um...what was that? Apparently flickr (the photo service I use) is currently down due to some upgrades and it's main page states it's having a massage. Flickr is kinda quirky...that's one of the things I like about it. So while it's taking a well-earned break, my post today will be picture-less.
I had a fantastic evening last night. Why? Because I finally got a good start on my next novel!!! I managed to fight through my natural inclination to completely finish one project before starting another mainly due to Rick. He kept reminding me and reminding me that many authors don't get published until their second, third or even fourth novel. *Gulp* I hope it doesn't take me that long!
With that firmly in mind, Little Mac and I went to Barnes & Noble to get some writing done. It's easier for me to write there than at home because there are fewer distractions. I put on my headphones, switch on some music and pull up Word. A big BLANK document staring at you is a good way to pressure yourself to get started. Or it might be the person at the next table sneaking peeks at you and wondering why you've yet to type anything. Perhaps it's a combination. I don't know. Doesn't matter. It works.
Here's my only gripe about it. If (okay, okay WHEN) I have to go to the bathroom I have to pack up everything to go. There is absolutely no way I'm going to leave Little Mac unattended. Once you are packed up, it's really hard to come back, unpack and get started again. Not to mention that it's likely someone stole your table in the meantime. I keep bugging Rick to let me have a small space in the corner of the (work) office where I can just write but he just looks at me funny. I don't think he realizes I write best if I get out of the house because of the no distraction thing. And at the office I could leave Little Mac safely when I needed to take a quick break. I think I'm going to bug him again right after I finish typing this. Maybe he'll let me write one of the days during the week instead of doing secretary stuff.
Yeah, I can dream. Right?
Today was major catch-up on chores day. I woke up, had a quick breakfast and 30 minute session on the treadmill. Then I leaped in headfirst with the housework. I set the dishwasher to run and then went downstairs. Cleaned the basement. Did the laundry. Then to the top of the house. Cleaned the 3rd floor. the second floor and the first floor. Then disaster struck. I was vacuuming from top to bottom and got a little more than halfway down the steps to about the first landing. The vacuum turned off! Completely off. No strange sounds, smoke (that was just the ONE time), nothing. Does anyone have any clue how irritating it is for a person like me to be able to finish a task? I stalked off and took a long hot bubble bath to calm down. It helped.
Rick and I had promised the children dinner at Pizza Hut and after a false start we finally made it there. It was very crowded and not the greatest atmosphere but Tristyn and Maia enjoyed it and that's all that mattered. Plus, twisted Frostys from Wendy's made us forget poor service, a chilly dining room and so-so pizza. =) We arrived back home with Maia half asleep. Rick took them inside and got them comfortably arranged to watch Happy Feet and fall asleep in the living room. For a reason known to children only, it is much better to sleep in the living room then your own bedroom. I went directly to the grocery store to get everything we have been in need of the last few days plus a few other things.
Of course I got home completely confident I had remembered everything and then when I looked in the cupboard I saw that I should have got dog food as there was next to none left. Isn't that how that always goes?
