Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Let me tell you about what I've been doing...

...but first, what do you think of the colors? And top photo? I changed them because every once in a while, one needs change. And I've had so many changes in my life recently that I thought, "Why not?" [If you think it's ugly, though, just say "Ummm...it's interesting, Cheryl..." and that will suffice.]

Change is inevitable, I know this. And sometimes, I long for change --you know, the good kind. The increased awareness, the repentance of sin; not to mention getting through potty training or a long night of sickness. But recently, I've noticed that the changes in my life are leaving me little time to blog about the day-to-day grind. Let's walk through what I did from 10:30PM last night until now:

I finished my weight loss post and posted it; Brandon was still up doing important financial/paper/whatever-we-gotta-do type stuff. When we finally got into bed just sighing with relief for sleep, #4 decided to cry. I went in to comfort him (he's across the hall from our room). Calmed him down; I went back to bed. Three minutes later, #4 cried again. I gave him some water. Three minutes later, he cried again...and again...and I was so confused. He wasn't sick, he wasn't cold, he wasn't too warm, his binky was in his mouth. I checked his diaper, I checked over his body. Nothing. But every 3-5 minutes, he would cry. I thought perhaps it was a nightmare, but he woke up more than once (fully awake), and it sounded like a pain cry --one that would subside and then swell again. Exhausted, I was tempted just to let him cry, but I sat and thought about it. The next time he cried, I checked his gums --his back molars. Lo and behold, one had come in and the other was very swollen. A-ha! I broke out the Motrin, held him until it kicked in, and he slept the rest of the night.

Brandon was gone by 6AM to play basketball; I got up to do laundry. I know! Doesn't that sound nutso!? Laundry at 6AM?! After a cruddy night? Yeah, well, whilst-a-helpin' #4 throughout the night, I checked #3 for any potty accidents. See, it was his first night without a pull-up. I knew he wasn't ready, but I had forgotten to buy more pull-ups. I discovered, to my non-surprise, that he had wet the bed and hadn't even woken up. But I was too tired to wake him up, pull him out of bed, hose him down, wash the sheets, blah, blah, blah...and he has a plastic sheet on his mattress. So I did what any other tired mother would do with a child who didn't realize he was covered and pee and was sleeping soundly --I let him sleep. But! I knew he had no underwear for the morning (he just peed in his last pair. I'm nothing if I'm not prepared, you know), thus the getting up early to do laundry.

So, I'm up, I do laundry, clean up, get #1's lunch ready, get breakfast ready (cereal and milk take a lot of effort to prepare!), and finish some other tasks. Like blogging. Important stuff! As the children woke up, I fed them, helped them get dressed, made sure #1 finished her homework, had her do some practice tests for the big 1st grade testing next week (stupid testing), gave #3 and #4 (he had to be included) a bath, and did more laundry. Brandon came home in time to fix my Blasted phone lines (that keep going out on me) and do some other technological things for me, but then he was off to work. Then it was socks, shoes, jackets, get-in-the-car! seat belts, and taking #1 to school. Getting back, it was find a "v" picture for #2's preschool, where's-the-back-pack?, put #4 in the back carrier, walk #2 to preschool, come home, clean up breakfast, put #4 down for a nap, shower, help #3 with his snack ("what are you doing on the counter?") and then sit down to change my blog "look." And then write this post.

This is my life. The life I rarely have time to write about anymore because of all the other changes I've made in my life. There was the move, the weight loss, Brandon's new job, and although that looks like a small list, we all know what just "the move" can include. Oh, yes, it includes a lot! I was hoping to be unpacked and stress-free by now, but come on, that's not realistic is it? Nope. It doesn't help that I try to go out and do fun stuff whenever I can, either (go figure). So, I'm trying to breathe and be happy with the stress. The weather is gorgeous, my kids are healthy and happy...what more can I want?

Well, dear reader, there is one more thing I want (okay, there's several things, but this post is already too long). I want to be published! Oh, how I want to be published. So, yesterday, I spent the bulk of afternoon revising my children's stories and finished writing another one. I found some more publishing companies that will accept unsolicited manuscripts, so I'm getting ready to submit again. This is big for me, since I haven't been focused on writing since January. And I've already been rejected twice. Ah, well! To succeed, one must be willing to fail. Wish me luck!

27 comments:

Desi said...

That is so exciting Cheryl!

How wonderful would it be to have your writing published? Good luck! You have to let me know when you do get published so I can buy your books for my girls :)

Anonymous said...

Umm...that's interesting, Cheryl.

