Long Day

 

Today I woke up with a massive headache. Nothing has dulled it at all. Not even my strong migraine pills. So because of the headache, I also woke up very tired. The good news is when I weighed in this morning. I hadn't lost any weight, but I also hadn't put any on. So I'm counting that as a win.

I spent this morning taking Mum up to Toowoomba to get her new glasses checked, she only got them two weeks ago, but they seemed off. It turns out they had the wrong prescription in them. So, now we have to wait for another week and a half for the new ones to come back. At least we didn't have to pay for the replacements.

I was going to come home and wash, but it is all overcast, and has been lightly showering. I think I'll do the smart thing and see how tomorrow fares. Nothing worse than not being able to get all the clothes dry.

Soon I'm going to venture into the world of potty training my third granddaughter. I need to buy a heap of little undies to have on hand for her. Thank God I have wooden floors. I'm hoping to have her completely out of nappies by the end of the year. Mainly because nappies are so damn expensive. I was actually supposed to be looking after two of them this afternoon, but lucky for me I get the day off as their dad is home. He'll have them today, and it'll be back to our normal routine tomorrow... I should mention their dad is a long haul trucker, and Mar-Mar (me) looks after the girls (Grace, Harper, & Rae-Rae) when their mum works or is at some other event with one of the kids.

Okay, Later Gates:- I'll talk to you all on a whole other day.

My Week

 

My head is pounding today. It was my youngest granddaughter's 1st birthday. It was loud, but it wasn't too hot. But because I wasn't feeling 100%  it was so draining. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves.

Good news: the new handrail our landlord installed at our back stairs, is a godsend and worked so fricken well. So much easy for getting Mum in and out of the house.

Bad news: my specialist appointment has been rescheduled for 4 days later so I'm now going on January 10th. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer.

I watched Wednesday on Netflix... I must admit, I kind of enjoyed it. I hope they make a season 2. I even liked most of the characters. I did figure out who the baddies were early on, but it didn't take anything away from watching it. I guess I'll have to find something else to watch now... Don't suggest Sons of Anarchy because I couldn't get into that show. I just didn't like half the characters.

Still been working on getting my story notes together. It's slow going, but it'll be worth it in the end. At the moment I'm trying to work out a better way to keep things organized in each file... I want each story file to be more uniform. So I can find things more easily when looking for information. I'm thinking the excel files are the best way and then the character files with their picture.

Tired of being sick...

Every damn time I think I'm finally on the mend, something else comes out to bite me on the arse and drag me down into the land of the sick. I seem to be on a constant roll. I throw my back out, then I get the flu (not Covid), then I can't kick the cough for months, then I get a double ear infection, a touch of Ross River Fever, then I get some viral infection (I should tell you I really hate spewing), then I throw my back out again from spewing... on top of all that I have a migraine from hell... I now have another inner ear infection.

Then to top off my year of what else can they throw at me. I find out that for the last 12 years they have been giving me the wrong thyroid medication and now I have to go and see a specialist... which I can't get in to see until January 6th, 2023... I'm hoping once I have the correct diagnosis and the correct medication is given, my body will start acting the way it is supposed to. I'm tired of being tired.

I shouldn't complain because no matter how bad I think I have it there are always those out there that have it worse off than me. I have it really mild compared to some and I should be grateful. 

I have been working on organizing all of my notes for next year so I can fully immerse myself back into writing again. Today I have been working on Misty River1: Calm to My Storm. This is the first book in a new MF series that I have been working on. At this stage, I plan on three, but there very well could be more. you never know with me.

Getting There

I babysat my grandkids today, while their parents moved some more moving. only a couple of more loads to go and it will all be done... anyway, getting back to my story. They were mostly well-behaved. Let me amend that... the eldest and the youngest were. The middle child, which I have lovingly dubbed Hurricane. Well, she was a whole other story. I don't think she even knows the meaning of the word quiet. And yes, I know she is only two, but boy can she get loud. Yet, she's so darn cute when she's doing it. Sometimes I wish it was legal to duct tape her to a chair so I could get five minutes of peace and quiet, but I bet she'd figure her way out of it within the first minute. Today Hurricane nearly dislocated my freaking thumb. The pain almost put me on my arse. Now hours later it is still aching, but nowhere like it was when it first happened.

