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February’s Somewhat of a Failure in the #WriteMotivation Department

Posted February 28, 2014 By LadyJai

tomorrow is another chance

February Goals:

  1. Get back into my WIP. Writing words. Yeah, no. I’m going to attempt to read through what I’ve already written and start writing again in March. At least I have been writing a good deal of words over on my other blog! So that’s something.
  2. Continue to think positive and share my positivity with anyone and everyone. Doing it like a pro! Still working on my A to Z Challenge. I got all the letters done. Now to just take the pictures and schedule the posts. Maybe I will save that for next month. 🙂
  3. Continue exploring the emotions I feel while caregiving, trying to make sense and eliminate the negative. Post on my new blog as a way to heal. Still doing it.
  4. Read another book. Completed Clan by Realm Lovejoy. I even posted my review.
  5. Cheer on fellow #writemotivation people! <3 I think I’m doing ok with this, though I really miss the interaction we had last year. Everyone’s lives are so hectic and it causes problems. I miss you guys!!

<3 and cookies to you!

LadyJai

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Week 3 February #WriteMotivation Update

Posted February 21, 2014 By LadyJai

 

February Goals:

  1. Get back into my WIP. Writing words. Yeah, no. Though, I’ve been seeing signs that it’s time to go. There was a news article I read about Iran hacking the Navy’s largest unclassified network. Then someone posted an interview with a hacker on their blog. And then, I was watching one of my TV shows and it was about hacking. So yeah, SIGNS! all telling me to get back to it. I’m going to attempt to do so. Hopefully I can at least read through what I’ve already written by the end of the month so March will be the month of writing again. I’ve been focusing so much on my other blog. Emotional energy is high and takes a lot out of me. Plus, there’s this whole lack of time thing.
  2. Continue to think positive and share my positivity with anyone and everyone. Doing it like a pro!
  3. Continue exploring the emotions I feel while caregiving, trying to make sense and eliminate the negative. Post on my new blog as a way to heal. This week’s topic was GUILT. My article last week’s (ALONE) garnered some interest from a Veteran’s publication that wants to print and distribute it across the US. They have over 10,000 readers.  The publisher contacted me and asked my permission. Of course I said yes. She will be giving me proper credit and links to my blog as well as sending me a copy! YAY! :)
  4. Read another book. Began Clan by Realm Lovejoy, 65%. It’s slow going but maybe I can manage getting through it. It’s definitely not the fault of the author!
  5. Cheer on fellow #writemotivation people! <3 I think I’m doing ok with this. I feel like I’m invisible, though. That, or Facebook and Twitter are conspiring against me to keep me away from you lot! Miss you tons!

<3 and cookies to you!

LadyJai

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Frustration with my #WriteMotivation Goals

Posted February 14, 2014 By LadyJai

I finished up my binge on Downton Abbey and I’m all caught up with everyone else. I had to do this before I went on my trip so I could talk about it with my friend seeing as she’s the one who lent me all the seasons! 😛 (I so want to go back to England! My heart aches for it.)

The trip was very nice, despite the pain my husband had. It’s never-ending and he pushed through it. The trip was productive and quite laid back. We talked, we ate, and we talked some more. I cannot discuss what we talked about but let me say, it’s going to be exciting to say the least. I can’t wait to get this thing moving so I can share with you!

tomorrow is another chance

So, this week hasn’t gone as expected. I did manage quite the post over on my other blog as well as another cheer post for WriteMotivation.org; but still haven’t managed to get back into my creative side.

I’m not going to get frustrated. I’m not going to get frustrated. I’m not going to get frustrated. I’m not going to get frustrated. I’m not going to get frustrated.

February Goals:

  1. Get back into my WIP. Writing words. Yeah, no.
  2. Continue to think positive and share my positivity with anyone and everyone. Doing it like a pro!
  3. Continue exploring the emotions I feel while caregiving, trying to make sense and eliminate the negative. Post on my new blog ( http://caringforaveteran.wordpress.com ) as a way to heal. If someone else can benefit from it, then I’ll be ecstatic. :)  Again, yup!
  4. Read another book. Began Clan by Realm Lovejoy, 25%. It’s slow going but maybe I can manage getting through it. It’s definitely not the fault of the author!
  5. Cheer on fellow #writemotivation people! <3 I think I’m doing ok with this. Like I said, I miss Tweetdeck! and I miss a lot of people’s tweets nowadays. But I try!

<3 and cookies to you!

LadyJai

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Another Month, Another Set of #WriteMotivation Goals

Posted February 6, 2014 By LadyJai

Already this year is screaming by. I don’t know what it is about getting older. I remember how time used to drag on and on waiting for summer vacations, waiting for my next birthday, waiting for anything fun. A watched pot never boils was so very spot on then. Now, as an adult, there never seems to be enough time, for anything, especially anything I want to do. 

