Sunday Salon: December 1, 2013

Today is the first day I have felt semi-normal in nearly two weeks.  Fortunately I don't get sick often, as I believe the last time I was this ill was in 1999, but when I do feel under the weather, I do so in style.  By my calculations, however, the next time I can anticipate the flu should be in the year 2027.

Today's Weather:  After a frigid Thanksgiving week, we are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend.  Yesterday my husband put up the Christmas lights in just a sweatshirt and it is supposed to reach the mid-50s by Wednesday.  However, this is the Midwest and there is snow in the forecast for Thursday, so there is enough variance in weather to please everyone.

What's on the menu: Leftovers of course - but I intentionally over-prepare the Thanksgiving meal so we can enjoy turkey sandwiches and turkey tetrazzini the following week.

Highlights of the week:  aside from wonderful time with family this week (cookie decorating on Wednesday afternoon.... tree trimming party on Wednesday night... and Thanksgiving celebration all day Thursday)... I actually FINISHED NaNoWriMo this week!!!  This was no easy feat as I started yesterday at 39,500 words.  But I managed to write nearly 11,000 words over the course of eight hours and actually declared my winning certificate with six hours to spare.

Teaching Overview:  I only taught one class this week, Brit Lit, and it was a low-key class at that.  I have introduced the research paper (due Spring break, 2014) and the class was introduced to note-taking styles.  Students brought books and index cards to class and spent the morning getting a head-start on the project.  I brought in sausage balls and other tasty treats in an effort to make light of the required attendance.

This week Brit Lit will continue to act Macbeth, and English Comp will be peer editing persuasive essays.  There is only two weeks of class left and then finals, so the time is sure to fly.

Currently Reading:  Well, due to Thanksgiving preparations, dealing with the cold/flu, and writing furiously to complete NaNoWriMo, it is no surprise that reading took a backseat.  However, I have over 30 books checked out of the library (mostly children's books related to my NaNo project and/or writing books to help as well) which I want to review and determine whether to renew or just return.  That will be today's project.

I noticed that CB James is offering his TBR Triple Dog Dare Challenge again this year (January1 - April 1) and I am seriously considering registration.  My bookshelves are out-of-control and my self-discipline is at an all-time low.  The conditions are ripe to take advantage of this fun, no-risk challenge.

Writing Progress:  Well, as indicated above, I actually completed the NaNoWriMo goal:  I wrote 50,771 words in 30 days.  I still have a little over a chapter to write, which I plan to do today and tomorrow, then I will put it aside for the month of the December. My plan is to use the month of January as a NaNoReMo session (National Novel Revision Month) and then perhaps utilize one of my "prizes" by having a copy bound and published by CreateSpace.

In the meantime, I would like to continue a writing schedule.  I think I will start practicing my travel writing skills in anticipation of (hopefully) some future trips, and perhaps develop another historical fiction idea.

Artist's Date:  Oh, I had some great ideas, but being sick curtailed all of them.  The cookie decorating party was fun to watch, but I did not really participate.  I hope to rectify this problem in December.  I am feeling better (just a lingering cough...) and I love everything Christmas.  I anticipate at least one visit to the Nelson-Atkins museum, perhaps a carefree walk along the Kansas City Plaza to enjoy the festive lights and window displays, and I know that on December 22 my husband and I will thoroughly enjoy the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at the Spring Center... thanks to an early Christmas present from our youngest!

Craftiness:  Nope, nothing here either.  BUT... I am looking forward to more baking opportunities this month and I have some ideas for Christmas gift tags and holiday cards.

Photography:  Somehow I have managed to take a photo a day, despite illness and busyness.  Most of the photos were last minute iPhone pictures, but I did manage to maintain the discipline.  I am hoping that December will be more purposeful in my photography sessions.  I still want to spend Sunday afternoon planning the week's photo shoots, trying to not only capture daily life, but also adding a creative perspective as well.

What's on the Horizon:  I plan to complete the NaNo novel tomorrow and then clean up the house from Thanksgiving dinner and holiday decorating.  Every year I say that I am going to start gift wrapping early in the season; perhaps this year I will actually follow through on that commitment.  I joined a gym two weeks ago and 18 hours later I came down with the flu.  I am hoping that I can begin an exercise routine this week as well.  Other than that, I am hoping for a relatively low-key week filled with the peace and joy of the season.