You know, it's absolutely amazing how time flies when you're having fun. Or working incessantly, as I have been. I took a part-time job that started in April and while the money is nice, I feel like I'm always there now! Oh, wait... I *am*! Sheesh!

( The news on Brynne )

( And some realizations of my own )

( Plus there's always my music )

And that's all there is. Okay, well, there's always more... but that's all there is of any importance. Everything else is, well, just life.

Wow, what a week it's been. First off, there is news about Brynne and some of it's even good. But I want to take things in order, so I'm going to begin with my Jamestown trip.

( The best five days of my life )

And that was the weekend. Majorly condensed. It truly was one of the most awesome experiences of my life. And I would travel again with these people in a heartbeat. We had the best time.

There is news about Brynne... she's home from the hospital now. But I am out of time for the moment, I have an appointment and then work. I'll post my update about her later tonight when I get home.

You Would Do Most Things For Love

You are willing to go pretty far for love - but not far enough to compromise your core values. Love is a priority for you, and you'll go further than most people to hold on to someone you love. But killing for love? Or even taking a bullet? Probably out of the question. No matter what, you love yourself the most!

... and...

Guys Like That You're Charming

You're the girl most guys can't get out of their heads Even if they met you on a bad hair day :-) You just seem to "click" with everyone you meet So even if a guy forgets about you for a second... his friends haven't!

Did I mention at some point I was addicted to these things?

Yeah... I couldn't resist it...

Your Psyche is Violet

You are spiritual, intuitive, and serene. People trust you to rescue them from bad situations, and you usually come through. While you are quite enlightened, you find that your path is very lonely. When you are too violet: you can't connect to ordinary life or ordinary people When you don't have enough violet: you lack wisdom and can't learn from the past

This is what happens when you glance at the memes again...

Yeah, I'm stil here. Amazingly. Survived the concert, survived my duet, even though it wasn't perfect either night. -sigh- And so what am I doing now? Well for those of you who might still care...

For starters, I'm working like mad trying to get a promised fic done. It's only the third flippin' revision. I just haven't been happy with with first two. This one promises to be better. I just hope it's long enough!!

I'm working like mad for the chorale to get Jamestown going. We need money for our members to go, so my VP and I are working every angle we can think of to get the money. I have speaking engagements, we're contacting businesses for sponsorship... you name it, we're out there considering it!

Brynne. For those of you keeping up with the stuff with my daughter, there's a condition that we've found out about called pyroluria. It's a deficiency of zinc, B6 and a couple other minerals in the system that can cause some of the problems that we've been seeing. It can be detected with a simple urine test, so we're contacting the pediatrician to set up the test. Here's hoping that this can shed some light on her condition.

And that's not all that's in the news for her. They're starting a new behavior plan at school for her. She'll be schooled out of the regular classroom starting on the 12th. This is a brand new program that they're setting up at her school. We go to a meeting on Monday to find out all the specifics. I hope this works for her. Nothing else has so far, and she's reached the point where she's assaulting teachers. I'm starting to run out of ideas on how to cope.

There's more in my life. Something I think is really good, but... has it's sharp edges. But I kinda can't talk about it. All I can say is it makes me really happy. I wish I could say more, but I can't.

And that's it for now.

So... here I am, minding my own business, slogging along as president of the chorale, when up pops this interesting opportunity. The Jamestown thing. Cool, but I'll never get people interested, right? I mean it costs too much, it's at the wrong time... just too many negatives.

But I presented it to the group anyway. Why not? And the reaction was better than I thought. Still not enough to get it off the ground, but at least it wasn't a total bust.

I kept right on going. We have a concert in less than two weeks, gotta get that off the ground. I threw a holiday party for the chorale. And then there's my own life, which is never quiet. And all the while I kept at this Jamestown thing. "Who's interested? Let's see if we can get enough people to go."

Well, damn if we didn't do it. All I wanted was to get about twenty singers to go; figured that would be at least a halfway decent sized group. And I made it. I have twenty-one right now and a few I still haven't heard back from. I have a couple of former members returning to sing with us for the spring who will be joining us for Jamestown. And I am incredibly giddy right now!

This is an incredible opportunity. I talked to someone from the group arranging the vocalists today. They said they have, as was their goal, someone from almost every single state represented in this chorus. What an absolutely cool thing for our group to have been invited to participate in! I am looking forward to May now with wild anticipation, although I have a lot of work to do before I get there.

So pardon me while I dance around the room, jump up and down and just for once yell, "I did it!" Because I have to let it all out before I knuckle down and start the hard work of raising the money to pay for the trip.

Wow...

Well, here it is, December 12. I'm 43 today. I never minded being in my thirties, but the day I turned forty it hit me hard. And every year since has been difficult. But this morning wasn't too bad. I woke up and found an email in my inbox from a very special friend wishing me Happy Birthday, and I have some exciting things on the horizon.

