Rambling Friday: One Step at a Time

 As those who read my blog have learned, I had covid this winter. 

Hubby and I talked about many things on the phone before I could have visitors in the hospital, and we came to some decisions that we've needed to make for a while. 

One of the decisions we made was to slow down. And when I say that, I mean Hubby wants to semi-retire. Along with that decision comes this one: we want to pick up on our traveling. 

Now what I want you to know, we've traveled a LOT in our marriage, what with ministry and fun vacations, especially with family. But we've allowed ourselves to slow down on the fun things in life because of work. We forgot that all work and little play make the Browns dull people. We were drowning in all work and little play. 

But in the midst of that decision, I also made my own personal decisions. 

* I wanted to downsize, and what I mean by that: I have too much stuff! In storage, I have dish sets I've never used. Etc. Etc. I have things that I've thought about for years: someday I might use these. Really? Why do I have these? Why am I keeping all this stuff? So my family will be burdened with getting rid of it or deciding who wants it? I already know the answer. Sell, give away or trash. Now. I can see myself dusting my hands now...

* Another decision I made was to create heritage books for my two sons. I've wanted to do this for a while, but was always too busy with other things. This year is the year to do it...I made notes once I was able to do so in bed. I talked with hubby asking him questions about his ancestors. Since I've always wanted to do more family research (and I LOVE research), this is one I believe I will enjoy! 

*  One other decision I will list today is stop allowing myself to be stressed over my writing. My style is my style. I don't have to do everything, be involved in everything. So prioritizing is a priority for me. I need to remember that I don't have to write a book (and mine are not novellas) in a month. I can take my time, enjoy the research and the writing and feel fully satisfied when it's ready for publication. I can pick and choose what activities I want to participate in, that pertain to writing. 

 

I can enjoy my talent, my heart's desire, and my very favorite "job" that I've ever had. 

Of course, our decisions may adjust or change. Life happens. But in my heart, I know that we've made some great decisions. For now, that's good enough for me. 

Have you made changes in your life? 

Rambling Friday: Rushing Around, Mr. Rabbit

Have you ever thought when gazing at your desk (or house, or at work, or some other place) that everything piled up looks like lint? Or worse, dust?

Have you ever thought when gazing at your desk (or house, or at work, or some other place) that everything piled up looks like lint? Or worse, dust?

• Rushing around gives me a headache. Granted I love to be busy and can't stand it when I have nothing to do (which has been so long ago, I feel like I'm telling a fib when I mention it). I always have something to do.
• Rushing around causes me to forget things. I forget I have a post I need to write, that I wanted to walk today, that I'd scheduled to meet a friend, or that I had an appointment I needed to keep. 
• Rushing around causes me to make mistakes. Typing too fast? Have to go back and make more corrections because of the sensitive touch of my computer and my clumsy fingers. Hurrying with supper preparations. Dropped eggs, spilled flour, broken pottery. 
• Rushing around causes me to miss things, like the beauty of my gardens and garden pond. The hills with the morning mists hanging over them. The moonlight shining through the treetops. My animals wanting attention, their beautiful green/brown/blue eyes on me, trusting me to give them what they need. My hubby, sons, and grandsons (and many others too!) wanting my company or attention, loving me even when I'm too busy to talk with them.

So what to do? 

Slow down...again. Relax. Take a deep breath and remember to...

Keep to my schedule. 

Check my lists.

One thing at a time.

Thankfully, I'm getting better at realizing--and, thus, reacting--that I need to stay focused and organized. 

That does the trick. When my over-excited, overloaded brain accepts that everything doesn't have to be done at once, then I stay relaxed and more productive. I'm released from those heavy chains of pressure. 

The moral of this lesson? 

Slow down, Mr. Rabbit. 

When you're worn out from rushing to the goal line, 

you may rush yourself to losing the race. 

So...make your list today of all things that are beautiful in your life. When you've thought of all you can, then thank God for them. Name each one aloud. Think about them. Study your list. Pray over it.. Tuck it into your Bible, your purse, a notebook. Somewhere that you can see it often.

What good does doing things like this do? Makes us more thankful. Helps us realize what blessings

we have and how quickly we sometimes lose this or that blessing. 

After all, why should God give us MORE blessings if we're not thankful for what we already have?

You're blest. I'm blest. God loves us. Let that thought sink in, and may it resound in your heart throughout your day and evening.

Quote:

Rejoice, and again, I say: Rejoice!

Blessings

Rushing Around, Mr. Rabbit

Have you ever thought when gazing at your desk (or house, or at work, or some other place) that everything piled up looks like lint? Or worse, dust?

• Rushing around gives me a headache. Granted I love to be busy and can't stand it when I have nothing to do (which has been so long ago, I feel like I'm telling a fib when I mention it). I always have something to do.
• Rushing around causes me to forget things. I forget I've a post I need to write, that I wanted to walk today, that I'd scheduled to meet a friend, or that I had an appointment I needed to keep. 
• Rushing around causes me to make mistakes. Typing too fast? Have to go back and make more corrections because of the sensitive touch of my computer and my clumsy fingers. Hurrying with supper preparations. Dropped eggs, spilled flour, broken pottery. 
• Rushing around causes me to miss things, like the beauty of my gardens and garden pond. The hills with the morning mists hanging over them. The moonlight shining through the tree tops. My animals wanting attention, their beautiful green/brown/blue eyes on me, trusting me to give them what they need. My hubby, sons and grandsons (and many others too!) wanting my company or attention, loving me even when I'm too busy to talk with them.

So what to do? 

Slow down...again. Relax. Take a deep breath and remember to...

Keep to my schedule. 

Check my lists.

One thing at a time.

