Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I didn't get much written last week. I'm suffering from an aggravated ulnar nerve that makes it difficult to type or write by hand for any length of time without pain shooting from my elbow into my wrist and my last two fingers going numb. I saw an orthopedic physician's assistant but he just gave me a brace to wear and referred me to an actual orthopedist. I don't see that physician until 8/4 so I'm trying to rest my elbow and wrist as much as I can and still get some stuff done.

 Motivational Quote:  "The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult." ~ Marie Anne De Vichy-Chambond, Marquise du Deffand 

What I'm Reading:  I'm currently reading Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter. I should finish it tonight as I'm very close to the end. The book is a stand alone rom-com.

Random Thing: One of my favorite times of the year is here -  School supply buying time. I can't resist perusing the aisles and buying binders, folders, and 1 subject notebooks. I use them for writing. I came across a clear, hard plastic, zippered pencil case that looked perfect to hold some of my planner stickers so I had to buy that as well. School supplies were always a weakness of mine when I was a child/teen. I guess I still haven't outgrown the allure of all those shiny new notebooks and such.

Random Photo:

       I found a new flavor of pop-tarts to try. They were more blueberry than lemon flavored.
 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I wrote 5k last week which honestly was more than I expected. I've recovered from the minor medical procedure and finally have everything taken care related to the unexpected event. I'm hoping to get at least 12k written this week since I am so far behind in getting the first draft of Garrett's book written.

Motivational Quote:  "I have done my best, and I hope I have sown some seeds which may bring forth good fruit." ~ George Marshall, American Statesman   This quote seemed really appropriate given the last few weeks.

What I'm Reading:  I'm reading The Big Fix by Holly James. This is the first book I've read by Ms. James. I can't decide if it's supposed to be a rom-com or a cozy type mystery with some romance thrown in. 

Random Thoughts:  I live by my daily routines and when something pops up that throws off that routine, depending on how major it is, it can take me a few days to get back into the groove of things. My sister says it's because I hate change. I don't know if it's so much that I hate change as it is something unexpected coming up that I didn't plan for or know to plan for. So maybe it's not that I hate change, maybe I'm just someone who needs to plan things out to make sure everything gets done. I'd be lost without my planner. I use it daily to keep track of everything from appointments, errands that need to be done, what bills need to be paid and when, to what exercise I did that day to, how many pages I wrote on a particular day, to upcoming events (birthday parties, family gatherings etc), all the way down to what day I'm going to vacuum the downstairs or change the cat litter. Are you a planner or are you spur of the moment kind of person?

Random Photo:

This photo is from last spring. Our daffodils have sprouted, but we had snow showers three times last week so I'm not sure if they'll actually bloom this year. (Yes, that is Mrs. Green photo bombing the flowers.)
 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I sent out Coming Home to my editor and beta readers last Tuesday. I'm in a holding pattern until I get feedback from them so I'm taking a small break from writing right now.

 Motivational Quote: "Try not to over-think." ~ Amy Beager  I repeated the quote from last week because now I'm trying not to overthink the changes I made to the book before I sent it out for feedback. 

What I'm Reading:  I finished reading Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong last night. It was a stand alone rom-com. It was a fun, fast read.

Random Thoughts:  Like most people, I did a lot of holiday gift shopping over the weekend. I have a few small items I need to pick up from local retailers, but thankfully the majority of the shopping is done. Thank goodness for online shopping. 

Random Photo:

                     Me, trying to decide what holiday cookies to make and give away this year.
 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Writing is still going well. I managed to get 15k (60 pages) written last week despite a couple of unexpected things popping up. It was touch and go there for a while if I'd meet my self-imposed deadline of having 150 pages written by the end of last week, but I did it (barely. I had to write the last 6 pages on Saturday to hit the 150 page mark.)

Motivational Quote:  "Farmers don't rush their harvest--why should we? Plant your seeds, be patient..." ~ Joel Leon

What I'm Reading:  I started reading Holding on to Chaos by Lucy Score yesterday afternoon. While this is the fifth book in the Blue Moon series, it also reads as a stand alone. I haven't read any of the previous books and I'm not feeling lost. This is an "insta-love" story which are not usually my cup of tea, but I am liking it so far. (I'm only a third of the way through the book.)

Random Things:  I made my first batch of cookies for the fall season. I don't bake from late May until early October because of the heat and high humidity that we have in the summer months. The cookies are a cross between a gingerbread cookie and a gingersnap. It was a new recipe for me. They're good but if I want a ginger based cookie in the future, I'm going to stick to my tried and true gingerbread chocolate chip cookie recipe. 

Random Photo:

                              Here's a picture of the Ginger cookies I made on Sunday.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I kept feeling like I was starting this new book in the wrong place so I deleted everything I wrote the prior week and started over. I didn't actually delete it, I saved it in a separate file in case I decide I want to use it or part of it in another place or even in another book. With the fresh start last week, the words are coming faster which makes the writing easier. I'm taking it as a sign that I'm on the right track finally.

Motivational Quote: "We will spare no effort, we will not tire or despair, we will not lose faith and we are confident that, in the end, our aim will be achieved. ~ Anwar El-Sadat

What I'm Reading:  We went to the library Friday afternoon so I started reading The Rule Book by Sarah Adams that evening. It's a cute rom-com that's holding my interest.

Random Things:  Yesterday was the official start of fall. Part of me is welcoming the changing of the season and all the things that go with it - cooler weather, being able to baking bread, the changing of the leaves, mulled apple cider, and the crisp bite of a newly picked apple. I eat apples year round, but here in upstate NY, it's apple picking time. We usually go to a pick your own apple farm and get a bunch. We're planning on going in mid-October and I'm already looking forward to it.

Random Photo:

We're trying to do less snacking after dinner, so I've been purchasing less treats, but now I'm constantly looking in the pantry for a snack or a treat. It's almost like my brain knows we don't have any so it wants one.