I'm still so bloody tired from helping with my daughter's move. It feels like all my bones and muscles are aching. I think I may have pulled something.

The weather is heating up around here, even if it is still raining. I'm thinking it's time to start up the aircon for summer. If we don't we are going to swelter, and I don't like to swelter at any time.

My new glasses should be arriving any day now, and I can't wait for them to arrive. Hopefully, they'll help me see a little better. Especially my new sunglasses.

I'm rewatching the X-Files I haven't watched them in years. So far, I'm enjoying them. I tried watching Sons of Anarchy, but I'm not sure whether I like it or not. So I stopped.

I've been working on E.P.I.C.1: What Hides Behind The Shadows trying to get a start on next year's body of work. Like I said, I'm not sure where I'm headed, but at the moment the storyline is flowing and that's all I can say. I'm also still working on Brothers McCrieve MC1: Justice.

I've Never Felt So Tired

Okay, at the moment I'm looking after my brother and sister-in-law's chickens while they are away on holiday. It's been raining here nearly the whole time so it's been a bit crazy weather-wise.

Also, my daughter and her family have been moving house... so I have been helping pack and unpack their belongings. I thought I had a lot of possessions, but I have nothing on them. At least the new house doesn't seem to have the mold problem that the old place had━well, it hasn't shown it thus far. The new house also has enough bedrooms for them all to have one of their own, and for the kids to have a toy room.

My granddaughter's strawberries have finally started fruiting, so she is going to be happy. She loves gardening with Grandma, but we have to move our veg patch into pot plants. as the side of the hill isn't working for us. Grace and I aren't the most coordinated of people.

I've been working on The 1st book in The Brothers McCrieve series. It has the main characters of  Justice McCrieve and Josaphine "Josie" Brookes. I'm not sure where it's going just yet, but I'm thinking I like the flow so far. It's going to be one of those books where there's a crossover with other series.

This song has been stuck in my head for days. So I thought I'd share it with you all. I have no clue why other than it's an awesome song. But it's kind of been driving me nuts. I'm hoping this will at least free it from my head and make room for

Just Checking In...

I've had the worst year so far that I've ever had. I can't even blame it on Covid 19━touch wood that’s something I haven't yet had.

My migraines have been getting steadily worse. I'm going this week to see if it is a problem with my glasses. Maybe I'm due for a new prescription.

I've also been having a lot of trouble with my back and my upper arms...Yay!!! The joys of growing old. some would say 53 (almost 54) isn't old, but some days I feel 153.

Living in our rental as we have been since Christmas has been great. I even started a vegetable patch. The only problem with that is, I have to compete with the wildlife. They are so cute, I can't even be mad at them.

This year it seems like every time I turn around one of my family is ill. I went for a month at one stage where it felt like I was washing puked on things every single day. I know... I know... too much information. And yet, none of it was because of Covid 19━just the regular old flu. I swore if I started seeing an abundance of crows I was taking off because I'd seen 'The Stand' and I know how this was going to end. Luckily, everyone recovered.

Though I may not have had the chance to physically and mentally sit down and spend quality time writing. I did spend spare moments, scribbling notes for new story ideas. Trust me I have a whole passel of new ideas. some are MM some are MF. they range from sci-fi to Paranormal, to bikers, to small-town life, to dystopian. Pretty eclectic. Not sure what I'll work on first. Just know that I'll fix my writing list on here next year.

With me getting the rights back on my MLRPress books, I'm at a loss as to what I'm going to do with them just yet, and honestly, the end of this year is booked up with family (mostly doctor appointments). So I promise to think about it all next year. I do know I also want to branch out writing-wise next year and I hope I actually find the time to do just that.

