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!

May

1. I completed 4 editing projects for other authors in May!
2. I found new artwork for a previously published anthology of erotic short stories, Ultra Strokes, Vol. 1. I recovered it and reuploaded it.
3. I compiled my second volume of erotic short stories, Ultra Strokes, Vol. 2, and published it! It’s my first release of the year! Progress, finally!

Health-related:

1. I finally went to the optometrist since I’m far enough away from chemotherapy that I don’t think my eyesight is going to further degrade any time soon. I have new glasses, and the screen is no longer blurry!
2. I fought a second UTI and have completed another round of antibiotics. I feel great!

Happiness-related: 

1. I continued my participation in #the100dayproject. Here are a few small pieces I completed:

June

For work-related, I plan:

1. To finish writing Ignition! No excuses! This will complete the Delta Fire series, my erotic firefighter stories. The pre-order will be set up this week, and 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 await the arrival of two editing projects around mid-month. Not having any at the moment is fine with me. Again, I have nothing to get in the way of my writing mojo, other than me.

For health-related, I plan:

1. To continue to focus on recovery! Rest when I need to, and some light exercise—housework and swimming.
2. To endure another immunotherapy session this month (I tolerate it so much better than chemo!) and a wellness checkup with my general practitioner.

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 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 June…

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

Report Card

Last week…

1. I completed one author’s edits. I’m currently working on another’s.
2. The weather cooperated so that I got to swim four days this past week. We had a thunderstorm yesterday that knocked out our power for hours. 🙁
3. I’ve continued painting and trying to catch up with #the100dayproject challenge. This was my favorite piece for the week because the paint was made with actual coffee and smells like it!
4. Healthwise, I battled another UTI. I’m currently on antibiotics. It’s always something. Gah!

This next week…

1. I will complete one author’s edits and then I have no more on the near horizon, so it’s time to get writing!
2. I’ll begin assembling my next Ultra compilation for publication.
3. I’ll restart work on Ignition—writing new words. I’m ready to get back on that treadmill. And yeah, I know I said this last week.
4. I’ll continue trying to catch up with #the100dayproject schedule.
5. I’ll hopefully have time to open 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. 1. Gabbi Grey: Challenge Accepted (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
   2. Flashback: Big Sky SEAL (Contest–2 Winners!) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
   3. Memory Game: Wildlife Where I Live (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Mad about goats! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   5. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a SIGNED book, plus a hand-painted bookmark!
   6. Cameron Allie: Love Spells, Full Moons, and Silver Bullets (F*R*E*E Read, Excerpt, & Contest) — Get your FREE read, plus a sticker bundle!
   7. Word Search: Let’s Celebrate Buy a Musical Instrument Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Surprise Blooms! — Win an Amazon gift card!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I completed one author’s edits. I began another author’s edits.
2. I had covers made—one for my Ultra Strokes, Vol. 1, and another for my next Ultra Strokes book.
3. I received my new glasses with the new prescription, so I’m not squinting at a blurry screen anymore!
4. I’ve continued painting and trying to catch up with #the100dayproject challenge. This was my favorite piece for the week.

This next week…

1. I will complete one author’s edits and begin another author’s edits!
2. I’ll begin assembling my next Ultra compilation for publication.
3. I’ll restart work on Ignition—writing new words. I’m ready to get back on that treadmill.
4. I’ll continue trying to catch up with #the100dayproject schedule.

Open Contests

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

1. 1. Word Search: My Summer Binge List (Contest) — This is the last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
   2. Gabbi Powell: Finding Acceptance in Different Places (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win FREE books!
   3. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Chickens — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   5. Gabbi Grey: Challenge Accepted (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   6. Flashback: Big Sky SEAL (Contest–2 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
   7. Memory Game: Wildlife Where I Live (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Mad about goats! — Win an Amazon gift card!

Happy Mother’s Day!

To all you mothers out there…

I was spoiled by my family, but my favorite gift has to be this one!

She’s holding a box of popcorn and a popsicle (my two favorite snacks!) and that white thing lying on its side in front is a little ghost—because I find them everywhere. LOL! I’m thankful my dd decided to give me gray hair rather than leave me bald.

