My Writer's Attic

Busy, Busy, Busy

2012-02-08T10:07:00.002-06:00

Wow. What a busy 3.5 weeks it's been. I've been on loan to a different section of our department for a major project at work and have been busy, busy, busy. I love it!

The first week was training via conference call & Adobe Connect. The 2nd & 3rd weeks were filled with configuration, creating, testing & group training. And this week will be used to finish up any outstanding tasks.

But the best news is that within the first week I was asked to fly out to Phoenix this month and work the same project for the paper out there. How exciting! So, I head to Arizona on the 20th & will stay for a week to help implement the same project management system there. A week away from work for work. I'll definitely be enjoying that!

Of course, once I get back from Phoenix I'll go back to my normal, boring job, but at least there'll be another notch on my resume.

I'm a Loaner

2012-01-19T08:49:00.003-06:00

I've been loaned out. Yep, that's right. My manager has loaned me to another department. For the next few weeks I'll be learning a new system, configuring that new system with the information the department will need to run smoothly, then I'll be testing & implementing the new system & training the employees who will use it.

This is a big project and I'm proud that my name came up in the discussion on who would best be able to help. But I'm also a little nervous. I'm not an IT person and I'm not a systems person. What if I screw this up somehow? I don't know the first thing about configuration or systems administration.

But hey. What the heck? I know I can do it because I can do anything I set my mind to. And this will be one more thing to add to my resume if I should need it anytime soon. Let's just hope I don't need it anytime soon!

Join the Fun!

2012-01-13T08:21:00.003-06:00

I joined the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood's Winter Writing Festival this year. I'm hoping having others to account to for my writing will help boost it along. I usually only write in fits and spurts so having a goal to get so many words per day is going to be a challenge. But I'm up for it. Surely I can handle the paltry goals I've set for myself during this thing.

Write 500 new words per day
OR
Brainstorm for 30 minutes per day
OR
Edit/Revise 1 scene per day (either current WIP or last MS)
OR
Keep Butt in Chair Hands on Keyboard (BICHOK) 1 hour per day

That last one will be the hardest for me to do. It always is. But I plan to give it a try. And with any luck I'll win this thing and have 25,000 new words by the end of February.

There's still time to join. Head over to www.rsswwf.com and get started.

New Year. New Novel.

2012-01-06T08:07:00.003-06:00

I've started writing a new novel. And this one seems to be going much faster and better than the last. I'm not sure yet what genre it will fall into, but there is a bit of contemporary, sci-fi, paranormal & maybe a little historical. I'm writing this one in first person because it seems to flow that way. Not sure yet if I'll change to third after the first draft or not, but so far so good.

Have you started anything new yet in 2012?

Welcome to 2012

2012-01-03T11:07:00.003-06:00

Well, it's a whole new year again. Welcome to 2012. I've decided I'm not doing resolutions this year since I usually break them all in the first week anyway. Instead I'm going to try new things & see where it gets me.

Vacation was great. I relaxed, I read, I wrote, I shopped. And now I'm back at work. I can't wait until next vacation. Maybe June for a week? Maybe I'll take my birthday off just for me. Hmmm...now there's an idea.

How about you? Already looking forward to another vacation?

Twas the Night Before

2011-12-23T09:30:00.002-06:00

Christmas Eve! Not a creature was stirring, except us little mice who have to work today!

But at 5 o'clock this evening it will be VACATION!!!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve & I'll be on vacation until after the New Year.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere. Can I start vacation now please?

Wrapping: Check

2011-12-21T08:33:00.003-06:00

Yep. The wrapping is done & the gifts wait under the tree for Christmas morning. The last cookie is baked & the only thing left to do is clean the house & get ready for Christmas dinner. Then all next week I'll be sitting back, relaxing, & enjoying a week's vacation before the new year begins. Ahhh...I can't wait!

Shopping: Check

2011-12-19T09:56:00.003-06:00

Yay!! I got all my Christmas shopping done!! Now I just gotta wrap it all & put it under the tree. And wait till Sunday to see everyone's face when they tear it apart.

How's your Christmas shopping going? Have you finished or are you waiting until Christmas Eve to make a mad dash for what's left on the store shelves?

Aaaaggghhh!!

2011-12-13T08:13:00.005-06:00

Well, Christmas is almost here & I haven't bought a single gift. But that's not unusual for me. There are only two things I seem to procrastinate on with any regularity; Writing & Christmas Shopping. They do get done in the end, however ,so I'm not completely without hope.

Since this is the last full shopping weekend before Christmas I'll get it all done on Saturday. I know what I'm getting, mostly, so it shouldn't take all day. Thank goodness for that because I hate fighting the crowds. And you know there will be crowds. It is Christmas after all.

As for writing? Well, I'll work on that this weekend, too. Saturday morning is MCRW's annual Christmas Party & Book Swap. I can't wait!! I love this group & "book swap" is a mild term for the "give me that book or I'll pour punch in your lap & smear frosting on your head" dirty Santa game we play every year. It's all in good fun & we always leave with a good book & an even better memory.

I love this time of year!!

Weekend

2011-12-06T09:06:00.003-06:00

Check out my little helper. Isn't he the cutest thing ever?!

Wow. What a great weekend. The house is clean (a feat in itself), the tree is up & ready for Christmas, my stove is working again (for now) and my baby girl turned 20. I'd say I accomplished quite a bit over the past two days. Now back to the old grindstone!

Furlough

2011-11-30T08:55:00.002-06:00

Well, we just got the announcement that there will be another furlough in the first quarter of 2012. Only this time is a little different. If you're below a certain base pay you don't have to take it. I'm barely under the threshold so I hope they don't decide to lower it just a tad.

As of right now I don't have to take one. Thank the Good Lord for small blessings!

Pumpkin Cookies

2011-11-22T08:36:00.003-06:00

I love cookies. Chocolate chip are usually my favorite for obvious reasons. But during the months of October, November and December that favorite changes. There's nothing like a fresh from the oven, cakie delicious Pumpkin Cookie.

It's probably the only good thing I ever got from my ex-mother-in-law. They're yummy and you can add so many optional ingredients that they're really customizable to whatever your taste might be.

