Feb
Lacey-the-Homeowner
Oooh, so it’s Monday again. Time to get creative. Only lately I’ve been less creative and more productive. Last week I had to stay home sick a few days (I had that mad-crazy high fever that’s going around) but since I didn’t really feel sick apart from a fever and general fatigue, I tried to get as much stuff done from home as I could. And I don’t in any way mean work stuff. I told you I was sick, not demented.
I cleaned out a bunch of files and updated my chapter’s website–those are boring things you don’t really care about. I also wrote a little (one measly scene…well, it’s a start! Especially considering I hadn’t written anything since about a week and a half before my critique partner retreat. Oh, and speaking of that, if you need to know how that went you can check it out on my blog. Far too much rambling to post on a professional site like RI!) and I did some critiquing for the Purple Pen Posse. Can you say insane jealousy? Kristian has done some FABULOUS layering in her rewrites. I’m just glad the Ascot has a separate category for Regency Paranormal this year!
Anyway, all that is nothing compared to what I did Saturday. On Saturday, I bought my first condo! Yay!!
I’m super-excited. Yes, there’s room for an office should I so choose. However, I think I’m going to get a roommate until I feel comfortable paying the mortgage. It’s my first time, you see, and I’m an incredible chicken. I wouldn’t have even had the nerve to start looking for my own place if both my younger brothers (and everyone I know in the entire world except my boyfriend) hadn’t just bought condos this year. The best thing is, though, that I didn’t compromise. I got exactly what I wanted (well, it could have had one more bathroom) and there’s absolutely NO fixing-up necessary. I have a deep-seated fear of fixing up, in case you were wondering.
But I can still upgrade the one bathroom I do have. There’s always something, isn’t there? And then I’m sort of leaning toward those IKEA wall-organizers. There’s an enormous walk-in closet I could use as an office if I can get ALL my closet-y stuff out of the way. I already hang my clothes in a wardrobe…I just need a place to put my blankets and shoes and stuff. You know?
So. That was my weekend in a nutshell. I also did some things I shouldn’t have done considering I was sick the week before…and I’m not going to admit them on the internet. People at work read this, you realize.
I’m feeling very productive, though! Even if I’m not exactly as done with my book as I’d like to be, I’d been working on that condo-hunting thing for months. It’s a huge weight to get it done. Now if I could just get back to the gym…
What did you do with your weekend?
[...] Except. In Real Life it’s not so easy. Some pretty big conflicts CAN occur when you don’t talk about things. But, like many things in life, just because that’s true doesn’t make it right. And now I’m starting to wander into purple territory, so I leave you in the capable hands of RI. Don’t forget to check it out! My BIG NEWS is there! [...]
February 19th, 2007 at 9:55 amWOO-HOO!!! Congratulations, Lacey!
I’m very, very happy for you! The best part of this - *G* - is that you’re going to have your own office. Yay! Very cool. My own weekend was nowhere near as exciting as yours, but I did some “mental” work on my WIP. Bought a new book - a craft book I’ve been searching for; finally found it - and re-worked my writing goals. I went over to your blog to read today’s topic. Totally know what you mean. Sometimes - as the cliche goes - it’s easier said than done.
February 19th, 2007 at 10:38 amThanks, Isabel! So the feature that makes that weird comment is definitely “Pingback.” I got one on my blog today because I referenced a post here and the email notice came with “Pingback” in the title.
Which craft book?
February 19th, 2007 at 10:51 amOooooh, how do you do “Pingback”? I looked but I don’t see where I could link back and forth between here and my blog (not that I’ve done much over at my blog…)
I finally got my hands on “Techniques of The Selling Writer” by Dwight V. Swain - that was yesterday and on Saturday I got “Plot” by Ansen Dibell. Both books are recommended at the end of Debra Dixon’s GMC book. Next up to buy, “The Writer’s Journey” I think you recommend that one a while back on your blog, Lacey.
Are you doing the Ascot?
I guess I have some good news, I feel like I’m very close to “getting it” with my WIP.
