breathe

The edited manuscript is due today (sort of my 'last chance'). And the perfectionist in me (ugh) is having a minor freak-out, stomping her feet and whining those dreaded, evil words, "it's not good enough yet!".  I do think my kind and very gentle editor is going to need to come and pry this thing out of my hands, against my pleas for More Time (which I've already had). Either that, or I'm going to get a quick lesson in letting go. Um, Today.

So! Rather than talk about the ugliness that was me and the manuscript at 2 am this morning (oy), let's look at something pretty, shall we? Yes, let's.
My sweet, in her vintage smock I found this weekend while flea marketing with the lovely Meg and Brandie. The digging and rummaging and chatting with these two ladies was just the welcome break and escape I needed. And this smock on miss sweet cheeks makes me very happy, as do those sweet cheeks themselves, of course.

Ah. That's better. Return to the breath. Return to the breath. (Yeah, yeah.)

Comments

[Sarah]

You know, sometimes a fresh set of eyes can help to make something better. An editor's job after all is to hone and refine and hopefully make a thing the better for it. Breathe and let go. It'll be okay. Maybe not perfect, but is anything ever perfect?

[cristina]

sweet cheeks she is. and look hows she's (quite forsingly) feeding HER little sweet cheeks:)

[brandie]

it was fun yesterday...we must do it again (soon)!!
and that is the most perfect smock ever!! she looks adorable in it! (and is that the baby doll you are desperately searching for a bed).
and...i just KNOW that your book is going to be fabulous. how could it not with you as the author :)

[kristin]

that smock is so sweet. my first guess would
have been that you made it, but as a flea market/rummage
find it is great too. love that fabric.

i'm betting that your book is pretty amazing as it is.
and perhaps and revisions/extra ideas can be saved
for book #2!!! i can't wait to see that book.
enjoy the process, and yes, breath.

[molly]

look at her feeding her doll in that second picture. love it. so i've already bookmarked "the learning tower" for my babe number three...now how about that cute doll high chair in the second picture? i love it. i(they/we) want one!
hope you're not white-knuckling that manuscript as i write this...I'm so looking forward to your book!

[meg]

those cheeks!
i'm pretty sure the book is fabulous, btw.
so much fun yesterday, thanks again!

[lisa]

oh, i am so glad you and meg are hooking up! i love the smock. such sweet fabric!! xxoo,
lisa

[erin]

look at her feed her baby. oh, too cute!

[shauna]

This is such a sweet post. I hope you put it up for yourself, to look at when you start to panic. I just turned in the first draft of my manuscript last week, so I can only imagine the anxiety that accompanies the "final" draft. Then again, I have to quote my favorite Mary Oliver poem:

"...what in this world is perfect?"

It is your soul and sweetness, your dedication and devotion to this life that will make your book wonderful. You already know. Breathe, and let go.

Thank you for sharing, as always.

[Grace]

Oh, my, so cute! What would be the chances of your tracing that for me so that I can make one?!!

Also, I am politely requesting to see more pictures of Adelaide's divine doll! And what's her name?

And finally, I am so excited about the update on your book! Don't worry -- you know that editing is what editors are for. ;)

hugs, Grace

[Casey]

The pictures are so cute... :)

I have trouble with the "its not good enough!" feeling all the time. I'm sure the book is perfect!! Your posts are always so articulate and beautifully written that I'm sure your final draft is fabulous! :)

[mav]

too darn cute. i love it all. you're in the home stretch!!!!!!

[kelly]

oh, so pretty! and it must be so hard to let it go out into the world, but trust it! It'll be just what it needs to be for those who pick it up and need it! wheeeeeee!

[Veronica TM]

She is so sweet and cute! This is the last step, I know your book is going to be a huge success.

[rachael]

Cutey Pie! Can't wait for the book.

[martha]

so hard to let go, I know. It will never be done in your eyes, but everyone else will think it's wonderful.
Now back to that adorable little girl:)

[Stacy]

Hi, I have been reading your blog for awhile (found it from another blog) and I just wanted to tell you how much I admire your creativity and your love for you family and children. You have a beautiful family and I love your craftyness! You make great things. It is good to see other parents like me who respect their children and instill in them creativity and love. Thank you for the inspiration!

[robin]

Oh Amanda, what a precious Lady A in such a scrumpteous little smock! I'll try to refrain drooling (or not!) Well, yay for your edited manuscript and now, for sitting back, letting go and letting it be. I know the book is wonderful and full of your heart and creativity. They'll love it!! So will we! <3

[Morgan]

The little smock fits her and those sweet cheeks...to die for!

[Jane]

Oh my goodness, she's more gorgeous than ever. Those cheeks are wonderful - Phoebe's were the same and are still eminently kissable even though she's 11 now.

I tried emailing you several times but some very nice bloke called Scott got the emails instead. I wanted to say congratulations on the book and that I've long thought should write one as you have one of the freshest, most natural and sincere voices. So well done, let go and enjoy the absence of book pressure. I am sure it will be fantastic.

[Dacia]

yikes! I know all about that. the good news is that it's always better than you think it is. it just needs a breath! oh, and editors are worth their weight in gold.

[Melissa]

The book will be awesome so let it go sweetie! I love the smock as well.

[sarah]

Can't wait til this book is in print. I also had a deadline last week that left my hubby and I up til 2 am finishing up the artwork. Yuck. I always wait til the last minute. Say... How do you like that learning tower? I've always thought of getting one, primarily for cooking with the kids, but wasn't sure how much it would get used.

[Viv]

Is that a learning tower I spy? That was the best purchase we ever made for our girl. Worth every penny! She loves to help us cook and just generally be at our level.

Good luck with deadlines!

[Beth]

oh my goodness.. look how cute she is with her doll in the highchair. What a little soule mama : )

Glad you took some time to breathe. I must learn this lesson at some point in my life.

[Sharon]

How sweet! Her and her baby! My little girl's a couple of months older, and she has loved babies for a while now. She hands them to me to show her what to do and she copies! Awww.

[Nora]

I love how she's feeding her baby.

[JenniferW]

Ohhhhhhh, yeah. After thirteen years of being an editor, I just finished the manuscript for my first book, too. It has been four years in the making. I was so relieved to send it off, and yet now I can't wait to start tinkering with it! I can't imagine what it's going to be like when they want the final draft. They'll pry it from my cold, dead fingers. Congratulations on letting it go!