This week my schedule was totally out of control. Have you had one of those lately? You know, the day that starts one way and ends up being like something completely different. Normally, my work from home schedule allows me the flexibility to dip into my main interests, but this week everything that could pop up did. From extras for both kid’s schools, work, work, work, and, with the hubs out of town, I was left to deal with the snow filled driveway too. Ugh!

This week definitely pushed my buttons and almost pushed me over. Each day I told myself tomorrow would be better, but, when the next day arrived, something else came up until finally the black cloud of doubt rained down on me. Why am I doing this to myself. Ugh!

Frustration.

Did you watch American Idol this week?  The boys went through Hollywood Week. It’s definitely one of those experiences that will push you, test you. Stress can take you to extremes and force you to face facts. Do you have what it takes to persevere?

I often wonder if I will ever get published. I’ll tell you one way to ensure I don’t: simply stop, give in…give up.

No, I can not. The thought starts an ache in my chest that shakes through me and leaves me nauseous. So, this week I’ve assigned myself one word: Perseverance. Google gave me this definition: Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no indication of success. <–That’s it. That’s where I am, but I’ll keep going. I’ll persevere.

Thinking of my characters and their stories helped too, but so did these quotes from some simply brilliant folks.

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. -Harriet Beecher Stowe

I could call this week slow and steady, or simply consistent. It seems if I start the day with craft study, and then get into writing, the rest of the day falls into place. All that is wonderful, but I’ve been sacrificing my morning workouts to make everything work. Not good. But isn’t that the way. Once you figure one thing out then there is something new to work on. Life certainly isn’t boring that way.

A year and a half ago, when I stared my healthy journey, I got up consistently at the same time everyday and worked out. My body hummed with joy then, but now I’m running on empty. The thing is, life is different now, I have a very active three-year-old to wrangle and get to school twice a week and with an already impossible schedule, that change has flipped my morning routine into quandary.

No more excuses. I know what it takes and it’s time to recommit and just do it. I’ve corralled my mid morning routine and now I must conquer the early morning hour and get up after only hitting snooze once. Oy! 😀

The Goals – week-4 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
• Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. Finished the second Lecture in my Margie Packet and got about half why through the third. <–This makes me so happy. I wrote everyday but Monday this week and added 3344 words to the WIP. I spent my time well on the first goal this week and that contributed to filling in all my plot holes and the writing started to come together. I think I might actually finish the first draft of my WIP next week. Wahoo!! Permission to do a little everyday made this week work.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- NOT DONE. We’ve already talked about that. WEEK 5 PRIORITY
• Daily Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- The daily thing did not happen, but the tip I got last week totally works. I waited until yesterday to try it out, but it works. Sometimes you really do just need to come at a task from a different angle. WEEK 5 PRIORITY
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. Horrible busy week with bills, invoices, reporting and deposits.
• Organize something in the house each week- done. Our house will be full of friends today. It’s our year to host the annual Super Bowl party. Organization this week wasn’t a little project, but giving the house the company shine. Glad that’s all done, so now I can enjoy.

What you might have missed here this week:

Review: A Man to Trust by Cheryl Yeko
A Conversation with Malia Mallory author of His Need, Her Desire
Flash Fiction #36 POW!

Three weeks into this round and I think I’ve already gone through a rainbow of emotions. Week-one I took it all on and accomplished so much and I expected a repeat in week-two. When week-two fell apart, as the evil day job demanded more of my time, I did as well. I accomplished a good bit last week and didn’t give myself credit for any of it, because I could only see what I didn’t get done. I totally forgot this journey is a marathon and not a sprint. I can not judge my effort or results based on any one day or any one hour.

This week I took a step back, a break really, and regrouped. If I’m going to survive on this road I need to be my own best friend. I got back to basics, the meat and bones of it all, and attempted to leave the gristle alone. It’s about time I celebrate what I am able to get done. Positive thoughts will encourage me and push me further than all the negative baloney. As a bonus, my in-laws came to town for three-days and yesterday my brother and oldest niece came to stay for the night. It’s a fabulous thing to have your family surround you when you’re trying to start fresh. I felt the love.

The Goals – week-3 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
• Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. I finished my current craft book and my CPs WIP. Love the active exchanges post critique, it makes me feel so helpful. Plus, I got back into my Margie packet and finished the first lecture. I restarted reading the packet since it had been so long since I’d read any of it. I only did a little bit of editing on the WIP this week and added 389-words. I haven’t figured out how I want the darkest point to unfold. I think I know how I want to wrap things up, so I’m going to fast draft that out. I’ll go back and fill in the hole, maybe with the end drafted, I’ll be able to see how it all comes together. We’ll see.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- NOT DONE. This was a flustered week as I tried to pull myself back together and the workouts didn’t happened. It’s too bad too, because they sure would have helped. I’ll try again this week to just do it. WEEK 4 PRIORITY
• Daily Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- I did nothing here this week, however I got a tip from a Nia mentor and I’m going to try it out this week WEEK 4 PRIORITY
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I created/sent several invoices.
• Organize something in the house each week- done. We donate a lot of stuff and this week we got rid of a bunch of things around the house, including a box with stuff from my pre-wedding days. It was marked garage sale, not sure if it ever got in one. Also, I was married almost 13-years ago. Yeah, it was time for the box to go. Feels good to free our home and hopefully help someone else.

