UPDATE — Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology

I’m running behind schedule, but I’m making progress. I hope to finish reading and making decisions about the stories I’ve received by the end of the month!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I continued working on edits for two authors.
2. I continued reading entries for the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology!
3. I swam every day, at least once!
4. I had an appointment with my cardiologist, and he said, Everything is going great! Don’t need to see you for another year.
5. I completed #the100dayproject!

This next week…

1. I’ll complete edits of manuscripts for two authors.
2. I’ll continue reading the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology entries!
3. On Monday, I’ll have my every-three-weeks immunotherapy infusion. Blech.
4. I’ll start rising at O-dark-thirty on Wednesday to help get kids off to school!
5. I’m going to work on organizing & cleaning up my art room.
6. I’ll swim every day the weather cooperates!

Open Contests

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

1. Word Search: Packing for a Trip (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Tell me a story… (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Puzzle-Contest: Sisters, sisters… — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. July into August (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Lazy Dog — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Gabbi Grey: When Visiting Someone Else’s Town (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
7. Flashback: Watch Over Me (Contest — Two Winners!) — Win a FREE book! Two winners!
8. A Memory of Misspent Youth? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Word Search: Back to School Supplies (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
10. Gabbi Grey: When the unexpected happened… (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
11. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Fantasy — Hero or Villain? — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sarah Ulfers!
*~*~*

I didn’t post the puzzle-contest yesterday, so I’m adding it to my weekly Report Card! I have tons of excuses, but they all add up to me being extremely lazy yesterday. I couldn’t be bothered to post. I slept late, swam long, and watched a Chinese reel about a woman who was a goddess and didn’t know it. Perfect day, actually.

Puzzle-Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then let me know what content you enjoy on my blog. What catches your eye? What contests are fun for you? Do you like the puzzles? The visitors? Glimpses of my personal life?

Enjoy today’s puzzle! It’s of the now-11-year-old being her not-so-angelic self when she was little. ~DD

Report Card

Last week…

1. I continued working on edits for two authors.
2. I’ll continued reading entries for the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology!
3. I had my every-three-week infusion on Monday and was hit hard with fatigue and other unpleasant side effects for the following three days. (I’m feeling better today!)
4. I swam every day, at least once!
5. I didn’t paint a thing. *sigh* And I only have one more piece to complete to finish up #the100dayproject.

This next week…

1. I’ll complete edits of a manuscript for another author and continue working on another author’s story.
2. I’ll continue reading the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology entries!
3. I’ll get some chores out of the way—laundry, packing—in preparation for my trip to visit my sister this week!
4. I’ll pre-post blogs for the days I’ll be on trip so you have some fun things to read/do while I’m away from my desk!
5. I’ll (hopefully) paint my last piece for #the100dayproject.
6. I’ll swim every day the weather cooperates!

Open Contests

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

1. What are your favorite romance tropes? (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Gabbi Grey: Jane Austen as a Muse for Queer Romances (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win two eBooks and an audio book!
3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: What are they doing? — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Gabbi Grey: Rucking Yet Again?!?! (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
5. Sliding Puzzle: A visit to the apothecary… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Story Cubes — Tell Me a Story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Health Update & a Trip News (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Jessie Redmon Fauset — Mother of the Harlem Renaissance (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I continued working on edits for another author!
2. At last, I was able to get back to swimming after getting the pool pump motor replaced and getting the green out of the pool again! I’m back to swimming at least once daily! And can I say there’s been more pep in my step since?
3. I’m painting, though not daily! I have just ONE MORE painting to complete until I reach the end of #the100dayproject! Here’s one of last week’s accomplishments. It’s like…tiny—business card sized. It counts!

This next week…

1. I’ll complete edits of a manuscript for another author and begin work on another author’s story.
2. I’ll be reading the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology entries!
3. I have my immunotherapy infusion on Monday. I’ll meet with my doctor, and he’ll decide whether I’ll increase my Lenvima dosages. Gah.
4. I’ll continue painting to complete #the100dayproject.
5. I’ll swim every day the weather cooperates!

