Sleepyhead

I had the extreme honour of attending a birth this week. I was awake, except for a couple of catnaps from Monday morning until 1:30 Tuesday afternoon. I went for a “nap” at 1:30 and conked right out. I didn’t get up until 11:00 Tuesday night. I was up getting some things done until 3:45 a.m. Although I could have slept longer, I got up at 7:00 Wednesday morning. So, do you think I needed that much sleep? I sure do because it was most abnormal.

So, there are times when sleep is definitely the answer.

However, there are other times when tiredness is not the result of lack of sleep.

If you are sleeping well and keeping a fairly consistent schedule and are still tired, here are some suggestions:

1. You might need more exercise. The great things about working out are that it helps you have more energy, think more clearly, and sleep well.

2. You might be eating poorly. Too much sugar and caffeine can actually drain you – despite the temporary energetic high.

3. You might need to walk away from the TV or computer for a while. As much as I love both, I know they can sap my energy if I’m not careful.

4. Like me, you might work from home. When this is the case, you might be tempted to stay in your sleepwear for most or all of the day. Although I often do, just getting washed and dressed can wake me up and make me feel more productive.

5. You might have a medical condition that needs attention. Please don’t ignore inexplicable tiredness.

6. You might be experiencing “the blues” or full fledged depression. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. If you suspect this might be the case, get the help you need.

I hope you have a great sleep tonight followed by a super fantastic day tomorrow.

The Doula! Film

The Doula! film is a great introduction to the role of birth/labour doulas and postpartum doulas.

“What’s a doula?” you ask. It’s from a Greek word that means “servant.” And what a wonderful description! Doulas have the privilege of serving expectant and new moms.

Before birth, doulas supply information and resources so clients can make the right decisions for them. (It is not our job to give medical advice or persuade someone to do something with which she is not comfortable.)

Birth doulas arrive at a predetermined time during a woman’s labour. She stays with the mom from that time until an hour or two after the baby is born, whether at home, in a birth centre, or at a hospital. (Many hospitals are becoming open to the idea of having a doula present.) The doula will do anything from quietly sitting in the corner offering moral support to actively engaging in comfort measures to help the mom deal physically with the process of bringing a new life into the world.

Postpartum doulas offer a wide variety of services for new moms, from helping with breastfeeding to walking the dog, from picking up other children from school to light housework. (Until I saw the film, I didn’t think this would interest me, but I’ve reconsidered – although, for now, I have enough other things on my plate.)

So, if you are interested in viewing the film at a free screening during World Doula Week and you live in the St. Thomas, ON area, you will want to R.S.V.P. the Vesta Shop. The event is being held on March 23 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up today.

As you might expect, there is some nudity in this film. I know some of you will want to take that into consideration.

For more information, check our the teaser and order info here.

February 29 ROW Check-in

Happy Leap Year

Editing

I completed A’s manuscript and am reading over J’s one last time.

I’ve added the info to Deb’s manuscript, and she likes it. Yay!

Carolyn and I will be going through her manuscript again sometime in March.

Two of my friends asked me to do some editing for them. One has written a selection of poems. The other is working on a novel. I am truly honoured…and always just a tad leery about editing for friends.

Writing

My blogging is now behind schedule because I attended the birth of a wee one. I’m okay with that.

Submissions

It looks like a weather warning just might keep me from meeting with my co-author and a publisher today. I’ll have to see if the forecast has changed by morning.

Other than that, it’s just the same old/same old.

Reading

Life, In Spite of Me - I highly recommend it.

Dawn Comes Early - such a fun read

The Other Baby Book – I’m glad I list it here. It reminds me to get started reading it.

Other books – I need to get serious about the books I really should be reading.

Volunteer Work

I’m pretty much up-to-date with my responsibilities.

Exercise & Fitness

Full-body Workout – I still hope to get at least two in this week.

Cardio – This is pretty much a wash for now.

Sessions with Workout Buddy – Now that Baby has arrived and I’m feeling better, I just might try to get together with Ann at least once this week.

Housekeeping

I’m not getting anything extra done, but I’m doing not too bad keeping up with the day-to-day.

ROW Specific Goals

Check in twice per week – on track

Visit fellow ROWers’ sites – I hope to leap by today. (I had to include one bad pun, right?)

