RockSugarBeets

It has taken me far too long to talk about the RockSugarBeets, so here I go...

A few of the people I met at the conference were so fantastic, in fact, that we ended up eating the last few dinners together and formed a write-and-share group (not a critique group, as we've all got plenty of that going on). If you check out Cindy and Jacqui's blog posts from L.A., you'll see what I mean. (Everyone else already blogged about this, and it'd be better if you'd just check out their blogs than if I regurgitated everything. I mean, really, twice-chewed news is about as nice as fish bits picked from a mama seagull's beak.) Be sure to check out their photos, too, since I apparently am failing at posting pics lately.

Yesterday was Elizabeth's 2nd birthday and we had four other two-year-olds come over for the party (with their parents, of course). There was much insanity, but it was good insanity, you know?

She was so happy to have kids over to play with. The presents were great (Little People toys, a hand-made Tinker Bell blanket, Crocs, clothes, and a tricycle), the food was great (Brewster's Ice Cream Cake), and the guests were great.

She was so wound up after everyone left that when she spoke on the phone with my mom, she told her "Happy Birthday." (Except it was "Happy Dirtday," because although she can say pterodactyl, she can't say birthday.)

This morning we punched balloons around the living room until after breakfast. And then we played with hairstyles. I was SO proud of getting this done on a moving target (even with her sitting in the sink) that I had to take a picture.

Today was our 3rd Anniversary. (Yes, our 1st anniversary was spent mostly in the hospital.) Since we didn't have childcare set up for the evening but we had it during the day (Kid's Day Out), we went to the obligatory Japanese restaurant for lunch. Jim wasn't expecting anything in the way of gifts, so I surprised him with a huge bag of new clothes and a cute card. He needed those clothes, and I needed him to get something else to wear so my eyes didn't burn out, but he would never have gone out and bought himself anything. I think he was pretty happy. Not the greatest of gifts, like, say, something for his bicycle, but oh well. Last year I had more time and made him a scrapbook of our wedding pictures.

I must get off the computer now, as I was just informed that I should be spending time with him tonight. ;-)

Sheba Gold

I'm plunging back into my research for my work-in-progress novel and having a blast on YouTube. I just watched a video done by Discovery Channel and BBC a few years ago on the Queen of Sheba mystery and current archaeology persuits. It's fantastic, and I want to buy it, but it's not available anywhere. Argh.

The clip I included is a 2:37 photo montage about Yemen, Sheba (Saba), the Great Dam of Marib, and other things I've researched. I didn't make the video, but did chuckle through it as it showed covers of books I've bought recently for research and other photos I've seen. Wish I could go to Marib!



I want to make this novel rich with detail, truth, and mystery. Sounds good, right? This book is going to be a joy to write and research!

Back from L.A.

My mind is still reeling and recuperating from my red-eye flight, but it was all worth it. I met some amazing people and feel inspired, confident, and ready to tackle anything the publishing world dishes out. It was nice to get away for once, and hang out with other writing moms (and dads).

Ok, so I meant to write more and create an exciting post, but I'm thinking longingly of my bed--and I can't go to it because I've got a house to clean, queries to dust off, and a non-napping kiddo.

Next time--photos and a "deeper" post.

SCBWI

Tomorrow I will be on my way to L.A. for the SCBWI Summer Conference. (Woohoo!!) Wish me luck.

When I get back, I'm sure I'll have loads to say. :-)

I just can't resist these things:

37 Odd Things About Me

1. Do you like blue cheese?

Yes, but only on really fresh salad.

2. Have you ever smoked?

Yes, about 6 cigarettes. Then I decided I did not like them and never would. Plus, it made me look ridiculous.

3. Do you own a gun?

No. And the one I took with me to Iraq was BROKEN. Can you believe that? I went 4 months there not realizing it didn't work. In the end, I got it fixed, but thankfully never needed it except at target practice. I hated that thing.

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite?

Sugar-Free Cherry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?

No, I get excited. Lame, I know.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?

They're ok. I feel guilty eating them, though, even the kosher ones.

7. Favorite Christmas movie?

White Christmas. (I love Danny Kaye.)

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

Earl Grey with milk and honey.

9. Can you do push ups?

Yes, but last time at the gym I realized my belly is so big now that it hits the ground before I can get all the way down. It made me giggle right in the middle of the class.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?

I have two: a ring Jim gave me with a sapphire stone, and a ring my mom gave me when I had my first baby, with a star-sapphire.

11. Favorite hobby?

Um, reading?

12. Do you have A.D.D.?

No. I'm too neurotic for that.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?

I had PRK eye surgery. (Don't do that--it's more painful than childbirth.)

14. Middle name?

Dawn.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?

I don't like it when Jim reads over my shoulder, we need to buy a washing machine, and I wonder if Elizabeth is asleep yet.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?

Water, tea, and lemonade.

17. Current worry?

Just one?

18. Current hate right now?

Parents who would rather be "cool" than care for their children.

19. Favorite place to be?

On the edge of a mist-covered lake, sipping apple cider.

20. How did you bring in the new year?

Well, don't blame me for the new year coming in--I was asleep when it happened.

21. Where would you like to go?

Western China

22. Name three people who will complete this?

Um, no.

23. Do you own slippers?

I think so.

24. What shirt are you wearing?

A white shirt with blue snow-flake looking embroidery. I look like a round snowball.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?

That sounds rather sticky.

26. Can you whistle?

Yes.

27. Favorite color?

Well, now, that changes frequently. Earlier tonight I thought lilac was rather pretty.

28. Would you be a pirate?

Not unless the other choice was to be taken down by one.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?

Oh, I can sing the whole soundtrack to Sound of Music. But sometimes it's the theme song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, a Wiggles tune, or Elmo's theme.

30. Favorite Girl's Name?

Well, there was this story about an immigrant family who found a beautiful name for their infant daughter in a dictionary: Diarrhea. But really, if this next kid had been a girl, she would have been Penelope.

31. Favorite boy's name?

Not gonna say.

32. What's in your pocket right now?

nothing

33. Last thing that made you laugh?

I can't remember, but earlier I laughed because Elizabeth got way too excited over seeing a monkey on TV. And she had to "be" one.

34. What vehicle do you drive?

Subaru Outback.

35. Worst injury you've ever had?

The second time I broke my arm. But healing up from childbirth took a helluva lot longer.

36. Do you love where you live?

I always do. Temporarily.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house?

One. We were going to have none, but one showed up on our doorstep at Christmas.

Made me laugh

I was just browsing a baby website, and for 23 weeks (where I'm at now), it said: Your baby is about 11½ inches long and weighs 1 pound, or about the length and weight of a Harry Potter book.

Made me giggle.

Catching Up

I don't know when we'll get the England photos downloaded. Maybe tomorrow?

Elizabeth FINALLY took a nap today, which gave me time to get away and write. We purposefully spent two hours at the pool trying the sun+water=nap formula, and it worked. :-) So while Jim was tinkering with his ever-problematic SVX (a car), I slunk off to Starbucks with my dana and wrote a new scene in my new book. At this rate, I might be done with the first draft in, oh, a year.

But it was fun spilling a bunch of water over a cliff. (The scene.)

The more I dip into Ali's world, the easier it is to jot down the story. Even if the story right now is difficult, and bumpy, and looks more like my first attempt at knitting--going off the straight line and far from perfect. Bah! Perfection is for second drafts!