Entry #628232, added on 01-29-09 @ 6:52 pm EST
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| Progress? Isn’t that a pasta sauce? | Entry #628232 |
Jan 6th
I have discovered the FLYlady and the value of a shiny sink … Honestly, I have made some good progress. Yesterday I got up at roughly 8 am and this morning I got up at 6:30 am. We have been doing devotionals and I have tackled several intimidating tasks that I had procrastinated. My sister-in-law sent me a link to www.flylady.com which has given me some real encouragement (although the pile of e-mails may bury me if I’m not careful). I recommend it to anyone who feels discouraged and overwhelmed.
Yesterday I read two books to my kids, made jello together and we have changed the morning routine (although truth to be told, my oldest still beat me to the kitchen even with me getting up at 6:30!) so that the kids aren’t “creeping for food” and snitching marshmallows, candy and tearing open packages … yeah, that’s what happened yesterday morning.
In terms of writing … well, I have been working on the rewriting of chapt 2 and I would estimate that I’m about half-way through. I’ve done most of the main addition which means that most of what I have left is merging, altering and tweaking. I’ve been cutting my teeth on trying to write a “blurb” for Hall of Secrets and struggling. I think that part of my problem is that I get way tense regarding blurbs and synopsizes. Maybe I should spend a day just reading blurbs for other fantasy books and see if I can get inspired.
Jan 7th
I have nearly caught up with the dirty laundry. Not that it's all folded, but I haven't been doing too bad at that either - only one basket with mics stuff in it. It took me by surprise when I went to put a batch of wet clothes into the dryer and the dryer was empty and waiting! I can see the floor in my little office nook. My sink is clean and shiny. My bathroom is nice and pretty - swiped the counters this morning. I even swiped my stove and kitchen counters this morning. And while I was waiting for the water in the washing machine to fill I quickly cleaned a few dirty spots there - you know, the grime that builds and builds until it's obvious. Granted my sewing/mending pile is about to reach the ceiling if it doesn't topple first, but at least I'm gathering them in one spot. Can't get to my sewing machine or my craft area... but I'm trying to get a grip on the main areas of the house and that will have to be a project to tackle later. I'm not trying to do everything, but I am trying to maintain the areas that I reclaim. My Husband physically drug me out of bed this morning at 6:30 am (I'd be lost without him), but he's figured out that I'm no happier by sleeping in. For the first hour or so I just so want to go back to bed - the warm covers and chance to lay down - but I have managed. Ideally, after I've gotten more used to the pros of this schedule, I will be tired and actually go to bed at a more reasonable time at night. I've been doing better, but I do realize that going to bed at 12 midnight doesn't work when you're getting up at 6:30. Plus, he's been easy on me. The target rise time is actually 6:00, but even then, this morning I toyed with the idea of suggesting an even earlier time so that I could have some private time to get dressed, do my hair etc and still have at least an hour of writing time before starting on breakfast. That has got to show serious progress, right? Starting slow like this and not pushing myself except to maintain areas, you come to like the clean areas and it's easier to think "I have an extra minute to just clean this little spot, too." Then it's not so much stress and panic or guilt. Even though one of my couches is 3 foot deep in boxes of half-packed Christmas stuff and who knows what else, I and my family have kept control over the dishes, the kitchen table, breakfast in the morning, the counters and laundry for the last couple days (some for the last week), but we haven't killed ourselves to do it! it helps you feel good and encourages you to do a little bit more.
Jan. 12th
Got up at 7:30 today, which meant that breakfast and devotional went fine but I missed out on my protected hour of writing – 6:30-7:30 so tomorrow that is both an inspiration and gift to me if I actually get up earlier. I was able to resist working on my story stuff and wdc yesterday, which is good. I made flashcards instead. Simple words with a quick drawing. It helps with teaching the kids but it was also good for me to practice some simple art and restrain the perfectionism. All in all I think I’ve done well. My Husband is pleased and has expressed it. The kitchen is still relatively controlled, sink and dishes. Some windows have been washed (had to hide the spray though after a while so that I could breathe regular air again instead of chemical Windex high), but they aren’t perfect. I’ve been cleaning things at night for a bit, including the kids’ chairs, the dishwasher etc. My bathroom is still clean and orderly (well, except for the cupboards…).
I’ve had some rough days… attempting peanut brittle it overflowed and I burned my hand trying to clean as much away as possible (sugar on the glasstop stoves is bad). Spent a while with a razorblade over that one… Got more frustrated that night (think this was sat.) but it motivated me to burn the garbage and run stuff outside because I really didn’t want to go into Sunday with that stuff full in my kitchen. Last night the kids emptied out their clothes drawers on the floor while I was at a meeting and my Husband was on the phone. When he instructed them to put the clothes back my son decided not to (he’s been semi rebellious lately the whole “No! I don’t want to.”) so now his clothes are in a box in our closet. Maybe I should make the best of it and use the time to sort out those to put away for now since he has too many clothes in circulation. My Husband is a bit less panicked about laundry and such since I’ve been keeping ahead, so he has been relinquishing hold of clothes that don’t really fit or are beyond simple repair. Considering his Mother, this is a very good sign.
I had hoped to have chapter 2 done last week, but it didn’t happen. I did get a workshop review done though. I have the battle sequence still to do – maybe 800 words. I did find some new advice regarding query letters including a bunch of samples. I’ll probably read through a bunch of them and hope to be inspired. By the end of the month I want at least a book blurb and/or a query letter for Hall of Secrets. Meanwhile, one of the workshops I’m in has started a “review-a-thon” that I would like to participate in so I have a few books that I might target. I’m going to read and then focus on general comments that cover a larger amount than just chapter by chapter.
Jan. 29th
I have hacked out the new Chp 2, which the feedback I’ve gotten says that I have upped the tension and action of the fight sequence. Granted, one reviewer (who hadn’t read the old version) thought that the beginning was slow. I’ll have to see what I can do about that.
I have gotten the basics set up for the Review Forum:
Passkey:1212
I haven’t opened it for business, but mostly because I want to be able to commit some time to it. My plan is to open it at the end of Feb. and offer the first Novel package through an auction. This is my first Review Forum, so I’m open to advice or feedback!
Currently, we are still trying to get the house cleaned up for showing in order to sell it. It’s really slow going with my Husband in school full-time and tutoring part-time. Hopefully this weekend we can make enough of a push to list it etc. I have been doing okay on the housekeeping and making slow forward progress. Have a box of stuff to donate to charity. Maybe I’ll drop it off tomorrow so to clear up space here, and to keep the kids out of it.
My Husband and I joined a community Dance class every Friday night through Feb. and into March! It’s so nice to be back into that. Plus, it ensures a date every week.  Lately I’ve been helping him with revising papers and reports for school.
Had the fun of car problems a couple weeks ago – shredded one of the engine belts and killed my power steering. A five minute trip turned into forty-five with begging a ride home (had my 1.5 year old with me too and one of those rare moments where I didn’t have my cell!) and my Husband spending the whole of the next day at the next town over to get it fixed since it happened to be Sat. and no repair places in our little town were open. All in all, the inconvenience and price tag were mild, but for a young family with him at school and bringing in only part-time income… well, we are glad that no one was injured even though it was a tense drive for me.
I haven’t finished the drawing of Jeremiah (from Hall of Secrets) yet, but I did pull it out and work on it today. Mostly it’s the hair and ear left to do and then just clean-up.
Nope, I haven’t written the query letter or the family history chapters for me or my Husband… but I have done a little piano.
-Renegade
 
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