I actually wrote two Trangle!verse fics today, and started a third.

Not on the computer, naturally, but it was something to do while waiting for the guys to put the new tires on the van.

I had a couple of "a-ha" moments (none of which actually had anything to do with the group) the last couple of days.

1. It is not Janowrimo - it is Jillnowrimo. MY novel writing month. I have my doubts about making the full word count, as I am still rather slow and not very... proficent at this new layout yet, but I will try anyway.

2. Speaking of that, I think I need a bad guy for the project for January. And, in fact, I think I want it to be a girl. She needs to have specfic goals, etc. I found a great book at the library - well, I don't know how good it is, but the title is great: Bullies, Bastards, and Bitches.

Seriously, how could I pass that up?

3. I'm reading books on writing again. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. At least, I have one out of the library, and two more on hold (note: Janet Evanovitch's book was useless).

4. I think I have an idea for the sequel to End of a Dream. It's still pretty... nebulous, so I'll let it pecolate and see if anything comes of it.

5. On a subject not writing, the radio in the van doesn't work. I HOPE it's just the fuse, like dh thinks. Otherwise, I'll be mad.

6. Good news! Elyssa's preschool started up again, and she went this morning. It's at the church, which isn't too far from the preschool, and that helps. I just hope things turn out okay for Patti!

7. I think that's everything. Now to go back to transcribing.

I can't believe I forgot to post this yesterday (yes, I know, I"m supposed to be asleep, but this is one of those days I won't fall back to sleep, and so I'm doing other things - actually editing Chance on the computer. I hope to have a word count thanks to my first sweeping cuts by the time I try to go back to bed).

We got a new car!

Okay, it's not exactly new, but it's newer than the one we have, and it's wonderful!

Dodge Grand Caravan, with all sorts of bells and whistles that I can't wait to have fun with!

Oh, yes. I'm very excited about this. And I get to drive it to PreSchool with Elyssa!

I'm tired.

So, what have I done today?

I walked two miles - I tell you, that was fun! - and then took Elyssa over to Darby's for a while, came home, and cleaned out the van.

Granted, I've wanted to do that for a few weeks, but just the trash. However, as we're trading it in for a larger, newer model, um... I just cleared everything out.

It's actually quite warm out there! Yesterday was a record 75 degrees, and I'm not sure today isn't going to get there, too.

So, after I got Elyssa, and gave her lunch, I went over to the apartment of a sister in the ward and cleaned up a little. I shouldn't have worn dark clothes; she has a white dog. And my clothes smell of smoke, now. Urg.

And I am just... weary.

Scott came upstairs and said “They’re talking about snow on Thursday” – and, it sounded like they meant the kind of storm we had on Christmas. That one they predicted a few inches, and we had quite the snowfall. Then he dropped the next thing on me – he wanted to leave today. Uh…

So, I started folding the laundry that has been hanging around the house for a week and then some, and started packing those clothes, seeing what had to be washed so that we had enough of everything. I also called Chad, to see what their schedule was.

Chad, after a little bit of talking and explaining, changed his family’s plans for us. They’d planned to go to Dawn’s father’s first, and then to Mom’s for dinner. Thankfully, they came to mom’s for lunch, and we got to spend some time with them.

We left Mom’s at 14:00 or so, and got on the road around 14:40 – as we had to run home and get the last of the clothes out of the dryer, and then had to go back because I forgot my shampoo and stuff.

I still managed to get out without my scriptures, my lap desk, or my book light, but in general, we got everything we needed. The kitchen is a mess – horrid mess – but so it goes.

The trip over was clear and dry; it took us 30 minutes longer than usual to get to Fruita, because the traffic was so bad between Floyd’s Hill and Georgetown.

It was a good thing it was clear and dry; Elyssa threw up four times. I think it was the eggnog she had at lunch, but I also think we might have to do some serious studying of what she eats. She threw up lunch and the fruit snacks they had, and then the water she drank after she threw up.

She rode most of the way after Glenwood Springs in the front seat, next to Taran, in the built in car seat. Hers was just… nasty. The first time she threw up, it went everywhere. We were somewhat prepared, though! Paper towels, old wipes, and Febreze are standard equipment in the van. And, thankfully, trash bags. She got her new pillowcase (a lamb), her star blanket, her lamby, and her clothes – and her seat, too, and we did the best we could with that.

We got into Richfield around 23:15, and only had a short stretch of total whiteout – and only a couple of flakes of snow. We missed the storm we’d wanted to.

Whew!

Oh, but I’m frustrated! The girls wanted to hear the Primary songs I have on my ipod, so I went to select them and all that good stuff, right?

It froze. And then did nothing. I couldn’t get it to turn off, to do anything, and so I tucked it in the purse and tried very hard not to cuss up a storm (which isn’t very much, as I am trying to stop so the girls don’t pick up on it). I checked it through the trip, but it was just on, sitting at the same place, so I just… left it. Not much else to do, right? Grrrr.

So, I got the notice that the van is due for a renewal of the registration. It's the only thing that came in the mail today.

And guess what it said on there?

"Passed Roadside Emissions"

So I don't have to take it in to get the emissions done on it!

WAHOO!

But really? I didn't know that was possible!