Am I the only one lacking concentration this month to write?
November, I was on fire with writing, such things as my novel thanks to NaNoWriMo, blogging and Hubpages, too. But once December and the “Ho-Ho Holiday Time” crept upon me increasing all sorts of chores and other mundane things required of me, my writing productivity has decreased proportionally.
I have still found time for blogging and have still written on Hubpages, but my motivation to finish my novel has taken a nosedive. I have ideas on how I will conclude it, but finding the time or energy to do just that after a long day of taking care of my kids, running errands, decorating and holiday shopping, writing for my blog and keeping up with other blogs who I follow, I have found myself floundering and struggling to actually sit at night and write. By this point, I am just too exhausted and want to just veg out before going to TV.
Last night, I forced myself to read a bit, because I truly do love to and have about seven books on my iPad that I have purchased and have not found time to actually read. I read for about 20 minutes, before I started to feel my eyes needing to close and then called it a day. It wasn’t even 11 pm and I was just so done for. Sounds pathetic, but I went to bed at 10:45 pm.
When I got up, I started my morning ritual to check my e-mails for new comments, blog and article postings. I starting reading one new post after another, leaving my comments and then I found my name in one of the blogs I was reading. I had been awarded the Blog of 2012 Award, by fellow Blogger GK Adams from The Life I Live..So You Don’t Have To! I have gotten to know GK’s Blog recently from the Bloppy Bloggers Facebook group and love reading her posts, because they are witty and pretty darn funny if don’t say so myself. I have the kids, but she has the dog. And even though her dog seems to give her a run for her money, she would tell you that she has the better deal! I would say she would be right only when my kids are being beasts which is only about 16 out of 24 hours a day (hey they do sleep sometimes).
But seriously, thank you so much GK and after the lack of productivity the last few days you reminded me that I do love to write and need to get my lazy butt in check with my novel writing.
The Blog of the Year 2012
Now, the next part, what do I have to do with this award? Well I have to pass it on, but before that I, of course, have to state some more things about me that you don’t know. I know you are now saying what else could there be that I don’t know that she hasn’t already told us. Trust me there is oodles, but I will only give you an abridged version and promise to keep this short, because Lord knows even I am don’t want to keep talking about me! More Fresh Beat Band style (yes I watch too much of this show, but it keeps the kiddies quiet) and here we go!!
- Those who read one of my recent articles know that I am truly as outgoing of a person as you will meet, but when I was younger, I was as shy as they come. I even got the dreaded needs to participate more on my report cards more often then not.
- Going along with the shy issues. I had to take public speaking in my undergraduate work in college. I put it off until one of my last semesters, when I could no longer put it off anymore. When the day of the big speech arrived, I was nervous and scared beyond words. I got up to give my speech and within 30 seconds into my speech, fainted dead away. Thank god for one of the other male students in my class, who caught me as I was going down, because if he hadn’t I could have cracked my head open on the cement floor in the class. In the end, I actually got a better grade on my speech than those who given their entire speech, because the teacher read though my notes and paper and said my topic was very well researched. It was after that incident, that I slowly began to realize the worst had happened and I still lived to tell the tale. That is when the extrovert in me began to emerge.
- I love old sitcom reruns. The goofier and stupider the better. As long as they make me laugh, I am in seventh heaven. Think 1980s shows, such as The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Three’s Company, Happy Days and The Cosby Show, and this is my holy grail for me.
- I love sleep and hate not getting enough. I am truly miserable when I haven’t gotten enough sleep and the term woke up on the wrong side of the bed could totally apply to me. That said this was one of the hardest parts about having kids and not being able to sleep in or sleep as long as I would like. Mornings are truly were never my friend and still aren’t!
- Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t worry enough about my kids. I mean I am that type of parent that thinks about them all the time, but am not one to hover. As long as there are no blood curdling screams and they are occupied playing with each other, I pretty much let them do their own thing.
Ok, kiddies I think five mind numbing points about me today is enough for all of you. Let’s get to the fun part and award this one to someone else. I am going to award this two different bloggers, who I love and just can’t get enough of. They make my day a bit brighter and I thank them for that.
- Oh Boy Mom–I happened upon Emily randomly one day a few months ago, while looking for new bloggers to follow and collaborate with. I commented on her most recent post that day and she immediately came over to my blog and commented back. We have both been following each other ever since. I am so thankful for her and love her blog. I have little girls, but she has older boys. However, we seem to balance each other out and can truly relate to her daily happenings. She is always quick to read, comment and share with me and am so very thankful for her.
