Got most of what I wanted done, despite a few upsets and some extra, unexpected busyness. Am having to readjust the goals for the year, but that's okay. The past 5 months (can you believe we spent that much time trying to get a house? I can't!) really bit into my time and brain power, so at this point, I'll take whatever I can get! lol Not having the house stress has been a good thing. There's still some moodiness stuff going on, but that should chill out now that tsykika is done with her last round of online classes. We'll be working on getting her into the Arts Institute for January. She should be much happier there, I think. And happy people means less bickering and whatnot (though that may NEVER end between the girls).

Anyway, yea, did pretty good this past week. Had hoped to get more of my read through done than I did, but I'm okay with where I'm at. And, actually, I'm pretty content with where I'm at overall. Still need to work on the weight thing, but I'm also willing to wait until the man is working again and youngest has transportation to and from school (and that's the big thing for us). I know I'll make my word count goal for the year. I would be subbing A.C. if the house stuff hadn't taken over my life, so I'm okay with missing that particular goal. That's the thing with yearly goals: stuff comes up and you have to adjust to and accept that.


2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: prologue-ch20 v6 done
» 375,000 words :: 351,999 (93.39%)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k :: not likely to happen; too focused on A.C.
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft done :: see above
» exercise 5+ days/week :: will probably wait until January, but we shall see
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: 0; total: -20 1/2
» reduce salt intake
» get caught up on utilities
» read 1 book a month :: 17 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

( All that progress stuff )

No words last week, but I'll probably finish my read through this week and get over 30k out of it, so it doesn't bother me. It's just the phase I'm in with A.C. and the fact that I can't seem to switch gears right now. And that's fine. A.C. has been on my plate for too long; it's time to get it done. Switching gears works for early in the process, but being focused is probably best for a read through and final check before sending to betas. I should be requesting readers soon, and then I can work on finishing up my set up for the next book while I wait for responses. :)

I also note that working on 3 books in a year is probably a bit much for me since I really am a slower writer, but I doubt that will much change for next year's goals. I'd like to finish the trilogy that A.C. is a part of, but I also realize that it might not sell, so working on other projects is a good idea. I seem to have lost interest in Phoenix, but I still should get a finished rough done, so we'll see what happens once I get A.C. off to the betas. I'll also need to work on the synopsis and query letter, and I'm sure I'll be looking for avoidance projects. ;)

Btw, if you've had beta readers, how long did you wait for returns? What is a good turn around time? I've not done this before, so I'm not sure what's reasonable and when to count out a particular reader because it's taken too long.

Cutting out the word goals this week. Even though things are a bit more settled right now, I'm just too much into getting A.C. done, plus still doing quite a bit of transport duty and other things, to have the time or mindset for new words right now. And that's okay. Sometimes you need to a little focus. ;)


Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» finish A.C. chapters 21-30, v6 first pass
» 1 DII crit
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: The Bell At Sealy Head
» White List update

Extras This Week
» taking youngest to/from school
» continue cleaning/unpacking
» dump all the house paperwork
» file all other paperwork
» fill out son's paperwork for school :: couldn't; got messed up and didn't get replacement paperwork


Looks really slim compared to my usual stuff from before the house, but I also have a better chance of getting most everything done, and it takes into account my time constraints, the things I really need to get done, and where my focus is right now.

I have to say, I feel really weird being focused on anything. My ADHD usually doesn't allow that. lol ;)


Today's list:
» A.C. chapters 21-30
» daily reading: The Bell At Sealy Head
» picking up youngest from school
» dump all the house paperwork
» dishes
» make/eat dinner


Okay, the man is off to pick up a portion of what's owed him (they won't pay him the full amount because they won't let him point out they are underpaying him even more than usual...they've gotten to be experts at the b.s.; besides, we need the money for food and arguing would delay the payment). In an hour, I go pick up youngest and get the kids on track for finishing their chores from the weekend and the few things they need to get done for today. I guess I'll go through the paperwork and get rid of all the house related stuff since there really isn't time to get into A.C.

