Submitted My Novel For A Manuscript Copy Last Night

 Last night, I submitted what I have done of my Nano Wrimo novel so far for a free manuscript copy. I'm supposed to hear back from Createscript within 24-48 hours of the submission before I can actually order the copy. I hope I hear back from them in time for my code to redeem it to still work.

My sister asked if she will be able to see it. I told her it's not yet ready. She did say she'd have no problem with reading it rough. However, I still feel there is still a lot of work to be done before it's officially presentable. I may still do more with it if I have time today.

What I'm Up To Today

Right now, I'm in the living/dining room with my nephew, who is playing a video game. Sometime today, I need to vacuum (sister's request).  I'm also going to attempt to put more work into my novel before I send it to Createspace for a free copy. I don't think I'll have it ready for formal publication though. Too many ideas have been coming to me at the last minute, not to mention the various distractions I've had at various times.

I read somewhere in the Nano Wrimo forums that, while the copy is free, one is expected to pay the shipping and handling. If that turns out to be the case when I submit what I have done thus far, then I'll have to take a pass on the manuscript and later make alternative arrangements to have a copy of the book bound. To buy/pay for anything online is not currently feasible for me as I don't have a credit card, a paypal account or anything like that, and am in no position to get any of those things.

One thing I'll be facing is disappointing my dad (something that goes against my morals as a daughter) when I tell him that I'm not yet ready to formally publish my novel. I'll just have to mentally prepare myself for whatever the reaction maybe after I explain the situation this week, but hopefully, he'll understand. I may also tell them that not everyone getting a free copy of their book was planning on editing beforehand.

Even though it doesn't look like I'll be ready for publication per se, maybe having a manuscript (if I'm able to get one) can be a motivator to keep at the writing.

Tentative Blogging Agenda This Fall

If you have been to my reading blog RAB-PIA lately, you know that it has been currently put on haitus until I return to my hometown in August and have access to more reading material. At that time, I will be doing a season 2, so to speak for that blog.

I am hoping add some more blogs this fall as well, including:

Project Whitespace: A blog focusing on using up, wearing out, etc., the material things taking up space in my life. (This will also include emails in my inboxes.)  This may or may not include trying to free up space in other places.

Tootsie Pop Mentality: Do you remember the commercials that ask the question, "How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?" This blog will focus on how many attempts will it take for me to get a job, how many perfume squirts will it take to use it up, etc.

A Semi-Simple Life: Focus will include, but not be limited to, using up/wearing out what is in one's life and minimizing attempts to buy new. Another areas of discussion may include saving up change to cash in and secondhand shopping. A question that may be posed once in a while is, "If I don't have xyz, do I really need it?"  Posts from Project Whitespace may appear here on occasion.

That's all I have for now.  If I decide otherwise on my future blogging, I'll let you know.

Back To Normal At My Sister's House

Everyone's home. (They came home when I was in bed.) My nephew is playing on the computer. My sister's on the couch, and her boyfriend's still asleep. Cosmo didn't stay with me overnight, but he did come in this morning.

I'm going to see what I can get myself motivated to do on the novel afterI've do ne my Bible reading for today. Right now Steve, the younger of the two cats, is on my bed with me, purring like crazy. (She'll come in and visit with me once in a while.)

That's all I have for now. I may pop back in here later.

Less Than Four Hours Of Housesitting Left

My sister called not too long ago and said that she and her household would be home in about four hours. I'll probably be asleep by then.

I don't know what's happening tomorrow. I hope I can focus more on the novel then. I had this fantasy that I'd be super-focused on the rewrites this past week, but at best I've poked around the novel. Maybe if I continue to plan on submitting the novel as is by Tuesday no matter what, it'll give me incentive to keep at it every single chance I get. (This'll mean I'll have to be extra careful about fooling around on Facebook.) I have a better idea as to where the novel is headed and have cut stuff that doesn't really help the plot.

Here's to the last few hours alone.

