ROW80 Check-In 02-29-12

Howdy!

Here’s how my week looked:

WRITING:

Goal: Work on WIP in evening after kids go to bed.

Reality: This seems to be working well, although I haven’t managed it every night of the week.  Some nights I crash almost as soon as they do.  :)  But, I’m making good progress – the Hubster occupied the kids for a large portion of this weekend, allowing me to get 4-5 hours in – an unheard of chunk of time!  Thanks, T-Man!

BLOGGING/SOCIAL MEDIA:

Goal: Read and promote other’s blogs 1 hr/day in the morning.

Reality: So far I’ve managed to make this work, although I never am able to get to as many blogs as I’d like.

Goal: Write 4 posts/week to stockpile for baby’s arrival.

Reality: This actually hasn’t been a problem at all.  In fact, it’s eeking into my writing time in the evening.  Who knew nesting urges would bleed into blog writing?

Goal: Schedule blog posts for when baby arrives.

Reality: This is going well! I’m so grateful to you lovely volunteers. Those who have already sent me your posts, thanks! And those whose posts are on the way, I can’t wait to see what you send me!  It really means so much to me that you’re willing to help.  These WANA methods are the bomb!

Goal: Reduce blogging to three times a week.

Reality: Yep.  I did it.  And while it’s definitely easier on me, it’s not been easy to accept.  I’ll be interested to see how my traffic fares in March because of the reduced content.  I keep reminding myself that after Little Miss Took arrives and life smooths out again, I can always go back to posting more often.  Right now, though, I’ll stick to this goal.

HOMESCHOOL:

Goal: Ignore social media during homeschool time.

Reality:  This worked about 85% of the time.  There were some down times when I was able to do a little blog-reading on my phone, so I guess you could say I cheated a little.  But, committing to a work/school schedule has really smoothed out lots of bumps.  I think we’re falling into a rhythm here that we can easily maintain.

EXERCISE/EATING HEALTHY:

Goal: Put 5 minute test mile theory back into practice.

Reality: Nope.  Didn’t do it.  Not even a little.  This momma is tuckered out from chasing her offspring around while carrying a giant kicking watermelon in her abdomen.

Goal: Allow myself to nest.

Reality:  Giggle, snort.  I don’t think there would be any stopping me at this point.

Goal: Whole foods brekkie and lunches.

Reality:  Easy, peasy.  This one’s been no problem at all.

So, overall, I’m tickled with how the week went.  I can definitely feel myself slowing down, but the end is in sight, pregnancy-wise, and so it feels pretty short term.  Give me a couple months, and I’ll be zipping around like a crazy woman again!

I hope y’all had happy, productive weeks, too.  Lots o’ love,

Myndi

ROW80 Check-In

Hi!

*waves hello*

I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already.  Time is flying by the closer I get to my due-date.  Little Miss Took will be here before we know it…EEK!  :)

So, I did manage to take a look at my goals…I can’t say that they changed all that much, but my thoughts are a little more organized, and I did set up some boundaries as to when/where/how they’ll get done.  That’s a good thing.  Pregnancy hormones can cause sensibility-blindness, and I these days I need a clear reminder of when it’s okay to shut off one area of my life to focus on another.

Here’s what I’m looking at:

WRITING:

*Work on the WIP after the kids go to bed in the evening.  Trying to do any serious work while they’re vying for my attention just doesn’t work.

*Stop beating myself up for not getting to it during the day.  That’s just the way my schedule is.  It’s not good or bad; it just is.

BLOGGING/SOCIAL MEDIA:

*Read and promote other folk’s blogs 1 hr/day in the morning while the kids are working on quiet projects.  This is Monday through Friday only.  Cut myself a break on Sat and Sun.

*Write one blog post/day 4 days a week in an effort to stockpile blogs for baby’s arrival.  Write these during SweetZ’s naptime.

*Schedule guest posts for when baby arrives. *cough* Any volunteers out there?  :)    *hugs* (and a HUGE thanks to those of you who’ve already volunteered!)

*Reduce blogging to three times a week (not counting ROW80 check-ins), and switch my ROW80 check-ins to Wednesdays.  No blogging on weekends anymore.

