Finally Friday

Happy Friday evening everyone,

How was your work week? I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for the weekend. I have a lot I need to catch up on, so I figure I’ll tackle it head on by going to Bingo with some friends instead. What about you? What are your plans for what is to be an incredible weekend? It’s going to be a nice 82 degrees here in my neck of the woods, which almost definitely will make the evening super nice. Generally with the heat comes some nice breezy evenings and I love it.

It has been quite the week. I had two doctors appointments along with some other things I had to take care of. So busy busy is how I spent my week.

I found out that I will be needing to have surgery soon. I need to have the hiatal hernia removed. My doctor said I’m an unusual case. You see my upper GI back in October showed I was a C- to D+ with the acid reflux and now I’m at an A- to B+. Good news, but there’s a catch. My doctor said even though the acid doesn’t seem to be as bad the hernia has grown significantly and the biopsies show signs of injury. My body is trying to repair itself however, there is still significant damage to the lining of my esophagus. I also have an ulcer. I am now on Aciphex. John says this is the wonder drug for acid reflux. Fingers crossed. I need some definite relief and soon. I’m basically down to eating ice chips. Swallowing has become difficult, especially in the later afternoon.

The surgeons office called today to get me set up with a consultation. That’s a few weeks away. From what I’ve read regarding hiatal hernia surgery it looks like I could be in the hospital for 1-2 nights and the recovery time is generally 4-6 weeks. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting that. I thought they’d just go in and snip, nip and sew me up inside. I think I need to do more research on this. Right now the timing just won’t work for me to be down for even 1-2 weeks. I may have to postpone this entire thing until the end of the year. I have some serious questions for the surgeon that’s for sure.

With so much going on I haven’t decorated as much as I usually do for the holiday’s. I’ve got some Easter up but I didn’t go all out like I have in years past, though my craft room says differently. Today I got the remainder of the Easter basket goodies. Each kiddo will get something fun along with some candy filled eggs of course. I hope to get the baskets finished up this weekend. I’ll make sure to share some photos with you all once I’m done.

I’ve also been working on my book, the rewrite that is. I took a memoir master class yesterday and I learned quite a bit. I’ve come up with an entirely new direction to take my first chapter and introduction. I can hardly wait to get my idea on paper so I can share it with Stephanie. I know she’s going to be surprised in the direction I’m taking my book now. She helped me see that I need to have my book nearly perfect. Not only punctuation but the content needs to capture the editors and publishers within the first couple of paragraphs, preferably the first few sentences.

After attending last weeks writer’s conference and listening to the many amazing authors, I knew beyond any shadow of a doubt I need my book to capture my audience quick. Since I’m writing a memoir my book will need to give enough details without over inundating my readers with details. I know I can do it but it will be a challenge. One thing is for sure, I need to have my book written well enough to be set apart from the majority of other memoirs written within the same topic as mine.

I’ve been stuck these last few days in how to make the suggested edits that my friend Stephanie suggested, but today it hit me. Once I rewrite the introduction for the umpteenth time I think the rest will naturally flow. That’s my hope anyway. I’ll spend the next couple of days rewriting my book with my new idea then I’ll email it over to Stephanie to get her expert input. I’m so blessed that she came into my life. Stephanie’s mom Kathy saw something in my ability to write and she asked me if she could share my book/manuscript with her daughter Stephanie who has a background in the very field of writing. Of course I said yes and I never dreamt of where that yes would take me.

I was honored to be able to spend some time a couple weeks back with Stephanie and Kathy. The abundance of knowledge Stephanie has and what she shared with me left me in deep gratitude and awe. When someone has an eye for what it takes to be a good writer and they take time out of their busy schedule to talk and encourage someone, me in this instance, thank you doesn’t even begin to touch the surface of my gratitude for her suggestions and for her belief in me and where I could potentially take my writing.

I am so excited to keep perfecting my memoir so if you chose to read it you’ll love it. Writing can take the author in so many directions. Listening to the different panel of writers at last weekends conference gave me a dream of wanting to be a panelist someday. Sitting across from so many authors with their books on display in front of them, I knew in that moment I want to be one of them someday. Touching the books they wrote was a magical experience. Having the different authors sign my books was equally thrilling.

Holding a book in my hands is always a wonderful experience however, holding a book in my hand where I not only met the author but spoke in great length with them took that experience of holding a book to an entirely new level. Words cannot describe how connected I felt to the many words and pages between the covers. I was able to close my eyes and imagine how much more exhilarating it will be when I get to hold my book in my hands and I don’t think there’s words for what it will feel like to sit and talk about my book with an audience all while having my book on display right in front of me for all to see.

I walked away from that conference with a fire in my fingers and the only thing I want to do is write. I’ve even expanded on my other two books this week. Writing the ideas that come to mind and taking notes on the research I need to do in order to bring justice to my fiction books that has been nestled safely in my imagination.

All that’s left for me to do is begin again. I know I keep saying it but writing is my passion and it’s my calling. I’m meant to tell my story and the story of others through fiction. I’m meant to attend writers workshops, conferences and retreats. The world of writing is so magnificent and I want to take my place among the many great story tellers.

One day at a time and one story at a time. I know I’ll have many set backs and that’s okay. That’s the learning process. The more I learn the better I’ll become. I suppose that’s true for all of us. Practice. Practice. Practice. Perfection after all is in the mistakes along the way.

Well guys, I’m off to bed. Thank you for stopping by. I promise to share the wonderful books I picked up last week at the conference with you soon.

Until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs.