Well, tomorrow is my birthday, and I nearly didn't post, figuring I could be lazy. No? Okay.
Good things last week:
- Swam four or five times.
- My roomie's grandson Michael spend Thursday-Saturday with us. He's quite a handful. Smart, funny, and so so so energetic. I was exhausted at the end of each day.
- Attended the writers group meeting Saturday morning.
- Worked on Secret of the Pack Rat's Nest. It's close to being published. I will be excited to have it finished and out there. It should be on sale in August.
- Worked on On Target: Devotions for Modern Life. Did a lot on this. The author met with me both Wednesday and Thursday. He has a proof copy in his hands now. Don't know if we'll met the September publication date or not, but I'm hopeful.
- Speaking of authors, got paid again. Another two bills and a third of another. Woohoo!
- Household chores, etc.
Bad things last week:
- Wanted to argue with a writers group member. He made me so angry that I had to leave the room for a moment.
- Another author wanted me to publish his book for free. Share in the royalties. And the book -- oh oh oh -- is majorly bad. It's Christian thriller, but that's an insult to Christian fiction. The bad guys are: gay, witches, Democrats, climate change scientists, feminists (including women who choose to work outside the home), electric car makers, and, of course, the Masons. The hero is strong-chinned, speaks five languages, shoots expertly so that he only wounds the bad guys, doesn't drink or smoke or swear or have premarital sex. It would almost work as a spoof, but the author truly believes in it. I told him I had to be paid up front, and then, when it looked like he might pay me, I told him that I was a Democrat who believed in climate change, supported civil unions, feminism, electric cars, and had Wiccan friends and Mason family members. He took it fairly well, and I directed him to several companies that will help him. Yes, I need money, but I didn't want that book with the Many Rivers Harbor imprint. It will probably be a best seller. Not.
- Haven't been keeping my diet or exercising as I should. Been too dang hot.
This week:
- Be lazy tomorrow all day!
- Finish the second book proof of SRPN and submit. This will be the last proof!
- Work on On Target.
- Work on Murder by the Mile.
- Swim several times.
- Walk several times.
- Watch the diet better.
Hope y'all have a great week.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Tam finishing up July
Crazy busy as usual, so much to do. Arrgh! We finally got some rain today - it was nice and slow and steady, yay! - and it's amazing what a little moisture can do. Spore is going great - looking at finishing the first draft in August. Least I'd better, I have a beta-read trade w/ a friend scheduled for the first week of september. ;)
Oh. I still haven't sewn. ;)
{{huggs}} Have a lovely week and a fabulous August!
Oh. I still haven't sewn. ;)
{{huggs}} Have a lovely week and a fabulous August!
Jean's Late July Week
Heading back to Central Texas tomorrow. This week has gone pretty well. Here's the story.
The Good Stuff:
- Maybe one session with PBOTL -- not so good, but not terrible. I do need to establish more regularity working on this if I want to finish the revision this year.
- Hubby made a trip under the house. He probably has at least two more to do.
- We got the lawn mowed, the inner side yard has been hacked into submission. The back yard is weeded. Grass is growing great. We've trimmed trees and hacked out a lot of overgrowth.
- We hiked the Fredricksburg swap meet.
- Still getting blog posts done.
- I didn't track points this week, but I feel pretty good about how the week worked out. I had some good lows on weight, but when everything was said and done, I broke even for the week. My knees felt remarkably good for most of the week. So far, I think the anti-inflammatory diet moves I've been making are doing some good.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- No peaches anywhere in Fredricksburg. Apparently, they were ripe early this year. Bummer.
- While under the house, hubby discovered that the bathtub drain trap is blown out (the original 1941 packing from when the house was built appears to be gone. That means he'll have to repair that, too. If something had to be dropping water under the house, I'm thankful it was the tub instead of the toilet. No more showers or baths until that's fixed. We'll be back in Central Texas through most of August, so we'll have it on the slate for when we get back. Hubby picked up some of the things he needs to make the repair at Home Depot today.
The Week Ahead:
- When I get back to Central TX, I need to set up the first level of scaffolding
- I have a VA appointment on Tuesday, so I'm going to stop at my doctor's office and look into getting a referral to family practice physician there who, according to the clinic's website, performs osteopathic manipulations. I think it will help some of my neck, back, hip, and thumb issues. I'm hoping there might be something he can do for at least one of my knees.
- I plan to do some work on PBOTL this week
- Set hubby's new TV up in the bedroom and make sure the wireless HD system I got to transfer the satellite signal for him works. If this works, buy two more TVs and one more wireless system and another receiver.
- Drop a few things off at Goodwill on my way out of town
The Good Stuff:
- Maybe one session with PBOTL -- not so good, but not terrible. I do need to establish more regularity working on this if I want to finish the revision this year.
- Hubby made a trip under the house. He probably has at least two more to do.
- We got the lawn mowed, the inner side yard has been hacked into submission. The back yard is weeded. Grass is growing great. We've trimmed trees and hacked out a lot of overgrowth.
- We hiked the Fredricksburg swap meet.
- Still getting blog posts done.
- I didn't track points this week, but I feel pretty good about how the week worked out. I had some good lows on weight, but when everything was said and done, I broke even for the week. My knees felt remarkably good for most of the week. So far, I think the anti-inflammatory diet moves I've been making are doing some good.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- No peaches anywhere in Fredricksburg. Apparently, they were ripe early this year. Bummer.
- While under the house, hubby discovered that the bathtub drain trap is blown out (the original 1941 packing from when the house was built appears to be gone. That means he'll have to repair that, too. If something had to be dropping water under the house, I'm thankful it was the tub instead of the toilet. No more showers or baths until that's fixed. We'll be back in Central Texas through most of August, so we'll have it on the slate for when we get back. Hubby picked up some of the things he needs to make the repair at Home Depot today.
The Week Ahead:
- When I get back to Central TX, I need to set up the first level of scaffolding
- I have a VA appointment on Tuesday, so I'm going to stop at my doctor's office and look into getting a referral to family practice physician there who, according to the clinic's website, performs osteopathic manipulations. I think it will help some of my neck, back, hip, and thumb issues. I'm hoping there might be something he can do for at least one of my knees.
- I plan to do some work on PBOTL this week
- Set hubby's new TV up in the bedroom and make sure the wireless HD system I got to transfer the satellite signal for him works. If this works, buy two more TVs and one more wireless system and another receiver.
- Drop a few things off at Goodwill on my way out of town
Wendy's Week
Are you cooler today? We are, for right now, at least. By afternoon it will be scorching and the internet will be down again.
Good Stuff:
- Happy birthday to Alex (yesterday) and Eric (tomorrow).
- I'm giving contact lenses another try. I got them yesterday, and so far they feel pretty good. Focusing on small print is an issue, but that's because of my funky prescription. We're giving my brain a week to adjust, and the doc wants a follow up next week to tweak it if necessary.
- I broke 10,000 words this week. I'm thiiiiiiiiiis close to done. I think. The epilogue and the last part of the last scene are done and just need to be tied to the rest. The goal is to get that done this weekend.
- Eric finished is semester from hell. Last week, he was a stressed out mess. Today he's much happier. He's got two weeks off before the next semester starts.
