To Be Continued

Hi guys!

As you’ve probably noticed, I haven’t been around here much (at all). Sorry about that.

Rather than keep you waiting, this is my official announcement that I’m going on a blogging hiatus. My brain just isn’t doing well right now, and rather than write complete garbage blog posts, I’d rather just pause and come back with fresh energy later. 

You can still keep up with my updates on social media, and I’ll see you guys soon. 

Hello December

Hi guys! 

Wow, it’s already December, and boy am I excited for it. November was nice. A bit cold. A mite stressful. But nice. 

What went on:

My dad, and middle sister both had birthdays, which we ended up celebrating on Thanksgiving. 

For Thanksgiving we went to my parents’ house, along with my grandma. The food was great, and it was really relaxing. My sister used to be an avid farm toy collector when she was little, so we let He to get some of the toys out...Im not sure who was more excited about it. 

My dad and I attempted to go pick up my oven, but when we got there the store had closed. Which was a real bummer, but what do ya do? 

It snowed somewhere above ten inches. The first day it was easy to measure, but after that it alternated snowing and raining so the snow technically melted, but then turned to ice. So yesterday was the first time since before thanksgiving that my car has been able to leave the garage. 

We attempted to do a little deer hunting, but didn’t get anything. Hardly even saw anything, actually. 

I set up my Christmas tree. Because I can. It was technically after Thanksgiving though. 

Henry spent the entire month sledding and playing with legos. My living room is a bit of a minefield. Watch your step. 

I got 90% of my Christmas shopping done on Black Friday. Online. Because going out on Black Friday is ridiculous. I only need to get a couple little things for some gift exchanges. I’ve never been done this early and I’m not sure what to do with myself. So I just check the package tracking way too often. 

What’s coming up: 

This weekend my church is having their ladies Christmas party. That’s usually pretty fun. 

Next weekend my mom, sisters, and I are taking a girls trip (plus one Henry) to go see Pioneer Woman in Oklahoma. 

We’re moving!! Things are falling into place with the house we’ve been working on, so hopefully we’ll be moved in within the next couple weeks. Cue the panic as I look at all the stuff I need to pack. I’m really excited though. More space, nicer house that’s going to be way better for my allergies, etc. I can’t wait to get it all set up and decorated. Although that’ll probably be after Christmas. 

Christmas! Obviously, can’t miss that. I think we’ll probably be at my parents’ house for that too. Although we’ll also have extended family get togethers with my mom’s side, dad’s side, and Jarod’s side of the family. 

Baby prep. I’m told it’s time to start packing a hospital bag, and things like that. Which is absolutely crazy. Can’t wait for baby girl to get here. Also can’t wait to decide on a name for baby girl. 

How was your November? Do you have anything fun coming up in December? 

Another Month Bites the Dust

So....it’s November already. I’m kind of in shock. 

Have things gone according to plan? Absolutely not. Has everything under the sun happened in the space of three hours? No, but it feels like it. 

What went on:

October brought two trips to the pumpkin patch, which was super fun. My sisters took a bunch of pictures of me that I’m assured were super cute, but they haven’t actually sent any of them. So just know, I looked stunning. 

Harvest was completed! It was a little rough. Things weren’t great due to some of the weather mishaps that struck early this year, but they could have certainly been worse, and we’re all glad to have the corn in the bin instead of buried in a snow bank. 

It did snow. Only a skiff of it, that melted in a day, but Henry was thrilled with it. 

My mother in law came for a week and we worked on painting the ranch house we plan to move into. There’s still a ton to do, but I’m so thankful for all of her help, and I’m hopeful we will be moving in the near future. 

I was supposed to finish my line edits of Blood and Dust in October, but alas, I did not. I’m close though. Should be finished this week and I can put together the new and improved synopsis and proposal. 

Karen was here for Halloween, so she got to enjoy trick or treating with Henry. We only made it to about ten houses before the grumpy little pirate got cold, but that was more than enough candy for me and him to share. 

My oven, can opener, hot water heater, and bathroom fan all quit at the same time. I was thinking I should write a survival manual or something, but my secrets aren’t that great. Call the electrician. Buy a manual can opener. And make sure you have all the extra kitchen appliances. Electric griddle, toaster oven, crock pot, instant pot—get it all. Can’t go wrong with microwaveable food either. Well you can, but you know. Survivalists can’t be picky. 

My sisters came over for a Halloween sleepover. We watched Shutter Island and The Woman In Black. Both excellent, edge of your seat movies, with terrible, throw up your hands and scream into the void endings. 

I don’t even know. It feels like everything came crashing down in October and now everything is hanging in limbo November, waiting to see what happens next. 

I’m not doing NaNoWriMo. I had planned to work on Mad Hatter for it, but like I said—things didn’t go according to plan. 

