Not The Room Parent – Help!

Nick has been begging me to volunteer in his class.  You might have guessed it, I’m not the room parent.
In a moment of weakness, I signed up to coordinate the Valentine’s party.  Nick just reminded me last night.  (And Doug laughed out loud when he found out I was in charge. )

I’m not a planner.  I’m not crafty.  One of my friends even tried to show me how to weave some heart basket that she claimed was an “easy” craft, but she lost me after about 30 seconds of weaving.

I need to keep 23 third-graders busy for about an hour.  Sure, there will be plenty of snacks, but I really want to make it fun for Nick.  So far, I suggested we play musical chairs to Love Shack.  But that’s all I’ve got.

I could really use your help!  Any brilliant (but easy) ideas out there to help me outdo the room parent? 

Too Busy To Pray?

My friend Cheryl and I try to meet once a week for prayer.  But lately, I’ve been telling her I’m really too busy.

The kids have been sick.

I have these two trials coming up.

I’m slammed again at work.

She wasn’t buying it.  She had been reading my blog.  I was busted.

That’s right, she read about how I’m Too Busy Not To Write and she also read my post about blogging, my newest addiction. 

I have to admit, I’m really not too busy to pray.  Sometimes it just feels that way.  In fact, to quote Bill Hybel’s book published over 20 years ago, I’m Too Busy Not To Pray.

What about you?

Angry Conversations With God, by Susan Isaacs

I like books about real life.  Unedited.  I also like writers who don’t mince words.  Susan Isaacs is such an author.

Angry Conversations With God is not for the faint hearted or spiritually frail.  The title speaks for itself.  Isaacs goes to counseling with God and, yes, she is angry. 

I read Angry Conversations With God last year, but I pulled it out again just this past week while I was blogging about Barbie.  (Yeah, I hate to admit it, but Barbie is bringing out my deepest thoughts these days.)  As an actress and writer, Isaacs couldn’t find other artists in church.  Like Barbie, Isaacs didn’t seem to fit in with the “church crowd.”

Who says Hollywood and Jesus have to be that far apart?  Susan Isaacs is never going to fit religious stereotypes, but that’s probably a good thing.

If you like down-to-earth, edgy writing with an authentic spiritual twist, check out Angry Conversations With God. 

Any other Susan Isaacs’s fans out there? 

Jesus Barbie

My sister Amy bought my girls another Barbie.  Except this isn’t just any Barbie.  This one loves Jesus.

That's right.  We've added a Jesus Barbie to the collection.  The only problem?  Mattel doesn’t make a Jesus Barbie per se, so Amy went out and bought the look-alike version.  Her face is a little wider, her eyes are a little rounder, and her legs are just a little fuller.  She still has blonde hair, blue eyes, and wears tasteful but trendy jeans.   She also wears a red shirt with a heart on it that says “Pick Jesus.”  Would my girls know the difference?

Of course they would.  Jesus Barbie lasted about 15 minutes, and they both wanted to play with the real Barbie.  Just as I had feared, Barbie was again leading them astray to a spiritually devoid world of halter tops and mini skirts.

I was ready to give up when Abby surprised me.  She ripped off Jesus Barbie’s clothes and put them on the real Barbie.   Now, Barbie proudly wears modest jeans and the “Pick Jesus” shirt, and everyone is happy.

Maybe I’m just a self-righteous brunette who is bitter about turning 40.   Truth be told, I was stereotyping Barbie the same way I hate it when the church crowd tries to define what a follower of Christ looks like.  Just because you're bleached blonde, show too much skin, and work in Hollywood, does that mean you can't be a follower of Jesus?  I think not!

Ten Tips For Moms With Sick Kids

It’s that time of year again.  Someone is always sick.  Colds.  Fever.  Flu.  Sinus Infections.  Strep.  More flu.

It’s a vicious cycle, and if you’re a working mom or juggle a busy schedule, it can feel like Spring will never arrive.   Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way (and, yes, I’ve learned most of them the hard way).

Tip #1  Expect the unexpected.
Murphy’s Law rules.  Your kids will get sick at the worst possible time.  For me, it’s usually when I’m headed out of town, have a presentation the next morning, or have a household of guests about to arrive.   I’ve learned just to roll with the punches and never be surprised.