Continue connecting with my writing buddy regularly – We’ve decided we’d like to live closer to one another. (Thanks for the idea of pairing up with writing buddies, Kait. I love making new friends.)

Today’s Thought

Let’s use this extra day to be incredible productive – maybe even devote it entirely to writing.

Not Perfect, But…

Here are some tips for those of us who will never be perfect housekeepers but want to do better.

1. Toss the laundry in the washer in the evening and in the dryer before bed. Fold it in the a.m. At least it will be clean and available from the laundry basket. (Avoid buying clothes that wrinkle easily.)

2. Wash the dishes and leave them to air dry overnight. Clean and put away is great. Clean…well, that’s still very good.

3. As much as it doesn’t seem to make a difference, keep the list of bookmarks on your computer to a minimum. Do the same with the emails you save. If you’re never going to get around to reading them, they just weigh you down if you know they’re there.

4. The same is true of paperwork. If you don’t need it, chuck it. If you’re concerned about discarding personal info, buy an inexpensive paper shredder.

5. No matter the size, if you work from home, try to keep the area tidy. It will help you be more productive.

6. If you have a family, work on things together. Unfortunately, I never got into the habit of assigning regular chores to my kids.

7. Prioritize. As I’ve mentioned before, I do my best to keep the rabbit cage clean. Since Bunny is an indoor pet, I want to be sure, those who visit don’t know he’s here unless they see him. There are other things I try to keep up with as well.

8. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” So the saying goes. With that in mind, it’s a great idea to keep you’re entryway clean and free of clutter.

9. If you, like me, often feel as if there are too few hours in the day, try this: Be honest about where you spend your time. Of course it’s important to set aside downtime, but think about how you can be more productive. See if you can apply the adage, “Work smarter, not harder.”

10. Do you have a life mission statement? If not, try summing up in one sentence what you ultimately want to achieve. Weigh the things you spend time doing. Are they bringing you closer to your goal? If not, can you eliminate them or at least significantly cut back on the time you spend on them.

The Poetry of Life

the poetry of life

a little one soon to make an appearance

Great Grandpa’s journey to his eternal home

ebb and flow

birth and homegoing

joy and heaviness

laughter and tears

light and shadows

the beauty of new life

the beauty of a life well-lived

expectation for now

expectation for tomorrow

gathering together to say welcome

gathering together to say good-bye

tears of joy

tears of sorrow

fleeting heaviness

lasting joy

 

February 26 ROW Check-in

Being a sixth of the way through the year, I thought I’d look back on my goals for 2012, my personal Year of No Excuses, and see where I’m at. So, here goes…

Editing

Edit my friend’s Bible study manuscript, a companion to her novel. Check.

Edit Carolyn’s manuscript. Check – with the exception of a quick phone call to change a few details.

Keep up with projects for my editing clients. Things have been steady. I currently have three new clients and another for whom I am going to put the final touches on her manuscript.

Writing

Complete co-authoring Deb’s manuscript. I just have to add a few details about her dad. She and I are meeting with a publisher on Wednesday.

Complete the essay and research paper for my doula course. I keep putting it off, but I should be able to do both in one day if I devote some serious time to the endeavour.

Write and submit picture book manuscripts regularly. I’ve written a number of manuscripts, but have not submitted any to date.

Complete the first draft of my children’s picture book by June. Tweak and submit it by December. There’s still time, although I haven’t been working on it.

Keep up with my blogging. For the most part, I’m doing okay. I am a little behind, however.

Reading

Do more reading. I’ve been spending lots of time reading. My revised goal is to read two novels and a non-fiction book per month. So far, so good.

Other Goals

Watch the webinar re: creating tables in Word Press. Check.

Regular exercise and healthy eating. Not as good as I’d like.

Set up a photo website. I don’t think I’ll have time this year. At least, for now, it isn’t a priority.

Keep up with my volunteer responsibilities. Pretty much on track.

Review the material and take the online exam to keep my PTS certification current. I still have some time. I took the CPR A recert course, so I might as well.

Develop Skype course. Probably not this year.

ROW Specific Goals

Check in regularly. Yep.

Pop by other ROWers blogs. Not as much as I’d like to.

Stay in touch with my writing buddy. It has been hit and miss, but she’s great, always encouraging when we do touch base. Thank you so much, Julie.

