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.

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.

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.

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

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.

2020: What can I say?

 

Even though I can almost guarantee that most of us have had a shit of a year I did have two books release, two that I'm very proud of having written. I also have 5 in the line up for edits at MLRPress, so I'll update you on those when I know more. I'll email my editor again today and ask what the go is.

I have also decided to write some MF series that I have been thinking about and I'd also like to once again to try my hand at first person. Though I'm not sure how well how that will turn out. I'm hoping it will go better than the last time.

After the horrendous year that was 2020, I've decided to reevaluate my writing schedule for 2021. I may not have had Covid and fingers crossed I never get it, but we have had a shit load of other viruses and illnesses run through our household.

On a better note: I was granted with another beautiful Grandaughter in 2020, and my daughter got married in 2020➖actually she went into labour in the middle of her wedding vows, but still ended up holding off for another couple of weeks before Harper was born. Her big sister Grace discovered what a mistake it is to play in sump oil when dad leaves it down where she can reach it.

With the amount of time we have all been stuck at home, I've come to realise I still have too much stuff. So 2021 I'll do another big declutter I think. My pets are both doing well. Though Robson is a little shitter at times. His favourite thing is to sneak into my closet and try and pull my dresses off of their coathangers. Oliver is still mellow and laid back.

Healthwise: in this past year I've had some ups and downs, but for the most part I've been okay. Just living life and keeping to ourselves and staying out of the main populace so that there is less of a chance of catching anything. Though I have never been more grateful to be an Australian when this pandemic struck the world. I've probably just jinxed us now that I've said that. I don't think they will ever cure the disease, but hopefully, they will find a way to finally get it under control.

I'm hoping the worst is now finally behind us. May our future be better.

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.

Can't wait for this year to be over

 

I feel that this year has just plain wor me the hell out. I'm so very thankful that Covid never touched me or mine (yet)... and hopefully, it never will. though it seems this year I was screwed over in the health department. I know I shouldn't complain because so many people who have been touched by Covid have had it much worse than I have.

Seriously though, my back/spine has been sorer than hell. So, in 2021 I'll definitely have to take better care of it and try and finish losing the weight that I need to, just to try and relieve the stress there. I also seem to have caught ever fricken virus that was going around, which then would kick in a bout of my Ross River Fever.

So I'll have to change my dietary habits for the upcoming year and eat foods that don't clash with my ailments, such as my thyroid etc. I'm not going to diet per se, but I will weigh in every week. So if there is anyone out there who wants to join me then please feel free to drop me a line and we can start this journey together. Sometimes all you need is someone there keeping you motivated. whether it be a friend or a perfect stranger like me. I'll be weighing in each Friday, so for all you Americans that will be a Thursday so we are inputting on the same day. This should be fun.

I've been trying to sort a few things out before I start writing again in 2021, but I have a massive headache today. I think I'm going to have to take a couple of pain killers to try and get it under control. I might even do a bit of reading to catch me up to date on one of the stories I have to get back into writing come 2021.

Talk to you all later.

In My Head-space...

 

Well, I haven't gotten the writing done this year that I have wanted to get done. I have actually been a little down and out with a bout of Ross River Fever. So my body has been tired as crap, and my brain has wanted to shut down completely on me. 

Though I have this one damn plotline for a new story that is fighting to make itself heard... so I have been thinking on it. It's more like a few series that intermingle both characters and plot-wise. I have been trying to write some notes down on it before it gets to twisted up inside my head.

I'm hoping 2021 is a better year than 2020 has been. This year has been a shocker for most of us. I need to get myself more organised. Heck, I only just realised how close it is for NaNoWriMo. If I'm going to compete this year I need to get my head back in the damn game and try and figure out how to stay in the here & now, instead of letting my mind drift as it has been known to do lately.

Other than that, my family is all well and doing fine. Covid-19 still hasn't gotten to us, and let's hope it stays that way until it's completely gone. I'll try not to let it go so long between posts again.

Playing Catch Up.

Well, I can tell you I have had some drama. I broke my glasses and had to wait for my new ones to come in. The problem is when I finally got my new ones in, and it took 3weeks... is that I think they stuffed up the placement of my multifocal lenses. So, I'll have to go back and get them to look at it as I'm still having trouble seeing the computer. I can see everything else fine just not the computer, which I need them for the most... But at least this time I'll be able to use my new reading glasses while I get them adjusted... At the moment if I stay on the computer too long I get a freaking full-on migraine that just won't quit.

In other news> I have done final edits on Hidden Hearts 1: Harder & Harder to Breathe and sent back to Christie N at MLRPress... and the final readthrough on Wardens of the Guild 3: Heartstrings and sent back to Rebecca B at Pride Publishing.

