This morning I was lazying around in my nightie, reading and doing bare minimum to entertain Louis.
This afternoon I was lazing around in my nightie, because I put it back on to do yoga - it is very comfy and loose-fitting. After yoga, I picked up my book again.
Started the day with full intent of doing as little as possible. I suck at doing as little as possible. Had one task that actually needed doing: make baby food.
By some miracle, possibly due to running out of reading material, I actually did make baby food. I put on Love Actually, a very un-annoying Christmas movie which I have seen far too many times, but not for ages, and chopped up all the apples and pears, and cooked them. They're still sitting in their pot, un-wizzed, on the stove, but that's a quick job. And there's no room in the freezer so no hurry to spoon it all into a muffin tray as I've nowhere to put it!
How I love good procrastination excuses.
Unfortunately (altho do feel better) baby-food-making set me off on active-path and did the dishwasher - loaded AND unloaded. Also checked emails and facebook. Had lunch with Mum and played with Louis, fed him, and whatnot. Didn't entirely neglect him in order to watch movie/read book.
Found another book and almost spent entirety of Louis' afternoon nap reading, but book mentioned healthy lifestyle and made me think of doing some exercise, as I've been resolving to do for weeks now. So got out old yoga dvd my sister lent me (forever? I think/hope so) and did 2 of the 10 minute sessions - one for 'buns and thighs' (just love how americans won't say bum or butt or ass on anything official*) and another for 'relaxation and flexibility' which was far nicer - all breathing and stretching and twisting till my back clicks.
Possibly should check out pregnancy yoga to see how different it is. Suspect that I'm more likely to harm myself/baby by NOT getting enough exercising than by overdoing it, as probably never overdid exercise in my whole life. Why would that change now?
Can't believe it's half way through December already. Only did one other blog post all month. Am finding it hard to get back into habits and routines after going off them for all of November and focusing energy on novelling. Have done no novel-related work at all for 10 days... have replaced it with christmas preparations and tired-lazy-relaxing. Keep meaning to do journal in the morning as it tends to set me off for the day, focusing my energy/attention on what is urgent/important, which actually helps me to rest/relax properly when it's time to do so. Otherwise I relax and feel bad for it, since I haven't done all the things I should/would have liked to.
Feel like rest is probably very wise use of SOME time each day, just not ALL my time... Coming onslaught of preparations for moving to Paris, as well as pregnancy-induced-lethargy, make resting a definite priority, while I can.
*and 'buns' makes me think of hilariously named bakery in upper hut "fresh buns bakery and cafe'. Classic!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Decemberitis
The month of silence has ended. The baby is trying to get the candy canes...
Yep. That sums it up.
Almost. I haven't posted for a month because I've been saving my words for nanowrimo. This is a month-long madness where a bunch of people around the world write a novel of 50 000 words, in 30 days. And I did it! This was my third successful attempt - and the easiest by far! Not working full time, on top of beginning with a plan, made squeezing in a few hours and/or a few thousand words every day much easier.
This year I did a romance novel, bit formulaic, but fun. And possibly publishable, cause there's definitely a market. My other novel, meanwhile, is out in the void somewhere, hopefully being read and enjoyed by an editor. Hopefully.
But no matter what happens, I am determined to keep writing. Spot the new mantra :) Spot the top new-years-resolution candidate. And maybe that would be a good time to pick up writing again, after december. The month scares me a little this year.
We're planning a quiet Christmas, and when I look at the calendar/diary it's not too scary, but in my head it's becoming this big scary black cloud of things I've forgotten, that are really important, and then I panic, and do nothing but watch movies and ice christmas biscuits for a whole week... Mmm, christmas biscuits.
There are a few things that are probably adding to the stress-load...
- I'm pregnant again = I'm tired all the time and easily overwhelmed
- I might be moving to Paris for 18 months... but don't know yet. Waiting on decisions and information out of our hands.
- If we don't go, I'll be disappointed.
- If we do go, the to-do list is going to be HUGE! Sorting, lending, selling and storing all our stuff, learning French (which we've started already), getting everything organised... holy cow.
- I've overspent my budget for the year... and it's impossible not to spend money on the occasional end-of-year-do-lunch, among other things, this time of year. So I'm trying to be frugal, without being a sad-sack, to be reasonable and yet disciplined.
Yep. That sums it up.
Almost. I haven't posted for a month because I've been saving my words for nanowrimo. This is a month-long madness where a bunch of people around the world write a novel of 50 000 words, in 30 days. And I did it! This was my third successful attempt - and the easiest by far! Not working full time, on top of beginning with a plan, made squeezing in a few hours and/or a few thousand words every day much easier.
This year I did a romance novel, bit formulaic, but fun. And possibly publishable, cause there's definitely a market. My other novel, meanwhile, is out in the void somewhere, hopefully being read and enjoyed by an editor. Hopefully.
But no matter what happens, I am determined to keep writing. Spot the new mantra :) Spot the top new-years-resolution candidate. And maybe that would be a good time to pick up writing again, after december. The month scares me a little this year.
We're planning a quiet Christmas, and when I look at the calendar/diary it's not too scary, but in my head it's becoming this big scary black cloud of things I've forgotten, that are really important, and then I panic, and do nothing but watch movies and ice christmas biscuits for a whole week... Mmm, christmas biscuits.
There are a few things that are probably adding to the stress-load...
- I'm pregnant again = I'm tired all the time and easily overwhelmed
- I might be moving to Paris for 18 months... but don't know yet. Waiting on decisions and information out of our hands.
- If we don't go, I'll be disappointed.
- If we do go, the to-do list is going to be HUGE! Sorting, lending, selling and storing all our stuff, learning French (which we've started already), getting everything organised... holy cow.