- Did some research on low carb and primitive/paleo diets. The more I read, the more it makes sense to at least give it a try on a short term basis. Completely giving up grains for the rest of my life is too much for me to think about right now.
- Swam 5 days this week.
- Tomorrow my friend is doing my author photos, and then we're going to dinner to celebrate Eric's birthday. We picked the restaurant based on the Scotch list. :-)
- Divided my aloe so Vicky can take one to her new house.
Not So Good Stuff:
- I leave for Oregon two weeks from tomorrow. I'm SO not ready. Yes, I'm working diligently to become ready. The only thing that's kept me from cancelling (besides the airline tickets I already bought) is faith. The bottom line is I'm afraid of not being able to deliver a good finished product and blowing my big chance.
- It's been hot. And dusty. And the rain either dries up before it gets to us, or it goes south. I swear it's like being in south Texas again.
- The internet has been going down every afternoon. It's been hard to do research, and we've had techs out twice in two weeks. I think they've replaced every line between our house and the nearest office, but it still goes down when the temperature breaks 100*, which has been almost every afternoon for the last two weeks. It's getting really old, and I'm burning through the data plan on my phone. I wonder what Charter would do if I billed them for my AT&T overage?
- I think I've made a connection between carbs and sugar. (Besides the obvious.) When I eat a meal with a lot of carbs, particularly pasta or bread, I want a sweet dessert. If I limit the carbs, I don't crave sugar. While I'm glad to have made the connection, doing something about it will be tricky because carbs are a big part of my diet. I'm not sure if it would be better to make small changes over a long period of time, or just go cold turkey and gut it out. I'm leaning toward the small changes because they'll stick better, and I'm not in a health crisis. It's as much about vanity as health at this point. Well, that and avoiding a future health crisis.
This Week:
- Finish King Or Country.
- Start spit polishing the first three chapters.
- Do the pitch sheet.
- Swim at least 3 times. 5 would be better.
- Be aware of carbs. I'm not cutting back drastically until I get back from Oregon. I need to be on top of my game until then. Right now, I'll concentrate on making better choices.
- Figure out what to pack.
- Do something around the house that isn't writing related. Dishes, maybe, or laundry.
Have a good week, y'all!
Good Stuff:
- Happy birthday to Alex (yesterday) and Eric (tomorrow).
- I'm giving contact lenses another try. I got them yesterday, and so far they feel pretty good. Focusing on small print is an issue, but that's because of my funky prescription. We're giving my brain a week to adjust, and the doc wants a follow up next week to tweak it if necessary.
- I broke 10,000 words this week. I'm thiiiiiiiiiis close to done. I think. The epilogue and the last part of the last scene are done and just need to be tied to the rest. The goal is to get that done this weekend.
- Eric finished is semester from hell. Last week, he was a stressed out mess. Today he's much happier. He's got two weeks off before the next semester starts.
- Did some research on low carb and primitive/paleo diets. The more I read, the more it makes sense to at least give it a try on a short term basis. Completely giving up grains for the rest of my life is too much for me to think about right now.
- Swam 5 days this week.
- Tomorrow my friend is doing my author photos, and then we're going to dinner to celebrate Eric's birthday. We picked the restaurant based on the Scotch list. :-)
- Divided my aloe so Vicky can take one to her new house.
Not So Good Stuff:
- I leave for Oregon two weeks from tomorrow. I'm SO not ready. Yes, I'm working diligently to become ready. The only thing that's kept me from cancelling (besides the airline tickets I already bought) is faith. The bottom line is I'm afraid of not being able to deliver a good finished product and blowing my big chance.
- It's been hot. And dusty. And the rain either dries up before it gets to us, or it goes south. I swear it's like being in south Texas again.
- The internet has been going down every afternoon. It's been hard to do research, and we've had techs out twice in two weeks. I think they've replaced every line between our house and the nearest office, but it still goes down when the temperature breaks 100*, which has been almost every afternoon for the last two weeks. It's getting really old, and I'm burning through the data plan on my phone. I wonder what Charter would do if I billed them for my AT&T overage?
- I think I've made a connection between carbs and sugar. (Besides the obvious.) When I eat a meal with a lot of carbs, particularly pasta or bread, I want a sweet dessert. If I limit the carbs, I don't crave sugar. While I'm glad to have made the connection, doing something about it will be tricky because carbs are a big part of my diet. I'm not sure if it would be better to make small changes over a long period of time, or just go cold turkey and gut it out. I'm leaning toward the small changes because they'll stick better, and I'm not in a health crisis. It's as much about vanity as health at this point. Well, that and avoiding a future health crisis.
This Week:
- Finish King Or Country.
- Start spit polishing the first three chapters.
- Do the pitch sheet.
- Swim at least 3 times. 5 would be better.
- Be aware of carbs. I'm not cutting back drastically until I get back from Oregon. I need to be on top of my game until then. Right now, I'll concentrate on making better choices.
- Figure out what to pack.
- Do something around the house that isn't writing related. Dishes, maybe, or laundry.
Have a good week, y'all!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Wendy's Week. Wow.
I had a mid-week shake-up. I had lunch with my writer friend, Diana Brandmeyer, and we got on the subject of conferences. She isn't going to ACFW this year either, and I told her I'd considered going to the Oregon Christian Writers Conference next month to pitch my story to Chip MacGregor, but it's not ready so I'm skipping that one, too. She strongly encouraged me to go anyway, so when I got home I e-mailed one of the mentors at My Book Therapy who is familiar with the story. (She's also Chip's client.) When I told Eric about it, he said, "Bye." So I registered. I waited two more days to buy the airline tickets because it was so surreal to have decided so quickly to go. To make it even more surreal, I got a check in the mail from my former boss. Apparently she was going through the books and found that I hadn't cashed two paychecks. That check paid most of my air fare. (It would have covered almost all of it if I'd bought them two days before, but oh well.) Needless to say, everything is now taking a back seat to getting the book finished and all the other assorted stuff to get ready. At least it will be cooler in Oregon than it is here. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one seeing God's fingerprints all over this!
That's the biggest thing. Other things are as follows:
- Weight is holding steady, but I put my jeans on this afternoon and they're a little snug. Could be because they were in the dryer a little too long. Yup, that's the story I'll stick with.
- Eric is talking about doing South Beach again, possibly as a transition to Paleo or Primitive.
- Went school supply shopping! I love doing that. Of course, I buy more for myself these days than I do for my kids. Actually, I shopped twice because Eric and I went to buy printer ink yesterday, and I picked up folders for my pitch presentation, too.
- My tomatoes are finally ripening. Of course, I have had ripe cherry tomatoes for a week or two now. These are The Cherry Tomatoes That Will Not Die. Every year they self-seed in abundance. I planted the originals five or six years ago. I can send seeds if y'all want my pseudo-perennial variety. ;-)
- We have had no rain. I think it's been about three weeks. It's looked promising a couple times. Once I even got a dozen drops when I was grilling outside. Luckily I still have plenty of water in my rain barrels. A hundred gallons of water lasts a while when you only have to use a couple gallons a day to water pots.
- This is Eric's last week of The Semester From Hell. Between the Middle East Relations class that challenged what he thought he knew to the HR class with the brand new teacher (it's his very first semester), he's ready for it to be done. So am I.
- Got no sewing done this week. I'm starting to sound like Tammy!
