Wednesday, December 9, 2015

As We All Get Busy

There were years when this time of year, well all times of the year, when I was so busy I used to hang a 2 X 3 foot calendar on the kitchen wall. Each day would be filled with schedules for the kids' activities and the few events my husband and I managed to squeeze in for ourselves. Four school age kids, all playing sports 12 months of the year, my husband and I both coaching, me trying to write and both of us with full time jobs. The kids had other things going on besides sports too such as homework projects, volunteer work and social events. I seldom finished laundry before 11 pm nearly every night. Those days are gone and despite people warning me that I would miss them, I really don't. I like having some me time.

But during those years, I kept up my membership in my writing groups. I would miss some meetings and never made the yearly conferences. Meetings were so relaxing as I sat back while other volunteers ran the event and brought in guest speakers. I just didn't have time to get further involved.

Now I hold board positions in both my writing groups. It's not a ton of time but it's more than if I was still sitting back relaxing. I feel like I owe some service to the groups that have done so much for me.

I have a lot of writing work to take care of at the moment, but because I now work from home, I get other things accomplished I didn't used to in the days of the big calendar. Christmas decorations are up and Christmas cards will be done by the end of the week. I used to dread those two chores because there was NO time. Holidays are so much more relaxed when we're not so rushed. We won't put the tree up until my daughter comes home from college. Tradition.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Allen Saunders

Though I didn't want to do it, I ordered a new phone so I'll be home to sign for it when it arrives. My cell phone reception has steadily deteriorated over the past year. My son who works for AT&T told me something as simple as trees growing taller could cause that. So my beloved iPhone 4 is being replaced by a 6 so that I can make calls through my WiFi connection. It will be nice to not have to stand at the back door or go outside to talk on the phone.

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." Steve Jobs

Tomorrow I'm going to play some Christmas tunes while I work on the edits for the next Futhark book. I'm excited how my publisher is pushing those books. I can't wait to get back to my WIP, the second Galactic Outlaw book. The first one will be released later this month. I appreciate my publisher more every day when I hear stories of another well known romance small press who is struggling. Authors haven't been paid and are having trouble getting their rights back as that ship flounders. I can't give out the publisher's name but I'm glad they rejected me years ago.

"Being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life."
Lawrence Kasdan

What was the busiest time of your life? Do you love the work you do whether it be writing or the job that pays the bills? Do you still use a landline for a phone or only use a cell? Do you have good reception or is this only my problem? Do you do a lot of decorating for the holidays?


19 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I can't imagine dumping four kids going in different directions on top of my life right now. I don't know how parents do it, but my hat's off to you.
Glad you're getting an iPhone6! You will be so amazed at the difference. Finally convinced my wife to upgrade and she loves it.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

We got rid of our landline a few years ago. It was strange not having it, at first, but then we got used to it. Kind of like cutting cable.

Enjoy your holiday season! It sounds like you're off to a very nice start. :)

Pat Hatt said...

My life has never been that crazy haha my ocd would have a fit. Not having to go to the back door is a big win indeed.

betty said...

I only had 2 kids and not a lot of activities between the two of them, so I can't imagine 4 kids and all different things going on :) Doing laundry up until 11 p.m. would not have been fun indeed :)

We have pretty good cell reception where I'm at, but it is interesting how the growth of a tree could affect service. Makes sense though. There are parts of this area that have spotty service, now it makes me want to go and look at what obstacles could be preventing them from having better service.

I have a landline but I wish I didn't have one since we never give the number out and never get calls unless it is phone solicitors. My work requires one so we have one, though they don't pay for it (and I can't remember why they don't pay for it, but they do give us computers to work on).

betty

Crystal Collier said...

You know, other than while being a kid, I don't think there's a time in my life that hasn't been busy. I suppose that means I'm accomplishing TONZ, but it also means constantly juggling, which is okay. I don't mind that. I keep thinking there will come a day when I'm less busy, but I think the patterns we establish in our early life carry on as we get older. It will just be a different busy.

Arlee Bird said...

You're so busy that it made me want to go back to bed. What an inspiration you are--I need some of that energy.

My busiest times were in the two months prior to Halloween when I was managing a costume distribution company. Lots of late hours and weekends with no overtime pay since I was a salaried employee. It was busy, but kind of invigorating as well.

I rarely use my cell unless traveling and almost exclusively use my land line when I'm at home. My wife wants to get rid of the land line but I'm not sure I want to. Guess I'll eventually give in though.

Arlee Bird
Wrote By Rote

Christine Rains said...

I used to think university was the busiest time of my life until I had a child! Now I know my busy years will continue. And I only have one child to schedule things for! I am the only person I know who uses a landline still. I don't want to take a phone with me when I leave the house! (I do have an emergency flip phone, though.)

nashvillecats2 said...

A wonderful post Susan you are an inspiration.
Yvonne.

J E Oneil said...

Wow. Did you ever sleep before your kids turned 18? I hope your new phone has better reception. Maybe some day all trees will be kept below a certain height so calls don't get dropped.

BB said...

When my son was still at home and involved in sports, it was a bit crazy going from work to practice/games and syncing it with my hubby's schedule. Now it's a much calmer and less stressful life but I earned it. I just got an iPhone 6 and I absolutely love it. I can't complain about service but I hear stories such as yours often. Who knows?!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - I can imagine with kids around life at this time of year is really busy - scheduling it all in. I have a landline, which I don't use ... but need for the internet, and then an iphone for use and when I go out - if I remember it .. but it's not a priority!

Cheers and I'm trying to clear my decks, then I might be able to deck out the flat! Good luck - Hilary

Patricia Stoltey said...

We still have a landline because I keep a cell phone only for emergencies...it's a stupid phone, but it's all I need because I refuse to be tethered to one of those smart things.

The busiest time of my life was when I was working full-time and had teenagers at home. My relaxed retirement, which does include writing, is better for my nerves. :D

Shanaya Tales said...

I feel that I am constantly busy these days, Susan, and I only have one kid, who is in preschool, so I can only imagine how it must have been for you. But I push myself to take breaks, else I feel that I will just burn out.

The Happy Whisk said...

Hope you love your new phone. I just recently bought a mobile phone and we ditched our land-line. Hubby had a cell but not me. Anyway, I got mine in the clearance bin but I may need to upgrade at a later date, we'll see. Anyway, enjoy your new toy and your new freedom.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Raised five boys who were all involved in sports, so I can certainly relate. I don't miss those days either. Well, maybe occasionally. Now I guard my time jealously. I'm just a bit annoyed how much more exhausted I am now, yet I'm doing 1/4 of the running around.

J.L. Campbell said...

It's wonderful to have time to yourself to do exactly what you want to do. I still don't have as much as I want, but I make do.

I still have a landline although I also have a cell.

Liza said...

I'm glad this new phase of your life offers you opportunity for time to do the things you want.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I don't love my day job, but I appreciate it. I did love my volunteer jobs, but they've become too much. I love writing, but am struggling to find the energy to do it. Sheesh, kids take a lot of energy and time! But I love them. :D

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