6-Word Diary

The idea for this page came from a writing challenge on a storytelling website: Write your memoir in exactly six words. I was intrigued and committed to try my hand at it. What follows will be my yearlong 6-word journal one day at a time. I’m curious to see what happens: Will it be poignant, funny or flat-out dull? And then how long can I keep this up? So visit often to see how I’m doing, and PLEASE add six words of your own. It will keep me inspired!  One final note, my friend Diane Henry suggested that I rename this page Pam-oirs. It is so deemed!

Thank you for sharing my journey … and that WAS 6 words, right?

Pamela ~ 9/4/08

P.S.

*** UPDATE *** To track just this project. Visit the Pam-oirs, my microblog dedicated to recording just this exercise.

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Current Month

SEPTEMBER 2009

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ARCHIVES: In the Beginning …

SEPTEMBER 2008

• Forty-six: Seeking Dad’s Approval … still [9/1/08]
• Pain in yoga equals self-doubt. [9/2/08]
• Would rather be writing for money! [9/3/08]
• Counting words ALL day long … exhausted. [9/4/08]
• Evening of six word liners with friends. [9/5/08]
• Procrastination: The Illegitimate Child of Perfectionism. [9/6/08]
• His wind-blown curls, my sunlit heart. [9/7/08]
• Hope to be on Oprah someday! [9/8/08]
• Hope kids aren’t ever on Oprah! [9/9/08]
• Bottom of the pile doesn’t exist. [9/10/08]
• Hate running. Love the feeling afterward. [9/11/08]
• Nike is right. Just do it. [9/12/08]
• Yoga Practice: More Fun with Friends! [9/13/08]
• Disasters, CNN, the Internet & me. [9/14/08]
• Friend or Foe? Fixation with food. [9/15/08]
• His blue eyes light up mine. [9/16/08]
• Lack of Acknowledgment Opens Deep Wounds. [9/17/08]
• Dog’s gone missing, so’s my sleep. [9/18/08]
• Celebrating: dog located! Sleep? Still missing. [9/19/08]
• Packing for trips completely overwhelms me. [9/20/08]
• It’s a Colorado Rocky Mountain High. [9/21/08]
• 800 practicing Anusara at one time! [9/22/08]
• Kula: An ever-expanding group of beings. [9/23/08]
• Happy birthday, dear Jeannie, my friend. [9/24/08]
• Inhale rise up. Exhale and fold. [9/25/08]
• Ah, the life of a journalist. [9/26/08]
• Rest gives the body new beginnings. [9/27/08]
• Seven days of yoga, homeward bound [9/28/08]
• Off the mat, on with life. [9/29/08]
• Om’s where I hang my mat. [9/30/08]

OCTOBER 2008

• Work the principles, find new openings. {10/1/2008}
• Inversions: Lift contents of your brain. {10/2/2008}
• I’d rather write than anything else. {10/3/2008}
• Lunch with Austin: My heart swells {10/4/2008}
• Raw Cookie Dough: Love-Hate Relationship {10/5/2008}
• Garmin says “recalculating” … my life’s motto! {10/6/2008}
• Iyengar practice leaves different energetic effect. {10/7/2008}
• Meant to do it. So what?! {10/8/2008}
• Search Result: What’s Anusara Kool-Aid? {10/9/2008}
• Garner State Park: The Tradition Continues {10/10/2008}
• ‘Horns Won, Sun Shone, Beautiful Day! {10/11/2008}
• Drizzling rain is a camping bummer! {10/12/2008}
• Different Parenting Styles Creates Friendship Friction. {10/13/2008}
• Feels good to pay off debts. {10/14/2008}
• Question: What really holds me back? {10/15/2008}
• Backbends often agitate my nervous system. {10/16/2008}
• Good manicure makes all the difference. {10/17/08}
• Horns-Mizzou game: 98,300 and us! {10/18/2008}
• Wherever I am, there I’m NOT! {10/19/2008}
• Clutter Management Tip: Finish the Cycle! {10/20/2008}
• Double Dips, Open Hips, Mood Flips! {10/21/2008}
• Electronic Devices: Failure to Be Present {10/22/2008}
• Facebook results in less “FACE” time. {10/23/2008}
• Disco outfits easy! Halloween costumes? …. Arrgh! {10/24/2008}
• Silly me ~ Disco’s ALWAYS in style! {10/25/2008}
• Austin Icons: Backyard with Willie Nelson! {10/26/2008}
• Be in alignment with your dreams. {10/27/2008}
• Intersecting circles of friends create collisions. {10/28/2008}
• CAUTION: Facebook “friends” aren’t necessarily so! {10/29/2008}
• Why does homework cause such tension? {10/30/2008}
• What IS it about being scared?! {10/31/2008}