HOMESCHOOL:

*When it’s homeschool time, focus on that.  Social Media and Blogging and the WIP are on the farthest burner during that time.  Family first.

EXERCISE/HEALTHY EATING:

*Go back to the five minute ‘test mile’ theory.  I’m in the heat of the last trimester energy drain, and it’s okay that my body is tired and demanding rest.  *mantra* I am not a wimp.  I am not a wimp.  I am not a wimp…

*Allow myself to nest, and make lists, even if it drives the rest of my family nutso.  :)

*Continue with the whole foods breakfasts, and add in lunches.  This goal is so very YUM!

 I’ll let you know next week how it’s working out.  ’Till then, happy ROW-ing!

P.S.  There’s still time to send me your photo for the I Am Beautiful…Just the Way I Am campaign!  Send me your pic at myndishafer at rocketmail dot com.  I need ‘em by Feb 24; the follow-up post will run Feb 28!  

Napping, Fried Chicken, and Pedicures: Arguing w/ Self

This post is utterly uninspired.

Let me tell you what I’d rather be doing right now:

Napping.

Eating fried chicken.  The extra-crispy kind from KFC that’s guaranteed to take minutes, if not hours, off your life with every bite.

Getting a pedicure.

Better yet, eating fried chicken while getting a pedicure, followed up by a very lovely nap.

I’ve promised myself that if I can knock out at least one blog post today, I’ll give myself that nap.

“What about the fried chicken?” I argue back with myself.

“No fried chicken,” I firmly reply.  ”You’ll eat it and then just feel gross.  You don’t really want it.”

“Yes, I do,” I say obstinately.

“No, you don’t,” I insist.  ”Look, do you want a nap or not?”

Pouting.  ”Yes.”

“Then you need to write a blog post.”

“If I write a blog post can I get a pedicure AND a nap?”

“Not today.  Today, just a nap.”

“What if I write a REALLY GOOD blog post?”

“Nope.  No pedicure.  Just a nap.”

Crosses arms in front of chest, scowls at the wall.  ”Fine.  I’ll write a blog post.  But it’s not going to be good.”

Impatiently.  “Just write the damn post.”

There you have it, folks.  My inner dialogue…with myself.  Or should I call it monologue, since it’s only me, talking(arguing) to(with) me?

And maybe that’s cause for concern, the fact that I can carry on entire arguments with myself…

You know what?  I’m not gonna worry about that right now.  This blog post is finished, and I’m off to score a nap.

Giddy: The Liebster Blog Award

Last week, Laura Stanfill graced me with the Liebster Blog Award.

Say whaaaat?  I’m so tickled, you guys!  Not only because it’s über fun to win an award (which, of course, it is), but also because I get to do one of my favorite things, and PASS IT ON!

Oh, heck yes.

So here’s what the Liebster Blog Award is all about:

Liebster is the German word for ‘dearest’.  (awwww….)  The Liebster Blog Award is given to up-and-coming bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.

Cool, right?

There are some stipulations to accepting the reward:

*If you accept, you need to thank, reference, and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.  THANK YOU LAURA!!

*Reveal your top five picks for passing the award on, and let them know by commenting on their blog.

*Copy and paste the award onto your blog (who wouldn’t want that super-cute graphic on their blog?)

*Hope the people you award the blog to choose five new bloggers of their own and keep the love going!

So, here comes the fun part.  Check out these new bloggers – love them!

*Ginger Calem is fun, funny, sassy, sweet (except when she’s channeling her inner-Beatrix-evil-self)…and so is her blog.

*Fabio Bueno’s blog is brand-spanking new, but he had me at “Thanksgiving Hangover”.

*Jessica O’Neal truly is one sexy little nerd.  Love her blog!

*Lena Corazon is one busy gal, and one fabulous writer.  I can’t wait to see where she takes her story of a matriarchal-bird-inspired-civilization.  Really, really, really, really, really (are you reading this Lena?) hoping she’ll let me be a beta-reader!!

*Emma Burcart‘s blog is like a combination of your best friend and your favorite jeans – comfy, easy to talk to (aka, read and comment), and keeps you coming back for more.

Okay.  I’ve shared my five (and believe me, I wish the award allowed for more!).  Now, go read ‘em, and love ‘em!  And if you’re a recipient…

You know what to do.