Well, I just kept my 2008 resolution. I mailed the manuscript of my MG novel off to a publisher! Now I have to wait for 12 weeks to either find out they are interested in it, or to send it to another publisher. (I do have a list ready!) Twelve weeks from today is March 25. (Of course, they won't get it for another few days so I'll add one week to that...April 1!?!?! Hopefully it won't be a joke on me!)
Now I have today and tomorrow to clean house so I can start the new year off right! The bedrooms and bathrooms have been done, the family room is so-so, but the decorations are coming down which makes the living room and dining room a mess! On with the chores!
Before I go work, let me make my 2009 resolutions:
1. I will not give up on publication. I will continue to pursue it!
2. I will continue to write down my ideas.
3. We will spend more time playing and exercising together as a family.
I'd put down that I would win the lottery, but then I'd feel obligated to buy tickets in every possible combination, and I don't have trillions of dollars so that resolution will have to wait for me to gain my psychic abilities.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Merry After Christmas!
Well, the blues diminished somewhat, and we had a wonderful holiday. Now for finding time to get everything organized! This was a much smaller Christmas than usual, but I think everyone is happy.
Once we get everything clean (again!) and laundry done, I am determined to finish the query letter so...publishers be on the lookout! Great middle grades novel is coming your way! (At least to several of you who accept unsolicited queries and simultaneous submissions!)
Once we get everything clean (again!) and laundry done, I am determined to finish the query letter so...publishers be on the lookout! Great middle grades novel is coming your way! (At least to several of you who accept unsolicited queries and simultaneous submissions!)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Same old blues
Today seems no better than yesterday. While it's true that the baking is now half done, the kids are helping clean the house, and my grocery list isn't as long as I'd feared it would be...I can't shake this feeling of wanting to cry. If I hear the song "Christmas Shoes" on the radio, it will be the end of me, I'm sure. Elvis's "Blue Christmas" was bad enough! (and I don't actually like that song!)
I do have one last Christmas present to finish. I got most of the missing pieces yesterday. Now to put them together and to finalize the last part of it. Well, actually, I have 2 presents left. Our nephew chose his yarn this past weekend for his hand-knitted blanket. I've made the decision not to start on it until everything else in the house is in order. So...I'll probably start it tomorrow night or Friday night. He knows he won't have it for Christmas, but he's very excited about it!
Now, on to the grocery store. I'm not even planning to change from my sweats although I will switch from slippers to shoes for the trip! So if you see a sad-looking woman listlessly wandering the aisles at Food Lion in torn sweats and a grungy t-shirt...don't laugh!
I do have one last Christmas present to finish. I got most of the missing pieces yesterday. Now to put them together and to finalize the last part of it. Well, actually, I have 2 presents left. Our nephew chose his yarn this past weekend for his hand-knitted blanket. I've made the decision not to start on it until everything else in the house is in order. So...I'll probably start it tomorrow night or Friday night. He knows he won't have it for Christmas, but he's very excited about it!
Now, on to the grocery store. I'm not even planning to change from my sweats although I will switch from slippers to shoes for the trip! So if you see a sad-looking woman listlessly wandering the aisles at Food Lion in torn sweats and a grungy t-shirt...don't laugh!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Why am I so down today?
I don't know why it's such a blah day. I feel really down for some reason. When there are so many things in life we can't control, it's tough not to be able to control how you feel.
In trying to look on the brighter side, I've been working on the query letter. (BIG SIGH!!!!) With all the baking I have to do tomorrow, I probably won't have time to finish it until after Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all...and to all a great story!
In trying to look on the brighter side, I've been working on the query letter. (BIG SIGH!!!!) With all the baking I have to do tomorrow, I probably won't have time to finish it until after Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all...and to all a great story!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Once upon a time...
...there was a writer who wanted to be published. SO....she wrote wonderful stories, had them critiqued, joined writer's groups, had them critiqued, edited them, had them critiqued, read them to a focus group.....then she tried to write the query letter!
I honestly believe this is a form of torture invented to weed out the weak of heart!
I honestly believe this is a form of torture invented to weed out the weak of heart!
Grrr
I guess I'm not so good at this blogging...I get so wrapped up in writing other stuff that I don't make it to this page! I am going to try to get better. (and exercise more, eat healthy, get through my to-do list.....)
Yesterday was a very difficult day. Not a bad day, just one of those days where there doesn't seem to be time to do anything you thought you'd get done!
6:30: out of shower, downstairs.
6:45: argue with 12 year-old about wearing shorts to school. he changes.
7:10: try to hurry kids up.
7:15: settle argument between oldest and youngest regarding who got too many strawberries in their fruit salad.
7:18: out door. Discover nail in tire. Put air in tire to move it so I can take the other car.
7:20: moved van.
7:22: showed nail to my dear husband. switched everything to his car.
7:30: finally backing out of driveway.
7:50: at school. deliver and hook up VCR to classroom trailer. troubleshoot to discover why it won't work. Fix it.
8:15: back in library. go to deliver TV to classroom where TV is broken.
8:19: back in library. deliver VCR.
8:22: back in library.
8:25: leave to go get presentation cart.
8:30: beginning to get cart ready for parent involvement this afternoon in cafeteria.