February Goals:

  1. Get back into my WIP. Writing words.
  2. Continue to think positive and share my positivity with anyone and everyone.
  3. Continue exploring the emotions I feel while caregiving, trying to make sense and eliminate the negative. Post on my new blog ( http://caringforaveteran.wordpress.com ) as a way to heal. If someone else can benefit from it, then I’ll be ecstatic. 🙂
  4. Read another book.
  5. Cheer on fellow #writemotivation people! <3

I’ve been sick this week so these goals are put on hold. Plus I’ve been marathoning my guilty pleasure of Downton Abbey. We are going down to spend some time with a friend in Tampa. Wish us luck as this is an overnight trip and those tend to be really hard on TheHubs. This is a two-fold trip: Visiting an old friend and just hanging out having a good time as well as exploring entrepreneurial possibilities (super-duper secret that I am so very excited about). But after that, it’s full on with my goals!

<3 and cookies to you!

LadyJai

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January #WriteMotivation Wrap Up

Posted January 31, 2014 By LadyJai

My Golden Rule On Writing First Drafts

All in all, I think I have accomplished a good portion of my goals. While it isn’t exactly as I hoped, it is still progress.

  1. Get back into the swing of things. while on vacation I stagnated, zero words.
    I’ve been struggling with this one. While I’ve been writing on my other blog, I’ve been fighting trying to get back into the fiction. I’m going to chalk this one up to “at least I tried and I can’t keep trying.” Eventually I will get there. The emotional healing process, my health, is far greater than stressing over my writing. It’s not supposed to cause more stress.
  2. Work on my positive thinking and trying to connect with other caregivers of veterans. Over the last 3 months I’ve spiraled out of control into a deep abyss and I am trying to claw my way back out.
    I continue with this and I think it’s going well. I believe this has to be done every day. It’s not something that comes easy, to anyone. It takes effort. And that which is hard is most rewarding. There will be setbacks (as Wednesday’s VA C&P meeting proved), but determination and persistence will win!
  3. Playing with a new idea for a blog but this may be private for a while and will be a different website. This should help with #2.
    So, as I said, I opened up my new blog idea to the public. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop on by and let me know what you think!
  4. Read another book. Completed Xenocide, the 3rd book in the Ender Series and began a new one.

On to next month!

LadyJai

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#WriteMotivation Week 3

Posted January 21, 2014 By LadyJai
Not Alone

You are not alone
I am not alone
No matter the situation, there’s always someone there for you.

My #EliminateTheNegative is going pretty well. I’m finding the positives about me, the things I like about me. I’m considering doing this for the A to Z Blogging Challenge in April to go along with my Positive Post-It Notes I did last year. Being positive is a daily struggle but so worth it in the end. Because, going down that lonely, dark, abyss…well, that’s never fun, is it?
I’m learning a lot, exploring my emotions: admitting, facing, accepting, overcoming them is a constant struggle. You can read my first post about the feeling of being Unworthy if you wish.

January #WriteMotivation goals

  1. Get back into the swing of things. while on vacation I stagnated, zero words.
    While re-reading my WIP, and not getting back into the head of my MC or the meat of it, I did manage to write another part of the “back story” for it, only about 400 words, but it’s progress. Soon, I will get back into it. I just know it!
  2. Work on my positive thinking and trying to connect with other caregivers of veterans. Over the last 3 months I’ve spiraled out of control into a deep abyss and I am trying to claw my way back out.
    Still working on that with the VA Caregiver Program. While the “Building Better Caregivers” course isn’t just for veteran spouses, it has shown me that the emotions and thoughts I have are not unique. Still participating in the Facebook groups I found online. And I’m still in contact with my friend in Tampa. I Joined up with Hearts of Valor and there is a dinner meeting on Thursday I am going to try to attend. HOPEFUL!
  3. Playing with a new idea for a blog but this may be private for a while and will be a different website. This should help with #2.
    So, as I said, I opened up my new blog idea to the public. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop on by and let me know what you think! Also, I’ve got another something in the works as my friend in Tampa, since her husband’s accident he’s been home and working on his books and company. He’s offered me something wonderful and I hope it works out! His ideas are so amazing. Haven’t heard from him yet, but he’s got company in town for a few weeks.
  4. Read another book. In progress…trying to finish up Xenocide, the 3rd book in the Ender Series. 85% done!

LadyJai

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January Week 2 #WriteMotivation

Posted January 14, 2014 By LadyJai
I'm weird, and proud!

I’m weird, and proud!

In an effort to force myself out of the dark hole, I’m going to try to write something positive about ME on a mirror and take a picture of it. NO NEGATIVITY ALLOWED! Anyone else want to participate in this??

