Procrastination or in my definitions: working on a deadline or even a looming deadline or a tight deadline.
I live for deadlines. Deadline is a funny word. Editors will kill me if I don't meet the deadline, hence deadline. While working on projects at home to meet deadlines, like Christmas, birthdays, vacations or serving Sunday dinner to 21 people, my husband and children usually have wanted to kill me as I stress toward the deadline.
I know with some projects, including work, I can organize myself so I'm not stressing out as the deadline approaches. But I can't help myself. I'll wait and wait until there is hardly any time and then dive in, taking everyone around me into deadline mania.
You see I'm proscrastinating now. I should be writing a story. But I don't want to. That happens when I've either churned several stories out already. Monday I wrote three. Tuesday two. Today one and two more to go before 7 p.m. The other one, I could get done in less than an hour if I just buckle down. It's for the weekend. Interviews done. Research done. But hey...
It's like when I get home tonight, I will be on deadline writing a story for Thursday's paper. I will also be on deadline for this weekend's family activity. I just have to keep breathing. I have this list in my head. I could put it in ink, but then I get overwhelmed and I find a book.
It's like Maxine, my favorite comic strip character said today on my desk calendar, "Never put off till tomorrow what you can just ignore indefinitely."
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Noise
My husband is one of the most positive persons I know. He wakes up happy. He's smiling and laughing before he even gets out of the shower.
He has learned though if he wants happiness to spread, not to talk to me first thing in the morning. I can't deal with noise, talking or anything for the first 30 minutes or so after I wake up. If my glasses are not on my face, I'm officially not awake.
I was never really a morning person. I'm usually grumpy when I wake up. I have tried to focus on thoughts like, "Heavenly Father created this day, so I will have a great day."
That lasts about five minutes if I'm lucky. Then I'm grumpy again because I will notice the pile of clothes that need to be folded or put away, or the dog is yapping because she wants to go for a walk, or I'm really trying to sleep in and the mourning doves are hooting or cooing or whatever they do outside my window.
But my husband. He's up and happy and he can't even sleep in! I mean, for rude! Even on a rare Saturday when he doesn't have a church assignment or a family event, he is up by 6 a.m. ready to see what adventure or havoc he can create for the day. Usually havoc.
He thinks mowing the lawn at 6 a.m. is a perfect time because it's cooler. Ok, but it's noisy! Or he'll start a project that includes a saw, weed wacker, pruning shears, or tractor.
I could get mad. I have. But it's useless. It's like telling the sun not to come up. He doesn't get it.
He figures half of the day has gone by by 8 a.m. and he's missed something.
Of course, by 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. on Saturday, he's ready for a nap. He then likes to have quiet.
I'm not a nap person most of the time. By afternoon, I'm ready to vaccum,sew, talk on the phone, watch a movie or do the wash. All noisy ventures.
Maybe it's my way of getting even.... Ummmm. I wonder? :)
He has learned though if he wants happiness to spread, not to talk to me first thing in the morning. I can't deal with noise, talking or anything for the first 30 minutes or so after I wake up. If my glasses are not on my face, I'm officially not awake.
I was never really a morning person. I'm usually grumpy when I wake up. I have tried to focus on thoughts like, "Heavenly Father created this day, so I will have a great day."
That lasts about five minutes if I'm lucky. Then I'm grumpy again because I will notice the pile of clothes that need to be folded or put away, or the dog is yapping because she wants to go for a walk, or I'm really trying to sleep in and the mourning doves are hooting or cooing or whatever they do outside my window.
But my husband. He's up and happy and he can't even sleep in! I mean, for rude! Even on a rare Saturday when he doesn't have a church assignment or a family event, he is up by 6 a.m. ready to see what adventure or havoc he can create for the day. Usually havoc.
He thinks mowing the lawn at 6 a.m. is a perfect time because it's cooler. Ok, but it's noisy! Or he'll start a project that includes a saw, weed wacker, pruning shears, or tractor.
I could get mad. I have. But it's useless. It's like telling the sun not to come up. He doesn't get it.
He figures half of the day has gone by by 8 a.m. and he's missed something.
Of course, by 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. on Saturday, he's ready for a nap. He then likes to have quiet.
I'm not a nap person most of the time. By afternoon, I'm ready to vaccum,sew, talk on the phone, watch a movie or do the wash. All noisy ventures.
Maybe it's my way of getting even.... Ummmm. I wonder? :)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Family
It's August. The summer is flying by. I really have good intentions, but this summer at work, has been so difficult.
