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by Carol Burnside
With an odd twist of fate, I’ve ended up with back-to-back blog dates. Yesterday was my “guest chef” date on PFHT, announcing my sale of Bittersweet Obsessions under the pen name of Annie Rayburn. Today is my regularly scheduled date. In searching for a topic for this post, I got to thinking about an adage that says (paraphrasing here)“Begin as you mean to continue.”
Well, 2011 has barely begun, yet it feels like a lot has happened already. On Jan. 1, I packed for an extended trip, wrote my blog for yesterday, wrote several posts for my personal blog and took down some Christmas decorations. Jan. 2, I finished packing for the trip, boxed up the decorations, cleaned house and attended a small gathering in my hubby’s honor. He’d begun the new year as a retiree and our neighbors celebrated that. Yes, we have great neighbors – the best!
Jan. 3, I arose early. My friends will attest that this is a major feat for me, a night owl. Hubby and I embarked on the first leg of our long journey from Maryland to Kansas, where he will pheasant hunt with our dogs. So day three was spent riding in a truck and snoozing in the passenger seat, recovering from the holidays and sleep deprivation.
Jan. 4th found me back in the passenger’s seat typing this post on my laptop. In case you’re wondering, Hubby gets the driving chore on this trip because we’re pulling our 30’ camper behind an F-350 diesel. Not my forte by a long shot, especially since I tend to go into a ‘road trance’ and nod off. And just when I think I should offer to spell him, we pass an accident. Three so far this trip and none of them were simple fender-benders. No thanks.
On Jan. 5, I intend to respond to comments on my first post from my newly purchased home in Arkansas, where we’ll move to later in the year. And on the 6th, the date of this post, I’ll do a repeat of Jan. 5, with a bit more traveling to Tulsa. There, I’ll spend several days helping my sister sort though the meager possessions of my recently deceased mother and working diligently on some revisions for my editor which are due Jan. 31st.
How about you? Have you started 2011 as you intend to go forward? As a continuation of our anniversary celebration, those who answer in the comments will be entered to win a copy of Cooking with the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales, our very own cookbook, as well as a few “goodies” that will remain a surprise. Eligibility limited to the continental U.S. participants, due to costs of shipping.
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by Carol Burnside
Wow Carol, you have had a busy year already. Congrats on your sale and many more to come this year.
Carol,
I’m writing, editing, submitting and waiting for THE CALL, so, yes, I’m starting out like I intend to continue this year. I’ve even signed up for a one-day conference in Florida near where we plan to spend a week in March.
I love to travel, so I’m a little green with envy at the moment (we also do it in a F350 diesel dully and pull a 39′ 5th wheel trailer).
Loved the shot of the puppy, he’s sooo cute. Enjoy the visit and hubby’s retirement.
Sandy
Congratulations on your husband’s retirement. The pictures are really cute. I spent the first few days of the year preparing for the new year, changing over my calendar, doing the books for my public relations business and starting the new books for the new calendar year. Reading about how productive you were makes me realize I need to get rolling on my writing goals.
Marilyn
Carol, I LOVE the adorable doggie pictures (your hubby’s nice, too, LOL). Their names are cute, as well. That’s Guinness in the picture, right? Sooo cute.
Glad you’re getting so much accomplished. And we all appreciate your contribution to PF&HT (which isn’t limited to posts).
As for me, I’m steadily working on a manuscript I hope to submit to Harlequin Intrigue. I’m targeting the end of February for the finish date, so I’m getting there, slowly but surely.
Your road trip looks like fun.
I wish I had started the new year as I had intended, but I was sick with the flu and all kinds of ickiness. So I sure don’t want to continue in that vein. I did write down my goals and get organized for the year. I’d like to stick to the schedule I made for myself so I can balance the writing with the “extra non-writing writing duties” as well as my family commitments.
Thanks for a fun post!
Hi Carol!
Like Christine, I started the year off sick, too. So I am really crossing my fingers that the rest of the year doesn’t follow in that vein…grin… With that in mind, I’ve decided to officially start my New Year off with this coming week. I figure it is my year, so I can started it when I want (I can see the eyes rolling now).
Love, love, love the pictures. The puppies look happy and Guinness is adorable. Definitely has that “innocent until proven guilty” look about him.
I hope you have a wonderful trip and get lots and lots of writing done. Don’t forget to enjoy the scenery every once in a while, too.
Tami
I love that adage; I’ve never heard it before, but I’m definitely going to write it down! Yes, I have begun as I mean to continue; I am keeping up with my kids, exercising, reading, writing, blogging, teaching. And looking forward to my scheduled weekly commitment-free day! Safe travels; I love keeping up with you here and on your personal blog!
