Lois Delaney: Hi everyone!! I'm back following a test of sorts. Hope you're all well and happy!
    Lois Delaney: Hi Dawn! Nice to see you are doing so well here. Hugs!!! -


Lois Delaney: If you watch this in full screen, the effects will be just awesome. Some button to the right at bottom of video. Hope you enjoy!!!!
    shelley kaye: oh didn't know i had to click on your name and go to your profile :-P

    -
    Lois Delaney: why doesn't it work for me. I try to post things on Following, but it just gets posted on Remarks. Do you know anything about that? -
    shelley kaye: no idea. i don't click on the "following" tab, i just go to the forums and profile thoughts section

    -
    Chikak: Hello,
    I just came across your story about Marie Celeste Letendre. If this is the same lady, she was my great grandmother. I have a picture of her. I also have a picture of Francois Daigneault, her husband. -


Lois Delaney: It didn't!
    Lois Delaney: Well, don't just criticize. Tell me how, you douche! LOL -


Lois Delaney: ***** Happy New Year. ***** I hope this time it hits my following. Not my remarks. If not, nobody will read it. And I want the world to know, you are my friends, indeed!!!!


Lois Delaney: Happy New Years to all!! Love and hugs to all my FanStory Friends.


Lois Delaney: Not sure what the year will bring, but I hope it all is good. Hugs, and a very Happy New Year, all! Keep reading and writing. Love all my fans and unfans.


Lois Delaney: Just would like to thank everyone who encouraged me these past few years with my writing, and with my life situations. You are a great bunch, and are very special to me.

I will be taking a course in writing for the following 12 weeks, but it should not take too much time away from being here.

A special wish goes out to all of my friends, new and old, for the most blessed and special year this coming 2012. You mean a lot to me. Hugs to all!!
    dbmccarter: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! -
    Lois Delaney: Happy New Year, dbmccarter. Hugs, and special wishes to you and yours. -


Lois Delaney: I am in the process of making homemade cinnamon buns for Christmas morning. Perogies are in the freezer, tourtiere, and several assortment of cookies and squares. Whew! My house seems to be getting bigger every year when I decide to give it a clean-up! And smaller as the family grows bigger, and everyone needs a bed (or a couch). Sorry I have been too busy to read your works of art, but after the holidays I hope to keep up. Merry Christmas!!!
    Bellydanser: Merry Christmas, Lois. Don't worry about reading. You have your priorities straight. ;) Family first. -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you Bellydanser. Hope you and everyone of my fans had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. -


Lois Delaney: Got the tree up finally today. Last night, went to see the Winnipeg Jets take on the Minnesota team. Jets won in the last couple of minutes. How exciting it was. The crowd went wild. ( So did I! ) It will be the only game I get to see this year. Tickets are sold out for three years. I managed to get one from my son who chose to miss one game. Merry Christmas, one and all.


Lois Delaney: I decided it's time to clean house and decorate my haven. Nobody will do it for me. I will have a full house for a couple of days. Four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren whom I adore, and my mum who is 85 this past June. How blessed I am. And I bought a huge turkey for $20. It should feed my gang, along with all the trimmings. Merry Christmas everyone. I love you all!
    Carolyn 12: Merry Christmas Lois. It sounds like you are going to have a wonderful Christmas. -


Lois Delaney: I think I have finally gotten everything straightened out with Fanstory. The story is back to being Lady Beatrice. I am combining short chapters that have already been written, and will be posting new chapters once I am done editing and adding whatever to what I already have worked on. What a chore and hazzle it has been.


Lois Delaney: The following is from today's Winnipeg front page news.

Sean Quigley is a 16 year old student from Oak Park High School. About a month ago he got the idea to make a Youtube video. He chose to do a version of Little Drummer Boy because the song resonated with him.

"Little Drummer Boy speaks to me so much....The whole song is a story - it's about this boy who gets word of Jesus being born and he goes to see him and he doesn't have anything to give him; he's like 'I don't have money, I don't have gifts to give you. But I can play my drum and that's more than enough'." - Sean Quigley

The video is amazing. What makes it so remarkable is that Sean played all the instruments, sang the vocals, recorded everything and shot, directed and edited the video.

