Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: Ugh! I am doing terrible at Camp NaNoWriMo. I was hoping to get between 20k and 30k written this month. At the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to hit the 20k goal. I won't get much writing done as both my mother and I have appointments that will eat into my writing time three days this week.

Motivational Quote: "Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not...Habit is persistence in practice." ~ Octavia Butler

What I'm Reading:  I just finished my last book so this week I'll probably just look through a few magazines one of my sisters brought to me. I need to go to the library.

Random Thoughts:  I picked up a couple of journals/notebooks last weekend while I was out doing errands. I have at least ten to fifteen that I haven't even opened, much less used but I bought two more anyway. If I see a new journal or notebook that's cute and reasonably priced, I have to buy it. It's like a compulsion.😁

Random Photo:

                             Here are the two new journals/notebooks I purchased.
   

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Had some unexpected things pop up last week along with a doctor appointment so I didn't get as much writing done as I'd hoped. This week should be a quiet week (unless something else pops up) so I hope to get a lot of writing done.

Motivational Quote: "It doesn't matter how small the action is, if we all do the little that we can, it will make a difference." ~ Wangari Maathai

What I'm Reading: I finished reading Cut and Run by Mary Burton last night. I'm not sure what I'll read this week. I still have a couple of books from the library to read before they have to be returned.

Random Thoughts:  While the sky was cloudy in my area during the majority of the eclipse, it was fascinating the way everything became so dark and quiet and then lightened back up and the birds started chirping again. We stood on our back porch to view it so there wasn't any noise from a crowd reacting to what was occurring like in some places. 

Random Photo:

After the first orchid we received died soon after it was given to us, my sister gave us another one. We've had much better luck this time around. As you can see, it's currently blooming. This is the 3rd year we've gotten blossoms.

Solar Eclipse 2024

Rather than do my usual Monday Check In post, I thought I'd do a little something different due to the Eclipse happening today. I am lucky enough to live within the path of totality. It should reach my area around 3:15pm EST or so. 

I have my eclipse glasses and have taken the day off from the day job. (Mainly because I didn't want to be on the highway coming home when the eclipse occurs in my area.) I've seen lunar eclipses before but this will be the first solar eclipse that I'll be able to view in person. I'm looking forward to the experience.

                                                 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Had an okay week writing wise. I'm going to do Camp NaNoWriMo this month. It officially starts today, April 1st. I'm hoping by participating, it'll help me get between 25k and 30k written in April. 

Motivational Quote: "I believe any success in life is made by going into an area with a...furious optimism." ~ Sylvester Stallone

What I'm Reading: I finished The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong last night. It's the second book in the Haven's Rock series. I'll start a new book tonight but I haven't chosen one yet. I have four books I borrowed from the library so it'll be one of those. 

Random Thoughts: My cat, Mrs. Green, likes to sit on my lap in the evenings. Usually when I'm trying to do something that makes it difficult for her to sit on my lap like crocheting. When she does settle in and get comfortable, I hate to disturb her. It's become a joke among my family that I can't do anything if the cat is on my lap. Change out "dog" for "cat" and I could be Charlie Brown in the picture below.

Random Photo:

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I actually managed to get some writing done after more days than I care to admit without getting anything done. I feel like I'm getting back on track. 

Motivational Quote: "Wake up determined. Go to bed satisfied. And somewhere in between eat a cookie." ~ Dwayne Johnson.

What I'm Reading: I started The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery this past weekend. I was looking for something that would be a light, quick read and this book seemed like a good choice. 

Random Thoughts: We had a very mild winter with very little snow and higher than normal temperatures. The first full day of spring brought three inches of snow and it's snowed every day since. We got eight inches last Friday night into Saturday. It was sunny yesterday and a tiny bit warmer so here's hoping that was winter's last hurrah and spring weather will be here to stay.

Random Photo:

The snow threatened our barely there daffodil buds so I cut them and brought them inside hoping they would still bloom. They all did. Please ignore Mrs. Green. She loves flowers and had to check them out.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I didn't get any writing done last week. I contracted a stomach bug that was so virulent that I ended up in the hospital due to dehydration and low electrolyte and magnesium levels. I was discharged Wednesday afternoon, but it took the next three days for me to completely recover and get back to my normal self. 

Motivational Quote:  "There is no royal and flower strewn road to success, and if there is I have not found it for what success I have obtained is the result of many sleepless nights and real hard work." ~ Madam C. J. Walker

What I'm Reading:  I'll be starting Murder at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong this evening. This is the first book in the Haven's Rock series, but in my opinion, it could be considered a continuation of the Rockton series.

Random Thoughts:  The last few weeks have been a test of patience. I am sincerely hoping I'm done with heath issues and other things that have been keeping me from the things I want and/or need to do.

