Superb weekend. I spent three and a half hours in the garden Saturday morning and by noon, I was aching in places I never thought could ache. My knees were red for hours. This is all good. The garden looks spectacular and I feel grounded again.
I followed that feeling up with a trip over into New Jersey. One of our meditation group family was hosting a fundraiser for one of our monks. The monk travels from India to the US every year to raise funds for the college the group has built. It was great seeing him again. He’s one of those people who’s like catnip. He emanates this energy that’s just contagious.
Today’s the birthday, so I intend to do as little as humanly possible and still justify food. I won’t count the numbers – they’re just too high now. I’m at that age where I’m transitioning into that “she looks good for her age” bracket. That’s the one right before “You’re that old? Really. Hmm.” But we have to deliver the monk to the train station for his trip to Pittsburgh, and then I’m going to pretend I’ve lost the ability to work. Just for today.
I’m finally seeing some conference contacts paying off. I got a note from someone on Friday who was referred by a PR contact I’d been in touch with heavily over the years. She was at the conference and knew I’d be there, but the only time I saw her she was in the middle of an on-camera interview. But it was enough that she knew my background and knew I took the industry seriously enough to show up for the conferences. She referred this potential client to me, and it could be a lucrative connection.
I got back in touch with another colleague from times past. He worked with a large broker ages ago when I was an editor. I’d contacted his client, not realizing he worked with them. His client connected us, and it was great to catch up. Plus I was able to give him a better picture of the projects I’ve handled since the magazine days. He never knew, which means there are other PR folks out there who don’t know, either. I have to get in touch with the past a bit this week.
Not seeing much else coming in, but that’s summer, isn’t it? It doesn’t mean I’m not going to keep trying. It just means I won’t be sticking my head in the oven when the majority of my attempts go unanswered.
So how was your weekend? What do you have in store this week?
17 responses to “Balancing Act”
What is a weekend? I've been working on that Maggie Smith impression for weeks, thank you.
With my partner just finishing a job for Reuters and me working on two travel books – and getting two more gigs today – weekends are something mythical and dimly remembered. Not that I'm complaining!
Let's loose the spam. 🙂
Glad you're avoiding ovens, Lori. I'm hoping the 5 invoices I have out there for payment come in. That will keep my head out of the oven. 🙂
Have a great week, everyone.
Happy Birthday! woo-hoo! I celebrate that you're my friend!
This week needs to be focused on the book and the ball. I should have some money coming in from the class and prepping for the class starting next week.
I need to put aside the business stuff and focus on getting the next book to my publisher.
I did an interview yesterday morning at 8 AM — it'll be worth it if it sells books, but 8 AM on a Sunday? 🙂
Head slap-forgot to say Happy Birthday, Lori!!!
P.S. Don't feel bad, when Danielle McGaw saw my 3-Day post that I turn 60 the week after the Walk, she said, I didn't know you were 60 not yet -don't push it (it's November!)-then she said I'd like to introduce you to my mother.
Was that my ego I heard deflating?
Happy Birthday, Lori! I've got a doozy of a week. Hubby and two of my kids are out of town … and while they're gone, me and the other two kids are doing a surprise remodel on the family room. We started the minute I got home from dropping them at the airport on Saturday, and we'll be working til they get back next weekend. And it's the end of the month, which is always busiest for me at work. Thank goodness for motivated teens and their friends who want to earn a little extra money.
Spam has been zapped! LOL Funny how Blogger's super spam blocker let that one slip right by, isn't it? Stay tuned – as soon as I decide where this blog is going to land, I'm off Blogger and on to greener pastures.
Joseph, don't you both love and hate that feast time? Love it because of all that work and promise of payment, hate it because it's so frenetic. Congrats on it. I'm envious. 🙂
Keep your head out of the oven, Cathy! They'll arrive. I have one that's about to put me in bulldog mode. I've not had to chase invoices in so long that I get testy really quickly when it happens.
And thank you, Devon. One of my best birthday gifts is you as a friend. 🙂
Eight a.m? Wow, you're a trooper!
Thank you, as well, Cathy. 🙂 Sixty is the new thirty. 🙂 Cling to that five, woman! Cling! LOL
Thanks, Eileen! Wow, great way to let your kids pitch in while spending time with their friends! I should do that with my daughter. She's got some great friends, and I'm sure a few of them would like to earn some cash…
Would love to see the results! If you're able to send pics later, please do.
Happy birthday, Lori! I hope it's a wonderful and relaxing day for you!
Cathy – what day is your birthday? Mine is November 10. Maybe we can have a combo party 😉
This week for me will be nutso at first and then fun through the last half. I have a research paper due on Thursday, but my parents arrive on Wednesday afternoon, so I have to finish the paper either tonight or tomorrow. That was how I spent my weekend, so I'm nearly finished! Will be SO glad when this class is over 🙂
Happy Birthday, Lori! Enjoy it!
I only did a couple hours worth of work this weekend and successfully ignored an e-mail from that one editor (which reminds me, it's after 11 AM on Monday so maybe I should answer it). I wrangled a scoop for my column this weekend, and hope to leave the larger daily paper wondering how I did it. Ha! Connections, my dear. Connections.
The next two weeks will be rough – tracking down sources and juggling interviews for the two articles, but today I'm also sending some queries.
Best part of this week? My back is finally feeling normal again!
Thanks, Ashley. 🙂
Good luck on that paper! I know you'll manage it. It's just harder staring at that shorter deadline, isn't it?
Thank you, Miss Paula. 🙂 Good for you on the scoop! I hope they think they have to hire you as a result. 🙂
And Joseph? I'm a huge Maggie Smith fan! That woman is just amazing.
Yes, it's a bit more frantic trying to turn it in two days early, but thankfully, I work extremely well on deadline. I've been a journalist for a loooong time, and I tend to get things done right on time!
hugs to you and your honey on this birthday of yours 😉
Thanks, Anne. We're about to go celebrate. 🙂
Happy B-Day Lori! I actually read this post last night and thought it was funny it said Monday and it was still Sunday. Am I your only west coast follower? I have a little family vacation planned this week, so I'm looking forward to that. I have some queries to get out, but keep procrastinating. Not sure why. Enjoy your evening!
No Wade, I hit Publish on Sunday night instead of Monday. I was working ahead. 🙂
Happy birthday! may u have many more and have a blast.
Accredited High School Diploma Online