Week in Review.

I've been working so hard at my office. My head swirled all week as I tried to organize meeting rooms, run reports from a State database, reconcile numbers and prepare presentations. Its a busy time of year for me. Unfortunately, I don't have administrative assistance or anyone to delegate busy work to. I've been downing gallons of coffee and more than a few chocolate croissants.  I have a massive headache today from the caffine withdrawal. Ugh! The headache is making it difficult for me to work on my writing, which is what I want to do. Le sigh!

This week, I have received a few treasures from eBay. During stressful times, I reward myself with goodies from the online auction site. I am currently working on adding a few pieces to my Temp Tations Presentable Ovenware set. The pattern I own is named Provance. My hubby purchased the rectangle and oval piece with top several years ago from QVC. The price was right. Shortly thereafter, QVC and Sara McConnell the creator of Temp Tations discontinued this pattern. Most of what they sell on QVC now is Old World pattern. Anyway, I managed to pick up this square piece with plastic lid on eBay this week. The trivet basket was missing the handles. * Shrug *

I also got two Temp Tations Provance bowls this week. The seller of the bowls wanted a FORTUNE for shipping but she she was local so I contacted her through eBay and we met up. I am very happy with the bowls.

There were two other pieces that ended earlier this week on eBay that were in the Provance pattern. Those were squares that had tops like the soup turrin pictured here. I bid but not high enough. The pieces went for $66 plus shipping. I regret not purchasing them but I'm sure the similar pieces will show up on eBay again. Below is the picture from eBay.

Here is the picture of one of the homemade pizzas I made this week. It's pepperoni, mushroom, green and yellow peppers, tomotoe, onion, jalepeno, cilantro, and mozerella cheeses. I baked it in my green Rachel Ray Bubble and Brown cookware.

I purchased the Rachel Ray Bubble and Brown cookware on QVC as well but I don't think I will get anymore. I have several pieces but they don't come with tops or trivets and I am running out of storage room. I made three lasagnas yesterday. One was a vegetarian (spinach and mushroom), one meat (ground beef and sausage) and one was mixed. I wish I'd taken a picture.

I posted a request for a critique partner on RWA National.org forum. I've exchanged pages with two women and will see how it goes. I've really been needing a critique partner to take my writing to the next level.

I've got a manuscript that is contracted with Liquid Silver Books that I need to pull out of the files and finish editing. Le Sigh! I plan to get that out by the end of the weekend. I hope that the publisher is still willing to work on that with me.

Hubby decided to repaint the deck this weekend. So we had to clear it off last weekend so that it could be cleaned and scrapped. I have been without my favorite tranquil space and I have to say that I miss it. Can't wait until I have my area set up again to relax and unwind. 

Mid Year Report!

The first 20 pages of my manuscript entitled Deadly Rumors finaled in the top three of the RWA River City Romance Writers Duel in the Delta Contest. Yeah! The story is a romantic suspense and will be sent to Liz Bass of Carina Press for final judging.
http://www.rivercityromancewriters.org/duel.html

2012 Goal Updates!

Converted my Facebook page from personal profile to fan page. I am still in the process of getting my information updated.

Completed 5 contest entries. Started receiving feedback. Average score 73%.

Completed 3 online courses.

Registered for RWA Conference in Anaheim.

Still looking for a "writing buddy" or friend.

Haven't been able to attend any local RWA meetings or conferences yet.

Still looking for a critique partner.

Finished reading 3 out of 12 novels.

Writing 1250 + words per week.

Things I saw on my walk

I've been making an effort to walk at least twice during my work day.

Yesterday, I passed a man cleaning out the side of his house. He said he was just trying to get rid of things that they collected. He had a bunch of stuff stacked on the sidewalk. There was piles of tiles, two pieces of granite, one piece of marble, bricks, octogon shaped brick pavers, dozens of flower pots and this cool looking iron garden shelf. The green planter shelf below caught my eye. I love shabby chic decor. I asked him if I could have the two iron pieces he had and he said yes. I then carried them back to my office and put them in the car.

I went back later with car and got the nice piece of marble and a box full of small flower pots.

Okay, I know the marble doesn't look that glamourous but I will do something with it later.

Here is the box of small flower pots. I am thinking about growing some kitchen herbs in them.

This morning the pile was still there but there was a trailer in front of his house. This afternoon everything was cleaned up.

Today, I noticed this cool scupture in front of one of the houses on the street. It is a wooden golden gate bridge complete with cars and a small boat. The man at the house said I could take a picture. He said his father had made it. I didn't ask his father's name but I wished I had. Anyway, just wanted to share.

Saw three salamander lizards lying in the sun. They scattered before I could get a picture.
Finally, I ran into a veteran who was on a walk from the Veterans Hospital. Still wearing his hospital pajamas and slippers. I've seen him before. Anyway, today he had a bag with a magazine and something else in it. He must have just come from the CVS pharmacy.  I couldn't quite make out what he was saying to me but he did keep repeating that he was in the land of the living. Pray for our veterans. PEACE!

Tranquil Spaces

I've been faithfully plugging along on my GIAM 100X100 challenge. One quarter of the way through (25 days) so far of writing at least 100 words. The challenge is part of a yahoo groups. Once an individual completes 100X100 they graduate to GIAM Pro. There are four other groups.

I am working on creating my tranquil space for the summer. I love to sit outside first thing in the morning and have my coffee. On the weekends, I eat my breakfast outside. Sometimes my family joins me but other times I sit there myself and eat my breakfast before work. After work, I unwind by watering my garden. I haven't purchased any patio furniture for years so I splurged last month and bought this patio table and chairs.

