PUBLISHED!...at last.

Song of the day:…who gives a bloody heck? I’m getting PUBLISHED!!!!

Yes, people, it has finally happened, a brilliant editor at a genuine publisher has recognized the awesomeness of Saving Nina! Yay!!!! Do you sense a certain elation here, some enthusiasm? As in Sammi bouncing through the old drafty farm, ploinking from one wall to the next like some loony toon…not far off, it was pretty much that from the moment I woke up and saw the light on my phone blink that there was a message on my mail. Bleary-eyed, still pondering whether I was going to turn over and catch another 30 mins of zzzzzzs, or haul my tired butt from bed. I mean, seriously, no work to go to, and what with long evenings behind the computer it is not as if I am on any regular schedule other than get up at the crack of dawn, prep breakfast for big brother (that way he can also get an extra half hour of sleep on work days) and then going back to bed until I’ve reached my daily hour quota.

Anywayssssss…the light was blinking and I saw that it was about Saving Nina, and spent another minute or two if I could handle another disappointment this morning, and finally decided to open it quickly and then slip it into the rejection file asap. Now imagine me, eyes puffy with sleep, squinting at the screen in the gray morning light, going back half a dozen times to look at these two sentences: “I really liked this story, and would love to work with you.” And “I just wanted to make sure it's still available?” That’s about when my heart rate went up and I started bouncing out my room, down the way-to-steep stairs as I read it again and then texted big brother with: “Dude! Dude! DUDE! You there? Come on! Answer! Dude! They want Nina! An editor wants to work on SAVING NINA!” Did some more bouncing around, giving little scary giggles and the occasional, “Yes! Yes! Heck yes!” frustrated as heck that I was home alone with no-one to tell it to. Grrrrrr. That is so friggin’ frustrating! Anyway, it took big brother about and hour to answer and guess what it was: “Cool! A bit busy now.” Aaaaaaaargh. Seriously? Cool? Regardless, I spent the majority in a buzz…after sending a semi-calm message back that the story is still available and that working with said editor would be lovely. *sigh*

So, of course, this message was before Christmas, so we had to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait some more, for the final okay of the publisher which didn’t come until my B-day. I mean, seriously, isn’t that the best friggin’ b-day present ever? To get the news that someone has seriously agreed to publish a book that you started the concept of in 1998 and worked on numerous times through a series of mind numbing edits that go up to a whopping dozen, or more? Well, it is stupendous, I assure you. All that work, old those hours, the wooden butt sensations, the varicose veins surgery, the endless arguments about word choice, grammar, punctuation, shlogging my way through the Chicago manual of style, eats shoots and leaves, and popular (not my style) commercial fiction just to see if a particular sentence I wanted to use but that we couldn’t stop arguing about, became worth it because of this totally awesome b-day present. *double blissful sigh*

So I didn’t write about this stupendous news before, because, basically I didn’t want to jinx it, and waited until the contract arrived, which brings us to now, naturally. Contract here. Yay. Am totally psyched about going through the next step of this thing, to learn, to see what is required, to see how the story will turn out after it gets nipped and tucked, made up and perfumed, so to speak. It will be incredibly fascinating, of that I have no doubt, so I’m going to hold onto that, and hope that I can when the frustration of cutting into my baby seems to become too much to handle. Keep yer fingers crossed, my friends.

What else? Well, life is going on as usual. Nothing quite lives up to the above-mentioned, I know, but what can I do. Need to stay grounded a bit, don’t I?

Finally found a proper kickboxing bag. Yes I did. It’s going to have a spot of honor in the living room where I do most of my daily exercises now. Was psyched when big brother pointed it out at the gift store this very morning. I can get back to my boxing, Yay!!! I’ve been missing it somewhat fierce lately, partly because we haven’t been able to go to the gym much lately due to a persisting flu. Grrrr. No matter, though, I can get back to the fitness I love the most: Kicking the carp out of a heavy bag! Hah.

Did some food experiments lately, too. Some different type of dishes, but also all-time favorites, of which one or two are definitely going to end up on the cooking blog one of these days…I know, I should be posting more there, too, but what can I say, I can get distracted a lot, especially at the moment.

Been working on the Banshee story quite a bit lately. Almost halfway into the story, meaning that the sequel to ATOL is almost there…in my mind anyway. Hah. I wonder how much actual writing I can get done once the actual editing with the publishing company starts, but whenever I get a free minute, I’m definitely going to try. Brendan and the Banshee need telling that much is a fact in this convoluted brain of mine.

