Yay, it's Wednesday again!!! Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk sponsor a weekly meme with the purpose to help us writerly people keep in contact with each other and simply say 'What's Up!'
Go on over and join the fun. It doesn't take much, and you'll get a chance to catch up with some fantastically fun, wordy folks.
As for me. . .
What I've Been Reading:
Not much. I read several kids books (FLOPPY THE MYSTERY DOG by Diana Starr and Denise Bloomfield and HARRY AND THE HOT LAVA by Chris Robertson), but that was it. Books had to stay on those shelves this last week.
What I've Been Writing:
Although I didn't post my Monday's dibs for Ready.Set.Write!, I did reach my 1000 word goal + a little more. But it you ask me today what I wrote, I won't be able to tell you. The last few days left my mind a little numb (see below)
What Inspires Me:
Amazing people. I've been talking to all sorts of neighbors and hearing their life stories (just jawing, mind you.) Each of them has experienced some huge hurdles or surprisingly fantastic successes. Goes to show you how rich life can be, although you'd never guess it by the appearance. And each of them has a heart of gold. I find that inspiring.
What Else I've Been Up To:
The last days, the song 'Wrecking Ball' from Miley Cyrus played non-stop in my head. Action Roof was intense, especially for my brother. After finishing his day of work back at his home, him and his family of 8 piled into their car, drove 16 hours through the night, only to pile out here and jump on the roof for another 9 hours of work. The man is a work machine. Period.
And it stayed that intense for 5 whole days.
I felt really sorry for my brother up on that roof in 95 degrees at about the same humidity, pushing 12 hour days (he felt sorry too, I'm sure). And my two teens exchanged places constantly to be up there helping him. Seriously, my kids are amazing. (yes, they had ropes and all safety devices) My sister-in-law ran between kids and work like a chicken with her head cut off. My husband helped where ever he could (usually cutting pieces).
The result: a beautiful roof, tons of cuts and sunburns, kids who had the time of their life and adults ready to collapse.
It was great.
And what about you? What's up in your world?
I'm glad you got your roof fixed -- and I'm sure the kids all had a wonderful time together. (I'm sure because we had a similar family reunion here.)
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm Reading: Just finished beta-reading an awesome manuscript by DL Hammons and a wonderful mystery set in the 1990's by Kimbery Garnick Giarrantano (Grunge Gods & Graveyards). I've just started The Actual and Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher by Jessica Lawson.
What I'm Writing: My MG science fiction adventure -- which I keep describing as string theory for kids.
What Inspires Me: My new beginning as a full time writer, retired from teaching
What Else I've Been Up To: We had a 50th anniversary party for my parents, with lots of relatives from out of town staying with us. We had a houseful of guests (almost as many as you, but without the work on the roof) and lots of fun!
Family reunions are always fun - hectic, but that kind of adds to the fun. Right???
DeleteI still think your MS sounds amazing. Such a great idea!
Wow, that roof project sounds EPIC!! And in 95 degree weather too! But how nice to have a new roof. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love what you say about your neighbors and their life stories. It seems like every time I get to truly listen to what someone has to say about their life, the results are always surprising.
Hope you have a great week and enjoy that new roof!
Now, it just has to hold for the next 10...15...20 years :)
DeleteI have to force myself to listen to their stories (and remember to ask) because they are books all of their own.
Glad the roofing went well, even with the exhaustion and chaos!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeletePass on the heat and humidity! Glad it's over for everyone.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, they're predicting a high of only 65 for tomorrow.Time to recuperate!
DeleteGreat job on the roof! Hope you'll have more time for writing soon! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. . I hope so too.
DeleteI CAME INTO YOUR BLOG LIKE A WREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECKING BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL.
ReplyDeleteNot sorry XD
Congrats on the 1k!
Lol! I HATE that song but it totally fit all those kids. (They were fun though)
DeleteOh my gosh, such a great family you have! And you met your word count, too. That's awesome! Congratulations on the shiny new roof!
ReplyDelete:0) It IS shinny. My hubs and I've made bets how many planes we can bring down. Thanks!
DeleteCongrats on the new roof. It sounds like you seriously lucked out in the amazing brother department!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week.
Yeah, I've got several of them- all really awesome. One kind of forgets that sometimes.
DeleteYour brother is a real trooper for tackling that job for you! Glad to hear the roof project went well and that a good time was had by all even if it was exhausting. I can see why your mind would feel numb after a huge undertaking like that! Have a super week!
ReplyDeleteLuckily, the whole family feels that way, so I know it wasn't just my age showing ;)
DeleteSounds like you have a wonderful family helping out like that :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are special.
DeleteOh what a song to get stuck in your head! The roof thing sounds intense, but I'm glad it got done and that the kids had fun. Worth it. :) Also, big congrats on making your RSW goal. With all that other stuff going on, that is definitely something you should be proud of accomplishing!
ReplyDeleteRe: Tsum tsum- Yeah, don't do it. They are ridic cute and come in various sizes, and YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESIST. Re: the World Cup - I think my sister couldn't believe it either since they've always come close but lost since she started following them. But it's the best when you don't expect it and it happens! :D
Have a great week!
I squeezed in my goal before it all started - only way. And it's true, the best things come unexpected.
DeleteWow--your entire family sounds amazing. You are so blessed. But also a blessing to many others, I suspect.
ReplyDeleteThis week, apropo to nothing, I read SCATTERHEART, by Lili Wilkinson, which I heartily recommend to you.
P.S. Your brother looks about as orange as that roof. I hope he had sunscreen!
P.P.S.--You forgot to mention your new Facebook page! :-D
Oooo... I'll put it on my TBR list! *hahaha* Yeah, he does look orange there. But he's really dark (hispanic), so he came out of it A-Okay. As to the Facebook page, it's still under construction. This is a new battle I'm still trying to figure out.
DeleteQuite a roofing project!
ReplyDeleteHaving family who will help out with something like that is AWESOME!
Wow! Roofing is definitely one thing I was not created to do. Not only do I lack the head for heights, but I am useless with tools. I'm very impressed with your family for tackling the job, especially under those conditions! Very inspiring, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Tonja. :)
Yay for reaching your writing goals. And that roof project--wow. Amazing!
ReplyDelete