My mum and both my cats (Oliver & Robson) are all doing okay. Though RobbyDobbs is as crazy as ever. His latest trick is to get as close as he can and silently fart, before running off. I swear he's laughing his arse off each and every time he does it.

I've also been trying to declutter some more of the house again. If I haven't used it since moving in, then I obviously don't need it. I'm just trying to simplify my life. better touch access. Someone (me) may or may not have been watching those let's get organized shows on Netflix... Mind you, I broke 3 of my new canisters in the first week. I so suck at this stuff.

Just Why?

Why is it that every time I stay away from the computer for any amount of time it seems like the settings change for everything? It'll now take me forever to relearn how to use my damn blogs again. I know it's my own damn fault, but gees... I hate that it's happened.

Today I have my eldest granddaughter with me (Grace is 4) so getting any real work done is put on hold until she is headed home. She doesn't understand grandma needs quiet time. So instead today we are going to plant some seeds and hopefully get them to grow... We already have lettuce... carrots... kent pumpkin... tomatoes X2... strawberries... chives... and parcley... now we are attempting black plum and sweet lemons.

On that note, I will say goodbye for today and talk more tomorrow when I don't have a little one trying to help me.

Halfway Through January Already...

 

The month is half over and so much has happened. For starters, Mum and I have moved house yet again. we are living out in the bush again. We have neighbours, but we are surrounded by nature as well and so many birds.

We moved the week leading up to Christmas, but I've only just organized the internet for the new place. I can finally say I have finished unpacking━which was a drama in itself seeing as I had a sore back for the whole move. I have to thank my son-in-law, Elliot, his friend, Shane, and my nephew, Jared for moving all of our stuff to the new place for us.

It's taking a little bit to find the perfect spots for everything, but we'll get there eventually. Just when I thought I was in the clear with my back I was cleaning the blinds at the new place and re-hurt it. so today I've taken my painkillers and I'm taking it easy, hopefully, it will be better tomorrow.

The cats seemed to have handled the move with ease, which worried me at first, but they have both found their places to relax and play. I love the house has wooden floors throughout, easy to clean. Now I'm getting the yard in order. Luckily for me, there isn't much to mow, and not much of a garden to speak of. I'm just doing the jobs a little at a time. No sense in wearing myself out. Also don't want to stuff my back up completely.

Now that I've found my computer again, I'll also start back on my writing schedule. I'll give you another update in the next few days.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tree Trimming

 

And I don't mean as in the Christmas tree kind. I have two unruly Hibiscus that need to be brought back under control. All the others (I have 4) are behaving, but these two have just gone ballistic. So I want to get it done before 2021 arrive = start the new year off on a good note type of deal.

I spent an hour this morning weeding the two outside garden beds. In the morning when it's cooler, I'll dive into the one inside the cat enclosure and clean it up as well. I should add that I'm not the greatest gardener in the world. And living where I do, most of my plants are drought-tolerant species.

The problem is I hate getting bitten by ants, I'm mildly allergic to them. They make me itch like crazy. I'm also mildly allergic to wasp and bee stings. I won't die from them I just swell up some and it hurts like hell.

Writing-wise: I've been taking note on a new series that I'm thinking of writing. I haven't got a name for it yet, as I'm still trying to flesh out the characters and scenarios... This will be an MF series. I'll let you know more when I do.

I'm also cat-sitting for a while young miss Daisy has come to stay. Baby, Harper and Mum, Emily both have a bad case of hay fever. Daisy is enjoying her time here with Robson and Oliver. They drive me nuts playing chasey through the house at all hours of the night. Through the day they are just happy to find a cool spot and sleep the day away.

Today I Am...

Today I am cooking a nice pasta sauce, most of the ingredients came out of my brother's garden. I can tell you it's smelling wonderful.

I'm also washing my daughter's doona because it doesn't fit into her machine. I have the largest machine so I quite often wash blankets for them. I don't mind doing it.

I have to whipper snip my small yard later when it warms up a bit... Maybe after lunch. Not that there is a hell of a lot to do. I also have to water all of my pot plants.