NOVEMBER 2008

• SportsCenter: More fun when we win. {11/1/08}
• Self-discipline is really self-love. {11/2/08}
• I married better than my husband. {11/3/08}
• “Yes we can!” Hope he’s right. {11/4/08}
• Family Dinner: A Feast of Conversations {11/5/08}
• Cool software makes my heart race. {11/6/08}
• Happy hours, happy friends, happy ME! {11/7/08}
• Sometimes I DO steal his glasses. {11/8/08}
• The first waffle never turns out. {11/9/08}
• Nobody had ever asked me “why?” {11/10/08}
• Promises too much. Delivers too little. {11/11/08}
• They all said it mattered … didn’t. {11/12/08}
• Reflecting on friendships, Farrah-do’s and Facebook {11/13/08}
• Waiting a long time for NOW! {11/14/08}
• Exhilaration: Shopping at Night at Wal-Mart {11/15/08}
• Lost keys, phone and my mind! (addendum to 11/15/08}
• Light the Sky ~ Fog the Windows {11/16/08}
• Howling at the Moon with Friends {11/17/08}
• Her “Thanks” ~ Better than the gift! {11/18/08}
• Wise salesman once said, “Presentation’s everything!” {11/19/08}
• I’m many things, but not that. {11/20/08}
• Key to Sanity: Regular, Consistent Practice {11/21/08}
• Puppies & Friends: “Paws” to Celebrate {11/22/08}
• Failure to decide makes a decision {11/23/08}
• Purple Haze: Planning for Thanksgiving Photos {11/24/08}
• “Once,” he recalled, “it was clean.” {11/25/08}
• Family Oriented, Storytelling Dishwasher: Apply Within {11/26/08}
• Gratitude: Family, Food & Stretch Jeans {11/27/08}
• Thanksgiving … Not like this for everyone?! {11/28/08}
• Some Kind of Record: Nobody Cried! {11/29/08}
• Four Words: I Love My Family! {11/29/08 addendum)
• Science Fair Project: Will Child Live? {11/30/08}

DECEMBER 2008

• 0.0128 Negligible, Unless You’re a Longhorn {12/1/08}
• Heart MAY belong to San Francisco {12/2/08}
• Bliss in a perfectly ordinary day. {12/3/08}
• Small gestures often mean the most {12/4/08}
• Faculty Christmas Party: A Meatball Comedy {12/5/08}
• Choosing to feel sorry for myself {12/6/08}
• Fake Christmas Tree: My New “Real” – ity. {12/7/08}
• How do you eat an elephant? {12/8/08}
• Beginning to look alot like Christmas {12/9/08}
• How will it all get done? {12/10/08}
• Happiest when I’m busiest at work {12/11/08}
• Researching how blogs can become lifelines {12/12/08}
• Even when expected, it’s still hard. {12/13/08}
• Family Holiday Dinner Tradition Becomes Brunch {12/14/08}
• Fahrenheit 451: An eerily prophetic tale {12/15/08}
• The year of the backbend perhaps? {12/16/08}
• Stayed awake for the whole movie {12/17/08}
• The last of a Thursday legend {12/18/08}
• Takes more time than you think {12/19/08}
• Glad I’m not shopping in Boston {12/20/08}
• Opening presents early suppresses holiday enthusiasm. {12/21/08}
• Would rather be shopping than packing. {12/22/08}
• 1500 miles, 3 boys and dog {12/23/08}
• I always cry during ‘Silent Night’ {12/24/08}
• Sick & Sleeping … Was it Christmas? {12/25/08}
• Grateful he’s not like his father {12/26/08}
• Dead Zone: Jonesing for Internet Fix {12/27/08}
• Puking ~ Glad it’s a Rental Car {12/28/08}
• Tired of COLD, car & cranky husband. {12/29/08}
• Unload, Unpack, Undecorate, Returns, Regroup, Recharge {12/30/08}
• Celebrated New Year’s Eve in NYC {12/31/08}

