Seven Quick Takes

1. I always love to see what search parameters bring up my blog on search engines. Usually it’s boring stuff: “Kate Basi blog” and so on, but this one cracked me up: “pic of big butt tinkerbell”

2. My baby sister recently sold her Ford Focus, which has seen better days, into service as a crazy 8 race car. As I have never heard of such a thing, I’m betting you haven’t either. Allow yourself to be illuminated, via YouTube.

3. Have I ever shared how much I loathe playing? (Kind of a big occupational hazard of SAH motherhood, but there it is. Even when I was a kid, I was a climb-a-tree-and-read-a-book-worm.) So I cringe every time Alex says, “Mommy, will you play with me?” But today, he was entertaining himself very nicely in the living room with scissors, construction paper and tape, building a “Joker Ski” (as in jet ski). Until he leaned back dramatically and said, “Mommy, you can help me finish my Joker Ski if you want to.” Translation: Mommy get your butt out here I’m tired of doing this and I want you to finish it for me. Voila the Joker Ski:

En garde, Robin! Hehehehehehehe!

 Are you impressed? You should be!

4. While we’re on the subject of funny kid moments, last Sunday Christian went to a Cardinals game to meet a friend he hasn’t seen in years. Because of this, I got to experience single parenthood for about twelve hours. At church. Playing piano. On a choir day. All through Mass, I was trying to play the piano while Alex grabbed my left arm and whisper-shrieked, “Mommy! The number didn’t work!” (he was running the electronic number board)  and waving his hand in front of the mirror-shiny Yamaha piano cover and batting at the end of the boom microphone stand I was singing into. It was very distracting. After Mass, one of our choir members went to pick the little ones up from the nursery and came back with the classic frazzled mother expression on her face, gasping, “I don’t know how you do this!”

5. Nicholas fell asleep on the way home. I took him inside and set him down on the floor, went out to unload the cargo, and came back in to find this:

It was a tiring morning. Obviously.

6. Which was soon followed by this:


Only she’s not sleeping. She’s giggling. With her bottom going up and down.

7. Joy to the World: Advent is for Families is officially available!  

If you have kids, if you’ve ever been frustrated by December madness, if you’ve ever thought, “Surely there must be SOME way to enjoy the fun stuff in December without going crazy and forgetting about the sacred!”, then this book is for you. At $5.99 for a resource that will last you the rest of your family’s life, it’s a steal. Check it out!

Published in: on July 22, 2010 at 6:10 pm  Comments (5)  

Making Peace With Average

Originally uploaded by ¡WOUW!
 
 
 
 

 

Movie stars. World-famous scientists. President of the United States. Dreaming big is programmed into us as children. As we get older, the dreams shift a bit, according to our interests. In high school and college, I planned to be principal flutist of a major orchestra. These days, Christian and I joke about all the things we’ll do when I hit the bestseller list. You know. He’ll quit working. We’ll buy a house in the country. Take trips to France. Things like that.

But the vast majority of us will never be more than one among many in our endeavors. It’s a numbers game—only a few can reach the “elite” circle, and that means the rest of us, however good we are at what we do, will remain in solidly “average” territory.

It sounds depressing, but it occurs to me that this is not a bad thing. After all, it seems that whenever someone makes it big, scandal inevitably follows. To quote two recent examples, Lindsay Lohan and Mel Gibson.

Do you ever think, What is the matter with these people? Nobody acts like that! I sure do. The only thing I can figure is that success goes to people’s head—that breathing that rarified air drugs people into thinking they’re somehow different, or that the rules don’t apply. Or perhaps, it simply shuts off the part of the brain that processes such questions.

One thing I know for sure: the journey to the top of many fields requires a focus that makes it difficult, perhaps impossible, to live a balanced life. Case in point: when my mother decided to enter politics, someone told her to give up on her marriage right then and there; marriages didn’t survive in politics. (Hello—could there be any better illustration of what’s wrong with our political system, if this is the kind of person who runs it?)

