No, no, no. Get your head out of the gutter. I mean that literally. As in Arnold Swarzenegger in Commando. Remember that scene with him walking down a mountain with a tree trunk on his shoulder. That was me today…well, minus the bulging muscles, the chainsaw, the checkered shirt, the massive chest, the buzzcut, and…well, I was going uphill, rather than down, and by the time I got up I was wheezing like a chainsaw myself. Hah. So yeah, it wasn’t like Arnie, but you get the idea, right?
Okay, back to the usual stuff.
Song of the day: “Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye and Kimbra. Just recently discovered this jewel of a song, and it has been going through my head ever since. Heck, even when I woke up during the night, it would go through my head. I know. I’m incredibly weird that way, but hey, it could have been worse. I could have been NORMAL. Hah
But anyway, like I said up there, there was tree hauling. Part of it had already been done the past few days, and on the day we cut the big bugger down, but today the big trunks were sawed to pieces so we could haul them to storage. Yep, I walked around with a bunch of tree trunks on my shoulder (one at a time, I assure you…well, I did two at one time, but I almost didn’t make it up the stairs that way. Hah) and it was just like a workout. Good thing too, since I didn’t have time for one this morning, made up for it with a solid 120 heart rate.
I have several spots of bad news from these past two days. Manni, little sister’s 14 year old cocker spaniel is ill. Cancer, probably so yesterday he went through a biopsy, and then today, due to a slight infection, he had to be rushed back because his entire scrotum area was swollen twice the size. Poor darling. The doc stated that the swelling wasn’t disastrous, and that we won’t know the problem until Monday. *sigh*
Second bit of bad news is that the fella who was going to rent us his apartment in the village prevaricated for several days, then today declared he wanted to increase the price we had agreed on with a solid 40 percent. What with this horrible economy lots of folks think they can get some money out of the “wealthy” foreigners. Which just wasn’t doable, of course, so we had to decline that particular place. Luckily we promptly found a new one. A nice little finca literally in the country. Nothing too fancy, but location-wise it’s absolutely gorgeous. The owner seemed like a nice fellow too. Ah well, we’ll see how that goes, eh? Hopefully this doesn’t go completely wrong again. Keeping y fingers crossed.
The tick problem is rapidly increasing again. I know. I complain about this particular problem every single year, but let’s face it. It’s a friggin’ big problem. Soon we’re going to have to give them a tick bath again, and though I hate the chemical part of that, it is better than letting the pack be sucked dry of blood. Friggin’ bugs. Am removing an average of 20 ticks per dog these days, for crying out loud.
Yesterday afternoon was mostly spent working in tenant’s kitchen, where the grouting still had to be done. First it was crawling over the new tiles to clean the grouts, then filling them up and smoothening them. I had some serious annoyances with grandpa yesterday, who has this fixating with having stuff “smooth”. Drives me bonkers sometimes. He doesn’t realize that with these amounts of dogs stuff will be dirty no matter what you do. But no matter. He insists…and I wouldn’t mind all that much if only he would do part of that extra effort himself. But he doesn’t. He has a bit of an attitude of “let Sam do that, she’s good at it”, which is a ridiculous reason, because how will anyone ever be good at anything if they don’t start at some point. Grrr. Gonna have to find a subtle way to help him out of that particular illusion some day. *Sigh*
There was harvesting, watering the plants…quite a bit of that in fact, since big brother was helping grandpa with the kitchen cupboards. Not a bad way to be busy, mind you. There’s nothing quite like standing in the bright sun, looking out over the valley and sea, while a fresh breeze makes the poplar trees whisper. Sorta like a fairytale, that. But anyway, the water will be running, there’s harvests to be gathered, and on the overall, what with the dogs lying around ya, it’s a rather peaceful experience.
Workout was rather good yesterday. Did the double speed thing again, so I was properly lubricated throughout the day, while this morning I really did feel every single muscle. Hah. Funny how that works, eh.