JANUARY 2009

• She is my newest oldest friend. (1/1/09)
• Where poets, Olympians & angels tread. (1/2/09)
• Happy 20th birthday, my beautiful son! (1/3/09)
• Interesting questions aren’t always for everyone. (1/4/09)
• The energy of Austin is home. (1/5/09)
• She said I’m at 90 degrees! (1/6/09)
• iphones, apps & dot mac: AWESOME! (1/7/09)
• Exhaustion can look much like depression. (1/8/09)
• Getting Old. Need Botox & Glasses. (1/9/09)
• Good Hair Day Makes Day Good! (1/10/09)
• His Love Language: Acts of Service (1/11/09)
• Wahoo!!! I’m getting a media badge! (1/12/09)
• Things to do, would rather write. (1/13/09)
• The packing never gets any easier. (1/14/09)
• Where dreams and cable cars sing. (1/15/09)
• So what day is it anyway? (1/16/09)
• I love my husband SOOOO much! (1/17/09)
• Birthday Game: Powerful Life-Affirming Message (1/18/09)
• “Accept now and know things change.” (1/19/09)
• It is time to go home. (1/20/09)
• I’ll choose to be the change. (1/21/09)
• Instead of eating for anxiety … meditate. (1/22/09)
• Lack of motivation, exhaustion, or depression? (1/23/09)
• Feeling guilty for doing “nothing” … why? (1/24/09)
• The key is in pacing yourself. (1/25/09)
• Guilt motivates, but at a cost. (1/26/09)
• Silence is deafening when I’M silent. (1/27/09)
• My home is where he is. (1/28/09)
• I’m holding the space for her. (1/29/09)
• The connections that matter the most. (1/30/09
• Unusual glimpse into what happens next. (1/31/09)

FEBRUARY 2009

• Superbowl: Not just about the game! (2/1/09)
• Sadly, “good parenting” doesn’t always work. (2/2/09)
• Think he’s really gonna be okay! (2/3/09)
• Technology: Blessing or Curse? Your choice. (2/4/09)
• Can you “Be Present” with Technology? (2/5/09)
• Friendship come in many different ways. (2/6/09)
• Well, they had me at “Surprise!” (2/7/09)
• Inspired to be what they see. (2/8/09)
• Moving through training plateau offers insight. (2/9/09)
• Technology meets Law of Diminishing Returns (2/10/09)
• Sometimes life’s more than 6 words. (2/11/09)
• Why is packing such a nightmare? (2/12/09)
• Experiencing God through lives of teenagers. (2/13/09)
• Even man-made snow’s from God. (2/14/09)
• Went there for them, I thought. (2/15/09)
• Insight often comes from unexpected sources. (2/16/09)
• Sleeping with friends ~ let rumors begin. (2/17/09)
• If phelbotomist says, “Apply Pressure,” … Do!!! (2/18/09)
• When does abnormal become your normal? (2/19/09)
• Medicine: Is it Art or Science? (2/20/09)
• Yoga class canceled; OM-less people everywhere. (2/21/09)
• Men need connections, just different ones. (2/22/09)
• When aligned, Divine inspiration ISN’T random. (2/23/09)
• “Put some verbs in your sentences.” (2/24/09)
• Learning Acceptance First Comes from Within (2/25/09)
• Record High Temperatures Reveal Broken A/C (2/26/09)
• He matters. To us. To ME! (2/27/09)
• Paying attention to perfect moments together. (2/28/09)

