Keeping Busy

December 5, 2017

Today, I was a photographer for a day. Maybe it will end up being more than a day. We'll see.

I took some photos for a wonderful local business called Fitbump. I have spoken before about it in my posts, but just to quickly recap my thoughts on this place: all moms or expecting moms should go. It's a place to exercise, but it's more that that. It's a community. A lovely, kind, and non-judging one. It's one of my favourite places to be.

This was my first time taking photos for somebody else. I've always loved photography, and taking photos. If I could do something with my photography, that would be great. One thing at a time though. I still need to check them out, and see how they look, and I have to learn how to edit photos. Lots to do.

I left Anthony with Clint when I went to take the photos. I had a blast. It was fun taking them, but also, it felt nice having a job. Even if it was only for one day. I, obviously, need a job that allows me to be at home with Anthony, or bring him places with me most of the time. I wasn't enjoying my job before Maternity leave, and I love being a stay at home mom. I don't regret my decision at all, but it felt good. It felt productive to get out of the house and do something for me. I'm so glad I got the opportunity, and I'm glad it was to do something I love. 

I'm super busy this month. It's funny because I was excited for November to end so I could take a break. It hasn't worked that way. I like it. I like being busy. I enjoy having jobs for myself.

I'm proud of myself for everything I'm accomplishing. Even if it's something as little as crafts for stocking stuffers. It's something.

So this month, I am still editing at least 1000 words a day. I'm trying out some photography. I'm working on actual photo projects for presents. I'm making as many lovely crafts as I can for presents. I'm writing. I'm hoping to get Christmas cards done this year, but I honestly don't think they're top priority this year - it is pricey to send tons of cards, and time consuming to get them ready.

(Here is how I feel about it all:) 

Still happy though. Busy is good.

And unrelated to everything I just wrote, here is my December photo project for my blog:

I'll do the first five days of the month. 

Dec 1st: A List

These are mostly just the writing goals. I've added WAY more to it since the first. One craft a day is excessive. Some take more than a day.

Dec 2nd: In My Mug

It's always coffee. Plus a little of my homemade coffee creamer. This was just made on the 2nd. It's delicious.

Dec 3rd: From My Window

This was from the car window on December 3rd. We were running errands on the foggiest day ever. 

Dec 4th: Something Red

I didn't take a photo of anything red on December 3rd. But a few days earlier I attempted a Christmas photo of my baby on a beautiful red blanket. (Made by Clint's Mom.) Don't judge my photography skills on this photo please.

Dec 5th: Holiday Movie

I don't have a photo of a holiday movie. But this is my kid lounging on the couch while one is on Netflix. He doesn't usually stay watching for more than 10 minutes. He loves anything with cars on it, but isn't so interested in Christmas.

That's it for tonight. Time for a bit of photo editing, or maybe a bit of sleep.

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Goodbye Nanowrimo, Goodbye November

December 1, 2017

Great news. December is here, and I am finished Nanowrimo. I finished it one day early, and am so happy I did it!

I have a few things to do in this post. Talk about my Nanowrimo experience, make some important December goals, and post the rest of the photos. 

Nanowrimo

I'm going to be honest, I'm so glad it's over. I actually knew that I'd be able to finish it, but I had trouble keeping the motivation up at times.

Here's what I learned from doing Nanowrimo with a toddler:

• Writing at night is almost the only option.
• I really had to work on the procrastination. I forced myself to write the correct amount of words every night.
• I was exhausted. 
• I found out what can happen if I push myself. Yes, I've been writing every day for 175 days, but I haven't been pushing myself like I should. I need to be able to edit more than I have been, blog more than I have been, and write more than I have been. So I will.

December Goals

Which brings me to my Creative December Goals

• Push myself
• Edit 1000 words a day.
• Do one or two Christmas crafts a week (for presents)
• Cards/Christmas letter (I'm cutting back though.)
• One Blog Post a week
• Read. Read. Read. Read. Read. Read.
• Work on my newest Nanowrimo novel. I'm not giving myself a specific goal for this, I just don't want to leave the characters where they are. I owe it to them to finish it. (And then fix it because it's not quite where it should be yet. At all.)
• Do a December Photo prompt. Post here. (I'll post a weeks worth next week.)

And for the last of the 30-Day Gratitude Photo Challenge 
Nov 27
Sound:

This photo had a few different sounds. The sound of Christmas music on my Amazon Prime music app (I love it). Also, a few minutes after this photo was taken, it included the sound of the red Christmas decoration smashing on the floor. Turns out, I have a lot of learning to do when it comes to Children's photography. No smiles, and then quicker than ever he got up ran, and tossed it to the ground because he thought it was an actual ball. SMASH. Fun night. At least I had the Christmas music.