Ingredients:
4 cups of flour
2 tsps of baking soda
2 tsps of cinnamon
1 tsp of salt
2 cups of brown sugar
1 cup of white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 cups butter (melted)
1 16 oz can of pure Pumpkin
1 bag chocolate chips

Optional Ingredients:
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup raisins
1 cup nuts
peanut butter for frosting

Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add vanilla, pumpkin and butter. Mix until smooth. Add chocolate chips (and other optional ingredients). Spoon onto cookie sheet or stone and bake for 15 minutes.

Makes approximately 5 dozen cookies per batch.

What's your favorite cookie?

I Got Nuttin"

2011-11-18T10:37:00.002-06:00

Hmmm...it's been a while since I posted. But then I don't lead a very exciting life so I can't think of a single thing I've done this month that's even remotely blogworthy.

I'm working on the 2nd draft of my first novel. It's slow going because I'm still getting to know my characters, but I'm hoping to finish this draft by my birthday in January so I can take Angela James' "Before You Hit Send" workshop. That's gonna be my reward for finishing on time.

What kind of reward do you give yourself when you finish a draft?

The Chains That Bind You

2011-10-12T11:42:00.004-05:00

Writing is a solitary job. We sit alone and craft our stories and sometimes the only people we talk to are those in our heads. I’m good at talking to the people in my head. They generally don’t hurt me in the way real people have. But to be a writer you also have to open yourself up to the outside world or you have no solution when the people in your head want an answer to a problem they’re facing. So I did something drastic (for me). I joined RWA and found a local chapter where I could meet other writers.

The first time I walked into an MCRW meeting I was terrified. I’m not a social person so joining any group would have given me a nervous breakdown. But I knew that if I really wanted to get serious about my writing I needed to study the craft and find out how other writers worked. And I had to find a way to make sure the chains I had placed around my own shoulders were broken.

That first meeting taught me that my heart still beat when it was in my throat. I was welcomed as if I were already a part of the group and I’ve learned more than I thought possible from this awesome group of women. The first link fell away

Over the past three years I’ve attended almost every meeting and workshop and I volunteered last year as editor of Love Notes. I even made myself go to a retreat and play Little Red Riding Hood for “mystery night”. These things were a big deal for me because I’m not a joiner. I’m a sit-on-the-sidelines-and-pretend-to-cheer kind of girl. But I made myself step up and I’ve had a wonderful time. Now I know that I don’t have to pretend to cheer. I can shake my pom poms like anyone else. Another link broken..

But joining isn’t the only step I’ve taken. I also write. Not every day, but I do write. And I’ve finally done something I never would have done if not for joining this group. I finished my very first first draft. It’s taken three long years of rattling my chains but I did it. I think that one broke away at least two links. And layering in all the things I didn’t know I needed when I started the draft might just get me two or three more links.

Since I started this journey I’ve slowly lightened the load that held me back. I’m still sawing the links and sometimes a blade dulls and I have to stop and hone the edges. But because I took that first step I know that I can break free. And I intend to keep cutting away until I’ve done just that.

If you’re struggling to break your own chains, don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you. Pick up a saw and start cutting. Take that first step. You’ll be glad you did.

THE END!

2011-10-10T11:58:00.003-05:00

The two sweetest words in the English language & I just typed them. And I'm so stinking excited about it I could pop!

THE END

I finished the first draft of my very first manuscript. Oh, I've written little stories just for me and I've written poems for years, but there's something about finishing a first draft on a novel that is just pure bliss.

It's mostly dialogue so I need to go back & layer in Setting/Description, expand on the conflict and add more Action. And I didn't write in a love scene because that will take some planning. But at least now I have something to work with & I'm not writing blind.

And I know there's tons of work still to be done. I'm sure I'll write a fourth or even fifth draft before I call it completely finished, but for now I'm in heaven.

THE END

I Lost It

2011-10-05T08:35:00.003-05:00

I had it, I loved it, and I lost it.

I wrote the most perfect story, finished it, sold it, the whole works. In a dream I had last night. And now the perfect story is gone. I can't remember for the life of me what it was about. Usually when I have a dream like this I get up the next morning, rush to my pen & paper and write down everything I remember.

But not this time.

This time it's gone. And I can't seem to get it back. It's driving me nuts. I really loved that story. I was so proud of that story. And now I've lost it.

Guess it's time to move on to another story. Perhaps I'll find one in my waking life that will be just as wonderful. One can dream, right?

Same Time Next Year

2011-09-28T15:04:00.002-05:00

This weekend was AWESOME! I had so much fun hanging out with family members I haven't seen in WAY too long.

We drove down on Friday and spent Friday evening with my parents. We all loaded up and went to the county fair. We had funnel cakes and hot dogs and just had a great time. My 67 year old mom even got on the Tilt-A-Whirl with me. That's something that hasn't happened in way too many years.

Saturday was the reunion. I got up early because I was so worried we wouldn't get the pavilion if I didn't get there by 8am. I got everything decorated and ready to go and people even showed up early to hang out with me while I worked. There were a good 50 people there if not more and every single one had as good a time as I did. I met cousins I've never met before and I spent time with the ones I grew up with. The food was great but the company was even better. And I can't wait to do it all over again.

After the reunion I drove over to visit and Aunt and Uncle who couldn't make it to the reunion because they were sick. It was a nice visit and I know they loved it as much as I did.

On Sunday I visited the cemetery where my great grandparents are buried, then went to church with Mom and Dad. After that we visited the cemetery where my grandparents are buried before we left to head back home.

It was a full, busy weekend and we had an awesome time. I can't wait to do it all again next year!

I'm So Excited!

2011-09-21T11:16:00.002-05:00

And I just can't hide it.

OMG! It's almost time to leave for Arkansas for my family reunion. I can't wait! We're gonna have a great time. Hallie & Tyler with baby Zander and Josh & Ashlee will be going. My mom has taken her vacation so I'll be able to spend almost the whole time I'm there with her. My sister will be there and she's coming back with me for a few weeks to Nashville. I have cousins coming in from as far away as Charlotte, NC who I've never even met.

It's going to be an awesome weekend!!

WARRIOR WRITER is coming to Nashville!

2011-09-14T13:13:00.004-05:00

Join the Music City Romance Writers as they welcome Bob Mayer on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Courtyard Marriott Nashville Airport from 9am to 5pm. Visit www.mcrw.com for more information. Seating is limited and the early deadine is September 23, 2011. Hurry and reserve your seat today!!