January #WriteMotivation goals

  1. Get back into the swing of things. while on vacation I stagnated, zero words.
    So, I’ve opened my WIP in Scrivener and started re-reading, hoping to get back into my main character’s head…only ONCE! I’m so horrible. BUT! I’ve written a letter to my senators and representative about the VA appeals process. I even mailed it! YAY! Also, I’ve written something for the WriteMotivation.Org site. Be sure to check it out… AND, I’ve also decided to open my new blog for the public eye…I’ve also scheduled a new post coming out tomorrow. So, I’ve been writing. Just not where I want to be yet.
  2. Work on my positive thinking and trying to connect with other caregivers of veterans. Over the last 3 months I’ve spiraled out of control into a deep abyss and I am trying to claw my way back out.
    Working on that with the VA Caregiver Program. I started my 6 week “Building Better Caregivers” course today. I’ve joined, and participated in, the Facebook groups I found online. And I’m still in contact with my friend in Tampa.
  3. Playing with a new idea for a blog but this may be private for a while and will be a different website. This should help with #2.
    So, as I said, I opened up my new blog idea to the public. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop on by and let me know what you think! Also, I’ve got another something in the works as my friend in Tampa, since her husband’s accident he’s been home and working on his books and company. He’s offered me something wonderful and I hope it works out! His ideas are so amazing.
  4. Read another book. In progress…trying to finish up Xenocide, the 3rd book in the Ender Series. 65% done!

LadyJai

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Happy New Year 2014! Let the Positives & #WriteMotivation Flow!

Posted January 6, 2014 By LadyJai

First of all, let me wish you all a very Happy New Year. May it be better than the last, full of hope and joy and love.

As you may have noticed, the last time I updated my blog was near two months ago. There have been so many things I’ve been dealing with the last year and the fact that I fail at opening up to anyone, it got so overwhelming I fell back into the abyss of blackness. With some pharmaceutical help as well as my own determination to find connections and help, I’m slowly climbing back up out of that hole. I found that the VA has a Caregiver Support Program. There are a number of things I can do. I’ve already forced myself to go to one of their seminars and found that even though my situation is unique, the symptoms and stresses we have to deal with are unbelievably similar. I’ve vowed to keep in contact with at least one of them. And so far it’s working, even though she lives in Tampa. I’ve also taken a Writing To Heal workshop, again forcing myself to go out of the house on my own. That was a very nice experience as well. Most of the things that were taught I was already doing. What I found helpful was the structure and time constraints that would force you not to dwell and come out with some positives. You know how much I believe in positive thinking. It’s the hardest thing you could ever do, especially when you’ve lost your hope. But this will be my way to help myself.

This year is going to be better! I’m determined. Are you?

My amazing friends, KT Hanna and M. Andrew Patterson organized the WriteMotivation website. Hopefully we can get more exposure now and if you’re interested, we have monthly signups and hangouts and twitter cheering! Come on in and join us! We love our dino chucking cookie cheerleader! <3

On to my January #WriteMotivation goals

  1. Get back into the swing of things. while on vacation I stagnated, zero words.
    Since falling into the darkness, it’s been quite difficult to write. Plus I was sick over the holidays. The ENTIRE holidays, which of course was my vacation as well. So, now, I’m getting back into writing. I’ve not been writing on my WIP…yet. But I’ve cleaned up a few poems I started during my dark days and I’ve actually started writing a letter to my congressman/senator in order to see if we can expedite TheHub’s VA Appeal process. We got word a few weeks back that his claim he submitted in 2009 is still in the system. He’s number 1702 out of 21009. At least they know we are checking and haven’t given up. Maybe if I can prod the congressman/senator into looking at it, maybe they can figure out a way to fix the process. It is a terrible process. And they (Congress) keeps taking money from our service members and their benefits. It really is infuriating. But, I’m writing something…right?
  2. Work on my positive thinking and trying to connect with other caregivers of veterans. Over the last 3 months I’ve spiraled out of control into a deep abyss and I am trying to claw my way back out.
    Working on that with the VA Caregiver Program, the Facebook groups I found online, and helping to support my friend in Tampa.
  3. Playing with a new idea for a blog but this may be private for a while and will be a different website. This should help with #2.
    This hasn’t gotten off the ground yet, still working it out in my brain. But, last night there might be another, different, and promising opportunity for me in the writing industry. *fingers crossed*
  4. Read another book. In progress…trying to finish up Xenocide, the 3rd book in the Ender Series.

LadyJai

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Finding The Elusive Positives, #NANOWRIMO & #WriteMotivation

Posted November 12, 2013 By LadyJai

My husband has always told me, everything happens for a reason. Growing up Catholic, I was always told "God has a plan". We are impatient beings. We want to know everything NOW. But that's not God's timing. It's not destiny's timing. It's not The Fate's timing. Whatever you believe, there is a plan, a reason, and just because you may not see it, doesn't mean it isn't there. I struggle with this EVERY SINGLE DAY!If anyone knows me, they know I’m a strong believer in positive thinking to achieve a healthy outlook on whatever ails you. It is the hardest thing some of us will ever do in our lives.

Right now, I’ve been struggling. When you see your love struggle day after day and lose their hope, when you can’t find any way to help them see any sense of positive, of hope, then you start to lose your own.