I'm sure by now you're all heartily sick of hearing about the chorale, but this is a cool thing. Jamestown VA is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2007, and as such they have a bunch of events planned. One of which is a concert that will feature a 1607 voice chorus and a 400 piece orchestra. Our group got an email from the organizers of the event asking us to please consider the event. Imagine my shock when I read that in my email...

So I've been working this, getting various people in the chorale to buy into the idea. Last night we presented it to the group as a whole, uncertain as to the response we'd get. And as a birthday present, I'm getting a lot more positive feedback than I thought I would.

This is an incredible opportunity, something that comes along very seldom. I hope we can pull it off. And you'll have to forgive me if I'm even more scarce than I've been, or if I rave about my chorale work even more because of this. Getting this Jamestown opportunity and making it work is really about the best birthday present I could ask for.

Now, all I have to do is raise a small fortune to fund this little adventure. Anybody got any spare cash they're not using at the moment... (kidding)

Ah, yes... I bet you all thought I fell off the planet. No such luck. I'm still here. Just been dealing with a lot.

Let's see.. what can I update you on? My story over at fanfiction.net, Collateral Damage, is done. All posted as of this morning. If any of you have been reading, I hope you've enjoyed it.

I think I was telling you I was working on losing weight? If not, well, I was. I started in January. I'm now down a total of 59 pounds. I can't believe I've done it. And I'm totally floored by some of the comments I've received.

My oldest daughter started high school this year. Damn, but I'm not that old. That's just not right. And Brynne is well... Brynne. Sigh. We're getting there. I think. She's still got some growing up to do, though.

And the best news of all, I get a vacation! Me! Just me! I get away from here and get to go visit and old friend in Chicago next week. I get out of here for a whole week. Of course, 2 days are travel days, so I only get 5 days to spend with my friend, but still... we have some wicked cool stuff planned. We're going to have a good time. And not a family member for 1200 miles...

Okay... I suppose that's all for now. At least, that's all that's of interest in my life. The rest is just the same old boring stuff.

38gnihsurc very kindly posted a clever NCIS mood theme which I would love to use. There is only one problem. I cannot figure out how to do it and, as usual, the help file on such matters is of no help at all. Is it me? Am I truly this stupid that I just don't get it? Or is there some mystical trick out there to which I have yet to be initiated? Please, I beg before all the wise LJ users... HELP!!!

*sinks into a corner in frustrated misery* I hate it when technology gets the better of me.

Title: Death and Remembrance
Author: Gibbsgirl
Spoilers: Ep 3x15 Head Case
Rating: T for the “ick” factor. (I’m a mother, I wouldn’t let my kids read this one)

Summary: Ziva has a tough time after finding the decapitated head at the beginning of Head Case.

( Go here to read the rest )

Well, it's just gonna be one of those weeks.

Looks like I'm not going to get Collateral Damage updated this Friday as I'd planned. Mac's out of town, and though we'd planned to get this week's installment sorted out early in the week, we never quite got together to get it done. So I've got no clean chapters to post for the week. *sigh*

I finished writing the story I was challenged to write by rinkle, but I haven't had a chance to have Mac beta that either. And I don't do anything anymore without my twin having gone over it. So, it's done, it just needs editing.

*And* I got a first draft of my ficathon story done. But I'm not sure if it's quite, well, what it's supposed to be. Although it did wind up to be longer than it was supposed to be (and where, I ask you, is the surprise in that one?) And I'm desperate for a second opinion and neither Karie or Mac are around. *thunks head on desk quietly*

This would be so much easier if I had more faith in my writing abilities to stand on their own merits. You know, without someone to tell me it isn't a piece of, well, you know...

So here I am, just killing roughly an hour before I have to get myself and my daughter to the performing arts center for the recital, and I'm just surfing through my f-list. And I run across this meme to do. Now I do a lot of these for fun and never post them, but this one I have to share along with a story.

( Look behind the cut )

And now it's time to go...

Late Saturday, and I've just finished putting everyone to bed. Well, everyone under the age of eighteen, that is.

First recital performance down, and Colleen did beautifully. I'm so proud of her! In addition to her outstanding performances in five dances and her auditioned piece, she won a scholarship toward part of her tuition for next year, her tap class won most improved class and she was one of the runners up for most improved overall student. When you realize that there are a few hundred students at this particular dance school, that's quite an accomplishment. I couldn't be prouder of her talent or her accomplishments.

One more performance tomorrow, and a chance for me to get pictures of her in all her costumes, I hope. I work the performance I don't usually attend, so I'll be backstage with my camera. If she has time for me. Pictures tomorrow, once I figure out how to post them.