MARCH 2009

• Is it really in my control? (3/1/09)
• Monitors littered with my keyboard Twitters. (3/2/09)
• Increased Twitter followers boost my energy. (3/3/09)
• Moms & Dads offer different perspectives. (3/4/09)
• Surrounded by friends: Left-Right-Center (3/5/09)
• Melissa: 50, Fabulous & Fantastic Friend (3/6/09)
• Large gatherings sometimes honor closest connections (3/7/09)
• Failure to Plan: Plan for Failure (3/8/09)
• Life is full of undiscovered friends (3/9/09)
• Yoga unites hips, world & mind! (3/10/09)
• Quit being MAD about your reality! (3/11/09)
• They broke up … and I’M sad! (3/12/09)
• Old scab still bleeds when picked (3/13/09)
• “Irascible: Inversions without shoulderstand” Explains much. (3/14/09)
• Paripurna Navasana: Full, entire, complete; boat (3/15/09)
• Self anchoring prevents emotional full throttle (3/16/09)
• Odd reversal of our usual roles (3/17/09)
• Bucking Tradition: Rodeo Lassos my Attention (3/18/09)
• DIS-integration decays … on Mat AND Life (3/19/09)
• Austin Texas: My home, my family (3/20/09)
• Launching new chapter in our lives (3/21/09)
• Wondering where spring break sprung to (3/22/09)
• Anxiety’s an Abscess of Negative Predictions (3/23/09)
• Some days aren’t worth six words (3/24/09)
• Swimsuit shopper Wednesday starts jogging Thursday (3/25/09)
• Why is getting organized so hard? (3/26/09)
• Can’t bunk stupid funk over junk. (3/27/09)
• She was a friend of mine. (3/28/09)
• Sun shines tan lines mood aligns (3/29/09)
• Laundry: What Nobody Notices Unless Undone (3/30/09)
• Struggles with Muscle Memory Learning Disability (3/31/09)

APRIL 2009

• Hidden knotted muscles reveal frayed nerves. (4/1/09)
• He knows me; I HATE that! (4/2/09)
• AM Radio in a FM World (4/3/09)
• Boating Allows Us to Know Them (4/4/09)
• My First Teachers Leave Lasting Impressions (4/5/09)
• Body Teaches if You Pay Attention (4/6/09)
• Sitting for hairdresser tests ADD limits (4/7/09)
• Two in Braces, One in College (4/8/09)
• The Rich: More Money Than You (4/9/09)
• Affirmations can come in 140 characters (4/10/09)
• Unplanned days sometimes achieve treasured results (4/11/09)
• First geocache find less than charming (4/12/09)
• I Run, Sore Bun, No Fun (4/13/09)
• Less is More. Unless it’s Not. (4/14/09)
• Sometimes the BEST reply is None (4/15/09)
• Disco sound turns the beat around (4/16/09)
• Anger: Just a mask for Hurt (4/17/09)
• Out of Synch ~ Time for Reboot (4/18/09)
• Sunday (4/19/09)
• Monday (4/20/09)
• Gratification comes after dedicated hard work. (4/21/09)
• Best teacher training’s REALLY ongoing observation (4/22/09)
• Laptop roll-out’s an all-out day rout (4/23/09)
• Network crashed; short-circuited my day (4/24/09)
• “Flowing with Grace” closely resembled SWEAT (4/25/09)
• Duffle Slips, Bike Flips, Life Tips (4/26/09)
• Pebbles, Rocks, Boulders! Are you LISTENING? (4/27/09)
• Tuesday (4/28/09)
• Busy Signal Preferred Over “On Hold” (4/29/09)
• Meltdowns in mirror closer than appear (4/30/09)

MAY 2009

• Staff coffeemaker needs replacement; Considering keg. (5/1/09)
• 1000 “Followers” online? Make ya wonder … (5/2/09)
• Su (5/3/09)
• M (5/4/09)
• T (5/5/09)
• W (5/6/09)
• Th (5/7/09)
• F (5/8/09)
• S(5/9/09)
• Su Mother’s Day (5/10/09)
• M (5/11/09)
• T (5/12/09)
• W (5/13/09)
• What the HELL was I thinking? (5/14/09)
• He was perfectly, totally, completely surprised! (5/15/09)
• Thankful for rain, thankful it’s TODAY! (5/16/09)
• Exhaustion is a precursor to psychosis (5/17/09)
• M (5/18/09)
• T (5/19/09)
• W (5/20/09)
• Th (5/21/09)
• Sick’n Tired of Sick’n Tired! (5/22/09)
• S (5/23/09)
• Su (5/24/09)
• He so looked forward to today (5/25/09)
• T (5/26/09)
• Proud to be called her “friend” (5/27/09)
• Th (5/28/09)
• F (5/30/09)
• S (5/31/09)

