One week done, five to go.

I read somewhere that a cancer patient's life is based around treatments. How many weeks done, where they are in the cycle. I'm finding that to be very true. I am trying to focus on other parts of my life, but the cancer part keeps taking center stage. And I know its short term. But its overwhelming sometimes. I feel like running away (my usual response to danger) and giving up everything I have. Which is not a good sign. Maybe I need to schedule a mental health checkup? I've done so well, maybe not falling apart is a bad sign. Anyway, I am one week and 1 day into this process. I feel ok but tired. I want to do so much and I feel like I'm in stall mode.

Well, I finally passed my review of smart goals for work and now I get a raise, but I don't know how much only that it will go back to July 18th. Next week I'll probably start training the new girl to take on Texas which will lower my stress level totally. I am finished with Chapter 9 of the truck book and only one more chapter to go and I'll get a $500 bonus! That is if I don't blow the next two tests. I have a 94% average over the test so I have a little bit of wiggle room. But I'll be honest and say I'll be glad when it's done.

We bought a new digital camera yesterday. Jim's been playing with it but he wants to go to the Red's game and use it to take pictures of his favorate players. I think it will be fun to go. I'll need to scrounge up some tickets. We went once this year and saw the Reds play and it was really fun. Peanuts and beer. This time I'm getting a t-shirt!

I have my short story edited and ready to go next week. Now to pick a new project.

Have a great week.
Lynn

Radiation and writing

You would think that those two things are so far off the table, but they're not. Anyway. I started radation on Friday. 4 pm which means I have to be at work at 7 and then off by 3:30. I've been swamped at work and unable to catch up this month. So no overtime for me for the next 6 weeks. It's not so bad but a little scary, watching the machine round around you and knowing that radiation, which is suppose to be a bad thing, is going through your body every time you hear a beep. I wonder if they aren't just testing human's for some evil alien plot to rule the world.

So now you know where writing comes in. During my last simulation, I planned a short story I was going to write for Family Circle contest due at the end of the month. Then after reading what won last year, as I was looking for guidelines such as length, I realized it just wouldn't do. The subject matter was a little dark. Imagine that! I know I look like Pollyanna on the outside, but get me writing!

Anyway, I had whitled this story down to what would have really worked, but since I couldn't use it, I went with "What She Left Behind." It's kind of a story about moving and leaving things and the corresponding woman who died and left behind things. I really like it. It still is a little dark, and I might have to tweak the ending a little, but it works. Lots of detail. Lots of thought. The only bad thing is there is little dialogue which could kill me. I have two weeks to finish and get it in the mail.

Reading: I finished Laura Bradford's Forecast of Evil this week. I'm into St. Louis authors right now so I can say, I read your book if I ever meet one of them! It's a mystery, which I've learned from my studies is different from suspense or a thriller. The book is based on a closed setting (like Agatha Christies books) where an island is snowed in with a serial killer on the loose. It's the middle book in a series so I'll have to go back and get the other before I read her new book, just out.

I can't listen to books anymore as my CD player went out in my car. So I still don't know how Lifeguard by James Patterson ends. And please, don't email me. I'm going to get the book and read the last few chapters.

I also pulled out the 2008 Writer's Market and made some notes on possible markets for my work or where I'd like to try. I have a couple ideas that I think I'll get cracking on next week.

I'm feeling good but pushing myself a little too much. We played darts last Saturday and Monday and I did fine. Didn't lose a lot of energy even though I've been off for about six months.

Later.

Happy Dance

Well, yesterday I got my check and two copies of Grit for the essay I submitted. Too cool. It looks great, they did an drawing to go with it and I couldn't be a prouder mommy! Now to get my butt working again and get more sent out.

This truck training I'm doing is draining, but my scores are good.

Radiation still hasn't started. I fell apart last week and swore I wasn't doing any of this any more. But I was calmly told by others that this wasn't an option. So I go back Wednesday for my simulation with a fake machine and then start.

This has to be quick as I have got to get to work and I'm still in my jammies.

Have a great day!
Lynn