The Friday List (nice things you’ve done for yourself this week)
The school visit yesterday was the BEST. I have to post a few pictures this weekend, because you won’t believe what librarian Melanie Callahan put together for the visit. It was all so delightful I didn’t want to leave.
But as for the list: This week’s crowning achievement was getting back to my writing. That was my nice thing to do for myself. Maybe I shouldn’t admit it, but I have been feeling pretty insecure lately. It’s kept me away from my work for too long. As I mentioned yesterday, it is possible for the writing muscles to get flaccid, and I wasn’t sure if I would like what I saw on the page once I got back to it.
But one night this week I had a two-hour stretch of the writing equivalent of skipping. It was so fun, so fluid, so easy–one of those great writing moments when you wonder why it ever feels hard. But of course it’s not always like that. Sometimes it is genuinely hard, and you can’t say what you mean, and nothing sounds right. I’m not going to kid myself and pretend those times won’t come again–maybe even today–but I don’t care as long as I can still enjoy stretches of play like I had this week. I’m very grateful for those.
So how about you guys? What particular kindnesses did you bestow on yourselves this week?
Technorati Tags: The Friday List, Self-Kindness, Self-Pampering, Writing
December 7th, 2007 at 7:43 am
This week’s been mostly what others have done for me. The people at my new job are amazing, and have presented me with such great opportunities (and lots of great free food, which is all interns care about anyway). Plus, it’s Chanukah, so there’s been a bit of gift getting/sending. Then, this weekend there’s two parties, a basketball game, and a fancy dinner.
What have I done for myself? Pretty much nothing but procrastinate on writing a final research paper.
You, on the other hand, should take 38 minutes and listen to this interview with Jason Reitman and Daiblo Cody, the director and screenwriter of JUNO. I have no doubt it will give you some inspiration and bust up a little bit of that insecurity… trust me. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16968724
December 7th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Lizzie, I just finished listening to that interview! Fantastic! Thanks for linking. I know you’re a big Jason Reitman fan, with good cause.
And glad to hear people are treating you so well. Also with good cause.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:18 am
I was sick yesterday, so I gave myself permission to sleep while Lucia was at school– and then my husband kept an eye on her while I slept in the afternoon. I missed going out with a friend last night, but it seemed better just to take care of myself rather than exacerbate things.
St. Nicholas was kind to me yesterday, too: I’m not a big fan of lotions and potions, but I did get a nice jar of nighttime moisturizer cream in my shoe– it was wee and indulgent.
I’m glad you’re getting back to your writing, Robin! Curious minds want to know if you’ve ever written Aragorn fan-fiction.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Alkelda, are you saying St. Nicholas not only comes early to your house, but also leaves gifts in shoes? Lucky! I’m going to go clean out my closet right now. Hope you feel better soon. Sleeping is an excellent gift to yourself.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Oh, and no fanfic on Aragorn, unless you include references in my blog and my book(s). I couldn’t possibly improve on Viggo/Aragorn’s perfection, so why try?
December 7th, 2007 at 9:24 am
I can’t think of a nice thing I did for myself this week, though someone very special and very sweet not only wrote me a nice and much-needed email but also sent me fancy brownies, which I will greatly enjoy. ;^)
The weather did some nice things for me, I have to say. First cancelling one afternoon class on Wed so me and the kids could just relax. Well, they played in the snow, I relaxed. Then the remaining snow caused a two hour school delay, which meant we could sleep in a bit AND still have time for an hour of sledding before school. Now that’s the way to start a day. (Actually, I skipped the sleddding too - this time. I usually enjoy it, but there will be more chances.)
December 7th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Mother Reader, that sounds like a pretty idyllic morning (I think I spelled that right, but it looks weird). Although I have to say I don’t know how you people put up with snow so much of the winter. Just seems so . . . inconvenient.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
We’ve had a busy, but really nice, week. We took our annual Petsmart dog/family photo with Santa. Every year for the last 11 years I’ve done this, I have hopes for the perfect Christmas card photo. Alas, every year it is the same goofy photo with at least one person/dog doing something not card appropriate. This year, one dog looked particularly horrified to be there.
I hosted a sleepover for my son’s 13th birthday which mostly consisted of feeding them tons of food (gosh boys this age eat a LOT!), scaring the bejesus out of them with a guided local ghost tour of famously and semi-famously haunted old places in town, and then telling them to go to sleep for most of the night.
Strictly for myself I walked my dogs for miles each day and rode my horse and ate VERY healthy this week with vegetable soup and salad from my garden (OK, excluding the bologna and potato chip sandwich I just ate for lunch. All right, all right, also excluding the Chick-Filet my daughter MADE me eat last night.)
I also made the time to start reading Lisey’s Story and hope to get to it again tonight.
Gee, Santa hasn’t delivered any presents to my shoes yet. He did send by UPS a chainsaw that I asked for, so I won’t complain.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
This is a nice thing for me only, and not so much for other people, but I decided not to send out holiday cards this year (something I just about always do). I put all this pressure on myself to write a meaningful note on every one, and this year I’m just drowning between work stuff and blog stuff and Cybils stuff and other holiday stuff. And so I’ve given myself permission to take a year off from the cards. Unless my conscience gets to me, and I do them at the last minute…
December 7th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Jen, I released myself from “card anxiety” years ago. Every year I’m happy all over again.
