This week has been one of THOSE weeks. It seemed that for every step I took forward, I fell back two. Getting words on the page was a constant battle. Getting things crossed of my to-do list was frustratingly slow.

I found this quote and tried to apply it every day. Just begin. 

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it, boldness has genius, power and magic in it.   Begin it now…
                                                            … attributed to Goethe -

I found I couldn’t look beyond the task that was immediately in front of me or I felt overwhelmed.

  Inch by inch

Life’s a cinch.

Yard by yard

Life is hard.

And dare I add?

Mile by mile

It’s downright vile.

But I survived. The sun is shining. The birds singing and the flowers still blooming. The petunias are looking fine–a reminder of staying the course–persevere.  They’ve survived summer heat and fall frosts. I’m hoping they last a couple more weeks.

I love fall. It’s my favorite time of year but this year I am especially enjoying it because I FINALLY GOT MY NEW WINDOW. Yes, the one I ordered in April. First, there was a mixup with the order. Then the window got mis-sent or not sent. Then they broke the glass unloading it and had to order another unit. Then the installer was out of town but FINALLY–right in the middle of massive work on my client’s room–they announced they were coming. Did I say it wasn’t a good day? No way. You see, this is what I used to work with.

Do you see my window? No because it’s too high. I am affected by what I see and this blank wall wasn’t doing it for me.

So here we go.

Now see my new view.

And this is my new work area.

What can I say? I love it. I love watching the birds, the trees, the traffic, the sky. I am going to enjoy this so much.

Window covering, you say? I’m hoping I can get away without one. I don’t want to miss one inch of my view. I won’t bore you with endless pictures of it. Okay, just this one.:-)

So the best thing about fall this year is my new window. 

Summer is almost over. It’s been so busy I can hardly remember it. One thing I’ve noticed is how easily I get stressed out especially when I feel like things are getting piled up–bills not paid, laundry not done, garden waiting to be picked, and my writing deadlines speeding toward me.

 And yet eventually everything that must get done, gets done. I doubt my fretting helped it happen. I found a site that I wish I could play in my mind when I’m fretting and being stressed. Check it out: http://www.flash.li.ru/1603/be_happy.swf 

And remember:

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.  ~Leo Buscaglia

Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen.  Keep in the sunlight.  ~Benjamin Franklin

I’ve developed a new philosophy… I only dread one day at a time.  ~Charlie Brown (Charles Schulz)

You can’t wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time.  ~Pat Schroeder

It only seems as if you are doing something when you’re worrying.  ~Lucy Maud Montgomery

It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down.  ~George MacDonald

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.  ~Mark Twain

Relax and enjoy the moment.

In the interests of efficiency I have reduced as much as my life as possible to the basics. I want minimal furnishings and ornaments so I don’t have to dust. I want no-care finishes. I want meals that can be made in less than 30 minutes. Yes, I’d be happy if they would invent self-cleaning toilets, windows, countertops and sinks. No, I’m not lazy. At least, not terribly lazy. (I don’t think.)

So I’m looking for desperation dinners–meals made in 30 minutes or less. I’ll go first.

Hamburger/ macaroni dish.

cook 3 cups of macaroni in a pot of water. (use amount of macaroni suitable for your family. This amount feeds 3 or 4 adults)

Meanwhile brown 1 lb. hamburger.

When it is brown add

1 can tomato soup,

1 can of milk

1 can of diced tomatoes

1/2 to 1 cup of salsa.

Drain cooked macaroni and add to hamburger mixture. Heat. Can be served as is or covered with grated cheese (cover and allow to melt). You can sprinkle on green onions if desired. Good served with hot bread and a salad. Good comfort food.

I guess I like to–and need to–reduce my story to a basic structure too–one that includes theme and a beginning, middle and end. Over the years I continue to amalgamate several different methods into something that works for me. I want bullets bits of description. I don’t want details at this point, only a blink of information. Most of all, I need the overall structure and the whys and hows.

(picture of story structure using W plot, theme and a storyboard)

Pretty basic stuff. But it works for me.

Anyone out there willing to share fast meals–especially ones based on beef? Or cheese, macaroni, etc. The more basic the better.