February 19th, 2007 at 11:10 amCongrats, Lacey! I am terrified to buy a house. I envision decades of payments, and I just paid off my car!
February 19th, 2007 at 11:52 amOh, Lacey, congrats, that’s so exciting! Keep us posted and show pics when you get them.
February 19th, 2007 at 12:33 pmLacey, many congratulations. Buying a house is a scary prospective. So much responsibility! I’m sure you’re looking forward to having an office that you can get really crazy decorating.
Many congratulations to you, Isabel. Your weekend has paid dividends galore. Looks like you’re ready for the Ascot.
February 19th, 2007 at 1:21 pmRobyn, I totally thought of your kitchen when I got the place–like, oh! Have to have before and after pics!
Yep, I’ve already got my main color picked out!
And as for the rest of you–yeah, it’s very scary. I keep thinking “I can’t do this!” and then I think, “No, I can. I CAN! Everyone else does it! Gah! Being normal sucks!” (Until I get my new kitchen…then I might not think it sucks anymore!)
February 19th, 2007 at 1:26 pmAbsolutely, Lacey. We’ve painted every room in this house except the laundry room and the guest bath and the guest bath is next - can’t handle the Pepto pink much longer. Paint is the cheapest way to redecorate and it instantly changes the feel of the room.
Isabel, I must say congrats on the Dwight Swain book, it’s one of my favorites. It’s VERY dry, but packed full of great stuff.
February 19th, 2007 at 2:47 pmCongrats on the condo!
Whenever I buy a home (this is the third one I’ve bought), I can NEVER sleep that night for fear that I won’t be able to pay/upkeep/you name it. It never ends up being as hard as I’ve imagined.
Good luck!
February 19th, 2007 at 9:18 pmI’m SOOOOO excited for you!!! Congratulations!!
I have never owned anything solo - my wonderful DH bought our home 10 years ago, before the Seattle market went crazy, and when we married I just moved right in.
Fortunately he had lived a bachelor boy existence for many, many years, so all my furniture had a place to go!
This is great news for you. I’m so happy, and I can’t wait to see the pics!
February 19th, 2007 at 10:27 pmLacey, I love what you’ve done with the Eastside RWA site! Love it! I’m going to be submitting my app soon so I can join those fabulous 2007 Year of the Craft classes.
February 19th, 2007 at 10:48 pmLacey, fabulous site design!!
Isabel, I’m from the Eastside, though I belong to the Seattle chapter.
February 20th, 2007 at 12:50 amWell, you can check out my post on the “off topic” section of the Avon board for a picture guide of my mini vacation to Austin, Texas to visit my brother and his 2 daughters.
My book is still waiting patiently for me, but I’ve been having so much fun reading lately. I mean, what else is there to do on a plane, aside from sleep? Ah, so sue me! lol.
Michelle
February 20th, 2007 at 1:23 amBeing a home owner rocks! Congrats!
February 20th, 2007 at 5:55 amThanks, everyone!
And I have to admit I cheated–that’s WordPress. But WordPress rocks!
Michelle–very cool! Thanks for giving me another great reason to visit the Avon board
Keira–my new digs are in Juanita. Eastside all the way!
February 20th, 2007 at 7:06 amLacey!
I love Ikea stuff! I don’t own any, but it’s funny because I was just looking @ the wall organizers yesterday! I didn’t have time to hop on over here as much as I usually do. I was on ebay though… I really want to get an Ikea quilt cover.
Are you going to paint and decorate that office? I’m excited for you. Congrats.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:24 amOh yeah! I’m going to do everything I can to make it AWESOME. As for IKEA, we’re totally lucky here because we have an ENORMOUS store right here in town. Their super-affordable stuff is even more affordable when you don’t have to pay shipping at all
I’ve been keeping myself away for THREE YEARS because I know that place is like a black hole and I don’t have the willpower to just walk through. NO MORE! Bring it on!
February 20th, 2007 at 10:44 amA black hole is where your money goes when you pay rent! Congratulations on using yours to build equity!
February 20th, 2007 at 7:00 pm