Jennifer Lyon


Monday, August 26th, 2019
Weekend Roundup

We had a great weekend, aside from traffic. It took us nearly twice the normal amount of time to get to Turbo’s house for our babysitting gig. Wizard and I have a ridiculous amount of fun with that boy.  Maggie had fun too, but she was soooo tired when we got home and Sunday.

Wizard and I are living at a pretty hectic pace lately, and that combined with my other issues, keeps me from getting totally immersed in my book. But I was thinking about this a lot yesterday while I was stuck in more traffic. Right now, our adult kids are including us in their lives AND we physically able to do it after a few years of surgeries and limitations keeping us on the sidelines. We know this moment is fleeting in the bigger scheme of life and that we will have to slow down eventually (Wizard is older than me, so I’m thinking of him–but we don’t need to tell him that!). Doing all this requires us to put in a lot of effort (like fighting traffic for an hour and forty-five minutes one way to babysit Turbo), but the kids appreciate it, and it’s ultimately worth it to us. Plus my family is loving that I’m not always saying “I can’t, I’m on deadline.” And having Maggie takes time as well. Her daily walks are important, and she needs a certain amount of attention and structure.

At some point, though, I need to find a balance because I want to write. I am a writer too, along with being a wife, mom and all the other things. I’m hoping that I will regain a bit more energy to do even more in a day and that will help. It can be done, I just have to have the will, drive and discipline.

Anyway, that was my big thought process during traffic.

So how was your weekend? And do you struggle to find a good balance between work and play in your life?

6 comments to “Weekend Roundup”

  1. B.E. Sanderson
    August 26th, 2019 at 5:58 am · Link

    There is a balance and you’ll find it. I’d offer advice, but you know what you have to do. And right now, I’m the last person to offer advice on writerly things.

    My problem isn’t being busy. I’m hardly ever in a place where I can’t break out an hour or two to work. My problem is getting wrapped up mentally in all the life stuff so that even in my free time, I can’t seem to wade through that to get my work done.

    Anyway, the weekend here was fine. I did manage to actually get some work done. I think Ugly and the Beast is going to be awesome if I ever get it to my editor. I also made more granola bars. And a pork roast. I read a really good short urban fantasy-ish book that left me feeling like I really needed more, but there isn’t any more. :sniffle: And I started marketing for a sale I’m doing this week. All in all, a pretty good weekend.



  2. Silver James
    August 26th, 2019 at 9:09 am · Link

    Little ones grow up way too fast and the fact that your grown children and their spouses love you and Wiz and want you involved speaks volumes! Like B.E. said, you’ll find the work/life balance and you’ll be the richer for having spent time with your family.

    I did a little work on Saturday. Lawyer Guy decided to “work” on his birthday. He and his little bro went up to Only’s house to “dismantle” a branch and trim up a tree that was damaged in one of the storms last week. We had rollicking thunderstorms early Saturday morning so disrupted sleep. We both took naps, woke up late and opted for take-out chicken from the place nearby. Our typical Saturday night fare. Sunday, we slept in and then met the family for lunch at a favorite BBQ place where we celebrated his B-day after a delicious lunch with warm peach cobbler topped with cinnamon-sprinkled vanilla bean ice cream. He got a call at lunch so we had to go by his office for some work-work, then a delivery of the papers he’d drawn up to a vet he’s helping, then home. He stretched out on the couch, I worked for about an hour and then I hit the bed for baseball and another long nap. We obviously needed the downtime!

    Now it’s a new week, new tasks, and stuffs to do! I’m gonna get right on that. Soon…ish. ;) Have a great week, everyone!



  3. Viki S.
    August 26th, 2019 at 3:02 pm · Link

    That really stinks about the traffic making your journey so long to get to Turbo’s house. Did fires have anything to do with it? I hope not.

    After seeing Harrison and hubs and can imagine Wizard with Turbo. Grandpa’s are the best toys ;)! They are fun and they do every thing a young man demands.

    I’m sure Maggie had a blast playing and guarding James. After all that work did she get extra treats? I’m guessing yes ;).

    You are smart to note where you are in life with your amazing kids and families. Nothing should ever come above them but you’re keeping your “self” as well. Smart woman!

    As you can guess, we had a ball babysitting Harrison Sunday. He is a very happy active guy. Watching him with John is great. Hubs gets so much enjoyment out of Harrison. He knows he missed it all with our boys growing up since he was traveling all the time. I am so happy he gets to experience the joys of watching a little one grow up close and personal.

    Cassie did my hair today and it looks great :). I wish I had more money, I’d get it done more often ;).

    They are grinding off my driveway right now. Due to incoming rain, it won’t be paved until Wednesday. This will not interfere with the generator, thank God.

    I hope you have a fantastic evening.



  4. Jenn
    August 26th, 2019 at 8:32 pm · Link

    B.E., I’m really sorry you’re struggling too. The mental blocks are painful, and more frustrating because we believe she should be mentally strong enough to break through. But we’ll both find out way!

    Your weekend sounds productive in writing, marketing and cooking/baking! If you feel that good about Ugly and the Beast now, that’s an excellent sign. And sales are a great way to find new readers.

    Hope your week is off to a great start.



  5. Jenn
    August 26th, 2019 at 8:37 pm · Link

    Silver, I think balance is always a work in progress :-) It’s so true about the kids growing up so fast, we’ve worked hard to be in Turbo’s life, and his parents have really supported that.

    LG didn’t take much a break on his birthday! Both of you are such hard workers. But his birthday dinner with the family sounds perfect–until the phone call anyway.

    The disrupted sleep from thunderstorms sucks, especially since I know you deal with insomnia. You don’t need extra doses of sleep interruptions.

    Hope you got some of the new tasks done! Happy Monday!



  6. Jenn
    August 26th, 2019 at 8:46 pm · Link

    Viki, the fires didn’t affect traffic on Saturday when we went to Turbo’s, that was a freeway and lane closures creating insane pressure on an already overburdened freeway. Sunday I got caught in traffic from a fire burning right off the freeway I was driving on. It was, hmm, about ten miles from out house. They had to close the other side of the freeway, it wasn’t fun, but the police and fire crews did an excellent job of getting that fire under control quickly.

    Maggie was exhausted after playing with Turbo! He fed her some people food (little crackers) she’s not supposed to have, so she made out.

    It’s truly wonder to see our husbands enjoying the grandkid!! I totally get it. Wizard loves it! I can just imagine how much it means to John since he had to travel so much when your boys were young. That really makes his relationship with Harrison extra special!

    When our hair looks nice, the day is just better :-)

    You guys need a break from this rain! I hope everything goes as scheduled with your driveway and generator. but at least they’ve started on the driveway!

    Have a great night!



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