Getting Into The Swing of Things Again

So, we moved, and we're working on establishing our "new normal." But I've struggled to find my creative inspiration. See, it's funny because I'm a total pantser when it comes to writing but a planner when it comes to life. Hence, I've been organizing our budget and our house, scheduling visits with friends and family, etc. All that spinning on non-creative things pushed my creativity back into a little box where it sat patiently waiting.

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But...over the last week, I've been having snippets of storyline push through the scheduling. My characters--Molly and Ryder, whose story I've written and re-written a few times now--have become insistent that their story be told. There were always kinks in the tale that didn't quite work for me (hence the writing and re-writing), so Deek and I went on a long walk to discuss it. And, of course, we had queso, the mind-blowing cheese dip we could never get in the Pacific Northwest. Lo and behold, as the cheese imbibed our tastebuds, our minds came alive, and we create solutions to the plot holes. So my creativity has gone from Alice in the pic above to this...

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With a little bit of coffee...

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I'm ready to rock and roll. Prepare to see Molly and Ryder and join them in their epic futuristic thriller adventure soon! My critique partners are doing a happy dance, I think, because most of them have a little crush on Ryder. LOL!

Ok, let's talk Olympics. Man, have those been amazing or what? And PS, the commercials during it are better than the ones for the Superbowl. How did that happen? 

I love sitting on the couch with Deek every night and cheering on Team USA in the competitions. I may get a little...

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when exciting things happen, like Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak tying for the gold medal. I love the passion, excitement, dedication, and determination of the Olympic athletes!

In Deek and Erin news: We're still in chill mode after so much time on the road and in hotels. We haven't been bitten by the adventure bug quite yet, but I'm sure it's coming. 

And can I just say...I really LOVE our new place. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about living in an apartment after so many years in homes and townhomes, but I truly love it! Whenever I walk through the door, I get all giddy and happy feeling on the inside.

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I'm also very thankful to get to spend a lot of time with my family and friends. I missed them all so much when we lived in the Pacific Northwest, and I think it's made me even that much more grateful to have the time with them now. 

My friend Kathie and I may have been goofing off at the mall...

And we're meeting new friends too. Last night, Deek and I hung out with some of his work buddies after work and had a great time! I really love hanging out with other people with my husband. He's so friendly, funny, and charming, and it makes me incredibly proud to be there with him. 

Deek and I -- being silly while watching the Olympics, after a fun night out with friends

All in all, things are really coming together--creativity, the house, friends, family, life. It was a long journey from the Pacific Northwest to the South, but we're really starting to settle in now. I am excited to see what the future holds for Deek and me, and I'm stoked to tell Molly and Ryder's story. 

I thank my lucky stars each and every day that I have such a wonderful partner to enjoy this ride with! I love you, my Deek! #Always