Last Day Of Housesitting

I didn't blog yesterday for some reason. I guess I got distracted. Anyway, my sister and her household will be back either late tonight or early tomorrow. I don't know what next week is going to be like. That is, I don't know if my nephew will have one more week of day camp or if he'll be home all day every day.

I haven't gotten as far on the rewrites as I had intended. I've determined that Tuesday would be the day that I would put in for my manuscript copy of my novel, however rough it may still be. (The deadline is Wednesday, I think.) I'm going to see what I can get done today before my sister's household is back and I have to be prepared for my nephew needing me and/or wanting to simply hang out with me.

Housesitting Day 6

I have one or two days left until my sister and her household are home. July starts in a week. I don't know what will happen during said month except that my nephew's birthday will be on the fifth. (He'll be turning eight this year.)

I walked the dogs as usual. The dogs and I hadn't left yet when I heard Steve, the younger of the two cats that my sister and her boyfriend have, meowing. It took a minute or so for me to figure out where the meow was coming from. I was worried that Steve was stuck somewhere, but it turned out that she was in a tree. The dogs and I continued with our walk. Steve followed us for a few houses, but that was it.

Not much going on today. I'm going to probably play more YoVille and poke around on my novel.

Housesitting Day 5

This morning, I walked the dogs and fed them, as usual. My morning so far has involved a combination of playing YoVille on Facebook, poking around on my novel, and playing fetch with Cosmo.

Last night on Facebook, I was able to chat with someone I knew since middle school. I also got to chat with my mom.

Today's my mom's birthday. She has one of those traditional 8-5 office jobs (graphic designer), so I'll probably call her sometime after 6 to wish her a happy birthday. 

Well, that's all I got for now. Thanks to anybody here who happens to stop by.

Housesitting Day 4: My Morning So Far And Things To Do

I got out of bed earlier than yesterday (I think).  I'm actually trying to get up and out of bed at six Monday through Friday and seven on the weekends. I walked the dogs, came home, laid down for a little bit, took a shower, and started some laundry.

Besides attempting to do my novel and taking care of laundry, I will have the carpet to vacuum, the plants to water, the litter box to clean, and the trash to take out. In less than three hours, I'll need to do some stuff for my "cafe" on Facebook.

Looks like I'll have somewhat of a busy day. I better get going.

Housesitting Day 3 And A Slow One At That For Some Reason

I got up later than I had intended to today. I walked the dogs and fed them when we got home. I've been trying to concentrate on the novel, but I didn't have much luck with that. I did a little work on it, though.

Maybe I'll be able to concentrate better later. Or maybe I just need to think more of where the story is headed.

There's not much for me to really do right now. I watered the plants and vacuumed yesterday, and those things are to be done every other day. Maybe I could work on Facebook or my email for a while.

Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Housesitting Day 2

I was able to go to church this morning. (As it turns out, there was a way to get around putting Cosmo in the crate whenever I went out without him.) After I got home, I let the dogs out and back in, ate lunch, did some net surfing, and called my dad. (After all, it is Father's Day today.) After that call, I dropped an email to a friend.

I've also vacuumed the carpets, fed the dogs their dinner, watered the indoor plants, and cleaned the litter box. I've hooked the hose up to a soaker hose for some plants outside. After the 30 minutes it's supposed to go for is up, I'll finish up watering the rest of the plants, and after seven, I'll walk the dogs.

I didn't really get much done on the novel today. Oh well. I have pretty much all day tomorrow.

Officially Housesitting As We Speak

My sister's household left this morning. I think they're coming back either Friday or Saturday. I walked the dogs this morning and then took a shower.  I've got other things to do around the house at various times today as well as my novel to rewrite.  (I think either next weekend or the Monday thereafter, I will redeem the code to get my manuscript copy.)

That's all I have to say for now. I may or may not be back later.

