On that note, I'm here to lighten your mood and take some of the stress off--because heaven knows I need it too!
Feeling a little beat up?
Take a load off.
Put on some feel good jams and groove!
Break out your super powers
Find joy in the moment
And when things don't work out, don't be afraid to retreat to a safe place.
On a related note, how about the IWSG question for the month: How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal/finish a story?
I go out to eat. Yup. That's the truth of it--or I leave the kids behind and go for a victory lap/drive. Oh, and I always post about it ALL over social media.
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| Huge thanks for hosting Alex Cavanaugh, Mary Aalgaard, Bish Denham, Jennifer Hawes, Diane Burton, and Gwen Gardner! |
Last month, Bethany Kaczmarek, editor extraordinaire, offered a first chapter edit and shared two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed was entered to win.
The game:
The game:
1. I have a significant fear of waxed mustaches. As in, I close my eyes and back away rather than deal with them.
2. I write best when I'm in a room that's between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. I once put my sister's contact in her eye for her--with my spit.
2. I write best when I'm in a room that's between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. I once put my sister's contact in her eye for her--with my spit.
The lie: #1.
Bethany doesn't fear mustached. She thinks those are schnazzy--unless they're underneath crazy, unkempt eyebrows. Those? She will make an excuse and leave, do business over the phone, or do anything she can think of to politely get away from.
Bethany doesn't fear mustached. She thinks those are schnazzy--unless they're underneath crazy, unkempt eyebrows. Those? She will make an excuse and leave, do business over the phone, or do anything she can think of to politely get away from.
And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Congrats, Susan!
There is no giveaway this month, regrettably, because instead of being on social media, I've been feeding a baby her first solid foods, hosting family in my home for 2 weeks, and preparing for two family birthdays. Oh, and writing! *cheers*
What big accomplishment have you made this month? Any parenting blunders you want to share? What are you boxing out in your person death match?
Parenting blunders - I know I've made them but I think I've blocked them out. But my kids survived them all, so I'm thankful for that! :) Haven't done anything super remarkable this month, but there's still time left. Will keep you posted. Lol
ReplyDeleteSmacking her face in the food - funny! Good thing I'm not a parent.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Susan.
Those gifs were perfect! And any time I think I don't have time to write all I need to do is think of you and all you manage to accomplish. I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteAww, I love the super powers gif. So adorable!! Also feel a little guilty for laughing at the last one. That poor little guy LOL.
ReplyDeleteTake care and enjoy the family birthdays coming up. :)
I feel that last little guy's pain. Poor kid!
ReplyDeleteAnd yum on going out to eat. :)
As you know, we are new grandparents. I had forgotten just how much joy a baby brings into our world...and how much work. I mean, really, how many times can a little body poop? Lemme tell ya, a ton. I feel like she's saving it all for grandma. :) So, I can only imagine how you're feeling right about now! haha
ReplyDeleteElsie
Gosh you have a lot going on! Going out to eat is always a good way to celebrate, as well as give you a night off from cooking.
ReplyDeleteMy accomplishment last month was sending off a manuscript to my editor.
Cheers - Ellen
Hmmm... pushing your kids face into food. I think I'd get into big trouble if I ever did that.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the virtual celebration across social media - I forgot about that one. Love writing THOSE tweets. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the uplifts. Life certainly does have a way of pushing us to our limits - and you've got the right attitude to get yourself over this hump. I sense many, many victory laps in your future.
Congrats to Susan. Not a parent here, but love those GIFs.
ReplyDeleteSome of those gifs were hilarious. As for celebrating, I don't know that I do anything except announce it to my family and get to work on the next project. Booooring. lol
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal - congratulations on your littlie getting her first solids and seeing family and friends and fitting it all in. Good luck - with the writing ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAnd some adjustment periods take longer than others. I had those times in between my first three kiddos. But when my fourth was born ... honestly, I'm not sure I've every really adjusted. The first two years were awful. I'm not sure I ever really opened my eyes, yet I don't think I slept, either. lol These were great, btw.
ReplyDeleteHi, Crystal....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laughs! We all need them! LOL... Yes, I feel exactly the same way you do... but that is LIFE... and it's always full of adjustments.....
You're doing great, so just hang in there! As I know you will....
You've been writing!! Yay!! :D
ReplyDeleteI look at full time writers sometimes and think, "Of course they can write 5 books a year they don't have a job." LOL! If I'm ever a full-time writer, I'm going to steel myself for that comment.
I don't have any kids yet, but one babysitting blunder I made, which I know never to repeat with any kids, was vacuuming vomit at twelve years old. My little brother got sick while my parents were at a lecture about herb gardening, and I thought I was being helpful by vacuuming it up!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there is quite the adjustment with a new child, even when you have other children. Each one is different. Going out to eat is a great way to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteI love the gif of the mom smacking the kid's face in the taco salad. Oh, my. So great to get revenge on the little twerps, and in a very innocent way.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda glad I don't have kids!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I watch that dad "knock over" his kid with his super power, all I can here is the battle cry, "Hadouken," from Street Fighter. Hilarious. Thanks for the post, and happy writing to you
ReplyDeleteLove your gifs! Made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Susan!
I LOVE your pictures. I keep telling Hubs I don't know how my DIL manages with a toddler and 4-month old twins. I'm exhausted after babysitting just a few hours. He then reminds me DIL is almost 40 years younger. It's all perspective. Good luck with your writing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Susan!!
