I unplugged completely yesterday. I had to make a trip in the morning to the cancer center an hour away for a shot to boost my white cell count. I still felt sick as a dog, so the winding roads to get to Hot Springs just about killed me. When I got home, I went straight to bed and pretty much stayed there all day. I didn’t turn on my computer even once.

I’m still not feeling great, but I’ll try to get a few high priority tasks out of the way before I take a pain pill and sleep away the day. The pain is from the chemo, not the cancer. My feet are cramped with charley horses constantly. My legs have painful spasms. I have a headache, a slight fever… I could go on and on. And I think I just did. 🙂

My daughter decorated for Christmas early the last couple of days, so I did sit for a little while watching as she hustled around, setting up all her treasures. We have numerous trees, nutcrackers, gnomes, townscapes, etc. We like our Christmas decorations and try to stretch the season as much as we can. My dd and oldest granddaughter then watched a Hallmark Christmas movie. I tried to stick it with them but ended up heading back to bed a third of the way in. Hopefully, I’ll start feeling better soon. My next treatment is the Monday of Thanksgiving week. I’ll be completely miserable for the holiday.

Anyway, enough of the health (unhealth?) update. We have some Saturday fun to begin!

Saturday Puzzle-Contest — Thanksgiving Prep!

Now that the Christmas decorations are up, my daughter is turning her attention to the Thanksgiving feast. She has a very detailed plan, which includes her shopping list, the times she has to put certain foods on to cook, recipes for the dishes, etc. She even has a shelf in the pantry that she’s cleared to hold her ingredients. Her Uber-plan works. For the past three Thanksgivings, her meal has been superb.

For you U.S.-residents, do you go all-out for Thanksgiving? For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me about your Thanksgiving preparations. And if you’re not in the U.S., do you have a similar feast?

Report Card

Last week…

1. I had my chemo on Monday with all the usual symptoms that followed—nausea, body aches, fatigue, and insomnia. As of today, I’m getting back to normal.
2. I worked on edits for one author.
3. I slept—a lot.

This next week…

1. Tomorrow, I’ll get a white cell booster shot and have a blood draw. At some point soon, my oncologist is going to order up some more scans to see how the treatment is working.
2. I’m still working on edits for one author and will finish it by the weekend. Then I’ll start the next set.
3. I’ll try working/editing on of the pages I’ve already written for Ignition, just to keep the story in my head so at some point I can commit to writing new pages.
4. I have the last Delta Heat stories to take wide, meaning, to upload to sites other than KU.
5. Yes, my plan is very unambitious, but that’s okay.

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs!

1. September into October (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Happy International Coffee Day! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Word Search: Crafts you might enjoy… (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Gabby Grey: Dedications (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Bucket List — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Cameron Allie: The Perfect October Fantasy Read is FREE–(for a limited time only!) — One more day to get your FREE book! 
7. Puzzle-Contest: Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day! — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Krysten Lindsay Hager: YA Second Chance Romance that’s F*R*E*E for a Limited Time — Get your FREE book!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Halloween Movies & Activities — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Pansy Petal!
*~*~*

Halloween is always a fun time of year for our family. It’s the kickoff to the holiday season—Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Nicklaus Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve… We celebrate them all because we love excuses for celebrating.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, and then offer suggestions in the comments for Halloween movies or activities that would be fun for the family!

For those interested, here’s my health update:  Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: The winner is…Debra Guyette!
*~*~*

Yesterday was Chemo Day—the third round. It’s funny; I almost looked forward to it—or at least I wasn’t filled with dread or fear. I know it’s the beginning of a miserable week, but I don’t even dread that. Not yet. I’ll probably rethink it on Wednesday or Thursday when the deep muscle and joint aches begin—but I have some good drugs to help with that. 🙂

Anyway, I came home from chemo, which ended at 3 PM, and headed straight to bed. Other than getting up for dinner or walks to the bathroom, I slept all the way until 3 AM this morning, and I’ve been up since, on a roll. I puttered picking up things, and even dusted my desktop (a huge chore given all the crap I have on the surface).

Then, I turned my attention to what to do with my blog today—since I def feel up to it.

I love quirky, obscure holidays, and today is an important obscure one. It’s Ada Lovelace Day!

Who is Ada? From the website Time and Date:  “Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician who worked with Charles Babbage on his calculating engine, called the Analytical Engine. Her plan to calculate Bernoulli numbers using the engine is now widely considered as the world’s first computer program. In 1980, the United States Department of Defense created a programming language and named it Ada in honor of Ada Lovelace’s contribution to the world of computing.”

