A Little Light Housekeeping…

…before the carnage is unleashed. Muahahahaha! Ok, now that I’ve got that out of my system.

I’m working on some changes here. (Notice I said that with a straight face. No grimaces or pretending to gag or anything immature like that.)

I felt the need for a…well…a lightening of attitude, of outlook, that sort of thing. Hence, the white background. Then I looked at my little internet home and realized the busy-ness of it annoyed me.

Exceedingly.

It’s kind of like when, during the winter, I’m stuck inside and looking at the unfinished kitchen backsplash and the crack in the ceiling that’s gotten so wide I’m worried the drywall will collapse and hurt someone, and the house smells of last night’s fish and the kids’ rooms stink of b.o. and the walls are closing in…

Ahem.

My point is, I periodically open all the windows in my house for a while to get rid of the stale air. Afterward, everything smells fresher and, oddly, I feel better. I’m able to settle back in and not obsess over the small stuff. (Though I have to say, I’m having a hard time trusting my husband on the ceiling crack issue.)

So, I’ll probably consolidate some things here, move some stuff around, find a new Theme. You know, clear the air, so to speak.

In the meantime, I’m also figuring out my new Kindle and Twitter. (I tell you, I’m just settin’ the world on fire with my capacity for change lately.)

I looked into ereaders for a few months, trying to figure out the buzz. I was conflicted, as I mentioned in my previous post. But, apparently, my husband was watching, because he bought me a Kindle for Christmas. (Actually, the tag said it was from our cat, Lugnut, but I know they were in cahoots.)

I felt like such a traitor…for all of about an hour.

Fact is, I’m doubling my reading. I keep my Kindle upstairs for reading in bed. (Because after 20 years of telling me it was fine I had the light on to read at night, hubby now tells me it bothers him.?!) Then, I keep a regular book downstairs during the day because I’m weening myself off the tv. So far, it works for me. And my guilt is assuaged.

At the moment, I’m borrowing Kindle books from my library because we’re poor now after Christmas and taxes. However, we have a small library system and I’m finding it hard to find the books I want to read. There’s very little in the Fantasy genre, unless it’s Urban Fantasy and even then, they don’t have any Dresden Files. How is that even possible?

So, I borrow Thrillers and Mysteries, even signed myself up on the waiting list for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – number 18 at the time. That’s a pretty popular one. Seems I’m not the only one noticing this. Publishers are limiting the number of copies for libraries and folks aren’t happy – see this interesting article here that I found through Twitter.

And, speaking of Twitter, I just finally worked up the ambition to jump in. It was time. I’m taking this business of writing seriously and Twitter is a business tool. Ok, yes, it can be a fun time-suck as well. So be it. Besides, I only get on it after my daily writing is done.

Mostly.

Twitter is crazy and chaotic and I can see where I might need to set a timer (I probably shouldn’t have favorited so much at first.) I’ve heard Tweetdeck might help with that, so I’m going to look into it. Any of you I haven’t already followed can find me @ekcarmel.

BTW, have you seen my progress meter? I’m in the home stretch now on my WIP! Squeeeeee!!! But, I’m pretty sure I’m going to go over my projected 9oK words, so that may be a bit premature.

I’ve gotten to the point where I ran out of pre-writing scene sentences. I had an idea for the end, but expected it would probably change as I wrote. Well, I haven’t changed my mind completely, but I’m still trying to figure out how to get there.  I’ve been doing a lot of freewriting and making lists. Which helps.

How is your writing going? Do any of you have Tweetdeck? Any tips?

Update: Tic Disorders in Our School

Since writing my last post,  a diagnosis has been revealed concerning the 12 teenage girls in my community who suddenly developed a tic disorder.

Tic Disorders In Our School

Well, folks, when you can’t believe things could get any stranger in the world of raising families, something new pops up and blows everything before it away.

Warning: This is a long and winding post even though I cut out a lot of the extraneous stuff.

Looking Back and Forward (and trying not to get dizzy)

I hate making resolutions and blame it on my grade school teachers. After returning from Christmas vacation, they always assigned a theme (remember those?) in which we described our New Year’s Resolution.

“My New Year’s Resolution is to be nicer to my brother and sister.” Yeah, right. That one didn’t last the day.

“This year, I’m going to work hard and get better grades.” That might have lasted a month or two.

As a kid, I think I also confused resolutions with my Catholic friends’ ideas of what they would give up for Lent.

“You’re giving up chocolate? For the whole year?!”

Despite this long-standing childhood trauma, and because the new year is an obvious point of change, I do spend a moment or two reflecting on the past year and thinking about the year to come.

My Shopping Philosophy (sort of)

Right after Thanksgiving it seems the world explodes. At least for me. The rush is on towards Christmas and all the craziness that goes with it.

I’ve written heartfelt posts at Christmas before, so this year I’m wallowing in the crude, commercial side…

Changing Seasons

In my little corner of the northeastern US, we enjoyed a particularly long stretch of beautiful fall weather. I’ve gotten more yard work and cleaning up of gardens done then I’ve managed to do in years. And best of all, I didn’t freeze my buns off! (Well, to be honest, if it got that cold, I wouldn’t even bother with the yard work.)

It’s not all done, though, because, in my more enthusiastic gardening days (pre-writing), I planted more than I can possibly handle now. But I also can’t bear to dig up all those plants I spent hours of love and care on.

Now, my beautiful summer flowers are gone, replaced by interesting dried flower heads and fall foliage and one sad little chrysanthemum. I really should move that poor thing.

Anyway, here are some photos. Something to look back and remember in fondness during the long, cold, dark winter to come. Brrrr.

Ornamental Pear Tree

Hydrangea

Spirea

Burning Bush

Chrysanthemum

Priorities and Marching Band and Halloween, Oh My!

It’s my usual dilemma: Too much to do and not enough time, energy, or financial resources to do it all. Like everybody these days, it’s a constant struggle to balance a busy life. I can’t do it all, despite what all those people say about multi-tasking.

When I multi-task, I just get a bunch of things done half-assed.

Then my perfectionism rears its ugly head.

Then I explode.

Then I have to apologize. (And I hate to apologize.)

Growing Up and Gearing Up

When my youngest daughter left for the first day of school last month, I was riveted. She wore her new Aeropostale shirt and skinny jeans with her messenger bag and confidently walked up the street.

Where did my little girl go?

Some time over the summer she switched bodies with this coltish young lady who wouldn’t look out of place in an LL Bean catalogue. Not long ago, she was racing down the street as fast as her (shorter) legs could carry her, backpack flapping behind her.

I don’t remember a transition.

Of course she came home and immediately picked a fight with her older sister, and then I recognized her again.

I Think I’m Getting Used To This “Change” Thing

I planned to finish my first draft today, but it’s not gonna happen.

*Woo-Hoo!*

*Confetti and balloons!*

*Unicorns and glitter!*

Back To A Little Normalcy (I Hope)

Sorry for dropping off the face of the earth.

All of a sudden, the end of summer loomed and I still had projects around the house, back-to-school shopping, a quick trip, and writing to squeeze in. I’m still trying to catch my breath.

But I’m so happy to get back to my normal schedule.