FRIDAY STIR FRY - Big Plans and Lists and Such

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So, last week I promised I would let you know what resolutions I have already given up on. I actually didn't officially make any. I've muddled things over in my head, but I haven't written anything down. If you have ideas in your brain, but nobody is there to hear them, do they still make noise?

I have hopes. Yeah, let's go with that.

• I hope I can finish and publish another book. I have three drafts. Surely I can complete one of them? Of course to do that, I will need to actually write.
• I hope I will write. 
• I hope I can start a freelance career. I got the idea a few months ago when I wasn't sure about the future of my day job. I've spread the word some, but I still have a lot to learn and obviously I need clients.
• Get back to being consistent with posting to this blog.

That's pretty much it. In order to accomplish any of these hopes, I will need to be less lazy. Which reminds me, I need a nap.

What are your hopes this year? I would love to know.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Wasted Time

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How much time do you think you waste in one day? How about one week or one month? I believe if we could figure it out, we would be a bit sick to our stomachs.

I'm bringing this up because I wasted a whole lot of time this week at my day job without knowing it until today. A person in our department is quitting and we hired somebody from a temp agency to replace her. I'm the main trainer (because let's face it, I know it all :0). Well, the new person isn't going to stay. Now, mind you, we are extremely short handed as it is. Our supervisor is out on sick leave. One of our other staff is also out on sick leave. This leaves 2 of us to do all the work. TWO. I don't have time to waste training somebody who isn't going to stay. It is slow and tedious and my work piles up and I'm too damn old and cranky.

Plus I had plans to write this week. I e-mailed my WIP to myself and I was going to sneak in a few words here and there during slow periods at work. Well, that idea flew out the window along with my patience. Why oh why can't I be rich and stay at home and write? I know there is a hell, because I'm in it.

Oh well, enough bitching. I have a three day weekend and I'm going to glue my butt in my chair and write, write, write.

What are your plans for this weekend? I would love to know.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Creative Process

I made this. 

And yes, it's hand quilted. Every ... last ... stitch. It took four months and I have the calloused fingers to prove it. It is for my grandson Clark. 

My grandmother quilted. She would make at least two a year. It was more for protection against the cold Ozark winters instead of a show piece. That's not to say she wasn't proud of her handy work. I remember as a child, spending summers on my grandparent's farm and attending quilting bees with her. There were usually up to ten other women, all sitting around a square frame, stitching, gossiping, and exchanging recipes. At noon we would share a pot luck lunch. The younger children would then be put down for a nap. The older ones, including myself, could be found under the quilt frame playing with our dolls or trucks. When the quilt was finished it was given to a needy family with no thought of compensation. It's just what they did.

When she died, I inherited her frames. My ex mother-n-law quilted and so I would join her many afternoons next to grandma's quilting frame while we watched our soap operas. She embroidered tops for each grandchild. We quilted them and they received them on their wedding day. My son treasures his. So, it was just natural that I would make a quilt for his first born.

People were surprised I could do this. "You write and quilt?" 

"Yes, and work, and scrapbook." 

It makes you realize that not everybody has the 'creative' gene.

Let me know in the comments what you like to create.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Planning A Writing Weekend

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Every week I tell myself I'm going to do nothing but write all weekend. And then life happens or I just get lazy. But, this weekend, I'm devoting myself to my writing. Period.

All my other obligations are taken care of. I've done well with promotion this week, so I don't feel pressured to do that. My writer group meetings are over for the month. Everything else can wait. Grocery shopping can wait. Bill paying can wait. Laundry can wait. What do I need clean clothes for anyway? Cleaning house can certainly wait. Nobody there but me and I've grown fond of my dust bunnies. I may even start naming them. Any suggestions?

But just to make sure those obligations aren't going to be calling my name, there's a new coffee shop my laptop and I will be checking out. And a few others on my list when I get tired of sitting in one place. Heck, I may spend my whole paycheck (which won't take long) on coffee and scones. 

My goal: To come close to finishing my second novel. Wish me luck!

FRIDAY STIR FRY - I'm Back - Sort Of

So, in case you missed me last Friday, I'm back.
I was sicker than a dog on his last leg. Not with the flu but a really bad chest gunk. (yes, that's a medical term. Google it)

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I actually stayed home from work two days. I'm never sick. I have tons of sick leave built up. Which is good, I guess, in times like these.

I live alone and have no family in the area and being a single person, the cupboards are pretty bare. Too sick to venture out, I envisioned myself eating stuff not meant for human consumption. (let your imagination run wild) Thankfully, some angel friends brought me supplies: soup, tea, Gatorade, etc. Bless their souls.

All that time at home and I didn't write a lick. Just couldn't wrap my brain around anything except coughing, blowing my nose and daytime TV. I did discover something that might come in handy for a future book. People who stay home apparently need lawyers. They seem to have numerous car accidents and need to fight the insurance companies for the compensation they deserve. They also need lawyers to fight for their social security disability. They have all kinds of diseases that require a lawyer to sue the pants off whomever made them sick. Poor people. I hope they find the help they so desperately need.

