Report Card

Last week…

1. I completed one author’s edits.
2. I had a blood draw on Monday (my cancer antigen test looked really good!), and I had an appointment with a surgeon regarding the question of whether I can have surgery to remove the girlie parts that were affected by cancer (I’m now scheduled for April 1st!).
3. I’ve continued some light exercises—mostly chair yoga and things I can do holding onto a countertop or pressing against a wall.
4. I’ve been painting every day as part of #the100dayproject—not that I feel like I’m doing good work just yet. 🙂

This next week…

1. On Monday, I have my immunotherapy infusion appointment!
2. I will have one author’s edits to complete this week.
3. I have administrative things to do this week to “get my affairs in order” before surgery.
4. I’ll continue working on #the100dayproject.

Open Contests

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

1. Memory Game: Night Fall Stories (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Do you subscribe to my blog? (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: French Diary — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Gertrude Bustill Mossell, a Multi-faceted African-American Woman (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Tell a Fairy Tale Day (Giveaway) — Get your FREE story!
7. February into March (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: On this day…Yellowstone National Park! — Win an Amazon gift card!

All my plans are kind of in the air as of yesterday. I have to rejigger my work schedule to prepare for surgery on April 1st. It will be a long recovery because they are doing a full hysterectomy, plus taking out anything affected by cancer (omentum, maybe lymph nodes). The surgeon said it would take 4-6 weeks to recover. My daughter who had a radical a few years ago said think a year before you feel normal-ish again. I told the doctor my only concern is when I can get into the pool this summer. I expect to be back at work, even if I’m sitting in a recliner with my laptop instead of at my desk, within two weeks. Anyway, the upcoming surgery is guiding my workplan this month.

February

Work-related:

1. Again, I didn’t write a single word in all of February. That was not the plan, but recovery of my imagination and stick-to-it-iveness hasn’t been something I can force, obviously.
2. I completed 2 editing projects for other authors in February and am nearing the end of another. They were all long projects, so I feel like I’m tooling along with the editing. I’m back up to speed.
3. So, yeah, it was another light-ish month of work! However, my pace is improving.

Health-related:

1. I met with the heart doctor in early February. Everything there is trending well. My hypertension is under control.
2. I had bloodwork done at the beginning of this week. My Cancer Antigen test was a normal-range 23—so it looks like the cancer is still reined in!
3. I met with the gynecological oncology surgeon yesterday, and I’m a go for a full hysterectomy+ on April 1st—something I was told would probably never be in my cards when I started my journey but is going to happen now!

Happiness-related: 

1. I attended my art guild’s meeting this month and participated in a guided painting session. It was so fun!
2. I have been painting this month and began the #100dayproject! Here are a few small pieces I completed:

March

  

1. AGAIN: To complete Ignition before the end of the month and publish it. Writing is a little elusive still, but I need to get this one out the door before my surgery.
2. To plot stories for the new year for my current series, Montana Bounty Hunters: Yellowstone, MT and We are Dead Horse.
3. To complete 3 editing projects in March. Plus, I will get halfway through another project that I will continue after surgery.
4. To look at books I already have out that I might bundle together or publish in print. I’ll be assembling another Ultra collection of short stories for publication soon—maybe not in March because I’m going to be getting ready for surgery and down-time, but soon.

For health-related, I plan:

1. To get another immunotherapy infusion in early March.
2. To watch what I eat to drop a few pounds before surgery. I want to be as healthy as I can be going in.
3. To add more physical activities to my daily routine to regain more muscle tone before I spend weeks being nearly immobile after surgery!

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To get my affairs in order. That sounds so dark, doesn’t it? I just mean that I want bills paid, passwords to my accounts updated and recorded, so my dd can handle things for me during my post-op period. I don’t want to leave everything until the last minute. And yeah, I do want her to know where the life insurance policies are…
2. To continue the #100dayproject, although I concede I will likely have to take a hiatus just before surgery and for a couple of weeks afterward, so I won’t be finishing in 100 days, but I will produce 100 pieces as quickly as I can.
3. To spend time with the family—more movies, meals, and flea market adventures!

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 March…

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

Report Card

Last week…

1. I completed two authors’ edits.
2. I’ve continued some light exercises I found on Pinterest for women of a certain age—mostly chair yoga and things I can do holding onto a countertop or pressing against a wall. I’m amazed those easy exercises actually lead to sore muscles! Yay!

