Speeds are rather slow at the moment. Slow, but not relaxing. It’s been a rough few days in my house. Work on the next book hasn’t taken place save for scenes here and there written in Evernote. Instead, I’ve been working on keeping as much of my home germ and illness free as I can (though if DH and DD would stay in one place and not move around and touch everything, it would be easier). (more…)
LOVE The Band Perry. There are many reasons why, but in listening to pretty much all their stuff, so far I can relate to it in some way. I’m A Keeper is one I WANT to relate to… It’s full of self confidence and stepping out, even if you’re the only one doing so… It’s a great anthem for me and the things I’m going through and the things I’m trying to accomplish… – See more at: http://lissamatthews.com/blog/#sthash.kUx0gFn2.dpuf
I LOVE The Band Perry. There are many reasons why, but in listening to pretty much all their stuff, so far I can relate to it in some way. I’m A Keeper is one I WANT to relate to… It’s full of self confidence and stepping out, even if you’re the only one doing so… It’s a great anthem for me and the things I’m going through and the things I’m trying to accomplish…
~lissa
I’ve talked about how I want to work smarter, not harder, this year. I love writing. I love what I do. But, I don’t want to work 16-20 hours a day, 7 days a week. I don’t want to sacrifice my family, my sanity, my health, or me. And I’m still trying to figure out how to do that. I can master one concept of it, or another, but not all of it at the same time. That’s the goal this year, though. All of it, at the same time. All of it working seamlessly at the same time.
I know, I know. Go ahead and laugh. I’ll wait…
Feel better?
All I’m looking for is the balance.
I admire so many authors who put everything into their work… Every breathing, waking moment. They put out a lot of great books, are beloved by readers and admired by others like myself. They are wanted by this editor and that publisher. Some have families, some have day jobs, some have all sorts of other obligations, and some just have their writing. Some have spouses who handle the family and house. Some have great health and some don’t.
I don’t.
And I also don’t want to feel guilt for choosing work over kids over work over exercise over work over family over work… Guilt causes stress. I have enough that I don’t need to pile it on in other ways… I don’t want my kids to remember that all I did was work. Sometimes sitting and watching the game is enough. It’s why I unplug a lot more now on the weekends. It’s why the notebooks come out a lot more too.
So, I’ve watched some videos during my treadmill moments about work and happiness and life balance, looking for some thing I can try to implement into my life… Some things I keep, some I toss…
This is one of those videos…
How do you balance work and family and keeping your sanity?
~lissa
I’m breaking with tradition for a bit. See, I usually don’t start the Christmas music until the week of Thanksgiving, but I’ve started a little early. One of my favorite Christmas albums is by SheDAISY, Brand New Year. I love them, all their albums and one day they’ll have a new one, but for now, at this time of year, I wear the hell out of their Christmas one.
Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag is on the soundtrack of The Santa Clause 2 and I love it. The movie and the song… So, thought I’d share it with you.
The holidays are about love and togetherness and we don’t see our families much. My husband doesn’t get the days surrounding the holidays off very often and money is tight for every one lately. Facebook and phone calls and video chats just aren’t the same as a hug or late night conversations eating left over holiday pie. Times change and family and friends move… And while it’s my favorite time of year, it’s also at times a very lonely one when you’re missing parents, grandparents, siblings. If yours are close by, be Thankful. One of the things I love about SheDAISY is that they’re sisters and I think that’s wonderful, to be close like that.
Oh and in case you weren’t aware, and this is vitally important information, the classic television special Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is on CBS next Tuesday, before Thanksgiving. I don’t remember the last it was on in November. It’s a tradition in our house. It’s campy and sometimes ridiculous, but it’s part of my memories as a child, so, I’ll be tuned in promptly at 8pm.
Have a great week, y’all. And don’t forget my new release, The Cupcake Cowboy comes out Friday, the 22nd.
~lissa
