It started innocently enough. I got up from my desk, intending to head downstairs to refill my coffee mug. But then I thought about the dropping October temperatures and that I needed a couple of warm sweaters. Maybe I should take a quick trip to the bedroom closet before I got my coffee.
I suppose I could have talked myself out of the detour, but I didn’t. I put the mug down and headed to the bedroom closet. I pulled out a few things and stared at the little pile of odds and ends I’d already set aside for Goodwill over the summer.
Then, and I should have known better, I muttered, “As long as I’m here, I might as well…” That simple little thought led to this heap in the spare chair in my office.
What the heck, as long as I’d traveled that far, I dug in and a couple of hours later, I carried piles of clothes downstairs and stacked them in a chair ready to pack up and haul away to Goodwill.
Such a satisfying pile of giveaways—but not such a rewarding day at the computer. The moral of the story? If you don’t want to derail your day, avoid even thinking, “As long as I’m _____, I might as well _____.”
Those words have turned a quick trip to the supermarket into an errand marathon, including unplanned stops at the library or the bank, and then there’s that little thing I need at the hardware store,” and on and on. It’s turned clearing out the fridge into reorganizing entire cabinets.
On the upside, “As long as I’m…” has led “making some notes” into completed first chapters of a new story!
My day wasn’t all bad, of course. I got rid of things I no longer wear or that don’t fit well (and maybe never did?). Uncomfortable shoes are now permanently banned from my house. That little “crazy” handbag, the one with zebras and sequins, will be better off with a woman who can pull off that sort of thing. And I still have more to wear than any work-at-home-writer likely will ever need.
Meanwhile, I finally filled the coffee mug and got back to work on the third book in my Back to Bluestone River series, while eagerly awaiting the December release of book 2, THE CHRISTMAS KISS (now available for preorder on Amazon). Emma O’Connell, who appeared in a “supporting role” in book 1, gets her own story this time—and who is that good-looking stranger in town?
I’m also thrilled with the response to book 1, A FAMILY FOR JASON:
Sigh. Virginia McCullough knocks it out of the park again with this clean romance that is the first in her new series. (Andrea Coventry)
…a sweet romance with an appealing setting and characters easy to connect with. (Carole Jarvis)
Seriously, the ending of this book is utter perfection! (Suzie Waltner)
My thanks to all the generous reviewers!
An author of both fiction and nonfiction books, Virginia McCullough is also a ghostwriter/editor and a coach for other authors in various stages of their careers. In addition to A FAMILY FOR JASON and the upcoming December release, THE CHRISTMAS KISS, Virginia’s Harlequin Heartwarming books include: GIRL IN THE SPOTLIGHT, SOMETHING TO TREASURE, and LOVE, UNEXPECTED.
She also writes award-winning women’s fiction, including THE JACKS OF HER HEART, AMBER LIGHT, ISLAND HEALING, and GRETA’S GRACE. All Virginia’s stories explore themes of hope, healing, and plenty of second chances. You can add you name to Virginia’s mailing list at www.virginiamccullough.com and visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginia.mccullough.7 and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VEMcCullough
I suppose I could have talked myself out of the detour, but I didn’t. I put the mug down and headed to the bedroom closet. I pulled out a few things and stared at the little pile of odds and ends I’d already set aside for Goodwill over the summer.
Then, and I should have known better, I muttered, “As long as I’m here, I might as well…” That simple little thought led to this heap in the spare chair in my office.
Such a satisfying pile of giveaways—but not such a rewarding day at the computer. The moral of the story? If you don’t want to derail your day, avoid even thinking, “As long as I’m _____, I might as well _____.”
Those words have turned a quick trip to the supermarket into an errand marathon, including unplanned stops at the library or the bank, and then there’s that little thing I need at the hardware store,” and on and on. It’s turned clearing out the fridge into reorganizing entire cabinets.
On the upside, “As long as I’m…” has led “making some notes” into completed first chapters of a new story!