One More Day Until My Sister's Household Goes On Vacation

Sometime tomorrow, my sister, her boyfriend, and her kid will be going to Colorado for a week. I'll be taking care of the house and the pets while they're gone. Aside from walking the dogs, I won't be going out much, I don't think, especially since I've got a novel draft to edit during that time. I'll especially need to work on it tomorrow since Sunday is Father's Day, which means calling Dad, and I'd like to give him positive answers regarding how I'm doing on that if it should come up. (I had thought about going to church on Sunday, but since that would mean putting Cosmo in the crate, which is something that has to happen if the house is going to be human-free for more than a few minutes, I've decided it'd be better to take a pass on it. I still look forward to when I can return to church in my hometown in August.)

Cosmo came into my room either late last night or early this morning. By the time I was ready to get up for good, he was on my bed. I have a feeling he will be coming to sleep with me every night as of tomorrow.

The household is more or less in the process of preparing for the trip. Weather permittng, River and I will be going to a showing of the movie Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs at someone's house. Until then, I'll just need to work on my novel and/or find something else to do.

I Have An Idea For A New Blog

Remember when I wrote about trying to figure out how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop? Well lately, I've been thinking if it could be connected to a more general question like how many times must something be done before getting some sort of end result or how many times must something be used before it's used up or worn out?

I don't know what exactly I'll name the blog. All I know is that it'll explore how many squirts of perfume it takes to use it up, how many attempts at my job search it'll take for me to get a job, etc. It's all out of sheer curiosity if for no other reason.

It'll have to wait until August. I feel funny about starting a new blog when I'm away from home, especially if the nature of my business puts a limit on computer time.

Last Night And This Morning

Shortly after I made my last post, the storm that had been going on started up again, so I turned my computer off. Later on, my nephew taught me how to play chess. (He won most of the rounds we played. I won one of them.)

This morning, I walked the dogs, put some dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and cleaned the main bathroom and the one next to the kitchen. Needless to say, I haven't gotten to my novel rewrites yet. (It'll be a priority next week when my sister and her household are out of town. Nonetheless, I'm going to see what I can do today, as Father's Day is coming up, and proper etiquette calls for me to call my father then. I want to give him positive answers regarding my rewrites if that topic comes up.)

It's probably sneaking up on time to go let the dogs out. I may or may not be back here later today.

Just Went Through A Short Storm

I was watching a Scooby-Doo movie via InDemand with my sister and nephew when a thunderstorm started. We had to turn off the TV as there was too much of a safety risk there. I had to make sure my computer was shut down as well.

I had a little trouble finding something non-electronic to do. I've run out of books to read, save for my Bible, so I read that for a little bit. (In case anyone's interested, I'm in Psalms.) Shortly after that, my nephew needed me to help him find a few things.

The thunder and the rain are done now. I'm watching Spongebob Squarepants as I write this. Later tonight, I'll probably watch the VH1 series You're Cut Off which let's just say is a boot camp for spoiled women. I'm going to see what I can get done on my novel as well. (Two weeks left that I can take advantage of Createspace's offer for a free manuscript copy.)

Filled Up Much Of My Morning Today

After I dropped off my nephew this morning, I came home, ate breakfast, and walked the dogs, as usual. After that, I took a shower, put in a load of laundry (which is not yet done in the washer), and freshened up my manicure and pedicure. I've got roughly an hour and a half left before time to pick up my nephew. I don't know what all he and I will be doing today exactly.

Tomorrow, my nephew will be away on a field trip, so I'll have the house to myself for a good part of the day. I'll really need to focus on the rewrites for my novel then as well as when my sister's household is out of town as of Saturday. (They're going to Colorado. I'll be looking after the house and the dogs then.)

Went To The Park Tonight; Tomorrow, I'm Taking A Shower And Doing Laundry

While Cosmo and my sister were at what was Cosmo's last day of dog school, I hung out with River and Millie. There's a spot in the park that's covered in sand and has what look like toy digging machines. One of the kids that River played with dug a deep hole with one of those things, and it turned out that there was a McDonald's wrapper in there.

Tomorrow, after I get home from dropping off my nephew and (weather permitting) walking the dogs, I'm going to take a shower and then do laundry. I may even freshen up my manicure and/or pedicure. But I should make sure I get in some rewrite time.

