Allison Knight's Blog, page 7
April 12, 2014
The Journey
Laundry day today. Another take it slow day. This is getting to be a habit. Now I have to decide on something simple for lunch. Ah! another frozen dinner. My DH is going to love that. Oh, well, at least they taste a lot better than they used to.
Trying to figure out how many passwords need to be changed. This "bleedheart" bug is a nuisance.
I'm delighted to learn from several of my online companies, they are not affected. They are sending out messages saying "not us" but we do recommend you change your password. If you are like me, you have a whole bucket full of passwords, some for business, some for personal, some for communication. As an English friend would say, 'a bloomin' lot'.
So do I go through and change all the passwords? As if I have the time or the energy to do that.
The only problem is, people have the mistaken idea authors are all very wealthy people. Few realize the average freelancer makes less than a couple of thousand a year. And even some of the big authors don't rake in the kind of money the few at the very top make. Some make it big, very big, but most of us are at the bottom of the scale, trying to work our way up. It's a slow grinding process, but worth the time and the money because the stories just have to be told. Now I'm off to tell one of those stories.
Allison
Trying to figure out how many passwords need to be changed. This "bleedheart" bug is a nuisance.
I'm delighted to learn from several of my online companies, they are not affected. They are sending out messages saying "not us" but we do recommend you change your password. If you are like me, you have a whole bucket full of passwords, some for business, some for personal, some for communication. As an English friend would say, 'a bloomin' lot'.
So do I go through and change all the passwords? As if I have the time or the energy to do that.
The only problem is, people have the mistaken idea authors are all very wealthy people. Few realize the average freelancer makes less than a couple of thousand a year. And even some of the big authors don't rake in the kind of money the few at the very top make. Some make it big, very big, but most of us are at the bottom of the scale, trying to work our way up. It's a slow grinding process, but worth the time and the money because the stories just have to be told. Now I'm off to tell one of those stories.
Allison
April 11, 2014
The Journey
Grocery shopping this am. Now, I'm pooped. I got everything put away - finally. It's surprising how I wear out so quickly. Of course I've said that before, but for over 70 years I've gone full steam. I started something, I finished it. Well, usually. I got into a lot of trouble with reading books, because if it was a good book. well, I just had to finish it. I often went to bed at two or three, even four o-clock, knowing I had to get up at 6, which meant two, three maybe four hours of sleep. Blurry eyed the next day, I'll tell you, but I'd finished the book. (grinning)
I often sewed until the wee hours of the day, or baked. The family refused to let me clean (which was fine with me 'cause I never did like to clean) because I always made too much noise. However, I discovered I wrote well after ten o'clock at night. But not now! I'm good for a couple of hours, sitting, but walking around and doing things, I'm down to minutes. The hospice nurse tells me this is the way it goes. So, rest I must. but my fingers work fine so I can work on the computer. I just can't get up and do a lot of things, like get the book I want out of the book shelf, sort through the files in the files cabinet.
Now I have to have things at me finger tips. But I'm learning.
If I gather everything I think I'll need together before I start an activity it helps tremendously. So if you know someone having my problems, and they haven't learn to sit and think through what all they'd need, then gather it together before they start, tell them about this. It does really help. I'm getting more done now. A little preplanning and goals get met. Hooray!
Allison
I often sewed until the wee hours of the day, or baked. The family refused to let me clean (which was fine with me 'cause I never did like to clean) because I always made too much noise. However, I discovered I wrote well after ten o'clock at night. But not now! I'm good for a couple of hours, sitting, but walking around and doing things, I'm down to minutes. The hospice nurse tells me this is the way it goes. So, rest I must. but my fingers work fine so I can work on the computer. I just can't get up and do a lot of things, like get the book I want out of the book shelf, sort through the files in the files cabinet.
Now I have to have things at me finger tips. But I'm learning.
If I gather everything I think I'll need together before I start an activity it helps tremendously. So if you know someone having my problems, and they haven't learn to sit and think through what all they'd need, then gather it together before they start, tell them about this. It does really help. I'm getting more done now. A little preplanning and goals get met. Hooray!
