Tuesday writing group

The core of the local NaNo group meets year-round on Tuesday evenings, and I occasionally remember to arrange my schedule so I can go. I don’t generally get a lot of writing done at these meetings (230 words tonight), but as it’s one of my few social activities (talking to other parents at the bus stop for three minutes doesn’t really count), I’m okay with that. They’re fun people to be around, and I love them — and most especially Nicki, the driving force (and our ML).

I haven’t posted a lot lately about what I’m grateful for, but my friendship with Nicki, which has grown since we both (independently) moved to the valley and decided to try NaNo, is definitely way up there on the list. And when she shifted from co-ML to ML and really built up the group, I looked on in joyful amazement. So I don’t say it enough, but I’m grateful for her, and for everyone in the group.

(Which means I really ought to try to go oftener than once every month or two, huh?)

Words written today: 1,090 (most not at the meeting)
Words written this month: 26,517
Words written 2017: 83,144
Average words/day 2017: 884
Books completed 2017: 1
Pages read: 0
Books read 2017: 6
Exercise reps: 0

The storm has passed

The metaphorical storm of kids’ illness, anyway. Last week, my daughter was home sick Tuesday and Wednesday and then sick again on Saturday; my son was home sick Thursday and Friday. This week, so far, no illness. Here’s hoping it stays that way.

Other things I am grateful for today: a roof over my head, warmth, clean clothes, hot tea (well, it’s hot when I brew it, anyway; one of these years I’ll get one of those coaster things that keeps your drink warm for you), and people who love me. All the basics.

Oh, yeah — and the actual wintry mix storm of last night has passed, too.

icy dogwood branch

December snow

Last night, we got our first bit of wintry mix — mostly rain, trace of snow that stuck around on the grass for a little bit after the sun came up. The kids were incredibly happy to see the snow. (Me, I told them to make sure they caught their buses this morning because I wasn’t driving anywhere!)

Anyway, it was nice to see a winter trying to be winter, and it’s always good to see happy children. (Also on my gratitude list right now: the smell of the bread that’s about to come out of the oven.) What are you grateful for this week?

front yard with snow Continue reading

Inktober 31 — improbable friends

Last day of Inktober. I hope you all have enjoyed it.

Today, I actually used the Inktober prompt, friends. And this post does double duty as my weekly gratitude post. I’m grateful to Mr. Jake Parker for creating Inktober, to all the many artists I’ve seen participating over the years, and to all the people who’ve encouraged me and commented this month. Thank you all!

Fall . . .

fall leaves
It’s been windy and cool the past few days. Makes a nice break from that almost-80 it was trying last week! I just wish the weather would settle down.

Little things are pleasing me today: the girl’s first soccer win yesterday, getting my e-mail cleaned out, looking forward to some D&D after a few months of primarily board games.

Oh, for reference, I took screenshots of my actual avatar for Habitica and the pet page with the name showing. Fine, you can still think it looks like a cat. But it’s a fox.
avatar

ghost fox

So what are you grateful for today?

NaNo’s coming!

maple just touched with fall colorTwo weeks from tomorrow, the annual debauchery writing fest commences. Fifty thousand words, thirty days.

Yeah, I might aim a little higher than that this year. But first, I still have to finish Treachery.

Anyway, I’m grateful for a wonderful local group of writers, and for children who like writing too. What are you grateful for today?

Parallel victory

sun through the treesThis is probably going to sound silly, but I parallel parked today when I visited the library. I was dropping off some books to donate, so I wanted a close parking place. The only one available required parallel parking.

I realize this is a skill most people learn when they are decades younger than I am. However, I have literally never before properly backed into a single-car space, then turned the front of the car so I would be parallel to the curb. And today, I did it.

Also? It got cold enough last night that there were no gnats at the girl’s bus stop this morning!

And … our neighbor has a couple bookcases sitting by the curb, free for the taking. My husband asked where I thought they could go. After some thought, I pointed out a couple places in the dining room. Is this ideal? No, but it’ll do for now.

So those are a few of the things I’m grateful for today. What are you grateful for?

Cooler weather at last!

It’s a small thing, I know, but I was getting rather tired of it being 90 degrees in September. This week, the highest it’s supposed to reach is 75. Not only that, but the humidity has dropped as well.

trees with fall colorLeaves are turning. Stores have apple cider for sale. Kids are thinking about Halloween costumes.

So weird — it’s like PA saw the calendar and flipped the switch when the autumnal equinox hit. Yes, I am grateful.

What are you grateful for this week?

New year, new challenges

As is probably obvious by now, I track years by school years as well as calendar years. Gives me twice as many new years! Of course, I’m rarely ready to start new projects when the new year rolls around, but I do have a burst of energy and attempted organization, so with luck, this’ll mean that I actually get Treachery finished this month. Helping in this are two apps, both of which I’ve mentioned before: Freedom (to keep me off the Internet) and Scrivener for iOS (so I can write even away from the computer).

bee on sedum flowers Continue reading

Three random things

Two-headed monster

(First thing)
Last week, I told the kids we’d do what they wanted for the last day of summer. They opted for the Da Vinci Science Center, so that’s where we spent the afternoon. (Morning was library, comics and gaming store, and ice cream shop for lunch.)

Which means that the kids are back in school now. Huzzah! This, of course, is what I’m grateful for. Continue reading