Guess I'm off to unload paperwork! lol

Oh, and catch up on my Twitter feed! lol


~~~

most recent

whysper catching up :: journeys Not As Busy, Still Going :: booklog Heat Wave

...from the room as the power seeped back into the world.
~ Assassin's Choice


We still have some busy days ahead—we have to clean the house up, de-flea it, and unpack, and we still have to run girlo back and forth to school until the end of the semester—but I figure it's still a good idea to start using weekly goals again. There's no house distraction and no running around dealing with stuff for the house distraction, so things should be a little quieter and the day a little easier to manage. The one thing that will be hard to fit in is my exercise routine—the day is still a bit too cut up. Besides, the hubs isn't working and isn't looking for the moment, and I'm just not into having an audience. :P

On to the goals!


2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: prologue-ch20 v6 done
» 375,000 words :: 351,999 (93.39%)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft done
» exercise 5+ days/week :: will probably wait until January, but we shall see
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: 0; total: -20 1/2
» reduce salt intake
» get caught up on utilities
» read 1 book a month :: 15 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

( Getting back to it...no, really! )

The big thing for us right now is cleaning up the mess left behind by the house, part of which is catching up on our utilities. Not sure how well we'll STAY caught up with the husband unemployed, but we can at least catch ourselves up for the moment. But with that as the focus, most the rest of the yearly stuff is not nearly as important right now. I do have to say that I'm pretty impressed that my weight has stayed fairly stable despite falling off the exercise wagon and the healthy eating wagon.

Keeping the goals fairly simple this week for two reasons: 1) haven't managed to consistently work on goals for awhile now so need to get back into those routines/habits, and 2) my big focus writing-wise has been getting A.C. ready for betas. That last means that pretty much everything else has been going by the wayside. I even tried to start the B.C. building draft, but the focus is so much on A.C. that I just couldn't get it going. So, I have my 250 for writing and world building, but I'm not holding my breath that any of that will happen until A.C. is off my plate. And that will probably be another month. But putting those goals in there anyway—really need to start flexing those writing muscles again.

Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» A.C. chapters 21-30, v6 first pass (read through)
» 250/day; 1500/week
» 250/day; 1500/week in world building
» 1 DII crit
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: Heat Wave and finish Harrowing the Dragon

Extras This Week
» taking youngest to/from school
» look into school options for youngest :: managed with just a few phone calls
» de-flea capets
» clean up and unpack
» work on new whysper layout
» pick up meds for me (4 of them plus vitamins)


We're almost as busy with the extras this week as I am with my writing! lol

Anyway, for today....


» A.C. chapters 21-30, v6 first pass (read through)
» 250/day
» 250/day in world building
» journals: whysper, journeys
» daily reading: finish Harrowing the Dragon
» get youngest from school


When I pick girlo up, I do need to talk to the office and let them know we need to place her in another school next semester, but I have to wait until tomorrow to speak with her home school about her options because the man has to go in to school early tonight so he can get ready to register for next quarter. Meds have to wait until we have a check in the bank, which will be tomorrow at the earliest, but more likely not until Thursday or Friday. My head will appreciate being back on my bp meds. :P We'll start the carpet project tomorrow, after the man's midterm in his safety class. We have to do it while the kids are in school because the stuff needs to sit on the carpet for an hour or two. And we're going to have to do it in stages. It's just too big of a project to do all at once.

My immediate plan is a couple of journal updates before I have to go and pick up girlo. Better gets started since I have just under and hour. Really need to wake up so I can get started. Right now all I want to do is curl up in bed and go back to sleep. :P


~~~

most recent

whysper breaking the silence :: journeys Not As Busy, Still Going :: booklog Small Favor

Last week was pretty much as I expected: not that much accomplished. In fact, except for A.C. revisions, I'd say nearly nothing was done (I did manage about 400 words of world building, but that's pretty much it). I think it comes down to the limbo for the house. We're so wrapped up in seeing if we get the house, submitting yet more paperwork for the house, and dealing with the financial stresses caused by trying to buy the house, that putting my head into much else is next to impossible. And last week had the additional mess with the car (repaired, still not registered) and the insane water bill (paid, along with a few other bills). Plus the man started culinary school and tsykika needed some serious guidance on getting through her classes after letting them slide. So, despite not hitting most of my goals, I was very busy.



2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: prologue-ch10 v6 done
» 375,000 words :: 320,284 (84.51%; 49 behind)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: still trying to get back, but still have schedule upsets that interfere
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: ?; total: -16 1/2
» reduce salt intake
» get caught up on utilities
» read 1 book a month :: 14 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

( What wasn't done last week.... )


You know, as pathetic as that all is, at least I managed something. I tried on the crit and Charms, just couldn't get my head into either one. For Charms, I'm sure it's that I'm pretty much into getting through my v6 pass of A.C. The books are VERY different, and with everything else going on, it's just harder to split my attention between the two of them right now. And I'm really motivated to get through A.C.. Yes, I'm trying to make 10-12k of cuts, but the revisions are going very well for the moment. I'm actually enjoying my book again. Besides, I really want to get it out to betas. Of course, that means I have to start working on the synopsis and query, but I'm not thinking about that. lol

This week is more of the same. I'm keeping most the same goals, though I suspect I'll make attempts and end up aborting again. A.C. really has me right now. ;)


Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» fin. A.C. chs 11-20, v6, pass 1
» 250/day; 1500/week
» 250/day; 1500/week in world building
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. building draft
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: With The Light vol.4

Extras This Week
» more house paperwork
» paperwork for boyo
» taking youngest to/from school


Today is the Columbus Day holiday, so kids are home. But they're finishing up things from the weekend and working on homework. The only icky thing, really, is the weather. More rain, more flood watching. Good thing we had some sun over the weekend or I'd be in even worse shape. Right now, just kinda...groggy and out of it. But that's better than borderline depressed. Still ready for yet another nap though. lol

And for some reason I really want crepes and can't have any. :P


Anyway, today's goals:

» 250 in Charms (need to try to get that opening started; once I do that, it'll be easier, but the opening sentence always seems to stump me for some reason, even though this isn't even the rough draft yet)
» 250 in world building
» A.C.
» whysper entry
» booklog entry


