Stepping Stones

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

And Now for Something Completely Different - Part Two

Hi everyone! It's been a loooong while since I've checked in here! Summer was crazy.....but lovely at the same time. Kelowna had a gorgeous summer with lots of hot hot days, just the way I like it. It always goes by so fast, though, and before I knew it fall was here.

My daughter left for Spain in September to be an au pair for eight months. My middle son is graduating this year and the youngest is in grade nine. Everyone is busy and happy doing their thang.

I knew this fall would feel different, as a Mom especially. I'm not needed as much anymore. Except for feeding the hungry horde (I am known to cook a meal occasionally, which is always appreciated), driving, and being around for emotional support and Gestapo-like laundry and bathing checks (two teenage boys? Come on!)

So I started to consider what MY fall would look like. Or rather, what I wanted it to look like. I have focused on my writing for the past four years, and it's been great. I finished my first novel, started a second, started a third. I'm proud of what I've accomplished and what I've learned.

But....things were feeling stale. I found I wasn't writing regularly, and that bothered me. Was I just being lazy, or was I ready for something else? I hated it when people would ask me, 'so, how's the writing going?' or, 'got that book published yet?' I'd mutter some lame answer and slink away.

I began to think about what was really going on.....besides guilt. Digging under the layers of 'should' and 'have to' were hard. Anyways, I came up with a crazy idea....just crazy enough that it might be the answer!

My next post will talk about what I'm doing now and how it's going, and what I'm learning....about myself and others.......

Check in soon!

Vee

Friday, May 18, 2012

By The Sea

I'm on a little excursion this weekend. I've been wanting to visit my Mom, who lives in Chemainus, for ages, and things kept getting in the way. Now that I'm feeling better (yay antibiotics!) and had a free weekend, I hopped in my truck and headed to the coast.

There's nothing I like better than getting to the ocean. I really miss it. Yes, Kelowna has a beautiful lake, but it's just not the same. The waves, the smell of seaweed, the marine life.....bliss! So, I left a day early and snuck into the Beach Club Resort in Parksville for a night. I've never stayed here before, and I was pleasantly surprised. The rooms are lovely, with little balconies looking right onto the beach. There's a boardwalk that goes forever, and when the tide is out (like this morning), you can walk for miles. It's a great place to get inspired and, for me, do some writing. I'm working on a new story idea, and I must say, sitting on the deck looking out at the sea is sure helping in the creative department!

Here's some pics for you!