Instant Panic!

Well I had planned on posting something tonight about my Thanksgiving holiday and all of the embarassing amounts of food I had eaten but an email from my publisher scared all of that right out of me!

The said email told me my planned release date was January 28th, 2010. My initial reaction was to throw up at work from stress and panic. As many of you know, this is my super busy season at work where I put in around 60 hours a week, sometimes more...yay me! (Sense my sarcasm?) My next reaction was excitement over the fact that I could be seeing my work in print that soon! However, panic, as it often does, won out in the end. Lucky for me I had actually taken the time this weekend (quite a bit I might add) to go back over my entire manuscript and fine tune it one more time, hoping to submit it back to my publisher before the formatting and editing process began. Thank goodness my instincts were right and I had this done before tonight...well, I put the finishing touches on tonight, but nontheless, it dulled the panic just a bit.

I have now sent the revised manuscript to the publisher along with a list of my worries and reservations about so soon a release date. I haven't necessarily ruled it out but I need to be calmed. An accountant must have a plan and a schedule for such things - my world doesn't work otherwise! Utter chaos today in my head...just talking about the possiblities makes me quesy.

And I think I just misspelled quesy..is it quezey...who cares...correct me. I'm tired and ready for bed.

Will let you all know the final outcome as well as possibly post an excerpt from the book as it's been requested by a dearly missed family member.

Here's the short version of what I was going to post since I'm too tired to do the full version: Thanksgiving was tasty...enjoyed seeing family...ate too much and regretted it as I do every year...didn't sleep much Thursday night due to Black Friday shopping...not nearly as bad as people say if you do it right...go 30 minutes after each store opens...get the deals, not bad crowds...home by 9am with Chick-fil-a in hand and most Christmas shopping done...decorated the house...bought a much-too-large tree...still haven't found the energy to put lights on said tree...watched both the Grinch and Shrek the halls on tv tonight and little dude had the patience for the first but not the second.

And with that, I'm out!
Kristi

Thanks Giving

Close friends and family: to me that's what the oncoming season truly celebrates...our friends and family, both here and above; taking a moment to remember to stop and be thankful for those things that we have. Being thankful is a funny thing because when I think about my life I feel blessed to have a terrific husband, adorable son, the coolest group of friends, an amazingly close family and in these economic times, a job and a house. Notice none of these things (with the exception of the house) is really a possession. It's so easy to get swept away this time of year by all the sales and promotions and to focus on gifts...but most of us are more thankful for the things that can't be bought.

Not to say I won't be out in the crowds on Black Friday shopping with the rest of the crazies, because I WILL! I've always been a sucker for a good sale...I blame it on my estrogen! But I sometimes just think that's too much of the focus of both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's also a great time of year to help those in need by taking part in an angel tree or similar activity if you are fortunate enough to be able to do so.

Here's another old school poem (short and sweet) that I wrote back in college about my great group of friends:

"Circle of Friends"

flipping through pictures
my mind starts to wander
so many good times to remember
too many changes to ponder

life's lessons i have taken
friendships lost and found
tears have been shed
and emotions overbound

thinking back through time
and into the past
a smile crosses my lips
the memories steadfast

can't help but feel lucky
for the times i have shared
for the people who have been there
and the ones who have cared

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all...hope you have a truly great holiday!
Kristi

The week of the Turkey

Had a great weekend catching up with some truly great friends!

My weekend began with ladie's night starting directly after work and involving a Mexican restaurant and the worst margaritas I have ever had. Seriously. Bad. Trust me, it got better. We chugged the drinks that were mostly filled with Tequila and nothing else (you would think that would be a good thing but it really really wasn't), washed them down with some tortilla chips and cheap guacomole, donned some cheesy shirts I bought that night and headed out to watch the New Moon movie. One of the many reasons I adore my sister is that she has the same sense of humor and love of books and movies that I do. When I called her that day to ask if she wanted to wear silly vampire shirts to the movie, she was all in. And we wore them proudly with all of the other thirteen year olds that were there.

I honestly thought the movie was really good. It was my least favorite book in the series so really, I wasn't expecting much so I might not be the best reviewer. The movie was much less painful than the book and I really can't wait to watch it again.

Saturday I was able to hang out with a bunch of my college friends that I don't get to see much, and as always, it was fun to catch up and see what has been going on in everyone's lives. The only sad thing is it never seems like we have enough time. I miss the days when we all lived in the same building or apartments and could visit and catch up regularly. I'm amazed I lucked out at meeting such a great group of friends...all of them different and unbelievably unique and cool.