Reunion Plans

2011-09-14T08:33:00.002-05:00

Plans are starting to come together for the Family Reunion next weekend. I've got a little shopping to do, but for the most part everything I'm doing I'm creating on my own. I'm bringing the research I've done on the family so far, I'm making a banner to go across the pavilion to welcome everyone, I'm creating centerpieces for the tables (maybe? lol) and I've printed out pictures for the older generation. I'm not too sure about games/prizes, but we're right next to the zoo & there will be plenty for the little ones to do.

I'm hoping mainly to get more information on my great-grandparents. I would love to have old photographs that some of the older generation might have, but I'm not holding out much hope of that. I do plan to ask though. It couldn't hurt. :-)

One more week and I'll be on my way to see almost my entire family. I'm so excited I'm having a hard time sleeping. Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

I Haz A Sad

2011-09-09T08:56:00.003-05:00

My personal plans for the reunion aren't going so well. First KAM and the kids can't go because gas is so high and they don't have the money for it. And now HNM can't go because they might have to work that day and money is tight with them renting an apartment this month. I'm waiting to hear from JWM but since he never calls me or comes by the house unless under the threat of death I might not even know he's not going until he doesn't show up.

Here I am planning this reunion and my own immediate family can't even show up. So, yes. I definitely haz a sad.

Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-06T14:39:00.002-05:00

I definitely did not labor this weekend. It was a great 4 day weekend for me. I went with MJM to visit his parents in KY and loved every second of it. His sister & her husband flew in from Seattle & his brother drove in from Chattanooga and we all had an awesome time.

I love hanging out with this family. Friday night we met them all at a nice Japanese restaurant for great food & fun. Then we went back to the house & continued Happy Hour (which usually lasts until Sunday morning...lol). Saturday we hung out at the house, went to the flea market, had yogurt at Stakz and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. The kids were all well-behaved and the adults tried to be.

My father-in-law gave each of his kids copies of paperwork that belonged to his father & grandfather with information on how they arrived in America; such as which ship they sailed on and their certificate of Citizenship. It's amazing to have such concrete proof of your family tree. I can't wait to find such gems on my own family.

With my own family reunion coming up I'm working on getting a chart done to hang on the wall of the pavilion the end of this month. I believe my family will enjoy it as much as I have and I can't wait to share with them what I've learned so far. Granted, it's not much, but it's a lot more than we've had before.

Mason Turns 1

2011-08-29T08:15:00.002-05:00

It was a pretty laid back weekend. We had a great time at MAM's 1st birthday party this weekend. There was great food prepared by KAM's mom & there was a pinata for the kids. Only I think most of the adults left with the candy...lol

Other than that we didn't do much. I did get the flyers in the mail for the family reunion, though. Only 4 more weeks until I get to see my mom & the rest of the family. My sister is supposed to come back with me for a visit. Can't wait for that.

How was your weekend?

Getting Ready

2011-08-18T08:14:00.002-05:00

Ok. The car is back again & it seems to be fine now. No oil leak, no popping wheels & no Check Engine Light shining at me. Let's just hope she stays for awhile now.

Getting ready for the family reunion next month. I've got tons of notes on the family history, but haven't started writing anything at all yet. I'd love to be able to visit some of the other states we came from, but that's not feasible right now. Eventually I will get to do those things, but for now I'll have to rely on the internet.

I did manage to get a few addresses & create a flyer that I'll put in the mail this next week. So far, so good. Looks like quite a few people will attend so it's going to be a success. We'll get to visit without the specter of a funeral hanging around us for a change. I can't wait!

I still need to work on the descendent chart. I want to be able to hang it up at the pavilion so everyone will be able to see what I have so far & we can add what they know to the mix. Plus it will help with my research.

And maybe by next year's reunion I'll have a lot more information to include!

Grrrr

2011-08-15T14:44:00.003-05:00

Ok. I'm about ready to put Baby in the corner myself. Darn thing is back in the shop again. The Check Engine Light came on & wouldn't go off, there's oil coming from somewhere & the wheels pop when turning. I am not a happy camper right now.

But at least it's still under warranty & we're not paying for any of this stuff. Although driving the loaner car after the Mazda is not fun!

Baby's Back

2011-08-09T07:47:00.002-05:00

Baby's back! We FINALLY got the new car back yesterday. The cruise is fixed and the car still runs like a dream. Can't wait to get it out on the open road again! But I'm still a little miffed that we had to leave it at the dealership all weekend when it was fixed and ready to go. Oh, well. It's over now & Baby's back!

It's No Fun

2011-08-03T08:38:00.002-05:00

Our new car is awesome! It makes driving fun. There's only one little problem. It's in the shop.

There's nothing wrong with it mechanically. It still drives like a dream. But when we first got it home we realized the cruise control didn't work. The system would turn on but it wouldn't set. So we took it back where we bought it since it's still under warranty.

Only no one seems to be able to find out why it's not working. The dealership where we bought it had to send it to the Mazda dealer who is online with a tech-line/hotline trying to figure it out. I mean it can't really be that hard, can it? If you can't figure out why it's not working replace the entire thing.

Just please give me my car back. The loaner you gave me isn't nearly as much fun.

OMG! We Did It!

2011-07-29T07:44:00.003-05:00

Well, the DH & I did something *almost* spontaneous last night. We bought a new car. Well, not exactly new, but new to us. Wednesday night we went to Carmax just to look around. DH has been wanting a new car for awhile, but we kept putting it off. He test drove a couple of cars, a Mazda RX-8 and a Z. We both fell in love with the RX-8. And it's my favorite color, too. lol

So, we ran the numbers & were told we could be financed at 10% interest (as apposed to the 25% interest we were currently paying on the Kia we bought a couple of years ago). We were completely surprised and decided to go home & think about it. And last night we went back, the car was still there, so we bought it!

I'm so excited. DH gets the car he wanted & I get to drive it. We still only have one car so I'll still be driving it everywhere, but it's really his. I'll get a new one later on when we can save some money. But until then...vroom, vroom!!

Stupid Laws

2011-07-27T12:15:00.002-05:00

I’m gonna take a spin off The Goddess Blogs and post these dumb laws. I couldn’t resist looking to see what’s out there. Some are too funny for words, right?

