The Scaredy-cat is Back

It has been suggested to me that I should stop hiding when shit happens. Allow me a moment to whine, “I don’t wanna!”


I’m not really over the urge to whine, but I shall move on.


Life has reached a point of relative plateau.


I am only considering the non-hiding bit because I don’t get much done except the basics of survival and once the crisisses subside I regret the lack of accomplishment in areas that are strictly for me. But damn, I get tired. (And you thought I was done whining.)


So, anyway.


Since I was last here over a month ago, the two biggies:


My husband (QV) was laid off. His company shut down the division for which he worked.


Two weeks later, he had a stroke.


Both “disasters” turned out not to be as horrendous as they sound.


The most important part is that QV (who is only 50) was very lucky in that the effects of the stroke were bizarre but minimal and should not affect his future abilities. We just have to go through the process of having him cleared by a bucket load of doctors. The stroke high-lighted a weak heart as the cause.


We have radically changed our life-styles and we will end up being healthier than before. That’s definitely a good thing.


I don’t much like talking about this kind of stuff (to my mother’s eternal dismay) but I feel guilty about my disappearing acts. I know other people have “stuff” to deal with, too, but I don’t handle stress well. I’ve always required lots of alone time and the need is greater when I have to marshall energy for these lovely little surprises that are thrown our way to help us grow. (I’m laughing hysterically over that last phrase. Are you?)

Merry Meet and Blessed Be

Thank-You, God!

As always, I have been putting something off until I had it perfect which is ridiculous.


My brother was in Tokyo when the earthquake hit. He got home safe and sound last night. Thank You, God!


There's always so much for which to be grateful, but this is definitely at the top of my list.


I have been busy with so many things. I am working on an actual first edit of my re-write of my 2006 NaNoWriMo novel which was called Happenstance (hideous, I know.) It is now called Married To Death. 


The first thing I did was read what I wrote way back when and highlighting characters, places, time references and key descriptions. then I cut 11,944 words (it still hurts) which was a random story one of the characters told so I could chalk up numbers on my word count but really had nothing to do with the story.


I made a spreadsheet of all of the peoples, places and things including any references to them so I can find them all easily. Then, I did a timeline spreadsheet. I was pretty consistent in keeping seasons and things straight.


After all of this I floundered a bit trying to organize what I wanted to add and clarifying the plot and sub-plots.


Then, I found a really good website with lots of free information called How To Write A Book Now. You should check it out. Free. Short. Informative. Helpful.


Now I am trying to finish an actual first draft by March 31st.

Merry Meet and Blessed Be

Blogging is like a Crack Addiction...

...I imagine, anyway. I got so caught up in participating in meme's and weekly blog games. I had to go cold turkey to survive.


Things have been topsy-turvey in my real world. Re-structuring at work, family wanting extra attention and my desire to get published. Hence, my break from you all. (Extreme boo-boo face.) The month of may was not any better than the month of April.


I see DISQUIS is still here. I've asked for its removal about 20 times now.


I had a whole week off from work (the only time in 13 years) which I spent with my grandson. All I did the entire week was pay attention to him. I had forgotten how much work babies can be, especially when they are teething.


I have been writing 500 words a day on my novels in progress and doing a major revision of my 2006 NaNoWriMo novel Happenstance.


I will be trying to come around to visit over the next couple of weeks. I promise nothing, as all of my plans tend to go awry.

      

Tales on Tuesday - My Favorite Martian

I have put Mr. Linky below if you wrote a story for this week. I still have not had a chance to read last week's stories and I have not written one this week. I have not even checked most of my emails in forever. My apologizes all around.

No matter how I wish it otherwise, there are only so many hours a day for me in this place and time. If I were orbiting the earth, I might gain a few one thousandths of a second but I doubt that extra time would help me much.

Friday I begin a vacation of nine days. I have not taken an actual week's vacation in about ten years. I will be staying home, except for short trips and visits, indulging myself with no place in particular to be. 

Please bear with me. I miss you all.

~ Tales on Tuesday Link ~

The theme for Tuesday, May 4, 2010 will be "Leave It To Beaver."

Do you have a TV show theme to suggest for future Tuesdays? Leave your suggestions in the comments.

Here's Mr. Linky. 

Sign in if you wrote a story for today's theme "My Favorite Martian."

Be sure to link right to your story.