There were dog-feeding sessions, of course, along with some concern for Chaos, who appears to suffering from some sort of malady at the moment. He’s limping a little, looks at me with those big brown eyes as if the world is about to come to an end, for crying out loud.
This afternoon, after the whole “checking out the rental” thing, we had to head for town to do a pickup. Not much that we can sell, but lots of wood, which is never a bad thing. You know how I love wood.
Since we were in town anyway, we did a few groceries, and then it was back up the mountain and arriving home at around nine in the evening…which reminds me, I’m way late at the moment. Gawd, I’m constantly running behind today. I’m sure I’m forgetting something…like working on the table and that sort of thing, but alas. I’ve got a manuscript to prepare for sending. Oh right. That synopsis shortening I had to do? I succeeded. Yay!!! Say “Good Sammy”. Now I only need to find a line of dialogue that can wow the editors, and my favorite scene (check), the query letter (check), the actual manuscript (check, of course) and a little bio, of course.
So… I’m going to call this a blog.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Finally!
Song of the day: “Total eclipse of the heart” by Bonnie Tyler. That’s a first, I think. It was in my head only a short time, but okay. Something new at least, eh?
Well, I’m way behind, of course. Big brother and I were working on cutting a 1200 word synopsis down to 750 words. It was excruciating, I tell ya. How on earth am I going to fit a 100,000 word manuscript into 750 words? It’s ridiculous. Not to mention frustrating that every single publisher has a different requirement for the length of these things. Grrr.
I’ve got a nine pager, seven, six, five, three, two and now a one. Then I’m not even talking about the pubs that want you to give a synopsis of 250 words, because those should be ashamed of calling that a synopsis. It’s a blurb, for crying out loud.
But anyway, it matters none because I’m an unknown author with way too many opinions than is good for me, eh? Hah.
So yeah, we’re working on arranging that apartment for tenant’s family. The owner is now pondering his options and will get back to us soon…at least that’s what I’m hoping for. Jeez. I never realized that renting was this much of a hassle. But it’s okay. Turns out the relations want to be mobile themselves, so I won’t be needing to pick them up at the airport. They’ll rent a car and find their way themselves. I’ve gotta say that’s it’s an admirable endeavor since neither the apartment, nor we, are all that easy to find. Hah. Everybody chooses their own adventure, though, and since this one will likely only be slightly more work on my part, I don’t mind all that much.
Yesterday I was way too sore for a workout, but not today, thank you very much. Got up in time (well, somewhat on time anyway) and got to work. The warm-up, followed by the actual pounding, kicking and such, until I worked up a proper sweat and got my heart rate up. Gotta say that that cup of coffee that big brother brings up with him doesn’t go awry either. I really need that bit of caffeine to get my jumpstart. *sigh*
There is of course always laundry to do, and the other chores, but of late there is also the dog feeding bit. They’re really loving it, and for the most part it is not so much work that it is annoying. The harvesting takes more than the preparation, actually. But not today. I harvested enough to last us two days, so that should prevent me from getting frustrated about the entire thing. Got this wonderful Filderkraut cabbage today, that had so much excess leaves that there was almost enough for a full dog meal. Hah.
The dogs are in fact liking it so much that little brother’s dogs are sneakily making their way up to where we’re feeding, and nose their way into the pack until they too are eye-deep in the food. Sneaks!
For the past couple of days I’ve still been working on that outside table. It is really damaged a lot, and today I found another part that has to be completely replaced. It is not a bad thing, or anything, but still a little disappointing. I had hoped that putting it back together again would be a piece of cake.
Yesterday grandpa and big brother worked on the kitchen cupboards again, but not today. There just wasn’t time, what with caregiver at her other job and me having to work with tenant to get her ready to go down my terrace. She had thought that it was chilly outside (up there it usually is, and she ALWAYS forgets that it isn’t in front of my cabin) so she was pleasantly surprised when she found it warm and comfortable on my porch.
