Okay, so you might know that I've spent the past several months working on the first book of a fantasy trilogy. And yesterday I was thinking about finances, further education, the chances of me ever finding a job in this economy, how many months it will take for student loan payments to drain my bank account . . .
And when we were getting ready to leave the temple, I thought of pitching my book. Now. The publisher I'm looking at wants a complete synopsis and the first three chapters. I have the first three chapters. I can write a synopsis.
This is totally freaking me out, but I'm serious about doing it.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
yeah, whatever
So much for that goal-a-month from the Relief Society theme thingy. I got through the Primary program and haven't had the brain power to come up with anything since then. I've been dealing with Primary this and that, and hating how my house is a total disaster all the time but not really having the energy to get anything all the way finished, and keeping Summer and Marnie from killing each other. That alone is a full-time job. And this morning I had such a bad headache that I asked Adam to come home for lunch so I could rest. He did, and I'm REALLY glad he doesn't work late or very far away.
I recently figured out the math for getting some specific debts cleared out within the year. I totaled them up at the end of October, and it came to $12,000. The minimal payments on them come to $550, so if we double that to $1000 a month to this batch, we can have this cleared out in a year. Adam is supposed to get a small raise in January, so that will ALL go to the debt too until it's gone. Definitely by October next year, and hopefully even sooner. We'll also pay off the car about a year early. HOORAY! That's definitely a happy thing.
I recently figured out the math for getting some specific debts cleared out within the year. I totaled them up at the end of October, and it came to $12,000. The minimal payments on them come to $550, so if we double that to $1000 a month to this batch, we can have this cleared out in a year. Adam is supposed to get a small raise in January, so that will ALL go to the debt too until it's gone. Definitely by October next year, and hopefully even sooner. We'll also pay off the car about a year early. HOORAY! That's definitely a happy thing.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Something Else
Well, I know it's been a VERY long time since I've posted on any blog. I read all the blog posts and I think about posting, but then I never do. I don't really have anything to say though, so I'm not sure what this post will be all about.
Friday was my last day at work. When people asked how I was doing I told them that I was trying not to think about it. I didn't leave work happy to be leaving, in fact, I was rather sad. I'll definitely miss my students and co-workers. It really is the people that make the job.
I've been distracting myself pretty well so far. Friday night I went to dinner with some friends and then a group of people came to my place to play Rock Band. Saturday, I went to lunch with an old roommate who has her master's in SLP and she took me on a tour of the SLP building at BYU and told me all about the program. Then in the evening I went to a wedding reception, and then to a friend's house for dinner. Today there was church and then I made dinner for a couple of friends from my Provo days. I pretty much have at least one meal with a friend or a group of friend's planned for every day the rest of the week. I'm not sure how I'm going to finish off the food that I have here. Anything perishable needs to be consumed, and all the non-perishables will probably come home with me.
The weather has been yucky this weekend (though it's nothing compared to some storms I've seen.) And I guess we're supposed to get more snow next weekend, but then it's looking clear for next Monday and Tuesday so far. I'm planning on going to visit all the Loganites on Monday evening and then heading for home on Tuesday. Hopefully the predictions hold true and the roads are clear for that long drive on Tuesday. And then I'll be home. And all of you... except Trina, will get to see me.
The End
Friday was my last day at work. When people asked how I was doing I told them that I was trying not to think about it. I didn't leave work happy to be leaving, in fact, I was rather sad. I'll definitely miss my students and co-workers. It really is the people that make the job.
I've been distracting myself pretty well so far. Friday night I went to dinner with some friends and then a group of people came to my place to play Rock Band. Saturday, I went to lunch with an old roommate who has her master's in SLP and she took me on a tour of the SLP building at BYU and told me all about the program. Then in the evening I went to a wedding reception, and then to a friend's house for dinner. Today there was church and then I made dinner for a couple of friends from my Provo days. I pretty much have at least one meal with a friend or a group of friend's planned for every day the rest of the week. I'm not sure how I'm going to finish off the food that I have here. Anything perishable needs to be consumed, and all the non-perishables will probably come home with me.
The weather has been yucky this weekend (though it's nothing compared to some storms I've seen.) And I guess we're supposed to get more snow next weekend, but then it's looking clear for next Monday and Tuesday so far. I'm planning on going to visit all the Loganites on Monday evening and then heading for home on Tuesday. Hopefully the predictions hold true and the roads are clear for that long drive on Tuesday. And then I'll be home. And all of you... except Trina, will get to see me.