That’s where I am.

This post is very hard for me. Doing anything other than exist, lately, has been hard. I just want to crawl away inside my books and stay there. Life is so much more interesting, sometimes even easier, in paper (digital print).

Growing up Catholic, I was always told “God has a plan”.  My husband has always told me, everything happens for a reason. We are impatient beings. We want to know everything NOW. But that’s not God’s timing. It’s not Destiny’s timing. It’s not even The Fate’s timing. Whatever you believe, there is a plan, a reason, and just because you may not see it right the second you want to see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

I struggle with this EVERY SINGLE DAY!

I also struggle with opening up to someone, anyone, about my problems. Where I am always the one who goes out of my way to offer my assistance to anyone in need, lend them my ear, my shoulder, my heart, I always feel a burden to anyone when it comes to my problems. This stems from a deep seeded issue, I know. Something that happened to me over and over again growing up. I fear it will never leave me. My only outlet seems to be writing and this blog (though, even writing on this blog I cannot force myself to open completely, show you how vulnerable and down I really am).

Still looking for someone like this. :P I say that to find someone like this, you have to BE someone like this.

I say that to find someone like this, you have to BE someone like this.

I saw this quote today, and I’ve always desired this. The visions of, or the ideal images of, certain things always seems to be so different in our minds than in reality. So, rather than looking, I AM this person…for any one who needs me.

As for my writing. Well, it is sort of suffering and sort of not. When I could muster the mental energy and desire, I managed to write up a whole back story to my new shiny WIP. I now know where I want the story to go, who the people are, their motivations. I’ve written, re-written, and re-re-written the opening to this new WIP and I think I’ve settled on the latest. Third time’s the charm, right? Now, writing to the points I came up with, that’s where it gets a bit tricky. As always, it’s slow going. But they say, slow and steady wins the race. I say, a single word is progress. Right?

I’ve signed up for NANOWRIMO for the 3rd year in a row. The first year, I thought I could do it. Then I stared and stared at the blank page, and the numbers not growing. It stopped up my creative pipe. Not really my cup of tea. So I failed that year. The 2nd year, I thought, ok…let’s try it again and don’t focus on the words. Just write. Still didn’t win. I came to the conclusion that counting was not for me, even wrote a blog post about it.

So now on the 3rd year, I’ve signed up and don’t expect to “win” according to NANO standards. I’ve decided that if I make progress, I’ve won already. I’m on my way to “winning.”

Here’s my November #WriteMotivation goals:

1) BE POSITIVE! My biggest struggle lately. Seems those positives are getting smaller and hard to find. I am always here for you guys if ever you need to vent. I need to learn to reach out. (Any suggestions for helping me stop thinking I’m burdening people, yet I never think you’re burdening me?) Doing the best I can lately.
2) Work on new shiny WIP for NANO. Even if I never count words, and I don’t make the 50,000, if I make progress, that counts. Making progress! YAY! I even am operating in Scrivener!
3) Cheer on everyone else! Failing, sorry. The above post explains my absence. I’m sorry.
4) Read a book. I finished Ender’s Game at the early part of the month and now started Speaker for the Dead. Hopefully I can finish before the end of the month; but my Use Or Lose PTO is going to start soon. I always want to do so much, but it always slips me by.

LadyJai

PS: pushing the “publish” button is so hard…

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Final September #WriteMotivation Update

Posted September 30, 2013 By LadyJai

I’ve been utterly exhausted lately. My sleep patterns have not been good. So, all that I’ve had time for is watching the entire series of Breaking Bad in my off time….which isn’t much (I mean, it took me a month to watch them all!) The majority of time is eaten up at work. We’ve gotten into the busy season. No matter how much I gripe about them making a schedule, no matter even if they do make the schedule, everything gets crunched back to the end of the year. Yay, government! NOT!

Common Core is all about estimates (and even estimating is wrong!) when Math has always been about absolutes! you have to teach this in public, private, AND home school. And one of the guys who made common core is rewriting the SATs and soon colleges will be forced to teach this. Could you imagine what will happen to our society when that happens? Pharmaceutical companies will be estimating doses, engineers will build on abouts, NASA will shoot people in space with almosts.

Common Core is all about estimates (and even estimating is wrong!) when Math has always been about absolutes! you have to teach this in public, private, AND home school. And one of the guys who made common core is rewriting the SATs and soon colleges will be forced to teach this. Could you imagine what will happen to our society when that happens? Pharmaceutical companies will be estimating doses, engineers will build on abouts, NASA will shoot people in space with almosts.

The biggest eater of time seems to be TheBoy’s schooling now. With the introduction of Common Core, we are having to re-learn how to do math. And we just can’t understand this whole thing! I mean really?! (check out my previous post)  Every rule we’ve been taught these last 4000 years is now thrown out the window and nothing makes sense anymore. So, now we are stuck trying help TheBoy understand it when even his teacher can’t understand it. It took them 45 minutes to explain 2 problems. His grades went from an A to a B, and it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better.

