I Haven't Vanished

But the rest is doing me good.

I don't feel like writing so I'm not. Instead I'm marketing. The novel ms is out, and now I have three children's articles shopping for a home. I'm watching spring burst all around me (and suffer the allergic consequences, but try not to complain) so I've been thinking about flowers and gardening. Spring Break is here and it was supposed to be stormy all week, but I guess enough protests from all the kids made that a wash (punny, eh?), and we haven't had a drizzle.

Spent Monday at the zoo for the first time in heaven knows how long. Made the trip with my sister and her grandbabies. We had such a blast. Lincoln bought me a pass since it only cost $5 more than we were paying to get in to start with. I'm going to start walking there. We only saw half of it. The new exhibit Oklahoma Trials is one of the most awesome treats in the whole complex I think. I wasn't too enthusiastic about going to the zoo to see what we can see most any day, but truth is, we don't see it most any day, even if we can. Most of us are clumped up in these stupid cities, and when we aren't we aren't generally roaming pastures at night when fruit bats are feeding. Plus there are areas of the state I've never visited--like where the crocs are native. At any rate, it is worth seeing and I understand that it will continue to grow, even though the "grand unveiling" happened weeks ago.

Lincoln is off skiing. Hap is still doing school even though most of his buds are out this week. I'm so proud of him! He has one more test and he'll be finishing up his first high school course. It took him a little over a month, and he's acing it and feeling really good about something I think had him worried. I'm so happy we decided to go with American. He needs the reinforcement that Lincoln didn't; Lincoln's convinced he can do anything and everything from the start. Hap needs a few more pats on the back. Funny how we're all so different.

Lincoln is taking me to see Billy Joel on May 1st. Can you believe it? A teenager (but not for much longer) who doesn't mind being seen with his mother..... Well, notice it's not a concert that I imagine most of his friends will be on hand for. But still, the thought thrills me and I know the concert will.....

I'm beginning to feel like another long-term writing project would be nice. I think though that I will hold off until after the spring SCBWI conference, and perhaps till May, since I have plans to put some extra time into my ministry in April. Taxes still aren't finished, but I plan to change that by the end of next week. And we are putting our investment property into an LLC, and getting estimates to fix a ruined hardwood floor in one of our units, letters mailed to the previous tenant, praying for a solution we can all live with. The floors are truly damaged--not just small scratches. Whoever moves in next would not be inclined to take good care of the floors if they're left in the condition they are now. I'm learning all kinds of lessons I never dreamed I'd need, but I'm learning that every bit of eduction is fodder for the writing mill. So I'm filling the well. Not writing on paper, just in my head.

I'm also starting to dream about our October trip to the Northwest. I've got itchy feet. And how wonderful would it be to be able to use the setting or the information to write--

Oops lightning. Gotta go. :)