It dawned on me a few minutes ago that it’s been a week since my brother moved back East. It seems like forever since he left, yet it also hardly feels like he’s gone.

I’ve talked to him a few times and seen pictures of his new office. He’s settling in nicely. His main comment has been that it’s ‘quiet’. But that’s exactly what he was looking for. He needed a break.

So did I.

Yesterday, I took the day off.

I’ve been going hell bent for leather for the past couple of months and I’ve come close to crashing a few times. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to stop, so I powered through and hoped for the best. The good news is, I didn’t completely fall on my face. At times that seemed to be the best I could hope for.

Mind you I didn’t do it on my own. I had some really good friends help prop me up and keep me somewhat stable.

Thanks Guys!

This past week was a whirlwind of cleaning, socializing, meetings and research. The first day I’ve had to myself was Thursday, so I took it. I grabbed the day with both hands and devoted myself to mindless tasks.

The highlight was unravelling a sweater I’d started a couple of years ago because a) I couldn’t remember what pattern I’d been using and b) it didn’t matter because it was way too freakin big (YAY).

I’ve started another sweater with the yarn. A cute little vesty-tank top. I figure I’ll have it done in a few weeks. I’ll knit while I watch Anime

Wish me luck!

I love it when a plan comes together.

Yesterday was my potluck/BBQ my declaration of independence and the official start to the next phase of my life. There have been a of of them lately, but each one seems to presenting more opportunity than the last. (I mentioned I’m a Perpetual Pollyanna didn’t I)

Sure it rained, but 23 people braved the weather and arrived anyway. They all fit into my house with a bit of room to spare. It was awesome. Oh and they brought food. I’m eating Greek and Indian leftovers as I type.

I came home last night to a packingboxless house. This morning, in the light of day, I can see the floor.

The end of chaos is near.

Which is good, I still have to re-write my ending for ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ today, because I have to send it out to people either tonight or tomorrow morning (at the very latest).

This morning I’ve been surrounded by toolbelts.

There is a contractor working on my back step and cable guys replacing the cable the moving guys dislodged yesterday. My inner girlie-girl enjoyed the view immensely.

We were actually talking about it yesterday. I made the comment that I prefered real muscles to store-bought muscles. The poor, lone guy in our group wasn’t sure he understood the difference, and none of us girls last night could adequately explain what I meant, even though we all understood it.

After watching the guys today, I think I have a more definitive answer.

A guy in a tool belt, or sweating it out in the yard has a primal appeal. He’s doing something, to make life better. There is an expectation of mental and emotional strength in addition to the muscled physique. Even though I’m fully capable of ripping apart the back step and rebuilding it myself, there is something appealing, even comforting, in watching someone else do it for me. I feel cared for.

Watching a guy work out in the gym is also fun, but there is very little life skill that comes with learning to bench press. While I like what I see, all those heavy weights mean nothing once he walks out the gym door.

Keep in mind, these aren’t mutually exclusive. I’ve used the extreme form of stereotype in my analysis. I beg your forgiveness.

Today is/was back to back editing. I still have more to go.

I think I’ll hole up in my bedroom with my laptop for the evening to give myself a chance to get some work done. My brother, I’ve discovered (and probably mentioned several times already) becomes increasingly more distracting the more he tries not to be disctacting.

I shouldn’t complain too much. I will miss him when he’s gone, but right now I can’t afford to get behind. I want to write and I can’t until the editing is done.

Priorities suck! (remind me why I wanted to be a grown up again?)

We had a great session today going over Mike and Nirmal’s chapter. This one was only the 2nd draft so we commented more on story lines and characterization than punctuation and other nitty gritty stuff. Honestly, this is my favourite level of editing.

Speaking of which, I’d better get back to it or I’ll never be able to have time to write again.

No matter how much I say I have to blog today, time gets away from me and I lie down on my nice, soft, comfy bed and say, “Damn, another day passes without a blog.”

Which is odd since anyone who knows me knows I love to talk about myself…ad nauseam.

It’s been nuts. I’ve been stressed beyond belief (to stressed to even write it out, so that might give you an indication of how bad it’s been).

We finally have all the details in place for my brother’s move back East. It’s a week later than originally planned due to hiccups with the long weekend and work delaying approval of what moving expenses they’ll reimburse. Which of course put me a week behind in advertising for a roommate, after all I can’t show the house with killer, packing boxes ready to attack from every corner.

All this while I’m trying to work. The good news is that there is work, the bad news is that it’s piling up.

Today I attended Freelance Camp. It was an unconference. To see my perspective on that check out my alter ego’s blog at SNB Consulting Services.

My brain is bursting with great ways to reorganize my work flow one in particular seems to be exactly what I need… I’ll let you know if it works out as well as I hope it does.

Tomorrow, I’m devoting the day to editing and working on a website for a new side project of mine (nothing like adding to an already full plate), more details on that as we get closer to launch.

OK – enough rambling for tonight. I promise I’ll update more often from now on.

Nighty-Night
Sue