I’m posting late. My nothing day started with me waking up later than usual. Then I awoke and remembered I’d promised my brother I’d visit him, his wife, and MIL for coffee this morning. We gossiped and caught up on family news, then my dd and I walked back across the street and I remembered, “Oh yeah, I’m supposed to have a blood draw today.” So off to the hospital we went.

When I got back, it was lunchtime, and the 20-year-old made ceviche. Lord, I love ceviche. Salad on a hard corn tortilla. After that, I checked the weather and realized it was the perfect time according to the weather forecast to swim because clouds were moving in. So, the 11-year-old and I jumped into the pool.

Now, I’m finally sitting at the desk, the day already mostly gone, and I am making spaghetti and meatballs in another hour, so really, what can I hope to accomplish? Nada. Not a dang thing. I’m wondering if I should fill the next hour instead with an episode of Psych or Lost in Space…

Oh yeah, tomorrow’s my dd’s birthday, and I haven’t wrapped her gifts. So, maybe I should do that instead.

I wonder if I have adult ADHD because my brain is just jumping from one thing to the next and the last thing I want to do is sit at this computer today.

How’s your day been? Has yours been as “nothing” as mine?

UPDATE: The winner is…Jackie Wisherd!
*~*~*

May

1. I completed 4 editing projects for other authors in May!
2. I found new artwork for a previously published anthology of erotic short stories, Ultra Strokes, Vol. 1. I recovered it and reuploaded it.
3. I compiled my second volume of erotic short stories, Ultra Strokes, Vol. 2, and published it! It’s my first release of the year! Progress, finally!

Health-related:

1. I finally went to the optometrist since I’m far enough away from chemotherapy that I don’t think my eyesight is going to further degrade any time soon. I have new glasses, and the screen is no longer blurry!
2. I fought a second UTI and have completed another round of antibiotics. I feel great!

Happiness-related: 

1. I continued my participation in #the100dayproject. Here are a few small pieces I completed:

June

For work-related, I plan:

1. To finish writing Ignition! No excuses! This will complete the Delta Fire series, my erotic firefighter stories. The pre-order will be set up this week, and the book will be out by the end of the month!
2. To begin work on Built Like Mack, the next story in my We are Dead Horse series.
3. To await the arrival of two editing projects around mid-month. Not having any at the moment is fine with me. Again, I have nothing to get in the way of my writing mojo, other than me.

For health-related, I plan:

1. To continue to focus on recovery! Rest when I need to, and some light exercise—housework and swimming.
2. To endure another immunotherapy session this month (I tolerate it so much better than chemo!) and a wellness checkup with my general practitioner.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To spend time with the family during this summer break. We have plans for fun meals, movies, flea market shopping, and lots and lots of swimming.
2. To complete #the100dayproject and create more art.

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 June…

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

Report Card

Last week…

1. I completed one author’s edits. I’m currently working on another’s.
2. The weather cooperated so that I got to swim four days this past week. We had a thunderstorm yesterday that knocked out our power for hours. 🙁
3. I’ve continued painting and trying to catch up with #the100dayproject challenge. This was my favorite piece for the week because the paint was made with actual coffee and smells like it!
4. Healthwise, I battled another UTI. I’m currently on antibiotics. It’s always something. Gah!

This next week…

1. I will complete one author’s edits and then I have no more on the near horizon, so it’s time to get writing!
2. I’ll begin assembling my next Ultra compilation for publication.
3. I’ll restart work on Ignition—writing new words. I’m ready to get back on that treadmill. And yeah, I know I said this last week.
4. I’ll continue trying to catch up with #the100dayproject schedule.
5. I’ll hopefully have time to open my Etsy shop for the summer to sell some of the bookmarks and small paintings I’ve been making!

Open Contests

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

1. 1. Gabbi Grey: Challenge Accepted (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
   2. Flashback: Big Sky SEAL (Contest–2 Winners!) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
   3. Memory Game: Wildlife Where I Live (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Mad about goats! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   5. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a SIGNED book, plus a hand-painted bookmark!
   6. Cameron Allie: Love Spells, Full Moons, and Silver Bullets (F*R*E*E Read, Excerpt, & Contest) — Get your FREE read, plus a sticker bundle!
   7. Word Search: Let’s Celebrate Buy a Musical Instrument Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Surprise Blooms! — Win an Amazon gift card!