That's all I got for now. I don't know what else, if anything will be happening for the rest of the evening.

An Hour Left Before Time To Go Pick Up My Nephew

I've vacuumed the living room, dining room, hall, and back room, and taken out the trash, per my sister's request. I also have the dishwasher going as I write this. I've got roughly an hour left before I go pick up my nephew. (I have the built-in alarm on my phone set to go off at 12:30 PM my time in case I get distracted.)

What to do until time to go? I could probably get some work done on rewriting my novel. I'll have to stop, though at noon in order to let the dogs out. And when my nephew is home, I'll need to have as much of my attention on him as possible. If I don't get any work done on the rewrites during the day, maybe I can take care of that tonight (provided there's no thunderstorm).

Well, enough talking about the rewrites. There's not much point in talking about them

Waitng To Vacuum

As usual, I took my nephew to where he needed to catch the bus to his day camp. After the bus came, and he got on and left, I went home and had a couple of mini sausage biscuits and an orange. There were two things my sister needed me to do today:

1. Walk the dogs
2. Vacuum

I got the first one done after breakfast. Just when I was getting ready to do the second one, my sister came. She is laying down right now, so I'm holding off on the vacuuming until she leaves. It could end up being this afternoon after I've picked up my nephew before I'm able to get it done. Oh well. As long as it gets done.  The dishwasher is almost full, so when I'm done with my coffee cup, I'll put it in there and start it.

If I can get myself motivated enough, I might just do rewrites on my novel for a while. However, there is a chance of thunderstorms here (which is not a good thing for computers), so if need be, I'll shut down the computer and get a head start on some of my Bible reading instead.

My Morning

This morning, I took my nephew to where he needed to catch the bus to his day camp. I brought Cosmo along for this per my sister's request. After the bus came, and the kids left, I dropped Cosmo off at home and did my last release for RAB-PIA for the time being. (The last time I did any releases, I did them with both dogs around. It was a bit difficult.) After I came home, I microwaved some little sausage biscuits, poured myself some coffee, and did some blogging.

I'll probably clean up the kitchen and possibly get some rewrites done on my novel before I have to go pick my nephew up this afternoon.

Tomorrow's To-Do List

I don't normally do this, but here is what I plan on doing tomorrow while my nephew is away at his day camp in the morning:

• Do final release and updates for RAB-PIA before putting it on haitus.
• Walk the dogs.
• Work on editing novel after moving laptop to dining room.

Maybe I'll be less bored tomorrow than I have been this weekend (especially if I can get myself to focus on that third item).

How Many Licks Does It Take To Get To The Tootsie Roll Center Of A Tootsie Pop?

Does anyone remember the Tootsie Pop commercials asking how many licks it takes to get to the center? There's been two that I recall ever seeing: there's the older one involving a turtle and an owl.  The longer version of it includes a cow and a fox.   I don't think I've seen the latter version on TV.  

The other commercial I recall seeing on TV that posed the same question is this one. However, it's been a while since I've seen that one too.

This hasn't been my most eventful day, so in an attempt to pass some time, I got a Tootsie Pop out of the candy bowl and tried to figure out how many licks it took to get to the center. For some reason, I lost count after 640, so I gave up. Besides, the candy fell off the stick in the process. For what it's worth, I did manage to get part of one side uncovered.  Oh, and in case anyone's interested, it was a chocolate Tootsie Pop.

I have roughly an hour and eighteen minutes to kill until the Pixar shorts and Toy Story marathon come on. I guess I'll go to the Bookcrossing Forums.

I Do Have Something To Look Forward To This Afternoon

I just realized that, this afternoon, more specifically as of 2:30 (I think), there'll be stuff to see on ABCFamily. First up will be some Pixar Shorts. After that will be a Buzz Lightyear movie, followed by both Toy Story movies. (I hope I get a chance to see Toy Story 3 when it comes out.)

Now the question is what'll I do until then? Maybe I'll go over to Facebook for a while.

