So This Happened

 

We had a bit of a storm last night and the wind picked up the neighbour's tree and tossed it through the back fence. I just happened to be standing in the kitchen and saw it all happen. Now we have to wait for the insurance companies to come out and do their thing, but who knows how long it will take them to actually get out to inspect everything. I daresay, we aren't the worst ones hit in the wild winds. It was like the wind picked the tree up - twisted it, and then tossed it straight through the fence. Other than the fence, it caused no major damage -  thank God.

Also, had to help clip this little trouble-maker's (Salt) wing, to stop her from escaping over the fence. I know you're thinking she could just walk through the great big hole the tree made in the back fence. The truth is the girls mainly stick to the front yard, and my sister-in-law and I've done a dodgy fix it job until we can get the fence fixed properly, to keep the chickens in and other animals out. Though with the wind building up again today I don't know how long it's going to last, (Apparently not long - I just had to go out mid-post with my sister-in-law and fix our patch job). We also had to give Salt a bit of a wash down - hence the reason she looks wet while sitting in my hands.

Just in case you're wondering, this is the awesome patch job we've done until the insurance company can come out and do its thing. It's a hodge-podge of old fencing panels and other bits and pieces zip-tied together with a rake and other bits and pieces helping hold it all up... LOL... It doesn't have to work forever - it just has to work for right now.

The rest of my jobs today involve cleaning out the kitchen cupboards, drawers, and fridge/freezer. going through stuff to see what I want to keep and what can go to the op shop... 2022 is going to be the year I get minimalistic. The reality is - if I'm not using it - why the hell am I holding on to it? I could give it to a charity shop where other people can find a new home for it.

Quick Update

Today I have a massive headache. Not sure if it's just a headache━the start of another migraine━or has to do with the perforation in my right ear. I'm off to the doctor today, so maybe he'll be able to give me something to alleviate it.

On a writing note: I finally finished going through the already written wordage I have on The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You, and fixing a few things here and there. Now, I'm actually on to writing the last 47K of the story.

Also at the same time, I'm re-reading the whole Wardens of the Guild series... Sad to say I need to refresh my memory on where I was actually heading with this story. I seem to have lost the plot notes━I had them written in longhand━hence the reason I need to re-read everything, so I can finish writing #4: Gilded Cages.

Today's Agenda

Today I'm starting back on finishing writing The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You. I'm hoping to be finished with this one by mid-December. If I can stick to this schedule, then I'll definitely get Wardens of the Guild 4: Gilded Cages by the end of the year. Though I'll have to go back and re-read all of this series so I remember where I'm going with this series. Not that I've actually forgotten. I just want to get back into the headspace of all my characters in this series.

Each night, I'm still working through my basic plotting for next year's writing schedule. I'll be happy to just have a basic plan because we all know I never stick to them. but at least I have an idea where I need each series to head.

Done & Dusted

 

NaNoWriMo

50,352 Words

 

Wrote the last words on Misty River 1: The Calm to My Storm at 3pm today. I felt amazing. So now I can focus on my last two stories for the year... I'm actually feeling pretty good about getting this done now. I'll go back at a later date to polish it into a proper manuscript.

On an even better brighter note, I finally found the missing plot notes on Rebel Rousers MC 1: Sin With A Grin. and a partial for #2: Broken Winged Angel. Trust me when I replotted #1 & #2 they are completely different.

Almost Done...

 

I have 4K to go on Misty River 1: The Calm to my Storm. So I should be finished by Wednesday at the latest. I won't say it will be a completed manuscript as it is all written in scenes. I'll have to go back and rearrange them, and link them all together so they make sense for the reader. I also need to add a few more intimate details... I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been fun writing this book. Even though in parts it has taken on a darker path than I normally write.

Today I'm off to swimming lessons with my two granddaughters> Grace and Harper. Then I'll come home and do some more writing and get a little further ahead.

It's raining here again today. so it's definitely going to be another indoors day for me. We've been doing yard work in between the showers. Everything is starting to look really nice. It should all look lovely by Christmas time. Okay, on that note I will talk to you all on a whole other day.