This week:
- Write (hopefully finish)
- Take van to have a trailer hitch installed
- Swim
- Holy cow, Alex's birthday is Friday. Find out if he wants to go out to dinner, or if he's going to celebrate with his girlfriend.
- Visit the eye doctor to see if contacts are a good option for me.
- Finish my petticoat.
- Cut the fabric for my arisaid and see if the remainder is long enough for a great kilt (pleaseohpleaseohplease!!!!!)
- Decide if my kirtch is done or if it needs more flowers embroidered on.
Have a good week, friends!
That's the biggest thing. Other things are as follows:
- Weight is holding steady, but I put my jeans on this afternoon and they're a little snug. Could be because they were in the dryer a little too long. Yup, that's the story I'll stick with.
- Eric is talking about doing South Beach again, possibly as a transition to Paleo or Primitive.
- Went school supply shopping! I love doing that. Of course, I buy more for myself these days than I do for my kids. Actually, I shopped twice because Eric and I went to buy printer ink yesterday, and I picked up folders for my pitch presentation, too.
- My tomatoes are finally ripening. Of course, I have had ripe cherry tomatoes for a week or two now. These are The Cherry Tomatoes That Will Not Die. Every year they self-seed in abundance. I planted the originals five or six years ago. I can send seeds if y'all want my pseudo-perennial variety. ;-)
- We have had no rain. I think it's been about three weeks. It's looked promising a couple times. Once I even got a dozen drops when I was grilling outside. Luckily I still have plenty of water in my rain barrels. A hundred gallons of water lasts a while when you only have to use a couple gallons a day to water pots.
- This is Eric's last week of The Semester From Hell. Between the Middle East Relations class that challenged what he thought he knew to the HR class with the brand new teacher (it's his very first semester), he's ready for it to be done. So am I.
- Got no sewing done this week. I'm starting to sound like Tammy!
This week:
- Write (hopefully finish)
- Take van to have a trailer hitch installed
- Swim
- Holy cow, Alex's birthday is Friday. Find out if he wants to go out to dinner, or if he's going to celebrate with his girlfriend.
- Visit the eye doctor to see if contacts are a good option for me.
- Finish my petticoat.
- Cut the fabric for my arisaid and see if the remainder is long enough for a great kilt (pleaseohpleaseohplease!!!!!)
- Decide if my kirtch is done or if it needs more flowers embroidered on.
Have a good week, friends!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
More Hot!
Why, yes. It's July, and it's the south. No. I'm not surprised that it's hot. Actually, we've had good rain one day each of the last two weeks, so I'm feeling truly blessed.
The Good Stuff:
- We've accomplished a ton of work in the back yard this week. It's looking better and better, even though we still have a lot to do.
- I began using Trello.com this week kind of as a project management tool. I think it's primary benefit (which I can't use it for) is on-line collaboration for projects. I use Things for recurring tasks and someday maybe projects as a placeholder and Easy Note for things like grocery lists and similar things. But I was looking for an easy project management piece, and this (maybe because it's new) seems to fit the bill.
- I siphoned the extra water out of the hot tub, but when I opened the lid, I saw a bundle of ball bearings in the lounger. A glance to the right indicated a rotator jet had popped off. I rescued the ball bearings and the jet, but I'm not sure what it's going to take to repair that. Eleven years and this is the first true problem we have with it.
- I got the hair cut, the driver license renewed, and the new truck sticker. The 4 wheel alignment is scheduled for Monday morning.
- I decided Stephen was right and I was just making excuses to not work on PBOTL, so I put myself back on task. I did a little work this will and will plug away. I'm bogged down in writing a party right now, and I haven't felt very party-like. Sigh.
- I was down a couple of pounds this week. I didn't track, but I ate pretty well.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- I think Stephen's Black Dog had puppies and sent one down here. No, it's not quite that bad, but I'm fighting off a nagging bad mood.
The Week Ahead:
- Be ready to help hubby if he's ready to do the under the house task this week. He's been procrastinating on it forever, and it's the first step in the bathroom renovation that must be done.
- Make sure we get peaches in Fredricksburg this week.
- Hike the swap meet
- Mow lawn and tackle the inner side yard taming. Continue weeding in the back yard. Remove a few more tree limbs. Maybe remove the drooping limb from the live oak in the front yard.
The Good Stuff:
- We've accomplished a ton of work in the back yard this week. It's looking better and better, even though we still have a lot to do.
- I began using Trello.com this week kind of as a project management tool. I think it's primary benefit (which I can't use it for) is on-line collaboration for projects. I use Things for recurring tasks and someday maybe projects as a placeholder and Easy Note for things like grocery lists and similar things. But I was looking for an easy project management piece, and this (maybe because it's new) seems to fit the bill.
- I siphoned the extra water out of the hot tub, but when I opened the lid, I saw a bundle of ball bearings in the lounger. A glance to the right indicated a rotator jet had popped off. I rescued the ball bearings and the jet, but I'm not sure what it's going to take to repair that. Eleven years and this is the first true problem we have with it.
- I got the hair cut, the driver license renewed, and the new truck sticker. The 4 wheel alignment is scheduled for Monday morning.
- I decided Stephen was right and I was just making excuses to not work on PBOTL, so I put myself back on task. I did a little work this will and will plug away. I'm bogged down in writing a party right now, and I haven't felt very party-like. Sigh.
- I was down a couple of pounds this week. I didn't track, but I ate pretty well.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- I think Stephen's Black Dog had puppies and sent one down here. No, it's not quite that bad, but I'm fighting off a nagging bad mood.
The Week Ahead:
- Be ready to help hubby if he's ready to do the under the house task this week. He's been procrastinating on it forever, and it's the first step in the bathroom renovation that must be done.
- Make sure we get peaches in Fredricksburg this week.
- Hike the swap meet
- Mow lawn and tackle the inner side yard taming. Continue weeding in the back yard. Remove a few more tree limbs. Maybe remove the drooping limb from the live oak in the front yard.
HOT HOT HOT!
Of course, it's been horribly hot here. In fact, I think it's hot everywhere. There's a good chance we've been sent to Hell for allowing Jersey Shore to be on television. Just a thought.
This week:
- Watched the production process for Secret of the Pack Rat's Nest. I should receive a proof copy Monday. Scheduled publication date: August.
- Worked on On Target. Scheduled publication date: September.
- Worked on Murder by the Mile. Scheduled publication date: October.
- Worked on Tales from Bethlehem. Scheduled publication date: November.
- Ate out a couple of times with friends.
- Swam two times.
- Walked two times.
- Mostly kept my low carb diet. And the scales showed I've lost another 9 pounds since the last time I weighed, which was back in June. So I'm losing about 5-9 pounds a month. This means I only have another year or year and a half before I'm at a healthy weight. Geez. I shouldn't have done that math! :)
- And Saturday -- today -- was a good productive day. I vacuumed the house, cleaned the kitchen, did three loads of laundry, dusted, swam, walked, went to Goodwill where I was hugged by Anna and Debbie, went to Walmart where I was hugged by Mary and Patti, talked on the phone to Wendy and Gail (not at the same time), found a bookcase for a project I'm working on, ate at La Fiesta, now home for evening to write, write, write! What more could anyone ask? :)
Next week:
- Deliver the proof copy to the author. I hope she returns corrections to me so I can upload them next week, also. Then ... publication the first or second week of August! And Many Rivers Harbor will be officially launched.
