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Tuesday
Apr272010
Sometimes things become very clear
April 27, 2010 
I've made a decision. I think I'd be rushing this book along too much, to publish it this summer.
And I know why I'd be doing it. It has become clear. It's because of fear. Fear of not having money. Feeling like I need to sell something, and sell it quickly, so that we'll be okay.
But fear is never a good motivator, and I know that this book needs me to be fully alive for it for a while longer, I know there is more that I can give it. So I won't be publishing it this summer. We'll see if it's ready in the fall. I'm hoping to attend a writing conference to get some more input.
Whew. Fear is a large boulder, isn't it? Worry is such a false friend, all that needle-clacking comfort of it. To sit and stew and imagine that there's some button you could push to change things, to make things all better, all by yourself. Sustained by the breath of God, we are fidgety and obstinate (I am anyways), trying to jam candle wax into all the holes in the walls, though we don't have to be afraid of the air outside.
Anyhow. I'll be so pleased to share it with you when it is ready. It is beloved to me.
*
Did you see that facebook badge over there? That's something I've been afraid of for a while. Connecting this life and that one. And then I realized, what will happen? Nothing much, is what. I'll gain a few more friends and see more of your insights and dull moments that we all insist on updating each other with. (The duller the better! Tell me about your french toast!)
I'm also better (only slightly) on facebook than on twitter.
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And another thing: (Totally unrelated, but important)
Fitted sheets: Necessary or not?
They are easy to keep on the bed, but hard to fold. Flat sheets are easy to fold and don't hide socks. We don't have fitted sheets in India, so it is a new/old question for me. What do you think?
in Spirituality, Writing
Spirituality, Writing 
Reader Comments (24)
I say flat sheets! When you travel every micro inch of space is necessary. Good decision on waiting to publish the book! Your readers will appreciate it for sure. God has a way of providing for us even when it's scary and tedious.
.-= April Alexander´s last blog ..http://april-freedomchronicles.blogspot.com/2010/04/true-confessions-of-ex-cgc.html" rel="nofollow">True Confessions of an Ex "CGC" =-.
I'm a long time lurker, 1st time commenter : fitted; for sure.
Just awkwardly hung up my fitted to dry... and the flat ones just cooperated so nicely. But maybe I'm not able to button down those hospital folds like my grandma- because my crazy kid sleepers seem to pull them right up every night if they're not fitted!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..http://homemadeinchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/six-its-easy-when-theyre-cute.html" rel="nofollow">six :: it's easy when they're cute =-.
Bonjour from a fitted preferring maman., but I don't know how to fold them, so I kind of roll them into a ball...before storing them.
.-= meredith´s last blog ..http://deedeeinfrance.blogspot.com/2010/04/flowers-and-unsollicited-advice.html" rel="nofollow">flowers and unsolicited advice =-.
Fitted! And I can fold them to perfection too, all by myself!
"all that needle clacking comfort" -- what a perfect metaphor. See that? Your writing about not finishing the book just yet is almost as good as reading a book.
Fitted sheets, yes. But I wouldn't get all toilet-paper-OVER-not-under-dogmatic about it.
Folding fitted sheets(I read this in the home section of a newspaper once, and my sheet-folding life has been revolutionized): Take the two corners at one end -- let's say the top end--of the sheet and turn them inside out over your hands. Leave the bottom corners right side out. Holding one of those inverted top corners over your hand, pull the same-side bottom corner of the sheet over it so that the inverted top corner is nesting inside the bottom corner. Repeat on the other side. Put your hands back inside both corners to shake it out to be a bit flatter, and fold in the side flaps. Then just fold like a flat sheet-- half and half again, etc. whatever. If it's a big sheet, it's helpful to have a flat surface to fold it on after you get the corners tucked into each other. Not as perfect as a flat sheet, but way better than wadding it.
Your kids' adventures and "discoveries" about life here in North America are so precious, btw. It will be interesting for you to see someday by what and where their inner "home base" sensibilities were set. What I mean : My parents were born and bred in Western PA. I lived here until I was almost 3, then spent the next 18 years living and growing up in various places around the midwest. My parents moved "back home" near the end of my college years, so I ended up here ago, too-- but it's not "back home" for me! Even though I grew up visiting here every year or so and have lived here for *18 years*, my midwestern sensibilities CRY out for "home" where the horizon can be seen over meadows, near lakes and amidst that midwestern sense among the people. The mountains and hills here, though pretty, make me feel claustrophobic! Somewhere in youth, a "center" was found, and it's not this. How much more varied and different your kids' options for "center" will be!
as much as "center" can be the feel of a place, that is =)
Hello, I've been reading here for a while now....can't remember where I found you. My friend just moved from here (New Zealand) to Bangalore so when I found your blog I hung around. I've travelled in India a number of times too. Anyway,....I digress. I'm a fitted sheet fan, although being a nurse I've got the hospital corners down pat if I have to use flat ones. Don't mind the bulk in my linen cupboard. My 7 year old folds the wash, so nothing is really flat and neat anyway!
Might see you on facebook :)
.-= Erin ´s last blog ..http://embejoetc.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/these-school-days/" rel="nofollow">These ‘School’ Days =-.