This next week…

1. This week, I have a couple of doctor’s appointments, including one with a surgeon to see whether I can have my girlie parts removed to improve my chances of beating this cancer.
2. I have one author’s edits to complete this week.
3. I have some administrative things to do this week, so I won’t be starting to write.
4. The #100daychallenge starts today. I’ve been gathering art books and Pinterest posts for inspiration and have materials unearthed to begin the journey! I can’t wait to start! Yes, I know I shouldn’t make this a priority, but I so enjoy the challenge. At this stage, I hunger for joy!

Open Contests

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

1. Gabbi Grey/Gabbi Black: Why I own the Queen of Instalove title (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Another Rainy Day — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Kathryn J. Wright: Courting Risk (FREE Book!) — This ends soon! Everyone, get your FREE book!
4. Flashback: Truly, Madly…Deadly (Contest–3 Winners, Plus Excerpt!) — This ends soon! Win a FREE book! 3 Winners!
5. Memory Game: Night Fall Stories (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Krysten Lindsay Hager: Nancy Drew and the Perfect Date Night (FREE in KU!) — FREE in KU!
7. Do you subscribe to my blog? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: French Diary — Win an Amazon gift card!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I continued work on one author’s edits. I’m nearing the end!
2. I’ve started some light exercises I found on Pinterest for women of a certain age—mostly chair yoga and things I can do holding onto a countertop or pressing against a wall. Baby steps!

This next week…

1. This week, I’ll be diving back into finishing up Ignition! Seriously, I don’t know why I’m avoiding it so hard. I need to finish it and put it up for pre-order.
2. I have one author’s edits to wrap up and two more authors’ edits to work on this week.
3. So far as personal goals—I’m still not ready to diet. However, I am going to continue to do those light exercises until I’m ready for some cardio.
4. The #100daychallenge starts next Sunday. I’ll be gathering art books for examples and materials to get ready for the art spree! Can’t wait!

Open Contests

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

1. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway — Last day to enter! Win a signed book!
2. TGIF (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Super Bowl Sunday! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Sliding Puzzle: Fairytale Castle and The Ferryman (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Gabbi Grey/Gabbi Black: Why I own the Queen of Instalove title (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
6. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Another Rainy Day — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary McCoy!
*~*~*

January

Work-related:

1. Again, I didn’t write a single word in all of January, but that was the plan—wait until after I recovered from the last of my chemotherapy sessions. Chemo sucked away all my energy and ambition. It wasn’t until well past mid-month that the aftereffects of my last chemo session on December 30th waned. And then I dragged my feet as I started thinking about what I wanted to accomplish writing-wise this year.
2. I completed 1 editing project for another author in January.
3. I settled on a theme and sent out the call for submissions for the next Boys Behaving Badly Anthology—Burn!
4. So, yeah, it was a light month of work, but I’m feeling so much better, and my brain is re-engaging!

Health-related:

1. I underwent a PET scan to see how my cancer had reacted to the chemo and got the amazing news that I’m now in remission from my cancer. Further, something I didn’t think would happen because I had far too much cancer everywhere is now within reach. It may be possible to have my girlie parts removed, which would yank out the source of my cancer. Not that it might not be lurking something else, microscopically, but right now the only place where it is detectable is in my uterus. It’s got to go!
2. After that good news, I spent the rest of the month…resting. I can finally get deep, restful sleep, so I’m catching up!

Happiness-related: 

1. My family, all of whom have been astonishingly good to me over the months of my treatment, are now expecting me to pick up some slack. LOL. I’m doing the occasional dishes and keeping my own spaces clean. It makes me feel productive, and I know my dd needs some relief.
2. I’ve been working on organizing my art studio, going from table to table, shelf to shelf, putting things where they belong and clearing working spaces.
3. I painted this month. Not much, but here are a few small pieces I completed:

February

  

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete Ignition before the end of the month and publish it. I was able to persuade Amazon to give me back my pre-order ability (Yay!), but I’ll wait until I finish the book before I let you know it’s out there. Writing is a little elusive still, which has made me feel a little…not afraid, but hesitant to slap dates on things.
2. To plot stories for the new year for my current series, Montana Bounty Hunters: Yellowstone, MT and We are Dead Horse.
3. To complete 3 editing projects in February.
4. To look at books I already have out that I might bundle together or publish in print. I’ll be assembling another Ultra collection of short stories for publication in March.
5. To begin work on the next We Are Dead Horse book, Built Like Mack. The plan is to release it in March.