- Work on On Target.
- Work on Murder by the Mile.
- Work on Tales from Bethlehem.
- Keep up on the household chores.
- My roomie's oldest grandson Michael will be visiting Thursday-Saturday. Not sure how much work I will be getting done during those days, but I'm going to try to keep a schedule.
- Writers group on Saturday. Our assignment is to write a book blurb or bring a book with a blurb that made us want to read the book. I suggested the assignment. Do you have any excellent blurbs that you seen or written? Share!
- Continue to fight the danged black dog.
Hope y'all had a good week and have a great next week!
This week:
- Watched the production process for Secret of the Pack Rat's Nest. I should receive a proof copy Monday. Scheduled publication date: August.
- Worked on On Target. Scheduled publication date: September.
- Worked on Murder by the Mile. Scheduled publication date: October.
- Worked on Tales from Bethlehem. Scheduled publication date: November.
- Ate out a couple of times with friends.
- Swam two times.
- Walked two times.
- Mostly kept my low carb diet. And the scales showed I've lost another 9 pounds since the last time I weighed, which was back in June. So I'm losing about 5-9 pounds a month. This means I only have another year or year and a half before I'm at a healthy weight. Geez. I shouldn't have done that math! :)
- And Saturday -- today -- was a good productive day. I vacuumed the house, cleaned the kitchen, did three loads of laundry, dusted, swam, walked, went to Goodwill where I was hugged by Anna and Debbie, went to Walmart where I was hugged by Mary and Patti, talked on the phone to Wendy and Gail (not at the same time), found a bookcase for a project I'm working on, ate at La Fiesta, now home for evening to write, write, write! What more could anyone ask? :)
Next week:
- Deliver the proof copy to the author. I hope she returns corrections to me so I can upload them next week, also. Then ... publication the first or second week of August! And Many Rivers Harbor will be officially launched.
- Work on On Target.
- Work on Murder by the Mile.
- Work on Tales from Bethlehem.
- Keep up on the household chores.
- My roomie's oldest grandson Michael will be visiting Thursday-Saturday. Not sure how much work I will be getting done during those days, but I'm going to try to keep a schedule.
- Writers group on Saturday. Our assignment is to write a book blurb or bring a book with a blurb that made us want to read the book. I suggested the assignment. Do you have any excellent blurbs that you seen or written? Share!
- Continue to fight the danged black dog.
Hope y'all had a good week and have a great next week!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Still Alive
Everything here is pretty good, other than we're implementing some very extreme measures (specifically Bill is removing the modem cable and taking it to work with him) so that all three of us don't waste spend as much time online. I've cut my online presence to the bone - less likely to be distracted by a nice juicy link if I'm not in any of my hot-spots to begin with - and so far it's working well. SPORE is nearly half done, which is pretty cool. Health is good, family is good, haven't sewn much of anything, pets are fine, all in all things are just fine.
I'm sorry I'm such a ghost, but I am checking email daily and, occasionally, commenting on posts, tweets, etc. My daily online time is limited to just 2 hours right after supper (along with cleaning up after said supper, family time, etc) and a little time late at night, so I'm not good for much interaction or blogging.
Anyway, I'm good and I hope you all are doing well too.
Keep your chin up, Stephen!! {{huggs}}
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Good and bad and plans
Last week was filled with both good and bad.
Good included:
- The first book I'm publishing through Many Rivers Harbor was sent to the publisher Friday night. We should have a proof by the first of next week (July 23-25). After that is proofed and resubmitted, the book should be out the first week of August. I hope. The book looks good -- which is my primary responsibility. I really like the cover and the interior design. Whether or not it will sell for her, I have no idea. I will be doing a bit of promotion for her, but she purchased the basic package, which doesn't include a lot of extras. She also paid the other half Friday afternoon. Woohoo for money! I can pay three bills out of that half.
- I published and mailed the July issue of the family newsletter.
- Household chores.
- Ate lunch with a couple of friends.
- Gave the program Saturday morning for the writers group. It was well received. They even applauded, which was embarrassing but gratifying, too.
- Got my new computer almost to the place it needs to be. And found a new card program. Have to convert all the old cards to the new format, which is going to be quite a chore, but at least I will be able to do so.
Bad included:
- Didn't walk at the gym. Not even once. My excuse was that I was really scrambling to meet my deadlines on the first book -- I lost a week due to my computer dying -- and it took a lot of my time, but I could have fit in exercising if I had really tried.
- Black dog is making everything hard.
- Didn't swim, either. Not even once.
- Watched too much TV.
- Drank too many Diet Dr Peppers. I really do believe soda is bad, but I craved the caffeine. Still do.
- The second book I was publishing has stalled. The author can't seem to clear his schedule to work on the proof. He's given me a few changes, but he has more. And this week, he's gone to camp with his church. Just in a holding pattern there
- Third client that I had lined up ... backed out. Didn't want to pay me. He thought that I could maybe work with him on the weekends on his book. He'd take me out to eat a few times as payment. And of course, he'd give me credit in the book. I politely, but firmly turned him down. I may eventually move into a more traditional mode with Many Rivers Harbor, particularly with books I really think will sell, but not right now. I can't afford to do so. Also, I've figured out that it takes about 40 hours to publish a book. I don't have the hours to give away free.
- Gained four pounds. Lord help me.
This week, I plan:
- Finish what I can on the second book.
- Call a couple of people who expressed interest in publishing with Many Rivers Harbor and see if I can get them lined up.
- Work on Murder by the Mile. Right now, I'm cutting things out. I had too much story going on. Relationships, murders, blackmail, embezzlement, a wedding, three funerals, a divorce, a marathon, a city council meeting ... even I was getting lost. I'm losing words, but the book is gaining a better shape. And the reader will be able to follow the story without having to resort to a scorecard.
- Household chores.
- Walk at least three dang times.
- Swim at least three dang times.
- Stop drinking so much Diet Dr Pepper.
- Try to get more rest.
- Watch my diet!
- Figure out some way to get the black dog to let go of my throat.
I hope y'all have a great week.
Good included:
- The first book I'm publishing through Many Rivers Harbor was sent to the publisher Friday night. We should have a proof by the first of next week (July 23-25). After that is proofed and resubmitted, the book should be out the first week of August. I hope. The book looks good -- which is my primary responsibility. I really like the cover and the interior design. Whether or not it will sell for her, I have no idea. I will be doing a bit of promotion for her, but she purchased the basic package, which doesn't include a lot of extras. She also paid the other half Friday afternoon. Woohoo for money! I can pay three bills out of that half.
- I published and mailed the July issue of the family newsletter.
- Household chores.
- Ate lunch with a couple of friends.
- Gave the program Saturday morning for the writers group. It was well received. They even applauded, which was embarrassing but gratifying, too.
- Got my new computer almost to the place it needs to be. And found a new card program. Have to convert all the old cards to the new format, which is going to be quite a chore, but at least I will be able to do so.
Bad included:
- Didn't walk at the gym. Not even once. My excuse was that I was really scrambling to meet my deadlines on the first book -- I lost a week due to my computer dying -- and it took a lot of my time, but I could have fit in exercising if I had really tried.
- Black dog is making everything hard.