Getting Lost

I followed crowds

To pin online

And there I spent my day.

I searched the Web

For this and that

That I could there display.

And as I did

I thought of things

That fill my heart with glee.

The tastes and smells

The sights and sounds

The things I like to see.

From falling leaves

To paintings grand

I pinned away the hours.

I’d fill my home

With Seuss-like flare

And decorate with flowers.

With Chai in hand

And books beside

I’d follow pathways bright.

In autumn’s crunch

And winter’s snow

I found my heart grow light.

The sky ablaze

With fireworks

And bridges there to cross.

I pinned until

My heart’s content

And I was getting lost.

But it’s okay

From time to time

To lose yourself, my friend.

For I returned

Again refreshed

From this new fun-filled trend.

Companions in Flight

You know who you are

At least I hope you do.

You’re the ones who help me fly.

You come alongside me

When I’m losing altitude.

You challenge me to reach

New Heights.

When I disappear from the radar

You come looking.

When I do something goofy

Like inflight barrel rolls

You laugh with me

Not at me.

When my eyes turn inward

You remind me that we fly

In a big, open sky.

And in that vastness

Though I don’t know

You are watching me

Even from miles away.

I know I must set a good example.

For I too

Am one of your

Companions in Flight.

 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV).

February 22 ROW Check-in

Hi, there, my fellow ROWers!

Editing

The first edits of J’s & A’s work should be done by the end of the week.

I have a little info to add to Deb’s manuscript.

Carolyn and I are going to go through her manuscript one last time to fix a few things. She won’t be getting it back from someone who wants to read it for about a month, so that’s on hold for now.

Writing

Even my blog posts are a little behind. Sigh!

Submissions

I’m sure you’re tired of hiring about my failure to submit my work, so I’m not going to mention it again…until I can shout from the rooftops, “I SUBMITTED SOMETHING.”

That said, my co-author and I plan to meet with a publisher next Wednesday, so I might be shouting then. (grin)

Reading

I’m reading Life, In Spite of Me for Blogging for Books. Powerful stuff!

I’m reading Dawn Comes Early for Booksneeze. I’m really liking it.

I should start reading The Other Baby Book. The author sent the PDF file so I could review it. I best get at it.

I have done a little skills development reading and have gotten back to reading for my course.

Volunteer Work

I’m doin’ okay.

Exercise & Fitness

Push Up Challenge – officially ditched because of this cold

Full-body Workout – Despite the cold, I did a brief full body workout today and hope to do one or two others this week.

Cardio – It’ll have to wait until this bug flies away.

Sessions with Workout Buddy – next week maybe

Housekeeping

Things aren’t lookin’ too bad, considering.

Job Applications

- off the list for now

ROW Specific Goals

Check in twice per week – yepper

Visit fellow ROWers’ sites – hit and miss (mostly miss)

Continue connecting with my writing buddy regularly – Julie has been wandering the countryside again. Way to go, Julie!

Today’s Thought

Despite how you feel, writing a little is better than not writing at all.

Each Step

It’s here again,

I’ll grab my pen

And plan the week ahead.

I’ll settle in

And then begin

To do what I have said.

I’ve lots to do,

So very true,

My list is oh, so long.

But I am glad,

With praises clad,

My heart is filled with song.

To God above,

For His great love

Will carry me always.

When I am weak,

Not at my peak,

Through all my nights and days.

For blessings named,

I will proclaim,

Are not for me alone.

He’s reaching out,

I have no doubt

He hears your every groan.

He sees your smiles,

He knows your trials,

His love for you is great.

Just reach for Him

And then begin,

It is not up to fate.

For Jesus cried,

He suffered, died

To make the Way for us,

His bitter pain

Was for our gain,

The power of the cross.

That’s not the end,

My precious friend,

He rose again, it’s true.

To set us free,

Both you and me,

Eternity in view.

You must accept

This treasure kept

For those who will believe.

Your sin lay down

And turn around,

Your burden He’ll relieve.

He’ll welcome you,

Oh, yes, it’s true,

A brand new life is yours,

That life will start,

Give Him your heart,

He’ll lead through open doors.

Your list of plans

Give to His hands

And trust Him all your days.

Live life for God

Each step you trod

And He will guide your ways.