Gearing Up For Monday

Again!
I'm really okay with it! I do very much enjoy my new job, but I'm still so tired! I even took a nap today!
It's been a pretty productive Sunday around here! I finished our taxes...all that's left is the check writing! UGH!!!
I paid bills, too. Also UGH!
We're in blast mode in my writing group, so I hosted a blast this morning and met my daily word goal. I missed the second blast due to kids needing my laptop for homework...
Laundry is done. The house is semi-decent.
I made taco soup for dinner.
That Man and I hit the gym. (Our set up in the basement)
And played the puppy out.
But...
I didn't get everything on my to do list done... dang! Though I did try! It was really nice to just relax at home for a change! I didn't even change out of my Jammies! Also we went from the stomach flu to the cold flu... K3 had the stomach flu and K4 has the cold... Erg! I really hope I get neither!!
I know. Lame post!
Behave!

Sunday Random...

Everyone in this house is asleep already. Except for me. For real? It's not even 10pm? That's like insanity for this house! Normally we're all up way later than necessary!
I'm watching The Walking Dead. By myself. And it's awesome! (The Walking Dead, I mean, not being alone to watch. Though I'm really the only one who watches in this house. K4 is so far behind it's ridiculous) (And yes, I spent a full three days getting caught up, so... Okay, I get it...) That Man hates zombies, so even though he'd love everything else about the show, I can't get him to watch. Hell, I hate zombies, too, but I'm so caught up in the world and what is going to happen next.
Anyway...
I slept in a little this morning. It was good. That Man made coffee. That was also good. He also made breakfast. Yes, good again.
Laundry was done. A friend stopped in to meet Elsa and donate books for my "local author basket" for the scouts upcoming spaghetti dinner. (If you're local, hit me up for details on the dinner) I made dinner. Actually, I made tonight's dinner yesterday but ended up ordering pizza because we were all too tired to finish dinner.
It was so warm and wonderful today. That Man and I sat out in the sun for a while. I didn't get the nap I wanted, but I did get a lot done!
It's raining now. I guess the rain is supposed to turn to snow?
That's it...
Behave!

Why Tuesday is Good...

This Tuesday has been good...
Here is why...
1. Grocery shopping by myself. Saving $14.00 in coupons and stocking up on a few items. (And coming in way under budget)
2. Beach rental magazines! We've already picked a few houses! Beach 2014 here we come!
3. Baby B. He is so stinking cute! And so smart! And he loves his Nanners!
4. Getting the laundry caught up.
5. One more night until K3's play opens!
6. The van getting fixed and not costing as much as we expected. (Did I mention it crapped out on us Saturday night?)
7. Being able to pick up the van with K3. So strange and so cool. (And so cool that he can drive himself to and from practice every night)
8. Thanksgiving plans coming together.
9. Singing while driving. I cannot tell you how long it's been since I've done that. Seriously. I would have music on while driving home, or to, the old day job, but there was always so much on my mind... I couldn't sing. I did today and it felt so awesome (even though I am glad no one was in the car to hear me). The stress is lifting day by day.
Everything is going to be okay.
Behave!

Thursday Tidbits...

Come on, Friday!!
We really need you around this place! We have big plans for the weekend (big plans which will be totally screwed up by this constant rain!), but we're not giving up yet! But let's move on to the tidbits....

Writing:
It's going really well. I'm making progress and loving the new story. Loving the edits I'm currently doing, too, but that's not for the new story.

Home:
Today, K3 met his sister at the bus stop to have a discussion with K4's nemesis. This kid has bugged her since kindergarten, but lately, he's been really rude and offensive on the bus. K3 knows the kid. So they had a "conversation" today. I don't know everything that was said, except that K3 told him if he didn't stop, there would be consequences. The kid said he didn't mean to be offensive (ha ha). We'll see what happens next.
I love, love, love that K3 stood up for his sister like he did. I love that she went to him with the problem. (No one told me anything until after! Of course!) I'm proud of both of them and we left the situation that if there's further issues, That Man and I will be involved. Sometimes, it's really better if the kids handle things themselves. There is nothing more awesome than siblings as a united force.