It is an impressive feat of artistic achievement for a 16 year old. As of Thursday Sean's video had 300 views. Within 24 hours it had been viewed over 4000 times. One day later, it has passed the 40,000 mark.
    adewpearl: I just watched and listened to this video - thank you so much for recommending it! I even found his wardrobe in that setting charming :-) -
    Lois Delaney: His legs were getting a bit frost-bitten I would think. LOL -
    Lois Delaney: Sean has almost a million hits since this was first put on You Tube. Way to go, Sean!! -


Lois Delaney: I am back to writing Lady Beatrice, but this time it is called Lady Beatrice 2. I couldn't delete the first chapter, and had to start a whole new book. I think I know a bit more than when I began to write. I have my storyline, characters, and time and place. It is written in omniscient POV. If you get a chance, teach me how to get some six-stars. I don't know what is missing. Help!!!!
    redrider6612: Be careful. If this isn't a new story, you could get in trouble for double posting. -
    robyn corum: redrider, can you tell me more about that? -
    Lois Delaney: I will tell you more when I get put back on. Pretty silly rule if you ask me. I know you can repost if you want. As long as you pay. -
    Lois Delaney: Yes, I got a warning. Someone here doesn't like me. Boohoo!! -


Lois Delaney: Hi everyone. Just want to remind everyone about voting for the NaNoWriMo Contest. Some writers didn't stop writing for an entire month, while some of us had to drop out because of illness, or other problems. Good luck to all the participants. I am so proud of all of you. You stuck in there and can be really proud of yourselves. Hugs to all who participated, and made this an awesome contest. Lois
xoxox
    adewpearl: I've already placed my vote and wish I could vote for more than one person brave enough to undertake this challenge :-) -
    purrfect tale: I'm on my second day of reading through the other novels, will finish tomorrow. If more then 3 of us had hit 60k, I would never have had the time to read them all. My eyes are getting too long to stare at a monitor that long. -


Lois Delaney: I really had a plan, but too many problems entered the scene. I want to apologize to all those who entered NaNoWriMo and are having problems as well. I think you are a great bunch, and am so sorry if I let you down.
    MyYiaYia: When things come up, they come up. I am not going to be able to finish either. Got to 12.000 words and the babies got sick. Hard to write with fevered, hurting babes crying. Doesn't mean the book is not going to continue. Best of Luck Lois. Deb :0) -
    Lois Delaney: You too? Oh, well! At least we got to make some new friends, and will continue with our novels when we get a chance. For me that will probably be after Christmas. Best wishes to you as well, Lois xox -
    Fleedleflump: I so nearly stopped after the 12th (my wedding anniversary), when I took a 2 day break from writing the novel. I don't regret it, obviously, but it was damned hard to get going again. I think, once the momentum goes, it can be difficult to find the flow again. That's why my first novel took 6 years (count 'em!) and the second a year.

    Mike -
    Lois Delaney: I agree. I read a couple of my chapters, and I think once I get time again, it will be very difficult to get back to my characters because they were really driving me. If it doesn't work, I guess I will have to try a different one, but oh, what an experience, don't ya thunk? Good on those who made it. yahooooo!! -
    MyYiaYia: I entered the contest where it goes on where this one left off and gives us 2 months to finish our novels. They don't want us to be over 25,000 words into it when we start though, which I am only at about 12 thousand. So, I can keep my momentum up. I know you finished yours Mike, but maybe you want to try it Lois. Deb :0) -
    Lois Delaney: Yeah, I'm debating. I won't have much time in December, but I should have all of January if nothing pops up. I only have 14,000 words. -

    shelley kaye: and the soul is a car and objects in the rearview mirror are closer than they appear ;-)
    -
    Lois Delaney: I like that, shelley. LOL I wonder what the blindspot is called. Any ideas anyone? -
    babylonia: Foresight LOL sometimes we can't even see things when people slap them over our heads.
    :D -
    Spitfire: Two beautiful girls. Look like twins.
    Great song. Good harmony. What's the story? Relation to you? -
    Lois Delaney: No, not related. Just happened upon them. My father played the violin, and I used to fiddle a little. Just brought back memories when I was a kid. -