Worked on adding that scene I mentioned the other day. It was in place and I had to write some “flow” scenes from one to the other before we declared it done. Afterward we went through that synopsis and query letter, checking if everything was still correct, and I ended up reading a full chapter out loud because…well, I felt like it, and I wanted to see if it ran well. It did. Very natural and very…intense, I think.
Today I cooked supper (yesterday big brother made paneer with beets and rice) but wasn’t happy with the results. Sure, the cauliflower was fine, but the Chinese noodles didn’t fall well at all on my stomach. Darn it.
Fetched a new load of rocks for the yard again. Can’t dawdle too much with that, of course, not with all the project looming. Also went to the construction company because we needed grout mortar. Found out that the gate for that fence we’re building arrived this morning too (guessed as much. The owner really isn’t all that socially adapt, so I doubt he would have called about it today. Luckily we had to go there anyway. Finally loaded it, and then took it home to store with the others. Now, at the earliest opportunity, we’ll be heading to the mountains to put them in. Then, after letting them dry for something like four to seven days, we’ll finally be able to finish the fence. Yay!!!
Okay, I gotta go. I’m tired, I’m barely keeping eyes open right now, and with a little luck I’ll manage to send a book out to a publisher tomorrow. Yay.
Well, I’m way behind, of course. Big brother and I were working on cutting a 1200 word synopsis down to 750 words. It was excruciating, I tell ya. How on earth am I going to fit a 100,000 word manuscript into 750 words? It’s ridiculous. Not to mention frustrating that every single publisher has a different requirement for the length of these things. Grrr.
I’ve got a nine pager, seven, six, five, three, two and now a one. Then I’m not even talking about the pubs that want you to give a synopsis of 250 words, because those should be ashamed of calling that a synopsis. It’s a blurb, for crying out loud.
But anyway, it matters none because I’m an unknown author with way too many opinions than is good for me, eh? Hah.
So yeah, we’re working on arranging that apartment for tenant’s family. The owner is now pondering his options and will get back to us soon…at least that’s what I’m hoping for. Jeez. I never realized that renting was this much of a hassle. But it’s okay. Turns out the relations want to be mobile themselves, so I won’t be needing to pick them up at the airport. They’ll rent a car and find their way themselves. I’ve gotta say that’s it’s an admirable endeavor since neither the apartment, nor we, are all that easy to find. Hah. Everybody chooses their own adventure, though, and since this one will likely only be slightly more work on my part, I don’t mind all that much.
Yesterday I was way too sore for a workout, but not today, thank you very much. Got up in time (well, somewhat on time anyway) and got to work. The warm-up, followed by the actual pounding, kicking and such, until I worked up a proper sweat and got my heart rate up. Gotta say that that cup of coffee that big brother brings up with him doesn’t go awry either. I really need that bit of caffeine to get my jumpstart. *sigh*
There is of course always laundry to do, and the other chores, but of late there is also the dog feeding bit. They’re really loving it, and for the most part it is not so much work that it is annoying. The harvesting takes more than the preparation, actually. But not today. I harvested enough to last us two days, so that should prevent me from getting frustrated about the entire thing. Got this wonderful Filderkraut cabbage today, that had so much excess leaves that there was almost enough for a full dog meal. Hah.
The dogs are in fact liking it so much that little brother’s dogs are sneakily making their way up to where we’re feeding, and nose their way into the pack until they too are eye-deep in the food. Sneaks!
For the past couple of days I’ve still been working on that outside table. It is really damaged a lot, and today I found another part that has to be completely replaced. It is not a bad thing, or anything, but still a little disappointing. I had hoped that putting it back together again would be a piece of cake.
Yesterday grandpa and big brother worked on the kitchen cupboards again, but not today. There just wasn’t time, what with caregiver at her other job and me having to work with tenant to get her ready to go down my terrace. She had thought that it was chilly outside (up there it usually is, and she ALWAYS forgets that it isn’t in front of my cabin) so she was pleasantly surprised when she found it warm and comfortable on my porch.
