Well, everywhere but one. I’ll get to that in a moment. Last week, we went house hunting in our daughter’s college town, and found a house everyone really liked. It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, is in a great location close to campus, is in really great shape, and the kids all loved it. Oh, and the price was right, too–almost too good to be true (but not quite, so not enough to be a red flag). Well, after we got home, the more DH and I thought about it, the more we thought we might as well just put an offer on it, so we did. The seller’s agent says he thinks they will accept, so that ball is rolling.
Then I was looking at some numbers, and found out there is a patron saint of German majors. Well, not really, and I’m not even Catholic, but there should be. I was looking over our daughter’s account on the university’s web site, and found she’d been awarded a scholarship just last week. She is going to do a study-abroad program in Germany this summer, and mentioned that there are scholarships for that, so I assumed that was what it was for and sent her a text about it.
The scholarship was a complete surprise to her, too. I did some searching, and found it was from a man who’d graduated with a German major in 1935–and left a big endowment to the university in 2005, to be used for students of German. And it wasn’t for the trip–it’s for tuition. It’s as if all of this was meant to happen–and now. And no one is allowed to give our daughter a hard time a la “what are you going to do with a German major” any more. 🙂
My husband’s arm is getting better too. He can bend his elbow enough to touch the top of his head, but he’s still having trouble with rotating his wrist and hand. So we are continuing to hope and pray for that to improve as he works with an occupational therapist.
What I read this week: Absence of Grace, by Ann Warner. I’m still not finished, but close, and really enjoying it. This is women’s fiction, with a good romance in it. Women’s fiction usually isn’t my thing, but Ann is such a good writer, it’s in one of my favorite settings (Alaska), and the romance is so realistic and well-woven throughout, it totally works for me. Ann was one of my very first critique partners over ten years ago, and I’ve always admired her lyrical style that really digs into the emotions without ever coming close to being melodramatic. Absence of Grace is available as a free ebook–more info on her site. Highly recommended!
ROW80 Update: One thing that has not fallen into place is my writing. All this house stuff has meant that I did not get much writing done this week. There have been inspection reports to read over, paperwork to review and sign, and paperwork to collect for the loan. I did manage to meet my goal of writing–something, anything–five days out of the week, but not very much on any day, and fell far short of my other goal to either finish a scene or write 2,000 words. However, I did get a separate writing computer set up–no Internet, no games, just the writing software, on an old computer I had–so hopefully that will help. So I’m going to think positive and shoot for the same goal this week–write five days, and either finish the scene or 2,000 words.
Isis likes to come in there with me while I’m writing. That can make it a challenge, because that usually means she wants to play. Of course, she does that at my Internet computer, too. That’s the new writing setup in the upper right of the picture. In the upper left is the turtle tank. The turtle is up above, basking. I’ll put a picture of her here sometime. She likes when I hang out in that room and write, but is much less intrusive than Isis. 🙂
What about you–what good things are happening in your life now? Do you have a special place to write, or craft, or whatever special project-type-of-thing you like to do? Have you read any good books lately? Please share–I’d love to hear from you!
Jennette Marie Powell writes stories about ordinary people in ordinary places, who do extraordinary things and learn that those ordinary places are anything but. In her Saturn Society novels, unwilling time travelers do what they must to make things right... and change more than they expect. You can find her books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, iTunes, and more.
Congratulations to your daughter (and you, too), for that scholarship. That’s gotta be saving you a bundle there, right?
A special place to write? Hmmm… At home I write on the couch. But I can write almost anywhere. I’ve been known to get some writing done at Buffalo Wild Wings when we’re there to watch the Steelers game. I’ve written on many cruises, too. And then when my husband used to travel, I’d tag along and write in the hotel. Sometimes the change in scenery helps. We’re leaving for a cruise this weekend. Maybe I’ll become inspired and figure out where my story is going! Haha! 🙂
I finished reading Immortal by J.R. Ward. This is the final book in her Fallen Angel series. I really love her books and I could read them all over again. But I won’t, because I have all these other books to read. I’m afraid I’m buying them faster than I’m reading them. 🙂
Busy lady!
I love your writing set-up. Mine is on the second floor landing. I at least should put something interesting on the wall above my monitor. A computer that can’t access the Internet … that would be a very good idea for me. I’m always popping over to my social networks. I wouldn’t want to miss anything. 😉
My poochie likes to be nearby too, but he’s the world’s laziest German Shepherd, so that’s okay.
Congrats on writing five days last week despite being so busy otherwise. Hopefully you’ll get both ROW80 goals checked off this week. At least it’s a challenge that realizes we have a life. 🙂
TTFN
Congrats on putting an offer in on a house. That’s so exciting. I hope everything goes smoothly.
Isis is getting so big! She looks like such a sweet dog. I bet she keeps your life entertaining–I know nothing is ever boring with my animals around. I’m lucky that my dog is older and mostly likes to sleep beside me while I write. The cats on the other hand always seem to by vying for my attention or climbing on me, but I’m used to it.
Have a great week, Jennette!
Stacy, sometimes a change of scenery does help! But I can’t imagine writing in a noisy sports bar – kudos to you for having such great concentration. Have fun on your cruise!
Steph, thanks! I do like how ROW80 encourages us to set goals that work for us – and change them when needed!
Denise, thanks! I can’t believe how big Isis is, either! And you are right about our pets–they do enrich our lives.
Wow – what an exciting find! I’d love to spend some time in Germany. But I am with you on “what in the world are you going to do with a German major?” My nephew majored in Spanish and we wondered the same thing. Hes not working as an interpreter for a Spanish newspaper, translating English news stories into Spanish for re-publication. Pretty cool, I guess.
Thanks for including a picture of the pup. She’s sure getting big.
Sounds like a very exciting few weeks for you and your family.
My writing place isn’t special, but I do have all of my necessary tools around me so it’s handy. I have a vision in my head of what my ideal writing office would look like and maybe some day will, but right now I have to share the office space with my husband so . . .
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Thanks for the update on the hubby. Sometimes these things take time, but going to rehab can drive you nuts. You just want it to be over with. I hope for both your sakes that’s soon. Congrats on finding a house. And it sounds like someone will be going to Germany? What a beautiful country. Your daughter will love it. Especially Bavaria. So much fun. Take care Jennette and keep going. I just know you’ll get more writing done this week! 🙂
Patricia, that’s great about your nephew! I’m glad to see the unconventional majors do work for some. And thanks!
Karen, you are so right about the rehab! He has a good OT, but is still frustrated that he’s not improving faster than he is. And thanks!
Yay for all that good stuff! And I can see how your dog is distracting–that face is just too cute to turn down. 🙂
I finished reading a memoir this week, Not Fade Away. It was an inspiring read.
Hope you get some writing time this week!