Today I’m jumping in on “What’s Up Wednesday,” a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you.
Fantastic, right? So, here’s what’s up with me…
What I’m Reading: I just finished Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful Disaster. I’ll share more about my thoughts tomorrow, but I have to say… I was entertained by all the angst. Trav and Abby’s dysfunctional, co-dependent relationship kept me captivated. Yesterday I started Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, which is predictably awesome so far.
What I’m Writing: *sigh* There’s the epic rewrite I’ve mostly sidelined but still think about often, and there’s the SNI WiP (the one that’s inspired by a Tim McGraw song), that I love, LoVe, LOVE, but has also put on the back burner. Mostly, I’m working on a requested revision of Cross My Heart that has mad potential thanks to notes from my amazingly brilliant and insightful agent. Motivation and inspiration and excitement are beautiful things.
What Else I’ve Been Up To: Running. No surprise there. I ended up with 171 total miles for the month of April, putting me at 665 miles for 2013. Not too shabby. We’ve had gorgeous weather lately, so my girlie and I have been spending lots of time at the various parks in our neighborhood. Also, I’ve been watching Game of Thrones obsessively. I love that show SO MUCH. Daenerys is so compassionate, yet such a badass. I’m swooning over the recent romantic developments in Jon Snow’s storyline (though I wholeheartedly agree with Forever YA’s comment about the bath coming first). And King Slayer Jaime Lannister, once one of my most loathed characters, has turned out to be so very complex and fascinating (that final scene with Brienne on Sunday night… Whoa.). If you’re not watching this show, start now!
What Inspires Me Right Now: Last month I flaked on Fat Mum Slim‘s Photo a Day Challenge, but I think I’m going to jump back on the bandwagon this month. I’m finding these prompts quite inspiring…
And, since I’m doing lots of writing and revising these days, I’ve been listening to plenty of emotional country music. I’m particularly loving Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee, and Tim McGraw’s Southern Voice.
In Other, Far Sadder News: Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our sweet dog, Lucy. My husband and I adopted her when she was six weeks old, just after we were married nearly ten years ago. She’s been with us through several military moves, the adoption of an additional dog (Daisy, who is currently very sad), the birth and subsequent growing up of our daughter, and several deployments. Lucy was spunky and sassy and loved peanut butter with unrivaled passion. As much as I’ve complained about her shedding, her sneaky naps on the couch, and her shrill litte bark, I adored her. She was a loyal and wonderful pet. We will miss you very much, Lucy Goose. ♥♥♥
What have you been up to lately?
katyupperman.com 
I’m so sorry about your sweet Lucy. Lots of happy thoughts and good memories to you guys. 😦
Thanks so much, Meredith. ❤
So sorry about your sweet Lucy, Katy! ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you, Elodie. ❤
So sorry about your pup!
Thanks so much, Jennifer. ❤
I’m so sorry to hear about Lucy, Katy. It’s always so hard to say goodbye to a loyal, sweet pet. 😦 ❤
Ugh… It’s terrible. Thanks, Erin. ❤
Oh, I am so sad to hear about Lucy. 😦 I’ll miss seeing pictures of her sweet face. Lots of hugs to you and your family, Katy.
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK. I’ve wanted to check out that series for a while now, so this definitely gives me the push I needed (as did finally reading JELLICOE ROAD). I’m hoping to give May’s Photo A Day challenge a go this month too. I also kind of flaked out in April.
Thinking of you guys today…
Thanks so much, Jaime. ❤
I'm about 50 pages into FINNIKIN. I always have a hard time getting immersed in fantasy novels (I think because I'm such a contemporary fan and fantasy world-building often requires more careful reading and an active imagination), but FINNIKIN is excellent so far. The characters and their struggles are fascinating. I'm looking forward to diving back in later.
Again, I’m so sorry to hear about Lucy. It’s such a hard thing to lose a pet.
I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Beautiful Disaster tomorrow. I’ve been thinking about reading it myself.
Thanks so much, Ghenet. ❤
I'm excited to share my thoughts on BEAUTIFUL DISASTER. It was a different sort of book for me, and I learned a lot form reading it.
I’m so sorry to hear about Lucy, Katy. *HUGS* Justin once told me that losing his childhood dogs was one of the worst things he has gone through. Now that we’ve had Otto a couple months, I’m really beginning to understand what he meant.
On a lighter note, I’m also loving this season of GoT. Dany is pure awesomeness, and I love the Jaime/Brienne dynamic. Have you read the books? The third book, A Storm of Swords, is one of my faves!