For health-related, I plan:

1. To meet with a surgeon at UAMS to discuss the possibility of getting my girlie parts removed. The appointment has been made—it’s happening at the end of this month.
2. To begin again watching what I eat to drop a few more pounds. I’ve rejoined WW. Now, I just need to knuckle under and do the work.
3. To add physical activities to my daily routine so that I can regain some muscle tone. I plan to begin some daily chair yoga exercises and spend some time on the exercise bike.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To get ready for the #100dayproject, which begins on February 23rd. This will be the 5th year I’ve participated in the challenge. I can’t wait! I’ll be going through art books and Pinterest pages, looking for ideas for projects.
2. To clean up my art room, which was a disaster!  While I was feeling like hell, I tossed supplies on table tops rather than storing them properly, eating up my workspace.
3. I have plans to do an online oil pastels class and perhaps make some more collage fodder.
4. To spend time with the family—more movies, meals, and flea market adventures!

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 February…

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

Report Card

Last week…

1. The most noteworthy thing that happened last week was my meeting with my oncologist on Monday. There, he told me I’m in remission from the cancer that once filled my abdomen. Now, there’s a “smudge” of cancer left in my uterus, and I will be seeing a surgeon soon to remove everything! Halleluiah! That does not mean I’ll be cured. I’ll still have Stage IV endometrial cancer. It just means that, for now, we’ve knocked it back. I’ll take that and celebrate!
2. I also underwent my first every-six-weeks immunotherapy infusion. And guess what? It only took an hour—not an entire day—and the best part? No side effects that knock me on my ass! Glory Halleluiah! 
3. I continued work on one author’s edits and finished them.

This next week…

1. This week, I’ll be diving back into finishing up Ignition! Okay, so I said this last week, but I mean it this time. I want to finish it and put it up for pre-order.
2. I have one author’s edits to work on this week—perhaps a second set if the author gets me her pages.
3. So far as personal goals? I’m not ready to diet. I’m still in celebrate mode. LOL. I also can’t find the drive to up my activity. I need some inspiration.

Open Contests

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

1. Flashback: Saddled (Contest) — This one ends tomorrow! Win a FREE book!
2. Memory Game: Places I would like to go… (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. 5 Things I’m Thankful For… (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Dream Dinner Table — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Gabbi Grey: Gay Historical Romances (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE eBook or audiobook!
6. Report Card & Open Contests (New Contest, too!) — Win a pretty pen!
7. Flashback: Tailgating at the Cedar Inn (Contest–3 Winners!) — Win a FREE story!
8. Word Search: Hot Sauce Day (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Ellen F. Eglin — Inventor of the Wringer Washer (Contest) Win an Amazon gift card!
10. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: A Wishing Well — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary McCoy!
*~*~*

My daughter has been busy making some fun pens for me and to sell. I think I’ll give one of the above away as the prize today. They are so cute! And they write really well! See the contest below!

And yes, I usually do the Report Cards on Sundays, but I had a guest yesterday!

Report Card

Last week…

1. The big event was that I had my PET scan last Friday. I’ve read the radiologist’s report but my Google-MD degree needs my actual doctor’s interpreting skills, so I’ll let you know later what was said…
2. I continued work on one author’s edits. I didn’t finish because she’s slacking giving me pages. Well, two broken wrists are a great excuse. *wink*
3. I sent out the Call for Submissions for the next Boys Behaving Badly Anthology! It’s tentatively entitled Burn.
4. I uploaded Once Upon a Legend to sites other than Amazon since it’s no longer in KU.
5. The family and I watched Red One. Yes, it’s rather late for a Christmas movie, but we were looking for an action flick, and it fit the bill. I enjoyed it!
6. The local art guild I belong to held their election. I’m VP of Programs now. 🙂

This next week…

1. I meet with my oncologist this morning! I’ll hear his interpretation of my scan. Wish me luck! Then it’s straight to the chair to begin my first immunotherapy infusion. I hear it’s a lot easier on the body than chemotherapy, so I don’t mind one bit!
2. I have two authors’ edits to work on this week. One to complete.
3. This week, I’ll be diving back into finishing up Ignition! Okay, so I said this last week, but I mean it this time.

Open Contests + New Contest

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

1. Word Puzzle — Ideas for Next Boys Behaving Badly Anthology (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Karenna Colcroft: Back to Boston (F*R*E*E Read!) — This one ends soon! Everyone, get your FREE read!
3. Memory Game: The OG — Montana Bounty Hunters (Contest) — This one ends soon! Get an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Movie Night! — This one ends soon! Get an Amazon gift card!
5. Word Search: Favorite Romance Tropes (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Flashback: Saddled (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
7. Memory Game: Places I would like to go… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. 5 Things I’m Thankful For… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Dream Dinner Table — Win an Amazon gift card!
10. Gabbi Grey: Gay Historical Romances (Contest) — Win a FREE eBook or audiobook!

Today’s Contest: Comment below and enter to win one of the pretty readers’ pens!