Tag: weekend

Bouncing Around in My Head

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

The long weekend looms ahead.  I’m in need of some down time.  Now my original plans were to work on cleaning out the basement.  That is not happening.  Doing the stairs is hard enough, doing the stairs when I can’t breath well is nearly impossible.

Instead we are going to try to cram all the errands into Saturday.  Then Sunday and Monday will be down time.  Or for me it will be working on writing, editing, and publishing.  I’m very close to finishing another manuscript.  I cannot wait.  I’m truly excited to finish this one off.

I have a  number of crochet patterns I want to get edited and published.  I also need to upload them to Ravelry.  I’ve got one pattern I need to make sure I’ve got correct and then I need to work on another which people have asked me for.  I’ll have to see what it costs me to make in order to figure out what to charge them.  The Lacy Cap in the picture is recently published and I love the material. 

I’m thinking about creating a pattern which will link to my Wayfarer books.  I know I’m crazy right?  Adara (character in the book) is always crocheting… it seems like a good fit.  I’ll have to see how my time goes. 

There are so many things rushing through my head I need three of me to keep up with all of them.  It’s okay – I like it this way for the most part.  Unless I’m trying to sleep.  I’m feeling a strong need to make a list which I think I already have one or two in one of my notebooks so I should go look and add to it. 

Hopefully a quiet weekend at home means I get a lot accomplished and some of this stuff stops bouncing around in my head. 

Birthday Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Thursday I ran away from home and escaped for the weekend.  Really Ken loaded up my car and drove to Indiana to spend time with my middle daughter.  Friday her and I ran her errands and went to Joann’s.  While she shopped in other stores, I sat in the car crocheting.  I finished off a fleece throw for her.

For the weekend, I finished a fleece throw and poncho, two hats, two scarves, two sets of wristers, and a clutch purse.  I also finished off a beret I’d experimented with and needed to make sure would fit her.  It was laid back and relaxed when it came to crafting.  I created a new pattern and finished another one for publishing.  I may think about creating a pattern for one of the sets I made – I haven’t decided yet.

We watched the Good Witch movies, The Expendables, season six of Downton Abbey, and the two How to Train Your Dragon movies.  There were a couple of Penguin / zoo movies too.  We also checked out the Good Witch series.

It was calm, fun, relaxing.  We played Word Chaos on our phones together.  This meant she would start a game and when she got stuck she would pass it to me – or vice versa.  We are both now addicted to the game.

We stayed up late, slept late, and tortured the cats.  Saturday we went to Michael’s and a couple of other stores.  Sunday she baked cookies, I helped by putting them on the cookie sheet.  By evening my car was packed up (mostly) and all we had to do in the morning was put the last couple things in.
Monday she went off to work and I came back to Wisconsin.  The drive was fine, traffic was good and road conditions were excellent.  By the time I got home, all I wanted was a nap so I took one.  I expected to not sleep last night but I did.

While I spent my birthday driving, the weekend before was fun, relaxing, and enjoyable.  I stayed long enough to annoy her without staying too long.  I got about a third of a container emptied so progress was made on the LARGE pile of yarn I’ve got for her.

It was a nice little retreat for me.  I hope it was for her as well.  We laughed, talked, spent time together crafting, and just being together.  It was a nice weekend and a nice break for me.

Weekend Looms

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

With it being a non-pay week, I have absolutely NO plans for the weekend.  This may sound like an abysmal weekend but for me, it is heaven.  It means that I can work on writing, crocheting, or whatever else comes to mind. 

The difficulty will be in narrowing down what I do from all my options.  I’m working on production of another poetry book, editing a fantasy novel, and looking at short stories for submission to a contest.  In addition, I’m also working on the third book in the fantasy series.  I’d like to finish writing the story. 

On the marketing end, I’ve been sending emails announcing my book coming out.  I’ve hit several local papers, bookstores across the country, and sent out review copies.  Now all I have to do is hope that someone pays attention and purchases or the newspapers do an article.  Marketing is not my strong suit though I do know about it as I worked in it for a small amount of time for one of my jobs.  I do know I can send out hundreds or even thousands of emails and only get a few hits on it. 

