Friday, June 5, 2009

School's Out!

Today was the last day of school for my daughters. One would think a horde of girls would burst out of the schoolhouse, all WAHOO and YIPPEE because the have three whole months of no more uniforms, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks! But no. Tears aplenty. All the kids actually seemed sad to be out of school for the summer. This does not compute in my mind. No matter how much I liked school, I was thrilled to get the heck out of dodge every June (see WAHOO and YIPEE above.) 

So now that the long, looooooong summer spreads out ahead of me (have you seen how late Labor Day falls? Gah!) it will be much more of a challenge to find time to write*. And I'm itching to start my next novel. Itching! Problem is, even when my kids are happy playing and I can physically sit down to tap away, half of my mind is just listening for something bad to happen. Someone will fall. Or bicker. Or need something. Or step on the dog. You get the idea. It's tough to concentrate on a scene, to say the least. 

How about you? What keeps you from either writing or doing whatever it is you want/need to do? Kids? A loud neighbor? Lack of sleep?



*I realize there are people out there who have actual full time jobs who find the time to write, so maybe you don't feel so sorry for me. But just roll with it, okay?




12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Crying on the last day of school?

What's wrong with the kids today?

:D

Probably miss their friends.

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Crying on the last day of school definitely does not compute! Tell them they'll be fine. Once they're out in the "real" world and have "real" jobs they won't have to deal with those pesky summers off. In the meantime, lock your kids in a padded room and write, I say!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

That is strange they were sad for school to end. Unless there are certain friends they won't be able to see. Hmm...

My latest obstacle is my hubby. He was laid off a couple weeks ago and now spends all day pestering me. He's been leaving in the afternoons to do "stuff" (I don't ask) but the rest of the time he either has the tv blaring, music blaring, or he keeps talking to me. (ok I realize that sounds ungrateful, but you know what I mean).

We had a talk about giving me a couple hours of peace each day and it's gotten a little better.

I was thinking about you yesterday -- are you leaving the city for the summer again?

WendyCinNYC said...

Yeah, most of them won't see much of each other over the summer, so that's probably the biggest reason why they were sad. Manhattan is odd that way -- lots of people leave the city for big chunks of time over the summer, and/or the kids go off to summer camp.

It's a good thing, I think, to have a different set of friends over the summer. Especially as we are nearing the peak years of Girl Drama. It's nice to have someone *else* to talk to.

Melanie: I can't do a damn thing when my husband is home. He's more needy than the kids!

Allie said...

Dogs, neighbors, knowing the mail will be here soon, having way too much on my to do list, the hubs (because he never knows where anything in the house is ever, even when it's right in front of him). Yeah, I always feel bad about complaining too - b/c I have lots and lots of time to write - it's the quality of the time that's the issue.

WendyCinNYC said...

Allie--Yep, I know the feeling.

WendyCinNYC said...

Melanie--I guess I didn't answer your question, did I? Yes, we are heading out tomorrow. I've been packing all day. Why is it that *I* am in charge of *everyone's* stuff?

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Because you're the mom. I'm not the mom yet I'm in charge of everything here too.

That is cool that they get a second set of friends in the summer. I used to go to camp in the summer -- but just for a couple weeks -- and it was always fun to see everyone again.

Have a fabulous summer!

Marjorie said...

I found you at Nathan Bransford's blog.

Crying on the last day of school? The last time I saw that happen was when a group of fifth graders stood with their mothers outside the school on the last day before summer vacation. I passed and asked why they were crying. One mother laughed and replied: "They found out they are getting you for the sixth grade."

Oh well, I am now retired... I hope many fifth graders have since found their "last day" smile.

ac said...

A holy roller church in the corner that doesn't have the proper permits.

Oh, and did I mention that the pastor preaches in a microphone so that the neighborhood can enjoy Jesus?

Did I mention that TWICE I interrupted their services at almost 11 pm to tell them to shut the fuck up? Okay, I didn't say shut the fuck up...but I did walk in there and stare the pastor down. Yeah, I stared down a pastor. I'm ghetto like that.

WendyCinNYC said...

Marjorie--Strangely, none of the teachers were sobbing on the last day. They looked pretty happy for the time off!

AC--Oh my. Have you called 311 on them? That must be a nuisance.

ac said...

I called the Town last month and they haven't done anything about it yet.