May 2, 2011

This is a later post than usual... which may actually back up the content. I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past few weeks. Mentally balancing what I'm doing, what I need to be doing, where I want to be, what I have available to invest in the process of getting there. Not just the money side, there's never enough of that after all, but the time. It's spring - big projects are underway and change keeps gusting through the air. The things I have on my plate are wobbly and slippery and mutate at a whim. I started this blog to deal with just this problem - and currently I find that keeping up with it has become one more loop in the snaggled knot of fishing line that I affectionately call my To Do List. So I think back to a good friend of mine telling me that knowing when to stop blogging is pretty important. I weigh in the opinion of my oldest and best friend who answered my last "Dear Abby" letter to her with the simple truth that right now something I love has become something to keep up with instead of something to look forward to. Toss in the fact that the song from My Fair Lady where she's "had enough of words" keeps running through my head and I think it all adds up to my needing a nice big break. No schedule. No literary goals. No spending time and money convincing people that my writing is worth their time and money. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm addicted to the whole insane process - I'm sure I'll take a break from my break now and then to see if I'm ready to begin the battle once more. Plus, to be honest, I've got a school visit, Book Fair, and two signings scheduled between now and mid-June so its not like I'm vacationing cold turkey. There will be an extended weaning period for me to growl through. You can probably follow it on facebook if you miss the posts here. But for now, this particular outlet for the thoughts that reach my fingers is going to have to sit quietly and wait for me to recharge my mental batteries and slog through some time eating monsters in the real world. My current projection is fall - taking the summer off just has a nice ring to it.
So, until its time for me to come back, I hope that your own goals treat you well and leave you smiling.
Bye for now!

(Note on the pic: Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #34 Balance has very little to do with coordination.)

April 29, 2011

Here we are at another Friday. It's been a busy week, but a productive one on a number of levels. I made another book store connection a couple of hours away on Monday, straightened out 2 problems with book information that I didn't know I had until that connection was made on Monday, made it to the gym twice with plans to go tomorrow, and today I'm baking cookies and getting ready to go look at potential apartments for Mom with my brother. I feel pretty darned productive. Here's hoping it lasts!

Enjoy your weekend, watch out for nasty weather, and I'll be back on Monday.

(Note on the pic: Some ground cover from my "fairy bed" since I feel like I'm covering so much ground lately!)

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #23

#23 Good neighbors are priceless.





(Wednesdays Words come from either personal experience or observed situations that have settled into the thought patterns that make me who I am.)

April 25, 2011

Busy, busy week ahead for me. Today is a trip into the wild blue yonder of talking to book store managers about book signings with my friend and fellow author Theresa Flerx. Friday looks like a day in Princeton with my brother looking at areas and places to rent for Mom. In between now and then there is grocery shopping, the packing of boxes, the gym, and all the the real world stuff around here that should have been done last week (or the week before...) and will probably get set aside again. (No fear, I really don't want to clean the bathrooms or wash the kitchen floor, so the rest of it gives me an excuse not to!) If the weather stays so beautiful I'm hoping to do some more weeding too since yesterday was so productive in that area and my big front flower bed is looking pretty darned spiffy now! So is the area around my new composting spot at the end of the fairy bed.
For now though I need to be On My Way to looking presentable and getting out the door. See you Friday!

(Note on the pic: Here is my new composting area. By next year I'll be able to separate the log part into two sections and begin using the compost that I'm adding to and breaking down this year.)

April 22, 2011

Happy long weekend (for some of you) and Happy Easter!

Want a good description of the past week here? Just check out the picture of my daffodils (placed strategically away from where I normally walk since they make me sneeze like a mad fiend). See how they are all "looking" in a different direction and seem just generally confused and distracted? That's my brain. I'm figuring this will be the normal operating mode for a little as we hunt for a new place for Mom to live and then get her settled.

I also made the mistake of filing a revision to Clyde the Undead Dust Bunny. It was just the removal of one line of text (my old website address) and a very minor cover change. I honestly thought this would be a week long process at the outside and under the worst case scenario. I was wrong. I neglected to change my e-mail address for their contact information so the e-mail letting me know that the fonts were not embedded in the new file went into the nothingness of lost Internet mail. That bumped the 3 day change time to a week and a phone call from me to find out what was going on, plus another change, plus that 3 day change time (if all the files are okay this time) PLUS the up to 5 more weeks to get everything back in the system. I'm thinking I should have just left it well enough alone. At this point the down time could threaten a signing I have in June and I really can't schedule any more with the book being unavailable. Sort of a sales killer. It reminds me of that story about losing a kingdom because of a horseshoe nail... I just keep reminding myself that "One day, this will be funny."

