I’m back online!

Did you miss me? You probably didn’t even notice I was gone. ;-)

My internet connection has been down. I got it back on Friday, but I was so busy trying to prepare for my kids’ birthday bash (we had a party for the three youngest on Saturday) that I didn’t have a chance to get online.

Saturday was crazy.  It began by waking at 3:00 a.m. to get ready to go to my mom’s house. We had to arrive by 5:00 a.m. to participate in the highway clean up (we adopted a mile of highway in Snowflake in memory of my brother and sister-in-law). After the clean up, we ate breakfast. After breakfast my sisters, mother, and I had a Ladies Day (we get together every other month and do something together) where we planted herbs (I planted rosemary, thyme, basil, sage, mint, and oregano) and harvested from the garden (squash, zucchini, and peas). With the planting and harvesting done, we ate lunch and visited until the party started at 3:00 pm. We had cake, ice cream, presents, and lots of fun with the cousins. The two girls went home with the in-laws so we packed the boys in the car and came home. We arrived at 7:00 pm and all I wanted to do was fall into bed . . . so I did.

Yesterday was our 12th anniversary. We didn’t have a lot of money after throwing the birthday bash and buying birthday presents (two youngest kids each wanted a DSi and games). Hubby bought me a card and I made him a card in Publisher. ;-) We went out to dinner last night (as inexpensive as we could without doing fast food). It was simple and sweet. =)

Anyway, with my internet being down, you’d think I’d have finished my rewrite, but I didn’t. I did get some writing done and am hoping to get more done today (but youngest son is home with no one to entertain him . . . oh, how I tried to convince him to go with the in-laws, but they don’t have a Wii and he also got a Wii game for his birthday so he wanted to play it).

Here’s my progress:

I also spent some time reading during my internet free days/nights! I finished all the books I needed to review for TeensReadToo.com (Other, Clockwork Angel, Trackers, Frozen in Time, but I still need to write up the reviews) and Saturday I was happy to receive The Healing Spell in the mail (one of the two copies I ended up ordering). I was too tired to read it on Saturday, but, after I made the anniversary card, I spent some time reading it on Sunday (while hubby was working). When hubby went off to work this morning at 6:30, I started reading and finished it by 8:30. I LOVED IT!!

I’m expecting the second copy and also Linger hopefully today (I’m off to check the mail after I write this because I have to take youngest son to spend his birthday money so he’ll leave me alone to write LOL).

So, I’ll be posting a Double Trouble Contest within the next couple of days for someone to win the extra copy of The Healing Spell.

Now, I must be off to roam the store with youngest son as he tries to decide what to buy with his $20 birthday money.

Write on!

This is the life

Well, daughter is still sick! We took her to the doctor on Wednesday. They did a strep swab and it came back negative. They couldn’t find anything else to indicate otherwise so it was diagnosed as a virus.

Wednesday night, daughter broke out in a rash. It isn’t itchy or anything, but she was still having fevers. I left a message for the doctor Thursday to update them. I missed the nurse calling back because I was outside watering the plants, but doctor said daughter’s fever had probably broken and the virus would run it’s course. I called back (but it was after hours by then) and left another message to tell them her fever had not broken before the rash developed and that she was still having fever spikes. Our doctor doesn’t work on Friday, but his office called back that morning while we were out (I had packed up daughter to go buy milk . . . I know she was sick and all, but I had no milk and couldn’t leave her home alone). They had reviewed the case with another doctor in the office who decided to treat with antibiotics and had faxed a prescription to the pharmacy.

First of all, you have to understand that I’m not a fan of treating viruses with antibiotics and creating super viruses. Second, I trust our personal doctor, but not some of the others in the office. So, hubby and I debated about whether or not to pick up the prescription (the pharmacy is open until 9:00 pm so we had time). If it had been any of my other children, I probably would have made them tough it out until our personal doctor returned to the office on Monday, but, with daughter’s past medical history (she’s the one who got RSV, almost died, had heart surgery to repair two holes in her heart, and now has a leaky aortic valve), we decided we better have the prescription over the weekend, just in case.

So, I went to pick up the prescription last night at about 8:30.