Worked on adding that scene I mentioned the other day. It was in place and I had to write some “flow” scenes from one to the other before we declared it done. Afterward we went through that synopsis and query letter, checking if everything was still correct, and I ended up reading a full chapter out loud because…well, I felt like it, and I wanted to see if it ran well. It did. Very natural and very…intense, I think.
Today I cooked supper (yesterday big brother made paneer with beets and rice) but wasn’t happy with the results. Sure, the cauliflower was fine, but the Chinese noodles didn’t fall well at all on my stomach. Darn it.
Fetched a new load of rocks for the yard again. Can’t dawdle too much with that, of course, not with all the project looming. Also went to the construction company because we needed grout mortar. Found out that the gate for that fence we’re building arrived this morning too (guessed as much. The owner really isn’t all that socially adapt, so I doubt he would have called about it today. Luckily we had to go there anyway. Finally loaded it, and then took it home to store with the others. Now, at the earliest opportunity, we’ll be heading to the mountains to put them in. Then, after letting them dry for something like four to seven days, we’ll finally be able to finish the fence. Yay!!!
Okay, I gotta go. I’m tired, I’m barely keeping eyes open right now, and with a little luck I’ll manage to send a book out to a publisher tomorrow. Yay.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Some more tiling of course
Song of the day: “Lonely goatherd” by Julie Andrews in the Sound of music. Hah. They do stick in ones mind, don’t they. Besides, tenant kinda enjoys those, and since cousin Ed and I were working on the floor there again, it was as good a song as any to sing.
So yeah, a couple of busy days, thank you very much. Good thing I like being busy, ‘cause otherwise I would really be disliking my life at the moment, hah. Seriously, though. Now that the paper edit of V.L. is over and done with, we’re taking a small break by working on A.I.L. and adding that scene that we didn’t manage to fit in the other time. It would be better with it, we think, so there’s no reason for us not to put it in after all before we send it out to a publisher. So far it is working out well, most of it makes sense, and even though we still need to check if there’re no repetitions in the rest of the manuscript, it seems to fit.
Yesterday morning I was so very sore when I woke up, that I barely managed to get out of bed, but what the heck. What else is new, right? Apparently I’m using this machine (aka my body) just fine if all those muscles are complaining from a little bit of bending. Hah. I gotta hate that the bending, kneeling, squatting and more bending is about the only thing I dislike about tiling…well, that and the dry hands. Seriously, they feel like sanding paper right now. But it’s all for a good cause. Basically the tile floor is in, managed it all with the tiles and the pattern I’d planned and I think it will look grand. Yes, I will post pics of it. Not the before shots, thought, because I forget to take those. *sigh* Definitely losing brain cells again these days.
I made veggie burgers, (or should I keep calling them patties. I’m still not convinced. Cousin Ed is insisting I call them samburgers, but I don’t know) and they worked out really well. A simple taste these, on a basis of chickpeas and white beans, meaning that they look nice and pale. Sorta like chicken, if you must know. Hah. Seriously, if do them on a sandwich bun, with some lettuce and mayonnaise, it’s like you’re eating a friggin’ McChicken. I should franchise the darn things. Ah well, maybe some day.
Lots of time in the yard yesterday too. Harvested a bunch load for ourselves as well as the dogs. Got a nice mix going too, seeing as there wasn’t enough of one thing, but more than a enough from lots of different stuff. In the end it was so colorful that it was smelling like human food, for crying out loud. The thing that cinched it for the dogs was the old fat of the deep fryer. Oh my. This morning, when they ate it, was pure feasting for them.
But anyway, since the fat needed to be changed anyway, I figured I might as well clean the darn thing from top to bottom, which was quite a task, actually. It took more than an hour to get it semi-clean for crying out loud. Sometimes that dratted thing seems more trouble than it’s worth, but then, like today, it made for such an easy supper that I was really, really happy to have it clean again. Hah.
