Night Blindness

I suffer from night blindness. It takes nearly everything I've got left, body and soul, to get my four children bathed, in bed, prayers said, and then back in bed, in the case of my youngest. Once everyone's breathing is nice and steady, I drag myself downstairs. With heavy eyelids, I glance around downstairs to see what chores come between me and my bedtime. I never fail to say, "Oh, the kitchen is clean, the living room is tidy,” which basically means there's no throw-up or spilled juice. I retire to my room absolved of all guilt.

But reality crashes down the next morning like a rockslide. When I go down to get my coffee, I’m completely shocked that the house is such a wreck. I mean, how could I go to bed with the kitchen like that? The dishes are always in the dishwasher, at least, and usually the trash has been taken out. But often the counters aren't even wiped off very well, and the table is littered with homework folders. How do I miss it the night before?

I don't understand the psychology behind it, but I'm telling you it happens to me all the time. Has it ever happened to any of you?

So this morning, I came downstairs to just this scenario. I wanted to go crawl back into bed. My darling children washed the cars yesterday, so all my kitchen sponges are totally MIA. So what did I do? Write, of course! In total denial! But it was a wonderful way to start my day. When I begin the day writing, I feel so in tune with God's plans for my day. I can't explain it, but it just works for me. Perhaps I need a few more fog delays.

I'm debating which pieces to send in for Chautauqua. I received a link yesterday with bio information about other people going this summer. Yikes, I am so intimidated. These people are all the REAL DEAL, and I'm just...what? A struggling apprentice? Anyway, now I'm trying to find the perfect thing to submit. Oh, how I wish I could illustrate. I need to do some more painting soon. I still hope God's about to strike me with a lightning bolt of talent. I dream about painting and sketching, but it's just a tease.

I need to do some serious writing tomorrow on the novel. I'm in a hard place, and it I let up, it will be so hard to pick it back up. How's everyone else's work out there going?

I would like to find an online critique group who critiques picture books? Can anyone out there recommend a good one? I'm going back to some of that writing, but I definitely need some help.

EVERYONE PLEASE REMEMBER: This week is teacher appreciation week. Take a minute to write a note or two of appreciation for some teachers in your life. If you have any ideas to recognize teachers in a special or original way, then please share. Have a great week! xoxox