What you might have missed here this week:

A Visit from Stormie Kent author of Battling Rapture
Flash Fiction #35 Clueless

Last week I had a pretty good week and then this week, well, it was the opposite. I could so easily point the finger at the evil day job and my volunteer responsibilities, they both deserve the evil eye, but I’m convinced I could have done better. At this point in the analysis I cold stop and attempt to unhook the disappointment, but nope, I can’t, because I can and want to do more with my week. The test will come this week when I’m expecting much of the same from the evil day job. I’m going to take the feeling I’ve got itching in my fingers and barrel right into the coming week. Wish me luck, I’m probably going to need it.

The Goals – week-2 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
• Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. I did read three more sections in my current craft book, but I didn’t finish it. I did read two more chapters in my CPs WIP, but I didn’t finish that either. I did figure out some plot holes and I added almost 2k to the WIP.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- NOT DONE. Ugh, I only worked out once this week. WEEK 3 PRIORITY
• Daily Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- I did nothing here this week 😦 WEEK 3 PRIORITY
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I finished several reports, paid many bills and got them all in the mail.
• Organize something in the house each week- done. I organized paper this week. I sorted, I piled, I shredded, I recycled. When I was half way done, I had a big ole mess, but it made a huge difference and we’re one step closer to the tax accountant. Yeah!

I got to almost all my goals in some way, but Nia, but I didn’t get enough done to really make me pleased. I’ll try again this week.

What you might have missed here this week:

Spotlight on Holiday Jinx by Abbey MacInnis
Breaking it Down with Jenna Owens author of Taught
Menage Romance 2013 Fan Choice Awards
Flash Fiction #34 Who’s There?
 

Each round I take what works and leave the rest behind. Through the four rounds last year I discovered, although I can write in the afternoon, I make the most progress in the morning, before I dive into evil day job monotony. I’m thankful I have a job and family that allow me this kind of flexibility. Over each round of 80-days I’ve tweaked my morning routine and this round is no different.

I’ve shifted my schedule once again and made time for reading my writing craft book before I dive into writing for the day. Read on to see how it worked out.

The Goals – week-1 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done
• Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting- I wrote everyday this week and added 3,255 words. A little everyday, not bad for my first week back at it. The real win here is that I read from my current craft book a little bit everyday. Woot! I didn’t spend a lot of time each day, but I did make steady progress. I hope to finish this book next week, now that I’m almost half way through it, and get back to my Margie packet.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- done, huge improvement over the last two  weeks
• Daily Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- I didn’t hit this everyday, but I did get two-days in. I need to fine tune my schedule to give this goal a fighting chance.
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- crazy busy week  for this goal, but I finished all my reports and provided the numbers our parent population needed to approve a new class for this coming fall. Yeah!  I wish I could say next week will be better, but nope, the next several weeks will be ugly. I’ll need to keep this in mind as I plan out my days.
• Organize something in the house each week- I made significant progress this week. I organized the front closet and one junk drawer in the kitchen, that leaves one more junk drawer to go…in the kitchen 😉

I feel like I made significant forward movement this week and that makes me very happy. I’m ready to take on week 2, where once again, I’ll keep what works and leave the rest behind. Here we go.

But, before you go, check out what you might have missed here this week:

Review Prophecy of the Undead by Fiona McGier
Beer and Groping in Las Vegas by Angela Quarles PLUS Fun with 10
Special Guest Naomi Shaw author of Unexpected Lessons

Over the last couple of days I keep finding myself stopping mid-thought or mid-action with my emotions filling me and stopping me cold. In that moment, I feel powerless except in my ability to send support and strength through thought and prayer. There are other things we can do. I for one will be looking for other ways to support the families of Newtown and until then, I will hug my own family and make sure they know I love them.

That conversation puts my goal list in perspective, but I still want to see them done and I’m not giving up. I’ll be back for another round of 80-days in January, there is still much to do. Now, let’s see how I’ve finished this forth round of the year.