There were two sessions of chopping dog food. All sorts of cabbage leaves, herbs, nopales, pumpkin, too old tomatoes and some potatoes. It’s a good thing they like it so much, because you wouldn’t think it from looking at the lot. In fact, we have to be careful with the fresh lot, since there are a few of the dogs (Bora, Abacara and Tadaika) who really LOVE the fresh stuff.
Though today’s weather was wonderful (albeit a tad nippy due to a south western wind) yesterday was rather wishy-washy. We actually had some rain, of which the drops were downright icy while I was harvesting in the yard. Still, despite all that, the chilliness in the air makes for breathtaking views at the moment. Lots of times we’re able to see Africa these days.
There were the usual chores such as laundry, lighting the stove, cooking, and all those small little things that make up life, that I’m not going to bother telling about right now. Because, who cares, right?
My doggies, for one, are not at all pleased with the tiling business. Seeing as tenant’s and grandpa’s dogs are up there as well, and since those can’t be inside while cousin Ed and I are working on the floor, my dogs have to content with being locked up in my cabin. On the most part they’re a lazy lot (in particular Chaos) who will just snooze the day away. Of course they will be absolutely bonkers by the time I let them out and try to keep Knight II from getting his teeth into Jelly. The latter thinks it’s a good idea to challenge the Great Dane, and will stand below my porch, barking his head off at Knight, who will bark right back. Idiots.
Grandpa and big brother are still working on the cupboards for the kitchen, which is taking a lot longer than expected because grandpa is rather particular about this project for some reason. *sigh* In fact he’s working on my nerves. Usually I can handle him just fine, but at the moment I’m doing the “I’ll bite my tongue…instead of his” bit, or else I might end up conking him on the head with something. Hah. I hate picky, and try not to be that myself, if I can help it. *double sigh*
More tiling today, of course. Managed to get the rest of the new kitchen floor in, minus the edge of the kitchen counter. Have to wait with that until big brother and grandpa are a bit further along with the cupboards and until the new parts have dried enough for us to take out the old counter. I think it is going to look rather splendid once we’re done.
Oh, there was the rather splendid workout this morning. Gawd, I really needed that. Went double speed again, because, yes, I was a little late getting my lazy behind out of bed, and pounded the bag, pumped iron and moved around like the usual nimwit who likes to work out just because it feels so nice. Hah.
And last, but not least, there was a wood working session for me. Yep. At the moment I'm repairing a wooden outside table, and since the old thing misses several parts of it's lower section, I'm working on replacing the missing pieces with hardwood. Not going bad either, seeing as now I only need to put it all together for the table to be whole again. I'm now doubting where I'm going to put it once it's done. Either the basin terrace, or the old paddock up on the mountain.
Well, that’s about it. I have some reading to do and then *glances at watch* I might actually get to bed before one in the morning…Hah! Hey! A girl can dream, right?
So yeah, a couple of busy days, thank you very much. Good thing I like being busy, ‘cause otherwise I would really be disliking my life at the moment, hah. Seriously, though. Now that the paper edit of V.L. is over and done with, we’re taking a small break by working on A.I.L. and adding that scene that we didn’t manage to fit in the other time. It would be better with it, we think, so there’s no reason for us not to put it in after all before we send it out to a publisher. So far it is working out well, most of it makes sense, and even though we still need to check if there’re no repetitions in the rest of the manuscript, it seems to fit.
Yesterday morning I was so very sore when I woke up, that I barely managed to get out of bed, but what the heck. What else is new, right? Apparently I’m using this machine (aka my body) just fine if all those muscles are complaining from a little bit of bending. Hah. I gotta hate that the bending, kneeling, squatting and more bending is about the only thing I dislike about tiling…well, that and the dry hands. Seriously, they feel like sanding paper right now. But it’s all for a good cause. Basically the tile floor is in, managed it all with the tiles and the pattern I’d planned and I think it will look grand. Yes, I will post pics of it. Not the before shots, thought, because I forget to take those. *sigh* Definitely losing brain cells again these days.
