What's the craziest thing you've ever done? Drop me a line below!
Someone asked me what the silliest, craziest thing I'd ever had to do was. Well, I thought it time to drop a blog and let you in on some of my craziness. As an elementary school teacher, there's apart of my that thrives on the crazy dress up days. I love getting dressed up like Junie B. Jones or Cindy Loo Hoo. There's something about rolling out of bed and actually planning to wear your new set of PJs in to work that is awesome! No really, I own several different sets of PJs just for dress up days! I think the craziest time I was asked to participate in something though was for one of our musical productions. The children were all doing a musical performance- a little of this and that and the teachers were asked to…. Dress up like pandas and create panda-monium (pandemonium) throughout the course of a couple songs. We rode tricycles- and that took a lot of talent to get on a little kids tricycle and successfully paddle around a gym, hula hooped, juggled, etc. It was so much fun!
What's the craziest thing you've ever done? Drop me a line below!
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I have started tweeting more over the summer for the first time, and yes I know I might be behind a generation of tweeters and the social media users, but I have been having so much fun with it! The inspirational days are my favorite to tweet. These tweets got me thinking, where does inspiration come from. I asked around to see where others get their inspiration and then I collected some of my favorites to share with you! Although these are not all the responses I would like to thank all of you that took the time to share your answers with me. Tragedy and Pain: One of the overall places that people get their inspiration is from their experiences. I saw responses about using tragedy and pain (whether it is their own or things they've seen) to motivate and inspire themselves or others. I think this is awesome. People who have been through major trauma that come out the other side stronger are so inspiring to me. Along with this I saw people that gathered inspiration from their heart and life experiences whether they are from joy, pain, success, hardship, or adventure. God and the Bible: There was a strong response from people who not only draw from their life experiences but also trust in God to help inspire and lead them where they want or need to go. Taking a moment to listen to what God has to say can open up doors and opportunities for people that belief. Music: There are people that say that music can move the soul. I find this is one of my go-tos when I need background noise. I put on some music that will set the mood for whatever I'm looking to write. My current favorite background music is Misty Mountain Cold (The Hobbit) and any of the Epic Music Mixes on YouTube. What kind of music do you like to listen to? Fantasy: Believe it or not there are people out there that find inspiration in the supernatural. One of my friends even said hey, when I need inspiration I would think "What would Dean Do?". Inspiration can show up in interesting places. I read the first Wayward Pines novel and found that a whole series of ideas flood through my brain. Comic books, TV, books, and movies can all be used to draw in ideas and inspiration for various things throughout your life. Family: Family was a huge response and one I love to hear about! My family is a huge part of my life and my inspiration. I get ideas and life skills from them, as well as life skills from where I make mistakes (which never happens… I mean…). Children can be a great source of motivation and inspiration. They teach us things we never expected to learn. Their pure sense of innocence and joy in the smallest things can draw out amazement and wonder in adults. I had one response that I couldn't have said any better and would like to share: "My children, it never stops amazing me how honest and carefree they are, so innocent but if we could only emulate childhood in so many ways the smallest things make them so happy. They are still in awe of the world and ask so many questions. They give without stopping to think what they might get back and live in the moment. They love without fear and play without being self conscious." Thank you Mike for you those wonderful words of inspiration! Time and People: The last category I found responses lighting up my computer was to just step back and take some space. A little distraction can led to something new and exciting. There is also something about taking the time to do some people watching to find inspiration. I have spent time just sitting back and looking around thinking, what are these people doing? This is especially helpful when you are looking for inspiration and not finding it. Take a step back, explore, people watch, or just take a quiet moment for reflection. My Inspiration: I would have to tie that all together and say that my personal inspiration comes from several different places. I definitely pull from life experiences and my family. Let's face it, when you have a busy toddler, there's inspiration going on all the time. I took the time to just sit and watch her the other day and I was amazed at what I saw. The joy that lit up her face at just a simple sticker was just awesome. When she learned to speak and ran around calling out "I love you" I couldn't help but think how innocence children are and how freely they give their love. Not only does my own child inspire me, but I love to watch the kids in my classroom. As a teacher, there is nothing more inspirational than seeing that light bulb moment when children get something new, or when they get excited over a topic. The other place I drew inspiration is from music and literature. Let's face it, I love to read and write. Ideas fill my brain, sometimes to the point of overflowing so I can't sleep. I love books, movies, and music. Video: I found the video below that I also wanted to share that does a great job of inspiring and pumping you up! It inspired me to go out and find more inspirational ideas! Do you find inspire somewhere I haven't mentioned? Feel free to leave me a comment below! Thank you for reading and sharing all these wonderful ideas. From Chapter 4: This scene is where the heroine and hero meet! The chase continued for several minutes unaware that a rider had ridden into view. The man watched the chase and frowned as the thief began to pull away towards the forest once again. Did he really have to help this other lord? It was the code, after all, but the two boys were so entertaining, Branton had to just laugh. Gabbing the horse’s flanks, he closed the gap in no time. In one smooth glide, he leapt off the horse and tackled the thief to the ground. They tumbled in several circles before coming to a halt. Grunting both from the ease of the tackle and the impact with the ground, he pinned the thief’s arms to his side. The body underneath him stilled. “Get off my sister!” Mika demanded huffing. He stood by the pair with his hands on his hips and a frown on his face. Sister? Branton peered down