Tennessee
• You can’t shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile. (Like that’s gonna be an issue in Tennessee)
• It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish. (I’d like to see someone try though)
• Ministers are to be dedicated to God and therefore are not eligible to hold a seat in either House of the Legislature. (This explains a lot!)
• It is illegal for a woman to call a man for a date. (Someone’s mother must have made this one up!)
• When you pull up to a stop sign you must fire a gun out the window to warn horse carriages that you are coming. (Ummm…is that supposed to make them stop?)
• By law, anyone who has been drinking is “sober” until he or she “cannot hold onto the ground.” (Well, ok then)
• It is illegal to transport an ice cream cone in your pocket. (Really?)
• Illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians. (Doesn’t say anything about her running him over, though)
• It’s illegal for frogs to croak after 11 PM. (Do they have people who monitor the frogs?)
• It is illegal to give any pie to fellow diners. (That’s ok. I ain’t sharing anyway)

Arkansas
• No one may “suddenly start or stop” their car at a McDonald’s.
• Flirtation between men and women on the streets of Little Rock may result in a 30-day jail term. (Wonder if they have a big enough jail for these violators)
• It is unlawful to walk one’s cow down Main Street after 1:00 PM on Sunday. (Darn. I had planned to take Bessie to town this weekend)

Louisiana
• It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol. (Is it legal to shoot the teller with a real gun, I wonder?)
• Biting someone with your natural teeth is “simple assault,” while biting someone with your false teeth is “aggravated assault.” (Well, that’s a relief. I don’t have false teeth)
• Prisoners who hurt themselves could serve an additional two years in jail. (Wonder what they do to those who hurt others)
• All garbage must be cooked before it can be fed to any hogs. (Did the hogs revolt & demand cooked slop?)
• Chasing fish in a city park is against the law. (As apposed to chasing them down the street?)
• City commission members may not drink during a public meeting or risk a $50 fine. (Bet they don’t meet very often)
• Snakes are not allowed within 200 yards of the Mardi Gras parade route (Well I ain’t gonna be the one to enforce this one)
• You may not tie an alligator to a fire hydrant. (I don’t think you should try tying an alligator to anything unless you want to be armless)

Kentucky
• One may not dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale unless more than six are for sale at once. (So that’s where “Blue Duck” comes from)
• It is illegal to fish with a bow and arrow in Kentucky. (Again. I’d like to see someone try it)

Texas
• It is illegal to sell one’s eye. (I need both of mine anyway)
• It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing. (This one would be difficult for a lot of people)
• It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. (Well, I’m not gonna get any closer)
• It is illegal to dust any public building with a feather duster. (So use a swiffer instead)
• Landing an airplane on the beach is illegal.
• Any person who sits on a sidewalk may be fined up to $500. (Better put in a few benches then)
• It is illegal to drive within an arm’s length of alcohol – including alcohol in someone else’s blood stream. (Hmm…not sure this one will be enforceable)
• It is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts. (This one should be heavily enforced)
• It is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes and/or hands. (But it’s ok to smile & wiggle your butt at someone)
• Owners of horses may not ride them at night without tail lights. (Tail Lights…ha…that’s funny)

Nice Weekend

2011-07-25T08:57:00.003-05:00

Ahh...it was such a nice weekend.

Saturday MJM & I went to KY to visit his parents. It was an awesome day. We had lunch at Olive Garden, tried to see Harry Potter but it was sold out, & had dessert at a place called Stakz, a great do-it-yourself yogurt shop. First you choose the flavor you want, then you fill your bowl with as much as you want. Then you add whatever toppings you want including candy bars, cereal, pop tarts, sprinkles, gummy bears & dozens of other things. The cost is determined by weight so you can pay quite a bit if you add a little of everything! But it was so worth it. They really need one in Nashville!

Sunday we spent at home doing absolutely nothing. Well, I did the laundry & bought groceries, but other than that I did nothing at all. It was great.

Of course, now it's back to work. Another week is here & time to "make the donuts".

Cable It Is!

2011-07-22T09:01:00.002-05:00

Looks like we get to keep the Cable. I called today to go down to Internet only & they're letting me have the Double Play I asked for yesterday. Which means we get to keep the Cable & Internet, get rid of the phone & still cut our bill in almost half. Works for me!!

To Cable or Not To Cable

2011-07-21T08:30:00.005-05:00

So we're trying to decide what luxuries we can live without and which make like so easy we have to keep them.

Our cell phones we have to keep in case of emergencies, but I think once we're up for our New Every Two in December we're going to downgrade to phones that don't require the data package. It's not necessary to be so connected to the world that our every waking moment is consumed by email & internet.

Now, the cable on the other hand is another matter. We're signed up on a Triple Play with Comcast which is supposed to save us money by giving us Cable, Internet & a Home Phone for a lower price than their individual prices. Which was fine 2 years ago when we had kids at home & we needed the phone to be able to contact them. But now, Comcast tells me that we can go up to a better package and pay more OR we can take off the Home Phone (which we never ever ever use) and pay retail price for Cable & Internet which would cost us the same as the Triple Play. Ummm...the idea is to SAVE money...

There's a package for "Current Customers" that's available ONLY to customers who want to upgrade from either just internet OR just cable & include the one they don't currently have. It's a great deal, but WE CAN'T HAVE IT BECAUSE WE HAVE THE TRIPLE PLAY? Tell me how that can possibly be fair to long time customers who pay their bills on time every single month, including all the extra fees that are tacked on that we don't even know what they're for?

And another thing. Regular internet service is about $30. We have the "faster" internet & pay about $45. I learned yesterday we also have a $10 fee for our internet being faster! It seems to me if I'm paying a higher rate for faster internet I shouldn't be charged a "faster internet fee".

Anyway. The question is: Can we live without cable & just have internet only OR is cable a necessity with babies in the house? What do you think?

Random Thoughts

2011-07-20T09:19:00.003-05:00

Finished Chapter 12 yesterday. Only 4 or 5 more to go. I'm not where I wanted to be by this time, but I'm a lot farther along than I thought I was going to be. Hmmm...that didn't sound quite right. lol

Saw Harry Potter 7 Part 2 last night with JWM. It was great! The graphics were awesome & the storyline stayed true to the books, just as the other movies did. I can't wait to see it again with my honey.

