Tag Archives: back to school

Busy-ness as usual

Posted on by Sherri
13

I’ve been busy, but when I look around the house it looks pretty much the same. With the kids gone to school, I’d planned to scrub the summer’s grime from the house, a layer at a time. Instead, I’ve been focusing on projects that keep me busy but don’t really have to be done. Like putting a drop-leaf on my new desk, and starting a braided rag rug out of old towels. Wow, I’m crafty. In all fairness to myself, I have scrubbed a layer or two, and I haven’t played Metroid Prime once.

It was pretty easy to fall into the school year. Easier to be alone that first day since I knew what to expect. However, we were all nervous about their first day, especially my oldest, who went into middle school. The poor thing was so wired she cried about it several times in the days prior. Of course, on the second day she skipped out to the bus and waved good-bye with a grin. She was fine, as were the other two. And me.

So with the kids at school and my obsessive craftiness satisfied, I’m turning my thoughts toward my next project, whatever that will be. This morning I brainstormed story ideas but didn’t get very far. I think I’ll start with this half-done middle grade fantasy, to let me sink into the familiarity while I get back into the daily writing thing. I think the creative floodgates are about to open. Y’all stand back. Don’t want to get brain juice on ya.

Blessed silence forthcoming…

Posted on by Sherri
8

Today’s Friday, right? During the summer the days just melt together. I feel guilty for being so happy school’s starting soon, and I can be alone for a portion of the day. I also feel guilty that I won’t be getting a job, but I always feel guilty for not having a job, so that’s nothing new. And before you cry, “Writing is a job!” just remember that I am not getting paid for it, and also it’s a lot of fun and therefore suspect. The real reason I don’t have a conventional job while the kids are in school is the fragrance thing. Periodic exposure I can handle. Daily exposure would surely put me back in migraine territory, and nobody in the house wants that. I do have a few very large home repairs I can’t afford to hire out, so maybe I’ll call myself a carpenter and that’ll be my job.

I will probably start looking for some sort of job to do from home, but I don’t know if I’m enough of a self-starter to follow that through. One interesting development to report is that I’ll be the senior editor of a little startup e-pub called Cove. The details haven’t been hammered out yet, but I’ll let you know what happens. It will at the very least be a huge learning experience, and at the most a financially successful venture. Can’t lose.

My brother is also starting school this month. It’s a huge change for him, as it would be for anyone going back to college after 20 or so years (25?) And I’m super-proud of him for even attempting it. I’ve never had the guts. And like my venture, this is also a can’t-lose. I also win, because he’ll be living right down the street from me.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Life goes on

Posted on by Sherri
10

Most of you probably already know my grandma died last week. She was my dad’s mom, the only one on that side who kept in regular contact with me. I made the trip to Arkansas for the funeral with my mom and brother. So many emotions are still jumbled up inside me that I don’t feel I can write about it yet. I just wanted to mention it so you’d know I’m fine since I’ve been incommunicado for a little while.

The kids are all registered for school, and they start in two weeks. I can’t believe it’s that close! We even bought most of their school supplies already, a nicer experience now that I know I can buy the cheap stuff if necessary. The registration was also better than in previous years, because they put the forms online to fill out in advance. The whole thing took 20 minutes instead of two hours, which was heaven for my fragrance sensitivity.

My older daughter is going into middle school, and looking back at when I was her age, that seems to be the most pivotal time in my life. We moved to another town that summer, where the girls already had a grasp on fashion and firm, if unspoken, rules in place. It was a hard transition I was never able to solidify, and so began my life on the fringes of society. I’m glad my daughter won’t go through that. I guess there will be other trials waiting for her, but they will be her own.

So summer vacation is almost over. I’ve met the goals I set for myself at the beginning, which were to finish my book and forget it, and after that, to read a lot, spend time with my kids, and work on household matters. I still don’t have a proper desk, so maybe I’ll make that my goal for the remainder of the summer. That way, when the kids are back in school I’ll be ready to write again.

Have you met your summer goals?

I survived and then some

Posted on by Sherri
10

The 1st day of school was a success, as I thought it would. Little Bubba joked as we got ready for school, “You should have a welcome home party for us.” I laughed along with him, and he forgot about it. So that afternoon I went to the dollar store and got some balloons, party favors, and candy bars. I stuck a bow to my shirt, held a squawker in one hand and a balloon in the other, and went out to wait for the bus. Of course the bus was late so I’d have to stand out there as the maximum number of people drove by. I like to think they knew what I was doing. And the look on Little Bubba’s face when the bus pulled up was way worth it. ‘Course, later in the evening I was sure wishing I hadn’t given them the squawkers…or the balloons…or the candy…

The writing also went well. I finished my long synopsis–final page count: 15 pages. The plot is basically the same, but I did change some key elements that had given me doubts. I think finishing this project is a pretty good way to start my full-time writing career. (Is it a career if you haven’t made any money yet?) It’s a good sign. I can officially say that I’m out of the hole which had swallowed me up for so long. The writing feels good; having a real, reachable goal feels good; and going easy on myself feels good. I’m loose. But not in a slutty way. Anymore. As far as you know.

Anyhoo, now’s the time when I call upon my peeps to read what I wrote and tell me what I got wrong. I know I have at least two readers on board already, so if y’all are too busy, I do have some help. Seriously, it’s all right. Lord knows I’ve been too busy/downtrodden to read at times. Still, the more the merrier, so if you have a passing curiosity and time to read 15 pages double spaced, shoot me an email and I’ll put you on the list.

eek!