Something New

While we were back in PA over the weekend, I started a little something new. I don't know if it'll be a novel, or a short story, or maybe nothing at all. I'm not even totally sure what it's about. I have a few ideas, but none of them are really concrete. But I was about going nuts not having a creative project on hand. All those voices in my head need an outlet somewhere (kidding...mostly).

Going easy on the blog today, because I'm just not feeling that talkative. But here are a few pictures from the weekend:

At the wedding we went home for. It was at a beautiful location, and the weather was perfect.



Speaking of beautiful, my climbing rose is shooting right up in my absence. And here I thought it wouldn't survive the Mad Clipper!

And that's about it. Unless you want pictures of the cat sitting on the sink, or my shoes.

You really don't.

Because it's been a while...

Listening to: Rise Against, "Worth Dying For"

When was the last time I posted flower pictures? I'm not even sure--spring, maybe. Well, I have some gorgeous ones for you today, and some bonuses--my brother and I, and procreating insects! (Not in the same picture.)

First, the sunflower. I can't take credit for this--it was all The Husband. He planted the seeds along with all his vegetable seeds (I do the flowers, he does the veggies), and then pretty much crossed his fingers, since we've been gone the whole summer. Well, it seems to have done well on its own:


And it's not lacking in height, either:


Damn thing's as tall as me! (Note: I'm not particularly tall...but still.)

And here are my prized gladiolas...which I pretty much planted as bulbs back in April, then left to do what they would. Compared to the other two bulb sets I planted--anemones and something else, I don't remember--they're doing wonderful. I think I have one anemone, and none of the other bulb set. But look--pretty!




And here's the whole flowerbed, or at least the part by the pretty sidewalk we put in two years ago:


Okay, okay. Enough flowers, right? Where's the insect sex I promised? Well, here you go...some copulating beetles:


See the beetles on the bottom left, the two facing each other? They were both on top of another beetle. Threesome!

Sorry--this blog doesn't normally get so raunchy. But nature--even when it's getting a bit kinky--is a beautiful thing, isn't it?

And finally, one of the big reasons I went back to PA...my little brother, all tall and hairy and stuff:

Yeah, you can barely tell we're related. Riiiight. If you can, take a look at his shirt. I. Want. That! (It says, "Keepin' it Rural").

I did a lot more on this trip--hung out with my friends, got majorly surprised when my brother (above) and my big sister drove three hours to surprise me as I hung out with my friends (maybe I'll tell that story later today--it's mildly amusing, and it was one of the best surprises I've ever gotten).

I went to my little sister's graduation party, and got to see a whole bunch of my mom's family. Hung out with my mom, drinking beer and watching movies...hung out with my brother, drinking beer and talking. Hung out with my little brother, playing Sims.* Hung out with my little sister, cleaning my dad's house.

Good times. I'm very glad I went, even though on both the drive up and the drive back, I told myself over and over that I was never going to do this again. But it was all worth it.


*Yes, I have a lot of siblings. I didn't even mention the half-brothers on my dad's side there, either.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Wow. I've really fallen behind with the blogging...and likely will again, soon. Life is a bit topsy turvy at the moment, although in a good way.

We're moving!

...temporarily.

The Husband's company is sending us to Suffolk, VA for...well, probably the whole summer. We don't actually know how long, because he's only going until they can find someone to take the position permanently. So, the past several days have been filled with lots of apartment hunting and decision making, and quite a bit of excitement and stress. For a few days there, I really wondered if we should just tote a large cardboard box down there, and set up house inside it. It's that hard to find short-term leases.

Things have started falling into place, though...I think. A leasing agent who I'd been in contact with over the weekend called me yesterday to tell me that her company just gave her permission to do leases as short as four months. They have an apartment that's perfect in every way--including washer and dryer. Yay! No laundromats! Although, I could've written quite a bit while waiting for the whites to finish drying.

We're going down there Thursday to check the place out, and a few other places, if we can find some. I want to get it done and over with, because I can't help but think...it's too good to be true. Honestly, this place is so great (pool! fitness center! tanning bed! allows pets!), and yet falls so perfectly within our employer-imposed budget, that I can't help but wonder...where's the catch? When are they going to turn around and add $500 to the rent? I'm nervous, to say the least.

As for the writing, it's been...going. I guess. I've pretty much ditched my 100 words pledge, although many days I write enough to make up for the few days I didn't. This, I suppose, was entirely the wrong month for such a pledge. If all goes well, we're moving in three weeks. That's a massive amount of packing, planning, preparing...etc. I also had to forgo my very first writer's conference, because it lands squarely in the middle of all this chaos, and I just don't think we can spare the money right now. I'm not thrilled about that, but it was my idea to not attend, and I'm sticking to it. Such is life.

Aside from that, my only other news is that I'm almost done crafting my query letter--now, on to the synopsis and such. Also, I'm planting some beautiful summer-blooming bulbs--gladioli, ranunculus, and anemone...none of which I'll be able to enjoy this summer, since I won't really be here. It's bittersweet, planting things you won't get to watch grow and bloom.

Now, I'm off to make my novel grow and bloom. At least, no matter where I am, I have that.

Spring Flowers

I've been meaning to post these all week, so here's some pretty flowers to get you through the weekend:

Crocuses!



Another Crocus!



Hyacinth on my Windowsill!

There. I love spring, although I'll admit it seems to increase my exclamation point usage. =)

-K.