A Woman At Leisure (Maggie)

Ahhh, time off.
I love this period. It’s like a vacation.

I finished the new book on New Year’s Eve, and even sent it (electronically) though I knew no one was on the other end to receive. I just wanted it really and truly done—it seemed fitting to end the book as I ended the year.

So 2008 dawned to find me at blessed leisure. The next book is due May 1. The publisher hasn’t yet decided whether they want me to do another vampire or a romantic suspense. The art department was asking for the cover art information a month ago. It’s cute, isn’t it? All of this should be hashed out within a day or two, so next week, I’ll be able to dive back into the daily grind (though I vow it’s going to be different this year!) And in the meantime, I have time to dream, dream about the story I want to write next, dream about the plot, maybe dream up a whole new idea that I haven't even thought of writing before.


And for now, I have a handful of precious days without a dealine pressing in on me. It’s like a chance to breathe!

I’ve been cleaning the house, rearranging things, putting away the holiday stuff and just primping the place up. I’ve been playing my Ipod really loud (the Iphone fits right into my Bose Sound Dock, and it rocks the house) and dancing around and singing. I’ve been giving myself pedicures, and soaking in the Jacuzzi and plucking my eyebrows. I planted the three bulbs (I think they were Amarillis . . . amarllises . . . amarilli?) anyway, my firstborn got them for me as part of my holiday gift, with a tiny pot, but I thought the pot too small, so I found a big one, full of excellent soil. I’d grown angelica in it last year and saved the dirt after harvesting the root. So I brought the pot upstairs, added fresh peat, and planted the ama—uh—bulbs. It was good to get my hands in the dirt.

I got the snowthrower started, got the driveway cleared.
My water pipes froze up this morning, but it only took me a few minutes with a blow torch to thaw them. It reminded me that I'm strong and independent and can handle anything without much trouble.

I moved my Bowflex into my office, another job I thought, at first, would be too big to handle alone. It wasn't all that bad. And since I was out of money after all the holiday spending and tax payments, I went ahead and ordered a new Elliptical from Nordic Track to put in there beside it. This makes perfect sense to me, but the reasons why would fill an entire blog of their own, so just trust me. For now, suffice to say that money energy responds to a constant flow. Start hoarding it, and you’ll never bring in any more.

I blew up my Pilates ball, from the big new kit I got for Christmas from one of the most amazing women I know. It took forever to pump it up with the little hand pump. That and moving my bowflex and rearranging my office and running up and down the stairs, really were the bulk of my exercising today. So far, anyway.

As I’ve worked around the house, I’ve noticed areas where I could use little things to make life a little prettier or more pleasant.

I need a painting or print for one big empty wall in my living room. I think I've decided on this tapestry of Lilith. She's one of my heroines. Adam's first wife, the one who wouldn't be tamed or subdued, refused to be submissive or obedient. I think that's what's going on my wall, but I'll need a couple of smaller heroic women type prints to go on either side to balance it out.

I need a couple of big, cheap but pretty frames for two existing prints.
I need a pair of cheap DVD players, one for the office and one for upstairs.
I need some “Under-armor” garments for my lower half.
I need some Red Hot Chili Peppers to go on my Ipod.

I think I’ll do a teeny bit of shopping and get some of those items.
I’ll do as much of that shopping online as I can, to free up more time for cleaning and rearranging. I love my house. I love having time to putter around it, playing and fixing, and making pretty. I love having time to lie around, or workout, or watch TV or just rock out to the Ipod. I spend a lot of time thinking of things I want to do once winter is gone. Horseback riding. Camping. Whitewater kayacking. Hiking. Maybe a hot air balloon ride.

I love time off.
I especially love time to just lie still, and imagine, and dream.
I love it, love it, love it.

Today was a good day.

What do you do when you have free days?

Maggie