With the way things have been lately, I expect it'll be pretty much A.C. and not much else done today. The goals encourage but don't necessarily get done. As long as something gets done through the day, though, I'm happy.


~~~

most recent

whysper breaking the silence :: journeys Crazy Busy :: booklog Small Favor

As in half the streets around my house are flooded, many too flooded to use. So far, we're above water, though the back yard of the new house isn't—it's now part of the "Yellow River" and half our fence is down and/or gone. The garage was fairly decent though—some water, but not enough to make me worried, which means the rest of the basement should be fine as well. Of course, they're saying the rain won't end until next Monday. and from what I've seen, the break won't be long because another line of storms is behind the current one.

At least the school district announced that it's closed tomorrow early enough that I wasn't already up at 5:30 in the morning. The boy isn't too happy (he cried), but I get to sleep in, so I'll take it.

Today was just so much frustration on top of more frustration. Tonight I'll work on the progress stuff, though I probably won't report it (did get words, did not lose weight, started v6 on A.C.: that's pretty much it in a nutshell, lol), and do some more work on A.C..

And hope to god that the run over by a truck feeling I had this afternoon isn't a warning of worse to come. Need to stay healthy a bit longer....


~~~

most recent

whysper reclaiming myself...again :: journeys Crazy Busy :: booklog Small Favor

Take your choice.

So, the school thing worked out fine. The documentation has not. Once again, they need a very specific letter that they're going to send me. The thing is that this money was a result of what they asked me to do and an effort to find funds to work on the house.

But, of course, I probably did it wrong, so it's probably my fault we're having to do this...again.

Yea, tired of that one.

Anyway, did make some progress on writing last week. Haven't sat down and done the counts, but I know I made my 3k goal. Didn't make the world building count goal though—got just under half of that. Didn't weigh in and don't plan to at this point. I'm sure I've gained, and I just don't want to deal with it.

Not really setting any goals for this week. I will probably write the usual down in the calendar I use to track my progress, but I'm getting tired of reporting how I failed to make them because something else in all the house stuff completely derailed my week or because the current routine/schedule makes it impossible for me to get much done. It's just frustrating to not cross most of my goals off, or even to make any progress on most my goals. And that's not getting any better until the house stuff is done and we're moved.

If we move. I'm beginning to think we've sunk all this money into a house we won't get. I'm tired of the process, and I just want this all done and over with.

In an hour, need to go pick up youngest from school. Not sure what I'm doing between now and then. I think I'd rather sleep. :P


~~~

most recent

whysper reclaiming myself...again :: journeys Crazy Busy :: booklog Small Favor

Ended up being far busier than anticipated all last week; just too much going on and too many things to do. Con took over the weekend. We were either there or we were home passed out. And lord did I sleep yesterday. I was exhausted. I'm still too much of a wimp. Hopefully next year I can actually make it through all 4 days. :P

Obviously, no writing done, so no goals met for last week. And because of lack of exercise and crazy diet, I actually gained 2 pounds. Not particularly happy with that, but hopefully things will be better this week and at least stabilize for now. Still waiting on money to finish closing, plus the grant people are apparently behind in processing the grants, which means the moving crazy won't start until all that gets in. So husband will finish what work he can on the house today and then we sit and wait. I have to call the people with the judgment and try to move the damn due date again. We'll see what happens with that since they aren't too agreeable in general. At least I know now to get the new date around the 10th of next month to account for mailing time and know I'll have to repeat everything a billion times before they actually get it.

*sigh*


So, with last week such a wash, the goals for this week are pretty much the same:

Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» A.C. changes & checks
» 500/day; 3k/week
» 250/day; 1500/week in world building
» 1 short (start, finish, or revise)
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: Harrowing the Dragon
» exercise: 4 days Core Rhythms + stretch
» lose 2 pounds
» Get DII newsletter out

Extras This Week
» packing/cleaning
» call judgment people and arrange new due date
» grocery trip (possibly 2)


Not quite sure what I'm doing today yet. Probably a whysper entry, 500 words on B.C., 250 in world building (minimum since the A.C. stuff will probably eat up that count and then some, and that stuff is the priority), and the DII newsletter. I also might be adding a member or two to DII since I've received nudges from people on Twitter and MySpace saying they want to join. We'll see if any of them join the party. ;)

Okay, should go make some breakfast and get the rest of my day started. Hoping today will be relatively quiet as it's the last day of vacation for anyone, but we'll see...especially since the grand baby is going through a difficult stage.


ETA: Today's actual goals...

» changes to Strycker's profile
» 500 words
» 250 in world building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: Harrowing the Dragon
» Get DII newsletter out
» packing/cleaning
» call judgment people and arrange new due date :: called, left a message (they said to call today, but it's a holiday; betcha they'll still claim I broke the contract)
» DII Admin stuff: remove 1 member, add any newbies
» pick up work car :: picking it up in the morning...long day tomorrow
» take tsykika to/from work
» repost some work to DII


~~~

most recent

whysper reclaiming myself...again :: journeys Almost There :: booklog Small Favor

This week is heading into "impossible" territory. A lot of stuff hasn't been paid as we've put money into buying the house, and this is the week where that comes to bite us in the butt. We've pushed the disconnects as fa as we can, and this is the week they start coming due. Problem is there's no income to help take care of them. And nothing more I can do to salvage the situation. All we can do now is hope that the two checks that are slated for any time in the next 2 - 3 weeks show up this week. Even then, I'm not sure how it's going to work since they're supposed to go 100% to the house (closing costs, repairs, and a judgment I need cleared to get the loan). I'm sure we'll figure something out or something will come up and get us through (probably another round of robbing Peter to pay Paul with the exception for the water bill which is too high for us to do much about), but if they want any more money for this house, it'll have to be a no. We're not just tapped out, we've dug a hole. (Really, it's times like this that makes having a 2nd vehicle and a 3rd job in the house look good, until I realize there's be no way that job would even cover my son's care while I worked, much less actually bring extra money into the household.) If we do get the house, I have no idea how we're going to pay the utilities to get them into our name over there.

