No actual Bobs were hurt or thought about during the writing of this post. Shoot. Now I just thought of one. I hope he’s okay.
I was reciting spelling words to my ten-year-old. One of the words was recurring. She wrote it twice. On purpose. Clever girl.
This is the same girl who, six years ago, was in a narrating kick. She once said, “Lucy is walking, walking, walking. Lucy is leaving the room.” (Thank goodness.)
There’s a man who periodically comes to the door asking if he can cut branches off our eucalyptus tree. I think he said his sister uses them in her florist shop. Since the tree grows like a weed and we occasionally have to have it professionally trimmed, I’m always happy to let him.
This time he said he’d be right back after picking his kids up from the school around the corner. When he was gone for a long time I worried he’d changed his mind. Finally there was a knock on the door. The man’s young son was standing there with a bouquet of flowers.
“My mom said to give these to you.”
I thanked him and told him to pass along the thanks to his wonderful mom. I neglected to inform him that his family was doing me a favor.
And now a note to my blog buddies. Since signing my book contract about two months ago, I’ve written maybe five paragraphs. This is not good, and I hope my editor isn’t reading this. I need to trim something from my life. Since I can’t cut being a wife and mother, I don’t want to stop homeschooling or my part-time job, and I’ve already cut housecleaning down to the minimum legal limit, it seems I need to read and comment on blogs less. Not that I expect any of you to actually notice that I’m not there, but just in case, in the odd chance that you say, “Gosh, Betsy didn’t like and comment on this post. Did I do something to offend her? Did she fall off a cliff?” Chances are no, and goodness I hope not. I’ll still be around, but not quite as much, especially for you multiple-times a week posters. And don’t be offended if I hit like but don’t comment, since commenting then involves a back and forth exchange which I’ll surely miss. 😦 If I can be dedicated enough to make some serious progress on this puppy, I’ll come back and spend more time with you. Promise! Until then, blog away my friends!
See what happens when you sign a contract? You have to do actual work. Get that book done!
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I should’ve consulted you first.
Words to live by.
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I totally agree, keep your sanity and cut back. We’ll miss you, but good for you for setting priorities! Good luck with that book of yours, I know it’s going to be amazing! I can’t wait to read it when it’s published!
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Thank you, Lonna!
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I need to do the same with visiting blogs, I think. I have a deadline of my own, and it’s growing ever closer. Social media is such a tempter.
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Indeed! I’ve decided to quit my flirtation with twitter all together. Since you were basically the only one who talked to me on there anyway, I think it will be okay. Though I’ll miss you.
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We’ll cross paths I’m sure. 😁
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True. Which reminds me, are you home right now?
Evil chuckle.
Never gets old to me. To me anyway. Heh heh.
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Maybe I am, maybe I’m not…
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I’ll just peek through the windows like I always do.
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😄😮🤗
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Your writing progress sounds like mine. Do what you need to do. We’ll still catch up this summer ☀️ Um, if Winter ever leaves ☃️. 🐈. Good luck with your WIP!
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Thank you! Looking forward to it! Stay warm! Remember not to use too many exclamation points in your writing!!!! 😉
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I notice when you are not here, but know it’s because you’re busy there. And do not respond to this instead of doing dishes. That will make me feel guilty.
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I make my oldest do the dishes. 🙂
You notice?! Awwww… Touched.
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🙂 Dishes are a good chore. I didn’t mind them when I was a kid. I actually got lost in my imagination while doing them AND while I was doing them I didn’t have to do something I DIDN’T want to do. 😉
And of course I notice. 🙂
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You lost in your imagination? I find that SO hard to believe. 😉 Also, great strategy. I’m sure getting them clean took a while, but you were very thorough.
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I don’t know how thorough I was but I could manage to be VERY slow!!!! 😉
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Heehee. I wish you were here to do mine. My daughter has a hurt finger, and boy these dishes need to get done. I worry I may have to do them!
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Oh I can feel your worry from here. A hurt finger? Won’t soaking it in water help it feel better???
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It’s swollen and difficult to bend due to an injection to kill a wart. Cool water would feel better, not so much hot. I did all the big things for her. The rest she can take care of tomorrow. Should (hopefully) be better by then.
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Here’s to finger healing wishes!