This seems so wrong. And now we are having to stay up until 9pm most nights trying to work through everything with him. Not really a good deal for a 5th grader, is it?!

Also, last Monday I managed to get into a car accident. Yeah, no fun. Everyone around here seems to think they have the right of way. I’m sick of people on the roads that take chances when they shouldn’t. It always ends us being me they do it in front of and it’s too little room! UGH!

I know we’re taking a month off. And I really hope we all can get back into the groove of things by then! I really miss you all!

September’s #WriteMotivation Goals

1) Be Positive, Try to find the positive in every situation, no matter how small. This has got to be ALWAYS!! Am doing all the things I can possibly do to remain positive. It’s always an up and down battle. I think I’m somewhere in the middle right about now. 🙂
2) Cheer others on with #writemotivation cookie flinging and positive thoughts! Another ALWAYS! Managing, occasionally, I’m sorry. I think we’re all absent on Twitter, or we just haven’t had the same time schedules.
3) Continue writing SOMETHING, EVERYDAY! Even if I can’t work on my novel, I’ll try my hand at short stories. Whatever it is, it has to be writing! DEFINITELY ALWAYS!  I’ve been writing on my new shiney. Getting to know my characters and places and the history. Researching Ben Franklin, Guy Fawkes, hacker speak, and swearing! LOL So fun. I hope to be able to turn this into a full fledged novel. Or novella. I’m treating this as a learning so I can go back on my first novel and know how to make it better. I’m also going to learn how to use Jami Gold’s Beat Sheets since I’m a pantser who plots a little. I’ll be taking a class with her! YAY!
4) Read another book. Nope. Started. Couldn’t get into it. So, yeah, I really need to do this for next month’s TWO blog tour!
5) Continue submitting my short stories, “O.N.” and “S.S.”  Let’s see how many I can get before someone accepts me. :) 6 rejections for O.N. Haven’t submitted to another since my last rejection last week. Just been too busy. I have 5 for S.S. Sent SS out, yet again, to a contest this time, which I won’t hear back until December.

Until next #WriteMotivation Goal Check month.

’tis the season to dream of sugar-plum dinos and roasted chestnut cookies. I just wish the weather were up for that down here 😉

LadyJai

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It Could Have Happened To Me + September #WriteMotivation Update 2

Posted September 17, 2013 By LadyJai

Have you ever left your house 5 minutes late and pass a very bad car accident on your way to where ever, and realize that had you been on time, that could have been you?

Have you ever got what you needed off a shelf at a grocery store and moments later someone comes up behind you reaching for the same thing only to have everything topple over on him and realize that could have been you?

I’ve had so many of these kinds of situations and it always left me thinking that there may very well be a guardian angel. TheHubs says everything happens for a reason. But still…sometimes you just never know why you missed it by “____” that much.

Yesterday’s events at Washington Navy Yard are no exception. We found out that the shooter worked as a sub-contractor for us, working on a particular project that travels the country. He could very well have been here yesterday. Luckily for me, that team was not. It is so sad that it had to happen. There really was no way we could have stopped this, except had we dealt with his history before it got this far. From what I am reading, what’s been released, and what’s known, he had a security clearance, which allowed him to be on the base and have a badge to get into the building. However, he had previously had behavioral issues while in the Navy. He had anger issues and had arrest records in which he was charged with discharging a weapon.

So, there’s a definite issue with our security process. Having gone through the security clearance process on many occasions, I know that they ask a lot of questions regarding a lot of things. I’ve had friends, local and distant, tell me that they had an investigator come ask questions regarding me. I’ve had to sign waivers for these investigators to contact my doctors, even. So I know that there is definitely in-depth investigations done. However, my concern now lies in the budget allotted for these types of investigations. With the budget cuts and sequestration, how much  had to be cut out of their investigations in order to get someone’s clearance processed?  I’m not the only one wondering, either. Apparently, after this incident, the Navy will be doing an internal security audit and are expecting a major security flaw with people cutting corners.

There’s a certain level of expectation when you work in a secured facility. But now, that’s not even safe anymore. We all must be diligent in looking for the signs and clues that something’s just not right, especially with those people who come and go, aren’t here all the time. This guy could very well have been one of the ones who sat opposite me on the other side of the cube wall. I don’t know. Most came in at night, so I didn’t see everyone. They were just here 2 weeks ago. So, this could very well had happened here, in my office, to me and my co-workers.

My heart goes out to everyone at Washington Navy Yard, especially to those families who lost someone. I hope this is a wake up call for anyone dealing with security. DON’T TAKE SHORT CUTS!!!