We have to churn out stories constantly. It's not like in the past when an editor would give you actual time to work on a story and make into a masterpiece. I know my editors would love to let me have more time on stories, but they too are under fire.
So when I think about blogging, all I want to do is read other blogs. I don't want to write.
But it's August.
The first of the month rolls around and I don't want to host another gramma sleepover. But I cave in because I know how much my grandchildren look forward to it and my children also look forward to having one night and a Saturday without rug rats.
It's not hard to host the sleepover. My grandkids are good and know the rules and usually play well with one another. I'm just tired after working 40 hours and especially this summer with so much stress at work.
But always, always after they all go home, I'm so grateful I did. I know I'm not just hosting time away from parents, but creating memories.
Like the last one.
Rod bought a tent off of KSL's website. Not just any tent, but a great big tent that can sleep eight adults comfortably. He bought it so HE could use it for Scouts. Well, he made the mistake of putting it up when grandkids were coming over in June. They were all so excited to see it. They thought we were going to sleep in it.
I told them we'd do it in August when Papa would be home to help. He was scheduled to go with Scouts in July. He actually ended up coming home a day early because of the weather, but because of the weather we did not put the tent up that weekend.
Note: (I'm now going to do what my cousins do, refer to my grandchildren as Miss 1 or Mr. 2, not by name in order to protect them).
So Rod and Miss 2, who is 10, (Miss 1 thinks being 15 is too old for sleepovers at Gramala's) spent an hour on Friday putting the tent up. All of the grandkids brought sleeping bags and couldn't wait to get in them. As soon as their parents left, they were inside their sleeping bags on my bed watching Toy Story 3. They pretended to be snakes.
After the movie Rod and Miss 2 took the sleeping bags outside while I got Mr. 2, Mr. 3, Mr. 4 and Miss 3 and Miss 4 in their pajamas. Not much work since they help each other. Miss 3 is 7 so she can dress herself. Mr. 2, who is 6, helped his brother, Mr. 4, who is 2, and also helped Mr. 3, who is 3, get jammies on. It was really cute. Miss 4, is 2 and didn't want anyone to dress her but Gramala.
Mr. 5, who is 10 months, also joined the party on Friday. He is still too young to spend the night with the gang. He also thinks if there are people around he has to party hardy! Definitely my son's son.
Anywho, I ended up in the tent with the six of the seven. Mr. 5 stayed inside the house with Papa to watch TV until his parents returned from their movie date. Then Papa slept in our comfy bed. It was requested because he snores.
There I was in this tent with six kids, ages 10, 7, 6, 3, 2 and 2. All snug like a bug in their sleeping bags on nice cushions, except Miss 2, who claims sleeping on cushion in a tent is wrong, just plain wrong. She roughed it.
For the first 30 minutes I was playing "Smacking the mole." I didn't really smack anyone, just kept telling Mr. 2 and Miss 2 to get back in their sleeping bags.
I did use the trick I use in Primary of getting kids to behave. I notice and say outloud, "I really am appreciative of Miss 3 staying in her sleeping bag. Oh look, Mr. 3 is trying so hard to go to sleep."
By 11 p.m. all six were asleep.
Now there I was in the tent and I could hear every noise in my neighborhood.
One noise got to me though and I knew for sure a critter --- raccoon or Heaven forbid, a skunk--- was lurking outside. Did I mention my backyard borders a huge cornfield?
Oh my goodness. I had flashlight and I also double checked that Rod, aka Papa, had his cell phone by his head in our bed.
I opened the tent windows and looked for the critter.
No four-legged critter out there but my Brittany, Jade, who took up her post by her gate at the kennel to watch over us.
But the scraping and bumping was loud now. I realized it was coming from the playhouse. Rod and our sons built a playhouse 27 years ago in our backyard. It stands on stilts and a swing is attached.
In late June I discovered a nest in the playhouse. Pigeons had made the playhouse their home. I, um, promised pigeons they would not get evicted. I thought they would be out at the end of July.
So I googled pigeons on my new phone. Pigeons do not leave their nest until they are two months old! I am afraid of all of the poop I'm going to have scrub in September.
So, I'm going to sleep. It's now midnight. Tent door flap opens. I jump up screaming what the? And it's Miss 2, making a bathroom run.
Finally sleep hits me at 2 a.m. I'm awakened at 2:30 by someone poking my face. It's Miss 4. She's 2. And she's seeing if I"m alive or something. I get her back to sleep finally around 3:30.
At 6 a.m. Mother Nature wakes me up.