- I've overspent my budget for the year... and it's impossible not to spend money on the occasional end-of-year-do-lunch, among other things, this time of year. So I'm trying to be frugal, without being a sad-sack, to be reasonable and yet disciplined.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Cover and Pseudonym...
Ah, writing procrastination... and shameless use of google image search photos without permission. But it's just a rough idea.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Spooky? Not at all
Yes, it is halloween. And I have nothing else to say about that, except perhaps I should add 'candy' to my grocery shopping list.
Quite a to-do list today. Tomorrow begins Nanowrimo and I will disappear into novelling madness. My romance novel is all planned out and ready to be written.
Writing a blog post (possibly the last for some time) was on the to do list, along with...
- phone Nana (check)
- phone rest home to organise kids' visit (half-check... I phoned & someone will call me back)
- phone and organise to pick up unpainted blackboard... save the painting of it for another day - a good nanowrimo break activity, in aid of avoiding RSIs.
- email booking to hotel in wellington
- book flights to wellington
- remind Luuk to book car for weekend in wellington
- fold laundry
- touch up paintings for Delta
- add a layer to mum and dad's christmas present painting
- walk to do groceries, unless the weather packs in
- finish up other stories (only 2 or 3 chapters to go) before focussing my fiction-crafting energy on bigger fish
- email celia awesome recipe, affectionately nicknamed 'breast milk pork' because it makes your milk AWESOME and your baby sleep for longer at night. Did I mention it was awesome? It's actual name: Dong Po Pork. And it's awesome.
- make a stack of baby food - apples/pears mix for Louis' breakfasts, and some of mum's awesome chicken and vege soup, which he likes, and which has vegetables in it, and no jam! These are all things in its favour. Louis is being a right pain with food at the moment, decorating the room in general and making a lot of fuss, being contrary as ever - loving cheese one minute and screaming about it, flinging it across the room, the next. Frustrating.
Sigh. Better get on with it all then.
Quite a to-do list today. Tomorrow begins Nanowrimo and I will disappear into novelling madness. My romance novel is all planned out and ready to be written.
Writing a blog post (possibly the last for some time) was on the to do list, along with...
- phone Nana (check)
- phone rest home to organise kids' visit (half-check... I phoned & someone will call me back)
- phone and organise to pick up unpainted blackboard... save the painting of it for another day - a good nanowrimo break activity, in aid of avoiding RSIs.
- email booking to hotel in wellington
- book flights to wellington
- remind Luuk to book car for weekend in wellington
- fold laundry
- touch up paintings for Delta
- add a layer to mum and dad's christmas present painting
- walk to do groceries, unless the weather packs in
- finish up other stories (only 2 or 3 chapters to go) before focussing my fiction-crafting energy on bigger fish
- email celia awesome recipe, affectionately nicknamed 'breast milk pork' because it makes your milk AWESOME and your baby sleep for longer at night. Did I mention it was awesome? It's actual name: Dong Po Pork. And it's awesome.
- make a stack of baby food - apples/pears mix for Louis' breakfasts, and some of mum's awesome chicken and vege soup, which he likes, and which has vegetables in it, and no jam! These are all things in its favour. Louis is being a right pain with food at the moment, decorating the room in general and making a lot of fuss, being contrary as ever - loving cheese one minute and screaming about it, flinging it across the room, the next. Frustrating.
Sigh. Better get on with it all then.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Long weekend, short week
I haven't mentioned it in a while, but in interest of representing life more accurately, Louis still loves to jolly-jump!
Had a lovely long weekend. Luuk home means I can nap while Louis is awake! Also, he constructed greater child-proof capabilities for the computer/stereo cabinet/desk thing. Meanwhile, I constructed a novel outline...
Louis completely lost interest in the increased-security computer desk, of course.
I made fish pie. Yum.
And today I did as little as really possible. So tired at the moment. Went back to bed when Louis went down for his morning nap, then took my time getting going after that. Went into office then did groceries.
Louis has been in an adventurous mood, which means exhausting but good for photos...
and video...
Guess I'm re-stacking the nappy liners this evening during 'Castle'.
Had a lovely long weekend. Luuk home means I can nap while Louis is awake! Also, he constructed greater child-proof capabilities for the computer/stereo cabinet/desk thing. Meanwhile, I constructed a novel outline...
Louis completely lost interest in the increased-security computer desk, of course.
I made fish pie. Yum.
And today I did as little as really possible. So tired at the moment. Went back to bed when Louis went down for his morning nap, then took my time getting going after that. Went into office then did groceries.
Louis has been in an adventurous mood, which means exhausting but good for photos...
and video...
He can be determined... but didn't quite pull down every magnet before terrorizing the plants on the windowsill became the more appealing option.
Guess I'm re-stacking the nappy liners this evening during 'Castle'.
Monday, October 24, 2011
faff day
I always feel like a weekend day should be well spent (read: that you shouldn't spend it watching an entire tv series and eating toasties). But an extra day? A public holiday? A Third weekend day... bring on the tv and toasties!
It's like a free-to-faff day. I already spent my weekend well. This is like monopoly money. Can't use it anywhere else.
Weekend was pretty good. Had lovely breakfast out on Saturday (we were out of bread... what else could we do?) at Browsers - a cafe with a fish tank, which kept Louis entertained while we ate our meal at a normal, leisurely adult-not-parent pace. Joy!
Then we bought bread. And mandarins. And grapes. And a present for a 21st birthday that night. And I bought a lovely new top for my cousin's upcoming wedding. And a new black glassons cardi - so handy. Wear it all the time. Need several in case they ever stop making them.
