Waiting

I hate waiting.  I'm not good at it at all.  And I'm just waiting for Saturday, when I get to dress up and go to the Renaissance Festival with Sis.  I go to work and I come home.  I yarn and read and write.  

But I'm just waiting for Saturday and it sucks.  

In the meantime, the week is dragging by, and I can't believe it's only Wednesday.  It's that funny time thing again.  That thing time does by feeling like it's moving really slowly when you're looking forward to something.  I hate it.  And really, I swear, I suck at waiting.

But it'll get here, and I'll have a great time.  Take pictures and have plot bunnies and eat and revel and it'll be wonderful.  

I'm focusing on some other goals right now to try to take my mind off it.  We'l see if it works.  And I'll share the results.

But right now, I'm mostly just waiting.  

The Weekend

Kinda sorta missed a deadline.  Even though it really wasn't a bit deal at all, I still feel like crap about it.  I had it in my head it was due a certain day, and wasn't paying attention to the date part and well...yeah, I feel like a jerk even though it was unintentional.  Need to get my ducks in better order.  I sort of have this rough and flexible schedule about when I do things...but maybe I need to firm that up a bit.

The good news is that ultimately my weekend was incredibly productive.  I'm still only just over halfway done with my hat, but I did put a few rounds on that.  Worked on a scarf a bit too, just because the yarn feels so fantastic.  Had lunch out with Sis, which is coming to be much more of a regular thing...we just call it sister time and that's really nice.

And I wrote.  I've got that WIP just about ready to go.  It's so close, I can taste it.  I'm just not quite there yet.  Just a wee bit more.  

But I feel very accomplished, and that is a great feeling, so I'm very happy about that.  Now just to keep the momentum going!  And to get things taken care of before deadlines!

Early Nap

I was up before six this morning.  Wide awake, staring at the ceiling, ready to start my day.  Oh I tried to roll over and sleep some more, but it just wasn't happening.  That's what I get for going to sleep at nine thirty last night.

God, I'm boring.

Anyway, I got out of bed and got my coffee.  I futzed around a bit on the web, and then got to work.  I've made some really good progress on some things I'm working on.  Actually managed to write a synopsis for my WIP.  One step closer to being done.  A few more tweaks and edits on the MS itself, and then....then I have to get up the guts to submit it somewhere.  Soon.  

But now I'm sleepy, and I've only been up for four hours.  I think my nap will happen earlier than usual today.  I want to finish the bit I'm working on, and then I'll crawl back into bed for a couple of hours.  

I want to point out that this is actually working too.  Because in those moments as I'm not really awake, but not quite asleep yet...those moments are when I do some of my best thinking.  The characters like to show me scenes then.   I'll replay them while I drift off, and then when I wake up, I'm usually in a good place to write. 

This one is almost done, and I have a bit of an idea for the next one.  I'm letting that one percolate some more.  I'm missing some details I need to work out before I try to get it on the page.  

But the end for my current boys is nigh.  I can feel it.  And I'm getting anxious.  Both to have the completed project, and because I have to let them go. They've only been living in my head for a few months, but they are mine and so that's tough.  

But after I finish this part I'm working on, and then a nap, I'm going to sit down with TV and yarn.  And that, right there, will be good.  

Anticipation

Sometimes anticipation is half the fun.  That build up to the actual even, the excitement, makes it all the sweeter when it actually happens.  

Sometimes, though?  Not so much.

I have half a mind to drag Sis to the Ren Faire this weekend instead of next.  There is very little holding me back.  If my new shirt arrives today like it's maybe going to, I don't know what will keep me from doing it.  Except...yeah, the special events of next weekend's Highland Fling are better and more fun that this weekend's pirate theme.  

Except I really, really, really want to go.  

I tried on my dress the other night and was surprised to find that it is now ever so slightly too big.  I knew I'd been losing a bit of weight, which is great.  My clothes were definitely fitting better.  But that dress?  Well, it's not like I can just run out and get a new one.  First of all, it was hella expensive, because it was handmade, and since I only wear it maybe twice a year, it is still practically new.  On the one hand, I can actually breathe in it (the top has boning, like a corset) and that's pretty fabulous.  On the other hand there are...certain parts of my anatomy, that no longer stay where they are supposed to and the result is less than flattering.  There are some tricks that I can do, and a little sewing perhaps, that will make it fit better.  It'll get me through this year, at any rate.  If I keep losing weight, we'll have to reevaluate for next year.

At any rate, I'm horrible at waiting, and the anticipation is nearly going to kill me :)

I'll just have to distract myself this weekend with words.  I've got work much work to be done on that front and that is a good thing.  

