Friday Fiver, Christmas style

1. And the work is done. Everyone is off from the day job over in London and I am going to kick back and enjoy this.

2. Need to go buy the foodstuffs for the holiday dinner. I also need to finish the baking.

3. The pile of books to read and the movies to watch has continued to grow. I must start tonight or I'll never finish.

4. I have so much to be thankful for this Christmas season. I am truly blessed.

5. Have a wonderful holiday season with you and yours. See you in 2008!

I may pop in on occasion to update my writing/reading/revision progress, but if I don't, keep on writing!

Currently reading: Valiant (Holly Black)
Currently listening to: In My Arms (Plumb)

A Whirling Dervish

Hubby is laughing at me on IM this morning as I try to describe what I think of both of our jobs right now. I thought we would have some cathartic quiet for the holidays, but instead, I think I'll just have to ignore it and come back on January 2 ready to go!

At least hubby's company provided a brand new Blackberry. Yeah!

In the latest news around here, I'm on my final to-do list before the office goes on hiatus and I'm so happy. Trying to schedule everything else for after January 2. It's working! I am so ready to sleep in past 8 and to stay up all night reading or watching movies if I want (I mean I can now, but it doesn't help me get my work done to do that right now).

Everyone's talking about their favorite things at Christmas and mine are (in no particular order)

1. The look of Christmas lights. I like to keep the house dark just as it's turning dusk and then sit entranced by the Christmas lights. It makes me feel all warm and cozy.

2. Finding the silliest stocking stuffers for hubby, like this year's change jar that reads out the total to you in a computer voice. Hahaha. "You now have a dollar thirty-five."

3. Rifling through the drawers and boxes of movies to pilfer the best ones and the annual ones (Santa Clause movies, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Narnia, Love Actually, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, It's A Wonderful Life, and countless others. Even Bill Moyers' The Power of Myth is on my pile this year. And cranking the Christmas tunes and reading Christmas books. Oh this is great.

4. Christmas baking and cooking. Something about a warm sweater and Christmas socks in the kitchen preparing holiday food. I love it. Reminds me of Gram's house.

5. The littered house after unwrapping presents. I love the crunch and clutter of wrapping paper and ribbons and presents stacked precariously on couch cushions. I love the mess of it all.

In the midst of the mess, I'm writing and reading (new Joyce Carol Oates journals are here!) and relaxing.

All's left is tomorrow's Friday Fiver and this blog closes down for the holidays (except for breaking news).

Currently reading: Valiant (Holly Black)
Currently listening to: Celine Dion Christmas

At the End of the Line. Period. Full Stop.

Someone wrote this to me today and I'm stealing it. I am definitely at the end of the line. Slept in this morning until 7:30 and feel rested, but I need to get the work done today so I can just walk away from the office and focus on other things.

Loved the Thomas Merton quote Susan Wise Bauer put on her blog about work. I needed that today.

Finally the library has Stephenie Meyer's Twilight waiting for me. I was hold number 300 or something of 350 people and it seems a copy has found its way to my regional library and it's for me! I can't wait. I've heard amazing things about this series (albeit the guy is a vampire) and I'm so curious.

The vampire thing must be a trend. I got the original I am Legend movie from the 1960s starring Vincent Price to watch, have the 1971 Charlton Heston remake coming next week, and ordered the 1998 reissue of Richard Matheson's book I am Legend for Todd for Christmas. Hey, the story was good and we are intrigued because you want to know more after you see Will Smith's version.

Just got off a webinar for work that was really interesting, but I am not an MD, so the writing/planning aspects still befuddle me. I sat there copyediting as the text appeared. Yes, I am a copyeditor! :)

Currently reading: Valiant (Holly Black) (must finish soon to make room for Twilight!)
Currently playing on the iPod: One Republic cd (new)

A Week Before Christmas

And my to-do lists are barely holding. I did really good yesterday and am well on my way to doing well today, but I'm losing faith.

I'm tired. Tired enough that my head feels as if it's not attached quite right and I get dizzy when I stand up too fast (so what's new). I'm just going through the motions now. After finishing the end of the year feed, jumping on my early conference call, making sure everyone was up to speed on the happenings from that conference call, and now looking forward to 2008, I just want to go back to bed.

But an email from my sister-in-law is gonna keep me moving this week. She's a single mom of three, works three jobs, and just finished her master's last weekend. She found out a few weeks ago that for another 10 grand and 10 more weeks, she could get another master's degree in a specialty that would guarantee her a better job at triple her current salary. And she could quit her dead-end jobs. And she starts January 7.