Either way, I am learning to appreciate the beauty of being “average.” The diversity of my interests is a strength, not a weakness. That doesn’t mean I’m settling for anything less than excellence. I will always strive to complete tasks to the best of my abilities. I will always dream of and work toward writing (and publicizing) a bestselling novel, of placing essays in the national glossies—but I choose not to let my success or failure define my self-worth. Because here in the middle, I have a lot of company. And commonality creates community. And community is what the human experience is based upon.

What were your dreams, and how have you made peace with the reality?

tuesdays unwrapped at cats

Linking up with Steady Mom’s 30-Minute Blog Challenge

Published in: on July 20, 2010 at 5:36 am  Comments (8)  
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7 Quick Takes, vol. 89

1. I’ve been having one of those weeks again. One of those weeks where I found myself out of balance, focused myopically on writing, unable to sleep at night for being wound up about it, and spending far too little time being wife and mom. Any time this happens to me, it calls into question the whole vocation, makes me doubt whether I’m really supposed to be writing, or whether I need to stop trying to live in both worlds.

2. And then, out of nowhere, a week like this. A royalty check, payment for an article, completion of a really good query class, two queries and a personal essay sent out into the great beyond, a not-quite-rejection from a literary agent, and to top it off, forward motion on my new flute collection with GIA. Talk about a celestial message that the struggle for balance is worthwhile! If every week was this good on the writing front, I’d be making a living at it. Then again, I probably would never sleep.

3. Okay, enough about writing. I’m curious, folks—who out there still has movie rental stores nearby? Because all of ours closed. All but the one locally-owned one that has no parking b/c it’s downtown. Anyway, being movie lovers with three small children (which means that we hardly ever get to the theater), we have been driven to something we always thought we’d never do. We joined Netflix.

4. We always thought Netflix would be one of those things that we never deemed worthwhile—like cable TV. We keep basic cable—the kind of cable that they don’t even advertise because their standard package is “family cable.” But after we gave up TV for Lent for a couple of years, and saw our life shift for the better, we called the cable company and said, “Hey, whatever happened to that basic package? You know, the $15 one?” Yes, we miss out on a lot. But the more TV you have, the more you feel compelled to watch, and TV is really not a very good use of time. And it shields the kids from a lot of commercialism, too.

5. I always looked at Netflix that way. I mean, how many movies do you need to watch in a month? If you’re going to be socked with a monthly fee, you feel compelled to watch a bunch. But I have to say, I’m sold on it. We’ve more than used our money’s worth this first month, finally getting to watch the last season of Alias (we watched them all on videos, borrowed from friends, but never got to the last one…life intervened) and playing 1940s Superman videos for Alex on the computer.

6. Julianna’s summer school ended yesterday, so now summer begins in earnest. No more cute schoolbus moments till fall, and then Alex will be going to school, too. Six weeks. Wow! They say in parenthood, the days drag and the years fly. I think that about sums it up.

7. I have a babysitter this morning, so I get to go out to the nature area and sit this morning. I definitely need to find some stillness. And then, I will come home and work on adding 4000 words to my novel. Sounds like a good day. Let’s get on with it! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Published in: on July 16, 2010 at 5:29 am  Comments (7)  
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Death by Chocolate (and Peanut Butter)

Ann Voskamp has us thinking about rest this week. But in my reflections on the subject, I realized…I haven’t been. And as I lie awake at night, wound up and wishing it was morning so I could write…as I wake up 3 and 4 times through the night and have trouble getting back to sleep (only half of them related to kids who need me)…as the house gets in unacceptable messiness…I realize:
 
I’m out of balance again. And so for me, rest today means NOT blogging long and eloquent on the subject, but accepting something simpler and making time for stillness. I can’t do it in nature today, not with preschool transport and two rambunctious boys…but I can rest by rediscovering balance. By taking a day to be mom first, and writer distant second. And so today I simply share a story of Death By Chocolate (and peanut butter):
 
The BEGINNING…

Chocolate cake (w/buttermilk); PB icing (w/2 sticks of butter & a cup of cream). As one of our student's parents cried last night, "That must be like a thousand calories! WHY did you do it????"

