The Hairy Month of May

One of the advantages to freelance editing is that I can tweak my work schedule to accommodate life. Theoretically. For example, theoretically, I could work harder when the kids are in school and sock away some income so I can take a good vacation over the summer…theoretically.

Being an eternal optimist, I planned my year based on that theory.

Wa-a-ay back in January when I scheduled my projects for the spring. I decided to load up on work for the five months before school let out. This had the added advantage of decreasing the wait time for my clients as well, so it seemed like a win-win.

In reality, that theory has been blown out of the water. Plans never survive contact with the enemy—or reality--and all that.

Little A. is, to our delight, taking the rest of his pre-kindergarten year off. He stays home with me all day right now, which has been mostly the proverbial blessing and a little of the proverbial curse.

I am blessed that he flourishes, grows, learns, and shares delightful humor, wisdom, and observations with me every day. I am blessed that I stop and smell the roses—or in his case, look at the cool trucks—much more than I would otherwise. And I’m blessed to remember how sweet it is to have a little helper all day. I’m happy I get another taste of that companionship before they both spend more time away from the nest than in it.

But.

I have somehow set myself up to edit 75,000 words and evaluate 800,000 words in about five weeks. Just to give you a little perspective, that’s like reading and evaluating four books the size of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. With an active, curious five-year-old in tow. Therein lies the teeny bit of a curse.

Don’t worry, I’ll do it and I’ll do it well, but it’s definitely brought about some changes here. The kids have picked up a few more 'do-it-myself tasks' (which they were probably due to start anyway). Big A. is taking on a bit more of the family management. The housework has become completely optional.

And I? I am disappearing into what is known as the edit cave for another few weeks. And stocking up on caffeine.

See you in a few weeks!