Tag: crocheting

Too Little Sleep, Too Much To Do

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Late night calls reduced the amount of sleep I got over the weekend but it was my girls so of course I took the calls.  This meant after a long day at work, I was tired and wanted nothing more than to go home to bed. 

I know myself well enough to know that if I go to bed at six at night, I’ll be up by midnight and grumpy the entire next day.  I opted to work on a gift and listen to a book. 

Sunday while I worked on projects, I watched Finding Your Roots, Person of Interest, NCIS LA, and Elementary.  Most of which I didn’t really enjoy.  The first three shows were good but Elementary was predictable – so not a Sherlock Holmes story.  By the time I was done catching up on shows, I was grumpy and annoyed.  I felt like I hadn’t made enough progress on crocheting and that watching the shows was mostly a waste of time.

This meant that last night I opted for the book.  I look at Cast in Peril and just couldn’t get into it.  It is very slow to start and I’m a little disappointed.  I swapped over to Vengeance in Death.  While I worked on a crochet project, again writing my own patter, I listened to the new book. 

My crochet project I started about six times.  First it was too narrow.  Second I wasn’t liking the yarn I had chosen.  Once I had the right yarn and the right width it was easy enough to snap pictures as I worked.  I got about halfway through and just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep.  However, I finished it.  I like it enough that I’ll make it into a leaflet to sell the pattern. 

Tonight I have one more of a similar style project to work on and then I’ll see where I am with gifts.  I’m making progress in getting them done.  Once they are done, I’ll be able to go back to writing more at night. 

I’ve got a manuscript I need to do last edits on, create a cover for, and go through production.  I’ve got two manuscripts I’m partway through writing, I’d love to finish at least one of them.  The other I’m not sure is going to make the cut.  I need to finish writing it and pass it on to my testers.  It is a different genre than I normally write so I’m not sure it is good enough to publish. 

Winter has definitely arrived

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

This morning we woke up to white lawns instead of green.  It has been cold all week and we’ve had flurries but nothing stuck.  Last night we got enough and it was cold enough that it stuck.

I’m working at my desk today and looking out at huge snow flakes and chunks of snow falling from the tree.  It is pretty.  I’m also not out in the cold.  This is Wisconsin weather.

I’ve listened all week to people complaining about the cold and the snow.  My feeling is – this is November what did you expect?  Also we have a lot of winter to get through so you better suck it up because we probably won’t see a lot of warm pleasant weather until March (maybe February if we are lucky) or April or later.

There is something magical about the first significant snowfall for me.  It seems to make things slow down, cover up the bumps in the land, smooth things over.  Ken has a fire going in the fireplace and it is a good time to cuddle in to work on crocheting or reading a book (or both if I listen to a book while I crochet).

For me, it is a quieter time of year, spent inside, doing homey things and spending more time with my family (well okay Ken because the girls are not home anymore).

Like everyone else, I’m not fond of the cold but it is the other parts of the winter that I like.  The beauty of the season is astounding with white contrasting with the dark brown of the trees.  The glistening of icicles in the winter light is breathtaking.  The darkness that covers the land feels like a warm blanket, comforting and cuddling.

I don’t love driving in the snow and ice.  I don’t love worrying about whether this storm is going to be one I need to stay home for or if I can make it to (and from) work without it being dangerous.  I do love the landscape and the energy of the season.  

On Track – ish

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Back on schedule – sort of – last night I worked on seven small projects and got them done.  I didn’t finish the one project because I want to take the time to lay it out and experiment with the next step.  I want to lay it flat and look it over. 

I also listened to six chapters of my book – Ceremony in Death.  I am enjoying it and actually remember more of this one, including bits of the ending so it is a comfortable read. 

On Goodreads, I’m noticing I have two books I’ve had there a while.  One is Cast in Peril which I’m trying to listen to (Damn Vicki for telling me the next book in the in Death series) and the other is the paranormal romance I have a hard time getting through.  I need to just barrell my way through it and finish it.  I’m disappointed in the author because I feel I can’t finish the over arching story because of the extreme violence she has in the beginning of the story.  I’ll get there eventually.

