Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Writing is going well. I hit the 20k mark on Saturday. Only about 67,500 more words to go to finish the first draft. If I nothing unexpected pops up, I should have the first draft completed by November 1st. Fingers crossed.

Motivational Quote:  "Most of the time I just show up and keep doing it, and sooner or later the magic happens. I've learned to trust my skill, but it took a long time." ~ Isabel Allende

What I'm Reading:  I started reading Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander yesterday afternoon. This is the 19th book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. I've enjoyed all of the books in the series so far. If you like cozy mysteries, you should check this series out. 

Random Things:  The other day a friend mentioned she is almost finished with her holiday gift shopping. Am I the only one who dreads holiday gift shopping? I do the majority of it online, only venturing into a store to make a purchase when I have no other option, but I still dread it. I don't even want to think about it until the week of Thanksgiving. I try to get everything purchased between Black Friday and Cyber Monday so it's all done in a weekend then all I have to do is wait for the packages to arrive and I can breathe easier until the following November.

Random Photo:

                                                This is so me lately.

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Next to no writing accomplished last week. We received some disturbing medical news relating to one of my siblings that has thrown us all for a loop. I have been doing my best to help the sibling deal with what may be coming. I didn't make my goal of 120 pages by 12/2. I'm going to do my best to fit as much writing as I can in around the shopping, wrapping and baking associated with the holidays and helping my sibling. I hope to start the new year with at least 100 pages of the new book done. We'll see how it goes. 

Motivational Quote:  "The imperfect project you actually complete is worth more than the perfect project you never finish." ~ James Clear.  I'm repeating this quote from a couple of weeks ago because right now I just need to give myself a pat on the back for any words I manage to get written. 

What I'm Reading: I'm not reading a book right now. 

Random Thoughts:  While I was dreading doing any holiday shopping, I have managed to get it all done except to pick up a few gift cards from local stores. I just need all of the packages to arrive in time to be wrapped. 

 Random Photo:

Somebody doing his favorite thing at this time of the year - knocking ornaments off the tree.

Monday Check In...

Last week...

Writing Related: Not much writing accomplished last week. Some stuff cropped up unexpectedly that killed my writing time. I'm still going to try and reach my goal of 120 pages written by 12/2. If I can manage to dedicate most of this coming Friday and the weekend to getting words on the page, I might make it. 

Motivational Quote:  "The imperfect project you actually complete is worth more than the perfect project you never finish." ~ James Clear

What I'm Reading:  I started reading Murder off the Books by Tamara Berry yesterday afternoon. This is the 3rd book in the By the Books mystery series.

Random Thoughts: Am I the only one dreading holiday shopping this year? I do as much shopping as I can online so it's not like I have to deal with crowds, long lines, and trying to find a parking spot. I just don't want to do it. That being said, I will do some Black Friday shopping and hope to do some Cyber Monday shopping as well.  

Random Photo: 

 

Despite not wanting to think about holiday shopping, I am already thinking about what cookies I should make for our December holiday cookie boxes that we give away every year.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I didn't get quite as much accomplished as I have the last two weeks. I have Friday off for the Thanksgiving holiday so I hope to spend most of that day writing.

Motivational Quote: "It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can." ~ Sidney Smith

What I'm Reading: I started reading Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe by Jodi Thomas Saturday night. This is the first book I've read by this author. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet even though I'm about 90 pages into the story. The story is told from about 4 characters' point of view (POV) with each chapter in a different POV. 

Random Things: My mom and I started our holiday shopping yesterday. Like most people, we are going to try to do the majority of our shopping online this year. I'm not sure how I feel about not going to stores yet. It's nice not having to deal with crowds and trying to find a parking space, but it also seems to take away a bit of the holiday spirit to shop on a store's website. 

This I know for sure...

I keep looking at the calendar and seeing only 3 weeks or so left to do holiday shopping and yet I can't seem to get started. I plan on doing as much as I can online, but haven't even started that. With having to worry about packages being delivered on time or if at all, (I already have a claim going on with the USPS for a lost package that was never delivered.) you'd think I'd be shopping my heart out, but no, still no motivation. I don't know why.

I've put online shopping on my "To do" list for this weekend as a must do so I am not running around like a chicken with my head cut off the last weekend before Christmas trying to find gifts.

This I know for sure...

I hope to get the majority of my holiday gift shopping done within the next 2 weeks. I also plan on doing as much of it as I can online. It's easier to shop online and have it shipped to my address or the gift recipient's address than having to fight the crowds or troll store parking lots trying to find a place to park. I will do some shopping in physical stores, but as little as I can.

Do you do a lot of your holiday gift shopping online or do you prefer to shop in stores?

December, At Last?

Happy December 1st!  

For those of you who are like me and hate shopping for holiday gifts and have barely started the dreaded chore, we only have 23 more days to shop (24 if you're a serious procrastinator or a male). 

For the most part, I've kept to my vow to try and do as much of my shopping as I can. I went out on Saturday and purchased some art supply items one of my nieces asked for because the store had a great sale on canvas, oil paints, etc. That's been the extent of my brick & mortar shopping. I also did some online shopping on Black Friday because I won't have a chance to get any of the deals for Cyber Monday.

Did you do any online or in store shopping this last weekend? Or are you one of those organized people who are done shopping by the end of October? Yes, I actually know someone like this. :o)