HNM & TKE bought a new car yesterday. I tried to talk them out of it since they have a brand new baby & she's not working right now, plus he works for Sonic making very little money & they just moved in with me b/c they couldn't afford their apt. I have to wonder how they're going to make a car/insurance payment. Even when she goes back to work they won't make that much. TKE really needs to find a job that will do more than Sonic pay. With HNM only working part time when she goes back the money will be short. But no matter what arguments I put in front of them they always have an answer. Even if that answer keeps them living with us forever. I had to inform them this was supposed to be a temporary arrangement, not permanent. I can only pray they start listening to me!

Ok. Rant over. For now!

yawn

2011-07-19T08:49:00.002-05:00

I'm tired, cranky and would love nothing more than to curl up somewhere and take a nice long nap. But, alas, it's not to be. Gotta work or I don't eat.

But on the bright side I'm going to see the last Harry Potter tonight with my JWM. We always see the Harry Potter movies together. It's about the only thing we get to do together so I'm looking forward to it.

Weekend Reflections

2011-07-18T11:24:00.004-05:00

Whew! Another weekend over and gone. KAM and the kids spent the weekend with us plus HNM, the new baby & boyfriend have moved in with us until they can save enough money for a car & a new apt. My house was chaos & I'm exhausted.

I love having a houseful of kids but at the same time I really, really want peace and quiet again. I must be insane for allowing so many at one time in the house because the place is way too small for family gatherings that last more than a day. But I was raised in a full house and I can't seem to get away from it. With 30 cousins and 8 sets of aunts & uncles always in & out of my grandparents house I never had peace and quiet.

But I love the little buggers and mostly they don't bother me so much. I worry more for MJM's sanity than my own.

Excuses, Excuses

2011-07-14T08:08:00.003-05:00

Ok. So I haven't written anything in a while. That doesn't mean I'm not a writer, does it? I mean. I write stuff. I write ads at work. I send emails & write letters. I put out the monthly newsletter for my writing group. Doesn't all that count?

Oh, who am I kidding. Of course it doesn't count. But just because I write in fits doesn't mean I'm not a real writer. That's just my process. I do write, just not every single day for a certain number of hours at a certain time of day. Everyone has a different way of approaching their WIP and mine happens to be to write in fits.

Yeah, I know. I'm making excuses. So, what's your writing process?

NEW RELEASE! Haunted Heart by Carolyn Rosewood

2011-07-01T07:54:00.003-05:00

HAUNTED HEART
SEXY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

CAROLYN ROSEWOOD
Etopia Press

Get Your Copy Here!

Rowena Sommers thought moving back home to restore her beloved Aunt’s home was the key to starting over. Van Whitney thought taking the job would keep his business afloat. When a ghost hunter tries to convince Rowena the home is haunted, can these two escape the past and find a future together?

EXCERPT:

She didn’t need Hollywood, or Brett Fontaine.

Rowena Sommers stuffed the latest issue of Celebrity back in the magazine rack, glancing around the Pilot gas station to see if anyone was watching. She sipped her coffee, fuming over the slant of the article.

Contrary to what the reporter said, her relationship with bad-boy leading man Brett Fontaine was in trouble long before she filed a libel suit against him for leaking her personal e-mails to the tabloids. The dumb-ass reporter should have checked the back issues, like the ones with candid photos of Brett and his female costars, taken every time he went on location. They ran right next to the stories with headlines like: Who’s Keeping Rowena Company While Brett Romps in Australia?

A woman in denim cutoffs and an Ohio State T-shirt plucked a copy of the magazine from the rack and glanced sideways, her eyes wide. “This is you. On the cover.”

Rowena studied the picture, taken on the steps of the Van Nuys courthouse three weeks ago. The day she won her lawsuit against Brett. The same day she found out her great-aunt Lunette had died. She’d trade twice the settlement amount to hear Aunt Loony’s voice again. “Yes. That’s me.”

Rowena took another sip of coffee as she tried to formulate an answer that didn’t involve telling this woman where she could stuff that magazine. Her cell chirped. Saved by the ring tone.

“I have to take this. Excuse me.” She headed for the counter as she opened the phone with her free hand. “Tricia, impeccable timing, as always. You just saved me from an inquisitive fan.”

“And judging by the sarcasm in your voice, I’m guessing you’ve seen this week’s Celebrity?”

She glanced back toward the magazine rack, where the woman and a teen dressed like Lady Gaga were reading the article out loud. “Yeah, I’ve seen it. And as if this day could get any worse, I’m forced to drink gas station coffee.”

Tricia laughed. “No Starbucks in Creek Ridge, Ohio?”

Her best friend’s voice reached across the miles, tugging at her heart. Had it been a huge mistake leaving LA? “God, I hope there’s still a Starbucks here.” She took another sip. “This is actually better than the brown goo they tried to serve me at the Holiday Inn Express this morning.”

“Have you been to Aunt Loony’s house yet?” asked Tricia.

Rowena swiped her credit card through the machine. “On my way now. I’ll call and let you know what the contractor said.”

Ohio State and Lady Gaga moved behind her in line, still talking about the article. Rowena’s fingers trembled as she put the card back in her wallet. She pushed past them without a glance. As she opened the door to the parking lot she heard one of them mutter something, but only caught the words “Hollywood” and “bitch.”

Wonderful. Back in town less than twenty-four hours and already someone thought she had an attitude. So much for believing the gossip wouldn’t follow her home.

She waited until she pulled out of the parking lot in her brand-spanking-new Infinity SUV before screaming. Dialing her iPod menu to Led Zeppelin, she turned up the volume, loud. Angry, frustrated, rebellious. Perfect.

The readers of Celebrity weren’t interested in the story behind the lawsuit. They didn’t care about the string of bullshit promises Brett had made. Or the callous way in which he’d trashed her costume design career and her industry contacts with a few keystrokes, all because she’d dared to issue him an ultimatum.

They only cared about two things: reading her personal e-mails, and how much money the Superior Court of Los Angeles had ordered him to pay her because of what he’d done.

They didn’t care why she was in Ohio, or that Aunt Loony was dead. Brett’s money wouldn’t bring her back. Fun and zany, she’d been dubbed Aunt Loony by Rowena’s father when he was a teen, and she’d loved Rowena and her five siblings as if they were her own.