Lois Delaney: The NaNoWriMo Contest is approaching very quickly. I will be very busy reading other entries and trying to write my own novel in a month. If you don't get feed back from me, I should be back in December. Hugs to all my fans.
    Xylok: Wow in a month! Cool. Good luck. I'd love to read it when u get it finished. And thanks for the hug. Back atcha. -
    Lois Delaney: I will be posting chapters but they will be unedited. Just a way to get on with it!! I am getting a bit nervous. No plot, no characters, nothing. It will be a slam, bam affair. Then the edit will be a bigger chore. LOL -


Lois Delaney: In less than a week, NaNoWriMo begins. Yaah!!!! November 1st. Mark it on your calendar. Please read the chapters the contestants will be sharing. And do remember, these chapters or postings are unedited. Share your thoughts, be encouraging, and above all, be kind. We want to treat others as we expect others to treat us. This challenge is like a marathon. The writing will not be perfect. Be honest and helpful. That is all we ask. Thank you all for helping us become novelists in one month.
    purrfect tale: I wrote my synopsis on NaNo this evening and have been too excited since to think about anything else. -
    Lois Delaney: Good for you, purrfect tale. Can't wait to read your work. -
    Lois Delaney: Good news from Tom (site manager)
    Answer to my request about posting our novel chapters and asking for comments only. No rating at this point. This is his reply:

    Yes, you can initially post it with comments only. Later, you can edit it and change that.

    Thanks,
    Tom -


Lois Delaney: Knives have all been accounted for. The nuts and bolts in my brain may be disarranged somewhat.
Novel writing begins next week. So far, I have no ideas or characters. And I have to depend on these nuts and bolts. On, my!!!!


Lois Delaney: I'm missing four knives. The sharp kind. If you don't hear from me, check the obituary.
    Bicpen: I hid the knives...there not for little girls to be playing with and any way you never use them. -
    Lois Delaney: LOL Bicpen. There are only two missing now. What ever did you do with them? Please, I must know. LOL -


    Bellydanser: This is one of those times when the perfect song came together with the perfect voice. -
    Lois Delaney: I totally agree, Melinda. She is one awesome singer. I Will Remember You is another one of my favourites. -


Lois Delaney: Don't forget about me, nor84. I could use your useful and serious critiques. You are one great novelist.


Lois Delaney: Thank you all for helping me get my act together. Or should I say my writing... Each constructive comment is what I yearn for. And the next thing is a six-star rating. Avril, don't get me going on contradiction. I do it all the time. LOL


Lois Delaney: I have to make some serious decisions about selling my home, and I ask for all your prayers. It is a huge home, and my son has mentioned to me that he and his wife would like to buy it. I would live in the basement suite which I am still working on. I turned sixty-five this past July, but I feel as though I am still young most days. I am in serious debt which causes me to keep hard at work with fostering, and at another part-time job. I'm not asking for you to tell me what to do, but to just pray that God will lead me in the direction He wants me. Lois
    R. J. Stewart: God won't help you. Biblical quote: "God helps those who helps themselves." So, think about it, why do we need God? -
    JudgeKingsley: Yeah, God won't help you, but Gods people will. I was in the same situation with my wife. I knew what i had to do, but I didn't know where to start. Dave Ramsey, I know you heard of him, right? No lie, after we got into our big situation with money, we had to try all we could even if it sounded silly. I never talked to the guy or anything, but one of our financial advisers turned us on to his radio show. Long story short, we did exactly what he recommended in his books and on his radio show. No joke, it was one of the hardiest things we ever did. All the major decisions we had to make sometimes drove us crazy. But we bared down, and didn't sweat it after we came to terms with it all. I didn't want to sell this and I didn't want to sell that, but after one look into my babygirl's eyes, I sold it all. We make mistakes in life so that we could make good decisions in life. Once we make that bad division, we have to pay for it. But we always have a chance to redeem ourselves. I never was going to lose my home over my debt, but I almost lost a child over it, and everything else. After my wife and I bared down, we paid off $24,000 in debt in about a year and a half with Dave Ramsey's method. I didn't become debt free at the time, but I was in the clear from losing anything that I had. I'm debt free now and own my own home. I won't make the decision that I have before with money. To deal with money is an art form. I don't care what anyone says. Try Dave, though. He could help you out. I'm not religious, but he's one of God's people. -
    Lois Delaney: I am going to try to pay off what I can as long as I'm healthy, and I think we are going to own the home together for the time being. We both have our own living quarters, so I am happier tonight over the cares of this life then I was last night. Thank you all who whispered a prayer. Lois -
    Carolyn 12: To live with your family is a wonderful option for you. All you need is time. I hope and pray it goes smoothly for each of you. -
    Lois Delaney: Yes, Carolyn. You are correct. It can work out. I sometimes allow worries to take over. Thank you for your sweet comments, Carolyn. -


