Working On Happily Ever After

The past week has been insane. I’ve been in the car more than out which is true of most mothers of school age kids I think. School, library, store, school, orthodontist, eye doctor. And they weren’t things I could cancel or change because I’m trying to write 50,000 words in a month.

Then there is the stuff with the house, I’ve been to plumbing supply houses, electric supply houses, we’ve had to replace Christmas stuff so we could send in the receipts to insurance. To buy some winter clothes because I’ve learned mine have been deemed unsalvagable. We could just list these things but we are insured for replacement value and the kicker is if you don’t buy the items to replace what you lost, they depreciate the items and don’t give you the money it would cost to replace it. So I had to go shopping. I’m missing the female shopper gene or chromosome or whatever it is so it’s not my favorite activity. But our Christmas trees and wreathes and many ornaments had to be thrown away and my kids want a tree. We’ve made the mistake of waiting until after Thanksgiving to try to buy a tree before and had trouble finding one. My husband is only home (in the same state) Friday through Sunday so we went today.

My mother’s 80th birthday was Thursday. One of my sisters decided to have a surprise party at a restaurant for her. On Wednesday. A school night. An hour away from where we are living. My sisters aren’t married and don’t have kids. Wednesday was the day I had a doctor’s appointment, had to take clothes to the laundromat, was squeezed in for an appointment at the plumbing supply and my younger two had eye appointments.

I thought about not going to the dinner. I worried about being too tired to drive back after the dinner which I knew would be at least three hours. I was afraid of having an accident. I didn’t feel like making conversation with relatives. I worried that my sixth grader would skip doing his homework. I was exhausted and stung so tight I was afraid that the wrong word would make me snap.

My mom would have understood. She’s worried about me. About us. But as I drove from one place to another barely making it to each place on time, I knew I had to go. It was her 80th birthday. We are so incredibly lucky that she is healthy, active and on top of things mentally. And she made time for us. Always.

My dad’s blind so all the driving, all the running around, all the appointments were her responsibility. And she was his driver. His reader. The person who helped him search titles. Who picked up the baby being adopted from the hospital or the parent who couldn’t keep it and brought him or her to the new parents. The one who told him what color the wires were in the circuit box so he could fix whatever wasn’t working. Not because they couldn’t call an electrician, or a plumber or send the lawnmower out for repairs. But because he wanted to do it himself and he enjoyed it.

She couldn’t always be the one to pick us up from school but she always made sure if she couldn’t that a neighbor could. She wasn’t always home when we got there but she made sure someone was. And as the oldest, I knew she was torn. She loved (still does) my father and wanted to help him in any way she could. But she also wanted to be home with us. And I knew if I called, if I needed her she would drop everything and come.

My mother came to every concert, every open house, every recital. We always had a birthday party and she was always smiling and making sure it was wonderful for us.

I went because I felt obligated and I didn’t want to hurt her by not being there. Once there, I enjoyed visiting with family friends and my cousins and aunt. And when my mother walked down the steps and saw all of us sitting there, the surprise and joy on her face made me so glad I’d made time. That we’d all made time for her in the middle of what was for everyone a hectic week.

My mother thinks my dad is amazing. He is. But so is she. And I never appreciated her so much as I do now when I’m frantically trying to keep up with everything I have to do and my kids have to do. As I juggled everything on Wednesday and stressed about everything I had to do the rest of the week and the next, I realized something. The only reason I can do it is because for my entire life she has been showing me how.

Now I need to tell her that.

Thanks for the good thoughts CMS and SDCB. Writing does put me in a happy place. I don’t think I’d keep doing it if it didn’t.

Got about 1000 words written last night and the first sex scene. Feel good about that.

Spent 3.5 hours looking at light fixtures, 2.5 hours driving and 2 hours looking at our furniture. It cleaned up better than I expected though a few pieces need to be refinished. From the fire. A lot needs to be refinished because it did before but we’ll do that ourselves after we are back in the house.