at the thief with narrowed eyes and frowned, confusion crossed his brows. How had he ever mistaken her for a boy? Her hat had tumbled off her head and her rust red curls spilled out over her dirty face to pool around her shoulders. Blue eyes blazed with an alluring mix of shock and amusement. Or at least he hoped it was amusement. She even felt soft and small underneath him. Jumping away as if he had been burned, he pulled her to her feet so fast he had to catch her before she stumbled forward. Releasing her, he nimbly stepped away. She brushed herself off as she stared at him through downcast eyes. What was she playing at? “I’m sorry. I thought...” he paused and looked back and forth between the two. The boy smiled and looked as if he was holding in a laugh whereas the girl had a straight face. “As you should have, sir,” she said. “My acting is great!” She shoved her hair up under the cap. Disappointment wasn’t new, but he still felt a jolt as it kicked him. Her hair was lovely and he found that he wanted to crush the curls between his fingers. He had to fight back the urge to kiss her dust covered lips. Mentally grounding the thought out of his head, he shook his head to ward off the foreign feelings invading his mind. “You are not! He believed me, not you!” The lord flashed a smile and gave a theatrical bow. Sister and Brother? Could she be the hidden neighbor he had yet to meet? What were their names? Mika and … A single strand of hair slipped out, waving at him in the breeze. Copper. “You helped, but you’re not very convincing,” she taunted. “I thought you were both good,” Branton broke in, not knowing whether they were playing or not. For the first time in his life he felt out of place in the drama that was unfolding in front of him. He found himself amused. It had been so long since he had found himself amused. “Are you hurt?” Mika asked his sister suddenly serious, as if Branton wasn’t standing next to them. Mika had stepped closer to take a look at her. “Yes, of course I’m fine,” she said brushing him off, pushing him away. “It takes more than the likes of him to do me harm.” “Who are you?” Mika asked turning his attention back to the mysterious rider. “You can call me Branton.” He bowed with a smile. A twinkle lit his eyes. He couldn’t believe that he met someone who didn’t know him. “Who are you?” “Nice to make your acquaintance sir. This is Mika and I’m Copper.” Mika kept his mouth shut as he stared at the other man. His eyes narrowed and his lips pursed. This didn’t go unnoticed to Branton. Was he not supposed to know who they were? “Very nice to meet you both. Allow me to walk you home milady.” He offered his arm to her and she looked at him strangely. Crossing her arms over her chest, she was plainly ignoring his offer. Cocking his head to the side, he dropped his arm. No one refused him. Ever! This was definitely getting more interesting by the minute. “Oh please. I don’t need a body guard or a babysitter, thank you,” she said crossly. Something about her intrigued him. “Copper, be nice to Viscount Bannister. I’m sorry my lord, she doesn’t understand her place as of yet. She needs to be set right. A matter I will attend to as soon as possible.” The outward calm Mika projected didn’t fool Branton. He could see the worry etched across his face. “Bannister?” she asked surprised. “What’s a Bannister doing alone in the countryside? Aren’t you supposed to be drinking tea with the Duke or something?” Branton let out a laugh as Mika tried to put a hand over Copper’s mouth. “Aww… you bit me,” he yelled at his sister. His hand waved wildly at his side. “What’s so funny?” She looked at her brother crossly. “What do you mean I need to learn my place? How dare you.” Mika backed off with his hands raised and looked at Branton. “I would say she does need to be taught her place, Mika. Milady, I find it most interesting your father lets you out this way,” he said referring to her breeches. Copper’s eyes grew wide and her mouth tightened. Mika put a hand on her arm protectively. “I see. So he doesn’t know you’re out and about then. Very interesting indeed.” “You mustn’t tell him about this sir. I beg you,” Copper blurted out her voice shaking on the verge of terror. “Please.” Her eyes blazed so intensely he was captivated by them. Jolts of feelings coursed through him at her begging. She was soft and female in that moment and she needed him. Something inside him wanted to capture that female part of her and never let her go. He shook his mind free as a vivid image appeared in his head of her laying at his feet with her hair tumbling over her sun kissed skin. I must have knocked myself silly, he began to think again, for she really wasn’t very pretty. She was small and couldn’t be more than 14 or 15. How old was she? “Our father would punish her sir, and I can’t allow that to happen. You must understand,” Mika said. Branton didn’t think anyone could harm such a spirited woman, but he played along. A mix of confusing feelings swarmed his senses that he couldn’t sort out. No one had ever affected him as she was. “Okay, but I want a favor in return for my silence Lady Aertes.” “How did you know my name?” she demanded. “Rumors travel both ways. Just as your brother knew me through reputation, I know of my neighbors as well.” “What kind of favor?” she asked cautiously biting on her lower lip as her brother narrowed his eyes. Favors among the nobility could get sticky and usually resulted in deeper amounts of debt, but what he wanted would be debt free. “I would like you and your brother to come to dinner at my father’s estate within a fortnight. I will send invitations to your father as is the normal ritual. I would like to get to know you, Mika and look forward to putting the past behind our families. It has actually been on my to-do list for quite some time now.” “If it pleases you to have us sir,” Mika agreed. Branton could see the internal struggle warring inside him. Copper bit her lip harder, pulling at her tunic with frustration. Did she have more to say? “Brilliant, then I will look forward to making your acquaintance for the first time.” He mounted his horse and smiled. “Good day sir, milady.” For more of Lady Copper see Donjaline Hope's books or click the link above!
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Follow the AuthorFollow Donjaline Hope on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DonjalineHope for updated Blog posts and random twitter posts! Message from the Donjaline Hope:
I am an inspired soul who loves to write and take photographs. I read and write constantly and have been inspired by many people throughout my life. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on but my favorites were always R.L. Stine and L.J. Smith (prior to the Vampire Diaries). I have composed many things through the past several years and would like to use this blog as a way to share some of them with you (both new and old writings). I would love feedback both positive and negative to help me improve my writing. Thank you for following this blog. Archives
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