The End
something
Not sure what I want to say here, but thought that something should be said. So here I am, saying something.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
My Book
Well, sisters, I've spent a lot of time writing my Elfmarked trilogy. I finally have a draft of the first book; I know there are some inconsistencies I need to work out and some characters that need some development (particularly some minor characters), but I'd be willing to let you read it if you wanted. Or you could wait another month or so for me to go over it again. But right now I think I need some space before tackling it again from the top.
I just had a job interview at the Italian restaurant up the street. I should know about that by next week.
I just had a job interview at the Italian restaurant up the street. I should know about that by next week.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
the A to the Q
The wedding plans are coming along, but it's down to the final 72 days (10 weeks from Tuesday), and that's where all the final stuff comes in. The wedding invitations will be printed soon, and in the mail in the next few weeks - I'd rather they not get lost in the shuffle with all the Christmas cards. I've had to tweak the invites a lot, with the addition of a Calgary reception in January. Seemed silly not to have one right away, since I'll be moving right up there. So now I've got to deal with that. Aaron has recruited his sister and cousin to help out though, so it shouldn't be too stressful.
I still need to figure out who is doing all the cupcakes for me. I want to err on the side of too many than not enough, and I've got all the different flavors I'd love to have. I've got several people who have offered, but I've got to confirm who is doing what and how many and how they'll be decorated, etc.
And all the centerpieces. I had started wrapping boxes in Rexburg. Luckily I hadn't done TOO many, or else they wouldn't have fit in the car. I don't have to worry about that anymore, and I'm well on my way to getting them done. We figured if we have about 10 tables to decorate, I'd want at least 5 presents on each table - we all can do the math. Plus a few extra on the table with the cupcakes and the hot chocolate and perhaps even a few under the trees. Basically, every single one that I wrap will get used somewhere. I've got 10 different styles of wrapping paper so far, although a few of them only covered 3 or 4 boxes. Which works for me, since I will probably end up buying even MORE wrapping paper as the stores come out with me. It is going to be a tough winter for me - spending money on the wedding when I need to be saving money for the marriage. (And trying not to buy all the shoes I like at Payless before I move to Canada where they are all WAY more expensive!)
That's all the big stuff for now. Still need to coordinate the actual decorating of the gym (the atmosphere around the tables), and getting the marriage license, a hot water dispenser, Aaron needs his suit, etc. At least my outfit is ready to go.
In answer to your other question, Trina, yes, I have all the pictures of Rosemary from her first birthday. I just haven't gotten around to figuring out what I want to do with any of them! I know roses makes sense, and you want to stick with some sort of garden theme .. but that's as far as I've gotten. It'll happen eventually. If not now, I'll have more time on my hands once I'm up in Canada. I currently am finishing up the book (she asked me to do six MORE pages, plus tweaks on a lot of the other ones), and then I need to do a drawing for Aunt Marli - she wants a family portrait of just her, Ray and Sarah, because she doesn't have a good one. She gave me the pictures at the reunion in August, and I haven't started that either. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Rosemary's picture. It'll happen.
I still need to figure out who is doing all the cupcakes for me. I want to err on the side of too many than not enough, and I've got all the different flavors I'd love to have. I've got several people who have offered, but I've got to confirm who is doing what and how many and how they'll be decorated, etc.
And all the centerpieces. I had started wrapping boxes in Rexburg. Luckily I hadn't done TOO many, or else they wouldn't have fit in the car. I don't have to worry about that anymore, and I'm well on my way to getting them done. We figured if we have about 10 tables to decorate, I'd want at least 5 presents on each table - we all can do the math. Plus a few extra on the table with the cupcakes and the hot chocolate and perhaps even a few under the trees. Basically, every single one that I wrap will get used somewhere. I've got 10 different styles of wrapping paper so far, although a few of them only covered 3 or 4 boxes. Which works for me, since I will probably end up buying even MORE wrapping paper as the stores come out with me. It is going to be a tough winter for me - spending money on the wedding when I need to be saving money for the marriage. (And trying not to buy all the shoes I like at Payless before I move to Canada where they are all WAY more expensive!)
That's all the big stuff for now. Still need to coordinate the actual decorating of the gym (the atmosphere around the tables), and getting the marriage license, a hot water dispenser, Aaron needs his suit, etc. At least my outfit is ready to go.
