Multiple sources assail you at once:
- The kids, of course, because the things they want to wear and the things you want to buy rarely coincide.
- The stores are perfectly designed to hypnotize you with their bright lights, narrow aisles, and display after display of different items. When you're woozy from neon, you'll conveniently forget you already purchased two shirts similar to the one in your child's hand.
- Other shoppers jostle, small children cry, and salesclerks do everything in their power to get you to sign up for yet another credit card.
- If you shop at a mall, you'll have to shimmy around store kiosks and desperately try to avoid the lotion/perfume/pumice stone samples.
- The aromas of Cinnabon will caress you, entice you, drag you to the line of fifteen people deep until you realize you'll need to take out a second mortgage just to enjoy one heavenly bun. Do you succumb? Yes. Refi-rates are good and you needed that icing.
It's Friday! Time to set and review one goal!
My goal last week? Finish the scene outline for my new book and critique one manuscript for my critique partner. I finished the critique, but I did not finish the scene outline.
Here are your goals.
Tabitha: Map out revisions needed for book
Terri: Write 5000 words
Wendy: Figure out revisions for Partridge
Patti: Get house ready for Chinese exchange students
Wendy: Edit as much as possible and edit well
Kelly: Use kids' camp time productively
CJ: Have fun with the class of 11-13 year-old girls
Keli: Make good progress on revisions
Abby: Enjoy nature--oceans and mountains
Nancy: Go further in books squirrelled away
Karen: Work on and finish lesson plans for online writing class
Ralene: Ease into routine to prepare for homeschooling
Kelly: Not let fear stand in way of what to write
Katie: Keep 5-6am writing time sacred (how do you do it??)
Quiet Spirit: Study six scripture passages and write samples to send to two devotionals
Paul: Stay focused
Em: Stay focused
Maria S: Decide which colleges to apply for
How did you do? Are you feeling any urgency now that summer is almost over? I am. My productive time starts in September, and while I've loved spending so much delicious time with my kids these months, I'm ready to kick into high gear again.
My goal this week is to finish that scene outline. Enough already!
What about you? What one goal will enhance your life this week?
Please leave your goal in the comment section. Newcomers are welcome to participate, and don't worry if you can't stop by every Friday--my blog's goal isn't to add stress but to be a place of support.
Have a happy weekend!
Am having a blast with the 11-13 yr olds in the class I'm teaching. This week, seeing The Young One off to college orientation.
ReplyDeleteI met my goal last week!
ReplyDeleteThis next week?? Not have a meltdown with feedback on my book.:))
I'm not a huge fan of shopping.
ReplyDeleteFigured out some revisions. Still working and even rethinking Noble. It never ends...I swear.
My goal this next week is to spend some QT with my girls (last week w/ no school).
~ Wendy
I really hate the mall and try to avoid it at all costs. I go in like a stealth to one store, get what I need and leave.... with the occasional Auntie Anne's..... :O)
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteCJ: Awesome! I love spending time with kids that age. They are always full of energy and fun. The stuff they say cracks me up, too. Are you having any bittersweet feelings about the Young one going off to college? I'll be thinking about you this week!
Terri: Not have a meltdown? How can we not! Ha! You'll be fine. I know you're going to get great feedback. Just pray about it!
Wendy: I hear you. I'm still fiddling with chapter one of the barter book. Now, I'm forcing my husband to read it. He can't wait--ha! Enjoy your girls. It's our last week too.
Diane: Me too! I go as little as possible. And actually, we didn't stop for Cinnabon, we stopped at Auntie Anne's! Isn't that funny!!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
My kids now do their own back to school shopping but I kind of miss picking out their pens and pencils, binders; but not their new clothes!
ReplyDeleteGoal this week to begin digital photo story book for granddaughter.
I stayed pretty focused. I finished my edits and now I need to do a final read-through. However, I'm traveling and visiting family so I'll stick with staying focused so I can complete the read-through.
ReplyDeletestarting school with the boy. 9th grade, here we come!
ReplyDeleteGetting ready for back to school? I hear ya! On Monday, my youngest starts kindergarten. This will be the first time in 8 years that I've had free time during the week. So my goal next week is to get a birds' eye view of my work-in-progress and see if I can finish it by the end of 2010.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific week!