Thanks so much, Caroline. It really is a hard thing to go through, but we do feel lucky to have had Lucy for so long. Here’s to many happy years for you, Otto, and Justin.
And yes… GoT. So good! I haven’t read the books, though we have them and I’m tempted. The only thing holding me back is that the show is so well done. I really enjoy watching it and being surprised each week.
*hugs* about Lucy. I’m so sorry to hear. I’m glad you have Daisy, and so you are not completely dog alone. But still 😦
As for the things on your blog: I say BEAUTIFUL DISASTER=contemporary Twilight crack. You can’t look away, but it’s not a book about good relationships or good writing. But still, can’t stop reading. I tried to pick up the sequel WALKING DISASTER but it is pretty much a copy and paste (literally, there are even a few screw ups/typos where it should be Travis in his head but its Abby) of BD. *sigh* I also saw that you are doing a requested revision which means you are on sub and I am so so so so so so so so so so so excited for you. Is that enough “so”s or what?? You got this, Katy!!!!!
I’m actually off to the bookstore to find a book I really want & buy. Perks of the birthday girl(and not a wallflower, ha!).
XOXO
I felt very similarly about BEAUTIFUL DISASTER, Rachel. I was totally engrossed in a can’t-look-away fashion. I’d hate for impressionable minds to think that Travis and Abby’s relationship is healthy, but I was totally entertained by their story. And again, happy birthday!
I’m so sorry about your sweet Lucy. I saw the Instagram you put up earlier today–your husband seems like such a great man. I’m excited at your excitement over Cross My Heart. I can’t WAIT to hear more! Also–Game of Thrones? Yes to everything you said there, especially about the bath.
Thank you so much, Liz.
And I’m glad you agree with me about the GoT bath. 😉
Oh Lucy. :0(
You inspired me though. Did my own What’s up Wednesday post. Thanks!
Oh, I’ll definitely check your post out, Jaye. 🙂
Oh, Katy! I am so sorry for your loss! Dave and I had to put our babies down three years ago and I still miss them. My thoughts are with you.
Excited about your revision though. And your WIP!!! Can’t wait to read!
Thanks, lady. I am equally excited about your project!
Big hugs for Lucy.
I desperately want more details on the SNI WIP! 🙂
Thanks so much, Jennie. ❤
I can't wait to really get going on the SNI WiP. It has me all sorts of excited. I'm getting closed to finishing my revision, and then I'm going to find some momentum on that thing.
I’m so sorry to hear about Lucy. 😦 That’s so tough. Sending warm thoughts your way. Oh, yes, to Game of Thrones. My absolute favorite show right now.
Thanks so much, Jennifer. And yes, I’m with you on GoT. My currently favorite as well!
I’ve heard good things about FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK, so I should probably add it to my TBR list. I hope your story revisions continue to go well and that you can maybe sneak in some time on your SNI WIP that you love so much. It’s awesome that you have so much inspiration right now!
Also, I’m very sorry to hear about Lucy. It’s a difficult thing to lose pets. Mine are all getting up there in age too. Love that adorable picture of her.
Thank you so much, Erin. I think I’ve been taking my pets for granted the last few years, so this is a very profound reminder of how big a part of the family they are.
I’m only about fifty pages into FINNIKIN, but it’s fantastic so far. I love Melina Marchetta’s writing!
Yay for Finnikin and Game of Thrones! LOVE BOTH! 🙂
Again, I’m so sorry about your dog. It’s so hard to say goodbye to them because they become such a big part of the family. Hugs to you and your family. At least you know, she had a great life with you guys.
Thank you so much. We will definitely miss our Lucy. ❤
I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed FINNIKIN. I just started, but I'm loving it so far!
Hi Katy – again, so sorry to hear about your Lucy. I’m sure you have lots of wonderful memories of her.
Good luck on your revisions – it can be tricky to work on one project when you have other irons in the fire.
Your running totals are amazing! Still waiting for spring to arrive so I can get outside and get some exercise… more snow on the way tonight! Gah!
Thanks so much, Sara, on all counts. I loved reading your What’s Up Wednesday post today. 🙂
Oof, so sorry about Lucy. How’s your darling kiddo handling it? I’m sure it’s tough for all of you. Lots of hugs your way.
I’m also getting super into GoT–my husband read the books, and I’ve found that I can only handle the show if I make him spoil me on the worst of the plot points. (I also started watching late, so some stuff–like certain heads on pikes–I had picked up from just being in the world.) I can’t take it when it just seems like a relentless string of awful things happening to characters I like. When I know what’s coming, though, I can deal. (I won’t let him give me good spoilers, though. Or at least, not specific ones.) But OMG. Dany. I love love love her. I want to read just her story as an awesome YA novel. (After her, I like mostly weird side characters like Bron and the adorable Gendry. Tyrion’s pretty good too, though. And Cersei, who’s kind of loathsome but also fascinating.)