I’m ready for Thanksgiving. I don’t even know why, I just know I’m ready for it. Comfort food. 

I also want to sleep for a week, but no one can seem to accommodate that. 

Oh well. Such is life, I guess. 

My dad and sister both have birthdays coming up this month, and I’m trying to find birthday presents, but apparently what I want to get doesn’t exist, oh and by the way, Christmas shopping is coming up too and I’ve got no time and money so if someone could just put me out of my misery, please and thanks. 

Current Mood: 

August Recap

Hi guys! 

I’m sorry I forgot to post this earlier. My bad. 

But I’m here for the monthly recap. 

I started babysitting a kid from church and it’s been really fun. Frankly, he’s probably more help to me than I am to his mom. Henry loves having a playmate around. 

I finished the sixth season of The 100 and now I’m not sure what to do with my life. I really liked it, aside from a few things...didn’t really dig the whole concept of redemption, just because they had the Biblical points twisted. 

I’ve been working madly on Blood as Dust in between bouts of dizziness. I’m making progress and plan to have it polished up thoroughly in time for November #faithpitch. 

I went to Living out Loud—a Christian music festival. My sisters were there and it was all sorts of fun. 

We’ve been preconditioning calves, so I’ve got in a lot of saddle time, which is always a good thing. 

My birthday is Friday. It’s not physically possible for me to be 24. Like, what???

Wednesday we find out baby’s gender. So stinking excited for that I can’t even handle it. 

Thursday (meaning today, for most of you reading this now) we are going to the state fair with my family to eat delicious unhealthy food and see Zach Williams in concert. 

Husker Football Season starts Friday and frankly, I couldn’t ask for a better birthday present...except maybe a win. A win would be great. 

I can’t believe summer is essentially at an end. The weather has turned super cool here. I’ve set the fall decorations out and PUMPKINS ARE GROWING IN MY GARDEN. It’s still raining...torrential downpours really. There’s a good chance we might have to take boats to the fair, and I’m actually not joking. 

How are you wrapping up your summer? 

April Showers Bring May Flowers

And boy should we have flowers in May.

Google

True that.

 It's been raining the last four days, but the temperature has also been dancing dangerously close to freezing, and there has been bucket loads of snow in some areas.

But today ushers in a new month, so I have hope we are one step closer to consistently warm weather.

I'm diving back into my Blood and Dust story, so I've switched back to listening to the playlist for it. So lots of NeedtoBreathe and Skillet.

But I'm also currently obsessed with Reckless love of God by Cory Asbury. I mean, I've probably played it 900 times since downloading it two days ago. If I get up the courage, I might sing it in church.

Also, Yes I will by Vertical Worship.

I've been reading The Traitors Game by Jennifer Nielsen, and it is really interesting. So fun to read something of hers from a girl perspective after dealing with Sage/Jaron in The Ascension trilogy. The world is also very interesting. But I'll save the details for a book review.

I keep adding things to my Watch List on Netflix, but haven't actually watched anything all month that wasn't some form of children's cartoon.

Henry turned two!! Can't hardly believe it. Love him so much.

We went to my parent's house for Easter. Much fun was had by all, and I didn't need to eat for three days afterward. Not saying I didn't eat for those three days, because I most certainly did. But I didn't need to.

I had a call with Kara Swanson and we brainstormed some things to give Blood and Dust a little more oomf and uniqueness, and oh my goodness you guys. I am so excited to get to work on some of the ideas we tossed around and see how they fit. No worries to anyone who has read it in its current state though, because Cole and Calgary are very much staying.

I feel like I spent the entirety of April outside, which was definitely a good thing. There were several playdates to the park, we moved cows one day, branded calves, and helped Jarod get all the planting equipment ready to go. We picked up the electric fence from the fields, and also spent a day burning and clearing debris that had washed in from the flood. We've got baby kittens and their eyes are starting to open finally, so they're ready to be played with.

Everything is greening up beautifully. I have tulips blooming, and the plum and cherry trees are blossoming and the world smells so good. I even mowed the yard yesterday.

May is hopefully going to bring a ton of writing as I mess with Blood and Dust and hopefully tinker with Bad Boy and Mad Hatter. I'm also letting myself do a little planning for a Viking story. So good things.

I've been doing some quilt related work for my mom, and I've got some more of that to do this month. It's tedious, and the exact reason I will never be a quilter, but coupled with my guitar lesson money it keeps me funded for buying books and music and whatnot.

Mother's Day. I already know what I'm getting, as it is a combination mother's day, birthday, Christmas, etc. etc. gift. I'm just really kind of curious when I get it. Sooner would be much preferable in my opinion. Now I just need to figure out what to get my mom.

So that was my month in a nutshell.

How was yours?