My to-do list

Hmmm. Yep, it's official. I have nothing amazing to say today.

So, I thought I'd share a random thing that has nothing to do writing.

You know, in case someone else's boring life is more exciting than your own.

Lately I've been researching...

*How to pour a concrete sidewalk.

Guess what step one is. Planning and tools. You would think this would be obvious, but there is something to be said about starting a project with all the stuff you need.

Beyond that, and within the text of the process it states, "Caution: do not lose an eye." Well said.

I could lose an eye putting in a sidewalk???

People, this is why I need some help from a man who figures things out. And is strong. Good thing I'm married to one.

Now all I need to do is find him about two days worth of free time. Ha ha ha aha ha ha... oh, that was a good one.

Which is why I'm actually reading the "How to pour a concrete sidewalk" article. And I still think I couldn't do this thing alone. Very well. Cement is heavy.

Hmmm. The mud path leading to my front door will have to wait until it stops raining. After that, we'll see how desperate I am to fix it. If you see me outside with tools, you'll know.

St. Patrick's Day 2012

St. Patrick's Day was a whole lot of fun this year! We visited four elementary schools and loved the excitement and energy we received as we danced. What a fun Friday for us.

Some of our dancers had their first St. Patrick's Day experience dancing show after show. Saturdays were filled with lots of performances. Thanks to everyone for making it a rich experience. We had a unique appeal that included singing, violin, a drum and a guitar. And dancing. We must have the dancing.

It was a joy to be involved with. I look forward to many more shows from Shamrock Irish Dance.

Laughing in that...

It's-Not-Even-Funny sort of way.

I keep waiting to have something fabulous to share. Something funny, inspirational, educational, interesting or thought-provoking.

That explains why it's been a couple weeks. That, and I've been making Irish costumes like mad.

The season of Irish dance shows is coming up! Our first show of many is this Saturday. Shamrock Irish Dance is my new project. It's a long story, but at the end of it, I can tell you that I never really meant to have my own Irish studio, it's a ton of work, and I'm still waiting to see if it will ever get off the ground. But, at the end of the day, I have dancers who are steadily improving in this art. Isn't that the only reason I ever decided to teach dance?

Yes, it is. It does come down to that. In spite of everything else.

Switching gears completely now... here's the most intriguing rejection letter I've ever gotten. Read it. Is it just me, or does this sound like a yes with a no at the end? Like I said, I'm laughing in the it's-not-even-funny sort of way. What are you gonna do?

Dear Laura,

I am so proud of you. You’ve improved the work ten-fold. I never, ever expected you to get back to me as quickly as you did and when I heard back I was fairly certain the work would be so-so because that’s usually what happens. Writers work hard to “fix” and end up missing the mark. Instead, you’ve done well to hit on things I was most concerned about and I’m so impressed.

Here’s the kicker; as an agency we’ve made the decision to refrain from taking new clients because we’ve been so very blessed with the clients currently on board. It seems as though one sale has led to another and we’ve become all the more busy in an effort to ready ourselves for upcoming releases. Mind you…I’m not complaining, but it’s an amazing process!

More than anything I encourage you to continue shopping the work because I think it’s so good. I do believe you write well and you have a lovely future ahead of you.

Best wishes as you go – I want ARC’s!