This is also one of my more difficult things to do because marketing tends to be over the top for claims and I don’t believe in doing that.  However, it doesn’t grab people’s attention if I just say – hey here are three good books try them out.  This makes marketing difficult for me. 

On the crocheting side of my life, I’m working on Vicki’s afghan.  It is slow going because it is octagonal and each row takes a long time to finish.  I started a different project with some of my new yarn as a short project but I have a logger jam of afghan requests right now.  I have four in my queue. 

It is time for me to start thinking about what I want to do for gifts for winter so I have them done in time.  I have an idea of what I’d like to do but it is a matter of time. 

This means the weekend is an open book.  It will be nice to have a quiet and hopefully productive weekend at home. 

Another Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing
Tomorrow is Friday.  I’m so relieved this week is over.  It isn’t that work is bad.  It is just that it has been busy and demanding.  The weekend promises to be almost as busy, though.  My todo list is very long right now.
In the writing realm – I’m working on a paperback copy in normal size print.  Hopefully by the weekend it will be reviewed and ready for me to do the next step.  After that I’m working on production for my Moon Affirmations Meditations manuscript.  Back to square one for epubbing and figuring out how to do the pictures I want to have in there.  I also have edits to do on my fantasy novel.  If I manage to get through all of that – I have quite the long list of other tasks. 
In the crocheting realm – I have three graduation gifts to work on.  This involves me sitting still and focusing on creating wonderful items for the student workers I’ve enjoyed having work in my office. 
In the life realm – there are bills to pay, errands to run, and so much more.  I almost feel like I need a weekend after my weekend. 
I just finished reading my first “fun” book since finishing school.  I read a non-fiction Quiet which was quite good but I wouldn’t classify that as fun.  I just finished Thankless in Death and I’ve moved on to Mirror Mirror.  I think I’ve read two chapters in the new book and would like nothing more than to spend the night reading that but I have coupons to clip and a few other things to get done. 
Here I am with so much to do and not enough time.  I guess I will be working on prioritizing and balancing all these different things that I want to get done.  Reading, writing, crocheting, and life – I know there is a balance in there.  I’m just not sure how well I will balance it all out.  I’ll probably fall more than once but in the process I’m having a hell of a lot of fun.

Secret Past available on Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/426548

Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Two days left in my vacation.  It has been a particularly good one.  I still have to go through my books – probably tomorrow.  Today will be spent running errands and hanging out with the kid.  Tomorrow I hope to go through my books and work on writing. 

This is one of my better vacations.  I relaxed, slept when I wanted, and wrote a lot.  Yesterday I visited with Laura.  It was a bonus to the week.  We always have such good conversations.  We talked about politics.

Politics are the most difficult topic.  Walker came out on top which was my fear when Barrett was his opponent.  I didn’t feel he was a strong enough candidate.  My fear is that he thinks that all the things he has been doing are justified.  However, he again didn’t win by a large margin which means nearly half the state does not like his policies.  I guess only time will tell if he has learned to play nice or not.  My guess would be not.

The only hope I see on the horizon is that the democrats may have won back the senate.  It seems like the count is for the democrat but the republican has asked for a recount.  We wait to see.  If the senate is democrat controlled then hopefully Walker won’t be able to ram through more of his destroying policies.

Balance of Sorts

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Yesterday was a good day.  I did some homework in the morning.  I spent time with a friend in the afternoon.  I spent time with family in the evening.  I wrote at night.  It was a full but good day.

Up at the crack of dawn (okay well really about 8) and sat at my computer played for a bit before showering.  I then worked on homework long enough to get frustrated.  I was getting ready to leave when Vicki said she needed to talk to me before I left. 