Went to visit a friend from our last job last week, which was really nice. She is seriously pregnant now, and ecstatic about it. Hah. Nice round belly, which she calls being fat, when it is clearly only in her belly and nowhere else. She’s still tiny, but looks like she swallowed a soccer ball, poor girl. The presents I’d found for the baby were their theme was animals so a fish shaped mirror with a blue and white frame went really well with everything, and the ceramic nightlight, too.

Been working on “breeding” some more plants out of the ones that I already have, partly because I lost a house plant to lice, and because the fern Cousin Ed and tenant gave us when we moved to the Netherlands is now really giving the spirit. Poor plantsies.

Which reminds me, tenant and Cousin Ed came for a visit one afternoon last week, which was nice for tenant. She had been so curious about our new place, and so we finally set a date where she was brought by special taxi company for disabled people. She really liked visiting, especially looking through pictures and such, but she tired quickly and was seriously pooped when it was time to go home. Poor girl.

And that is about the end of my update today. I told you the last time that I might have good news (was hoping, but had to be sure,  you see) and here we are. Another step further in the life of an author, shall we say, eh?

Have a good one, y’all and I’ll be back soon.

Boxing sore...Yay!!!

Song of the day: “Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps” by Doris Day, of course. It’s been a while since I had this one in my head. Still a good song.

So…another time has passed, another blog arrived…with very little fun information, but we’re not here for the fun of it, are we. We’re here for life in general, whether good or bad, doesn’t really matter in the end. There’s ups, there’s downs, it’s how you handle the ride that matters in the end, right?

Well, let’s see what we’ve got. Made a wonderful apple pie crumble. A really big load of apples on a peanut, hazelnut base crust. Gawd, it worked out well. Just had my first piece and I really shouldn’t get another because too much sweetness really doesn’t help me much this late in the evening.

Good news is we have been doing a lot of workouts this past week. Last week we were too sick to do anything at the gym, but we hate waste, so to make up for the missed five days, we went there four days in a row. Added to that, I finally got around to asking the owner if there was a boxing bag I could use, and there was, so I spent the last two day kick boxing my behind off. Yesterday was great, first time in ages, made me nice and sore, and then when we went today, I got nice and warm from the normal iron pumping, which made me think, what the heck, I’ll do some more kick boxing…which I did, meaning that half an hour after the workout I was  so sore that even breathing hurt. Hah. No worries, though, the weekend is here so I’m free to recover for at least two days. Added to that, Monday we gotta decide whether to renew our memberships…which we are going to do, of course…and decide for how long. Either three months, or half a year. I’ll let you know what we’ll decide.

Been doing a lot of cleaning, lately. There were all these kitchen things that I’d bought, gathered for my future kitchen, all piled somewhere in a corner outside, meaning there was loads of grime to remove, branches, leaves and whatnot. It was a mess, and I haven’t gotten around to everything yet, but I’m getting there, slowly and steadily. I do have to admit to being really happy with the kitchen sink, because it’s making things so much easier.

Had a few trips involving donations, which took quite a bit of work. Can’t complain about that, however. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth and all that.

Been doing some serious cooking, including high protein stuff, considering we’re training and everything. Had some wonderful soups. A pumpkin one, and today a zucchini soup, both delicious, naturally. Also tried out a rather wonderful new recipe for green beans in a light cream sauce.

The weather has been wonderful…except since the day before yesterday when the temps suddenly dropped. We all know how I feel about bad weather.

Been writing every day, which is a good thing, really. The story is developing nicely, and yet my hero refuses to be the hero for the longest time. Instead he is being sarcastic, snarky, and indifferent to the ongoing disaster in the story. Poor guy doesn't know what toils lie ahead of him yet, does he.

Grandpa is still feeling poorly. He did finally go to a new GP, who referred him to a private hospital in Benalmadena, and an eye expert. Wow, what a difference from State hospitals (and I mean more than just the stunning prices that almost caused me a heart attack). Rather than waiting for some odd 6 to 8 hours, we were helped within half an hour, the problem was ascertained, and at least a temporary solution. Apparently grandpa, who has been refusing to go to an eye doctor because “that can’t be the problem” has glaucoma, which can be the cause of a lot of his problems. I get so tired from this stuff sometimes. I mean, I’m not all that keen on doctors myself, but if a problem persists…at least get another opinion to be sure what it is. With grandpa it is already almost too late. The damage done can’t be turned back, it is now all about preserving what is left of his eyesight.