- Didn't swim, either. Not even once.
- Watched too much TV.
- Drank too many Diet Dr Peppers. I really do believe soda is bad, but I craved the caffeine. Still do.
- The second book I was publishing has stalled. The author can't seem to clear his schedule to work on the proof. He's given me a few changes, but he has more. And this week, he's gone to camp with his church. Just in a holding pattern there
- Third client that I had lined up ... backed out. Didn't want to pay me. He thought that I could maybe work with him on the weekends on his book. He'd take me out to eat a few times as payment. And of course, he'd give me credit in the book. I politely, but firmly turned him down. I may eventually move into a more traditional mode with Many Rivers Harbor, particularly with books I really think will sell, but not right now. I can't afford to do so. Also, I've figured out that it takes about 40 hours to publish a book. I don't have the hours to give away free.
- Gained four pounds. Lord help me.
This week, I plan:
- Finish what I can on the second book.
- Call a couple of people who expressed interest in publishing with Many Rivers Harbor and see if I can get them lined up.
- Work on Murder by the Mile. Right now, I'm cutting things out. I had too much story going on. Relationships, murders, blackmail, embezzlement, a wedding, three funerals, a divorce, a marathon, a city council meeting ... even I was getting lost. I'm losing words, but the book is gaining a better shape. And the reader will be able to follow the story without having to resort to a scorecard.
- Household chores.
- Walk at least three dang times.
- Swim at least three dang times.
- Stop drinking so much Diet Dr Pepper.
- Try to get more rest.
- Watch my diet!
- Figure out some way to get the black dog to let go of my throat.
I hope y'all have a great week.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Wendy's Week
Good Stuff:
- Swam 3 times.
- Started plotting the book I was researching in RI, mostly as a Busman's Holiday from the current WIP.
- Remembered to go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. No cavities!
- Stopped taking my ADD meds, and I haven't noticed a marked difference in my cognitive state. I get distracted a little more easily than I did, but I expected that and am compensating with sticky notes.
- Finally got Eric to go to the farmers' market in St Louis. It's a good two blocks long in a fixed site (since 1779) and open-year around, and it still took me almost 8 years to get him to go with me! We got the best prime rib sliced into steaks for dinner tonight. Of course, Alex is home, so there are no left-overs.
- Took the kids with me to the St. Andrew social (dinner and drinks with friends from a Scottish society). Alex's girlfriend, Emma, ended up tagging along, and my friends didn't scare her. :-) Of course, we've known Emma for years, so I was pretty sure they wouldn't. She and Vicky were in the same confirmation class at church. It's odd that we've been in one place long enough to have developed history.
- Cleaned up my office. I was looking for a specific notebook. Cleaning was more of a by-product since I never found the notebook.
Not So Good Stuff:
- Despite tracking food, exercising, and having points left over at the end of the week, I gained a couple of pounds. I have been sugar bingeing in frustration. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are my new best friend, and that has to stop. Now.
- Apparently, the energy burst that was the catalyst for getting off the ADD meds was a fluke. Energy and concentration have not improved the way I had hoped. I'm trying out a magnesium supplement to see if that helps.
This Week:
- Back off the daggone sugar! Ice cream every day is not a necessity!
- Swim at least 3 times.
- Don't forget to go to lunch with Diana. Ditto Jen's art show.
- Finish wedding petticoat. Figure out what fabric to use for the short gown that will go with it. (Yes, when I get the whole get-up done, I'll put it on and post pics.)
- Work on either of the two books.
- Varnish the camp bed pieces, preferably before it gets back up to 100*.
- Swam 3 times.
- Started plotting the book I was researching in RI, mostly as a Busman's Holiday from the current WIP.
- Remembered to go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. No cavities!
- Stopped taking my ADD meds, and I haven't noticed a marked difference in my cognitive state. I get distracted a little more easily than I did, but I expected that and am compensating with sticky notes.
- Finally got Eric to go to the farmers' market in St Louis. It's a good two blocks long in a fixed site (since 1779) and open-year around, and it still took me almost 8 years to get him to go with me! We got the best prime rib sliced into steaks for dinner tonight. Of course, Alex is home, so there are no left-overs.
- Took the kids with me to the St. Andrew social (dinner and drinks with friends from a Scottish society). Alex's girlfriend, Emma, ended up tagging along, and my friends didn't scare her. :-) Of course, we've known Emma for years, so I was pretty sure they wouldn't. She and Vicky were in the same confirmation class at church. It's odd that we've been in one place long enough to have developed history.
- Cleaned up my office. I was looking for a specific notebook. Cleaning was more of a by-product since I never found the notebook.
Not So Good Stuff:
- Despite tracking food, exercising, and having points left over at the end of the week, I gained a couple of pounds. I have been sugar bingeing in frustration. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are my new best friend, and that has to stop. Now.
- Apparently, the energy burst that was the catalyst for getting off the ADD meds was a fluke. Energy and concentration have not improved the way I had hoped. I'm trying out a magnesium supplement to see if that helps.
This Week:
- Back off the daggone sugar! Ice cream every day is not a necessity!
- Swim at least 3 times.
- Don't forget to go to lunch with Diana. Ditto Jen's art show.
- Finish wedding petticoat. Figure out what fabric to use for the short gown that will go with it. (Yes, when I get the whole get-up done, I'll put it on and post pics.)
- Work on either of the two books.
- Varnish the camp bed pieces, preferably before it gets back up to 100*.
Jean's Mid-July
Yes! We got rain on Wednesday. Enough for flash flooding in San Antonio, but where we live, the grass just grew in gratitude. So I got to mow this morning. Thankfully, I mowed when we were here for the fourth, or, oh, my, I hate to think how tall it would have been.
The Good Stuff:
- I've trimmed two hedges and mowed the front lawn
- I did a Hangout on G+ for the first time on Thursday while working with Margaret on some changes for FM. Whew. Six hours to make several small changes in site usability.
- I got the base sticker for hubby's new truck (but they aren't needed anymore for any of the San Antonio bases).
- My back has mostly unlocked, and I've been able to do most everything I need to do since Tuesday.
- I attended a friend's change of command on Friday (he turned the reigns over to a new guy). He and his daughter celebrated by going to dinner at a local burger place and invited me (his wife is in DC househunting this week). Haven't seen his daughter since his incoming change of command ceremony two years ago. Both his daughters are neat people, so it was good to catch up (the older daughter is away at college).
- Blog posts are coming along well. I prefer the revised schedule to my original one.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- I did a lousy job tracking this week and gained a couple of pounds.
- I hope this back stuff isn't related to something discovered at my annual exam (I have an appointment set up for the end of the month, and I'll be asking if it might be related). If you want more specific info, email me. Stephen, I'll spare you the details. You really aren't interested at this point.
- PBOTL has been haunting me from it's bag on the chair beside me. I think my problem is I've encountered a philosophical problem with the whole concept as Inuit and her life developed. There's too much room for animal rights discussion in this book, and I do not believe animals have the same rights as humans. I don't want to convey that impression (challenging when the bear is attempting to live as a human, I know). This is a fundamental part of the book, and I must resolve it. Is the book unfinishable? Am I taking this whole light-hearted thing too seriously? I don't have a serious antagonist in the book other than Inuit overcoming her challenges. Is this an opportunity to provide a serious antagonist? Do I abandon or figure it out? Will it change the story too much and take it away from my original idea? Is that a problem? Not working on it won't solve that, but I can't continue merrily along my way and ignore this either.