Tonight will be bill paying, crocheting and then I will either watch some stuff on the PBS station or I will listen to more of my book.  This weekend I want to work on projects but I’ve got a story banging around in my head.  I also have two manuscripts ready for production.  I have a short story I want to finish the edits on so I can submit it to the contest. 

It is also a pay week which means we have to get grocery shopping and other errands done.  One of the things I want to do is get gift bags so I can start packaging up the gifts I’ve been making.  I have to pick up a button to finish one project.  This means a trip to the craft store which I have a number of coupons for and I’d love to spend some time in. 

All these other things means I’m not writing or working on crocheting but they are probably necessary things to get done.  At the very least this weekend will be busy. 

Out the Window… completely…

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I’m one step away from finishing a project.  I just have one small step before I am done.  It will probably take me an hour.  Last night I was supposed to finish the project off and start on other projects for presents. 

This did not happen.  In my head (my damn brain never stops working), I had a scene I wanted to get written.  It kept playing over and over.  I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

I meant to work on the project but I got distracted.  I opened my computer and started writing the scene.  I meant to work for an hour or so and switch over to the project. 

My sister called to ask me stuff.  I talked to her for a little bit before returning to my scene.  My friend called for a little bit.  She wanted me to read the scene to her.  I read a small bit to her before she said I should just email it to her.  I went back to writing.  I wanted to finish the scene before moving on to the project.

My middle daughter called to talk.  We chatted and she called me out on being distracted.  I was, I wanted to write my scene so I could get to my project. 

By the time I was done with all the phone calls and the scene, I was too tired to finish the project.  I will finish the project tonight.  I will.  I’m determined. 

Unless of course the scenes that are bouncing around in my head demand to be written, in which case, I might not finish the project until this weekend.  In which case, my plan will go out the window again….

Hermit Grumbling

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

Finished another student worker gift and am half done with another, as well as discovered I’m more productive listening to an audio book than I am watching tv.  This is probably due to my not having to look up to see what’s going on while I’m listening to a book.

Last night Ken and I went to supper with two of my sisters, a nephew, uncle, mom and brother-in-law.  It was a good supper and a good time with the people.  I thoroughly enjoyed being with the people.

Having said that, when I was getting ready to go all I wanted to do was stay home and keep working on my stuff.  I was grumbly about having to go outside my house and my comfort zone of being a hermit to go out to supper.

Now I do laugh at myself because we did have a good time and a good meal.  It was really nice to spend time with Aimee and Jerry because we don’t get a lot of time with them.  I enjoy their company and can have a good conversation with them.  It was just me being grumbly about going out.

Today the plan is to stay in all day.  Yes I’m going to be a hermit and work on writing and on crocheting.  I want to finish the student worker gift I’m working on and hopefully start the last one.  I have an idea in my head and I want to see if I can make it work out like I see it in my head.

I’ve been entering the Writer’s of the Future contest every quarter.  This quarter I haven’t entered because I didn’t love my choice for entering.  I have taken a lot of criticism on the piece and I’m not sure it is up to par for submitting.  Then last night I had a really good idea for a piece that might work out nicely – going to see if I can crank it out in the word limit they have.

It promises to be a full day with crocheting and writing.  There is so much I want to get done and I know I’ll be lucky to get like half of it done.  On a positive note, I’m now reading Rapture in Death and enjoying it thoroughly.

Not sure what Ken’s plans are for the day but he grumbled something about chores he wanted to get done.  I know he got out the snow blower because they were calling for six inches.  With it being weather, they have of course changed their minds on that.  But the lawn mower is put away and the snow blower is out.  We are switching gears with the season.

Come check out my web site and the books I have available at:  http://eileentroemel.weebly.com/

The Death of an Orange Pen

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

Yesterday I spent the day with my mother and going through some genealogy stuff.  It was good to look through family memories and mysteries.  We discovered invitations and thank you cards sent to my grandmother that we think come from some cousins but we can’t quite place them.  It will be fun to see how it all shakes out.