I got up thinking there was no way I was going to be able to slog through this week. I was losing sight of why exactly I was slogging through in the first place. What am I thinking? Becoming a novelist, getting a BA in English, a double MFA in fiction and narrative non-fiction? What?

It really doesn't require rocket science, just a few well-placed friends (and a sister-in-law) and I'm back to the races today, determined to resist Resistance and keep moving forward.

What in your life needs a kick in the butt? What do you need to get re-fired up about? What goals for 2008 are you determined to accomplish come hell or high water?

And another thing, when I realize how hard it is to stick to this path, I know I'm going the right way. Resistance comes head on when you are headed toward the right thing.

Keep moving forward!

Currently readin: Valiant (Holly Black)
Currently listening to: Killers new cd

Monday Goals

So, here's up updated list of goals to accomplish either before the end of the year or that are going on my official 2008 goals list.
This week:
1. Feed frenzy ends tomorrow. I have one more proof, plus a copyedit for the January mid-month feed. Feedback from client Excel update this week. Finish AMA review, and review new dosing guidelines from the pharmacists. Upload docs to Intranet this week.
2. Last of the freelance projects for this year headed out this week.
3. Novel revision ongoing (3 hours a day).
4. College exam studies have resumed. Week one of MFA complete.
5. 2008 business marketing plans progress (1 hour per day).
6. Medical and financial paperwork to HR by Friday.
Before year end:
1. Novel revision ongoing (3 hours a day).
2. Finish HB books, DL books; progress on SD and JB books.
3. Christmas prep for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Christmas cookie decorating on Christmas Eve!
4. Prep for New Year's Eve bash.
5. College exam studies have resumed. Week one of MFA complete.
6. 2008 business marketing plans progress (1 hour per day).
2008:
1. Novel revision ongoing (3 hours a day).
2. College exam studies have resumed. Week one of MFA completed; eight weeks to catch up on. :)
3. 2008 business marketing plans progress (1 hour per day).

I'm working on an official business marketing plan for 2008 and 2009 as I'm not sure of my employment status as of June 2008. Probably will stay on, but it's up in the air and I need to make contingency plans. Will know more this week, I think.
Spent the weekend resting, reading, studying, and writing. Caught up with week one of the MFA, and this week it's onto weeks two and three. Shouldn't be hard, my workshop project (short story) is in rough form already in a notebook, so I'm looking forward to lengthening it out a bit.
Saw I Am Legend and was a bit disappointed. Have the original movies it was made off of coming via post this week, so we'll be able to compare/contrast. Will Smith did a great job, but meh on how the story translated to the screen this time.
Hubby bought me Harry Potter 5 so will get to watch that again during the holidays. I also have Lost season 3, and can't wait to dive in as prep for the new season starting in February. They even did a Lost season 4 preview at the movies! I cheered and embarrassed hubby and our friend who was with us.
Windy, blowy, cold up here. But we're snug and cozy. Gotta get to work now.
Currently reading: Valiant (Holly Black)
Currently listening to: New Angels & Airwaves cd

Before I Hop On A Conference Call

I thought I'd post real quick. It's Friday! I LOVE it. I'm finished with just about everything for this week too. A quick status report (in true Friday Fiver fashion)

1. Feeling really good about the day job and how much we've accomplished. The style issues are still hazy and we won't get them resolved until after the first of the year, but the feed has been going great and I've been neck-deep in monographs all week long. I love it, but it really wears me out. But we're good. Next week is the feedback update, but that should go smooth. And my call in a few minutes is a style discussion, but nothing huge has to be decided. Yeah!

2. Finishing up my MFA work. Decided to ready extra chapters (optional reading) and take notes SWB style (Susan Wise Bauer, for those who don't know). I've resumed my reading schedule using her Well-Educated Mind book. Yes, I'm still reading Don Quixote and Pilgrim's Progress! I'm slow! But her note-taking tips for studying work with everything else mind you. Nice to have friends in "well-educated" places. :)

3. Headed to Bellevue to meet with Jen today for our monthly writing chat. I was tired so I thought perhaps I wouldn't make it, but my hubby encouraged me to go. He likes that I come home bouncing off the walls I guess. :) Jen and I get along famously and we get each other all hepped up and inspired, and goodness knows, I need it after this week.