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Now, onto September’s #WriteMotivation Goals

1) Be Positive, Try to find the positive in every situation, no matter how small. This has got to be ALWAYS!! Recovering, but still tired. I think I’m doing well emotionally, despite the fact that TheHubs is going through some rough bits lately in the pain/insomnia department.
2) Cheer others on with #writemotivation cookie flinging and positive thoughts! Another ALWAYS! Managing, occasionally, I’m sorry. But, then again, I haven’t seen much activity on Twitter lately, and no one’s really seen me either. So….
3) Continue writing SOMETHING, EVERYDAY! Even if I can’t work on my novel, I’ll try my hand at short stories. Whatever it is, it has to be writing! DEFINITELY ALWAYS!  I started a new shiny. I like how it’s going so far. I’ve been researching lingo and such. And I’ve been thinking about this one continuously. I’m not sure if this is a short story or a novel. I guess I will write until I know. 🙂  Luckily, I’ve managed to write about it, even if it’s not writing the story, I’m fleshing it out, trying to figure out “what if this happened?” and things like that. Playing with it in my head or on scratch paper. That’s what I’ve been doing nearly every day. Though, the day job and my obsession with Breaking Bad has cut into things 🙂
4) Read another book. Yup, still on a Breaking Bad kick. So, reading has been put on hold, though I have a blog tour/review I have to do for TWO next month, so I better get on the ball for it.
5) Continue submitting my short stories, “O.N.” and “S.S.”  Let’s see how many I can get before someone accepts me. :) 5 rejections for O.N. Waiting to hear back and 5 for S.S. Sent SS out, yet again, to a contest this time, which I won’t hear back until December.

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PS: Theo just got back from his Vet. He’s sooooo much better now! The vet wants another round of this antibiotic, which means another 10 days of jamming a pill down his throat and then giving him some soft foods for treats and hope he forgives us. He’s been such a trooper! The best news, he’s healing very well and NO MORE CONE!!! Next up, 6 month check up!

LadyJai

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Kitty Update and September #WriteMotivation Update1

Posted September 9, 2013 By LadyJai

Theo In A ConeAs many of you know, we’ve been dealing with a rather sick Theo. It started out with a ruptured anal gland, which never healed. So they had to do surgery, where they found massive pockets of bacteria. They took cultures and gave us antibiotics to give Theo. He then had a reaction to it and took him off them. We finally got the results back late last week. It’s called Methicillin- resistant staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) which is only about one step down from MRSA. It’s very rare to transmit this infection from animal to human. But it is easy to transfer between the other cats. And with the issues we’ve had with everyone being all hissy (literally) towards Theo on account of the cone, we are taking every precaution we can. And probably getting all paranoid with every little illness and the like. So we’re coping. And at least we know the deal with Theo and hopefully he can now fully recover.

Despite cat issues, and TheHubs’ normal issues, supplementing TheBoy’s education, housework, illness in the whole household, and free time (like I have any), I’ve managed the following so far for September’s #WriteMotivation

1) Be Positive, Try to find the positive in every situation, no matter how small. This has got to be ALWAYS!! Doing this, but it’s draining.  Being sick, having the illness turn to allergies, I’m just so run down, physically. I think I’m doing well emotionally.
2) Cheer others on with #writemotivation cookie flinging and positive thoughts! Another ALWAYS! Managing, occasionally, I’m sorry.
3) Continue writing SOMETHING, EVERYDAY! Even if I can’t work on my novel, I’ll try my hand at short stories. Whatever it is, it has to be writing! DEFINITELY ALWAYS! I haven’t looked at my novel. I don’t think I need to for a while. So I am focusing on other things. I started a new shiny. I like how it’s going so far, and I think I’ve figured out the stake on this one. But what I have to learn is conflict. I avoid it in real life, so writing about it…plotting it out…is something new to me. And this is where I am stuck at the moment. Luckily, I’ve still managed to write about it, even if it’s not writing the story, I’m fleshing it out, trying to figure out “what if this happened?” and things like that. Playing with it in my head or on scratch paper. That’s what I’ve been doing through my illness fog.
4) Read another book. Well, I started. But then I got  on a Breaking Bad kick. I am in love with it (the science!!!) and have been marathoning it when I can (I’m almost halfway through Season 2). So, reading has been put on hold, though I have a blog tour/review I have to do for TWO next month, so I better get on the ball for it.
5) Continue submitting my short stories, “O.N.” and “S.S.”  Let’s see how many I can get before someone accepts me. :) 5 rejections for O.N. (still waiting on the last sub) and 4 for S.S. Sent SS out, yet again. And the waiting continues.

LadyJai

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August’s Final #WriteMotivation Update

Posted August 30, 2013 By LadyJai

August Goals:

1) Be Positive, Try to find the positive in every situation, no matter how small. This has got to be ALWAYS!! Doing the best I can with what I’ve been given.

