Category: Life

family news, commentary on any other aspect of life

New Pages and Other News

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

If you have been here before, you’ll notice new pages.  There is a page for interviews.  I’ve got my first one posted featuring Lauren Alder.  I’ve got another one ready (or nearly) for the next interview.  I’ve got feelers out to authors.  If you are an author or an editor or even a publisher, contact me to do an interview.  I want to feature people in writing and publishing.

I had a lovely blog tour and am happy with the results.  Because of that, I’ve signed up to try featuring blog tours on here.  I’m going to see how it goes.  I’m being selective because I’m busy and don’t want to overload myself.  You should totally check out the blog tour page.  There’s a giveaway that goes with it.

This weekend has been busy with errands and other craziness.  I’m working on two crochet projects to get them ready to submit for publication.  I’ve been working on Wayfarer Resolve.  I got a round of editing done but again, lots of changes in it so I’m probably going to do a read through only on it before I start publishing.  I’m pleased with it but I’ve made a lot of changes to it so it needs another read.

I’ve got a list of crochet projects to get done for custom orders.  I have the yarn, I just need the time to get the work done.  They are on my list.

I’ve been busy with paid editing and some freelance work.  This always shoves my work to the side but the freelance work is done (I think) and the paid editing is on a pause.  It’s time for me to get things done for me.  I have a long list (when don’t I?) which includes publishing crochet patterns.

One thing I want to add to my list is a look at hashtags and how to use them.  I’ve never really understood them but a fellow author recommended using them in instagram.  I discovered in short order how effective they are.

Today I’m going to work on posting some more stuff but then I will be hitting the recliner to finish (I hope) a project for submission and work on either another submission or some of my requests.  Though there is a particular skein of yarn which is calling to me.

Feeling My Age

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

More often than not, I love the age I am.  I’m not one of those people who gets freaked out because I’m turning whatever age.  I’ve earned my age.  I enjoy who I am now. 

However, Friday night I spent the night doing nine tarot readings and with a lovely group of women.  We read tarot, talked, ate and in general had a good time.  At the same time, I didn’t get home until 6:30 in the morning.  I felt every day of my age on Saturday. 

Exhaustion doesn’t describe how I felt after spending 24 hours awake.  Rarely do I lay down and fall instantly asleep but I did on Saturday.  I had plans for the day but they went out the door because I spent the morning sleeping. 

It seems like it was a weekend for lack of sleep and the week has started out this way as well.  It doesn’t help that last week I had to walk down a flight of stairs so every time I went to sleep, I’d wake up with pain in my legs. 

I’m feeling a bit sleep deprived.  This means I’m less productive.  Last night I wanted to continue editing Wayfarer Resolve or work on the crochet project I need to get in the mail.  I couldn’t do either.  My brain said enough.  Instead I spent the evening messaging with a couple of writer friends until I crashed and slept. 

I’m starting to feel less sleep deprived so hopefully tonight I can be more productive.  I need to get the pattern done and in the mail so that will be my focus.  After that I’m back to Wayfarer Resolve.  This novel is being grumbly and difficult.  I’ll keep working on it and hope I can get it out this month (not holding my breath). 

Between paying bills for us and my mom, running errands, and doing work in our house, my time for writing / publishing has dwindled.  I’m going to carve out time because I’m feeling very grumpy about the lack of time I have.  This is more of the balancing out of all aspects of my life. 

Medical Crap

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

In May I had an upper respiratory and sinus infection.  I was a mess.  Going to the doctor was helpful and yet damn frustrating.  We disagreed on which antibiotic would be best.

Normally I stand up for myself and don’t back down.  I was sick.  I told the doctor if he gave me zpack I needed three rounds.  He told me if one round didn’t clear it – it was viral and I’d just have to wait for it to clear.

I get sinus infections all the time.  Up until last year when I had surgery, I got them several times a year.  I KNOW what works.  I’m allergic to tons of drugs and the world in general.  I KNOW what works for me.  But okay – it’s viral.

All summer I had sinus issues.  Not just allergy issues but yucky gross sinus infection issues.  If you’ve had one, you know what I’m talking about.  If you’ve not had one, you don’t want to know.

I had enough three weeks ago.  Called my GP (yup same doc from May) and got in.  Yup – you have a sinus infection.  I tell him the same thing.  He says – no I want to put you on a different drug – ciprio… something.  I say – is it on my list of ones I’m allergic to?  He said well if you can take Levaquin you can take this.  This isn’t necessarily true.  I argue big time with him.  I object and ask a lot of questions.  He’s firm.  He won’t do the Levaquin (which I’m probably spelling wrong).