Random Photo:

Our few crocuses have blossomed. Our daffodils and tulips are growing tall and should blossom soon.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I'm still having problems sitting comfortably even propped with pillows so sitting for any length of time trying to write has been difficult. I've started to use just heat on my ribs as it seems to help more than the ice does. I'm hoping to get more than a few pages written this week. As much as I didn't want to, I made the decision to push the release date for Caine's book to May. I'm not sure how long it will be before I'm able to get back to my normal writing schedule and think it's best to give myself an extra month to meet the revised publishing deadline. 

Motivational Quote:  "It's not about the accomplishment, it's about the very slow and grueling work of just getting better at something over time. It always takes time." ~ Mary H.K. Choi

What I'm Reading: I started reading The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery yesterday afternoon. It's a stand alone women's fiction novel. I've read nearly all of the books Ms. Mallery has published and enjoy them whether they are romance or women's fiction.

Random Thoughts:  I'm looking forward to the solar eclipse on April 8th. I took the day off from the day job because the city where I live is in the direct path and my work day ends about 30 minutes before the total eclipse is supposed to happen. I wanted to ensure I would be home and not stuck on the highway during that time. Have you made any special plans around the eclipse? 

Random Photo:

    The cat's version of "I'm too hot and need to stick my foot outside the blanket."
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I did so little writing, I'm not sure I should even say that I did any. I'm finding it hard to sit comfortably with the broken/cracked ribs much less for any length of time to get words written. I'm hoping between the constant interchange between ice and heat and the pain medication, I'll be able to get more written this week. I really wanted to get Caine's book out in March but I don't think that's going to happen. I'm hoping for April, but am thinking May might be more realistic. 

Motivational Quote: "I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy." ~ Marie Curie. I thought this quote was pretty appropriate given the progress I'm making in Caine's book seems to be in drips and draps this month, especially after my fall last week.

What I'm Reading:  I started Tired of Winning by Jonathan Karl over the weekend.  My sister loaned it to me in mid-January so I figured I better read it soon.

Random Thoughts:  The weather has been crazy the past week here in Upstate New York. It was just over 70 degrees last Tuesday, in the mid 60's with wind and heavy rain on Wednesday, cold and snowy with a high in the mid 20's Thursday and then back to sunny and in the upper 50's on Friday and in the mid 60's again this past weekend. It makes me wonder what type of weather we'll have this spring.

Random Photo:

                           Somebody and Mrs. Green doing their version of cuddling.
 

  

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Not much writing done last week. I slipped on some black ice in our driveway and ended up with a mild concussion, one broken rib, two cracked ribs, and a bunch of bruises. Needless to say, the concussion and pain from the rib injury made it very hard to concentrate. 

Motivational Quote: "Hope is your superpower. Don't let anybody or anything make you feel hopeless." ~ Bryan Stevenson

What I'm Reading: I hope to start reading Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey tonight. It's a Christmas themed book but I don't mind. I'll read holiday themed books throughout the year despite what holiday the book revolves around.

Random Thoughts:  Just thought I'd share some info that I learned up close and personal about broken/cracked ribs. They don't tape or bind them any more. The only treatment is ice, heat, and pain medication. It also takes about ten weeks on average for broken or cracked ribs to fully heal. I was not happy to hear that. 

Random Photo:

  Aren't these cute? I think they were made with AI, but I wish they were available for sale. 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I had another rough writing week. I did manage to get some pages written, but nowhere near the number I was hoping/planning for. Hopefully, things will get back to usual and I can get back to my normal writing routine. 

Motivational Quote: "Tomorrow will be exactly what you think it ought to be and the accomplishments of the future depend entirely on the amount of imagination we have, the amount of industry we have in pursuing them, and when we think they are worthwhile." ~ Charles F. Kettering

What I'm Reading:  I'll be starting Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke this evening. It's the first book in the Scandal at the Savoy series.

Random Thoughts:  Instead of setting goals for the year like I usually do, this year I'm setting goals for each quarter. I have so much going on that I'm finding the list of goals I planned on working on in the last 2 quarters of the year is growing exponentially. At this rate, I'm going to have to reassess either my time, my goals, or both.   

Random Photo:

               I saw this on Facebook. It made me laugh so I thought I'd share it with you. 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Rough writing week last week. So many unexpected things popped up eating into my writing time. I'm planning to get back on track this week and hopefully getting some extra pages in to make up for last week's lack of pages.

Motivational Quote: "This day...is too dear with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on the rotten yesterdays." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

What I'm Reading:  I started reading Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score yesterday afternoon. It's the third and (I believe) final book in the Knockemout Series.

Random Thoughts:  Even though we've had a mild winter (so far), I'm looking forward to spring. I have so many things I want to plan and do once the winter weather is definitely gone. 

Random Photo:

                                 Mrs. Green and Somebody sharing the sofa.
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: Augh! Last week was a terrible writing week. I only got about half of the number of pages written that I wanted/planned to. So many unexpected things popped up that ate into my writing time. I'm about 500 words short of reaching my goal of hitting the 30k mark by the end of January. I'll get those written this week along with my usual weekly word count goal. 