Actually, I really love the header picture (you are a great photographer), but the mauve is a little hard on my eyes. Maybe it's just my computer screen and it's not really the color I'm seeing?

Wow--you've had a full morning! I hope you get to sit down and put your feet up for half a second sometime during the day.

Keep working on and submitting those children's stories. Someone will recognize your talents and then I can say I knew you when... Also, I want autographed first editions!

Cheryl said...

Desi-
Thanks! The waiting period after submitting work can take up to almost 6 months, though, so don't hold your breath just yet...although I really appreciate your excitement. It makes me more excited at the prospect! :)

Bythelbs-
Perhaps you just need glasses? Just kidding --I'm not sure how I feel about the background color yet, though...so, I may change it.

Thanks for the compliment on the photo! I aspire to be good at things I have no idea about.

Note to self: Bythelbs wants autographed first editions...

Susan M said...

The red background with black text is a little hard to read. Maybe try one of the light yellow-green colors in your photo? But mute it down a tad.

Good luck on your submissions. Don't give up.

Cheryl said...

What about this green? Too green?

Susan M said...

It is pretty dang green! But easier to read than the red. Maybe an off-white? Or yellow? #FAFAD2 or #FFE4B5 or #F5DEB3?

(I'm not a designer!)

Cheryl said...

Oh, heavens! If I didn't have the short-cuts blogger provides, my blog would look like a word document. :)

What about this one?

Susan M said...

Of the three, I like this one best. Rather bright though! I'm not familiar with how blogger works. Is there a selection of colors you can choose from?

Cheryl said...

Yeah...one of those color palate thingies. I might mess around with it some more, but this is the easiest to read...

Anonymous said...

I'm awake! I'm awake!

It's very sunny, but I like it better than the mauve for sure. But it's not about me, it's about you. What do YOU like? :)

Amanda D said...

I love the picture, Cheryl and I think that the yellow is great too. The Happy Meets Crazy is kind of hard to read on the header, but I know what it says, so I'm okay with that. :)

I hope your baby's teeth pop through fast, so you don't have another night like that. Way to go on getting up and doing laundry. I seldom get up before everyone, but when I do, I enjoy it so much. The quiet of the house, and the sun peeking in.

Good luck with the teeth, potty-training, laundry, getting published and everything else! Change is good.

Amanda D said...

Ok - ignore me on the Happy meets crazy. When I first clicked you it came up in a small box so the words were over the picture. Full screen, it isn't and it is easy to read. Forgive me. I'm a dork.

Unknown said...

I like the yellow much better than the pink, it was hard to read. I think that's great that you have sent childrens books off to find an editor. Do you have the artwork done as well? I have two childrens books that I have written text for, but am not an artist. I would be interested in learning more about the process.

And, what a morning. Life is never dull when you have kids, is it?

Jocelyn said...

What's that old saying? If at first you DO succeed, try not to act astonished. That thing we call failure is really not failure at all, it's normal, don't you think.
I hope the publishing process is more successful (in the contracts sense of the word) this time around. I always have ideas floating around in my brain for children's books, but have never had the gumption to sit down and write an actual text.
Oh, and I have TOTALLY done the wet sheets through the night bit. Chloe still wets at night and so we are big fans of diapers (too cheap for pull-ups), but when I run out, I just let 'er wet and deal with it in the morning! It's called survival. And I am into that.
Oh, and I like the photog at the head of your page. Lovely.

Cheryl said...

Bythelbs-
Okay, what about this? I like this color, even if it's a tad wall-ish (you know, like the color you would paint your wall in your Tuscan style villa overlooking some amazing vineyard). But I've decided I like it better than the yellow. What do you all think?

Jill-
I'll have to post about the process. It's long and tedious and No, I am not an artist. Words only for me, although I'd love to have artistic talent.

Amanda-
You are not a dork! I've had tons of problems with my header --getting the words to align so-and-so...argh. So, no worries. :)

Julie-
I like that failure is normal. Thank you! Also, glad to know I'm not crazy for letting my child sleep in pee... :)

Cheryl said...

Okay, nevermind. Sorry, guys! I took the Tuscan one off and went with the cream. This one might stay for a while. Man, what is up with my indecision?

Grandma Rozla said...

I love the new color :) I remember the days of small children. As hard as it is sometimes just enjoy every minute of everything - good and bad - all too soon it is gone and some days you will even find yourself wishing it back. They grow up so fast! Good luck with the publishing. I want to be on the list for the autographed copies. I'll buy for for each grandbaby! Hugs from me to you

Anonymous said...