This has truly been an experience I don't ever want to repeat.

As noted in a previous post, it has had a really nasty effect on my writing. Last week was pretty much a wash. Once I decided to not let house stuff derail me, I did manage to get some work done on chapter 37, but that didn't happen until mid-week and by the weekend the chapter still wasn't done. Some of the issue is scheduling/routine. My days really do get eaten up since I'm not up 100% until 10:30 or 11. It will be much easier to get up an hour earlier and actually have a little time once I'm not driving youngest to school every day. Until then, the double wake up is both time consuming, annoying, and necessary since I don't function well in the morning. Just getting the kids out on their buses makes it much easier to get back to sleep and make up my missing hours.

Two things I noticed last week: I didn't post goals here on LJ, and even though I wrote goals down in my planner, it apparently wasn't enough to help get/keep me on track with my writing (accounting for the disruption from the house and schedule, I still should have managed to get SOMETHING done and didn't); and that it wasn't until I started tuning things out and putting on music again that I made any progress. Now, I know these things help me, so I'm not sure why I haven't been using them other than the fact that life has been crazy upside down. Regardless, it's definitely time to get back to both, so I'm listing my goals for the week. There's nothing really for me to check off for last week, so just going to keep with the year overview and my plans for this upcoming week.



2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: working on chapter 37
» 375,000 words :: 218,534 (58.28%; approx 47k behind)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: usually 5 days CR + stretch
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: +3; total: -21 1/2
» reduce salt intake
» do something to make myself feel good every day :: been too busy these last few weeks
» splitting utility payments :: have a better chance when we get into the house
» read 1 book a month :: 11 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3


I'm not particularly upset with the weight gain this week because I think the 3 pound loss the week before and at least part of the 4 pound loss before that came from not eating. I've been so stressed that my appetite dropped drastically, and that's just an unhealthy way to lose weight. I'll lose those 3 pounds again, only in a healthy way by going back to counting my portions and food groups and exercising. I'm definitely going to feel the exercise this week too. I've just been too inconsistent over the last couple of weeks.

There will be, however, no exercise today because the husband is home. I'll be glad when we get the house if only because I'll have a room where I can work out without an audience. Much easier to keep up the daily exercise when you're not feeling self-conscious about it. :P


Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» finish A.C. 37.4
» A.C. 37.5
» 500/day; 3k/week
» 250/day; 1500/week in world building
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: The Dark Ferryman
» feel good thing x7
» exercise: 4 days Core Rhythms + stretch
» lose 2 pounds

Extras This Week
» taking youngest to/from school
» pick up meds
» fin "last" of loan paperwork
» sign grant contract (for house dp) if it comes in
» clearing/packing closets


It looks like a quiet week, but we'll see. As the past few weeks in particular have shown, things tend to come up, especially with this house stuff going on.


Today's to do list (after a little more sleep):

» finish A.C. 37.4
» 250 in world building
» 500 in other words
» journals: booklog
» reading: The Dark Ferryman
» feel good thing
» taking youngest to/from school
» take tsykika to work
» pick up meds
» fin "last" of loan paperwork
» sign grant contract (for house dp) if it comes in
» sign closing amendment
» pick up money part 1
» clearing/packing closets