The afternoon with Laura was amazing.  Her backyard is beautiful and secluded.  You don’t feel like you’re in a big city or surrounded by people.  We sat there with a fire going just talking all afternoon.  She fed me and gave me fluid which was nice.  More than that though she fed my soul.  Laura is a great friend.  I can count on her.  She is the type of person I know I can call on and say I need X (you fill in the blank) and she will do everything in her power to help me get it. 

Time with her is like a trip to the spa.  I get to laugh, cry, discuss intellectually (yes Laura I mean that), and just be me.  She is a blessing in my life.  Normally when we gather it is a full day of Laura time.  This time I had to set a limit though because I needed study time. 

I came home and spent time with Ken and Vicki (and their electronics).  We had supper together and watched TV together.  After they went to bed, I sat at my computer and worked on writing.  I was just going to check my email and go to bed but instead I pulled open a story I’m working on and got more of a scene written.  I called a halt at 1:00 am though. 

This morning I’ve dealt with email, played on the computer, and handled the many rejections in my emails.  I also discovered I have at least an article in a publication (there may be some poems too but I have to wait for my issue to find out).  I’ll post it when I get the magazine.  If you are interested in getting my work – look for the next issue of Circle Magazine (www.circlesanctuary.org). 

Next I’m going to tackle my homework.  It is calling to me.  The procrastinator in me is considering cleaning off my desk though because Ken moved my printer for me so Sasha could have window space on our desk.  I have several chapters to read and a rough draft to do for the next writing assignment.  I guess I’ll have to force myself to be good though because the homework needs to come first…

Busy Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

I had a busy weekend planned.  Friday was errand day.  Vicki and I got an earlyish start and went to the Staples, Walmart, bank, mom’s, bookstore (for schoolbooks), two buildings on campus to check out some things, out to lunch, Sorgs, Janesville library, home to dump things, Woodman’s and finally a trip to the Dane County Humane Society. 

By the time we got home I was in pain from all the walking and exhausted.  I’m normally in a pretty steady level of pain so a bit more you wouldn’t think would bother me.  This time though it was really messing with me.  Sasha, Vicki’s new baby, decided to sit on my knee which was really hurting.  She spent a bit of time just laying on there.  Whether it was the warmth from her body or her purring when she hopped off my knee was no longer at an extreme level of pain. 

All right I know that when I have a day as jam packed as my Friday the judicious thing to do is relax the next day and not do much.  Nope, I was super busy yesterday.  We went over to Fort Atkinson to visit a cemetery there.  Both sides of the family are buried there.  So I spent a few hours wishing I’d brought my computer and writing information I’d found.  I will be going back. 

While I’m sitting in the office doing research on the family, Ken, Vicki, Beth, Alicia, Mom, and Jake wandered around the cemetery looking at graves, writing information, and taking pictures.  I was thrilled to find the gravestone of my great, great, great grandfather and mother’s graves.  There were also two of their children listed on the gravestone who’d died as children.  I have a lot of information to work through and some pictures to look at.  A cousin of mine requested information on some of these same ancestors so I’ll be forwarding them to her as well.

After the cemetery we went back to Staples (need more printer cartridges) and got lunch.  Then I hung out with mom showing her some of the things I’d found in doing research.  I also printed out some information for her. 

We talked to the Gin and Stephanie.  Mom, Alicia, Beth, as well as my household got to chat with them.  We think we have our vacation planned out. 

Ken and Vicki have been having problems with their phones so we went to get different ones for them.  After that we went to Mounds to get food for the cat and a few goodies. 

We went to supper with Beth before taking her home.  We tried to pick up some stuff from mom but they weren’t home.  It was home to take more drugs – oh yeah I’d resorted to drugs for the pain by this point – and hit the recliner in the hopes the pain would go away.

Sunday, I swore I wasn’t doing anything.  I was going to work on cleaning my desk and getting ready for school.  So I got up and started on my desk.  I got some stuff done.  I filled out some paperwork and a package all ready to mail, shared breakfast with Vicki and went off to run errands.  We went back to Mounds to get a few more things for Sasha, the grocery store to pick up some stuff we forgot.  Then it was home to make lunch.  After lunch was in the oven made deviled eggs.  Vicki also mixed up her pumpkin spice cake.  We also did prep for lunches this week.  I should be able to grab and go for the week. 