Sitabah’s foot is rapidly healing now. She’s walking on it a little again, and making a pest of herself, naturally. Dax seems to be okay. With him the anti-parasite tablets I got at the vet’s seems to be working. Yet Jelly…I don’t like the look of him. I fear it is either Leishmania, or cancer, and if I don’t see improvement soon,  we’re going to have to have him checked out at the vet’s.

There was more cleaning outside, of course, which took time and effort to clean. There’s always more, for some reason, which is depressing because unless I actually start cleaning it myself, folks will see it, but not do anything about it. So much easier to just complain about it, rather than actually do something. I gotta admit to sometimes feeling like a glorified cleaning lady. Ah well…beggars can’t be choosers.

On the interesting news bit, I got a job interview next week. Don’t know yet how that will turn out, maybe it’ll be good, or it won’t, either way, I’ll let you know. I’m am not holding my breath for this one. It’s part time, and I responded to the ad more out of curiosity than anything, and was rather surprised to hear back from them, asking me for an interview. Like I said, you’ll be the first to know how it worked out.

Well, almost three in the morning now, and I gotta be up again within six hours, so I’m going to leave it at this. I’ll be back, though.

The hammer incident.

Song of the day: “This woman’s work” by Kate Bush. Second, or third day in a row, I think, and still going strong. Maybe it is some sort of record. Hah.

In the writing section of Samaya Young’s life (snort) yesterday I officially started writing on a new project, which will, as of today be called “V.L.”
So, I am only one page into the story, but am definitely looking forward to diving in feet-first. I’ve got the characters, I’ve got the setting, so I’m all set. YAY!

Right, there’s another bit of dialogue to share, which occurred the other day when big brother and I were taking apart this huge wooden structure. To give you an idea of what’s what, I’m wielding this big-ass hammer, and big brother is holding the structure steady so I can hit sections out. We’re at the fourth beam, I think, when big brother swears and jumps back.

Me: “What? What?” I watched him swear and glare in the darkness.
Big Brother: “You hit me!”
Me: “What?”
Big Brother: “You hit me.”
Me: “No I didn’t.” He glares some more.
Me: “Really? How? Where?” I frowned, replay the scene in my head. Nothing.
Big Brother: “My finger. The other one. Fuck, I better not lose a nail again.” He slipped his left hand under the opposite armpit, moved around restlessly.
Me: “Bad?”
Big Brother: “Not as bad as the last time...I think.” He mumbled, moving to the light to check the damage. I whack at the wood again, keeping half and eye on him.
Me: “Why’d you put your hand there anyway?” Another whack.
Big Brother: no answer, he just glared at me. *snort*
Me: “Seriously. How’d you get your finger there. I was whacking it for crying out loud!” Another whack and the small beam went down. Big brother picks it up.
Me: “Sorry.”
Big brother: A grunt. And then yanks a beam off the construction to put it away. I whacked at another beam.
Me: "Don't look that way. I didn't do it on purpose." Still glaring.
Me: “Really. I’m sorry. I didn’t notice you took hold of the beam.” Another beam landed...an inch from his feet. He ground his teeth.
Big Brother: “Just be careful.”
Me: “Right. How’s your finger?” Though I still didn’t get it, I felt bad.
Big Brother: “Not too bad. Let’s hurry up.”
Me: “Okay. This one too...?”

And so it went on as we systematically went through the wood, until we could finally get it to the storage up at the old horse paddock. *sigh* Big brother ended up with his middle finger’s (I swear, when he showed the damage he flipped me off, hah) nail purple, blue and black, but other than that all is well.

The job interview...if it can be called such, went well, I think. We should know wen we start ‘round next week. We went there yesterday and found out that even though it is not going to be as bad as we feared. The digging is getting out rubble more than anything, and that is something we are intimately familiar with. It was a relief to see, really, since in my mind I was already imagining working in the full sunshine on some rocky mountain slope. Instead we’ll be under trees, digging out stuff from under a house that will provide ample shade. So we’re going to have to wait and see how it is going turn out. If we get the job, we’ll be out there five times a week, so...

There were another two training sessions since the last blog. What with the possibility of lots of physical labor, big brother and I are both pumping iron a bit again, making sure that the ol’ bod is up to par when the time comes. The sessions went rather well, if I do say so myself, and last up to an hour and a half. Heck, I’m not even sore today, and really, I kicked/punched some serious butt yesterday. Hah.
Now if only the knee wasn’t such a winer, I could start jogging again. I do miss it, and Knight II could use the movement. Darn it!

