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!

I’m poking my head in the door today to let you know that I’ve canceled the release of Ignition. I had hoped I’d be able to finish the final chapters and get it ready for release on October 1st, but that just wasn’t in the cards. I’m going to take that pressure off myself. For those looking forward to the release, I apologize. I’m hoping as I go through this journey that, I’ll be able and well enough to pick right up where I left off one day, but I think this entire process has been a bit of a wake-up call for me. I’ve worked hard for over twenty years. I have a backlist of books that readers can hopefully discover. I’ll continue being here, online, promoting other author-friends’ new work, and playing games, because I enjoy these things. I love the connection. I love seeing old friends pop into my comments. I’m still here, but new books won’t be coming anytime soon.

Happy reading! Love, Delilah

UPDATE: The winner is…Carol!
*~*~*

Clothing and courage have much to do with each other. ~ Sara Jeannette Duncan

I’m a quotes girl. I love affirmations and pithy sayings. I collect books of them. Every now and then, I open one to a random page, seeking inspiration. I opened one of the books to a random page today. This quote, I didn’t understand at first glance.

So, I looked up Sara JD. She was a female journalist in the late 1800s. Then she wrote popular novels that often contained bits about politics and societal norms, so maybe the quote meant something to her in her journey toward self-fulfillment as a writer and observer moving around in a more privileged set.

I read the quote and think about how my attitude toward clothing has changed for me. I had very little fashion courage as a grown woman. I dressed according to trends when in public. Being in the military for so long, wearing uniforms, took any fashion decisions away from me, and I really didn’t mind one bit. When I entered the corporate and academic worlds, I dressed according to those norms.

Not until I became an author did I dress a bit more flamboyantly—but only sparingly, mostly at conferences—because I grew used to being out of the public eye for long stints and dressed for comfort when at home.

These days, comfort is the only priority for me. At home, I wear loose, soft nightgowns. I want nothing cinching my waist where I imagine (perhaps) I can feel the cancer crowding my organs. When I go out, mostly to medical appointments, I wear the loosest shorts or joggers, usually in a size too large, so that I can pull the stretch waistband high above those organs. When I go to chemo appointments, I know I’ll be there for hours and hours, so it’s joggers and a spaghetti-strapped tank to give the medical personnel easy access to my port. I add a zip-up hoodie. And, of course, I add a pop of color—the loudest, most attention-grabbing chemo turban I have. It’s a middle finger to my cancer and to anyone who looks with pity at my bald head. I don’t need pity; I’d rather get a smile.

So, back to the quote. Does it mean something to you? Comment for a chance to win your choice of a download of any one of my books. 

Report Card

Last week…

1. Last week was Chemo Week, beginning with the infusions on Monday. It hit me hard midweek, lingering through Saturday. All the usual symptoms: chemo flush, muscle and joint aches, difficulty sleeping, overall weakness, etc. Very uncomfortable. However, this time, depression did not set in. I medicated as minimally as I could and waited it out, working in short spurts in the mornings before throwing in the towel to rest. I feel like I napped the week away, which is a strategy, I guess.
2. Once Upon a Legend, my Western novella, released this week! I hope you all picked up a copy!
3. I worked on edits for one author and completed them.
4. My daughter, the girls, and my SIL continue to be the best support I could ask for. They wait on me hand and foot when I need it, and encourage me to move when I need that nudge. I really am very, very lucky to have them.

This next week…

1. This week I only have to see my chemo clinic team once for a blood draw and a white blood cell booster shot. Yay!
2. I have to wrap up Ignition. It’s the fourth and last book in the Delta Fire series. I moved the release date to October 1st. I hope I’ll have the energy to create, otherwise, I’ll have to cancel the release. It’s just two, maybe three chapters, but that feels like too much right now.
3. I’m working on an editing project for one author this week.

Open Contests

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

1. Tell me a story: Sweet dreams are made of these… (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Report Card, Open Contests, and a Puzzle Contest! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Gabbi Grey: The Paranormal Story I’ve Always Wanted to Tell (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Just a quick update and a Word Puzzle! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Are you ready for hot cocoa season? — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Rachel Blackburn!
*~*~*

I’m finally exiting Chemo Week Hell. I had seven hours of sleep last night and woke feeling weak but not uncomfortable or hurting. Yay. Today, I’ll use every excuse to get up and move around to get my legs feeling stronger. Gosh, I’ll even shower. Just kidding. I do shower. 🙂

Today’s Puzzle Day! And what’s on my mind? Well, the weather. Here we are at the beginning of Fall, and yesterday, the temperature here in Arkansas was 95 degrees. Today, it’s supposed to get to 96.

I’m sorry. Pool season is over. It’s time for sweaters and hot chocolate. In fact, I’m making a grocery list and adding hot cocoa to it because it’s one of those things I love having during cooler weather.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift certificate, tell me what you enjoy eating or imbibing when Fall weather truly arrives!

UPDATE: The winner is…Anna Marie Flamini!
*~*~*

Just a reminder before I blast you with Sunday’s post! I have a novella arriving early Tuesday morning! Have you pre-ordered your copy?

Once Upon a Legend is sexy fun set in the Wild, Wild West with a lawman who doesn’t know quite what to think about the woman who falls into his arms from the stagecoach and starts telling him of the danger coming his way… Enjoy!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I guess it’s supposed to be traumatic, but on Monday morning, I showered and, as I was washing my hair, my fingers dragged away clumps of hair. It was time. My dd and the 20-year-old shaved me bald.
2. Last week was ridiculously busy with appointments. On Monday, I saw my oncologist. He didn’t like my white cell blood count, so he gave me another WBC booster shot. On Tuesday, it was another trip to the city to have tests run at the hospital where the port installation surgery would take place. Then, I had the surgery on Thursday. I now have my “borg” port.
3. On Wednesday, my SIL drove me to the nearest military installation an hour and a half away to get me a new ID card. I was a little bummed that my hair didn’t last long enough for the photo. LOL
4. I worked on edits for one author. I also took care of a lot of administrivia—you know, stuff that has to be done but doesn’t move the goalposts or pay the bills.
5. My daughter, the girls, and my SIL continue to be amazing. All four girls in the house were there for me on surgery day even though we had to begin the drive at 4 AM. I really am the luckiest Nina in the world.

This next week…

1. This week is “Hell Week.” Um, by that I mean I have another chemo treatment on Monday. What follows for the rest of the week will not be pleasant.
2. Once Upon a Legend releases on September 17th! I hope you get your copy!
3. I want to wrap up Ignition. It’s the fourth and last book in the Delta Fire series. I moved the release date to October 1st. I’m not sure I’ll have the energy to create, so I might have to push off finishing until the week after.
4. I’m working on editing projects for two authors this week. Two that I have to finish. So, I’ll be hoping for an hour or two of lucidity every morning to putter away.

Open Contests

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

1. Word Search: Signs Fall is coming… (Contest) — This ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Movie Night! — This ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Tell me a story: Sweet dreams are made of these… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Katherine Eddinger Smits: Cassadaga, Florida: Spirits, Ghosts, and Mediums (Contest + FREE Read) — Win an Amazon gift card. Plus, pick up a FREE Read!

Puzzle-Contest!

Because I had a guest yesterday, I didn’t run my Saturday Puzzle-Contest! So, let’s do it today!

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle… It’s a photo of a ridiculously, aesthetically pleasing woman hanging laundry. I can’t seem to resist these “cottagecore” photos. Anyway, solve the puzzle then tell me whether you still hang laundry to dry outside.