Tip #2  Get over it.
I’ve never met a kid who doesn’t get sick.  You have kids.  Your kids will get sick.  This is your life, so get used to it.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t vent to your girlfriends (or fellow bloggers) for some good old-fashioned empathy.  But once you vent, it’s time to get over it!

Tip #3  Have a back-up plan.
If you expect the unexpected, you can also be prepared with a back-up plan.  A flexible spouse.  A trusty neighbor.  A portable office.  A willing stranger (just kidding).  The possibilities are limited, so you need to plan in advance.  I don’t have immediate family in town, so I try to be prepared to work at home at a moment’s notice.

Tip #4  Be creative.
Who says you can’t be two places at once?  With modern technology, you can be just about anywhere online.  (For those of you who teach or work in the medical professional, I’m a bit stumped, but I’m sure you have some creative solutions of your own.)  The bottom line is you need to think outside the box.  Be flexible.

Tip #5  Keep your professional life professional.
My clients don’t want to hear about how I was up cleaning vomit all night when they call me for legal advice.  Similarly, your co-workers and professional colleagues don’t necessarily want to hear about how you are wigged out, germ infested, and sleep deprived.   Now, I realize I’m the queen of TMI and probably have no business telling others to be discreet (after all, my whole life is posted on a blog and in my book), but hear me out on this.  There’s a time and place for everything.

Tip #6  Don’t blame your kids.
It’s not your kids’ fault they are sick.  In fact, it’s nobody’s fault.  Sick happens.  So resist the urge to say things like, “It’s too bad we have to cancel the party tonight” or “Everyone at the office is going to be mad I’m not at the meeting.”  After all, you don’t want them to feel any worse.

Tip #7  Spend quality time together.
If you’re going to be at home with your kids, count the time as a blessing.  Read books together.  Watch old movies.  Rent a movie.  Sit and talk.  Take a nap together.  Set up a nursing station with water and a thermometer.  The bottom line is let them know you care.  It’s time together, so take advantage of it. 

Tip #8  Break the rules.
You’re in survival mode.  The rules are out the door.  This is no time to ban junk food or TV.  Your kids need to be hydrated, and they need to be comfortable.  So if they want to eat popsicles for breakfast and watch TV all day, I let them.  And don’t deprive yourself in the process.  Get that extra shot in your latte, have a little chocolate, and don’t count calories.  You can all resume to normal (whatever that is) when the kids are well.

Tip #9  Recognize when (and why) they’re faking it.
If you’ve had sick kids, you’ve also seen them fake it.   After all, who wouldn’t want to watch TV all day, skip homework, and have quality time with Mom?  (My kids always start to feel better when I tell them that they can’t have a friend over or go to that special event until they are well.)  But I’ve also come to learn that sometimes when they’re playing “sick” they just need my attention.   So I ask myself, “Do we just need some quality time together?”

Tip #10  Be thankful for your healthy kids.
When my kids are sick, I recognize just how fragile they are.  If you are lucky enough to have children who only get sick occasionally (with the usual colds and flu), count your blessings.  All of us have friends and family who have battled a serious childhood injury or illness.  Put your own situation in perspective, and thank God for your healthy children.

What are some lessons you’ve learned when your kids are sick?  Yes, when our kids are ill, it can bring out the worst in us, but it can also bring out the best!

Never Say Never

Doug keeps surprising me.  I’ve known him for 25 years, and just when I think I have him figured out, he throws me a curve ball.

Even I was surprised when Doug ate Sushi last week.  That’s right.  I almost fell out of my chair and knocked over my glass of wine when he took the first bite.

Not only did he try it.  He actually liked it.  He ate four spicy tuna rolls and even wanted more!

For those of you who don’t know Doug, he’s a true meat and potatoes man.  He makes fun of guys who drink wine coolers and read chick blogs.   Long ago, I had put him in a box of men that will never eat Sushi.  Apparently, I was dead wrong.

All of us have people in our lives who we think we have figured out.  Maybe they’re not known to be spontaneous, they like to be in bed by a certain time, or they don’t typically try new things.  Certainly not Sushi.

