*Sigh*

I’m a bad blogger friend. I know this about myself and admitting it is the first step, right? In my defense, I’ve been crazy busy with school, writing, sick children, sick husband, homework, housework, a pregnant dog who should be delivering puppies any day now when I didn’t want her to have puppies right now (son accidentally let the boy in with the girls in heat but I’m lucky only one of the four ended up pregnant), and did I mention I’ve been busy with school?

*sigh*

I’ve tried to catch up on all my blogging friends blogs. Once in a while I was able to drop by and leave a comment, but for the most part I’ve been AWOL. I’m sorry, my friends. I’ll try to do better. I don’t know what possessed me to think I could go to school full time with everything else going on in my life.

*sigh*

I’m exhausted.

*sigh*

I want a nap, but I have a research paper to write (English 102 class . . . due next Tuesday, but I’m hoping to get a head start), a short story to write (creative writing class), two chapters to read (education class). I ended up dropping my Geology class because I couldn’t keep up with the work load. I replaced Geology with two ceramics classes. I’m enjoying them tremendously, but I missed them both this week because I was busy doing other things. I have the clay at home though and am hoping I can find time this week to create two pieces to turn in next week.

*sigh*

I’m exhausted because I’m coming down with the illness that kept me busy with kids and hubby last week. Darn germs.

 

*Sigh* on.

More contest fun

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget. Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here. Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog

. . . and we’re walking . . .

Sorry for the delay. We’ve had some sickness and I’ve been down for a few days.

Anyway, oldest daughter is still sick and didn’t feel like appearing on camera, but the names have been drawn and off we go!

Farwalker:

 

Susanuhlig!

Farwalker:

Charlotte!

Farwalker:

Amy Baskin!

Congrats to the new Farwalker’s apprentices! I’ll contact you for your mailing information so we can get the ARC and other goodies sent your way.

Thanks for entering, everyone. Keep checking back for contest updates.

Read on.

Farwalking fun

Here's what it's all about:

If you've read THE FARWALKER'S QUEST by Joni Sensel, you're familiar with Ariel Farwalker and her world. If you haven't read it, get your hands on a copy and get reading!

THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON is Joni Sensel's amazing sequel in which Ariel continues her Farwalking adventures. Because of this, I thought it would be fun to send an ARC of THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON on a Farwalking trip to visit as many places as it can before its official release date of March 2, 2010.

As a Farwalker, Ariel brings gifts and messages from one place to another, much like our faithful postal workers today. Now you can be a Farwalker's apprentice! Don't worry, you won't have to walk too far (unless you live a long way from a post office and don't have a ride).

How to become a Farwalker's Apprentice

You're eligible to be a Farwalker's Apprentice if:
1. You're over 18 or have your parent's permission to enter (you'll have to give a mailing address to receive an ARC).
2. You HAVE read THE FARWALKER'S QUEST or you WILL read THE FARWALKER'S QUEST before THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON ARC reaches you.
3. You promise to read THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON ARC within a week of receiving it.
4. You'll post a review of THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON on your blog or Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com or Goodreads (or similar place).
5. You promise to write your name and location (city and state) in the ARC and mail the ARC to the next person.
6. You'll include an item from your "village" in the package with the ARC. This item can be something to do with your profession or something unique from your home town.

What's the purpose of the village items?

Here's where it gets really fun! Once you receive the package with the ARC and village gift, if there is something you can "use" (meaning you want it), you keep it. If not, you send it (along with your added item) to the next person. And so it will go. But to keep it fair, if you decide to keep an item, only keep ONE and send the rest on.

What type of item should I send?

The item should be something small that wouldn't cost a lot to keep mailing out. A blank postcard depicting your hometown/city/etc. would be an example of something from your village. If you're a doctor, a tongue depressor or Band-Aid is an example of something from your profession. Or you can send something from your village that you think another village might be able to use (Joni sent a cool greeting card that has seeds in it). This is intended to be fun, so no sending anything potentially hazardous (if you are a surgeon, please send a rubber glove instead of a scalpel).

How will I know who the next person is?
Once the ARC reaches you (usually within a few days), you'll email me to let me know you've received it (and I'll be emailing you to check if I don't hear from you). I'll post another "contest" to let anyone enter who hasn't already (you only have to enter once to keep your name in the drawings). The name will be drawn from the list of eligible entries and the contact information sent on to you. You'll mail off the package containing the ARC and the item from your village (along with any remaining village items).

How do I enter?

1. Comment on this thread (+1)
2. Post a link to this contest on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, etc. (+1 for each unique link)
Please leave a valid email address so I can contact you if you win. If I'm unable to get in touch with you (or if you don't respond to the email I send), an alternate name will be drawn.

What if I've already entered?

Lucky you! You don't have to re-enter. Your name and number of links from last time will automatically be entered into the drawing this time.

Can I enter again?

You bet! If you'd like more entries into the contest, post links and comment on THIS post (don't use a previous contest post). This will give you the extra entries you desire.

When does it end?

The drawing will take place on or before Wednesday, February 10, 2010. If your name is drawn, I'll contact you for your mailing address and we'll get the ARC on its way to you (so be sure to leave an email address where I can easily reach you).

IMPORTANT information

We want to get the ARC into as many hands as possible so it's important for you to read the book as quickly as possible and send it on. If you won't be able to read it within a week of receiving it, please don't enter.

Ideally, the apprentice Farwalkers will continue circulating the ARC and items until the release date of THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON (March 2, 2010) at which time the ARC and any remaining items will be mailed back to me, and I'll mail them back to Joni Sensel. She'll have a great record of the Farwalking journey of her books!

Link on!