As another special treat I got the matching lounge chair. I just subscribed to the Sunday New York Times and my local paper so I can sit out every weekend and read the paper. Of course, I've also got a stack of books to read during the summer after work.

My husband has been telling me that he is going to re-paint the deck and I can't wait.

The ground in my neighborhood is very clay like so I have purchased a number of large pots to grow veggies in. By mid summer the vines and plants are very lush. Here are a few of my plants.

I've been working really hard to relax and enjoy life. I found an old Ipod and started downloading free podcasts from itunes. There are several that I really enjoy.

I recommend tranquilitydujour and Daily Boost.

For more information see www.tranquilitydujour.com. Kimberly Wilson has created a very cute blog and several e-courses. I purchased the May edition of the tranquilologie: a diy sprinkling of every day tranquility. 

Here is the information as Kimberly Wilson describes her Tranquilologie course. Tranquilologie: A DIY Sprinkling of Everyday Tranquility  "Tranquilologie is the study of living a tranquil life with a splash of joie de vivre. It is a state of being mindful in the moment, relishing the simple pleasures of everyday life such as fresh flowers and candlelit dining, and continually creating an extraordinary experience out of the ordinary. This involves starting your day with intention, dressing with a dash of flair, filling your body with greens (and an occasional cupcake), and doing work you love. And above all, not waiting to live the life you desire until . . . the kids are grown, you retire, or you find your knight in shining armor. Tranquilologie is all about living with exuberance, passion, and tranquility - every month of the year."  http://ondemand.kimberlywilson.com/offerings/e-courses/ Daily Boost http://www.motivationtomove.com/ Motivation to move is the other podcast which has gotten my butt up off of the office chair. He has some free podcasts on itunes as well as a subscription service where one can purchase daily motivation for $99. So far I've only gotten the free ones off of itunes. I can say that I have started walking daily during the day at work. I've even started using my gym membership. He also talks about goal setting and positive thinking. Look for dailyboost on itunes. I highly recommend both podcasts.

Southern Cal Spring Getaway

I spent the weekend in Long Beach with my hubby. We stayed on the Queen Mary ship hotel in Long Beach harbor. It was all very romantic and provided a bit of inspiration for my writing. The hotel rooms are very nice. The bathroom was entirely upgraded and I enjoyed the shower. The porthole window we had was very small and a bit too high for me to see out of. While the art deco design is evident throughout the ship/hotel, the public spaces of the hotel are a bit worn. Nevertheless it was a lovely weekend.

I love romantic sensual lingerie. I make it a habit to pick up something new every time I go away with my husband. I love Natori items and I purchased this sleep shirt from their website for the Long Beach trip. It is made of  polyester but it looks and feels like silk. Love it.

I had the opportunity to attend a book signing for More Forensics and Fiction written by D.P. Lyle. at the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore in Redondo Beach. They are an independent bookstore and as much as I love my Nook, I do support small businesses. I purchased $71.00 worth of books including D.P. Lyle's book, Donald Maass Fire in the Fiction, a book called Cinder and a book entitled Kindred. I can't wait to get started reading.

     


Anyway, I've decided to write a romantic mystery and am doing research. D.P. Lyle suggested I read more mysteries and he rattled off a list of male authors that he knows personally that he recommended I read. Listening to Dr. Lyle gave me some ideas for my next story as well as some inspiration. I was a bit shy and didn't ask as many questions as I could of or should have.

Last weekend, I planted my vegetable garden and purchased a new patio set. I've been wanting to upgrade the set for years. I spent this week having my morning coffee and breakfast on the patio.

I have registered for RWA National convention in Anaheim this July. I'm looking forward but would like to have a completed manuscript. Even though I know that it won't be edited enough for submission but I would like to be a little farther along in my writing.

D.P. Lyle suggested I attend the Mystery Writers workshop at Book Passage in early July. I looked it up and it is $595 and the week before RWA National. I already took the week off from work to attend RWA so I doubt that I will be able to attend the Mystery Writers conference but who knows.

Mini goals:

• I've rejoined GIAM 100X100 and am attempting to complete 100 days of writing at least 100 words.

• Finish editing Movers and Shakers and re-submit.

Happy New Year and all that!

I had a great fall and holiday season. My husband and I renewed our wedding vows on a cruise during Thanksgiving. It was great fun and very, very romantic. Look for a love story taking place on a cruise and possibly a vows renewal story in the coming year.


I took a break from writing this fall. I didn't intend to, I just couldn't get it together to write or edit anything. Maybe it was planning for the cruise or the holidays. I don't know. I've managed to read many great stories over the past few months. I've been enjoying the color nook that I got last Christmas. I've ventured into some genres that I previously didn't think that I would like such as paranormal and historical. A good story is a good story.

Goals for 2012

1. Attend RWA Convention in Anaheim - I get so motivated from being around other authors. I want to network, find out what's new in the industry and take some workshops. I wasn't planning to attend but it will be substantially cheaper to attend a RWA conference in California than elsewhere. So I better take advantage.
2. Attend at least 6 local RWA chapter meetings. - I always leave the meeting so motivated. I learn so much and the group of women who belong to my chapter are fantastic.
3. Write 1000-1500 words a week.
4. Enter at least 2 contests for feedback and possible bragging rights.
5. Complete at least 1 online writing class per quarter online. - Just like attending RWA meetings, I learn so much and stay motivated by participating in online class.
6. Blog at least once a month.
7. Read at least 12 novels this year from authors that I have not read before.
8. Update goals on a monthly basis to revise and evaluate progress.
9. Complete at least one 50,000+ word novel and submit for PRO eligibility.
10. Complete novellas in progress.