Time Out

 

I took the time out while writing to just sit, and this is what was happening right in front of me. These things were flying everywhere and some were mating others where I assume laying eggs in holes in wood. I just can't believe I actually managed to take a couple of pictures before this amorous couple flew away. They were actually sitting on the concrete at my feet... and when he was done with whatever round I saw, the one on top picked the other up and flew away and landed in the grass a little ways out from where I was sitting.

I'm not sure if you can see it in the picture but if you zoom in you can see the bottom one is carrying a shit-ton of eggs. It was amazing to watch, as the one on top, its wings were moving so fast. I sat there for at least 45 minutes watching them before they flew off. The whole experience was actually mesmerizing, as I've never actually seen anything like it before.

IN OTHER NEWS: I have just under 10K to go on my NaNoWriMo> Misty River 1: Calm to my Storm. I will be glad when I'm finished, so I can get back what I'm actually supposed to be writing. I still have to try and finish off. The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You, & Wardens of the Gild 4: Gilded Cages for 2021.

Still Feeling Like Crap

 

Don't let the cuteness fool you. Robson was a pain in the arse all night long and kept waking me up. Really I can't totally blame my shitty night on him. The medicine I'm on for my ears is giving me wicked hot flushes and I feel like I have a heartbeat in my ear... But hopefully, all of this will be worth it and the perforation in my ear will heal fast.

I have found an editor for my work that needs redoing... her name is Leigh Walker. I think we are going to work well together. And I've had some wonderful Authors helping me with trying to figure out how to self-publish> Lynn Lorenz, Kathleen Kelly, and Bronwyn Heeley. I know I'll have more questions for them at some stage in the future. So for right now, I thank them all dearly.

I've to first figure out how to set up my author page on Amazon. Apparently, I already had one. I just needed to update it━a lot. But that's the first part done. I've to learn to become better at self-promotion. because currently I totally suck at it. I'll probably have to get tips from someone on how to do it.

I've Tracey Soxie Weston is going to hopefully work on some new covers for me. So I feel like I've everything back on track. I now can go through and change what needs changing and get them back out as fast as possible... for the most part, I know they're okay, there are just a couple I need to fix.

If I Was Smarter

 

I woke up this morning and could have slapped my own head. Why you ask? Because it hit me at 34K into my NaNoWriMo, if I was smarter, I would have started writing a story that actually had something to do with one of the four series I plan on writing next year. It would have at least gotten one of the books off of my list. But, did I? No, not me. I'm writing the first book in a completely different series.

I'm just going to blame it on the fact that I was excited to be writing again that I didn't even think through my plans all that well. And, this isn't even a series I can incorporate into next year's lot, because all of those ones will eventually cross paths.

My ears are still out of whack, but I'm headed to the doctor tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some antibiotics & drops to clear everything up. At least they're not hurting, they just feel weird... but I'm used to it as I've had bad ears my whole life.

My mum is 89 and she got a bee in her bonnet yesterday, and I had to put up our Christmas decorations for her. Not that we have a lot because we have two cats (Oliver and Robson) who would just shred anything too elaborate. Especially, Robson, he's my devil cat.

Okay, I'm off now to get some more writing done.

I Feel Like Sh!t Today

I feel like total sh!t today. My ears are out of whack. At the moment it is only in the right one, but that could all change. On top of that, all my bones seem to be aching. Especially, in the lower part of my spine.

So today, I have been taking things very slowly. I have been a little dizzy each time I move. I'm going to the doctor on Tuesday, for my bi-annual check-up. I'll figure what's the go then. Until Tuesday, I'll just take it easy.

At least I did manage to write some on NaNoWriMo to keep my daily writing in check. And I worked out what I want to try and work on for next year WIPS wise... I've chosen 4 series that will crossover throughout, the year. They should keep me busy. Plus, I'll still write my one The Connelly Chronicles 4: Just Good Friends to keep that story going.  The 4 series I'll work on will be as follows:

Brother McCrieve MC (6 books)

Mountain Made (6 books)

Quaide's Crossing (6 books)

Rebel Rousers MC (6 books)

Crazy Weather

 

The weather has been muggy as hell here lately. We had a bit of a thunderstorm yesterday. It has been raining on and off for the last couple of days. Luckily, I got the mowing done... I had to actually do it during one of the lighter showers. Though, it's put a bit of a damper on us finishing the garden.