Allison
April 10, 2014
The Journey
Oldest son went home this am. So today I need to rest a bit. Granddaughter is coming and we'll work on the web page. Tuesday night, my Publisher held the annual Company Birthday Party. The company is now nine years old and going strong. To my delight and surprise, I was awarded the Publishers' Excellence award. Two other awards, given annually were for the author that helped the company the most and the author with the best selling book.
Those parties are always loads of fun. Authors letting their hair down in cyberspace, or even in person is something to behold. And because our company publishes all kind of genres,, it does get wild. If we have another party soon, I'll invite you all.
But between the party and cooking for the oldest, I am tired. I need to take the next day or two easy. It's surprising how quickly I wear out. This is new for me, so I'm still not use to take time out and sitting down to rest. I am doing better at cooking sitting down. Try it sometime. It 'ain't' easy. (grinning)
Now I have some paper work to get ready for Granddaughter. I'm also very interested in getting going on the info I've learned over the year.This month it's all about working on Character development.
Off to gather papers.
Allison
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Those parties are always loads of fun. Authors letting their hair down in cyberspace, or even in person is something to behold. And because our company publishes all kind of genres,, it does get wild. If we have another party soon, I'll invite you all.
But between the party and cooking for the oldest, I am tired. I need to take the next day or two easy. It's surprising how quickly I wear out. This is new for me, so I'm still not use to take time out and sitting down to rest. I am doing better at cooking sitting down. Try it sometime. It 'ain't' easy. (grinning)
Now I have some paper work to get ready for Granddaughter. I'm also very interested in getting going on the info I've learned over the year.This month it's all about working on Character development.
Off to gather papers.
Allison
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April 9, 2014
The Journey
Another, we better take it easy day. I'll be glad when the weather settles down and we have a string of hot, dry days, with a huge high pressure system hanging overhead. I'm also sure I'm not the only one. My hospice nurse says anyone on O2 has a hard time when it's so damp and rainy.
You know, there are some days when you want to put your foot through the computer. What seems so simple is simple, but not the way you figured simple! Okay, so I'm not making sense. Let me explain. I have been trying for the past two weeks to make a shortcut and put the thing on my desk top. I did what I read, did what my DH told me to do and the shortcut got made, over and over and over again, but not once did it go to the desktop.
Son, geek, is here and I complained to him. He took a look and said, "Mom, you have to send it to the desktop." But they didn't tell my how to send it to the desk top in the how-to. Here I am dragging the thing to the desk top and screaming when it wasn't there. Then he showed me the link to put it on the desk top and I wanted to put my foot through the computer monitor. Talk about stupidity! Yah, me!
Lesson learned. Now I can make shortcuts and put them on the desk top. So what else to I want on the desk top? I'll have to think about that for a bit.
And last night was a wonderful night! As a published author, being recognized is critical. Awards are a big deal, especially to the author. It means what you do is worth something. Last night, I was shocked because my Publisher awarded me with the "Publisher's Award of Excellence". Words can't express who I felt when she went on to explain why I was chosen.
As a romantic I do cry easily, and yeh! I'm sitting at my computer, and the tears are running down my face. She said such nice things. I hated to tell her she wasn't telling the truth. I'm not nearly as nice as she said. But it was a wonderful thrill and means a great deal, even if the reasons were a bit stretched.
So, today, I'm signing off as
Allison Knight, Recipient of CBG's "Publisher's Award of Excellence"
You know, there are some days when you want to put your foot through the computer. What seems so simple is simple, but not the way you figured simple! Okay, so I'm not making sense. Let me explain. I have been trying for the past two weeks to make a shortcut and put the thing on my desk top. I did what I read, did what my DH told me to do and the shortcut got made, over and over and over again, but not once did it go to the desktop.
Son, geek, is here and I complained to him. He took a look and said, "Mom, you have to send it to the desktop." But they didn't tell my how to send it to the desk top in the how-to. Here I am dragging the thing to the desk top and screaming when it wasn't there. Then he showed me the link to put it on the desk top and I wanted to put my foot through the computer monitor. Talk about stupidity! Yah, me!
Lesson learned. Now I can make shortcuts and put them on the desk top. So what else to I want on the desk top? I'll have to think about that for a bit.
