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Post by bill on Nov 4, 2023 17:04:11 GMT
My shoulder has improved a lot the last two weeks. Almost every day I find I can do something I haven't been able to since the surgery. Still quite a ways to go but it's been very encouraging for sure!
I've had a good week or writing - my first in a few months really.
Rex / Qarq - Vetrix books 5 and 6. My goal is to finish book 5 to publish early next year. I'm writing some background. Most will go into book six (Qarq) but some might work better in book five (Rex). I'll figure out how it splits best later, but with it I'm kind of working on both books at once, at least in part. Because of my surgery on the 21st I can't do Nano proper, but I'm trying to write 25,000 new words before the surgery. I've had three good writing days and am near 5,000. Should pass that mark today.
Mixed Up Christmas - got this short story published and have a few copies. I've ordered a bunch that I'm just going to give away because I can't sell them for enough to cover the printing/shipping costs. It's fun to surprise people, even strangers, with a gift.
Birthday Cake Murder - my mystery short story. I got some beta reader feedback and this needs some work. I don't know when I will get it done. I had hoped to publish before my surgery but that's not going to happen.
GRIT - I'm waiting on my cover person. I expected to have this done in October but she had an aunt die and I didn't want to mess with it myself so this is another project that won't be complete until post surgery.
The Most Important Thing - this is at the editor. I had set up the edit a while back and this was its slotted time. She should have this finished by November 30, so depending on how my recovery goes I'll get to revision sometime after that.
I go to Susan's on Wednesday and have my pre-op tests on Thursday. I plan to stay up there for the weekend. I'll come home on Sunday (Nov 12) and then return to Susan's on that next Friday (Nov 17). Sydney is flying in for my surgery on the 18th so I'll get to spend time with her and Susan and family before the surgery on the 21st. I'll be in the hospital 2-3 days they said, so could be getting out on Thanksgiving. I'll stay at Susan's for two weeks, until my post-op check up. That's when I should be released to drive. Then as soon as I feel up to it I will drive home. I'll probably be off work for about six weeks is my understanding.
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Post by Admin on Nov 5, 2023 15:18:00 GMT
I will keep prayers and healing heading your way. I'm working this week to get the table ready for the Bison Art show in Mattfield Green. I'm kind of excited to be stepping into the art community. I'm hoping to sell the table but seeing reaction to it should help with future projects.
I have a lot of plans. Just need to keep heading in the right direction.
Check in often. I worry about you. Love you very much.
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Post by bill on Nov 15, 2023 15:26:32 GMT
I started out the month strong but am swamped with preparations for the surgery and my writing has come to a halt. I'll get back to it as soon as I'm able after the surgery. Sydney flies to Kansas City on Saturday so we can hang out until my surgery on Tuesday. Susan has her next surgery on November 30, so we'll be recovering together. I'm looking forward to all of that family time. I'll be off work for about 6 weeks so once I'm able to get out I'll come for a visit.
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Post by Admin on Nov 16, 2023 14:53:07 GMT
I will keep both you and Susan in my thoughts, sending love and healing to both of you.
I haven't been writing, either, but I am working in the workshop. We're trying to get products ready for the old school xmas sale. Its the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Ron has been helping Sharon and me develop a budget and save money. I need to earn $100 dollars a month to put OurHomeStudio in the black. That is a doable goal. I'll spend the winter creating products for the art and craft sale that I will be holding in my driveway starting the first Saturday in May. My time is still chaotic but should normalize after I get back from Texas.
JJ finished his Ameicorps stint and is heading home today. I know everybody is anxious to see him. He loved the experience and has goals laid out. I hope he stays on his goals and doesn't revert back to his old ways. He seems pretty determined to do something that will allow him to go on adventures. He wants to get him EMT certification and apply to be a firefighter. We'll see if that goal holds.
Rhonda and Jacob come in on Wednesday. It will be good to see them. We're going to Topeka Friday to see the Hunger Games at the 4-D theater.
Check in often. Head this way whenever you can. We always love seeing and visiting with you.
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Post by bill on Nov 19, 2023 14:25:46 GMT
Wish I could be there for Thanksgiving. Please tell everyone I send my love!
I'm at Susan's. Arrived Friday afternoon. Sydney arrived yesterday morning. We've had a great time - playing games and singing. Looking forward to the next couple of days. We're going to see a movie today - a prequel to the Hunger Games, I think.
I'll try to check in tomorrow before my surgery on Tuesday.
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Post by Admin on Nov 22, 2023 14:38:33 GMT
Wish I could see you both. Connie was hospitalized last night. She's having trouble with her blood sugar and blood pressure. She's also allergic to her chemo so that caused her some problems.
JJ made it home, safe and sound. Rhonda and Jacob are on their way here. I have a ham and a turkey in my fridge. Ron gave us the ham. It will feed us for some time to come.
Saturday is the xmas sale at the old school. We're setting up a table. Haven't a clue if we'll sell anything but it gets us seen and that will help next spring when we launch OurHome Studio as a business.
I have several new projects to work on. Rhonda is bringing me plywood so I can put the buffalo table together. I have the cabinet cleaned up and ready to start painting it. I have two little tables that I'm excited to work on. Holiday season is so hard to get things done. So busy with other things.
Joshua has a doctor appointment today. Just a regular visit.
I'll keep you all in prayer and hope for a speedy recovery. If you need help, please ask. You can always come here if you want some care. I may not be a good nurse but If feed people well. I can give you the upstairs bedroom. Think about it.
Love to you all.