I've just spent freaking hours looking for one of my stories... It just disappeared from my computer, and all the places I stored it. I finally remembered sending it in for submission. So, my saving grace was being able to go back through my emails and resave what I had sent... The question is ━How the hell did I lose the whole manuscript?

I'm going to have to be more careful and make sure everything is where it should be before 2022 rolls around. Gonna need to buy some storage devices to start having extra places so I can't lose my stuff. It makes me tired when I think of all the hours of work I would have lost if the manuscript would have been gone for good.

Okay, I'm off to do a bit of writing now.

Keeping On Track

 

I'm happy to announce I'm still on track and just over halfway through NaNoWriMo... Misty River 1: The Calm to my Storm. I didn't think I would do it, but I'm glad that I have.

This has been my launch back into the writing world. I have been busy in my real life. But, that's enough about that for the time being, because our real lives never end.

Also, I think I may have solved my problem from the last post. I'm in talks with someone on how to do what needs to be done. I won't say too much until I am 100% sure what's actually happening. I'm kind of excited about it all.

This means I'll still be on track to get The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You, and Wardens of the Guild 4: Gilded Cages (which ends the series).

Bummer... But Understandable.

 

Like the title says...bummer... just found out one of my publishing houses is winding down━MLRPress who is where I first became a published author way back in 2010. I can understand the why of it all, so on my part, there are no hard feelings, as this pandemic has knocked the world on its arse.

I would like to thank all the wonderful people I worked with while I was an author at MLRPress (I suppose, I really still am until I get my rights back) I've had some wonderful editors and cover artists since being there. I also liked the interaction I had with everyone through each and every step of getting my novels/novellas out to my readers. 

The one time I actually attended GRL in Albuquerque and got to meet everyone was an awesome experience for me. Laura B and Kris J are both wonderful people who answered any question I had no matter how weird it might have been.

I guess now I'll have to start reassessing my work. Figuring out which series I want to get rehoused. If anyone has a preference don't be shy in leaving a comment here, or message me via Facebook. I'm still going to be writing and plodding along. 

Talk to you all soon.

Just When I thought...

 

Just when it looked like we were at the end of unloading all the topsoil. My sister-in-law and I decided to start on the next project. Which has us unloading ute loads more until we are once more done... By the time 2022 gets here our yard is going to look completely different (in a good way).

I'm at 10K on my NaNoWriMo project> Misty River 1: Calm in the Storm. I'm happy that I am a little ahead of schedule there. It's getting me back into the swing of writing. So I know if I can get this done, then I can definitely finish The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You by December 31st

I have to duck downtown this morning and pick up a few groceries for both parts of our household. I want to get there before it gets too hot for walking. I enjoy my time as I walk downtown as it gives me a chance to sort through some of the issues my characters are having in their stories and trust me right now they have some issues...LOL.

I'm still getting myself organised to begin writing fully in 2022. I'm trying to set everything up so that it's easier on me. I really want to reach all of my writing goals in 2022. Not that I know what they are as yet. I'll let you know as soon as I do. When I do I'll once more use my WordPress blog purely as my writing blog.

NaNoWriMo.

 

This year for NaNoWriMo, I'm writing the first draft of my new series Misty River 1: Calm in the Storm. This is the book I'm feeling at the moment. My main characters are Travis Hendrix & Carli Voss. I'm happy to announce that on day two I'm ahead in my wordage. Let's hope it stays that way.

My draft will be written in scenes and then at the end, I'll go back and link them all together in the right sequence. So the story makes sense. In my head, it makes perfect sense. I just need it to do the same for my readers.

Still working on cleaning out my Dropbox. It feels like a never-ending job some days. Just when I think I have a plan of action, something comes along to derail it. I absolutely hate it being so cluttered and disorganized. 

It's all overcast here again today, so we might be in for some more rain. At least I managed to get the mowing done. We also got all the topsoil down in preparation for the new sod which is coming tomorrow. The yard will look so different grassed again, and not all patchy.

On that note, I will away as I need to get back and do some more writing. Talk to you all again soon.

Today I Am...

