Writing, Shipbuilding, and Fibromyalgia

Surprisingly a lot - we're going to use the windows in the pilot house, the drive shaft, steel beams for spreaders when moving plates of steel, foam in the cushions and steel on the roof to be made into wall art.

Wonder what the neighbors are thinking now?

Sometimes I can't get to sleep at night. I guess that makes me an insomniac. I try the usual strategies - a sleep aid, soft music, deep breathing - and sometimes they just don't work. So after 20 minutes or so I get up and go to the couch. Often I read a sleep inducing book like Woe Is I: Grammar Hints and Tips. That can help but last night it didn't. So I read my kid books and ham radio books and watched the sun come up.

Having a few hours to read books is usually great but when it's at the expense of good, solid sleep I know the next day is a "lost" day. I have to catch up on the missed sleep as well as try to control my pain levels, which rise with insufficient sleep.

I wish I felt like cleaning the house when I can't sleep - then all would not be lost.

I'm looking forward to doing school visits. It gives me a chance to talk about my books for hours and no one minds!

So, this week I've been working on my school presentation PowerPoint presentation. I really like how it's turning out. I've put in movies, which is a first for me. And I'm learning to keep the slides simple and on target. Both these ideas were Doug's - thanks, Honey!

Over the last few days, my pain levels have usually stayed under a 2. I feel like I've gotten more done this week, which feels good, too.

It may be raining outside but I'm sunny on the inside. :)

I managed to sleep today until 10a with the help of valerian, so my pain level has stayed below a 2 most of the day.

And I'm working on my presentation. Hope to have it done this week so I can practice it next week in front of a live audience - first Sam and Andy, then Doug.

My new series, Military Machines in Action, will be released in January '09. I certainly am excited about that!

When your books finally get published it's like giving birth. You've been waiting all this time to hold your "baby" in your arms, or rather hands.