I’m back to posting my weekly report card because I have actual work accomplishments to share! Woot!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I worked on edits for another author!
2. No swimming due to the pool pump quitting on us! No other exercise other than stairs.
3. Healthwise, I had an immunotherapy treatment on Monday, and after consulting with my oncologist, I resumed Lenvima on Tuesday, but every other day rather than daily. The doctor hopes my body will adjust so I can go back to daily doses, but it’s kicking my butt again. Not as badly. I’m mostly fatigued and little fuzzy-headed the day I take it.
4. I’m painting again! Limping toward the end of #the100dayproject. The one below was fun to paint because I used a supply I hadn’t tried yet in my hoard of supplies—watercolor sticks on top of watercolor.

This next week…

1. I’ll complete edits for one author and begin edits on another author’s story!
2. I’ll, hopefully, complete work on Ignition—writing new words until I get to The End.
3. I’ll continue painting to complete #the100dayproject. I want to finish by the end of the week. Just six more pieces to go!
4. We’re scheduled to have our pump replaced this week, then it’ll take time to turn the neon green water blue again!
5. I’ll hopefully have time to take pictures to reopen my Etsy shop to sell some of the bookmarks and small paintings I’ve been making!

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:

1. Gabbi Grey: When a trope comes calling (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. Word Search: Things associated with June! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Gabbi Black: A Home for Every Story (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
4. June Into July (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. My New Guilty Pleasure (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Memory Game: More Guilty Pleasures (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Ava Cuvay: The Down & Dirty on the Short Story (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Poised at the “Star Gate” — Win an Amazon gift card!

June

 

1. I completed one set of edits and began work on another author’s edits.
2. I had the print covers for both Ultra Strokes volumes created, then uploaded them. They are both available at Amazon now!
3. I read through Ignition and actually wrote a few pages. It’s not finished, but my writer’s brain is starting to wake up!

Health-related:

1. I started a new infusion drug, Keytruda, this month. I felt fatigued for a couple of days afterward, but no worrisome side effects.
2. I began two pills a day of a targeted therapy called Lenvima. The fatigue compounded and worsened over the two weeks I stayed on it, along with a nasty bout of diarrhea that left me feeling like a wrung-out dishrag. The oncologist had me discontinue using it last Friday, and I improved immediately.
3. At today’s infusion appointment, we will discuss what to do going forward.

Happiness-related: 

1. I celebrated my birthday! Thanks to everyone who dropped by here or on FB to wish me well! I really do appreciate it!
2. I continued my participation in #the100dayproject. While the rest of the world ended their participation in early June, I’m persevering to get to 100 pieces of art before I finish! Here are a few small pieces I completed in June:

July

 

For work-related, I plan:

1. To finish writing Ignition! Again—no excuses! This will complete the Delta Fire series, my erotic firefighter stories. The book will be out by the end of the month!
2. To begin work on Built Like Mack, the next story in my We are Dead Horse series.
3. To complete working on the edits I have for one author and await the arrival of two other editing projects to start working on.

For health-related, I plan:

1. To continue to focus on recovery! Rest when I need to, and some light exercise—housework and swimming (when the pool pump gets repaired!!!).
2. To endure another immunotherapy session this month.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To spend time with the family during this summer break. We have plans for fun meals, movies, flea market shopping, and lots and lots of swimming.
2. To head to my sister’s place in the northern part of this state for a mini vacation.
3. To complete #the100dayproject and create more art.

Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in July…

Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

My birthday passed in a flash! I stayed away from social media to simply enjoy my birthday—another one bites the dust! After my doom and gloomy post about how bad I was doing on my new medication, I just didn’t want to see or read anything, even the many lovely posts from everyone for their birthday wishes. I’m reading through them today. Thank you so much for thinking about me!

I can report that I spoke with my oncologist’s office on Friday morning, and they had me discontinue, for now, the new medication. And miraculously, I felt like myself again on Saturday—no frantic dashes to the bathroom! We’ll have a discussion about what to do going forward when I go in for my regular infusion tomorrow. I’ll do whatever he recommends to fight this disease, but maybe we need a better plan or some adjustments so my quality of life doesn’t take such a radical hit. I’ll keep you posted. I do feel better and in a better state of mind today.

Another catastrophic thing happened late last week. The pool pump stopped working. The pool has been my greatest joy (other than my family) this past little while, so we are biting the bullet and having it replaced, but it might not be for a couple of weeks because we’re in the middle of pool season and everyone needs help. Which means, it will likely take another couple of weeks to kill the algae already turning the pool a lovely neon green. *sigh*  Maybe I’ll be swimming again before the end of July!!

I spent my birthday puttering (which is a form of exercise for me these days) and indulging in my latest guilty pleasure. I’ll talk more about what that is later this week. My daughter thinks it’s hilarious, but what does she know, huh?

