Monday, 6 April 2015

Coming to an end

It's been ten years since I started writing my Nytstars series and I am finally writing the ending of the fourth and final book.
Sure I've written another 8 book series in between, a book about raising a child with ADHD, a poetry book and a children's book. But finishing the very first series I started feels even more significant. I feel like I am letting go of a piece of me. It's similar to a child moving out. I've nurtured and cared for it, helped it to grow into the series it is today and now I'm letting out of the nest and hoping it fly's! 

It's a hard thing to do, let go. All the hours and hours we as writers put into each book, our heart and soul all squished in, with our deepest emotions, our fears exposed, our hopes put out there for the squashing. Every book we write is filled with our soul, and we just share it with everyone. Sure we hide behind fictitious names and places, throwing in prices of those we love and hate, all in a feeble attempt to throw my oh off the scent of what pieces of us is what.

Someone recently asked me how it feels to be a writer. I wondered if they had ever read a book in their life! How does it feel? Terrifying, thrilling, frightening, amazing, horrific, all at the same time. But I suppose a reader wouldn't know that, j know when I read a book I don't think about the author, I think about the characters and if I don't know the author and their friends and family parsonally then I don't know the characters any more than as the characters in the books. 
I know that each character represents someone in the authors life. That events could actually be a representation of an actual event in their life, but I don't know exactly who the character represents. 
I don't know that the guys that gets his head hopped off by an angry elf is actually their uncle who fights with a cousin over grandmas cake knife.
I finally answers the person who had asked me how it feels to be a writer and told them it feels like being beautifully, lonely, while in a crowd.
You know no one understands that part of you, they don't know how it feels to have people read your words, how painful it is when people don't. 
How vulnerable you are, people have the ability to break you quite easily and not even know or care that they did it.
But I wouldn't change it for the world! 

And now my first series is coming to an end I have learned so much!
I've learned that the only ones who truly know you are the ones who have read your books!!! 
That anyone can listen to you talk, but to read what you write, that's how you know they care.
I've learned that I can write, and I am supposed to write!
I've learned that spelling is important, even though I'm not good at it.
And above all I've learned that when fans quote your work back you, you better remember you wrote that!!

Sl every time you pick up a book remember you are reading into a writers soul. It's not easy to write a book, so remember to appreciate those who write your escapes, your fantasies, and your lessons. 

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Competitive, me?

So I'm still loving my FitBit! It reay is the best way to make sure I keep moving.
I join weekly challenges and daily ones too. I find myself checking in all day long to make sure I'm still on top. Nothing makes me more mad than seeing that message saying someone snuck past me!
I instantly start pacing the room while thinking of ways to increase my step count.
I'm going for walks, running on the treadmill and on occasion running on the spot in my closet because someone suck past me while I wasn't paying attention. 
Sure I may be a little "obsessed" I may be "taking it too far" or even acting "crazy" but I'm actually making the steps. I'm actually moving and that can't be bad, right? 
If it's a little competition that gets you moving, that's okay.
I'm sure my FitBit nemesis, the one who magically makes 10'000 steps in 30 mins and always seems to walk further than I do, no matter how many steps I make. I'm sure she is making the steps, as much as sometimes I think she's sharing it with someone else because she seems to walk 24/7, or she's sitting and tapping the FitBit while watching movies, but either way it makes me move more.
Now if I could just find a way to be just as competitive with eating healthier, everything would be great! 

Sunday, 18 January 2015

My journey continues

It's been a while since I posted. Life gets in the way as it so often does.
Trying to take care of me on top of work and family and friends and cooking and cleaning and laundry and and and is almost impossible.
I want to go to the gym but here's not enough time. I want to go for a walk but it's too cold. I want to eat right but it takes thing to make and no one else will eat it. OMG! Life doesn't make taking care of me easy at all.
My new favorite accessory is my FitBit. It's cute, pink, and tracking my steps. I need 10'000 a day to reach my goal. If I don't hit it I find myself walking around my kitchen counter or up and down stairs just to see the steps add up. It's a win win really, it feeds my competitive nature while working my ass at the same time. Love it!
  

Sunday, 17 August 2014

Juice

My favorite thing to do lately is make juice!
It's silly I know, but it's so tasty, healthy, easy, and I enjoy doing it.
I bought the NutriBullet and all you need aside from that is a bowl, empty bottles or jug, a strainer (if you don't like pulp) and spoon.
I strain the pulp and bake muffins with it, they turn out moist and delicious. 
Orange juice is my favorite. But you can make pretty much anything. I don't follow the recipes that came with the NutriBullet because I never have all the stuff needed. It would be crazy expensive to make them and have a veriety of flavours to choose from.
So this is my recipe for Orange juice.
4 oranges 
1 Lemmon 
Water to the max line on the NutriBullet cups.

This makes 1L of juice, minus the pulp.
It's delicious and good for you! If you don't like orange juice, try whatever fruit you like! 

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

12 days later

It has now been 12 days since my surgery and I'm feeling good. Sometimes even great! As long as I don't over do it.
The surgery itself went great. The day of I showed up, full of excitement, ready to leave my pain, discomfort, and unhappiness behinde.
The years of waiting and longing was finally over. There was no room for nerves, no time for doubt. I was on the operating table less than thirty minutes after getting to the surgical center.
I don't remember much after that. I don't remember my friend driving me home, I don't remember the conversation I had with my neighbor I have never formally introduced myself to. I only hope I didn't embarrass myself too bad.
I also don't remember being changed into the nightgown I woke up in, or the having the pictures taken I found in my phone a few days later.
I spent the next few days and nights on the recliner in the family room. Thankfully my youngest son was a trouper and slept on the couch each night with me. We watched movies, tv shows, and hanging out. It was a great way to recover.
The pain sucks, the itch sucks worse. The binder is uncomfortable and the numbing feeling gives me the willies. But OMG is it worth it!!
I can see the results already, I know they will only get better from here. The health issues are fixed and I am going to look great because of it. I couldn't ask for anything more!
The picture I posted are of before and after, then week ones results.
I'm happy so far, and surprisingly excited to get back to the gym. 



Saturday, 26 July 2014

An evening out.

My new favorite pastime is sitting outside on my deck in the evening.
Wrapped in a blanket when the sun starts to descend. The chill is welcomed after the heat of a summers day.
The breeze teasing the pages of my book as I am lost in the story. It's euphoric and peaceful.
As the light slowly fades and the dim shimmer of the candles fail to light the pages of my book, I simply sit and listen to teenagers enjoying their summer evenings of freedom.
It's so easy to forget to slow down, take time to yourself, and enjoy the simple pleasures that life offers.
An evenings out, has taken on a whole new meaning for me, and I couldn't be happier. 

Friday, 25 July 2014

One week

There is only one week to go until my surgery. In fact, this time next week I will already be recovering! 
No nerves yet, just excitement. I'm eager to feel better and look better. 
I can't wait to be able to use my core strength, well actually to have some core strength to use.
I'm looking forward to not having back pain, or an uncomfortable hanging weight I'm lugging around all day. The discomfort and irritation around my scars will be gone, and tenderness and swelling also gone. Not to mention, my stomach will look amazing! 
I know there is going to be a lot of pain and discomfort from the surgery, but it is more than worth it! 
I'm ready! This week will not go fast enough!

I had my preop appointment a few days ago and had the dreaded before pictures.
It was like the dreaded 360 mirror on What not to wear. Only a 100 times worse because it was just me in my underwear being photographed. I will not be posting those pictures lol
But the day of my surgery I will post before pics. 
I think my only concern now, is how will I keep my puppy from laying on my stomach, it's his favorite place to nap.