ReplyDeleteMy youngest will be 18 next month. When my boys were little, they kept me so busy, there are years that are more like a blurred memory. The one thing I learned from it all is that it is THE most important thing I have ever done in my life and they do grow up and then there is time to breathe-- and look back on all you somehow got done between butt wiping and sandwich making. They're worth the time (I say that from my lofty position of a mom who was able to shower today without worrying about who might light the house on fire if I took the time to condition my hair!)
Deathmatch Survival Mode - so accurate. Love the gifs - especially the one with the child hugging the suitcase. So easy to relate to for anyone who travels.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days. My boys are two years apart. Boy, did they give me heart attacks like every single day for years! Glad you got some writing done this month. Stay sane, girl!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of gifs. Thanks for the laughs :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Susan!
Social media--I never thought of that! That's probably as close as I get to celebrating, just Tweeting about it like crazy.
ReplyDeleteWoo HOO! Thanks so much for drawing my name out of the hat, or however ya did it. I'll be looking forward to hearing from Bethany.
ReplyDeleteAt one time, our older son and his wife had four kids under the age of five. (He started late, so he made up for lost time. HA!) Somehow, they survived those years, and now, I think they can handle ANYTHING. I'll bet it's the same for you.
Those gifs were hilarious. I needed the lols.
ReplyDeleteThat first one is hilarious. I'm feeling like that guy today. Thanks for the chuckle.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, thanks for the laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteLoved the laughs. I'm watching my one year old granddaughter so I'm not a busy as you, but it takes up time and most of my energy.
ReplyDeleteLove the fun gifs!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the laugh! I made a huge blunder the first day in the hospital with my son...that crazy first diaper change. I had nooooooo idea what was coming and boy did it. LOL Happy IWSG day :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I bet you are stressed many times in a day. Fun laughs on how to cope. Going out to eat sounds like a fun way to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteI needed all those tips today. Thanks Crystal, and hugs.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti
Loved the laughs! And the thing they don't tell you as a parent ... it doesn't get any easier :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as accomplishments are concerned, I dusted off a couple of short stories I wrote years ago, slightly revised them, and sent them off to new markets.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're really busy. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend with 7 kids and one with 9. I bet they say that all the time. They always seem to be the ones who get things accomplished.
ReplyDeleteLove those memes! The cake in face move is a favourite in our house :)
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG day. I like the memes too.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I snickered when I saw the one where the mother shoved the girl's face into the food.
ReplyDeleteGoing out to eat without the kids? That sounds like an amazing deal to me!
That was delightful. Love the comment about "She only has 3." Ha! Isn't that the truth (I only had 2 so I'm definitely out of the running).
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of parents would like the power to make their kids fall asleep. I don't have kids, but as a teacher I would like the power to make students turn off their cell phones without telling them to turn them off five times in one hour.
ReplyDeleteWow, I liked the super power man! Now I want to try that one!
ReplyDeleteHa,ha,ha! Thanks for starting my day with a laugh. You have a wonderful sense of humor. I do miss those fun, confusing, tiring days when my boys were home. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe GIF of the dad using magic powers and the kid falling over is great. I bet they do that a lot and then laugh!
ReplyDeleteYep! Never be afraid to retreat to a safe corner!
ReplyDeleteYou are adorable! I love this post! LOL! Congrats to Susan! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThose gifs are hilarious! I especially love the superpowers one... XD
ReplyDeleteThe toothpaste thing made me LOL!!
ReplyDeleteThis month my accomplishment was to survive. Now that the baby is sleeping through the night and we seem to be adjusting I might add a few more goals, like writing/reading more and a clean house.
ReplyDeletelol. So now you are that mom?!
ReplyDeleteI liked the toothpaste gif. Dancing, dancing, dancing … spitting in her kids hair. *sigh* Haven't we all been there? I don't even have kids and I'm pretty sure I've done something similar to the ones I babysit for!
That kid sleeping on the suitcase is completely awesome! Being overwhelmed by life appears to be the norm these days
ReplyDeleteYeah, kids complicate everything, but when things get hectic I try to remind myself that it's only temporary. Nothing lasts, including chaos...or so I hope:)
ReplyDeleteI do need to take a load off. I've been so stressed out! I feel like the one with the kid hitting me the face with their diaper butt.
ReplyDeleteJust loved the toothpaste one ...
ReplyDeleteTake care, my good wishes.
All the best Jan
Congrats to Susan! Love the GIF's--I needed the smiles this week!
ReplyDeleteI've been writing a lot and have actually been working on illustrations for some new children's books. Thanks for the laughs.
ReplyDeleteHilarious! It truly is the little things that matter. It helps get us through the days. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Susan!
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy! I'm still catching up from last month's IWSG, but I finally made it here. Congratulations on still finding time to write in spite of all you have going on.
ReplyDeleteEven though I edit other people's books all day long, developing a writing habit of my own has only started to solidify when the last year. Cancer gave me something to write about, and it made me realize nonfiction was what I most wanted to write. I have more to say.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends has 4 kids (she had 4 kids under the age of 4 when the last was born because there are twins in the middle). She used to say the same thing about people with one or two kids. Amazing what we can adjust to in our lives. :) Thanks for the comic relief.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Saw on FB that your little one took scissors to her hair :(
ReplyDelete