 

Today I am still trying to sort out the mess my Dropbox has become. I have no clue how I let it become so messed up. But over today and tomorrow, I need to get it cleared out and set up for next year. I don't want to find myself in this position again. I feel like I'm losing my mind while going through everything as I sometimes have the same thing saved multiple times. why the hell would I do that? now I'm reading through everything to see if they are different. I know I can tell by the date which is the latest version, but not which is the best version. I must have kept them all for a reason, right?

Also still doing yard work with my brother, and sister-in-law, I think we still have at least one more ute load of dirt to unload before the sod arrives this week. I can tell you my armpits are sore from shoveling it all and for some reason the backs of my thighs. It will be well worth it once it is all done.

Today I'm cooking Silverside, sloppy peas, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, and white sauce for lunch. I can't wait it's going to be delicious. It already smells wonderful, and I've only just started cooking it.

I'm tired today. I've been having crappy nights of sleep of late. we've had a few thunderstorms. I've also had restless cats who think nighttime is the best time to wrestle in the middle of my bed. It has also been freaking hot as Hades here.

I also have to find the time this week to mend my granddaughter's toy dog. Each of them has a replica of the same toy dog I had as a child. They are probably the same age as mine (50 years old), but Gracie needs it to take to her other nana's house. So it looks like I will need to track down my sewing kit and fix poor MD3 up for her.

I Just Can't Win (Part 2)

 

Sometimes I just suck at adulting. Last week I went grocery shopping and lost my car keys, and had to backtrack through all the shops until I found where I'd left them.

This week I went grocery shopping and lost my damn phone. Luckily, either the cleaner found it or someone handed it into the cleaner and I managed to get it back. I fricken hate that with my headaches, my mind seems to be all over the place.

What the hell am I going to lose next week? They say it always happens in threes. The question is how long will it take me to find it?

Other than that I have been working on my schedule for  2022. As in making up a working calendar, so I can mark everything off and try and keep myself on track.

Also been doing a bit of yard work with my brother & sister-in-law, trying to get it all done before the summer heat hits us full-on. Summer would have to be my least favourite season of the year. I much prefer the cooler months of the year.

I'm finally getting my car serviced on Tuesday. My poor baby needs it. Not that she's sounding tired or anything, but I have neglected her of late, and it's her time to get pampered.

Okay, I'm off, as I have to get back to work on some more of my new story ideas... meaning I have to type up the notes and work on the synopsis... find character inspirational pictures. I'll talk to you all again on a whole other day.

I Just Can't Win...

 

Seriously, for some weird reason, they stopped making the Throaties that I usually like to use. So I ended up getting some orange-flavoured Soothers and got slammed with the worst fricken headache/migraine ever. Today the doctor tells me, yeah, maybe I shouldn't take any more throat lozenges. Especially,  if they're of the hard variety because there's something in them that just doesn't agree with me. Now I have the strong migraine tablets, so hopefully, it will knock it on its head. Plus, I might shave my hair off again and see if that will ease the pressure some.

I want to sleep. But know if I sleep the day away, I won't sleep tonight and it will roll over into me winding up with insomnia, which is something I'd like to avoid at all costs.

I'm still working on organising all of my WIPS for next year's writing schedule. Not sure if I'm getting anywhere with them, but at least they are making more sense to me. Right now, I'm working on Angellom Hall notes.

Today I helped my brother fix the screen door (& by helped I mean I stood there and watched as he did all the work). He had to put on new rollers and re-hang it back up. It's good that the door isn't just leaning up against the wall of the front veranda now. Why I hear you ask? Because it means my brother who has cancer was well enough to do it, and he was sick like he has been for so long.

Well, it's time for me to go now as I have to get my mum's lunch organised (seeing as I am her carer). I cooked a beautiful spaghetti bolognese. I enjoy cooking, especially if it's something I like. I won't say I'm a great cook. I'm more a hungry man's/woman/s cook. Plain edible food.

Em's Turn

 

Been a long time

since we had some music playing

hope you enjoy 10 of

what I'm currently listening to.

About To Rain Again

 It's going to be raining again today, we are slotted for another storm. The sky is getting all dark and cloudy. I'm hoping it won't hit until later this afternoon so that the chickens have enough time to run around and stretch their legs before they all have to hunker down in the garden. My brother and sister-in-law might be home later today. The chicken will go ballistic when they see them, especially the two that just adore my brother. If they aren't home today they'll be home tomorrow.