8:40: find out today is lockdown drill. Begin preparing for it.
8:45: start calling teachers with cameras to discover who is finished with one so there is one for parent involvement.
8:50: go to office to complete invoicing for recent purchasing.
9:00: classes begin.
9:15: move furniture for third class's activity. pop blood vessel in wrist (OUCH!)
9:20: ice wrist
9:40: between classes, go fix TV/computer connection in a room
9:43: fix another remote by reprogramming it.
9:45: next class begins.
9:48: discover lockdown is cancelled.
10:25: run to get drink. get stopped in hall by someone with computer complaint,.
10:30: realize presentation cart needs longer cord, but the next class has arrived.
11:10: class leaves. find solution to internet cord issue.
11:15: class arrives.....Matt is in this class. He is in very silly mood.
11:44: solve argument over the color of an exclamation point between two students.
11:55: sit down for lunch!
12:30: next class. everything goes smoothly!
1:15: double kindergarten classes: two meltdowns, 12 bathroom emergencies, 2 unexpected parents, one temper tantrum. Take presentation cart to cafeteria to get set up. While I'm there, the double first grade classes enter library! Projector doesn't work, redo all cords. TWICE. finally crawl into cart (It's almost 3 feet wide and 4 feet long) and discover surge protector was turned off. Finally have it working.
2:45: last set of classes! (3rd grade)
3:25: go collect VCRs and deliver to rooms needing them Thursday. Collect presentation cart.
3:40: go to parking lot to switch cars with my husband as he picks up the kids.
3:50: set up presentation cart for faculty meeting
4:15: faculty meeting
5:05: meeting adjourns. Set up presentation cart for morning meeting.
5:25: arrive at tire store to get new tires. tell them to change oil too (it's ladies night...ooooh aaaah!) Spend 20 minutes talking to former student working there. Breathe sigh of relief that he's not working on my car.
6:40: leave tire store and go to yarn store to get yarn for baby blanket for a baby shower in 2 weeks.
7:05 arrive home. eat. finish 2 Christmas presents. return phone calls. organize files for new Girl Scout troop. get kids in shower. put kids in bed. collapse on bed.
10:00: sound asleep!!!!
Yesterday was a very difficult day. Not a bad day, just one of those days where there doesn't seem to be time to do anything you thought you'd get done!
6:30: out of shower, downstairs.
6:45: argue with 12 year-old about wearing shorts to school. he changes.
7:10: try to hurry kids up.
7:15: settle argument between oldest and youngest regarding who got too many strawberries in their fruit salad.
7:18: out door. Discover nail in tire. Put air in tire to move it so I can take the other car.
7:20: moved van.
7:22: showed nail to my dear husband. switched everything to his car.
7:30: finally backing out of driveway.
7:50: at school. deliver and hook up VCR to classroom trailer. troubleshoot to discover why it won't work. Fix it.
8:15: back in library. go to deliver TV to classroom where TV is broken.
8:19: back in library. deliver VCR.
8:22: back in library.
8:25: leave to go get presentation cart.
8:30: beginning to get cart ready for parent involvement this afternoon in cafeteria.
8:40: find out today is lockdown drill. Begin preparing for it.
8:45: start calling teachers with cameras to discover who is finished with one so there is one for parent involvement.
8:50: go to office to complete invoicing for recent purchasing.
9:00: classes begin.
9:15: move furniture for third class's activity. pop blood vessel in wrist (OUCH!)
9:20: ice wrist
9:40: between classes, go fix TV/computer connection in a room
9:43: fix another remote by reprogramming it.
9:45: next class begins.
9:48: discover lockdown is cancelled.
10:25: run to get drink. get stopped in hall by someone with computer complaint,.
10:30: realize presentation cart needs longer cord, but the next class has arrived.
11:10: class leaves. find solution to internet cord issue.
11:15: class arrives.....Matt is in this class. He is in very silly mood.
11:44: solve argument over the color of an exclamation point between two students.
11:55: sit down for lunch!
12:30: next class. everything goes smoothly!
1:15: double kindergarten classes: two meltdowns, 12 bathroom emergencies, 2 unexpected parents, one temper tantrum. Take presentation cart to cafeteria to get set up. While I'm there, the double first grade classes enter library! Projector doesn't work, redo all cords. TWICE. finally crawl into cart (It's almost 3 feet wide and 4 feet long) and discover surge protector was turned off. Finally have it working.
2:45: last set of classes! (3rd grade)
3:25: go collect VCRs and deliver to rooms needing them Thursday. Collect presentation cart.
3:40: go to parking lot to switch cars with my husband as he picks up the kids.
3:50: set up presentation cart for faculty meeting
4:15: faculty meeting
5:05: meeting adjourns. Set up presentation cart for morning meeting.
5:25: arrive at tire store to get new tires. tell them to change oil too (it's ladies night...ooooh aaaah!) Spend 20 minutes talking to former student working there. Breathe sigh of relief that he's not working on my car.
6:40: leave tire store and go to yarn store to get yarn for baby blanket for a baby shower in 2 weeks.
7:05 arrive home. eat. finish 2 Christmas presents. return phone calls. organize files for new Girl Scout troop. get kids in shower. put kids in bed. collapse on bed.
10:00: sound asleep!!!!
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