Hey there,

Haven't logged in and written anything in such a long time.  Let me catch you up.

Over the Christmas Holidays 2011, I had rotator cuff surgery.

Been taking care of mumsie and trying to spend time with hubby around the edges which proves to be challenging.

Last week I headed out to my doctors in order to fend off an oncoming illness that my mother, husband, son and cousin had- all people who spend a great deal of time with me.  I told myself and anyone who would listen that it was odd that they all are sick and I'm the only one healthy.  Wow, talk about open mouth, insert foot.  Within two days I was erupting in mucous melodies for all to hear.  Even with the Z-Pak my doctor gave me last Wednesday, I have been down for the count, unable to think straight or keep up with the house or everyday things.

Inside Edition reports that after two short months the Honeymoon is over for Kim Kasdashian and Kris Humphries.  US Magazine and Perez Hilton all clang the bell for the demise of the two lovebirds married after a few short months of courtship.

Why do we care?

There's a book I read a long time ago that had an impact on me.  It is "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamont.  I can't explain why I like it or why I feel you should read it, but it is a book you should place on your to be read pile.

There are many times a fellow writer reads of another's success and wish, "Why can't that be me."  I'm sure there are times when you sat back from the computer after editing your work in process yet another time and wondered "What did she/he do that made an editor/agent/publisher take notice?"

The answer is simple.

This past weekend I attended the Pittsburgh Sisters in Crime Retreat 2011.  We stayed at That Dam Yough House http://www.thatdamyoughhouse.com in Confluence PA.

About a week and a half ago I stopped working for a steady paycheck.  It was a long time coming and something I've tried to do many times in the past.  You see, I've held more jobs than I can count.  Most of the time I didn't last longer than a newly placed trash can liner.  Not through anything horrible I did, well, other than accept the job in the first place.

Heard from an agent that my writing reminds her of Marcus Sakey.  So of course, I had to find out who this Marcus Sakey person is and how can I get my hands on a book of his.  That was the hard part.  I drove to Borders... nothing there.  Then I drove out of my way to B&N... no books there either.  Finally I decided to order them.

Since the Pennwriters Conference in May I have been polishing my first draft getting it ready to submit to an agent who is interested.  How cool is that?

So I won't be spending a lot of time on the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, etc...

With apologies the Jerry Garcia...

Seems like forever since I've been able to post something.  I guess it's good to be busy.

The last time I blogged I was at the Pennwriters Conference waiting to auction off the 51 baskets that were donated by many people.  A great big thanks from me to you if you're a business or person who donated.  The membership loved them all.