Six More Months!

Break out the bubbly!  I have passed my four years, six months exam.  No sign of a tumor so I am dancing with NED for six more months.  I just love NED - no evidence of disease.

I am back home with the kids off to school and now I can continue to work on the house and my manuscripts.  Goals for the next six months:  begin and maintain diet, exercise, finish manuscript/start next manuscript, submit manuscript, porch/patio, organize house and more.

As each healthy passes and I am encouraged that I will live a healthy future!

Six Months Out

August 1st usually means dog days of heat, humidity, shorts and sun.  For me, it means all of that and more -- planning for winter vacation.  Yeah, six months out and I start thinking ahead for what to do over Thanksgiving and Christmas break.

I began to watch the airfare and see if they have specials over winter.  The fall fares are already out and winter fares are just beginning.  I check the school schedules including any concerts, benefits or extra activities that would affect planning.  I put a quiet reminder to my busy husband to watch for any scheduling conflicts or issues that may affect planning.

I know my family.  I know one child may or may not be home from college.  The other two are willing to go anywhere at anytime.  Just let them know and they will be ready.  This includes my autistic son who by now knows trips mean fun and adventure.

Today I will grab my travel notebook and start working through my lists.  Maybe we will go somewhere - maybe we won't.  But I can't wait until the week before break to decide.  Now is the time to plan.

The Empty Bucket

I have mentioned it before but I face it again.  My creative bucket is nearing empty.  I find myself  craving alone time so I can fill my creative bucket.

The problem is simple.  It is summertime.  The children are home.  I have a great relationship with them.  I want to spend with them.  They want to spend with me.  So I am talking with one of them. or all of them, all the time.  There is never quiet, alone time.  Without alone time, my bucket never fills up.

Which wouldn't be a problem except for the promises I made to others and myself.  I promised to work on publishing my memoir.  I promised to start writing my new teen fiction novel.  I promised to write the curriculum for next years vacation bible school.  Where I will find the inspiration, I don't know.

The other side of the problem is this -- the added stress of the cancer and fibro pain and worry for children - scoops out any creativity in my bucket.  I do find time to meditate, blog or pray and little bits of creativity creep in and leak into my bucket.  I cling to those beads of creative moisture.

I need to work on a method of instantly filling my bucket.  I need a method or idea that will generate creative thought and energy with simplicity.  Perhaps one of those beads moisture will yield a good idea. 

To Whom It May Concern

I pray that this post does not come across as whining but here goes . . .

To Whom It May Concern,

When I was young in the olden days 'common courtesies' was preached in the classroom.  The nuns emphasized manners in every aspect of our day.  Elders were address as Mr, Mrs or Miss.  There was no Miss Ann only Mrs. Schlosser.  This was indication of respect for the older person's age and wisdom.

Now this post isn't about using Mr or Mrs but simple courtesies like Thank You or Excuse Me.  For example, when you bump into someone, you say I'm sorry or Excuse Me.  Even if it wasn't your fault.  It is an acknowledgement that you and the other person invaded space and you saw them even if after the fact.  It is saying simply, "I see you and I know that we touched so I am sorry."

I find myself sometimes just wanting someone to say Thank You.  I see you.  I see you holding the door, standing there and smiling.  I see that you are a person who unintentionally bumped into me in this crowded place.  Yes, you are a person.

That is what common courtesy means.  A simple acknowledgement of the person's humanity.  And a simple nod to our own.

A Riddle

If you don't know by now, my son is special.  So when he totally stumped me, his english teacher of a mom, I was totally surprised!  Here is his riddle:

What seven letter word existed before God and is greater than the devil; poor people have it and rich people don't?

Do you get it?

I didn't.

I know he got off the computer but you have to realize that he first read it, comprehended it and then retold it in such a way that he didn't give away the answer.

That's my boy.

Almost Ready

I am in the final editing process of the book titled Seriously God, How Do I Sit on the Toilet? I love that title. Wow, it really does take time to work up a good title. I have been through so many as evidenced by the number of revisions with different names all in the same folder marked 'Memoir.'

I emailed the manuscript to a good friend. I know that my writing style is casual. I think that can be forgiven. The difficult part though is the frequent switching between today and the past. The chapters are inconsistent in size as well. I hope that it is considered quirky -- which is a good word to describe myself. She hasn't responded yet but that could be good news. Perhaps she has the flu and not up to reading this incredible literary masterpiece. HAHAHAHAH Or perhaps she is filed in the circular file. Either way, I am moving ahead on the assumption that the work is good. Yes, I know what they say about assumptions but what the heck.

I joined Writer's Market and began the process of finding a publisher and/or literary agent. I am leaning toward agent. Perhaps that is the route I need to take this time. They all take email submissions now. Much easier than my last book with the reams of paper and stamps. Now you receive immediate rejection via an impersonal email.

I will let you know how it goes.

But here is my first paragraph to my query letter. I think I may have nailed it:

As a cancer survivor, mother of an autistic child and woman of faith, I experienced life from the critical to the hilarious. In my 145,000 word inspirational memoir with the proposed title, Seriously God, How Do I Sit on the Toilet?, I chronicle my survival of cancer using the lessons taught my autistic son.

The experts all want copy that could be on the back of the book. Concise, smart and a reflection of the work. I hope I got it right!

Keep you posted!

Yes, It has been three months . . .

I was recently asked to give a witness to the church's youth group about the meaning of motherhood. Before I accepted the challenge, I verified that they wanted me. I am not a traditional mother. Never wanted to be. I am a stay at home mom by default. But they said it was OK. They still wanted me to give the talk. I am not sure who was crazier -- them or me.

I did give a witness. I spoke about the unconditional sacrifice of motherhood. Just like Jesus gave the unconditional sacrifice of his life. I felt it went pretty well.

The upside (pun intended) was that it reinforced that the decisions I have made were the right decisions at that time. I do not regret staying home for Adam. And I am grateful for the time I have at home now.

Not so grateful though that I don't need a break. I asked, and Jim gave, for a week away by myself. I am really excited! After the the good (but stressful) news from MSKCC in August; sending Megan off to college and just the everyday grind of being home; I really need some time to myself. 24 hours a day, seven days a week of just me making my own decisions. Heaven.

I am still writing. Actually, plan to finish the book on my trip and then prep it for submission. I am very close to being done. Yipee!