Crazy week

Those 2 lost days really did it for me this week. I’ve had a stupid 3 days catching up, including working until 1:40am this morning and starting again at 8:45am. That’s actual work, not all the other stuff in between.

I’m shattered, but I was able to pack up at 1:30pm, as planned, and head into town to drop off the job I should have dropped off and invoiced last Friday.

Because I didn’t make it last week, lovely-already-boss posted me the next job, and then today, when I dropped off last week’s job, he gave me another two jobs. Good result – especially once I, erm, catch up …  I also have one job in the in-tray and another in progress, but I like to have a lot of work in. It keeps me happy.

I filled the car with petrol, bought some lunch, popped to the bank, and then it was the dentist (lunch was a sandwich I saved for after the dentist …). We think the vitamin C supplements are already working in the dental department, but I have to go back next week for 2 small fillings and a clean and polish before we can monitor it properly. (shudder)

Then I had a hair appointment, which doubled up as 45 mins R&R, I nipped home to see to the animals, have a cup of tea, eat chocolate and catch up with a few online things (including here). And in a few minutes I’m off out again to do a proper supermarket shop. I’m short of everything now and need to stock up.

Did I mention that Fridays are errand days now …?

Tomorrow I’m having OFF. We’re driving over to Derbyshire to walk the dog and have a day out, maybe take a picnic. But on Sunday I need to work again, although that will include household chores as well as more catch up. We have a bank holiday on Monday, which I also intend to take OFF, but I don’t know what we’re doing yet.

By next week I may finally have that May list for you. Have a great weekend.

Back in the land of the living

I inadvertently took 2 unscheduled days off. This is because I was quite suddenly quite unwell. I felt as though I’d been kicked by the proverbial horse and was in several feverish states. Both days were spent in bed, in pain, but mostly asleep (or feverish).

During a few moments of lucidity I wrote Monday’s blog post, taxed the car online, made a few comments on Facebook, and made 2 teeny tiny meals. Letting the animals out and in or feeding them was done on auto-pilot.

Only one person knew how poorly I was feeling, but even he probably didn’t know how badly. This is mostly because I didn’t have the energy or the inclination to worry anyone unnecessarily.

Today, though, after 2 days on the dark side, I’m “up ‘n’ at ‘em” again. But with 2 days missed, I have a lot to catch up with.

The only reason I remembered to tax the car was because that delightful neighbour of mine was crawling all around it and if he can find the slightest reason to report me and make life uncomfortable he will do. Otherwise that would have waited until today too. (Sigh) I’d best check the tread on the tyres too …

I have a guest coming this evening, so aside from 2 days of work to catch up with I also have to get the place ready. I need to do the gig list first then catch up on some work, and a magical mystery cheque that arrived in the post will have to go to the bank (via the post office).

If I’m feeling up to it this evening, and if it hasn’t been cancelled, there’s a short evening summer stroll we’ll all be going on. Rufus has a lot of stored up energy he needs to get rid of.

Lovely weekend

I’ve had a busy time and it was nice to get a weekend off, although I feel guilty about not doing any work. I didn’t even get chance to do any shopping until quite late on Sunday, and even then it was a very small very fast shop.

Friday was a day filled with double-booked appointments, so I had to go through them and cancel those that could wait until this week. I did get the gig list done and I got loads of other work done too.

A walking buddy (aka extremely nice young man …) came over on Saturday morning and we took Rufus on quite a long walk around the village, about 5 miles. We were going to go to Derbyshire, for a 2½-mile walk, but the weather was so bad we didn’t want to go very far and end up drenched through. The rain held off but it was very, very wet underfoot and we had to make 2 detours to get around it.

Rufus worn out, extremely nice young walking buddy man person drove me (in his rather smart motor) and treated me to a very nice lunch. For the first time in ages I felt spoiled and we had a really nice time.

On Saturday evening I picked up 2 of the gig buddies and off we went to watch a band I’ve not seen for a couple of years. And we had a great time, dancing away, singing along, having a laugh. By the time I got home it was 1:30am gone and I was very, very shattered, but very, very happy after a really good day.

