Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Projects, Projects

If you have a writer friend who has recently disappeared, you may wonder what happened. I'm betting your pal is participating in NaNoWriMo. As many of you know, November is National Novel Writing Month, affectionately referred to as NaNoWriMo. The challenge is to get at least 50,000 words toward a novel on paper. You can outline and think about your story all you want, but can't begin writing it until November 1. Likewise, you must stop writing by midnight on November 30.

I've done the challenge 3 out of the past 5 years and reached my goal each time. It's stressful, but definitely exhilarating. This year I opted out, which makes me feel like a real slacker. After all, NaNo is addicting in a stuff-yourself-with-carbs kind of way, but I'm going cold turkey...until next year.

To appease the guilt gods I plan to drag out my last year's NaNo project this month and focus on trying to turn it into a real book. Haven't started revising yet, mind you, but it's on my list.

Other things have been taking up my time. Aside from my sister's health issues (Update: final pathology report showed everything benign! Thanks again for your prayers and positive thoughts), I've been working on another project.














I hate it when Mom does a project.




  










Mom's projects live in Snooze City.

I am doing a bathroom remodel and have a few post-project observations. First, who'd ever imagine redoing such a tiny bathroom would take so much time and cost so much money? Second, know what the contractor will and won't do. For example, I had to do the wall prep, painting, and sealing of floor/grout. I hadn't planned on that.

Anyway, here are a few of the "before" pictures.

Old oak cabinet and tacky linoleum floor in very sorry shape.

















Fiberglass surround shower, with plenty of cracks, leaks and messy problems.














The contractor stripped the bathroom down to the studs. Now, nearly 3 weeks later, the job is complete. I'm pretty pleased with it and will post the "after" pictures later this week.

19 comments:

Tammy said...

How exciting about the bathroom AND your revisions. I think there should be a NaNoReMo, wherein writers REVISE what they've written in previous years.

Unknown said...

Have a serene Sunday if you can as it looks like all go over there. Hope the writing goes well.
Best wishes Molly

Jans Funny Farm said...

Can't wait to see the after pix. Human projects are good snooze times for furries.

Glad your sister's surgery turned out well.

Sioux Roslawski said...

Pat--I have bathroom envy--or will, when you have the big "reveal." I would looove a new bathtub and shower enclosure...

Sigh.

Sketching with Dogs said...

I hate having work done on the house, so stressful.
Lori, from What Remains Now is doing the NaNo thing.
Lynne x

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Remodeling is not for the faint of heart! I have a bathroom in similar shape and just don't have the time or $$$$ to deal with it!

I often wish they hosted the NaNo event in other months...November is always so busy!

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

I (Frankie FURTER) did the NaNo thingy..... ONCE. WHEW it was really HARD... There were 11 others in MY writer Group... and only 8 of us got to .... THE END
Butt remember those other 11 were all PEEPS... and you know how PEEPS put stuffs off.

Kari in Alaska said...

The NaNoReMo is a large undertaking!

Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

Dogs N Pawz said...

Am curious to see what the new bathroom looks like! Bet it is awesome!

Two French Bulldogs said...

Good luck, hope it turns into a book
Lily

Donna Volkenannt said...

So happy that your sister had good news health-wise. Prayer really does help, and God bless the doctors!

I look forward to seeing your "after" photos.

Lassiter Chase and Benjamin said...

Can't wait to see the new bathroom photos. Bet it looks pawsome!

Unknown said...

So many great projects, Pat! And nothing wrong with making revisions a priority this year -- that in itself is a big undertaking. I'm so glad to hear that your sister's health issues are resolved. Prayer really does help.

Ryker said...

Wonderful news about your sister!
You are a tease...I want to see that new bathroom! I love remodels!

Ann Summerville said...

I remodeled my bathroom about this time last year and it took 2 months, but turned out to be wonderful. I gave NaNo a miss this year too and will work on revising and editing my latest mystery.
Ann

Lynn said...

Hi Pat, I've been out of town and am just now catching up on blogs. I'm so glad your sister is well and I hope you know that I would have kept her in my prayers had I known about the surgery. I'll do so anyway, just because... I opted out of NaNo last year and felt really guilty about it, so I liked that you are feeling that way. I decided to work on my old NaNo - and anything new that I add will go into the count, so that's my story... they are calling that NaNo Rebels and it's acceptable! Good luck on that bathroom project.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

You're not alone in Slacker City, Pat. I opted out of NaNo this year, too. I'm trying to get my manuscript ready for submission which won't happen if I'm NaNo-ing. :)

Andrea said...

Well, if you'd still like to participate in NaNo you could join our round-robin! We could really use another writer to help make it a success, and you'd only have to write a paragraph or two! Please do consider it!

Mollie said...

We had wondered what that was about LOL.. Thanks for the info. Pop by for a visit, we are a bit mad..BOL xox

Mollie and Alfie