For now, time to crash for a bit longer. The yawns are happening (no surprise since I only managed maybe 3 or 4 hours of sleep, and those not good ones because the man was raising the roof in a big way), so better take advantage while I can.


~~~

most recent

whysper reclaiming myself...again :: journeys Almost There :: booklog Small Favor

I just never seemed to get to LJ much, not even to read my flist. On the one hand it wasn't THAT crazy last week, on the other, I just couldn't seem to get it together. The days were eaten up by lots of little interruptions. Nothing majorly important, but nothing I could really ignore either. Between that and the heat and being off the writing wagon for so long, it really was a struggle last week and not a whole heck of a lot got done.

Anyway, must rush this and get going. Girlo will be waiting for me to come get her by the time I'm done here. lol


2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: working on chapter 37 (last one!)
» 375,000 words :: 214,977 (57.33%; 35,023 behind)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: usually 5 days CR + stretch
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: -4; total: -21 1/2
» reduce salt intake
» do something to make myself feel good every day :: been too busy these last few weeks
» splitting utility payments :: have a better chance when we get into the house
» read 1 book a month :: 11 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

( Just pathetic.... )

Didn't do as well in the writing arena as I hoped last week, but I expected some problems getting back on task. I'm really pleased with the weight loss, even if no one else sees it yet. I'm 1/8th the way to my goal! Woot!

Because of problems getting back with it on the writing, I've cut back my daily word count goal until the habit reforms again, then I'll pick it up again (hopefully in a week or two at most). Still have a lot of non-writing things going on right now, so even with the kids in school, I'm not going to kick myself too hard if I have trouble making the goals. The house stuff crops up at the most unexpected times and can take a day or two to get done, and that always seems to throw me off. Going to try to make a point of getting my Feel Good Thing done since that's dropped off my list in the past couple of months (I think because the exercise actually does make me feel better). Beyond that. most everything here is the same as last week. Let's hope for better progress this week. :)

Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» A.C. 37.4
» 750/day; 4500/week
» 250/day; 1500/week in world building
» revise (sub?) 1 short
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog (x3) :: turns out I wrote reviews for 2 of the books already
» daily reading: The Dark Ferryman
» feel good thing x7
» exercise: 5 days Core Rhythms + stretch
» lose 2 pounds

Extras This Week
» taking youngest to/from school (next 5-6 weeks)
» call insurance dude
» call lender about insurance dude
» update visitor status (all)
» financial planning meeting for the man's school Sat.
» more zucchini bread as soon as have new recipe
» bank
» pick up meds


I'm sure something else will come up in the extras. With the house and getting the man into culinary school, something seems to always sneak up on us last minute. I do think we're finally more in a holding pattern on the house at the moment: waiting for the tax return to come in and for the closing date.


Today's to do is actually a bit on the long side, though some of it is already done, thank goodness:

» A.C. 37.4
» 750 words :: 694
» 250 in world building
» whysper entry
» daily reading: The Dark Ferryman
» feel good thing x7 :: pretty, dangling earrings today
» exercise
» taking youngest to/from school
» call insurance dude
» call lender about insurance dude :: insurance dude will contact her; I'm going to send an email
» take tsykika to/from work (hoping she can find rides home to reduce gas use :: which she did for tonight AND tomorrow)
» more lender stuff: contact utilities, gather yet more paperwork, do an online workshop, & lord knows what else (knew more stuff would come up)


Need to get a hustle on now; have to go pick up youngest. First day of school at new school. she's been cranky about it all week. lol

Writing later, I hope! New schedule means developing a new routine. (Moving means doing it all again! Lordy!)


~~~

most recent

whysper so many changes :: journeys Almost There :: booklog Small Favor

But I'm back. Sort of. For a little while anyway. There's a lot going on, so I'm going to have to be a little lenient on the goals, which I've already tried to make a little lighter than they were before. There are going to be days where getting anything done will be...challenging.

Like today.

Really, this was the earliest I could get to this. I took my youngest to the doctor today, and the same doctor was also able to see my son, who ended up needing blood drawn. And I went in to get my BP checked...and ended up needing blood drawn as well. Then there was the boy's birthday, a grocery store...three times, baking a cake, and...stuff. I expect tomorrow to be just as busy since I'm going to try to get youngest into her new school before we actually move into the house that put us into its district.

So, yea, lots of crazy.

Getting on to the goals...or the lack thereof. :P


2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: working on chapter 36
» 375,000 words :: 207,524 (55.34%; 34,679 behind)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: usually 5 days CR + stretch
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: +1; total: -17 1/2
» reduce salt intake :: still going to need to watch it, but ready to cross off
» do something to make myself feel good every day :: been too busy these last few weeks
» splitting utility payments :: have a better chance when we get into the house
» read 1 book a month :: 11 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

( No real progress last week, but to get on track.... )

The weight gain for last week is disappointing but not surprising. We've got so much going on with the house that I'm running all over like crazy, so half the time we're not eating as well as we were (Friday: Church's chicken, Saturday: 2 hamburger meals -- 1 at lunch the other for dinner), and there are days when I'm not managing my exercise program (totally missed it on Friday). So I'm aware this month is going to be rocky on all fronts: writing, weight, routines, goals, etc.

Speaking of goals....


Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» finish A.C. 36.4b
» 1000/day; 6000/week
» 250/day; 1500/week in world building
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog (x3)
» daily reading: The Dark Ferryman
» feel good thing x7
» exercise: 5 days Core Rhythms + stretch :: 1
» lose 2 pounds

Extras This Week
» girlo's dr. appt
» boyo's dr. appt Friday
» BP check
» bake cake
» try to register girlo in new school
» find zucchini bread recipe, make
» packing/cleaning up
» med pickup (Thursday?)
» fax remaining documents to lender


The extras will pretty much get done this week; they kinda have to (well, except maybe the bread, but don't want the zucchini to go to waste either). I've been trying to make a point of doing the exercise stuff. It gets missed occasionally, but I've been really good about it for the most part. So it's the writing that's probably going to end up shaky for the week, but I'm just happy t have the time to work on it again. I started revising last night and just soaked it up.


Today's goals were (are):

» exercise
» A.C. 36.4b
» 1000 words
» 250 in world building
» journals: booklog (x1)
» daily reading: The Dark Ferryman
» feel good thing
» exercise
» girlo's dr. appt
» BP check
» bake cake


Obviously a few other things ended up being done that weren't planned. Thankfully I have time to try to get some of the writing stuff done.

Tomorrow promises to be busy too. I'm going to try to get youngest transferred to the new school, and that could mean running back and forth between the new school and the old school to get it all managed. I also HAVE to get the last few documents to the lender tomorrow.

As for the rest of today, all 2 hours of it, I need to get some dishes done and lunch made for the man, then I can tackle the words again.