I made veggie burgers, (or should I keep calling them patties. I’m still not convinced. Cousin Ed is insisting I call them samburgers, but I don’t know) and they worked out really well. A simple taste these, on a basis of chickpeas and white beans, meaning that they look nice and pale. Sorta like chicken, if you must know. Hah. Seriously, if do them on a sandwich bun, with some lettuce and mayonnaise, it’s like you’re eating a friggin’ McChicken. I should franchise the darn things. Ah well, maybe some day.
Lots of time in the yard yesterday too. Harvested a bunch load for ourselves as well as the dogs. Got a nice mix going too, seeing as there wasn’t enough of one thing, but more than a enough from lots of different stuff. In the end it was so colorful that it was smelling like human food, for crying out loud. The thing that cinched it for the dogs was the old fat of the deep fryer. Oh my. This morning, when they ate it, was pure feasting for them.
But anyway, since the fat needed to be changed anyway, I figured I might as well clean the darn thing from top to bottom, which was quite a task, actually. It took more than an hour to get it semi-clean for crying out loud. Sometimes that dratted thing seems more trouble than it’s worth, but then, like today, it made for such an easy supper that I was really, really happy to have it clean again. Hah.
There were two sessions of chopping dog food. All sorts of cabbage leaves, herbs, nopales, pumpkin, too old tomatoes and some potatoes. It’s a good thing they like it so much, because you wouldn’t think it from looking at the lot. In fact, we have to be careful with the fresh lot, since there are a few of the dogs (Bora, Abacara and Tadaika) who really LOVE the fresh stuff.
Though today’s weather was wonderful (albeit a tad nippy due to a south western wind) yesterday was rather wishy-washy. We actually had some rain, of which the drops were downright icy while I was harvesting in the yard. Still, despite all that, the chilliness in the air makes for breathtaking views at the moment. Lots of times we’re able to see Africa these days.
There were the usual chores such as laundry, lighting the stove, cooking, and all those small little things that make up life, that I’m not going to bother telling about right now. Because, who cares, right?
My doggies, for one, are not at all pleased with the tiling business. Seeing as tenant’s and grandpa’s dogs are up there as well, and since those can’t be inside while cousin Ed and I are working on the floor, my dogs have to content with being locked up in my cabin. On the most part they’re a lazy lot (in particular Chaos) who will just snooze the day away. Of course they will be absolutely bonkers by the time I let them out and try to keep Knight II from getting his teeth into Jelly. The latter thinks it’s a good idea to challenge the Great Dane, and will stand below my porch, barking his head off at Knight, who will bark right back. Idiots.
Grandpa and big brother are still working on the cupboards for the kitchen, which is taking a lot longer than expected because grandpa is rather particular about this project for some reason. *sigh* In fact he’s working on my nerves. Usually I can handle him just fine, but at the moment I’m doing the “I’ll bite my tongue…instead of his” bit, or else I might end up conking him on the head with something. Hah. I hate picky, and try not to be that myself, if I can help it. *double sigh*
More tiling today, of course. Managed to get the rest of the new kitchen floor in, minus the edge of the kitchen counter. Have to wait with that until big brother and grandpa are a bit further along with the cupboards and until the new parts have dried enough for us to take out the old counter. I think it is going to look rather splendid once we’re done.
Oh, there was the rather splendid workout this morning. Gawd, I really needed that. Went double speed again, because, yes, I was a little late getting my lazy behind out of bed, and pounded the bag, pumped iron and moved around like the usual nimwit who likes to work out just because it feels so nice. Hah.
And last, but not least, there was a wood working session for me. Yep. At the moment I'm repairing a wooden outside table, and since the old thing misses several parts of it's lower section, I'm working on replacing the missing pieces with hardwood. Not going bad either, seeing as now I only need to put it all together for the table to be whole again. I'm now doubting where I'm going to put it once it's done. Either the basin terrace, or the old paddock up on the mountain.
Well, that’s about it. I have some reading to do and then *glances at watch* I might actually get to bed before one in the morning…Hah! Hey! A girl can dream, right?
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