Sunday started out as recovery as the walk we were thinking of going on was cancelled again due to the weather. But some online stuff went off that needed my attention, and before I knew it the day was almost over. I just had time to go and get some provisions when extremely nice young walking buddy man popped over again for a couple of hours before he had to go out.

And that was my weekend.

I have a lot of work to get through this week and, with it being 1 May tomorrow, watch out for a list. Meanwhile, I’m the one wandering round with a daft smile on her face.

Time flies

How quickly has this week flown? Is this a sign of things to come? Will I miss quite a lot of things as they whoosh by while I blink? Tuesday seems such a long time ago …

I seem to have a mountain of washing (laundry) to do again. How can this be so when there is only me? It’s amazing how big a chunk a weekend away takes out of everything …

So, Tuesday … I can’t remember what happened the rest of Tuesday …

Wednesday … ah yes, I started to do some work on the computer and the next thing I knew it was teatime. It’s only the gig list. It’s not that big. I haven’t even dented it. I did manage to write up and fire off 4 nibs (news in brief) as well, so apart from the rain it wasn’t a total washout.

We were going walking with ramblers at teatime for an evening stroll, but that was a washout. In the middle of the day a text came in from a friend to say the walk was off due to bad weather. Said friend is hoping to come with me on a short circular dog walk on Saturday in Derbyshire, then we hope to join the ramblers for a longer one Sunday morning in South Yorkshire. But if the weather’s bad … we’re just going to settle for a drink.

This morning I was at the doctor’s officially getting my blood test results from last week. Everything is very normal, so we’re going to continue with the vitamin C supplements for a month. I also have anti-histamines for a month. If those work, they’ll keep me on those for the duration of the summer. Apparently lots of patients from my area have been complaining of similar conditions. Wouldn’t it be good if they can diagnose as many of us as possible with such a simple thing as rape-seed allergy?

For the rest of today I want to finish the gig list and get some proof-reading done. I was supposed to be taking the proof-reading back to the office tomorrow, but I’d forgotten I already have another couple of appointments booked in.

It’s pouring with rain again. I don’t mind, I still took Rufus for a good walk in it yesterday and I daresay I will again today. He actually refused to go into the garden when the rain was banging down, so at last he’s starting to act like a regular dog. A bit.

The Kinder Trespass

Eighty years ago today one group of ramblers from Manchester and another group of ramblers from Sheffield trespassed onto the Kinder plateau. This morning I was at the launch of the Kinder Trespass festival, hosted by Mike Harding – who even sang us a song.

There were representatives from the Ramblers Association, including our new chief exec and our new president, and current director general of the National Trust, who I interviewed nearly 12 years ago for My Weekly when she had just started in the role. (She even remembered me!)

I didn’t go on any of the guided walks – there were 2 leaving the Moorland Centre in Edale at 11:30am plus various children’s activities – because I only had my invite on Saturday and had already needed to re-jig the day to get back in time to do some work. But it was a nice little event with a good turnout and the weather stayed dry.

I did, however, pick up a couple of up-to-date walking guides because Derbyshire and the Peak District is only a stone’s throw from me and with easy walks starting at 2½ miles I think it’s a good place for me and Rufus to build our fitness and stamina.

I still want to do that long distance path holiday, but it may be the Great Glen Way first as that’s a lot shorter than the Thames Path, and it has much shorter sections too. But we need to be fit enough, so I need to do a walking schedule for us both – and STICK TO IT.

Busy afternoon, then, what’s left of it. I shall probably work into the evening today.

Happy St George’s Day …

… Happy Birthday William Shakespeare, and Happy World Book Night.

I had a terrific weekend, thoroughly enjoyed being on conference again. I love it. I love to listen to the various debates, I love to see how the voting goes or is changed, I love it when the vote is so close that everybody goes “Ooh …”, like at a football (soccer) game, and they have to vote again with a count. But most of all I love mixing with people with whom I have something in common.

My sister came and we nattered for so long I almost forgot I had to leave, but leave I did. I got there in good time, but my key didn’t work on my room door, so I had to get that sorted. By the time it was, I had about 5 minutes to grab something to eat and find the start of the conference.

My colleagues from South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire Rambers (SYNED) were already there and had saved me a seat. I was only a visitor, so my badge was a different colour and I couldn’t vote or join in the debates (unless invited). But it was so much fun.

