Andie Gaines

I put off getting my eye exam for 9 years. I probably would have put it off even longer if my lens had started deteriorating to the point I was losing clear vision.

My prescription changed a little, my eyes are still fairly healthy, and I get my new frames in a week!

Tomorrow is my first day at a new job. Fingers crossed everything goes well. This job is similar to the axe throwing, because we’re creating an experience for guests.

The one from a few weeks ago was not great for my mental health, and it became obvious fairly quickly that I needed to leave.

Second day of the new job. It’s not what I’m used to, but hopefully I’ll pick it up quickly. #fakeItTillYouMakeIt

Penny’s first time seeing snow #dogsOfBluesky

Hopefully I’ll feel up to starting a writing routine again in March or April. I’m just so sad and tired all the time right now. It will almost be relief once we permanently close tomorrow, because I will be able to move forward emotionally.(5/5)

Luckily I landed a job that would let me start at the beginning of February. We are now in the last weekend of being open, and I’m feeling heartbroken. I loved this place and the community we had. I’m happy to have something lined up but I’ll be grieving everything I had here for awhile. (4/5)

In January, I found out we would be closing earlier than we had all expected. We told our small staff the bad news almost a month in advance, and I started applying to anything that I could conceivably do. (3/5)

I was worried about my future and how I would pay the bills, so Christmas also wasn’t great. Luckily I had already bought a few gifts for my mom and sister so it was fine. I started updating my resume and considering my options. (2/5)

So, at the beginning of December I found out the small business I’ve worked at for almost 8 years was permanently closing at the end of January or February. It made writing or enjoying my hobbies after work impossible. (1/5)

Who would win in a 10 mile foot race, Bigfoot or the Fresno Nightcrawlers?

I've needed to take a step back from writing. A lot happened at the beginning of the month and I've needed to focus on planning for the future. I'll try to find time to continue writing, just at a much slower pace.

My (game) writing tip o' the day is

You gotta learn to love your own writing. No iffybuts. No doubtysads. Loved writing reads so much nicer

Plus. by loving your own writing, you'll be able to spot issues in your writing. After all, the first editor is you

Your work deserves love, whatever stage

The alt text on this is chef’s kiss

After I completed my word goal for November I took a break for the rest of the month. When I get home from work today my December writing goal of another 25k will begin.

November was about building a habit, December is about maintaining it. #amWriting #writingCommunity

Just completed my 25k word goal for the month of November. I'm very pleased with what I was able to get written. I get the day off from writing tomorrow and then on Dec 1st, I have another 25k goal to work towards.

#AmWriting #WritingCommunity

Cat joke

📌

One last fun fact from #TheMartian : Author Andy Weir started the book as serial posts on his blog in 2011. It was later re-released by Crown Publishing Group when they bought exclusive publishing rights. A great example of self publishing to traditional publishing. #writingCommunity

The Martian fun fact: at the end of the movie, Watney is lecturing at #NASA to prospective new astronauts. In the book he has more PTSD and mainly stays home. He also meet commander Lewis at a burger joint and is adamant about not being served fries.

It’s been a very Happy Thanksgiving. Food was amazing, Mark Watney was just rescued, and the dishes are already all cleaned. Now for some dessert, a cup of coffee, and some time writing.

This movie usually only has a run time of 2hrs 22mins, but when you're also having to check your side dishes and temperature of your main dishes it ends up taking the whole afternoon. #TheMartian

When Rich Purnell (played by the amazing Donald Glover) slips after realizing how to save Watney, it's really just Donald Glover slipping and just continuing to act.

Fun Fact about The Martian (film): The studio had a real potato farm so that they could film the potatoes at all stages of growth.

One of the least believable parts of The Martian is that only Commander Lewis brought music. Really? I love that Mark gets to complain about Disco, it's very funny for the story (both book and movie) but really none of the other crew brought music with them? #TheMartian

Penny, a large black Lab-German Shepherd mix, and Moose, a small white terrier sitting in a kitchen. Both look expectantly at the camera hoping for a tasty treat.

Happy Thanksgiving! The best and worst day for puppies. Best because of the smells, worst because it’s not for them. We’ve got the sides made, the main dishes in the oven, and The Martian on TV (explanation in my pinned post) #Thanksgiving #DogsOfBluesky #movies

I wish I had the concentration to tackle other problems before writing. That would just lead on a wild cause and effect chain of me doing a bunch of stuff and ending the day with no writing at all.

I envy your willpower. 😂

I'm not Scottish, but this unlocked my own core memory of enforced square dancing in primary school. So very Texan, and the bane of my existence in elementary school. 😳

Last year I would just jump right in with no plan whatsoever. I ended up writing myself into a lot of dead ends, and ended up burning out. This feels like more sustainable practice.

Do any of you do something similar? Do you have a different ritual when you begin your writing sessions? (end)

This seems to work out pretty well for me, since it saves from staring blankly at the screen wondering what to write. It also gives me a brief outline of what to focus on.
Outside of the days I'm not feeling well, or come home exhausted I also find I get more words written this way. (2/3)

Everyday I sit down to write, I start with about twenty minutes of reflection. This can be anything. Usually I talk about the things distracting me, then I review what I wrote for my story, and then I finish by making a plan for how that day's writing might look. (1/3) #writingCommunity #amWriting