Good Times Ahead

Every summer, in a little town not to far away, there is a Renaissance Festival.  The "shire" comes alive with entertainers and vendors and he hillside is transformed into a wonderful flurry of activity and fun.  

Sis and I are headed there next weekend and I can't wait.

We have a fantastic time, just her and I.  We wander at a lazy pace, we see what we want to see, stop when we want to stop, and just enjoy ourselves.  It gets fairly crowded as the day moves on but weirdly, in this one instance, I don't get freaked by all the people.  That's not to say that I don't sometimes need a moment in the quiet, but that's easy to find if I need it.

Yeah, I'm one of those people that does the whole dress up thing.  I have a pretty dress, skirt, and top.  I do up my hairs. I feel pretty when I dress up.  I don't even mind that Sis decidedly does not dress up.  lol.

It's even shaping up to be nice weather, though since it's still 11 days out, that could change.  But as it looks now, it'll be not terribly hot and a bit cloudy, but no rain.  Just how I like it.

And oh, the plot bunnies that run rampant at the Ren Fest are always freaking thrilling to see.  I'll end up staring into space a lot as my mind works, but Sis will keep my feet on the path.

The theme that weekend is Highland Fling, and there will be extra Scottish bits about.  Music and highland games and other little bits that we're both looking forward to.

I'm very excited.  Positively giddy with anticipation.  I can't wait!

Glorious Day

So Sis and I were up and out a reasonable hour this morning.  Found the new location of yarn store without trouble, walked up to the front door to see Lucy (the bulldog) and the owner's son on the wee porch.  Lucy loves people and went nuts.  I gave her lots of pets and told her she was a sweet girl.  I called her by name, which the owner's son thought was funny.  "Oh, so you've been here before huh?"

It's got a different layout inside, but I even like it better.  Still a great little place and lots of new yarns.  I actually fell back on one of my favorites Rowan (I got the color Seasalter) and a couple of balls of Marmot by Berroco (in colorway Spinel).  It's all for me.  I swear up and down.  The Rowan will be made into a hat because I don't have one yet (crazy, because I've made a bunch of them) that's all slouchy so that if I have my hair all down my back or up in a bun, I can wear it no matter what.  And the other is super soft and lovely to the touch, so that's going to be a short scarf/neck warmer.  Also for me.  

I also spent a stupid amount of money on needles, but they are my favorite kind, Addi Turbo, and I needed the sizes so I got them.  I'm well pleased but I have to avoid some frivolous shopping for a while.

After shopping, we went to Target real quick so Sis could pick up some stuff.  And then we went to lunch.  Oh my god.  The food was so good and I ate way too much, and so did Sis and it was all "UUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!" when we were done but it was worth it.  

And then I came home and took a nap.  And that right there was seriously awesome.

But now I'm awake and even though I need to make things that are other, you know, like the BFF's other mitts, or even the shawl I started for myself and didn't finish (I'm frogging that and starting over) I'm going to sit down in a minute and make either the hat or the neck warmer.  Probably the hat.  Cause fun.  I'm going to find something to watch and spend the rest of the evening/night yarning.  It's going to be great.  

The Traverse

So my cousin and her kids showed up on Wednesday night because they were flying out of our airport early the next morning to go back to Colorado for a visit.  

They arrive, hugs and kisses all around, and then my sister says "Your cousin broke her car."

I cocked an eyebrow at Sis.   Sis gave a put upon sigh.  "She was turning onto our street and then, bam! Grinding and squealing."  

I just shook my head.  Couldn't be as bad as all that.  I said, "I'll take a listen when we move the cars around later."

Yep.  Grinding and squealing, and not just a little.  I walked back into the house and said to Sis,  "Your cousin broke her car."

Sis laughed.  "How bad?"

I just shook my head again.  "Bad enough that if she wants it to go to the dealer for repairs, we should have it towed.  It's probably just the ball bearings, which shouldn't have gone on a car that only has 18,000 miles on it, but if it's worse, I don't want to drive it."

So while the cousin is visiting relatives, Sis and I are having her car towed to the dealership so it can get fixed.  

The sad part?  It's a Chevy Traverse, and I absolutely love driving it, and I had permission to do so whenever I wanted while she was gone, except it's now out of commission so I don't get to.  *pout*

The good news?  If it's really just the ball bearings like I think it is, then it's a quick and relatively easy fix.  I'm just glad that I'm not the one to have to pay for it!

Nationals!

It's Nationals weekend!  Yay!!

