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Post by Admin on Dec 24, 2017 22:39:45 GMT
Its a quiet Christmas for us. Josh isn't feeling good. The studio is unfinished but I'm managing to work in there anyway. As long as I have everything cleaned out by tomorrow evening, I'm good. The guy who tapes and muds will show up at 6am on Tuesday morning.
I got to play with pottery. That was fun. I ended up with two pots that will be used for brush holders. They are beautiful. I'm finishing side two of the closet door. I need to put a layer of poly on this evening, and another one tomorrow morning so it will be dry enough to move by tomorrow evening. I love the door so much. Not perfect, it was my first time ever staining but I've really enjoyed doing it.
I started reading Art, Inc. Looks like the first thing Josh and I will be deciding is studio hours. What time do we want to start and how late we'll work. After that is decided, we'll need to lay out our current projects, and future projects. once we can see them, we'll prioritize them so we can work down the list in the most efficient manner.
That should get us through Jan. I will jump in to Knock Knock on Tuesday. Christmas will be over and life should be a lot calmer for me. Winter is usually a time of productivity for me because I try not to schedule appointments during winter. The weather is so unpredictable. I know I need to take care of my cataracts. Just hard to find enough time to get them both done without interruptions.
I'm back trying to get the diabetes under control. This means a solid exercise program. I was going to walk daily all winter but I've discovered I have a real aversion to being cold. I'll have to come up with a good 30 minute workout inside until the weather moderates. This means hand weights and stretching. I'll add this in to our work list. It cannot be shoved aside.
Supper is on the stove. Making potato soup. The cornbread is already done. After supper, we'll open gifts. Hank's family always did it on Christmas Eve and the kids sided with Hank. I still make sure Santa comes in the morning. I cannot allow that tradition to be altered. There is something about that anticipation that just needs to be there.
I'm sure I'll be popping in here and gabbing the next day or two. Quiet holidays bother me. I want family, and games, and laughter. I guess I'll have to settle for peace, and quiet, and creativity. That's good too. Love you and I'm so glad you're sharing this journey. It makes it more fun for me to see what you do and how you do it.
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Post by bill on Dec 25, 2017 4:28:48 GMT
I love potato soup! Wish I could have a bowl.
You have a real vision for what this next year looks like. It's exciting and inspiring. Your new room has reenergized you and it's fun to watch. And it's important to keep a life balance with your exercise, so keep up the good work!
I went running this morning, then church, and church this evening. Other than that I've been at home working on Sydney and Blake's Christmas. Three years ago (after we went to the escape room in Colorado Springs) I integrated the concept into their Christmas presents. I lock their presents in various safes, bags, etc. and give them clues they have to decipher in order to open the gift and go on to the next one. It's a lot of fun to put together, but a lot of work too.
The kids and I are going to Susan's Tuesday-Saturday, so they'll spend most of the day with Tammy tomorrow. They'll come over for a couple of hours to do our Christmas, but that gives me a lot of alone time tomorrow. I don't mind - I'll get my time the rest of the week. Plus, I have done very little writing this week so tomorrow I will spend time making a revision plan for When the Time is Right. I've read through the editor's notes and made my own from his suggestions. I'll go through them tomorrow, organize them, and make a strategy for what I want to change and add to the story. Then Tuesday I'll start to work on the revision, as I have time.
I finished preparing for tomorrow and was heading to bed when I remembered it was Sunday, so decided to get on here and update, which I'll do next. I'll check in from time to time tomorrow, if you want to communicate. I'll run first thing in the morning, then get to work on planning my revision.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas tomorrow! I love you!
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Post by Admin on Dec 25, 2017 17:02:45 GMT
I would so love to be at Susan's with you all. I've never seen her house and I haven't been around her kids very much. I regret that and need to see more of family.
The closet door is done. Last poly coat went on this morning. It will be dry by evening and I can bring it into the dining room until after the mudding and taping gets done.
Joshua was happy with his Santa gifts. Lots of art supplies. He acted so happy and relieved I asked him if he was afraid he wouldn't get to paint any more. He said yes. I guess he didn't realize he could do both. I intend to do both.
