Yesterday was fantastic! It was such a cool girls’ day out to celebrate the oldest hitting 20! We had lunch at Red Lobster (do you know how hard it is to count Weight Watchers points there?!), we did some light shopping at Ulta, TJ Maxx, and Bath & Body Works, and then we went to see Inside Out 2! We loved the movie, BTW. When we got home, we all jumped into the pool for an hour, dancing to hip-hop and Gypsy Kings in the water! Lovely day! I slept like a baby last night.

I hope you’re finding ways to enjoy your summer! We do our best to beat the heat or plan our time outside for the morning or late afternoon. The electric bill for last month nearly choked me, but that’s the price of living in the South. 🙁

You all take care and have a great week! Be sure to check out the multitude of contests listed below! ~DD

Report Card

Last week…

• I began plugging away in earnest at writing the book due out later this month!
• I worked on one editing job for another author.
• I continued working on editing the Secret Identities short stories for the anthology.
• We finally got the pool chemicals balanced and started swimming!
• I began Weight Watchers and have lost 4.2 pounds!

This next week…

• I’ll continue to work on Cyrus!
• I will finish an editing job for another author!
• I’ll finish editing stories in the Secret Identities anthology.
• I’ll begin working on my short story for SI!
• I have an imaging appointment on Monday.
• I’ll continue swimming and counting those points on Weight Watchers!

Open Contests

On the Delilah’s Collections website!

1. GETTING TO KNOW CAMERON ALLIE (CONTEST + 2 FREE READS!) — Last day to enter! 10 winners! Win a FREE book + Everyone gets 2 FREE books!
2. GETTING TO KNOW REINA TORRES (CONTEST) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
3. GETTING TO KNOW DARAH LACE (CONTEST) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!

Here, on this site!

1. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a SIGNED book + some hand painted (by me!) goodies!
2. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Harriet Ann Jacobs – Setting and Keeping the Record Straight on Slavery (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. What’s Coming Soon & the Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Orange you glad you stopped by? — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. June into July (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Gabbi Grey: Puppies and kiddos (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Sliding Puzzle: Happy Independence Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Reina Torres! My New Military Romance Series! (Contest–Two Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: At the movies… — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Carol Cox!
*~*~*

Before I dig into accomplishments and plans, I want to invite you to another website!

The Collections website is where the authors of the anthologies I curate play! We’re getting geared up for the release of our newest collection at the end of July, so in this coming month we’ll spend time introducing you to the authors! There will be contests with things to win. Click on the link to check out the site, and while you’re over there, subscribe to get the postings sent straight to your inbox so you don’t miss a thing! Delilah’s Collections Website

June

1. I revised the fifth story of my Delta Heat series and published two of them: Twice the Bang and Once is Never Enough.
2. I’ve revised the first story in the Delta Fire series, Burning Up Memphis, which will be released on July 9th!
3. I continued work on Cyrus, which is presently scheduled for release on July 23rd!
4. I completed 3 editing projects for other authors in June and hope to finish another today!
5. I’ve been editing away on the stories that will be inside Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology, coming at the end of July.

Health-related:

1. I had a slew of doctor’s appointments and follow-up screenings. I saw my VA doctor, who thinks I’m now diabetic, barely. I have some work to do to try to reverse course. I also had a mammogram (it was clear!), a CT of my abdominal aorta (that’s a thing to get checked when you are a certain age—and no issue there), a cancer-screening with the dermatologist (no issues), a lung x-ray (I’m good to go), and bone density imaging. I officially have osteoporosis, now. 🙁
2. The biggest improvement I’ve made this month is that I quit smoking. Cold turkey.
3. I did not pay attention to what I put in my mouth. *Sigh*

Happiness-related: 

1. June was busy for family activities. When I had appointments in the city, we took advantage with shopping sprees and meals out. We’ve had movie nights at home and special meals where everyone participated in the food prep. We are loving our new Blackstone grill.
2. The pool is still giving us fits. Every chemical known to mankind has been tossed at it, but we still have issue with phosphates and cloudiness.
3. I finished the #the100dayproject art challenge!
4. Here are some examples of art projects I completed in June:

July

Is that not a yummy array of covers?!