My hearing wasn’t very good due to the infection I travelled down with, and everyone soon discovered I had to watch their lips in order to understand them. But it was a good weekend and I hope they send me again next year.

On the way home on Sunday I dropped in to see my mom and dad as it’s Mom’s birthday on Wednesday and their wedding anniversary tomorrow. When I got home me and my sister still had lots to talk about. Rufus had been a bit naughty and chewed right through her laptop power cable, but they’d had a couple of walks – although she failed to tire him out.

By bedtime last night I was exhausted, a combination of travel, the conference, visiting, nattering, and still being stuffed up. And this morning I had a good sleep in – and so did Rufus, so maybe my sister did wear him out.

I was pottering around without urgency when I suddenly thought I was at the dentist in about an hour … but it’s next week not today. Today I’m going to do some of the writing I didn’t have time to do at the weekend, and generally ease myself back in gently.

Saying that, I received an invite at the weekend to attend the Kinder Trespass 80th anniversary launch event in Edale tomorrow, so that’s going to be an early start and a decent drive.

I’d best do some work …

Full weekend

So yesterday they decide that it’s official: I have a rape-seed dust allergy. It’s only taken them 8 years to find out, but it explains how every year since I moved here I’ve had a summer cold or a chest infection or a throat infection or something.

We’re surrounded by rape fields. I love to see the yellow patchwork in the spring. I love to breathe in the scent. And last week I played hide-and-seek with Rufus in amongst it.

And I’m allergic to it.

I also have a “mild chest-crackle” – I didn’t realise it was a medical term. But he suspects it’s an infection aggravated by the rape-seed dust allergy. So I have antibiotics for 7 days. I still feel fine; he thinks the blood results looked fine. But I have “hay-asthma”. Lucky me.

In other news yesterday, I managed to sell 15 copies of NIGHT CRAWLER since the 3-day book giveaway and I’ve received my first (5-star too) review for TWEE TALES.

Today I desperately want to get a book proof-read and delivered back. I also have a lot to do before the weekend, including change beds, tidy up, do the shopping, pack a bag, do what I’m supposed to do to the World Book Night books I have to give away. I’ve loaded the Kindle up and I’ve decided what work I’m taking with me, but I don’t think I’ll have that much time to do any.

I’ll hand over to my sister, head down to Leicester, attend the conference, drop in on Mom and Dad on the way back, and then come home. But at least this chest should be clearing up by the time I get there.

Have a great weekend.

A busy, exciting day

Yesterday was an interesting day, fairly busy and a bit exciting.

It started with my trip to the doc for my blood tests and while there the nurse booked me an appointment for first thing this morning because she thinks the potential rape-seed allergy may have progressed to a full-blown chest infection. I still feel fine, but she’s the nurse, and as I’m away for the weekend she thought it best to get it checked in case I need antibiotics. So 9am this morning I’m at the other surgery, if I can find it, having my chest listened to. And hopefully this pre-scheduled post will have published itself.

The nurse also managed to get me booked for the blood-test follow-up appointment with my doctor for next Thursday. Apparently this is quite good, these days … And if they want to see me sooner, they’ll call me.

Rufus came with me for the ride and he was as good as gold. It was pouring with rain but he hung his head out of the window anyway, “laughing” away (panting). Because it was raining and fairly cool he was able to wait in the car for me.

When we got home I remembered that my books were waiting for me at the library that I’m giving away for World Book Night, SLEEPYHEAD by Mark Billingham. So we nipped out again to collect them, and to drop a bag of donated books off, and Rufus once again behaved himself. When we got home I had a glorious box filled with brand new books, what a lovely feeling that is.

I think I have to do something with the books, with an inside page, and then I’m going to take the box with me to Leicester. If I can’t find enough people to give them to at a national organisation’s annual conference I never will. I also have a few friends who pre-booked some and I’m swapping books with my sister, who will be here Saturday morning.

After I’d been home for a while I realised I hadn’t needed to change out of my jeans, which was an exciting revelation in itself. I usually can’t bear to sit around working in my jeans at home as they’re normally too tight. These are fresh out of the wash too, so they hadn’t given with wear. Reason enough for celebration when your clothes start to feel comfortable again.