There was sand hauling, naturally,but no rock hauling for a change. Did sleep too little again these days passed, which isn’t smart. Nor have I been eating enough, which is a hard thing to overcome, not to mention a little dangerous. I’ve gotta watch those nutritional values like a hawk, in particular because I have no intention whatsoever of ending up with that low iron/magnesium/calcium/B12 crap again. Just the other day my muscles were cramping somewhat fierce. Ah well, nothing to do except watch what I eat.

As for projects in the past couple of days Dani helped me hang the closets in the courtyard. The storage facilities being short as they are, three shelving units that take up a nine by six feet wall, will be more than useful. It looks neat too, which is part of the attraction for me. Hah. It took two days of work, but they’re in place and already half full. *sigh*

While we were doing that, grandpa and big brother worked on the new door for what will, at some point in the near future be our new bathroom. There’s a door frame to make, a door to sand and cut to size, and all and all, the doorway to prepare. It will be fascinating to see the dogs staying out of that place once the door’s in. Hah.

Lots of watering going on, in particular since the promised rain never showed, and the plants are getting big enough to need proper nourishment. As for harvesting, tomatoes are steadily ready for consumption now. For the past three days or so we got four or five a day, which is good what with all the messes going on in Europe with the E. Coli effected veggies. Now, more than ever, I’m incredibly happy the yard (and our veggies) are doing so well. No chance of infection there. Hah.
Boy, that is some disease you can get there. Phew.

Right, and on that cheery note, lets wrap this up. I’ve got a book to write and chili to eat (made fresh chili-sin-carne for lunch, btw) so, what else.

Ah crap, the bad news. There’s another visit to vet in the near future, because Amri has a big lump under his chin. I wish I could say since when he has it, but since Amri has issues with being touched especially on his head, I didn’t notice it until the day before yesterday. Seriously, if that turns out to be cancer as well, I’m going to do...something. Hmmm. I’ll just have to wait and see.

Well, gotta go.

Yay for kickboxing

Song of the day: “Getaway” by Bryan Adams. Well, that’s something different at least. Though I love his music, it isn’t stuck in my head all that often. A good thing, I think. Hah.

Let’s see if I can keep it short today, because I was incredibly tired this morning and dozed off just now, meaning that I’m behind, again, darn it.

A bit of good news is that the paper edit is almost done. About ten more pages to go, so either we’ll get it done today, or tomorrow. Yay. Not bad. I’ve gotta say that I am rather pleased with how it turned out. The characters are splendid, the humor vastly entertaining, and the story…well, simple but nice, I’m thinking. What more can I ask? It is exactly that what I would look for when I’m browsing for something new to read.

Activities the past couple of days have been limited what with the horrible weather. In fact we had to take most of the plants that we’d put outside in the garden pit for hardening back into the greenhouse, because the poor darlings were dying of cold and wetness. *sigh* The plants already outside are surviving, but not doing well at all because it is almost as if we’re back to wintery temperatures. Darn it.

We did get a bit of sunshine yesterday afternoon, which made working on the wall rather pleasant. Got a good section up now. One more layer and we can continue widening the wall towards where the new septic tank will be. It’ll be gorgeous once we’re done, mark my words. Hah.

The day before yesterday (in the afternoon again) we had a bit of sunshine too when we went out to get more rocks. Knight II went along, of course, and at least he ran around a bit…he’s still a whiner about exercise, though. He goes around the place once and then wants to get back into the car. Silly dog.

Yesterday morning was spent looking for wood to put new bottoms in the drawers that grandpa wants to set up in the carport. After that we cleared the spot and prepared it enough so we could work on it today. We did, and now the thing is standing there. That should make grandpa happy, ice he can toss metal supplies in it. Hah.

There was of course the car to unload yesterday. Which was wildly fascinating, as I’m sure you can imagine. (NOT) Neither was the stint of laundry worthy to write about, so let me this just wrap this up by sharing that I spent last night working out in the carport, kickboxing the boxing ball to an early grave (it ripped, can you believe it) and bumming my knee some more. I guess I got a little over-enthusiastic, because none of the movements hurt…at least not until I got to straight forwards kick which was, like…ehm, totally uncomfortable. Hah. So I did that one only a few times and then got back to the good stuff, yay.

So yeah, today my knee’s a little sore again, but other than that, all is well. Okay. Big brother finished reading A.T.O.L. (paper edit is officially done) so now I should open up the file and put them in. Yay. I can’t wait to start on a new project!