4. Hubby wants frosted and sugar cookies for Christmas baking. Must get on that. I've also got to plan my Christmas menu (roast, mashed potatoes probably). But what kind of pie? When both of us LOVE chocolate pie. Hm, tough call.

5. Freelance work load is still intense. I'm caught up, but more coming in all the time. Expanding my horizons takes a lot of work and it's fun, but I already talked about the freak out day I had this week, didn't I? :) Need to continue writing my new web site and work on my marketing plans.

Sheesh, and I'm supposed to rest this weekend. LOL

Currently reading: Valiant (Holly Black)
Currently listening to: Michael W. Smith Christmas (can't get enough!)

Feeling the Impending Holiday Break

Not that the impending holiday break will be a bad thing! I'm so ready for it! But I can feel it coming and so can my clients and that's when things go haywire. Everyone wants it RIGHT NOW and there are limits to how quickly things can be turned around. I'm doing my best but after almost three weeks of solid deadlines, I'm tired.

So I'm cranking my iPod dock and going for it (plug: I love my Bose! Rachel, you should totally buy it!) and things should be better for the weekend.

Yesterday was freak out day and I just about came undone. You know when you are tired and lots of different things start coming your way at once and you feel a bit disconnected? That was yesterday.

Today is much better.

In writing/reading/revising news, I'm almost done with my work on my short story MFA for the first week. This is my exploratory MFA, but I can get credit for it later if I keep all my papers and written work. It's fun, it's free (except for the books), and I'm learning a lot of great stuff.

Plus a book I copyedited last week is a prereq lit class textbook and is really good. I got it in PDF, so I'm looking forward to working with that too and then using it in my portfolio.

Gotta run!

Now reading: Valiant (Holly Black)
Now playing: Taking Chances (Celine Dion)

Wednesday Gratefulness

Trying really hard to be grateful after yesterday's series of snafus (ten extra copies of the business annual report by accident at UPS store, dentist appointment, wrong item in an Christmas present order, it goes on and on) and had to come home and turn on a Christmas movie.

Today, I am so booked that I still need some gratefulness props. Anyone care to share?

What are you grateful for this holiday season?

Me, I've got a long holiday vacation coming up starting December 21 and into January, I've got heat (some people are out of power in very cold weather) and I don't have to travel this year for the holidays (a big grateful sigh with this one).

If you want to post your gratefulness lists, feel free.

In writing/revising/reading news, not much. I ran around yesterday to do end-of-2007 errands for my biz (thus the gratefulness thread through this post) and came home and fell asleep on the couch watching House.

Today I'm determined to make it through my pile of to-do tasks and leave time to write/revise/read, at least moreso than last night.

Currently reading: Valiant (Holly Black)
Currently listening: It's a Wonderful Christmas (Michael W. Smith)

Tuesday's Brighter

So I stayed home yesterday and I feel better today. Tired, but what's new. I can feel my Christmas vacation coming up soon and I'm already ready for it.

Hubby and I watched White Christmas last night. It was on television, but they cut all the good stuff out, so we turned that off and restarted it on DVD. As I rummaged through our DVD collection drawers, I found a whole pile of movies I want to watch over Christmas break. I can't wait.

In writing/reading/revising news, slow but steady progress. I mapped out my study schedule for school, and organized my reading piles (2008 is the year of the built-in bookshelf system! for sure!).

A new toy appeared for my office last week: Fly Pentop Computer and it's pretty fun. I'm using it to brainstorm, but intend to use it out at the library or in a bookstore. I'll keep you posted on how this writer brain is able to utilize it. (It's on sale at Leapfrog.com for those who want to try it out with me.)

Currently reading: Valiant (Holly Black)
Currently playing: Narnia soundtrack

A Bit Somber, Probably Because I Have A Cold

Hard news this weekend. A friend's IVF failed and another friend's 4-yo-old fell out of a tree (20 feet) and broke both her wrists in two places. I am affected by news like that in such a personal way. I had to fight to get into a party mood on Saturday and so had to go to the gym, rant a bit (while hubby kindly listened) and then I felt better. But prayers and thoughts go to both these friends on opposite sides of the country. I'm so sorry.

The neighborhood party lasted 9 hours. I have no idea how in the world we go that long, but when you start at 4 pm and have 10 houses to visit, it just goes that long. Delish food (crab cakes, eggnog, and brown bears aka hot chocolate and rum) and fun conversation and the finale of white elephant gifts being fought over by people who remembered none of it the next day.