My goal for this week is to get my desk cleaned off (again!) and to get ready for my first Story Circle meeting next Saturday.
ReplyDeleteOoo...I LOVE the picture. I wanna go there!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all the people with kids going to school next week. :)
The girls and I are easing into our schedule somewhat. Our pre-k homeschool schedule starts next week. So my goal is to actually get each day done! lol... We have a lot going on next week, so it's going to be a challenge!
Lynn: I don't mind shopping for supplies--but clothes--yuck! The digital story book sounds adorable. Good luck!
ReplyDeletePaul: Nice job! And traveling sounds fun. It's hard to stay focused when surrounded by friends. Good luck!
Erica: Woo-hoo! Are you starting next week? I give you so much credit!
K.H.: Exciting! Having uninterrupted writing time is a huge blessing. Hope you take a little time to do something fun, too!
Linda: Why can't they just stay clean? :) Story Circle--nice!
Ralene: Going to be a busy fall! Good luck easing into the schedule!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I met my goal and got quite a bit done this week during summer swim camp.
ReplyDeleteMy goal for next week is to outline the story idea I've had bouncing around in my head.
I did it! I did it!
ReplyDeleteHey, that mall is one glitzy-looking place!!
New goal? HAVE A BLAST teaching writing with my friend Julie!!!!
Patti
Once upon a time, long, long, ago... I LOVED to shop. Sadly this part of me has moved on and now I grit my teeth and pray they have everything I need at Costco.
ReplyDeleteNext week I plan to finish the edit on one book and dig into the edits on another.
I did pretty good. One of the days I got off on a tangent with something un-novel related, but overall, I did better than last week.
ReplyDeleteNew goal: Get to pg. 320 in revisions.
And Jill...I'm convinced Cinnabon is a tool of the devil. Seriously.
I'm ready for September, too! Thanks again for the critique :)
ReplyDeleteMy goal for this week is to finish my business cards for the ACFW conference and make lots of progress in editing.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly: Yay! Outlining helps so much. Have fun!
ReplyDeletePatti: That's so cool you're teaching with Julie Lessman! I wish I could come and listen!
T.Anne: I could spend a lot of time and money at Costco. They give out free samples of food--what's not to love?
Katie: You're so motivated. And back to work! I'm really impressed--keep at it!
Cindy: Whoa! Love the new picture!! Gorgeous! Thanks for letting me read your book--it's awesome!
Thanks for stopping by!
Last week was hectic. So my goal this week is to get back on track with my family devotions.
ReplyDeleteHusband was in the hospital again. I did get two of the six devotionals into my NEO. I hope to get some more done on these two project, if LIFE wouldn't keep interferring. Plus starting to work on something for submission to an anthology.
ReplyDeleteI did! I wish I had more time, though.
ReplyDeleteNext week I shall finish updating my resume and apply to this job. This is a big one, and very important. Thanks!
I gotta say Cindy's new pic is GORGEOUS. :)
ReplyDeleteMy goal? Cleaning closets. GROAN. Get ready for another year of home-schooling.
I agree about the stores design. All those smells and colors drive me to want to spend ALL my money. :)
I loved reading, Jill. :)
I love the photo of the mall! I'm going to enjoy my daughter on Monday and Tuesday as she starts school on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI have one writing goal for next week...Revise one pb manuscript. (I got one done and sent in for agent/editor consultation last week.)
I am committing to this goal from now on...I will be kind to myself and live my life in the present.
I know this was way more than you were asking for Jill, but I couldn't help myself...
I did manage what I wanted to do and it was a gareat experience. Next week, push in some more.
ReplyDeleteThis week, organizing everything from writing, photography to school and coaching soccer. I THINK I CAN I THINK I CAN!!
ReplyDeleteFor the first time in 20 years, I am NOT out scratching up school supplies or school uniforms! It's so nice, yet strange.
ReplyDeleteGoals for the coming week include working on the WiP and reading submissions for Rose & Thorn Journal, as our fall issue draws near.
If ya wanna, come by and enter my snarky editor contest. :)
Another round of great goals! Thanks so much for stopping by!
ReplyDelete