AKA Author Spotlight on: Carrie Filetti

·         (I asked Carrie how she ever finds time to write, what with raising such a lovely, large family. This is what she said...)


Typical two hours in the Filetti home:

7:00 a.m. The three youngest boys 9, 7, and 5, are up and on their way down to play video games. They have been dreaming of ‘Mario Kart’ all night. I hear 9-year-old telling his brothers to, ‘Be quiet, Mom & Dad are sleeping.’
7:05 a.m. I groan. Morning has come too early. I shake husband. Get him up for work. As I stumble downstairs, to pack husband’s lunch and find him a clean towel, I’m asking myself why I went to bed at 3:00am? Where is that towel? I know it was down here!
7:08 a.m. Not a clean towel in the house. Crap! Husband not happy about using the dirty one that smells of toothpaste. At least the kids are brushing their teeth.
7:18 a.m. While making husband’s lunch I listen to random nonsense about a dream 13- year- old daughter had & why so and so is mad at so and so & why yellow is a better color than purple & why she needs an ipod touch, and why…, okay, you get the picture. I nod and smile. I love that she likes talking to me.
7:30 a.m. Teen talking has stopped for a moment as I hug and kiss husband then wave at the door as he drives away for the day. 13-year-old daughter is still gagging at parent’s affection. At least she knows we love each other.
7:35 a.m. 11-year-old daughter yells from top of stairs asking if she can come down and play Mario Kart. I yell up, while wiping off counter, “You’re still grounded! Have you written your report on obedience yet?...well, get to it!” At least she’s doing it.
7:40 a.m. 11-year-old daughter has just been caught by 13-year-old big sister for rolling her eyes and mocking me behind my back. 13-year-old is looking out for her mom.
7:45 a.m. 11-year-old daughter is now crying. Along with her obedience report, she now has another one, ‘Honoring Her Mother’. I know in this report she will express how much she loves me and how sorry she is.. I know it is sincere.
7:50 a.m. I run to the other side of the house, and up those stairs. I wake 12-year- old son and remind him it’s garbage day. The can is overflowing! He’s already done it. What a good boy!
8:00 a.m. I put towels in dryer. Load washer with spider-man sheets. 7-year-old had an accident. He stripped the bed all by himself and took a shower without being told. I now know where the clean towel went. I have to smile.
8:10 a.m. I visit bathroom & throw cold water over face. I want to go to bed. Instead, I check emails. Not much has changed since I checked them 5 hours ago. Still, I have sometime before 15-year-old daughter comes in ready for me to take her to her summer babysitting job.
8:20 a.m. I work on a story idea.
8:30 a.m. 3 little boys are hungry. I remind 13-year-old daughter that it’s her day to pour cereal and milk in 3 bowls for her brothers. I know…it’s so hard! She rolls her eyes. She now has a report due. She will never complain about that chore again.
8:45 a.m. Back at story idea.
8:55 a.m. I’m now in the car waiting for 15-year-old daughter to get off family computer. I’d honk the horn, but it doesn’t work. Instead I yell out the window. On the way to babysitting job, I explain the importance of getting to work on time. She doesn’t roll her eyes; she has since learned that lesson.
Back at home I notice I have a new notification on facebook. I check it. 15 year old daughter has left me a message. She tells me she ‘loves me and to take the time for my story today.’ I feel guilty that I yelled. I message back telling her she makes my heart sing.
And so the day continues. 
How do I find time to write? It’s simple. It’s family. Even though there are bumps along the way, useless arguments, rolling of ones eyes, I have been blessed with a spectacular family. We aren’t perfect but we are supportive of each other. My children are excited for my stories. They gather round and listen as I read them my tales. They sketch my characters. They write me little notes of encouragement. They won’t let me give up. Because of them, I do find the time to write. They give me that time by being good kids. We are a strong family and because of that, we are united.    http://www.authorcarriefiletti.com   http://awrenslife.blogspot.com



7 comments:

  1. This is a great way to bring people into your world Carrie. I will check it out more often!

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  2. I'm touched that you wanted to spotlight me, Louise. Thanks for this. You are a sweetheart. I can't wait to do lunch someday. :)

    Thanks, Penny. I would be empty without my little family. :)

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  3. I'm exhausted just reading this. (Smiles) What a busy mom you are. You are Wonder Woman. Seriously, there's no way I could ever deal with that many kiddos AND find time to write. Blessings to you and your family....

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  4. I saw nothing in there about lightsaber fights, hide n' seek, homemade movies, FHE, Rock Band, supper, chocolate chip cookies, husband editing, tears of joy, tears of discouragement, tears of toe stubbings, doctor visits, dentist visits, tooth-fairy visits, meals for sick friends, baseball, Mad Men, Terrie Wolf, dog attacks, saved Ipods, eBay shipping, technological amateurism, yard sales, flea markets, junk hoarding, book hoarding, Bert & Ernie, bad dreams, Fisher Price Little People, lemon heads or pet possums.

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  5. Thanks Buffy! When I think I'm having a bad day, I stop and think of my Mom. She raised ten kids with Dad overseas supporting us. It wasn't until I was in high school that he finally quit and came home. My Mom is the Wonder Woman. :)

    Instead of 7 children, I might as well say I have 8. Mike (husband) will always be a boy at heart. :)

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  6. WOW - john newcomb

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  7. It's the Case of the Disappearing Filetti's. Not sure why the photo disappeared there for a minute. So I re-posted it. Such a great looking bunch deserves to be seen! Mike, loved your comment by the way! Thanks again for being here, Carrie!

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