By the time you read this … oh wait. That intro’s a little overly dramatic. However, by the time you read this – I will likely be on an airplane heading to Florida. Why no, this isn’t some holiday excursion … I’m going for work and I’m looking forward to spending a few days with my co-workers. (And the fact that it gets me out of snowy Minnesota? SCORE.)
That’s part of the reason I didn’t write a Friday Fare. As is always the case with travel, whether it be personal or professional, the days leading up to the excursion are filled with the random and mundane things we need to do to prepare. For me, that includes scores of laundry, some stress baking (pumpkin bread and chocolate chip cookies slightly alleviates the mom/wife guilt), and random ideas of “this is the perfect time to clean out the deep freeze / arrange the spice cupboard.” <– Seriously, this is how I prepare for travel.
Anyway – if I’m quiet over the next few days / week, it’s due to travel / holiday preparation. But, if you miss my snark and overt charm – I’m sure that I’m going to be posting the requisite “beach at sunset / sunrise” photos and pictures from my random coffee orders on Instagram. Come find me and follow me there!
This last-minute trip has derailed a few of my blog plans … I really do enjoy writing a “year in review” and want to list out my favorite things of 2018, but that might have to wait and appear sometime in the New Year.
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Reading: There are a few books that I am at various places at now. I’m reading Gillian Flynn’s “Sharp Objects.” (That will probably be my plane book this week.) I’m also reading Ava Black’s “The Bug Jar.” (Ava is actually a good friend of mine and I am loving her debut novel. She has an incredible voice.) The other book that I’m halfway through right now is Caitlin Jans’s “The Six Month Novel Writing Plan.” I’ll probably write more about that one soon – I really like Jans’ work at the site Authors Publish and bought her book out of appreciation for her work there. Her “Six Month” book is slim, but helpful. Finally, last weekend I took a total detour in the usual stuff that I read and I INHALED Grace Burroughs’ “What A Lady Needs For Christmas.” Yes, this is one of those books that features a cover with a heaving bosom. It was a fast and delightful read.
Watching: The week was busy, but I made time to watch the midseason finale of “Riverdale.” Man … that show is just the best guilty pleasure.
Writing Life: This week was a bit of a wash due to my travel prep / work deadlines. I have a couple things that are percolating in the background though and am ever in the practice of just trying to write and improve.
Happy Monday, dear friends!
– Shelley
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Monday Mayhem is what happens when I neglect to write a Friday Fare. Or it can be any kind of article that happens to be published on a Monday. I hope that it provides a great start to your week!
michellekubitz 
Great way to start the week–even at 5 a.m.: I think Monday Mayhem should become a fixture.
Thank you! 🙂
Make some ‘enjoy the sunshine’ time in Florida. A much-deserved Christmas present.
Y – It was wonderful. A perfect break from the MN weather!