Anyway, enjoy your Sunday! Do something that gives you joy! ~DD

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:

1. Gabbi Grey: Dipping my toe into the enemies-to-lovers trope… (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE eBook or audio book!
2. Happy Juneteenth, My Messy Desk, & a Health Update (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. What brings you joy? (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Romantic Gestures — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Flashback: Bound & Determined from Texas Cowboys (Contest & Excerpt) — Win a FREE book!
6. Gabbi Grey: When a trope comes calling (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
7. Word Search: Things associated with June! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Gabbi Black: A Home for Every Story (Contest) — Win a FREE book!

I almost didn’t post today. I’ve barely been at my computer for the past few days. The new chemo pills have officially kicked my ass. I’ve had (and pardon me for sharing TMI) some side effects I can’t ignore and push through on my own. Fatigue, horrible diarrhea (I’ve written that word so many times these past few days, I don’t have to pause to remember how to spell it!), and body aches in every joint and major muscle group.

Today, after trying over-the counter remedies, I contacted my oncologist’s office to discuss it with them. So, I’m off the pills for the next few days (I’m still scheduled for a Keytruda infusion on Monday!), and I’m going to take a prescription anti-diarrheal med for the next while. Hopefully, I’ll stop dragging butt and wanting to stay in bed all day.

Now, let’s change the subject! See my cute cake? My birthday is tomorrow, but the family could all be together this afternoon, so they surprised me with the cake and gifts a little while ago. Everything was space themed. They so know me. Also, my sister sent flowers, and they arrived this afternoon today! They’re lovely on my desk and as soon as they start to wilt, I’ll be painting with them. LOL

Anyway, I’m heading back to bed for a wee bit. I’m drinking lots of water, eating bananas, and doing my best to think positive thoughts! I love you all! ~DD

UPDATE: The winner is…Sara D!
*~*~*

Happy Juneteenth!

First, today is Juneteenth—Freedom Day—celebrating the actual date of the end of slavery in the US. Learn more about this relatively new Federal Holiday here: What is Juneteenth?

My Messy Desk

I don’t have a panoramic lens on my iPhone, so I took four photos, left to right of my desktop, just to share images of the chaos. Why? Just cuz. Today, I’m going to pull everything apart to dust underneath it and, maybe, find things that might be removed to make more room for “me” rather than my little treasures. But what should I remove? Do you see the four containers that hold pens and markers and paintbrushes, including a very pretty pot a friend of mine painted and gifted to me? Should I remove the 11-year-old’s toys sitting on top of my printer? (It gives her joy to see that I value her treasures!) Maybe I can move the painkillers and the black box holding my blood pressure cuff…? Maybe I’d forget to use them if they aren’t there in my way. I guess I could move the Halls to a drawer.

Maybe I can scale back the art supplies, the crystals and fossils… But I do love holding them in my hands and meditating. Notice I’m not mentioning removing my watercolor water pot or the paint and oil pastel sticks…

See all those mechanical toys on top of the storage caddy? The superheroes dish? I pause to play with the wind-up toys. I pull a superhero to inspire me. Maybe I should remove the To List because, obviously, I’m not making use of it. The list is old! Maybe I can scale back to one paint palette rather than four, but one doesn’t always have all the colors I love to use when I get the inspiration to paint.

So, maybe I could work on the stack of paperwork and the little notebooks I have standing there. I can certainly get rid of the hand lotion and hand sanitizer…? Maybe I’d forget to use them. Excuses, excuses. So, you see my problem? I’ll move everything around to dust underneath my “stuff” (treasures!) and stack it all better, maybe.

So, question. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, what would you suggest I remove, or do you think my chaos is acceptable?

Quick Health Update

Overshare time. Last week, I had an infusion of new chemicals that are part of the new treatment I’m getting to battle my cancer. On Tuesday, I received the second part, a package of pills that arrived in a hazardous materials bag with instructions about how to handle the new Lenvima pills I have to take daily. The instructions include closing the toilet lid before I double-flush. Washing my hands after handling the pills. I talked to the pharmacy that FedEx’d the pills to me to review my current meds and supplements to make sure nothing will interact negatively.

We talked about side effects. There could be a lot. So far, I’ve only been hit with fatigue and dizziness. But I have to watch for my white blood, red blood, and hemoglobin counts to take a nosedive. There might be more pain in my feet and hands (I still have neuropathy from the chemo that ended at the end of December.) I have to watch for my skin yellowing and other signs my pancreas might be affected. And it goes on and on. They offer a 24-hour phone line to call if I have negative effects. This is serious stuff. I set an alarm to take my pills at noon each day so that I at least have the mornings to work before I get hit with the sledgehammer of muzzy fatigue. Fun stuff.

