at it, did not make my heart sing.

The writing of this blog rekindled my passion for creating.  I thought I was starting a blog that would help me transition my style into my 50s, but it became something almost completely different.  Through this blog I have made many friendships and in fact, I consider every person who is kind enough to drop in to this very non-exclusive clubhouse a friend and try very hard to treat them as such.  Because of you all, I was able to test ideas and actions that I might not have been so brave to do in my non-virtual life (we do need a new glossary of terms for all this, don't we?) and you have always been enthusiastic and supportive and that helped me be brave!

So wanted to give you all a status update on how the writing is going.  I have finished my middle-grade children's novel and am now cold-shopping it to literary agents, which I imagine will take some time.  I am currently 5 chapters into my next book which is a Young Adult Fantasy novel.  Writing to you all every day, which often makes me feel like a Jane Austen character, helps me keep going with this dream of being a published author and you have become my "work" colleagues.

I do worry at times that I share too much or can be a little dull (really, I do not lead an exciting life), but I guess that is like all conversations - some are more exciting than others!  So a heartfelt thank you - your presence here has meant more than you can know!

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But now on to the style question!  Barry is throwing a little "do" in my honour tonight.  Honestly, this is the last of it all; but this is just friends.  Most of them are friends that I see regularly, some of are work colleagues who became friends over the years.  We are having a drop-in-bring-what-you-want-to-BBQ-or-your-bathing-suit-or-just-have-a-quick-glass-of-wine right after the workday.  Yesterday, it was 33C and sunny - today, of course, it is going to be 20C and rainy.  Oh well - people will get to know each other in my little house.

So of course, I need to pick an outfit!  And that is where you come in!

Should I wear a dress:

  

or fancy pants

  

What do you think?

Don't worry - I will take pictures!!!

Most of today will involve housecleaning (only light vacuuming and straightening - I have learned in life that with 30 people a spotless house is lost within 5 minutes and your floor washing is best left for the morning after though the bathrooms MUST be washed in advance!)

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I went to see World War Z with my son and his girlfriend yesterday.  I had just read the book and really liked it.  The movie is VERY different; due in large part to the serial and first person narrative stories in the book which would be difficult to film I guess, though I think a documentary style approach might have worked really well.  Having said that, it is a good, interesting movie, though significantly less cerebral than the book.  I wish Hollywood would give the public more credit.  Maybe that is due to the IQ of the filmmakers in Hollywood themselves, but who knows?  Having said that, it is a fun, thrilling two hours and a good summer movie!



What are you up to today?  Stay Safe out there today and if you see a zombie - be VERY,VERY quiet...

49 comments:

  1. Happy anniversary! So glad I stumbled into your blog which is my biscotti to my daily morning coffee. Will miss my biscotti as I leave tonight for our vacation. I look forward to catching up when I get back. As to the outfit, I am leaning towards the fancy pants, looks festive, but wear whatever is comfortable and makes you happy.

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    1. Thanks Marie! I hope you have a wonderful and restful vacation!!! I was kind of leaning towards fancy pants, halfway between dressy and casual!

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  2. Oh outdoors? then I vote for fancy pants! You are so right to leave the floor till tomorrow as with 30 people you will doing it all over again, have fun, it's years since I've been to a BBQ.

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    1. When you come to Canada, we will do one every night in your honour and seat you in the Adirondack chair, but with plenty of bug spray for your virgin non-bug skin!

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  3. It is true, your blog IS a non exclusive clubhouse! And congratulations on finishing the first book!
    I vote for fancy pants too (the pom-pom ones). Have fun tonight!

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  4. On board with the fancy pants/bug spray option. Hope the weather holds for this. Does Barry do the food,too?

    Can't believe you've actioned a book already! It's fun to visit with you, our pleasure,ma'am.

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    1. Barry bought a lot of food and my girlfriends are bringing salads. well to be truthful, I started this book years ago so was just rewriting so no big deal (well big deal, but you know what i mean)

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  5. Perfect fancy pants weather. Congratulations on a year to the blog! It is truly a delight to visit here in the mornings and read all about whatever you are thinking of, whatever it is I always find it delightful and thought-provoking. Thank you for being so devoted to it!
    Have fun tonight and so true about cleaning house before a party, wait until tomorrow!

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    1. well mr. man just arrived home with fruit and veggie trays and chips. lots going on here today!

      Thanks for the kind words Dani - they mean so much!

