Day 29: Little Things

 

Today I had to run errands after school drop off. The important thing was going to the doctor and getting all of my mother's scripts refilled. She can't go without her medication.

I also did the grocery shopping... there was hardly anything on the shelves. but I got a majority of what I needed. I'm not feeling the best today. Not sick exactly, just off. I'll have to take it easy for a while. when I got home, I noticed one of my feet is starting to hurt.

Decided to try Kiev Balls for lunch. I'm not sure I liked them, but mum did, so I daresay we'll have them again at some stage. Luckily, for me they are just a sometimes food. I always try and figure out what I want to cook for the fortnight before I go shopping. So, I know what I need to buy food wise. I'm trying to shop smarter this year.

Other than that: I'm working in longhand on a Woden's Wolves MC story I have to go where my Muse takes me.

Day 28: School Begins Today

School begins again today for another year. We have one off to prep and one starting in Grade two. Our Preppy (Hurricane) got off to a bad start even before school started... (Monsoon) pushed her out of the house door and she fell over. So, at drop off time, she screamed the freaking school down... Fingers crossed tomorrow is much better.

I had a house inspection today from the real estate. I'd forgotten all about it. Luckily, for me the house was spotless. My yard on the other hand needs some work. but I've already organised through the real estate to get someone in to slash it for me.

 

I'm still writing in longhand for the moment; and seriously I don't know why I haven't switched to the computer. I think I will stick with what's working for me; especially when the story is freely flowing.

Day 27: My Muse

 

Yes, I know this is a picture of Jonathan Rhys Meyers; but this is kind of how I see Vlad; my muse. He's come back from wherever the hell he was hiding. Vlad is pushing me to write the story that he wants done. Where the characters need to be written. I swear to God, that they must pay him off; just so he annoys the hell out of me to swap projects halfway through.

So, in saying that I'll be working on my Woden's Wolves MC for the next week or so while I complete the task given to me. I started writing it in longhand. When it comes time to type it up. I'll then add in all the fluff/descriptive bits.

Public holiday here today for Australia Day. So, I'm just pottering around the house getting a few odd chores done. The ones I put off until the need doing... like cleaning the stove, or the air fryer, or microwave. The ones that I do at least once a fortnight... though, I do wipe my stove over every time I use it. It doesn't get as messy then. I'm also thinking I need to do another declutter of my kitchen crap. Get rid of the things I don't use, as they are just taking up the space of the things I do use.

Day 25: Plastic Plants

 

My mum loves her plastic plants. The good thing is they never die, and I don't have to water them. The problem is I have to dust them and wipe them over all the time. This is my task for today. Clean all the plastic plants in the house. Sadly, my mum has a lot.

I have them and the blinds to try and get washed. I have about 8 venetian blinds that need doing.

So, today is a busy day, unless I get sidetracked and none of it gets done. I'm still on track with my writing. so that might be what distracts me from my chores

Day 24: Randomness #3

 

Today I have my granddaughters while their mum takes the eldest to swimming lessons and then comes back and swaps the eldest out for the middle one; and takes her for her second eye test = today they are working out what strength she needs. she has already picked out spiderman frames.

I feel like this picture today... I have so much to do, and all I want to do is sleep, but sadly the household chores won't get done by themselves. The biggest chore today is folding up all the washing. 

I got more exercises added to the ones I already have from the physio when I went on Wednesday. This time some of them are for my back. Jared showed me a different way of doing the shoulder/arm exercises that will put less stress on my back/spine.

I'm on the last season of Marple on Brit Box... It's been pretty good. I'm not sure which lady I preferred better as Miss Marple. I'll probably watch the series again to see all the bits that I've missed. Sometimes I can pick the killer and sometimes I can't.

Day 12: Raining Again

 

It's another one of those days when the weather is a total pain in the ass. As by today's title, you can guess that it is raining again. Before you know it, the grass will be up around our ears. The bad part is I love the rain. I just hate that the ground never has a chance to fully dry our and I can't get the mowing done. Looks like I will have to get the brush cutter out... okay, I'll have to buy a brush cutter first and then get stuck into the yard once it fully stops raining.

I have my eldest grandchild visiting today. They came over to pick up something and she refused to go home. Apparently, she needed a break from her sisters. Her mum will come and pick her up later.

I'm well on track for getting my first book finished for 2025 today. I have 4K more to write on The Halloways 1: Blood Ties, and then one final read through. Just to make sure it all makes sense to me. I have enjoyed writing this one.