I planned a third article, updated the giglist, wrote draft 1 of an article and draft 2 of a short story, and spent an hour with CATCH THE RAINBOW. The rest of the day was spent proof-reading a book before walking the dog and then going to my Ramblers’ meeting.

Much of today will be proof-reading again, with draft 3 of another article and draft 1 of the article I planned yesterday, with another dog walk and another hour with CATCH THE RAINBOW.

April showers

We seem to be getting both April showers and March winds at the moment. May flowers also seem to be on their way up. What a mix-up everything is.

I got a few things done yesterday, including moving my errands all back to a Friday. Doing some on a Wednesday and some on a Friday is too many breaks in one week. Better to do them all on the same day and have the disruption for just one day.

This coming Friday is going to be long and busy anyway, due to me going down to Leicester for the weekend and my sister coming up here to house and pet sit. I have work to do, all my usual chores to do, plus sorting out the spare room. So if I do everything on just the one day, I should – theoretically – get more done the rest of the time.

Yesterday I finally outlined 2 articles, and I started a 3rd, on top of my regular jobs for the day. I also scanned in the 5 pictures I borrowed from my interviewee on Monday and I did that all important critical data backup. I need to get a new memory stick so I can do a proper backup/restore.

I have to do the gig list as well as proof-read a book. I also have those regular blood tests to check my sugar, so that will halve the morning. This evening I’m at Ramblers.

Today I have toothache. On top of everything else, I have toothache. I think it’s a psychological toothache as I’ve been a bit low these past few days. If it doesn’t go soon I may have to see the dentist about draining that abscess … (gulp)

Right, onwards …

Almost there

Yesterday’s 1st interview for the national service book went really well. I was quite nervous because it’s been a few years since I interviewed anyone, but I suppose it’s like riding a bike. I think we stayed very relaxed, I think the subject felt quite comfortable, so maybe it’s exactly like riding a bike.

I’m a natural interviewer, it’s what I always specialised in, and I really enjoyed it. We chatted for about an hour. I came away with about 5 photographs he was happy for me to borrow, although they kept one back, a precious picture that they said they’d scan themselves and email over. This is fine. Not everyone is comfortable letting precious photographs out of their possession.

I’ll get my 5 scanned in and back to them by Wednesday evening when I’ll see them at our regular Ramblers meeting.

The digital recorder worked fine, I was able to transfer the file from the handset onto the laptop, but it’s disappeared from the handset, so I’m slightly panicking  about that. I can get the file to play back on the laptop too, but I can’t get the foot control working. That’s not a priority just yet, though. the priority is making a backup copy of the file.

I’m overdue with a full backup anyway so I’m going to arrange one quickly, for peace of mind more than anything. Long time blog readers will remember that I lost all the pictures and all the recordings for another book when the pet alcoholic (at the time) zapped the laptop and wiped its memory. That particular book, as it happened, was never meant to be written. I hope this one is.

So one down and many more to go. It was fun and I felt confident. Fancy being so nervous.

The allergy thing is sounding a lot like a very bad cold now, or a severe case of bronchitis. But, honestly, I feel fine. I’m at the doctor’s tomorrow anyway for blood tests, so I’m sure they’ll have something to say if they’re worried.

Rufus needs a good long walk today, he only had a quick one yesterday to tire him out before I went out … Har, har – he managed to open a wardrobe and wreck a favourite pair of comfortable sandals. So today I need to really tire him out.

Still editing, still proof-reading, still writing, still researching – and I have another new job on the way from the chap whose novel I proof-read before. He was so pleased with the work I did that I’m getting book 2 in the trilogy. I’m glad about that because I really enjoyed the first one.

And now I also have a system to backup and a tape to transcribe – without the foot pedal. Busy, busy, busy.

 

One already

Yesterday Rufus turned one. I can’t believe he’s one already. How fast did that time fly by?

The picture on the left was taken on the day he arrived. I tried to emulate the same shot this morning in the picture below right. Can you tell the difference?

He definitely takes up more room on the settee now, his whiskers are starting to grow on his chin, and he’s grown into his ears, but I think the picture right at the bottom of today’s post shows how long he is now – although he’s not at full stretch even then.

