Patricia Sands

Author

2012 Indie Excellence Book Awards - Finalist

Mission accomplished!

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With reference to my last post about making choices, missing golf, and other assorted moans, it took me all week but I got the job done!

Clearing the mountain of paper, books, files and assorted flotsam and jetsam off my desk took longer than I expected. Sorting through the piles (which resulted in several “So that’s where that went … ” moments), organizing an enormous collection of business cards, filing papers and information  appropriately, and … um … making yet another “to do” list finally led to this.

I decided not to post after last Tuesday until I could show you the final result. Ta Daaaaa!

There was a desk under that mountain of stuff, after all!
There was a desk under that mountain of stuff, after all!

I had chocolate to celebrate!

I don’t always write in here as I like to take my laptop into other rooms when the spirit moves me, or out to the terrace. This is Control Central though, when I am in Toronto, and it’s been unrecognizable for several months as I copped out and simply piled everything into a frightening, sloppy mess. Seriously. I don’t know why I did that. I just did!

I’m feeling much better now.

It’s so much easier to focus on writing without that haunting image playing constantly in the back of my mind.

Have you ever let all your paperwork get completely out of hand or are you always organized? I’m seriously going to attempt the latter from now on. How do you do it?

Weekly Photo Challenge: MINE

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I wondered how long I could resist this! I’ve been enjoying everyone else’s contributions in this photo challenge group so much, my resolve has slipped. I’m in! Click on this link if you want to join the Weekly Photo Challenge or to see how other entrants express themselves with the click of the shutter. You never know what you’ll find!

This week’s challenge:

Mine. Is there a place, object, or view that’s entirely yours, or you’re a bit selfish or possessive about? Is it a feeling you feel when you look at the photo, or perhaps an unwillingness to share? 

When I walk along Lake Ontario in the morning, I have special places where I stop and feel like that view is just mine … at least for the moment.

The Promise Of Provence

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Alloooo, I’m still deep in my revisions and very excited about how things are going for my next novel! In fact, I believe I’ve finally settled on a title *HUGE sigh of relief*. Now I can go back to counting chocolates to fall asleep instead of having possible titles making me crazy  rolling through my head every night.

THE PROMISE OF PROVENCE   

What do you think? Here are a few photos to help put you in the mood. See you next week!

La Cadière en Azur – PatriciaSandsPhotos
L’Abbaye de Sénanque-PatriciaSandsPhotos

 

Provence – Moustiers-Sainte-Marie – PatriciaSandsPhotos
Provence-PatriciaSandsPhotos
Provence -PatriciaSandsPhotos
Provence-PatriciaSandsPhotos
Provence – PatriciaSandsPhotos

 

Provence – PatriciaSandsPhotos

Coming up for air …

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While I’ve been working on the revisions for my next novel, I’ve also been preparing for an exciting speaking event coming up soon. No wonder my e-mail box is overflowing and I’m waaaay behind on all the blogs I love to follow. Sorry, gang, I’ll get caught up … sometime …

The fourth annual Power Of The Purse one-day women’s conference will be held on Thursday, September 27th in London, Ontario, not far from Toronto.

This high-energy and enjoyable day celebrates all women including those making an impact in the corporate world, women as creative forces in the arts world, as researchers and healers in healthcare and as generous philanthropists helping those in need.

A local non-profit charity is supported through this event and the important work of Anago’s Parkhill Therapeutic Residence is being spotlighted this year. Anago serves complex needs girls requiring protection, youth at risk with the law, and individuals with developmental challenges who may also be medically fragile. Kudos to them for all they do to make the community a better place to live!

I’m honoured to be among the dynamic … oh yes, we all are, honest! …  presenters for the day along with my fabulous friend and speaking partner,  Susan Sommers, co-author of the ‘must-have’ fitness book Power Source For Women.

Although Susan and I write in very different genres, our messages are based on the same philosophy.  We focus on women’s stories and  celebrate how they empower and support each other through the connections they make.

Our presentation reaches women of all ages with a message about fitness, friendship and the potential and possibilities change can offer at every stage in life.  Be a possibilitarian (thank you Amber West!) and make life the very best it can be!

The best part for us is having the opportunity to hear the incredible stories of other women. They inspire and motivate us every single time we are asked to speak! We love it!

Later in the day the Conference Centre is transformed into the popular Vendor Networking Marketplace showcasing local entrepreneurs and their products and services.  It is a terrific chance to connect, support and learn who is doing what in your community … okay … and to indulge in a little retail therapy too!

If you live in the area, we hope we’ll see you there. It’s going to be a blast!

Have you attended a conference like this? What was the most important part of the day … and not just those fabulous earrings you couldn’t resist!