I Have Nothing to Say
Nov 21st 2008
Julia LondonMy Life As A Plebe
I feel kind of bad about it. I forgot it was my turn to blog until about a half hour ago, and as I racked my brain for something really cool to blog about (Iet’s face it–K-Ha’s look-alike daughter is a tough act to follow), I realized I have absolutely nothing to say.
The things on my mind are sort of self-focused these days. I have a book due November 30th, and one due on the heels of that. I never plan my books this way, but it always seems to happen. My old dog Hugo will be 14 in January and has recently developed all the signs of canine dementia, which includes disorientation at night, which means lots of middle-of-the-night barking. We’re working on meds to see if we can’t fix that, but its been pretty miserable. Oh, and Jack London is facing a lay-off. Seriously. It gets more and more serious every day.
When life gets a little heavy, I like diversions. I wish I could go see the Nutcracker Suite. I wish I could knock off in the middle of the afternoon and take a break from bleak economic news and go see some movies. I wish I could go to Harold’s, one of my favorite clothing stores, which is going out of business and having this huge blow-out sale. I wish I could spend an afternoon in a bookstore and buy tons of books and then read them. I want to do fun stuff!
For someone who didn’t have anything to say, I managed to put some words on the page, didn’t I? Here’s my question of the day: What would you go and do if you could drop everything and have a few hours of nothing but you-time? Have you ever had one of those days where you really didn’t have anything to say?
P.S. The nutcracker in the photo twirling me about is the actual Jack London. He hates when I do stuff like that. hahahahahaaa
39 Comments »
39 Responses to “I Have Nothing to Say”
LauraR on 21 Nov 2008 at 2:06 am #
um, yeah, those days happen more often than I’d like.
But let me say this…Jack London has nice legs…You make a handsome couple.
LauraR on 21 Nov 2008 at 2:08 am #
p.s. I hope the layoff doesn’t happen. Good luck on your deadlines Julia!
evlqn on 21 Nov 2008 at 3:23 am #
If I ever have a “Me” day again I will go to Borders or Barnes & Noble order a white chocolate macchiato, pile a coffee table with books and sink into a people-eater chair for about 10 hours. I might even take a quick nap in that chair and not care if people see me snore, I’ll be asleep so I won’t know I’m snoring.
We will hold a good thought for Jack London’s job. Good luck on the deadlines!
We are recipients of our wonderful economy too. We have a daycare that has gone from 12 children to one full time and two part-time kids. When parents can’t work enough hours to justify sending the kids to daycare we take a big hit. Fortunately for us we have other sources of income,but the days of walking into Sears and paying cash for a new stove and refrigerator are gone.
The washing machine has developed a leak,so that must be fixed. And last night the window on the drivers side decide it wouldn’t roll up anymore. Oregon is in the middle of the rainy season. Thankfully I had clear vinyl that I could put over the opening. But on the plus side both of our boys will be playing football at Autzen on Saturday!
Susan M on 21 Nov 2008 at 7:36 am #
I get me days every once in a while. I either read or scrapbook. Tonight I’m going with a friend of mine to the movies to see “Twilight” which I have been obsessing about for a week. (I just discovered the series last week and it took me exactly a week to read all the books.)
I really hope Jack doesn’t get laid off. It’s not fun. I went through that last year.
Freshechelle on 21 Nov 2008 at 7:46 am #
Julia, it’s nice to see you goddesses can be human too. I’ve wondered about what you do when you’re just too busy or too mentally spent to come up with a blog idea.
Fingers crossed tightly for Jack and everyone at this blogosphere on the job front. I fear the media is exacerbating the situation now that there’s no election news to flood us with.
cail on 21 Nov 2008 at 7:49 am #
good luck on the lay-offs. as i’m sure you remember, last spring the DH and i got the boot the same DAY from different companies. i can definitely sympathize.
my me days usually involve a walk, and a good (or a few) books. i do spend a lot of time to myself, what with getting off work about 2 hrs before the dh. i tend to like his company above being alone. my idea me days involve cuddling with him.
elsiehogarth on 21 Nov 2008 at 8:46 am #
Julia, you and Jack London make an adorable couple. Good luck with the deadlines and hoping for the best on the job front.