I’m allergic to a lot of drugs including amoxicillin, penicillin, and a bunch of other ones.  Hell the zpack I can take I can only take the smaller dose.  The minute they put me on a stronger dose I have serious issues with it.  I don’t take new drugs until the weekend in order to have someone be around when I take them just in case and if I do have a reaction – I have a couple days to get over it.

So Monday I’m at the doctor and he prescribes this new drug.  Great – no relief for five fucking days.  If you’ve had a sinus infection….  So Saturday I take the new drug – no side effects – yeah.  But also no relief from the symptoms.  Even after taking it for a few days I get no relief.  I’m pissed at this point.  My head hurts so much to just touch my nose gently feels like I’m getting a fist slammed into my face.

I call my GP.  I tell him.  I ask him to please prescribe the Levaquin.  His answer – nope go to the ENT.  Well fuck you very much.  I’m in tears.  My head hurts so much I think it would be a relief if it exploded.  I call my ENT (who I adore – he did my surgery).  The woman on the desk says the earliest appointment is the following Monday (i.e. yesterday)  I go to my ENT.  He does his exam.  He says – you have a sinus infection.  Yup knew that.  I tell him what I’ve been through, he says the ciprio.. whatever isn’t good for chronic sinus infections – well fuck.  He gives me a prescription for Levaquin.

I’ve now had two doses and some of my symptoms are easing and I’m starting to feel better.  Now the thing that really pisses me off – I paid $55 in co-pays and whatever the three damn prescriptions cost.  Money doesn’t exactly grow on trees for me.  This should have been a $15 co-pay for the initial visit and then whatever the RIGHT prescription would have cost me.

It might be time for a new GP.  I’m not sure anyone else is any better but … damn it… it might be time to switch.  

Unexpected Blessings

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

Normally I am really focused on writing, crocheting, and my day job.  I’ve not been soliciting for editing or freelance work.  This summer I’ve been working really hard to get my books noticed more and to draw in more readers. 

While the insanity of creating a new cover, updating my website, working on my blurbs and so on… new opportunities presented themselves.  I thought about turning down an editing job but bills… they exist and I’m not independently wealthy.  After the editing job, some freelance work came up. 

Digging in, juggling lots of different projects, I signed up for the freelance work too.  This means the last week or so has been stupidly busy and will probably be for the next week (roughly). 

The nice thing – the money and the work.  I love the editing I’m doing.  It reminds me of how important it is and keeps me on my toes for my own writing.  The freelance stuff I’m doing is complex and exhausting but at the same time I like the demand and the stretch it makes me do. 

Long story short, I’m hoping by the time I’m done with both, I’ll be able to pay for the new pantry we are having built and pay off a couple medical bills. 

The new pantry is a necessity for my sanity.  Our kitchen is small but my people like kitchen stuff.  My daughter loves to bake and cook.  Currently we have little storage which means our counters and table are constantly cluttered.  But with the bigger pantry (going from 6″ to 20″ shelves) we will have room for the gadgets to get off the counter and still be accessible without being shoved in the hall closet, living room cabinet, or basement. 

This last week I’ve felt stressed and overwhelmed but at the same time I’m working towards a goal.  The freelance is limited in time and will go so that will ease my work load.  Over the weekend I worked on freelance stuff, editing, and created two patterns which I submitted to the magazine for publication.  (Fingers crossed)

Part of the issue, I want to update covers, blurbs, and do another edit on some of my novels.  In reality it will probably be all of them but it will have to be over time as money is an issue.  I’m butting up against – I want to write and crochet but at the same time I want to take the time to improve the products I have out there.  It’s a lot of work.  It’s a lot of energy.  Of course I want it all done NOW so I need to remind myself it can’t all happen at once.  Prioritize and work on it bit by bit – right?  Yes but in my head my inner voice is saying – get it done NOW!  Apparently I have high expectations of myself. 

I’m grateful for the outside work.  It has come at the right time and in the right way.  I’m appreciative of the added funds so I can get bills paid and things better in my house. 

Which End Is Up?

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

My goal has been to get more patterns published.  I submitted three patterns and one got accepted!  Yeah!  Last night I worked on a pattern and the pattern is complete I need to finish the crocheting so I can take a picture and submit the pattern.

I have so many ideas for patterns right now but I’ve got a plate and a half full.  I’m going to have to keep myself in check and be cautious about what I start.  I’d rather look forward and make attempts.  I am working on a blanket for one of the issues – I am really liking how it is turning out.

We are building a new pantry in our kitchen.  Ken tore out the old pantry today.  Hopefully by next weekend we will have new ones.  Under normal circumstances, we are usually pretty frugal.  However, we are spending a little more money on the shelves because we want specific things in this pantry.  If we’re going to the expense of redoing the pantry, I don’t want small shelves in there or ones I’m going to have to replace every few years.  I want good sturdy shelves which will hold up and expand my space drastically.