Missing Church

For most Sundays after I had finished college, I had been going to church. When I was living with my dad, we went to a Disciples of Christ church which we both eventually joined. After I returned to my mom after Dad had to have surgery, I began attending a Baptist church (though not right away). Granted, there were days when I had to miss due to things like weather or outside commitments, but as I was re-integrating church into my life (as there was a time in my life when I had stopped going for some reason), it was becoming the norm for me.

However, I'm staying at my sister's house, and nobody there goes to church. It'd be one thing if I lived here, then I could come and go as I please. But being somewhat a guest here, it would seem more polite for me to keep my schedule as conducive to everyone else's as possible. Besides (on the weekends at least), my nephew is awake before my sister or her boyfriend, and there's no telling what he may need.

Church, if nothing else, gave me something to do on Sunday, not to mention an excuse to dress up. (Yes, I am one of those churchgoers who more or less observes the concept of "Sunday Best".) Now, Sundays are basically ordinary days at home in casual clothes. (In fact, I'll be lucky if I have any cause whatsoever to wear anything remotely dressy this summer.) Reading the Bible verses for today in keeping with the "Read the Bible in a Year" program I'm doing only took a few minutes.

I have to find something else to fill my time. My sister's corgi is asleep on my bed, so playing fetch with him is out. I don't have any books to read. Maybe I'll just have to stay on the computer and do my Facebook games (Cafe World, Petville, etc.) and/or rewrites for my novel. I kind of wish I had something non-electronic to do, like Sudoku, or some latch hook. Maybe I'll get to take a walk later. Who knows?  I just know that one of the things I'm looking forward to when I get home is going to church again.

My Day So Far

This morning, I wasn't out of bed until 8:28. I'm bummed out about that as I'm trying to get out of bed at six Monday through Friday and seven on the weekends, especially if there's something I need to do.

After I showered and got dressed, I went in the living room and watched my nephew play a video game. I also got in my daily Bible Reading. (In case anyone's interested, I'm currently on the Book of Job; I think it's the one before the Book of Psalms.) Later, I unloaded the dishwasher and emailed my dad. Right now, he and I are watching "Penguins of Madagascar."  (It's raining, so going outside is well, out.)

I'm watching my nephew tonight as my sister and her boyfriend both have to work. I don't know what the nephew and I will be doing tonight.

Today's pretty much been a slow day. Maybe it'll get more eventful later.

Went Out For A Little Bit Tonight

I don't get a lot of opportunities to go out at night, Friday or otherwise. However, I got to go to a carnival with my sister and nephew. First we all three rode the bumper cars. Next, my nephew and I went down a huge slide. (He was scared about being up so high at first, but he calmed down and actually enjoyed it.) Finally he and I went on something that reminded me of a ride called the Tilt-a-Whirl. (It's hard to explain.)

Afterwards, on the way home, we all three went to A&W and got some freezes. My nephew chose an orange freeze, and I chose a root beer one.

I'm not sure what all will be happening tonight. I might try an do some novel editing if I can get myself to get on with it. I might also see what's on TV. Who knows?

What'll I Do This Afternoon?

It's almost afternoon where I'm at. My nephew's on a trip with a day camp he's involved with, so I won't have him to deal with until sometime after 4. I finished up my last book on my current reading list for RAB-PIA and have updated that blog accordingly. All that will be left there will be to prepare some of the books on the "To Pass Along" part of the list for release. (There are two under that category that I'm holding onto until I am in a position to do a "controlled" release.) After I've made the releases and updated RAB-PIA accordingly, I won't really have anything to do there until my return home in August.

Maybe there are some things I could do:

1. Do rewrites on a novel I did a draft of in November, especially since I'm currently accountable to my dad for them. (If he asks me if I'm keeping up on the rewrites and/or how they're going, I want to be able to give positive answers.)
2. Catch up on email, especially paid surveys waiting to be taken.
3. Walk the dogs.
4. Make more updates to this blog and/or my other blog, The Way Of The Accommodite.
5. Prepare some of my books for release, even if I'm unable to release them today.