Not being our regular doctor, the other physician had called in a prescription for pills. My daughter will NOT swallow a pill.

It’s probably for the best since it’s likely a virus anyway, but daughter is still having fevers today (though not above 100.4 so far) so we’re kind of stressed and trying not to freak out too bad . . . but we always freak out when it comes to her.

Still, I managed to get a bit of writing done Thursday and yesterday as she lay in my bed and watched TV (the TV is distracting enough, but she kept asking questions and making comments about the programs she watched).

My MIL will be bringing the other two kidlets home this afternoon, so I have to take some time to straighten up the house before she gets here. I’m hoping to write more after MIL leaves, but I’m sure kidlets will want to tell me all about what fun they had so I doubt my writing will happen.

That being said, I’m still determined to finish this rewrite before the end of the month (yeah, time is running out)!

Write on . . . well, unless you have cleaning or kids or something else you have to do first. ;-)

The best laid plans . . .

Well, things never work out like I plan them. We took the kids to the in-laws over the weekend. They’re supposed to be staying for a week so I’ve been looking forward to a week of writing.

It hasn’t happened.

My mother called yesterday and begged me to drive down and help her with the garden. I took my oldest son (he was off work yesterday) with me and we picked peas and zucchini and pulled weeds. It was fun, but it meant no writing time yesterday.

After I got home last night, my mother-in-law called to inform me that oldest daughter was running a fever (102). They gave her some children’s ibuprofen and kept an eye on her today, but her fever went back up (103) so I left at 4:20 pm and drove an hour (almost half way) to meet them in Clint’s Wells and bring daughter home. The other two kids didn’t want to come home so they’re staying until Saturday or Sunday.

I was able to call and get daughter an appointment with her doctor tomorrow so we’ll see what’s going on . . . I hope.

I did manage to get a bit of writing done this morning. I only wish it could have been more. Still, considering everything that’s been happening, I’m glad I even got this much done!

 

14% down and 86% to go. =)

At least oldest daughter isn’t demanding when she’s sick. She usually lays around on the couch with her drinks on a side table and watches TV or something. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get some writing done tomorrow . . . but we’ll see if it happens.

Since the other kids aren’t here, she may want to lay in here on my bed and watch TV which will mean too much distraction for me to write.

But that’s okay, she’s my little girl and I’m willing to sacrifice writing time if it helps her to feel a bit better. That’s what moms are for, and I’m a mom before I’m a writer . . . dang it. ;-)

Mom on!

Still here . . . sort of . . .

I’ve been avoiding the internet for the most part. I’ve read a few blog posts (but didn’t comment much), checked email, and distracted myself with a few Facebook moments, but other than that, I’ve been absent . . .

. . . and I’m not even sorry. =p

Well, I suppose I am a little sorry I’ve neglected you all. ;-)

Anyway, I’ve been taking care of family stuff, reading, and even doing a bit of writing. Yesterday I did a whole lot of house cleaning (it sure needed it), and I’m getting ready to dive into an almost full day of writing (have to take son’s iPod touch back to Wal-Mart at some point . . . we bought him the thing yesterday and it won’t turn on).

Before I give you my updated word count (not much, but it’s there), let me excuse myself by saying I’ve been revising my rewrite (even though I’m not finished with the rewrite yet). So, I’ve been doing a lot of work on the thing, but the word count doesn’t reflect it because I cut some stuff. =)

Oh, and also before I give you my updated word count, let me direct you to Kimberley Little’s blog where you can watch her very cool book trailer for The Healing Spell (releasing July 1)! Or, click on it below and THEN go to her blog (she’s having a contest).

Okay, now here’s my updated word count:

Now I'm going to catch up on a few blogs and get back to work on the novel.

Write on!

Thursday Things

Well, I’ve been working on writing reviews for the eight books I had read for TeensReadToo.com since this morning. I just sent them off and it’s 1:15. Whew! Now I’m caught up on reviews, but I still have three unread books I need to do for TRT, so I’m afraid I’ll have to postpone reading THE MAGIC THIEF FOUND. This makes me sad as I’ve loved the series and want to finish it!

