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)

Working on

Today I'm doing more of the plotlines for my stories. I'm serious about being prepared for 2021. I know that I won't be able to write them all in 2021 and have them released. But I'll have the potential of working on anyone that I want to and basically know where it's supposed to be going. As long as I know the beginning and the end I don't mind if the middle changes a tad.

And this time around I'm writing it all out in longhand as well as having a copy on the computer. I'm one of those weirdos who likes to have a paper copy on hand. Plus, I have a shit tone of loose-leaf paper to get through, (Christmas gifts from my kids throughout the years━I knew it would never go to waste).

This is kind of my happy place so don't knock me. These days I'm trying to do things that don't stress me out and plotting the stories even if I do eventually stray from the plotted path helps get the stories out of my head for the time being. I'm keeping them neatly stored in two red folders. Red is another of my happy places.

On that note I'm out of here I have some more to think about plotline wise for The Lines of Marsden 7: Love You, Hate You, Need You, then I'm working on Experimentals 4: Movements in the Dark... and if I have time Wardens of the Guild 4: Gilded Cages (the series ender).

Galley Proof Time

For the next couple of days, I'll be stuck into my galley proof on The Lines of Marsden 4: The Trail of Red Roses. I need to get them back to Kris J at MLRPress by Thursday at the latest. 

At least after reading through this again, I'll finally remember where I was headed with #5: On the 12th Day (still figuring out if I'll keep that name or change it).

Fingers crossed there won't be many changes to be made during the Galley proof and I can get it back to Kris sooner rather than later.

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).

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.

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.

Tax Time

For once I got my taxes organised and sent in before they had to remind me. I'm not saying I'ver ever forgotten them. Okay, last year was a fluke I tells ya. But my accountants were really good at reminding me. They didn't even get mad. And it saves me from having to do it all myself.

The stitches in my neck don't hurt like the last time so I'm happy about that. I can't even tell they are there. They don't even really hurt when I have to ut the antibiotic ointment on them which is good.

Today I decided to cook comfort food for lunch. We are having creamy chicken and mushroom pasta. I can't wait. It is one of my favourite things to eat. What are some of your comfort foods?

I'm also working on→ Cotter's Girls 1:Tash... I've been tidying up 30K and figuring out the ending. I only have between 10-15K to go on this one. It will be another one done and dusted, and off my list.

The last half of 2020 I'm going to try and get as much writing done as I can manage. I need to catch up on some of my projects. I need to be able to make room for others. This year has been a complete disaster for me. And not even because of the whole COVID 19 situation, though admittedly that hasn't helped. I've just been so distracted by other stuff that my writing was put on the back burner, and now I'm scrambling to make up the time I've lost.

I have ouchies...

I've had to have a lump cut out of my neck for a 2nd time. The dissolvable stitches from the last time didn't really work so I had to get it fixed. Fingers crossed, this time I heal up a lot better. My neck is still a little swollen, but it'll go down eventually.

I finally finished watching all of the Forensic Files. They were some very interesting episodes, and I realise there are some very sick and twisted individuals out there. I'll have to find something else to watch now, but it has given me some interesting thoughts for a new story. I have a whole new respect for police and forensic investigators.

Today I bought myself a new lap table for my tablet/computer. It's not as bulky on my lap which is good and even has a slot to stand my phone up in. Now I can actually see when I get a message or call because usually, my phone is on silent. 

I have to spend the next day or so getting my taxes in order, so if you don't hear from me you know what I'm doing.