I asked whether this protocol is really forever or I might be able to get off this medicine at some point. I could tell from the way she paused and then cheerfully told me they’d adjust my meds based on my oncologist’s recommendations that this will continue until I die. Well, I’m getting my mind wrapped around that. I’m getting off this stuff, eventually, because I’m going to win this fucking battle. Period. End stop.

I could use a little nudging to get stuff done, y’all. I’m enjoying the sun and the pool a little too much. I have work to do. ~DD

Report Card

Last week…

1. I didn’t accomplish much of anything. I had the entire week, without any editing gigs going on, and I did zero writing.
2. I did read through what I have of Ignition, the last of the Delta Fire stories, to refamiliarize myself with the story and come up with ideas about how to finish it. (BTW, I still don’t know how I’m going to finish it. 🙁 )
3. I swam every day the weather cooperated. The pool is now a lovely 85 degrees. I’m not gasping when I sink beneath the surface. I’m getting my exercise in!
4. Healthwise, I got a blood draw at the hospital in preparation for next Monday’s immunotherapy appointment. My cancer antigen test continues to show improvement. At my worst, the CA-125 level was at 1100. Last Thursday’s test was a lovely, normal 15.
5. The #the100dayproject challenge ended for everyone else. I honestly thought about ending my participation, too, but I only have 20 pieces to go, so yesterday, I restarted, and this is what I painted. (I love using the real coffee, watercolor paint…the colors, the scent…)

This next week…

1. I’ll restart work on Ignition—writing new words. Lord, I hope this is the last time I will say that.
2. I’ll continue painting to complete #the100dayproject.
3. I’ll hopefully have time to take pictures and reopen my Etsy shop for the summer to sell some of the bookmarks and small paintings I’ve been making!

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:

1. Gabbi Grey: When Life Delivers Lemons… (Contest) — This is the last day to enter! Win TWO BOXED SETS of stories!
2. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway! — This one ends soon! Win a SIGNED BOOK!
3. Gabbi Grey: Five Years! (Contest, plus F*R*E*E Read) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book, and get your FREE read!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Lost in Space — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. May Into June (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Mary Annette Anderson Smith – First African American Woman in Phi Beta Kappa (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Celebrate Repeat Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Gabbi Grey: The Story that Happened When I Wasn’t Looking (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. It’s Drive-in Movie Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
10. Saturday Puzzle Contest — Morning Cup of Joe — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sara!
*~*~*

Today is Drive-In Movie Day. Drive-in movies are no longer a thing. If you can find a drive-in theater, it’s a kitschy, retro thing. However, a long time ago (yes, I’m dating myself), these were very, very popular.

When I was a child, my father was an airman in the Air Force and had to work extra part-time jobs to support our family—so, not a lot of money for anything except the necessities. My mother sewed our clothes, sewed Barbie clothes (mine was the best dressed in the neighborhood!), and entertainment wasn’t something we paid for except for special occasions. We had a green station wagon to haul our family around inside. There were six of us, so we had to have the larger car.

One of my earliest memories was a trip to the drive-in. We went to see Cat Balou (released in 1965 and starring Lee Marvin and Jane Fonda). My mother popped a pillowcase of popcorn, brought drinks, and we brought sleeping bags (camping was another cheap entertainment we enjoyed). We folded down the backseat of the station wagon and rolled out the sleeping bags in case the younger kids fell asleep during the movie. We propped the speaker in Dad’s window and watched the show. I can still remember the tinny sound of that speaker, but didn’t mind. It was pure magic.

Cut away to college in the late 70s. We had a drive-in theater in our little Arkansas town, and yeah, we were still cash-strapped. I was barely in college, but had a Chevy Impala with a very roomy trunk. You paid per person rather than per car, so we loaded four or five kids into the trunk while my brother sat in the front seat with me. We had to wait until the sun went down to pop the trunk and let our passengers out. If you can imagine a bunch of teenagers, giggling like mad, farting and moaning, it was hilarious for my brother and me, but we loved going to the drive-in with friends.

The most memorable experience was when I took my sister (Elle James) to see The Texas Chainsaw Massacre at the drive-in. And now, you can imagine what happened. In the middle of the most stressful scene, where we were already sinking in our seats due to the horror on the screen, someone at the back of the drive-in revved up a chainsaw. You never saw cars fly out of a place so fast. We were right there with them, screaming and laughing. Needless to say, we missed the end of the movie.

That drive-in theater closed years ago. It couldn’t compete with the large, multi-screen theaters, and I’m sure there were fewer and fewer folks willing to endure the mosquitoes in a hot humid summer. I miss it, though. I wish there was one nearby so I could share that experience with our kids now.

So, those are my stories. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, let me know whether you’ve ever been to a drive-in movie. Share your experience. Or if you haven’t, what was your most unusual movie theater experience?