That's all I can think of for now. Maybe I should go eat some lunch and think it over.

Yesterday And This Morning

My nephew was at his first day of summer day camp in the morning.  When he came home, he and I both played computer games for about an hour and then played Hangman the next hour. Later, he and I took a walk to his school, where he showed me the playground. From my understanding, either my sister/his mom or her live-in boyfriend usually takes him to school when it's in session.

My sister, who works for the school district's IT department in the day, works at a liquor store at night. She was at work last night, so I spent more time with my nephew. We mostly hung out in my room. Sister's boyfriend had something he needed to go do later that evening. My nephew had to be in bed by nine. He also was told to go read for 15 minutes sometime that evening. By the time the 15 minutes was up, he was asleep. I left him alone then. (He later woke up and got ready for bed.) For a while, both of the dogs hung out on my bed. Millie, the boyfriend's dog, eventually left for the master bedroom, I believe, but Cosmo opted to spend the night with me on my bed. (It's my understanding that he likes to snuggle.) Sometime after I got up and got dressed, I let him outside to use the yard.

This morning, for the second day in a row, I walked him to where he catches the bus to go to the day camp. After I got home, I walked the dogs. When the dogs and I were on our way home, it started raining. (It was raining off and on yesterday and today.) It's not raining right now, though.

For a short while after I had started this post, my sister and nephew were here. They are now on their way to the doctor's regarding some recent problems my nephew has had with one of his eyes. I'm not sure what he and I will be doing when he returns. For all I know, he might rest for a while before we do anything.

Sorry I Haven't Posted Here Lately

I have been quite busy with my nephew, doing things like play computer/video games with him, watch and play with snails (his mom/my sister has recently outlawed the latter), playing with digging-type toys outside, and more.

My sister's corgi, Cosmo, has been bringing me the ball for me to throw. When my mom and I were visiting my sister on Mother's Day, Cosmo would, off and on, not only bring me the ball but go so far as to get up on his hind legs and put the ball either next to me on the couch or into my lap. Now, whenever he brings the ball to me and sets it on the floor, I ask him, "Where does it go?" That's his cue to put in the extra effort if you know what I mean. (He's currently enrolled in an obedience school that meets once a week. I don't know if they cover this, but by having him put the ball either in my lap or next to me on whatever furniture I'm on before I throw it, I'm testing to see if he's motivated to get what he wants enough to do it on my terms.) Sometimes he does that, and sometimes he just barks. Yesterday, one of his balls was stuck under the couch, but I managed to get it out.

My nephew is at a day camp four times a week this month, so I'll have a little extra time to update this blog, especially since, on my reading blog, RAB-PIA, I am currently reading the last book on my list that is not currently in "To Pass Along" status. (The list will change once I return home and am to add to the list, not to mention register with Bookcrossing, some books that I had bought from Doggie Bag but due to luggage space constraints, I had not been able to bring with me to my sister's.

Other things I will need to do in the mornings while my nephew is away include walking the dogs (weather permitting), doing rewrites for a novel I wrote in November (especially since my dad has been asking about those; if he continues to ask if I've been doing my rewrites, I'd like to be able to say yes), releasing as many of my "To Pass Along" books as  possible, catching up on email (especially surveys with sites I had signed up for), updated my other blogThe Way Of The Accommodite, and any cleaning that needs to be done around here.

As I write this, the two dogs, Cosmo and Millie, (the latter belonging to my sister's live-in boyfriend), are the my room with me asleep, and Steve, the younger of the two cats in the houseold (both of whom are female and don't get along with each other very well for some reason), is on my bed, purring like crazy. (The pure reminds me of my mom's late Himalayan, whom I try not to mention anymore as it had turned out that by bringing him up, at least to the extent that I did, hurt my mom's feelings. Anytime I by any means hurt the feelings of my parents or anyone else, I get very upset with myself and basically feel like I'm the worst person in the world.)

That's all I have for now, I'll be sure to post some more when and if I get the chance.