Monday morning I began listening to Her Fearful Symmetry by Niffenegger (such an unfortunate last name.) in my car.  As I drove along at about 65 mph, I noticed brake lights in all the lanes up ahead.  I slowed down, checked my rearview mirror to make sure people behind me were doing the same.  All was well.  Then out of nowhere a blue car rushes ( Read more... )

I have eggs!  I made brownies!!! Whoohoo! They are heavenly.

I finished my twenty hours of continuing education credits for my license renewal. I sat through TEN hour of ethics training and lived to tell the tale. (I only need three hours.)  I will give you the highlights of my ethics training.  Don't harm your clients. Don't sleep with your clients ( Read more... )

So I 've been working on DRAFT 6 of Diyari Chronicles.  Frolicking.  Giggling.  Rainbows and doves everywhere.  Enjoying the view.  Thinking up new chapters.  Developing the characters in fantastical ways.  (No. I am not taking medication.)  Not a moment of self-loathing or "what-the-heck-was-I-thinking?"  (No, I am not counting the moments. . . ( Read more... )

As I make my way through another set of revisions, I find myself thinking about plots and character development more than . . . cake. I know. It’s hard to believe.  I know that plots are an out growth of characters’ decisions and actions.  And I know that a well developed story has rising action, with high stakes and setbacks and a grand climax ( Read more... )

I am FINALLY on two more insurance panels.  (Now, I just have to get the clients.)

I got yummy goodies from Trader Joe's. One of my friends has family in California and they send her care packages.  She started asking for extra goodies so she can enable my Trader Joe's addiction.  God Bless the enabler.  Amen!

It's FALL! Whoohoo! Let to gold and ( Read more... )

5. Your characters rally, infiltrate your dreams and lobby for the dialogue they think will work.

4. You refuse to say your child’s name (Kenly) because ALL words ending in -ly are considered enemies of the state.

3. You call the police and report a crime: someone keeps eating all your cake and chocolate in the middle of the night. (Never mind you ( Read more... )

I interrupt the scheduled program for an important announcement.  At approximately 11:45 am CST, Tracy Dickens completed the fifth Draft of Diyari Chronicles: Book of Spirited.  At approximately 11:55 am CST she was spotted running to her kitchen, where she consumed a LARGE piece of celebratory cake.  She asked me to post the song Vow by Garbage.  ( Read more... )

First, I want to apologize for the sudden lack of presence this week.  I won't regale you with the negative whys, but I will regale you with the positives:

Two John's brought me to tears this week. Not sad tears.  Nope. Not even close. Total tears of laugher.  The first Jon, our very own ( Read more... )

I spent time with Baby Alli and J.P. again this week.  She is sooooo close to crawling.  You can do it Alli!  Also on the baby front, my friend Tara gave birth to baby girl Kenly.  Welcome to world, Kenly!

I got a FABULOUS CD in the mail from LJ's finest:  jongibbs  It is brilliant. Thank you Jon for sharing your talents!

Last week when I was in the Library ( Read more... )

I spent time J.P. and Baby Ally this week. I even got to help out with bath time. Whoohoo! AND . . . yes, there is more . . . I get another baby picture of Ally.  She is taking over my wallet . . . I hope this is not foreshadowing for the future. Of course it is. I just bought her an outfit a few weeks ago just because. Jeez! She's only six months ( Read more... )