Getting into Gear

Sometimes it’s hard to get started writing. Or blogging. Or even (as is the case with me this morning) getting dressed and ready to take on the day.

I’ve wandered around in circles this morning and can’t seem to finish anything I started. I’m distracted. Honestly, I feel like I have ADHD this morning.

I started reading the paper, but then I remembered I was supposed to send an email. My new laptop from Dell finally came yesterday after a month of problems. I started typing the email and thought the keyboard was behaving weird. So I took the laptop to my husband (my personal tech support). I mean, I do type really fast, but….I shouldn’t be having these kinds of problems. And why isn’t the letter ‘b’ working?

Then I realized I was hungry and had never really eaten supper last night (too distracted by the arrival of the new laptop.) So I made eggs for everybody in the house. Then I sat down on the sofa at the laptop and forgot I still hadn’t eaten.

I started to load the dishwasher, but realized the dishes in there were clean. So I stopped doing dishes.

It occurred to me that I needed to make my husband’s lunch for the office….oh. I forgot to buy mayonnaise at the store (third day in a row.) So he’s eating peanut butter today and an odd assortment of things I found in the pantry.

I have GOT to turn this day around. I’ve been up since 6:00, but it’s 10:00 now and nothing has gotten accomplished.

Here’s my plan:

Stop blogging. Now. Okay, after I finish this blog.

Stop whining about how much I dislike Dells. And, if I still don’t like this laptop by the end of the day, go buy a ThinkPad.

Shower, dress, put my contacts in. I look rather witchlike right now.

Pick up my WIP and go somewhere with my children where there will be nothing for me to do but work on the WIP.

Go to the store on the way back from wherever I went when I worked on the WIP. Remember the mayonnaise this time.

Does anyone else have mornings like this?

Elizabeth Spann Craig

View posts by Elizabeth Spann Craig
Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series (as Riley Adams) and the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin and writes the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She also has a blog, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers. There she posts on the writing craft, finding inspiration in everyday life, and fitting writing into a busy schedule.

8 Comments

  1. Patricia StolteyJuly 1, 2009

    My To Do List is by my desktop computer upstairs. Meanwhile I’ve been up four hours and all I’ve done is sit at the laptop downstairs and read blogs and comment, tweet out my blog, and respond to other tweets. Checked e-mail too. Need to just stop it! Now!

  2. The Old SillyJuly 1, 2009

    LMAO – yes, my dear – many a day has started out JUST like that for The Old Silly

    Take heart! :)

  3. Galen Kindley--AuthorJuly 1, 2009

    Yikes! Poor Elizabeth. For such an organized person, I know days that start like this are really disorienting. Well, I’ll cross my fingers for you and hope things get better. If it makes you feel any better, you’ve described my every morning…filled with good intentions that somehow slip away undone. Maybe a good old vacation would help…or, a new pair of shoes!

    Best regards, Galen
    Imagineering Fiction Blog

  4. Helen GingerJuly 1, 2009

    Most definitely I’ve had days like that! My recommendation would be to print out this post and use it as a check-off list to make sure you get things done. I have to keep a to-do list by my computer!

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

  5. Clare2eJuly 1, 2009

    Absolutely Amen, Elizabeth! Sometimes, I’m just flapping around from spot to spot in the house, with nothing removed from the ToDos at all to show for it. I hate those foggy days when I can’t seem to buckle down. Though sometimes, it’s best to give into it, and let the next day’s inevitable productivity redeem it. Still, I don’t have 2 different series in process!!!

  6. Alan OrloffJuly 1, 2009

    Sometimes I have a whole week like that!

    And if the stress gets to be too much, I say just let him eat mustard!

  7. Jane Kennedy SuttonJuly 1, 2009

    I’ve not only had mornings like that – I’ve had whole days where I can’t seem to complete a single task. The good part is, I am usually super productive the following day, so don’t be too hard on yourself.

    JaneKennedySutton

  8. Elizabeth Spann CraigJuly 1, 2009

    Thanks y’all. I appreciate the tips on to-do lists, vacations, and hoping tomorrow will be better. I DID get the mayo, but then I forgot to get stuff for supper. Everyone is eating hotdogs. :) Alan, the next step will definitely be just plain mustard for my long-suffering husband. I seem to have plenty of exotically flavored mustards and absolutely nothing to serve them with.

    Elizabeth

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