- I Have a Fulltime Job: Meet My Husband: Cari and I belonged to the Facebook Bloppy Bloggers Group. This is where I got to know her and am eternally grateful I did. Even though she is newly married and I feel like I am a old married hag most days, somehow we can truly relate to each other. Her posts bring me back to those wonderful first days of married life and her writing is so very refreshing and relatable, too. She is also one of the nicest people you get to know and am grateful to have her in my corner.
Well, that is it folks and as my grandfather used to say to my grandmother, “Say goodnight Gracie!!”
GK Adams says
Can't wait to read your novel! This award was well-deserved and thanks for mentioning me! It's truly a pleasure to read your blog and each time you you announce a new post, I get excited and rush right over. Keep up the excellent work!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks so very much Gina and I am so happy to have gotten to connect with you and know you, too. I feel the same with your blog posts also 🙂 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Julie and if I have to be going through this. I am glad I am not alone and have you and so many other wonderful writers to share in my writing paralysis (love that description, lol!).
Emily Cappo says
Janine, Thanks you SO much! I so appreciate the award and the super sweet things you've said about me…I love reading your blog too and I think you're right about balancing each other out. Anyway, you definitely made my day!! As for your public speaking fear, I too was a shy one and my father forced me to take public speaking in college. I was also a nervous wreck and there was this really cute guy in the class that had a very outgoing personality and used to make me laugh right before my speeches. Somehow it relaxed me and I got through them. I ended up really enjoying the class — one of my favorites in college if you can believe that! (perhaps the cute guy had something to do with it.:))
JanineHuldie says
Seriously, my pleasure Emily and can tell you that I really am just so happy yet again that we found each other through the blogging world. As for the public speaking class, isn't funny how back int he day a cute guy could get us to do just about anything and make even the worst of experiences that much better, lol 🙂 🙂
More Than Mommies says
You definitely aren't alone with a lack of motivation…I'm just treading water here!
JanineHuldie says
Oh sorry you too are lacking motivation, but once again at least I know I am not alone, because man I feel like I am just so in need of some inspiration or at least a good kick in the butt, lol!!
Bill says
There seems to be a lot of these blogging award out right now….and I only see them in blogging? Maybe I'm just not aware. Anyway, congratulations on yet another well-deserved award. As for the lack of motivation, I think that's only natural after meeting the NaNo challenge. We naturally let down once that has been met. You'll find your mojo again soon.
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Bill and I agree about the blogging awards. I am truly honored that anyone would even think my writing was worthy and am so trying to give back to all those who continually are so kind to me. That said, I agree about the let down after NaNo and so need to find my mojo again, because I am truly so wiped out and hoping that once the holiday season is behind me that I will get it back even slowly.
Ruchira says
Awesome, Janine!
You rock girl. Keep it rolling and I am pretty sure you will be blogging during the Ho-Ho season as well. You are too dedicated to be away from it 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Ruchira. My blog is the one thing that I am still managing to keep up with writing wise, everything else has truly taken a nosedive. The holidays seem to be sucking the energy right out of me, lol 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Amy and I know. Right now, I need to be putting together a Christmas picture for my girls with the pictures Cd I just picked up at Target, but am surfing the web a bit while Lily naps and Emma is at school. Seriously, need motivation, lol!!
JanineHuldie says
Thank you from the bottom of my heart Kelly and can tell you I feel pretty much the same way about you. I am so very thankful to have gotten to know you and feel blessed to call you my friend!! And I do know you can relate, because you are a wonderful mother, too 🙂 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Dianna and can imagine this is something that isn' exclusive to me, because we are all quickly approaching the upcoming holiday season and just can't believe how fast it is indeed coming. Thinking of you too and hope you get all you need to accomplish also 🙂
Cari @ MeetMyHusband says
Thank you so much, Janine! I'm with you; my motivation has been so lacking this month so far, I'm not sure I deserve such an award! You're forcing me to step up and finish my book! 🙂 Congratulations on winning yourself! No one deserves it more!
JanineHuldie says
Again so my pleasure Cari, but maybe we could push each other with finishing our novels, because I need that push right now, too. And I couldn't be happier sharing this one with you, because you too are so well deserving and an awesome writer, too 🙂
Stacy Harris says
Great choices for the award. I have to say, one of the reasons I made sure I finished my book in November is because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do anymore of it in December. I knew I wouldn't finish if I didn't do it in a month. That being said – get on it. Give it the push and the shove you gave it in November so you can finish it. You are at the final push, but give yourself a deadline… re-ignite that fire. I think that is what is lacking. That and it is only expected that after everything you have been doing that you would be feeling a little exhausted. So take a bit of time off and get to finishing that book before the year is done – because I can't wait to read it!