Well, if you tend to put certain people in a box, I’ve got some advice for you.  Never say never.
Anyone in your life surprise you lately?

What’s Your Addiction?

Let’s face it, everyone is addicted to something.  Sure, if you’re addicted to some nasty habit like drugs or gambling, you get put in a certain category and your addiction gets a label.  The real question is, “How destructive (or healthy) is your addiction”?

Some of our addictions are not so obvious.  Some of them aren’t even that bad, right?  Food.  Work.  TV.  Coffee.  Chocolate.  Exercise.  Sports.  Wine.  Reading.  Blogging.

There, I said it.  The first step is always admission.  You might as well know, blogging is my new addiction.

How do I know it’s an addiction?  Well, there are a couple of signs I can’t ignore.  First, I can’t stop writing.  It’s all consuming,  just like a drug.  I also know how to hide it.  I keep my blogging journal tucked away in my briefcase, and I usually wait until everyone else is in bed to get online.  Doug will say to me, “Suz, you’re not on that blog again are you?"

I respond, “Of course not, I was just checking my email.”  (After all, I do have a job that requires me to check email 24-7.)

Is my addiction destructive or healthy?  I suppose that depends on me.  Am I ignoring the people around me so that I can live in a blogging world, or am I simply enjoying the release of a deeply held desire to write?  No one can answer that question but me. 

And no one can answer the questions about your addiction but you.  What’s your addiction?   Are you honest enough to admit what consumes you, and is your addiction destroying you (and those around you) or is it building you and others up?  You decide.

The Strong-Willed Daughter

There’s one in every family.  Mine happens to be our third born.  Abby is my strong-willed child, and I don’t think this is just a toddler phase (been there, done that).   Her independent, bossy spirit is here to stay.

She’s a 3-year-old going on 13. It’s her way or the highway.   She dresses herself, pours her own cereal, and even tries to cut her own hair.  She’s cut her hair so many times that I’ve resigned to the fact that she’s going to look like Rod Stewart for the next few years.  But her hair is the least of my worries.

I’ve tried reverse psychology.  It doesn’t work.  When she puts on some outlandish outfit that doesn’t match, I’ll turn to her and say, “My, you really look cute today.”

Before we can even make eye contact she blurts out, “I already knew that.”

The only person she is tender with is Doug.  She knows there’s only one queen of the castle, and she’s out to dethrone me.  So she usually wants “Daddy to do it” and he falls for it just about every time.    She’s known to give orders, and other people tend to follow.

I could panic, but I’d rather keep my sense of humor and hang on for the ride. 

I know, my work is cut out for me.  I’m not even thinking about the teenage years.  For now, I’m praying that God would turn her strong-willed temper into determination and leadership.  If she’s going to grow up and give orders, I want her to be someone worthy to follow.  Sure, we also need to work on a little manners, but that will come in time. 

Are you thankful for your strong-willed child?  Yes, they’re exhausting, but I’m convinced it’s a mistake to crush their spirits. 

What's So Special About 40?

What's so special about 40?  It's a generation.  When you've lived for 40 years, people finally start to take you seriously.  And I'm not the only one who thinks so.


That's right, 40 is one of God's favorite numbers.  I'm not making this up.  It rained on the ark for 40 days and 40 nights.  Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights.  The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and was seen on the earth 40 days after his death.


Could it be mere coincidence, or is 40 the magic number?  As important, if 40 is the magic number, what comes next?


My trusty friend, Wiki-Answers, provides the following insight.


A 40-something time period, whether days, months, or years is ALWAYS a period of testing, trial, probation, or chastisement (but not judgment) and ends with a period of restoration, revival or renewal.


In other words, after 40-something, the best is yet to come.


No, I'm not Moses or an Israelite in the wilderness.  And I don't think that I can forever claim health and wealth now that my 40th birthday has arrived.  But spiritually speaking, you have to admit there's something pretty special about 40.


I've been blessed to have 40 wonderful years of life for which I am grateful.  Thanks for sharing this moment with me.  


(Ok, for all the spiritual talk, I'll admit I'm vain.  Tomorrow I'm going to be bummed about wrinkles.  So I might still need some encouragement from the over-40 blogging crowd.)