Motivational Quote: "Be committed and dedicated to what you do, no half measures." ~ Olufunke Baruwa

What I'm Reading: I started Atomic Habits by James Clear over the weekend. I'm not too far into it yet, but right now, I'm not sure how I feel about it. 

Random Thoughts: I can't believe it's February already. Not that I'm complaining. The faster we get through the winter months and are done with snow, the happier I am. January usually drags on forever for me so I'm surprised how quickly the month went by this year. 

Random Photo:

These crocuses popped up in my yard last spring. I'm looking forward to seeing them again this year.
 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: Another good writing week last week. I also fit in a writing related class that I hope will help with future releases.

Motivational Quote:  "Where you are today is a result of your thought of yesterday." ~ Halima Musa

What I'm Reading: I picked up two books from the library on Friday. One is Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score. I've never read anything by Ms. Score but I've heard great things about the book. I have to admit I'm a little wary of starting it. The book has 552 pages. I didn't realize it was that long. My concern is I don't have a lot of free time to read and am worried I might not be able to finish it before it's due to be returned to the library. The second book is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I'm trying to build better habits this year and hope this book might help me achieve that.

Random Thoughts:  I eat a snack after dinner two or three times a week. I have the snack even if I'm not hungry. It's become a habit that I don't need to be doing. One of the ways I'm trying to break the habit is by crocheting in the evenings while I'm spending time with my mom or watching TV. If my hands are busy, I'm hoping it'll keep me from needing the snack. I also won't want to eat anything while working on a project so nothing happens to it. Hopefully, I'll break the habit and end up with a new throw blanket for the sofa in the process.  

Random Photo: 

                          Mrs. Green keeping me company as I write Caine's book.
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Another good writing week last week. I should hit my goal of being at the 30k mark by the end of the month without any issues. 

Motivational Quote: "Inspiration is highly overrated. If you sit around and wait for the clouds to part, it's not liable to ever happen. More often than not, doing the work provides the inspiration." ~ Chuck Close

What I'm Reading:  I'm reading Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich. This is the 30th book in the Stephanie Plum series. I enjoy the series but I really wish the author would decide which man Stephanie is going to be committed to instead of changing between the two main male characters nearly every other book.

Random Thoughts: I set up a Kanban board for the first quarter of this year. I included both writing related and non-writing related things I want to accomplish/do by the end of March. It seems to be working in terms of keeping those things at the forefront of my mind and helping me get things crossed off my never-ending To Do list. But then I've only been using it for two weeks too. 😀

Random Photo:

     How I felt my writing sessions went this week. Most writers can probably identify with this.
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Good writing week last week. I was worried it would be hard to get back into the flow because I hadn't written since the Thanksgiving holiday. It wasn't an issue. I hit the 15,000 (15k) word mark on Saturday. My goal is to be at the 30k mark at a minimum by the end of the month.

Motivational Quote:  "Begin with that most terrifying thing of all: a clean slate. Then look, every day, at the choices you're making, and when you ask yourself why you're making them...find this answer within you: for me, for me." ~ Anna Quindlen

What I'm Reading: I still reading You're the Duke That I Want by Lenora Bell. I didn't have a lot of free time to read last week.

Random Thoughts:  I'm reading up on manifestation and how to manifest things you want to bring into your life. One of the things mentioned is doing a vision board. I've done vision boards the last few years, but never really thought about them as a form of manifestation. I use them as a visual reminder of what I want to accomplish that year. Do you practice manifestation or use vision boards? If you do, I'd love to hear what works for you. 

Random Photo:

                    Mrs. Green looking less than thrilled with her New Year's Day gift.

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I used the week to set up my writing wall calendar where I keep track of the number of words/pages I write per day and what I want to accomplish by the end of each month. I also set up a Kanban board for the first quarter of the year for both writing and personal goals. No actual words written but I'm diving back into Caine's story this week.

Motivational Quote: "We cannot welcome the New Year by holding on to the old. We can welcome it only when we are ready to transform ourselves." ~ Sirshree (Indian spiritual teacher)

What I'm Reading: I started reading You're the Duke That I Want by Lenora Bell yesterday. It's a historical romance and is the first book in the Thunderbolt Club series.

Random Thoughts:  I had very little holiday spirit after Thanksgiving, not wanting to do any holiday shopping, baking, and all of the other things that come with the December holidays. I finally put up our Christmas tree about a week and a half before Christmas, grumbling the entire time. I started to look forward to sitting in the living room with the tree lit up every evening. I even delayed taking it down until New Year's day. After all the decorations were put away and the living room back in order, I found that I missed having the tree with its decorations and twinkling lights in the corner of the room. I guess I had more holiday spirit than I thought. 

Random Photo:

  A poinsettia "tree" at a local plant conservatory. It was much prettier than the picture shows.

Happy New Year

 Happy New Year!!

                                    Here's to an amazing 2024!