Nov 28

Comfort:

Anthony and I had a long and exhausting day. It was a comfort to just sit and play with him. We both had a chance to enjoy each other. He's pretty fun.

Nov 29

Art

It's art to me. Writing is art to me.

Nov 30

Love

I love this guy. (He did not love swimming that day, as you can see.) Also, side note, I LOVE my new haircut. Don't worry. I love the toddler more. I love my life. Simple as that. 

That's it gang. Stay tuned for my writing/photo updates as the month continues. Happy December!

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Almost Nano'd Out

November 26, 2017

I'm currently at a word count of 44,647 in Nanowrimo. I wrote while driving home from my parent's house today. (I didn't drive.) I'll finish by the 30th, but I don't think I'll be done any earlier than that. 

We spent the week at my parent's house. Tonight we put up our Christmas Tree after we got back home so Anthony could get some practice not taking ornaments off. We didn't decorate it. He's loving the lights so far. We will decorate when he gets used to it. Although he's already been parking his cars on the branches, so perhaps he thinks it should be decorated with cars.

Now I'll go right into the photo challenge so I can get on to my next task. I've got a busy week ahead of me.

(Just a quick update, I DID NOT get right into the photo challenge. I folded Anthony's laundry, and then got him back to sleep after he woke up. And then I texted my mom. So here I am, back at it.)

Day 19

Laughter

Laughter is easy with this kid. And for this kid. If we laugh, he laughs. If he laughs, we laugh. This is after he asked us to put a diaper on a bear at my parent's house. (Asked by pointing, he still doesn't say many words. He's a good pointer though.)

Day 20

Food

I'm trying to show a picture taken on the correct day. So Day 20, is Nov 20th. Which means on this day, the only photo I took of food was when Anthony fell asleep in his apple sauce. It was fun to clean up while he was sleeping. I am one of those people who takes photos of food I'm proud of making. But not on that day.

Day 21

Home

At the time this photo was taken, I wasn't home. I was in the town I grew up, and in my parent's home. (Not the one I grew up in.) It feels like home. Anywhere my family is feels like home. This is Anthony helping his grandma sweep the kitchen.

Day 22

Colour

Not much explanation needed. I stepped outside and took this photo on the night of November 22nd. I love the small town view of our land of the living skies. Also it FINALLY warmed up that day.

Day 23

Energy

This is how we used up our energy on Nov 23rd. We built our snow family. Even a Drogo snow dog. Clint and I ran out of steam. Anthony, just kept on going like the Energizer Bunny. He never quits. Momma: zero energy. Baby: all the energy.

Nov 24

Adventure

Is there anything more adventurous than a sled ride? We took it easy this week. Didn't have a lot of adventures. BUT Anthony loved the sled adventures.

Nov 25

Beauty

My boys fill my life with beauty.

Nov 26

Tradition

Photos next to the tree after we put it up is a tradition. Even selfies that are just for us. (And the post, as it turns out). We don't have a specific date picked out for putting up the tree, but today seemed perfect to us. We will decorate tomorrow. 

Okay gang. That's it. Wrote my NanoWrimo words, and I did a blog post. I have one more blog post to do tomorrow for Mommy Connections, and I'll be almost all caught up. I'll do one more post probably December 1st when I'm celebrating being done Nano. And I'll catch up on my last four days of photos.

Happy Sunday! 

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Mid November Update

November 18, 2017

I feel like I should be using any spare time to work on my Nanowrimo project. However, I'm exhausted right now. I'll write tonight. For now, I'll do a blog post.

I've had a big week for writing. I went to see the Writer in Residence to talk about my novel. It was good. Basically, what I got out of it was to keep on going. Keep on editing. Keep on trying. Don't give up because what I'm writing is good. It's nice to hear.

Today I went to a Writing For Children workshop. I've written one book for children before, and I gave it to my friend after her baby was born. It was a long time ago, and I think I could do better now. Especially because basically, my life is reading to Anthony. I've read A LOT of children's books.

The workshop was good. I was exhausted because Anthony was up really early today, but I'm glad I went. There are so many different styles of writing for kid's books. Unfortunately, the one I would pick, takes a lot of time (because I would use rhyming). It takes a lot more time that writing 1,667 words a day in a fiction novel take. Of course, this is in my humble opinion.

I will be working on a few children's books ideas in the next little while. Just some silly practise ideas. I'll know more about them soon enough.

I am now on my 162nd day of writing in a row. This month, I've been working really hard. I'm trying to do it all, and to be perfectly honest: it's exhausting.

(Writing)

Exhausting.

I'm on par with my Nanowrimo words. If I continue this pace (1,667 words a day), I will be done 50,000 words by November 30th. I can't do anymore that that because I don't have the time. I'm currently at 28,956 words. I haven't done any today yet.