I think what I would like to do, right now, is go see the New York City Ballet performance of the Nutcracker Suite or even see Phantom of the Opera. Phantom and Beauty of the Beast(not on B’way any longer) are my comfort shows because I just love them.
Karen Hawkins on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:07 am #
Awww, you and Jack a-dancin’ together! He’s a cutie, too, btw! Photoshop that man in a few more pics, will you? If he’s really good, we’ll put him on Brad’s body and use him for FROS one weekend.
Julia, it seems it’s been rough going for everyone lately. I already told the kids it would be a smaller Christmas than usual, but we’re making it up by having A Theme. This year it’s A Merry Olde English Christmas and we’re even going to try and make Yorkshire pudding.
Yeah, it’s probably going to be horrible, but my daughter and son and I will have a blast trying to do it, anyway.
On rough days, I stack up on simple things — going for a walk, Christmas music, and a good book usually perk me up. No matter how much I’m writing, I always read right before I go to bed at night.
It’s my gift to me and it keeps me perking along during the long slogs when things have to be done.
Hugs to you and Mr. London. Tell Jack we’re all pulling for him!
Julia London on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:16 am #
THanks, LauraR. I probably won’t tell him because he would be mortified that I’d stuck this up here
.
Evlqn, sorry about your daycare! But how fortunate you are so handy. I’d be driving around with a wet interior.
Susan, you must report back on the movie. I have the first book and still haven’t read it (no time).
Fresh, I think you are right, the media doesn’t help. But then again, when the Dow just keeps spiraling down, yikes.
jessie on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:18 am #
I hope things work out for your dh, Julia. And I’m very sorry about your dog. My old dog, Sweetie, got canine dementia, and it was one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with. I hope you get medicine that helps.
Everything seems to be going wrong right now. Like Karen, my mom’s told me we’re having a small Christmas this year (she says it really apologetically like I would be upset, but just as long as we’re together I don’t care). Everything in my house seems to need replacing, and there’s just no money for it. Also, I’m graduating in May into this terrible job market, and who knows when or if I’ll even get a job. So, right now while I’m still pretty safe in college, I’m taking as many “me days” as I can. In fact, today I am eschewing most of my responsibilities and doing whatever I want.
This includes going to Barnes and Noble, maybe watching a movie, and reading a lot. Really, that’s all I want out of my me days.
Wow. Now I’m all depressed. Guess that just means I’m going to have to buy an extra book at B&N to make it better!
:)
Julia London on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:18 am #
Cail, I don’t know how yall did it. The stress is bad enough with just one!
Elsie, you and I are of like minds…I’d love to see the ballet.
Karen, a theme is such a great idea! We do the white elephant thing on my side of the family, and cap the gift at $35. We started doing that a few years ago because none of us wanted or needed anything. Remember those days? hahahah
Julia London on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:25 am #
Jessie, I didn’t mean to depress you!! Maybe by May, things will be starting to turn around. I really do think that when the administration changes and things are stable, we will see improvements. Its just getting there that’s agony, right?
Yes, canine dementia is no fun. Its so sad when he slips into it — he doesn’t know where he is or anyone but me, and the other night, he seemed afraid of me for a few minutes. But he’s doing much better today, so fingers crossed this new set of meds is working. What’s really upsetting to me is that he is an otherwise healthy old dog. When we make The Decision about him, it will be based on his mental problems, and how can we judge that? Its heartbreaking.
Nicole Jordan on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:30 am #
Oh, dearest Julia, I’m so sorry you’re going through such a rough patch. And sorry for the rest of us goddesses too. These are scary times.
But I had to say your blog made me smile since the last several blogs of mine had me in a panic. I had a hard time thinking of anything to say!!! Burnout and stress will do that to you. And Fresh, your comment made me smile, too.
Julia, your idea of heavenly me days is almost exactly mine. I’m thankful that I’ve had a few me days these past two weeks. Or actually, just me afternoons since I can’t afford to take off whole days. Went on a hike, saw a movie, and went to lunch with dh and friends, and went to a sports store and bought several tops. It’s worked miracles for getting my brain cells to rejeuvenate.
Big hugs to you and everyone else on Mt. Oly! It helps to have wonderful friends who understand what we’re going through.