Report Card

Last week…

1. 1. I worked on two authors’ edits.
   2. I found photos for the anthology of short stories I’m getting ready to release by the end of this month—my next Ultra Strokes book.
   3. I went to my optometrist to update my glasses prescription. Chemo did substantially change my eyesight.
   4. I’m feeling better every day. I feel stronger every day.
   5. I’ve continued painting and trying to catch up with #the100dayproject challenge. This was my favorite piece for the week.

This next week…

1. I will complete two authors’ edits and begin work on two more!
2. I’ll select short stories and begin assembling my next Ultra compilation for publication.
3. I’ll be attending my local art guild’s meeting this Thursday night! Woot!
4. I’ll continue trying to catch up with #thedayproject schedule.

Open Contests

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

1. 1. April Into May (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
   2. Gabbi Grey: Found Family (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
   3. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Laura Wheeler Waring – A Missionary of Culture — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Happy Astronomy Day! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   5. Flashback: Lone Star Lovers — Four-Gone Conclusion (Contest–2 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
   6. Word Search: My Summer Binge List (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   7. Gabbi Powell: Finding Acceptance in Different Places (Contest) — Win FREE books!
   8. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Chickens — Win an Amazon gift card!

Report Card

Last week…

1. 1. I completed one author’s edits and began work on another author’s edits.
   2. I met with my oncologist who recommended we continue with immunotherapy, and in fact, had me in the chair with an IV in my arm right after telling me everything was looking good.
   3. I’m still pacing myself between resuming work and resting when I need it. I feel stronger every day.
   4. I’ve been painting like crazy, trying to catch up with the herd for #the100dayproject. This was my favorite piece for the week. It’s terribly imperfect, but I enjoyed smudging it all up with graphite and pencil after I water colored the shell.

This next week…

1. I will complete one author’s edits and begin work on another project!
2. I’ll select short stories and begin assembling my next Ultra compilation for publication.
3. I have an appointment with the optometrist—which I need badly. My vision is very blurry at the moment.
4. I’ll continue trying to catch up to #thedayproject schedule.

Open Contests

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

1. 1. Memory Game: My Paintings (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
   2. Flashback: Her Next Breath (Contest — Two Winners!) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book, 2 winners!
   3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Wildflowers — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   4. Flashback: Her Next Breath (Contest — Two Winners!) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
   5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Wildflowers — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
   6. Mondays? Love ’em or Hate ’em? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   7. Health Update & a Word Search (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   8. April Into May (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
   9. Gabbi Grey: Found Family (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
   10. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Laura Wheeler Waring – A Missionary of Culture — Win an Amazon gift card!
   11. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Happy Astronomy Day! — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Beverly Blank!
*~*~*

April

Work-related:

1. I completed 2 editing projects for other authors in April!
2. I pushed the deadline for submissions for the anthology entitled Burn until mid-June.
3. And yes, this is such meager progress, but the fact I did anything at all is a miracle! 🙂

Health-related:

1. The big accomplishment this month was that I underwent surgery on April 1st to get my girlie parts removed. I’ve been recovering all month since, and there’s still a ways to go.
2. I had another immunotherapy appointment, so I’m good to go for another six weeks with my cancer treatment.

Happiness-related: 

1. I resumed my participation in #the100dayproject around mid-month. Here are a few small pieces I completed:

May

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete 3 editing projects in May.
2. To assemble a group of short stories to publish together in a second Ultra Strokes volume.
3. To continue writing Ignition. It’s time to get back to the real work!

For health-related, I plan:

1. To focus on recovery! Rest and light exercise.
2. To start swimming as soon as the pool is ready. I figure I’ll be healed enough by mid-May! Woot!
3. To see an optometrist to address the issue of the deterioration of my vision due to chemo. I need a new prescription, but I also want to know what I’ve lost and if it will get worse.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To spend time with the family while I recover from surgery and get ready for the summer break. I can’t wait to have the kids home.
2. To continue the #100dayproject 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 May…

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