Open Contests

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

1. Let’s Celebrate World Kebab Day! — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: The Ideal Vacation — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Gabbi Grey: When life gave me lemons… (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
4. Word Search: Favorite Ice Cream Flavors (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. What are your favorite romance tropes? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Gabbi Grey: Jane Austen as a Muse for Queer Romances (Contest) — Win two eBooks and an audio book!
7. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: What are they doing? — Win an Amazon gift card!

Report Card

Last week…

1. I completed edits for an author & began edits for another!
2. Still no swimming due to the pool pump quitting on us! However, the repairman came out and replaced the motor for the pump, so we’re working on getting the algae tamed.
3. Healthwise, I am gradually getting used to the 1-2 punch of Keytruda and Lenvima for my targeted immunotherapy. I still fight fatigue and the occasional bout of diarrhea, but it’s much improved!
4. I’m painting, though not daily! I’m approaching the end of #the100dayproject. Here’s one of last week’s accomplishments.

This next week…

1. I’ll continue working on edits of a manuscript for another author.
2. I’ll begin reading the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology entries! I can’t wait to see what I have!
3. I’ll continue painting to complete #the100dayproject.
4. Any day now, I’ll be back to swimming in the pool—maybe as soon as this afternoon!
5. I have a blood draw scheduled for later this week in preparation for my infusion appointment the following week.

Open Contests

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

1. June Into July (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. My New Guilty Pleasure (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Memory Game: More Guilty Pleasures (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Ava Cuvay: The Down & Dirty on the Short Story (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Poised at the “Star Gate” — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Bookmark Giveaway! — Win a hand painted bookmark!
7. Flashback: Knight in Transition (Contest — 2 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
8. Let’s Celebrate World Kebab Day! — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: The Ideal Vacation — Win an Amazon gift card!

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!

UPDATE: The winner is…Gretchen!
*~*~*

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!

Just a quick note about Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology…

Yes, today is the deadline for submitting a story; however, I’ll begin reading those I’ve already received next week and will continue reading until around mid-July. If you still want to submit, I’ll hold the door open while I’m still reading. Click on the graphic to the left to read about submission guidelines. These are short stories! Maybe a little more than a weekend’s worth of work!

Report Card

Last week…

1. Zero editing gigs this week, which was kinda nice.
2. I did finish reading through what I have of Ignition, the last of the Delta Fire stories, and I wrote one page of new material. One page. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I haven’t written a single page since July of last year—so that’s a big deal for me!
3. I requested print covers for Ultra Strokes, volumes 1 & 2!
4. I swam every day the weather cooperated. The pool is now a lovely 88 degrees.
5. Healthwise, I had an immunotherapy treatment on Monday. They started me on a new protocol, something a little more aggressive than what I was given before. A daily pill is coming to me in the mail, so that will be an added PITA. I was fatigued for two days and suffered the indignity of diarrhea and nausea. But hey, so long as this stuff kicks the remnants of the cancer in my body in the ass, I’m good with it!
6. I’m limping toward the end of #the100dayproject. I only completed two pieces this week. The one below was fun. It started life as a Gelli-printed paper using actual flowers, then I glued it to a board, added smudges of color with Pan pastels, then highlighted with oil pastels and a little gold and black pen. I’ll be experimenting with that again!

This next week…

1. I’ll complete work on Ignition—writing new words until I get to The End.
2. I’ll upload print versions of Ultra Strokes, volumes 1 and 2.
3. I’ll re-read the stories in the We Are Dead Horse series and then plot the next stories.
4. I’ll continue painting to complete #the100dayproject. I want to finish by the end of the month.
5. 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. May Into June (Contest) — This is the last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Mary Annette Anderson Smith – First African American Woman in Phi Beta Kappa (Contest) — This is the last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Celebrate Repeat Day! (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Gabbi Grey: The Story that Happened When I Wasn’t Looking (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. It’s Drive-in Movie Day! (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Saturday Puzzle Contest — Morning Cup of Joe — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Gabbi Grey: Did Some Say Rucking?!?! (Contest) — Win a FREE eBook!
8. Gabbi Grey: I have an addiction… (Contest–2 Winners!) — Two winners will receive a FREE audiobook!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: AI Software & Spaceship in Candy Land — Win an Amazon gift card!