THREE years?!

Has it really been that long?
Holy Moly!
Makes you take a step back and think...what the heck has happened in three years?
I can tell you, though....
The Army.
A baby.
Two moves.
Several submissions.
And a contract!!!
Okay, busy lady here.
Maybe I'll work up the energy to come back and keep this blog updated.

With lots of love,
~Penny

Compulsive Contest Entrant

Hi. My name is Penny Dune. And I'm a compulsive contest entrant.

Apparently, I need affirmation. I'm looking for someone else to tell me how good I'm doing.

Let's look at the facts here, ma'am. Contests are NOT the place for affirmation. Sure, they have the potential to do just that, but in reality, they are little more than a bunch of strangers reading your work and judging you based on a mere number of words. Sometimes as little as 25 of them.

I drafted an email to enter Miss Snark's First Victim's first 50 word crit round. Authoress is a lovely gal who has made a real name for herself in the writing blogosphere. She's got great connections and uses them well. She's consistent and active when poor sops like me can hardly get on their blog more than once a week. Anyhow, I like to patronize her blog. She deserves it.

On the other hand [back to the contest dicussion], do I really want to enter another contest? Am I wasting my time? What are my chances?

They seem so slim. Not because I think my writing sucks. No. But because 50 words is the blink of an eye. How the heck am I--or anyone else--supposed to crit 50 words? I can ask if the entry is catchy, but that hardly matters if the first sentence or two isn't followed by more... Right? Of course right.

So, it's a crap shoot, and maybe I'm just not up for gambling right now. I need to get to work instead. :D

Take care all you crazy readers out there.
Penny Dune

Summer Lovin'

Finito!

Okay, I'm going to add an epilogue, it can't be helped, but otherwise, the story is completely written... and I love it.

I started this blog long ago when this story was just a babe. It has some maturing to do in the next couple of weeks, but it won't be long before I can send it off into the big bad world and see how it does.

EEEK!

Thanks for sticking with me.
With this one down, I'm sure it won't be long before I have another going.

That's the way of things around here. :P
Love you all!

What Easter means to Me

I can't help but say a little about my church holiday. We celebrate new life, rebirth... All things SPRING.

It makes me thankful for all that I've been given.

Knowing there's Hope in such trying times is what puts a smile on my face everyday.

It's how I know someday I'll be published. Someday my husband will have a job again. Someday, peace will exist.

Pray for Peace.
~Penny Dune

A Day at the Races

I'm going to New York in May, and my cousin is having a party at the Belmont Races. How exciting is that? Fun, fun, fun. I hope I win something. Maybe I should start keeping track of the horses right now. How does a person even do that?

Time for some serious research. ;-)

Also that same day, I'm taking a tour in Soho. A historical/food walking tour in NYC. YUM and FUN. I have a lot to look forward to. What about you?

What's on your plate this spring?
Tell me all about it.
Love,
Penny

Fillings

Well, that's it.
I have my first tooth filling, ever.
Went to the dentist this morning. It was fine. Numbing agents are--for sure--the best things ever invented!!! Thank you science and inspiration.

What the worst thing you've ever had done in your mouth?
Be nice now... nothing sordid. *wink*

It's the beginning of a really GREAT weekend.
Enjoy it and read something fun.
~Penny

The Planning Committee

I'm it. The family planning committee...

oh, wait, that's not right either. OMG, that's hilarious. *cough* I mean, I'm that too. But, oh, nevermind.

I'm supposed to plan monthly events for the fmaily to do. This isn't as easy as it sounds!! I haven't failed miserably, but I have failed.

When we lived outside Washington D.C. for a time, we did a museum day once. Another day we did a trip to Manassas. Did you know you could spend a good week in that area and not see everything?

It takes great effort. First, it has to be scheduled. As the kids get older, time becomes more precious. Do you find that too? It seems that whenever I have a free Saturday, I'd much rather spend it sitting on my driveway in the sunshine, just watching the kids play.

But I want to do better. I need to do better, so I'm looking for something to do in April. "April?!" you exclaim? Yes, May! Because March is just about gone. If I don't plan something for late April, I won't be planning anything until the end of June. That's how busy my schedule is... :P

So, tell me. What do you do with the family as extra curricular in your area? Doesn't have to be free to be a good example, either. I'm willing to pay a few dollars to satisfy the Family Committee Head--my hubby.
We've done the local Children's Museum and the local Nature Center/State Park.

I think I might need to plan a day trip. Get out of our immediate area. :)