Lois Delaney: Just want to congratulate Livingwords for winning the 'What is on Your Bucket List' Contest. Great job writing friend. Glad you joined the contest. The competition was outstanding, wasn't it? Good for you.


Lois Delaney: Just a note of advice. Stay put! This is a great place to read and write. I have been off spending money I don't have on trying to start my own online business. Lost over 8,000 dollars. I am sick. Broke and sick. I wished I would have just stayed put and kept up with my writing. Well, I did learn one thing. Don't look for greener pastures, because you may end up in the desert.
    rama devi: Warm welcome back, Lois. So sorry about the money loss but glad to see you participating here again. I am also less active than before, but look forward to reading your work soon. Blessings, rd -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you rama devi. I appreciate you reading my comments. It's hard to keep up with everything, when you have to work, and keep a home. But thank you so much for responding. Is there any special reason why you are not as active? -


Lois Delaney: I won't be writing as much as I would like to. I have a house full, and am preparing for a large gathering at Christmas. I will, however, try to read so that when I have the time available, I will have some money to spend. LOL
    Tillom Gliss: Hey Lois, I just wanted to stop by and congratulate you on your third place win! Seems your comma problems are a thing of the past! Good on ya! -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you so much, Tillom. I am shocked. But what a thrill even if it is just 3rd place. It's one step forward. Yeah!!!! -
    Giddy Nielsen-Sweep: Hi Lois,
    are you still writing? I haven't been getting notifications of your writing â?? I miss them!
    Giddy -


Lois Delaney: I am working on my novel and have to have the French keys working. However, I am having a problèm with my settings. So if you notice an accent whenever I write, please let me know. I must get someone to help me reset this;


Lois Delaney: The snow is falling. Drifting. Snow storm watch is underway, and I have to go to work in a few hours.
Close to 30 kilometres of driving which will probably be in a near white out. I'd rather be working on my novel. Oh, well! I like to eat too. So preparing my mind for the have-to's in life.


Lois Delaney: Sometimes, I feel so unqualified to write. I want to curl up in my shell, like a turtle, and hide. I have commapholia. Some say add, some say delete. What can I do? Take another course on where to place your commas. Help!!!!
    redrider6612: The Chicago Manual of Style or The Elements of Style--both excellent guides to punctuation, grammar and sentence/paragraph structure. -
    Lois Delaney: Thanks redrider. I will have to check it out. Appreciate your help. -
    Tillom Gliss: I had a similar question posted on my profile page. And after having three editors edit my book three different ways I learned that there are different style books that can be followed depending on which book they use. I had the first editor remove all but a handful to have the next one put more than half back! I think if you follow one book, and follow the same rule throughout your work, you should please most of the people most of the time. I am typing this on my iPhone and am hoping it is going to be correct in grammar as I can only see a little tiny box. Hope


    Lol -
    Anonymous Member: K. Now I am at my desk. I would like to add that many of us writers feel the same way about the comma (and other punctuation.)

    I remind myself that I am not an editor; I am a writer. And though it is necessary that a writer is aware how to communicate effectively on paper, the editors are there to polish a writer's work to a shiny penny.

    You are not alone in your confusion (I think a comma goes here but I am not certain) nor your feelings of not being a good writer. I think us creative beings are often riddled with self doubt about our creative works.

