Could it be? Could it be, I'm back? Nah...don't count on it, lol. I hope so, but then again, I seriously doubt it. But I'm closer. Ever closer. This past year has been incredible. I never imagined how difficult it would be to change jobs after 22 years. And to start in the summer during the busiest time of year for FLVS? Brutal. No other word for ( Read more... )

It seems the theme of my life lately is waiting. I've finally began the submission process again. I have one agent I really, really like, and two others that have shown interest in my writing. So I've submitted to the two agents that prefer electronic submissions, and hope to submit my snail mail submission to the other agent Monday. Then...I wait ( Read more... )

Just wanted to share a web site with you that has helped me begin my journey to better health and less stress. myfitnesspal. Since the week before Thanksgiving I've lost 7 pounds. (Umm...if you don't count the two that have snuck up on me these past two days. LOL.) Seriously, just keeping track of the calories I'm consuming has made an incredible ( Read more... )

This school year has had it's ups and downs. Like everyone these days, jobs are becoming more and more stressful. And yes, I'm thankful I have a job. And one that I enjoy. Mostly. I love being in the classroom, working with my students. Figuring out what makes them tick, what trick will help them understand that great abyss of knowledge, otherwise ( Read more... )

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I just wrote another chapter this morning and found myself back in 6th grade. A new girl had moved to my school. Robin Hill. Creve Coeur, Mo. I'll never forget her name. Rena Macina. Probably spelled wrong. She was different from anything I'd ever seen before. She came dressed in filmy linens that covered her head and flowed to the floor. I'm sure ( Read more... )

Try to enjoy it. At least, that's what I tell myself. My niece and nephew are still here. Still sleeping. I know I'll get little writing done today. Very frustrating when your self-imposed finish-the-novel-before-school-starts-back deadline is looming. But, I remind myself, that's why I live close to family. So we can help each other out like this ( Read more... )

Some time ago, I posted pictures of a mouse rescue. That was in April. Since then, we've received copious amounts of rain. I can barely get up and down my driveway now. I posted pictures on Facebook. It's so wet that apparently the snakes in my 15 acres of woods have decided to head for higher ground.

So now, I'm back in the mouse catching business ( Read more... )

I should be writing. I know that. But this is something I've been meaning to look into for, well, probably the past four or five summers. So, gosh darn it, I took the time today. I have three items that are antiques. Well, I have other pieces of furniture, etc., but these three are special. You know how you wonder if it would be worth it to stand ( Read more... )

We lost one of our geriatric kitties today. Trouble was 15, almost 16. He and his two sisters were born in our home. We've had them longer than we've had our children. When my daughter was a teeny tiny baby, we'd open her bedroom door each morning just enough to let Trouble in. He'd jump in her crib and walk around her, rubbing up against her, till ( Read more... )