Was worship leading at church on sunday. Went pretty well okay... who knows. Fine, I think. Read a prayer written by Jane Austen. Fantastic. Then had a lazy afternoon, watched tv, napped, made fish pie, watched the rugby. And that was when the weekend got really stressful. Holy Cow. Thank God that's over. When Richie McCaw was asked how he felt at the end, I thought he must feel just like I did after Louis was born - pure, unadulterated relief. Thank god that's over. And done. And, we won. But mainly, whew!
Today, we've watched tv and parented poorly. Louis has been horrible and tired. It's 11.14 and he's down for his second nap! It's the classic 2-days-after-late-night-it-hits. He's up and down like a bouncy ball. Cute and exhausting and thank god he'll sleep.
I'm eating a delicious pineapple and cheese toastie. We're watching a hilarious sit com called 'Community'. Hi-larious!
"You just wrinkled my brain." - Troy. Current fav. line. Will try to incorporate in a conversation soon. Classic.
It's like a free-to-faff day. I already spent my weekend well. This is like monopoly money. Can't use it anywhere else.
Weekend was pretty good. Had lovely breakfast out on Saturday (we were out of bread... what else could we do?) at Browsers - a cafe with a fish tank, which kept Louis entertained while we ate our meal at a normal, leisurely adult-not-parent pace. Joy!
Then we bought bread. And mandarins. And grapes. And a present for a 21st birthday that night. And I bought a lovely new top for my cousin's upcoming wedding. And a new black glassons cardi - so handy. Wear it all the time. Need several in case they ever stop making them.
Was worship leading at church on sunday. Went pretty well okay... who knows. Fine, I think. Read a prayer written by Jane Austen. Fantastic. Then had a lazy afternoon, watched tv, napped, made fish pie, watched the rugby. And that was when the weekend got really stressful. Holy Cow. Thank God that's over. When Richie McCaw was asked how he felt at the end, I thought he must feel just like I did after Louis was born - pure, unadulterated relief. Thank god that's over. And done. And, we won. But mainly, whew!
Today, we've watched tv and parented poorly. Louis has been horrible and tired. It's 11.14 and he's down for his second nap! It's the classic 2-days-after-late-night-it-hits. He's up and down like a bouncy ball. Cute and exhausting and thank god he'll sleep.
I'm eating a delicious pineapple and cheese toastie. We're watching a hilarious sit com called 'Community'. Hi-larious!
"You just wrinkled my brain." - Troy. Current fav. line. Will try to incorporate in a conversation soon. Classic.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Creating Characters
The first thing you have to do when writing the first draft of a novel is creating your characters. I put together this questionnaire that I do for all my main characters. Feel free to use it, edit it, whatever! It's a lot of work to do but pays off when you're writing. The characters drive the plot, or else you're in trouble. So, in light of the nanowrimo coundown, start hashing out those characters!
Characterisation Work-up
| Full Name, nickname and preferred name | |
| DOB/Age/sign | |
| Sex/Gender/Sexuality | |
| Temperament/ personality type | |
| Strengths/Abilities/ skills | |
| Negative Traits | |
| Quirks/eccentricities | |
| Insecurities/Fears | |
| Upset/embarrassed/ irritated by | |
| Opinionated about | |
| Made happy by | |
| Amused by | |
| Fight style | |
| What others think of them | |
| Philosophy is... | |
| Bedroom is... | |
| Carries with them... | |
| Theme | |
| Challenges to face | |
| Career/ dreams goals/desires | |
| Motivations/values/ vows/promises | |
| Ethnicity/Nationality | |
| Current abode | |
| Physicality | |
| Height/Weight | |
| Hair | |
| Eyes | |
| Distinguishing Ft.s | |
| Clothing style/ make-up/ careful?/ cost/ fashionable/ comfort/ accessories | |
| Movements/walk/ hands/greetings/ posture/nervous habit | |
| Dis/Likes about appearance | |
| Health | |
| Smell/scent | |
| Voice/pitch/pauses/ fav. words/ greetings/ grammar/accent | |
| Habits and Behaviour | |
| Daily/weekly routine | |
| Bad habits | |
| Eating habits | |
| Exercise habits | |
| Relational habits | |
| Neuroses | |
| Desired behaviour | |
| Preferences and Favourites | |
| Music | |
| Movies/TV | |
| Sports/games | |
| Colours | |
| Political groups | |
| Religious groups | |
| Holiday activities | |
| Time of year/season/ weather -best &worst | |
| Decor/environment | |
| Animals | |
| Books | |
| Foods/drinks | |
| Pet Peeves | |
| Hobbies/interests/ obsessions | |
| Keeps/throws away | |
| Relationships | |
| Closest friend/s | |
| Closest family members | |
| Lover/s | |
| People they dislike | |
| Friendships they'd like to invest in | |
| Relationships they'd like to limit/end | |
| Views of kids/marriage, etc. | |
| History | |
| Fondest memory | |
| Family | |
| Secrets | |
| Relationships/sexual history | |
| Socio-economic bg. | |
| Education | |
| Employment | |
| Past abodes | |
| Worst memory/ regrets | |
| Greatest sin | |
| Rebel against | |
| Aspire to be like... | |
| Major events in life | |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Summer has come to Christchurch
After a frankly terrible start to the day/week, today turned out to be quite lovely. Was very tired so went back to bed when Louis went down for his morning nap... and work up at 10.50! The whole morning was almost gone. But then I felt just terrible. Louis woke up, so had had his lunch out in the sun. Wasn't very interested in his lunch, and I wasn't very interested in a food fight, so when we started chatting to the neighbours through the fence I gave up on lunch and we went to visit. Louis played with the kids next door (first time on a trampoline!) and I discovered he is not the only child who puts stones in his mouth. Good to know.
Gorgeous summer-like day. The Kowhai is in full bloom. Never seen one so glorious!
