HAPPINESS!

Back in November while traveling between Kansas, Florida, and Georgia; I managed to lose my keyring that held all THREE of my jump drives. In other words, I lost approximately 5 to 6 years of writing! Normally, that would not have been a problem because I am little Ms. Neurotic about those things. I usually had a back up jump drive, a printout set of copies, and the original files saved on my computer. However, a week before going on vacation my computer's hard drive crashed, I (in a moment of what could only be labeled as thoughtlessness) attached the backup jump drive to the main keyring and forgot to take it back off, and didn't print the latest versions of all my manuscripts because I was in a hurry to get everything done for the trip, finals, and work! So when I got home and settled back into everyday life and reached for my comparatives to discover they were not there, I am pretty sure a little part of me died! I didn't say anything because I was swimming in denial! I searched my suitcases multiple times, dug through my car, checked pocket after pocket in all the clothing I owned, and called practically every place I had been. About a month ago, I finally realized they weren't going to surface and began to except that I had really screwed up!

Last night however, as I was reaching into my computer bag to grab a disc to re-load Microsoft Word on my computer, I snagged on something stuck in the furthest corner of the pocket (the pocket I rarely use). Much to my surprise, I lifted out the purple keyring with ALL THREE jump drives. Needless to say, I performed the ultimate happiness dance followed by a series of vocal outbursts! I was (and still am) thrilled!

I have learned my lesson since then and pay even more attention to what I am doing. Let me tell you though, next time I travel I will padlock those suckers to my side! Losing my manuscripts was almost like losing my soul!

Creatively (and happily) yours,

Kat