I know from the past, if I don't hit the shower before the tykes wake up, I won't see a shower until Sunday.
Saturday was a blast as the kids chose their pancake design created by Papa, then blasted each other with squirt guns I bought for $1 a piece. They love running through sprinklers and eating a picnic lunch under our Aunt Eliza tree.
They also love spending the Saturday afternoon taking naps, splashing in the tub, reading books, watching a movie or playing in the toy room.
When they go home, I feel like crying because I already miss their sweet little hugs and their faces. I think "Gosh, I made it!"
And the next sleepover is four more weeks away. I'm so glad my children allow their children to come hang out with us. Yes, it's work. Yes, it's a challenge. Yes, I could spend my time doing....nothing better.
We have to churn out stories constantly. It's not like in the past when an editor would give you actual time to work on a story and make into a masterpiece. I know my editors would love to let me have more time on stories, but they too are under fire.
So when I think about blogging, all I want to do is read other blogs. I don't want to write.
But it's August.
The first of the month rolls around and I don't want to host another gramma sleepover. But I cave in because I know how much my grandchildren look forward to it and my children also look forward to having one night and a Saturday without rug rats.
It's not hard to host the sleepover. My grandkids are good and know the rules and usually play well with one another. I'm just tired after working 40 hours and especially this summer with so much stress at work.
But always, always after they all go home, I'm so grateful I did. I know I'm not just hosting time away from parents, but creating memories.
Like the last one.
Rod bought a tent off of KSL's website. Not just any tent, but a great big tent that can sleep eight adults comfortably. He bought it so HE could use it for Scouts. Well, he made the mistake of putting it up when grandkids were coming over in June. They were all so excited to see it. They thought we were going to sleep in it.
I told them we'd do it in August when Papa would be home to help. He was scheduled to go with Scouts in July. He actually ended up coming home a day early because of the weather, but because of the weather we did not put the tent up that weekend.
Note: (I'm now going to do what my cousins do, refer to my grandchildren as Miss 1 or Mr. 2, not by name in order to protect them).
So Rod and Miss 2, who is 10, (Miss 1 thinks being 15 is too old for sleepovers at Gramala's) spent an hour on Friday putting the tent up. All of the grandkids brought sleeping bags and couldn't wait to get in them. As soon as their parents left, they were inside their sleeping bags on my bed watching Toy Story 3. They pretended to be snakes.
After the movie Rod and Miss 2 took the sleeping bags outside while I got Mr. 2, Mr. 3, Mr. 4 and Miss 3 and Miss 4 in their pajamas. Not much work since they help each other. Miss 3 is 7 so she can dress herself. Mr. 2, who is 6, helped his brother, Mr. 4, who is 2, and also helped Mr. 3, who is 3, get jammies on. It was really cute. Miss 4, is 2 and didn't want anyone to dress her but Gramala.
Mr. 5, who is 10 months, also joined the party on Friday. He is still too young to spend the night with the gang. He also thinks if there are people around he has to party hardy! Definitely my son's son.
Anywho, I ended up in the tent with the six of the seven. Mr. 5 stayed inside the house with Papa to watch TV until his parents returned from their movie date. Then Papa slept in our comfy bed. It was requested because he snores.
There I was in this tent with six kids, ages 10, 7, 6, 3, 2 and 2. All snug like a bug in their sleeping bags on nice cushions, except Miss 2, who claims sleeping on cushion in a tent is wrong, just plain wrong. She roughed it.
For the first 30 minutes I was playing "Smacking the mole." I didn't really smack anyone, just kept telling Mr. 2 and Miss 2 to get back in their sleeping bags.
I did use the trick I use in Primary of getting kids to behave. I notice and say outloud, "I really am appreciative of Miss 3 staying in her sleeping bag. Oh look, Mr. 3 is trying so hard to go to sleep."
By 11 p.m. all six were asleep.
Now there I was in the tent and I could hear every noise in my neighborhood.
One noise got to me though and I knew for sure a critter --- raccoon or Heaven forbid, a skunk--- was lurking outside. Did I mention my backyard borders a huge cornfield?
Oh my goodness. I had flashlight and I also double checked that Rod, aka Papa, had his cell phone by his head in our bed.
I opened the tent windows and looked for the critter.
No four-legged critter out there but my Brittany, Jade, who took up her post by her gate at the kennel to watch over us.
But the scraping and bumping was loud now. I realized it was coming from the playhouse. Rod and our sons built a playhouse 27 years ago in our backyard. It stands on stilts and a swing is attached.
