January 17, 2011

I want to kick off this new week by sending well wishes to my friend Theresa Flerx who is bravely stepping in front of the TV cameras to tape her spot on a Lifetime Television show called The Balancing Act in just a few hours! The show should air later this month (I will post the date as soon as she gives it to me), and her spot will focus on coping strategies she has used to get through (way too many) rough spots in her life and promote her autobiography Disequilibrium and the Multi-Faceted Crystal Ball. Once the show airs, Theresa will have her segment posted on her website in case you miss it or would like to watch it again. ( http://www.tflerxanecdotalist.com/ )You can also order Theresa's book at her web store. So if you are reading this post, please join me in hoping that the taping is a wonderful experience for Theresa!

As for my week, I'm actually On My Way To helping my brother, Nathan, look at apartments in the new town he is locating to for work. He'll only be a couple of hours away now which will be wonderful! I'm leaving the week unscheduled for literary goals and seeing what I can work in. I've got January's "master schedule" posted on my office door, so it's easy to see what still needs done if I have spare time. Check back Friday for my Accomplishment List!

(Picture note: Nathan is saying goodbye to the ocean and hello to the mountains!)

January 15, 2011

Just a quick note in between STUFF to say that "Why yes, I did get my list (almost) complete. Thank you very much." All I have to do is color the illustrations and no one in their right mind considers that work. Now it's off to enjoy the weekend with my guys. Ahhhhh downtime!

(note on the picture: This is one of the bushes in my side flowerbed. It's determined to hang on to its flowers this year (no matter how dry and brown they get). Gotta respect that!)

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #12

#12 Stretch both your mind and body to avoid Grouchy Face Syndrome.




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

January 10, 2011

I'm starting to really appreciate Monday's - they are filled to almost bursting with brand new potential, and nothing has decided to careen off track yet or pelt me with unexpected To Do's that somehow push my list aside. Well, at least not until later in the day. Yep, it's probably a sign that I am in desperate need or therapy, but oh well, I like the quirkiness of it!

So this week I'm On My Way To: 1) 8 Wednesday's Words illustrations (I really like watching the end number drop as I get nearer the finish line) 2) 1 exceptional query letter for Bart and the Amber Bee Award 3) 1 page of new writing on any story I have started that has begun to grow cobwebs 4) Schedule the new Guest Interview addition for this blog that will start up February 1st (and try to convince more people that they want to share their interests and their way of reaching their goals with my wonderful readers).

Busy week, so I'd better get moving on it! Enjoy your week, and I hope your path is boulder free!

(Note on the pic: From the walkway last fall - just a reminder that new things are determined to pop up all the time.)

January 7, 2011

Strike up the band and play the triumphant music! I've got my 8 illustrations complete, my 8 sayings written, my less than joyful turn down of the offer made for Bart and the Amber Bee award sent off and my distributor chosen. If you noticed the slightly flat note on that last one, it's because I need to decide whether I'm changing the size of the book so that I can keep the spine text on the finished product or if I'm just going to deal with the loss. There is also the option of changing the book's size in order to achieve their 80 page lower limit for spine text... Hmmm I'll decide over the weekend. For now I'm off to enjoy some down time!
I hope your weekend is great! See you on Monday.

(Note on picture: Yes Tiger, it's safe to come out now - I'm done running around like a chicken with its head cut off for a couple of days.)

Wednesday's Words from Almost Comfortable Skin #31

#31 Never skimp on compassion or common sense.




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

January 3, 2011

I hope that the New Year came in with as much motivation for you as it did for me! I also hope that the motivation I've had over the last few days sticks with me and helps me accomplish the goals I've outlined for 2011. Yep, that's right, I've got a schedule outlined. It doesn't even have that many gaping holes! Lunatic Optimism? Maybe, but it's ORGANIZED Lunatic Optimism. I'm going to try to follow it like a recipe and see how the finished product turns out. I've set everything up as a monthly goal chart, so I can use my mood to decide between projects while still working toward the completion of the outline. Most of the "big" stuff is recurring so will hopefully become a good habit that I can stick to. I've got a pretty good feeling about this! (and you can turn off the "impending doom" background music now...)

So here is what I'm planning for this week: Since I want to finish all of the future Wednesdays Words... posts so I can have them on hand instead of stressing to stay caught up, I've got 8 to think about and write down. I've also got 30 total to illustrate so I'll do 8 of those this week too. Secondly, this weeks to do list includes the sad fact that I need to turn down the offer I received from Headline Books to partner publish Bart and the Amber Bee Award. I'm not happy to miss out on working with Headline Books as I love their "out of the box" marketing approach, but my part of the publishing agreement just won't fit in my budget this year. Lastly, I need to settle my distribution option for Clyde the Undead Dust Bunny. Until that is done I'm limited on where I can set up book signings, so it needs to happen now.

And there you have it - my first list of goals for 2011. Here's hoping the motivation doesn't turn into manic motion and I can stick to the path ahead of me! I'll let you know how it goes on Friday!