I remember when the ADA programming language was a thing back in the day. I remember, too, the state of computers back when I was new to the Army. In fact, during my summer ROTC training before I graduated from college, I was selected to be part of a team that went to an Army base to evaluate an exercise the active duty units there were undergoing. Our job was to shadow and assist the active Army observers. We were the ones entrusted to gather their observations and put them together into a single, extensive report. We were given access to a computer to write up the report—beginning after duty hours so we didn’t disrupt the people who worked there during the day. I was assigned the job of typing up all those reports, editing, then printing out the report (my first editing job, y’all). The computer sent the book to a printer that spit out hundreds of punch cards that looked like the picture above. The others had to take that stack and walk it to another device that read the cards then produced the written report. All those cards had to be kept in order so two people carried it, one holding the cards from the ends and the other supporting it so it didn’t fall to the floor. If you had one card out of order, you had to reprint the entire thing. If they (the active duty folks) decided to make changes to the report you had to repeat the entire process again.

Still, I thought how cool was it that we were able to type up a report, making changes along the way, and we didn’t have to retype the entire thing. It did save labor on that end. LOL

A few years later, I was assigned to work on the general’s staff at Fort Gordon (now, Fort Eisenhower), Georgia and we actually had an internal email system that connected the staff to all the heads of different organizations on the post. So much progress in so few years. Shortly after that, I bought my first computer, a Radio Shack TRS-80, and I was the first on my block to own a personal computer. I had to learn a smattering of code to work it, but that was just part of the adventure!

Today? We all take for granted the innovations. Back then, we felt like we would soon be living in the Jetson’s future.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. Have fun with the puzzle. Solve the puzzle then tell me about any computer innovation that amazed you for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

I have a long To-do list today filled with things I need to complete before tomorrow’s date with the chemo chair. I even woke up in the middle of the night and downloaded a movie, My Spy (I know, it doesn’t have the best ratings, but I want something mindless and filled with action), and the series Reacher, so I have choices. I will be in the chair for six hours, and the initial Benadryl they hit me with to keep me from an allergic reaction will only help me nap for so long. So, I have to pre-post a blog for tomorrow morning (if I get it from my guest author in time), charge up my headphones, and pack my backpack with a jacket and wipes. I’ll have to pack my lunch bag first thing in the morning, but I’ll leave it sitting on top of my backpack as a reminder.

I just updated my weekly work plan. In the last two go-rounds, I completely blocked out chemo week, but this time I added some light tasks to each day, so I have something to prod me into doing something other than sleeping. I need to move around as much as my tired, achy body will let me.  I am determined to accept chemo week as part of my new “normal.”

Anyway, I have things to do, so let me move on. I hope you all have a happy, productive week. I wish you good health. Find little and big ways to find your joy.

Report Card

Last week…

1. I worked on edits for one author. I will complete them today!
2. I had my chemo blood draw on Thursday. My white blood cell count was back up into normal range due to the shot I got the previous week. My red blood cells, platelets, and lymphocytes took a hit. I’m anemic—which is why I feel so fatigued—so I’ve been adding more meat to my diet. I’ve been napping—a lot!
3. I finished my binge of the old Sci-Fi series, Andromeda. The last season was awful, but I persevered. I also finished Evil and hate that it’s over after only four seasons. I loved everything about it—the cast, the story lines, the sets, the way they filmed it, the funny little nun who battled demons—she was my favorite character—and I have mixed feelings that she wound up retired in a silent cloister. Yes, she deserved rest. Maybe she was actually ready for it. And yes, she felt like a real person, so I’ll miss her. 🙂

This next week…

1. I’ll undergo a round of chemo infusions, and I’ll continue to track how I react throughout the days following treatment because I need to consign it to a schedule!
2. I’ll begin another editing project, but I’ll set my expectations for my productivity very, very low.
3. I’ll try working on of the pages I’ve already written for Ignition, just to keep the story in my head so at some point I can commit to writing new pages.
4. I’ll try to force myself to move more than I usually do after treatment. I want to know whether it helps the awfulness pass more quickly!

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs!