In late June I discovered a nest in the playhouse. Pigeons had made the playhouse their home. I, um, promised pigeons they would not get evicted. I thought they would be out at the end of July.
So I googled pigeons on my new phone. Pigeons do not leave their nest until they are two months old! I am afraid of all of the poop I'm going to have scrub in September.
So, I'm going to sleep. It's now midnight. Tent door flap opens. I jump up screaming what the? And it's Miss 2, making a bathroom run.
Finally sleep hits me at 2 a.m. I'm awakened at 2:30 by someone poking my face. It's Miss 4. She's 2. And she's seeing if I"m alive or something. I get her back to sleep finally around 3:30.
At 6 a.m. Mother Nature wakes me up.
I know from the past, if I don't hit the shower before the tykes wake up, I won't see a shower until Sunday.
Saturday was a blast as the kids chose their pancake design created by Papa, then blasted each other with squirt guns I bought for $1 a piece. They love running through sprinklers and eating a picnic lunch under our Aunt Eliza tree.
They also love spending the Saturday afternoon taking naps, splashing in the tub, reading books, watching a movie or playing in the toy room.
When they go home, I feel like crying because I already miss their sweet little hugs and their faces. I think "Gosh, I made it!"
And the next sleepover is four more weeks away. I'm so glad my children allow their children to come hang out with us. Yes, it's work. Yes, it's a challenge. Yes, I could spend my time doing....nothing better.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
July and random thoughts
It's July. Hot, warm and of course, sunny. Most days anyway.
I had this thought in June I'd work on improving my thinking by following a program of assigned topics. Well, like most projects that are not thought out well, it sunk or stunk. Whichever. Whatever.
So here it is July. My self-esteem is OK. I'm OK. My thinking is OK. After all, I'm 52 and yes, I can improve, but I need to learn to just frankly, be happy with me. How hard is that?
Of course life gets crazy. I mean, husband thinks we need to improve physically and wants to go for long bike rides. I don't mind long bike rides as long as we have time and I'm not feeling like I'm running a race.
My son ran a race. Actually a marathon in Ogden. He ran it in 3 hours and 19 minutes. That's like really fast. He was hoping to run it in 3 hours and 10 minutes. He was upset with himself. I understand he didn't meet his goal, but hey, 3 hours and 19 minutes is amazing! And even more amazing when you learn he ran cross country in high school and almost always came in last.
And my youngest daughter and her husband moved into my house this past week. It's nice to have someone in the house, especially since Rod will be gone a lot this summer with church stoff. But I'm sure by the time they move into their cute home in Roy (and it is cute) they will want their own space.
Space is something they won't have this weekend. The grandkids are coming for the monthly sleepover. It's a week late because I worked this past weekend. We are planning on running through the sprinkler and chopping down ice cream bars. The following weekend is Harry Potter movie for me and my adult children, plus their spouses.
I wish we could get the boat out, but life happens. Last year we got it out once and it died in the middle of Willard Bay with the entire gang inside the boat. We had too many people in the boat and the park ranger was not happy with us.
I did get the Goldwing licensed and registerd this past week so Rod has no excuse for a long ride soon.
I need to finish some of my crochet and knit projects. I hate having bags of unfinished projects with lots of yarn sitting in cupboards and shelves yearning to be created into something.
Naturally summer means I need to read. And I have a new phone and discovered something really cool....Kindle AP! And free books, like The Book of Mormon, Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, The man who knew too much, by G.K. Chesterton and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, are now on my phone!
Too cool! Really!
I had this thought in June I'd work on improving my thinking by following a program of assigned topics. Well, like most projects that are not thought out well, it sunk or stunk. Whichever. Whatever.
So here it is July. My self-esteem is OK. I'm OK. My thinking is OK. After all, I'm 52 and yes, I can improve, but I need to learn to just frankly, be happy with me. How hard is that?
Of course life gets crazy. I mean, husband thinks we need to improve physically and wants to go for long bike rides. I don't mind long bike rides as long as we have time and I'm not feeling like I'm running a race.
My son ran a race. Actually a marathon in Ogden. He ran it in 3 hours and 19 minutes. That's like really fast. He was hoping to run it in 3 hours and 10 minutes. He was upset with himself. I understand he didn't meet his goal, but hey, 3 hours and 19 minutes is amazing! And even more amazing when you learn he ran cross country in high school and almost always came in last.
