Life Happens....

What's that song where John Lennon sings something like, "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans..." to loosely paraphrase if I don't have the quote right.

Well, that's what has happened to me. Here I had a budding writing career, a full time nursing career, and a full time family and what happened??? My mother passed away from breast cancer, then my dad ended up in the ICU with pneumonia and congestive heart failure about the same time my older son was admitted to the hospital with a severe sinus infection. My marriage couldn't take the extreme stress along with other issues that seemed wouldn't get resolved, and after 19 years, couldn't be held together any longer!

So, 2009 and into 2010 has brought about a lot of new changes. Some for the better and some not so good, but I can deal. I'm a very optimistic person by nature. One of my favorite quotes is, "Optimism is life changing". For the first time in my adult life, I'm on my own and I feel very good about it!

One of the best things is that I've been revising my manuscript, Dating 911, at the request of Harlequin. After my mom died, I just couldn't get back into my story, but these last few months, I've been able to get myself back in the swing of things. A few more chapters, and I will be ready to re-submit my proposal! I'm very excited about this! The characters from 911's sequal, Dating Impossible have been nagging at me to get 911 finished because their story is ready to be told. Not to mention, I have another idea brewing in the background about a unique group of nursing students...If only I could add a few more hours in a day, or better yet, why can't I just skip sleep and stay up writing?? Ahhh, my body hates me enough as it is because I squeeze too much in a day...

Well, the whole point of all of this...Yesterday I had sent my sister a picture via text of the new cake I'd made in cake decorating class (yes, because, as I said, I try to squeeze too much into my week...) and she sent back a message, "Very nice. But you should be blogging!"

Blogging? Cripes! I haven't blogged since mom's illness became worse. My heart just wasn't in it. But the more I've thought about Rebecca's simple text, the more I realized she was right. I should be blogging. If for no other reason, that it allows me to write a little during my hectic schedule.

Eventually, this blog will be taken down and replaced with another. I have plans with fellow author, jj Keller to combine our blogging talents (or my lack there of) and co-write a blog together. Once it's developed, I will post the link here. And of course, you'll be able to get to it from her website or mine at www.kathleengrieve.com.

Getting back into the habit of blogging will probably be a slow start...but just bear with me. This is going to be a busy summer. My daughter graduates high school and starts college soon. I'm going to RT Magazine's Book Lover's Convention in Columbus, Ohio next week and will be signing books at the E-Expo on Friday, April 30th and print books on Saturday, May 1st. My dad turns 90 years old in June! That will be a great celebration!

I've invested in some great promotional items for RT! Once I get a chance, I will post some pictures here, and of course, keep you updated on anything of interest while I'm there!