Chatty Cathy Or Ice Queen?

I always meet the most interesting people on airplanes.  After all, depending on how long the flight, you’re going to be in close quarters with the person next to you for some time.  Why not be friendly, introduce yourself, and say hello?

You guessed it, I’m that Chatty Cathy that won’t shut up when you sit next to me on an airplane.

I boarded a flight last week and sat next to a woman we’ll call Ice Queen.  I was running late as usual and remembered that I forgot to take my Dramamine.  I tried to be discreet about it (I didn’t want Ice Queen to think I was going to throw up on her), but I couldn’t open the plastic wrapping around the bottle without some serious effort as she watched me out of the corner of her eye.

I tried to reassure her, “I really haven’t needed these in years.  I mean, I haven’t gotten really air sick in years.  I mean, if I do get air sick, you’ll be the first to know.”

She didn’t look reassured.  Yes, it was one of those TMI moments.  So I decided to fill the awkward silence with more conversation.  Like me, she was a working mom who was leaving her young children overnight for business.  Like me, she was worried about how her kids would get along without her, whether they would get to bed in time or be late for school.  We continued to talk and found out we had much in common.  Heck, I even ended up telling her about Chasing Superwoman and A Working Mother’s Daily Rant.   She even acted like she was interested. 

Ice Queen, if you’re reading, this please know I don’t mean the term Ice Queen to be derogatory in any sense.  After all, I’m referring to you as a queen.  Besides, I have to admit, there are times on airplanes when even I would rather be left alone.

How about you?  Would you rather be sitting next to Ice Queen or Chatty Cathy ?

Thanks For Reading Guys!

The word is out.  A Working Mother’s Daily Rant is not just for chicks.  That’s right, some men have become regular subscribers.

Don’t worry guys, your secret is safe for now.  I’ll protect your anonymity so long as you keep stroking me with those witty emails (yeah, it would be much cooler if you’d post on the blog, but I’ll take what I can get).

One of my friends told me that I had inspired him to write his own blog.  The name of the blog?  godless working fathers.  I think he’s probably joking, but I still thought the name was pretty clever.  I was touched for a couple of reasons.  First, I know (like most of you) he has an incredibly busy schedule.  It takes time to read a blog, and it takes away from other things you can be doing.  I’m also thrilled to have a diverse readership.  I want the blog (and ultimately the book) to be meaningful to all kinds of people, especially those who don’t consider themselves to be religious.
 
So please keep reading guys!  Thanks for your encouragement, and I won’t be surprised when some of you self identify as regular bloggers.   Have a great weekend!

Too Much To Write About

Some of you have asked me how I decide what to blog about.  Isn’t it hard coming up with new material all the time?  When am I going to run out of things to say?

These are all fair questions.  Today, I’ll try to answer the one of them.  Will I ever run out of material?

The answer is I don’t know.  I’m new at this, and I’m probably still on some kind of blogging high.  I can’t see the future, and I’m not about to guess what this blog is going to look like in the months and years to come.  But I will say one thing.   At the present moment, thanks to you, I have plenty of things to write about.

I was at my sister Janie’s house for our annual Christmas gathering.  She was her usual bubbly self (the hostess with the mostess) with the frying pan in one hand and the microphone in the other.  We were singing  People Are Crazy at the top of our lungs, and I turned to her and said, “you know, you’re really giving me some good material for the blog.”  (Yeah, I even got out my blogging journal and wrote down a few ideas before I left her house.)

I don’t know about you, but I think real life is much more interesting than fiction.  I also think it takes more creativity to write fiction.  Fiction writers actually have to create characters and stories.  Not me.  I just write it like I see it.   Sure, I can change the names around to protect identities, but the truth is, I steal my material from all of you.

As soon as I run out of things to say, I’ll let you know.  For now, thanks for giving me too much to write about!

What do you think?  Isn't real life much more interesting than fiction?

Tips For Traveling Moms

 
Today on Working Mommy Wednesday, we're talking about our greatest challenges for 2011.  My greatest challenge -- from a working mom perspective -- is my upcoming travel schedule.

I'm going to be on the road a lot in 2011.