Oh well, it will still be there (along with the rest of my “want to read” pile) when I’m finished with the TRT books. On a good note, my name was drawn as the lucky reviewer for TRT who gets to read and review this:

YAY!! I love it when my “want to read” and “read to review” piles can combine like this. =) The book is on it’s way to me and I’m super excited!! (can you tell by the exclamation points?)

I haven’t had a chance to put more bookmarks in my Etsy store but I’m hoping to get to that tomorrow (or maybe later today). Here’s one of the new bookmarks I need to get listed.

A piano!! If only I had room in my house for a real piano . . . someday . . .

My sister and I also came up with a new packaging system/display for the bookmarks and I’m really excited about it!

Anyway, after spending the morning typing up reviews, my hands hurt. I think I’ll have to take a break and do some reading. Maybe I’ll get to do writing this evening. If not, there’s always tomorrow . . . oh wait, no there isn’t. I’ll be busy getting things ready for a road trip. We’ve got to take a puppy to a couple from Denver (we’re meeting them in Gallup NM tomorrow evening). *sigh*

Okay, Saturday is for sure going to be a writing day! =)

Write on.

Words on Wednesday

I managed to get a bit of writing done today. It wasn’t much, but it’s progress.

Now I’m going to watch some “Ghost Hunter’s Academy” and later some “America’s Got Talent.”

I managed to get some more bookmarks posted in my Etsy store. I still have more I haven’t posted, but I spent most of my day reading. I have some book reviews I need to write up and some more books I need to read for reviewing (for TeensReadToo.com), but I set it all aside and did some reading from my “books I’m dying to read that have been sitting here forever” pile. ;-)

I read BALLAD by Maggie Stiefvater (finally). I loved it! I’ve also been reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I’m on book four, but I set it aside for BALLAD. I’m also tempted to read THE MAGIC THIEF: FOUND from my huge “books I want to read . . .” pile, but I think I’ll use it as a reward and force myself wait until I’ve written up the reviews for the books I’ve already read (for TRT.com). I’m way behind on my reviews. I’ve read the books so I just need to do the writing.

But for now, I’m going to watch mindless TV, eat dinner, watch more mindless TV, and I’ll start out my writing day with some reviewing tomorrow. When my writing day is done,  maybe I’ll post more bookmarks to my Etsy Store and then dive in to reward myself with reading FOUND.  ;-)

Write on.

I have an Etsy shop!

It’s true. I have given in and opened an Etsy shop. I’m selling beaded bookmarks with my sisters. We only have a few listed at this time, but we have a whole lot more to list . . . when I get around to it. ;-)

Here is a link if you want to check it out. Feel free to purchase a bookmark.

Here’s a sample of what the bookmarks look like:

I haven’t done much writing today since I spent all my time setting up the shop, but I’m hoping to write more tomorrow or later this evening.

Write on . . . or shop on.

End of the Day Report

Okay, so I’ve done more writing since I posted my last update so I thought I’d report my final word count (I’m done for the day).

Hopefully there'll be another day of writing tomorrow!

Write on.

Tessa the Awesome

Visit her at tessagratton.com!

She’s having a contest so be sure to check it out!

For an extra entry into her contest, I drew a Tessa the Awesome picture of my own (and, to honor her tradition, I drew it on the back of an old MS page).

 

Write (or draw) on!

Still Counting

I’m glad to be back after all the stress and emotions of the last few weeks. The death of my grandmother ended up hitting me harder than I thought it would, but now that the funeral is over, I have some closure and am ready to get back to writing. Today is the first day I’ve done any writing since my last update, and it took a while to get back in to the swing of things. I’ve opened the word document several times, but just couldn’t bring myself to write.

I did a lot of talking with family and watched a lot of television (mostly “Charmed” DVDs that my sister loaned to me . . . I’d never watched the series before). The last few days I spent talking to my sister about the book we’re co-writing. We had some pretty good brainstorming sessions and after we tied up a few loose ends yesterday, I felt ready to get back to my own work. But when I opened Word yesterday, I didn’t feel so inspired. I watched more “Charmed” instead. *sigh*

However, today when I opened my document in Word, I forced myself to do something. I didn’t feel inspired to write at first, but instead of closing the file and setting my computer aside, I went back to the beginning of the novel and began some editing. After about an hour of that, I was back. I scrolled to where I left off and set to work.

