It Was My Worse Fear

And I can say "was" now. I'm so grateful for that. Grateful that it's no longer the fear that looms over me. It no longer is the thought that keeps swirling around in my head and always brought me to tears. The memoir is written and published. But now the big juicy creative life is beckoning me once more. I'm going to have to do something about that!

The Need to Write

The urge is building. Ideas are sparking. I'm open to possibilities and awake for signs of where I'm meant to take my writing next. Right now it's like an itch I can't quite scratch. I want to dig my claws in and feel it pile up under my fingernails until it spills on the page. I have to carve out some time for things to happen.

Connection

When the you in me and the me in you meet - I know we have truly connected.

Book Launch

The book launch was a success! I'm pretty happy about that. There could have been a few things done differently but I'm learning all the time. Maybe I'll get to be a pro at what works and what doesn't. Can't complain though. I'd say it went very well considering.

It would be nice if I could do more book launches like that. It would also help if more people posted reviews on Goodreads and on Amazon.com. That would be a huge help. I'm determined to get my story out there one way or another. Therse launches and word of mouth seem to be the best thing. 

Would love to do a launch in High River where two of my girls are. I'll have to see if I can set that up somehow. A little tricky to do from afar but not impossible. It's what I did for Kelowna.

If there was anyone else reading this blog it might be a way to get people in other places to sponsor book launches but since there's no one else who knows that I write here I guess I'm on my own to make it happen elsewhere.

We're not even home yet. A couple of set backs held us back from getting there. Drove 12 hours today and only half way home. Go figure!

Stupid check engine light went on an hour out of Kelowna so stopped in Vernon and waited for the garage to open to check that out. Wasted an hour there. Then as we're driving out of Blue River, almost half way home, my phone rings. It's my sister in Kelowna saying we forgot one of our laptops there. Damn!

Turned the car around and drove all the way back to Kamloops. Sis was kind enough to come and meet us there and deliver us our computer. Turned around and headed towards home again but only got as far as Valmount and decided to call it a night.

Once upon a time we would of kept going and drove another 6 hours to get home but I guess we're getting older or wiser maybe. In any case, our weary old bones said, enough! 

At least we got to see the mountains today. When we drove through last weekend they were all hiding in the clouds.

It's been a full week. Busy time. Got lots done. I was a little overwhelmed with comments at the book launch. So much coming at me all at once. All very positive mind you. I was on a high. It was hard to come down enough to get to sleep that night. 

Too bad a family member had to throw a kink in things when I called to say goodbye. I could have done without that. I almost felt validated until that happened. Oh well, some things will likely never change. So I have to change how I feel about it.

A Walk on the Beach

An after supper stroll with my sister Diane and her dog Gypsy on the beach of Okanagan Lake which is right across the road from her house. A better walk than when I set out by myself at 7 this morning in the pouring rain. We did get some sunshine by afternoon though and tonight's walk was quite pleasant.

It was a busy day today. The schedule was full as it will be tomorrow. I pick up my editor at the airport at 8:15 am and the day will unroll into the evening faster than I can blink an eye I'm sure.

Me thinks it's a good thing that the day will be busy. It will keep me from getting too worked up before the book launch at 7 pm. At least that's what I'm hoping will happen but that remains to be seen.

These little wild yellow sunflower looking beauties are starting to cover the mountain sides. I just love those little buggers. They are my absolute favorite. It's too bad they only last for a little while then they disappear. Another thing that affirms the importance of living in the moment and being grateful for what each moment brings.

First Slip

By no fault of my own. I was staying at a friend's house in Armstrong last night and she is one of the few people I know who has made a conscious decision not to be 'plugged in' at home. For me that meant no internet access therefore no blog post. Not even my one sentence a day I kinda committed to. But hey, I'm back at it tonight and have already filled my quota.

Moved on to Kelowna today. Did a lot of little things that needed to be done. Check on the bookstore to see about them holding some of my books for sale. Checked on the Streaming Cafe place. Got Andree's phone fixed. Went to a few stores to purchase last minute things we will need the night of the book launch.