 …and THE AFTERMATH…

 

 

Published in: on July 14, 2010 at 5:20 am  Comments (21)  
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Obstinate

I’ve been reading a lot lately as part of my major summer writing project—namely, to get my novel submission package in order and start sending it out. This involves a lot of market research, which means reading a lot of novels.

 As enjoyable a job as this can be, it also gives me food for thought.
In two different love stories I read recently, the protagonists were manipulated into contact with each other. This was done with their knowledge, and against their wishes.

At the same time, out in the real world, I was being forced by circumstances to alter my behavior to fit someone else’s model of how life should look.

Submission, you may imagine, is not my strong suit. And it occurred to me that what happens to those characters in those two novels—falling head over heels in 50,000 words with someone they were forced into relationship with against their will—is highly unlikely. I mean, sheer bullheadedneess makes me resist being redirected to the contrary of my own wishes. It’s not that someone else’s vision of the way things ought to be is necessarily better or worse than my own—it’s just being forced to subdue my own will. It’s an exercise in humility.

Which, no doubt, is good for me.

Published in: on July 13, 2010 at 5:23 am  Comments (3)  
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Because of a Virus

Because of a faceless, anonymous jerk somewhere out in the e-universe, our computer caught a virus this week.

Because of a computer virus, my husband had to take our computer in to work, where the gurus could do their magic.

Because my husband took the computer to work, I had no access to my files.

Because I had no access to my files (but I did have a babysitter), I had to flounder about for a writing project to work on.

Because I was floundering for productivity, I rode out to a park and sat down with paper and pen (gasp!) and began outlining notes for a new novel, built on the foundation of the old—a project I’ve been procrastinating for months under the guise of nonfiction goals.

Because I actually got started on planning the novel, I found myself in the heart-pounding, keep-me-up-at-night excited stage of infatuation with my project.

Which is a thrilling place to be.

228) For the convergence of Hackers, viruses and babysitters.
229) For inSpiration…again.
230) For a terrific query class
231) For great reinforcement from said class
232) For the discovery that the novel I thought had to be completely rewritten is actually quite good…beginning on page 200…
233) For being so excited about rewriting said novel that I can’t sleep
234) For working DSL
235) For lots of blog hits
236) For five days of exercise last week
237) For clouds lined up like celestial trumpets in the west

holy experience

Published in: on July 12, 2010 at 5:04 am  Comments (2)  
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Me on NPR

Well, here’s the link to my essay on NPR. I’m very excited about this, because it represents a “publication” in a secular market. One of the things you worry about when trying to have a writing career is getting pigeonholed. With all the religious writing I do, that’s an issue that’s been on my mind, so I’m thrilled that this worked out.

Listen to “Working With Dad” on All Things Considered.

Published in: on June 18, 2010 at 8:11 pm  Comments (1)  
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7 Quick Takes, vol. 85

1. Feast or famine, that’s the title for this week. Last week I was feeling burned out and unmotivated. This week, I’m, uh, still feeling a little overwhelmed, but at the same time I’ve been SWAMPED with writing work. For example:

2. I’M GOING TO BE ON National Public Radio TODAY! On the first of June I just “happened” to be in the car when they just “happened” to mention they were looking for listeners’ stories about memorable summer jobs. I can do that, I thought, and that night while Alex played T-ball, I pounded out 400 words, then revised and submitted them the next day. I didn’t hold my breath—this is a national market after all—but lo and behold, on Tuesday afternoon I got an email from a producer at NPR named Melissa—a lovely lady who walked me through the whole process. Talk about a shot in the arm for someone feeling rundown on writing. Listen to All Things Considered this afternoon! I don’t have an exact time yet, but I’ll post on FB and Twitter later.

3. I have quotes around the word “happened” above because this kind of stuff just doesn’t “happen” to happen. This piece morphed into a reflection on my dad, and believe it or not, the Father’s Day connection didn’t even occur to me until I was on the phone with Melissa at NPR. As an editor friend of mine likes to say: “That wacky paraclete!”

