November 12th

Today, I’m thankful for:

1. A good friend to work with.
2. Work! Even if it IS only for a few days!
3. School. Even though it seems like a bother now, I know I’ll be glad in the future that I took the time.
4. Torches/headlamps. They’re so handy so often!
5. My alarm clock. It wakes me up in the morning. Even if it is on my computer!
6. Hazy mist over the hills. So pretty.
7. Recipes to use when I’m cooking. I’d be lost without them.

I think I’ve basically gotten all my school done today, except for my Spanish. I haven’t done that in over a week. I want to do that, but I just haven’t taken the time. Yesterday and today I worked at the vineyard, so I’ve had to cram my usual morning and afternoon routine into just the morning. By the time you get home at five in the evening, you’re ready to take it easy. In my experience, anyway. :)

I did write a little today—1,331 words. Which isn’t bad considering I only had an hour or two to write today. I brought a new character in, so I think that’s helped. I know, though, that I can’t always just bring a new character in when the plot seems to be slipping—it just doesn’t work all the time. But this time it fit really well, and I think I’m almost done figuring out how I’ll fit him in later as well.

I don’t know why, but whenever I have characters shouting at each other or almost fighting I get excited. It’s funny. Like I like tormenting my characters or something. :) Maybe I’m not alone in that after all?

Completely on a different thread: Just a couple days ago, someone we know told us there was a house north of us about 20 minutes or so, and the owner called us today. After he heard that there are nine of us, though, he decided the house is just too small. Oh, well. At least we know for sure that it’s crossed off our list. There’s another house in the village that’s up for rent, but it’s right on the main road and looks tiny from the Google Maps pictures. And it has no land, whatsoever. So we’ve crossed that one off the list as well.

The local Anglican pastor’s husband (no, don’t read that wrong—it’s a woman pastor) told Dad Sunday that he has a house in mind for us. He’ll tell Dad about that tomorrow night, Lord willing.

We also found out today that someone else we know in the area just bought some property, and it has a small two-bedroom cottage on it. Sounds like it’s pretty run-down and filthy, but they’re willing to rent to us, possibly. We’ll go look at that on Friday, I believe.

The only other house that’s currently available that we know about is up on the Conway somewhere—a good half-hour from here. So we’ve kinda crossed it off the list, because even though it is an option it would mean Dad would have to drive an hour round-trip just to get to work and back. It would have very twisty roads in between where he works and that place, and knowing him it just wouldn’t be good. Especially with some of the hours he’s been working—he’d just be too tired.

I’ve seen a quote somewhere that said, “If life’s not going the way you expected it to, yell ‘Plot Twist!’ and carry on.” I think that’s fairly sound advice. And with us trying to find a house to move into, I think it’s the perfect time to shout:

Plot Twist!

There. :) I think I need to get to bed. This is sounding slightly foolish.

~Esther

P.S. If you’re planning to participate in GreaThings, it starts tomorrow. So mark your calendar, or whatever so you can remember. :) (Oh, by the way—it officially started on the 6th, but I’ve decided to follow the traditional outline which starts on the 13th. Just so you aren’t confused! :))

Read more posts on the GiveThanks challenge and NaNoWriMo Diary 2013.