See you on Monday (hopefully with a more positive, and less befuddled attitude!)

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #27

#27 Casual rudeness is the stem from which the thorns of anger grow.






(Wednesdays Words come from either personal experience or observed situations that have settled into the thought patterns that make me who I am.)

April 18, 2011

This week is off to a really rocky start. Without adding to the drama by going into detail here, it looks like we are going to have to relocate my mom. There are situations that just really shouldn't have to be dealt with, and I don't see things getting any better where she currently is. It's a pity too - she owns her place. It's a nice place and all of her flowers are just starting to come up. Right now, she is staying with us. I hope you will keep her in your thoughts and add your hopes for a good resolution to the problem in with ours. So, until further notice, my focus is going to be on finding the best solution possible for Mom. Anything else I happen to fit in will be great (and probably a well needed diversion), but for now I'm only On My Way To getting her away from the chaos.
Wish me luck, and have a great week!

(Note on the pic: It's always good to remember that weeds grow strong too.)

April 15, 2011

Hello WEEKEND! (Even with the impending storm on the horizon) I think I'm going to celebrate the fact that I did actually accomplish some things this week by baking. Seems counter productive since one of the things I'm celebrating is making it to the gym 3 times as planned, but most of the baked goods get attacked by Scott and the large children I'm fairly safe. I'm usually lucky if I can manage to grab one bite sized example and still pull my hand away without bite marks. I am only exaggerating slightly.
Tuesday's trip to the local high school to sit on Emily's senior project panel went very well. She did a great job with her presentation, and the two teachers sitting beside me as judges were very impressed as well. I'm very curious to see what she ultimately decides to do with her story. I know she's entered it in a contest so far. I'm wishing her the best of luck on it.
By the way, I managed to get my inventory and records under control again, finished a rough draft for an upcoming contest, visited a couple of libraries who will (hopefully) invite me over for story time and give me the chance to sell a couple of books in the process this week. I've also got a school story time visit that promises to be a new experience due to the fact that I'm hearing I may be up in front of a larger number of people than usual in the works. Not a bad week considering I went with the "wing it" theory.
Now it's off to the kitchen to play "mad scientist" with baked goods. Enjoy your weekend and I'll see you again on Monday!

(note on the pic: A close-up of my peach tree from last Monday.)

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #

#26 When you go to someone else’s house, get out of your vehicle, walk up to their door and politely knock or ring the bell. DO NOT sit in their driveway and honk your horn. It’s rude.




(Wednesdays Words come from either personal experience or observed situations that have settled into the thought patterns that make me who I am.)

April 11, 2011

Hello you beautiful, sunshiny day! You are making it awfully hard to think fondly of going to the gym, but that's alright, I'll just use the grumbly-about-being-inside feeling to fuel my workout. It should be a good one - I'm glad I stocked up on ibuprofen!
This week is mostly about tying up loose ends and I'm not going to bore you with details. I'm sure I went on about them in past posts - probably multiple past posts - so I'll just let their hopeful completion be a surprise on Friday. The only oddity I'm On My Way To this week is that I will be going to a senior project presentation by our family friend Emily Oliver tomorrow. She let me be her mentor this year - a fact that makes me feel very honored. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of her hard work come together. She chose to use fairy tales, a subject very near and dear to me, as her topic. Her research was well detailed despite a lack of resources that she could actually site in her report, and her final product - a retelling of a transformation themed story - is just adorable. I admit, I'm hoping she chooses to pursue publishing for it.
With that said, I think it's time I got moving on things. I wish you a happy and productive week - and please remember to send happy thoughts in Emily's direction!

(note on the pic: Detail from my front flower bed. I love grape hyacinth.)

April 8, 2011

On a serious note first, please keep my Aunt Joan and the rest of my extended family in your prayers. My Uncle Harold passed away a few days ago after an extended and bravely fought battle with cancer. He was a good guy - you would have liked him if you had a chance to meet him. I'm sorry he is gone, but I'm glad that his suffering is past. For those he left behind; may they find peace and remember him with smiles.

