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Some days iLove the tech boom

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Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 29 May 2012 14:42

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” —Arthur C. Clarke

I have discovered the meaning of life. Who knew it would be nearly palm-sized?

As a functioning procrastinator, I’ve been able to get by all right so far. Anyone who lives trapped in the land-of-put-things-off understands how frustrating the pull and tug of this lifestyle is. There may be 17 things to do, there may be just one. No matter, because let’s be honest, it ain’t gonna happen til tomorrow.

And just when we have ourselves convinced that technology could actually help the procrastination situation—i.e., e-mails set up as a triple threat on home and work computers and smartphones, plus calendar reminders that beep at 15-minute...

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‘Mother’ is my role; I am blessed

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Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 08 May 2012 14:56

“Unfortunately for my cat, I tend to take a lot of stress out on him and find myself screaming things like, “I don’t need to hear whining out of you too you little #*!$#.” I know—horrific behavior. But it was either him or the kids and I thought it best to keep the swearing on the down-low until they’re about 10.” —Mama at generationsuncorked.com

In what proved to be an ironic twist, I ran into the mother of a former high school friend while waiting for my Cinco de Mayo margarita. She was alone in her booth with a festive plate and pretty frozen drink, so I went over to say hello and was greeted with the friendliest smile and hug.

Our houses weren’t more than a few short blocks away from each other in our hometown and...

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The world needs to come to music

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Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 24 April 2012 15:46

There’s a wooden board hanging on my kitchen wall. Half of it is corkboard where I tack up pictures, lunch menus, shopping lists and forgotten expired coupons. The other half is a white board. It serves several purposes, but lately it’s been hosting the “song of the day.”

Every morning I write a song title in bright neon colors and pull out one of the lyrics in quotes. You’d be surprised how this small thing can slow down a rushed morning.

Music is another body in our house. It’s always there. The girls rarely walk from one room to another without either an iPod or a Kindle going. I’ve warned them about the dangers of toilets and electronics, as I’ve lost a phone myself, but that doesn’t seem to stop them. No room is...

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The world needs to come to music

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Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 24 April 2012 15:46

There’s a wooden board hanging on my kitchen wall. Half of it is corkboard where I tack up pictures, lunch menus, shopping lists and forgotten expired coupons. The other half is a white board. It serves several purposes, but lately it’s been hosting the “song of the day.”

Every morning I write a song title in bright neon colors and pull out one of the lyrics in quotes. You’d be surprised how this small thing can slow down a rushed morning.

Music is another body in our house. It’s always there. The girls rarely walk from one room to another without either an iPod or a Kindle going. I’ve warned them about the dangers of toilets and electronics, as I’ve lost a phone myself, but that doesn’t seem to stop them. No room is...

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Hard work creates our own luck

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Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 10 April 2012 15:03

“I wonder what it’s like to be the rainmaker. Wonder what it’s like to know that I made the rain.” —Matchbox 20

“If something isn’t working for you, it isn’t friggin’ luck. It’s you needing to do more.”

This is according to C. Hope Clark, a writing coach/blogger/novelist from South Carolina. She is excellent at writing editorials in her newsletters that leave me feeling much less productive than I know I should be, which is a good thing because in the end, it’s motivating.

Her newest feature was titled “Luck.” A gift just for me, I have to say, because honestly I’ve been in a slump and getting pretty tired of feeling sorry for myself. Opening that newsletter was the kick in the butt I needed.

Who else...

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