Monday, February 27, 2012

Life on Hold

I'd love to tell you about all the awesome word counts I've achieved of late. Unfortunately I've hardly written a word. All I've accomplished in the last week is to complete edits my editor sent me for a super short story.

You see, my eighty-four-year-old dad just had knee replacement surgery and he and my mother have been staying with me since he was released from rehab a week ago. My house is now a nursing home complete with daily visits from nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists and more.

When the troops aren't parading through my house, I'm on duty. And trust me, my father is not the ideal patient. My husband says he's never heard my name called so often!

The moment I sit at the computer, I'm summoned for either my dad or my handicapped mother. Mind you, I'm not complaining -- I'm explaining -- maybe more to myself, why I'm being less productive than I've been in years.

At least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. They'll be flying home to New York before the end of March. At least, that's the plan. In the meanwhile, I'll have to hang close to home and suck it up. After all, my parents spent many years taking care of my every need.

What about you? What hinders your production? What makes it fly?

14 comments:

Maureen A. Miller said...

I relate and sympathize with your plight. Hang in there, Miss Wynter. :)

Katie Reus said...

Hugs, Wynter! You're a saint for everything you've been doing for them. :)

Wynter said...

Aw, thanks, ladies. I don't feel like a saint, just a daughter;-)

Naima Simone said...

Hi Wynter!
You're an awesome daughter, and I know they appreciate your hard work and devotion to them! Sending you a huge cyber hug!

Usually what hinders me is when my family is home...that sounds bad but they demand a lot of my attention or I'm asking what's going on...what was that bump...where are you going...Snicker. What makes my word count flow is working at BAM or Starbucks. Coffee and no TV and being around books...gets my mojo flowing!!

Terry Odell said...

I sympathize. But I guess I'm lucky. When my mom had her knee replacement, my brother and I went out there for what amounted to a week--we timed our trips to overlap--and then she was in good enough shape not to need anything other than her therapy visits. My brother and I did the cooking, and other than that my dad could handle it. Plus, Mom had an amazingly speedy recovery.

Right now, it's my dad with issues, but I don't think they'd ever consider going somewhere else to recuperate. I'll visit in March, but I'll just be helping, not caregiving.
Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery

Jax Cassidy said...

*HUGS* I feel your pain. After my finger injury and being laid up in bed for a week, I am finally able to survive a whole day! It's tough when you have so many responsibilities but you are such a good daughter to help them out when they need you. The writing will come. I've been having a difficult time getting back into the swing of things but I know you're such a resilient woman, so you'll be cranking out more awesome books in no time at all!

Take a little bit of time out for yourself!!! Hope to see you soon.

Dalton Diaz said...

I hear you, Wynter. Boy, do I hear you!

Michelle Polaris said...

You are very good daughter. There are so many things that take me away from my writing now, they are too long to list in a comment. Blogger would reject it.

Good luck getting through the end of March!

Wynter said...

Thanks for all that support, ladies! I feel it coming through the cyber zone.

Callie Croix said...

Thank goodness they have you, Wynter. On the bright side, you'll never have regrets about not being there for them (that can eat away at your soul, believe me), and your muse will be raring to go once you get some time to yourself. Hang in there!

Jina Bacarr said...

Glad to hear your dad is doing better. You'll get back to writing when you can.

Brenda said...

I know your situation well. I've have my share of hold ups to writing with two deaths in the family. One left me having to have a job to pay the bills and the second left me in charge of a 4 yr old. I anticipate freeing up 7 hours a day come Aug. when he goes to school.

Casey Crow said...

Feel better soon. I'm least productive when my kids are out of school (summer and word counts do not mix at all!). I also have a tendency to slack off a few weeks after completing a big project. I call it "catching up on other stuff" but it's basically slacking off. LOL

Wynter said...

It's getting better days by day as my dad gets a tiny bit more independent.
Brenda - that must be so difficult. I'm amazed you get to write at all.