I let Louis play in the garden, but it was really hot and sunny and he refuses to keep his hat on. I sun-blocked us both and let him explore the camelia-sheddings, while I sewed a strap onto his hat. This was a truly brilliant moment of mine, I must say. I found a tiny premie size onesie in the sewing stuff and cut off the strips down the front that have all the domes on them. I shortened these and sewed them onto Louis' sunhat, then put it on his head and snapped it in place. Aha! Mum wins. Hat stayed on after that.
Louis wearing the un-movable hat! Score 1 for mum. But he's eating my apple. Little thief. I wanted that. Score 1 for Louis.
I had a slightly less brilliant, but not far-off, moment later on: gave him some naked time and squirted water from my drink bottle onto the playmat (it's kind of rubbery - I think it was once a physio floor mat) which Louis happily splashed around in and got totally wet. We'll be playing that game again this summer methinks.
I let Louis play in the garden, but it was really hot and sunny and he refuses to keep his hat on. I sun-blocked us both and let him explore the camelia-sheddings, while I sewed a strap onto his hat. This was a truly brilliant moment of mine, I must say. I found a tiny premie size onesie in the sewing stuff and cut off the strips down the front that have all the domes on them. I shortened these and sewed them onto Louis' sunhat, then put it on his head and snapped it in place. Aha! Mum wins. Hat stayed on after that.
I had a slightly less brilliant, but not far-off, moment later on: gave him some naked time and squirted water from my drink bottle onto the playmat (it's kind of rubbery - I think it was once a physio floor mat) which Louis happily splashed around in and got totally wet. We'll be playing that game again this summer methinks.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Frantic and Antisocial... for what?
For a favour for a friend.
And a bunch of money.
So Luuk and I have become bad parents and neglected the rest of the world as well. We have spent the last two days working on a project that a friend needs finished. The deadline he had was wrong and so we're helping him out. It's a contract he has to fill and he's splitting the funds. So that'll pay for christmas maybe. And Luuk's 30th birthday party.
We have to write 60 of these short scripts. Fun! Creative! I thought.
But the scripts are to explain computer hardware and networking... so the script writing is less fun and creative than I was expecting.
On the other hand I am learning all sorts of interesting things, like how a CD writer works, and the difference between a modem and a router, and why some websites are constantly updating, but others make you hit F5. Fascinating! (I'm not certain how sarcastic I'm being. There has to be a little sarcasm, but it is interesting, so I'm not being entirely sarcastic.)
Meanwhile, poor little Louis. We stuck him out on the lawn when we got tired of him trying to climb up on the computer desk. Luuk's keyboard makes tapping noises as if it wants to be a typewriter - so appealing when your 11 months old... apparently.
When he's inside he's been working his way along furniture, walking and wobbling and holding on tight. He can now go around corners... very carefully and with occasional bursts of tears which are soon abandoned because he needs all his concentration for not falling over.
Speaking of falling over, there were quite a few spills today. Luuk caught one on video and put it on facebook. It's very cute... and then horrible. Poor little louis.
And a bunch of money.
So Luuk and I have become bad parents and neglected the rest of the world as well. We have spent the last two days working on a project that a friend needs finished. The deadline he had was wrong and so we're helping him out. It's a contract he has to fill and he's splitting the funds. So that'll pay for christmas maybe. And Luuk's 30th birthday party.
We have to write 60 of these short scripts. Fun! Creative! I thought.
But the scripts are to explain computer hardware and networking... so the script writing is less fun and creative than I was expecting.
On the other hand I am learning all sorts of interesting things, like how a CD writer works, and the difference between a modem and a router, and why some websites are constantly updating, but others make you hit F5. Fascinating! (I'm not certain how sarcastic I'm being. There has to be a little sarcasm, but it is interesting, so I'm not being entirely sarcastic.)
Meanwhile, poor little Louis. We stuck him out on the lawn when we got tired of him trying to climb up on the computer desk. Luuk's keyboard makes tapping noises as if it wants to be a typewriter - so appealing when your 11 months old... apparently.
When he's inside he's been working his way along furniture, walking and wobbling and holding on tight. He can now go around corners... very carefully and with occasional bursts of tears which are soon abandoned because he needs all his concentration for not falling over.
Speaking of falling over, there were quite a few spills today. Luuk caught one on video and put it on facebook. It's very cute... and then horrible. Poor little louis.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Catch up
I spent a couple of days painting last week (was watching my way through an old tv series, got a bit hooked, so just kept watching and painting...)
Shame I've run out of episodes of 'Christy'. What shall I watch next? All of Downton Abbey again? Studio 60? I have had a hankering for You've Got Mail recently. The morning's been a bit of a write-off, and Louis could wake soon, so I'll wait till his afternoon nap, put on a movie, and set up the easel in the lounge.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Motivation Vacation
So lethargic right now. Kitchen is a bomb site with the mess from monday night's chinese food fest and every meal since has added a little to the shambles. I'm vowing to clean it up before/during cooking dinner tonight.
It's wednesday, my reading day, and I've read... facebook.
So very lazy. Perhaps a sleep is in order. Louis has been down for less than an hour so I can get a sleep before he wakes up if I go for it now.
But then I'd have to move from my seat here by the window, with a slight breeze wafting in from the door. The kowhai tree outside is looking spectacular, the sky is blue, and the weeds in the garden are green and growing! Ah, spring.
Just so unmotivated. Giant coffee and home-baked chocolate afghan didn't perk me up at all, delicious though they were.
A nap might be wise. I'll relocate myself to bed at least, then I can nap without having to move again.
Tomorrow I'll do better.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
To ink or not to ink?
Watercolours
Finally had a go at water colours. Started off by inking a picture of a couple of trees. Recently started playing with a quill and ink I bought years ago. So I drew my outlines with that, and then added colour...
