Um... well...

1. My books are doing fairly well.
2. I'm still working away on my WIP and my editing job.
3. And today I had the fun spending time in the school library with the third graders. I love when I'm able to help them find books they're looking for!

Good things:

1. Finally found a writing project that I'm somewhat excited about. Bonus: my writing group liked the first pages of it.
2. Unexpected new editing commission.
3. Have made quite a dent in the holiday shopping. Even have the cats taken care of!

It's been a while. There is much to be grateful for, but I'm almost too busy to list it all!

Today is my oldest's 13th birthday. I'm certainly grateful for him and all he's taught me—being a parent is just as much learning as teaching. I'm looking forward to the next ~5 years and already dreading the day he goes off to college or wherever. I love this kid so much it hurts.

I'm grateful that my books continue to do fairly well, and that I continue to be asked to speak at various venues. Another such request came in this morning. It makes me feel so official! (Well, and Google finally verified me, so now I really am official.)

I'm grateful for friends and family and having enough—more than enough, really. My needs are met. Clothes, shelter, clean water, food... I won't say I'm not seriously worried about the direction the world is moving, but I'm trying very hard to appreciate (and conserve) what we have. So many have far less.

We went through a week of really bad air due to fires north of us, and that left me grateful that all we had to deal with was bad air quality. I mean, that was terrible, for sure, and we were more or less stuck inside, but at least we didn't have a fire or lose our home or possessions or lives. Again, we're very fortunate.

As we slide into the holiday season, I continue to remind myself of all that good fortune. Even when I'm feeling rushed, stressed, overscheduled... My birthday is coming up. That's something to look forward to. And a new House of Representatives. Boy howdy won't that be nice.

I'm sure there is much more to appreciate, but again, it's impossible to list it all. Happy holidays to everyone, and I'll try to be better about updating.

The busiest parts of the week are now over.  I had my annual checkup and the kids have had theirs. I'm continuing to learn Japanese, though I don't know how useful any of the words I'm learning are likely to be if/when I travel there. Well, at least I enjoy learning for its own sake. And I've made progress on my WIP. Things roll on...

1. Got my flu shot.
2. Ordered in Chinese for dinner.
3. Democrats took back the House.

1. Met a writer friend for breakfast and she brought her adorable 9mo boy. He's so easy going, and he let me hold him without a fuss!
2. Constructive writing group meeting.
3. Hubby got me memrise as an early birthday present so I can continue to learn Japanese!

1. I didn't even need to leave the house today (though I did go for a morning walk). Since I'm facing a pretty hectic week, I was glad to have this lazy day.
2. I started rewriting a manuscript that received some brutal feedback from agents—feedback that made me doubt my very ability to write. I don't think I'll query or submit it again, but if I whip it into shape, I will self-publish it. And I'm glad to start feeling more confident again.
3. Pre-orders for the paperback version of Faebourne continue, which makes me feel quite good. And a little nervous. I hope these readers enjoy the book!

1. Doctor Who is good again.
2. DuckTales is back. (I know I've mentioned it before, but it still makes me really happy.)
3. Teen Titans Go!
4. Toffee chip cookies.
5. Family game night.

I've been away again. Not physically, but away from this blog. There's so much going on... Some good, some just meh. But today I did get a yummy lunch at Habit Burger. And I had fun dressing as Raven from Teen Titans Go! for Hallowe'en. (My daughter was Starfire.) I'm slowly progressing with learning Japanese—enough, at least, to get by when my friend and I travel there. Lucky for me, she's lived there and speaks and reads it better than I do (or will), plus has experience with the day-to-day of managing things like getting around and interacting with the locals.

On the flip side, I'm struggling with my current WIPs (there are two). I'm starting to be nervous about my upcoming presentation. Facing a busy week next week. And I just feel blah overall in spirit.

But I'll try to keep finding good things and updating more regularly. Maybe it will make me feel better.