My sister and uncle came to pick up my mother and stayed to chat.  It was a good time.  Ken and I watched some tv, ate supper, and chatted with the Georgia girls.

I got alone time.  Ken went off to bed.  I tackled a manuscript that needed editing.  My orange pen got put to work as I read through a two hundred page manuscript.  My intention was to go to bed early.  That didn’t happen.  I was up until after 12:30 editing.  I looked at my pen and realized it was nearly half gone for ink.  I just got it out in the last month.

Even after I was done editing, I crashed but woke up at 1:30 with a headache.  Yes, the headache woke me up.  I shifted position, took Tylenol and tried to go back to sleep.  I must have slept because I woke up around 6:30 when Ken went out to gas up the two vehicles.

Today I’m not sure what I’m going to do.  I may work on writing, crocheting, or sleeping.  It’s Sunday so it is supposed to be a relaxing day.  I’ve already got a headache with my ears ringing.  It might be a good day to just shut down and do nothing.

Those who know me – stop laughing – I can to do nothing.  It just takes a lot for me to do it.  Doing nothing is hard work.

No Stress Day

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Vicki called me last night to chat before she went to bed.  Before she called I was writing, the words were flowing, everything was moving along nicely.  I hung up with her, typed a sentence and my phone rang again.  It was my other two daughters calling to chat.  I asked if they coordinated that with Vicki.  They laughed and denied by I have my suspicions.

It seems like every time I go to the bathroom or am writing they call.  I think they may have hidden cameras in my house.  Well okay – probably not.

Yesterday I got the new Wayfarer book out!  Today it is available on Amazon.  I’ve reviewed the proof and the paperback will be ready in a few days.  I ordered copies so I can have them on hand, donate to the University library, send to my kids.

Last night I worked on another story and am trying to get it wrapped up.  I realized I had three plot lines to complete before I could finalize the book.  Of course I have editing to do after that.  I’m hoping to finish it off in the next week or so but I’ll have to see how writing goes.

I’m going to play with a cover for one of my novels I’m almost done with.  I don’t have one in mind so I’m going to play around with a few ideas.  I am leaning towards simple with my covers.  I find I like them better when they are either a photo someone has taken or a simple cover.

Once I’m done with a few of the writing projects, I plan to work on crocheting.  I’m hoping to get a few of the gifts made while I watch movies or tv today.  It will be interesting to see if the crocheting loosens up my hands a little.  If it does, I may have to go back to crocheting on a weekly basis to keep the arthritis under control in my fingers.

It’s Sunday so I want a nice and easy day without a lot of stress.  Crocheting, writing, tv, movies, all sound like a good plan.  Of course I have a manuscript to edit so maybe that will find a way into my day as well.

Writing, Crocheting, Napping

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

Here it is Saturday morning and I should be productive.  Yesterday I came home tired and grumpy.  After paying bills, I curled up in the recliner and took a nap.  Ken and I watched Babylon 5 and had pizza for supper.

I should have worked on all the writing stuff I have on my list or some of the crocheting stuff I have on my list.  I didn’t.  By 8:00 last night I was in my jammies and crashing.  I talked to all three of my girls yesterday – always a good thing.  After that I crashed for the night.

Normally I wouldn’t go to bed this early because after about four hours I’m up and can’t sleep.  It throws my sleep pattern off.  However, last night I crashed.  I woke up three or four times throughout the night but I “slept” for about eleven or twelve hours sort of.  I haven’t done this in ages.

This morning I’m working on book work for the writing, matching payments with sales.  Several people have asked if I’m coming out ahead, the answer is no, not yet.  My expenses still outweigh my income but I know this is a long term thing not a short term thing.

I have nine books out and am hoping to get another out this weekend.  That will be my next project.  I have a little bit of editing to do, checking things out, adding in front and back material.  Then I will do production.  Shockingly I have the cover already done and am hoping to get through all the production steps so I can go ahead and publish today or tomorrow.

Once I’m done with this book, I’ll be working on edits for the next manuscript and writing for the several stories I have running right now.  I feel this week has been unproductive for me.  I’ve written only a little and edited only a little.  I’ve done a little crocheting.