I think I’m done for the day, but plan to take it up again tomorrow!

I’ll try to catch up on blogs over the next couple of days to see what you guys have been up to (be patient with me as I’m WAY behind). How’s the writing coming along for you all?

Write on.

The End

Thank you all for your kind words, prayers, and support. I just wanted to let you know that Grandma passed away at 1:30 this morning.

Her last chapter has been written, published in the hearts and minds of those who knew her, and now her book covers are closed.

She will be missed, but is at peace in a better place.

We’re all doing okay.

Mayday MayDay and Update

Okay, so I’ve been so busy writing today that I forgot to post the final Mayday MayDay Wednesday check in. Hey, at least I remembered before Thursday! =)

So, how are you all coming on your goals?

It’s been a tough few months for me writing wise with school, kids, etc., but things are finally starting to kick into place. I had an epiphany at about 2:30 am (why is it that epiphanies can’t wait for a decent hour?) and jumped out of bed to write it all down.

I tried to go back to sleep afterward, but I couldn’t. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get any writing done either since hubby was trying to sleep and the tap, tap, tap, of the keys wakes him up. So, I waited until the decent hour of 6:30 am (time to wake up the kids) and then started writing (after I woke up the kids).

I would like to have written more, but oldest son had a half-day of school because of finals (this will happen tomorrow too) so I had to stop writing to bring him home and get him something to eat.

Anyway, I’m not done writing for the day (at least I hope not . . . but the kids are home from school now so concentration will be a challenge), but here is my word meter so far:

 

Hope you are all having a great writing Wednesday!

Write on.

A Few Words

My mother told me earlier this afternoon that Grandma is no longer responsive. She’s still breathing on her own, but won’t wake up. It probably won’t be long now.

I didn’t get much written yesterday since I was doing a beta read for someone and then this morning, I worked on some critiques I needed to get done. I did get a little writing done today though.

I’m hoping for more writing time tomorrow, but we’ll see how it goes. The kids get out of school on Friday, but oldest son (in high school) is turning his books in tomorrow so he doesn’t have to go on Friday. My first and second graders have awards assemblies Friday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 and then my fourth grader has her assembly from 9:30 to 10:30. After the assemblies, the kids can come home. Like that ever happens. They end up going around the school for the next hour or so getting autographs on their shirts (every year I buy them a shirt and permanent/fabric markers). *sigh* I don’t know why I ever started that tradition. =)

Anyway, that’s my updated life.

Oh, and coming soon to this blog . . . The Road To Publication series continues . . .

Hope everyone had a great Tuesday!

Write on.

And So It Goes

First of all, Grandma is still with us (I told you she was stubborn). I hope this doesn’t go on for too much longer though. My dad thinks she’ll pass on his birthday (tomorrow) and my sister’s anniversary is on May 31st and she’s worried grandma will pass then (sis’s birthday is Sept 11th so she doesn’t want a sad memory for her anniversary too).

Okay, so on to writing news. I’m finding myself able to get some writing done (and it helps keep the worries at bay). As of the end of yesterday, my word count looks like this.

I was tempted to go type four more words before posting this so it could be 4,444, but I resisted.

Now I’m going to write and we’ll see how much I can get done today . . . but I’m craving a pimento and cheese sandwich so I might have to take a break soon and run to the store for pimentos. =)

Write on.

Update on stuff

Thank you to all my wonderful friends for the words of comfort and support. I can’t tell you how much your thoughts and feelings moved and comforted me.

Grandma is still hanging on. As I said, she’s stubborn. Maybe I get my perseverance from her. ;-)

Since she’s not eating or drinking, they doubt she’ll last long. She’s still in the assisted living facility since that’s the way she wanted it. My aunt is staying with her constantly, and the uncles and my mom have been to see her.

After my good cry yesterday, I went to Snowflake to visit with my mother. Talking with her really helped me be more at peace with everything. Though I could have visited Grandma yesterday, I decided not to. It was hard enough to see her at her 90th birthday party in October because she didn’t know who any of us were. I’m comfortable with this decision and will remember her like she was; the grandma from before the Alzheimer’s.