JanineHuldie says
Stacy, you were smart about finishing your book up in November no doubt about it, because now I am so just all out to lunch with getting anything accomplished. It is like someone took all the air out of my balloon and I am all deflated. Seriously need to get cracking, you may need to give me that extra push, too lol 🙂
Audrey Howitt says
I am right there with ya! I finished in November, but haven't started editing yet. I just can't face it yet. Have some chocolate–it always helps
JanineHuldie says
I love chocolate Audrey and seriously may need to get some to finish and then get onto editing, too. Thanks 🙂 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thank you seriously so very much Clark. Right now I feel so out of focus though and am hoping to get it back in the next few days now that I got on thing off my plate. Today, I got our holiday cards put together and are now being printed. So, one thing down another 100 to go, lol!!
Cyndi says
These awards are funny because they make you prod your brain for more info that you haven't divulged. But still so interesting! You fainted!? Hehe…I'm so sorry! I am glad the other students managed to catch you, though. I'm glad your "extrovert" came out – you wouldn't be the awesome you! Awesome post and congrats to Emily and Cari. 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Cyndi and to be honest when I fainted, I would have been mortified to share that with anyone let alone put it all over the internet, but time and motherhood has truly done a world of wonders on my self esteem. Nothing is sacred, i mean one you give birth and everyone sees everything, sharing something like fainting seems trivial, lol!! Glad you enjoyed though and my pleasure sharing 🙂 🙂
Stephanie Sprenger says
Loving all these blog awards- what a great community we have! Well, you don't need me to tell you that I totally understand to the burn out. I am going to go force myself to take a bath after a long day of preparing for a holiday party and now sitting in front of my computer! Great job on another well-deserved award!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Stephanie and am sitting here with my house finally quiet and so tired yet again. So, believe me you aren't alone in lacking energy and am right there with you as I type this. Seriously, I completely agree with you on our blogging group and am just so happy to be a part of it 🙂
Eiddwen Jones says
Another great gem from you Janine and I think every writer will be abe to relate with you here.I love the way you make me feel you are sitting right by me.I have a blog which I am not doing anything with at the moment …???You are so inspiring Janine and I am going to have a peek at Bloppy Bloggers now too.
Have a great day and carry on winning those well deserved awards.
Lots of love
Eddy.
JanineHuldie says
Oh Eddy as always thank you so very much and you always make me feel the same when I when I read your poetry and glad I can share this back with you through some of my writing, too. Hope you are having a great day!!
Hollow tree ventures says
What great timing, and what a great way to get to know you a little bit! Thanks for the invitation to come over and "meet" you – I'm so glad I did! Oh, and I'm about to pass out just thinking about public speaking – good for you for turning it into something positive. 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Oh so happy to see you here today and thank you so very much coming over to my blog, too. I was so very happy by the way to share about my public speaking debacle, truly can look back on it and think that it totally happened for the reason of bringing me out of my shell.
Joyce says
The more you push to write your book the further away it goes. Leave it until after the holiday and just keep notes.
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Joyce and I actually did get over 1,700 words today done on it, but now I am not sure when I will find more quiet time to get the next bit done. So I do agree with you slightly about the holiday season.
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Vikki and very happy to share so that you could get to know me a bit better. You are right about stepping away and did just that the last two nights and today I got over 1700 words written for my novel and another blog article, too!! But then again you could relate, because you too are just as talented if not more 🙂 🙂
gigigirl says
Congrats on getting the award! Writing keeps you busy but you do it well. You'll have more time after the holidays to do more writing….give yourself a break and don't expect you can do it ALL. You may be a Mommieholic, but you're not SuperWoman! Love you…….
JanineHuldie says
Thanks so very much Aunt Gloria and you are correct. I do need a break from time to time, just not sure when one will come my way and materialize. Hopefully soon 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Oh thank Melanie and glad I am not alone on Three's Company (still love that show). And thanks seriously for saying my bedtime isn't lame, too 🙂 🙂
Terrye says
Congrats, Janine, you are totally rocking the blogging world! 🙂 I'm sure after the craziness of the Holidays, you'll be right back in the saddle and kickin' out the #awesomesauce! 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks so very much Terrye. You are probably right that after the holidays and everything quiets down things will get more back to normal around here 🙂