On the downside of summer

First off, I'm doing GOBS better, mentally. My doc took me off the progestin and whoa, what an improvement to my mood! I've actually been almost manic ever since. I have a dip every now and then, but I bounce back fairly quickly. Yay for that! Weight loss is stalled tho, mostly because I'm still HONGRY. I am, however, holding more-or-less steady, so I'm trying not to worry about it. Much.

Good golly, I'm hungry, tho.

Laura is working 20+ hours a week, so by the time we add in travel time, I have Little Miss 5+ hours a day, during the day. Since she is very, very BUSY (many comparisons to energetic monkeys come to mind) and I can't turn my back on her for a few moments or else the room/house will be trashed, I'm not getting much of anything done during the day. Plus I have to start babysitting in the morning, so I can't stay up too late (and I'm a night owl) so I'm really not getting enough sleep. It's been challenging cramming housework/sewing/writing/relaxation/etc into a short period of time, but I'm managing. I've been too spoiled being a stay-at-home-mom/screw-off for too long. I dunno how people who work full time get anything accomplished without falling to utter exhaustion.

Been trying to do a smallish artsy quilt a week, ish, and that's working out well, especially since I sew a lot while Little Miss is having visitation w/ her dad. I'd really like a book to work on, but other than a Lars short/novella and the next Dubric book, I'm kinda stuck. I want to do something different. Not sure what, but something.

You all probably heard my good news from last week. The three Dubric novels have sold to a German publisher. Still awaiting final contracts, but it's all supposedly good to go and all parties have agreed. The sale will also pay off the remaining advance for Threads and Valley. YAY!! Very exciting stuff!!

Down to two agents and an editor with the full SPORE manuscript, and quite a few still have partials, plus one partial for Morgan. I've paused querying until the two agents respond. They've both had the book quite a while so I'm very, very hopeful one will want it or one of the agents with partials will want more, or now that the Dubric books are in the black my old publisher might want SPORE. Everyone has been amazingly nice and complimentary, which is a relief.

We had our annual Fireman's Ball here in town this past weekend and I spent the day selling motorcycle 'fun run' tickets and t-shirts. Was pretty fun. Met lots of locals and it's kinda cool that people recognize me and come up and talk to me. I'm up for reelection to city council this November and I've been hemming and hawing whether to run or not (there is quite a lot of BS and arguing involved which frustrates me), but, today at least, I will run. Quite a few people made a point to tell me they're thrilled I'm on the council because I'm *nice* and I listen to *them* instead of pushing my agenda and because I'm working for the whole town and not just my handful of friends or personal preferences. This kinda perplexes me at times because isn't that what representatives are supposed to do?!? Anyway, I need to gather at least 10 signatures to run again and I really don't think that'll be a problem at all.

I don't like the arguing, tho, and I fear a big argument will be coming next meeting because I'm gonna strongly disagree w/ a proposed set of surveillance cameras. I've already warned the Mayor. lol

I think that's about it. I hope you all are having a good week, getting stuff accomplished, and finding joy in your life.  {{Hugs}}