New Writing Schedule

Starting today I have a new writing schedule. I need 2.5K a day to meet my deadline on December 31st. Anything over is a bonus, any day missed and I have to make up the wordage on another day. So I guess all I can ask is you wish me luck. or maybe badger me into staying on track and not letting myself get sidetracked.

Other than that I need to find some catch and release mice traps, as I have one cute field mouse inside who needs to be rehoused back to the garden. My cats must have brought him inside from our cat enclosed garden. I don't want to hurt the poor thing, nor do I want my cats to get their paws caught in a trap, so I need the other kind. I'll have to add them to my shopping list. so, for the time being, I have decided to call him Forrest, because the damn thing can run like hell.

Little Things...

Well, I have been busy cleaning up a lot of little things around my place lately. Like...

1: I've done some re-potting in my garden... Some of my plants just needed a bigger home. I'm not that crash hot with flowers and plants and all that sort of crap but I do my best. 

2: I've been culling out the clothes that I no longer have any inclination to wear. I think my dress style might be changing just a tad, but I can't go overboard as I don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe. 

3: I've become a tad OCD in my pantry, making sure everything is in date and can last a long time. I'm not stocking up on ten ton of food stocks, but everything has its place and all my labels are facing forward so everything is easily found. 

4: I'm also babysitting my daughter's cat again... okay, I may have had to borrow the cat to try and keep Robson from going nuts in my place. He and Daisy are nearly the same age and they like to play together and keep each other occupied. Now poor Oliver gets a reprieve he's 5years older then they are and just like to laze in the sun and not run around like a lunatic.

5: Healthwise I'm doing fine. I have my migraines mostly under control, and even my back seems to be playing nice with the rest of my body lately. No use complaining because no one wants to ear it...LOL.

6: On the book writing front... Still working on my plotlines for 2021... to tell the truth, I've lost the little cord that goes from my multi-port to my computer, and I keep forgetting to buy a new one. It's a pain in the arse as I need more than one port. Hopefully, while I'm cleaning up I'll find the damn thing. Any way come August 1st I have to write 2,500 words per day to finish the 9 books I need to by the end of the year.

7: The books are: 

Cotter's Girls 1: TASH

Experimentals 3: Messages From the Dead

Hidden Hearts 3: Going by the Book

Hidden Hearts 4: Couples Cover (ends series)

Lancaster's Way 3: Pre-loved

The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You

Sons of Evenmore 4: Life, Death, & Everafter

Sons of Evenmore 5: Touching Shadows (ends series)

Wardens of the Guild 4: Gilded Cages (ends series)

In my garden.

Today I have to transplant a tree (yesterday, today, & tomorrow) in my garden. It's only a small tree, but it's getting rootbound in the pot it's in. Then I need to transplant another plant into the pot the tree comes out of. I'll readily admit I'm not the greatest gardener. Every once in a while I get down in the yard and make a day of it though. Both Oliver and Robson love it.

This garden is actually inside my cat enclosure. So it doesn't always look as nice as this because Robson likes to get in the pots and help me dig. Especially the succulents. Mind you he mainly just likes to eat them. I have a lot of succulents in my garden.

The grass is all dying out because I actually have shade cloth across the top like a roof to keep my cats in and other animals out. The cats love running and chasing each other around the pots. 

Since I have taken these pictures my billygoat stinkers have run amok and it's one of Robson's favourite hiding places in the whole garden. He gets in underneath then and pounces on whoever chances to walk by.

With the bad summer we just had, some of my plants were hit hard. I have faith they will come back. If not I will take a cutting from some of my existing plants and grow some more. Why spend more money when I can do that? Saving money where I can is always a good thing.

My mother-in-law tongue plants are going strong and multiplying like you wouldn't believe. I think in another year they'll have filled up one whole burgundy garden bed.

The billygoat stinkers are growing in the ground at the end of the bed holding the mother-in-law tongue plants.

The Jade plant I have up against the metal fence has doubled in size. Though it takes a beating from both my cats. I've had to buy some stakes to help keep them upright until they get a bit stronger. and they are all actually from one cutting I brought from my old house when I moved in.

I have to do a lot of rearranging because of how much sunlight actually filters into the yard itself. The plants need to be moved throughout the year to help them grow. Listen to me talking like I know anything about plants. Usually, I ask my brother and sister-in-law when I need to know something. They have a beautiful garden at their house.

I'll finish off my post with one of my pretty flowers. Mind you it has only ever flowered the one year. so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong with it. I'm hoping this year it will decide to flower again. My agapanthus has never flowered so I don't know what colour it is. 

Though I have to admit I'm not really a flower person, so I really don't mind that. I like all the greenery. I'm hoping my geraniums come back. because they are a great snake repellant, and we do have a lot of those here. I think last summer my cats caught al least 8 of them, and they were most all deadly eastern browns. I like to try and keep the garden as friendly as I can to hide all the skinks etc as they have homes in and around the fence lines. I've put in things they can climb under in case my cats get a little too inquisitive.