Shoot--I never got to see the Tuscan. I like this one, though--it's easy to read and doesn't detract from your lovely header photo. But I'm not the best person to ask, my background is just white. Maybe I'm afraid of color.

flip flop mama said...

I do like this color. It's calming and your picture is great too! Sorry you had such a rough night and busy morning. Take time to get your house in order...don't stress. Good luck with the books! I want an autographed copy too! :)

Lizzie said...

Cheryl, you amaze me with how you handle 4 children, aparently with near ease (and yes, leaving the wet kid in bed is perfectly fine. I'd do it!). When I think about my own #2 coming and how I'm going to handle day to day activities, I start to have a panic attack (literally) and have to think about puppies or rainbows or anything else quick. You'll have to spread some of your knowledge this way. Hey, question for and all your readers (who read the comments): What's the recommendation on double strollers? Front to back, side by side, sit and stand, etc?

Amelia said...

Like the colors..but then again, green is one of my favorites- all the memories of outdoors and summer I suppose. Moving is never easy no matter how many times you do it and unpacking I swear takes about a year. Let me clarify. Unpacking might take a few months, but to get everything into a working, cohesive, and zen placement (if that ever happens for more than 10 minutes with kids saying, "ooh, mom! The house is so lovely and clean. Can we play now?") takes me a year. Of course, by that time, I'm in the process of packing up again. No kidding. Every time. Except the two years for grad school. Sigh. Good luck. Don't stress and go play. Emmi asked my why I never play with the kids any more. Now, if that doesn't break your heart...

Cheryl said...

Becca-
Yes! Totally! I had just gotten our home in CA exactly the way I wanted it and...we moved. I feel your pain! I hope the rest of the move goes well for you, btw...

Lizzie-
Get a baby carrier and use a stroller for Lexi. If you do go double stroller, do the front-back and buy one that lets you convert it into a standing-in-the-back one. I'm not sure on name-brands, but if you go to Tales From the Crib (there's a link on my side bar) they did a huge post on strollers last year. You can find it on their site (search for it). Good luck!

Bythelbs-
The Tuscan one was too brownish. It was hard to read like the mauve and green ones...

Jamie-
Yes, it is calming! I like that...

Roz-
Sigh. I know, you are right! I will miss these days. It's hard to think I will, but I know I will...

It looks like I'll have to do autographed copies for everyone! But you guys gotta remember --I need to get published first! So don't hold your breath... :)

The Conductor said...

Cheryl,

I just love that you journaled out your busy morning. It sounded like me just moments ago, telling my husband what I did all day today. And telling him why we canNOT move in December but in fact need six more months so I can somehow find the time it takes to organize and pack for a move when all I do every day is KIDS. (How in the world did you do it in such a short span of time???!!!)

Thank Heavens for wonderful women like Grandma Rozla who remind us to cherish these fleeting years of having our children around us!

Unknown said...

I like the changes! Definitely a great color for spring as well.

And I can't believe you thought you would be unpacked by now. Glad to see you're not throwing important things to the wayside.

You know. Like blogging. :-)

Never A True Aggie said...

I like the header. I also like doing housework early before anyone wakes up. I remember one glorious day when I woke up early and got the housework done by 10 AM.

Cheryl said...

never a true aggie-
If I could pull myself out of bed, I would do the housework every morning...it feels so good to get a jump on it!

Amber-
I know! Blogging is the top priority. :) And yes, I'm unrealistic in my desires for an unpacked house. Ah, well, better to try and fail than not to try at all, eh?

Amy-
You know the saying that one can do what one has to do? Well, that's me moving in 3 weeks. I should do a post about it sometime. Honestly? I'd rather do it all Bam-Bam-Bam! instead of dragging it out for months. Then I know it has to get done. Deadlines are important in my life --they get me off my duff! :)

Jocelyn said...

Hey, to the stroller commentor: I have a side by side double stroller (that's also a bike trailer) and a front to back double stroller. While I prefer the side by side for walks, etc when chillens are older, I really loved my front to back when the babes were still in a car seat. It was so so nice to put sleeping #2 in the stroller without disturbing her. The front to backs are a beast to turn corners with (in stores/tight spaces/etc.) but worth it, in my book. I still use mine occassionally and will be doing so again when #4 gets here.
And if you go with a side by side, I'd recommend one that is also a bike trailer. That's an awesome combo.
Oh, and one more thing...I am not a huge fan of the baby carrier things, so I'd totally say go for a double stroller!