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Thank you! Much better today. 🙂
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Positive thoughts never hurt. Tell her my trick for wanting to do dishes. Maybe it will help her. 😉
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Something tells me that, with this child, she doesn’t need telling, but I’ll mention it. 🙂
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😉
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May the land of productivity await you!
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Thank you, Allison!
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Betsy is writing, writing, writing…
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I think that was from the movie The Shining, but all I learned from that was to not get stuck in a snow storm in an empty hotel, cause you’ll end up axing down a bathroom door! “Here’s Betsy!”
I will miss ya. Just wanted you to know.
Your biggest fan,
Val
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Awh, Val. You’re the best. I’ve never seen The Shining, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to! Yipes!
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Good luck in your writing Betsy. I think you may be my top commenter. Sorry for the Comment. Are we still supposed to leave you comments? I’m not good on this Comment protocol. 🙂
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I love comments! Thank you. And I’m happy to hear that I may be your top commenter. What an honor. It will also make me feel better if I leave without a comment here and there. I’ll let someone else get a chance to catch up. 😉
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How about if I just don’t post as much so there would be less posts to comment on, if worthy of your time? Would that help?
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Haha. You are certainly not the worst “offender” when it comes to lots of posting. I’m so impressed by those who post something daily!!! I’ll doubtlessly risk a bit of time to at least comment a quick Hello. 🙂 Don’t you worry about me.
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Understood. Time is limited. Good luck with the new book.
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Thanks, Larry!
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Aren’t trees wonderful so much to give, and sometimes people can be too…what a lovely gesture on both you and the man, let’s call him Bob’s part. I can’t believe all the things you do homeschool is a full-time job and childrearing is another so you technically have 2 1/2 jobs going. I will miss you on the blog…best of luck with you’re writing!
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Thank you. I’ll still be popping in here and there. I’m sure I won’t be able to keep myself completely away. And yes, about the tree. I was so touched by the flowers. That’s why I had to take a picture and share about it. 🙂
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The flowers are pretty. I understand your need to back away from the blogosphere. I’ll miss you, but as a tried and true blogger [who has never once had any agent interested in having me write a book, which I already have done in my blog over the years], I get it. I’ll be cheering you on from afar.
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Weren’t the flowers so kind? And thanks. I’ll still pop in when I need a break. 🙂
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Not an easy post to Like, but hey – very understandable. Good luck with your writing … now get it done!
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Yes, sir! 🙂
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Hey, you have to do what’s right for you. No hard feelings here! And congrats on the book contract! P.S. Writing “recurrent” twice is genius.
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Thanks for commenting on recurrent. You’re the only one to do so. I thought it was pretty genius too. 🙂
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If there ever was a reason to slow down blogging, a book contract is it. I will miss you but can’t wait to hear how it-all goes!
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Last time I slowed down it was because I had a baby. Apparently this is a more worthy excuse. ;P
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Lovely gift reciprocating yours of the eucalyptus branches! Shhhh, we’re not saying a word to your editor. 🙂
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Haha. Mums the word. Or eucalyptus is the word, apparently. 😛 Thanks, Roxie.
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Always a tough decision to make, but I have so much respect when people do it because it shows such a wise ordering of life. Good luck to you! Hope to see you soon – and read your book too (I think I missed the first one!) – will miss you!
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If you think you missed the first book, that means you also missed the second one! Haha. (They’re on the blog homepage, in case you’re interested.) This will be the third. And thank you so much for your support. I may still drop by for a quick peek and a like every now and then. 🙂
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Whoa! I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!!! I’ll work on that – sorry!!
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Ha! No worries at all, Rebecca. Your reading list is fierce!
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How dare you! (Said the blogger who just came back from a five-month break.)
Good luck in getting more writing in! I’ll be here when you get back!
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I wonder if you WILL be here, having your own writing to do! Haha. And thanks, Mike!
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Well, I’m not gonna just sit around twiddling my thumbs.
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Who has time for that? Unless your thumb twiddling produces some great doodles.
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One can hope.
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What a lovely story and couple!
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Wasn’t it so nice? I like nice people.
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Will miss you!
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Thanks, Barbara. Hope to be back soon!
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What a lovely eucalyptus-based encounter. There’s hope for humanity. Get working on that puppy, Betsy! 🙂 Happy Writing!
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Indeed! I like happy humanity stories. I’m glad you appreciated it too. 🙂
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Love the flower delivery. How nice! And stop reading this and go to work!
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Haha. Sorry.
🙂
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