Monday, August 26, 2013

Monday Maunder: August 26, 2013


ON READING

As you all probably know, I participated in Bout of Books this past week.  The first half of the week did not go as well as hoped, but my reading picked up a little in the latter half.  Here are my final stats for the week . . .

Books Finished (2):  Watchmen by Alan Moore and Habibi by Craig Thompson

Books Still in the Works (2):  I started listening to The Help by Kathryn Stockett (made it about an hour in) and am about half-way through More Montana Campfire Tales:  Fifteen Historical Narratives by David Walter.  I suppose you could also count my reading with my son.  Together we read two chapters in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, which puts us almost done with that book finally!

I did not keep track of my pages read or hours read.  In the end, I did not get all the books read that I had been hoping for, BUT I still feel good about my progress.  My reading has picked up and I feel better about that in general!

How was your reading for the week (whether you participated in the readathon or not)?

ON BLOGGING

Blogging this last week mainly consisted of technical posts, but I did get one review posted.  In the weeks to come, you will likely be seeing more reviews as I get them all scheduled!


The one thing I do want to remind you about is the upcoming read-along for The Shining by Stephen King!  It also just so happens to be the most popular post here on the blog this past month.  We will be kicking off the reading one week from today in anticipation of King's new release, Doctor Sleep.  If you haven't signed up, be sure you head on over and do so!  It is going to be so much fun!!

Will you be joining in on the read-along?

ON WRITING

The big news in writing this week is that I kick off Sit Down & Write 4 today!!!  I posted late last week my goals and plans for the two weeks of the event.  The list looks short, but there is a lot of stuff within each bullet.  I am going to try to work through them mostly in order, but may stray a bit depending on my mood. I will update via Twitter most of the time, but will also include an update next week in my Monday Maunder.

Today also kicks off my new writing schedule.  After I drop my kids off at school, I will be working out and then focusing on writing until I have to pick my kids up from school.  This should give me anywhere from 2-4 hours of dedicated writing time per day, depending on what else needs to be tended to (i.e., grocery shopping, laundry, errands, etc.).  I will likely do most of my writing elsewhere because I find myself getting more distracted when I stay home to write.  Dishes, laundry, movies, naps, and whatever may catch my attention will not be there to bother me if I am at one of the local libraries.  I can buckle down and actually be more productive.  I look forward to seeing how it goes!

Are you participating in Sit Down & Write 4?  Tell me about your writing schedule and/or habits.

ON LIFE

The biggest news of the past week is that my kids started school!  They are in a new school this year, and they have already found new friends, like their new teachers, and seem to be adjusting well.  From my end, I always find it difficult to adjust to so much time being on my hands.  However, this time I am welcoming the newfound freedom!  Life has been so hectic and stressful these last few years; it feels good to slow down and remember the important things in life.  I guess you could say that I am considering this year to be a bit of soul-searching for me.  This makes me nervous and excited all at once.

The other big news is that we are now preparing to put our house back on the market.  I have been making lots of phone calls and doing lots of research to find the realtor that will be a better match for us this time around.  I am already feeling better about our options and possibilities, and am keeping my fingers crossed for success this time around.

Is it back-to-school time for you?  How do you feel about this time of year, whether school affects you directly or indirectly?

4 comments:

  1. Now that my kids are all driving, my stress level stays fairly high. I just have to deal with this as it comes and not dwell on it...if at all possible.

    With only a few months left in the year, I feel a renewed commitment to finish Julianne's story--well, the first draft. Leaving home to write will help me get this baby completed. Not sure why working in the library helps, but it does. Probably because everyone else around me is hard at work too. My focus was sharper today. I wrote faster. On Wednesday, I'll be writing at the health club. Curious if there will be a difference, compared to the library. There's a huge difference between writing at home and anywhere else. ;)

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    1. J. Kaye Oldner ... I can only imagine the stress level when your kids are driving! I am a worry wart when it comes to my kids and they have even reached their double digits yet!

      I'm going to try to make it to the library today to work on a few things. I know that my focus is not as good as it should/could be while I'm writing at home!

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  2. I know what you mean about being distracted when you're trying to write at home. We're three days into Sit Down and Write and I haven't wrote a single word yet. *sigh* I think I'm going to start getting up earlier than the kids again to get my reading and writing out of the way.

    It's back-to-school time here too though school doesn't start until Wednesday.Kids on my block are trying to stay out as late as possible before they have to go back! :-)

    I'm crossing my fingers for you. I hope you get a better realtor this time around.

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    1. Vasilly ... Thanks for crossing your fingers for me! Appreciate that!!

      Trying to get the kids used to the school schedule and going to bed earlier is so hard for us. The first weeks are probably filled with all sorts of grumpies as kids, both young and old adjust!!

      Good luck with your writing this week. I hope it goes better for you! I struggle with getting up early, so most of my writing is done while the kids are at school or at nights.

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