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete writing Cyrus, the first of my new MBH in Yellowstone series, and which I will release on July 23rd!
2. To complete editing the stories for the upcoming collection—Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology! Plus, get the anthology assembled, formatted and ready for publication on July 30th!
3. To revise the first two books in my erotic romance series, Delta Fire. I’ll republish two of the stories in July: Burning up Memphis and Hotter with a Pole.
4. To complete 3 editing projects in July!

For health related, I plan:

1. To exercise. Still not certain the pool will be under control. But I will walk (counting steps) and make use of my recumbent bike.
2. To start back on my Weight Watchers diet, because it’s time to get serious! (I say this every month, but I really, really have to do it!)
3. To reduce salt and processed food, and incorporate foods good for blood pressure (spinach, broccoli, bananas) and my liver (apple cider vinegar, flax seeds, sunflower seeds).
4. To take my BP every day and log it!
5. To schedule the last of the health-related appointments I need to wrap up: Eye exam and dental exam.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To fiddle in my art room!
2. To spend time with the family—movies, flea market adventures, and pool (hopefully)!

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 July…

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

Last week…

• I worked on two editing jobs for other authors and finished one. The one that is left is kicking my butt! It’s long and dense (very good story!). I will get to The End!
• I am working on editing the Secret Identities short stories for the anthology.
• I took What Happens in Bozeman wide, meaning it’s available on all the usual platforms!
• We’ve repaired the filter on the pump and are now waiting for everything to be in balance. I’m hoping that in a couple of days the water will be crystal clear and ready for summer now that it’s half-way over!
• I had two imaging appointments (lung and aortic something-or-other) this week in the city. Both came out clear! No worries! Yay!
• I finished #The100DayProject challenge!

This next week…

• I will work on two editing projects for other authors, finishing one!
• I’ll resume work on Cyrus!
• I’ll continue editing stories in the Secret Identities anthology. Plus, I’ll work with the authors to organize a promo schedule.
• I’ll begin working on my short story for SI!
• I have mammogram and bone density imaging on Monday; plus, a cancer screening with the dermatologist.
• The pool situation will be settled this week!!!!!
• I’m restarting Weight Watchers!

Contest

1. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — This one ends tomorrow night! Win a signed book & hand painted goodies!
2. Another Puzzle Day: What is he hunting? (Contest) — This one ends tomorrow night! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Happy Sewing Machine Day! (Contest) — This one ends tomorrow night! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Shark Movies are Summertime Fun! — This one ends tomorrow night! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Word Search: Bob Dylan’s Best (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. 10 Ways to “Celebrate” International Panic Day + a Puzzle! (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Gabbi Powell: Taking A Chance (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Word Search: Favorite International Cuisines (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Meet me on the bridge… — Win an Amazon gift card!

I’m sipping coffee and listening to the Stones’ “Mothers Little Helper.” Here goes…

It’s been a while, but my daughter and I hit the local flea market! Had to snap the flea market mascot, Catrick Swayze. He’s the barely domesticated, loves to nip, and gripes with every meow. You can see his meanness in his face, can’t you? My kind of cat.

And here’s my haul…

Not so impressive, I know. The microwave candy is for the girls, not me. Blech. My daughter found the pineapple for me. We’ve been looking for a solution to hold my coffee K-cups in the art room—and voilà! She also found the pretty tin. I collect them and have dreams of cutting them up into pretty shapes to make jewelry with them. She winces when she spots a pretty tin because she can picture the carnage. The cardboard box beside everything…? Someone bought up a bunch of those Amazon mystery boxes and offered them individually. We bought one! It’s so much fun to get them home, open them, and see whether you have treasure or dreck. We had a mixed box. Bento boxes. Christmas decorations. Pillow covers. Finger chopsticks. Maybe 70 small Christmas-themed notebooks. And six decibels-measuring devices…? (I will have to figure out how to unload those!) Yeah, treasure and dreck. But so much fun unboxing.