And last night was a wonderful night! As a published author, being recognized is critical. Awards are a big deal, especially to the author. It means what you do is worth something. Last night, I was shocked because my Publisher awarded me with the "Publisher's Award of Excellence". Words can't express who I felt when she went on to explain why I was chosen.
As a romantic I do cry easily, and yeh! I'm sitting at my computer, and the tears are running down my face. She said such nice things. I hated to tell her she wasn't telling the truth. I'm not nearly as nice as she said. But it was a wonderful thrill and means a great deal, even if the reasons were a bit stretched.
So, today, I'm signing off as
Allison Knight, Recipient of CBG's "Publisher's Award of Excellence"
April 8, 2014
The Journey
I really find it interesting that I have an exceptionally good day and the next couple of days are a slow go. Yesterday was great. I got all kinds of things done, things I've wanted to do for ages, like sort receipts, list e-mail addresses and make a list of passwords, because I have a dozen. Now, today, I need to rest. I move around a bit and I'm pooped! And I promised oldest who is here now, I'd fix beef and noodles, one of the kid's favorite dishes.
Fortunately I cooked the meat yesterday, so it's not going to be much of a chore. Lucky for him, because I don't think today I could manage too much more. And of course, a quick glance at the weather and now I have rain and high humidity this afternoon. So it will be a reading afternoon. And, believe me, I am not complaining. I have a whole 'to be read' list. Then of course, I need to get started again on "Once More', the new historical.
There are things to do, easy things to do today.
So, after I print up the new password list, I'm gonna go read until it's time to cook.
Allison
Fortunately I cooked the meat yesterday, so it's not going to be much of a chore. Lucky for him, because I don't think today I could manage too much more. And of course, a quick glance at the weather and now I have rain and high humidity this afternoon. So it will be a reading afternoon. And, believe me, I am not complaining. I have a whole 'to be read' list. Then of course, I need to get started again on "Once More', the new historical.
There are things to do, easy things to do today.
So, after I print up the new password list, I'm gonna go read until it's time to cook.
Allison
April 7, 2014
The Journey
Big storm this morning. Lots of lightening, lots of thunder, electricity went out and so did my O2 machine. Makes enough noise to wake the dead. (being facetious here) It's set to let off this awful wail when it the electricity goes off, not when the machine is turned off normally. Then when the power comes back on, it makes a continual wail, indicating that it has to be reset. Fine. Great idea, expect when you are sound asleep and the sequence starts. Even the cats ran. And yes the cats sleep in our room with us.
I'll talk about my adventures with Celine, our cross-eyes part Siamese and her sleeping habits one of these days.
Great start to the day. After we got everything running smoothly again, I went back to bed and sleep in. Good feeling. I haven't done that for a while. But now, I'm up and doing the things that need to be done. Mornings are my best time, so I try to get as much done as I can. I have laundry going and computer work to do, so I'd best get to it. Oldest son should arrived in a couple of hours and as I mentioned before, I have things for him to do - but I have to get my part done first.
Taking a deep breath (the weather is clearing - Thank you, Lord) so I'll be breathing easier.
Off to take a look at my computer problem, so I can tell him exactly what I want him to do. I may regret this!!!
Allison
I'll talk about my adventures with Celine, our cross-eyes part Siamese and her sleeping habits one of these days.
Great start to the day. After we got everything running smoothly again, I went back to bed and sleep in. Good feeling. I haven't done that for a while. But now, I'm up and doing the things that need to be done. Mornings are my best time, so I try to get as much done as I can. I have laundry going and computer work to do, so I'd best get to it. Oldest son should arrived in a couple of hours and as I mentioned before, I have things for him to do - but I have to get my part done first.
Taking a deep breath (the weather is clearing - Thank you, Lord) so I'll be breathing easier.
Off to take a look at my computer problem, so I can tell him exactly what I want him to do. I may regret this!!!
Allison
April 6, 2014
The Journey
Heavy weather! Ugh! We're wet down here. I'd love to give some of this water to some to the draught stricken areas, but I've said that before. Must be getting bad, when I start repeating myself. (grinning) Let's blame this one on age.
