1. Survived my daughter's birthday party despite having a migraine. At least the cake was good.
2. Was able to nap after the party.
3. Lots of compliments on my hair color. This is probably because I wore it down, which I don't usually do.

Ended up in the middle of a lockdown drill with a bunch of kindergartners today. I wouldn't call that a "good" thing—the fact we need such drills at all is a whole issue I don't feel like taking up at this late hour and on so little sleep—but there is a little game I've created to help the kids through it. I tell them it's a "T-rex" drill. See, most kids have seen some Jurassic Park movie, or heard about one through a sibling, so they all know that a T-rex can't see you if you stay still. And he can't hear you if you're super quiet. So that's what I tell the kids: "Pretend there is a T-rex out there somewhere." Kids are great at pretending. And dinosaurs are way less scary than, "There might be someone with a gun out there."

I didn't get quite as much writing done as I would have like, but I did post a short video. Also, my book The Fall and Rise of Peter Stoller is just 99 cents for a few days.

Evening out with my oldest. We had dinner then went to see King Lear (the NTLive production featuring Ian McKellen as Lear). It was his first official Shakespeare, and he really enjoyed it. Managed to follow along fairly well, though asked me to confirm what was happening now and then.

Also, I managed to fix some issues with my WIP. I had an info dump chapter that wasn't working, but I *think* it does now.

1. Wrote about 1500 words today.
2. There continues to be interest in Faebourne.
3. Took the kids to see Labyrinth on the big screen. They've seen it, but not in a cinema. I haven't seen it in a cinema since I was eight. So that was fun.

I know. I've been away a few days. In truth, I was having a down spell and didn't feel like coming here to think up good things to write about. I'm still struggling to think of any, but I'll say the reaction to my posting the first chapter of Faebourne has been encouraging. And when I wrote about the homosexual romance in the book—fully expecting backlash because readers of the genre are sometimes religious and homophobic—I was actually told that readers were very interested and hoping to preorder. (On that note: I hope to have preorders up in the next couple weeks.)

So, yeah. Those are good things.

And the amazing full moon my son and I saw this morning while I drove him to school? That was pretty cool, too.

Eh. Nice lunch out with the hubby, I guess. And then we ordered in for dinner, too. We were lazy today, at least when it came to cooking. It's been a stressful week in terms of psychology and emotions.

Honestly, it was a difficult day, at least in spirit. But I did get some writing done. That's about the best I can say for the day.

1. Got writing done, including a really difficult scene in which I had to put a knife in a character I love.
2. Chinese food for dinner.
3. Showing the kids Defunctland on YouTube.

1. My function of beauty shampoo arrived. I love the smell and the way my hair feels!
2. Got the grocery shopping over with. Not fun, but at least it's done.
3. Got a bit more writing done, too.

1. Met the writing goal I set for myself.
2. Found a new standup comedian to enjoy.
3. Have a relatively uncomplicated week ahead.

1. I love having my kitty curl up next to me while I sleep.
2. Got a bit more writing done. Not as much as yesterday, but every little bit counts.
3. Margaritas with dinner.

1. I'm getting so close to done with my WIP. Trying not to rush the ending, though.
2. Had a lazy day at home.
3. Also, there was fudge.

1. More writing.
2. Helping kids in the school library. I really love encouraging good interactions with books.
3. Someone with a large Twitter following retweeted me.

1. Doctor says my ear is healing quite nicely. My hearing is slowly improving, too.
2. Have had beautiful weather in the 70s.
3. My cat has been especially sweet lately. I love when he curls up next to me in bed.

Survived my busiest day of the week: grocery shopping, taking my son to TWO appointments, and a PTA meeting. I also had to pick my daughter up from a friend's house in there somewhere. Anyway, mostly glad the day is over. Another busy one tomorrow but not quite as bad.

Got a little more writing done.

. . . That's it, really. I'm actually feeling a bit down about not having any Pitch Wars requests. At least the agent who asked for pages last week emailed to confirm receipt today and let me know I'd hear from her again soon. Alas, what agents and authors consider "soon" can be days, weeks, months apart.

I'm being taught patience, I suppose. Again. Some more. Not one of my strengths.

But I've been enjoying the biography of Elizabeth II I've been reading. Aloud. To the cats. I can't tell if they enjoy it, too. But when I start reading, they come lay down nearby, so I guess they must like it.

1. A day at home getting writing done (and laundry, and dishes). Nice not to have to rush out places.
2. Also a nice little writing group meeting.
3. And I'm just so grateful to everyone who is buying and reading my books. It warms my heart. Thank you, thank you, for imbibing my words!

Both my boys did well in their fencing tournament today. It was my youngest son's first ever tournament, and it was my older son's first time in the senior division. They each held their own. So proud of them! We celebrated by having a late lunch/early dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Yay for chicken-fried steak!

1. Mom-and-daughter breakfast at IHOP.
2. Meeting friends for coffee. (Well, in my case chai.)
3. Getting a little more writing done.

1. Helped kids find books in the library.
2. Finished some key revisions.
3. Got more work done on my WIP.

1. Survived the busiest day of the week.
2. Received a request from a literary agent.
3. Tomorrow is Friday.

1. A relatively painless PTA meeting.
2. A little more writing.
3. More rowing machine. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy rowing.

Actually, I had dreams about people trying to kill me, which wasn't very pleasant and made for not a lot of sleep. But I still had an okay day because:

1. No appointments or errands. Just had to get the kids to and from school. The rest of the day was mine.
2. Got a wee bit of writing done. (Like, a teeny bit.)
3. Did I mention that I was not required to jump in the car and go places and do stuff? I did do stuff around the house like laundry and dishes, but pffft. That's easy peasy.

1. Rowing machine!
2. More progress on my WIP.
3. Fun writing group meeting.

1. Day at the ballpark.
2. But still managed to avoid the crowded trains.
3. Family game night.

1. Celebrated our daughter's 10th birthday with a family get together. Was a nice time.
2. Also had some one-on-one time with my oldest. Really enjoyed that.
3. Hubby finally set up my rowing machine. Yay!