Task it Tuesday - Dec 15

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Well, it has been a fun December so far. We have had some unseasonably warm days and some snow. We are expecting a huge storm this week, so I might get a day off. I have had two closings, shot a real estate commercial, earned my C2EX endorsement from the National Association of Realtors, and am studying for my broker's test. Here is what is on tap for this week:

• Daily Bible reading
• Walking five days
• Meeting Wednesday
• Board meeting Thursday evening
• Market new edition of A Christmas Kindness
• Send out family and friends holiday cards
• Look into a new publisher for my GAP books--moving to January 2021
• Look into getting a small dumpster--moving to January 2021
• Take Sunday off
• Decorate the rest of the house
• Bake something special
• Finish editing latest project
• Wrap a few gifts

That's it for me. What does your list look like this week? Hope it is productive.

Task it Tuesday - Nov 3

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome to the first Tuesday of November and election day if you live in the United States. I will be taking my daughter out to vote for the first time. This has been one of the most divisive races in my life. I will be glad to see it over; though I doubt we will know the winner for days. 

Here was my list from last week.

• Daily Bible reading--DONE
• Walking three days--DONE
• MassSave Audit Tuesday--DONE
• Meetings Wednesday--DONE
• Media interview Thursday--DONE
• Finish editing two chapters for a client--Almost done
• Come up with marketing plan for the new edition of A Christmas Kindness--Not yet, but I have ideas
• Look into getting a small dumpster--won't happen, but need to keep it on the list
• Continue reading Systemology--Almost done
• Continue reading The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street--DONE
• Start looking into a new publisher for three of my books--won't happen, but need to keep it on the list
• Plan to be off Friday--Not a chance

I've begun thinking of my business plan for 2021 and what I want my goals to look like. Because of some things that came up unexpectedly, I need to focus on what I can realistically accomplish next year. 

This is what I am looking to accomplish this week:

• Daily Bible reading
• Walking five days
• Board meeting Tuesday
• Blog Tour Wednesday
• Marketing class Friday
• Finish yard work for the season
• Showings Saturday
• Take Sunday off
• Finish editing two chapters for a client
• Come up with marketing plan for the new edition of A Christmas Kindness
• Finish reading Systemology and review it
• Look into a new publisher for my GAP books--probably won't happen, but want to keep it on the list
• Look into getting a small dumpster--won't happen, but want to keep it on the list
• Prospecting two days

That's it for this week. Hope you'll share your to-do list for the week. I love to motivate people because it motivates me, too.

Task it Tuesday - Oct 27

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

We have come to the last Task it Tuesday of October. Last week flew by in a blur. This week will be close to the same. I have a short break at the beginning of November before the National Association of Realtors Conference starts. After that, I hope to get the house in order for the holidays... I still haven't finished fall cleaning. 

Here is how I did last week:

• Daily Bible reading--Missed a couple days, but enjoyed Bible study
• Walking three days--DONE
• Parent/Teacher conference Monday--DONE
• Inspections Tuesdays--DONE
• Meetings Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday which I need to prep for--DONE
• One class on Thursday--growing in your career is important--DONE
• Finish editing two chapters for a client--one is done and I'm working on the second--NOPE
• Meet with local charity Friday to discuss holiday fundraising events--DONE
• Come up with marketing plan for the new edition of A Christmas Kindness--NOPE
• Look into getting a small dumpster--won't happen, but need to keep it on the list--Never even thought about it
• Continue reading Systemology--No time
• Continue reading The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street--One chapter
• Start looking into a new publisher for three of my books--won't happen, but need to keep it on the list--I knew this wouldn't happen

This is my last to-do list of the month:

• Daily Bible reading
• Walking three days
• MassSave Audit Tuesday
• Meetings Wednesday
• Media interview Thursday
• Finish editing two chapters for a client--Working on the second
• Come up with marketing plan for the new edition of A Christmas Kindness
• Look into getting a small dumpster--won't happen, but need to keep it on the list
• Continue reading Systemology--Probably won't happen
• Continue reading The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street
• Start looking into a new publisher for three of my books--won't happen, but need to keep it on the list
• Plan to be off Friday (we will see how that goes)

I will leave you with a bit of encouragement to get your own list done.