Report Card

Last week…

• I worked on two editing jobs for other authors; I should finish one of them today.
• I resolved my issues with the Kindle platform, and all four books in the Delta Fire series, which is the follow-on to the Delta Heat series, are loaded and ready for pre-order, including the last book in the series, which has not previously been published, Ignition. I’ll share all the covers this week—they are so hot!
• I am working on editing the Secret Identities short stories for the anthology.
• The biggest bummer of the week is that our pool is still “un-swimmable” for now. We were having fits, dumping tons of chemicals and never getting the water perfectly crystal clear, so we decided to replace the sand. When my SIL replaced it and put the filter back together, it leaked. We replaced seals and a collar on the filter, then when we got everything put back together, we had another leak on the Polaris hose. We got a part in yesterday, so I’m crossing my fingers that’s the problem. It will be a few days before the pool is clear enough to swim in. My dd says there’s another snake in there, but it’s too cloudy to fish the critter out. *sigh*
• Okay, so maybe that’s not the biggest bummer. I went to the doctor at the VA this week, and she says I’m diabetic now. Barely, but she’s putting me on meds. I have got to drop some pounds!

This next week…

• I will work on two editing projects for other authors, finishing two, I hope!
• I’ll continue editing stories in the Secret Identities anthology. Plus, I’ll work with the authors to organize a promo schedule.
• I have a lung and bone density test coming up, so we’ll have another trip to the big city.
• I will finish creating small art daily for #The100DayProject. I’m almost there!
• The pool situation will be settled this week!!!!!
• I’m adding one more goal to get a plan in place to tackle the weight. I’m going to research what foods I can eat and those I can avoid, and then create a meal plan. Realistic exercise goals will be set, too. I tend to have better success when I follow a plan…

Open Contests

1. Word Search: Inside SECRET IDENTITIES (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Gabbi Grey: Are we allowed to have favorites? (Contest) — This ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — This ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle Contest: On this day…Ghostbusters released! — This ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Melanie Jayne: My Nightly Conundrum—To DNF or Not (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — Win a signed book and hand-painted goodies!
7. Another Puzzle Day: What is he hunting? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Happy Sewing Machine Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Shark Movies are Summertime Fun! — Win an Amazon gift card!

Last week…

• I worked on two editing jobs for other authors; I finished one.
• I finished revising, formatting, and uploading Once is Never Enough (the last story in the Delta Heat series),which releases Tuesday, June 11th.
• I uploaded the stories in the follow-on series, Delta Fire, including finding art and uploading the pre-order for the last book in the series, which has not previously been published, Ignition. Amazon’s KDP has been a PITA so far as loading books 2 & 3 of the series. I’m getting worried they won’t get their act together in time for the planned releases in July-September. We’ll see.
• I didn’t write a word of the next MBH release, Cyrus, which is scheduled to release June 25th. I have so much on my plate to do with my side gig (editing), the revisions of the Delta Fire stories, and the editing of the stories for the Secret Identities anthology, that I need to push out that publication date. I really don’t want the added stress right now. Yes, I do have limits!
• I created the Secret Identities webpage on the Collections site! Go take a look!
• The biggest bummer of the week is that our pool isn’t “swimmable” for now. We were having fits, dumping tons of chemicals and never getting the water perfectly crystal clear, so we decided to replace the sand. When my SIL replaced it and put the filter back together, it leaked. We’re waiting on seals and a collar for the filter, which won’t arrive until Wednesday. I’m crossing my fingers that’s the problem. Otherwise, I’ll be paying a ton of money to have a pool place come out to the boonies to repair the thing. Ugh! All I want to do is swim!

This next week…

• I’ll celebrate the release of the last of the refurbed/recovered Delta Heat series!
• I will work on three editing projects for other authors, finishing two, I hope!
• I’ll be editing stories in the Secret Identities anthology. Plus, I’ll work with the authors to organize a promo schedule.
• I’ll put out a call to authors who might want to blog on this website, July through September.
• I’ll continue wrangling with KDP to get my pre-orders up for the Delta Fire series.
• I’m going to have to re-order my publication schedule, moving the release date of Cyrus because I have to find time to finish the book in my stacked schedule.
• I have a doctor’s appointment at the VA in Little Rock. I’ll be taking the family with me for a chance to catch a meal and do some shopping in the “big city.”
• I will resume creating small art daily for #The100DayProject. I fell behind finishing up the last pieces, but I will get to 100!
• The pool situation will be settled this week!!!!!