    I remember a writer (don't recall the name) saying that he thinks he is a genius on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and an idiot the rest of the week.

    So, keep on writing my Canadian friend!

    -
    Tillom Gliss: I was booted off while writing the above comment. So, it shows as anonymous member. But it was me. : ) -
    LateBloomer: Hello Lois, Don't dispair. Your writing has improved dramatically ... write from your heart and one day you will have an Editor to do the rest. Smiles, LateBloomer -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you Tillom, LateBloomer and redrider. I do feel better. Some people give a three because you placed commas where they don't think you should have. So then you remove, just for another reviewer to say, you need to place commas just where you just deleted them. Thanks girls for trying to lift my spirits. From now on, I will place commas where I think they should go, and remove others where I'm not too sure. Have a great weekend, everyone! -
    adewpearl: Ask me. I'm always right. LOL :-) -
    louparis: Never take advice from someone who is never wrong - they are most likely literate dullards. Trust your instincts and read aloud what you have written. If it flows well and doesn't confuse the reader's perseption of person, place or thing - it is probably OK.
    Lou Paris -


Lois Delaney: I just got a phone call that one of my cousins, aged 51 years of age, was found dead this morning near the railway tracks in Saskatchewan. Not sure yet what happened, but it sounds like suspicious play. I am so sad to hear this.
    Tillom Gliss: Hi Lois, I am terribly sorry to hear of your loss. Tillom -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you Tillom. I appreciate your warm thoughts. Hugs, Lois -


Lois Delaney: I had no idea this place was available to write to each other and share. What a neat idea. I have just written a disgusting story that is actually biographical, but didn't want to share that with everyone. Just friends. Please be kind when you review my stream of consciousness story. It's for real. Besides I didn't want my children to read it one day, and find out the truth, if you know what I mean. Hugs to all!!!!


Lois Delaney: This is a neat little addition to Fanstory.
    Lois Delaney: I am glad to be back after being away for almost a year. Please leave a message if you would like. -
    BJean: Hi Lois, beautiful little one in your arms. I have one nineteen month old granddaughter. She is a delight. Love, Jean -
    Lois Delaney: Yes, and I just became a grandmother to a little seven lb. baby girl on February 10th. So excited. This is my 7th grandchild. -
    Nanette Mary: Welcome back, Housemaid ... by that name, I recognise you and it is good to see you again. Now, as Lois Delaney, I look forward to reading your
    writing once again. Bless you.
    Love from ... Nanette Mary. -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you, Nanette Mary. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Hoping to get more time for writing in the near future. -
    misscookie: Misscookies thought for the day:
    Something is wrong when you think everyone is wrong and your right. is right. -
    misscookie: T - "Kindness is the oil that takes the frictuion out of life. -
    misscookie: T- Worry is kintrest paid on trouble before it comes due. -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you misscookie for these awesome thoughts of the days. -
    MissMerri: Lois, I'm so glad you're back and I look forward to getting better acquainted through your writing. So far, I've enjoyed your wonderful reviews, so thank you! -
    Lois Delaney: Thank you MissMerri. I am so excited to be back. Life is very busy, but I hope to do my best. -
    Signaler: Hi Lois, I have to tell you that you've got my head growing so big, I won't be able to get through the door, but you know if we are smart, we will all learn from each other. I ope to always interest you with my work and hope to learn all that you have to teach me. Thanks again and good to see you. Oh by the way, I wait tonight for the birth of my twin granddaughters. ummm, great granddaughters that is.
    Keep Your Angel ON your Shoulder, As Aslways, Signaler (Linda) -
    Lois Delaney: Oh, I hope all went well. How big are they? And what are their names? How exciting! Mama will have lots of sleepless nights, I'm sure. -
    the blue pixel: It's me Lois. Referring back to the top of this page, I am so sorry to hear about your online business. That must have been quite heart breaking for you but at least you had the courage to give something new, a go. I now see what you've been up to and it was lovely to hear from you again. xx Carol -
    Lois Delaney: Thanks Carol for your encouraging words. I really don't know how some people sleep at nights knowing they have ripped off older people. Whoops! Did a say older? Well, you know what I mean. LOL -