Sheesh, I was in the middle of watching a show when my mum (who is almost 90 & has dementia) walks in and turns over the tv to what she wanted to watch. Oh, the joys of being a carer. I don't watch a lot of tv, but when I do I'd like to be able to finish the show.

Today I gotta buy a cord that goes from my phone to my tablet and then figure out how to get the photos off my phone. It shouldn't be too hard━I hope. They just take up too much room on my phone. I wish I was more cluey about this sort of stuff.

With the weather alternating between wet & dry for the past week, I think I'm getting a sore throat again. I'm hoping that I don't get as sick as I did last time. I've already started on soothers and hopefully, that will knock it on its head before it actually turns into a cough as I don't want to pass it onto my mother like I did last time, as she still hasn't fully recovered. It messed with her hearing, which we are still getting treated.

I'm still cleaning out my Dropbox and going through everything━cleaning out the crap and only keeping the stuff I think I'll actually work on. I still had stuff on there from some of my old publishing houses━just taking up room. I won't get rid of it, just move it all to a USB or my external hard drive, because you never know when you might need it in the future. I want to be more minimalist (not sure if that is the right word) maybe proficient might be better in 2022 when it comes to my writing, and I want to be able to find stuff in my Dropbox without going hunting for it all the damn time.

Today's Agenda

It's been a few days since I was last on. we've been having a few thunderstorms. and I don't like being on my computer while those are around. We are due for another one at some stage today, but while it's fine I thought I'd get my blog written and posted. One of my main things to do today is to try and figure out how to get all the photos off of my phone and onto a USB or my external hard drive... I hate it when I have to figure out how to do it... Yes, I know I should have figured this out already, but the updates are still kicking my arse. I need to try and free up some space on my phone. Once I learn how to do it━it will be easy the next time I have to do it.

I've been looking after the chickens since my brother and sister-in-law have gone off on their vacation. let me tell you. Broody chickens are a pain in the butt. They always want to get their own way and get cranky as hell when I have to put them in the pens so they don't get back onto the nests.

I've also seemed to have pulled a muscle in my lower back and down into the back of my right thigh, but that could just be my sciatica playing up again. I hope not because I was doing so well health-wise. Only having the odd headache lately which I was thankful for.

Today I'm also going to clean out some more of my Dropbox. I just need to find my multi-plugin so I can use more than one thing on my tablet at a time. I know what it's in. I just can't remember where I put it for safekeeping. Hopefully, I'll find it today.

Stop Looking━ I Found It.

 

Okay, I'm still in cleaning out my Dropbox mode. Who knew I had so much crap I've stored in there. Stuff that I'll probably never used again. So, I'm painstakingly working my way through it all and discarding what I deem is useless to me, and transfer other things to my external hard drive.

You will all be happy to know I eventually found the missing NSI from yesterday, Woden's Wolves MC 1: Rescue Me (Ezra & Sophie). I'm glad I didn't lose it for good. It was still in longhand in my folder, so for that, I'm very grateful. --------------------------------------------> This guy is Ben Dahlhaus (I think) and he is the inspiration for all of the Fuller brothers in my story━for me this is my Ezra Fuller. I have four different versions of him for all of my brothers = Ezra, Ezekiel (Zeke), Elex, & Ethaniel (Thaniel).

<--------------------- This is my Sophie Thornwell... Shelley Hennig is my inspiration for her. This story is really talking to me at the moment. So I like working on it. I try and do a little bit each day. Just to get myself head for when I do come to actually getting around to typing the whole thing up... let's just say, I'll have a lot of notes down to write the story.

But if the truth be told. This isn't the only NSI I've been writing notes up on. I have a ton I need to sort through. I did something stupid and forgot to number the pages, and label which pages belong to which NSI... I can hear you all laughing at me, and I don't blame you. I wanna kick my own arse. It'll take a little bit to separate them back to where they all belong and hopefully not mix them all up again... I'll let you know how it all goes. Feel free to leave me a message to make sure I'm keeping everything where it's supposed to be.

What the Absolute Fruitcake Hell?