In case I haven't mentioned this somewhere, my older daughter dances. This is her ninth year, so it's not like we're not used to this time of year. Still...

The recital is in a week. This is dress rehearsal week. Costumes, five this year, must be prepped. Thankfully only one needed work. Hemming, straps sewn down... theoretically no big deal. But my sewing machine decided it wanted to make a pact with the devil, so the hemming turned out to be more difficult than expected. I broke a needle sewing on the straps. Then I had to make some adjustment in the bodice; that only took forever. I think if I asked her to try on the thing one more time, she was going to kill me. Seriously.

Now we just have to get her to two dress rehearsals this week, and two recitals. In full makeup and hair. Thankfully, I've become rather adept at applying the makeup with a trowel to my innocent little girl. Although I will be quite grateful when she can do it herself.

Next Saturday is the recital that we are all going to see. And then I work the other performance. I'll do my best to get pictures of her in all her costumes and get them posted, friends-locked of course. For all I may complain about what a hassle this week is, I'm proud as anything of her. She's very talented and I'm so thrilled that she has this opportunity to show off, along with all the other students in the dance school.

Okay, so first week in and I'm already running behind. Mac and I just haven't had time to connect this week. Her house is on the market and my daughter's dance recital is in a week. Nah, we don't have any time issues...

Chapter Seven of Collateral Damage just went up and I have eight, nine and ten ready for her to look over for final approval. Should go up either late tonight or tomorrow. Monday at the outside.

I also have the next few that are ready for her final edits, so as soon as we have a handful of spare minutes at the same time, we'll get those together.

Who said real life could get in the way of my fic writing? Did I ask for this?

Oh and a side note to rinkle... I'm taking your challenge seriously. I've rewatched an ep of Season three that I thought I'd base a fic on, and as soon as I can find some time I'll watch a few others. I think the reason I haven't yet written a fic this season is that I wasn't sure I had Ziva's voice down yet. But I've decided that maybe what I need to do is challenge myself to write something from her POV. So I'm hunting through eps to find exactly the right thing. This one's for you.

Okay, seriously, I am way too bored.

First I might as well give you an update on my life.


Um... right. There's nothing going on. Okay that's not really fair. It's more of the same old stuff. And it's recital time for Colleen. Which is equivalent to Hell Week around here. But it's worth it. She's quite a talented dancer.

School's out on the 19th. Then I have a whole summer of the kids and my mother all day every day. I have visions of me running screaming into the night. I did have half an opportunity for a totally killer vacation, but the other half the partnership needed for the adventure couldn't get time off from work. So I'm trying to work out something where I can get out of here for a long weekend or something. Anything. Dammit, I deserve a break.

The only other thing of note is my weight loss. Can't remember where I was the last time I updated you. But, I'm down 30 lbs now. I went and bought new shorts the other day for summer and I had to buy a size smaller than I expected because the ones I thought I needed were too loose! I was so excited I was jumping up and down in the dressing room! 20 lbs to go... with hopes I can get there by the end of summer.

Okay, now the meme... because I just can't stop. (is there a 12-step program for meme junkies?)

Your Birthdate: December 12

You're a dynamic, charismatic person who's possibly headed for fame. You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them. Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing. You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship. Your strength: Your charm Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics Your power color: Indigo Your power symbol: Four leaf clover Your power month: December

Okay, so I shouldn't even subscribe to the stupid things... but I'm a junkie, what can I say...

So here. I dare you to do it...

Your Corset Is

SATIN & LACE CORSET

So, I went and commented on a friend's journal and because I did...

Comment on this entry and...

1. I'll respond with something random about you
2. I'll challenge you to try something
3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you
4. I'll tell you something I like about you
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of
7. I'll ask you something I've always wanted to ask you
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on yours

Oh, Brother... what I just let myself in for...

This is a few days after the fact, but I've started posting my new story over at fanfiction.net. For those of you who may be interested, my page over there is Right Here. The title of my latest epic is Collateral Damage, although to be fair, this one is shorter than some of my other stories.

The first six chapters are up, following chapters will post on Fridays as they go through final edits. But the story is complete so you won't be left hanging on this one.

Any of you who choose to read it, I hope you enjoy!

I finished it. What, you ask? Oh, the story... Despite every interruption you can think of... I finished it. Granted it still needs edit work, and there are a couple of scenes that I'm not completely happy with as they stand right now. But they're later in the story, and they're not entirely horrible, they just need work. I can cope with that.

But it's done. All wrapped up. Villain delivered, complete with motive. Thank God. It feels good to have a complete one under my belt again.

Better news. First three chapters are final beta'd and ready to go. I may start posting it very soon. Very soon.

First, I think I have to go do the laundry I've been putting off, just to get this done...