Task it Tuesday - Sep 22

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Wow! What a week it has been. I accomplished more than planned, made that decision that had I been praying about (which didn't end up going as expected), and finally pulled the plug on some old blogs. 

Here is what I needed to accomplish last week:

• Daily Bible reading--DONE
• Finish social media calendar for book promotion--DONE
• Walking three days--DONE
• Two client meetings--DONE
• Stage new listing--Finishing tomorrow
• Continue fall cleaning--First floor done, maybe starting the second floor Sunday
• Change decorations--DONE
• Keep reading Morning Star--DONE
• Finish Chapter 5 in editing project--Halfway there
• Clean the shed roof
• Look into getting a small dumpster
• Set up Mass Save audit--DONE

The nice thing about fall cleaning, or spring cleaning for that matter, is that you go through things and consider what's worth keeping and what should be donated or discarded. My motivation to accomplish so much stemmed from the decision, which didn't work out. While I am disappointed, I've discovered God knows much more than me about what is best. So, while this door is closed, a window will open somewhere. 

This week's list looks like this:

• Daily Bible reading
• Walking three days
• Two client meetings
• Stage new listing
• Continue fall cleaning 
• Complete three marketing proposals
• Finish Chapter 5 in editing project
• Clean the shed roof
• Look into getting a small dumpster 
• Three meetings
• Virtual BusinessWest event
• Bring the Lil' Princess to her driver's test Saturday
• Start reading two books

Here's hoping you have a blessed week. I leave you with an inspirational quote.

Task it Tuesday - Sept 15

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

How are you today? I hope you're having a good week. I listed a new property yesterday and am staging another one today, so the week started off a bit crazy. I get to meet my sister for breakfast on Thursday, though, so that will be nice.

My list is fairly the same from last week. Some of the tasks moved to this week and others are continued from last week. A couple are new.

• Daily Bible reading
• Finish social media calendar for book promotion
• Walking three days
• Two client meetings
• Stage new listing
• Continue fall cleaning
• Change decorations
• Keep reading Morning Star
• Finish Chapter 5 in editing project
• Clean the shed roof
• Look into getting a small dumpster
• Set up Mass Save audit

That's it for me this week. I hope you can tackle your to-do list.

Task it Tuesday - Aug 18

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

I didn't feel like putting together a list this week. My head is pounding. My schedule is crazy. The ringing in my ears has gotten worse and is affecting my sleep. Still, it must be done. Focus is important to productivity.

Here is what last week's list looked like and the progress I made.

• Daily Bible reading--DONE
• Update planner 
• Six meetings--DONE
• Walk three days--DONE
• Prospect three days--Two days
• Read Five Minutes, Mr. Byner due for review this month--In progress
• Continue cleaning bonus room--Cleaned up another area
• Finish next chapter of The Sisterhood--DONE

So, last week ending being a good one. Hopefully, this week will be good as well. Focus is key. 

• Daily Bible reading--so far, so good
• Update planner--not feeling it, but we will see
• NAR Leadership Summit--Mon-Wed
• Four meetings 
• Read Five Minutes, Mr. Byner due for review this month--probably not until this weekend
• Continue cleaning bonus room
• Review of Strong from the Heart by Jon Land--Friday at The Book Connection
• Start editing project

What does your to-do list look like this week?

Task it Tuesday - June 16

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome back to Tuesday. This will be my busiest week of the month. In addition to the Realtor Week of Advocacy in Massachusetts, I have numerous other appointments--personal and professional. It always gets hectic this time of year. I am going to do my best to take Saturday off. I haven't even thought about what to get my husband for Father's Day.

Here is my list for the week

1. Bible reading
2. Realtor Week of Advocacy (Mon - Wed)
3. Meal planning (done)
4. Editing more of The Sisterhood 
5. Blogging (scheduled)
6. Doctor appointments (Mon, Fri)
7. Clean bonus room (definitely not this week, but needs to stay on the list)
8. Get books together for vacation (done)
9. Start packing 

What does your list look like this week? 

