Since the semester ended, I've been living so much that writing isn't the top thing on the list.  Maybe I shouldn't say what I've been doing is living, exactly, but it's what I've been doing, and a lot of what I've been doing seems to be slightly crazy and light and fluffy.

I have been writing, working on the novel that I wrote a couple of years ago, received agent critique on, and put away because it involved too much to contemplate.  Well, I was clearly lazy or in denial because the writing is going well and it's fun and amazing.  It's not my "Whoo-hoo" down the river of creativity (Ericka Lutz came up with that idea), but it's close enough, allowing me the space to lose myself in a story I really enjoyed writing.  Soon, I'll be close to the end of it, and then my agent will have three novels to sell (lucky guy).

And my agent did like my new novel, but as there is one that has been floating out there with eight or so editors for months (that's just hard to deal with), he wants to wait until it either is accepted or bites the dust before sending this new one out into the world.  Fair enough.  He knows what he's doing, after all.

So what has my living consisted of?  Well, damn if I didn't get the competitive urge with the Redroom contest. I haven't felt this avid about a contest since I played four square in grammar school.   For about three days I was number 2, but I have fallen to number 3, and it's only a matter of time before I will just let nature take it's course.  But man, those were an exciting three days!

Due to my pal Belle Yang, I joined facebook, and that is one crazy social network.  What are we all doing there?  What is the meaning of it?  I am receiving little eggs from people and snow globes and plants.  I have had interesting conversations with old friends, met some new folk, and famous poets have asked to be my friend.  I have the most educated and talented friends I've ever had in my life!  All so prolific and well-reviewed and charming!  Facebook is quite strangely remarkable and possibly a total waste of time.  But wow!  Facebook blows out myspace.  Sorry to have to say it, but it's much more fun.

I've caught up on:  season one of Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Gallatica, Masterpiece Theater (Cranford was wonderful), and The Tudors.  Last night, we watched the third Shrek movie.  As you can see, I've been making great use of my non-teaching time.

We are planning our vacation, and I've been organizing sundresses.  And buying them, too.  Swim suits.  Yes, I braved the swim suit dressing room, walking into the small box like space, observing myself in the pale, slightly green fluorescent light, seeing the horrifying reflection in the mirror--and I survived!  And bought two suits.  Yay!

Since school ended, I've eaten out five times.  Very decadent and wonderful.  Today will be number six. 

Finally, I'd like to welcome Josie Iselin to the "I's".  There were only two of us for a while, and it's nice to be surrounded.  I's are a lonely bunch in the alphabet.  When I go to the yearly Romance Writers of America literacy signing, Jackie Ivie and I bond.  We are always near each other, and it's very cozy in an "I" kind of way.

So that's my report from the front lines.  Holding at number three, ready to accept my slip down the ladder!  Going to Facebook to send someone a snow globe.

Jessica