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The Balancing Act
Remember those memes that went around Facebook? The what I think I do, what my neighbors think I do, what I really do memes? Well, this is my blog version of what I really do.
Life as a work-from-home mom is an awkward balance that often finds me falling on my face. It’s like a set of scales, but instead of two pans to keep level, there are six. The tiniest addition to any category can send the whole contraption upside down.
I come from a line of folks who tend to have heart attacks and die at very young ages. To that end, my health is one of my priority areas. Unfortunately, for the last year and a half I’ve been plagued by injuries that have assassinated my running life. But a couple weeks ago I found a miracle in the form of a shot to the knee. CURE! Now I’m out walking the dogs each morning for a very brisk three to four miles. There goes an hour, but I’ve contributed to my health, and I listen to audiobooks while I walk, so I figure I’ve been entertained at the same time.
Last Friday, I was out in the fields, cruising my way back to my twenties (Hahaha), when my writing accountability partner called. It was a little early for our planned talk, so I hadn’t really messed up by not being home. We started our weekly tally of what we’d done and what we would commit to for the next week, when I came around a corner and saw a pony, not where she belonged. That’s how I found myself walking up my property, a pony in a headlock, while I tried to manage a discussion on the next week’s writing goals. This is a pretty good visual of how I balance the areas of my life.
I dream of a well-decorated living room, clean bathrooms, and clear kitchen counters. I live with blank walls, a paint job that’s half done, cluttered counter tops, and the consolation that at least there’s toilet paper in the bathrooms.
Each day I start with dreams of large word counts, brilliant blog posts, and a strong social media presence. Sometimes I get the word count in, but more often than not, my goals were too high for my brain to accomplish. And those brilliant blog post…haven’t happened yet. Don’t get me started on my love/hate relationship with social media.
The truth is, I can’t do it all. My family is my top priority, and that means I will drop whatever I’m doing for them. My house will never look like the pictures in magazines, and…that’s okay. There will be days when I exceed my word count goals and days when I fall horribly short. I will eat chocolate when I know I shouldn’t, and I can’t deny a growing coffee addiction. I will take time to pray when all is well, but sometimes try to fix problems on my own until I’ve made such a mess I’m forced to remember God is more capable than I am.
So, here’s to real life, and mercy, and humility, and growth. Here’s to the days that go well beyond our expectation, and those that crash and burn. And here’s to learning to live at peace with where we are, who we are, and what God can make of us.
Have a blessed day!
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What Are the Odds?
What are the odds that two of the three “hen” chicks we brought home from the feed store would turn out to be roosters? Well, I’m not a math person, but my son says it’s more than 1 in 10,000. I guess that makes us “lucky.”
You know from a previous post that Lucille was taking on a masculine look. Yep, she crowed. Just looking at her now, there’s no doubt she’s a he.
Lucille, now know as Lou
The real surprise was Mildred, my favorite hen. She’s a barred rock, and just looks like the traditional hen. Or, she did look like the tradition hen until a few weeks ago. Her comb and wattles just kept growing. After awhile I had to admit, she was one seriously large chicken. The long tail feathers and the beginnings of spurs still weren’t enough to convince me, but when you put that all together with the constant crowing, it equals rooster.
Mildred or Milton
So this is how the equation goes:
~We bought four chicks.
~One chick was supposed to be a rooster. That’s Howard.
~Three chicks were sold as 99% sure they were hens.
~We actually have three roosters and one hen.
Do you know what that means?
It’s VERY loud on the farm! Each morning at about five AM the boys start to crow. It’s not just once or twice. They play off each other, like it’s a crowing competition.
Howard
I’ve settled into a new routine. They crow, and I grope the nightstand, find my earplugs, and shove them into my ears. This has meant a few close calls with the alarm, but it’s the best solution for now.
As for eggs, well, Bitsy is at this moment sitting on a nest she made. It, of course, is not one of the beautifully designed nest boxes I built into the coop. This one is behind a bush. But she’s been there for awhile, and I’m hopeful this will produce our first egg. Our home-grown breakfasts are all dependent on this one chicken!
Bitsy
Just another day on the Nelson farm.
UPDATE:
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Nashville 2016
Before
I just returned from Nashville, the home of the 2016 ACFW conference. As usual, the event was packed full of teaching, celebrations, and relationship building.