The Goals – week-11 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done. I love this goal, so glad I made it a habit this year. It keeps my characters close and my creative energy flowing.
• Weekly progress in word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. It may surprise you that I didn’t edit this week. Nope, not me, I wrote. I started something new and got just over the 2k mark, not much but it’s a start, and I’m looking forward to writing more this week.
• Finish reading current craft book- This goal was sadly ignored this round. I need to find a way to make this a priority in my WEEKLY schedule.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- done.
• Study one of the Nia 52-moves each week- Balance Finger. Standing on one leg, challenge your balance and use your hands in space for support. With your palms facing down, press your middle finger – the power finger – down towards the earth, keeping your other fingers extended straight out. Benefits: practicing the Balance Finger integrates the upper body with the lower body and directs energy through the center of your palm to the center of the body.
• Finish the Nia Sanjana-routine bars and start the Nia Opal-routine bars (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- are you ready for a surprise? I finished this goal. Not only did I finish the Sanjana bars, but I started the Opal bars. Wahoo!!
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. No meetings, just a couple of bills. But I get to handle tuition payments this coming week. Joy. Always love trying to fit one more big thing into a busy week.
• Organize something in the house each week-  last week I talked about the sad state of my writing space, my dinning room table. Last Sunday, I looked around and spotted an over stuffed bookcase in my front room, the adjoining room. You have one of these bookcases, right? The ones where each row is double or triple stacked with books. I went through the case and found books to donate and all the unread books which I’ve moved to a different spot. I cleared a whole shelf and now I have all the kids crayons, books etc on that shelf. Love the simple and free solutions, but I’m not done yet. My writing space needs more help, but this is a great start.

Hope you all have a fabulous week and get to hug the ones you love. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year too. Before you go, be sure to check out my posts from this past week, some long waited for books and a review. It was a great week here at casa Maylee.

What you might have missed here this week:

Spotlight: MASTER CLASS by Cassandra Carr
Spotlight: Her Heart’s Secret Wish by Juliana Haygert
Review: Rescuing Lacey by Rebecca Heflin
Spotlight: The Cat’s Meow by Stacey Kennedy

My emotions felt like a game of ping-pong this week. Back and forth, up and down. You’d think I was getting ready to hit send or something. 😉 I’ve been here before. My experience with the emotions didn’t make them an easier, but I knew not to pay them much attention and to keep pushing forward. Read on to find out if I succumbed to the madness or got it done and hit…

The Goals – week-10 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
• Weekly progress in word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. I was a good CP this week. I read through her latest MS and sent it back before I started on the new set of edits from her. The big news is that I did finish the edits, a read through, AND I sent the MS to the interested editor. I’m really proud of the current state of the MS and I hope she sees it too.
• Finish reading current craft book- last week I said: Once I hit send, I really will not have an excuse anymore. So, this week I want NEED to see progress here. WEEK 11 PRIORITY.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- done. Except I had to give myself a pass on Tuesday night at the annual evil day job holiday party. A 5-star chef give us a cooking lesson. Oh yeah. I had fabulous soup, I had tiny parmesan cheese toasts, I had a tiny puffy pastry pouch with brie and jelly, I had melt in your mouth beef tenderloin, garlic mash potatoes, a fried leek, salad with raspberry vinaigrette and dried cherries, and finally creme brulee with crushed candy canes. I blew my calorie limit out of the water, but it was so worth it.
• Study one of the Nia 52-moves each week- Touching. Use your hands simply to touch the things that are around you. Touch your own skin and the space around you. Benefits: excellent training for increasing your sensory IQ and for improving body awareness. It can also help self-heal physical trauma and naturally guide the body into relaxation.
• Finish the Nia Sanjana-routine bars and start the Nia Opal-routine bars (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- OMG I am so close on this one. I almost have the last set of bars all drawn out, but I just didn’t finish it all yesterday. WEEK 11 PRIORITY.
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I had an easier week with this goal. One parent meeting and a couple of bills.
• Organize something in the house each week-  I didn’t actually do anything on this goal this week, but I know what needs to happen. I’m a work from home/stay at home mom which means a large portion of my day is spent in the dining room. We have a large table in here, but half of it is covered in papers, books, coloring books, flash cards, crayons… The mess stresses me out<–not something you want in a workspace. This space needs a face lift. It needs storage. It needs a new color, something that will inspire. I know what it needs, now I just need to figure out how to make it all happen.

Hope you all have a fabulous week.

What you might have missed here this week:

I Want That One by Paige E. Roberts Plus some Q and A
Spotlight: Christmas Delights by Gemma Parkes
Flash Fiction #31 – Say Yes

Weren’t we already trying to juggle the impossible, now we’re throwing holiday cards, parties, traveling for work parties (gosh, I really don’t want to go), buying stuff for everyone, baking, planning, etc. About the only thing I don’t mind squeezing into the schedule are the donations, I only wish I could do more. I love the holidays, don’t get me wrong. Once everything is done, I will enjoy them. BUT, I have a book I’m trying to finish, cant the holidays wait until I hit send?