Oh, I found you through Carrien :)
.-= Erin´s last blog ..http://embejoetc.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/these-school-days/" rel="nofollow">These ‘School’ Days =-.
oh I do understand the 'connecting worlds' thing. I don't put my blog on FB and visa versa. Not sure why, maybe fear like you said. Sometimes I like my worlds to be seperate just a little, but then sometimes it feels like too much maintenance. Not sure, but I like your bravery!!!
and fitted sheets - gotta say I love them, I hate it when the sheets come off the corners in the night
I am a fitted sheet gal to my core, if only because it make morning chores that much simpler. (Ever tried flat sheets on a preschooler's top bunk? We use fitted sheets with duvets and are all much happier to live together as a result.)
Oh, and I can hardly wait to read your beloved book, but I'm glad you're taking the time to let it grow at its own pace. Any chance you'll be doing a European book tour when it does come out? :)
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..http://www.coffeestainedclarity.com/2010/04/the-quibbler/" rel="nofollow">The Quibbler =-.
A writing workshop would be wonderful, and while you're away at the workshop Kid A and Yaya can make the beds themselves, with fitted sheets, because young kids can get the hang of those.
Oh, and I don't really fold, I sort of roll them like a roll of paper. I don't mind sleeping on creases.
.-= Eleanor´s last blog ..http://eleanorfromthecommentbox.blogspot.com/2010/04/someone-in-hong-kong-bought-how-to-do.html" rel="nofollow">Someone in Hong Kong bought "How to do your homework without throwing up" =-.
I'm a Journey-Mama like you and so I would say flat. They can fit any size mattress and you can do the hospital corners to keep them on. I think there are elastic bands out there too with suspender like clasps that you can fix onto the corners to hold the sheet on. Sorry I don't know more about it. If I stumble across it in webland I will pass on the info.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AmysAssortedAdventures/~3/aXyTjNbIKgU/loved-ones.html" rel="nofollow">Loved Ones =-.
I say whichever (is that a word?) sheets are clean :)
I'm happy to wait on the book-clarity is a wonderful thing. However, will you still do a pretend book tour so we can have tea?
Whew,Rae...I feel your relief. I'm relieved for you! That kind of relief that feels like the release of breath you've been holding...like the "who can hold their breath the longest game" when you were a kid,right? Anyway, Kudos,sister...waiting is good:)
Also, fitted for me--only because I have some weird ocd about any fabric bunching up at my feet when I'm in bed...I'm a freak,I know!
You know, I think the relief in this post is palpable. Your audience will be there. The opportunity will be there. In good time--in God's time.
I'm a fitted sheet gal--my sons don't use the flat sheet, they prefer blankets over their bodies. I like the flat sheet, but mine's the only bed with both!
.-= green girl in Wisconsin´s last blog ..http://melissawestemeier.blogspot.com/2010/04/blue-virgin.html" rel="nofollow">the blue virgin =-.
Fitted sheets cut down the sweat and effort of making the bed, but I feel sense of failure every time I attempt to fold them.
.-= The Confused Foreigner´s last blog ..http://sorryicantunderstandyou.blogspot.com/2008/04/hope-for-helpless-rest-for-weary-and.html" rel="nofollow">Hope for the Helpless, Rest for the Weary, and Love for the Broken heart =-.
Good for you. Best to call a project finished when it practically demands that you stop than to tell it when it is finished.
And fitted's? Well, Grandma recently showed me how to fold 'em! Fold in half and tuck the corners from one end into the corners of the other. Now fold in half again and do the same thing, tucking two of the corners into the other two corners. When finished, all the corners are nestled inside each other. Then, just fold it up. Done!
.-= Kim Robinson´s last blog ..http://charlies47.blogspot.com/2010/04/one-boy-opera-in-there.html" rel="nofollow">A One Boy Opera in There =-.
Rae, I have an award for you up on my blog today.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AmysAssortedAdventures/~3/aXyTjNbIKgU/loved-ones.html" rel="nofollow">Loved Ones =-.
Marian - Thank you, you totally just made my life easier!
I vote fitteds, I've never been a fan of flat sheets. Just a fitted and a comforter/duvet. Maybe because I'm always cold... Although I still needed a duvet when we lived in Australia and it was 35 degrees at night and I stunk of that special b.o. you only get while breastfeeding... My husband thought I was crazy, but I needed the duvet.
I just added you as a friend on facebook (I'm Kelly Deugo Flikkema). I feel like I've known you for a long time, since I have been following you since you went to India, basically. But I won't be offended if you ignore it, I know you don't know me at all. I'm curious as to how you know Adam Messenger though? We were friends with him in Australia, actually during the time he came to Jesus. It was pretty cool.
I once met a lady who knew how to fold fitted sheets perfectly, unfortunately the training did not "stick" with me, so I still don't fold properly.
I'm totally confident that you are more than able to excel at your writing, and I'm really hoping that you are part of the writers conference. You're a wonderful story-teller!!!
Fitted. Who cares about folding. Just wad them up in a semi neat fashion. Good choice on your book. It is a wonderful story and deserves the best treatment.
Since I can't stand for a sheet to bunch up under me, I have to say fitted.
It's fun to experience your re-entry to our world through your blog.
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..http://gramerly.blogspot.com/2010/04/oooo-alien-species.html" rel="nofollow">Oooo-An Alien Species =-.
I think you look a bit like Kid A in your facebook picture.
I've never even heard of flat sheets! How's that? I think it sounds genius, since we move a lot and are always acquiring new sleeping surfaces and fitteds don't always fit. Sheet purchasing, bedding purchasing, takes up a lot of my brain power.
Good patient decision on the book. I hope someday to read it.