Today is my day to post. It’s always Friday, I know that, and yet–and yet, I HAVE NOTHING PLANNED.
Gah. It has turned ridiculously cold here in Brooklyn, NY, so all I want to do is curl up in bed with a big cup of tea and a book. What I will be doing is preparing for the arrival of the Christmas tree: clearing out the space, getting the stand down, moving the clutter from in front of the door where the tree will come in, getting enough cash to pay the exorbitant prices they charge for trees here (this is the first year we haven’t gotten a tree in South Jersey, where we go out in a field and pick which one to cut down. Cruel, but fresh and cheap).
Meanwhile, I am still revising my Regency-set historical, Lessons In Love, making it make more sense. I am itching to move on to something else because a) this one is driving me crazy, b) my agent gave me feedback on my mom-lit and I want to work on that now and c) I want to stop talking about the same darn book all the time.
Meanwhile, my seven year-old son yelled at me this morning because Christmas is 17 days away. As if it was my fault, and as if I could possibly do anything about it. I guess that speaks to how omnipotent he thinks I am? Just wait a few years, then he won’t think I can do anything at all, at least not anything right.
Okay. Your turn. What’s keeping you from your primary tasks, whether it’s enjoying the season, or focusing at your job, or making sure your kids aren’t eating hot dogs five nights straight in a row? And how do you refocus? What do you let go of? And what books do you turn to in times of holiday (and other) stress?
Megan
www.meganframpton.com
PS: And no, I don’t think I’m nearly as funny as Dorothy Parker, pictured above; I just like her general mien.
Is it wrong to say my life keeps me from my life?
For example, this week I’m eyeball-deep in copy edits for my first book. Ack! I also have good friends coming in to town for the weekend (who I’ve shameless pawned off on my sister), my local chapter RWA meeting (which I really can’t skip since I was out of town last month), it’s my best friends’ housewarming cum holiday party, and my house is a sty.
Wednesday I didn’t get home from choir rehearsal until nearly 10:00. Last night I had my RWA Christmas party, again not getting home till around 10:00. This afternoon is my daughter’s daycare Christmas pageant, which means I have to leave work early, dress her in her reindeer costume, and try to keep her antlers on for the duration. (My husband will be there too, taking pictures.)
Sunday the choir is singing at both morning services at my church. Monday is my work Christmas party. It’s lunch, so it doesn’t take away from my time, but I have to buy and wrap a white elephant gift at some point.
Individually, these activities are fine. But I’m feeling distinctly Scroogelike over having so much to do when what I really want is time to read and work on my manuscript.
Ah well, no stress here. I have no kids, only Mom and sis to shop for for Christmas. . . so all’s fine here. 🙂
However, once I get back to school, that’ll all change. You know, once I finally end up in a college, that is. LOL It’s most likely University of Pittsburgh, but that could change. 🙂
Lois
That is so great that you are going to school, Lois! What are you going to study? (or should I know this already? I have a terrible memory)
I feel free but totally unmotivated after my marathon writing jag. But I did get my hair cut today and I did a little shopping. I bought MY present and a present for my husband. And yesterday I put the lights outside, around our door and on the bushes. I’ll do the tree next week, maybe.
Oh, I love Pittsburgh, Lois! Lived there for a year — in Squirrel Hill. We used to take visitors to see the National Classrooms at Pitt!
So…what distracts me? (Besides the internet?) Well, hearing evil little squirrels scampering across the roof…knowing they may be headed for the potted plants on my balcony, with mayhem in their dastardly brains…
Cara
The cold that has turned into a sinus infection. Ugh. Not what I want at this season. Fortunately the antibiotics are taking effect and I’m back into the holiday stuff though now that it’s the weekend writing is impossible.
I am feeling a bit like Scrooge too. I am going to enjoy a holiday concert tomorrow and decorating cookies, but come Monday I want everyone to leave me alone so I can write again!
LOL on your son, Megan. My kids do that sort of thing, too. I must say the three little words, “Deal with it” almost as much as “I ove you.” 🙂
Megan, I’m a bit confused: was your son complaining that Christmas was 17 days away, and he wanted it to be nearer? Or because it was only 17 days away, and he wasn’t ready?
Come to think of it, I think only adults get that feeling that Christmas is coming and they are totally unprepared. So never mind!
Good luck with school, Lois! I worked at Carnegie Mellon for a couple of years…I used to walk over to U Pitt to go to seminars from time to time…
Todd-who-expects-his-mother-to-make-time-pass-more-slowly-before-Christmas-so-he’ll-have-time-to-mail-her-presents-to-her
Elena, hope you’re recovering quickly from your sinus infection.
Thanks, Keira, you’re so sweet! I’m getting better but not fast enough for everything I want to be doing.