I went to a special church meeting today and am even further comforted. I know family is forever and I’ll get to see Grandma again someday . . . and she’ll remember me then.

After the meeting, I felt like writing again, so I’ve been doing it. I’ll post my progress later. This post is just to update you and say thank you to everyone for their love and support.

Friends are the best and I’m glad I have so many who care. =)

Life . . . and death

Okay, I’ve been trying not to dwell on this and have been pushing it aside since yesterday afternoon when my sister called. The call itself  isn’t unusual and I don’t mind since I often get calls from one of my sisters (some more than others). Unfortunately, she wasn’t calling with good news and this is the real reason I wanted to veg out in front of the TV instead of write yesterday. =(

My grandmother (on my mother’s side). . . the only grandparent I have left . . . had a sudden decline in health yesterday. She’s ninety and suffering from Alzheimer's so it’s not a huge surprise, but it doesn’t make it any easier. She’s not expected to make it through the weekend. =(

I was going to Snowflake later today to take a puppy to its new owner, but now I worry I won’t get there before Grandma passes. I can’t leave early because hubby and son are out working and we were all going to go together.

Times like this remind me how fleeting this life is. Ninety years is a long time, but it seems like only yesterday we were little kids running through grandma’s huge garden (the corn fields were our favorite) and having her yell at us to get out before we ruined the corn. LOL She’d let us run through them after the harvest, but it was so hard to wait. ;-)

Grandma taught me how to grow a garden (even though I’m not as good at it as she was), can fruits and vegetables, pickle cucumbers, make jams and jellies, freeze corn, and appreciate the beauty of nature. Thoughts of her have been particularly strong lately as my mother has decided to grow a garden this year, and I’ve been helping when I can. Granted, Mom’s garden isn’t as huge as Grandma’s was, but still, it brings back memories. =)

Those memories will never die even when Grandma does. I know I shouldn’t let it hit me so hard. With the Alzheimer’s, she’s no longer the grandma I used to know anyway, and this passing will be a blessing to her.

Her mind went a long time ago and it’s only her physical body left. But, as long as her physical body held out, she was still here, you know? Then again, Grandma is stubborn and she might fight through and hold on for a few more days . . . who knows? But it would really be better if she didn’t have to suffer long.

Anyway, I’m not sure how much writing I’ll be able to do today. I’ve been trying, and I want to, but the worry about Grandma keeps intruding. I’ve been trying to use my writing to distract myself until hubby and son come home from work . . . but maybe I’ll just go soak in the tub and cry for a while instead.

Slowly But Surely

I’m plugging along with my rewriting. I really hope I get a good writing day soon. Things always seem to pile up when I WANT to write.

Anyway, here’s my word count update:

Yes, I’m quitting for the day and going to watch some TV. I’m horrible, I know, but I’m just done and can’t go any further today. I’ll have a fresh mind and spirit in the morning . . . right?

Write on.

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Thank you for reading that important message from our sponsor. And now back to your regularly scheduled blog post.

Okay, so CRASH doesn’t exist, but I can certainly send you the list of websites from the WPTB. ;-)

Since I was busy with life stuff yesterday (no I wasn’t wasting time online), I didn’t get much rewriting done. My word count looks like this:

What does your progress look like?

In other news, Lisa Schroeder is having an ARC giveaway on her blog. Go check it out and enter for your chance to win some amazing ARCs!

Now I must close my WPTB and go back to writing!

Write on.

Mayday May Day Check in

Good Wednesday everyone! It’s time to check in on our progress since last week (though I technically didn’t post the check in until Thursday). I didn’t get much writing done yesterday because I spent most of the day doing research. Still, that was time spent on my novel so I’m okay with it. =)

My word count is:

I’ll probably not get much more writing done today because I have a field trip to attend and more research to do, but we’ll see what happens.

How are you all doing with your writing goals so far?

Write on!

Not Enough Words

I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, but I did manage to get a few words rewritten. I’m going to write a whole bunch more (I hope) today so I’ll be back to update this later (unless I don’t make it back, and then I’ll update tomorrow).

How is everyone doing on their own writing progress? Do you have a goal for this week?

 

Write on!