Its been a hectic couple of weeks. Things are quiet at work, but we’ve had a big job that we’re doing at the moment, one day a week which isn’t working at a rest home.

My Mum was over from Wineborough last weekend, and I was over her way this weekend for my Dad’s 80th Birthday. It was nice to catch up with my dad, Step mum, and my uncle that I haven’t seen in a long time. So long in fact, that we think it was when my son was about 18 months old, and at a funeral. It was nice to see the family at an event other than a funeral. He also got to meet my son officially and catch up with my brother that he hadn’t seen since my bro was 11.

And next Friday, I have the dreaded dentist, and a massive appointment to remove eleven teeth from my mouth. So I am planning for next weekend to be very quiet, and peaceful.

So how do I make time to slow down? In the evenings. I generally write in the mornings before work, and for about half an hour in the weekend mornings (or evenings). Then the evenings are free for me to study, or gather information for my other writing projects, or researching my markets. This might sound like I’m still busy, but it is considered my downtime. I also go to a stretch (yoga) class and a pole class once a week. These are my relaxing times, time for spending with the girls and having a laugh. Downtime for me is spending time doing things I enjoy doing. And when daylight savings kicks in next weekend, I’ll be able to spend some evenings out in the garden.

I’ve been quietly ticking along with Carol’s Christmas and have reached 21k, and I’m about halfway through the book. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but I’m also aware that I am leaving a lot out at the moment, but that’s okay, because that is what the editing process is for.

And at the end of the month, I’m expecting to receive back the edits for Whisky Rose, a novella I wrote based on 1920’s prohibition and the mob. I’m looking forward to getting these back and seeing what my editor thinks. I hope to have this available by the end of the year, provided all goes well. Not sure whether to make it a sign on gift to my newsletter subscribers, or to put it out on the market. I still need to think on it.

Anyway, what big plans for you have for the week?

Hope you have a good week.

Kia Kaha

Catherine