Thankfully, I'm getting better at realizing--and, thus, reacting--that I need to stay focused and organized. 

That does the trick. When my over-excited, overloaded brain accepts that everything doesn't have to be done at once, then I stay relaxed and more productive. I'm released from those heavy chains of pressure. 

The moral of this lesson? 

Slow down, Mr. Rabbit. 

When you're worn out from rushing to the goal line, 

you may rush yourself to losing the race. 

So...make your list today of all things that are beautiful in your life. When you've thought of all you can, then thank God for them. Name each one aloud. Think about them. Study your list. Pray over it.. Tuck it into your Bible, your purse, a notebook. Somewhere that you can see it often.

What good does doing things like this do? Makes us more thankful. Helps us realize what blessings

we have and how quickly we sometimes lose this or that blessing. 

After all, why should God give us MORE blessings if we're not thankful for what we already have?

You're blest. I'm blest. God loves us. Let that thought sink in, and may it resound in your heart throughout your day and evening.

Quote:

Rejoice, and again, I say: Rejoice!

Blessings

Gotta Say

I'm glad to be home. We've had such an hectic, busy spring and summer, that I think I must be Atlas shedding the world.

For a month or more, I had little time to concentrate on my writing. BUT back to it I'm headed. Got a fresh start. Some inspiration. Some ideas. And I'm in the race again.

• Back to hitting my cult novel hard.
• Back to cutting a suspense down to fit a certain publisher.
• Back to adding words to a romance for another publisher.
• Back to picking up a mystery that was set on a shelf (due to target publisher closing it's doors), and turning it into a suspense. That shouldn't be hard since it was almost that anyway!
• Working on the second in a series on my historical suspense.
• Plotting a couple other ideas.

Got lots to do. Just thought I'd update you all.

By the way, where are you?

Quote:
My will shall shape my future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. --Elaine Maxwell

Smiles and tons of blessings!

Catchin' Up

Not counting this horrid cold I have, here's a few things to show you what's been going on in my (hubby & my) life:

• Traveled in February close to 2 thou miles
• Enjoying-altho it's kinda gloomy-the rainy day
• Lots of wind, too
• Felt good enough yesterday to totter outside and peer over the bank to see where hubby wants to spade up a garden
• Even grabbed some clippers and trimmed a few overgrown vines back. Not many, too weak, but a few

• Slept, slept, slept for the last three days; thus--drumroll, please, little sleep last night. Couldn't get comfortable. Nose stopped up--both sides, pillow uncomfortable, clothes uncomfortable, yada, yada, yada
• Traveled in March almost 2500 miles
• Co-cooked for a youth convention. Fun and not hard at all. Fixed some of my favorite foods. That always helps
• Enjoyed seeing my Bradford Pears out in white furry bloom
• Enjoyed seeing my first blossoms of the spring

• Redbuds and daffidils and hyacinths threatening to boost into flowery song anyday now
• Hating to hear that the temp will be in the forties for the next few days. Could it be ole weatherman will be wrong? Let's hope
• Too tired and drug down to do much serious writing, but hopefully will be better now. Got lots of stuff to get moving on
• Prospects ahead for manuscripts
• Enjoyed emails from agent

• Critiqued manuscript partials from partners
• Met with critique partner
• Contemplating ACFW writing conference
• Making plans for two interviews: you've heard of them: Tiffany Colter with her great blogs and Linore Rose Burkard. Good friends
• Made a new resolve. I think I'll stick with it

Enough for now. Gotta work, gotta work, gotta work. If I chant it enough, maybe it'll soak in and my still shaking hands and brain will respond. Laugh.

Quote:
All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible. ~ William Faulkner


Blessings

Updating and All That Stuff

I'm trying to keep my head above water. Really.
I didn't shout this out because I wasn't sure where I was going to go with it--and still don't know.

But . . .

I was sort of promised an offer of a book contract. A small traditional press, yes, but a traditional press. A reputable one.

This was for one of my romances and I'm pleased.

But . . .

not sure YET exactly what to do. Diana (agent) and I talked about it. We reached a mutual decision. Now we'll see where that leads. More later when I know something.


And . . .

I've been editing and editing and editing and . . . well, you get the gist, of my historical suspense. I have wonderful critique partners that slash (ouch) and suggest (yes!) and brainstorm (what a help) and encouragement (ah, yes!). So with all these suggestions, I've gone over the whole manuscript at least FIVE or SIX times. I'm just about done. Maybe one more time skimming.

Then I'm sending it to Diana so she can start the rounds with publishing houses.

On my contemporary suspense: She's sending it to some more houses. We'll see where that goes. She says, it's just a matter of finding the right editor at the right time. Sigh.

I've suspended work on my cozy mystery because of all the editing, plus I hear that CBA publishing houses are not receiving anything in that genre right now. We'll see about that. Diana suggested I turn it into a suspense. Brooding on that one.

I did three chapters on the second book in my contemporary suspense series, but am cutting a lot of that and practically starting over.

I'm also anxious to get going on the second book in my historical suspense.

I have another one hubby and I are collaborating on that I need to work on.

I'm also musing on a short story that I've kept in mind that will take place in the early 1900's. A hobo story.

And I could always work on my "hitman" story. Don't you wonder what that's about?

Then I need to perhaps expand my romances.

Wouldn't you say I've got plenty to keep me busy?

Love ya all!





Quote:
I know so many writers who are a hundred times better than me and have longer, greater ideas than mine, but they gave up; they stopped. The biggest talent you can have is determination. Do you use the writing process as your ongoing excuse to keep exploring the world, meeting people, and learning things? If you can do that, then the writing itself will be its own payoff and reward. --Chuck Palaknuik

Blessings!