Fresh grief mixed with anticipation. Willow Lane was less than two miles away. Would she be able to handle walking through Aunt Loony’s house, knowing she’d never see her warm smile again?

Spotting a cop parked in front of a strip mall, she braked. Just for good measure, she turned down the volume on Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. She could see the headlines now: Rowena Sommers Arrested for Speeding in Hometown!

The memories overwhelmed her when she turned onto Willow Lane. She’d spent almost as much time on this street as her own, two blocks over. It hadn’t changed in ten years. The oak tree in front of Traci Westphall’s house, where she used to hide from her older sister Emma, still had dead branches along one side. Two doors down, she half expected Bud Williams to materialize in his driveway, sweeping up leaves and twigs while he muttered about the damn, dirty trees.

The scent of roses, lavender, and freshly cut grass filled the air. May sunshine shimmered on the pavement. The smells evoked memories of the end of each school year, when the magic of summer stretched out endlessly. Summer vacation meant going barefoot, walking down by the railroad tracks, and staying outside after dark to catch lightning bugs.

She was home, ready to be part of this town again. To be with people who made her feel safe, wanted, and who didn’t measure their lives by the latest Nielson ratings or market shares.

But would they welcome her? Or had they read the tabloids while laughing at the girl voted Most Likely to Trip Over Her Own Shoelaces? She’d tripped all right, landing smack in the belly of the gossip machine.

The imposing Queen Anne at the end of the street, just before the entrance to Oak Park, rose into view. Despite the faded siding and missing shutters, the grandeur of the home still took her breath away. As her eyes settled on the four-story tower, she remembered summer nights in the second-floor bedroom, wishing she could live with Aunt Loony. Her own room, with no Emma harassing her or parents screaming at one of her brothers.

She slowed the car, turning off her iPod. Letting her gaze travel up to the top floor of the tower—the lookout point—she recalled her big brother Jake and his friends pretending they were pirates. Part of the game included the ability to see all the way to Cleveland, where ships from exotic places like Spain or China would pull into port, stuffed with treasure beyond imagination. She was usually stuck playing the kidnapped damsel in distress or a cabin boy. They’d ignored Emma when she repeatedly pointed out Lake Erie had never been plagued by pirates, nor had treasure ships sailed on the Great Lakes.

The trim lawn and pristine flower beds brought a smile to her face. Her little brother had actually kept a promise. If a contractor showed up, he’d have kept two. For Mike, that would be a record.

She raised her eyes to heaven. “Thank you for the house, Aunt Loony. I promise to take good care of it.” She could almost hear Aunt Loony’s hearty laugh and see the twinkle in her green eyes.

Her smile faded at the sight of a silver Mercedes parked in the driveway. If that belonged to the contractor, she was about to get ripped off.

She parked the SUV in front, then caught the hem of her favorite summer skirt in the door as she tried to make a graceful exit. She glanced toward the Mercedes. Too late. The driver’s side door was already open. Classy way to make a first impression, Rowena.

In the towering maple on the front lawn, a pair of robins started to chirp, probably about her clumsiness. She released her skirt then took a deep breath, turning to look at the man leaning against the Mercedes. Her mouth fell open as she scanned his face. It couldn’t be…

Vance Whitney—everyone calls me Van—belonged to the perfect, popular crowd of cheerleaders and jocks that had made her existence at Creek Ridge High a lesson in insignificance.

He crossed muscled arms over a forest green polo shirt that set off his luminous blue eyes, even at this distance. Broad shoulders tapered to a trim waist, and the khakis he wore accentuated his long legs. The same confident grin she remembered spread across his tanned face.

This is the contractor Mike called? No way. Not happening.

No matter how hot he still looked.

NEW RELEASE! Quarter Square by David Bridger

2011-06-27T09:21:00.000-05:00

English carpenter Joe Walker thinks his life is over when he discovers his wife and best friend having an affair. Restoring an abandoned theatre offers little hope for a fresh start...until he follows a group of strangers through a hidden door into a world he never could have imagined.

In the haven known as Quarter Square, Joe encounters a community of supernatural street performers who straddle the mortal world and the magic realm known as the Wild. Here, Joe finds a sense of belonging he's never known before—and a chance to uncover the truth behind the frightening visions that have haunted him since childhood. He also meets Min, an enchanting singer who quickly captures his heart.

But as Joe settles into Quarter Square, he learns their haven is under attack, while an ancient enemy threatens to tear him and Min apart. Now, Joe must learn to wield his own powers in order to save the life he's come to love...

Buy QUARTER SQUARE at Carina Press!

It's a Wonderful Life!

2011-06-26T15:21:00.002-05:00

Alexzander James Evans arrived at 6:33 a.m. on Thursday, June 16th weighing 6 lbs, 3 oz. Both Mommy & baby did great and spent this entire week with me. They're back home now, but I know HNM will be calling me on a more regular basis now with questions & observations.

I'm a very lucky woman. I have 3 great kids who have all found great people to share thier lives. And I have 3 awesome grandkids. Not to mention a wonderful husband & terrific best friend. I couldn't ask for more than I have right now!

Home for Furlough

2011-06-01T10:51:00.002-05:00

My son came home from Afghanistan yesterday for a 2 week furlough. Now, for the next 2 weeks I won't have to worry that he's in a dangerous place. He's home and he's safe and I can hear his voice. When he goes back my worries will return but for now I'm worry free.

Remember all our military men and women who are fighting for our freedom every day and sacrificing all to keep us safe. There are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, sons and daughters, all back here at home who support you and pray for you every single day.

NEW RELEASE! The Beta by Annie Nicholas

2011-05-17T08:06:00.002-05:00

As the pack’s Beta, Robert needs to watch over the Vasi werewolf pack for a few days. He hates the responsibility, but his job is to dissolve any problems while his alpha honeymoons.

Nevertheless, trouble comes to town and her name is Esther. She's beguiling, beautiful and picks his pocket. Although Robert doesn’t trust her, he still wants to possess her.

Esther arrived in Chicago with the intention of slaying a vampire named Daedalus. While trailing her quarry, she encounters Robert who unhinges her world. He doesn’t know her trade, and she doesn’t know his connection to the vampire.

Disturbed by her attraction to this unusual werewolf, she can’t decide which prey to hunt. The one who’s stolen her heart or the one who’ll fill her bank account.