However, I'm nearly delirious. Years and years ago, something during the late 1700's/ early 1800's some of my mother's Dutch relatives came to the US to PA, to settled there. They brought with them a start of their rose bush, a touch of home, or so I've been told. Each one of the children in each generation got a start of that rose bush. I don't know what happened to the other relatives, but Mom gave me a start after I got married and settled into our Michigan home. It was supposed to be our last home. (If she only knew) When we moved after nearly fifteen years in that home, I dug up that bush and took it with me.
Then we retired and moved south. It didn't bloom. In fact, I have only had one rose from that bush over the last eighteen years. But I refused to dig it up and pitch it, although the complaints came from about everyone.
However, this winter it got cold here in the south. So cold in fact that we had a deep freeze. It was below 25 F on a couple of nights and below freezing on several more. Now, I'm not saying that the bush likes cold, or maybe it knows that I won't be around to see it bloom next year. Whatever the reason, my rose bush is full of buds. It only blooms once a season, and the roses are double, a lush rose color, with the most heavenly smell, like sandalwood. One of the buds is getting ready to bloom. I'll ask DH to take a picture and post it when it does bloom.
This is one happy lady today. My rose bush, after eighteen years is going to bloom.... Thank you Lord!
Allison
However, I'm nearly delirious. Years and years ago, something during the late 1700's/ early 1800's some of my mother's Dutch relatives came to the US to PA, to settled there. They brought with them a start of their rose bush, a touch of home, or so I've been told. Each one of the children in each generation got a start of that rose bush. I don't know what happened to the other relatives, but Mom gave me a start after I got married and settled into our Michigan home. It was supposed to be our last home. (If she only knew) When we moved after nearly fifteen years in that home, I dug up that bush and took it with me.
Then we retired and moved south. It didn't bloom. In fact, I have only had one rose from that bush over the last eighteen years. But I refused to dig it up and pitch it, although the complaints came from about everyone.
However, this winter it got cold here in the south. So cold in fact that we had a deep freeze. It was below 25 F on a couple of nights and below freezing on several more. Now, I'm not saying that the bush likes cold, or maybe it knows that I won't be around to see it bloom next year. Whatever the reason, my rose bush is full of buds. It only blooms once a season, and the roses are double, a lush rose color, with the most heavenly smell, like sandalwood. One of the buds is getting ready to bloom. I'll ask DH to take a picture and post it when it does bloom.
This is one happy lady today. My rose bush, after eighteen years is going to bloom.... Thank you Lord!
Allison
April 5, 2014
The Journey
Taking it easy. Edits are finished and I'm reading today. Heavy weather means don't do much. I was going to bake a cake, but that's too much for today. Instead I bought one at Wal Mart. Big mistake. I got a strawberry short cake, however it is so soggy, the cake is mush. UGH! Oldest son comes on Monday. I'll have him take it back. People shouldn't have to try to eat something that's mushy, and oh boy, it was.
For some reason, probably the constant flow of O2, my nose runs all the time. It makes it doubly hard to breath. I could get graphic but I won't. Anyway, I thought I would try an OTC to help with the nose. Nope! Can't do that. Blood pressure went up big time. So I guess I'll have to keep the Kleenex company in business for a while and be sure to carry a pocket full of Kleenex with me where ever I go. In the meantime, I have boxes all over the house. I should have stock in the company that makes the stuff. I'd probably be wealthy by now. No, because I'd have to spend all the profits on more Kleenex!
This is what is called a vicious cycle.
Off to start a new book.
Allison, who is resting today.
For some reason, probably the constant flow of O2, my nose runs all the time. It makes it doubly hard to breath. I could get graphic but I won't. Anyway, I thought I would try an OTC to help with the nose. Nope! Can't do that. Blood pressure went up big time. So I guess I'll have to keep the Kleenex company in business for a while and be sure to carry a pocket full of Kleenex with me where ever I go. In the meantime, I have boxes all over the house. I should have stock in the company that makes the stuff. I'd probably be wealthy by now. No, because I'd have to spend all the profits on more Kleenex!
This is what is called a vicious cycle.
Off to start a new book.
Allison, who is resting today.