Sorta looks like a children's book illustration eh? Big ink blot in the middle, but hopefully, with practise I'll get better at the quill thing, and stop splattering spots of ink around as well. I have a black spot on my middle finger, just like Jo March.
Next picked up my pencil sketch, the cover-in-progress of my children's book. Added colour, then inked after. Can't decide which works better because the pictures are so different.
Yes, another big ink blot... I like the dark, bold, ink lines on the jersey. Maybe next I'll try doing the basic outlines in ink, then adding colour, then going back over in ink to add detail and emphasis...
Bring on the experiments!
Sorta looks like a children's book illustration eh? Big ink blot in the middle, but hopefully, with practise I'll get better at the quill thing, and stop splattering spots of ink around as well. I have a black spot on my middle finger, just like Jo March.
Next picked up my pencil sketch, the cover-in-progress of my children's book. Added colour, then inked after. Can't decide which works better because the pictures are so different.
Yes, another big ink blot... I like the dark, bold, ink lines on the jersey. Maybe next I'll try doing the basic outlines in ink, then adding colour, then going back over in ink to add detail and emphasis...
Bring on the experiments!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Wednesday Wriggle
I keep doing this thing on Wednesdays. Its my reading day, right? My effort to continue my education without the curse of course fees or 'required' reading... suddenly the reading has no appeal.
So this morning, when Louis went down for his nap, I jumped in the shower, then towel-headed, sat by the window, feet up on the opposite seat, and did some reading. But what did I read? The chapter I'm required to read for a discussion tomorrow. So much for self-motivated enriching reading.
And I could move onto reading of my own choice now - I certainly have enough books hanging around, and plenty with book marks a chapter or two in. But I'm hankering for other activities...
- more writing, because I got on a bit of a roll yesterday after I designed my character's house... and plotted the whole novel.
- watching an old tv series (happened upon the dvd case in the office clean-up on monday and it's been in the back of my mind ever since) and painting... there are a couple of half finished paintings lying around and I keep thinking I'd like to do some more on them.
So the reading might just go out the window today. I'm wriggling out of it and onto Thursday.
Couple of things on the to-do list first:
- book hair appointment for next monday (when mum can babysit)
- book massage appointment for some time next week (luuk has a voucher that runs out in the end of october - already paid for!)
- couple of other phone calls
- empty dishwasher
- email some people who might be interested in being involved in the children's christmas thingy at church... invite them to ideas-session on Sunday evening.
And then Louis will be up and about and painting will become dangerous to the carpet. Ah well, better get on with it then.
So this morning, when Louis went down for his nap, I jumped in the shower, then towel-headed, sat by the window, feet up on the opposite seat, and did some reading. But what did I read? The chapter I'm required to read for a discussion tomorrow. So much for self-motivated enriching reading.
And I could move onto reading of my own choice now - I certainly have enough books hanging around, and plenty with book marks a chapter or two in. But I'm hankering for other activities...
- more writing, because I got on a bit of a roll yesterday after I designed my character's house... and plotted the whole novel.
- watching an old tv series (happened upon the dvd case in the office clean-up on monday and it's been in the back of my mind ever since) and painting... there are a couple of half finished paintings lying around and I keep thinking I'd like to do some more on them.
So the reading might just go out the window today. I'm wriggling out of it and onto Thursday.
Couple of things on the to-do list first:
- book hair appointment for next monday (when mum can babysit)
- book massage appointment for some time next week (luuk has a voucher that runs out in the end of october - already paid for!)
- couple of other phone calls
- empty dishwasher
- email some people who might be interested in being involved in the children's christmas thingy at church... invite them to ideas-session on Sunday evening.
And then Louis will be up and about and painting will become dangerous to the carpet. Ah well, better get on with it then.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Writing, or thinking about it
I'm not procrastinating. I swear it. I am designing the house that my main character inherits and moves into. It is an important setting in the story and I need to get it straight in my head... and so I've spent the entire morning (between serious nose-blowing) designing a freakin' huge mansion and wondering what they need all that room for?? (THEY being people who own/build mansions)
There are a lot of bedrooms, and 'parlours', 'sitting rooms', even a nursery and school room (with a model train set. Nice.)
Used a website to make the floor plans and now I'm going to draw all over them because doing it on the computer takes forever and it feels like a bit of a waste of time.
Next job: plotting the story. Then I can get back to writing :)
And then it will be November and time to nanowrimo. I think I'm going to write a frivolous little romance in November and then go back to this, slightly more serious, venture after November. Which means I have to plan my nanowrimo novel this month too. More house designing? Perhaps. But no mansions. The heroine of that novel is going to live in a tiny little two room cottage. She's a cake decorator whose business is just taking off. Maybe she'll finally splurge on a commercial space and live in the studio apartment above her shop. Ooh, I like it!
Back to work.
There are a lot of bedrooms, and 'parlours', 'sitting rooms', even a nursery and school room (with a model train set. Nice.)
Used a website to make the floor plans and now I'm going to draw all over them because doing it on the computer takes forever and it feels like a bit of a waste of time.
Next job: plotting the story. Then I can get back to writing :)
And then it will be November and time to nanowrimo. I think I'm going to write a frivolous little romance in November and then go back to this, slightly more serious, venture after November. Which means I have to plan my nanowrimo novel this month too. More house designing? Perhaps. But no mansions. The heroine of that novel is going to live in a tiny little two room cottage. She's a cake decorator whose business is just taking off. Maybe she'll finally splurge on a commercial space and live in the studio apartment above her shop. Ooh, I like it!
Back to work.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Monday Funday
It is housework monday... which means a big fun to-do list!
- dishes
- laundry washed/dried/folded/put away (always tempted to put as 4 seperate things... more regular ticking!)
