The Organized Writer Pt 5

I’ve finally settled on an organization system for 2017.

I’m going to use a combination of Bullet Journal and Google Calendar.

Is my BuJo going to be as elaborate as some I’ve seen on Pinterest or Facebook? No. I don’t have that kind of time to spend even tho’ I love color and images.

My Google Calendar is up and running. I’ve been taking a class on organization with Sarah Wendell (Smart Bitches) and have found several great tricks for making Google Calendar work for me.

Can’t wait to get rid of my bulky Day Runner.

 

We Interrupt Your Regularly Schedule Blog Post

Today was a scheduled “Snarky Sunday” post, but I find I’m too grateful to be snarky.

I’ve had a long, lovely Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I’ve left the house only twice: once to go to my parents’ for turkey and trimmings, and once to visit my sister and nephew, who has completed his “man cave” complete with a pretty impressive home theater.  We watched two movies:  Star Trek Beyond and Nice Guys. Both were very funny in their own ways. I had seen the Star Trek movie in the theater and loved it. I loved it even more watching with my family.

So no snark today.

Live long and prosper.

Ten Musical Genres, Ten Songs

Music is very important to me, and I’m thankful I have it in my life.  I like some songs in just about every genre. Here are some of my favorites:

  1. Rock – Nights in White Satin (Moody Blues)

2. Folk – Love Over and Over (Kate & Anna McGarrigle)

3. Opera – Addio (La Traviatta)

4. Classical –  Vivaldi’s Flute Concerto

5. Rap – Hear Me Now (Hollywood Undead)

6. Country – Dreamwalking (Toby Keith)

7. New Age –  Hymne (Vangelis)

8. Show Tune – It’s Hard to Be the Bard (Something Rotten)

9. Latin – Energia (Fido & Alexis)

10. Reggae –  Redemption Song (Bob Marley)

What are some of your favorite songs?

The Purse Project: Kate Collier

What does my purse say about me? Let’s start with why I have Vera Bradley purse.

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Because it’s a colorful floral; all those pockets keep me organized; the strap is cross-body; and the bag weighs next to nothing. I also love the whole idea of two women turning a good product idea into a thriving business that benefits breast cancer research.

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The matching zippered pouch holds delicious lip balm to prevent chapped lips and eyedrops to soothe my dry eyes. Why suffer when I want to take a walk on the lakeshore on a cold windy day?  Or when I can’t tear myself away from a writing session? The pouch also hides my loyalty cards. I recently added the black one, for MacKimmee’s on Church Street in Lenox, MA, where I finally found a simple black alpaca sweater, warm enough for the coldest days, dressy enough for dinner, and lightweight enough to carry in a weekend bag.

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Two other cards are neither credit cards nor loyalty cards. The one on the left is an appointment card; that’s my acupuncturist’s office, which was originally the Trolley Barn for my town. The lime green card? That’s for Sonnenberg, an impressive mansion in my town. I love walking the grounds, meditating in the Japanese Garden, smelling the roses in the formal garden, and taking pictures of the changing landscape as the seasons unfold. The fabric pencil box was made by a cousin who is both a romance author and a talented craftsperson. Even though I do all my writing on my laptop, I’m lost out in the world without sharpened pencils (with erasers, please!) to jot ideas and write notes.

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These items are obvious: a bookmark for my romance series, a business card for my mystery series, a B&N coupon, a hair clip, and mouthwash. Those in the know recognize the anniversary coin from a 12-step program (29 years and counting!). But what in heaven’s name is the teeny old man hugging his knees and wearing a quirky cap? That’s a Piskie from Cornwall.  I don’t leave home without that Piskie, and I don’t let anyone see me rubbing it for good luck.

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Ah, more items that are always in my purse: a pick to tame wind damage after a walk, hand sanitizer, nourishing lotion for my hands, and yummy gluten free fig newtons.

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Finally, the one item that’s so valuable it has to be pinned to the inside of my purse: the smartkey to my hybrid vehicle. I love my Prius, which is pushing 100,000 miles and still getting 48+ mpg. You’re thinking, cars come with two keys, don’t they? Yes, and mine did, too. But somehow I lost one key during a trip to Ireland, the trip before I got the Cornish Piskie.

 

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Writing as C. T. Collier, Kate’s newest release is Planted, first in The Penningtons Investigate, a series of traditional mysteries set in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York.

Learn more about C. T. Collier and the Penningtons at: http://drkatecollier.wordpress.com

 

National Fast Food Day

Happy National Fast Food Day.

Terribly unhealthy, but fast food fulfills a need. How many nights did I pick up my children from their after school program and hit the drive through on the way to religious ed/dance/jazz ensemble/drama club rehearsal and so on? Fast food is a necessity in the crazy-paced world we live in.

I’ve tried to back off (altho’ I am addicted to breakfast items at the drive thru between my house and my Day Job), but hitting the drive through at lunch is just too convenient. And for a quick meal? No prep, no clean up.  More time to write.

Can’t beat it!