This week is much quieter around the office. All the deadlines are met, a few impending ones are still a week away and I have a cold. Thus, I will curl up with my AMA style book on the couch with a blanket and go nowhere today. It is too cold out anyway.

In writing news, I'm going through revision books and really picking up some great tips. I'm writing in my character notebooks and my structure and theme notebooks and I am reading a lot.

In studying news, I'm back to the grindstone. I just realized that if I want to finish my school by the time I'm 40, I'd better hurry up. So studying for tests today, which I plan to take in 2008.

But all that aside, my to-do list is made for today and off I go!

Currently reading: Tithe (Holly Black)
Currently listening to: Boys choir Christmas music

Circling Like a Vulture

Okay, I'm cleaning.

For those who don't know me, since I've been married I have this really crazy habit of avoidance. When I'm stressed and don't want to deal, I clean.

Last night at 12:15 am, I was up scrubbing the bathroom sinks.

I am circling this novel revision and starting to lose control. It's a simple correction that's needed: hire an editor. I just can't help but hold to a very stupid idea that (duh) because I'm an editor, I can self-edit successfully.

Perhaps I will someday. But now, this is the same paralyzing spot I've been in twice before (I recognize the panic) and that I'm up late cleaning clinches it.

I sent an email off to an editor this morning asking for help.

I am now sitting here waiting to feel different, putting on my Tiger Woods anti-resistance mindset, and making faces into my computer monitor.

I'm even more scared, hyper scared, but still completely freaked. This is going pro, as our own Steven Pressfield talks about in War of Art. Not that I mean I'm better or up a level, but my outlook must be: I am a pro.

A pro can take criticism, can fail and still try again, and won't ever give up.

So there's my "outing": I am a pro. I have contacted an editor. I have confessed my freakout to my writing buddy. I am not going to sit in this same pothole again.

In honor of this occasion, I am playing (very loudly) the song by the All-American Rejects (see below).

Now reading: Squashed (Joan Bauer)
Now playing: Move Along (All-American Rejects)

Whew

Finished up all my workload yesterday and treated myself to Cahier notebooks from Borders. I also found them for an incredible price at Moleskines Good Prices and I ordered some from them as well.

In revision last night I started work (along with my work on characterization) on my novel's structure. I have a structure notebook and it's just really interesting to look so closely at elements of a novel and to really squeeze and mold them to fit. Writing is more about what you do off the page than what what ends up on the page, in both thinking and writing.

I got a scolding from my writing buddy about picking up two more book ideas to start writing as I revise. So I am reneging on yesterday's post (yeah, it's my blog; I can do that). I am only revising one book. I am not writing any other books. I am jotting in notebooks.

Is everybody happy? (my Swedish great-grandfather Ernest used to ask that all the time)

For today, it's tons of AMA study (a strategy worked out this morning because of style guides that weren't quite ready to update), and later, I'm reading, writing, and revising!

Happy writing day!

Currently reading: Mystic River (Dennis Lehane)
Currently playing: YouTube video of Journey's new lead singer

Victoria Magazine rebirths.

It's back. Remember the beautiful Hearst-published VICTORIA magazine? The one that folded in 2004 (for reasons still unknown) created by Nancy Lindemeyer, who wowed us for a decade with her visionary pictures and stories and called the romantic in every one of us to dream a little more.

As a writer, this magazine kept me writing with its interviews and excerpts of Joanna Trollope, Madeleine L'Engle, Susan Minot, and Nora Ephron. The pictures of shops, homes, museums, gardens, and everything else answered the call I had to have a beautiful home, to enjoy my home, and to live, to really live in my home.

I have a very solid collection of back issues stored here that start in the 1980s (I inherited my grandmother's collection when she passed on) and I added to it month after month. I've considered selling them, but I can't. Todd's late grandmother gave me her issues too (during one of my last visits to her grandma cottage in California). Between my collection and my mom's collection, I think we have every issue.

The first re-issue came out October 30 of this year and I thought I subscribed via the web site, but I guess not (no one ever billed me nor did I receive the first issue in October), so I am hunting it down online and in bookstores this week. Anyone seen it anywhere? Please leave a message!

Writing, reading, revising began last evening in earnest. My revision of Let Them Eat Cake begins with a serious look at Max Perkins' stout, but even-handed edits for F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (the greatest American novel in history, I believe).