Early in the week, my pee suddenly became a bright orange-pink. Bet you haven’t read something like that as an opener on another writer’s blog, right? Anyways, I sent a urine sample via my dd to my general practitioner, and they put me on antibiotics for another UTI. So far, so good. I’m peeing yellow again. For someone who hadn’t had a UTI in years, having two in as many months is a PITA. I’ve read that’s not uncommon after a radical hysterectomy, though, so I’m not overly concerned.

School ended for the kids this past Wednesday! Woot. We celebrated with takeout and a movie. We watched A Minecraft Movie, and I guess we were in the mood for a silly one, because we all laughed ourselves silly. The 16-year-old provided a critique of how well the movie matched the actual game (she’s a gamer, and Minecraft is one she loves). If you like a childish, zany adventure movie, this one’s for you. It’s a one-timer for me, but we bought it because the 11-year-old will be watching it over and over this summer, no doubt. She already knows the songs Jack Black sang.

I’ve been busy trying to get back my stamina to complete the work I have in front of me. Editing has been going well. My personal space needs some work—straightening, cleaning. While my family pitches in, I like things to be kept in a certain order, so I’ve been trying to give myself little tasks every day to set things right.

In early April, I had my Christmas cacti placed outside on my back porch. It gets morning sunshine only, so not too much for indoor plants. Both plants surprised me with another blooming. Not as many as in late fall, but lovely just the same. The red plant buds are very sparse, but the white is giving more blooms. The picture I’m using for today’s puzzle is one of the white cactus. Have fun!

Solve the puzzle, then tell me some random things that are happening to you in your neck of the woods for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I completed one author’s edits. I began another author’s edits.
2. I had covers made—one for my Ultra Strokes, Vol. 1, and another for my next Ultra Strokes book.
3. I received my new glasses with the new prescription, so I’m not squinting at a blurry screen anymore!
4. I’ve continued painting and trying to catch up with #the100dayproject challenge. This was my favorite piece for the week.

This next week…

1. I will complete one author’s edits and begin another author’s edits!
2. I’ll begin assembling my next Ultra compilation for publication.
3. I’ll restart work on Ignition—writing new words. I’m ready to get back on that treadmill.
4. I’ll continue trying to catch up with #the100dayproject schedule.

Open Contests

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

1. 1. Word Search: My Summer Binge List (Contest) — This is the last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
   2. Gabbi Powell: Finding Acceptance in Different Places (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win FREE books!
   3. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Chickens — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   5. Gabbi Grey: Challenge Accepted (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   6. Flashback: Big Sky SEAL (Contest–2 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
   7. Memory Game: Wildlife Where I Live (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Mad about goats! — Win an Amazon gift card!

I’m putting together a basket of goodies on my messy art table to bring to my local art guild meeting tonight. (BTW—I made that basket!) We’re doing decoupage together! So, I have ceramic dishes ready to glue napkins to and small round wooden boxes to do the same. I spent time applying Gesso to all the surfaces to prepare them.

I woke up feeling dizzy AF this morning. It could have something to do with the fact I only had three hours of sleep. Insomnia hit hard. Anyway, I have some work to do before the meeting, and I hope to get a nap, so I’m just popping my head in the door to say hello!

Have any of you decoupaged before? Do you have any good advice for me?

Report Card

Last week…

1. 1. I completed one author’s edits and began work on another author’s edits.
   2. I met with my oncologist who recommended we continue with immunotherapy, and in fact, had me in the chair with an IV in my arm right after telling me everything was looking good.
   3. I’m still pacing myself between resuming work and resting when I need it. I feel stronger every day.
   4. I’ve been painting like crazy, trying to catch up with the herd for #the100dayproject. This was my favorite piece for the week. It’s terribly imperfect, but I enjoyed smudging it all up with graphite and pencil after I water colored the shell.

This next week…

1. I will complete one author’s edits and begin work on another project!
2. I’ll select short stories and begin assembling my next Ultra compilation for publication.
3. I have an appointment with the optometrist—which I need badly. My vision is very blurry at the moment.
4. I’ll continue trying to catch up to #thedayproject schedule.

Open Contests

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

1. 1. Memory Game: My Paintings (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
   2. Flashback: Her Next Breath (Contest — Two Winners!) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book, 2 winners!
   3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Wildflowers — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   4. Flashback: Her Next Breath (Contest — Two Winners!) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
   5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Wildflowers — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   6. Mondays? Love ’em or Hate ’em? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   7. Health Update & a Word Search (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   8. April Into May (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   9. Gabbi Grey: Found Family (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
   10. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Laura Wheeler Waring – A Missionary of Culture — Win an Amazon gift card!
   11. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Happy Astronomy Day! — Win an Amazon gift card!