And my youngest daughter and her husband moved into my house this past week. It's nice to have someone in the house, especially since Rod will be gone a lot this summer with church stoff. But I'm sure by the time they move into their cute home in Roy (and it is cute) they will want their own space.
Space is something they won't have this weekend. The grandkids are coming for the monthly sleepover. It's a week late because I worked this past weekend. We are planning on running through the sprinkler and chopping down ice cream bars. The following weekend is Harry Potter movie for me and my adult children, plus their spouses.
I wish we could get the boat out, but life happens. Last year we got it out once and it died in the middle of Willard Bay with the entire gang inside the boat. We had too many people in the boat and the park ranger was not happy with us.
I did get the Goldwing licensed and registerd this past week so Rod has no excuse for a long ride soon.
I need to finish some of my crochet and knit projects. I hate having bags of unfinished projects with lots of yarn sitting in cupboards and shelves yearning to be created into something.
Naturally summer means I need to read. And I have a new phone and discovered something really cool....Kindle AP! And free books, like The Book of Mormon, Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, The man who knew too much, by G.K. Chesterton and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, are now on my phone!
Too cool! Really!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Days 8 through 17 or in other words Life.
I've really blown it. I've managed to NOT blog for almost eight days. Why?
Life.
It's that simple. Work has been nuts.
So just in case you're interested the topics range from: learning new things, making friends, doing things I liked to do as a kid, getting more spiritual, getting more sleep and getting rid of one bad habit.
Well, I started saving. I have $100 set aside. It was supposed to be for um, nothing in particular.
But naturally I know have a goal to save up for.
My daughter wants me to go to Disneyland with her and her family this fall. So I'm going to save for a goal.
Saving for a goal is fun. I prefer that.
As for getting more sleep, it depends on the day and life.
Doing things I did as a kid includes going for bike rides. I love going on bike rides. I also love laying on the grass or in a hammock and just watching clouds or reading a book.
Getting more spiritual, well, that's ongoing.
And getting rid of one bad habit. Haven't decided.
But today is special because 24 years ago I met my youngest. She is a beautiful, fun, smart woman now. Then she was a wrinkled, five pound 4 ounce little thing with lots of fuzzy hair.
Let's let the weekend begin!
I'm going biking.
Life.
It's that simple. Work has been nuts.
So just in case you're interested the topics range from: learning new things, making friends, doing things I liked to do as a kid, getting more spiritual, getting more sleep and getting rid of one bad habit.
Well, I started saving. I have $100 set aside. It was supposed to be for um, nothing in particular.
But naturally I know have a goal to save up for.
My daughter wants me to go to Disneyland with her and her family this fall. So I'm going to save for a goal.
Saving for a goal is fun. I prefer that.
As for getting more sleep, it depends on the day and life.
Doing things I did as a kid includes going for bike rides. I love going on bike rides. I also love laying on the grass or in a hammock and just watching clouds or reading a book.
Getting more spiritual, well, that's ongoing.
And getting rid of one bad habit. Haven't decided.
But today is special because 24 years ago I met my youngest. She is a beautiful, fun, smart woman now. Then she was a wrinkled, five pound 4 ounce little thing with lots of fuzzy hair.
Let's let the weekend begin!
I'm going biking.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Day 7, which was supposed to be Tuesday
It's Wednesday. Took a quick look at the blog topic and almost lost it. It is about cleaning up my diet.
So when I'm stressed I like to eat Spaghetti-Os and cheese. I also like mac/cheese. I love pasta and cheese in any form. I don't eat a lot of it, except when I do cook it, then I eat a lot.
Also I like to guzzle Mountain Dew when I'm on a writing frenzy. It seems to help ease my stress. I know I should drink more water.
I do love a bowl of ice cream, preferably vanilla.
I know I need to eat more veggies and fruit. I really don't like fruit that much. I do eat a banana every morning and I'll put blueberries on my p&j sandwich when I have it the house.
Fresh veggies aren't my favorite, but I force myself to eat them every day because I know it is good for me. I also know if I cave into my cravings and eat the food I really like and ignore the other, I could end up with heart problems and weight problems like my older relatives.
Yes, I'm lucky I can still get into the jeans I bought five, six, eight years ago. So I will try to eat better and exercise more and drink more water and be happy.
So when I'm stressed I like to eat Spaghetti-Os and cheese. I also like mac/cheese. I love pasta and cheese in any form. I don't eat a lot of it, except when I do cook it, then I eat a lot.
Also I like to guzzle Mountain Dew when I'm on a writing frenzy. It seems to help ease my stress. I know I should drink more water.