Oh wait, you don't know what that means?  It means that Kris gets to drool incessantly over all the pretty cars! :D

Nationals is a big car show we have in the area every summer.  Classic cars and trucks of every make and model flood the area, driving around and distracting me.  Perfectly restored, pristine condition, beautiful cars.  There's even a hotel on my drive to work where a lot of the participants stay so I get to see even more than usual.

This morning I saw a bright yellow roadster circa 1930 that nearly made me crash.  (Okay, not really. I'm exaggerating.  But it was pretty.)

I'm a car girl, you know this.  I come by it honestly, because my mother is a car girl too.  We like to play the game when we're driving, "Mom!  What's that one?" "It's gotta be a '57 because after '58 the fins were a little bit different on the Buick." (Or something like that, I'm paraphrasing)

One time I was stopped at a red light behind a '40's era Ford pickup and I had to snap a picture to send to Mom.  We bot love the classics and it's a real treat to see them all shiny and pretty and well cared for.  

I don't go to the show at the fair grounds--too many people and I get anxious--but I get to spend the next three days seeing all the lovely car eye candy!

Comfort Shopping

This upcoming weekend, I'm going to take a trip to my LYS and do a little shopping.  No, of course I don't need more yarn.  Just want.  :)

Things have been...not great in certain aspects of my life.  And I need a little comfort.  And see, my LYS moved locations (not too far from the original one) and so there's going to be a whole new layout which is always fun to explore.  And new yarns, because she had a big sale so she didn't have to move as much (which I sadly did not partake in) and then she had to replenish her stock.  So that's always hella exciting.

And yarn shopping is just....yeah, it's one of my big comforts.  Actually, just going to the LYS and being surrounded by all that luscious yarn is the comfort.  I may or may not walk out of there with yarn.  Probably I will, I'm not going to lie, but maybe only a little. 

The only project that I have on the needles right now is finishing the BFF's mitts.  Okay, wait, that's not true, but that's the only one I have to get done.  The rest are gravy.  At some point in the near future, I'll finish that.  Honestly, my life has been taken up by reading and writing lately and I haven't done much yarning.  Very little in fact.  I think I need some of that balance back.  

So anyway, there's yarn shopping on Saturday at the new store and I'm a bit excited.

On a side note:  I got a really heartfelt and warm thank you note for the baby's blanket this week. My coworker's wife really loved it, and that makes me very pleased. And it was really nice to get that note, because not enough people do the thank you note thing anymore.  I, myself, have dropped the ball on that on occasion.  But getting that was wonderful, and it reminds me that it's the right and good thing to do. Showing appreciation is never a bad thing.   

Book Comfort

Alder and Helena: drop me an email and you get a prezzie!  A $10 gift card to the e-tailer of your choice!  Huzzah!

For the first time ever, I actually have books in my TBR pile.  Normally, you see, I buy the books and then read them right away.  I only buy when I'm looking for something to read, and I make a note if there's a title that I want but don't have a chance to read yet.  Some of that is due to money, I can't go crazy buying ALL THE BOOKS, but mostly it's just personal preference.  When there's a book sitting unread on my Kindle, it's like it's taunting me, and I have a desperate need to read it.

In the last couple of months, that's changed.  

Now that I'm reviewing, I get the books directly from Jay to read.  And she sends them when she gets them from the publisher or author.  And even though there's a part of my brain that's like "Books!  Read!" I do have other things going on in my life, and I have to be responsible and manage my time.  Not to mention there are other books that come out that, though I'm not reviewing them, I want to read.  lol.  So, there are books waiting for me to read them.

And weirdly, that's sort of comforting.  Knowing that I can pick up my kindle and have something new to read whenever I want.  When I need a break from all the "other" going on, I can start reading.  

I am enjoying the hell out of that.  

501

Long about 20 posts ago, when I saw that my 500th post was coming up, I had this idea that I'd do something big.  There were tentative plans.  But as the days passed, and I didn't blog as much, I sort of stopped paying attention.

This is my 501st post.

I totally missed it!  Blargh!  So instead of a big thing, well...how about this: if there are any lurkers out there, comment.  If I get enough comments, I'll pick a random winner to receive a prize.  I promise it'll be something anyone can use.

And hey, if you want to still just lurk, that's cool too.

Thanks for sticking with me this long, y'all.  Maybe we'll have 500 more

Weird Morning

It started after a rough night's sleep.  Just kept waking up for no reason.