One thing I have noticed this week and I’m reminded of it as I look at the trees outside my window.  It is fall and the leaves are gorgeous.  It is my favorite time of year, the trees are gold, orange, red, green and it feels so good.  Even though it is a gray day outside, I see all the flame colors out my window and know it will be a good day whatever I end up doing.

Relaxation!?!

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

Yesterday I was busy with writing.  I published a book, downloaded reports from the companies who I publish through, printed a manuscript for editing, finished editing one manuscript and got a third of the way through another.  It was a busy day.

In addition to all the writing things, I talked to all three of my daughters, organized coupons, and spent time with Ken.  It was a good day with a bit of balance in the day.

This morning I’ll be putting edits into the computer for the manuscript I finished a round of editing.  I have more coupons to go through.  I want to work on croheting.  I also have to get stuff ready for work this week.

I now have nine books under my name.  This is way beyond what I thought I would do in a year.  In the next two months, I’m hoping to get two more books out.  The two manuscripts I’ve been editing need to have a nice polish put on them and then out for readers to enjoy (I hope).  The one will be Wayfarer Immemorial, the third installment of the Wayfarer series.  The other will be a new book about magic, love, good versus evil, betrayal and a bit of redemption.  I’ve not named it yet but it will hopefully be ready by the end of November.

I’ve been submitting short stories and other items to other places and having absolutely no success.  I don’t know that I’m successful with the books but they are at least out there for people to try.

My relaxing weekend has been full of writing and hopefully today a bit of crocheting while I catch up on the tv shows I’m behind on – NCIS LA, Dr. Who, Person of Interest.  I hope I can finish the current scarf I’m working on and then start some of my holiday crocheting.  I’ll just have to see how things go though because the editing is really calling to me.

I started the fourth Wayfarer book and have struggled with getting more down.  It’s in my head, I just can’t seem to decide which scenes to write first.  I realized last night the moon is in the full phase.  This is almost always a non-creative time for me but a productive time in getting things done.  I can only assume as the moon shifts to the dark moon I’ll get back on track with the fourth Wayfarer book.  I also have a bunch of information in my head about the last Defenders book and the second book in another series I’m working on.  I just need the time to get it all into the computer.

Forced to Craft Shop

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Friday, Ken and I drove to Indiana to visit Vicki.  We got there late but I still stayed up until late talking with Vicki.  This is normal for a visit with one of my kids.

Saturday, we ran errands with Vicki and she forced me to go to JoAnn Fabrics.  We wandered for a while.  I may have spread glitter on her from some ribbon she was looking at.  It seems only fair since she forced me to go to the craft store.

Leaving the store, I had three bags of yarn, books, and supplies.  My wallet was lighter by quite a bit but I saved almost $65 which is more than half what I spent.  Surprisingly, I didn’t spend the rest of the day crocheting for her, though she did get two scarves out of the craft store trip.  It was fun to walk through and say “oohh, pretty, nice texture, hmm must have,” and pick up what we wanted.

A huge surprised, I picked up two skeins of yarn specifically for myself.  Vicki has them and is knitting me something.

My new books came home marred with tabs.  Vicki had to inspect them.  Of course during the inspection, she tagged all the things she liked.

The drive down was mostly uneventful.  We saw one accident which slowed us down around Chicago.  At one of the tolls, several cop cars had at least one semi-truck pulled over.  There were three cops at the back of the truck with bolt cutters.  I’d love to know more about that but of course we were driving so could stop to gape at the event.

The ride back was easy and had very little traffic.  This is always a good thing.  Basically I set my cruise and drove.  That makes the trip easy and pleasant.  We listened to a book most of the way back.  I woke up tired which is never a good thing but once we put the book in, it pushed back the tired.

Unfortunately, I got home, showered, and had every intention of working on writing but came to the living room and curled up in the recliner to nap for almost three hours.  Interestingly, I could probably turn out the light and go back to sleep.  However, in my head are two stories that started on the drive down.  I’m going to try to get at least the concepts down on paper.  In my head I have two or three other things I want to get done today.  What’s in my head and what will actually happen may very well be two different things.