August and Everything After
Today is my last official day of vacation. I've still got the weekend, of course, before I go back to work on Monday, but today is the last day of extra time. Because the kids are getting sick of each other and were at each other's throats yesterday, Toad's got a friend coming over and I'm hoping that Birdy will play nicely by herself while I do laundry and clean and write and... panic.
Panic because my vacation to-do list is still very long. Panic because my summer to-do list is still very long. Panic because my summer writing to-do list is still very long.
Where has the summer gone? Birdy got her back-to-school haircut last night; Toad is up this weekend. Next week the kids both have Open Houses, thankfully on two different nights (two different school districts). We'll haul their school supplies in and meet their teachers and wonder about the movement of time with other stunned parents. This Sunday we're meeting friends at a park to get the kids together before school starts. We've got one last summer-fun activity on the calendar - a trip to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, a first for the kiddos.
I won't list the things we didn't do this summer.
I won't list the boring house stuff that's still on my list.
It has been a good writing summer even if I didn't get everything done. I read a ton of great books. I've been busy with the MNYA Writers critique group and I've done some beta reading. I attended a wonderful workshop last weekend put on by the Minnesota chapter of SCBWI. The topic was word choice and voice in YA and it was great to hear work by some pretty fantastic Minnesota talents. This week's retreat at Cragun's was wonderful and relaxing and productive.
CLOUD 9 is in better shape and in the hands of an editor at Entangled Publishing - no word on that yet. I've made progress on WAITING FOR THE SUN and, if I can stick to a schedule I'm putting together, I might be able to complete my first draft by the first day of school. I've got ideas for two more novels - the first based on a short story I started years ago and which came to me, complete, in a dream a few weeks ago. So cool.
I'm looking forward to fall: cooler temps, sweaters, hopefully an anniversary trip to the North Shore, renewed writing goals, but I'm a little sad that it's time to say goodbye to summer.
How's your summer been? Were you able to strike everything from your to-do list?
Panic because my vacation to-do list is still very long. Panic because my summer to-do list is still very long. Panic because my summer writing to-do list is still very long.
Where has the summer gone? Birdy got her back-to-school haircut last night; Toad is up this weekend. Next week the kids both have Open Houses, thankfully on two different nights (two different school districts). We'll haul their school supplies in and meet their teachers and wonder about the movement of time with other stunned parents. This Sunday we're meeting friends at a park to get the kids together before school starts. We've got one last summer-fun activity on the calendar - a trip to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, a first for the kiddos.
I won't list the things we didn't do this summer.
I won't list the boring house stuff that's still on my list.
It has been a good writing summer even if I didn't get everything done. I read a ton of great books. I've been busy with the MNYA Writers critique group and I've done some beta reading. I attended a wonderful workshop last weekend put on by the Minnesota chapter of SCBWI. The topic was word choice and voice in YA and it was great to hear work by some pretty fantastic Minnesota talents. This week's retreat at Cragun's was wonderful and relaxing and productive.
CLOUD 9 is in better shape and in the hands of an editor at Entangled Publishing - no word on that yet. I've made progress on WAITING FOR THE SUN and, if I can stick to a schedule I'm putting together, I might be able to complete my first draft by the first day of school. I've got ideas for two more novels - the first based on a short story I started years ago and which came to me, complete, in a dream a few weeks ago. So cool.
I'm looking forward to fall: cooler temps, sweaters, hopefully an anniversary trip to the North Shore, renewed writing goals, but I'm a little sad that it's time to say goodbye to summer.
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| The T-Dock, Cragun's Resort |
How's your summer been? Were you able to strike everything from your to-do list?
This summer went by so quickly. I can't believe it's over. My daughter starts school on Monday and then my husband begins the week after.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with Cloud 9. I'm crossing my fingers for you. :)
Thanks, Kelly! :)
DeleteI'm looking forward to cool weather too. It always fills me with energy. Are those the real names of your kids? Toad is a cool name! I start teaching college lit in two weeks (three classes a week) and I am NOT ready for it. So, hmmm, more summer but with cool weather is what I'd like. Yes, good luck on your novel.