 

Okay, as you can tell by the heading, I'm trying not to fricken swear. Why does everything have to update itself at the same time so that I don't have the foggiest how anything works anymore.

1) My phone updated.

2) My computer updated.

3) My WordPress updated.

4) My blogger seems to have updated as well, and now I have to try and figure out how to change anything.

Also, I have been trying to clean out my computer and reorganize all my files as they seem to have exploded over the last 9 months. I'm spending the next week or so just getting that job done. I would ask the muse that lives inside my head to help but he took off on vacation━again.

In case there are those of you who are wondering what Vlad looks like to me. I will provide a picture. I don't know who this guy is, but this is as close a match to how my Vladimir (Vlad). He's been with me since I was about 12. Usually, he's really helpful. Right now, not so much. Except my Vlad's beard isn't as bushy, and he doesn't wear hoodies.

Okay, now that that is out of the way, back to what I was talking about. Today I am trying to add all the new stories to my WIPS list. I've also been typing up some of my new story idea notes before I lose them like I usually do. I'm actually looking for one, but I can't find it━I'm just hoping that I haven't already misplaced it.

The weather is heating up here, it's getting up to around 32⁰ Celcius so fricken hot. I'll try and keep you updated on how I'm going. Wish me luck on finding my missing story.

I think I'm back

 

Okay, So as you can tell from my last post I was knocked on my arse with an illness. No sooner had I come good when my mum came down with the same damn thing, so I've been looking after her. though with her... she also lost her hearing. So it has been trying times for us. I can tell you that our illness is not Covid related which is a good thing.

I haven't had much time for working on my current books, but I have been writing some notes on future books... both the MM and MF variety. I have also been catching up on my reading and re-reading a few favorites.

Hopefully, I am well and truly on the mend and can get back into my writing full-time. I have been missing it... and hopefully, I'll be on here talking to you a lot more and letting you all know what's going on.

Sometimes Life Sucks...

 

Well, just when I thought I was over my bout of bronchitis━the bitch is back with a vengeance. Seriously, I am so over coughing.

On other news: I may not have been writing, but I have been working on story notes, and I have emailed Kris Jacen and asked for an update on the 4 stories that she has of mine for editing. Hopefully, I'll be able to let you know more about those soon.

So what has been happening in my life since last I spoke with you all...

1> we have been in and out of lockdown in my part of SE Queensland, Australia━masks are still mandatory, and might be so until Christmas. Not that it worries me, except it fogs my glasses up when I have to venture out into the world.

2> Found out I'm going to be a grandma again. My daughter is set to have another baby girl in December━Maddison Ava Pacey will be joining the family. I can't wait to see how her two big sisters handle having a new baby in the house.

3> I've taken my brother to his chemo appointment during the lockdown and got to spend quite a few hours in my car waiting for him━thank God for my kindle. Seriously, I just laid my back seats down in my car and crawled on in, and made myself as comfortable as possible.

4> I've been doing a bit of yard work with my brother and sister-in-law━getting ready for a new driveway, and new patio near the chicken coop. We still have a bit more to go until it's complete, but once it's done. It'll look pretty good.

5> I'm freaking tired━from coughing so much I have a permanent headache and sore chest. I'm not actually sick at all. I just can't stop coughing (not covid related at all).  And for the life of me, I can't seem to stay focused on anything for long periods of time. I gotta hope things will get back to normal soon.

Playing Catch Up

 

Over the past few months, I have been through some tough times. A lot of shit has happened since the last time I was on here. Covid is still running rampant throughout the world and now I have finally had my first shot. I go back for the second one on the first of October.

I haven't been doing much writing of late because of some family stuff that has been going on that I have been dealing with. Also, I lost my internet for a little bit, now that I have it back I am in full-on catch-up mode.

There are so many story ideas running around inside my head at the moment, that I don't know where to start. I have a hope that I will come back stronger than I was before. I may never be famous in what I do, but at least it makes me happy, and if my stories touch one person then I know I achieved what I set out to do.

I'm trying to get everything up to date. So I'm no longer running behind on everything. I need to my head back into writing mode once more and used o spending time at my computer each day. I'll have to build my typing speed back up again. 