The Week Ahead:
- Work through PBOTL issues
- Mow back yard, trim and edge front yard, trim corner hedge, trim patio hedge, weed in back yard
- Service the hot tub
- Haircut, renew driver license, renew truck sticker, take truck in for four-wheel alignment. I got a sheet at the last service saying it needed it, but the service rep subbing for my sick rep didn't bother to ask me what I wanted them to do about it, so I have to ask mine what it means -- and probably have them do it. According to the report, it's just outside tolerance--odd for a vehicle with less than 12,000 miles on it.
Tammy, we miss you, but I don't want you to break any rhythm you've just established to update us.
The Good Stuff:
- I've trimmed two hedges and mowed the front lawn
- I did a Hangout on G+ for the first time on Thursday while working with Margaret on some changes for FM. Whew. Six hours to make several small changes in site usability.
- I got the base sticker for hubby's new truck (but they aren't needed anymore for any of the San Antonio bases).
- My back has mostly unlocked, and I've been able to do most everything I need to do since Tuesday.
- I attended a friend's change of command on Friday (he turned the reigns over to a new guy). He and his daughter celebrated by going to dinner at a local burger place and invited me (his wife is in DC househunting this week). Haven't seen his daughter since his incoming change of command ceremony two years ago. Both his daughters are neat people, so it was good to catch up (the older daughter is away at college).
- Blog posts are coming along well. I prefer the revised schedule to my original one.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- I did a lousy job tracking this week and gained a couple of pounds.
- I hope this back stuff isn't related to something discovered at my annual exam (I have an appointment set up for the end of the month, and I'll be asking if it might be related). If you want more specific info, email me. Stephen, I'll spare you the details. You really aren't interested at this point.
- PBOTL has been haunting me from it's bag on the chair beside me. I think my problem is I've encountered a philosophical problem with the whole concept as Inuit and her life developed. There's too much room for animal rights discussion in this book, and I do not believe animals have the same rights as humans. I don't want to convey that impression (challenging when the bear is attempting to live as a human, I know). This is a fundamental part of the book, and I must resolve it. Is the book unfinishable? Am I taking this whole light-hearted thing too seriously? I don't have a serious antagonist in the book other than Inuit overcoming her challenges. Is this an opportunity to provide a serious antagonist? Do I abandon or figure it out? Will it change the story too much and take it away from my original idea? Is that a problem? Not working on it won't solve that, but I can't continue merrily along my way and ignore this either.
The Week Ahead:
- Work through PBOTL issues
- Mow back yard, trim and edge front yard, trim corner hedge, trim patio hedge, weed in back yard
- Service the hot tub
- Haircut, renew driver license, renew truck sticker, take truck in for four-wheel alignment. I got a sheet at the last service saying it needed it, but the service rep subbing for my sick rep didn't bother to ask me what I wanted them to do about it, so I have to ask mine what it means -- and probably have them do it. According to the report, it's just outside tolerance--odd for a vehicle with less than 12,000 miles on it.
Tammy, we miss you, but I don't want you to break any rhythm you've just established to update us.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Wendy's Week--getting caught up
Last week was a lot of fun, but thoroughly disruptive. Nothing less than I expected! It's entirely possible that we may be doing this again in November over
Thanksgiving. Last year we had two of the six; this year we may have
three. That's becoming a tradition, too.
Good Stuff:
- I didn't gain as much weight as I usually do, which surprised me since I only swam once. I was a little more aware of what I was eating, but most of the time I ate what I shouldn't have anyway.
- I got some embroidery done. My kirtch (the Scottish head covering for married women) for my wedding outfit is almost finished.
- The tartan I ordered arrived. I think we'll have enough to do a great kilt and an arisaid (the girl version of the great kilt).
- My dad turned 71, and he spent the day pain-free thanks to the cortisone shot he got in his neck a few days before. He's just about resigned himself to neck surgery to correct another slipped disk and remove bone spurs, but he hasn't decided when to do it, especially now that we're renewing our vows around his potential target date.
- I took my last dose of Strattera this morning. Tomorrow is the first day with no ADD meds for about five years. Should be interesting.
- I did not over-caffeinate with the Boys here, so I don't need to work through those consequences.
Not So Good Stuff:
- I got no writing done.
- It was hotter than usual, so we stayed inside most of the time. In fact, if we were outside, we were between cool places.
- It rained around us, but not on us. My lawn is getting crunchy, and it's not supposed to do that for another month. Luckily my rain barrels were full to overflowing before the heat kicked in so I can still water the garden with rain water. The plants like that better than city water.
This week:
- Write.
- Swim.
- Track my food and try to get my weight back to where it was before I went to Newport.
- Explore new ways to keep the ADOB (Attention Deficit--Ooooh! Butterfly!) at bay. I have noticed an increased tendency to go down rabbit holes as I've weaned off my meds.
Good Stuff:
- I didn't gain as much weight as I usually do, which surprised me since I only swam once. I was a little more aware of what I was eating, but most of the time I ate what I shouldn't have anyway.
- I got some embroidery done. My kirtch (the Scottish head covering for married women) for my wedding outfit is almost finished.
- The tartan I ordered arrived. I think we'll have enough to do a great kilt and an arisaid (the girl version of the great kilt).
- My dad turned 71, and he spent the day pain-free thanks to the cortisone shot he got in his neck a few days before. He's just about resigned himself to neck surgery to correct another slipped disk and remove bone spurs, but he hasn't decided when to do it, especially now that we're renewing our vows around his potential target date.
- I took my last dose of Strattera this morning. Tomorrow is the first day with no ADD meds for about five years. Should be interesting.
- I did not over-caffeinate with the Boys here, so I don't need to work through those consequences.
Not So Good Stuff:
- I got no writing done.
- It was hotter than usual, so we stayed inside most of the time. In fact, if we were outside, we were between cool places.
- It rained around us, but not on us. My lawn is getting crunchy, and it's not supposed to do that for another month. Luckily my rain barrels were full to overflowing before the heat kicked in so I can still water the garden with rain water. The plants like that better than city water.
This week:
- Write.
- Swim.
- Track my food and try to get my weight back to where it was before I went to Newport.
- Explore new ways to keep the ADOB (Attention Deficit--Ooooh! Butterfly!) at bay. I have noticed an increased tendency to go down rabbit holes as I've weaned off my meds.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Hideous, but good moments
Well, the title sums it up.
The Bad Stuff
- Working with the new computer took most of the week, but I was finally able to actually do some work the past two days. It's been hideous hard to go through this. And dang expensive. Well, not that expensive, but comparatively, it's felt that way. I have so few resources left now.
- Discovered the program I used to create the cards is one that won't work under Windrows 7. And the program is not upgradeable. Apparently a new computer purchased the program's name, and their new version does not read any of the previous versions' projects. All I have left are the proofs from the cards. (I scan the proofs to create encapsulated PDFs, which I upload to Cafepress.com.) And I can create no more proofs. Not with that program. I still have my portfolio, but whatever program I end up using, I will be re-creating them all from scratch.
- Caught a head cold or something. Achy and miserable.