Which means I'm going to be blogging yes.  (Bummer, I know.)  But it also means I'm going to spend more nights away from my family than usual.  So as I gear up to start traveling, I’m revisiting a few lessons I’ve learned about leaving the family behind (this is a revised and improved repost). 

Tip #1  Talk to your kids about your trip, and reassure them you won’t forget them.

It helps when I tell my kids where I’m going, how long I’ll be gone, and last but not least, that I’ll be thinking about them day and night.  Sometimes I even show them a map of where I’m going and explain the purpose of my trip, to manage their expectations.  Ok, for those of you with infants and toddlers, this can be a short conversation, but even little ones begin to understand the concept of time and place sooner than you think.

Tip #2  Be reassured your kids won’t forget you.

Kids are resilient (and thank God for making them that way).  I remember when Nick was just a year old, I left him for almost two weeks for an out-of-town trial.  I was terrified he would forget me.  When we were finally reunited, we didn’t miss a beat.  Sure, I always miss stuff while I’m gone, but I’ve learned to resist the temptation to feel sorry for myself.  Sulking never helps.

Tip #3  Resist the urge to bribe them with stuff.

Every once in awhile I’ll bring my kids gifts when I return home.  The only problem?  They start to expect it every time I leave town.  And I don’t want Mom leaving town to become equated with getting more stuff.  After all, don’t we already use material things a little too much to placate our kids?

Tip #4  Invest quality time when you return.

Before I leave town, I always talk to my kids about what we are going to do together when I return.  It gives us all something to look forward to.  If it’s a long trip, I try to pick them up from school early, take them to breakfast, or even take a day off work.  There is no substitute for quality time together.

Tip #5  Pray.

If I remember anything, I remember that God is in control of my kids, not me.  I think I pray for them more when we’re not physically together (when I’m with them, I tend to think I have things under control).  The truth is, my kids are in God’s hands no matter if I’m with them or not.

Tip #6  Don't forget your spouse.

It's easy for me to just worry about the kids, (forgetting that my husband operates as a single parent when I'm gone).  He needs a break.  He needs attention.  And he even needs a little sympathy for holding down the fort.  Moms are especially guilty of ignoring "big people" in favor of "little people."  But when it comes to your marriage, you're not doing anyone a favor -- including your kids -- when you forget your spouse.

Any way you slice it, travel is hard on the family.  I'm going to need your support in 2011, so please share your own travel tips!

The Devil In High Heels?

I still haven’t finished my thoughts about Barbie.  Is she a suitable role model for young girls, or is she the Devil in high heels?

She only comes in blonde.  She only comes in a size 2.  She doesn’t age, and she wears mini skirts that don’t even cover her bottom.  I don’t think she’s into family values.  Sure, she holds a steady job, but other than throwing parties for her friends in the Dream House, she’s not known to share the wealth.  She’s completely self-absorbed in her Malibu world, and the only thing I can find about her that’s down-to-earth is she’s known to go camping.

Barbie appears sweet and innocent, but she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Shouldn’t I just eradicate Barbie from my house right now?   Shouldn’t I protect my girls from this ungodly woman?

Come to think of it, I used to love to play with Barbie.   She was my favorite toy, and my most memorable  Christmas is the Barbie Town House with the three-story elevator.  My mother never banned Barbie, and if she had I would have wanted to play with her all the more.  Sure, I went through a phase when I wore those tacky mini-skirts, but I never died my hair blonde or tried to escape to Malibu.

So, instead of worrying about Barbie, I’m going to tackle more important issues with my girls.  It’s all about picking the battles (and I’ve got bigger fish to fry).

Any Barbie fans out there?  No disrespect, I really didn’t mean to compare her to the Devil.

Too Busy Not To Write

Some of you have asked me, “When do you find the time to write?”  After all, I always complain about not having time to waste.  How do I fit writing in?  My mother is worried that I’m up at 3:00 a.m. posting new blogs (I explained to her that I actually write them in advance, and they post automatically). 

Well, to answer your question, I’m too busy not to write.  That’s right.  When you love to do something and you believe it’s worthy of your time, you just do it.  Let’s face it, we all make time for things that are important.

