16th December 2009

My Other Office

 

Depending what minute of the hour it is, I either have the best job in the world, or I'm sitting with my head between my knees, breathing into a paper bag.

Well, it's not always that extreme, but sometimes that wall hits and I can't get through it - I can't because I've tried that and please don't say this will work, because I know that it won't.

I can't do this!

You know that place where no one can help, or rather they try but you choose not to listen.

Well a few months ago I found an office - nothing flash, but it contains little things to hopefully get me at least chipping away at the wall.

And it worked.

There are Russian dolls, an electric incense burner, a snow globe with pictures of my friends, chicken and mushroom cup-a-soup, a timer, a big piece of paper to remind me how close I am to my deadline, a bracelet from a friend, Peacock feathers…….

Yes, it worked and then, and then…………….

Anyway, one day, after many days of shaking my snow globe etc and that piece of paper was turning yellow - in desperation I actually listened to some advice.

'You chose an office near a beach for a reason.' The insightful, wonderful, historical romance author, Anne Gracie informed me. 'Maybe take a walk….'

Hmmm like walking on the beach was going to help, I had paper to look at, feathers to count, snow globes to shake, fragrance to inhale……….

But maybe because it was Anne I did listen, but there was no time for walking so, after dropping the kids at school, instead of the office, I went to the beach instead, with my EeePC and a large double shot coffee and I looked and it was cloudy and I thought, this is nice, and took a photo with my phone…………       

 And then the strangest thing happened.

I was typing.

Looking up and saying hi to people walking their dogs or just jogging and then straight back to typing - then I headed to the office and edited what I'd done and the next morning I was there again.

It looked like this. 

And I was back to having the best job in the world.

I'm not going everyday - but it's there when I need it and, no doubt, need it I will.

Thank you Ms Gracie.

cx

 

 

 

 

9th November 2009

 

They're back!

Well I didn't want to stress you till I could report good news,  BUT, my friends cat I was feeding while she was in Scotland, is actually sixteen! SIXTEEN! That's ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE in dog years.

I can't tell you the pressure! Everyday I walked in fearing the worst - would I tell them if *it* happened, and if *it* happened, I just hoped that it was quick and I didn't have to do a mad dash to the vet, because, I don't even know if it's a boy or girl. To protect its identity I won't reveal its name, but you wouldn't be able to work it out from its name.

Okay, I doubt the cat will be reading this so I'll tell you.

Little Cat! That's its name.

Little Cat, who is made extra little because he/she is also minus a tail.

Well, between struggling with a book (I'm not going to pretend it's easy - some days ARE good, others days.....) kids, thunderstorms and geriatric cats and its owners alarm system, a couple of nursing shifts and did I mention a book that's not behaving, I was mightily relieved when my friend and her hubby returned from Bonny Scotland - the house was standing, Little Cat was alive, but don't worry about that - they bought me DUTY FREE!

"You shouldn't have" I smiled, walking backwards clutching my bag of goodies and racing out to the car.

No, I didn't run over Little Cat on my way out.

 Now it's back to the WIP with no excuses!

 Carolx

 

 

 

 

 

 

25th October 2009

blogging, shift work, children and deadlines

I have decided that rather than spend the entire week feeling guilty for not responding or checking back I will write back with regular updates and thoughts etc and hopefully, when that magical day comes when I am up to date and organized I will find my way here more regularly. This week I am hoping to put the finishing touches to my fourth Russian. It is a linked story, so I am checking through my old work and trying to write the new and my head if buzzing with lots of thoughts and facts which probably matter to no-one except myself, though till they are fixed in my head it's hard to let the writing flow . ALSO! Well, I had the horrible realisation that I hadn't done enough nursing shifts to re-register and I really don't want to let that slide, so, when I want to lock myself away and write, instead I have been back in the navy trousers and doing a few night shifts. I was delighted that the navy trousers still fitted! I have had a great few shifts - I really want to do more because when I'm there I love it. The trouble is fitting it all in. I work night shifts as I can juggle them a lot more easily and they are what I have always done, though they pay havoc with my inner clock! What happened to twenty year old Carol who could do seven nights in a row and still do an extra shift and go out for breakfast afterwards? Now I'm in bed with the phone off the hook and with a big sign on the door warning everyone not to knock! The OTHER thing I have noticed  though, is that people are so much more understanding that I've done a night shift and might be a bit tired and ratty! Far, far more understanding than when I'm near the end of a book and locked away in my cave.... So, I have come up with a solution to my deadline hell. The sign is staying on my door, the phone is remaining off hook by day and I am staying in my pyjamas till the book is gone. I am going to pretend to the postman, the gym buddies, the friends that drop by (even to the kids!) that I am on a full week of night shifts - I will, of course, pull on some clothes for the school run, but apart from that....... I shall let you know how it goes this time next week, when the book is gone and I am on a post send high! Till then, take care, Carolx

PS while I'm struggling with my inner clock, to compound, the clocks have finally changed in the UK - I am sure we used to do it on the same week - anyway, it has been confusing. Still, it is settling - I managed to ring mum and wish her a happy birthday without waking her at the crack of dawn and my friend is back in Scotland, entrusting me to feed her cat and we have worked out suitable times to text, without hauling each other from slumber.