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With mere minutes to spare (I thought) I hit the send button, catapulting my She Writes submission just under the deadline wire. 

Turns out I had four hours left – Tom and I both weren't thinking straight on the Pacific vs. East Coast time thing – but that's okay. If I'd known I had the time, I would have used it, staying up way too late. I'm already dragging as it is.

I spent the past two days writing, writing, writing, trying to get those 2000 words just right. Sometimes the story just flowed – I was right there in it. Other times the words I needed were rooted in hard soil;  I had to plant my feet and pull, pull, pull till they broke free.

Anyway, after staying focused on my book like that, and working the whole weekend, I'm behind on everything else again. 

I'm not even talking about laundry. I can live with that. What stresses me out is my email inbox is overflowing and mostly unanswered, I have 341 unread posts on my Google Reader and I have no idea what celebrations, trials or tribulations my Facebook friends have been going through for days.  

I don't like that. Will I ever find a balance?

Today I've been too scatterbrained and distracted to accomplish much of anything. Here it is almost 8pm and I have no idea where the day went, except for the almost 2 hours I spent on the phone with a nice lady from AT&T who tried to help me set up my outdated version of Outlook Express on my ancient computer, and the quick trip into town to light a candle in the church, water my friend's plants and grab some milk from the store.

See, as of yesterday evening, my dad is in the hospital. It's unclear exactly what's wrong with Daddy, but a good guess is some sort of circulation issue, his main gremlin the past few decades. They're running tests and I pray they're able to determine what's going on. (An update before I could publish this – so far everything they've tested is looking good! Maybe it's something minor after all!!)

I jumped on Facebook last night long enough to request prayers, and the outpouring of positive energy in my mom and dad's direction through prayer, good thoughts and love was phenomenol. 

Thank you all! I hope to be a better friend and less of a scatterbrain next week. (No guarantees before then!)

 

I know that at times I will be troubled, 
I know that at times I will be belabored,
I know that at times I will be disquieted,
But I believe that I will not be overcome.
Amen.

– Julian of Norwich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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19 responses to “At times”

  1. Lady Fi Avatar

    Here’s hoping your father gets better soon! Hugs and positive thoughts.

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  2. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Congrats on the story! This being behind seems universal nowadays. Do you know the single most important factor for creativity? Solitude. Do you read Zen Habits? Ha! Another blog for your reader!
    I do hope it’s something minor with your dad. Sending good thoughts.

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  3. Gail Avatar

    So happy you made your deadline! I know what it feels like to be out of the loop and come back to 100s of unread items and email. Oy! I’m leaving for California today; in fact, i should be on the plane now but it’s delayed, so I’m trying to stay caught up with my blogger friends before heading out. Sending out prayers for your dad. Bless your heart!

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  4. Gail Avatar

    Oh! I LOVE that image! Gorgeous.

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  5. Jillsy Girl Avatar

    With all that has been going on, you STILL had time to go water your friend’s flowers. Now, that’s a friend!! I think the key to keeping up with the blogosphere is the word “rotation”! I finally realized that’s the only way to muddle through it and keep any sense of sanity!

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  6. Jillsy Girl Avatar

    BTW…hope the docs don’t find anything serious but do find something so everyone can rest easier. It’s awful not knowing.

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  7. Bella Casa Avatar

    I just read the news …”my dad is in the hospital. It’s unclear exactly what’s wrong with Daddy” and said a prayer for your Dad and your family. God bless all of you.

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you Gail! Hope you have a wonderful safe trip!
    Sent from my iPhone

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  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks Gail!
    Sent from my iPhone

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I wondered what your secret was! (and don't give me too much credit on the watering thing. This is a friend who has done so much for us I could never do enough to repay her!
    Sent from my iPhone

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I agree and the tests themselves are wearing him out! Thanks Jill. 
    Sent from my iPhone

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much Jan. 
    Sent from my iPhone

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  13. Walker Avatar

    And, all shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.
    You’re in my thoughts.

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you Walker. I love that quote. Perfect and reassuring. 
    Sent from my iPhone

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  15. Hilary Avatar

    Sorry to hear about your dad. I’ll keep him in my best thoughts.

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Hilary. I just went and added an update to my last post. Essentially, nothing new, but thought I should at least mention it.

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  17. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I totally agree solitude is the key and I rarely have it. But I hesitate to complain. You know that old saying be careful what you wish for… Guess I'll add zen habit to my reader. It won't hurt being behind on one more!
    Sent from my iPhone

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much, Fi. I hope to have good news to report soon.  
    Sent from my iPhone

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  19. Juana Avatar

    I am trying to catch up here… sorry I didn’t respond to your request, you know I am hardly on facebook anymore. But, I will know. You got 340 emails? Dear Lord… how do you do it all. You are something else!

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