Day Job:
(I need a nickname for the day job.)
Still harrowing. Crazy week.

Grandkids:
Baby B is pulling himself up now. I love that he gets a huge smile on his face when he sees me! He's so adorable!
K5 is so smart and funny! She starts dance classes in the fall and asks me constantly if I'm going to come and see her dance!

More Kid Stuff:
K1 is having major vehicle issues. Major - like the transmission is broken. It sucks.
K2 is loving being married! Those two are so stinking cute together! I was showing off wedding pictures tonight and I'm still amazed at how awesome the day was.

That is all! It's late and I have crap to do!
Behave!

Oh Geeze! It's Almost Friday!

What's up with that?
Last I looked it was only Sunday! We've had "stuff" every single night this week....stuff like:
My granddaughter's 1st birthday! She's one! She's walking and she has a few teeth. And she's a very funny baby!
We ran over to see her last night and have a little cake. She was a riot! Instead of picking up her cake, she just stuck her face in it. Her "official" party is this weekend and I am still mostly stumped on what to get her.
We've also been helping K5's mom find a new car. That's been lots of evenings spent at car lots and carrying K5 around so she could see herself in mirrors.
Oh, and let's not forget the dentist! I broke my temporary crown a few weeks ago. I got my tooth fixed and am once again the owner of a temporary crown because the dentist said it's not worth putting a "real" crown on that tooth. That kind of freaks me out. I'm not sure I want to know what the next step is. I'm just happy to be able to eat right again. Or you know...until I break this one!
What else?
We won't talk about how busy work has been for me and that man I live with. Or the various kid activities going on. Or the five bazillion water balloons I filled for scouts. Or the fact that, yet again, my washing machine is acting up. And the house computer. Or the leg cramp that woke me up twenty minutes before my alarm when off this morning.
Long weekend coming up! That's what I'm focusing on!
Behave!

What Was Good About Today...

Similar to Feel Good Friday, but not...Because it's Saturday and B was off work, which is unusual...
1. Hedges getting trimmed.
2. Two of the four chickens going to their new home with my sister who is so happy to have them.
3. Getting to hold my brand new great niece.
4. Hanging out with my brother and sisters at the 'rents house. We all had to leave far too early, but it was a very good time, with good food and a lot of laughter - like usual.
5. Grocery shopping = done.
6. Bills = paid.
7. Saving $35.00 on gas.
8. K3 getting to hang out with his best friend.
9. K4 being registered for summer camp. She is so excited!
10. Sleeping in until 9 am. Sweet.
And one more...
11. The cooler temps! It's gorgeous outside!
Oh, and here's my only complaint...
I really, really, really wish I could go to RWA National!! It starts next week and I am dying! I'd planned to go this year, but it couldn't happen...I am super bummed!!
That is all...
Behave!

Frozen Saturday...

Man, it's cold out there! But despite the frigid temps, it turned out to be a darned good day...
It snowed! RWA chapter meeting this morning. That's always a blast and there's nothing like it to jumpstart the writing year. The January meeting is always a good one. We've got a lot of fantastic stuff in the pipeline for the coming year, and I'm excited about it. I'm also ready to write. I made some logical and decent writing goals for the month, and I hope to blow my projected word count to smithereens by the next meeting.
I also had a really freaky experience in the bathroom at the library. I turned to grab the paper towels after washing my hands, and out of the corner of my eye, I swear something moved across the mirror. I looked behind me, though it's a one seater and I'd locked the door. Of course there was nothing there. That was exciting. And considering the building was used as a hospital during the Civil War, I'm sure it's highly probable. I wanted to hang out there, but...
Then there was lunch. I look forward to that as much as the meeting. Good food, lots of laughter, and excellent conversation. We hung out for a long time and it was very good. I came home feeling energized and ready to get to work. But, we had a birthday party to attend and we just got back. Oh, and did I mention how cold it is outside? 
I'm snuggled up on the couch with a blanket and the laptop.
And life is good.
Behave.

What I'm Thinking About...

