Busy, Busy Spring to Summer and Tips For Surviving

May 20, 2013 by

If someone was to look at my calendar for just May and June, you would think I booked dates for the Energizer bunny.

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From RT to the Lori Foster Author Reader Get Together, from Pony Club Rally to a local women’s conference, I’ve been running at top speed. When I do take a moment to sit down and catch my breath, I don’t feel right unless my laptop is on my lap and I’m spinning stories.

I know I’m not the only one who has a multi-page to do list and in the spirit of doing all of this together I’d like to share some of my tips for sanity and ask all of you to share some of yours.

1. Limits – Sometimes it’s okay to say no.  When I noticed early last week that I had double booked myself this weekend, my initial reaction was to try to make it all work. My mind began spinning for a way I could be two places, that were about seventy-five miles apart. Then I remembered some recent advice from a good friend, and had to say no to one. Sometimes, for our sanity, we have to remember we’re not superman. We can’t do it all.

2. Make a schedule. When life gets out-of-hand you absolutely, positively need a written schedule. Keeping it all in your head just doesn’t work.

3. Give yourself permission to stray from the schedule. Just like what happened with me last week, schedules can look good on paper, but when it comes to real life…well it’s just not manageable. At that point, see number one and remember it’s okay to say no.

4. Breathe. Sounds obvious, hu? I mean, we have to breathe to survive, but I’m not talking about the physical act. Part of my to-do for Saturday was to go watch my son at Pony Club Dressage Rally. I can’t tell you the lasts time I spent time sitting in the grass, under a tree, and visiting with friends. The weather was beautiful and the sun on my skin was invigorating. It seems my battery is a solar one and can be recharged by the sun (okay, that’s not NEWS to me, I knew that already.)  That time helped make me more productive with my writing when I got home.

Do you have any tips for surviving a crazy spring/summer schedule? I’d love to hear them. Share below in the comment section.

Filed Under: Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , , ,

Shopping for Spring

April 10, 2013 by

On Monday this week I talked a little bit about my weekend shopping trip, preparing me for the Romantic Times convention coming up in just a few weeks.

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Yesterday, the husband and I visited a local nursery to look at some plants. We planning a redesign on the flower bed in front of the house, and wanted to talk “a professional” about our proposed ideas.

Even though it was a little early and there wasn’t a lot of flowers outside yet, the bushes we were interested in were outside and we had a lovely conversation. Looked at and priced the plants we knew we wanted and looked at some different options for two specific areas we haven’t reached a mutually agreed upon decision yet.

One trouble area is the center focus of the flower bed.  It is a space between the two large windows in front of the house. Because it’s the break between the windows, it’s not only a visual focal point, but it is the one spot that could support something a little larger.

The husband would like a larger bush or small tree, a relative of the weeping cherry is at the top of his list. I’m still vying for a sculpture, fountain or bird bath. We found a few that featured fairies that I would love to have.

I will keep you updated and post some pictures as this transformation happens.

Are you prepping your gardens for Spring?

 

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A Good Time for Renewal.

January 31, 2012 by

I love spring.

All fine and good, right. But it’s February. And  a little early to be talking about Spring, you might think.

Not when you understand why I’m so fond of it.

 Yes, I like to put the big heavy sweaters and coats back in storage and pull out the bright-colored t-shirts and flowery blouses. It’s energizing to me to walk outside and have the sun warm my flesh. The singing birds lift my spirits and the blooming flowers demonstrate rebirth and renewal in a tangible way.

We all hit low points in our lives and look forward to the chance to get a do-over. We look for times and circle days on the calender that can represent a clean slate.

In December I had a major countdown to January 1. For me, flipping the page on the calender to a new year, meant I could bury last year with all its hardships and disappointments and begin a new one. It would be as easy as flipping open a new notebook and staring down at a blank page. There, I could start writing a new existence with a happy ending.

Only nothing has really changed besides the date. Has it?

So when work is still stressful, and the bills and laundry still reach mountainous heights, and daily life becomes a vicious cycle, the hope of a year-renewed fades. The winter doldrums take over, and we look for a new day on the calender to embrace as the first day of our do-over.

Often that becomes Spring, when the world shakes off hibernation and new life in the form of flowers and birds give us hope for a new, better tomorrow.

But I think only real hope can return when we don’t look to a specific date or even a specific circumstance. Living life is about accepting the challenges (and getting a helmet, a really pretty purple helmet with big yellow daisies if you want) and facing each and every day with the knowledge that we have the strength to over come them and push forward. Today can be better than yesterday, not because of the date on the calender of the season, but because we choose to keep pushing forward.

 

Filed Under: Fiction, Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , , , ,

Hope Springs Eternal

March 21, 2011 by

I spent Saturday at Pokagon State Park, near Angola Indiana on Saturday. Though the morning started out on the chilly side, by early afternoon it had grown into a beautiful day.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t unable to enjoy the weather, because we were there for the Untied States Pony Club’s Great Lakes Region Quiz Rally. My daughter was competing with her club-mates and the son and I were volunteering. While it was a wonderful day, the moments I was able to walk outside between the two buildings or look out the large windows at the beautiful lake, the woods, and well-kept grounds proved one of the coldest, snowiest winters in a long time was finally (fingers crossed!) over.

There’s something about Spring that reminds me starting over is possible. Just as my tulips and crocus are beginning to push through the dirt in the flower boxes, we can wake up after some down time and spend some time in the sun.

I feel like I’m coming out of hibernation of sorts. Last week I finished up the rough draft on my new project and will be starting the second draft next week. Though revising and rewriting is usually not my favorite part of this job, I’m looking forward to it on this project. The first draft was sketchy for me, and I know I’ll find semblance this time through. I also feel in my gut that with polish this will be turn into a great story.

 

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Springing Into Action

March 2, 2011 by

There’s something about a light rain hitting the rooftop or being able to go outside without the heavy coats, mittens and hats that frees the spirit.  Even though it means having to clean up muddy paw prints off the floor, there’s something rejuvenating about watching the dogs play in puddles.

There are aspects about all the seasons that I enjoy, but spring is the one that effects my emotions the most. Evidenced yesterday, you can’t help but feel refreshed when you the sun shines brightly for the first time in two weeks. Leaving a coat in the car while you run into a store and feeling a light breeze dance against your skin not only awakens the body, but stimulates the mind…well, at least for me.

I realize it’s only March 2 and I’m probably jumping the gun here. Yes, I’m aware there is snow in the forecast (again!) for this weekend, but the promise of an end to the gray and the cold is enough lift my spirits. And for some reason, the promise that we won’t be stuck in the house watching it snow forever, is enough to get me to focus on my work.

Especially for us creative folk, when the spirit feels wounded the output suffers. More than in recent winters, I’ve feel like the bad weather has injured my soul. Sort of like a straw with a hole in it, I’ve been unable to bring up the part of me that can get lost in a new story. Every action has felt a little like trudging through a foot and a half of snow. But the small glimpse of spring we got yesterday — and the promise of more mild temps today — is pulling me out of the dark.

After putting on some rain shoes and stomping in some puddles, I think I can sit down and finish writing my current rough draft.

 

Filed Under: Life, Uncategorized, Writing Life Tagged With: , , , ,