We all have 24 hours in a day, which means we all have to make choices.  For one, I don’t watch T.V.  I don’t have much of a social life.  I don’t have a long commute.  I don’t sew or iron (I’ve never made my kids homemade costumes).  I rarely shop at the mall.  I don’t play golf.  I don’t get my nails done.  And when all else fails, I skip sleep. 

What is most important to you?  If you look at your schedule, are you spending time on the things you are passionate about, or is the daily grind consuming you?

Fill in the blank:  “I’m too busy not to _______.”

Let It Snow!

 
I was planning to work late last night.  Then it snowed.

This wasn’t just any snow.  It was the first deep snow of the season.  Sure, my friends in NY and Colorado might call us wimps, but here in Central Ohio, we can’t drive, shop, or work when the first snow arrives. 

My meetings cancelled, my office closed, and I decided to pack up my computer and head home early.  I even beat the traffic.  It was time to play!  After all, didn’t I just ask God to help me learn the art of “wasting” time?  This could be my answer.

Snow has a way of slowing us down.  Life becomes more simple when you can’t run around in circles at lightening speed.  Of course, the kids are already praying that it will keep snowing all night and school will be cancelled (and Doug is begging God that they’ll stay in school).

For now, I say:  “LET IT SNOW!”

Anyone else thankful for a little snow?

The Art Of Wasting Time

I used to be good at wasting time.  In college, I lived by the motto, "Time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time". –T.S. Eliot

Why study when you can hang out with friends?   Why wake up early for class when you can sleep in (and your roommate will take good notes)?

Those days are over.

I can’t tell you the last time I had the luxury of wasting time.  Between work, home, friends, (and now blogging) there isn’t a moment to spare.  In fact, I have just the opposite problem.  I actually feel guilty when I waste time.

I was sitting at the salon last week, and I was completely annoyed that my appointment was running 10 minutes late.  A whole 10 minutes!  I thought of what I could do with 10 minutes.  I should have brought a book or better yet my laptop.  I can write a whole blog in 10 minutes!  (I should have prayed for 10 minutes, but I was too frustrated to pray.)  Those 10 minutes were wasted, and I could never have them back. 

Ok, maybe they weren’t completely wasted.  Maybe I needed to slow down and clear my head for 10 minutes.  But I couldn’t enjoy myself.  I was too busy worrying about what I could have done, and 10 minutes passed me by.

If you’ve figured out how to actually enjoy wasting time without feeling guilty in a fast-paced world, I’m extremely envious.  In my world, wasting time is a lost art (but one I eventually intend to regain)!

Barbie And “Having It All”?

Over Christmas, I was reading Abby her newest Barbie book, My Favorite Friends.  She wanted to read it over and over again, and Barbie really started to annoy me.

Barbie is a movie star!  She enjoys playing different roles in all her films.  From a fairy princess to a mermaid, Barbie can do it all!

After working on movie sets all day, Barbie comes home to the Dream House, a swimming pool, and cool friends.  She and Ken go out on a date to her new premier, and life is good ….

By the second time I read it, I wanted to change the story line. 

Barbie is sick and tired of having to do it all.  After a long day’s work, her friends come over and mess up her house, but no one offers to help her clean it up.  Ken wouldn’t know what a broom looked like if one hit him in the face (not to mention, he has commitment issues).

Of course, I didn’t have the guts to tell Abby that Barbie doesn’t have it all.  She’ll figure it out soon enough.  Maybe someday Barbie will pop out a few kids, get wrinkles, and tell Ken it’s time to settle down or hit the road.

For now, Barbie continues to live the dream life.  I can’t decide if Barbie’s aspirations are positive for little girls, or are they just setting them up for disappointment and unrealistic expectations?

How I Got Published – Part 3 (On To The Publishers)

When we finally went to the publishers, I’ll have to admit I was really nervous.  I already knew too well that lack of platform was a strike against me.  My agent had already warned me of the likely reactions.
 
Not another non-fiction book with no platform.
 
Without even a toe in the door on platform, we really can’t even consider it.

I knew that I would keep writing and finish the book, even if no one wanted to publish it.  And that’s just what I did.  While Rachelle was sending out my proposal and talking with publishers, I kept writing.  For one, it kept me sane.  Plus, it helped me to remember why I had felt so passionately about the book in the first place.  It was a labor of love, not money or opportunity. 