Telling you, just crazy. But at least whatever left over time I can find these days is MY time and not being soaked up be a freelance editing project.


~~~

most recent

whysper so many changes :: journeys Almost There :: booklog Small Favor

...last week SUCKED!

Yea, yea, doing the goal post anyway, but it did. Just over 3k in words (real let down when I was doing between 10 and 15k for weeks before that) and a lot of stress eating because it really was a crazy week. The good news is that I'm behind on my year goal for words, but I still lost weight. *g*

And, yes, very surprised and proud of that, although I swear it's not me, it's the Core Rhythms.

Anyway, already getting sidetracked with things I need to do, so better get the rest of these goals posted! (Started this a half hour ago! Really! Printing, a load of dishes, need to make a phone call...yea, busy! But, really, when am I not?)



2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: starting chapter 36 of 37
» 375,000 words :: 200,602 (53.49%; 2500 behind and expect to get more so before the editing job is done)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k (no progress this week)
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: 5 days CR, 3 days of additional 5 min of CR, 5 Days of stretch
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: -3; total: -14 1/2
» reduce salt intake :: only picked up salt shaker once this week :)
» do something to make myself feel good every day :: been too busy these last few weeks
» splitting utility payments :: missing child support has hung this up
» read 1 book a month :: 7 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

( And now for what sucked. :P )

Actually, I think there was more personal stuff on the to do list than the list indicated. For example, we saw a house on Saturday...and ran to the store yet again. Seriously, last week just would not slow down. This week looks busy too, but not nearly as bad.

To adjust for the editing I MUST get done, I'm trying to cut the word counts in half.

Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» A.C. 36.4
» 600/day; 3600/week
» 200/day; 1200/week in world building
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, booklog
» daily reading: Firebird
» daily reading: The Riddle-Master of Hed
» feel good thing x7
» exercise: 5 days Core Rhythms + 5/stretch
» lose 2 pounds

Extras This Week
» call in refill of boyo's meds
» make OBGYN appt.
» see house on Tuesday
» bank on Wednesday
» pick up boyo's meds on Wednesday
» grocery store
» Dr. appt. on Wednesday
» call AT&T yet again


I'm sure more will come up as the week goes along, but it already looks better than last week. And, of course, I'll be working on that editing job. I finally have my tech guidelines in hand, so will look from the beginning again to make sure I caught everything and to take care of the stuff I had trouble with when I didn't have the guide to check. Really, been out of the editing a bit on the long side, I guess. It really does take a different mindset than writing.

Anyway, over an hour on this post alone, just trying to get stuff done while posting. For today:


» editing
» 600 novel words
» 200 in world building
» A.C. 36.4
» journals: booklog
» daily reading: Firebird
» exercise: 5 days Core Rhythms + 5/stretch
» call in refill of boyo's meds
» make OBGYN appt.
» call AT&T yet again
» catch up on dishes
» green bags
» pick up tsykika from work
» the first of at least 3 grocery store runs


I'm already stressin' a bit, but it should all settle once I pick up tsykika from work. Sort of. Need to get to work on some other things now, including that phone call. The man is not happy with his phone right now. Mine's the same kind and doing fine. Mostly anyway.

Okay, AT&T call then pick up oldest, and finally I can start editing. Then dinner. Then more editing. Might get to write tonight...we'll see.

Mondays are always so crazy.


~~~

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whysper exhausting :: journeys Almost There :: booklog Small Favor

No, really, it has. Yesterday: over half a dozen phone calls that took all morning (2 others were deferred to later in the week), exercise, bank, editing, and I still managed 1625 in words (481 in world building). So far today, pick up grocery money, grocery store, and exercise. Both days I had/have to take tsykika to work and pick her up (plus again tomorrow). I was surprised the phone calls took so long, but I guess I shouldn't have been since they were to our lender, realtor, lender, program manager (x2), lender, tax guy to get info on how to amend our taxes, and AT&T to see what's up with our cell service lately (which was the longest of the the calls). All this is why I haven't posted an update + goals post until now. I should just skip it, but I have about an hour before I take tsykika to work, and there's some really good news to report!



2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: starting chapter 36 of 37
» 375,000 words :: 197,591 (52.69%; 2300 ahead! woot!)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 73k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: managed 4 days last week because of illness
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: -4; total: -11 1/2
» reduce salt intake :: using very little, but need to get down to next to none
» do something to make myself feel good every day :: been too busy these last few weeks
» splitting utility payments :: missing child support has hung this up
» read 1 book a month :: 7 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

( Not a great goal week but.... )

Not a fantastic week in terms of most of my goals, but the ones that counted I managed. I am...just on a cloud about the weight loss, especially after not losing much the week before.

For this week, I've cut out a few things (not many) and the 1200/day is more of a guideline. I'll be happy with 1k, all things considered. I'm also adding


Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» A.C. 36.4
» 1200/day; 7200/week
» 400/day; 2400/week in world building
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: Firebird
» feel good thing x7
» exercise: 5 days Core Rhythms + 5 days of stretch
» lose 2 pounds
» DII Admin Stuff
» DII newsletter

Extras This Week
» call lender
» contact realtor
» contact tax man
» contact AT&T about cell service
» pick up grocery money x2
» grocery store x2
» bank
» refill meds & pick up


And added to that, God knows what else. I'm sure something else will come up. It's looking to be one of those weeks. Really. I think I'm supposed to do meatballs some time this week too, but I have no idea if I'll find the time. As it is, the other kids are being pressed into service for domestic duties.