JudyPatooty on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:45 am #
I hope everything that’s so rough in your life eases up for you very soon, Julia. On days like this, I’m always reminded of the lyrics of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s song “The Bug”:
[i]Sometimes you’re the Louisville Slugger
Sometimes you’re the ball[/i]
If I could just drop everything for a couple of hours, I’d make myself a nice stiff gin and tonic, plop myself down in the recliner, and proceed to read the most luscious, escapist romance novel I could find in my TBR pile!
And, do I ever have days when I have nothing to say … YES. Often!
P.S. Jack “Nutcracker” London is a hottie! You can tell him I said that. He really could be one of the FROS. Let K-Hawk sneak him (and the other Goddess spouses) in some week just for grins.
Lisa H on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:52 am #
Hey Julia – I feel your pain. One day at a time, is the only way through times like these. Also, I try to count my blessings, of which I have many. Hang tough!
Me time would include seeing my best girlfriends for a day of guilt-free shopping (no children calling my cell whining at me “When are you coming hooooome?”) A nice lunch out and coming home and making love with my husband. (I just might be able to actually do some of that)
I hope you can take a moment’s break today, have a small brownie, kiss your little ward and get to know Jack London in the Biblical sense.
Susan M on 21 Nov 2008 at 10:04 am #
Julia – I will definitely let you know how the movie is. Whenever you do get a chance to read the book I think you’ll love it. The only problem is I haven’t been able to read anything else! The books just consume you that way. My friend started reading it this weekend and she’s the same way.
Julia London on 21 Nov 2008 at 10:09 am #
Nicole, the one thing I do make sure of is that i get out and wog every day. That’s at least 45 minutes to an hour of rejuvenation.
JudyPatootie — I love MCC — she lived downstairs from a friend of mine many moons ago when I was in DC. Very lovely woman, just like her music.
Lisa H — If Jack London had his way…(censored). hahahaha.
Claudia Dain on 21 Nov 2008 at 10:46 am #
Julia, you’re so brave to trot it all out! It seems like we’re all there right now, in one degree or another.
I’m so sorry about Hugo. I’m still very heart-sore about Conan’s passing, so I’m tearing up thinking about Hugo. Don’t go, Hugo!
No Christmas gifts for us this year; every cent is going into our trip to England, where we are on a budget that allows for one meal a day. Coupled with all the walking, add in calories burned for staying warm, and I hope to come home thinner! Always a silver lining, if you look hard enough.
Jack London is adorable! So handsome, even in tights, which is saying something.
RachelG on 21 Nov 2008 at 11:18 am #
julia,
It looks like you’ve lost so much weight, your chest is really really boney. Quick, go grab yourself a banana walnut muffin and wash it down with whip cream.
rachel–who often has absolutely nothing to say.
LisaK on 21 Nov 2008 at 12:13 pm #
At the moment, I can’t really come up with something intelligent for today’s blog, but let me say that Jack London looks very much like my former Maths teacher (I liked this one pretty much, so looking like him is something good!). I hope he doesn’t get laid-off!!!
colinfirthfan on 21 Nov 2008 at 1:10 pm #
Julia, I too think Jack London’s legs look great.
Men in tights!!
I would love a me day. I have a whole bunch of things to do and I haven’t managed to do even one thing. e.g. go to Macy’s!!
I suppose tomorrow could be considered a me day. I’ll be gone for a few hours to straighten my hair.
What I really want to do is get some “me” shopping in.
Good luck to all. Currently we haven’t heard any lay-off rumors in my company but I am sure it won’t be long. In the mean time – we are changing the flooring for our house.
Julia London on 21 Nov 2008 at 1:17 pm #
Claudia, that sounds like the perfect Christmas gift.
Rachel that bony chest does not go with my fat head.
colinfirth, I am dying to do some me shopping. I won’t have time until after the 30th. And if you listen to the news, by then, the stores will have discounted everything so much we’ll all be paying peanuts and wondering why we haven’t been paying peanuts before now.
Paula on 21 Nov 2008 at 1:44 pm #
I also sometimes have nothing to say and at work when having one of thosse days I keep getting asked if I am alright.
If I had some ‘me’ time I would chill out read and maybe catch up with some friends.
