T.O.P.'S tUESDAY: Checking In...What r u Up 2?

Hey there and happy Tuesday!
Two weeks since I've been on but here I am, kicking off the return on a Tuesday.

I'd like to say I was spending every free minute in my writing cottage after work and on the weekends but this isn't the case. 


What have I been up to?
*Adjusting to the back-to-school schedule and routine
*Getting at least 3 workouts at the gym in each week
*Cleaned my house (finally LOL)
*Found the top of my kitchen table & dryer (my two drop spots - what are yours?)
*Reading a book for fun, "Lost and Found" by Gayle Roper (it's so good, I need more time so I can finish it, yes, it's that good)
*Read a book for a blog review on October 26th, "Hug Everyone You Know" by Antionette Truglio Martin - she is also guest blogging on Oct. 26th so make sure you check it out
*Leading our Fall Women's Bible Study, "Having a Mary Spirit in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver - we are learning so much and getting to know each other better too (We are reading the book along with the video Bible study)
*Reading a book to improve my writing and speaking by James M. Watkins, Communicating to Change Lives: In Person and Print - highly recommend
*Eliminated the magazines-to-read-pile until today's purchase of a new one, lol
​*Cleaned out my closets and donated 3 bags of clothes so far (it's a work-in-progress)
*Then of course the everyday this-n-that of being a mom, wife, niece, and educator

I apologize for not blogging every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday yet after typing this list, I've been busy. Have you ever noticed that we might not realize we did anything but once we take time to reflect (and write it down), we recognize there is a reason some things haven't been done. Something I've learned is to prioritize what NEEDS to be done and put my family and friends first, then the stuff. Tomorrow is not promised. I want to know the people who mean the most to me KNOW they come before any "thing" in this world.

I have a lot on my list that isn't connected to my family yet it is through doing some things for myself this year that I'm more relaxed and better able to be there for my family. We need to remember to care for ourselves or we won't be able to care for our loved ones. It feels good to get some reading and writing done. It might not be here or on the podcast, but God is at work and I'm listening and trying to prioritize and stay focused. 

Next Tuesday I'll talk about the feedback I received on my work-in-progress (WIP). I'm trying my hand at fiction. I have the first 16,000 words finished so I entrusted it to my daughter, an avid reader and honest critic. You'll have to wait until next week to see how it went. Until then, come back on Thursday and Saturday to see what else is going on.
What have you been up to?