Tides dead ahead!

That was the other cool thing that happened this weekend. I got my author copies of Tides of Darkness! It looks great, and it's officially available now, so anyone who wants a copy, follow the link! :)

Yes, I am well pleased.

Role reversal

Interesting but good weekend.

Friday, I got home, had a quick bite, and then got to work on the shower grout. Took me about two hours. Then the game group came over, we had dinner, we gamed, etc. Got to bed around 2 or so, which is the earliest we’d managed in days (between Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night we managed ten hours of sleep total. But they were good nights nonetheless).

Saturday and Sunday were a new experience for me. Jendaby had her freelance work to do, so I kept the kids out of her hair. I’ve watched them by myself before, of course, when she’s gone out with friends, but it’s very different when she’s in the house but upstairs and busy. I’ve subjected her to this more than once when I’ve had a nasty writing deadline to meet, so it’s only fair I give her space to work when she needs it. But it was strange for both of us. And now I think she understands better what it’s like—and how hard it is—to focus and work at home. I certainly understand better how frustrating it can be to mind the kids by yourself when your spouse is only a floor or two away but cannot be disturbed.

jendaby completed enough of her work by Sunday afternoon, fortunately, that we were able to have a lovely evening. Then she finished up, I applied sealer to the grout (just to be sure), and we went to bed, tired but happy.

I took a shower this morning—I’d been reduced to taking a bath over the weekend while the grout dried—and the ceiling beneath it was still bone-dry when I left for work. So hopefully that did the trick. I need to clean up the tiles a bit but otherwise we should be good there. Which means on to finishing out the interiors of the two basement windows, and other items on my long to-do list.

Still, a nice weekend, with a few very high points indeed.

Catching up

Sorry I've been quiet for a bit. We were in Chicago for a week, visiting my friend paintersam, which was fun. We were gone from the 2nd through the 9th, and I've been meaning to post details about the trip. But:

1. Our phone went out the weekend we were back. Also, our cable and Internet. It had been working fine when we got home and then suddenly one morning, nothing. Jendaby talked to TimeWarner and they recommended we try removing the router, which we did. And bing! Cable and Internet were working again. But no phone. Which meant our phone router was shot. AT&T does not have any place online where you can order a new router, so it took a while for me to get through (I had to wait until I was at work because waiting 10-15 minutes on a cell phone? No thanks.) to a real person, explain that yes, I had tried everything, and that yes, I really did need a new router. She sent it Monday, it arrived Tuesday, I had it installed that night (more calls to them so they could activate it, of course), and we were back in business.

2. We discovered a leak over the stairs to the second floor—right under the shower. Not good. It was a slow leak, fortunately—a patch of ceiling where the paint had bubbled up and watermarked and it was noticeably damp, but no actual dripping. Jendaby called the plumber, who came out and informed us that it was either a) the lead pan beneath the shower, which is several thousand dollars to replace (and would then require someone to rebuild the ceiling) or b) the shower grout, which I can fix myself. Fortunately they did a test and ruled out option a), so I just need a weekend where I can fix the grout (it takes 48-72 hours to dry and I am not up to taking a bath in the morning before work).

3. Colds. The kids came down with a cold, and then jendaby and I both caught it as well. It hit her pretty hard—I got a mild dose—but still it was a week of sniffling and stuffed-up noses, cranky kids, and little sleep.

4. I went back to work. Judging from the piles waiting for me on the work table, I’d say they missed me. I actually wound up putting in overtime last week, which I never do but it was necessary.

So yeah, we’ve been a bit busy.

On the plus side:

1. Our cousins came back out the weekend we were back, and the two basement windows are now nice and tight. I need to finish the interiors on both, which will require some wood, some caulk, some spackle, and then some paint, but that’s just aesthetic—they’re both airtight and watertight now, and both look good on the outside.

2. The ENnie Awards were this weekend—and Lure of the Liche Lord won! Whee! I need to find out if I get a plaque or a certificate or anything for it. That would be cool.

3. I’ve been talking to an editor and a friend (two separate people) about a possible joint project. It would be a lot of fun if it worked out, but as usual I’m not saying anything until it’s a done deal.

4. Our son is taking more naps in his crib, and one night he actually slept through the night! Whee! Of course he’s refused to do so since then, out of protest, but it’s a start.

5. jendaby got a job! WooT! You can check her LJ for details.

6. I’ve been replacing all the lightbulbs in the house with natural light mini-fluorescents. They’re awesome! They really do look like natural light, they use a fraction the energy of an incandescent, and they last for years! It’s very weird now to be in one of the rooms that can’t use them (both my office and my daughter’s room, plus the living room, need different-size bulbs) because you can definitely see a difference in the quality of light.

7. Hanging out with our local friends again. Yay!

But I will write up the trip, I promise. :)