- husband quit his job (long story, don't get me started). Yes, he's job-hunting, but we're older and ...
- I telecommute a 40-hour work week from home, so he's underfoot all day. Enough said.
- Should I retire? no? We're meeting with financial planners soon to factor in the first bullet point and where we stand.
- A few annoying aches and pains that make movement painful unless I do a lot of stretching and moving (Catch-22: move to feel better but it hurts to move). I'm doing it, but there are days ...
- Volunteering: Master Gardening committees and events; homeless shelter sewing; I'm considering tutoring at the local immigrant center.
- The Orange Monstrosity in D.C. Enough said. I'm calling representatives, writing postcards and taking notes for my End of the World novels.
- A beloved cousin is going through cancer for the 2nd time
- My work laptop had a meltdown; I'm 250 miles away from tech support. A new laptop is on the way but until then I have to baby this one. Can't switch over to a home laptop because of software, security, etc.
A lot of distractions, right?
Actually, no. Here's the way I view my life: I am a juggler and those bullet points are the things I juggle. In the middle (me) is my writing. That's the constant that keeps me going. Every day I get to sit down and visit my characters and write their story and join them for however long I can.
That's the central pivot point. Everything else will have its moment but through it all, I'll have my writing. Lord knows what I'll do if that goes away! I don't think it ever will. I have a lot more stories to tell.
J L
8 comments:
Been there, done that with at least a couple of these, JL. It is wonderful to have those constants, like writing, that keep us feeling like "us." Here's hoping all your bullet points are resolved, quickly!
Sorry for your numerous bullet points, JL. Yes, may they resolve quickly. Also been there, done that on most of them and survived. Life is what happens when we're busy making other plans. Yes, the writing one constant that helps keep us grounded. For what it's worth, I have a good feeling about the future of our wonderful country and us!
JL I had to laugh at the bullet about orange-man and your End of the World series. You've got fodder for your stories, girl. That's an upside! The fact that you have lots of stories to tell swirling in your head make you gifted, JL, not just a good juggler. Most of us tell one tale at a time...you have so many to put into words. Mush on!
During our last multi-day rain storm, the husband couldn't work on the framing job and was waiting for an interior finish one to start. And, he wasn't motivated to ski in the pouring rain. So, he was underfoot for several days. Believe me, I feel your pain. It's hard to focus with someone in the house. Hope your lot improves quickly!
When I read your first bullet point, I thought deja vu, all over again. Went through that 4x--each time Hubs was given that "we don't need you anymore" message. The last time he was 61. Difficult to get hired at that age. He had several short-term jobs until he reached 66. But we grew stronger because of those difficult times. I tried to remind myself "this too shall end." But, damn, it was hard. Writing was my constant, too. My thoughts are with you.
Good luck with job prospects and budget planning. They are both stressful issues. Writing is our centering point. We find ourselves when we lose ourselves in other worlds and in other souls.
You definitely have a lot of balls in the air, and I can sympathize with many of them. I'm not even going to wish you good luck, because I know you don't need it. You're a better juggler than anyone I know!
Oh my gosh, lots of distractions for sure. I'm SO glad you are keeping at the writing during the turmoil. Best wishes on all your issues!
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