In about 10 days I have to go into hospital for a day, to have a minor and will be off work for a week so will use some of that for some ‘me’ time. My mum is coming for a few days to look after the boys before and after school, so I will have a sort of rest and be able to sleep off the anaesethic(sp?). Not the best way to get me time but hey I will take it however at the moment.
julia and all the other Goddesses whose families are suffering with the threat of job losses, my DH is ok at the moment but in January as he works in the building trade it will all kick off again
gibb on 21 Nov 2008 at 1:48 pm #
In aspiring for the American dream, we sank all we had including our home into our business. It’s been four years and we almost made it. We always had hope that better times were just around the corner. But today we face losing our home and our business in spite of the fact my husband works 90+ hours and I work a couple of jobs and take care of the kids.
I’d love nothing better than to hug my three kids tight and play barbies with them, make chocolate chip cookies and watch hea movies WITHOUT the worry of making the mortgage, making assorted payments, etc. Then after I put the kids to bed, I’d read a hea romance without worrying that I should be doing something else to make money for the family. For my 36th birthday I gave myself time to write a book which I’ve finished and completely enjoyed(whether it’s good or not, I did it) and am almost done with my second, but the stress makes the words hard to come by. I feel guilty writing when I should be doing something else that would actually make money for my family.
I guess that’s why I love romances so much, there’s so much hope in them.
Paula on 21 Nov 2008 at 2:14 pm #
gibb I’m so sorry to hear that, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and all the others who are in similar situations.
Karen Ha, I make yorkshire puiddings a lot and it is quite easy, if you want a few tips let me know and I will email you them or post them over at The Forum
Karen Hawkins on 21 Nov 2008 at 2:28 pm #
PAULA! Would you send me the recipe? And tips? PLEASE? My email address is authorkarenhawkins@ gmail.com but if you don’t mind, let’s post them at the forum so everyone can benefit.
Maybe we ALL need a theme Christmas this year! I’ve already ordered some Christmas poppers, too, btw. They were amazingly inexpensive!
Kim on 21 Nov 2008 at 2:44 pm #
Julia–ohhh, I’m so sorry. Poor Hugo. Fingers crossed for Jack London avoiding the layoff. So many of our companies have closed their doors that our Govenor has created a fund for jobless manufactured home employees. If you’ve been laid off from a MH company there is $6K worth of job retraining set aside for you. Its scary times we live in.
So, when I’m having a day like your’s I like to pop over to Goodwill by myself. Do some browsing, maybe pick up a 50 cent OOP book and then grab some chocolate or an ice cream to enjoy. Sometimes for me just spending a couple hours alone can do wonders.
Christmas this year is definitely going to be creative *g*
Janae on 21 Nov 2008 at 3:06 pm #
Oh Julia, we’re not dealing with dog dementia, just our 5 yo has night terrors. I blame it on her father because he has them, too. Speaking of my dh, he’s still waiting to sign his new contract that was okayed about 2 months ago. There was a big shake up at his studio earlier this year when a new vp was hired, and the old ones went back to doing production work. My dh has asked around because other employees were let go during contract negotiations. From what he’s heard he still has a contract, but I’m not going to feel comfortable until he signs it.
I would spend the day at the beach, antiquing, or doing something creative like designing jewelry, clothing, or re-decorating my room. Or hanging out with my sisters, especially with the ones who like to shop and have good taste.
MizMacgyver on 21 Nov 2008 at 5:46 pm #
I often don’t have anything to say, the thing is my mother told me if you don’t have anything good to say keep your mouth shut, so I keep my mouth shut and still get in trouble….LOL
Bless your heart, the Londons are having a rough time, you are both in my thoughts and prayers. It is hard when our pets get ill, what bothers me most is the same as young children, they can’t tell you where or if it hurts and you are walking blind. One of my cats is making me nuts right now crying around and I can’t figure out why. It will be a trip to the vet come pay day.
Julia London on 21 Nov 2008 at 5:50 pm #
Gibb, that is heartbreaking. I hope you get those worry free hugs, and I am so glad the romance novels are there for you.
Paula, hope your recuperation goes well and you get lots of sleep and lots of me time.
Kim, thanks — and I heard about that retraining program. It sounded like a lot people were getting jobs that way.