All of that leads to me probably hitting the recliner soon to read while listening to music.  Not sure as I’m sitting here the genealogy and my messy desk are calling to me to work on it.  I don’t think I could cram much more into my weekend.

A Good Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
Saturday was spent doing errands, placing orders, and getting things checked off my list.  When I went to bed on Saturday night I felt like I’d accomplished a number of good things. 
Sunday I was slow to get out of bed.  I just wanted to laze in bed.  When I did finally drag my sorry bum out of bed, I showered and sat at my computer doing non-thinking things like playing on Facebook.
After a while, I went to the kitchen and cut up melons and prepped things for lunch (hadn’t had breakfast but hey it was Sunday).  The rest of the day I spent watching DVDs or DVR programs.  I crocheted a bit – the afghan is coming along nicely.  It’s about half done I think.  I spent time with Ken and Vicki.  At some point I felt a bit slug like but decided that was what Sundays are for. 
The only thing I didn’t really get to this weekend is writing.  I’m hoping that with six days off this next weekend I’ll be able to get a good bit of writing done. 
Somehow I managed to get a lot of stuff done this weekend and still feel like I got a weekend.  This is a good thing because it allows me to go back to work rejuvenated and refreshed – at least till I get to work and realize all the stuff on my desk…

Long Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

I’m halfway through my weekend today.  Yesterday I ran errands with my daughter.  It was a normal pay week Saturday with grocery shopping and other errands. 

Visited the Doc on Thursday and have another bottle of pain killers.  I’ll see how well they work.  I’m not holding my breath though.  I’ve not taken any yet because we’ve been so busy. 

Yesterday afternoon a friend came over and we crafted and chatted.  It was such a wonderful afternoon.  We relaxed and talked.  Yes some crafting got done.  We laughed and had silly conversation and also delved into some more serious stuff to.  It is always a pleasure to have those conversations with people who are willing to listen and discuss with an open mind.  It makes you think to hear others beliefs – at least it does for me – and to express your own because you have to put into words some esoteric concepts.

Today I’m starting the tax season by helping Vicki with her taxes.  After we are done with her taxes then I’ll be working on writing things.  I have a chapter laid out in my head – now I just have to get it down on paper (per se it will really be in the computer but…).  I’m hoping to finish that today. 

Tomorrow is Ken’s birthday so I’m looking to do things with him.  He will be 50.  I’ve been teasing him about getting old but really he is just getting better and better.  I’m glad I took the day and we will have time together. 

Overall it will be a busy weekend but at the same time it has all the best components – family, friends, relaxation, fun, and even getting work done.

Back to Work

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

It has been a busy weekend.  Vicki and I watched an entire season of Merlin series.  Now we are caught up to the current season.  I crocheted while I watched for most of the time.  Still not done with the baby blanket.  I worked on that during craft day.  We had a good time.  There were five of us though one went off to watch the Packers play football rather than sit with the crafters. 

Mostly I crocheted but I also helped arrange beads for Vicki’s necklace Beth was making.  The three of us worked on it arranging and spilling beads everywhere.  The little suckers like to bounce and scramble all over the place.  I’m sure we will be finding them in our living room for a while. 

I wrote part of a chapter last night.  It was to the point where I could see the scene.  I worked for a couple of hours and got half the chapter done.  I will be finishing it tonight most likely.  I have to go back and reread a section or two to make sure I have details right.  After that I’ll be finishing the chapter.  I can already see that part in my head. 

I got a surprise in the mail on Saturday.  One of my poems was published in The Unicorn – I’ve updated the credits page to reflect this new publication.  I was thrilled as I wasn’t expecting it.  Rev Paul does a wonderful job on this small publication.  It is always an honor to have one of my pieces included in his publication. 

Now it is back to work today.  It should be an interesting day.  Being morning all I really want to do is go back to sleep but I like my paycheck so I’ll just keep working.