School starts in less than four weeks.
Seriously.
This was the summer we paid big money for six weeks of summer camp for our tiny person so I could work on my novels (and because it's fun for him). That worked for exactly one week. Two weeks of camp are left, so I suppose I shouldn't completely give up on accomplishing things.
On non-camp weeks, we were going to have fun - play mini-golf, go to the pool, go fishing, etc. - but the weather has been unsafe for people with asthma. Earlier this week it smelled like mold outside. Eeek. So we huddle inside in the air conditioning and watch too much Sponge Bob or play video games and make the most of it.
The month of August is packed on my calendar - check-ups and dentist appointments for the kids, football practice for one, driving class for another, school meetings and schedule pickups (not actually on the calendar yet because the school is really disorganized and bad at simple communication).
And my husband is leaving for two trips. He'll be home for six days in the next four weeks, only one of them a weekend day that he doesn't otherwise have to work. Those six days are going to suck for him - there's a ton of stuff I need for him to do.
My husband is definitely a type-B personality and contributes to the chaos of my house, but he is very kind about cutting the grass and going to the grocery store and doing the dishes or helping with the laundry late at night if any of my several ailments flair up.
My tiny person gets very clingy and a tiny bit difficult when his dad is gone.
Until late August, I will quite likely be mostly absent here except for occasional self-pity over not being able to write.
In an hour, my middle child is getting four teeth pulled. The dentist said it may take 48 hours until he's back to normal. I'd rather be taking care of him than in his position for sure.
How's your summer going?
I know that I am different from most writing moms because I rejoice in all the extra writing time summer gives me: I'm a teacher. For me, having two kids to keep track of all day is a big break from 30. Not to mention -- no lesson planning, no papers to grade. And of course, it helps that my own two are ages 12 and 15. Pretty self-sufficient.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I also have discovered that having all day to write every day doesn't necessarily boost my productivity. Apparently, I benefit from all those hours during a normal working day when I *can't* write, because I am so much more productive and focused when I finally sit down to do it.
It makes me wonder how I would make out if I realized my dream of retiring from teaching to write full time.
I cram a lot of work into preschool time during the school year. I know what you mean about needing the pressure.
DeleteSorry the summer hasn't gone according to plan. Here it's just too blasted hot and humid to go outside.
ReplyDeleteAt least the winter wasn't brutal.
DeleteI'm allergic to mold, so I wouldn't like that at all. I melt in the heat and humidity, too.
ReplyDeleteOur plans to write may not always coincide with the Muse's schedule, so do what you can - outline, make notes. You can write from them later. Those summer camps give the kids good memories (most of the time).
Summer camp has been really good this year. I'm thinking about stories, so maybe that's enough. :)
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you're not getting the writing in you'd hoped for. Man, that's like a universal state for me...
ReplyDeleteBut I also hope that this summer has at least provided some fun times, and maybe given a few memories that help bind the family together. ;^)
But, yeah -- I hear you. I've got to learn some way to write on the go -- my schedule is so nuts and I rarely get done what I'd like to do, writing-wise. Maybe there's something I can get on my phone, to at least capture ideas as they come up. But it's hard to do any real productive word-churning on a touch-screen keyboard.
At any rate -- hang in there, and good luck with all the August obligations, and the little one's impending dental drama -- yikes!
I almost passed out at the dentist. I'm OK now. He was OK at the office, not so good now.
DeleteHave you tried a voice recorder? There's one built into a lot of phones. Maybe you could 'write' during the drive home. I wonder if there's a program that can type from the recording?
I'm type-B myself and a chaos contributor! When you say it like that is sounds like some kind of disease! :)
ReplyDeleteMore like a syndrome. :)
DeleteYou sound very busy. Busy here, too. Between launches and finishing the next one ... and starting the one after that.
ReplyDeleteI should loan you a preschooler, a teen, and a tween for a day. :)
DeleteYou can never get back the time with the kid. You can always write later.
ReplyDeleteVery true. The problem is most of my time is spent cleaning up after them or driving them to somewhere they want to go. I'd rather be writing than cleaning.
DeleteI wish your summer was going more according to your plan! I hope it eases up a little for you. My summer is okay, nothing special. Working a lot, but that's par for the course!
ReplyDeleteI am hopeful fall will be more fun and productive. I was hoping to write outside a lot this summer. I hope your summer gets better too.
Delete