Breathe. Just Breathe.

Like the song, I took a couple of weeks to breathe.

I didn't know I needed a break, but Live In Handyman (currently aka Mr. Wise and Wonderful) knew that I did.

Mr. W&W also knows I love surprises. When I wrote the Unplugged post a couple of weeks ago, I didn't know where we were going - just that we were going. On the morning I had to pack, he told me we were going to Galveston Island. On Wednesday I'll talk about our trip a little more and include some photos.

By the time we returned, I was totally relaxed. That's when I knew I'd been a little uptight before we left.

I unplugged from blogging and from all my writing lists and groups. I'd never done that before, always spending an hour or so each day of other vacations trying to keep up. OMG! What a difference it made to totally unplug. I'll definitely do it again.

Now it's rock n' roll time. This week, it's back to basics. Back to my writing schedule. Back to putting a little sheen on the manuscript. My goal is to have it ready for an editor in June. I'm still on track.

How about you?

What have you done exciting the past two weeks?

How are you doing on keeping your writing goals?

Are you hard at work or hardly working?

I'm thrilled to be back among the writing. I missed all of you.

Here's a teaser :)



Comments

Laura Eno said…
Sounds like you had an awesome time!
What have I done? Why, I caught a spring cold, of course!
Colette Martin said…
Oh, what a fantastic break! Lucky you! and welcome back!
Joanne said…
When I'm on vacation, I definitely vacate and don't blog! It's worth it to really recharge. I wasn't on vacation last week, but did unplug from blogging to really tackle a new revision. I'm just getting into the thick of it now.

Welcome back :)
Linda Kage said…
Missed you too! That teaser picture looks like a great place to go when unplugging! WOW. Glad you got a little R&R. Way to go, W&W.

Not much in my world. Oh, I guess I had a new book come out on the 15th!

Can't wait to hear more about your Unplug!
Tara said…
There are 2 places we visit each year that have no internet. I am so recharged by the time I get home!
Manzanita said…
I'm happy you had that time to breath and re-charge. Also glad for you that you have Mr. W & W to preempt your needs. Mine used to do that too. Take it slow and easy... Isn't there a song like that? Yeah... Frankie, old blue eyes... I used to Foxtrot to that. Makes me want to dance. :)
notesfromnadir said…
What a gorgeous picture--love the pastel shades!

It's good to take a break from things. I can't do it for that long, yet, but when I do it's so nice to look up & see the sky & NOT my monitor! :)
Arlee Bird said…
You probably have a good idea where I've been and what I've been doing along with the other A to Z-ers feverishly blogging toward the finish line. I'll be slacking off after the first week of May as I take my own little trip.

Then it will be time for catch up and reassessment.

Good to have you back, but sometimes a longer vacation would be nice too.


Hope you join us in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post on Monday May 2nd.
Lee
Carol Kilgore said…
Laura - Spring colds are not fun. Take care of yourself.

Colette - It was SO good :)

Joanne - I needed unplugging. Welcome back to you, too.

Linda - Congrats on your new release!

Tara - I'm ready to plunge back in. It's a great feeling.
Carol Kilgore said…
Manzanita - Go have a good dance. I love that Nice & Easy song :)

Lisa - Sky wins every time!

Arlee - I'm glad you're going to have a little getaway.
Anonymous said…
Oh boy, lots happening here.

Plus, I think I'm finally gearing up to query (after 15 months off, LOL!)
Terry Odell said…
I've been working on getting some indie projects underway, but I also found that I have to be writing something new. Edits and formatting just don't cut it.

Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
Ella said…
I'm visiting and feel inspired by your time out! We all need them; glad you and Mr. WW had a wonderful time~

I'm struggling with kids off on spring break and trying to keep cool(it is going to be 83 degrees in my world today). They are old enough to do their own thing. Just the teen wants to go or have friends over... I enjoyed my visit; I'll be back...
I want spring break ;-D
Maryannwrites said…
So glad that your vacation was so restful and invigorating. I may go unplugged when I do my vacation and book tour the end of May. I sometimes unplug for most of a weekend, and it is amazing how relaxing that can be.
Unknown said…
I feel like I'm working hard but when I see what I've done, it looks like I've been hardly working. I need to step up my game. I hope you have success with your goals.
VR Barkowski said…
Galveston looks amazing! What a wonderful escape. Can't wait for your full report on Wednesday.

I've only been truly unplugged once, and just for four days. While I took a couple weeks off for my visit to Santa Fe, I had my iPhone and computer, so I was still connected far more than I wanted to be. In May, I plan to go totally dark for the month. We'll see how that works out.