No, I’m not. Our office is in the middle of a move and that is major for accounting. We are also closing the books for year end with no give in our deadlines.
Thanks, Sia! I would absolutely LOVE it if all the PFHTer’s sold something in 2011. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Good for you, Sandy! As for Guinness, let’s just say he’s at least as ornery as he is cute. LOL!
Marilyn, you sound quite busy already, but my feeling is that if I don’t put as much importance on my writing as I do other things that must get done, I’m telling myself just how important it is or isn’t. Therefore, every new year, I construct a new spreadsheet to track my productivity with the objective being to write more in the new year than the year before. The more I write, the more I have to submit, etc. So, get going on those writing goals!
Yep, Linsey, that’s Guinness, the puppy. I’m loving that you’ve given yourself a deadline to work toward with your writing. Good on you and good luck with the submission. I’ll be hoping to hear a ‘call’ story from you in 2011.
Hi, Christine! Loved your post on the Veranda (http://www.verandaview.blogspot.com/). It’s spot on.
So sorry you had suckiness in the first few days of your new year, but it sounds like you haven’t let it get you down. Setting goals is always a good idea!
Hi, Tami. Sorry you’ve been sick too. Let’s just assume you’ve gotten the ickiness out of the way and will be healthy for the remainder of 2011, shall we?
Love your description of Guinness! He definitely feels that way, though I must say he’s usually proven guilty.
I’m enjoying the scenery today as I’m still at my new Arky home. I can see the Ozark mtns from several of my windows, including the ones from the room that will become my office. Yay!
Hey, Pam! (Waiving madly from Arkansas) You’re a very busy woman. Glad you like the adage.
Oh, Andrea, that does NOT sound like fun. Maybe you’ve started out your personal life with good intentions?
I hope you guys intend to stay put for a while. I know you’ve done a lot of moving around. Congrats on the new house and the new career.
Except for a pesky head cold, I’m starting the new year off with revisions and editing. I’m looking forward to writing something brand new.
We’re definitely staying put. This is our ‘retirement home.’ Looking forward to staying in one place for a long time. Also looking forward to reading your books, Cat!
PFHT – Cat is a long-time writing friend who recently won the GH and sold to Desire!
Hey, Cat, Congrats on the GH win and on selling to Desire.
Good job!
Sandy
So sorry about the loss of your mother. I know how that is. I have begun the new year as I wish to continue – and it feels really good. Congrats on the sale, and happy retirement.
I don’t know if I want the year to continue the way it started. My daughter’s dryer quit, my microwave quit, my grandson is sick, one of my granddaughter’s is sick, the other granddaughter is in Mercy Hospital in Kansas City right now to try and determine why she is still so small. I mean you have to take into account she was born at 23 weeks and barely weighed over a pound and actually weighed less than a pound for a while. So we are hoping for a clean bill of health on her. I sincerely hope the rest of the year looks up.
2011 started out with twelve hours writing days, so while I hope the consistency continues, I do want to back off just a tad!
Enjoy the road trip. Stay safe. Oh, and those dogs are adorable!
I startedmy new years writing and spending time with friends. I hope that continues. I also worked the first few days of the new year and I hope that continues. You’ve got your hands full to keep up with the few days behind you.
Hi, Carol! Enjoyed your blog today and love the name of it. Under the Tiki Hut invokes happy memories. Thanks for stopping by.
Linda, I’m sorry those things are happining in your life. I think what the adage refers to are your intentions and actions rather than the things that you can’t control. Here’s hoping that your 2011 improves immensely!
Debbie and Susan, I’m envious. I’m betting the two of you have some great pages to show for your efforts. What a great start to your year!
Sorry I’m late to the celebration party. Congratulations on your sale. What a New Year Present. Woohoo!
Better late than never, Pam.
Thanks for the congrats. Woohoo, indeed!!!
The winner of Cooking with the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales (our very own cookbook) as well as a few surprise “goodies” is….CAROL KILGORE! Congrats, Carol. Check our sidebar for more instructions.
Carol, sorry I’m so late to stop in. Guess that doesn’t bode well for the coming year. I’ve taken on quite a chunk of work this year, and so far so good as to staying on schedule, so I’m hoping that does mean the new year will be a good one.
Can’t get over how much you’ve already accomplished in just a few days. I’m glad your wondering is settling down and you can finally put down roots. Tell Fred congratulations on his retirement. After last year, you deserve the very best 2011 has to offer. Miss you.