In answer to your other question, Trina, yes, I have all the pictures of Rosemary from her first birthday. I just haven't gotten around to figuring out what I want to do with any of them! I know roses makes sense, and you want to stick with some sort of garden theme .. but that's as far as I've gotten. It'll happen eventually. If not now, I'll have more time on my hands once I'm up in Canada. I currently am finishing up the book (she asked me to do six MORE pages, plus tweaks on a lot of the other ones), and then I need to do a drawing for Aunt Marli - she wants a family portrait of just her, Ray and Sarah, because she doesn't have a good one. She gave me the pictures at the reunion in August, and I haven't started that either. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Rosemary's picture. It'll happen.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
In answer to questions
No, I hadn't heard of that book, but it does sound interesting. I'll have to look it up when I have the chance.
Right now, I'm trying to finish the first book in a fantasy trilogy (which I started back in 2002 or 2003). Hopefully I'll have a draft ready in the next couple of weeks -- or as soon as I can figure out this last battle scene. After that, I'd be willing to let you read it, if you're interested, sisters of mine.
My plan right now is to send it off in January. I'm looking at Tor, since they're a big fantasy publisher and would actually look at any manuscript proposal.
Right now, I'm trying to finish the first book in a fantasy trilogy (which I started back in 2002 or 2003). Hopefully I'll have a draft ready in the next couple of weeks -- or as soon as I can figure out this last battle scene. After that, I'd be willing to let you read it, if you're interested, sisters of mine.
My plan right now is to send it off in January. I'm looking at Tor, since they're a big fantasy publisher and would actually look at any manuscript proposal.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
q&a time
Ahem. Anyone? Anyone? We had a whole ONE post in September (me) and this is the first post in almost a month since then. Are we only talking to each other on Facebook now? Which is too bad, because I'm seriously cutting back my Facebook time. It's way too attention consuming, and everyone has better things to do than that.
So my goal for this month of "having meaning and purpose in life" (or whatever the phrase was), and working on the Primary program ... the program is this Sunday, and I have lots of little things to finish up. I have a list in my planner. But motivation is sorely lacking these days. The pace of this place - because of the sloooooooow culture and the obscene level of humidity (it's OCTOBER, people! It's the FALL! Cut the 80 degree temps with 80% humidity!) - has made me more sluggish and just generally yucky feeling than I've ever been in my entire life. Yes, the people in our ward are nice and we're making friends ... but seeing them for 2 hours one morning a week at playgroup and then only at church doesn't cut it for overcoming everything we DON'T like about Mississippi. Just to be blunt here ...
So here I am on the blog for a few minutes even though I have nothing to write about except to gripe about the weather (oh, we haven't seen the sun or even full daylight for almost 2 weeks now) ... so I'll just ask you questions instead.
Tawnia: A 4-day weekend for you - hooray? ... Why? What are you working on in your classroom these days? I need to go back over your list of science stuff for kindergarten and see what I can come up with for Summer and Marnie. And yes, I'm planning on having you come out here for Thanksgiving next year! If you want to see this part of the country at all, I suggest you do it while I'm here to get it over with, and then you never have to come back. Ever.
Emily: Have you heard of Dragon Slippers? It's a fantasy type book, a series of three apparently. Dragon Slippers is this month's book for my book group, and you'd like it. I'm not usually a fan of fantasy stories like this, but maybe because this one is written for kids, I did fine with it. I'm not going to rush out and get the other 2 - if they land in my lap, I'll read them. But I have other things higher on the priority list to read. (Like finishing a stupid Civil War book that is taking darn near a freaking year.)
Also, remind me to email my friend Julia in Newberg - she is also a writer and just put on her blog that she went to a writer's conference of all women (and a lot of them LDS, if I read it right). She has had short stories published, I think, including a couple of articles in Church magazines. She's currently writing a couple of children's books and trying to get them shopped out to agents/publishers. Maybe she can give you some advice/help or peer review. I don't know if you ever knew her, but Mom might remember her from when I was a teenager - Julia Erdman. Her last name is Wagner now.
Mindy: You said on the phone that you're back to working at Payless in Mac ... and I assume drawing and getting ready for the wedding. What's left on the wedding preparations? Besides working out EVERY DAY to stay in shape to fit into your dress of course.
I don't remember the last time I talked to you about this - did you ever do the 12x12 digital painting of Marnie from her first birthday to go with the Summerbug picture? Someone was over here recently and commenting on Summer's picture, and wanted to know if I was getting one for Marnie too. I hope so! I thought I emailed you a bunch of stuff from Marnie's first birthday. If you need me to, I'll go through the old computer files and send a bunch of stuff again.
Clarissa: Now that you're back in Oregon, what are you doing with your time? What's your next plan for school? I'd say you were welcome to come out here and crash with us for a bit, but there's even LESS to do in Mississippi than there is in Oregon. So that wouldn't do you any good.
So my goal for this month of "having meaning and purpose in life" (or whatever the phrase was), and working on the Primary program ... the program is this Sunday, and I have lots of little things to finish up. I have a list in my planner. But motivation is sorely lacking these days. The pace of this place - because of the sloooooooow culture and the obscene level of humidity (it's OCTOBER, people! It's the FALL! Cut the 80 degree temps with 80% humidity!) - has made me more sluggish and just generally yucky feeling than I've ever been in my entire life. Yes, the people in our ward are nice and we're making friends ... but seeing them for 2 hours one morning a week at playgroup and then only at church doesn't cut it for overcoming everything we DON'T like about Mississippi. Just to be blunt here ...
So here I am on the blog for a few minutes even though I have nothing to write about except to gripe about the weather (oh, we haven't seen the sun or even full daylight for almost 2 weeks now) ... so I'll just ask you questions instead.
Tawnia: A 4-day weekend for you - hooray? ... Why? What are you working on in your classroom these days? I need to go back over your list of science stuff for kindergarten and see what I can come up with for Summer and Marnie. And yes, I'm planning on having you come out here for Thanksgiving next year! If you want to see this part of the country at all, I suggest you do it while I'm here to get it over with, and then you never have to come back. Ever.
Emily: Have you heard of Dragon Slippers? It's a fantasy type book, a series of three apparently. Dragon Slippers is this month's book for my book group, and you'd like it. I'm not usually a fan of fantasy stories like this, but maybe because this one is written for kids, I did fine with it. I'm not going to rush out and get the other 2 - if they land in my lap, I'll read them. But I have other things higher on the priority list to read. (Like finishing a stupid Civil War book that is taking darn near a freaking year.)
Also, remind me to email my friend Julia in Newberg - she is also a writer and just put on her blog that she went to a writer's conference of all women (and a lot of them LDS, if I read it right). She has had short stories published, I think, including a couple of articles in Church magazines. She's currently writing a couple of children's books and trying to get them shopped out to agents/publishers. Maybe she can give you some advice/help or peer review. I don't know if you ever knew her, but Mom might remember her from when I was a teenager - Julia Erdman. Her last name is Wagner now.
Mindy: You said on the phone that you're back to working at Payless in Mac ... and I assume drawing and getting ready for the wedding. What's left on the wedding preparations? Besides working out EVERY DAY to stay in shape to fit into your dress of course.
I don't remember the last time I talked to you about this - did you ever do the 12x12 digital painting of Marnie from her first birthday to go with the Summerbug picture? Someone was over here recently and commenting on Summer's picture, and wanted to know if I was getting one for Marnie too. I hope so! I thought I emailed you a bunch of stuff from Marnie's first birthday. If you need me to, I'll go through the old computer files and send a bunch of stuff again.
Clarissa: Now that you're back in Oregon, what are you doing with your time? What's your next plan for school? I'd say you were welcome to come out here and crash with us for a bit, but there's even LESS to do in Mississippi than there is in Oregon. So that wouldn't do you any good.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Relief Society Declaration
You guys know how I have the "Women of Destiny" Relief Society CDs and used to listen to them every Sunday morning. I still listen to them sometimes, but not nearly as often as I used to. They're currently in the car, and I usually put them in when I'm in the car by myself (which is not very much).
There's also a small book that I got at the same time called "Women of Destiny: Reflections of the Relief Society Declaration" that has clips from talks by the General Relief Society Presidency and various General Authorities.
On a whim today, when I was loading up my BRAND NEW bookcase (see my personal blog for that story), I picked up that book and decided to start reading it straight through. The first thing I read was that the Relief Society Declaration was introduced on Sept. 25, 1999 - so this week in the 10-year anniversary for it. Kinda cool! This is the text for it:
We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar. We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:
~ Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.
~ Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
~ Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes.
~ Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.
~ Delight in service and good works.
~ Love life and learning.
~ Stand for truth and righteousness.
~ Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.
~ Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.
I have on my Top 100 list to set one goal a month for an entire year based on this. Since there are 9 points to it, that means I have to get 3 more out of the opening for 12 goals. I think now would be a good time to do this.
