So I'll  leave you with a quote from David Romanelli's Yeah Dave's Guide to Livin' The Moment: Getting to Ecstacy through Wine, Chocolate and your iPod Playlist 

"Those little shifts in how we see the world are more important than any monumental job changes or geographical moves. So think twice before you take that journey to the ends of the earth. For one slumming in the pits of the mind, even the most exotic trip can be a hollow experience. But to one with a sweet perspective, a simple bike ride through the neighborhood can be the most amazing adventure."

Hear that? It was the sound of my bike bell. And I'm off...

Where the heck did June go? *blinks*

We had a fantastic, perfectly awesome weekend in the City. Great food, great art, great...well it was our 15th anniversary and we were kids free for the first time in two years, so you fill in the blank. *grins* 
 

Stay tuned. Tomorrow: King Tut!!!!!!!

So, I haven't been writing much these last two weeks. My head has been on summer vacation, I've had massive upheavals in my regular writing routine and a kid with a summer cold to boot. Mix my anticipation of our anniversary getaway this weekend -- Lords of the Samurai show, WHEE! - King Tut exhibit, YES! - 48 plus hours kids free in San Francisco, WOOFREAKINGHOO! - and I've been fairly useless on the writing front.

I rarely drag a chapter like this though. I've been sitting on chapter eleven for over two weeks, and I only need about 8 more pages to finish it off. The problem is - or was - that I thought I needed something from a particular character's POV. She's never the easiest character for me to write anyway, and she's just done something fairly horrific, even though her intentions were good. So I started, stopped, deleted. Did it again. Chewed on it for a few days. Begged her to give it up.

Then, last night, right before I fell asleep, her twin pops into my head and starts yakking. No big surprise, because he's like that. And in the course of unwinding the last bit of the chapter for me, informs me that she is passed out cold in his best friend's arms. And yeah, he's maybe more freaked about his long-time friend lusting after the sister who looks a hell of a lot like him than he is about the fact that she's unconscious. Because hey - he kind of wishes he could join her. Things are emotionally messy for him, and his MO is to check out when that happens, but that just isn't an option anymore. Darn, it sucks to grow up and be responsible.

It's going to be a great scene - funny, sad and ending with some kick butt action. I can't wait to write it.

And the moral is? *points up at post title*

Sometimes, you have to let things unravel at their own pace and evolve organically. When you really get stuck, you can always try switching POVs.
 

Fifteen years. They haven't been perfect, haven't always been easy, but we've lived them together.

I'm thankful I found love so early in my life, and that we've managed to grow up together instead of growing apart. I'm thankful for the security, the passion, the trust and the laughter. For the boys we're raising together and the home we've created.

I'm thankful to Kris, for volunteering to keep our sons this weekend so that we can escape for a little romance.

Speaking of a little romance, if you'd like to read how ours began, check out my post at The Witchy Chicks Blog:

http://witchychicks.blogspot.com/
 

Happy Anniversary, Baby. The thing I'm most grateful for - pretty much every minute of every day - is your love.

My rules, to be exact. About how I spend my kid-free time, i.e., writing my ass off.

I'm playing hooky today, because Rob Breszney said that's what Geminis should do this week.

*points here* -->
http://www.freewillastrology.com/horoscopes/gemini.html

He says, specifically, "I suggest you try a similar tack, Gemini: To access important information that your deep mind has been sequestering, go play a while."

Since yesterday's writing revelations indicated that my deep mind has been holding out on me (in the form or characters, but hey, we all manifest our neurosis uniquely) I busted away from my desk without an ounce of guilt. Even though I'm not finishing a single chapter in a week when I'd planned to write two. (Okay, maybe there is a drop of guilt in there, but I'm NOT indulging it.)

Did a nice walk with my BFF, then blew the benefits of 3 miles on brunch and lattes. Came back to my place for more coffee - because really, who can ever have too much? - and am now looking at 2 hours before my kiddos need to be picked up at camp. So, I could theoretically finish that chapter...or not.  I guess I'll open the MSS, stare at it a minute and see what happens.

Worst case scenario, I knock out some pages. Or maybe that's best case? Either way, I'm very happy right now, and there's something burbling up in my heart - no, silly, it isn't a gas pain. I'm not sure what I unearthed by playing, but it feels like something good, so huzzah for playing hooky!
 

It's official. Today is the last day of school. I can't believe how fast this year has flown.

Actually, yes I can. And if I let myself, I can easily get looped into my usual trip about how bendy time is. It goes by at lightspeed yet creeps like a snail . Blink your eyes and that  baby you held is becoming a man-child. Look in the mirror and check out the wrinkles. Eek.

Ah, well. It has been a year well done for my sons. They both had great social and academic success this year. Here's hoping next year is just as stellar for them.

We'll be heading to Santa Cruz Friday morning and when we get back, they jump right into summer camp. (Their choice, not mine.) We'll take a couple of weeks to get used to that routine, and since the summer is so short this year (just 10 weeks!) we'll barely get the rhythm down before it all changes again.

I'm hoping for other changes by then too - good changes involving my career. *fingers crossed*

In the meantime, it's all about summer.

• Birthdays, even if they make me older.
• Beach houses !!!!!!!
• The chance to really walk in my characters' footsteps.
• Red dragonflies that love my pond.
• My parents, for telling me I could do anything and believing it, too.
• Chocolate gelato (sin on a spoon).
• Great reads. Strange Angels ROCKS.
• Friday Night Lights Season 3 on DVD.
• Magic and ritual.
• Trades with the Icon Faery.
• Good sleep.
• My friends - so much love. =)