Task it Tuesday - June 9

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome back to Tuesday. I have a busy day planned, but the rest of the week should be better. I am thinking I will never be a planner person. Last time I looked at it was mid-May. Such is the life of a panster. I don't outline before I write at all.

Here is my list for the week

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings Tuesday and Friday
3. Meal planning (done)
4. Editing more of The Sisterhood 
5. Clean bonus room (probably not this week, but needs to stay on the list)
6. Prospecting
7. Catch up on planner (maybe)
8. Take Saturday and Sunday off

What does your list look like this week? What is one thing you've been putting off that you want to accomplish this week?

Task it Tuesday - June 2

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

This week is quickly going to hell in a hand basket. I'm trying to stay positive. If I don't get a chance to clean the bonus room soon, I might smack my head against the wall. Well, not really. My hard head might break it. :)

Here is my list for the week

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
3. Cooking 
4. Editing more of The Sisterhood 
5. Clean bonus room 
6. Prospecting
7. Vet for Giggle and Boots
8. Home inspection Thursday
9. Take this weekend off!!!!

What does your list look like this week? Have you accomplished a lot lately or do you feel like you're carrying over the same tasks week to week? 

Women in Publishing Summit

This week I dedicated time to the Women in Publishing Summit. This is the second year I've participated. It is a totally online conference for women with a ton of fabulous information for authors from writing tips, to marketing tips, to self-publishing and more. 

Some of my favorite topics so far:

• JoEllen Taylor: Building Your Career Foundation as An Author So You Have Financial Freedom When Life Happens
• Desiree Peterkin Bell: Finding your voice, writing your narrative
• Eileen Cook: Using Psychology to Build Better Characters
• Shayla Raquel: Bump Up Your Book Sales with Email Marketing

I haven't made it all the way through the conference yet, but I bought the All Access Pass, so I can  go back as time allows.

I will definitely sign up for next year's conference. Even though I've been part of the publishing industry since 2005, I learn so much from the Women in Publishing Summit. You can check them out at https://womeninpublishingsummit.com

Task it Tuesday - Feb 11

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Gosh, I feel like I can't stay on top of things lately. The flu really made life challenging the last couple of weeks. So, it is Wednesday, but still want to get this posted.

• Daily Bible reading
• Log food in Lose it! daily
• Maintain planner daily
• Continue real estate bootcamp 
• Grocery shop Monday and meal plan - DONE
• Finish extra material for A Christmas Kindness (probably not, but need to keep it on the list)
• Edit two chapters of a project
• Exercise Thursday and Sunday (Every day I am striving for 5,000 steps also, but am averaging around 2,500)
• Clean the bonus room
• Drink more water 

What does your to-do list look like this week? Are you staying on track with your 2020 goals?

Task it Tuesday - Jan 28

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

So, here we are at the end of January. How has your month been? Mine has been busy from a writing/editing perspective, but real estate has slowed down a bit. I have, however, been prospecting like crazy, so I have a listing appointment this week and a new listing coming up soon.

I am happy about the progress I made last week. Here is the new list.

• Daily Bible reading
• Log food in Lose it! daily
• Maintain planner daily
• Start real estate bootcamp Tuesday
• Grocery shop Monday and meal plan - DONE
• Finish extra material for A Christmas Kindness (Good thing: talked to publisher and I have a bit more time on this one. Challenging thing: I need more pages than I thought.)
• Edit next two chapters of project - working on 
• Copy edits for Dust of Lies - working on 
• Exercise Wednesday and Saturday (Every day I am striving for 5,000 steps also, but am averaging around 3,000)
• Closing Friday
• Clean the bonus room
• Drink more water - more of a goal than a task, but want to stay focused

What does your to-do list look like this week? What is the most important thing for you to accomplish this week?

Monday Morning Ramblings

I didn't have anything new to share as far as books in my mailbox, so I figured I would ramble a bit this morning.

