I just figured out how to blog from my phone. Hooray! I love technology.

Utah

Yes, I am still here in this beehive of literary honey! I wish I could see my writing group more (hard to do when one of them is clear across the country), but it's good to see my family, too. After all, I don't see them nearly enough these days. My angst is taking a back seat to my excitement over getting the writing blog up and working. I had a chance to blog there for the first time yesterday. Check it out at inkingcap.blotspot.com. 

CONduit

CONduit was rad!...if only for the pleasure it gave me in allowing me to see just how normal I am...at least on the outside.

I got to hang out with my favorite people in the whole world (aside from Scott) namely: Donna (and Ella), Debbie, Josh, Paul, Ben, Daniel, and I'm sorry if I left some people out. Also, Dashner and Aprilynne. And new on this list would be the famous Graham Chops, otherwise known as Graham Bradley. He's a treat! I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm crazy, but whatever. I think he's cool and his coolness only gets better knowing he has some incredibly wild stuff floating around in his brain. Can't wait to see it in book form, Graham. :)

One of the big highlights for me was going to Dan Wells' reading of Mr. Monster, plus a short story. Dan, you're a bowl full of roses! Thanks for the signature. I sure hope you can make it to dinner next time, too. And I hope your family is feeling better.

A big shout out goes to Aprilynne. Congrats on Wings hitting the N.Y. Times best seller list! We all agree that you are a delight!

And last, but not least, to the guy who I've named the Hub of this whole eclectic group of people, Dashner. You are the most open, genuine guy in the business. Thanks for the introductions to people I would never have known otherwise. If you were here, I'd hug you. I can't wait for Maze Runner to come out so I can be the first in line to get my copy signed. Can't that day get here already!

The Trip!

Still reading the Count of Monte Cristo. Thankfully, my book club is meeting later so I have more time to get to read it.

Today I am going through the crazy ritual of packing for a trip. I love how I tell my son to pack six pairs of socks and, when I check his bag, find that he's packed five pair...two of which have the toes cut out of them.

Argh

I need help. I need some kind of occupation. As if taking care of my kids, writing group, karate, cleaning my house and occasionally making dinner doesn't take up enough of my time. I still feel the need to neurotically check blogs, do crosswords, send emails, check facebook and haunt my email. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! If I could just focus this nervous energy into the creation of a novel, I might be mildly satisfied.

In the meantime, I still have to get ready for my Utah trip. How I'm going to keep my kids from burning down the village when I get there, I don't know. But I'll give it a whirl.

Mental Note

Stop working on my bed.

While it's a very comfortable place to get stuff done, I tend to bring my snacks, lunch, treats...and whatever else I happen to be eating, onto my bed as well. Inevitably something spills and I have to explain to Scott why his side of the bed is sticky, crumby or otherwise uncomfortable to sleep on.

I Love Sundays

I love Sundays. We sleep in a little. We go to church. And then, because Scott has the day off, he often times makes dinner. I like it. He's a good cook.

Today he let me take a nap. I know....it's not even Mother's Day or my birthday or anything! I just woke up and I smell potatoes cooking and meat grilling and I'm thinking about making some awesome home made ice cream and Texas sheet cake. I can hardly wait!

Some other things to think about:

Katie gets her cast off on Tuesday. Finally!

Josh has a weiner roast in his class on Thursday.

My kids school year is done on Friday and then we're off to Utah. Hooray!