I’m in the middle of projects, not just crocheting but writing, editing, and others.  I’ve got a chapter to review in the next Wayfarer novel.  My beta readers have told me what I already knew – this one section of the book was rough and needs work.  I’m giving it work.  I don’t want to rush publication and have readers be unhappy.  I have a manuscript I’m making progress on.  I was not getting the scenes clear in my head so I wasn’t writing but then it occurred to me what needed to happen.  Now I have to make the time to write the scenes while they are in my head.  I’ve got one more manuscript waiting in the editing box.  It also needs work so it will be slow going on the edits I’m sure.

I’m hoping I’ll be able to finish the two freelance projects fairly quickly.  It will bring in money to cover some bills and pay for the pantry.  Then I’ll move on to the books.  I’m feeling overwhelmed right now but I know this will pass as I get things done.

Royal Undercover is still on tour.  I am quite excited about it.  I hope this improves sales and awareness of my books.  Only time will tell.

One Step at a Time

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Frustration abounds for me right now.  There are a lot of things happening for me with my writing.  I’ve got a sale going on through Smashwords, a blog tour coming up in less than a week, and a reader event I’m trying to get organized to go to. 

Each of these has many steps and components I need to pay attention to.  Meaning – get busy and work on them.  I’ve finished making the star coasters.  I started making bibs per a request from my daughter.  I decided if I was making bibs, I might as well design them so I can publish a leaflet.  I’ve got ideas for each.  The first one turned out FABULOUS!  I have five or six more designs I want to try as well as having one started. 

There are all these steps and each time I work on a different one, I think I should be working on eight other steps.  I keep reminding myself I can only do one or two things at a time but my manager in my head (who is a slave driver) keeps telling me to do MORE!!!!

It’s difficult for me to sit down to crochet for hours because in my head I’m thinking – I need to do this and that and ten other things.  For instance, I have all the components for the 100 gift bags.  Next step, assemble them.  Okay – I need to get them all in one place.  I need to punch holes in the bookmarks and gift card and then attach (how am I attaching them?) all of them together. 

This task leads me to the gift basket I want to get ready – I have to make a decision on whether I’m crocheting something or not.  Along with this crochet project, I’m trying to crochet things for publication… the list is endless. 

I know I’m in overload when I sit down with the intentions of working and my brain can’t settle on one thing so I end up playing a game on my phone.  My to do list helps but insomnia doesn’t.  I know the key to success – prioritize and delegate.  My daughters step in and help. 

The other night, I got a video call from the two in Georgia.  They wanted to show me some things they made.  The two of them worked on some good stuff for me to take with me in November to have on my table for a giveaway!  I didn’t ask them to but they went ahead and made them.  They looked super cute and I LOVED them.  It was so sweet and helpful. 

Ultimately I’m busy – over busy right now.  I need to let go the frustration, keep reminding myself one thing at a time, and keep moving forward.  Now I need to stop thinking seven or a hundred steps ahead and focus.  I need to remember I’ll get stuff done and things will slow down.  I keep thinking – take a deep breath and relax. 

Back at the Grindstone

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

With nine days off, you would think I got a lot accomplished.  I did when it comes to spending time with my girls but off my to-do list?  Not so much.

I got 70 stars made but I need to get 30 more done.  I’d like to get them done sooner rather than later.  But it wasn’t this past weekend.  I guess I’ll take them to work with me so I can work on them during my lunch hour.

I still have a shawl to do and I have an idea on how I want to do it but I have to see how I think it will work out.  Part of me is itching to get these two projects off my list.  I know I have two more right on the heels of it which are both started.

The good thing is I got edits on the computer for the next Wayfarer book but I didn’t get the second Wild Magic book edited.  That stays in my bag to work on.

Oh and if that isn’t enough, the girls brought home this fun, addicting game called Ticket to Ride – which is about building trains on all sorts of maps.  We found out there’s a version of it I can have on my phone.  This is a mistake but it’s on my phone.  Oh my goodness – I can’t stop playing.  Saturday night I stayed up till 1 in the morning playing it and I didn’t notice time passing.  I’m going to have to be firm with myself because I have too many other things to do.

On Facebook I’ve been seeing snippets from JD Robb’s books.  It made me want to read them.  I got through the first three in no time.  I’ve got a Dragon book I’m reading too.  I like the premise of the dragon books (and who doesn’t love dragons?) but there is a touch too much repetition for me.  There are 64 chapters in the book I’m reading but they are short chapters.  I’m sort of interested but it doesn’t hold my attention.  I’ll get through it eventually and I’m hoping there’s a tipping point where I get enthralled in the story to the point where I can’t put it down but I’m not holding my breath.  On the JD Robb books, I’m not sure whether I’m going to reread the whole series (she has a new one coming put in September) or not but I thoroughly enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far.  I’m also reading a review book.  I need to struggle my way through the end of it and write the review.  Then I have two or three more to read for reviews.  I hope they are better than I expect.

