Life is what happens while you're busy making plans. So true. I've been away from LJ for awhile, dealing with family and work, but I'm making baby steps toward getting back to my regular life. Talk about a long commercial interruption! When last I posted, I was in the throes of the last minute preparations for the SCBWI-Midsouth Annual Fall Conference, of which yours truly is a coordinator, a volunteer job I've happily done for six years now. I had to stop all and everything, mostly, to get that show on the road, but it was a lot of fun, the highlight of which, for me, was meeting my dear, dear friend, Syrl, who has been, with me, one of the charter members of my long-time, online critique group. Syrl is just as wonderful in person as she always has been via e-mail and the telephone!


(Here we are!)

It was also good to see many old friends, and my agent, and Lin Oliver and editor Jennifer Wingertzahn, whom I had the good pleasure of hanging out with for a weekend in the wilds of Arkansas a couple of years ago!


(It was great to catch up and have some laughs!)


(Lin Oliver enjoys being crowned "Queen of Country" for a day.)

The entire weekend was a blast. My co-coordinator, Genetta, always helps make it feel like it's running along smoothly. A wonderful time was had by all!


(Genetta looking beautiful—and calm—as always!)

Here's the short version of all that happened (family-wise) from September through the end of 2007, when last I posted (and only the FUN stuff)! I'm going to attempt to put this all here, behind an LJ-cut, so that you're not wading through a long post with TONS of pics! If it doesn't work, put it down to rusty blogging skills and forgive me, please! Enjoy.

In October, Oldest Son came to visit, and he brought a young lady with him, MJ, who will soon be an official member of the clan!


(David and MJ)

Jack and Chloe were so excited to see their brother!


(Chloe, David and Jack)

In late November, I went to Alabama for two days for a lovely visit to two schools. I stayed with my friend, Pat, and her husband, Ronnie, and they were kind enough to take me horseback riding while I was there! I also participated in a street fair and led a schmooze. Pat kept me running, and we had a whole lot of fun!


(Kids at Forest Hills!)


(The Weeden School)


(Hanging out with Sheila from SCBWI-Southern Breeze)


(Pat wrestles with her adorable puppy!)


(EARLY morning ride with Gizmo—a patient sweetheart of a horse!)


(SCBWI-Southern Breeze Schmooze)

Back home again to pick up with the kids and their various activities:


(Chloe and Jack working with their ZOO PALS Art Cards Kits, the recent kid-lit debut of my friend, Linda Ragsdale!)


(Thanksgiving with the kids: Stephen, Jack, Lindsey, Chloe, Andrew)


(Uncle Jack and Aunt Bee)


(Back to front: Me, Susan, Mother—FYI: Susan, my aunt, is my mother's baby sister.)


(Fun with Christmas Crafts!)


(Jack has a band concert.)


(Jack's loot at Aunt Susan's!)


(Chloe enjoys Aunt Susan's gifts!)

So there's a bit of my life since September 2007 (the FUN stuff)! I'll continue to update until I get it all current. I'm looking forward to reading what's going on with all my LJ friends!
XO Candie