Was supposed to help my mom put in the garden yesterday, but it rained all day. Ended up babysitting my niece instead- she's darling, but she's hit her terrible twos a bit early. She's only been walking for a couple of weeks, but it seems to have enhanced her already independent nature. Anyway, she loves to watch QUBO, and I always end up with one of the theme songs stuck in my brain for days- today, it's Theodore Tugboat. :)

Had one of the patients from my office call today and tell me that she really liked Spare Change. She is the first patient who's read it and given me her opinion. Since the book is about a girl who works in an office like mine, I was curious to see what the patients would think about it. I'm really glad she enjoyed it.

Something to think about

I watched a memorial through the lunchroom window at the hospital where I work today. They have it once a year, as a chance for staff and family members of patients who have died to have a chance to gather and mourn together. I watched curiously from the third floor as I ate my microwave lunch. When the short service was over, people tied ribbons on the surrounding trees and hugged each other. It's easy to forget how short and uncertain life is, and working here has taught me to be glad for every day that I have.

On another work-related note, if you want to read an interesting blog, go to www.npr.org/blogs/mycancer. It's easy to think that you're having a bad day until you read about someone who is fighting just to make it to the next one.

Monday again already- the weekends are gone almost before they start.

Worked in the garden on Saturday- it was so nice to see the sun. In fact, it was almost a little too warm, but that's Utah for you. We go straight from 50 degrees to 90 in one day!

Still plugging away at my rewrites, but I feel like I'm making some progress. Spare Change seems to be selling fairly well also, although I still have trouble believing it. Not that I didn't think really believe in it as a book, because I do, but there are just so many excellent books out there. I never have enough time to read all the books I'm interested in, and I'm so grateful for the people who have taken the time to read mine. I have been very richly blessed.

My day off

Wednesday is my day off, and I love it! There's something so nice about having a day off in the middle of the week. I usually watch my niece for half the day and try to get some writing done the other half.

Got my first review on www.goodreads.com. It's so exciting to think that people I don't know are reading my book! I'm sure that people who know me will say they like it because they feel like they have to. But when a stranger likes it, that's awesome. :)

Good night

Had a bit of a breakthrough with the rewrites last night. It was the same with my first book. When I hear about everything that needs to be changed, I always think it's impossible. I just know that there's no way to fix it, and I fight it for a while, but then something just clicks. Once I get started, it's easier to see the end goal. I think it's mostly about change and how threatened I am by it. Even positive changes in my life are difficult for me to process because I am such a creature of habit.

Anyway, I'm starting to look forward to working with it again, which is a good sign. Before last night, every time I sat down to look at it I ended up playing endless games of spider solitaire instead...my favorite form of procrastination. :)

FYI

Just wanted everyone to know that my book, Spare Change, will be available soon at Barnes and Noble and Borders! You can find it currently at Deseret Book and Seagull Book, and also at www.cedarfort.com

Monday already

Didn't get a whole lot of writing done this weekend because one by one, my family all started to get the flu. I felt a little guilty, having been the one who had it first and passed it on to them, so I spent most of the weekend playing nursemaid.

Having a hard time getting started with my rewrites. Usually I find that after I look at it long enough, something just clicks. Once I get an idea about where to start, the rest of it usually falls into place without too much trouble. Hopefully this week, I'll have some extra time to start looking at it seriously.

Started watching The Golden Compass yesterday, but only got about forty five minutes into it before I gave up. Maybe it's one of those movies where you have to read the book first, but I was pretty lost.

Busy Saturday

All kinds of things going on today. Got up this morning and worked in the yard for a while before going to pick up my Mother's Day presents for my mom and sister. (I'm not really a slacker- the spa where I got the gift certificates is just downtown, and today was the only day I could get there.)

Also bought groceries for dinner tomorrow, but got home to discover that Mom has the flu, so dinner is probably off.

I'm finally going to try to get some writing done now, but if tonight is anything like the rest of the day, I can't make any guarantees.

My first blog!

Hi!

Still trying to get this whole blog thing figured out. I know enough about the Internet to spend money, but blogging is a foreign concept. I'm sure it is one of those things that get easier with experience. :)

I'm really glad it's Friday- only two hours of work to go before the weekend! Hopefully, I will have some time this weekend to work on the rewrites of my current project. It's hard to know where to start when there is so much that needs to be changed!