Here is how my week went as far as meeting my goals from Task it Tuesday:

• Daily Bible reading - Done
• Log food in Lose it! daily - Done
• Maintain planner daily - Done
• Meeting Tuesday - Done
• Start real estate bootcamp Tuesday - Not done
• Meeting Wednesday - Done
• Grocery shop Monday and meal plan - Done
• Finish extra material for A Christmas Kindness - Not done
• Edit next two chapters of project - Working on
• Copy edits for Dust of Lies - Working on
• Exercise Saturday and Sunday - Not done
• Bylaws meeting Friday - Done
• Take health assessment for insurance - Done
• Clean the bonus room - Probably next week
• Organize spice and herb shelf in pantry - Done

I made decent progress this week, but I am bummed at still having a bonus room filled with clutter. My hope is to turn that into the exercise area, but I can't use that as an excuse not to exercise. I'm happy I am keeping up with tracking my calories, reading my Bible, and maintaining my meal plan and mindfulness journal. The real test will be if I can do those things once we hit the spring market.

Working on editing today. Then I need to finalize the extra material for A Christmas Kindness. 

I'm still looking for a new church. Honestly, I haven't gone out of my way to attend services every week. My heart is broken realizing this will no longer be family time. The girls have no interest and the hubby barely any interest. They want the old church back, which doesn't exist anymore. Still, I need to move forward and find what I need.

That's it for today's ramblings. I hope you all have a blessed week.

Task it Tuesday - Jan 21

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

We have come upon Tuesday again. How funny that when we were kids the days seemed to drag on forever. Now, it seems they pass by in the blinking of an eye. Maybe it's because there always seems so much to do.

I've never seen myself as much of a planner person. Each year I try and wind up failing miserably. I bought a Christian planner last year, but I think by February it wound up buried under a pile of bills. This year, The Mindfulness Journal 52-Week Planner is on my desk and I am tracking every day so far. We will see how it goes. At the beginning of each week I go back to my vision board page to realign my focus.

Made great progress on last week's list. Here is the new one. Hopefully, I can check off the hangers on from last week that I didn't finish.

• Daily Bible reading
• Log food in Lose it! daily
• Maintain planner daily
• Meeting Tuesday
• Start real estate bootcamp Tuesday
• Meeting Wednesday
• Grocery shop Monday and meal plan (DONE)
• Finish extra material for A Christmas Kindness
• Edit next two chapters of project
• Copy edits for Dust of Lies
• Exercise Saturday and Sunday (Every day I am striving for 5,000 steps)
• Bylaws meeting Friday
• Take health assessment for insurance
• Clean the bonus room
• Organize spice and herb shelf in pantry

What does your to-do list look like this week? What is the most important thing for you to accomplish this week?

2019 in Review

Another year has come to an end and a new one is just beginning. Is it a sign that I am getting older when the time passes so quickly?

I feel blessed that most of 2019 brought us good things and experiences. The speed bumps along the way make us stronger: the division in our church, the bullying of our daughter, and the challenge of caring for our elderly parents and hoping we make the right choices.

It is because of those obstacles, I often recite Philippians 4:13 to keep me focused: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It seems trite to say God never gives us more than we can handle, but it remains a truth that cannot be ignored. When I fear I can't go on, He lifts me up. As it says in Deuteronomy, It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

As I reflect on 2019, I hope it has encouraged me to be more grateful and more at peace, and may I learn to find joy in something every day.

Last church bazaar at Living Gate

Visiting the Arizona Memorial

Lost our beloved Killer

Adopted Autumn and...

Travis

The Lil' Diva graduated with honors

Spent three weeks in North Carolina

Acquired and edited this manuscript as acquisitions editor for 4RV Publishing

Held my first workshop on book marketing at the local library

Held my first book reading

Named 2019 RAPV REALTOR of the Year

Cleaned out my office ... and a few other places in this house too

I hope you'll share some of your 2019 highlights. Here's to a fabulous 2020!

Task it Tuesday...on Thursday

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

So, as you can see, my week has been nutty. I'm trying to get ready for Christmas, the girls have events, the kittens won't stay out of the tree or stop eating everything in sight so I can't decorate, and the cold temperatures just make me want to curl up in a comfy chair and read or write all day.

