I've been quiet...sort of.

It's been much longer than intended since I've updated the blog. And now I'm sitting here in front of the dreaded blank screen wondering where to start.
My Spring and Summer (so far) have been packed full with all sorts of adventures and planning for the next one. We've been doing the typical suburban parent thing of running the kids everywhere--side note, do think other parents would get behind me if I signed up as an Uber care and charged them to transport their darlings all over the place? And would that mean I could keep my own kids allowance money to pay for their trips? Hmmm....
I'm kidding. Mostly.
Hubs built me an amazing garden set up which has quickly taken over everything. I'm loving all the fresh veggies! The oldest kid is in football (of course) the youngest is swimming and I discovered I turned the Stud in my novel into a Dud.
*deep sigh*
It took a lot of hair pulling, teeth gnashing and more than a little wine to get me to admit it, even to myself. But my wonderful Hero is now a Beta-man with absolutely nothing interesting about him. He was playing it too safe to get the girl. When I was speaking to an editor about what I'd done she looked me dead in the eye (with her husband sitting on the other side of her, I might add) and said, "Here's the thing. All men are assholes. You can't get rid of it."
So, I'm re-writing. A lot.

That's why I've been so quiet lately. What have you been up to?

And, since it's National Book Lover's Day, I'd like to be the first to officially invite you all to the Emerald City Writers' Conference Reader Appreciation Event! It'll be held October 17 from 6-8pm in the Bellevue (Washington) Westin Hotel grand ballroom (on the 3rd floor).
We're working on the official flyers for the event, but in the meantime, this is the program ad. Isn't it pretty?

Hope to see you all there!

Back to School

Yes, I know other parts of the country have been back to school for a few weeks already, but around here the kids are enjoying one last hurrah this weekend before heading back into class next week.

My dining room table is covered with school supplies, which makes my heart sing. Is there anything more fun than all that brand new stuff? The boys aren't quite as impressed with it all as I am, but they humor me each time I ask, "Isn't it cool?"

I admit, I love the routine of the school year. The definite start time, end time. The knowledge that everyone is on the same page (or supposed to be) in terms of what they're studying and where they need to be.

What are you doing to celebrate the return to school? Or the last weekend of freedom as my children have dubbed it. (so dramatic...I wonder where they get that?)