Tonight we're holding up at my sister Diane's place. Poor us. Right across from the Okanagan Lake. Sitting in our bedroom listening to the sound of the water, having a bedtime snack and reading and blogging. Well, I'm blogging, Andree's reading.

Tomorrow's agenda - face wax (time to get rid of that nasty beard), haircut, quick lunch, see four clients and that will pretty much look after the day. Not sure what the evening will shape out to be.

The time is fast approaching. Wednesday night will be here before I know it. Yikes!

Now That's Life

Ahh..... It's been a while since I've had the chance to sit back, put my feet up and relax. 

Awesome day despite the drifting, snowy, blizzardy, icy roads we set off on this morning and the mostly rainy weather all the way to our half-way point where we are staying overnight. We did get an hour or so of playing peek-a-boo with the majestic Rockies and the sun poking in and out of the clouds.

I don't know if we've ever taken our time like this to make this often travelled trip from Northern Alberta to Kelowna B.C or vice versa from Kelowna to Northern Alberta.

Stopped for lunch in Edson and stopped for a browse in Jasper. Drove to Valmount and got a room at the Super 8 for the night. They have a huge hot tub here! 

I was in there faster then you could shake a stick at me. Just what my weary bones needed. Went out for supper to the diner across the street and now I'm listening to some tunes coming in live from the Streaming Cafe in Kelowna as drop my thoughts down in this blog.

As soon as I sign off here I'm going to crawl into my cold wet swim suite, ugh, and head back out for another soak in the hot tub. Yes! Just wish I could lock the door and ditch the swimsuit.

Packing

It's 11 pm. Just finished packing. Planning to leave around 6:30 am. Will take our time and only drive halfway. Unusual for us. We usually fly down the highway and make the trip to Kelowna in 12 or so hours. We must be getting old. Or smart. Not sure which.

I want to take it easy. Enjoy the scenery focus on the moment instead of on how many miles we've covered and what time it is. I want to breathe it all in. The prairies, the mountains, the different landscapes, the animals we hope to see going through Jasper National Park. Soak it in. Enjoy.

Valemount is our destination for tomorrow. Going to take a motel room, go for a swim in the pool, go for a walk, relax and enjoy every moment there too.

I just feel bad leaving Pumpkin behind. Poor thing. She'll be so lonely a whole week by herself. Fortunately we have someone who's going to come and feed her everyday. Still, she'll miss me and I'll miss her. Little bugger wouldn't let me pack tonight. Kept jumping in my suitcase and wouldn't get out. She's getting up there the old girl. Sixteen years old now. Has a few aches and pains just like I do.

Okay, time to do a bit of reading and get some shut eye now.

It's Over - Almost

The day is approaching the end.

Day? What the heck am I talking about? It's 8:30 pm. I started at 7:30 am.

It's time to quit, put my feet up and relax with a good movie, a Pepsi and a bowl of popcorn. Darn that sounds good!

One more phone call to make. I tried to make that call on my drive home from work but the other party was busy so it's been pushed to an evening call.

Tomorrow, only one client. A phone session due to lack of transportation on the client's part. Then it's off to clean someone's home, after which it's back to our home to clean up our mess, wash clothes, pack our bags and catch a few winks before heading out in the wee hours of the morning.

Making our way across the mountains back to Kelowna. Have a Saturday to Saturday trip planned. Wednesday is the big night for my book launch over there. Good thing I'm busy and don't have too much time to get wound up about that.

I best get that phone call made right away. My pj's are calling my name. I can hear the fizz from my Pepsi. Smell the popcorn and feel my cozy warm blanket around me. Better get on with the program......  

Resurfacing in the Blog World

I'm jumping back in! Crazy ass me. As if I don't have enough to do.

One thing's for sure. I'm going to keep it simple. One sentence a day is all I see.
If more drops out of me, then fine. If not. Then that's fine too.

No pressure, no deadlines. Not even any promises that words will always appear. It's what I foresee, not what I commit to or fear.

It doesn't even really matter if it's okay with you. It's okay with me - Lou.