No? Okay. Well with any luck, I’ll hit send this week and then I can get on with the next goal. Eyes forward, no looking back. Sure, we can always plan a little better, work a little harder, but we’re learning as we go, and each decision and result builds on our knowledge stores, and thus, it’s never wasted. This is most certainly the time of year to live in the moment. So, eyes forward, live, love, and enjoy these last four weeks of 2012.

The Goals – week-9 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
• Weekly progress in word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. I did finish a round of edits, a read through, sent the MS back to the CP, AND got it back. I love my CP 🙂 she told me my MS was (I’m quoting) 100% no, 200% better! She found a mess of comma errors, I know, you’re not surprised, lol, and there are two spots I want to make changes, but then…that’s it, hands off and I’ll hit send.
• Finish reading current craft book- there is only 2 1/2 weeks left in this round. I won’t be finishing my Margie packet this round, bummer, I just can’t see it happening, but I do want to see progress. Once I hit send, I really will not have an excuse anymore. WEEK 10 PRIORITY.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- done.
• Study one of the Nia 52-moves each week- Finger Flicks. Place your thumb over your four fingernails, pushing them against the thumb to create positive tension, and then flick your fingers out, as if you were flicking water off them. Change the direction of your palms and the position of your arms. Benefits: conditions your forearm muscles and hands, keeping the energy flowing into and out of the hands and keeping tension out of the neck and shoulders.
• Finish the Nia Sanjana-routine bars and start the Nia Opal-routine bars (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- I may not have made progress on the last song in the routine, but I did a practice teach this week and it felt great. I want this goal done before that last full week check-in. The challenge is on. WEEK 10 PRIORITY.
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I finished collecting tuition, sent out the next round of invoices, and did the monthly reporting.
• Organize something in the house each week-  done. I have an abandoned collection of products in my bathroom from when I had time to pamper myself with body scrubs and baths. I went through the cabinet and trashed all the spoiled products. I did find a few things I can still use and I have a cleaned drawer, score.

Hope you all have a fabulous week.

What you might have missed here this week:

Claimed By Dragons by Amber Skyze & Katalina Leon
Spotlight: A Man To Trust by Cheryl Yeko
Flash Fiction #31 – Her Scent

I’m not sharing 6-sentences this week, but I am posting my ROW80 (A Round of Words in 80 Days – the writing challenge that knows you have a life) update, which I also post each Sunday during the 80-day challenge. I’ll be back next Sunday with a new 6.

Disappointment can be caused by simply having your expectations too high. How much should I have expected out of a holiday week? Well, we didn’t travel this year, although I did cook quite a feast, and we did have company for two days. But. I’m just getting a handle on my new normal, so, yes, my expectations were a bit high, My goals needed a good week. I enjoyed my family, I enjoyed the holiday and for that alone I can’t be disappointed, but my results were a mixed bag.

I did make a change in my schedule that will help week-9. I didn’t sign-up for Six Sunday this week and instead I will spend several extra hours on goals today. Triple word score.

The Goals – week-8 results

• Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done.
• Weekly progress in word count, editing, and/or plotting- done. I made huge progress on edits this week. Today I expect to finish a round of edits and make a huge dent on the next read through. My CP is expecting my MS this week and I’m very much looking forward to sending it to her. Boo-ya!
• Finish reading current craft book- here’s the first victim this week. I’m working through Margie’s Empowering Characters Emotions packet. I need to figure out a way to fit this in, I’ll keep at it. WEEK 9 PRIORITY.
• Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit- done.
• Study one of the Nia 52-moves each week- Pumps. Squeeze and then relax the palm and fingers of your hand, as if you were milking a cow. Change the tension of the squeeze. Sense for an increasing sensation of relaxation in your hands after each pump. Benefits: reminds you to keep tension out of your neck and shoulders by keeping your hands active. Builds power in the forearms and fingers.
• Finish the Nia Sanjana-routine bars and start the Nia Opal-routine bars (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)- second victim and it’s even more painful because I’m so close to done on this whole goal. WEEK 9 PRIORITY.
• Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities- done. I handled tuition payments this week.
• Organize something in the house each week-  we have art work from our boys all over the house, but new stuff is constantly coming in and it’s a big job sorting and shifting through it all. Each piece needs time on the frig and in the gallery (in the basement hallway, at the bottom of the stairs, I have a tack strip made out of homasote that holds dozens of pieces for each boy). This week I updated the gallery. First, I took pictures of the works of art for the archives and then I got a new series up. I think I need to add curator to my list of titles, lol.

Hope you all have a fabulous week.

What you might have missed here this week:

Random Stuff: Liebster, Sunshine, and more
Flash Fiction #30 – Finding Her Human