There are so many good things to look forward to in life. I'm hoping they'll outway the bad shit to come. I realise I now need to make plans to help ease the way for the future I see for myself.

Whoops!!!

 

I may have accidentally gone to give myself a haircut and forgot to put the comb on the clippers. So I had to shave it all off right to the scalp. Usually, I am a #1. Luckily, my hair grows really fast and it should be back... My head just wasn't in the game that day. I was worried about my brother who had been carted off to the hospital, and my daughter and granddaughters were all under the weather... But no use crying over spilled milk━or shaved heads as the case may be.

I've had the grandbabies nearly all week. It's looking like poor Harper (the youngest one) is allergic to something. She has huge welts all over her poor little body. Today I'm catching up on all the chores I didn't do during the week... My hands smell like laundry detergent.

I think I might try some new recipes in March so that we aren't constantly eating the same things over and over. I've joined some foodie groups on Facebook to get some ideas (budget-friendly meals) Because 99.9% of my meals are home-cooked. that way I know what goes into them and I know I won't have an adverse reaction to them.

This Weekend...

 

So, I'm currently filling in all the BIF's (Book information forms) that will eventually get me covers for the books I just resent to the wonderful Kris J at MLRPress. I want to have the 4 of them done and back to her by tomorrow afternoon. 

I couldn't work on them yesterday, as I had my granddaughter's over Grace 2 & Harper 8 months... and poor Gracie wasn't feeling the best. So I spent a lot of the day cuddling and watching Noddy and Cocomelon. 

I also heard my Pride Publishing books have begun preparation of being translated and audio. I don't really know much about that process, but I'll let you know more when I find out. It's all so exciting.

My brother is also sick at the moment, so I have been helping out there wherever I can. For most of last week, I was on chicken duty. Looking after his chickens while he had a few days away before starting his chemo treatment. Weirdly, at one stage, I used to be scared to death of the chickens. Now I can even pick them up.

I'm Back!!!

 

I have been slack━there I admitted it. But that is about to come to an end. I have two deadlines I have to meet. Wardens of the Guild 4: Gilded Cages is due on March 15th, and The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You on April 30th... both are for Pride Publishing.

In other news. Seeing as I haven't heard from MLRPress editor for a while, I got in touch with my EIC and ended up sending everything to her so that I can keep moving forward... So she now has Hidden Hearts 2: One Last Kiss Goodbye... Sons of Evenmore 3: Fear the Scarlet Moon... Moon Runners 1: Heart-mate, Mine!.. Moon Runners 2:  I Won't Let You Go... Also, I realised I had no clue what happened to Hidden Hearts 1: Harder & Harder to Breathe... So, I asked her to check on what was happening to that as well.

Other than that, I still have a ton of doctor appointments with the family, but what else is new. I'm still going through and getting rid of more of the shyte that keeps collecting in my house. I truthfully have no clue where it comes from. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear someone was sneaking it in when I went to sleep each night.

OMG

 

Now you would have thought I would have hurt myself exercising. No. Not me. I hurt myself (pulled a muscle in my chest) by moving pots around in my cat enclosure garden. All because my elderly mother decided they needed to be moved. Dang,━it hurts like a bitch.

But sadly, it hasn't completed all the crap I still need to clean out of my house, (clutter wise). I'm still trying to get rid of everything I don't use, or need. Because it's just stuff sitting around collecting dust. Why the hell does it feel like the clutter multiplies when I'm not looking? This year I'm determined to break myself of buying stuff I really don't need, and won't use.

I even got rid of all the clothes I was hanging onto and never wore. Usually, I pass them onto my sister and then she goes through them and what she doesn't want she'll either cut up for craft or give to the thrift shop for someone else.

On the plus side, everyone in my finally remembered to weigh in. So now I have put all their numbers into the chart. 

I'm going o have to Email my editor again to find out what the go is with the next book we are going to work on, because I haven't heard back from her. I hope she is okay. I'll let you know when I do.

Okay...

 

1) I'm on day 6 of my exercise plan of 2021, and let's just say that my whole body is hurting, but I'm not quitting. Today, I even managed to work out for an hour instead of the normal 30 minutes. Also, I'm not on any specific diet, as I already eat pretty healthy. I have to because of my thyroid. You don't want to mess with that fucker.

