One. More. Week.


This is the week before the SECRETS OF HONOR release week. My nerves are frazzled. My brain is mush.

This is the week when. . . .

I remember something important I forgot to do.

I'm still writing blog tour posts.

The dogs zoom into manic mode on Monday morning and stay there all week.

I remember yet another must-do task.

Freak because I hit the go button and two seconds later my book isn't up.

My To Do List overflows onto another page.

Live-In Handyman cooks every night.

I go through my stock of wine :)

I don't realize I have a top ten list until I read through and count - then recount and see I don't :)

Through it all, I'm totally grateful to be able to write the stories I love.

And to share them with you.



It's also time for Sunflowers for Tina, who pops in my head every once in a while to see what I'm doing.

In remembrance of Tina Downey.
Tina, I know your little corner of Heaven is overflowing with sunflowers. Here's another one for you. I miss you and your stories, my friend. You'll always be in my heart.


Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Life is short. Hug the ones you love and love the ones you hug.



Today, I'm also visiting Sia McKye. Well, that's not exactly right. Kat Marengo, the protagonist of SECRETS OF HONOR, is over there telling tales about me. She's been known to stretch the truth a time or two, so watch your step :)








Comments

It will all come together - deep breath!
The Internet is overflowing with sunflowers for Tina today.
Melissa said…
Woohoo!
Hang in there. It'll all work out. ;)
Mason Canyon said…
Carol, you're almost there and you can make it with ease. Lovely tribute for Tina. She will be missed so.
It's going to go wonderfully and smoothly :)
Unknown said…
Lots going on! You'll make it! Being able to write the stories you love makes all the stress and craziness worth it :D

~ Jen
S. L. Hennessy said…
Tina will be greatly missed I hope this tribute makes her smile as she looks down on us. Life is Good.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Even with so much to do, you'll find a way to make it happen.
Anonymous said…
Holding thoughts of sanity for you lol.
Robin said…
Can you imagine how much worse this week would be WITHOUT wine? Just trying to put it into perspective...
Suzanne Furness said…
Wishing you all the best with your ever growing to do list. Another beautiful sunflower for Tina.
Sherry Ellis said…
That's a lovely sunflower for Tina! She'd love it.
My brain melted just reading about your to-do list. And what a beautiful sunflower for Tina!
Jeremy [Retro] said…
I think my list is a "too add list" that never seems to get finished. Thank you for the kind words on Tina... she would love them.
Carol Kilgore said…
Everyone - Thanks for your good wishes and positive vibes that everything will get done. I sure hope you're right!

I think Tina is loving each and every sunflower!

Jennifer - I agree about writing the stories we love being worth whatever it takes.

Delores - Thank you. I need that - and the smile your words gave me :)

Robin - Perspective is everything :)

Beer - So you have Salvador Dali brain?

Jeremy - LOL! That's what mine feels like!
Unknown said…
I know Tina would have loved your sunflower and your kind words.
Mark said…
It can be a struggle to balance everything, but it looks like you're managing:) Also, lovely tribute to Tina:)
Good luck getting through your to-do list. I know you're great under pressure! Lovely sunflower for Tina!

Julie
Unknown said…
Ah, the stress! Seems like life never slows down. See you at Sia's.
You can do it. We have faith in you. Perhaps more than you have in yourself.
And I am loving Tina's garden, planted across the blogosphere. Colourful - and huge.
Liza said…
You will get there, and then you can take a deep breath and be proud of yourself. Well done, Carol!
Carol Kilgore said…
Y'all do have faith in me! I'm hoping it rubs off. Does anyone know the secret of cloning?
Jemi Fraser said…
Time to re-stock on that wine!! It'll be awesome! :)
Best of luck with your release! Another exciting day for you!

Very nice sunflower for Tina.
Thank you,
Heather
Helena said…
Carol dear, the secret to cloning is to drink enough wine until you see double.

You'll be fabulous, your book will be fabulous, and even if there are a couple of little hiccups in the release process, overall it will be fabulous.

Cheers!
Carol, I have such faith in you... everything will fall into place!
When you're stressing & tearing your hair out, pause for a moment, remember that - #Life is good!

... and I like the sound of that name, Kat Marengo... sounds almost exotic and snazzy at the same time... (does that make sense?)

Carol Kilgore said…
I see a trip to Ye Olde Wine Shoppe is in order, especially since seeing double is actually the secret behind cloning :)

Yes, Tina's legacy for all of us to remember - Life Is Good!

Michelle - I'm glad you like Kat's name. Wish I could tell you where it came from. She just told me. I had no input whatsoever.

And ... this is why you write! Woot
Tammy Theriault said…
take a deeeeeeeeep breath!
cheers to Tina :)
Hart Johnson said…
You totally have this Carol! Yes, there is the huge pile of last minute stuff, but you can do it and we're all behind you!!!
H. R. Sinclair said…
I want this one --> Live-In Handyman cooks every night.

It will be great! I know that won't calm your nerves -- it's too exciting.
Carol Kilgore said…
Teresa - I'm sure that's true.

Tammy - Deep breath taken. Aaaahhhhh :)

Hart - I'm hoping to tackle a ton of it this afternoon and mark several items off my list.

Southpaw - Well, Monday we had leftovers and last night it was takeout. But he is cooking tonight :)
Jennifer Shirk said…
Oh my goodness! That's exciting! That cover is awesome too.
Carol Kilgore said…
Jennifer - I LOVE this cover - designed by Linda Kage. And I'm as excited about this book as I was by the first one.
Cherie Reich said…
Everything always seems impossible when it comes close to release day, but I'm sure you'll get everything done. :)
Tara Tyler said…
almost time!!!
and i hear all those things!
and love your top tens =)

congrats!
and let me know if i can give you a shout on your release day - email me - taratylertalks@blogspot.com
Tara Tyler said…
er @gmail.com
yes, i've been having one of those days!
Carol Kilgore said…
Cherie - The list is daunting, but I'm persistent :)

Tara - Thank you! I'll be in touch later this week.
J Lenni Dorner said…
A very nice sunflower.

With the book coming it out, it sounds like you are living the #lifeisgood philosophy!
Shelly said…
Yay! It's almost here! I'm looking forward to hosting you at my place later this month~
Carol Kilgore said…
Lenni - Trying! Thanks for stopping by for Tina.

Shelly - I'm looking forward to being there!
Vallypee said…
Congratulations, Carol! I loved this post and the sunflower for Tina is beautiful and poignant. Good luck with the blog tour!!
Crystal Collier said…
I'm only 3 weeks behind you, and man! There's nothing like a book release, eh? Here's to the survivors!
Carol Kilgore said…
Val - Tina was such a special person. Thanks for your good luck wishes!

Crystal - I'll drink to that!
Anonymous said…
...and if you can't hug the ones you love, then hug the ones you're with. Way to go, Carol!
Carol Kilgore said…
Milo - Yeah, just like that :)
Anonymous said…
Book release time is so hectic. I look forward to your latest.

Beautiful sunflower for Tina.
I hope release week went well, Carol! You conjured a picture I enjoyed: Tina in heaven, with a delivery of sunflowers each time one of us thinks of her. Can you imagine?
Anonymous said…
Gorgeous sunflower and I look forward to your new book. Some days I don't want to look at my to-do list.
Carol Kilgore said…
Medeia - Your comments went to moderation - all do after seven days. I apologize for forgetting to check during the week. Things were a tiny bit crazy. Mea culpa.

Shannon - I think she knows :)

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