The power went out for a couple of minutes---not sure why--and I only noticed because the sudden cessation of sound woke me up.  It only lasted a minute or two, and then everything whirred to life again.  When I finally got out of bed a little while later, the clocks, of course, were blinking.  Do you remember my clock that somehow got set in 24 hour time?  And I tried everything I could think of to get it to go back to regular time?  I even unplugged it, but no joy.  Except, apparently, after the power blinked out, it went back.  Only now I've gotten used to it, and when I look and it's NOT 24 hour time, I'm all confused.  And since I don't know how I did it in the first place, I can't make it go back.  *heavy sigh*

Then, I couldn't get out of the house.  I mean, of course I eventually did.  But the front door was...stuck.  It seemed like the latch was stuck, but even when I managed to get that popped open, the door still wouldn't open.  I triple and quadruple checked that it wasn't locked, but no matter what, I couldn't get it open.  Eventually, I didn't have time to mess with it anymore and went out the side door, letting my sister know there was an issue.  A little while later I got a text saying that she fixed it.  I glowered.  I guess it was just a bit swollen in the frame, or the frame was swollen around the door, or something, because she tugged, pushed, put on a little pressure, and now it works fine.  

Yes, after the weird morning, I seriously considered just crawling back into bed because the oddness of it has totally thrown me off my game.  Just hiding away until the day was over and then I could start fresh tomorrow.  But I'm up and out, and I'll make do.  

Hope your day is off to a better start than mine!

Lovely Weekend

I had a really spectacular weekend. And even though it's now Monday and I have to go back to work, the high of the weekend is still following me. I'm a ridiculously happy girl.

Spent some time with the BFF just hanging out and doing what we do. I love that we can just be in each other's presence without saying a word. And we are both content just to be. After lunch and story time, I read and she did stuff on her computer and we spoke when we had something to say. It was awesome and a lovely way to spend the 4th.

I also had some great conversations with some good friends this weekend that made me laugh and feel good about myself. I think I did the same for them. It was good.

I got out of a family get together because I just couldn't handle socializing. I felt bad, but mostly not. And I needed not to be there.

In other news I got back the deliciously beautiful cover for Spell Break. You may notice that it's gone from its own page, as is Soul Bond. That's because in the near future they will be PDFs. I'll share the cover with you tomorrow.

It's rainy and dreary this morning, but even that can't get me down!

Hope y'all had a lovely weekend too!

It's Saturday!

All day long, I keep thinking it's Sunday, because we had yesterday off, right?  Over and over, I keep thinking, "Ugh. Work."  But then I remember that it's Saturday and I still have Sunday to go and I get giddy.

Extremely giddy people.

In truth, it's ridiculous just how happy realizing I have an extra day of weekend makes me.
(It probably says something about how I feel about work, and I should probably do something about that, but at this moment I'm not in a position to, so I'll just let that go for the moment)

In other exciting news, I'm cleaning up Spell Break and Soul Bond, getting them covers, and then going to put them out there as PDFs.  I'll drop those links here, if I can, if anyone is interested when that time comes.  Y'all were my first audience, and gave me the best encouragement.  So just in case anyone is interested, they'll be there.  If not, well that's all right too! :)

4th of July

What are you doing for the fourth?

I think I've heard that question about seventy million times over the past week.  It seems like that's what everyone wants to know.  And when I answer honestly--reading a book and having lunch with the BFF followed by chill time--they stare at me like I'm crazy.

No, I'm not barbecuing.  No, I'm not going to the lake.  No, I have no intention of going to a fireworks display.  

Yes, it's the celebration of the declaration of independence.  Let me be independent and do my own thing.

So in this case, I'm mostly just looking forward to having the day off from work so that I can get some much needed hang time with the awesome BFF.  I don't need any more than that.  I don't have a particular hankering for grilled meat products and the sun and I don't get along at all.  Why would I do something I don't enjoy just because that's what everyone else is doing?  Doesn't make sense to me.  

So that's what I'm doing today.  Lunch out, hanging out, enjoying the relaxing time.

But if you're celebrating, I wish you a lovely holiday.  

Hello July!

I'm honestly not sure at all where June went.  Seriously.  The year is half over.  How in the heck did that happen??

I've had a crazy couple of weeks, and I sort of still feel a bit...discombobulated.  But I'm working getting those things sorted out so that I can feel more settled.  I have plans to just relax and hang out on the Fourth and I am very much looking forward to that.  I need a little downtime and the BFF is going to help with that.

In other news, there's not much to reports.  I still love yarn and coffee and reading.  I'm still working on a bunch of different things.  I'm still writing.  I'm still me underneath all the crazy the world has thrown at me lately and that is a very good thing.

Oh but fun news!  The baby was born yesterday, and he sent me an email this morning thanking me very much for his blanket and to tell me he loves it very much.  :D  He's beautiful, and mama and baby are both doing well.