Hot graphic werewolf sex, growing body parts, and one pissed off Nosferatu.

For more information on Annie, visit her website.

To read an excerpt, click here. To purchase, click here.

Peace and Quiet

2011-05-10T08:56:00.002-05:00

Well, KAM and the kids went home last week. I spent this weekend enjoying peace & quiet and maybe being just a little bored with nothing to do. The house is clean and there's nothing worth watching on TV right now so I sat in the quiet and read a book. It fell so good to do that.

Sunday was Mother's Day and I got a call from JAM in Afghanistan. It was great to hear his voice. He sent me roses, too. HNM bought me a rose necklace (see a pattern here? Obviously roses are my favorite flower.) and a beautiful card that made me cry. And of course I cried again when I got the card from JWM. He had to work all day but his girlfriend brought it over along with chocolate covered strawberries. All in all it was an awesome weekend.

This week will be more of the same. DH is going to play paintball all weekend and I'll be home alone. I have to work a little while on Saturday afternoon, but after that nothing but quiet. It'll be the perfect time to get some writing done.

Review: Living In Color by Trish Milburn

2011-05-04T10:41:00.003-05:00

Book Description:
After the death of her father, Sabrina Bishop feels a sense of relief that he's gone. No longer will he be able to abuse her mother mentally or physically, and just maybe her mother might grow to see what he'd done to her was wrong. But with the death of Jim Bishop, Sabrina is now responsible for her mother's well-being since Ruby can't read or write and has lived a sheltered life. But Ruby has a very small comfort zone in rural West Tennessee, and that means she can't come live with Sabrina in Atlanta. Besides, Sabrina's job as an award-winning news photographer keeps her traveling around the globe most of the time. As she tries to make suitable plans for her mother's future, Sabrina offers to take Ruby on a road trip to expose her to a world she's never seen. As they travel to sites such as Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and the Gulf Coast of Florida, the trip becomes a journey of unexpected healing and self-discovery not only for Ruby, but for Sabrina as well.

Review:
A beautiful story of overcoming the past, Living in Color by Trish Milburn had me reading into the night.

As a victim of abuse myself, I could relate to the feelings and emotions of both Sabrina and her mother Ruby as they make their way through a difficult time.

The love Sabrina has for her mother is obvious even through the anger she feels at Ruby for “allowing” the abuse. Their journey is not only a visit to places Ruby has never been allowed to dream of visiting it’s also a journey back to themselves and each other.

Living in Color is a great read.

NEW RELEASE! Friction by Kim Knox

2011-05-04T07:52:00.001-05:00

Book 2 in the Planetary Bodies series.

A deal is a deal.

But when that deal includes appearing in Tomas Thorne’s office ready to offer herself for his…consumption, Shan Rayner runs, hides and has no intention of going through with it. That is until she’s hit by sheen, a turbulent force from the Uranian lower atmosphere. A force that brings her darkest desires to the surface.

Need swamps Shan and she finds herself outside Tomas’ office, all too ready to agree to anything he wants. Absolutely anything.

Buy here from Ellora's Cave

You can also read an excerpt here

At my website there's a little sneak peek behind the series, Planetary Bodies
Friction is part of a linked series. The first book, Magnetism, can be found here.

Rain Rain Go Away!

2011-04-27T10:11:00.003-05:00

It's been raining off and on for days now. The temps are at least in the normal range, but come on. Do we really need to soak the ground again? Didn't we just go through this last year with the 100 year flood? Now, to me that means we shouldn't have another like it for 100 years, but the way things are looking we're heading in that direction.

Not to mention the tornadoes and high winds and hail and all kinds of other things flying around in the air. Poor KAM had a tree limb on her house yesterday. She got a call from a neighbor who told her there was a tree on her brand new, month old roof. Thank God when we got there is wasn't as bad as we thought. No damage to the roof and we got it pulled down, chopped up, hauled away and the gutters tacked back up for a mere $50 by a tree cutting service that just happened to be in the area taking care of other homes that were hit worse than hers. It's one of the few things that have been good for her the past two months where that house is concerned.

Mother Nature has been in a bad mood for a while so if anyone knows what to do to make her happy, please let me know.

NEW RELEASE! The Weaverfields Heir by David Bridger

2011-04-22T08:18:00.000-05:00

When Kate Richards inherits a dilapidated English estate from her estranged grandfather, she finds herself thrust into a world full of hostile new family members, mysterious Romany tenants, and strange visions of "the net" - an invisible web that connects everything in the universe. Kate thinks she's losing her sanity, but the odd family stories and disturbing tales of locals convince her that something sinister is going on at Weaverfields, while the inescapable pull of the net draws her deeper into the secrets of her new home.

But with those secrets come danger, and an old evil that refuses to let go of its hold on the net - or on Weaverfields. The only person who seems to understand is Joe, a Romany street artist with his own ties to the land. Kate and Joe must master the net before the past intrudes on the present... in very ugly ways...

Read an excerpt and buy The Weaverfields Heir at Etopia Press.

NEW RELEASE! The Lost Soul by Carolyn Rosewood

2011-04-20T07:49:00.002-05:00

The Last Soul
Carolyn Rosewood
Evernight Publishing
ISBN 978-1-926950-43-3
Heat Level 3
Be warned: light bondage and sex toys

http://www.evernight...n-Rosewood.html

Faina has been dead for one hundred and fifty years, but she's about to become human again. All she has to do is seduce Jace Blackmon,the most honest financier ever to grace the city of angels, into signing awayhis soul.

Jace Blackmon has fallen in love with his fantasy woman. But when he realizes she was tricked by a demon to bring about his ruin, including the revelation of a long-buried secret to the media, he must choose between his heart or life without her.

Excerpt:

Faina donned a Betsey Johnson flowered dress and wedge sandals, then materialized a few blocks from where Jace worked. It felt so good to be outdoors. The warm air was soothing, the traffic noises and bustling crowds reminding her of New York City. Faina didn't often getnostalgic for her human life, but today she did. If she succeeded in this mission, she'd be human again. Warm weather, noisy crowds and city life would be her reality, not simply the realm in which she was allowed to work.