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  6. Congratulations on the 1st year anniversary! I am a fairly new follower and already in the habit of looking forward to your posts! I think it is great that it is your artist' way scribble - I have yet to catch up but mentally I find even a few posts a week help clear out my mental junk.

    Good luck on the cold calling!! fingers crossed that I can say i used to subscribe way back when :)

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    1. CSW - you are too funny!

      Thanks for the nice words - I think your blog posts are so great - they are so detailed and interesting - I always feel like I learn so much!

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  7. HAPPY BLOGVERSARY! WMM, you know I am not a major fan, but also definitely voting for fancy pants (Ema and Dani say so.) More practical for running in and out, fun, better for after-work crowd and YOU, my dear, have gams.

    Love the pic of you and B-the-B. So proud of you on book two. And like Marie, will be proud to say I was an original fan - while helping your appearances and managing your e-subscriber lists, I trust.

    Don't mean to be political, but did you see crazy TX fillibuster on CBC etc.? Regardless of convictions, have to respect any woman who would stand up for her beliefs in suit and running shoes - with NO bathroom break - for 12 hours.

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    1. Oh I missed it! we are all in mourning here about the death of Andy Scott. i had the privilege to know Andy and am feeling very sad!!!

      Okay - I think it is fancy pants! Pompon pants ride again! (Cue theme music for Magnificent Seven).

      GF - putting you in charge of everything, but the money. I got a guy for that (and no it is NOT barry!)

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    2. Wendy sorry for the loss of Andy Scott, that is terribly sad. He was so young too.

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    3. You know what - he was a really lovely kind man. I think he is one of the only politicians I can say that about - he never was out to get the other guy!

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    4. Wondered if you knew Scott, admired his sense of social justice. Pater mentioned him this morning. RIP.

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  8. Happy first anniversary!
    I enjoy reading your thoughts everyday:)

    Enjoy your evening and i agree with everybody else,to wear the fancy pants!

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    1. Thanks Ina! I will definitely do fancy pants! The eyelet tent top just arrived - love it!! I love it so much I am tempted to order the natural! Will see what you all think when I post a picture tomorrow!

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  9. Congratulations on finishing the book and the blog anniversary! How exciting! My vote is for fancy pants. Have lots of fun at the BBQ:)

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    1. thanks A! I think fancy pants are winning by a mile!

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  10. The pom pom fancy pants are my FAVORITE, wear them! wear them!

    (No, I don't have them, but I wish I did!)

    Congrats on hitting a year - I've been here since the beginning and I love reading all of your posts. Best of luck with finding a publisher for you book! One of my close friends is about to be doing the same, will be interested to see how the process turns out for you!

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    1. Thanks JCrew JD - I expect it will be difficult to do, but I have enthusiasm and sticktoitiveness so will just keep going!!! Pompons for you!

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  11. Did you know that Mel Brooks and Ann Bancroft's son wrote WWZ? Interesting article about him in this past Sunday NYT mag. Zombies as surrogate for our anxieties.

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    1. Lane I read that article and I thought it was so interesting. What a character he is!

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    2. I didn't realize it, though I should have - now have to go find that article!

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  12. Happy Bloggerversary! (or however it is spelled!) I enjoyed the Artist's Way book too. I find writing unleashes anxiety.

    Way to go with the book! And good luck shopping it around to publishers! Jennifer from the Daily Connoisseur blog self-published her book and it generated enough buzz/reviews that she eventually received an offer from a good publisher to have it published. So it can be done! I find those kind of stories inspiring.

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    1. Thanks LR! I do believe that it will happen - where and when - well that is for the universe to sort out! My job is to just keep pitching them!

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  13. Well I am a dress girl but fancy pants are more you so I would go with the pants. Enjoy the party and god luck with your book. A literary agent may be helpful if you're not successful on your own.

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    1. Thanks xoxo - that's why I am starting the agent route - may be easier! We will see!

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  14. I vote for comfortable, and room for an expanding waistband :-)
    WMM, I really can't imagine my blogging life without you and the plant (!), this year has flown by! You started blogging when I, too, was at a crossroads, and I feel we have been on a journey together. Lately, time have been scant for reading and commenting, but I am catching up with your adventures.
    I am also writing (alas not a novel, just boring academic stuff) but have decided to stop pressuring myself with publishing articles and going to conferences (which is part of the job, really) so I can get the bulk of my project on "paper". Sometimes I think about quitting academia and becoming an editor, ha! So, if you need a second set of eyes, by all means...
    I am really enjoying being a part of this club. And I still need to hit you and Lane up for advice on my potted vegetable garden!