April 4, 2014
The Journey
Heavy weather. Need I say more. In fact they are saying we are under a slight chance of tornado. Ah, spring has arrived. Now we watch the sky and listen to the radio. (grinning)
When I was about twelve, we were staying at the farm with my Grandmother. She had been complaining about her knee all day. Early in the afternoon the chickens started acting funny. Grandma looked at the sky and order all four of us into the fruit cellar, which was a whole in the ground (no other way to describe it) with shelves where the apples, potatoes, and other veggies were stored after they were picked. It smelled like dirt and was cold. There were two hinged doors that opened out to let you down the stairs (about four I think) to the floor of the cellar.
Just after Grandma got us all seated, a roar like a steam locomotive sounded above us. Then everything got still. We waited for what seemed like a century to a twelve year old, before Grandma let us out of the cellar. Trees were down, the back part of the house, we called it the milk house because that was where the raw milk was processed for collection by the co-op, was gone, pieces everywhere. Part of Grandpa's garage was missing.
The point of all of this is simply, some people are super sensitive to weather. I guess I inherited it from Grandma. With me, it's how hard it is to breath. So if you know someone who is also sensitive to weather, listen to them. Grandma saved our lives that day, I'm sure of it, and only because her knee hurt.
Allison
When I was about twelve, we were staying at the farm with my Grandmother. She had been complaining about her knee all day. Early in the afternoon the chickens started acting funny. Grandma looked at the sky and order all four of us into the fruit cellar, which was a whole in the ground (no other way to describe it) with shelves where the apples, potatoes, and other veggies were stored after they were picked. It smelled like dirt and was cold. There were two hinged doors that opened out to let you down the stairs (about four I think) to the floor of the cellar.
Just after Grandma got us all seated, a roar like a steam locomotive sounded above us. Then everything got still. We waited for what seemed like a century to a twelve year old, before Grandma let us out of the cellar. Trees were down, the back part of the house, we called it the milk house because that was where the raw milk was processed for collection by the co-op, was gone, pieces everywhere. Part of Grandpa's garage was missing.
The point of all of this is simply, some people are super sensitive to weather. I guess I inherited it from Grandma. With me, it's how hard it is to breath. So if you know someone who is also sensitive to weather, listen to them. Grandma saved our lives that day, I'm sure of it, and only because her knee hurt.
Allison
April 3, 2014
The Journey
Today is recovery day. The laundry amounted to three loads yesterday (two are done and put away) and one left for today to put away. Then there is a blanket to wash, well, it's in the washing machine now. I have to dry it, fold it and put it away. It still surprises me how much energy a simple thing like pulling clothing out of a washing machine and putting into the drier, then removing it and folding it, takes out of me.
I thought I would run the vacuum over the living room floor a couple of days ago. I made two swipes and had to sit,. Anyone who says housework is easy is nuts, plain and simple. It really uses a lot of energy, a lot more than I thought. Of course, I never liked to clean, but I did it and well, because I couldn't stand the dirt. Now the shoe is on the other foot. I can't do it, and I have to live with the dirt. I'm gonna have to do something about that.
There are times when this nice big house with an office for me and an office for DH, big living room, dining room, dining alcove in the big kitchen, terrific master suite was wonderful. Now it BIG. and I do mean BIG. Too big for us. But I'm not about to move. If I can't sweep the floor, I sure can't pack boxes. and besides, I like it here. Wonderful neighbors.
Solution. Do something about the dirt.....
Off to make a few calls.
Allison
I thought I would run the vacuum over the living room floor a couple of days ago. I made two swipes and had to sit,. Anyone who says housework is easy is nuts, plain and simple. It really uses a lot of energy, a lot more than I thought. Of course, I never liked to clean, but I did it and well, because I couldn't stand the dirt. Now the shoe is on the other foot. I can't do it, and I have to live with the dirt. I'm gonna have to do something about that.
There are times when this nice big house with an office for me and an office for DH, big living room, dining room, dining alcove in the big kitchen, terrific master suite was wonderful. Now it BIG. and I do mean BIG. Too big for us. But I'm not about to move. If I can't sweep the floor, I sure can't pack boxes. and besides, I like it here. Wonderful neighbors.
Solution. Do something about the dirt.....
Off to make a few calls.
Allison