I was supposed to go to dinner with the chapter board and our speakers tonight but the site of the dinner was changed to a place at least 30 minutes further away from me and I just can’t do it. I might make it there but don’t think I’d make it back. So I’m going to call and give my regrets. Instead I’ll spend some time with my family. That’s a good thing.

Contractor still hasn’t called me back. Grrrr.

Days like today are the reason I’ve tried to write like crazy on the days I can. I haven’t written a word today, not even in my notebook. Blah. I will write tonight though. First a look at a day in the life…

Boys off to school. Knew I needed to run by house first to move tape for closet. So didn’t go exercise, just jumped in the shower. For some reason, water pressure wasn’t good. I managed to wash off the soap and then dressed and went to brush my teeth. No water. None.

Okay, if I call the landlord he’ll kick us out because I complain to much. But we need water. So I called his son who is supposed to do maintenance here and left a message. Said I’d be glad to do/check whatever if he’d tell me what to do/check. My husband is the one who got the tour of the workings of this place and he is of course in NY. And not answering his cell phone.

Called the contractor. Left a message. I need to ask him some questions about the things he told me I needed to do.

Called the mortgage company to find out why they haven’t released money to the contractor. Got shifted to hold four times. After about 10 minutes of this I gave up. Called back cleaners who are trying to get the smoke out of our clothes. Got the answering machine again.

Drove to house. Talked to plumbers but forgot to show them where to put kitchen sink. Didn’t remember until late afternoon. Drove back to the house but they were gone.

Called my brother, a contractor, to find out good measurements for a small walk-in closet. I’d ask our contractor but he hasn’t called me back. Moved blue tape on floor. Will tell contractor where I want the door if he ever calls me back.

Went to look at bathroom/kitchen fixtures. Loaded with brochures. Went to look at appliances. Couldn’t find what we were thinking about at the Sears outlet. Drove back to check on electric fixtures at store in our town. Walked in. No showroom. Turns out they’ve moved it. Did hear a funny story about a mouse storing catfood in the motor of a pick-up.

Drove to electric showroom. I need an appointment because we have lots to figure out. I don’t even know if the electrical contractor doing our house gets things here. I don’t know his name/co so I can call and ask. Because the contractor has not called me back.

Loaded with more catalogs and with an appointment for tomorrow am. Drove back to house (30 min.) to measure rooms and ceilings. I have the measurements but they are at the cottage 90 min away. While I was there I collected the mail. Spreadsheet from the cleaners. Most of my winter clothes have been deemed unreclaimable. Oh joy. Glad it’s going to be unseasonably warm for a few days.

Picked up youngest for orthodontist appt. 45 min away. Scheduled middle son for next Friday. Another afternoon I won’t get much written.

Came to library so I could check emails. Still have heard nothing about the water or from the contractor. So I may get home and have no water. Oh well. As long as I have electricity so I can write.

Tomorrow will be more of the same. This is why I tried to get ahead.

I will write today and tomorrow even if I only manage 200 words. I will write.

I uploaded my book to the Nanowrimo site and I’ve written 24,400 words. I’ve actually written a bit more but I did it while I was waiting to pick up the kids so it’s in my notebook not on the computer.

I’m relieved at the word count because you never know what is going to happen in your life and it seems to be working out that I have several days a week when I can’t write for any length of time. Like tomorrow. The contractor called today and said we needed to pick out our plumbing fixtures. Now. So tomorrow I’ll be running to showrooms. After I blue tape where I want the closet in our room. I built it before and it was a little too small. Or I put the door in the wrong place or something. So I need to show them where I want it. Tomorrow. They’ve been twiddling their thumbs for months and but of course now that they’re moving everything we need to do should be done yesterday. Figures. But at least we’re seeing progress now.

And I’m at a good point in the book too. My plan. Instead of laying in bed thinking about the story when I wake up early, I’ll fire up the computer and write it Then I’ll have something written.

