productivity

#WednesdayWisdom The week marches on.

Standard

(Photo by Tomáš Malčo Malík from Pexels)

Another week, another Manafort sentencing, though this time, the judge isn’t calling him “otherwise blameless.” So that’s good and based in actual reality.

It’s strange to contemplate the things some people get away with and the things other people don’t. Disparities in the justice system are rampant; now is the best of times to observe it happening in real time.

Well, last week was.

Maybe not this week. Maybe not.

Still on the Tasks with a capital T, taking things in steps, which is one of my favorite things to do when something feels overwhelming. One little bite at at time, and before you know it, you’ve devoured the whole thing.

Much like I’m devouring the live threads about Manafort, which are not on the list but, well, you know.

Sometimes I need a little self-push to do the things I don’t really want to do. One of my tricks is setting a timer; it’s an artificial deadline, a contest between me and the clock.

Sometimes I bribe myself. Or reward myself, depending on how you want to look at it.

Sometimes I can just roll up my proverbial sleeves and go.

It all hinges on the mood of the day. But, however you get going, it’s time to do it. Have a great Wednesday.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

Advertisement

#AccountaClub Friday, February 1, 2019

Standard

Can you believe it’s February? I can’t. At all. I would have sworn it was June five minutes ago.

Except for the ultra-frigid temperatures, of course.

Here we are, back at Friday again, and it’s been a week. My chair arrived yesterday, and I put it together with maybe a tiny bit of difficulty. And by a tiny bit, I mean I only cursed the stars for about an hour.

But it’s pretty and it’s comfy and my writing spot is very nearly complete. Small details for ease of use, including possibly a new keyboard. But the lamp has made a huge difference. It’s very cozy, it’s bright, and I like it.

And I’ve been writing. While I haven’t gotten back to the novels quite yet, I’ve been working on some other formats, and it’s been really good. It’s easier to focus in my little space; it’s almost like making an office out of nothing.

As for the exercise, five days, and I have just closed out January with a full slate of workouts. Five days a week, all month. Here’s hoping February will be the same.

So that’s me. How was your week?

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

Can I hear a “Monday??”

Standard
  • Snowing far more than I expected today. Check.
  • Fuzzy sweatpants. Check
  • Dalek “PROCRASTINATE!” t-shirt. Check.
  • Blogging from my newly-revamped amoire desk? CHECK CHECK CHECK.

I’m waiting on a new office chair for my writing comfort, and a desk lamp for my seeing comfort as I discovered late yesterday afternoon that once it gets dark, my black keyboard becomes invisible. Of course I spent at least 15 minutes this morning perusing Amazon for non-black keyboards, but this one is barely used and it’s very, very nice. Not sure about the action on it, every keyboard takes a little adjustment.

And this one has two tilt levels, so it offers a lot of adjustment. Go keyboard.

So I guess what I’m saying is Monday is here and I am ready for it. At least until it gets dark. Turns out, I probably need more lamps in general. The dollar store fake candles I used yesterday didn’t quite cut it.

Gotta say, it’s a cozy little nook in here. Even more so once I cut the darkness. And my fingernails. What is happening there?!

I’m inspired to write and ready to work. I think the time away from the computer was well worth it, I’m excited to get back to my imagination after being so firmly lodged in practicality.

Happy Monday to you, I hope you’re warm and snug wherever you are, and have an amazing week.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#AccountaClub Friday, January 25, 2019

Standard

Hello AccountAbles!! It’s AccountaClub time, and let’s get into how it’s all going.

As you may or may not know, my big project for this week was making my armoire desk an inviting place to work. I’ve cleaned it out (VHS tapes, anyone??) taken out the old desktop computer that still has a 3.5 inch floppy drive, and managed to detangle the wires, which was, perhaps, the most onerous part of the job.

I mean what is it with wires? The moment I got them straightened out, they tied themselves in knots again.

I’ve got a surfeit of wires I don’t know if I’ll ever use or are needed in the 21st century and a bunch of stuff to take to Half-Price Books, where I’m sure I’ll receive a sum princely enough to purchase half a book.

But it will be gone, and that’s the key.

The only step left is the contact paper, which I’ve started and will wrap up today. So it should be done! Oh and I still have to get the stick-on light, but I’ll get that this weekend.

And I’ve got to tell you, I’m already excited to use it.

I’d like to get one of those white “leather” executive chairs, but one thing at a time.

Exercise-wise, I’m not going to lie, this week was HARD. Every single workout, except today’s Body Art flow, was a real struggle.

But.

I did it.

Five down.

OK, friends, how was your week?

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#AccountaClub Friday, January 18, 2019

Standard

So it’s Friday again and it’s been another week that feels like about three years. I’ve been purging, purging purging, and now I have a big pile of donations I’ll be taking to a charity shop in a little bit.

I’m hoping to to beat the snow that’s supposed to be coming. How much? Like so many things these days, that’s unclear.

Yesterday, I went through a bookshelf. I have many bookshelves and many many many books, something that should surprise exactly no one. Apparently in one of the episodes of “Tidying Up,” Marie told a woman to get rid of all of her books, which raised a scandal and rebellion.