Here is what I had planned for this week:

1. Read a chapter from the Gospel of Luke each day (on track)
2. Exercise twice (I consider clearing snow exercise, so I was good this week)
3. Get 6 hours of sleep at least 5 nights  (Most days)
4. Keep editing the new manuscript (working on it)
5. Blog (a bit behind, but blogging)
6. Complete four more pages of additional content for A Christmas Kindness (not yet)
7. Write a chapter of Amelia's Mission (not yet)
8. Start 2020 Business Plan
9. Submit Clever Tom and another idea to my publisher (not yet)

I'm a bit stuck on the new content for A Christmas Kindness. I am halfway there, but not sure what else to add. I think Clever Tom will need to wait until after Christmas or between Christmas and New Year's.

How is your week going?

Task it Tuesday - Nov 26

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

We are back to Tuesday. Thanksgiving is here this week, so there are a few things to accomplish for that. I'm looking forward to having family at our house. Here is my list:

1. Daily Bible reading. 
2. Exercise twice 
3. Get 6 hours of sleep at least 5 nights  
4. Start editing a new manuscript on Wednesday
5. Blog
6. Complete four more pages of additional content for A Christmas Kindness 
7. Wash floors on Wednesday
8. Make squash on Wednesday
9. Thursday - Enjoy family and cooking
10. Friday - Recover from Thanksgiving (LOL!) 
11. Write a chapter of Amelia's Mission
12. Start 2020 Business Plan

So far so good on my list. Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Task it Tuesday - Nov 19

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Last week and this week have been productive. I'm committed to ending the year strong.

Here is this week's task list:

1. Daily Bible reading - not quite
2. Exercise twice - not even close 
3. Get 6 hours of sleep at least 5 nights - maybe 3 nights
4. Start editing a new manuscript - not yet
5. Blog - yep
6. Complete two pages of additional content for A Christmas Kindness - yes
7. Prepare for a closing - yes, closed today

One project that wasn't on the list was cleaning my office closet and organizing all my books. That took a while, but it's done.

This week's list:

1. Daily Bible reading. I'm two days behind. (Hear me sighing now.)
2. Exercise twice (Want to bet on this one?)
3. Get 6 hours of sleep a night - not on Sunday or Monday
4. Start editing a new manuscript - should happen
5. Blog - definitely
6. Complete two pages of additional content for A Christmas Kindness - already done and have done two more. Only 14 more pages to go.

What are you hoping to accomplish this week?

Task It Tuesday - Aug 6

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Guess what? I'm cheating. It's late Thursday night and I am posting this as if it were Tuesday. LOL! Where does the time go lately?

Here is what my week looks like:

• Read Bible daily - I'm still behind, but I'm still reading. Printed off my list of chapters to read so I can have it with me wherever I go.
• Edit three chapters - Two done and working on the last one. Only five more to go!!!
• Exercise - Two days down and hope to get a little exercise in on Friday
• Prepare Book Promotion Workshop - this will probably move to next week, but I volunteered to hold a workshop on promoting your book for our local library
• Clean the bonus room - This is slowly becoming the junk room. I won't finish this week, but I need to get started.

How is your to-do list looking this week? 

Task it Tuesday - July 23

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Well, last week was the typical week after vacation chaos. Not as much done as I would like, but still made progress:

• Read Bible daily - Still in Proverbs
• Blog - Blogged at all but one blog last week
• Edit three chapters - Finished two out of three
• Listings - One made it online. Still waiting for the other two to be ready.
• Make car appointment for next week - DONE
• Pay bills - Ha! Ha!
• Exercise Wed and Thurs - Did it Wed, so that's progress. 

What does this week look like? 

• Read Bible daily - I'm still behind, but I'm still reading
• Blog - If I post once this week at each of them, I will be happy
• Edit three chapters - Probably optimistic, but should get two done
• Pay bills - Must do
• Exercise  Mon, Tues, Thurs - The doctor said four days a week, but probably can't do that (Monday is done)

What does your to-do list look like? Are you accomplishing what you've wanted to? What are some obstacles that stand in your way?