A delightful retreat from Wonderful Rooms
My husband sent me this picture, knowing that I would love the confluence of books and trees. I dream of a writer’s cabin in the mountains that would have this feel.
First I must give my mea culpa, since I disappeared off the face of the earth for two weeks. I am behind on my sponsor visits, but plan to make them up in the next 24 hours.
Several days on either side of last weekend were spent at a library conference in Seattle. Flying across the top quarter of the country in January is tailor-made for flight delays, insomnia, and general ill-will on my part. Having conference meetings on Saturday and Sunday for which I cannot take compensatory time off makes me grumpy. I did get to see my niece who moved to Seattle a year ago, which exorcised some of the grumpiness.
Writing:
- Spend at least four hours a week on an article, in whatever configuration works for me. Although I usually write before work, I find that frustrating when I want to spend more time than I have between my comatose and rush-out-the-door states. Only partial success In addition to whatever form of jet lag I had, several work-related things came due this past week. Sigh. On a happy note, I did write the first draft of a guest post that is due the end of the month. Yay to an organized me. *throws confetti*
Community:
- As a sponsor, I will visit blogs twice a week. No success here, but I have time blocked out to catch up.
- I will reply to all comments on my blogs. Still more to do, but time is blocked out for this task as well.
- I will spend no more than 5 hours a week on social media. This one was easy, since I was grousing all week, and would have been horrible company.
Exercise:
- I will walk for twenty minutes an evening. Success for the most part. I walked miles on end in Seattle, and in intervening airports, so I took one evening off upon my return.
- I will continue to use the stairs. Done.
- I will look into the gym at work. The thought doesn’t appeal, but it is handy and cheap. Still in the planning stages. I barely managed to eat lunch at work this past week. Sigh.
Personal:
- I will set aside a half-hour every evening to read. I got nothing read in Seattle, but finished Alison Goodman’s Eona, and created a list of books by people I know through WANA and ROW for the next few weeks of reading.
- I will spend at least one hour a week contacting a friend by whatever means work best. Only partial success on this front. I’ve had some contact with some friends, but nothing in depth.
- I will have a “date night” with my husband at least twice a month. Partial success; we certainly spent several hours in airports and airplanes together!
- I will spend at least one hour a week with at least one of my kids. Done.
Please go encourage someone on the Round; all their links are here.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell 
Elizabeth, you have achieved something on at least some of your goals, so best to look at the positive side. Not easy I know when life is making you grumpy! Take care and good luck for next week.
Thank you, Pam! When I’m not as grumpy, I really do see the half-full glass, but your reminder helps. I should celebrate what I got done.
I think that I travel less well as I get older, and that realization makes me grumpy all on its own!
I hope you have a lovely week. 🙂
Balancing work and writing with travel? No wonder some of your goals weren’t met this week, but you have such very clear goals and are making wonderful progress. Being aware of what you want to do means you can take those small steps that bring you closer to achieving what you wish.I too find it difficult to write (though early morning is the best of times) and then rush out the door. Does any other time work for you? part of the evening? I’m hoping the week goes well for you. Beth
Thank you for the encouragement, Beth. I need to think about other times to write, because unless I am able to get up before dawn–difficult these cold, winter days– the mornings are too hectic.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Oh we recently visited Seattle and loved it. We must go back when it’s less cold though – brrr! Well, it sounds like you’ve been one busy lady Elizabeth! Roll on some time for a breather, I say. And loving your confetti moment 😀
Oh, that humid cold in Seattle gets in my bones worse than the snowy days here in upstate New York. I could certainly use a breather, although I have been able to get a lot done today. Isn’t it odd how sometimes being busy makes one more efficient?
Have a lovely week, Shah, and thanks for dropping by.
Partial success is still success, you know.
I went for a walk along Puget Sound from the area near the Pike Street Market and ended up walking all the way to the Space Needle because there was no way to get past the buildings along the water. Must have been eight miles. You can really walk in Seattle…
I need to remember that, John, don’t I?
The waterfront in Seattle is about two stories lower than the street near Pike Place, so it’s more mountain-climbing (and finding the right alley) than walking to get to the waterfront there. It is a walkable town, and there is a lot to see. I would recommend June or July to January, though!
It is very hilly there, but not near the waterfront. I did my odyssey on a Saturday in September, when it was about eighty degrees and sunny. By Sunday, it was thirty degrees cooler and nasty. There’s that factor, too.
Needing long stretches of free writing time is why I stay up so late. If I need to go somewhere earlyish (for me!), I try to avoid the temptation to write, because there is a niggling feeling of not-rightness in walking away before I’m ready to…
You have a great and clear set of goals, and I am guessing you will benefit greatly from not pushing yourself too hard when you were already taxed.
I scarcely write anything in the days of, and sometimes up to a week after, an unschooling event. So much input needs time to process and settle…but then, the words pour out as ideas and images connect…
We are going to get together. Jim has time off at the end of the month. Let’s plan something for then….the bookstore, maybe? Or somewhere we could walk and chat?
I hope you continue to be gentle with yourself as you emerge from the grumpy jetlag world! =D
I need to refine the timing, Shan; it’s good to know I’m not the only one who has to let the dust settle before things start to connect.
Absolutely, let’s get together. The bookstore works, or someplace to walk. Let’s see what appeals when the time is closer. 🙂
As terribly frustrating as some of the goals missed may seem, Elizabeth, really, you’re well into your game. Progress in all areas, even if it’s not “I did all of X,Y, and Z”, is nothing to be ashamed of.
Of course, I know you’re not so much angry or upset with yourself but somewhat wistful. I can relate too well about wanting the time to write (if you’ve got the time and want to know why, my check-in was late today for a reason too).
It does get better. It gets worse sometimes too. Think and dwell on the good things…. Like how wonderful your husband is for sending you that great picture. YUMMY!
And I’m game to meet you for a lunch walk on occasion too. Monday work for you?