- tidy the study...
and I should realistically stop there. That's going to take hours!
- sort out the cds (change the ones in player and put cd wallet in car) [DONE!]
- sort out my jewelry
On my dresser... and my bedside table. What a mess. Very disheartening.
Perhaps will relocate the entire shambles to the coffee table and sort it out while I watch 'Downton Abbey' (yippee! Out today!)... except first I have to
- tidy the coffee table
- tidy the lounge floor so I can get to the coffee table
- talk Luuk into vacuuming so that its safe for the baby to crawl around on the floor and mess it all up again.
(Luuk is home sick. We're all sick, in fact. But not debilitated enough to get out of housework. Just need regular lemon-honey-drink-breaks, and sips of amazing&disgusting buckleys, and long lie-downs between folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher.)
Note: "Monday Funday" is, at best, hopeful; at worst, ironic.
- dishes
- laundry washed/dried/folded/put away (always tempted to put as 4 seperate things... more regular ticking!)
- tidy the study...
and I should realistically stop there. That's going to take hours!
- sort out the cds (change the ones in player and put cd wallet in car) [DONE!]
- sort out my jewelry
- tidy the coffee table
- tidy the lounge floor so I can get to the coffee table
- talk Luuk into vacuuming so that its safe for the baby to crawl around on the floor and mess it all up again.
(Luuk is home sick. We're all sick, in fact. But not debilitated enough to get out of housework. Just need regular lemon-honey-drink-breaks, and sips of amazing&disgusting buckleys, and long lie-downs between folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher.)
Note: "Monday Funday" is, at best, hopeful; at worst, ironic.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Eastern Frontier
Went on a bit of adventure (the soft kind where you get coffee and cake, mum's shout) on Saturday... to Sumner. I realised that I haven't been there since January (Celia's bridal shower at "Poseidon" which is now on a tilt and vacant, awaiting rebuild/repair). I realised I haven't been many places at all, in Christchurch, since February. I've been to lots of other places, but not many in my own home town.
We were all a bit gobsmacked at this stark evidence of the violence of the earthquakes, and how much the land has actually moved!
On the way there/home we drove under the crumbling cliffs, houses hanging precariously off the edges, or half-gone already in several cases. These shipping containers are stacked along the cliff-side of the road and will (hopefully) protect passers-by in the case of rockfalls.
Certainly puts a twist on lovely afternoon at the beach. I suppose we injected a measly $20 into Sumner's shrunken economy. Why do I feel I need to justify the frivolity of my lovely Saturday afternoon out? There were strange twinges of guilt accompanying me along Ferry Rd, as there often are whenever I am fascinated/amazed by the sights of earthquake damage. I live on the untouched (nearly) side of town and we play tourist, even on the days we carried shovels and wore gumboots, to the damaged areas. Then we go home to our barely-cracked, weather-proof house, with our un-chlorinated water and indoor plumbing. Survivor's guilt someone called it.
But it was a lovely afternoon at the beach. Perhaps the guilt comes because I may have found the excursion even more interesting (enjoyable?) than I would have pre-eq. Anyway, that's all I have to say about that, for now. Bound to come up again. Bloody Earthquakes.
We walked along Scarborough after having strong coffee and delish brownie (with pistachios in it!) at a fancy brasserie (which was fancier before Sumner became a lot less accessible/appealing). Lovely walk in the wind. Lovely to see the ocean. Luuk carried Louis in the backpack. Last time we saw the ocean we were at Stinson beach in California. Similar temperature, I suspect.
We were all a bit gobsmacked at this stark evidence of the violence of the earthquakes, and how much the land has actually moved!
On the way there/home we drove under the crumbling cliffs, houses hanging precariously off the edges, or half-gone already in several cases. These shipping containers are stacked along the cliff-side of the road and will (hopefully) protect passers-by in the case of rockfalls.
Certainly puts a twist on lovely afternoon at the beach. I suppose we injected a measly $20 into Sumner's shrunken economy. Why do I feel I need to justify the frivolity of my lovely Saturday afternoon out? There were strange twinges of guilt accompanying me along Ferry Rd, as there often are whenever I am fascinated/amazed by the sights of earthquake damage. I live on the untouched (nearly) side of town and we play tourist, even on the days we carried shovels and wore gumboots, to the damaged areas. Then we go home to our barely-cracked, weather-proof house, with our un-chlorinated water and indoor plumbing. Survivor's guilt someone called it.
But it was a lovely afternoon at the beach. Perhaps the guilt comes because I may have found the excursion even more interesting (enjoyable?) than I would have pre-eq. Anyway, that's all I have to say about that, for now. Bound to come up again. Bloody Earthquakes.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
reporting back
I think it's going okay. Only one or two good head-donks. Nothing unusual there though!
And I managed to get my sketchbook out... and drawn on. Miracle.
A second draft of the (possible) cover for my (in progress) children's book. I'm thinking I'll ink it and then try my hand at water colours as that seems to be a popular medium for children's lit. I have a gorgeous set of water colour paints and they've barely been used... and never successfully.
Update on the babies: both asleep. Have been for almost an hour. Amazing.
And when they were both awake, they entertained one another. Amazing.
Wouldn't go quite so far as to say that it's easier with two, but perhaps that the whole is lesser than the sum of its parts. Does that make sense?
Going to sneak down the hall and check they're both still alive. Hopefully me knees don't click and the doors don't creak... would be such a shame to wake them.
And I managed to get my sketchbook out... and drawn on. Miracle.
A second draft of the (possible) cover for my (in progress) children's book. I'm thinking I'll ink it and then try my hand at water colours as that seems to be a popular medium for children's lit. I have a gorgeous set of water colour paints and they've barely been used... and never successfully.