At this late hour.
I'm ready for bed, but I'm determined to keep up with everything the best I can, plus I'm waiting to put a load of laundry into the dryer.
And, hey, guess what? Tomorrow is Friday!!! Woo Hoo to that!!!
So here's what I'm thinking about right now:
The snow in the forecast. For the first time in my life, I'm hoping it doesn't happen. Or if it does, it doesn't delay school. It can start snowing sometime tomorrow afternoon. That would be nice.
My writing meeting coming up on Saturday. I have organizing to do for that. And chocolate to buy.
How itchy my left forearm is. That's weird.
I'm hungry and it's too late to eat.
Zombies. Like usual.
Shrimp.
Electric cars.
Ham and cheese sandwiches with pineapple. I don't know why. I've never had one before, but it sounds good.
Bed.
Okay, I think the washer has to be done now. I'll save you from my rambling nonsense.
Behave!

It's Really Thursday

For some reason, I almost put up my Feel Good Friday post today. I started thinking back through the week and then realized today is only Thursday. Oh man.
It's apparently been a long week around here.
How about a random list of stuff?
1. It's never a good idea to say something sarcastic in relation to your phone conversation before you've hung up the phone. Well, maybe for telemarketers, but not in regards to someone you will have to deal with at a future date. Though, in my defense, I do not like to be patronized. If I say I will return your call on Friday with the information you've requested, then that's when you'll hear from me. Your bitchy attitude is not going to change things. And it will, obviously, force me to spew something I should have kept in check. And make me feel bad at the same time.
2. Some days I wonder if I'm ever going to achieve email inbox zero. It hasn't happened in at least 3 weeks.
3. I am stunned by the Christmas commercials that started before Halloween. And the store had their Christmas stuff out days before Halloween. I nearly had to buy Christmas candy for Trick or Treat night. That's whacked. I love Christmas, but I don't like the commercialism. And the very thought of Christmas fills me with dread right now. I am so not ready to even think about it.
4. Nothing brightens up a frustrating day like having your granddaughter smile and 'talk' to you. She is a motormouth and 'talks' constantly and it's the cutest thing ever. 
5. The spam situation is still irritating though I'm not getting nearly as much as I was and the phone calls seem to have ended. *knocks on wood* Except I get spam emails from my Internet provider at least ten times a day now. They want me to switch my wireless coverage to them. I feel like sending them an email telling them that even if I'd considered it in the past, there's no way that will happen now. But I won't.
And that is all. I'm working on a brilliant writing related post, so maybe you'll see that later. Or maybe I'll decide it's not brilliant after all and you won't. Ha!
Behave!

Rambling Monday...

1. The gnomes have continued their assault on my plants. Nothing but Hostas are living in their garden. I have tried to appease them with various bribes, but they're holding out for the full list of demands. Don't think it's going to end well.

2. The college paperwork and worry never seems to end. With K2 being away at camp without the ability to call me except on the weekends, it's been really tough to get everything done. She still has to pick classes and fill out a bunch of forms. We're still working on the financial aid paperwork (I've been told we're fine as far as timing goes). I've been on the phone will her college all morning so far and still have people to talk to.

3. Summer is quickly ending. That makes me sad. I feel like we haven't had much of one. There's been way too much going on and while there's been some fun stuff, summer hasn't gone the way I'd hoped at all.

4. I'd planned to hang towels on the line today. But it's raining. And I'm okay with that. I love a rainy day.

5. It's August! I cannot believe that. Four more months left in this year. That is insane! Christmas will be here before we know it. I know. I know. I've smacked my own mouth...or in this case...fingers.

That is all for today.
Behave!

Thursday?

I have no idea what day it is this week. This seems to be a frequent problem for me. And I can't believe I missed posting yesterday, but I do have a good excuse. The gnomes were threatening an uprising and all of my time was taken up with negotiations. Things are okay for now, but the situation is somewhat of a pressure cooker. I'm not sure how this will end.
***
Hopefully my sister in on the last leg of this spider bite journey. She had the plastic surgery to replace skin over the area yesterday. She's in an immobilizer for a little while, but is now without the tubes and wires she's been stuck with for the past several weeks.
***
My mother-in-law remains in the hospital. She is undergoing tests, but seems to be gaining strength. We really don't know too much at this point.
***
This week has seemed long! But tonight I get the chance to hang with the bff's and hear my favorite, Jason Manns. Very much looking forward to it!
***
It can stop being so danged hot now.
***
That is all!
Behave!