I didn’t have a great weekend, much of it was trying to shift that “hay-asthma” thing and I felt pretty low for much of the time. I picked up anti-histamines from our village chemist Friday afternoon and they totally zonked me out. I took the dog out for his walks but avoided the rape field. I was glad of the drizzle too. Apart from those, and a brief trip to the supermarket on Sunday, I stayed in.

For Rufus’s birthday we had a gravy bone hunt, I took him for a ride in the car to the supermarket, we had a walk and the cats both deigned to play with him too, which was really nice and wore them all out.

Yesterday I bought some fruit – oranges, bananas, raspberries – to give me a boost, and I got some garlic pearlies (for circulation) and some vitamin C supplements too (for immunity). This morning when I woke I was feeling much better. I don’t know if it’s shifting, if the stuff I bought is working or a combination of the two. But I feel better.

This afternoon I have the first of my interviews for the national service book. I also still have a book to edit, a book to proof-read and some writing to do.

Here’s Rufus looking like a sausage dog. The bed was much tidier than this, by the way, but he thought it was such a fun game trying to avoid staying still that he made a right mess of it. Even now you can see how fast his tail was moving and there’s blur on his jaw too.

Happy Birthday, Rufus.

End of week 1 (list alert)

Yesterday, then, I cracked on with my work and once I’d done my quota for the day I thought I’d best tidy up the de-cluttering mess I’d caused. I ended up emptying another box and another bag, put 2 bags in the rubbish and 1 in for recycling, and … erm … filled another box again. But this time it’s tidy, it’s all in one place, and I have more idea of what I have and don’t have.

There are 2 more boxes left and 1 more bag. In addition I have a stuffed-to-overflowing filing tray plus a “jelly” filled with filing that won’t fit in the tray, 2 piles of shredding and a pile of post to open.

I shifted one post-pile in today’s 5-minute de-clutter, this time a load of magazines I’ll never get around to reading. These are magazines I wish companies wouldn’t send but instead reduce their fees. Address pages were added to one of the shredding piles; magazines-I’ll-never-read were placed in the office recycling bin. The recycling bin will go downstairs with me next time I go.

I think the next 5-minute de-clutter will be opening and sorting the remaining post-pile. The next few will be shredding documents. One day – one day – I may get around to the filing …

I keep on top of the finance filing – invoices, remittance advices, bank statements, etc – because I have to. But even then the system falls down occasionally. I chased 2 payments this morning, and on further investigation I believe one was actually paid early (cue red face), but I can’t find the remittance advice. I’ve let them know I think I found it, and asked for a duplicate remittance advice, but it’s not very professional, is it?

My to-do tray, my filing tray and my shredding tray are all bursting at the seams (plus the 2 extra piles for filing and shredding), and this is bad feng shui. Very bad feng shui. I like things to be clutter-free around my work area.

My to-do tray contains the following:

1. information pack for next weekend’s Ramblers annual general council meeting
2. current requirements for fave fiction market
3. “invoices to raise”, including 1 expense claim and 2 invoices for internal purposes
4. annual expenses for 2011/2012, mostly clipped together month-by-month but needing to be done and ready before tax return time
5. this month’s personal finance paperwork waiting to be dispatched
6. 1 item to be added to the National Service book notes file
7. 1 historical novel to continue editing
8. 1 non-fiction book to continue proof-reading

I also have the writing WiP book, the first 2 outstanding items of which are:

1. plan health article
2. plan writing article

At my left elbow in front of the all-in-one printer I have one filing pile with a post-pile on top; at my left knee, on top of the shredder, I have one shredding pile. The post-out tray has one letter in (an invoice from last week, tut tut); the post-in tray is empty (it’s all on top of the 2nd filing pile …).

I have too many piles. Too much clutter. But only a few days ago it was a lot worse.

So here I am at the end of my first week. It’s been busy, it’s been productive and I’ve enjoyed it. It’s also getting tidier. (Apart from I just threw tea all over my desk, keyboard and laptop riser … at least it didn’t get into the laptop, eh?)