I was prepared for the worst.  I was also glad we had waited.  The proposal was so much stronger with WorldServe’s input and edits, and we had even switched up a few of my sample chapters, adding more recent text that better captured the theme of the book.  If all else failed, I felt like I had done my best.  I’m the one who always tells my kids, “All God asks us is that we do our best.”  Now I just had to live it.

After Rachelle submitted the proposal to a first round of publishers, we had a good sense of who was interested and who wasn’t.   And we got some incredible feedback.  Even some of the large publishing houses that couldn’t overcome my lack of platform liked my writing.  I remember one editor commenting that my writing was compelling, but how on earth would I ever find time to promote my book?

It was a good question, but I took offense to it at the time.  Again, I was being punished for being a busy working mother.  People just assume we can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.  (I’m one of those people who believes that the busiest 10% of people in the world are the folks you call when you need to get something done.)

There was one publishing house that we had our eye on from the start, David C. Cook.  They were incredibly enthusiastic from the initial proposal, gave immediate feedback, and let us know when the publishing board would be meeting to make a firm decision.  I continued to pray and thought, “this might really be it.”  I thought I was dreaming when they offered me a publishing contract.  (No, I didn’t receive a large advance and the lawyer in me couldn’t help but propose edits to the contract, but when you’re a first-time author with no platform, you quickly learn to sign on the dotted line!)

I’m so grateful the team at Cook took a chance on a first-time author, and I know that together we’ll build a platform for working mothers of faith who really need to know they’re not alone inside the church.  (And for working mothers outside the church, I pray that we’ll build understanding that the doors of the church are open with grace, not closed with judgment.) 

It was late 2008, and I was more than thankful to have a publisher.  Surely, by the end of 2009, my book would be published, right?  Well, almost.  As I would learn, editing takes time.  And the editing process was yet another adventure.

(Not) Working At Home

I really tried my best to work at home last week.  But work and home really don’t belong in the same sentence.  At least not in my house.

Get this.  Get that.  I’m hungry.  I’m tired.  I want to play a game.  I don’t know how to work my new Christmas present.  I need help putting my shoes on.  I want to have a friend over.  My toy is broke.  Read me a book.  My sister hurt my feelings.  My brother pushed me.  I want another cookie. Watch me do this.  Hey, you’re not watching. 

Who in her right mind can get any work done?  Sure, I could just ignore them, but I knew they’d be back to school in a week.  So I did my best at multi-tasking and even snuck into the office a few days.  But for the most part, I said to myself, “it can wait until Monday.”

Now that Monday has arrived, I’m thankful for my quiet office.  Sure, I miss little people tugging at me, but they can tug all they want this evening. 

Some days, I’m thankful for my Monday routine.  Maybe your Monday routine is different than mine (and you didn't have little people tugging on you over the holidays), but I bet that most of us are ready to stop eating junk, get back into exercise, and even get some work done.

Anyone else ready to get back into a routine today?

Eight Years And Counting….

Out with the old and in with the new.  The holiday musings and love fests are over.  It’s time to get serious, move on, and get on with a new year.  It’s 2010, and it’s time to publish Chasing Superwoman.

Publishing a book has been on my “to do” list for about eight years.  (No kidding.)  I just pulled out one of my old journals and found an entry from early 2002.  The first sentence says, “for some time now, I have felt compelled to write.”  Back then, I didn’t have the foggiest idea what I was going to write about, so I kept a journal with me at all times and spontaneously wrote down ideas as they came to mind. 

It was a start.  I probably looked like a geek when I was in the middle of an airport or sitting in gymnastics class and all of a sudden I’d pull out my journal and start writing feverishly.  (Now I have a blogging journal.  I’m a bit more inconspicuous than I used to be, but if I’m taking notes in the middle of a party, you can guess what I’m up to.)

So as you set goals for 2010, think about taking smalls steps.  If you are going to pursue your dreams, you need to start somewhere.   (And if you don’t even know what your dreams are, buy a journal and start writing them down, even if they sound crazy.) 

Eight years is a long time to wait.  Thanks for sharing the last leg of this journey with me, and let’s make 2010 a year to remember!