Wednesday

It's hot here. Damn hot.
And yes, I do remember when I was freezing my rearend off a few months ago. We don't have our air conditioners on yet, so I'm allowed to complain.
I'm getting back into my revisions - cutting some terrible stuff, changing some things up and hopefully making a much better story. I need some air though, some serious air. Blah. I feel like the heat is eating my brain and that brain is currently running down my body in a big puddle.
This week has gone really fast. Tomorrow's Thursday already and Thursday includes suite seats at the baseball game. Then we head into another busy weekend. Bridal shower madness will occur on Saturday, with first the bridal shower tea party and then a birthday party for the bride later. We're also invited to another birthday party later in the day. And we're on baby watch, so we'll see how it all works out.
And that's it from here.
Behave!

Done For Another Year...

Today was the local annual street fair. You know the one I mean, the same one I moan and complain about every single year. Because...I don't like it. It's too busy, too loud, too dirty...I hardly ever go down because I can't stand the crush of people and the heat. And don't even think about driving anywhere. It's impossible, plus, you run the risk of someone parking in your private spot while you're gone.
Though, there are good points to it. We usually end up with company - usually folks we only see this time every year, and invited guests. It is fun to hang out, eat some food, and watch people go by.
This year was a lot different.
K2's going on a big trip in a few weeks. It's an expensive trip and the kids have to help earn the money and since she's working away from home my niece and I volunteered to fill in for her. Which meant getting up at a stupid time and going to help set up, rushing home to make brownies for the bake sale, sending the kids down with various coolers and other items, and then going back down. I swear I walked 650 miles today.
We didn't invite anyone to come over and hang today, mainly because we had no idea what our timeframe was going to be. The 'rents came over for a little while and my sister came to pick up my niece. No stop ins, or unexpected guests though, which is fine since we're completely wiped out and now must spend the next several hours listening to the neighbors party. It's always like that. Always. Most people around here take tomorrow off to recover. And I will admit, we've had our share of parties and noise - like the time my brother-in-law's band played in the back yard.
It's nearly over now. All that's left is the noise and clean up. I'm exhausted and a little frazzled.
So how was your day?
Behave!

Random Thursday Stuff

Where to begin?
1. Lots of cleaning going on around here today. K1 is packing up to move out. His mess is immense. There are boxes in my living room, boxes in the hall, trash everywhere. We're also in the throes of getting ready for the weekend graduation shindig. Progress is being made. But it doesn't look like it. At all.
2. Tonight was a big scout event. Court of Honor. This year was somewhat low key since it's kind of late in the scouting year and all of the awards had already been given out, but it still needed to be done. As a treat, B arranged for the boys to make a huge ice cream sundae. As in an 8 foot section of trough and a three gallon container of ice cream. They demolished the ice cream, eating the mess of toppings and ice cream from the trough without spoons. Pretty funny.
3. This morning K4 woke me to tell me the dog pooped in her room overnight. The dog never does that. The only thing we can figure is she didn't go yesterday. Apparently she refused to leave the porch when she should have been taking care of business. Then, this afternoon, the cat barfed in her room. She's pretty ticked considering she just cleaned her room.
4. B's in some serious pain today. Seems the third day postop is way worse than the first or second, despite him taking it really, really easy. Everyone assures him it's normal. He hates it. I've stopped asking him how he's feeling because I get an array of smart-assed answers.
And that's all I can think of right now. I'm considering doing some rennovations to the old blog. Don't be shocked if things are a little different within the next few days.
Behave!

Why It Matters...