I'm also still going through the NSI notes and getting them organised. I found all the character pics for Angellom Hall yesterday. I'll finish typing up the notes, and then move onto the next story. I can't wait to start looking for the characters for Quaide's Crossing.

It's pretty cool here today, beanie and scarf weather. I might even have to pull on my half gloves/mittens. My house is always cool though. I hate washing on days like this, mainly because I have to touch the wet washing.

Spring... well, winter cleaning.

I've been slowly going through all my crap again and getting rid of more stuff I don't need. I don't know why I hold onto all of it. I'll never use it again, yet here it sits collecting dust and taking up space and I'm wondering why. So, it's definitely time to declutter.

I learnt that after having my 2-year-old granddaughter hear for about a week, she got into everything and found things I didn't even realise I still had. So it's definitely time for them to go. On a good note, she also found some of my missing story (series) notebooks. I'm glad to have those back.

Tomorrow, Miss Daisy (my granddaughter's cat) gets to go home. So Robson will lose his playmate, but I bet Oliver will be able to relax without the other two driving him insane all the time.

Also, the new health regime that I promised I'd start with my daughter starts today. I promised we'd stick at it for a year. Not a diet, just eating better and less at each meal. and exercising. Wish us luck. 

Harper Maree Pacey

This is my beautiful new granddaughter.

& with her big sister, Grace.

Working on...

Been working on an early draft if a new story idea called: Running Home to You. I thought it would get my mind back into writing mode and I can get back onto the books I'm supposed to be finishing. So I have set myself up a new working station in my bedroom away from all distractions. I got 3.5K written today.

I know I won't get anything down tomorrow as I have to look after my granddaughter, Grace, while her mother is at antenatal at the hospital she only has a few weeks to go until little Harper is born. So for me, tomorrow is a date of having a Toy Story Marathon... I was hoping she'd pick the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but she shut me down. our last Marathon was all musicals.

Grandkids, gotta love them.

Yes, that evil little grin was an omen as to how our shopping day was going to pan out. I know I am to blame for some of it as agreed to let her go into the PJ Mask adventure playground they had at the shopping mall (it's still school holidays here in Australia). I just didn't understand how much of a fight a 22-month-old little girl could put up when it was time to leave said adventure playground and finish our shopping.

Oh My God. She screamed from one end of the mall to the other. Not only that... she kept trying to throw herself out of the trolley to get back to the adventure playground. If Emily could have run off and left me with Grace I bet she would have.

I got gypped I tells you. $9 later Grace finally stops crying when she has  PJ Mask ball and a PJ Mask colouring book. $9 well spent in my opinion→ way cheaper than the shoes she was crying for. Am I teaching her bad habits? Probably. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. I have never heard anything like it, and once upon a time, I worked in childcare. 

Though next time they have something like that at the mall, I'm staying well clear of it or letting her parents take her. For starters, she was too little to be in there with the other kids and they kept knocking her down. And for the number of kids in there, there were only about three things to play on, so it was a disaster from the start.

Christmas Eve

It was the night before Christmas and all through my house. Not a creature was stirring━except for Robson, who thinks it's his god-given right to run around like a mad man and keep us all awake.

Actually this Christmas eve. I'm was planning on making sure most of the prep work is done for lunch tomorrow. I really don't want to be rushed off my feet. I just have a little bit more to do.

I also have to make sure all the presents are wrapped and have the correct name tags on them. Not that we went overboard on presents this year. Too much other stuff to contend with.

Also, there will be Christmas carols on TV I'll have to watch. I do love me some good carols. Grace borrowed my Michael Buble Christmas CD and never gave it back. She just loves his voice. The other week she watched the David Campbell Christmas Special with me and loved him as well. Though, if I'm totally honest the Country Christmas Special hosted by Trisha Yearwood that followed it she probably liked more.

Happy Birthday, Max.

Leigh 'Max' Walker

Happy birthday you old fart.

I hope the kids spoil you rotten.