1. Lent is over, it's Holy Thursday and I meant to post more often. You know since I gave up TV I should've had more time, right? But I did get more revising done and that's always good. Plus I had report cards and conferences in there too. But honestly my Lent cheating guilt kept me from posting. Jesus suffered and starved so I couldn't come on here and post how the stress of 22 kindergartners forced me into Starbucks a few times in those 40 days, could I?

2. I've seen Hunger Games twice now, so obviously I love it. I never see movies twice in the theater because who can afford it? But we have an old, cheap theater nearby, complete with a stage, velvet curtains, and Christmas trees that adorn each side of the stage year-round. The owner smokes in the box office but the tickets and popcorn are cheap! Since it's spring break I may have to take the kids to it again. I'm thrilled they stayed true to the book, but of course I always want more. But then they can't do a five hour movie, can they? Darn.

3. Speaking of seeing movies more than once in the theater, I did take my daughter and her friend to see Titanic last night. Back when it came out in 1997, before I had kids and was about 50 pounds lighter, my sister and I saw it twice in the theater. And since then I've watched it about 100 times on TV. I'm not sure why they re-released it in 3D. I'm not a fan of 3D movies. Number one I hate putting glasses on over my glasses and number two I have to take Dramamine so I don't get sick. Dramamine makes me sleepy. Titanic is a 3 hour movie. Still loved it but so glad when the credits rolled.

4. The highlight of my life is coming soon: The SCBWI Western Washington Conference! Yes I'm excited about what I'll learn and the online friends I'll get to see. But what I am most excited about (and always am) is the two days away from home and family and only having to clothe and feed and care for MYSELF! Is that horrible? Well really if it is I don't care.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent and I'm going big with my give-ups this year, even posting them to keep me honest.

I'm giving up sugar/sweets. This is so hard. I'm also giving up TV (except a little news) which pains me since The Voice, The Amazing Race, and Celebrity Apprentice all just started, not to mention Smash, which I love, even though it's on too late for me. No night time TV will keep me on track with revisions. Unless I read instead.

I just finished my last latte, as I'm giving up lattes. I bought a Keurig for my birthday last September as an attempt to kick the latte habit but I haven't been able to so far. Maybe I can do it for Jesus.

Also, the family doesn't know it, but we're all giving up restaurants, fast food, and school lunches. Mom must cook more. Imagine the money we'll save, even though we only go out a few times a month. It adds up.

I can do this, it's only 40 days, right?

1. Can you verbally describe the story you're writing? I am horrible at this. Though I've been told I have a pretty good logline for my current story, if someone asks for elaboration, I'm in trouble. This week I realized I'm equally horrible at describing the books I read, the TV shows I love, and the movies I see. Definitely something to work on.

2. While I'm sticking faithfully to my New Year's resolution to write daily, my health goals haven't been so easy. Is anyone doing Weight Watchers? I'm doing it on my own with the Points so I'll probably update progess here. Maybe it will work better that way.

3. If you are gluten-free, I just tried Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crust for the first time, and all I can say is FINALLY! Someone finally got store-bought, GF pizza crust right. Thank you, Udi's! (Hey I know it's pizza but I'm within my Points, so there.)

4. Another thing I love is Maggie Stiefvater's Scorpio Races. Read it. I won't describe it because I'll fail.

The Help is my favorite movie of the year. Even though I already saw the movie in the theater last summer, I slacked off on my own writing this month so I could spend time reading about Aibileen, Skeeter, and Minny. Because I hoped I'd get the DVD for Christmas.

I did.

If you get the chance, please read the book, and see this movie.

As if I needed one more thing to do for Christmas, I found a mini obsession to distract me from revising.

CAKE POPS!

Aren't they cute? I learned to make them here .

Happy Friday!

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since April! But I have been reading your blogs.

I teach kindergarten and the other day we had Erik Brooks visit our school! Of course he came for the kids but since I write I was definitely more excited than my class! I don't tell folks at school that I write because it's hard to talk about it when you don't have an agent yet and they ask when your book is coming out. They don't understand how long it takes and how much rejection there is. You know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I so enjoyed hearing about his journey and what I really wanted to do was raise my hand and and say 'hey I write too'! and ask him about all his rejections and how long it took to get his first book published, etc. I came away so inspired! Revisions have been difficult with this novel and I really needed this inspiration!

Right now I really want to write but we're off to go get our Christmas tree!

Check out the son's new room! I should've put up a before picture but just imagine two shades of baby blue. This was a fun project but I'm glad it's done. If you hover the mouse over each picture there is an explanation.

Thanks to a post by jessica_shea I found out that Etsy sells more than just jewelry and accesories.  They sell notebooks!  Since her post I have ordered a notebook for myself and for my sister divawriter 's birthday (no peeking, sis!)

As I have a special affinity for Moleskin notebooks, this notebook is speeding its way through the mail to me.  A little spendy for a notebook, but as I am a true hoarder, I will keep it forever!  Thank you, Jessica!