What I'm reading: "One Night In Boston" by Allie Boniface -- now that I finally FOUND the blasted thing -- I couldn't find it when I met Allie, so couldn't get it autographed... took me a few days, but I did locate it in my massive piles of books and papers, and now must wait until the next time I see Allie. Unless I lose it again) and "You, On A Diet" (again... to remind myself how I should be eating).

What I'm eating: Nothing, yet ... I'm waiting until DD and DH leave to go boating so I can make some squash pancakes for breakfast. Yum.

What I'm drinking: Coffee with chocolate soy milk.

What I'm watching: The screen on my computer, and occasionally the blue jays chasing off all the other birds on my feeders, even though they are too big to eat from them.

What I'm listening to: DD sniffling on the couch -- seems she finally has allergies, the clack of my computer keys, and the birds outside (I think I would dislike the blue jays less if they had a prettier voice).

What I have scheduled in the week ahead of me: nothing much, thankfully: doggy class (we're doing our best to get Dd certified as a Canine Good Citizen... I'm having serious doubts), school for DD, and I want to get DD signed up for art lessons at a nearby gallery (they offer them for homeschoolers, so I can do the lesson during the day!). I imagine we'll probably go to the library at least once, and to the store.

What I'm feeling: Overwhelmed. I have far too much too do -- and it's to the point where I waste time trying to figure out what I should tackle first!

What I want: More time, and better focus. I miss writing... to the point where severe depression is beginning to seep in to my bones. I have some things completed, but not submitted, because they are waiting for at least a second set of eyeballs. Unfortunately, those eyeballs are as busy as mine. I also want to move. I don't want to stay here for another winter... but short of a miracle, I will be. I want my DD to be happy and make more friends -- friends who actually have time to play now and then (why do people schedule their kids so tightly that they have no down time at all?). I want a dog who behaves and a garden that produces more tomatoes than I can eat. I want to see my mom again, and my friends who live across country. Oh... and world peace.

G

I can’t believe it. The Long and the Short of It (http://www.longandshortreviews.com/) is almost ONE YEAR OLD! Who would have thought that last year, when I said to Judy(http://jhthomas.blogspot.com/), “I think I want to start a reviews blog... do you want to help a little?” that we would be where we are today???

It's been so much fun, and the best part has been all the truly amazing, gracious and talented authors we've worked with.

We knew we had to do something special to celebrate our birthday, so we are having a blowout party and you are all invited. We have a month of fun planned... and some of our very favorite writers are involved.

Every day, from August 1st to the 26th, you can visit one of our author sponsors to find out how to win her special prize. Not only that... but with each daily entry you’ll also be entered into the drawing for the $50 Amazon Gift Certificate we’ll be giving away on our actual anniversary date of August 27, 2008.

You can also get an entry for the grand prize just by telling other people about it on your website and/or blog... just enter the link on Mr. Linky on the anniversary page (http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/anniversary1.htm). If you have a daily entry, your Mr. Linky will also count as an extra entry for that contest.

You can see all the authors that are participating on our anniversary page. The question and link to their site will be on our anniversary page on their designated day. Be sure and check every day, because once the link is gone.. it’s gone and you’ve lost your chance at that particular prize (and for your entry that day for the Grand Prize).

So... tell your friends. Tell your relatives. Tell your blog buddies. Tell your loops. Tell the strangers in the street. The Long and the Short of It is ONE WHOLE YEAR OLD!!! And giving away twenty-six prizes from twenty-six great authors AND a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate. How cool is that?

;-)

I love summer!

I love the heat. I love the fresh, local produce. I love taking walks. I even love weeding. Yes, I really do!

I do not love the fact that it's harder than ever to make time to write. The lure of sunshine and fresh air and flowers... picking blueberries in the backyard. Playing with the dog, or hopscotch with my daughter.

My writing has dropped off to nearly non-existent. I don't wish for winter, exactly, but I do wish I could focus better. I'm working on it but...

HEY! Is that a butterfly? More Monarchs!

:::wanders off:::

PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED*

It's said everyone has at least one story inside them. This is your chance to let yours out. The Long and the Short of It (http://www.longandshortreviews.com/SSContest.htm) is seeking the best new short story 1,000 words or less.

So... put on your thinking cap, dial up your muse, and give it a shot. The story must be a romance and must end with a HEA. PG-13 or less, please. You can see samples of the types of stories we're looking for by checking the short story archive at the bottom of this page.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive (a $155 value!):

*Publication on The Long and the Short of It website
*A banner for their blog or website (
*One year free book cover/banner advertising
*Six months of author pages
*An award certificate suitable for framing.

The First prize Winner will receive (an $85 value!):

*Publication on The Long and the Short of It website
*A banner for their blog or website
*Six months of author pages
*Three month free book cover/ banner advertising
*An award certificate suitable for framing.

The Second Prize Winner will receive (a $40 value!):

*Publication on The Long and the Short of It website
*A banner for their blog or website
*Three months book cover/banner advertising
*An award certificate suitable for framing.

Five honorable mentions will receive (a $20 value!):

*Publication on The Long and the Short of It website
*A banner for their blog or website
*An award certificate suitable for framing.

Twelve Door Prizes (randomly drawn from all participants):

One copy of Beginnings, Middles & Ends by Nancy Kress
Six autographed books
Five goodie bags

RULES:

1. Submit your entry via email (lasrcontests@gmail.com) with the subject line: Short Story Contest: NAME OF STORY.




2. Your entry will be provided to our judges with all identifying names removed and will be scored by a rating system.




3. Deadline for entry to this contest is June 14, 2008.




4. The winners and runners up will be notified via email and posted on our website on July 1, 2008.

By entering the contest, you agree to allow The Long and the Short of It to publish your entry on the LASR website, regardless of whether it is selected as a winner.

All stories chosen to be published will be archived for a period of six months following publication. All rights revert back to the author, at the author's written request, and the story will be pulled from our archives at that time.

The Long and the Short of It Romance Reviews is giving away a book in conjunction with a review EVERY DAY in April. Check out their blog for more information.

Seriously... this is just to good to miss!!

go here: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogspot.com