Okay running out of time again. For today:


» CR + stretch
» pick up grocery money
» grocery store
» drop off/pick up tsykika (work)
» 4+ hours editing
» 400 in world building
» 1200 novel words
» A.C. 36.4
» daily reading: Firebird
» dishes
» green bags
» add DII member


Can someone please find time for me to BREATHE? Gotta run! Time to get one to work and to get back and start my editing.


ETA: Forgot to put in the other piece of good news! All the phone calls yesterday were to clarify the housing thing! Apparently we qualify for about $120k, BUT we're only going to about $85 because part of the purpose of this is to cut our housing costs and that will bring us down between $200 and $300. We also qualify for a higher Georgia Dream loan program because the boy is disabled, and the CHOICE program should give us about $10k towards the house. Right now there's only one real catch: there's a judgment on my credit report from 2004. To get the loan, we've got to clear the judgment. To do that, I need to amend my tax return and get the $8000 federal tax break for buying a new house. To be able to do THAT, I need to have the house address and amount. So I kinda see a collision of timing coming with all this, but we're going to keep going until someone says we can't go now more.

Whew!

Okay, really, editing.


~~~

most recent

whysper new, busy, stuff :: journeys Almost There :: booklog Small Favor

So today is my Monday? Or something like that. We're not sure what put me down yesterday; one theory is an additive from the water I drank on Sunday (I'm drinking Naturally Preferred H2O Centered Flavored Nutrient Enhanced Water). It's the only thing different in my diet, and Sunday's "Lemonade" flavor was kinda nasty. I do like the Orange and Dragonfruit though. Anyway, the hope is that 1) I'll drink more water (I won't drink tap—NASTY after taste, and husband was looking at price when he bought these) and 2) the sweetness will help subdue the sugar craving issues I have. Anyway, since I feel better today, it might have been. I've got one more lemonade flavored water, but now I'm afraid to try it. :P

Last week was pretty good, in general. A few issues, but overall good.


2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: almost done with chapter 35
» 375,000 words :: 187,119 (49.90%; about 381 behind)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is over 70k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: did 4 days of CR plus 1 of walking
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: -1/2; total: -7 1/2
» reduce salt intake :: using very little, but need to get down to next to none
» do something to make myself feel good every day :: last week sucked. lol
» splitting utility payments :: back to being a mess *sigh*
» read 1 book a month :: 7 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

I'm disappointed in the weight loss, but I suspected it would be a problem. This week there are no easy to grab sweets in the house, so hopefully it will go better. Everything else went pretty good—even if I didn't do 5 days of CR, I did do 5 days of exercise. I know I need to take it to 7 days eventually, but my hips and legs were sooooo glad to have the weekend off. lol

( Pushing a little harder now.... )

Like I said, pretty good week. Most things crossed off. Going to bump up the world building word count this week, but everything else is standing pat....


Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» A.C. 35.5
» 1200/day; 7200/week
» 400/day; 2400/week in world building
» advent story
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: Firebird
» feel good thing x7
» exercise: 5 days Core Rhythms :: 1
» lose 2 pounds

Extras This Week
» not sure yet...will add as they come up


The above might end up being dependent on a freelance editing job. With us in need of money, I'm not turning it down when an author who really appreciated the work I did with him offers to pay for me to work on another book of his. Might even put my editing page back up...or not. :P

Okay, need to head off for my shower and get started for the day. With the missing day, am going to be really pushing my word counts, but I'm not overly worried since I can overflow to Sunday this week.


» Core Rhythms
» 480 in world building
» 1450 words
» advent story
» journals: booklog, journeys
» A.C. 35.5
» daily reading: Firebird
» green bags
» dishes
» drop off/pick up tsykika (work)


Okay, I'm off. Need clean. At least I'm awake and feeling up to doing the writing. :)


ETA: One piece of excitement—I completed the first of the kick start routines for my CR today! Now I just need to keep doing that until it's easy and I feel I can move on to routine 2. I'm so proud of myself! :D


~~~

most recent

whysper lots of news :: journeys Almost There :: booklog Small Favor

...she finished taking her seat. "I am sorry. I did not mean . . . ." She took a breath. "Irikar should be here with us. He is very much missed."
~ Ashyra, Assassin's Choice


I actually already have quite a bit done today. This is what happens when you wake up early to take someone to work and don't go back to sleep. And I didn't go back to sleep because I had to talk to the gas company as early as possible to prevent a disconnect. They tell me that since the notice is already set up, there's no guarantee they can prevent it, and if I do get disconnected anyway, I'm still responsible for the reconnect fee. Grrrrrr....

Anyway, on to the purpose of the post! Another decent week behind me. :)



2009 Goal Progress
» Finish/Sub A.C. :: on chapter 35 of 37
» 375,000 words :: 173,540 (46.28%; about 6k behind)
» Phoenix to v4/5 :: building draft is almost 68k
» B.C. rough draft :: notes draft coming along
» exercise 5+ days/week :: starting this week
» weight loss :: goal: 160; last week: -1; total: -7
» reduce salt intake :: using very little, but need to get down to next to none
» do something to make myself feel good every day :: averaging 5 days a week
» splitting utility payments :: back to being a mess *sigh*
» read 1 book a month :: 6 (w/slush & crits)
» less PS2/3

Note that I've set my goal for my weight loss. I'd actually like to lose a little more than that, but I think the goal I set is more realistic for my age and whatnot.