There's also a MG/YA series that I'm starting to play with because of the recent huge sale by another YA author of a similar series. The market is HOT! I have a three-book series titled and semi-plotted, so I'm going to work on that.

Plus, a new epic novel idea is forming in my head that is very similar to The Great Gatsby (that era, story turned inside out) about a poor, naive girl falling for a selfish, myopic rich boy. It's an age-old story, but I have a few twists planned.

The first hint from my revision book is what F. Scott Fitzgerald did. Character notebooks (first half: character history, second half: character voice) and the Moleskin Cahier Notebook is the perfect tool for this. Slim, lined books that let you apply labels to the front cover and are slim enough to handle one character in each. I'm off to Borders to buy all they have!

So some major progress last night. I was particularly intrigued by the fact that F. Scott Fitzgerald developed the novel as a result of an earlier short story that summarized the events that happened before the novel. That is such good fiction! It's not so much what happens in the present, but what's going on under the surface and how the characters react to what happened already off-stage, but which is still firmly imbedded in their conscious thought. Fabulous stuff!

Happy writing!

Currently reading: Squashed (Joan Bauer)
Currently listening to: Sawdust (The Killers)

Tuesday Post Storm

So Interstate 5 southbound flooded, Lincoln City, Oregon received 125 mph winds, and I hid indoors until it was over.

Whew. No power outages, no trees down. We coasted through this one just fine. (I'm very relieved; I hate windstorms.)

In work news, I am catching up, I think. I have been working on the style docs this week, trying to inhale vast amounts of the American Medical Association style guide during the day. Last night I finished several freelance projects that were just hanging around. Today is the dentist, but I can haul the AMA with me there.

Coming up to free time after work again to read and revise and write! I can't wait.

Happy third anniversary to my sister and brother-in-law. Happy ten month birthday plus one day to my niece, who is too cute.

Happy writing!

Now reading: Backwater (Joan Bauer)
Now playing: New Angels & Airwaves album

Monday Rec

Okay, so who played all weekend with this new web site that tracks all your money for you?

Yup, me.

It's free, it's endorsed by a NYT writer, and it is really cool:
Mint: Refreshing Money Management.

See if it refreshes you!

In writing/revision/reading news, I'm not moving much. I'm working really hard to wrap up freelance projects, keep up with work style changes and editing, and keep this house clean, and decorate for Christmas. (all done successfully)

The writing/revision/reading is just really slow. I got through one of my 26 books last week and sat up last night to read part of a revision book before succumbing to Cheesecake Factory-induced sleep.

The Christmas tree is up though, a small four-foot fake in a pretty urn from Home Depot brought to me by hubby, decorated in silver, white, and antique brown patina ornaments, the Christmas gifts are all bought and wrapped and delivered or under the tree, and the Christmas music is cranked.

This week, I'm plotting out the Christmas baking schedule and getting my Christmas vacation time in to my boss.

So last week's list (see here) is the same, except for 1, 5, and 10 are now:

1. Feeding frenzy two weeks (December 18) starts today and new style guides and updates must be posted to intranet ASAP. Finish the quick-find guide to AMA and insert into style guide by end of the year. Feedback from client Excel updates by the 15th.

5. Prep for Christmas parties (Dec 8, Dec 24 & 25) by baking a to-be-determined list of goodies.

10. Finish the medical/life/disability insurance paperwork (now that my medical records are finally complete) and send to HR.

Number 10 should actually be number one, but I'll just get to it this week for sure.

Currently Reading: Backwater (Joan Bauer
Currently Playing: The Promise (Michael W. Smith)

Friday Fiver

1. I have been wiped out this week. Seriously, just wiped out. Musta been the 51,425 words I wrote in 9 days, the long weekend with family, and then home to meet multiple very tight deadlines (still ongoing). I crashed yesterday afternoon after helping a client with a very late edit. I feel somewhat normal today.

2. I have to pick up a Christmas tree this next week. Not live, but not a huge fake one either. Anyone seen those that are already in a pot or urn, for decorative purposes? That's what I want. Mom says Walmart, so I guess I have to go IN that store now.

3. Picked up a pile of books from the library and started in. Wish I could do just read (what I want) for a solid month.

4. Hubby's Christmas present arrived and it's very solid (a new black, steel, and glass office desk) so we barely got it upstairs. He's thrilled. I am figuring out my new digicam (Canon Powershot).

