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Endings, Beginnings, and Other Stuff

What’s on the iPod: Summer Nights by Rascal Flatts

I’m hating Blogger at the moment. I just typed out a nice long post, clicked Publish, and watched it disappear into oblivion.

For the first time in nearly a month, I am alone in the house. First his daughter/boyfriend combo arrived, then his vacation, then my daughter/boyfriend combo, then his son arrived back home from Brazil, then most recently our favorite meditation monk came to stay. The girls left Sunday of last week and Thursday respectively, the son is back to work, and the husband just left to take the monk to the train station. It’s just me and the fish again. And Mister Squeakers. (I’m hamster-sitting while my daughter is in Orlando.) As much as I love everyone’s company, I am blissfully alone and the house is settling into quiet again.

I worked the entire time they were all here. Mind you, the latter part of December wasn’t busy, but January came with a pile of projects, including two from one client and one from another that are due today. I have one more from the first client, and possibly some press release edits arriving from them today.

The Christmas tree is in the corner awaiting recycling. We took the decorations off yesterday, but neither of us had the heart to take it out. It’s beautiful and the needles are still tight to the branches. I put away the rest of the decorations save for the lights outside, which are under snow. They’ll wait until a warmer day – it’s 21 here right now – when I can actually see the extension cords and get to the bush lights.

It will be interesting to see how much work I get done today. For some odd reason, I tend to get much more accomplished when I’m pressed for time. Anyone else have the same experience?

So what’s on your desk this week?

9 responses to “Endings, Beginnings, and Other Stuff”

  1. Eileen Avatar
    Eileen

    I'm now acting as Copy Director for one of my clients, so this month begins a new experience for me. I've got three subcontract writers and will be busy today writing creative briefs and working with my writers. So far, it's fun, but it also requires me to learn how to keep more plates spinning at one time. I also have a 750 advertorial to write, and a long 12-page sales letter to begin.

    Reply
  2. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington

    Yep, I'm on my own in the house now, and it is bliss.

    Gotta get the decorations down.

    Leave the tree up as long as it's nice as either plain green or seasonally decorate.

    My mom had a fake tree that jammed in the full position, and we'd put snowflakes on it, and valentines, and easter eggs, and 4th of july flags — you get the idea! 😉

    A ton to do this week, both writing wise and otherwise. Looking forward to it.

    Reply
  3. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    First, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one whose tree is still up. This weekend I undecked the halls save for the tree, the "winter" village, and the outdoor lights. My problem is I love all the old ornaments – I inherited my grandparents' and parents' ornaments, plus my own. I have soft gold lights (not the orangey-gold) and use shiny red beaded garland instead of traditional garland or tinsel. The tiny red beads make all the difference. It's so sad to take it down, but I draw the line at needing to dust ornaments, so it will come down this week.

    Work-wise, I have a column to knock out this morning and a small project to wrap up today. Tomorrow I interview a business owner for a profile due later this month, and I have a 2,500 word behemoth (due at the end of the month) to start researching and interviewing. Somewhere in there I want to get some new ideas sent out, too. Oh, and take down the tree.

    Reply
  4. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Eileen, that sounds amazing! Sounds like a great new avenue for your business, too.

    Devon, I laughed out loud! Yes, I get what you mean. I should get the mini-kilts ready for Robert Burns Supper – that tree would look good in tartan. 🙂

    Paula, I even left the wreath my dad made up. He used some sort of fir, so the needles are still soft and green. I took off the pine cones and bow, so maybe some hearts for February should go on next.

    Reply
  5. hugh.c.mcbride Avatar
    hugh.c.mcbride

    "For some odd reason, I tend to get much more accomplished when I'm pressed for time.

    From high school until, well, a few months ago, I was under the impression that I got my best work done while pressed for time. But since my efforts to get (and stay) organized have begun to take hold, I've made the wonderful discovery that I much prefer being able to work more deliberately (who knew?).

    I still find myself racing to the finish line from time to time, but I find that when I don't *have* to work uber-quick, I end up getting things done in about the same time — but I think the quality is improved. I realize this has as much to do w/ my more "relaxed" mindset as it does w/ my words per minute on the keyboard — but if it works, who am I to argue?

    Reply
  6. Anne Wayman Avatar
    Anne Wayman

    My desk? Surely you jest… can a desk be knee deep?

    I did get the wee rosemary Christmas tree undecorated… however the decorations aren't put away yet… do I get half a point?

    Reply
  7. Gabriella F. Avatar
    Gabriella F.

    Your question: what do you have on your desk this week?

    Not enough, my good woman. Not enough.

    So far, January's turning out to be a mediocre month. I have a bunch of stuff due by next Monday, but then it's slower. Time to work the clients/new clients.

    Reply
  8. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington

    PS — WordPress is much more reliable than blogger. Just sayin'. 😉

    Reply
  9. Sal Avatar
    Sal

    First off, I'm with Devon on the whole WordPress thing – this coming from a guy who used blogger for 3 years before 😉

    Secondly, the pressure makes me work better as well. The hardest thing with pressure is many times, I don't get to do the editing I wish I could. It is like wrap it up, read it over and fire it off. Really need to get a little better with that.

    All in all, I have a metric butt ton of articles to write for PLR – not my favorite thing in the world, but it brings in some extra spending money. I also need to market myself to a few more small businesses and get some contracts signed.

    The city was shut down today due to icy conditions – don't laugh. Charleston is not prepared for icy roads as the city doesn't own any trucks to lay salt or sand. Basically, if you are on the road, you will probably get into an accident.

    Anyway, the kiddos are back to school and other activities tomorrow, so hopefully work will get done and invoices can get sent out…

    Here's to a warmer day!

    Reply

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