- Ankle swelled for some ungodly reason, and I was unable to walk at the gym.
- Black dog caught me and won't let go.
- A good friend moved away. Of course, we will still talk on the phone, but it won't be the same.
- Blood sugar hasn't been responding as I'd like it to.
The Better Stuff
- Finally did two days of work.
- Got the second galley proof to my micro publishing customer.
- Did exercise in the pool.
- Got most of the programs uploaded onto the new computer, which is faster, particularly when working with Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Premiere.
The Good Stuff
- Paid a bill with money from the micro publishing. Not from my savings. It was a small victory, but it was a victory.
- Had friends over on the Fourth for a cook-out and swim. It was good fun and great conversation and also served a going away party for my friend.
- Work on Murder by the Mile is proceeding.
The Future Stuff
- Continue to work on Murder by the Mile.
- Write a program on Creativity Unbound to give at the next writers group meeting this Saturday.
- Continue to work on the micro publishing projects and contracts.
- Find a new card publishing program that looks like it will survive for a few years.
Hope your week goes well.
The Bad Stuff
- Working with the new computer took most of the week, but I was finally able to actually do some work the past two days. It's been hideous hard to go through this. And dang expensive. Well, not that expensive, but comparatively, it's felt that way. I have so few resources left now.
- Discovered the program I used to create the cards is one that won't work under Windrows 7. And the program is not upgradeable. Apparently a new computer purchased the program's name, and their new version does not read any of the previous versions' projects. All I have left are the proofs from the cards. (I scan the proofs to create encapsulated PDFs, which I upload to Cafepress.com.) And I can create no more proofs. Not with that program. I still have my portfolio, but whatever program I end up using, I will be re-creating them all from scratch.
- Caught a head cold or something. Achy and miserable.
- Ankle swelled for some ungodly reason, and I was unable to walk at the gym.
- Black dog caught me and won't let go.
- A good friend moved away. Of course, we will still talk on the phone, but it won't be the same.
- Blood sugar hasn't been responding as I'd like it to.
The Better Stuff
- Finally did two days of work.
- Got the second galley proof to my micro publishing customer.
- Did exercise in the pool.
- Got most of the programs uploaded onto the new computer, which is faster, particularly when working with Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Premiere.
The Good Stuff
- Paid a bill with money from the micro publishing. Not from my savings. It was a small victory, but it was a victory.
- Had friends over on the Fourth for a cook-out and swim. It was good fun and great conversation and also served a going away party for my friend.
- Work on Murder by the Mile is proceeding.
The Future Stuff
- Continue to work on Murder by the Mile.
- Write a program on Creativity Unbound to give at the next writers group meeting this Saturday.
- Continue to work on the micro publishing projects and contracts.
- Find a new card publishing program that looks like it will survive for a few years.
Hope your week goes well.
Hoping for Rain in July
Yes. How silly is that? To be hoping for rain in July. In Texas. But the forecasters are teasing us with outrageous predictions of up to forty and fifty percent chances of rain. How can we not be enticed into believing it could happen?
The Good Stuff:
- The younger daughter drove up from Austin to spend yesterday afternoon and this morning with us. We enjoyed seeing her and spending time together. Tarzan refused to make an appearance even though we did catch a glimpse of him briefly yesterday evening after we went to bed. Ajax was jumpy. Lady and Natasha soaked up the attention younger daughter was thrilled to provide (she lost her last kitty almost a year ago, and she misses kitties). Natasha was remarkably relaxed and enjoyed her attentions the most.
- Enjoyed Fourth of July celebrations with friends at their annual family (and a few friends) gathering.
- Making good progress on the west wall. Nearly ready to begin priming the wall.
- Still tracking on WW (skipped a couple of days, but am back at it); weight is down a couple of pounds.
- More grass sprigs transplanted and watered. In our brief time in SA, I managed to get the yard mowed and watered, which probably saved a bit of grass that may not have made it until this week. Grass mowed and watered here in Central TX as well. Used soaker hoses to shore up some dry spots and watered the garage foundation.
- Step 1 of Anti-inflammatory is embraced.
- Blog posts are going well.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- Very little work done on PBOTL -- maybe a paragraph or two
- For some inexplicable reason, my lower back is bothering me. Will these little aches and pains never go away? (I know that answer to that. I don't like it.)
- Menu planning came out so-so. More on the fly than I would like. Still have to work through this week.
- I didn't really determine what my next dietary steps should be.
The Week Ahead:
- I think Step 2 will be making sure to keep snacking on fresh fruits and look for more ways to eat other than red meat.
- Slog a little more on PBOTL -- take it to SA with me.
- Make some time for a serious evaluation of the dietary plan. I think even the rudimentary changes I've made to date have had a positive effect. I ordered some unsalted mixed nuts, which cost more, but without the salt, it's easier not to overeat.
- Transition back to SA for a couple of weeks and more intense yard work.
- Remember to get driver license renewed on this trip back to SA.
The Good Stuff:
- The younger daughter drove up from Austin to spend yesterday afternoon and this morning with us. We enjoyed seeing her and spending time together. Tarzan refused to make an appearance even though we did catch a glimpse of him briefly yesterday evening after we went to bed. Ajax was jumpy. Lady and Natasha soaked up the attention younger daughter was thrilled to provide (she lost her last kitty almost a year ago, and she misses kitties). Natasha was remarkably relaxed and enjoyed her attentions the most.
- Enjoyed Fourth of July celebrations with friends at their annual family (and a few friends) gathering.
- Making good progress on the west wall. Nearly ready to begin priming the wall.
- Still tracking on WW (skipped a couple of days, but am back at it); weight is down a couple of pounds.
- More grass sprigs transplanted and watered. In our brief time in SA, I managed to get the yard mowed and watered, which probably saved a bit of grass that may not have made it until this week. Grass mowed and watered here in Central TX as well. Used soaker hoses to shore up some dry spots and watered the garage foundation.
- Step 1 of Anti-inflammatory is embraced.
- Blog posts are going well.
The Not So Good Stuff:
- Very little work done on PBOTL -- maybe a paragraph or two
- For some inexplicable reason, my lower back is bothering me. Will these little aches and pains never go away? (I know that answer to that. I don't like it.)
- Menu planning came out so-so. More on the fly than I would like. Still have to work through this week.
- I didn't really determine what my next dietary steps should be.
The Week Ahead:
- I think Step 2 will be making sure to keep snacking on fresh fruits and look for more ways to eat other than red meat.
- Slog a little more on PBOTL -- take it to SA with me.
- Make some time for a serious evaluation of the dietary plan. I think even the rudimentary changes I've made to date have had a positive effect. I ordered some unsalted mixed nuts, which cost more, but without the salt, it's easier not to overeat.
- Transition back to SA for a couple of weeks and more intense yard work.
- Remember to get driver license renewed on this trip back to SA.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Interesting couple of days
Been an interesting couple of days. And by interesting, I mean gut-wrenching. There's a long story behind this, but basically my desktop computer -- the one I use to edit books and make covers and live my life on -- begin to die. And die hard.
I reloaded drivers and the operating system and took expansion cards out and talked to four different technicians and paid over $235 to do so. But nothing worked. My seven-year-old system was "outdated," my operating system (XP) was "outdated," the computer's motherboard and BIOS couldn't be updated because it was "outdated." All the techs acted amazed that my system was still limping on.