JUNE 2009

• One man’s warehouse; Another woman’s treasure. (6/1/09)
• It’s JUNE! And we’re still HERE! (6/2/09)
• I can’t believe he told her. (6/3/09)
• She doesn’t seem to get it. (6/4/09)
• Wondering who’s crazy … Them or ME! (6/5/09)
• Being “Good Dad” IS my gift! (6/6/09)
• She inspires children & adults alike! (6/7/09)
• 15 but still my baby boy (6/8/09)
• Ready to get back to “Normal”  (6/9/09)
• Waiting for another “Good Hair Day” (6/10/09)
• It’s really not about the camera! (6/11/09)
• What’s the deal about James Bond? (6/12/09)
• “Goodbye Mom & Dad … Hello World!” (6/13/09)
• Sun & Stars Radiated Moment’s Perfection (6/14/09)
• He really IS my best friend. (6/15/09)
• Clutter Consumes Cash, Clarity & Companionship (6/16/09)
• His shipboard emails float my lifeboat. (6/17/09)
• Knick Knacks, Paper Stacks, Clutter Attacks (6/18/09)
• How’s it even possible to miss? (6/19/09)
• It’s just a boat, so relax (6/20/09)
• Always thought I made good waffles! (6/21/09)
• Fewer Words Hurt Greater Than Many (6/22/09)
• 3 Trash Bags Later, Drawers Discovered (6/23/09)
• Chicks Fly Roost, Mother Hen Scurries (6/24/09)
• Oh Mama Mia, he’s my Man! (6/25/09)
• Like the Wicked Witch … I’m melting! (6/26/09)
• Saturday (6/27/09)
• The Deepest Friends Connect Without Words (6/28/09)
• Monday (6/29/09)
• Tuesday (6/30/09)

JULY 2009

• Finished the book; Finished with clutter (7/1/09)
• I’d rather mess with HIS blog  (7/2/09)
• A totally perfect 3rd of July (7/3/09)
• A Floating 4th: Fireworks, Family, Friends (7/4/09)
• Sunday (7/5/09)
• What NOT to Wear … Now What? (7/6/09)
• Still scrambling like a little girl. (7/11/09)
• B.O.A.T. ~ Bringing ALL Together (7/12/09)
• Operation “Love Palace” about to begin (7/22/09)
• Thurs (7/23/09)
• Fri (7/24/09)
• Front Row Seat to Friendship’s Blessings (7/25/09)
• Sun (7/26/09)
• Mon (7/27/09)
• Tues (7/28/09)
• Wed (7/29/09)
• Thurs (7/30/09)
• Sad Reflection of All-Consuming Past (7/31/09)

AUGUST 2009

• Low Lake Levels Likely Level Laking (8/1/09)
• VCFS: Four Words or Life Sentence? (8/2/09)
• Seeing the world through new eyes (8/3/09)
• Married my best friend … who knew? (8/4/09)
• It was a most unsettling evening (8/5/09)
• Too trashed to talk or text (8/6/09)
• Just wanna know the plan. (8/7/09)
• Known me since I was 8! (8/8/09)
• My Circle — or Cyclone? — of Life (8/9/09)
• Summer slips silently as school summons (8/10/09)
• Blog Idea Tailor-made for my “Style” (8/11/09)
• I do not control the Universe (8/12/09)
• 77 & Savvy: Makes Me Proud! (8/13/09)
• It’s All Falling Perfectly into Place (8/14/09)
• Capturing its Essence … Eerie & Nostalgic (8/15/09)
• Questions of Faith ~ Faith for Answers (8/16/09)
• If only I didn’t need sleeeeeeeeeep (8/17/09)
• Did you know? Technology & Education (8/18/09)
• It’s Official: MY Eagle has landed! (8/19/09)
• There’s a “cost” in dressing poorly (8/20/09)
• Daniel Drives, Bobby Thrives, Austin Arrives (8/21/02)
• Parting of the “Sea of Friends” (8/22/09)
• But it was important to ME! (8/23/09)
• School begins, cheesy grins, head spins (8/24/09)
• Expectations are usually roots of Disappointment (8/25/09)
• “Part-time” equates to 12-hour days (8/26/09)
• At some point, just walk away (8/27/09)
• I love the lake at night. (8/28/09)
• Sleep keeps my head from exploding (8/29/09)
• Faith his faith can sustain him (8/30/09)
• 6 times 365 equals an Accomplishment (8/31/09)