Busy As...

I've had a very productive morning today. firstly I went down to the carwash and used the industrial vacuums to vacuum out my car→ it took $7 to get it all done. Then I stopped off and filled up with Diesel in my car. After that I went to Coles to grab some milk, then came home and put on the meat to simmer for lunch (curried chicken & veg). So, right now my house smells amazing.

I got onto Facebook and did some social media→ okay, really I just looked and commented on other people's posts because we all know I suck at promoting my own stuff. One of these years I'll eventually get the hang of it all.

Today my plans are to find inspirational character pics for the people in Quaide's Crossing. I find it easier to keep track of what my characters look like when I have a picture to refer to... Check this guy out. I think he'd make a great Quaide brother. I'm just not sure which one yet. I have no clue who the actual guy is in real life. I just think he will be perfect as a character in my story.

Today I'm also watching season 4 of GRIMM just because I can. I think Nick loved Adalind way more than he ever loved Juliette. (I may have spelled their names wrong).

Getting Organized...

Okay for the last couple of days I have been going through past NSI's (new story idea's) and checking which ones are worth keeping. So I've been checking out the following series idea's. Seeing what needs to be done to bring them up to scratch, or if the need to be moved onto the back burner. I have some more figuring out to do on these ones.

Dark Frost

Quaide's Crossing

Angellom Hall

Cotter's Girls

Mountain Made

Other than that, I'm catching up on some household chores that really need doing. I really need to do the vacuuming. and cook a Chinese chicken dish ginger and chilli. it's going to be awesome. I love rice so That's what I'll have it with. I also put my car back together... I found the covers that belong in the back and reinstalled them. Now I just have to clean the car out. I'll have to take it down to the car cleaning place when I get a chance and use their industrial vacuums.

I can honestly tell you I do not care for broccoli. I like the stems but not the top bits. they taste bitter to me. I'm only eating it because my doctor is telling me to. Thanks a lot Doc, but I suppose if it's going to help balance out my iron. I'll suffer through it.

I'm watching some more FBI style shows to help me with Lancaster's Way 3: Pre-loved. I need to get into my bad guys head a little and these shows are helping me. because in this instalment I actually want to show some of what the bad guy is thinking so we'll be in his POV for parts of the story.

They're Out

Well, I can tell you my neck has never felt better since the stitches were removed. There is no tender lump still under the skin. I shouldn't even have a scar in another month or so. If I do, it'll be very minimal.

The doctor also told me I'm borderline anaemic, I need to eat more red meat. Also, keep up my intake of spinach, mushrooms, and broccoli. I'm on iron tablets for the next month, and then I have to have another blood test. 

It's all overcast here today, so I'm spending my day trying to hunt down any notes I have on the story idea I had on Dark Frost. I know I have them somewhere.  I need to find what I have so I can see if this new thought I'm having can blend in with it. Or has to be put aside for a completely different story.

I have to get my daughter to bring back my printer as well. she has had it for months. I haven't even had a chance to use it yet. Maybe it'll just be easier to buy another one. I mean they weren't expensive. I'll have to talk to her. Because I know she uses it as well.

I know I try not to mention COVID-19 too often, but I hope everyone in my world that read my blog posts (on both my blogs) that everyone is keeping themselves as safe as possible and not doing crazy shit that will end up with you getting or spreading this dreaded virus. So far my little piece of the world is safe and virus-free, and I hope like hell every day that it stays this way.

Migraine Madness

I have a migraine today and it seems to be situated right behind my left eyeball. Actually, it's not quite a migraine yet. So I've popped all the right pills and I'm hoping for the best and that it'll go away before I have to lock myself away in my room and sleep the day away. I really want to reach my word count for today so I don't have time for a damn headache.

It was a little warmer here this morning at 9° C. So at least we weren't freezing our arses off. Though the cats must be cold as they are cuddled up beside me on the chair. Robson is actually under the knee rug, But Oliver is on top of it beside my legs. That, or they both know I have are headache and are here to comfort me.

All went well at the DR's yesterday. I had my bloods taken, and he said my stitches are looking good. I go back next Friday to have them removed and to get the blood results. I'm not expecting anything to be wrong with them, unless they need to adjust my thyroid medication again━that is always a possibility.

I'm still trying to finish off Cotter's Girls 1: Tash to get it off my WIPS list I have a few that I really want to be finished between now and the end of the year. So those will be the ones I need to concentrate on the most. And as usual, they are the ones I have completely writer's blocked on as well. It sucks to be right now.

I watched Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix yesterday, and let's just say that French guy just made my skin crawl, and I was so mad over the poor guy who was murdered in La Cygne. Damn what a bunch of bigoted arseholes, there is no way with all those people who attended that party they don't know what happened to Alonzo. I was yelling at the screen━what the hell is wrong with you people?

PS: Happy 4th of July to those who celebrate it.