So ... yesterday I went to Staples and a bought a computer. It's pretty basic, but it will run Photoshop Elements and my other graphic programs, and it does have Word and Publisher. I'm back online.
My old system is still sitting on the kitchen table. I'm going to raid it for as many components that function as I can. Then I'm going to try to convert it to a Linux system. I always wanted to try to do that, and I hate losing the old system completely. And it did last long enough for me to move the majority of my data to USB drives and to cloud storage. I'm very attached to that old system -- yes, I know it's a machine, but it served long and well -- so I'm going to try to give it an afterlife.
Anyway, I can finish my book project for Many Rivers Harbor, so that's good. I met with the author Saturday, and she gave me her first set of corrections. I intended to enter them into the proof this weekend. Didn't get that done yet, but will. She was very pleased with the book and with my prelim cover for her book. Going to give her the second proof this week. After that, a book proof. Then the book itself, and I get paid the other half. Woohoo! Seriously.
This coming week, I'm going to:
- Finish the second proof copy of her book and deliver it to her.
- Make another cover. My contract specifies I will design two for her to choose from.
- Have friends over on the Fourth for a little cook out and swim.
- Blog every day on Harbor Street. I've been inspired by Jean, who has one of my heroes practically from the first time we talked.
- Continue to move material onto the new computer.
- Walk three times.
- Continue low carb diet. It's really made a difference in my weight and blood sugar levels.
- Write 250 words a day on Murder by the Mile.
- Continue to do a few things with On Target, but I'm mostly waiting for him now. It's taking him weeks to proof the book. I don't know why. I hope he's not rewriting it. I'd like to get it finished and off my desk by September.
And that's my plan. Hope you have a great week and are having a great Sunday.
I reloaded drivers and the operating system and took expansion cards out and talked to four different technicians and paid over $235 to do so. But nothing worked. My seven-year-old system was "outdated," my operating system (XP) was "outdated," the computer's motherboard and BIOS couldn't be updated because it was "outdated." All the techs acted amazed that my system was still limping on.
So ... yesterday I went to Staples and a bought a computer. It's pretty basic, but it will run Photoshop Elements and my other graphic programs, and it does have Word and Publisher. I'm back online.
My old system is still sitting on the kitchen table. I'm going to raid it for as many components that function as I can. Then I'm going to try to convert it to a Linux system. I always wanted to try to do that, and I hate losing the old system completely. And it did last long enough for me to move the majority of my data to USB drives and to cloud storage. I'm very attached to that old system -- yes, I know it's a machine, but it served long and well -- so I'm going to try to give it an afterlife.
Anyway, I can finish my book project for Many Rivers Harbor, so that's good. I met with the author Saturday, and she gave me her first set of corrections. I intended to enter them into the proof this weekend. Didn't get that done yet, but will. She was very pleased with the book and with my prelim cover for her book. Going to give her the second proof this week. After that, a book proof. Then the book itself, and I get paid the other half. Woohoo! Seriously.
This coming week, I'm going to:
- Finish the second proof copy of her book and deliver it to her.
- Make another cover. My contract specifies I will design two for her to choose from.
- Have friends over on the Fourth for a little cook out and swim.
- Blog every day on Harbor Street. I've been inspired by Jean, who has one of my heroes practically from the first time we talked.
- Continue to move material onto the new computer.
- Walk three times.
- Continue low carb diet. It's really made a difference in my weight and blood sugar levels.
- Write 250 words a day on Murder by the Mile.
- Continue to do a few things with On Target, but I'm mostly waiting for him now. It's taking him weeks to proof the book. I don't know why. I hope he's not rewriting it. I'd like to get it finished and off my desk by September.
And that's my plan. Hope you have a great week and are having a great Sunday.
Wendy's Week, the second toasty version
The game is afoot. The Boys arrived yesterday and, as usual, it's like we have been together all along. I treasure friends like that.
Good Stuff:
- Swam 4 times. Came to the conclusion that the days I don't feel like swimming are the ones I need to swim longer than usual.
- Finished the housework about mid-day Friday. That's got to be some kind of record.
- Vicky made chocolate chip cookies Friday afternoon. I didn't get mad at her when the cookie dishes were still on the counter Friday evening when Chad arrived. It's not like he hasn't seen my house at its worst!
- Wrote a little over 4,000 words. I thought, earlier in the week, that it was more, but I was counting part of one day's words twice. Hate when that happens!
- I'm down to a half dose of ADD meds. There have been a few instances of zoning out, mostly when I'm thinking through a scene, but overall I'm not noticing any more lack of focus than I had on a full dose. The zoning out has also occurred during my off-peak times, which makes it less worrisome.
- My friend in CO Springs who had to evacuate during the Waldo Canyon fire found out her home is safe. They had some smoke damage so they're not moved back in, but it's a step in the right direction. She's contacting restoration experts and calling it research.
- Alex is home for a few weeks. Vicky delayed moving in with her boyfriend until next week. In two weeks, Alex and I will begin repainting the upstairs bathroom--the one Vicky painted red. We call it the Manson Family Bathroom.
Not So Good Stuff:
- Oddly, I got nothing. There are things I'm not happy with (potential weight gain this week, the ever present allergies, writing productivity, Vicky moving in with the BF), but I'm aware of them and doing what I can. Going over them yet again will only frustrate us all.
- It's ridiculously hot, as I'm sure it is where you live. Can't do a thing about that except stay inside as much as possible.
This week:
- Enjoy my time with the Boys and my kids. See some movies, hang out, pick on each other.
Hope you all have as good a week as I'm going to.
Good Stuff:
- Swam 4 times. Came to the conclusion that the days I don't feel like swimming are the ones I need to swim longer than usual.
- Finished the housework about mid-day Friday. That's got to be some kind of record.
- Vicky made chocolate chip cookies Friday afternoon. I didn't get mad at her when the cookie dishes were still on the counter Friday evening when Chad arrived. It's not like he hasn't seen my house at its worst!
- Wrote a little over 4,000 words. I thought, earlier in the week, that it was more, but I was counting part of one day's words twice. Hate when that happens!
- I'm down to a half dose of ADD meds. There have been a few instances of zoning out, mostly when I'm thinking through a scene, but overall I'm not noticing any more lack of focus than I had on a full dose. The zoning out has also occurred during my off-peak times, which makes it less worrisome.
- My friend in CO Springs who had to evacuate during the Waldo Canyon fire found out her home is safe. They had some smoke damage so they're not moved back in, but it's a step in the right direction. She's contacting restoration experts and calling it research.
- Alex is home for a few weeks. Vicky delayed moving in with her boyfriend until next week. In two weeks, Alex and I will begin repainting the upstairs bathroom--the one Vicky painted red. We call it the Manson Family Bathroom.
Not So Good Stuff:
- Oddly, I got nothing. There are things I'm not happy with (potential weight gain this week, the ever present allergies, writing productivity, Vicky moving in with the BF), but I'm aware of them and doing what I can. Going over them yet again will only frustrate us all.
- It's ridiculously hot, as I'm sure it is where you live. Can't do a thing about that except stay inside as much as possible.
This week:
- Enjoy my time with the Boys and my kids. See some movies, hang out, pick on each other.
Hope you all have as good a week as I'm going to.