4. Speaking of cake decorating (okay, we weren’t, I’m changing subjects), I made the mistake of leaving my work bag on the kitchen floor. And the next day, when I went looking for my instruction book, it was missing. A whole-house search ensued, which turned up nothing, but the next day I realized what else was missing from that bag: Namely, everything. Apparently one of my darling non-verbal children emptied it of extra icing and Tupperware of cornstarch, and stashed them somewhere. But it’s been a week, and I STILL don’t know where!!!

5. I haven’t shared links with you in a while. Ann Voskamp has been asking all of us to share on the subject of marriage (which as you know, I talk about fairly regularly :) ). But this week, her post really spoke to me. It reminded me of many of my own insecurities early-on. Check it out!

6. Alex went to Vacation Bible School last week and came home less resistant to all things church. What do you know? I have no idea how long it will last, but he behaved less sulky than usual at church, and he’s been asking to pray his new Rosary every night. So now I’m holding my breath for Kindergarten, when he starts going to Mass with his peers…maybe they can get him to sing at church!

7. Lastly, it’s Father’s Day this weekend, and if you’re just joining me from Seven Quick Takes, please go read this post and think about what you can do for your husbands on Father’s Day. (And your fathers, but we tend to appreciate our dads more than our husbands sometimes!)

Published in: on June 18, 2010 at 5:01 am  Comments (3)  
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Word(less)ful Wednesday, et al

Aren’t they pretty? Kudos to Spring Hill.

Today I am guest posting for Rae over at No Wealth But Life. Rae is one of the most thoughtful, reason-driven faithful women I know. Lately she’s been running an interesting series of guest posts on the topic: To stay at home, or not to stay at home? My response was, of course–”Yes.” And after all the blogging I’ve done on the topic of balance, and life in the middle, and juggling me time versus being a mommy, I think this post is where I finally got it worked out the way I wanted it. Check it out at Rae’s place.

 

Published in: on May 26, 2010 at 8:44 am  Comments (5)  
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7 Quick Takes, the (mostly) link-a-doo version

Yes, I’ve got a lot of links today. But they’re awesome!

1. My kids are famous lately. Julianna and her PT got a writeup in the school of health professions’ magazine, (see pages 21-22), and the county electric coop did a writeup on a local farm, which Alex’s preschool class happened to be visiting on field trip. On page 2, he’s the one with the overall strap falling off his shoulder. On page 3–can’t miss him. What’s up with that face???

2. If you’re a mother of little girls, check out Hairbows For Life. I long to have a daughter I can gussy up. Someone please confirm what my head tries to reassure me–that even a typically-developing sweetie would pull hair bows out and hurl them everywhere?

4. Last night, while visiting blogs, I stumbled upon a site called “The Customer Is Not Always Right.” As a person who spent eight years working in the service industry under the motto The Customer Is Always Right, I couldn’t resist clicking. Absolutely hilarious! Please check it out. I promise it’s short.

5. Last night, I read this short blog entry from 5 Minutes for Special Needs. This was me last Mother’s Day, while Julianna was in the PICU. Except I was feeling a lot sorrier for myself than this woman.

5. I am pumped! I “finished” (***) a new song this week. Not the one I was trying to finish, mind you, but a song nonetheless. And in keeping with my current year-round focus on all things Advent/Christmas (my book is due out in the next month!), it is a song for Epiphany.
(***Note: The word “finished” is an arbirtrary one. In this case, it means I have a melody and a text, which may or may not get tweaked while I play the song several dozen times on piano, keyboard and Finale, trying out different accompaniments and choral parts and instrumental obbligatos. This is my favorite part of the composition process.***)

6. …

Mmmmmmmmmm......do I *have* to share?

7. Finally, considering Alex’s recent birthday party, I just want to share this gem from Legoland Chicago:

I am the Dark Knight. Do NOT mess with me!

Have a great weekend!

Published in: on May 14, 2010 at 5:37 am  Comments (8)  
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