Sunday was me basically trying to get back to normal after being up two late nights in a row...my body just doesn't bounce back like it used to and I was in bed by 9pm. Even still, I had to get a Venti latte' from Starbucks this morning in order to make it to work and feel like a human being.

Today consisted of an 11 hour work day...HELLO BUSY SEASON! And then another workout on the treadmill..note to self...do not eat frozen waffles for dinner and then try to run...NOT GOOD! Didn't make it quite two miles due to previously mentioned waffles. Am proud that after putting little dude to sleep I did revisit my book and begin going through it chapter by chapter to make sure I'm as happy as I can be with it. Am hoping I can get this done before my publisher starts working on it himself so he can start with the most polished version.

And now...it's time for bed so I can get up and do it all again tomorrow. Thank goodness for a three day workweek. I'm ready for Turkey and naps.

Kristi

busy bee

I am happy to say that I have had a very good, motivated night! Came home, ate leftovers with the fam, ran/walked on the treadmill (2.10 miles), showered, snuggled with little dude, watched Fringe and now am updating my site. Woo hoo...go me!

While working out I came across the Thriving Ivory video Angels on the Moon and have to say I forgot how much I loved this song and this video. Now downloading the entire album...will let you know how I like the rest.

Must get up early for work tomorrow so I can leave on time for ladies' night so I'm cutting my extra computer work short tonight in exchange for that elusive thing in my life: sleep. I do find that nights I work out it's harder for me to fall asleep but when I do it is typically more peaceful as my poor body is worn out.

I'll leave you all with an old school poem I was thinking about today, this is one I wrote back when my sister was sick and is one of my favorites. It never ceases to remind me how very lucky we are to still have her around and how blessed each and every day truly is:

"A Sister's Love"
Walk into a room
stranger lying in a bed
looks so thin and feeble
through a tube she's being fed

Breaks my heart to look at her
too much pain and suffering around
long for a normal life
need to put our feet back on the ground

Contemplating in the dark
this place so lonely and cold
as I sit in this chair and wonder
is this where my life unfolds?

Close my eyes as if to sleep
but find it's of no use
my mind is too stubborn
and only continues its abuse

Waiting for my cue
I stay awake and stare
the moment I'm needed
I want to be the one there

Starting to get tough now
this place breaking us down
been too long this time
don't want to go for another round

We must escape now
back to the times when we played
singing, laughing and having a good time
back before our lives became so frayed

Time to get back to normal
and doesn't that seem strange
don't know what to do
the world around us has changed.
That's it for me tonight! Good night all!
kristi :-)

Thursday Jumble

So...lots of things on my mind this morning. Petrified and excited that the holidays are around the corner, but how the heck did they get here this fast???? Heard from a good friend this week that she'll be in town for Christmas so I'm looking forward to catching up with her soon...always seems too long in between visits. Darn busy lives tend to get the best of us.

Speaking of good friends - also planning on catching up with a bunch of my college friends in Charlotte this weekend...always good times. And need I mention a certain movie is coming out tonight? Definitely going Friday night (ladie's night) to see New Moon. Movie looks to be much more exciting than the book, which was my least favorite in the series.

On writing: Found a writing forum discussing my publisher, Black Rose Writing yesterday. Wow people can be cruel...poor Reagan Rothe! I know they are all trying to help but since when did writers become so jaded? I'm new to the industry so you won't find much judgement here but most of what I read seemed to say that he's fairly new to the scene of publishing and an amateur. The majority of the authors' sentiments dealt with the fact that they believe it better to be unpublished than published badly and that he is misleading many by his efforts to publish new authors. Granted they didn't find any examples of author's that had been published "badly".

Of course I've already signed a contract, but even so, I would do it again. I have to disagree. I thought it extremely pleasant to see a fellow BRW author in the forum talking about what a great experience they have had personally and how well their book is doing. In my opinion, Reagan has been all but honest throughout the process. He publishes what he believes in (there were also those who had gotten rejections from BRW showing they don't accept all material), gives people an opportunity to get their work out there, but doesn't hide the fact that you WILL have to work. Most of us don't have our own agents so there's a fair amount of things that will fall to us. I believe we all go into it knowing this book won't be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. It's a beginning and a baby step in the right direction. Getting our feet wet.

In an industry where even the best of agents are turning down great work because they don't believe they can sell it, what is an author left to do? I have to believe that showing some initiative, publishing a book and selling it the best you can, will help your writing career in the long run. And for those of us that do this more as a hobby than anything, I have to think it's a good step.