I've put editing on hold until December. I can't even pretend to have time for that.

I usually don't start writing until Anthony goes to bed at night. I also try to throw in a Christmas craft (in an attempt to save money I'm doing crafts for stocking stuffers), or do some baking. (Or laundry or cleaning.) 

I am glad I'm doing it. It's a happy exhaustion. It's an 'I'm getting a lot done' exhaustion. I just hope I can keep it up in December. 

I'll be jumping right back into editing. I miss my novel. I miss the characters (although they're still visiting in my current writing), and I miss making little important changes.

Now for my Gratitude Photos: 
I made it to Day Eight last time. I left off on sleep. (I want sleep now.)

Day Nine:

Holidays

This is one of my holiday crafts. These are little winter tuques for the Christmas tree. I'm hoping they get better and better the more I make.

Day Ten

Kindness

I'm lucky enough to have experienced some wonderful random acts of kindness. And kind considerations. However, one of the first things I think of when I hear the word kindness is my mentee. Anthony and I have been mentoring at an elementary school in Saskatoon for two years now. The little girl we are lucky enough to hang out with is so sweet. She loves Anthony so much, and always has kind words to say. She made me this crazy little creature. She thinks it looks like a fish. I thought maybe it was a bird.

Day Eleven:

Friendship:

I have awesome friends, but I want to talk about Anthony's friendships. He's lucky enough to be friends with many awesome little girls. (So far, he doesn't know very many little boys). I like that he will be raised around a bunch of strong and awesome women. They all take after their strong and awesome moms.

Day Twelve:

Music

Winter doesn't usually bother me, but lately, I've been waking up with a dark cloud hanging over my head. I think because after not getting enough sleep, it still feels like the middle of the night when we wake up in the dark. For the past few days, I've been listening to 90s music on Google Play, and for my free two weeks of satellite radio in my car. Music cheers me up. I sing badly, I dance badly, and I make my son giggle. Win win win.

Day Thirteen:

Time:

My mom and I

My son and I

Time goes ridiculously fast. My brand new baby is now 18 months. My mom's brand new baby is 36.

Day 14

Creativity:

Creativity. Flowing out of my pen in the form of children's stories.

Day 15:

Family

Tonight I was exhausted. I took a break from trying to do this post (I've been working on it on and off since 3), and I went to snuggle my family. It was exactly what I needed. Just outside the photo is Drogo. He wouldn't snuggle.

Day 16

Inspiration

I'm lucky. I can find inspiration in almost anything. These days it's writing and reading. (I'm reading Stephen King's book On Writing.)

Day 17

Weather

It's cold. My penguin had to be dug out, and he wants summer back.

Day 18

Change

Change is good. It's hard but it's good. This photo shows my change in fitness routine. I have one now, and it is making me braver and stronger. :) But in general, change is good. If I can't decide what to change, I usually change my hair colour or cut.

That's it guys. Now to write 1,667 words. I'm going for 2000 though. We will see if Anthony wakes up or not. He's my deciding factor.

I'll try to catch up next week so I don't have to do two weeks of photos in one post. 

Happy Saturday! (She says while sitting in bed in her PJs to write at 8:30pm) 

 Oh - once again - this is the Photo Challenge I'm following: 

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Writing update, Nanowrimo, and photos

November 8, 2017

Writing and Nanowrimo

This is going to be a quick post because it's been too long! Unfortunately, I went straight from the trip, to Halloween, to Nanowrimo, so I haven't had time to blog. 

PS: HALLOWEEN: 

 Book Worms.

I am on day 152 of Writing Everyday. I was getting a lot of editing done, but now it's working towards my 50,000 words on a new novel with Nanowrimo. I'm going to finish. I have no doubts about it. I'll have 50,000 words by the end of November. I just have to keep going after that so I can finish it. Finishing a second novel (even if the first isn't published yet) would be a pretty amazing thing. I've started more than one and not finished them.

I also have two writing events this month. 

I'm meeting with Saskatoon's Writer in Residence at the library to discuss my novel. It's a program from the Saskatoon library. I'm using that meeting to discuss the first novel because I really want to get it published. (Broken record.) I'm excited to do this, to get feedback, and to get it ready to send out again. 

I also am taking a workshop on writing for children. I never thought I'd be interested in this, but there is no better time to learn and try it out as now - when I have a test subject who loves books. 

These will both eat into my Nanowrimo writing time (as is this blog post), but it'll be worth it. And I'll still get my 50,000 words. (If I don't I'll be writing a post about it.) Being a mother while attempting this is a lot different. I try to write when he's awake, but as with the writing everyday goal, it usually starts when he's asleep for the night. 

By the way, I just got to 10,000 words in my Nanowrimo writing. Behind schedule, but not by a lot.

I'm stealing some time this morning to write this post because I miss my blog. I like blogging.

