Dear Reader (s) (?)
Firstly allow me to apologise for not writing a post in forever. I have been consumed by life. Or rather I have been consuming life. That doesn’t sound quite right but I’m sure you know what I mean..
Since I last wrote, much has happened. I have been busy penning my novel which has now expanded itself to over 90,000 words and needs a good edit. Hurrah! Sort, of.
I have also become, somewhat mystifyingly to myself, at least, the music teacher at my children’s school which is both more gratifying and exhausting than I thought possible. I am genuinely thrilled by the enthusiasm of the kids – their little excited faces remind me of why I spent so many years pursuing a career in music, but some of the smaller naughty ones – and there are quite a few of them – are extremely vexing and not only do I pace around sedately with my hands behind my back, but I find myself saying things to seven year olds like,
“Ah, Mr. Smith (not his real name). Given that you’ve shown a clear preference for falling off the steps of the stage to singing ‘Waltzing Matilda’, I must ask you to remove yourself to the office and spend the remainder of music class considering whether this is a good use of your time.”
Child “Huh?”
Me: “Go to the office. Now.”
Jesus. Next thing you know I’ll have a mortarboard and Molesworth will be in my class.
My darling offspring are now aged 7 and 10 respectively, the latter so tall and beautiful that she both terrifies me and borrows my shoes (is that the same thing?)
I work two days per week at school and the remaining five I am spending as much time as I can writing my book as well as the usual shouting at children to finish homework, put on their shoes, take off their shoes, turn off the BLOODY iPad, have you washed your hands etc. I’m still spending a lot of time wondering what to make for supper although it’s true that people will eat more interesting things than they did a few years ago.
Today is one of my writing days. I have been feeling rather guilty that despite spending nearly five hours sitting at the computer (minus forays to FB and the news) I have only managed to drag about 400 words out of my sluggish brain. I think this might be because I had a horrid migraine last night and although I haven’t got any pain today, I still have a sort of hangover from it. Do any of you get that? I believe it’s called the postdrome. A sort of draggy, stupid feeling accompanied by guilt that one hasn’t managed to achieve things and also feeling too stupid to catch up or prevent one’s child from watching unsuitable things on Youtube. And writing meandering pointless posts on defunct blogs.
Still, I thought I’d say hello, and on a random note, what are you buying your children for Christmas? Mine want a pony and a ‘mote control anything, neither of which they’re getting. Suggestions gratefully received.
{ 5 comments }
Ohmygawd you’re ALIVE!
Thought you had disappeared into the never-never reaches of la-la-land. Glad it is not so.
Good to hear of your progress, also pleased I am not the only person ‘on repeat’ with regard to offspring chantings, even as they grow older. My eldest (11) has gone beyond borrowing my ‘shoes’ as he has now outgrown my rugby boots and acquired a size bigger. He has his eye on my road bike, as does middle child (10) who is cycling mad. Youngest still so horizontal it’s a surprise he remembers his head in the morning when walking out the door.
And Christmas? Depressing, as ever (that’s just me btw). Kids getting super lightweight down jackets from Uniqlo, purchased courtesy of a gift voucher from PR company who committed major f*ck-up and thought this a good way to apologise.
It was.
LCM x
LCM! How lovely to hear from you. Lightweight down jackets sound like a great idea although they probably wouldn’t work here as we haven’t had a day below 65F since I can’t remember when. Ten might like a new bike but seeing as I can barely get her lazy bottom off her bed and her nose out of a book it would probably be a big waste of money. I’ve settled on a potato gun for Seven who still, sweetly, hasn’t correlated cash outlay with magnitude of gift. xo
Hey Girl,
Wow, I thought you were dead. Glad to hear you are not and in fact have thrown yourself into your book, as mentioned about a year ago after going to your career counsellor.
Nice to read your words – look forward to reading the book!
Helen in Noosa Australia – great place for a book launch really!
@Noosa
You’re there! I thought you had given up on blogging…..lovely to hear from you and it sounds like things are going well. Can’t wait to read the book.
So far the only Christmas presents I’ve bought are Minecraft Lego and some ski clothes (boring, but needed). I suspect more Lego will be required. Although they have a ton of it already…..
Congratulations on reaching 90,000 words – I know how hard that is! And how distracting writing a blog can be, robbing you of that precious window of time for writing. I look forward to reading it – and if you’re looking for editorial assistance I can recommend Jennie Nash at the Author Accelerator website. I’ve had some very valuable advice from them.
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