There Oughta Be A Law

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

These are minor irritations for me but if I were in charge, I’d make a law.  

If you’re muffler isn’t working, you drive a loud vehicle, or your window doesn’t roll up and down, you shall not drive thru.  If you haven’t a damn clue what you want to eat, don’t get in line until you do – especially in drive thru.
While I’m trying not to drive thru for meals, I still do on occasion drive thru different restaurants.  It is super annoying when a vehicle in line is super loud.  It’s happened with motorcycles where their thrump thrump thrump is purposeful and with old vehicles which don’t have good mufflers and purposefully with souped up cars and trucks.  You want to blow out your hearing – great go for it.  However, those taking the orders and others in line don’t want to have to deal with it.  Don’t drive through.  
Noise is noise.  It can’t be escaped from but at the same time, don’t infringe on other people’s lives with your noise.  This is the same with your music, tv, and other loud things in the house (even people).  Don’t put your dog out and let him bark at all hours of the night.  
I don’t expect people to be nice.  I think our society has lost most of their manners.  I watched a video on Facebook where this woman asked about a book which the bookstore did not have in store but could get online.  She proceeded to have a meltdown getting louder and louder and more annoying with each word.  She was like a two year old stomping her feet to get her own way except she was a grown ass woman.  
There are a lot of people who are polite – I know a lot of people.  Then there are the people who air their dirty laundry on social media.  Really, the world does not need to know that your boyfriend/husband, girlfriend/wife or whatever other relationship did you wrong.  It’s probably only wrong in your mind.  Here’s a thought – go to said person you are annoyed with and tell them.  Act like a polite adult and work out your problems not in the public forum.  
I know it’s hoping for too much but really can we the regular people in the country try to behave better than the leaders?  Probably but I can hope… 

Catch Up

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

It’s been a busy week.  I’ve gotten some of my writing stuff done but mostly spent time with family.  My daughters came to visit.  We played this new game called Ticket to Ride.  It was fun.  On the surface it was simple – pick tickets and build your trains from one station to the next.  Then as you get playing you realize there are strategies involved.  For instance, when to pick more tickets?  How many trains do you have to build your trains?  We’ve spent the most time playing this game and having a great time.

This weekend will be about getting the errands done.  The nice thing is both Vicki and I are off so we will be doing a lot of the errands tomorrow.  On Saturday we will be going to Ikea and a phone place to look at phones for mom – one for the hearing impaired.

I still have edits to put on the computer and editing to do on a manuscript.  I’m crossing my fingers to get part of that done yet.

I have gotten 70 of the 100 coasters made for the event in November.  I’m hoping by the end of the weekend I’ll finish them.  Then I have to work on the raffle gift basket I need to send with it. I also need to consider submissions for crochet projects.  I’ve got one done so I’m going to try to take pictures of it and send them to the publisher.  My priorities there are coasters, shawl (for submission), gift raffle item, and then other projects for submission.  

I’m also prepping for a blog tour.  Royal Undercover is going on a tour of blogs.  This will be my first one.  I’m very excited about it.

Nine Day Weekend?

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

I’m on a streak!  I recently won three books!  Hopefully they will be good books and I will enjoy them.  The question will be how will I fit them into my schedule.

One is a physical book and I think the other two are ebooks.  I’m going to have to ask my daughter to help me with those so I can read them easily on my phone.  If I can read them on my phone, I’m more likely to get through them as my kindle is somewhere and maybe not working. 

I’ve got the next nine days off and can’t wait.  I’m sure it will be relaxing – though not likely to involve a lot of outdoor time.  Our temps are in the 90s and heat index hovers over 100.  Not my idea of a good time.  Maybe I can sneak in some time in the mornings – even though it isn’t my favorite time of day. 

Even with the holiday, I’m hoping to get some writing time.  In one of the stories I’m working on, I need to step back and maybe redo a complete scene.  I’m not liking where I’ve ended up.  I may have to sacrifice what I’ve written which in a rough draft I have a hard time doing.  I’ve lost the flow though so it may be necessary.

I’ve got two books I’m hoping to get the edits for the one on the computer and the editing done on the other one.  I’ll have to see as there will be a lot of family time going on over the next week. 

Next Friday, Vicki and I will run all the errands for the weekend.  I’m hoping we will get them all done so the rest of the weekend will be an actual weekend.