I’m not going out today, the rape-induced hay fever/asthma has kicked in and is making me feel a bit pap. Yesterday we avoided the rape field and the rain came down so I’m hoping that damped down some of the pollen dust. It’s been raining again today, so I’m hoping the symptoms start to dissipate. I’ve never had hay fever but I have had mild asthma; I’m just not that used to it and am feeling sorry for myself.

I have that list of to-do items to work down – or up. I need to think about separating my bank account out – I do have a separate bank account but removing the income from one and putting it in another is going to be a big step while I’m still trying to get my head around cashflow. I have to walk the dog. And I want to do some writing.

There’s nothing booked in the weekend diary beyond chores, shopping and walking the dog, so I’ll probably end up doing some work.

Y’all have a good one.

De-clutter madness

It started when I couldn’t find my digital mini-recorder. I had the transcription kit (apart from the docking station), but I couldn’t find the pocket memo. I turned the house upside-down, nearly, but I couldn’t find it.

And so last night before I went to bed I sent my cosmic order out into the universe. This morning I remembered where I’d put the briefcase I was sure it was in – it was inside a suitcase on top of the wardrobe. And there, inside one of the pockets, was my pocket memo.

Cosmic ordering rocks.

Then I had another panic. The docking station isn’t with the transcription kit. And I didn’t remember seeing it anywhere yesterday either … I had to turn everything upside-down again.

That was when I decided it was time. Time to put my office back together after packing it all away in boxes last summer when the room was decorated and given an overhaul.

I thought I’d do a box at a time, but so far this morning I’ve done 3 boxes and a bag … and I have piles of piles of things all over the living room floor.

Ever wish you hadn’t started something?

I don’t remember if I need the docking station or if I can also use a usb cable. I’ll need to check the manual online. And meanwhile, I have work to do.

I’m putting the historical novel to one side as the editing is taking longer than I thought it would. I have a book to proof-read as well and I could do with getting that done before the end of tomorrow so I can invoice for it – and deliver it.

I need to sort out the digital recorder, though, as I have my first appointment on Monday afternoon. Another National Service veteran called me last night to let me know he was interested in taking part. It’s nice when they call you and want to join in, and it brings my running total to 10. Good work.

Yesterday I woke up with a bit of a rattling chest. I felt perfectly fine but my breathing was noisy. I’m due at the doctor’s next Wednesday but I called and had a chat and they said to keep the appointment but call if I started to feel poorly.

This morning the rattle was back … and then I remembered …

On Tuesday Rufus and I walked through the middle of the rape-seed field. The flowers are just coming out and starting to smell gorgeous – or I like the smell anyway. It reminds me of spring. I breathed in the scent and played hide-and-seek with the dog every time he ran too far ahead on the path. In amongst the rape.

And now I have hay fever. Of a fashion. Lucky me.

Last chance, FREE books

I just seem to get busier and busier – which is good news, yes?

It’s all very well having historical novels to edit and non-fiction books to proof-read, but I’m also a writer, and I need to earn money every week.

One of my big jobs at the moment is sorting out interviews for book 1 of the non-fiction voices series. I’ve already booked 3 with another 2 coming back to me, then there are another 3 being arranged 300 miles away, 2 being arranged 100 miles away, and 1 just around the corner – and this before I even start trying. I also have to contact the celebrity foreword writer.

All of this legwork doesn’t earn me very much money while it’s taking place, so I’ve revived the WiP list of articles, short stories, fillers and queries to draft and write – and there are pages and PAGES of them. I’ve always said I’m an ideas factory, and while ideas don’t necessarily equal good end-products, I still have pages of those I think have legs.

This morning I got up with the larks (it was before 7am – shock, horror) because I dreamed I’d run out of money – I checked the bank account first, it was fine, but it was still a good prompt to get the WiP going again. I’ve also updated the gig list today so far, and I opened a “notes” file for the voices book so I could keep track of everyone’s contact details and when I’m seeing them – or hope to be seeing them.

For the rest of today I’m editing the historical novel, working on Catch the Rainbow, and I may select the next item from the WiP, which I think is to plan an on-spec article. If it’s only a shorty, I may do the next one too, which may be a draft of another on-spec article, so 2 quick extras there.

Don’t forget that today is the last day for FREE BOOKS. The details are here.