Today was my monthly RWA chapter meeting. I looked forward to it with a mixture of hope and dread. Hope because I love these people. They're my writing family. They get me (even if they think I'm weird, especially when I talk about mimes.). The dread was because I've been in crisis mode lately. Yes, again. Or maybe, still. Definitely still.
I've been analyzing the way I've felt and am feeling quite a bit the past few days and today really did help put things into perspective, though I'm still a little ways from being healed. Over the past few months, I've dealt with several major blows. Okay, a lot of them. And we're only talking career-wise, not the trauma and turmoil that's gone on in my house. I picture myself as a cockroach under the heel of a steel-toed work boot. Crushed. Or like a dragonfly and my wings have been pulled off. I work hard at my writing career because I want it so badly. I know I can maintain a long term career. I know I can be a full time author even with my hectic family life. And, like I said, I want it.
In my crushed state, I didn't/don't care. I don't write. I don't think about it, except with a grimness that scares the crap out of me. I even gave myself permission to quit, but the very thought filled me with a dark sickness that didn't leave until I decided that idea was ludicrous. Knowing I can't quit does help, but it doesn't propel me to the keyboard except to play the treasure hunting game I'm enamored with. I open the document, move my cursor to the right line and...stall. I re-read the short story I'm working on and get to the portion where I need to add more words and I stall. I wonder what the point is, why I try so hard, why I keep coming back to something that continuously beats me to a bloody emotional pulp.
We had a pep talk session at the meeting, because I'm not the only one struggling right now. I wrote down a few of the inspirational things said because despite knowing them and saying them on a regular basis I needed to remember them for myself. Then, I helped critique a friend's story and as I was going through her pages, I could feel that spark. It was dim and sad, but still there - shoved in the back behind my emotional baggage and the chaos of life. I'd like to say I grabbed that tiny flame and how my touch turned it into a roaring bon fire, but that would be a lie. But I at least reached for it. I want to hold it in my hands again and feel its pulse. I want to hear it breathing. I want it to lead me to purposeful writing time and the joy that brings.
After today, I remember why I do this. Because I love it. Because I have stories to tell. Because it's who I am at my core. And I know I won't quit. I'll stay a cockroach even if I occasionally get a face full of toxins or the business end of a well-placed heel, because after all, a cockroach can live through a nuclear blast and sometimes that's what this feels like to me.
And, while I'm not full of the joy quite yet, it's there enough for me to purposefully nurture. I have enough back to want to do something - to reclaim what's mine and move forward. I do know that it's something I will never give up, even if I never get that publishing contract or the career I envision. And that feels significant to me. (unless the mimes arrive)
I think I might just be okay.
Behave!

Monday...Anyway

Well, here we are at Monday again.
I remember now why I used to post Moaning Monday, especially since K1's music has filtered through two floors and the bass is about to make me go insane. And it was one of those mornings typical of Monday - missing things, attitudes, dawdling. Joy.
Anyway.
I have to admit, I really don't think it's going to snow again. Just sayin'. Though some consistent temperatures sure would be nice. I'm cold and I hate that.
Anyway.
On the writing front...I'm very close to finishing the very awful horrible first draft of the book without a title. Then, I'll be editing, or in editing Hell. I think I've got some good bones, but those bones are sticking out all over the place. Some are probably broken beyond repair and will need to be surgically removed. The scene I just wrote belongs in the front of the book because it's a huge turning point in the trust factor between my hero and heroine. Which is good, but I've never written a book out of order like this before and it kind of scares me a little.
Anyway.
23 days until the retreat! I'm so excited! We have a record number of attendees this year and have the entire floor filled with several people doubled up. Several new faces as well, which is awesome. I've ordered the t-shirts and scheduled the shopping. And am slowly getting the home schedule ironed out for the weekend. There's a lot going on that weekend, including prom.
Anyway.
I think that's enough rambling for this freezing cold Monday morning.
Behave!!

Weekend Recap

1. Family gatherings - always fun, even if it means an hour drive home with a car load of very tired children. Food, bonfires, laughing, silly kids, s'mores, crazy dogs.
2. K2's sociology project - electronic baby. Cries all the time. Loud. She's running on very little sleep and is cranky. The thing cried from 5am until nearly 6:30 this morning. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for her. Poor kid.
3. Family leaving - B's brother hit the road yesterday afternoon. It was nice to have him here and good that he was able to spend so much time here and with their mother. He's a great house guest, plus he has the same number of heathens living with him, so he's used to the way things are. Apparently, our children all behave the same with is amazing considering they live over three-thousand miles away and the kids have only been together once. Those brother's have some strong genetics, I think. Not just the brothers, but the whole family considering their sister's children act the same way as well. Gotta love it.
4. Going to the grocery store and forgetting half of what we went for. Great.
5. Nosebleeds that have delayed the morning for K3 and I. Yay, allergy season. This time the meds aren't helping and the nosebleeds have been a constant source of stress for the poor kid. We're waiting for it to stop so I can take him to school.
There you go.
Behave!