Most years I try to arrive the day before the conference begins. My introverted self needs some warm up time before taking my first meal with 600 other writers. This year, however, my husband and I had tickets for the Josh Groban concert, and I wasn’t going to miss that for anything. The venue was outside, the weather was perfect, and that man can really sing.
Before the concert started
The next morning my husband dropped me off at the airport, and I was on my way. Well, I was on my way after TSA checked my laptop for explosives. Apparently I was looking rather suspicious.
My cute driver
By the time I arrived at the hotel, right in downtown Nashville, most people had gone on to bed. After a day of travel, that was all I was thinking about too.
Flying into Nashville
During
The next morning I jumped right into conference mode. I connected with some authors who are also represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Agency. Their enthusiasm and kindness was very appreciated.
I took a great continuing ed class from the remarkable James L. Rubart. In the afternoon, I met with a couple editors.
Cara, Nancy, and me
On Saturday I was able to meet with one of the editors from my publisher, Kregel Publications. Dawn greeted me warmly and made me feel welcome and excited for this next year.
Saturday ended with the annual awards gala. All who attended were dressed for a fine evening. I watched as well-deserving writers were honored. The last award was given to Linda Brooks Davis. What a powerhouse of enthusiasm! I could have listened to this woman’s acceptance speech for an hour. She was wonderful.
After
I woke up the next morning and had breakfast with my friend Nancy then headed out to church. Down the road I found a Baptist church offering traditional and contemporary services at the same time. I chose contemporary. Not a surprise, but the music was phenomenal. The pastor shared about how we should serve, and I left with much to think about.
The plan I had months ago, when making my reservations, was to stay an extra day in Nashville, spending time with a friend. Unfortunately, she had to cancel. With my manuscript due to the publisher by September 1, this extra day turned out to be a blessing even without Jodie. I hunkered down in my hotel room and finished my final read-through.
By the time I was done, my eyes were strained, and my legs were aching for a walk. I took a long stroll around downtown Nashville. If you’ve never been to Nashville, you should consider planning a trip. It’s like no other place I’ve visited.
Monday morning, I took my first Uber to the airport. I tell you this because I’m sure it makes me sound modern and savvy. Haha!
My first flight was delayed, so I was moved to another airline. The first leg took me to Chicago. Wouldn’t you know it, thunder and lightning started right after we landed, and they shut down the airport. Of course my second flight was then delayed. I ended up sitting next to a with a man who had arms like the Hulk for the four and a half hours trip. But, I’m home now, and back to the keyboard.
I failed to take enough pictures, but here are a few.
This is just part of the line to get into the concert.
Ted Dekker giving the keynote
With Elizabeth Van Tassel
It’s food like this that causes me to gain a couple pounds at each conference.
With Voni Harris
Thanks to everyone who works hard to make ACFW function.
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We Have A Duck Problem
This time I don’t mean the Ducks from the University of Oregon. These are actual ducks.
My daughters brought them home as ducklings. They were cute, fuzzy little critters, and we thought they’d be great with the chickens. But they grew at an unreal rate, quickly overtaking the size of the chicks who are at least six weeks older.
I discovered another duck issue when we started taking the chicks and ducklings to their outdoor yard during the day. These birds have some serious claws. It took a few good slices on my hands before I started wearing gloves.
My husband kept waiting for the ducks to quack. Well, it turns out they’re a breed that’s kinda like the mule of the duck/goose world. They don’t quack. Sometimes they open their mouths and a quiet hissing sounds snakes out. It’s creepy.
We started letting the ducks and chickens wander around the farm during the day. Acres and acres these birds had available to explore. They were immediately drawn to the deck like it was some kind of duck-magnet. One day while I was writing at my outside table, the ducks crept right into my kitchen. Seriously!
The ducks no longer go into the chicken coop at night. Mainly, because the chickens are not fans of theirs either. Biting makes quick enemies.
They used to sleep on the horse’s fence, then they moved to the roof over our kitchen. Now, they sleep all the way on top of our chimney.
When they aren’t making the climb to their roost, they keep busy landing on our cars and “decorating” them.
Now, these ducks aren’t what we expected, but they have some good qualities. I can’t think of any right now, but I know there are some.
Anyone want a couple free ducks?
