The Cold Staples

Last week, the cold monster crept its sneaky little germs into my stuffy-nosed existence. Well, the stuffy nose isn't as bad (hallelujah), and I don't have to sleep in the sitting position anymore. The only time I want to sleep in the sitting position in the near future is if I'm on a plane flying to a really cool place, say like, Australia or somewhere cool like that.

 

It seems that this nasty cold has been traveling around my office and many people I know. So, I offer you the staples needed when (let's say "if" because who wants to have a cold, anyway? I do not wish this upon you) the cold hits. The list is as follows:

• Three Pillows (more if needed): Since sleeping will inevitably be in the sitting position so you don't drown in your muck (TMI--Sorry!).
• Doctor: For Pete's sake, just go to the doctor right when the cold peeks it's grimy little head into your fragile existence. And I don't mean Doctor Who, although, he would be a nice person to visit with while feeling ill (Eye Candy: Yay for David Tennant and Matt Smith).
• Cough Syrup: Medicine prescribed by the above mentioned doctor to promote a restful night's sleep and relief from congestion.
• Cough Drops: To assuage the hacking cough that wakes you up once you've finally fallen asleep.
• Tissues: To blow your nose that seems to endlessly run or to literally stuff up your nose when blowing ceases to work. I suggest lotion enhanced tissues because your nose is going to be rubbed raw from all the blowing.
• Humidifier: Well, to humidify the air in your room while you sleep. For some reason that's supposed to help.
• Netflix and Movies: To keep you entertained while blowing your nose and hacking up a lung and complaining to your roomie that you want to die.
• Books: Undoubtedly, you will wake up in the middle of the night unable to sleep. Netflix and movies will no longer capture your attention, but (cha ching) a book sure will.
• Sick Leave Hours: You may need to take time off work. Hopefully, you'll have sick leave hours to compensate for the missed time.
• Orange Juice: Or just go to Jamba Juice and spend all your money on smoothies chuck full of fruit and add some boosts to help, well, boost your immunity system.
• Cell Phone: To call your parents and have them say a prayer that you'll fall asleep. Yes, have them say the prayer over the phone while you're listening. Sometimes desperation calls for desperate measures. Yes, I did this...I'll admit it!
• Food: Eat whatever you darn well please, the more calories and tasty the better cuz you can't taste anyway.
• Disinfectant Spray and Lotion: Kill those germs not only for your sake but for the sake of those around you. No spreading those pesky germs!
• Water: Because your throat is gonna be sandpaper dry and you need all the fluids you can get.

Anyway, there's my list. Do you have anything you'd like to add? Have you gotten this rotten cold this season? Or are you living in a bubble to keep the germs at bay? What are your tricks to get rid of a cold and fast? Come on, you know we all want to know! Well, I sure do...for way-maybe-in-ten-years future reference. ;)

 

Writing Jewels

Month of September Goals

Hello, followers! How's it going? I hope I find you all well on this Friday (or whenever you read this). I've got to admit I didn't do super hot on my goals this month. However, I was getting over a roller coaster ride of a crazy summer. So, I'd say all is well. Here's how I did with last month's goals:

• Move on August 18 and get settled into my new place Check. I like my new place. It's funny cuz my old commute to work took me 15 minutes. My new commute is 5 minutes total. Somehow I'm late for work even though I'm closer, when I was early before. *shakes head* 
• Read Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull. I bought it. Does that count? haha
• Edit a bit of my own works I started working on a new project. That counts, right?
• Enjoy me some Netflix and time with loved ones Super Check. I socialized a lot more than usual and spent some time with family. As for Netflix--it turned into Hulu. I met an author (Natalie Whipple) at a book bloggers/author get-together a couple weeks ago. She recommended me watch a Korean drama called "Boys Before Flowers". Oh my gosh! I watched all 25 episodes in about 2 weeks. Love it. You definitely should check it out, too. Beware, it'll suck you in. So funny story: my roommate/coworker sat in on watching the first episode with me. She is obsessed with it now, but we are both on different episodes. We'll sit in the same room watching it together but not the same episode. haha
• Beta a tweeps book if she needs my help. She's not ready for it to be read yet.