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    1. Any time - advice is free and can be ignored if it isn't liked! Good luck with the academic writing - it is such a different skill set - I have done 5 kinds of writing in my life: bureaucrat-ise, communications, academic, fiction and non-fiction, and always found academic writing the most difficult for me!

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    2. See? We are totally sisters from a different mother! I have also done those kinds of writing, and find fiction the most challenging, or maybe technical writing, which requires the brevity that has often eluded me in my own writing. I must have gotten the academic gene in the "family". My husband is a pro at saying things in two words or less (those scientists!) but I am all about embellishing, and making full use of the language (I feel it's stingy not to!) :-)
      I am so excited for this journey you are taking, and it's nice to have good company. After all, Rynetta, you and I are all furiously plugging away at our books!

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  15. Hi WMM, congrats on your blogging anniversary. I always look forward to reading your posts every day, you are indeed devoted. I worry sometimes that it will become a burden to you - but actually, I think you will always find something to say!! :0) Good luck with finding an agent, and with your other writing endeavours.

    Have a great time tonight - fancy pants ahoy!

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    1. thanks Patricia - somedays are easier than others, but there is always stuff jangling up there!

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  16. First of all, congrats on your one year anniversary!

    I would go with the last outfit - love that pattern (I have it in a skirt).

    About writing, please do not give up. One of my best friends (the oldest since I moved here eons ago) is a well-known writer. As far as I have known her, that's all she wanted to do, and that's what she has been doing all these years. I think that if you can afford it, you should be doing something that you REALLY love and are good at it and success will follow.

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    1. Thanks Rose! i think you are right! I plan to do some part-time walk in the fall, but keep writing! I just have it in my blood now!!! i always wished I had gotten the skirt too last summer!

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  17. Congrats on your one year anniversary!! I was an early follower and it has been so much fun reading about your career transition and style journey. Your blog is one of the first things I read in the morning.

    I also vote for the fancy pants, perfect for the weather and the occasion!

    Best of luck with all your writing endeavours and fingers crossed that you will find a publisher!! It's clear that writing is your passion - I'm sure you will find success!

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    1. thanks Louise! It is exciting! 30 years ago I would have found this daunting and scary (which is why I put it aside for something safe!). Now I find it all an adventure!

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  18. Wow, so much to ponder at your place. Love that you are writing a YA book - tell more. I think it is a great section to go into, there seems lot of interest in YA! I love your dress but there is something very groovy about those trousers and your pink top! how fabulous, have fun at your party!

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    1. Thanks Jody - will be glad to share when I get a bit more into it - it is complicated, crossing time and place and I am wretched at details so have had to do family trees, etc. oh lord!

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  19. WMM, what age kid would you say the World War Z book is appropriate for? How about the movie?

    I've really enjoyed your blog this past year and have probably been around since the beginning, although I was not and I am still not a Follower (only because I'm too lazy to figure out Following, I just bookmark or link from other blogs). Congrats on finishing a book, what an achievement!

    I vote for the pompom fancy pants with the sleeveless top you show it with above (can't think of the brand of the top, brain cramp). If people will be swimming, I'd keep it casual.

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    1. The book is a fabulous book for a kid who loves history, but I think it would be best for 13 or 14+. As for the movie, I think here in Canada is rated 14A, but not sure. It is not really gross, but very suspenseful and my teeth chattered a few times in the movie, though I blamed it on air conditioning! It is no worse than Jurassic park I think...

      Thanks for the kind words!

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  20. First of all thank you for having this blog, yours is one of my first reads of the day and it never ceases to make me smile! Agree with everybody about the fancy pants.
    I have to say, whenever I see your picture with Barry I cannot get over how cute you are together, it just makes me go 'awwww'...
    And you even make me want to check out the zombie movie, never thought it would come to that ;)

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    1. Careful AJC, I don't want to be responsible for sleepless nights!

      Trust me - we are not always cute! Well I am, not him always!

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  21. I love your blog, Wendy! As you know, I'm new to blogging, but yours was one of the first I discovered!
    Congrats on the 1 year milestone!
    I vote fancy pants too.
    Congrats also on your writing. I am so impressed by your tenacity and dedication.

    Will keep on the lookout for zombies!

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    1. thanks Ruth! I did wear the fancy pants, but forgot pictures! Yikes!

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  22. I love reading your blog daily. Please continue to do blog as so many of us really enjoy your humour and pix. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Here's plenty more blog birthdays!

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