5. As November closes, I am so thankful for all that was accomplished this month. Amazing! I am not ready to rest quite yet. Really, after yesterday's rest, I'm ready to go again.

Onward!

Currently reading: Thwonk (Joan Bauer)
Currently playing: The Promise (Michael W. Smith)

Holiday Overload

So, how to avoid holiday overload? I am bowing out of gift exchanges this year. In the past I've done at least four or five with various groups of friends; this year, I'm out of all but the local neighbor white elephant exchange.

It is so easy to get carried away with celebrations and things and events and very good reasons, but I am aiming for a bit more quiet contemplation this year. I have enough.

I have a lot.

I think it's my writing buddy's novel project that has put me in this mood. She's writing about Rwanda and I started poking around on Google as a result.

Running water, basic hygiene, more than one set of clothes--all these are things we take for granted, but the rest of the world may not even have the luxury to have.

I'm not preaching, I'm just downsizing. I'm donating food, clothes, books, and household items to charity. I don't need another five gift exchange items to fill up an empty cupboard.

I'll be enjoying all the fuss and fuddle of the season, trying to make a small difference in the few lives I touch in empathy, by listening, but spending time.

Can't wait!

Currently reading: Tithe (Holly Black)
Currently playing: You Know I'm No Good (Amy Winehouse)

Feeling A Bit Under the Weather

Yeah, I've got the sniffles today. It's cold now (snow expected in the mountains and maybe for us later on this week) and it was bound to happen.

In writing news, I'm reading revision books like crazy. Susan Bell, Noah Lukeman, Renni Browne, and on it goes. Have an entire pile to get through in the next 10 days or so and then the revision schedule will get all filled in and I'll really be into it. I'm trying not to fiddle with the revising quite yet, not until I know how I want to do it. I tend to fiddle and fiddle and ruin perfectly good drafts.

Gearing up to read Dennis Lehane and Ken Follet books and am not sure about this. They are both gritty, hard-boiled thrillers (well, maybe not Follet, but I've still read about the violence in his reviews). I'm so not a fan of violence, but the writing in these men's works is worth it I hear.

It's like reading the last quarter of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. It ran out of steam for me, but I didn't care; her writing was just so poetic and smooth. Sometimes the writing seduces you into reading what you just knew you would not ever attempt.

It sure surprises me! Wish me luck!

Playing on the iPod: Testify to Love (Avalon)

Winding Down Nanowrimo

For those who are still writing (and I know many of you are) on Nanowrimo this year, a few great ideas that I used this year.

1. Write a straight draft with minimal description and for details you're not sure of, just put TK (to come).

2. Don't reread what you just wrote. Just keep moving forward. Don't print the pages, don't scan back on the computer screen; just go forward.

3. Give yourself an hour or two of time and crank the music that puts you in the mood.

4. Let some things go. Work, dishes, laundry, social commitments, just let 'em go for this week. You'll be back to normal next week.

5. When you're not writing, pamper yourself, and let your mind wander. This fills up your imagination for the next writing appointment.

Go for it! Just four days left and you can do it!

Playing on the iPod: Christmas music (assorted)

Nanowrimo is Over; Next Goals Up

It's hard to finish a draft. Harder still when you have to have all your Christmas gifts wrapped to hand-deliver by Thanksgiving day.

But it's finished. Was supposed to have spent T-day weekend reading and working on a revision schedule, but spent the weekend eating and playing with my niece and helping my folks move to their new home. Total chaos with baby toys and boxes of books and lots of jokes with the siblings and a sick brother (who got better) and meeting his new girlfriend (very fun) and everything else, but we had a great time and my folks' new home is beautiful.

Onto this week/month:

1. Feeding frenzy week with end of the month feed to get to the client for the day job.
2. A list of freelance projects to finish up in the evenings.
3. Novel revision schedule to plan and begin
4. Reading has slowed and must get back to it. Have a pile of books to claim at the library.
5. Prep for Christmas parties (Dec 8, Dec 24 & 25), get a tree up and decorate, and finish Christmas shopping for hubby.
6. Get back to college exams study schedule and review the month of Latin study that I already forgot.
7. Plot new novel(s) using Scrivener.
8. Interview and hire an editorial consultant.
9. 2008 business marketing plans to chart.
10. Prepare the Northwest Center charity boxes for pickup on Friday.

Playing on the iPod: Michael W. Smith Christmas cd (new 2007 one)