I know it's vogue to do lists on Fridays, but you may recall from a previous post that I'm a non-conformist. *grin*
1. I'm entering a particular stage of life that some of you may have ventured through, though I'm guessing a lot of you haven't. It's the prelude to empty-nesting stage. My daughter gets her full license in a couple months and my twenty-year plus job of Taxi Mom is effectively coming to an end. And yes, I'm joyous about this fact. But I'm also a little, I don't know, weirded out. Not being an in demand driver is going to open up a lot of space. And it just the road sign that says "full on empty nest ahead". Only one more year. It's still a year, so I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but I've been around long enough to know that a year is a sneeze in the whole scheme of things. My life is changing.
2. On a similar theme, I'm reading a non-fiction book called YOUNGER NEXT YEAR by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, MD. You know how every so often you see "old" people in really great shape. Unfortunately in our society it's a rare sighting, like spotting a whale's tale fin out on the ocean. I've always wanted to be that kind of old person. And I know that you don't just wake up at 70 thin and fit and engaged in life. If you want that at 70 and beyond, you need to make lifestyle changes now. Not that I'm in a bad way at the moment. I'm in pretty good shape for my age, and some people tell me I look younger than I actually am (I have to thank good genes for that), but I don't want to take anything for granted. If I really want that kind of life later, I have to live that kind of life now. I'm glad I started those yoga classes, but according to YNY, that's just the beginning not the end.
3. My husband is stuck in Minneapolis. A blizzard apparently. Trying to get home from Memphis where he played music at a Folk Conference of some sort.
4. I've done a good deal of writing/revising since the beginning of the year. Got two YAs up to snuff and made good progress on an MG. Today I will tackle an older ms. Revisions, revisions. I'm quite sick of this book so it's going to take discipline. My goal is to be more or less done with my writing projects by March and then I have to focus on other things. Like taxes and my husband's 50th birthday and preparing for our spring Europe trip.
5. If all goes well, I will be out on submission by the end of this week. I've been off the subs track for quite sometime, so I'm nervous/excited to get back out there again. Got close last year. Hope to get a lot closer this year.
So that's my musings for this fine Monday. How's your Monday?
My daughter is only six but some days it FEELS like she's 16! She wants pierced ears. I told her not until she's twelve. I wonder if she'll pass on that and ask for a tattoo instead.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the age thing. Unfortunately I DO look my age and I need to do something about that really fast.
Good luck with the submissions. Crossing my fingers for a yes, or two, or three.
Today I put up my character pics for MisMatched. Hope you'll stop by.
Neil Gaiman had a great post yesterday about aging, and the fact that he's been exercising and eating better lately because he wants to be in good shape 25 years from now, so that he can enjoy life. Good for you on the yoga classes! Cheering for you on the writing projects, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThat must feel good, exciting, nervewracking - knowing you're ready to submit again! Best of luck! Hope we hear good news in the future.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. Loved it because it echoes the way I feel so often. My three children are 4, 7 and 9 but sometimes I feel like time is moving at warp speed and I already am less in demand. *sigh* Congrats on taking up the new classes - that's bound to make you feel physically and mentally stronger:)
ReplyDeleteWhich book are you going on sub with? Email me an update, lady :)
ReplyDeleteI'm stuck in Minneapolis because of the blizzard too!
ReplyDeleteOf course, i live here and am just "stuck" in my house, but still...
That's some musing there. Let me know when daughter gets good and I won't be wondering with every car passing, is that the new driver? :) Be at peace with what you have complete and it will fly :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
ooo--good luck w/the subs!!! I would think coming off taxi duty = more time to write, yes? Once you get over the "adjustment period." I seem to have more of those these days. Or else they last longer... :D <3
ReplyDeleteAnne - Six to sixteen goes surprisingly fast! Yes, tattoos.. so far I've said when you're eighteen to my kids, and by the time they reach 18 they've seemed to forgotten about it, since none of them have tattoos yet. At least that I know of!
ReplyDeleteJeni - I'll have to look up Neil Gaiman's post. Thanks for the cheer!
Laura - I'm taking the cautiously optimistic route this time. Thanks!
Lindsey - Every year goes by faster!
Sarah - I hope the weather improves for both you and my DH today!
ReplyDeleteJules - Well, I'm not white knuckling it anymore when she drives! =)
LTM - yes, I think it will mean more time for writing, definitely. Have to keep focused on the positives!
A lot of good stuff on the blogosphere today. Time consuming, but enlightening also.
ReplyDeleteI hope your hubs gets home safely soon! Good luck with submissions!!
ReplyDeleteI want to be one of those fabulously fit, energetic old people, but it's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking 'oh I have plenty of time to get there, there's no need to start being healthier now!'
ReplyDeleteGood luck with going back on submission! Fingers crossed!
Time does fly by quickly. Yesterday I was your age and now I am 65. How did that happen?? Fortunately I was involved with dance (belly dance!) for several years in my 30's, then biking and walking. The biggest thing was the switch to being vegetarian in my mid 50's. All my allergies (and I had a lot) basically disappeared. I stopped getting colds and flu. I had dealt with breast cancer before this but there has been no return. I do have osteoporosis (runs in my family) but am in better shape in many ways than I was when younger. Being vegetarian also helps the planet...too much land is taken up for raising cattle and factory farms are decimating too many things, besides which animals are NOT treated or killed humanely and its getting worse. And being veggie can be delicious! So many great cookbooks out there now...my husband and I are slowly going vegan now. Oh, yeah, I survived raising my son and so did he:-) He's 34 now and doing well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the submissions. It's nice to be mistaken for younger than we are. A couple of weeks ago someone thought I was 10 years younger than I am. I thought that was really cool. I still need to make some life changes to be healthier though. I'm working on it.
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a trainer for my bicycle, as my neighborhood rides were too full of unleashed dogs. Just 20 minutes a day for starters, but I'm feeling more energized than I have in months. Baby steps. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the submissions!
Sangu - yup, no time like the present. And thanks.
ReplyDeleteKaren - Good for you for keeping up the fitness all these years! I'm a fan of vegetarian food as well, though not strictly a vegetarian. We do only buy free ranch meat and for the past many years, bought bison instead of beef.
Lotusgirl - Yeah for good genes! Life changes in the right direction are a good thing.
Kathryn - I agree, Baby steps!
Yes we had a rather nasty storm and it is still snowing. Hope your husband isn't still stuck in Minneapolis. I feel for you. I remember that time when my youngest got his license. The feelings were truly mixed.
ReplyDeleteHope your hubby makes it home soon!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on going out on sub this week, I take it that means your agent got back to you?? Let me know how it's going! My fingers are crossed for you! :D
The snow here is pretty intense! I'm thankful I didn't have to go in today. I enjoyed this post. Good luck with your submissions!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteRandom Monday musing: best comedy on tv? The Bachelor! :0)
Thoroughly enjoyed your Monday list. :) Just think of all that taxi time that will now be writing time! Wishing your hubs a quick and safe return.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that your husband makes it home safely and that you get to go out on submission soon!
ReplyDeleteOh no!!! I feel bad enjoying all this nice weather knowing that people around me are in snow storm or in bad areas!!! I'm thankful I no longer live in Iowa, away from snow!
ReplyDeleteI'm "two down, two to go" in the empty-nest thing, and yes, it's weird!
ReplyDeleteMy DH is reading YNY, too, and seems impressed and inspired -- maybe I should read it when he's finished, yes?
Good luck being on sub -- I hope to hear good news from you SOON!! :)