But my rambling must end...looks like it's that time again: heading off to work where we are slammed as busy season begins. It's sad that I actually enjoy being way too busy. Character flaw.

Happy Thursday!!!
Kristi

Trying to be motivated...

Well, the weekend is almost over and we've spent most of it trying to get the living room put back together, some Christmas shoping done and as always - household chores.

Today, however, I am trying my hardest to be motivated enough to make the needed changes to my manuscript. Thanks to all the friends and family members who have read it and provided me with the feedback I need to make the necessary changes. Somehow going back and updating it has become more of a chore than the fun of writing it was the first go round and I seem to finding anything else to do with my time. Here I am updating my blog instead, thinking about an article I want to write, wondering if I should run on the treadmill and resisting the urge to start a new book, completely unrelated to the first.

Having said that, I did add a blurb in the right hand column about the book, which seems like a step in the right direction...

'Tek just made my night!

Brent called me at work this afternoon to tell me the good news that Varitek exercised his option to play for the Red Sox again next year. **happy dance**

I have finally had time to sit down and read the article on the website.

I kind of thought and hoped he would go this route knowing the kind of leader and player he is, but I have to admit I was still a bit worried. I know and like Victor Martinez (admit he's a great addition) and Red Sox Nation all knew it was coming, but it's still hard. I still believe had 'Tek been out there catching for some of our pitchers towards the end we may have done better. While his bat may not be as hot, his skill as a catcher is still there. I really hope we'll get to see him play a decent bit next year, even if it is second string.

The fact that he has taken this step just makes me love him all the more - and let's face it, $3 million isn't so bad....

On a side note - I really must investigate the time stamp for my posts...it's WAY off. While I worked late on the paint last night it certainly wasn't until 4AM..must be my home computer.

Ding Dong The White Wall is dead

We did it! Finished the second coat of paint last night...woo hoo! Tonight will involve removing tape, cringing at how much paint got through onto the nice white molding, touching up said smudges, and getting our newly painted living room back in order. I've attached a picture of our new color "tropical nut" although I really don't think it does it justice...

the white wall wins

Well, the white walls of this house have been taunting me for too long and starting Sunday the fight for the living room began. We moved our television upstairs and began taping, cutting in, and painting the walls "tropical nut". So far so good but last night we were up to midnight painting and we still have one white wall left to go. Obviously the biggest challenge is our little man and making sure he stays away from the wet paint which puts up a tight time constraint on when we can work on said project.

This morning I'm feeling the pain. Busy season at work has begun and I have an extraordinary amount of "extra projects" in process from manuscripts to scrapbooks to painting to articles about my Red Sox addiction. Need I mention the upcoming holidays? What's more disturbing than all this is that I am loving every minute of it. The more busy and overwhelmed I am, the more motivated, happy, and challenged I become. It's sick really.

Off to Starbucks for my morning hit...

kristi :-)

TGIF - press release done

It's been a long and busy week but a very productive one!

We have settled into our new office (moved from durham to raleigh recently) and I can actually manage to get work done now without being distracted, putting things away or rearranging them every five minutes. I still need some color and personal things to help with the beigeness of my new office but that will come in time. I'm also enjoying (perhaps too much) the great selection of free coffee, tea, and snacks in the break room. I'm hoping the excitment of free food will diminish over time or I'm really going to have to up my workout routine at home.

I was able to return the press release information to my publisher this week, so the official book publishing process has begun! It was mostly a book bio/author bio/ and a photo. Finding a photo of myself for the cover was by far the most stressful part but as of last night, Brent and I found a suitable one.

I have no idea what comes next...anxiously awaiting any news and knowing I will have many long nights ahead of me polishing up my manuscript when the time comes.

No big plans for the weekend, which is nice. Getting ready to run out shopping for lunch and come back to the never ending project I'm working on at work.

Hope everyone's week went well!
Kristi

First Entry

For those of you that read my blog in the past, when I was on AOL, sorry it took me so long to start it back up again! And apparently they have closed the site!

What can I say, building my first house, getting married, having a kid, and changing jobs has kept me quite busy!

I have now found msyelf getting settled, enjoying my new life in this new house in an area my hubby and I have grown to love! I have also recently found myself an opportunity to have my work published by an independent publisher! To say I'm thrilled would be an understatement.

I am feeling the need to blog about it frequently and thus finally created a new space for my thoughts!