My day wasn’t all bad, of course. I got rid of things I no longer wear or that don’t fit well (and maybe never did?). Uncomfortable shoes are now permanently banned from my house. That little “crazy” handbag, the one with zebras and sequins, will be better off with a woman who can pull off that sort of thing. And I still have more to wear than any work-at-home-writer likely will ever need.
Meanwhile, I finally filled the coffee mug and got back to work on the third book in my Back to Bluestone River series, while eagerly awaiting the December release of book 2, THE CHRISTMAS KISS (now available for preorder on Amazon). Emma O’Connell, who appeared in a “supporting role” in book 1, gets her own story this time—and who is that good-looking stranger in town?
I’m also thrilled with the response to book 1, A FAMILY FOR JASON:
Sigh. Virginia McCullough knocks it out of the park again with this clean romance that is the first in her new series. (Andrea Coventry)
…a sweet romance with an appealing setting and characters easy to connect with. (Carole Jarvis)
Seriously, the ending of this book is utter perfection! (Suzie Waltner)
My thanks to all the generous reviewers!
*****
An author of both fiction and nonfiction books, Virginia McCullough is also a ghostwriter/editor and a coach for other authors in various stages of their careers. In addition to A FAMILY FOR JASON and the upcoming December release, THE CHRISTMAS KISS, Virginia’s Harlequin Heartwarming books include: GIRL IN THE SPOTLIGHT, SOMETHING TO TREASURE, and LOVE, UNEXPECTED.
She also writes award-winning women’s fiction, including THE JACKS OF HER HEART, AMBER LIGHT, ISLAND HEALING, and GRETA’S GRACE. All Virginia’s stories explore themes of hope, healing, and plenty of second chances. You can add you name to Virginia’s mailing list at www.virginiamccullough.com and visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginia.mccullough.7 and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VEMcCullough
I was amused by your derailed day, Virginia, because I’ve experienced the same urges to clean out no-longer needed clothes and run multiple errands. This usually happens when I’m stuck at a certain point in my writing...an added complication. But happily these impulsive moments are rare for me. Congrats on your upcoming release and reviews!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think I'll clear the clutter in my head if I clear what's around me. With some of those clothes, it was a "moment of truth."
DeleteI do the same thing, except my "as long as I'm here" moments are usually less productive. I flit around starting projects and sometimes boil the kettle but forget to make tea, forget to move the clothes to the dryer, and end up chasing the mail carrier with that card I meant to put in the mailbox. Not to mention writing distractions. Lists are my friend.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's one of the easiest excuses to make because it feels like good sense. As long as I'm here, I'll do this because it takes less time than getting back to it. But I agree that it's also worked in my favor while other tasks got neglected, so hopefully it evens out.
ReplyDeleteI hope it evens out, too, although no one would think so looking at my office today! That sorting job took me so much time because it was long overdue. I really do feel "lighter" now that I know other people can make use of some fairly nice things.
DeleteI did the opposite. I keep telling myself why I can't clean that closet. Because removing one item invariably leads to a chair like yours or the bed, then I go to another room to put something in that closet and now I'm junking up another room. Definitely can't clean that closet.
ReplyDeleteNo kidding. I so often don't let myself start, because before I know it I'm rearranging something or opening an even worse can of worms!
DeleteWere you spying on me? It sounds like one of my days last week...looking forward to reading The Christmas Kiss.
ReplyDeleteWell, then, I was in good company. Feels good to pack up things and haul them out--some of those items were going to waste.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing ☺
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling I wasn't alone in the well meaning, "As long as I'm..." Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteProductive in a way you didn't plan, but now it's done! :) Looking forward to The Christmas Kiss :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacey. I'm excited about The Christmas Kiss, too.
DeleteSo it's not just me? I wish I could clean off my kitchen counter as easily as I do the "As long as I'm here..." for my bedroom closets.
ReplyDelete