Half-way to 50 … or Sweet 16?
My little sister thinks I’m old.
She also thinks I am a lot younger than her.
You see, I am 25 — I would add “and-a-half” here, but that would make me sound seven — and she is 21. That’s only a four-year difference, but to her, I might as well be 37 … or nine.
To Sis, my “oldness” comes from the fact that Darling Husband and I have been an old married couple since Grade 11. From my obsession with ladyish dresses, skirts and cardigans. From my weekly raw-vegetable-chopping-and-bagging — which she still talks about with a horrified expression.
But in a lot of ways, she thinks I am young for my age. My taste in music seems to have plateaued at “13-year-old girl.” I love Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana, Demi Lovato, High School Musical, Camp Rock, etc. I still read Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary books when I need something comforting. I am never without Love Heart candies. I love dolls and Goldfish crackers and Mary-Jane shoes.
There is a lot of jabber on the internet about the “right” age to have a baby. People argue you should be older and more financially secure, and other people argue you should do it while you’re young, because things keep getting more expensive all the time.
I go back and forth with how old I feel. Some days I feel like 25 is young, and some people wait another 10 years before having a baby. And other days (most days, if I’m being honest), I’m like omigod-my-baby-making-years-are-passing-me-by!
Really, there is no magic age or level of maturity. If I get pregnant at 25, some people will tell me — or say behind my back — that I’m too young. And if I wait a few years, some people will pressure me and say I’m holding off too long.
You just have to do what feels right! Chances are, I will be that mom at the park who always carries Love Hearts in her purse, and is really, really knowledgeable about the lastest preteen sensation …
One giant leap for author-kind
Today I mailed my very first novel pitch! Eeeeeeeeek!
I veered from my original plan of looking for a literary agent, and found a great local publisher that seems to want material like mine.
They requested a cover letter, synopsis and a few sample chapters — very rare for a publisher to want unsolicited chapters, so I was thrilled — so I got it all ready and packaged it up.
I was really nervous as I dropped it in the box! I know this could be a long process, and I need to be prepared for rejection, but I am so, so, so, so hopeful.
And now I play the waiting game. Geez, it seems like my whole life right now is waiting — babies, books, etc.
P.S. Yes, I may have kissed it before sealing it. But I made sure my lipstick didn’t leave a mark. It’s not that kind of book, haha.
Know-it-all-ness
Usually I just read e-mail jokes and hit delete, but this one was so … um, accurate … I had to share it!
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their …
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child’s breast feeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behaviour.
Enjoy it, because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.
Making a move
I graduated from university four years ago.
I have dreamed my entire life about being a novelist — an honest-to-God, published storyteller.
I have been working on a story since high school, off and on. I started and finished plenty of others along the way, but I kept going back to this one particular story. It was so personal, so special.
But for the last four years, I have worked in various other forms of writer-ness — reporter, producer, blogger (no, not this one — a paid one!), script-writer, etc.
In fact, as my career progresses, I have been climbing the ladder as a producer — which is more mangement-y than creative-y.
I am still not a novelist, and I am not any closer than I was when I graduated four years ago.
Earlier this month, in a fit of what-the-hell-am-I-doing-with-my-life?, I sat down and finished it. I typed the final words, re-read everything, printed out copies until my printer died, and distributed them to friends for proof-reading.
Last night, I took the next big step, and wrote my letter of inquiry. I decided I am going to try and get a literary agent, since most publishers won’t read unsolicited manuscripts. I’m so, so, so, so nervous that they will reject me, but I’m going to do it anyway. If my first choice says no, I’m moving on to my second choice.
I am filled with a new determination that I didn’t have before this year. If I can be a novelist, it will change everything. I will be able to make money doing something I love. I will be able to stay at home with our children, and work my writing into their schedule. I will get to realize the dream I have had since I picked up my first Baby-sitter’s Club book at age five.
I’m terrified, but I am positive that this is the right move for me.
You know you want to watch
Just remembered that tonight is the season finale of Jon & Kate Plus Eight, so tune into TLC!
If the scary previews and internet rumors are anything to go by, it looks like there is trouble in tot-town.
Could Jon and Kate really be splitting up? My guess is that even if they are, they will put on a happy(ish) face until the show is off the air.
Who would want to watch Jon – Kate + Eight? Hell, the math just = trouble.
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Heather's Handmade Life 