I do love a bowl of ice cream, preferably vanilla.
I know I need to eat more veggies and fruit. I really don't like fruit that much. I do eat a banana every morning and I'll put blueberries on my p&j sandwich when I have it the house.
Fresh veggies aren't my favorite, but I force myself to eat them every day because I know it is good for me. I also know if I cave into my cravings and eat the food I really like and ignore the other, I could end up with heart problems and weight problems like my older relatives.
Yes, I'm lucky I can still get into the jeans I bought five, six, eight years ago. So I will try to eat better and exercise more and drink more water and be happy.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Day 4, 5 and 6
Note: I do not get on the computer on the weekends unless it is to look up a recipe or directions. I try to disconnect myself as much as possible.
So I read what Day 4 was, which would have been Saturday and it said to write about when I feel most pressured what would I think about so I can relax.
The times I'm most pressured include deadlines at work. As a newspaper journalist those deadlines can get ugly, especially on breaking news today. It's so different than it was 20 years ago when I entered the job market or even 12 years ago when I went back full time. Then I didn't worry about Facebook, Twitter or even the Internet. The most important thing was to get the story, get it right and then hope you were the first to break it when the paper was published the next day. Now you hope you're the first five minutes after everything breaks and you hope you're accurate.
I try to breath. That is what President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told me to do when I was interviewing him about eight years ago. I was hyperventilating during the interview and he just said calmly, "Loretta, breath."
Then I think of the things I like to do and pretend for a minute I'm doing that, like biking or going for a walk or crocheting.
The fifth day topic is one I won't write about. Frankly my sex life is no one's business. Period.:)
The sixth day is one I love. What would I read if I could sit down? Which classics? What would you find on my nightstand, bookshelves or even on the tables in my living room?
I have a number of Agatha Christie books I love to read. I also have a number of the books on CDs I listen to on my way to and from work to help me relax. I have found a new author, Elizabeth Lowell, who is really good. I love how she weaves art into murder, spies and intrigue and also how she sets her stories, not in London, Los Angeles or even New York, but the west, like Utah and Arizona.
Classics I would love to read again include Jane Eyre and Charles Dickens.
I also love Dr. Seuss. Any of his books. Yes, I read them to myself many times, now that my children have bought me the books (so I can read them to my grandchildren.)
I love to read books about World War II. I also like Nero Wolf mysteries as well. And I do have lots of books on CDs, including Harry Potter series, because I like listening to good books while I'm cleaning house, gardening, walking the dog, crocheting or driving around for work or self.
And yes, I love reading the Bible, especially the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon. Alma is one of my favorite books in the Book of Mormon.
So I read what Day 4 was, which would have been Saturday and it said to write about when I feel most pressured what would I think about so I can relax.
The times I'm most pressured include deadlines at work. As a newspaper journalist those deadlines can get ugly, especially on breaking news today. It's so different than it was 20 years ago when I entered the job market or even 12 years ago when I went back full time. Then I didn't worry about Facebook, Twitter or even the Internet. The most important thing was to get the story, get it right and then hope you were the first to break it when the paper was published the next day. Now you hope you're the first five minutes after everything breaks and you hope you're accurate.
I try to breath. That is what President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told me to do when I was interviewing him about eight years ago. I was hyperventilating during the interview and he just said calmly, "Loretta, breath."
Then I think of the things I like to do and pretend for a minute I'm doing that, like biking or going for a walk or crocheting.
The fifth day topic is one I won't write about. Frankly my sex life is no one's business. Period.:)
The sixth day is one I love. What would I read if I could sit down? Which classics? What would you find on my nightstand, bookshelves or even on the tables in my living room?
I have a number of Agatha Christie books I love to read. I also have a number of the books on CDs I listen to on my way to and from work to help me relax. I have found a new author, Elizabeth Lowell, who is really good. I love how she weaves art into murder, spies and intrigue and also how she sets her stories, not in London, Los Angeles or even New York, but the west, like Utah and Arizona.
Classics I would love to read again include Jane Eyre and Charles Dickens.
I also love Dr. Seuss. Any of his books. Yes, I read them to myself many times, now that my children have bought me the books (so I can read them to my grandchildren.)
I love to read books about World War II. I also like Nero Wolf mysteries as well. And I do have lots of books on CDs, including Harry Potter series, because I like listening to good books while I'm cleaning house, gardening, walking the dog, crocheting or driving around for work or self.
And yes, I love reading the Bible, especially the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon. Alma is one of my favorite books in the Book of Mormon.
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