Janae, my sympathies on the night terrors. Is there anything they can take for it? And I hope your husband’s contract comes through. If its anything like publishing…oh vey, it takes a long time for those things to get written! I would love to have time with my sisters!
Meg on 21 Nov 2008 at 6:21 pm #
If I could drop everything the first thing I would probably do is take a nap! Then I would love to spend hours at the bookstore with a yummy hot cocoa.
Every now and then those days with nothing to say happen to me. Although those tend to be my “depressed days” where I really don’t want to talk to anyone. But quiet can be a really great thing.
Also, I really hope that Mr. London doesn’t loose his job. My brother in law is facing layoff too. And right after Thanksgiving. My cousin is on partial layoff. If I understand it correctly, he will only work two weeks and then has to draw unemployment the other two. It was really complicated but they are doing that instead of closing his plant down.
Meg on 21 Nov 2008 at 6:41 pm #
I’m so sorry that everyone is having rough times right now. Sometimes we all get so wrapped up in our own problems we tend to forget that everyone else is stuggling as well. I’ll be saying an extra prayer tonight for all you ladies.
But it is good that we all have this blog and our wonderful romance novels that we can escape into.
Kathy/Cookiedough on 21 Nov 2008 at 8:48 pm #
Janae, I grew up with night terrors. I used to just crawl into bed with my parents until i was ready to go back to bed. Alot of the time I would wake up from ages 7 to 12, and my mom would be up late into the night reading. I would go back to sleep while laying on the couch beside her and wake up better the next morning.
I still get the occasional terrifying dream but I take antidepressants and it helps so much.
I have troubles of my own these day. but it could get better…
I got a new job which I love,helping seniors stay at home instead of a facility but I’m not getting many hours right now. this week i worked 8hrs total. Today I went to another caregiver’s client to cut her hair and made some money outright.
I think there is a calling to go into homes with seniors who cannot get out to get their hair done and do it.
Two of my male clients, I cut their hair last week.
Kathy/Cookiedough on 21 Nov 2008 at 8:49 pm #
I was a professional hairstylist 20 yrs ago,and have kept up my skills cutting family and friend’s hair- as well as my own
Kathy/Cookiedough on 21 Nov 2008 at 8:50 pm #
and Julia, keep your hubby in the dark about putting him in tights and showing him off on here!
just sayin’.
Or blow up the picture and gift it to him for a laugh!
gibb on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:26 pm #
Thanks for the kind words ladies. Hope all is well in your lives. Times are hard for many people. I try to remind myself that it’s much harder for other people and I am grateful God has blessed me with three beautiful kids and a husband who still adores me and thinks I’m something special after 17 years.
Keep up the writing all you goddess. Even when your deadlines loom ahead know that your words and creativity provide hope and respite for so many.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Julia London on 21 Nov 2008 at 9:35 pm #
Gibb, that is the sweetest thing I could have heard today. thank you. THat makes me want to finish this stupid book after all
(I promise it won’t be stupid by the time it hits the shelves).
Goddesses, I really didn’t mean to be such a downe — I’m sorry! On the other hand, its nice to know that at least there is a place in cyberspace we can come unload.
Janae, I thought you were talking about your dog having night terrors. I realize now you are talking about a child. How awful! That poor baby…
MizM — you are so right about animals and babies. At least with Jack I can say, “did you take the ibuprofen like I told you? Okay, come back when you’ve taken it and it still hurts.”
P.S. – Meg, that is so wierd. I’ve never heard of anything like that.
Janae on 21 Nov 2008 at 11:18 pm #
LOL, Julia, that’s just funny. It’s so sad because there’s really nothing we can do for her until she stops and goes back to bed. Generally, she’s running around the house, crying, and carrying on how she can’t find something. I have noticed that she calms down faster if we put her in our bed. It always seems to happen right as I’m getting into bed.
Kathy, that’s good to hear that the antidepressants work. When my daughter was 2-3 yo and just extremely difficult – moody, etc, I used to half joke that she’d be on lithium by the time she was 14. She’s gotten better, but the night terrors worry me a bit and wear me out. I’ve found that she calms down the fastest if we put her in our bed. After about an hour she’s so out that we can move her back to her bed.
TinaLouiseF on 23 Nov 2008 at 5:56 am #
Great picture of you and your husband Julia.
I think you should frame it and hang in your office. :-