My nice thing? I got to have lunch with fellow blogger Jama Rattigan today. We had the most yummy chicken and mango salads and a three hour conversation.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Lovely to hear about your happy writing stint!
I’ve been having serious problems with internet connection since last week, which has been frustrating, but now I’m snatching a moment to write this before going to bed - it’s almost ten and I’m getting up before 4 am for an early morning flight. That’s the nicest thing about this week - I managed to get both daughters and my sister to the Christmas Craft Fair, which is one of our favourite traditions - AND meet another commitment AND still get to the UK to see my sweetie, hop down to spend the night with his mum and meet Emmaco! ::does all kinds of superstitious jinx-avoidance rituals:: It took some serious juggling, everything is a lot more exhausting than usual and I doubt I’ll be up for a lively argument like the one Charlie’s mother and I had about Pride and Prejudice last time I visited, but it’s still all good.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Yay for good writing, Robin!
Nicest thing I did for myself this week: Slept in on a work day. Usually kids and I leave at 7:30 every day, I drop them to school, and then head into the office to enlighten young minds. But, my kids had a 2 hour delay due to the &^#-*(@# snow, so I set the alarm for 9 and just didn’t go in until 10. It was lovely.
December 7th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
There is something messing with my stars or something, because I’ve had another extremely challenging week. This week, I coped by putting some quality time into finishing a difficult puzzle when I probably should have been doing the dishes or whatever.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Glad you had fun Robin! Aw I think all writers have those times of feeling insicure! I know I do! O_O
Well I got rid of a biunch of my library books! But I unfortunatly didn’t finishe them I just needed some to focas on… 
and then I read a chapter of pride and prejudice durring my free time! XD and I went to the mall with friends and got myself a christmas shirt lol for christmas eve! and I’m hoping *crosses fingers* that I can get Harry Potter 5 tomarrow XD but I’ve only got 40 dollers to buy christmas presents and i’ve got a bit to get XD so I’m thinking I may not be able too XD i keep trying to find excuses why I don’t need to get people thing… lol so selfish! I just would hate to wait till christmas!
December 8th, 2007 at 4:06 am
This week I accompanied my 4 year old daughter on a “leaf hunt” with her classmates. (I know…snow and all, but we kept getting rained out!) She goes to school where I work, and even though I had classes, I rearranged. A couple hours with 4 year olds and nature will always put a smile on your face!
December 8th, 2007 at 7:55 am
I saw the movie The Golden Compass yesterday, which was good and managed (I thought) to achieve it’s purpose.
I’ve also spent time flirting with my Scottish friend.
December 8th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
OH I saw the Golden Compass to it was amazing! BEST part of my morning! I saw it the day of and it was awesome!
December 9th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I went skating. It’s been cold enough here that the outdoor rinks are open.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Boy, am I far behind with you guys. Working, working, working . . .
Deborah, long time no write! But sounds like you’ve been living the good life even without us hearing about it. I wish you’d post the picture of your dog looking so horrified to be with Santa. That sounds like a keeper. Enjoy the fruits/veggies of your garden!
Jen, I SO support not sending out holiday cards. The sound you hear is me clapping. There’s so much about Christmas that seems obligatory, rather than heart-felt. I say we pare things down to the activities that actually mean something to us–and that can vary from year to year. You’re busy enough. Good for you, taking it easy on yourself.
Sara, isn’t it so much fun to meet our blog pals? You get that instant friendship, along with the joy of seeing how people really are in person. It was my favorite part of the Kidlit Conference.
Lady S, I assume you mean you’re meeting Emmaco for the first time? More blog pals! How nice that you’ve gotten everyone taken care of, and that now you get to just relax and play. I’m curious–what’s the debate about P & P?
Kelly, I couldn’t be more of a fan of sleep these days, so I am perfectly thrilled for you that you got to sleep in. That has to be one of the biggest benefits of snow.
Adrienne, snap out of it. Or tells the stars to snap out of it. We need you on the groove. So it’s a new week, and all will be well–we all say so.
Dylan, I approve of buying yourself a Christmas present (or three or four). A friend of mine has this policy of buying herself a present every time she has to shop for other people. It certainly takes away any resentment about having to shop! Keep reading Pride and Prejudice! You’re going to love it!
Stacy, how sweet that sounds! It’s so relaxing to put yourself in the hands of four year olds who are out discovering the world. Helps you see the smallest details with fresh eyes. What a happy day that must have been!
Katie Sis, SPILL. I’m sure I speak for the group when I say we need to know everything about the Scottish friend–starting with the accent.
Nicole, good use of the cold! How fun!
December 10th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Yeah that’s a great idea! Ok I will! I’m on the third volume now!
December 10th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Being the foolish person that I am, I have come to like my Murray. He lives in Scotland and we’ve not met yet. He knows I some feelings for him and vice versa. However, we have decided to wait and see how it develops when we meet (which will hopefully happen in June). Both of us express ourselves more clearly through writing and we have doubts about how we’ll react to each other in person. He’s pretty smart for a guy;>
December 10th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Katie, do you think Murry has any idea we’re discussing him here? Does he know about all of us?
Wait, does he know about Patrick?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Shhhh!!!
I am Murray.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:40 am
He has no idea. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
December 13th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
After waking up early Saturday morning, I forced myself to go back to sleep until a more decent hour. I did the same on Sunday morning. I told myself that I had to sleep. Better health, better performances.