2) I've managed to gain 4 more people to join my weigh-in Fridays. If any of you all want to get in on this, drop me a message, and we can then talk, and I'll add you in. It's way easier to work out with someone else, even if they are total strangers. They keep you motivated to stay on track. Even my brother told me his wish of how much he wants to lose by the end of the year... So I'm going to try and keep him motivated as well.

3) At the moment, I am having some wicked-arsed hot flushes that are driving me nuts. They hit me at all hours of the day and night. I could live without them, especially when we are having unusually humid weather on top of it all.

4) I need to get a little CD player, or hopefully, Emily will find the iPod dock. So I can listen to music while I work out. My stereo died on me. I actually have to pull it apart, so I can get the 3 CD's out that are stuck in it now.

5) Well, Daisy (my granddaughter's cat), went home yesterday. So my house is getting back to normal. Less cat hair everywhere at least. I'm actually off to do my grocery shopping today. I'm so not looking forward to that

Random thoughts & weird things I notice.

 

I babysat my two very adorable granddaughters for New Year's Eve, and I notice some strange things that should be bloody impossible. The youngest one Harper (6 months) has my ex-husbands grin. Considering he was my daughter's stepfather, you would think impossible, right? I know my daughter and I do, but even Emily has pointed it out to me. Sadly even Grace, the older girl, will look at us in a certain way and Emily and I will both go... well she's conjuring Steve, (ex-hubby). The reason we both think this is weird is that neither girl has ever met the man. He was long gone before they entered the world.

I heard recently (like yesterday) from someone, that not long after we split up that his mother died, which I was very sorry to hear. Mum Nielsen was a lovely lady, always had a smile and a laugh, and boy could she cook. I'll never forget the day she was at our house and making some sort of sweets with Emily, and the cream exploded all over the kitchen. She will be missed by all that knew her. The person who told me also sent a recent pic of Steve and it was a bit of a shock. He's put on a bit of weight and is growing out his hair. I should also add he looked happy. He was standing with his sisters. It makes me a little sad that he missed out on what would have been his grandchildren's lives as I know his other stepchild has also had a child since Steve left... But what he misses out on, I get to have all the time and I love every minute of being with them.

I've also started on trying to figure out what else I can get rid of to declutter my house some more. Seriously, I think I just get sick of looking at all the crap that I get too lazy to put away, so it has to go. If it's not here I won't leave it lying around. For the whole month of January, I'm working on my bedroom, because that's the place that's my worst, as it not only has my stuff but the bottom three shelves of all 4 bookcases are filled with the girl's toys. I need to get some baskets to keep them all in, so I don't have to look at them each and every day. I also need to go through all the DVDs and get rid of the ones I no longer watch.  They are just taking up room and I don't actually need them any more.

I want to make it easier for me to dust. I live on a fairly busy street, so every damn day it gets as dusty as hell in my house.

Hello 2021

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR:

Hopefully, this year will be a new beginning for us all. I know that everything is still up in the air with Covid still running rampant throughout the world.

I'm still working on that writing list for this year. I'm going to be happy if I even just get another 6 written. That will hopefully make 11 for the year if the 5 already in edits line up to get done. I'm not sure what ones I'll work on yet. I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out.

I'm still having trouble with my spine so I have to do a bit more to get my weight down some more. This is the year I hopefully get it done. No fad diets for me, I'm doing it the slow methodical way... through healthy-ish eating and exercise. If there is anyone out there who wants to get in on my weight loss plan let me know and we can cheer each other on. I'll add you to my charts and keep track of you along with myself and vice versa. I know sometimes it's easier to diet/lose weight if you're doing it with someone else for support━even if it is a total stranger. I'm hoping the extra weight loss will help with my migraines.

This year I'm trying something different and writing myself up a 5-year plan which will hopefully keep me on track with not only my diet but get my budget back on track and my debt to be non-existent. Actually, I'm hoping to teach the kids how to manage their own money better.

I'm hoping that everyone stays safe in the year ahead. Remember to tell everyone who matters that you love them because you never knows what the future may bring. Though I'm going to believe that 2021 has to be better than 2020 for so many different reasons for us all. This will also be the year I try and reconnect with you all.