Goal 1 in October - "... our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction." - Adam and I know we came to Vicksburg for a reason, and we're in the Vicksburg Ward to do something specific. However, we've been struggling with our adjustment to life here - Adam says we're being bipolar about it. One day, we're fine. The next day, we HHHHHHATE it! Back and forth. We really need to get a grip. So my goal for October (since September is mostly done) is to get focused on that meaning and purpose by really digging into my calling in the Primary and doing some extra work. October is a big month with the sacrament meeting program on the 18th, and then Primary that day is just going to be a big party (a reverent party, but still a party) with the regular schedule totally thrown out. All of that seems to have been handed entirely to me - the President asked me today if I "needed any help" with things. Uuhhhh ... didn't know it was all me! I guess I do now. And the Primary is putting together the ward Halloween party plus another Primary activity a couple of weeks after that. So lots to do! Must throw off slacker tendencies and focus, and really do this right! Because gosh darn it, my life - even in Vicksburg Mississippi - does have meaning and purpose, and this is the direction I need to be working in right now!
Anyone else in?
There's also a small book that I got at the same time called "Women of Destiny: Reflections of the Relief Society Declaration" that has clips from talks by the General Relief Society Presidency and various General Authorities.
On a whim today, when I was loading up my BRAND NEW bookcase (see my personal blog for that story), I picked up that book and decided to start reading it straight through. The first thing I read was that the Relief Society Declaration was introduced on Sept. 25, 1999 - so this week in the 10-year anniversary for it. Kinda cool! This is the text for it:
We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar. We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:
~ Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.
~ Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
~ Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes.
~ Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.
~ Delight in service and good works.
~ Love life and learning.
~ Stand for truth and righteousness.
~ Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.
~ Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.
I have on my Top 100 list to set one goal a month for an entire year based on this. Since there are 9 points to it, that means I have to get 3 more out of the opening for 12 goals. I think now would be a good time to do this.
Goal 1 in October - "... our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction." - Adam and I know we came to Vicksburg for a reason, and we're in the Vicksburg Ward to do something specific. However, we've been struggling with our adjustment to life here - Adam says we're being bipolar about it. One day, we're fine. The next day, we HHHHHHATE it! Back and forth. We really need to get a grip. So my goal for October (since September is mostly done) is to get focused on that meaning and purpose by really digging into my calling in the Primary and doing some extra work. October is a big month with the sacrament meeting program on the 18th, and then Primary that day is just going to be a big party (a reverent party, but still a party) with the regular schedule totally thrown out. All of that seems to have been handed entirely to me - the President asked me today if I "needed any help" with things. Uuhhhh ... didn't know it was all me! I guess I do now. And the Primary is putting together the ward Halloween party plus another Primary activity a couple of weeks after that. So lots to do! Must throw off slacker tendencies and focus, and really do this right! Because gosh darn it, my life - even in Vicksburg Mississippi - does have meaning and purpose, and this is the direction I need to be working in right now!
Anyone else in?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
the monthly report
One more post and I've accomplished my goal of writing a politics blog weekly for a year. The year-mark is on Saturday, and then, well, we'll see. I won't delete the whole thing, and I want to drop it into Blurb.com so it can get printed into a book - I think that would be nice to have in the future. I don't know how often I'll write on it after that - there are some other writing projects I want to focus on. At this point, I'm guessing that I'll keep writing on it occasionally since there's all kinds of "fun" stuff coming up besides health care and Ted Kennedy's funeral.
This week, I've been working on outlining the Primary program for our ward which is harder than it sounds. I have to make sure every kid is included somewhere and give them each a topic to talk about. Then there's the fact that a lot of them can't read yet, older kids get harder topics than the little kids, etc ... I've got it just about done - the beginning and end have me stuck. How to introduce the whole program, and how to conclude it. I've got the kids chosen as the bracket speakers, and the songs are all in order. It should be good!
Gotta run to finish getting everything ready for church, and Adam is gone at early meetings this morning. Happy Sunday, and hope you're all doing well!
This week, I've been working on outlining the Primary program for our ward which is harder than it sounds. I have to make sure every kid is included somewhere and give them each a topic to talk about. Then there's the fact that a lot of them can't read yet, older kids get harder topics than the little kids, etc ... I've got it just about done - the beginning and end have me stuck. How to introduce the whole program, and how to conclude it. I've got the kids chosen as the bracket speakers, and the songs are all in order. It should be good!
Gotta run to finish getting everything ready for church, and Adam is gone at early meetings this morning. Happy Sunday, and hope you're all doing well!
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