Cathy -- Do you work in a closed off room with a door? Maybe a gentle "do not disturb" kind of sign would help to remind her that you're at work even if you're technically at home. Or would she just come on in anyway? 

I have two places - one is open with a great view. When I really want to concentrate, I go to a bedroom with a computer and close the door. That does not always deter Mom. You know how it goes (at least for me), there is how you act with everyone else, then there's how you act with Mom - definitely not the same.

PMS.

Seriously, I know some women don't get PMS but I do. And when I have it, I have a really hard time organizing my thoughts and all my writing looks muddy to me.

Beyond that, I'm good. Hell, I remember when Hubs had his heart attack and I was an underwriter, I took files to the hospital with me and worked while sitting next to his hospital bed. And now with tablets and laptops and wifi, I can do anything anywhere. As long as I don't have PMS.

Lori -- You described that feeling so perfectly!

I can't even imagine Cathy. That has to be a tough situation at times, although obviously great that you're able to be there to help her out at the same time. Is your schedule largely unpredictable as a caregiver now, or do you still have a general routine most of the time?

I don't want to paint a worse picture than it is. Mom (knock on wood) is extremely healthy, but she is 89 so that's going to mean (as I call it) maintenance issues-(she had two cataract surgeries and a knee replacement last year), and taking care of the things that go along with a house sitting on an acre of land.

My schedule is fairly predictable. As you know, I get up at the crack of dawn-typically 2-3 hours before Mom. So, that's prime time for me. The toughest thing is the constant interruptions. My Mom is one of those that once she thinks of something, she has to discuss it RIGHT NOW. I've tried training her to wait until we sit down for lunch or when I quit for the day (which is fairly early - 4 -5 PM). She gets better for a little while, then it's back to her norm. 

What it has taught me is the beauty of being flexible. If I have a non-productive day, I find a way to deal with it and make it up another time.

Unfortunately I can't take time off sooner, because my time was already booked in advance. I'm going to need that time to clear up another client e-book and take care of a double blogging order (ordering double in advance so they still have the fresh content while I'm gone). 

Definitely stressful, but I find that the gardening is helping.

I was trying to tweet you, but Twitter just hates me lately and let you know that I would be glad to help out with the forums and maybe even some AFW blog posts while you deal with the whirlwind of busy. Just want to help you out if I can, but I understand all the same if you don't want to take me up on my offer.

If I were in your situation, I would try to take time off even sooner to do some unwinding. Everything sounds mega stressful on your end.

And Cathy, you are such a dear. I hope your family is doing well, too.

Last week I wasn't around here that much. I took a break from the forum and didn't post our weekly roundup on the blog. I was taking care of a sick fiance at first. Shortly after that, I was knocked on my own ass. (So much for thinking he had food poisoning....)

I'm still now 100%, but feeling much better, and I was looking forward to jumping back into work. But now one of our cats is sick (could be anything from an obstruction to her developing asthma now that we're living out "in nature." So we have to try to get an emergency vet appointment this morning. 

Life just keeps throwing punches it seems. Fortunately it hasn't screwed up any deadlines or anything related to client work. But it is setting me back on things I need to clear up before taking time off for the wedding in a few weeks. And I'm already overloaded dealing with that. 

I guess it comes down to this. No matter how important our writing is, sometimes it still has to take a back seat. What things cause you to step away from work for a while?