Now for the normal stuff: I've got some leftovers for next weeks list. I'm trying to look at them the same way as I do homemade chili - they may have been good when they first went on the list, but they will be better for the time they sat. Besides, coming home and immediately having the control box on the water pump go out sort of sucked the wind out of my "Let's run around and talk to libraries and schools about my great new idea" Sails. I'm a bathing type of person, so scummy business meetings are on my no-no list. Everything is fixed now - VERY thankfully - so I'll be able to handle the visits with much more squeaky clean confidence next week. I'm also still working on the Galax Book Festival, but that should be easier next week also since I'll be home. Less phone tag is always better, and cell phones are a bit unreliable where I live. As for the gym... we just don't even want to talk about that. Next week is a new week.
This weekend holds the glamour of the grocery store, and hopefully some dirty work in the flower beds (if the forecast doesn't hold more of that stinking snow). Maybe I'll even be able to start setting up the tree house... I work so much better out there sometimes! Anyway, enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday!

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #41

#41 It is usually about what needs to be done, not what you want to do.




(Wednesdays Words come from either personal experience or observed situations that have settled into the thought patterns that make me who I am.)

April 6, 2011

Welcome to Testing Week! Literally. Okay it's just two days - three if you count Mason's ACT on Saturday, but it really does shift the entire week into the weird(er) zone schedule-wise around here. Chance and I will be off to Renick, WV on both Tuesday and Wednesday - bright and early - so he can take the required standardized test for the school board. While he's doing that I will be giving the test to one of the lower grades (you can't test your own kids after all), so please wish us all luck. I still say it's incredibly silly to judge any child's abilities on a single test, but we must play the game by the rules. The good part is that we use this opportunity to take a "mini-vacation" from the norm, so Chance and I will be staying in Lewisburg with the indoor pool and hot tub - and much closer proximity to Renick. Very stress relieving! We'll be closer to the gym too so I shouldn't miss out on my three-times-weekly torture treatments.
As far as my literary life goes, this week is going to have a lot of correspondence involved. The visits to two Barnes & Noble stores on Saturday proved very fruitful for book signings and I've got follow up e-mails to send so I can begin putting together necessary promotional materials. (Side note: the managers and staff at both stores were incredibly nice to work with, if you're ever in the Roanoke, VA area, stop in and get some great reading material!) I'm also working out fine points for the upcoming Galax Book Festival so need to return a phone call. While I'm out in civilization I plan to pitch an idea for a mini-class aimed at middle-graders on developing a character and plot for short stories to the librarians in the area. I think that's where I'm ending the list... paper or technology don't really get along with hot tubs after all!
I wish you well with whatever you are On Your Way To this week! And enjoy any beautiful spring weather that happens to come your way - not matter how short it may stay!
(Note on the picture: Okay, this is an old picture BUT it was taken at Cranberry Glades which is not that far from Renick, WV and I wanted to get a little plug in for the location since people are starting to consider their vacations. There are some beautiful places here if you like nature - some include boardwalks or waterfalls, nature trails and education centers. It really is a great place to bring your kids.)

April 1, 2011

Fooled ya! See I did manage to get here and make my update today like I'm supposed to. It took a bit too - I had to overcome a cranky mood, errands, the gym, a "sell stuff" party for a friend - but I'm here anyway. And I've managed to get everything planned either finished or well on its way this week. My new business cards turned out gorgeous, I'm happily in the process of settling plans for the Galax Book Festival, Clyde is snuggled up in her padded envelope and travelling to Cincinnati, Ohio for the Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards, and I'm off to Roanoke with my friend Theresa Flerx tomorrow to find a couple of book stores to set up signings. All in all (even with the snow flurries sparking a temperamental mood the past couple of days) it has been a good week!
So, have a happy weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday!
(note on the pic: Here's the artwork that appears on my new business card.)

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #28

#28 It isn’t about fitting in; it’s about finding the place where you fit.







(Wednesdays Words come from either personal experience or observed situations that have settled into the thought patterns that make me who I am.)

March 28, 2011

Welcome to a new week! Unfortunately mine began with me opening my eyes and seeing snow falling outside my window... YUCK! I'm really REALLY tired of snow! That's okay though, it is spring and eventually the white flaky stuff will stop for a few months. I got a good workout in and that countered the chilly feeling and took up enough time for the sun to come out and shine too. Definite improvement!
This weeks goals don't seem to have any new writing involved, so I'm hoping to get what I need to done fairly quickly and then have some free time to either add to a story or brainstorm some illustrations. We'll see. For now the plan is to be On My Way To finding out how to get a table at the Galax Book Festival, redesign my business cards with my new website, schedule either a story time visit or book signing for April, and send Clyde... off to the Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards Contest (with a whole lot of well wishes and prayers too).
I hope you enjoy the walk toward your own goals this week, and I'll be here for my update on Friday! See you then!