I, on the other hand, am back at work. If I could find out who gave this gunk to me, I might look up one of those lawyers.

SATURDAY LEFT OVERS - Yep, Did It Again



 

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Yep, I did it again. I was off work yesterday and totally forgot to blog. Makes me wonder what will happen to my time management if I ever do get to retire.

So this time of year we are all supposed to ponder what happened in our lives last year and what we want to accomplish this year. That whole New Year's resolution thingy. Right?

I would certainly be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the wonderful fact that my first novel was published!! That's big. No wait, that's huge!!!!

Other than that, I don't have much. Same old job, same car, same house. There's something to be said for stability right? Or should I call it stagnation? Other than the excitement of Beyond The Horizon's release, my life has been pretty dull. 364 days of dull. Not that I'm a fan of drama. Quite the opposite. I loathe drama. Especially made up drama. You know the kind people invent just to get attention. Count me out.

So, what can I change this year so my life isn't so stagnate? Oh, I don't know, finish my second novel maybe? I'm beginning to wonder if that will ever happen. I have good intentions, but not so good follow through. The problem with writing is, YOU GOTTA WRITE. Yes, I'm yelling at myself because I can't bend my foot back far enough to kick myself in the ass. Maybe I could hire somebody to do that. Oh, wait you have to have money to hire people. And since my book didn't make diddly squat, that hiring thing is not an option.

It comes down to me.

                                                       I'm screwed.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - the writing life

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I've often said on here, at work, at the bar and anywhere somebody will listen that I would love to quit my job and write full time. What a wonderful life I imagine that would be. Ahhhh .....

A writer friend of mine did just that a few weeks ago; quit her job and is staying home. I so envy her. If only I had the balls.

Unfortunately, some sort of income is needed. Although, I've published a book, my royalties so far would buy a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon. Barely enough to survive a week. I'm still several years away from drawing Social Security. My meager pension wouldn't last me long. What to do?

I need to win Powerball. In fact, I'm going to go buy a ticket right now. See ya later.

(if any of you have some ideas for me, please comment)

FRIDAY STIR FRY - If Wishes Came True

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I've determined my day job is trying to kill me. I don't know what I ever did to it except show up most every day and work. I think that's where the problem lies. I show up. And I work.

We had somebody quit in our department and our supervisor has been out for a few months taking care of her husband. That left three of us to do five work loads. And, apparently, they are not going to hire anybody. No wonder I'm stressed and wore out. Plus our clientele are extremely demanding and needy. And my co-workers get on my last nerve. I could go on, but I'll spare you any more of my pain.

My wish?

I wish I could just stay home and write. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to do that. It would require moving into Public Housing so my rent and utilities would be paid. Not the worst place to live, but not my favorite either. I would have to be careful with my meager pension. No frivolity. Or, son, I could move in with you. Just kidding. Pick yourself up off the floor.

I wonder if I could stand to be by myself that much? Would I drive myself crazy?

People ask why I can't quit since I'm close to being published? Don't writers make a lot of money? No. Not unless your name is Stephen King or Nora Roberts. The money just isn't there. I write because I enjoy it. There's nothing like creating characters and telling their story.

That old saying comes to mind. "Be careful what you wish for." So true. I know there are things in my life I thought I wanted, but later I realized it wasn't such a good thing.

Do you have a wish?
Are you sure you really want it?

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Last Day



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This is one of my co-workers last day. She's been here 19 years. And this is it. She's not retiring, just quiting to pursue other avenues. To say I'm jealous would be an understatement. I'm green with envy. I probably look like that dragon.

It got me thinking about doing the same thing. I have a small pension that might last a few years if I'm careful. I could move into public housing with little or no rent and no utilities to pay. But, then I got to thinking about health insurance, car insurance, renters insurance. Damn insurance.

What would I do with all that time? Write, write, write. I could develop my voice. I could self publish. I could take creative writing classes. The possibilities when time is not an issue seem endless.

Instead, I'm bidding farewell to a friend and day dreaming of a time I can follow in her footsteps.

What would you do if you had the time?   

Friday Stir Fry - What would you do?

Hi, my name is Wanda and I have lottery fever.

Come on admit it, you do too. Who in their right mind would pass up the chance to become an instant millionaire. Powerball is up to 550 million!!!!! Save your breath, I know the odds are astronomical. I have a better chance of getting run over by a bus or something like that. I don't spend a lot. I do have my limits. Two tickets, that's it. I hold those tickets in my hand and daydream about what I would do with all that money.

"Hi, this is Wanda and I'm too rich to come to work. Take whatever you want from my desk. I can buy more."

"Yes, you heard me right. I'm paying cash for that Cadillac Escalade."

"Sorry landlord, it's been nice, but I'll be moving into that mansion on top of the hill."

"Son, I'm going to pay off all your bills."

And I would write and write and write. Maybe on a beach somewhere. Or a tree house.

What would you do?