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Post by Admin on Nov 25, 2023 21:13:17 GMT
I hear you have quite a story about your surgery. I am very curious what happened. I hope Susan is doing well. We had a good Thanksgiving. Its quiet today and might be quiet tomorrow if it snows enough. Sharon is at Larry's. Connie was hospitalized on Thanksgiving Day. She's still there as far as I know but they can't do any more chemo. She's allergic to the treatment.
No writing done. I am back on ancestry. Rhonda is writing again. I'm going to send her an invitation to join here. She might, she might not. She's writing fiction but weaving a lot of family history into it. I'm glad because our family has some important stories to tell. Jody was here yesterday and I got her and Rhonda onto my ancestry site. Rhonda bought a six month trial to newspapers.com. We're all going to try and pull as much information as possible in the next six months. If we find newspapers helpful, she will renew it but if not, she will drop it.
Hoping next week will be more productive workwise. This week was all about family.
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Post by bill on Nov 28, 2023 18:00:32 GMT
I'm at Susan's recovering. Still hurting a lot but and not taking any more pain medication. My stomach hasn't been right so it's been hard to eat. I left the hospital Thanksgiving Day.
I woke up from surgery last Tuesday and heard the last thing I expected to hear - I still have my kidney. They had us both open but realized she wouldn't be able to pump blood out of the kidney and it would die inside of her so they aborted. Sounds like something they may be able to fix. We'll see. The doctors said that leaving my kidney inside won't change my recovery any since they had me opened up already. I briefly met the recipient the day after our surgeries and she seemed to be in good spirits. I felt so horrible for her, thinking she would wake up to a new life and having that ripped from her.
Thank you for the offer. My follow up is December 7. I still can't imagine going home or even riding in a car at this point. I'm pretty miserable but hopefully that will turn around quickly. I'll keep you updated.
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Post by Admin on Nov 29, 2023 14:44:28 GMT
I'm glad you're recovering and glad they aborted taking the kidney. Sounds like it would have been a waste if they had. I'm sorry for the woman. Her disappointment has to be great.
I'm slowly making progress. It's hard when holiday seasons are around. So busy with other things. I'm looking forward to seeing Drew and Lindsey. It should be a special Christmas for sure.
The furniture projects are moving right along. I'm excited to see them coming to life. I got my business cards yesterday. I knew when I ordered a short run that they would probably need tweaked, and they do. But I can use these and then upgrade when I run out. Gives me some time to redesign them.
I need to create a 2024 calendar flyer. I want them designed and ready to use. I need to begin creating buzz for the craft and art sales that I will begin holding the first Saturday of May and run through first Saturday of October. I can set some of your books out if you want me to. The bigger variety we have, the wider the audience.
I'm still motivated to write. My problem is finding the time. Life is chaotic here during the holiday months. Sharon is still here and probably will be for awhile. She wants to be in Emporia and considering transportation options, she needs to be there.
Glad to hear from you. You were in my thoughts and heart while you went through this. I hope Susan is doing well. I miss her a lot. Rhonda has started writing. I'm so happy that she is. Her new kitten is so pretty. She's made a real effort to visit more often. I think Jacob is going to LA for awhile. I hope he can get his foot in the door. He certainly deserves to. But its kind of nice that he has the freedom to make the trips back with Rhonda.
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Post by bill on Dec 1, 2023 5:49:31 GMT
Susan had her final operations today. She returned a bit ago but I haven't talked to her. Everything went well as far as I know.
I'm healing slower than I would like, but Cole and Zach have spent some time with me so there's the bonus. I'm not ready to be on my computer for more than a few minutes so writing is still on hold.
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Post by Admin on Dec 4, 2023 22:01:09 GMT
I miss all of you a lot. Things are chugging away here. I'll be glad when January gets here, and life slows down. Not really slowing down. I'm still busy doing crafts and furniture. Had a busy day today. started getting stuff for xmas. Going to be a lot of homemade gifts this year. But nice ones. I'm an artist. No reason I can't make something special. I'm reading again. Got signed up with Kindle unlimited so I can read books cheaper. Type as you can. Ler me know if you want to hang around here for awhile. Would love to see you.
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Post by bill on Dec 19, 2023 3:43:51 GMT
I made it home on Thursday. I'm starting to feel better...finally. Still a ways to go but at least I'm on the right track now. I hope to feel well enough by the weekend to join Rhonda and the gang at their AirBNB for Christmas. That will be a decision made at the time though. I'm not quite ready yet. So hopefully will see you sometime next weekend unless you're traveling for the holidays.
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Post by Admin on Dec 19, 2023 13:47:21 GMT
I'm home through xmas then to Texas for 5 days. I'll leave on the 26th and be home on the 30th. I can give you the guest bedroom if you want to spend time here with everybody. Its so rare to see Drew and Lindsey. Tomorrow is cookie baking day so my house will start humming. I've been making xmas gifts instead of buying them so my art studio is a mess but its fun and reminds me of childhood when we had to use ingenuity to gift because we didn't have the money to spend. I'm glad you're beginning to feel better.
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Post by bill on Dec 27, 2023 3:02:57 GMT
It was great to see you this weekend! I'm feeling much better and working my way through the edits on The Most Important Thing. This will be my priority for now, which I'm guessing will take a couple of months.
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Post by bill on Jan 1, 2024 3:07:24 GMT
Hope you made it home safely! I am doing a ton better and plan to return to work full time this week. I've also been hard at revision the past few days.
The Most Important Thing - I've finally gotten to focus on my editors notes and have brainstormed revision ideas. I wrote three new scenes and have at least in part figured out how to revise the story to focus on my main theme and to use the subplots to support the main story. I have a one-hour follow up with my editor tomorrow afternoon to discus the book.
PPWC - I told Cara I would help moderate again this year and I registered for the conference.
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