April has been all about the A to Z Challenge.
Southpaw said…
That is great. So many times we only partially unplug. A total unplug was a marvelous idea.
Elspeth Futcher said…
I can't remember the last time I totally unplugged for any length of time. Thanks for giving me something to think about, Carol and I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. Looking forward to your pictures!
Carol Kilgore said…
lbdiamond - Good for you. Query time on my WIP hasn't arrived yet, but it will over the summer.

Terry - My CP is like you. She has to always write in addition to. I can do both, but I prefer doing just new writing or just editing - if I have my own way :)

Ella - Thanks for stopping by. Spring break in Texas was a month ago, and it's supposed to be 98 here tomorrow.

Maryann - I was surprised by the difference. I still haven't returned to any writing groups or lists. Maybe next week - LOL.

Clarissa - I totally understand that. I'm a turtle. I've done well so far, but I continue to try to up my speed. Unfortunately, it's a slow go.
Carol Kilgore said…
VR - By early March I knew there was no way I could do the A-Z, so opted out. I'm still not plugged back on any of the writers lists and groups I belong to. Those will be slowly coming back - maybe next week - and only a few at a time. I didn't realize how inundated I was until it was gone. Good luck with a month. I can see that.

Holly - All or Nothing - LOL. That's usually not my way at all. So that made it more fun.

Elspeth - Do think about it. I thought I might go a little more bonkers, but instead found it totally refreshing. I hope you'll enjoy the photos.
Rula Sinara said…
What a nice surprise! I remember going to Galveston a lot when I lived in Houston. It's great to unplug, and there's something about oceans/beaches that is ultra relaxing.
Lydia Kang said…
Glad you had a great break! As for me, I'm still revising. It's never ending!
Glad you're back and that you had a good break. Nothing new on my end. I think I'm in need of a break, too.
Jennifer Shirk said…
I know what you mean! It does make such a difference to take a break and get away from the computer for a while!
M Pax said…
Sounds like a great trip. Alex sent me. :D
Anonymous said…
I live a very private (re: boring) life so even if I did something very exciting, I probably wouldn't admit it. ;) But thank you for sharing your teaser picture! I definitely needed a dose of the beach today.
Carol Kilgore said…
Rula - I love the beach. Obviously. More photos Wednesday.

Lydia - I'm back to revising. Slowly. Or so it feels.

Miss Good on Paper - I love your blog name :) I'm definitely pro-break this week.

Jennifer - I'm surprised by how much.

M Pax - Yay for Ales! I'm happy you stopped by. Visit again any time. It was a wonderful trip.

E.Elle - I always think I'm boring. But I shout to the world anyway - or anyone who'll listen :) More photos Wednesday.
Mason Canyon said…
Sounds like completely unplugging is the way to go. Looking forward to your photos. Glad you're back safe and sound.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
MTeacress said…
I look forward to seeing the pictures from your vacation. Welcome back, and I'm glad you feel refreshed. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Mason - It was certainly perfect for me at this point.

Michelle - Thanks. See you Wednesday.
Anonymous said…
Cool picture. :)

I'm working hard on two of my wips.

Have a great week.
LR said…
Nice teaser! I love the beach. Sigh.

The last two weeks I've been busy moving and had no Internet access (had to go to in-laws for that once a day). It's been a pain in the butt and I'm dying to get back to regular writing etc. Soon I hope. :)
Talli Roland said…
Yay - welcome back!

I'm unplugging next week so do some hard-core revising. I know I'll really miss my blogging buds, too!
Carol Kilgore said…
Medeia - Good for you! I'm pushing to the finish on my WIP.

LR - I know all about moving with the most recent move two years ago. Soon you'll be settled and all will be well.

Talli - Enjoy your unplugged week as much as I enjoyed mine.
Denise Covey said…
Carol you are the third blogger in a row who's been taking/about to take a blogging break. We all need to occasionally. After the A-Z I'm sure we'll all collapse for awhile.

All the best getting back into your writing schedule.

Denise<3
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks, Denise. I loved the break, but it's been a rocky couple of days. This afternoon I finally felt back in the groove.
Julie Flanders said…
Sounds like a wonderful break! I'm glad to see you blogging again and love this picture, makes me wish I could go there now.
Janet, said…
I am so glad you enjoyed your unplug! We all need to do that sometimes. I've just been plugging and writing along. Same o, same o.
Carol Kilgore said…
Talli - Your comment got removed and put in my spam folder. I just marked it NOT SPAM. Blogger needs a brain.

Julie - More photos on Wednesday's post.

Janet - It was wonderful.

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