I skipped that episode because the woman was trying so hard to be cheerful and was clearly so very, very sad, I couldn’t watch it.

So I remain un-enraged.

But I looked at all of the books in that bookshelf and realized most of them didn’t, in fact, bring me joy. Also libraries exist.

After the apocalypse is complete I may regret this choice, but I suspect I wouldn’t have much time for casual reading anyway, what with the trying to stay alive and the zombies and the whatnot.

The exercise went well, though the site was glitchy again. And that’s my week.

How was yours?

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#WednesdayWisdom…ish

Standard

Tired today. Not that I have much of an excuse, I got a decent amount of sleep last night. It’s an in-between looking day, not totally gloomy, only little streaks of blue sky behind the clouds.

I’d say I’m not at peak motivation.

Still a fan of the tidying, though, which is not something I ever thought I’d be. Not that awesome at letting go of stuff, though, I could probably be better at that, but I think I’ve improved.

It’s the waste that feels weird.

But I want a better work space, and there isn’t room for it and all of this stuff. I’m going to have to tackle my books at some point. That’s going to be rough.

I mean, they’re BOOKS.

But I need the space where the bookshelves are.

So.

I said a while ago that I needed change, and I feel like this is the start to that. I’ve got to make space for it. We always need space for it.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

Tuesdaying Today

Standard

I’m still in my workout gear from this morning, but I’ve made a utensil holder for my bright silicone tools, and I re-organized my dish cupboard and purged some mugs.

I also kept sitting down to do things and then realized that I forgot something, so, I’m probably moving at a solid six right now. Maybe seven if I get extra credit for creativity with the utensil holder. I used a nut can and some contact paper.

Voila.

It’s strange, but it’s almost as though all of the stuff just keeps its tendrils wrapped tightly around you, holding you in place. I never expected the purging to be so freeing.

Some people don’t have a close connection to things. I imagine their homes as sleek and clutter-free. Space everywhere.

Probably not my future, but who knows? (I kinda know.)

Still, I think we hesistate to start because we fear the process will be painful or difficult. Which can be said of so many things.

But if I hesitate, I look at my sock drawer, so tidy, nothing invisible, all right there. It’s good to have a little more sock drawer.

Hope your Tuesday is productive.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#AccountaClub Friday, January 4, 2019

Standard

Well, it’s a new year and our very first #AccountaClub of 2019! In case you haven’t been here before on Friday, it’s our time to talk about how things are going, what are weeks were like and how we’re doing with our various goals.

No pressure and and lots of support.

So Happy New Year, all! My week was a typical of a holiday week, some productivity, trying out some apps for productivity (not sure yet how useful they are, but adjusting always takes time) and even a little writing.

A little. More to come.

But I definitely stuck to the fitness. Not all live again this week as the workouts themselves weren’t all live, but 5 days, 5 workouts. So that’s good.

Beyond that, with the vacation tone dissipating, next week will be time to buckle down and get to it.

How about you? How was your week? Any resolutions you want to share?

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#AccountaClub Friday, December 14, 2018

Standard

Hard to believe another week is gone. We started #AccountaClub in June, six months ago, and here we are, nearly at the end of the year.

Wow.

As for this week, my organizational frenzy is pretty much at its end, and I am LOVING the results. Loving them. I’m hoping I can keep them up. The key element, though, I think is the Roomba. Which has to be returned tomorrow.

Sigh.

I’m not thrilled about that. I really need one of my own.

But on the plus side, it has shown me that, much like the way keeping the dishwasher ready for dishes can make keeping the kitchen clean easier, keeping the floors clear so the Roomba can do its thing really tends to cut down on clutter. It’s a bottom up effect.

No serious writing this week, I was straightening out Real Life Stuff like health insurance and other such things you don’t want to have to deal with. While it hasn’t been a creative chunk of time, it has been a productive one. I even got a maintenance task I’ve been meaning to do for ages done, and made a plan for another one.

Exercise-wise, five days, five live workouts. Or “live” workouts, I’m not sure if this week’s were taped ahead of time, the host of my exercise program is still out of town.

So that was my week! How was yours?

Like my political side? Read my opinion pieces here.
Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!
Peruse Montraps Publishing

Monday and closets.

Standard

I should save this for #AccountaClub, but I cleaned out all of my closets. How crazy is that? All of them.

My one remaining problem spot is my file cabinet. The drawer came all the way out and as of yet I can’t get it back in. I’m going to have to empty it completely to do it, which should be fun. And by fun I mean not really something I want to do right now on the heels of cleaning out all of my closets.

I’ve donated about four bags of clothes and shoes so far, maybe five, and I have another one ready to go. So there’s that.

It’s like I had a NaNoWriMo, but with cleaning. Which would make it NaCloCleMo, but who would understand that?!

Well, you would. So thanks for that.

Aside from that, it’s a very Monday Monday. I have to straighten out my health insurance for next year, which is always a total delight, and other such non-cleaning tasks which get shoved aside.

And who knows. Maybe there is some writing and editing in my future. Without the distraction of the insides of my closets.

Eh. It sounded better in my head.

Happy Monday.

Like my political side? Read my opinion pieces here.
Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s free!
Peruse Montraps Publishing