Wednesday, July 22, 2009

snoopy dancing (if I had the energy to do it)

Current work: Medical (and counting down to holiday – deeply, deeply tired)
Listening to: Various 70s/80s rock – scary to think I was son’s age when some of it came out (and he loves it – dat’s ma boy)
Reading: really looking forward to a readfest next week

Have to admit, I’m more than ready for a break next week. Getting out of bed this morning was a definite struggle. However, my working time during summer holidays is limited to the very beginning of the day, before the kids get up (well, before littlest gets up – son is a lark, too, so the deal is if I’m allowed to work in peace then I won’t nag about the use of the X-box) and to the end of the day, after DH gets home, so I can’t give in and just sleep. I’m struggling with the deadline as it is. Yes, I could ask for an extension – but then I’d be fretting about it all next week and it would negate the benefits of going away. (Am taking the lappie anyway, but I want a doable amount left to handle each day, not a screaming amount. DH is off the week after we get back and I want to be able to play, not go straight back to work.)

OK day yesterday – not the best visit to Dad, but then again we’ve had worse. Took the kids out to lunch (son decided to be fussy so there were lots of swaps between plates – not so much overindulgence as choosing my battles wisely and knowing when to be firm and when to be kind), then to see DH’s mum; then came home and played games with the kids until DH came home.

Was flagging (not quite enough caffeine in the system) when I took a break to check my email. Discovered a lovely note from my colleague on eHarlequin (waves to Amy) to tell me that I had TWO books (including one that’s more than 6 months old - blimey) on the eHarl top 10 ebooks bestsellers. (Actually, if we’re being precise, two in the top five. That’s going some!) Excellent news and it really cheered me up. I would have done a Snoopy dance, if I’d had the energy. Reserves are a tad depleted, right now.

Spent the entire evening on the proofs from hell instead of writing. (Growl, growl.) I normally have a dozen corrections, max, but this one had an enormous list (not my errors, either), and I was really grumpy by the end of it. One good thing came out of it, though: I’m using the London Victoria again and I’d forgotten that I’d already named one of the neurologists. This jogged my memory so I could get it right in the current book.

Plan for today: have promised to take kids ten-pin bowling. Also need to do the library and doctor visits that I didn’t get round to doing yesterday. And sort out the parcels I’ve promised and need to post to people (anyone reading this who’s expecting one – I will get it done this week, promise). And in between… I need to get words down. (Made myself cry as I was typing yesterday, so the book’s definitely working. Just please, please, let me have some time...)

15 comments:

Lorix said...

Oh Kate I'd send you a big cup of coffee if I could! I hope you manage to get it all done before your holiday. And remember you're going to be spending all next week with the children, they know you love them so don't feel guilty if you leave them to their own devices occasionally if you have to squeeze in a few minutes here and there of writing!
If there is something I have to get done then I'll make sure I do something just for the children, a walk, cooking, make and do, then I don't feel bad if I let them watch a film or play on their own while I let myself have 30 - 60 mins doing what I need to do!
Obviously my children are younger than yours and are quite happy to spend an hour (or two) being pretend animals wth our pets and their teddies - great imaginations they have, I'm very proud! ;D

Jan Jones said...

(((((((hugs)))))))

Relax, write, trust the kids to do their own thing - and remember that everyone already knows you're superwoman. You don't have to go on proving it.

Michelle Styles said...

Massive hugs.
ANd the copy edits must be a nightmare as I know you err on the copy editor's side having been one yourself.
I shall now go and attack my own with renewed vigour.

Susan Rix said...

Also adding my hugs and a ditto to the other comments.

Be kind to yourself.

Sending you loads of love, hugs and best wishes that you get everything done that'll ensure you have a FAB week (or two!) off.

~Sue~ xx

Liz Fielding said...

Take a deep breath, Kate and as Sue said, be kind to yourself.

You cannot be everywhere, do everything -- okay, you can, obviously -- but stop and have that cup of coffee. And have a great battery recharging holiday next week.

Nell Dixon said...

More hugs, one of the ways I keep the kids busy and help myself at the same time is I make a list of jobs that need doing around the house - really easy stuff like pairing the socks and putting them away, finding the outgrown clothes from the wardrobes and putting it for me to sort, mopping the kitchen floor etc then I put a cash amount next to each one, 20p, £1 etc and pay at the end of the day when I've checked what they've done. It keeps them busy, helps me and boosts their holiday spending money. It's entirely up to them what they choose to do.

Kate Hardy said...

Lori - thanks. They've been stellar today. (And yours sound so cute, being pretend animals! I remember those days...)

Kate Hardy said...

Jan - I really don't feel like Superwoman today!! Littlest likes company and eldest isn't always of a mind to play (especially if he thinks he can talk to his mates on Xbox live). So she comes in to me with a wobbly lip - and I remember that my mum always had time to play but my dad never would, so... I don't like to push her away. I need strategies!

Kate Hardy said...

Michelle - absolutely. Everyone has off days, but grating errors (especially when they're repeated AND inconsistent) make me grumpy. I've had worse, though :o)

Kate Hardy said...

Michelle - meant to say, good luck with yours and I hope you haven't had Hyphen Woman!

Kate Hardy said...

Sue - thanks :o)

Kate Hardy said...

Liz - thanks. I've been doing coffee and paracetamol all day (this is DH's fault, for shutting our bedroom window on a humid night - if he does that tonight, he's sleeping in the dog's bed). Also had a nap this afternoon (kids were STELLAR) and finally shifted the headache...

Kate Hardy said...

Nell, what a BRILLIANT idea. Thank you. I will use that one!

Sheila Norton said...

Great news about two in the top five - you must be so chuffed. I do hope you get everything done in time to relax and unwind ready for your holiday. xx

Lacey Devlin said...

Congrats on your top ten list!

YOU CAN DO IT KATE!!!

Remember to breathe and remember to sleep - that's what keeps you pretty and will stop you from dribbling and speaking in random words ;)