Friday... time for a getaway!

Instead of a friday five, I'm just going to do a short post today. I'm crazy busy getting ready to go on a trip. By the time you read this, I'll be on the road to Cali for a Memorial Day getaway with my family before baby girl arrives. Woohoo!

Yes, I am super pregnant, and yes, that is a LOOONG drive for us. But I will get through it so that I can enjoy the feel of sand between my toes, the sound of the ocean crashing on the shore, the cry of seagulls overhead... Ah... I can't wait! We are staying in a condo right on the beach. My kids are so excited, SonB (who is 2) has been saying, "Mommy, I'm so essited [excited] to go to California! I'm essited to take my shovel and bucket to the BEACH!" all week.

We'll be gone until Wednesday, so until then, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend (for those in the U.S.), and a great start to your week. Catch you on the flip side!

Um... whoops?

So, apparently it's Wednesday. And I didn't do a post on time. Or even close to on time. Um, yeah. I have no excuse. Just... whoops. #sarafail

But probably everyone is at BEA anyway, and didn't notice my lack of posting, right? Man I wish I were at BEA. Someday I hope. Did anyone nab any awesome ARCs--particularly ones you would be willing to share with me? *wink, nudge, cough*

I did just buy Veronica Roth's DIVERGENT and can't wait to read it -- all I keep hearing is how amazing it is. I'm saving it for the holiday weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend?

A little J.K. Rowling to start the week

As most of my older followers know, I LOVE Harry Potter. I think J.K. Rowling is a genius. One thing that a lot of people overlook, are the little pearls of wisdom she sprinkled throughout her books. Here's one to start off the week:

"It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -- J.K. Rowling

Isn't that true? I know extremely talented people who just don't have the drive or dedication to make something of themselves; whereas I also I know people who maybe don't have as much natural talent who bust their butts and become incredible at what they're pursuing.

I know people who had amazing potential for good, but made choices that took them down paths of greed and selfishness and destroyed their potential. I also know people who were raised in enviroments where everything was against them, and they rose above it all and became amazing people who touch more lives for good than they could ever realize.

To put a little spin on the quote, it is our choices who MAKE us who we are.

What do you think?

Friday Five: the late edition

1. As you may have noticed, this post is later than normal. Sorry about that. I don't really have an excuse except for being super busy. And also tired. And really, really pregnant. And busy.

2. As I mentioned in my last post, it's been raining here. A lot. So much that I'm beginning to wonder if we somehow got transported to the Northwest peninsula. If I were into sparkly vampires, my hopes would be getting higher for a sighting any minute now.

3. Because of that rain, my plans to take my kids to the zoo today (since SonA was out of school) got nixed. Bummer. Now I'm trying to figure out how to entertain him inside, at home, yet again. Maybe I should convince him that cutting and gluing preschool art projects is super fun; that way he can help me get my work done for my job and I'll have more time to write tonight. A 6-year-old's work would totally look good enough, right? I'm totally kidding, but it's a nice thought!

4. Pools are supposed to open next weekend, but I'm thinking it might not happen. High 40s and rain isn't conducive to sitting out by the pool. There go my plans to take the kids and let them swim everyday until I have this baby. I guess the bright side to that is the fact that no one will have to see me in a swimsuit while I'm this pregnant any time soon...

5. Writing is really therapeutic for me sometimes. I've been in a funk this week, most likely because of the icky weather. Confession time: I have barely written this week. *blushes* I know, I know! I always say to write every day and I usually do. I promise to rectify that immediately. Well, not immediately because I have to go make lunch for my boys, and clean up, and yeah. But you know, soon. Like tonight. When they're in bed.

What's on your mind this Friday? Hope you all have a great weekend!

Rain, rain go away

Does the weather affect your mood? I actually usually enjoy a rainy, stormy day. But we have had way too few sunny, warm days this year. I want the sun.

However, this kind of weather is conducive to writing for me. I love to curl up with my laptop, some beautiful music, and write to the sound of the rain pounding on my windows.

How about you? Do you have weather you prefer when you're writing, or do you not care?

Blogger Lameness

The weirdest thing happened last week--Blogger stopped working! I couldn't believe it. Wait, you already knew that? Oh. Right.

Yeah, that was very strange and frustrating. But it seems to be up and working again, so hurray. *half-heartedly tosses confetti*

The saddest part is that you all had to miss out on my Friday Five because of it. I know, many tears were shed. I'm very sorry about the loss you all must have suffered. Ha ha. Ha.

So, back to business as usual now.

Let's get a little quotage to start the week, shall we? Here's a fun one:

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” ~ Albert Einstein

I have a pretty active imagination, which can be good or bad, depending on the situation. Being scared of the dark because I am picturing all sorts of horrible things happening=bad imagination. Coming up with a new book idea that sucks me right into an awesome new world of characters=good imagination.

What about you? Where does your imagination take you?

Writing with distractions

As a mom of two young boys and a baby on the way, with a part time job, and my other "jobs" (housekeeper, chef, laundress, etc.), life is busy. I often get asked how I make time for writing. The way I get asked this varies from, "Wow, how do you fit writing in?" to "Boy, I wish I had time to write. That must be so nice." Ha ha. Ha. Cue my attempt to not appear annoyed. I have to make time for writing by sacrificing other stuff--TV, movies, sometimes the organization of my house, sleep... you know. The usual. I've posted about this before. I've also gotten good at multitasking. Thinking about plot stuff or my latest revision notes while making dinner or doing the dishes. Writing on my laptop while the kids play. Stuff like that.

Many of you are in the same boat, trying to write with young families, and some of you aren't.

Everyone is busy though, in their own ways. Everyone has distractions. Yours might not be miniature humans who require constant supervision, entertainment, feeding, cleaning, and care. But everyone has something (or many things) that could keep them from finding the time to write.

What are your distractions? And how do you make time to write?