And Finnikin! Yes! I’m so looking forward to reading the third book in that series, which I think was just recently released in the US. They’re the kind of books that take a lot of time to read because they’re so dense, but then you come out of it feeling like you’ve *lived* in them. How is MM so brilliant?
Thanks, Jess. My girlie is doing okay. I think she’s still processing the whole thing, but I definitely feel terrible for her. I’m thankful that we have another dog who she can lavish with love.
Isn’t GoT fabulous?! I’m tempted to read the books because I’m so curious about where it’s all going, but I think the show is SO well done. It’s fun to watch every week and be surprised by the twists and turns. Do you read Forever YA’s weekly wrap-up? It’s always spot-on, and never fails to make me giggle.
Totally agree with you on MM’s brilliance. I’m only about 50 pages into FINNIKIN, but I already feel so immersed in the world and invested in the story. Can’t wait to see where the book — and the series! — will go.
Oh, Katy, I am so, so, so, very sorry to hear about Lucy. Since my husband and I don’t have children of our own, our pets have more than found a place in our hearts as part of the family. I’m literally sitting here with tears, from reading that segment of your post. Neal and I had to put one of our kitty cats to sleep at the beginning of this year after we found out right before x-mas that she had cancer (which is what started 2013 off with a bang for me, let me tell you!) – she was the very first animal we adopted, 14 years ago when we started dating, so I can completely empathize. Thinking about you and your family. :*(
Best of luck on your revision, as well as getting back to your awesome WiPs! You’ve got some writing to do, that’s for sure!
And dang, girl! 171 miles for April!!!!! You’re like Forrest, Forrest Gump. 😀 I think we should meet up to go shopping for some new shoes!
Big hugs coming your way!
Thanks so much for your kind words and support, Erin. It’s been a crappy week, but we’re really thankful to have had so many good years with Lucy. And we’re feeling especially grateful for our other dog, Daisy.
And YES, can we please go shoe shopping one day? Then we can go for a run to break them in. 🙂 Is there a brand you favor?
Shoe shopping? ANYTIME. You’re a girl after my own heart…love you, Katy. 🙂
And I’ve pretty much tried them all over the years, but am currently running on Nike Lunarglide 3’s (last year’s model) and I LOVE them! They’re super flexible and light weight, without being minimalist (can’t seem to run on those, especially with my bad arches and heels). My hubby gave me a Nike GC for my b’day, so me thinks a new pair are in my future! And how about you? I’m pretty sure whatever you’ve got on your feet must have wings attached, to crank out 665 miles in 4 months. *Bows down*
Give Daisy a big hug. xoxo, K.
Consider Daisy hugged. 🙂
I run mostly in Mizunos and I love them! They’re sort of pricey, but they last a good long while, especially considering the mileage I put on mine. Today I ran five miles in my Merrell minimalists. I try not to go further than that in them unless I’m on the elliptical because my knees and hips begin to hurt from lack of support. But yes, more often than not I can be found in my Mizunos.
I’ve not tried Nikes before, but maybe I should? My husband swears by New Balances, but I’ve yet to find a pair I love. Perhaps I need to buy lots of different brands on our future shoe shopping trip so I can do a little comparison. 😉
Hi Katy,
Great post. I plan on blogging GOT after Once Upon A Time finishes. All I know about the show is that there are dragons, bad guys, lots of killing, and everyone needs a bath.
I’m a runner too! I broke my foot 8 months ago, so I’m just getting back into my sneakers. I’m a Mizuno fan as well, but Nike has all those cool neon ones out now.
And not to make you jealous or anything, but I actually met Lionel Ritchie in Miami. He was walking through the hotel lobby. I lost my mind, went right over, somehow got through the ‘dudes’ surrounding him, shook his hand and said, “It’s SOOO nice to see you!!!!”
He said, “Hello sweetheart, How are you?” And then he was whisked away.
True. Story.
Good luck with your writing!
I love all of the cool Nike neons, Bethany! I’m thinking about getting a pair just to wear around. So fun! And, um, yes… I’m totally jealous that you got to meet Lionel! I wasn’t really a huge fan of his until we got the Tuskegee CD, but it’s fantastic. His songs are all so sing-able and catchy. My daughter loves them too. 🙂
Best of luck with your writing as well!