That sounds like enough, right? Does it seem like my little report card lists are getting longer and longer? 

Open Contests

1. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — This ends on Tuesday! Win a FREE signed book (with hand painted—by me—bookmark and postcard!)!
2. May into June (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: An Imaginary Friend — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Cover Reveal & Contest! — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Word Search: Inside SECRET IDENTITIES (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Gabbi Grey: Are we allowed to have favorites? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Saturday Puzzle Contest: On this day…Ghostbusters released! — Win an Amazon gift card!

Last week…

• I finished one editing job for another author; plus, I began work on three other projects.
• I finished revising, formatting, and uploading Twice the Bang, which releases Tuesday, June 4th.
• I found art and had covers made for Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology and the Delta Fire series
• I resumed writing my next MBH release, Cyrus, which is scheduled to release June 25th.
• I attended a papermaking workshop!

This next week…

• I will work on three editing projects for other authors, finishing one!
• Plus, I’ll work on the Secret Identities webpage on the Collections site.
• I will begin editing the stories in Secret Identities.
• I will complete revising the last story in the Delta Heat kink series, Once is Never Enough then I’ll format and set it to publish on June 11th.
• I will continue writing my next Montana Bounty Hunter story, the first in the West Yellowstone office, Cyrus.
• I will resume creating small art daily for #The100DayProject.

I will find pool time!

Open Contests

1. Word Search Puzzle: Summer Beach Reads (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest — Thunderstorms for days… — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Mary Jane Patterson — First African American Woman to Receive a B.A. (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — Win a signed book!
5. May into June (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: An Imaginary Friend — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Natalie!
*~*~*

May

 

Work-related:

1. I revised four of my Delta Heat series stories and published three of them: Five Ways ‘Til Sunday, Fournicopia, A Perfect Trifecta.
2. I began writing Cyrus, which is presently scheduled for release on June 25!
3. I completed 6 editing projects for other authors in May.
4. I found art for my upcoming, soon-to-be-revised Delta Fire series, as well as art for Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology, coming at the end of July.

Health-related:

1. I saw my doctor for a checkup. The bloodwork came back with many improvements! My blood pressure is under control. I still have areas requiring attention.
2. I spent half of the month with my knee still causing me problems, but it appears to have healed. Just in time for the pool!
3. I am paying more attention to what I put in my mouth. (That doesn’t mean I’m making better decisions!)

Happiness-related: 

1. The kids are out of school, and we’ve already put dates on the calendar for activities. The 10-year-old is learning to crochet this summer and has archery classes. The 15-year-old will be taking guitar lessons. We took the entire family to see If in the theaters.
2. I continued working on the #the100dayproject art challenge but more sporadically as my day job (writing/editing) got more hectic.
3. I attended a two-day papermaking workshop!
4. Here are some examples of art projects I completed in May:

June

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete writing Cyrus, the first of my new MBH in Yellowstone series, and which is scheduled for release June 25th.
2. To complete 5 editing projects in June!
3. To set up the pre-order and edit the stories in the upcoming collection—Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology!
4. To finish revising and prepare for publication the last books in my erotic romance series, Delta Heat. I’ll republish two of the stories in June: Twice the Bang and Once is Never Enough.
5. To find cover art and set up pre-orders for my Delta Fire series. Three books will be revised for republication and the fourth will be written in July!

For health related, I plan:

1. To swim in my pool every day! (Weather permitting!) Exercise on my recumbent bike when I can’t swim.
2. To start back on my Weight Watchers diet, because it’s time to get serious!
3. To reduce salt and processed food, and incorporate foods good for blood pressure (spinach, broccoli, bananas) and my liver (apple cider vinegar, flax seeds, sunflower seeds).
4. To take my BP every day and log it!
5. To have follow-up medical appointments, routine/annual things.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To finish #the100daychallenge. Just 10 pieces to go!
2. To spend time with the family—movies and pool—now that school is out!

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!