It's that time of year again - marking, report cards, clean up. Add to that doctors' appointments, soccer and daily chores...when is there time to pursue this writing thing?
I have a long to do list in every area of my life right now, but things are starting to get checked off.
Looking forward to heading to Fernie this weekend-there is a fun run on Sunday, so I need to call and book myself in for that. With all the recreational enthusiasts there, I will likely come in last, but oh well, at least I will finish! Going to book the kids into summer camp while I am there. I will have a couple of weeks this summer to work on my writing.
Had a big conversation at work yesterday with a good friend about the hypocrisy of the workplace. It seems easier to just let my angst over this go...everyone else seems to be able to compartmentalize and move on. It's the picking and choosing of morality that bugs me. I guess I am just feeling tired. It is exhausting holding leaders to high standards and constantly being disappointed.
My girl Delaney is learning about morality and standards. Twice in the past week I have caught her in a lie. One of her lies got someone else in big trouble - no cupcake at special snack time, a visit to the principal's office, grounding... In a way I feel like I am making a bigger deal than I should out of it, but I am afraid if I let it go, I will have real problems teaching her these things when she is a teen. She told me I am meaner than my husband. My friend Jenn tells me this means I am doing my job. I hope so. We will see how things go today.
I was away at a Ladies' Weekend in Canmore this past weekend. It never ceases to amaze me how a diverse group of women can come together and find common ground. I guess men can do this too, but at least we don't talk about hockey or football. Get a group of women together on any issue, and with enough discussion, I think we could be a force to be reckoned with. It's too bad we are always so busy with the day-to-day.
Speaking of the day-to-day, I am taking a leave from work next year. I will sub, we need the cash, but all those pesky obligations that seem to get in the way of my writing (report cards, interviews, planning) will be gone. It will also give me a chance to get out and see all of my good friends who are now scattered in schools around the Northwest.
I am taking the opportunity to work on my big writing project, a novel set in N. Manitoba. I also have about a thousand small stories waiting to be written. I have booked a research trip to The Pas for the summer, and have committed to the Writers' Conference again this year. I also have another opportunity for next year that I should know more about by the end of summer.
So I am not sure if time will actually slow down next year, but am hopeful I can eke out a few more hours to improve my "hobby".
Plus, it might be nice to spend even more time keeping an eye on that little girl of mine...
Song of the Week - Goodnight, California by Kathleen Edwards
Book of the Week - Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