Sunday Catch Up

My friend Sue passed this award onto me. It's The Sunshine Award. There have been a lot of awards passed around lately. But who can resist a little sunshine? Especially after a very rainy weekend. So, Thanks, Sue!

We haven't seen the sun around here for a long time. Maybe Thursday? I'm not sure. I can't remember. It poured all day yesterday with a side of insane wind. And, of course, B and K3 were at scout camp all weekend. I think it rains every single time they have a camp out. They had a blast despite the weather, and arrived home muddy, kinda wet and full from their annual "cooking camping".

Girl weekend was a blast. We ate out, watched movies, shopped, ate ice cream, watched more movies. There was a break in all the girl stuff when I had to wrestle with the furnace to get some heat in here. We were about to freeze to death. And, I did get some writing done as well.

I'm not sure what K4 considers her weekend highlights, but here are mine:

Forgetting we turned the clocks ahead last night and staying up until 2am (old time) to write. That made for oversleeping this morning and, of course, we were late.

Getting pulled over for going around a road closed barricade. Yeah, I know it was stupid, but I also had every intention of turning around if water was on the road. There was no water, but there was a cop sitting on the other side of the bridge. He gave me a proper dressing down, but no ticket.

Accidentally locking the cat in K3's room for a few hours. I discovered him at 1:30am and he then proceeded to punish me by yowling outside my door for nearly 45 minutes. I even got up to make sure he had food and water. He did, which convinces me he was out for revenge.

Oh, and this time change? I hate it. Just sayin'.

Behave!

Random Thursday

So the tree house is nearly down. K1 and K2 started demo work on it yesterday. There's a small amount left in the tree and the rest is in piles on the patio. Joy that. The little green and blue house had to come down though, it was condemned by the Household Department of Safety for squirrel damage and weather-related issues and no one had been allowed up there for nearly 2 years, but it's still sad. My brother-in-law decided to sleep up there one hot summer night. He woke the next morning covered in black ants. I remember sitting up there and talking to K1 about various life issues when he was only 12. More passage of time, I suppose.
I spent the day with my writing buds. I'll say it again...If you don't have some, get some. You need them. I needed today. It's always too long in between.
It's Thursday with no new Supernatural. How sad is that? 2 weeks feels like way too long, though it will be here before I know it.
And...that is all.
Behave!

Monday

I'm not sure how it happened, but I'm back on the "Monday Sucks" train. I don't know if it's having to get up early to get the aliens that live here with me off to school, the total mush that's always my brain come Monday morning, or a combination of the above and other factors that all rush in and say..."Hey, I'm Monday. Don't ya just love me?" Well, no, Monday, I don't love you. I love you in the summer when we can sleep in and do our thing without having to be here or there or anywhere. Heck, I even love you in summer when we do have places to go and things to do. Winter is different somehow. And, as of right now, Monday is on the black list. So there, Monday, take that. You don't get love unless you give it. Ha!
So, today was a beautiful day. It hit 60* here. Nearly all of the snow is melted away. There are a few patches here and there, and of course the huge piles made by huge plows are still out there, but it's kinda looking like spring. I highly doubt we've seen the end of snow though.
I was out today and came upon a hutch and sideboard with a huge sign that said "free". I called B and sent him over with a trailer and a friend. I'm now the proud owner of someone else's trash. And I have no idea where I'm going to put it. The dining room is kinda full and needs to be completely gutted anyway and now I have more stuff to put in it? I'm surprised B actually agreed to haul it home. He just looks at me like I'm an insane person. Oh, and the stuff is like circa 1970 - not hideous, but not pretty either. I mentioned painting it and got a glare from B. Well, it doesn't match my table, so yeah, I want to either paint it or restain it. Which will take time I don't have right now. So...yeah. I have no idea.
And I think that's enough rambling for right now.
Behave!