(Note on the pic: Nope, haven't seen any of these yet, but I've decided to start watching the walkway in hopes that they'll tell me it's not going to get cold anymore for a while!)

March 25, 2011

Okay, so I'm breaking my own rule and updating before I go to the gym. I've got a lot to do today and every time I turn around there is another thing added to my list. I figured I'd start out by getting something done.
Speaking of getting things done, my website has been relocated! (insert The Hallelujah Chorus here) I'm really happy with it too. You should go check it out: www.brittneycassity.net I even added a page with a slide show of my art - which I deserve bravery points for! I also finished my entries for the Monroe Arts Alliance's writing contest early and have already sent them in. I had until April 1, so I'm feeling light as a feather right now!
I hope all of you had as smooth of a journey through your week, and that your weekend is spectacular! I'm off to work off some of this marshmallow fluff that seems to have found its way under my skin and then back home to check over schoolwork and begin planning a project budget for the walkway. See you on Monday!
(Note on the picture: I painted this a few years ago as a gift. The picture is under glass so excuse the flash glare.)

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #32

#32 The world’s jerk quota has been filled. Please work on a more positive life skill.

This one is dedicated to the "caregiver" who left an 80+ year old woman sitting beside a support pillar in her wheelchair in a parking garage in Charleston, WV for 45 minutes while she went to get the car... and forgot where she left the woman she was supposed to be taking care of. Yes, the truly wonderful elderly lady is fine and hopefully has found a better person to help her out since last Saturday.


(Wednesdays Words come from either personal experience or observed situations that have settled into the thought patterns that make me who I am.)

March 22, 2011 Guest Interview with Tristan Mitchell

I count myself lucky to have known Tristan since just before my official transition into adult life. He's one of those people who simply makes this world a better place just by being in it. So I send my best well wishes along to him for reaching his goals (I believe this post is actually past the completion date, however I'm SURE he has new deadlines to meet) - even though or especially because they are work related.

~Brittney

Interview with Tristan Mitchell

Q) What goal are you working toward?
A) My current goal is work related. I am preparing the shop for this year’s remodel jobs. Since we also install appliances on a daily basis, the goal is two fold. Step one is to clear and maintain an in/out area for the installers to pick up and drop off appliances. Step two is to clear out the shop of everything else not crucial to the upcoming remodel jobs.

Q) What made you decide to work on your goal?
A) As are most job related goals, my boss decided to make this a priority.

Q) Do you have a timeline? If so, how do you set it?
A) I believe I have until the first of March to get everything situated. Again, this goal was set by outside circumstances, particularly the start time set by the customer.

Q) What keeps you motivated?
A) This question is a bit snarly for me due to the fact that I consider myself a laid back person. The thought of getting the job done and getting it done right is probably my biggest internal motivator for the majority of my goals, big or small, business or personal.

Q) How will you celebrate when you reach your goal?
A) Does anyone realize how hard it is to live in the moment when reliving past victories?

March 21, 2011

Ah, another week is here to wrestle with. I'm looking forward to this week's match too. I've got a big change that is going to really help me toward some goals by saving money. I'm moving my website to a free location. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the customer service and everything else about Fatcow's hosting - The site just can't support itself yet, so is cutting into my budget in a not so great way. The move will be taken care of before the end of the month, and I'll be sure to post changes for those who visit the craft page. I'm glad to hear that so many of the craft ideas and recipes are used in classrooms too! It makes me feel great to know that I'm taking a little of the pressure off of teachers to come up with ideas. Just to warn you, I will be recycling the projects this year along with a few new additions plugged in here and there to freshen things up. A year is an awful long time to remember ideas and directions, so I don't want the new group of little ones coming along to miss out (plus I can really use the extra time!). So, there you have it - my plan. I'm On My Way To a virtual relocation and 3 days (well, make that 2 more) of counteracting the "Butt in Chair" process of writing! I hope your week is great and that you get some firm steps taken toward your own goals!
(About the pic: I'm looking to put a sitting erea on the spot by the chimney. It's just outside my office window and I think it will be a great nook to get away to!)