( 10k seems to be about the norm... )

I only lost 1 pound last week, but it's not a major deal since that still means a total of 7 pounds lost just by adjusting portions down alone. This week the weight lost starts in earnest as I get back exercising, only this time I do it 5 times a week instead of 2 or 3. And after this morning, I can honestly say that the issues I started having with the CR must have had to do with the high BP because I got as far as I was getting before I started struggling. The previous dose of my heart meds worked for a couple of years, so let's hope the new dose works that long...and that I stop needing it before that.


Goals This Week
Writing/Personal
» A.C. 35.4 (b)
» 1200/day; 7200/week
» 350/day; 2100/week in world building
» 1 short (start, finish, or revise)
» 1 DII crit
» B.C. plot building
» journals: whysper, journeys, booklog
» daily reading: Cygnet
» feel good thing x7 :: 1
» exercise: 5 days Core Rhythms :: 1
» lose 2 pounds

Extras This Week
» call gas company
» grocery shopping


The bump ups I noted last week have been added in. The key to keeping those up will be trying not to miss any days the way I have over the past few weeks. Sunday is a good "break" day. Not much on the extras, but I'm sure that will change as the week progresses. Always seems to happen that way.

As for today's goals....


» 1200 words
» 350 in world building
» work on advent story
» journals: booklog
» daily reading: Cygnet
» exercise
» call gas company
» green bags
» dishes
» drop off/pick up tsykika (work)


Need to make my weekly post over at writersweighin, and then I'll get started on the world building and work on getting some dishes loaded. What's really nice right now is that I feel ready for the day/week despite the early wake up. I'm sure the need for a nap will kick in sooner rather than later, so better do what I can before it does. ;)


~~~

most recent

whysper lots of news :: journeys Almost There :: booklog With the Light...Vol. 3: Raising an Autistic Child

There's only two things definitely on the to do list today:


» A.C. 35.4
» start advent story


And that's it. I've pretty much met all my other goals this week -- well okay, need to do my journal entries, but those are really no big deal. I might attempt another crit for one of our In Focus members, but that would be just because. I used to do 3 crits a week, but it's been nice taking it easy and doing only one. Maybe I'll go up to 2 when it looks like I'm doing okay with my new word count goals.

Today is supposed to be a chat day, but the backup chat is being a putz and our other chat hasn't been reinstalled. I'm beginning to think it'll never be, which is fine since the fellow who hosted it doesn't owe it to us or anything. I'd just like to know up front we're unlikely to get it.

Anyway, let's see if the brain can work on my chapter again. I quit last night when I came to a spot where I knew what I wanted to say but couldn't figure out HOW to say. I figured that was a pretty good sign that it was time to take a break. lol


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most recent

whysper upside down :: journeys Almost There :: booklog With the Light...Vol. 3: Raising an Autistic Child

So one other bit of good news from yesterday (buried in all the craziness): Since the doctor told me to lose weight and I've started cutting portions, I've apparently lost 4 pounds (that's assuming a minimal discrepancy between the two scales). I've added a weight loss of 2-3 pounds to the goals for this week. Weigh-in will be Mondays, probably in the mornings (first one was around noon, but I post goals in the morning and would need to know if I've lost anything before I post).

I've been surprised by two things in this process so far, one being the weight loss itself. I didn't expect portion sizes alone to make much of a difference, I was just trying to prepare for the serious business of weight loss as ordered by the doctor. The second is that the reduced portions haven't been that big of a deal so far. The first day was kind of tough, but since then...not so hard. One of the things I need to start doing now is adjusting my servings so I'm more in line with what I should be eating out of each food group. I suspect this means less bread and more fruits and veggies, which will be tough on our income. I'm sure the reduced portions will get tougher when we add the exercise back in, but for now it's going much better than I expected.

There was one other surprise. I was trying to find the diabetic exchange lists to understand what an exchange is (turns out it wasn't that big of a deal; they could just call it servings, they just want to point out any one serving in a particular food group can be exchanged for a serving of another food within the same group) and went to the American Diabetes Association. You have to buy their pocket guide to get a clue. I did finally find them and printed them out...at the Mayo Clinic. *rolls eyes* I've bookmarked Mayo's diabetic pages for future reference, especially if I'm finally diagnosed as diabetic.

Have a few things to do today before I start writing, but hopefully I will actually write. Household is a little more settled than it was last night. Unlike with my second daughter, youngest doesn't create a stir every day, thank God.


Today's To Do List:

» A.C. 35.4
» 1200 words
» 300 in world building
» start advent story
» money pick up
» FM for fruits & veggies
» dishes
» green bags


Getting everyone put together for the farmer's market. We should be out the door in the next 30 minutes. When we get back, I'll get started on the writing goals, I hope. I found out one of the reasons I've been having trouble breathing and was so tired yesterday was the air quality, which is pretty bad today too. Hopefully not being out for as long as I was yesterday will make a difference in terms of how tired I am when we get back.


~~~

most recent

whysper upside down :: journeys Almost There :: booklog With the Light...Vol. 3: Raising an Autistic Child