Robin Brande, Author, Dog Lover, Coffee and Chocolate Addict. Living an Interesting Life.

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The Friday List (nice things you did for yourself this week)

I am a notorious vacation-canceller. And yesterday I had a moment–considered the to-do list, thought about all I could get done if I just stayed home, thought very seriously about putting a halt to all this insanity of trying to leave town tomorrow–and then pulled up.

Because I scheduled this vacation on purpose to occur exactly now so that I could get away and be calm and serene for a while, and then come back all fresh and ready for some of the things I already know are coming–a TV tour (I know! Tell me about it!), a book launch party, some speaking engagements, plus just the general edginess that comes with having your first book out in actual stores where real-live strangers can buy it–and I knew then as I know now that it’s really important that I carry through with my plans. So I’m overcoming my cancel-impulse, and I consider that a nice thing to be doing for myself this week. Besides, little Bear needs some fresh air, so we have to think of him. I think the husband could use some breezes himself.

And what about all of you? What kindnesses have you heaped on yourselves this week?

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12 Responses to “The Friday List (nice things you did for yourself this week)”

  1. Jen Robinson Says:

    While on a business trip earlier in the week, I took myself out for a steak dinner one night, and then went for a walk, instead of sitting in my hotel room catching up on the accumulated email.

    I do know what you mean about canceling vacation. It’s so tempting to think about what you could accomplish by staying home during a time period with nothing on the calendar. But I hope that you have a great trip!

  2. Kelly Says:

    You’re doing a good thing, Robin! Make sure you go.

    And, I can’t believe you’ll be on TV. I can’t wait to see you. Make sure you YouTube your appearances.

    Nice things. Well, the nicest thing I’ve done for myself is to dedicate myself to necessary, if unpleasant work this week. E-mail is now under control. I have a few people left to answer, but no urgent matters left. Today is the house (cat-sitters took great care of cats–the house, not so much–it’s filthy). The weekend–the Forest. I’m plugging away, reminding myself that on 8/1 I’ll have the Forest up and control over my correspondence. I already feel less edgy, just by doing the work. Now, if only the kids would just take care of themselves until 8/1. (Only joking. They mostly are, because they’re happy to be home and to see their friends.)

    Great to be back for nice things Friday. I’m really going to need it when I go back to teaching in 3 weeks. My sabbatical is over. I thought I’d be more sad than I am about that.

  3. Patrick Says:

    I had a wonderful dream.

    http://www.patiscool.org/2007/07/of-cathedral-ceilings-and-things.html

  4. Christen Says:

    Well, I read my HP this week and that was wonderful! =)

    I also started going to the gym 6 times a week and being more careful with what I eat (although I did eat some brownies and a sundae)… and I lost 10.6 lbs in 2 weeks!!!!

  5. Sara Says:

    Instead of waiting for both my kids to finish HP7, I went out and bought my own copy and read it. And I skipped some not-so-important meetings to finish it.

  6. Deborah Says:

    My new, but hopefully on-going nice thing is to eat healthier after the news of a ridiculously high cholesterol count. I did really well this week. I also bought myself a really cool pair of half chaps at a half price tack sale.

  7. PJ Hoover Says:

    I finished the first draft of my WIP.

    I started HP7.

    And I got my work inbox down to 2 emails!

  8. Little Willow Says:

    Best of luck with the tours, parties, and fun times. Stay optimistic. Look forward to the event, rather than dreading them, and that will start things off on the right foot. Make them all that YOU want them to be!

    This week went by rather quickly. Hmmm. I released two EPKs for two different books/authors and I redesigned a website for a third author. I worked. I rehearsed. I walked. I read. I read as I walked.

  9. bj Says:

    I raised my prices for my business. And I’m busier than ever so I have to consider raising them again, so I actually continue to have a (little bit of a) life. And it’s almost all repeat business and referrals from past business.

    Despite how busy I am I took a half hour to weed the garden yesterday (or at least some of it!) I can’t believe my tomato plants are taller than I am! Now if we’d just get a bunch of sunny days so that the tomatoes start to ripen. This has been a wet summer here. And I’m not complaining, I hate dragging the hose out, and I’ve only had to do that a bit this year. Gardening is one of those things that’s not only exercise, but is also a true recharging of my “batteries” since it puts everything else into perspective.

    I found a local dairy that doesn’t give their cows growth hormone, nor do they “ultra pasteurize” which kills any benefit as well as any bacteria, so I’m buying better quality skim milk these days. And I’ve been buying some of my veggies and greens (stuff I can’t fit in my small veggie patch) from the local Farmer’s Market, all of whose vendors use traditional farming methods and no chemicals.

    I also treated myself to a pint of chocolate chip mint ice cream, made by local folks, hand dipped, and with HUGE real chocolate chips in it. Yum!

  10. robin Says:

    Somehow the long comment I wrote earlier about all of your comments above didn’t post! Grrrr! And now it’s time to go!

    Suffice to say I love all your personal kindnesses this week, and I can’t tell you how happy it always makes me to see all of your lists. Your choices help me make mine. So thank you for playing!

    Talk to you from the road . . .

  11. Nancy Says:

    Robin, I’m a canceler too, though not usually of any big vacations. Sometimes though, when all my little weekend travels and dinners and other social engagements pile up, and I get completely stressed out, I suddenly realize I don’t HAVE to do everything I’ve planned, and my world gets so much more rational once I’ve canceled one or two things.

    My nice thing this week was taking two vacations and a whole week off of dieting.

    Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

  12. robin Says:

    Nancy, hope you had tons of fun on your trip! And that you got your Harry Potter before the ship sailed!