I like it when there are multiple projects in different stages of development. That eliminates writer's block because you can always have something to work on.
I will be heading to the kitchen soon. I need to clean it up and then I want to bake some homemade bread. I'm so tired of store bought bread that doesn't have the right texture and it never molds which tells me they put so much not-food products in it that I no longer consider it real food. I'm playing with the idea of baking bread on Sunday and freezing extra loaves so I don't have to buy bread any more. I'm not sure I want to take on something that requires structure but in my mind it seems so much healthier. I'll probably try it today and decide I don't have time for it but for today, I want homemade bread.
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Post by bill on Dec 26, 2017 14:17:35 GMT
I like that about writing too - having stories at different degrees of completion. I like my routine - write the rough draft then let it sit while I work on a revision (whether first or final). Then when finished with that stage move on and return later. I hope I'm always able to maintain several stories at once, even if they sit for months or even a year or two.
I went to Tammy's and had lunch with Sydney, Blake, Tammy and Alan and his two boys (they both live on their own now). Then Sydney and Blake came over and hunted down their presents. It was fun to watch them work for it. Then they went home and I wrapped Susan's families' gifts and took down my tree and put the Christmas stuff away. We'll be at Susan's until Saturday, so I wanted to get it all done before.
Today I'm going to work out then get to work on my manuscript. I have notes and a plan so it's time to start surgery. There isn't a lot of major changes, but I do need to add some words and have some ideas how to do it. I hope I can get a good start during this week I have off. We leave for Susan's later this afternoon, but she works tomorrow and Thursday, so I'll have some time to work too. I don't need a lot, just a nice little chunk each day so I'm making progress. I need to feel progress each day. Hopefully that will put me in a position to finish the revision in January so I can get to Zentron (Flipper, book 3).
I eat sandwiches almost every day, but haven't had homemade bread in years. I love the smell! I do want to eat better starting in January. We'll see if I can pull it off.
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Post by Admin on Dec 26, 2017 17:41:35 GMT
I've been reading Art, Inc and jotting down notes. The worker showed up at 5:45 this morning and started taping and mudding. I had no idea the job was so involved. I want this stage done because I think once its done the rest of the room will go fast. I bought two gallons of paint today so the walls can get done. If the contractor brings the trim to me, I can get the trim painted and ready to put up. The sooner Josh and I can get into the room, the faster our routine will get established.
I'll probably start posting our process here. mostly because when I type it out, see it in black and white, it makes it real for me. And maybe something will pop up that can trigger discussions. I love talking about the process because again, it becomes real and I start to feel like it can really happen.
There are some attitude changes that I need to do. Mostly in my own head. I have to stop thinking in terms of dreams, and make it real in my own head. I remember the first time I said: I am a writer. and meant it. Now, I have to do the same thing with art: I am not a student, or an amateur, or a hobbyist. I AM AN ARTIST.
That little mind switch creates power and power is what I need. I felt like last year was a better year than 2015. Joshua was healthier but my time was so compromised, and I don't regret one minute of time that was given. The time with family is so incredibly precious. I bless every single minute I had with Kathy. I had her 5 days a week for almost 9 months. That is a gift I will never forget.
But now, it's time to work, and learn, and stretch, and explore. I am no longer waiting. I'm going after things with full force. The only way I fail is if I stop trying.
So, I'll be talking on here a lot. Mostly to myself but maybe some of my discoveries will help you on your journey.
Please give Susan and family my love. I miss her very much.
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Post by bill on Dec 27, 2017 14:12:26 GMT
We made it to Susan's last night. They have some snow, but not enough to completely cover the ground. We are taking them skiing for their Christmas present on Friday at a place an hour north of here. i used to love skiing but haven't been since before I had kids. Hopefully I won't hurt myself.
One of my favorite parts about this site is posting my yearly and weekly goals. It doesn't matter if they are ever read, but I have a place I consistantly reflect and can refocus. I also wrote my yearly goals in a notebook I look at occasionally, but I'm on a computer so much it's usually easier to look at them in here. and I LOVE marking things off as they are done.
We have less than a week to prepare for 2018. It's going to be a good year!
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