I’m in the middle of the first love scene and I’m bound and determined to finish that tonight. At least in the notebook. I can type it up when I’m too tired to be creative.

I want to write now! But I’m in the library and middle son will be calling any minute to tell me to pick him up at the Y. My poor characters are frustrated enough without me starting and stopping them like that.

Today we went to the Urbana Oyster Festival. Sunny, cold and absolutely beautiful with all the boats in the harbor and the fall colors on shore. We got there early about 10 am which was great because the crowds weren’t too bad yet. I got to talk with a representative from the Reedville Museum, someone from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and an oyster gardener. Picked up a number of references and the person from the CBF referred me to a local author who has written a number of books on watermen on the VA side of the Chesapeake. I found him in a corner of his wife’s shop with a pile of books. I bought several including one on the Civil War for my husband’s birthday. He was telling me about another book of his that had quite a bit on the Civil War. I asked “Do you have a copy here?” He grinned and said he was still writing it. I can identify with that. He also gave me the names of two other authors who are experts on Va watermen.

I started one of his books on the way home. His name is Larry Chowning and his book is excellent.

I haven’t written much today because this evening friends had invited us to an oyster roast/chili dinner. It was fun but cold. I’m skipping ahead in the book a bit because I had a brainstorm regarding the heroine/hero’s meeting so I’m writing that scene while it is fresh.

Thanks CMS, Dee and SDCB for your encouragement. That 8800 word day is the exception rather than the rule with my writing but it helped get me going.

Trying to be disciplined here and go to write though with all the fresh air, walking, good food and cold today I’m feeling sleepy.

I wrote 1000 words instead of 500. And my three day total is just shy of 14,000 words. I don’t know how much I’ll get to write over the next two days because tomorrow we’re taking our youngest to the Oyster Festival then going to see his cousins and to an oyster roast. Sunday, the kids will want to spend some more time with their cousins and visiting friends and then we have to take the dogs back to the kennel and drive back to our temporary rental house.

I’m hoping to write at least 1000 words a day this weekend. Some words every day. That is my goal.

So far so good. Four weeks in November. 13,000 words a week equals 52,ooo words. About half the projected length of the book.

Now I’m nervous because it’s gone so well to begin with.

Geez. Going to go to read about racing on the Chesapeake and then go to sleep.

Some of my friends have neat little graphs at the bottom of their blogs. I have no idea how to do that and this is not the month to try to learn. But they are cool

I think I may have added extra letters to this but any way I’m talking about National Novel Writers month. November 1-30 with a 50,000 word goal.

I signed up and started Nov 1. And wrote 8800 words. My book is up and running and I’m so happy and relieved. My goal is 13,000 words a week and I almost hit it in the first two days. Good thing because pesky stuff like having to pick out countertops, take care of kids and pets, call to check on who could drain our oil tank and remove it got in the way of writing today. But as soon as I finish this I’m going to write. Goal 500 words before I go to sleep.

If I don’t write, I’m not happy. The more days I go without writing the less confidence I have in my ability to write. But my internal editor was working overtime and I’d started overthinking each and every word I wrote. So I did chores, and watched TV and read and avoided writing. Now, I’ve turned that sucker off and I’m just letting the story flow. Some days it flows better than others but even if I struggle one day as long as I write something then the next day the story flows better. And I’m happier. Which my family thinks is a good thing.

I’m lucky. My husband supports my writing and the kids do too. I’m sure they think oh well it’s another of mom’s enthusiams. Maybe. But this enthusiasm has produced two books in a year, the plots and outlines for the next 6 and I’m off and running with the third.

Writing keeps me sane. Now to work on my story.

The island I’m using as a setting for my next book has a small museum. I was there several years ago and was impressed with their displays. This morning I checked to see if they had a website and low and behold they did. And today was the last day they were open for the season.

Thank goodness today the time fell back. I could make it over before they opened. Even stopped at a convenience store and bought a couple of disposable cameras since I’d left both our digitals at home when I left for the weekend.