Photos

I want to do a photo challenge for November, but I'm already behind (as in, I haven't started), so I've decided to combine my Blog posts with the photo challenge. That way I can update once a week, and not have to worry about daily posts on Instagram. I over Instagram as it is.

This is what I'm doing: 

 I found this on Pinterest and printed it out.

Now to add 8 days of photos. 

Day One: Words

There couldn't be a better photo prompt for this month because it's nothing but words for me. 50,000 words. Editing words. Happy Words. As a writer, I deal with words. I love words. This is a journal that Clint gave me to help inspire my writing.

Day Two: Technology

Another appropriate prompt because I use my laptop for almost all of my writing. I don't plan. I just write. I make notes in the above journal about details so I don't forget them. Mostly, I just type though. I can't imagine writing a novel before this particular technology was around. I wouldn't be able to read any of it.

Day Three: Nature

Nature with a side of Anthony. Winter has hit.

Day Four: Clothing

That's another Anthony one. Winter is a lot of work with a little one to dress. Lots and lots and lots of clothes. It makes me miss sunscreen.

Day Five: Knowledge

Knowledge is a good thing. You're never too old to learn about new things. Or too young. I love watching Anthony learn about new things. I love learning from him.

Day Six: Memories

I keep thinking about first memories. Anthony may be getting his soon. I hope he remembers laughing, and playing, and being loved. 

Day Seven: Innovation

Writing while watching my kid grow and change. (and a messy living room.) Truth be told, I don't have a photo for innovation so I got creative. (Innovation.)

Day Eight: Sleep

This photo is hard to see, but as a Mom, sleep is important. Getting myself to sleep is important, and so is getting Anthony to sleep (because when he sleeps, I write.) I tried a new technique last night because he WILL NOT go to sleep on his own. I put him in his crib and rubbed his back until he went to sleep. It was a success. Thank goodness.

That's all folks. I'll update again next week.

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Plane Rides and Kind Strangers

October 4, 2017

This will be a quick post. I'm feeling pretty tired, but I haven't done a post in a while. I'm not sure when I'll have Internet again, so I should do one now.

Anthony had his first trip on a plane last week. We flew to Ontario from Saskatchewan. Clint has been in Ontario for work for about a month, and we came up to visit with him, family and friends for a couple of weeks.

As I said, it was his very first time on a flight.

Our day started at 3:30 in the morning. I was REALLY lucky that my mom is the best mom in the world. She stayed a couple of days at my house to hang out with Anthony while I packed, and she drove us to the airport even though it was a ridiculous time for any person. Ever. We made it, and were on the flight, and in the air by 5:30 in the morning. 

I had been really stressed before we left. My sweet little baby is not very good at sitting in one spot for very long. There is too much to see and do, and he can't sit still for three hours. Originally, Clint was going to be with us, and that would have made me less nervous. At least that way, we could pass Anthony back and forth between the two of us. 

Unfortunately, it didn't work out exactly the way we had planned, and it was just Anthony and I.

My next wish was that Anthony would sleep through the entire flight. 

Ha.

He didn't sleep. However, the flight wasn't bad. It actually went flew by. (See what I did there?) Anthony didn't cry very much - mostly at the end when he was EXHAUSTED. His ears didn't appear to bother him. 

We were also sitting next to a delightful older couple. They were on their way to a cruise in the States, and at one point when I shushed Anthony, the woman made sure to say, "It's okay. We have grand kids."

The kindness of strangers. They helped me as much as they possibly could, and I truly believe because of them, we were able to enjoy the flight. Anthony even crawled into both of their arms at certain points of the flight. 

I was lucky to be seated next to such caring people, and with the tragedies taking over the world, I'm glad that Anthony and I get to see the great in people. I know we will continue to meet people like this, and strive to be people like that.

The entire flight went well. The man across from me, who I honestly thought might not enjoy having a squirmy toddler close to him, was awesome. He ended up showing Anthony photos of his dogs on his phone at the end of the flight. It made my kiddo so happy.

Anthony fell asleep as we landed. It was great timing. The woman next to me held him as I got out my carry on. Getting off the plane wasn't easy, but my stroller was waiting for us, and all was right in the world.

And of course, my sleepy baby got to see his daddy (after he woke up) at the end of our journey. He was very happy. He was just waking up in the photo below.

 We are now half way through our Ontario adventure, and loving spending time with Anthony's aunts, uncles, and cousins (and soon to be with his Grandma and Grandpa). He doesn't get to see them much, and I love watching him get to know them.

I head home next week, and I'm really hoping we have a great plane ride back. It's in the evening instead of morning, so maybe he will sleep through the trip.

Ha!

Okay, happy Wednesday. I'll be back to regular blogging in a week and a bit.

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/