1. What does this mean to you? (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Mary Church Terrell – Lifting As She Climbed (Contest + Excerpt) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Pretty Scribbles Puzzle and a Question (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Vintage Board Games — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. September into October (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Happy International Coffee Day! (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Word Search: Crafts you might enjoy… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Gabby Grey: Dedications (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Bucket List — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Margaret!
*~*~*

I’m back with my monthly wrap-up/projections. I skipped it last month because I was feeling a little…adrift. I wasn’t certain about my future. I’m still not, but I’m plowing ahead—maybe not at full speed, but I do have goals I intend to meet. I’m a writer and an editor, and to make that claim I have to write and edit. So…no more lollygagging.

September

 

1. I revised and published my standalone Western story, Once Upon a Legend!
2. I had to cancel the release of Ignition because I haven’t written a word since July!
3. I completed 3 editing projects for other authors in September.
4. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but each of those things felt like mountains I climbed.

Health-related:

1. I underwent my second round of chemo and noted how I felt during the days after so I could try to figure out how to work around the chemo schedule. The fatigue is the worst part. The aches only last a few days. My white blood count takes a beating, so I don’t leave home much, but I wear a mask when I do because everyone has sniffles, coughs, etc., and I’m not catching that shit, too. 🙂
2. While going through all this, I have been paying attention to what I eat, and since the beginning of July when I started losing weight, I’ve dropped 20 pounds.
3. I’m losing muscle tone, too, though. So, I know I need to add some sort of exercise to my schedule on days when I can get around.

Happiness-related: 

1. The family plans movie nights or special dinners to keep me entertained. They’re so sweet! The younger girls find tons of excuses to hang out with me. We listen to music and the youngest loves watching the news or Reba. The middle girl just likes to park herself on the bed with me while we both game on our phones. It’s not anything exciting, but I love the company.
2. I moved some art supplies to my desk so that I see them sitting there, and lo and behold, I managed to paint a few things this month.  Here are a few examples:

October

  

1. To complete Ignition, the fourth book in the Delta Fire series. I only have two or three chapters left, and I’ve put it on my schedule but left it kind of vague so I know to write when my head’s in the right place.  If I can, I’ll have a November release.
2. To complete 3 or 4 editing projects in October!
3. To revise, format, and upload The Demon Lord’s Cloak for its release in November.

For health related, I plan:

1. To go through two more rounds of chemo, which when I look at my calendar seems overwhelming, but I’ll get through it.
2. To continue to watch what I eat and hope I can manage to drop a few more pounds.
3. To up my physical activities so that I don’t lose any more muscle. Maybe I’ll give myself stairstep goals or walk the driveway to the gate and back goals—on days when I’m not sick as a dog.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To fiddle in my art room!
2. To spend time with the family—movies, meals, and flea market adventures! I’m not overly ambitious.

Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in October…

Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Report Card

Last week…

1. Last week was one week after Chemo Week. The last time around, by Monday, I was almost back to my usual self, energy and discomfort-wise. This time around, it wasn’t until yesterday, Saturday, that I didn’t want to spend all my time in bed rather than forcing myself to go through the motions of being “normal.” I had hoped this chemo thing would be something I’d adjust to and I could get on with my life. Again, I’m adjusting my expectations and my schedule as a result. I know it’s got to sound a little weird, but I have to keep notes and plan my life because that’s part of who I am.
2. Because I wasn’t fully back up to speed last week, I canceled the pre-order for Ignition. If you’ve been waiting for it, I apologize.
3. I worked on edits for one author, sporadically. I should have completed them, but I’m close.
4. The family is still being lovely to me. The 15-year-old and I have movie nights, where I choose a classic to share with her. Hot Fuzz was very enjoyable. The 11-year-old has really taken to crochet and comes down to raid my yarn stash often. Then, she sits, and we watch reruns of Reba (her current favorite sitcom) together while she crochets and I enjoy the company.

This next week…

1. This week, now that I feel a bit better, I’m going to push to get as much work done as I can before Chemo Week begins next Monday.
2. It’s the end of the quarter, and I have to update all my plans. The calendar is looking a bit bare. I’m keeping my expectations low of what I can accomplish, until December, when my current rounds of chemo are scheduled to end.
3. This week, I’m working on an editing project for one author.

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs!

1. Just a quick update and a Word Puzzle! (Contest) — Last day to enter!Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Are you ready for hot cocoa season? — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. What does this mean to you? (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
4. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Mary Church Terrell – Lifting As She Climbed (Contest + Excerpt) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Pretty Scribbles Puzzle and a Question (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Vintage Board Games — Win an Amazon gift card!