I also have a mad headache today. My arm and shoulder are tender. My back is aching. My feet are burning. My hands are aching; and my ears are ringing. Oh, the joys of getting old.

Day 9: Birthday Wishes

 

Happy 35th birthday to my daughter. 

Glad you survived this long.

Even happier your three girls - give you a taste of what you put me through,

Love you to death - even if you do drive me crazy sometimes.

2025 is going to be a great year.

Day 7: Little Fingers

 

Today I have to finish tidying up after Hurricane and Monsoons visit yesterday. They thought it would be fun to play dress up in Mar-Mar (that's me) shoes. So, now I have to go around the house and find them all because my shoe rack is looking pretty bare. Not that I own many shoes.

I also need to find the cap off my USB flash drive and round up any toys I might have missed yesterday. and the clothes they insist on stripping off as soon as they walk through the door. Still, I have to admit they sure do make life interesting. They eat me out of house & home, but I would give them up for all the money in the world.

Though in saying that... 21 more days until school starts up again ━ not that I'm counting or anything. Who am I kidding. I'm definitely counting.

On another note: I'm off to physio tomorrow afternoon I'm finally getting my arm seen to as well as getting my back looked at again. I'll let you all know what happens.

Day 4: Today, No Social Media

 

Today I have decided that after writing this blog I'm not going to go on social media. (I'll probably cave later in the day). Only because if I do I'll get sucked into; and sidetracked by watching garden rescue/renovation videos. I don't know why, but I always do... Lately Lois Denise are my favourite ones to watch. I'm not even going to turn on my TV and get distracted by Vera (I'm up to season 9).

I'm determined to get some writing done today. as you know I talk mostly all my writing stuff on my other blog. The link is on my page here. just press it and it'll take you there.

Today I have no grandbabies, so I might also catch up on my housework in between turns on the computer - when I need to give my eyes a rest.

Also, today's major job is tackling the pantry. I want to find out exactly what's in there and how much I have of each item. This year I'm determined to shop smarter - not harder. Means I might actually have to think about making a meal plan for the fortnight, before I do the shopping and buy accordingly. I'm trying to teach my daughter how to manage a budget and not waste food etc... then I realized if I want to show her, I need to do those things myself. I do budget and I don't waste food. My problem is I buy ingredients for my pantry and then never use them. I either have to give them away or they expire.

Plus, with my sore arm/shoulder, I need to find a better place for my dinner set. I just swapped it out from the heavy one I had to a nice light Corelle one; but at the moment it sits too high in my pantry. my arm just doesn't want to lift that high. Though, I also can't have it too low, or my grandbabies will want to play tea parties with it.

On that note I better stop procrastinating and get some writing done.

Day 3: Grandbabies

 

Gotta love them - Can't live without them - Counting down the days until they go back to school, (in case you're wondering there is 25 days). My year won't get easier until the two older ones are back in school, and the younger one is being minded by her aunty Lace (second cousin). I don't call the two younger ones Hurricane and Monsoon for nothing.

We've been going through the process of decluttering my daughter's house. I admit something we shouldn't have started during school holidays, because little hands are not helpful. They try to be, but in the end, they make the job ten times harder. We might have to postpone the job until they are back at school. Especially, when it comes time to go through all the toys. Today the little angels are at my house while their carpets are getting shampooed at home.

I know by looking at their pictures... butter wouldn't melt in their mouths. when they get with their cousin it's like the four horsemen of the apocalypse have descended upon us... but tell the truth, I'm looking forward to seeing the dynamics between them as they grow... now they are all between 3 & 6, and the cousin is 7. I wonder if they will always remain as close as they are now. We have one (the cousin) who is on the low end of the spectrum; and another who is diagnosed ADHD... fun times because those two are frenemies, (or so they tell us). The ADHD one is starting Prep this year. and she is looking forward to it.

This Christmas we were smart. They didn't get a lot of toys. they got three big outside ones they could share and then a couple of little things; then we stocked them up for school. Though, leaving the shoe buying until last minute in case they have a growth spurt between now and the 28th. trust me, it happened when the eldest one first started prep, and her mum bought her shoes too early.

Sadly, I have come to realize my grandbabies know their way around a phone better than I do. When did that happen? One day they are coming to me needing help with something, and now I have to get them to help me. Smart little buggers.

On that note I will away, because we are about to hang out some washing and Hurricane and Monsoon like to hand me the pegs.

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.