Update on the babies: both asleep. Have been for almost an hour. Amazing.
And when they were both awake, they entertained one another. Amazing.
Wouldn't go quite so far as to say that it's easier with two, but perhaps that the whole is lesser than the sum of its parts. Does that make sense?
Going to sneak down the hall and check they're both still alive. Hopefully me knees don't click and the doors don't creak... would be such a shame to wake them.
experimenting with other people's children
Usually thursday is Painting Thursday, but paints are volatile enough with one baby crawling around and pulling himself up on the furniture, reaching for the paint water or pallette, knocking the easel feet around... Today I have two babies in the house! A friend is working - finishing of the work hours required for her qualification and trying to decide if continuing in a part time capacity is feasible with an infant... tough call! I have her darling little girl from 9-4ish. So perhaps, if the two babies sleep at the same time I'll get out the sketch pad.
Louis has been down for 2 hours now, and he could do another hour and a half, or wake any minute. Who knows? Maria is in the porta-cot in my bedroom, sporadically pitching a half-hearted cry down the hall at me, but sucking her fingers in between, and still lying on her back... sounds like going to sleep to me. So now's my chance! Bought a new (giant) sketch pad last week so I thought I'd sketch up some of my children's book illustrations. First, will finish coffee while it's hot, while I have the chance. Any second Louis could wake, and in doing so startle Maria out of her going-to-sleep... and I could lose all chance of 5 minutes to myself.
I'm thinking looking after two babies at once is probably a good idea before contemplating getting pregnant again. Certainly could be an interesting day.
Louis has been down for 2 hours now, and he could do another hour and a half, or wake any minute. Who knows? Maria is in the porta-cot in my bedroom, sporadically pitching a half-hearted cry down the hall at me, but sucking her fingers in between, and still lying on her back... sounds like going to sleep to me. So now's my chance! Bought a new (giant) sketch pad last week so I thought I'd sketch up some of my children's book illustrations. First, will finish coffee while it's hot, while I have the chance. Any second Louis could wake, and in doing so startle Maria out of her going-to-sleep... and I could lose all chance of 5 minutes to myself.
I'm thinking looking after two babies at once is probably a good idea before contemplating getting pregnant again. Certainly could be an interesting day.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
failure to nap
So much for the nap. I left my spot in the sun, but before I reached my bed, I heard darling Louis crying. He was all blocked up and miserable, and wanting milk... And then is was lunch time and I had a visitor coming. Louis had gone back to bed but then woke just as the visitor left...
He went down for another nap before 4 (he has lots of short naps when he's got a cold) and I went to bed but couldn't get to sleep, needed a drink of water (all blocked-up and sore of throat myself)... and then Mum arrived, returning some mending she'd done for me. She was kind enough to leave me to my sleep-attempt.
I finally nodded off and then Louis woke at 5! I must have got 5 minutes or less in the end. For all that!
Frustrating. Very.
He went down for another nap before 4 (he has lots of short naps when he's got a cold) and I went to bed but couldn't get to sleep, needed a drink of water (all blocked-up and sore of throat myself)... and then Mum arrived, returning some mending she'd done for me. She was kind enough to leave me to my sleep-attempt.
I finally nodded off and then Louis woke at 5! I must have got 5 minutes or less in the end. For all that!
Frustrating. Very.
The other use of days
Free friday was in fact frivolous friday, and was followed by stupid saturday (weeding the damn garden, silly argument with husband, and rugby game) and snotty sunday (sick baby)... then must-i-move? monday.
Why? Computer games. Clocked "Braid" and then started on this old game called "Flight of the Amazon Queen" which I was getting really sick of but just finished an hour ago.
Managed to summon some self-control and got a little writing done yesterday morning... but then mum came over and there was soup to be made, a sick baby to comfort, mending to be done and hot drinks to consume (with delicious vanilla bean & choc dipped melting moments - thanks mum!)...
Today is quickly fading from a reading wednesday into a resting wednesday, as I now have the baby's cold and ache all over. So I think I'll go back to bed and get in a nap before Louis wakes up. Thank god he's sleeping is all I can say. Not as well as normal, of course, but still some.
Here i go a-napping. Yay!
Why? Computer games. Clocked "Braid" and then started on this old game called "Flight of the Amazon Queen" which I was getting really sick of but just finished an hour ago.
Managed to summon some self-control and got a little writing done yesterday morning... but then mum came over and there was soup to be made, a sick baby to comfort, mending to be done and hot drinks to consume (with delicious vanilla bean & choc dipped melting moments - thanks mum!)...
Today is quickly fading from a reading wednesday into a resting wednesday, as I now have the baby's cold and ache all over. So I think I'll go back to bed and get in a nap before Louis wakes up. Thank god he's sleeping is all I can say. Not as well as normal, of course, but still some.
Here i go a-napping. Yay!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
flying about
We are back from a flying visit to the North Island: up on Saturday, back on Sunday, and in between Louis got to play with his cousins and grandparents and uncles, and an aunt too!It was lovely to see him enjoying family he rarely spends time with, and nice for us too. Got to catch up with in-laws, and in-law in-laws, and had a sleep in!
The cousins had a bath together, followed by bedtime stories with Opa...
Oh the cuteness. And the mayhem. One baby is quite enough for the meantime. As I write this, it is 4.43pm and Louis is asleep (yippee). A batch of his babyfood is in the oven, baking, and my novel manuscript is printing - ooh, it's stopped. Stupid printer always mis-feeds. But then, we got it for $5 on trademe, so can hardly complain. 65 more pages to print and then I'll be on the hunt for a large envelope.