Well, now for September's goals:

• Finish beta'ing my sister-in-law's book (I'm so proud of her)
• Read Insurgent by Veronica Roth (I decided Beyonders can wait)
• Keep plugging along with my new project, SPHERICAL (a dystopian novel)
• Edit one of my own works (not sure which one)
• Go on a couple dates (I have no idea who'll be the lucky man/men, though... haha)
• Be social (writers tend to be solitary beings sometimes, or is that just me???)
• Go camping with my sister Guess what? I've already accomplished this one. I went Wednesday-Thursday of this week. Nice

So what are your goals for this fabulous autumnal month? Are you excited for fall blowing in? I am!

Writing. Jewels.

Month of August Goals

Ok, folks... The month of July was bar-none the hardest flippin' month of my life. Alright, I've been through worse, of course, but this is so fresh on my mind that it feels all the more difficult. You know how bad/good things happen in threes? Well, that has been the case for me. I won't bore you with the goary details but, for all intents and purposes, let's just say that the things that happened weren't good. Anyway, because of this, my month of July goals didn't pan out very well.
Sigh!

I will review them quickly, though.

• Beta a couple books I beta'd one friend's book. That's good, huh?
• Start reading Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull Uh... I had no desire to read for the life of me. Super sad, huh?
• Continue exercising three days a week I did fulfill this part of my goals. Woot Woot!
• Only have one treat a week on Fridays Did I say that I had a really tough month? Well, that should tell you how I did on this goal. haha
• Start the first draft of BOUND's sequel. I so can't wait No work done here. Shoot. I did have to do another edit on my first book, though. When will the insanity end?

Anyway, my month of August goals are going to be pretty light. I need a break, my friends. If I don't relax a bit, I might end up in a white padded room with a straight jacket on.

So, here are some simple goals:

• Move on August 18 and get settled into my new place
• Read Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull
• Edit a bit of my own works
• Enjoy me some Netflix and time with loved ones
• Beta a tweeps book if she needs my help

Have you ever had a month where you wonder what's the next thing that's going to go wrong? How do you get through tough times? I do a great deal of praying, talking to family and friends, and trying not to eat too many sweets. Two weeks ago, I even got out of dodge to spend some time with a some good friends as well as my mom.

Anyway, dear followers, thanks for stopping by. And what are your month of August goals?

Writing. Jewels.

Wrapping It Up

So, I spent my vacation on the banks of the Columbia River. I enjoyed time with my brother's family, two parades, a super-duper-chocolatey-smothered funnel cake, a carnival, a craft fair, and a 5K race. And yes, oddly enough, I did enjoy the run. Oh, and I saw The Avengers too. Not that shabby for a weekend, eh?

Well, now I'm taking some recuperating time from the fun. And that's why this post has come a bit late on this fine Tuesday post-day. I slept in and didn't have a post scheduled. I very well could have prepared this last night, but I watched a couple too many episodes of Jane by Design on Netflix. While on my vacation someone told me about the show. Now.... yes.... I'm obsessed. And really want to go on a huge shopping spree to buy supercool clothes like Jane wears.

Could I pull it off is the question...

Anyway, here are some pics from my vacation. I promise, I'll get back to posting about writing from now on. But for now, enjoy some pics!




At the craft fair, I spotted a vendor doing henna. This is the ink drying.

 I wanted the Chinese character for love put on my ankle and asked for pretty flowers to sprout from it. So pretty!

 My hand today, it is fading a bit but should last for a while longer.

 Ok, this is how much I love dogs... I'm standing in the dog potty area. Gross, huh? But I had to get the pic cuz it was way too cool to pass up the chance. Haha

 Me holding my sleeping niece at the parade. She's sooo cute. Me on the other hand, not so cute. I just finished a 5K. Give me a break. :D

And I read quite a bit of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter while trapped in a car for the 11 hour drive, twice. Could have finished more, but got caught up in watching movies with my nephews and niece. And taking little naps here and there.

Love you all!

Writing. Jewels.