ReplyDeleteThanks! And no - Toad and Birdy are their nicknames. Their real names are Jude (as in Hey) and Halen (as in Van).
DeleteI'm considering making a shift to teaching on a small scale - I have my MFA but no TA experience so I'm slightly limited there. I also have a pesky full-time job that's holding me back. Maybe someday fall will mean back to school for me, too.
It went fast, but I actually got more done in the writing world than I initially planned. Now, stuff done around the house is a different story. :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! And who cares about house stuff, right? :)
DeleteI'm stunned at how fast the summer went, but I'm super excited about the fall. I've always been a fall girl: the leaves changing colour, the pumpkin-y treats, spicy drinks and tea... What's not to love? Curiously, it also makes me want to do Gilmore Girls and Harry Potter marathons. :) Hope the transition to summer and the busyness of fall goes smoothly for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jaime! I love fall, too, for all the things you mentioned (had my first Pumpkin Latte on Wednesday!). The best part is the weather. I have never watched Gilmore Girls but I know I really should.
DeleteAnd there's just something about that whole back-to-school feeling that I love. Maybe I should write a back-to-school book instead of a summer book.
I love summer! And it does go way too fast! However, I do look forward to the routines that going back to school brings.
ReplyDeleteYes, routine will be good. Oh no - more panic! I have only one week to figure out exactly what that routine will be! Time to get out the calendar and the multi-colored Sharpies. Agh!
DeleteWe had a summer this year? Seriously, it has flown by! I feel like I haven't had any opportunity to soak it in and take advantage of it.
ReplyDeleteI got a few jobs done and edited more of my WiP but I was hoping to have that round finished by now. Still a way to go but this holiday became one of the busiest times I've ever had.
I am looking forward to Autumn though. I love scarf and hat weather. :)
Good for you, Robin! Every little bit gets us one step closer. Enjoy what's left of the summer!
DeleteI'm ready for fall. Bring on cute sweaters, pumpkin bread and chai lattes.
ReplyDeleteYES! I want some pumpkin bread RIGHT NOW!
ReplyDeleteThe summer went FAST. I tutored over the break, and this last week the kids were panicked. "School! I'm not ready for SCHOOOOOOOOL!"
ReplyDeleteIt's already cooled off a good bit in my area, and it's starting to feel like fall. Summer garden is picked, and fall garden is about to get put down. The summer to-do list didn't get finished, but that's fine -- I'll just roll it into the fall one :)
I'd love to have a garden. When we moved in we sectioned off a bit of the backyard for the following summer, but my son was a newborn and I didn't get around to planting anything. My husband sodded it over after a couple more years and doesn't want to give it another shot. Maybe I can convince him for next year.
DeleteEnjoy these last few days of summer!
I had to say goodbye to my summer almost a month ago, but I'm still looking back on my 2 months off with a smile on my face. I spent every day doing what I love and creating, creating, creating! :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy what remains of your summer!
Oh, you're back at school already, aren't you? It starts so early there! :) Tomorrow night is Open House.... excuse me while I go sharpen 30 pencils.
DeleteThere just isn't enough time to get all the stuff done. My kids go back to school next week, so I'll have more time on my hands to do my stuff. =)
ReplyDeleteI really need to be a stay-at-home writer/mom. I'd be much more productive. Right?
DeleteI have summer to-do lists like that. Some of it's writing, some of it's cleaning. Some wishful thinking too. Hope your school year starts off great! And good luck with Entangled!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alison. You gotta have wishful thinking... got the news from Entangled last night. It's a pass, sadly. Ah well, onto the next one.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog again! I've been meaning to come to yours. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a good summer, even if you didn't get as much done as you would have liked. I think that's true for most people; it's definitely true for me! But like you, I did a lot of reading and writing.
I'm looking forward to Fall too! I noticed some trees that are starting to change colors on my way home from work today.
Whoo hoo for fall colors! Can't wait!
DeleteI think I *added* more things to my to-do list than I took off...but that's all right. Fall is coming, and pumpkin-y things, and sweaters and boots, so I'm ok with that.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have that problem, too. Cross one thing off, add two more. Love pumpkin-y things, too!
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