It was a gorgeous day. Bright sun, gusting breeze, cool but not too cool. So I drove over the bridge onto the island and followed the signs to the motel/restaurant I remembered from summer family dinners out years (and years) ago. The road to the motel ran along the water and I pulled into a business (closed because it’s Sunday) parking lot and popped out of the car to take a picture of the beautiful choppy water framed by the land across the bay. The gusting breeze almost blew the camera out of my hand and me off my feet. We’re talking extreme gusts I’m not a small person.

Back in the car and wind around to the motel. The decrepant motel with the tilting docks and peeling paint. Now I vaguely remembered my cousin saying the place had been hit hard by hurricane Isabel. That was in 2003 I believe. I took some pictures, returned to the car hoping there was someplace on the island I could eat lunch before the museum opened.

There was. Good food, a nice waitress who grew up on the island and I just beat the after church crowd. Jotted down some ideas and impressions while I was eating.

At the museum, I pulled in just ahead of the docent and jumped out of the car like a kid at Disney World. She was great. Answered my questions, steered me to some books and asked when my book was going to be published so she could buy it.

Well, first I’ve got to write it and then I’ve got to sell it. She was really sweet. She still wants to buy it. I bet they’ll carry it in the gift shop. After I write it. And sell it.

She directed me to some old houses on the island and told me how to get to the water. All the roads leading to the water are private and posted but she told me to ignore that. So I did. I had a great time meandering around, taking pictures of creeks and inlets and bays and beaches and houses.

When you’re driving around someplace new or when I am, I always see a picture I want to take after I pass it. So I backtracked. A lot. There was this great old place but a bush, several bushes were in the way of the shot I wanted. Between the road and the gap in the shrubs was a ditch. Not too wide so I stepped over it.

The grasses hid the true width of the ditch. And the depth. I went up to mid-calf in cold water. The other foot went to mid-ankle because since I was already wet I was going to take that picture. I took a couple just in case. And went back across the ditch. It had gotten deeper. And I fell backwards. But only the back of my thighs got wet. Well, my socks and shoes and jeans too. Luckily I couldn’t see the back of me so I continued to drive around stopping to take pictures. At the end of a road (yeah, private what’s your point), I found the greatest place. Broken windows, torn screen, stripped of paint by the elements on a small harbor.

Parked the car and walked across taking pictures from every angle, shading my lens from the sun. At the edge of the harbor, I turned to shoot the front of the house. That’s when I noticed the seagulls. Ever seen Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. They were wheeling and diving just over my head. So I worked them into a couple of shots. And they followed me. I don’t think any of them hit me with anything but then again I can’t see my back.

I carefully backed up the car and avoided landing it in a ditch. They really have deep ditches on this island. All full of water from the rain we had Friday and Saturday.

Kept driving down one road after another. The island is only three miles by two miles but there are a lot of roads. Found another perfect harbor. And ran out of exposures. In both cameras. Okay. I’ll be back next week because the lady at the museum is copying something for me. I’ll bring the digital with me then. Because I still have to take pictures of the cemetaries and the old wharf.

The people on the island were amazing. No one yelled at me for driving down the private roads or taking pictures. And when I got lost the lady powerwalking just laughed and told me how to get back to the main road. I only got lost twice more. But I saw some more places I want to photograph. If I can find them next week.

I stopped a small deli/gift shop/ post office to buy the local weekly paper because there was an article in it the museum lady had shown me. To my surprise I had two quarters in my purse so I plopped them in the machine, found the right handle to open it on the second try and took a paper. Then I closed the strap of my purse in the box thing and couldn’t get it out. Tug, tug. No luck. I removed my wallet, hid the purse between the paper boxes and crossed the parking lot. The proprietress couldn’t open the box but she did give me change for a dollar. She even bought the extra paper from me because she said she’d forgotten to buy one. She did well on the deal because I did some Christmas shopping while I was there. $106 worth.

She has a great selection of wine for such a small store. I might buy a bottle next week. Today, I was having enough trouble without it.