I want a week’s worth of do-over! I had an entire week of stress in two days time. When I woke up on Wednesday, I had radiating pain in my heel. I knew what it was from. Standing all day, every day. I even bought a cushion-y mat to stand on at work. But still my feel hurt. Now that I’ve done research, it’s plantar fasciitis.   I was already in a bad mood due to the pain. Not much I can do at the moment for it. I will eventually have to see the doctor. My insurance doesn’t provide inserts unless I’m diabetic. I’m not going to make myself diabetic just to have them pay for 90% of $400. 🙂 I’ve had inserts in the past, from Dr. Scholl’s and The Good Feet Store. They were ok, but definitely not personalized for MY feet. So I have to cave in a pay for the inserts myself.

So, foot pain, then working from home and I couldn’t get my computer to connect to the VPN, email, or anything dealing with work. YAY! Fighting with a computer is never fun! Another bad mood instigator.

Also, Wednesday was the day Theo had his surgery. When we dropped him off, I started crying. It seemed from that point on, everything made me cry. I don’t know what was wrong with me nor could I stop it. So I had to just get through.

Anthony’s appointment for his BOTOX injections was also Wednesday. He received 32 shots. And while the doctor was injecting him in the muscles in the shoulders he said, “I’ve never had a collapsed lung. Your lungs sit right below these muscles so if you get shortness of breath later, go to the ER.” Um, yeah, just what I needed to hear, and I ended up crying again!

Theo came through the surgery fine, though the vet said it was worse than he ever thought. He had massive pockets inside (nests) of bacteria he had to scrape out along with removing the glands.

His poor behind looks so horrible though. It’s shaved, red, swollen, and lots of stitches. I feel so bad for him. He was so scared at the vet he was shaking. (another moment of tears). When we got him home, he seemed better. But I know it hurts him. I worry about him going to the bathroom, though. So we are on a high fiber diet of wet food. Hopefully that will make it less painful. He has 3 days worth of pain meds, 10 days of amoxicillin, and some anti-bacterial salve.  8 weeks in a cone was way too much for him. We still probably have another month to go. But hopefully he will be healed up in normal time!

And then, Thursday, I get to work and my main PC decides “today is a good day to die”. He did not fight well. Major Klingon Fail with that one! And, of course, I cannot get a new computer….yet. I had to rearrange my desk again, to get the sitting arrangement back (for my feet). I just can’t seem to win. I do need to take pictures and video and submit them to my company for an ergonomic evaluation before they will help with equipment. I’ve already been told that a treadmill desk is out of the question. BOO!!

Here’s hoping, the days get better!

2) Cheer others on with #writemotivation cookie flinging and positive thoughts! Another ALWAYS!  I MISS TweetDeck!!!!! I MISS EVERYONE!!! :(

3) Continue writing SOMETHING, EVERYDAY! Even if I can’t work on my novel, I’ll try my hand at short stories. Whatever it is, it has to be writing! DEFINITELY ALWAYS!  Yeah, this wasn’t a miserable fail. But I didn’t really write every day. I have been mulling my novel around my brain trying to figure out how to make it better. Also, I’ve had several shorts pop up and demand to be written. Maybe I should just resolve myself to writing shorts, only. But then, I still am not feeling like a “pro” (Check out #5)

4) Read another book. Completed So for this month, I managed 4 books! WOW! Course, I didn’t get much writing done now, did I?! But they were all so good! PRETENDERS, THE RED PYRAMID, FIGHT PRINCESS (review to come on release day 9/2) and a crit for Andrew!

5) Continue submitting my short stories, “O.N.” and “S.S.”  Let’s see how many I can get before someone accepts me. :)  5 rejections for O.N. (still waiting on the last sub) and 4 for S.S. Sent SS out, yet again. And the waiting continues.

 

I should keep these goals for September too.

LadyJai

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New Releases Coming Soon Recommendations & #Writemotivation August Update 3

Posted August 19, 2013 By LadyJai

So there are two books I’m excited about. Both will be released soon. Why am I excited? Well, the first one I won a Debut Author’s ARC from Tor and actually managed to read it before the release day! YAY! It was very good, too. 🙂

The second is another debut author who I know personally. I used to have time to go to an in-person crit group that she ran. I’ve had the pleasure of reading so many of her stories before she submitted, even though I never managed to read the ENTIRE book. 🙂 But, still, I really like her stories and I want to help promote them. So, here’s the two about to be released books.

Go forth and support them! 🙂

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THE BONE SEASON By Samantha Shannon

Release Date: 8/20/2013

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army.

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine—a young woman learning to harness her powers in a world where everything has been taken from her. It also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

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FIGHT PRINCESS by M.S. Kaye

Release Date: 9/2/2013

Pre-order now for $4.79. When it comes out it will be $5.99

Things Aren’t what they seem. Don’t get involved.

Celisse is too headstrong to listen. Her best friend’s boyfriend is dead, and she does not heed Cullen’s warning, slipped to her in a note as he’s being arrested for the murder.

Cullen tries to keep Celisse out of things and also tries to avoid her, both unsuccessfully. He can’t deny his feelings for her anymore, but he knows he can’t have her—if she ever discovered the truth about his past, she’d surely hate him.

