Rock walls and writing

Here's the tally for yesterday (Thursday):

New pages written: 7 (goal: 6.4 pages)
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 133 (goal: 200 pages)
Days remaining until D-day: 33 (I'm thinking this number might be wrong, but I'm too chicken to check it!)

Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0

Chocolate consumed: Ice cream
Junk food consumed: Carl's Jr. for dinner
Exercise: Irish dance class
Television watched: Nightstalker and Without a Trace (on computer or writing during them)
Pictures of Hayden downloaded: None
Tears: a couple

I exceeded my page goal today. Only by .6 of a page, but hey, I'll take it. I struggled with words. I was so tired I didn't want to write. I wanted to spend time with my toddler so we played, colored and went to her little dance class. She was so cute in her pink leotard and skirt. It was the first time she'd worn it and didn't want to take it off. No tomboy here, though she can hold her own in a lightsaber fight and can already kick a soccer ball correctly.

Tonight I stopped in at a local health club to check out their rock wall and do some research for the story. I have a scene where Chase pushes Jane out of her comfort zone by taking her rock wall climbing. I spoke with a staff member who answered my many questions, explained the various equipment and even showed me the calluses on his hands from climbing. Did I mention that he was young, attractive and athletic? The things we writers must do to ensure accuracy in our stories!

And although I had fun with Rose and later researching, the actual writing was, in a word, brutal. I'm up to an important scene for my hero, Chase. It involves a little girl who has leukemia and I'm having a tough time with it. As a writer and as a mom. I've had sick kids. In another month or so, I'll be back at the hospital with one of mine for testing and a visit to the specialist to see if she's getting better or not. I'm not looking forward to that, but at least it won't kill her. And that's the big fear. One of my children facing a life-threatening illness. I don't like thinking about it and now I'm writing it. Remember when I sold this book and said I must be insane? I guess I'll see if facing my own fears brings out the emotion or simply pushes me over the edge. Anyone want to place a bet?