Celebrate the Small Things and Grammar Friday!!!

The wonderful Vikki over at Viklit sponsors this weekly meme to help us remember that it's the small things in life, which really make the difference. Need a smile on your face? Then head on over and join in. We all could use this reminder every now and then.





This week, I'm celebrating. . .





1) Seeing my brother and his family again. Yes, this included a new roof, and the time together was more work than anything else, but it was great to have them around.

2) Our car is running again! It all of a sudden stopped starting for no apparent reason. Yesterday, my hubs finally got a chance to look over it and figured out that he had confused the computer system (he had turned off the engine to coast down hills to save gas, and it didn't like that). The poor system just needed a restart. So yay!

3) Despite my weed jungle. . . ummm. . .garden, I'm getting veggies! A few tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers. There's even a watermelon and some pumpkins growing in there somewhere. It's not enough to hold through a hard winter, mind you. But hey, it's producing something.

4) I finally have an idea for Elizabeth Seckman's Bella's Point Challenge. (This is a wonderful way to celebrate the release of her new book, so head on over and take a look. You won't regret it. . . really.)

That's my week. How about yours? What wonderful little things are you celebrating?


And now, it's time for. . .

This week, I'm going to regurgitate something I've already mentioned a long time ago. No, I'm not being lazy. Well, maybe a little. In truth, I was typing along and realized. . . ugh!. . .I don't know anymore. So, it's time for a recap!


What is the difference between EFFECT and AFFECT ?


Well, to figure this out, I picture an ELEPHANT and an ANT. (See, both 'e's or both 'a's. Yep, these little links help tremendously.)


Let's start with our ANT and AFFECT.

Affect can be a noun or a verb, but in most cases, it's a verb. I'm talking action (another 'a' word) like that little ant that always scampers around.

Affect means 'to influence, change or alter'. Ha! Alter is another 'a' word!


For example:

We can't loose this game! It will affect our ranking!

or

Adding sugar to the coffee affects the taste.

And as a noun? Well, that's only a case for the realm of psychology. In this case, it means the manifestation of a mood. 'The doctor described her affects as desirable.'  Unless you're delving into this area, you won't really need this.

So, let's head on over to our ELEPHANT and EFFECT.

Effect can also be a noun or a verb, but it tends toward the noun side. Yep, it doesn't like to move around a lot. Elephants are heavy, you know. 

Effect means 'the outcome or result'. Our Elephant doesn't mess around. Nope.

For example:

The effect of the explosion was mind boggling.

or

I didn't realize that swimming after a hard day's work would have such a refreshing effect on me.

The verb form of effect is a little more tricky. As a verb, effect means 'to make happen, produce or cause'. This is a very active intention, something that pushes along. 

For example:

My work directly effected the company's overall performance.

or

The principal hopes the new rules will effect student's continually improving behavior.

But in general, remember that very active ant (affect) and the extremely heavy, never can be moved elephant (effect), and you'll usually get this right.

So, what elephants have you moved lately? Ready to let a nice swim refresh your mood? Have anything happen to you this week that put a smile on your face?