While struggling with her intense feelings for Cullen, she uses her skills as an ex-prosecutor to investigate, all while continuing to fight for Ogden, the organizer of an underground fight ring. She eventually realizes things are connected—the ring, Ogden, Cullen, the murder, and herself. She races to uncover the truth before she’s arrested or becomes the next victim—or the next culprit.

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Now for my August Goals:

1) Be Positive, Try to find the positive in every situation, no matter how small. This has got to be ALWAYS!! I think I’m managing this rather well. I must be on the upside.  Still waiting on the politics of the health insurance company and his civilian doctor to see if he can get the Botox. He’s already tried it for his migraines, but his neurologist wants to try it in his neck since he thinks that may be the cause. *fingers crossed*

2) Cheer others on with #writemotivation cookie flinging and positive thoughts! Another ALWAYS! Not entirely a fail, but without TweetDeck, I’ve been falling behind! I MISS TweetDeck!!!!! I MISS EVERYONE!!! :(

3) Continue writing SOMETHING, EVERYDAY! Even if I can’t work on my novel, I’ll try my hand at short stories. Whatever it is, it has to be writing! DEFINITELY ALWAYS! Yeah. Nope! Been reading though.

4) Read another book. Completed HJ for Andrew. Almost done with the 2nd one. Plus now, I want to start and finish reading the ARC I got of FIGHT PRINCESS before release day.

5) Continue submitting my short stories, “O.N.” and “S.S.”  Let’s see how many I can get before someone accepts me. :)  5 rejections for O.N. and 3 for S.S. Still waiting.

 

Hope you enjoyed reading about the upcoming releases!

LadyJai

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Happy Birthday to Me!!! & #WriteMotivation August Update #2

Posted August 12, 2013 By LadyJai
Even Google wished me Happy Birthday!

Even Google wished me Happy Birthday!

So, today marks another trip around the sun. It’s been two years since I’ve managed to engage in a holding pattern as The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything. So this also makes me a TIME LORD! And I’ve inadvertently discovered time travel. So where’s my TARDIS??

Why is there not an animated GIF of a T-Rex flailing his tiny arms? Surely, I’m not the only one obsessed and find this image hilarious!

 

At least the universe is celebrating the day of my birth. So, help me party! Go out tonight, when the sun has set, and look to the heavens and watch.

The Perseids are one of the most predictable meteor showers we have. Tonight is their peak, averaging two flashes/streaks per minute (depending on viewing conditions). I am hoping for clear skies, as usually these are overcast here during this time of year with the nightly summer showers. But it’s supposed to be hot as all get out. And the last few years, the moon has overpowered the night sky. This year, though, it’s in its waxing crescent phase which will limit the moonlight and allow us to see the streaking meteors! *fingers crossed*

My August Goals so far:

1) Be Positive, Try to find the positive in every situation, no matter how small. This has got to be ALWAYS!! After last weekend’s “attitude” I had, I decided to try being more patient. WOW, can you say HARD! But I managed. TheBoy got to help me cook. And this weekend, we went shopping without incident….though TheBoy still dreads it, and his body language screams it, I tried so hard to keep calm and point it out to him. Not sure if it’s sinking in, but at least we didn’t butt heads like last weekend!  Not sure what kind of “positives” I can find in TheHubs’ situation when he’s constantly in pain, and now his insomnia is back! I feel so helpless. But at least I’m there for him.
2) Cheer others on with #writemotivation cookie flinging and positive thoughts! Another ALWAYS! Not entirely a fail, but without TweetDeck, I’ve been falling behind! I MISS TweetDeck!!!!! Nothing I’ve tried comes close to following hashtags/people, AND NOTIFYING ME of replies and posts by those tags! UGH! So frustrated!! So, out of sight out of mind and I’m really beginning to hate not being a part of this group! :(
3) Continue writing SOMETHING, EVERYDAY! Even if I can’t work on my novel, I’ll try my hand at short stories. Whatever it is, it has to be writing! DEFINITELY ALWAYS! So, I’ve worked a bit on a new opening to my novel. Trying to get into the main character and make people like her. Working out issues. But, really, watching the Science Channel is not conducive to actual writing. But daggum it, I sure got some FANTASTIC ideas….no real plots yet. But I’ve got ideas! 🙂
4) Read another book. Completed HJ for Andrew. Was worried about the notes I had for him but he reassured me they all worked. 🙂 Tried to read another book that just fell flat. The Main Character was beyond annoying for me. I wanted to chuck it at the wall. So, instead, I shelved it and started reading another. Halfway done with that one too! YAY me!
5) Continue submitting my short stories, “O.N.” and “S.S.”  Let’s see how many I can get before someone accepts me. :) I just received another rejection for S.S. this weekend. So that makes it 5 rejections for O.N. and 3 for S.S. And submitted S.S. to another venue this morning.  Hopefully, submitting on my birthday is good karma.

LadyJai

 

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