Louis spent the morning with Gran (the one who lives in town, not up north). I went to a breakfast meeting, then stayed put in the same cafe all morning, writing and character-profiling for new novel draft, until my lunch meeting. Went to get Louis, and was greeted by huge grin from head-butting baby, closely followed by coffee and fresh home baking - having a baby in the house made mum feel domestic or something... rarely has that effect on me. Although, something did, I guess, because I came home, put Louis to bed and then went to make a batch of baby food, except the pot I wanted was dirty... so I did all the dishes! How very unlike me.
Is it the promise of Downton? New season première is our entertainment this evening. Want to sit and watch it in tidy, clean environs, with lovely glass of chilled pear cider and something nummy and nibbly. New episode of Castle is out tonight too. Hurrah! I have become a tv addict.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step.
Now that I've taken the first step I'm going to sit down and recoup... and watch some telly.
Well, not right now. There's nothing on at ten to five in the afternoon. I could play some more of that silly time-bending computer game I started yesterday. Might keep my mind off the little earthquakes I keep feeling (or thinking I'm feeling). It's windy and our house creeks. When the printer finishes a page it makes the computer desk shake. Realised on the weekend, away from any need to be on edge, that I am ON EDGE. Stupid earthquakes. Even stupider than stupid printer.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Housework Monday, Writing Tuesday
Housework Monday has been and gone. The oven is clean! The kitchen floor, and the kitchen above it, is washed. The lounge is vacuumed and laundry hung out to dry. The fridge and fruit bowl are stocked for the week.
And now it is Tuesday. Yippee! Housework Monday sound like a drag? Yep. But that's the idea. Housework Monday is what gives me writing Tuesday, reading Wednesday and painting Thursday.
I came up with this plan a couple of months ago. I stuck to it for about a week, maybe two, before I got totally absorbed in finishing editing/rewriting my novel. Reading and painting went on hold, as did some housework (but who really cares about that?), until the blasted novel was finished.
Reading and painting have been reinstated into this rhythm of life. I'm a fan of the rhythm. At some point I'm hoping it incites another passionate lapse, and I will become totally absorbed by another writing project or painting.
In fact, the timing is a little predictable. November is not so very far away, and November brings nanowrimo, an international writing frenzy.
In the meantime, I have the easel set up in the lounge and Louis is yet to pull it down on himself. (Success!) A giant blank canvas is glaring at me. This afternoon I am going on a photo-taking mission, in search of subjects for this blank canvas. I want a silhouette of the port hills, the line of the summits. I will drive out to yaldhurst and then around the back of the airport. That should give me plenty of angles and options.
A few daffodil photos, and early cheer as well, though I'm sure I could get those, from any angle, with a google image search. Couldn't find the port hills on google though. The more popular picture is the southern alps, taken from the port hills. Plenty of those...
Looking forward to painting thursday. Last thursday was fantastic...
It inspired a painting friday...
And a dabbling saturday...
between reading Edith Shaeffer's 'Hidden Art' and 'Art as a Way of Life' by Ann O'Shaughnessy & Roderick MacIver.
What's the rule for Friday? The house usually needs vacuuming again and then there's the dishes (from writing tuesday, reading wednesday and painting thursday... yuck.) but Friday is the rule-free day... so whatever goes. More 'goes' if I've done the dishes early on, because then I feel free to work and create, unfettered by the 'should'-monster, who looks something like this:
(Either one really.)
The 'should'-monster bullies me into procrastination and guilts me out of inspiration.
(Yes, that is the ghost of christmas yet to come, and scrooge, from the muppet christmas carol. These are the images in my head.)
Alright, moving on. Just as soon as Louis is napping and I'm showered/dressed/decent... Writing tuesday, here I come.
And now it is Tuesday. Yippee! Housework Monday sound like a drag? Yep. But that's the idea. Housework Monday is what gives me writing Tuesday, reading Wednesday and painting Thursday.
I came up with this plan a couple of months ago. I stuck to it for about a week, maybe two, before I got totally absorbed in finishing editing/rewriting my novel. Reading and painting went on hold, as did some housework (but who really cares about that?), until the blasted novel was finished.
Reading and painting have been reinstated into this rhythm of life. I'm a fan of the rhythm. At some point I'm hoping it incites another passionate lapse, and I will become totally absorbed by another writing project or painting.
In fact, the timing is a little predictable. November is not so very far away, and November brings nanowrimo, an international writing frenzy.
In the meantime, I have the easel set up in the lounge and Louis is yet to pull it down on himself. (Success!) A giant blank canvas is glaring at me. This afternoon I am going on a photo-taking mission, in search of subjects for this blank canvas. I want a silhouette of the port hills, the line of the summits. I will drive out to yaldhurst and then around the back of the airport. That should give me plenty of angles and options.
A few daffodil photos, and early cheer as well, though I'm sure I could get those, from any angle, with a google image search. Couldn't find the port hills on google though. The more popular picture is the southern alps, taken from the port hills. Plenty of those...
Looking forward to painting thursday. Last thursday was fantastic...
It inspired a painting friday...
And a dabbling saturday...
between reading Edith Shaeffer's 'Hidden Art' and 'Art as a Way of Life' by Ann O'Shaughnessy & Roderick MacIver.
What's the rule for Friday? The house usually needs vacuuming again and then there's the dishes (from writing tuesday, reading wednesday and painting thursday... yuck.) but Friday is the rule-free day... so whatever goes. More 'goes' if I've done the dishes early on, because then I feel free to work and create, unfettered by the 'should'-monster, who looks something like this:
(Either one really.)
The 'should'-monster bullies me into procrastination and guilts me out of inspiration.
(Yes, that is the ghost of christmas yet to come, and scrooge, from the muppet christmas carol. These are the images in my head.)
Alright, moving on. Just as soon as Louis is napping and I'm showered/dressed/decent... Writing tuesday, here I come.
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