Unless Mastema had tricked her. No. She wouldn't think about that now. She had a job to do. She took her time, peering in shop windows and trying to look like just another California trust fund babe out for a stroll on a bright summer day. The fact nearly every man pounding the pavement tripped over his own two feet as she strolled past wasn't lost on her. She didn't have the baby face, long blonde curls, and legs up to there for nothing.

She avoided eye contact. It was enough to leave them with her scent, they'd have trouble getting it out of their head for weeks, but to look them in the eyes would be downright cruel. Even when she'd been alive all she'd had to do was turn her baby blues in a man's direction and he followed her around like a dogin heat. She'd made more money for Madame Lily during her first six months than most of her girls made over the course of two years.

As she made her way to the entrance of the 770 Wilshire Building, she caught a whiff of burned toast. She ducked into the nearest shop and pressed her nose to the plate glass window, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. She'd only seen Mastema appear once in human form. He'd looked ridiculous dressed in a long coat and cowboy hat on the streets of Aurora Nebraska, population four thousand two hundred and twenty-five as of last year. His bad-boy Western get-up would have been more appropriate for Arizona in the late nineteenth century.

Either Mastema hadn't been the demon she smelled or he'd already evaporated. The sidewalks were filled with six foot blondes and men who looked like they walked off the cover of GQ. Not a weird outfit or menacing swagger in sight.

"Help you, Miss? You need mani and pedi today? We have new summer colors look perfecton you."

Faina whirled around to face the ancient Vietnamese woman. She'd ducked into a nail salon. Her senses had been so focused on the burnt toast smell and Mastema's human form she hadn't noticed the acrid smell of nail polish.

"No, not today. I'm sorry. I've got to go."

Faina opened the door and strode to the parking garage entrance of the building. On the way a clock struck five. The smell of burnt toast wafted from a nearby taco stand. Had that been what she smelled? Tacos? She was jumping at shadows. That wasn't like her.

She made her way to Jace's sports car by visualizing it. As the flood of workers poured into the garage, she hoped Jace would stay calm when he saw her. She was taking a risk as there would be plenty of witnesses if he wigged out.

He was busy scrolling through messages on his phone as he sauntered to his car,and didn't see her until she stepped in front of him as he was about to open the door.

"Oh Jesus. Holy fu—" His warm brown eyes opened wide and he visibly swallowed. "How did you... you're real. Holy sh*t."

"Get in your car, Jace. People are staring. One of them looks like he's going to take a picture with his cell."

The lie snapped him out of his trance. He unlocked the doors and she slid into the passenger seat. "Start the car but don't move yet."

He stared straight ahead as the engine roared to life. Beads of sweat pooled at his hairline. She could hear his heart pounding. When she reached up to wipe his forehead he moaned. "It's all right, Jace. Just try to relax."

"I don't understand." His voice shook.

"You don't need to. Wait until the garage clears out a bit. Then we'll leave."

"I...I have a dinner date. A family friend. I have to go. I don't want to but… I… I should."

"Do you want me to leave?"

He looked into her eyes with the most desperate longing she'd ever seen on a human face. A flash of apprehension shivered down her spine, unbalancing her. She was going to hurt him. Badly. He'd lose everything. His home, the Foundation, his dinner date, maybe even this fancy sports car. And some kid wouldn't have a place to sleep on a cold, winter night, or a youth group to keep him off the streets.

The men she brought to Mastema were bad-to-the-bone to begin with. They just needed a little help to push them in the right direction. The inevitable direction, as he liked to call it. But Jace Blackmon was a good guy.

Then why does Apollyon want him? But what if he didn't want Jace? What if Jahi was right and Mastema had forged the contract?

"Faina." His whisper pulled her back to the present. Until she had proof to the contrary, it was Jace's soul or her eternal torment as one of Mastema's sex slaves. This was self-preservation. Nothing more.

Shelooked into his eyes and smiled "Yes, Jace?"

"Please don't leave, Faina."

Sick

2011-04-14T08:19:00.002-05:00

Finally back at work today after being sick with strep throat all week. Let me just say "NO FUN!!!" My throat was on fire all day Monday & I had a temp of 101 - at work. It hurt to breath let alone talk, which is not a good thing since my job consists of answering phones and selling advertising. That requires both breathing & talking.

So, after work, I stopped at the walk-in clinic b/c I knew something was wrong. I never feel like that. And sure enough, strep. I hightailed myself home, crawled in bed (away from the grandbabies b/c that would have been a disaster) and stayed there until yesterday afternoon. I'm on antibiotics & ibuprofen and am feeling much better today although I wish I could have taken another day off.

At least it didn't happen this weekend to make me miss my writer's group or the Southern Women's Show. I would have been seriously bummed.

I Wish I Were Me

2011-04-06T09:20:00.001-05:00

Ok. I don't know where this came from this morning, but here's a little poem I whipped up.

I wish I were me and only me
The only me I want to be
But I’m not me as you can see
I can’t be only me
I must be who you want me to be
You want me to be another me
Another me I try hard to be
I wish I were me and only me

Get Motivated!

2011-03-29T14:44:00.006-05:00

I spent yesterday at a Get Motivated! Seminar in Memphis, TN. There were awesome speakers & great prizes such as a flat screen TV, an Ipad, a Disney vacation to Orlando & $10,000 cash (none to me unfortunately). It was a great day & I enjoyed it very much.

The trip to get there, not so much. I rode down with my BFF and we spent the night so we wouldn't have to leave by 4 am to get there in time. The drive was good, we spent it talking and just enjoying each other's company.

We had booked a hotel room that was just down from the venue. It was much cheaper than other places we looked at, which should have been a clue. But the reviews weren't bad & the photos looked really nice of the neighborhood & the rooms. When we drove up to the place, the surrounding area was completely deserted. Not a soul was walking around or standing outside; and this was downtown Memphis. So, we started to worry a bit.

We got inside & checked in, got our things from the car and went to wait for the elevator. We waited and waited and could see it was moving, but very slowly. It finally got down to us and we got on. We stopped on every floor until we figured out that if you hold the button of your floor down it would bypass every other floor. Not exactly my idea of a safe ride. But we made it to the 10th floor and found our room. The room wasn't bad & it was clean so we felt good about that at least.

We decided to go get something to eat & maybe check out Beale St to see why it's "World Famous". It was raining a bit so we took the car & drove the few blogs to the restaurant where we wanted to eat. No parking. And the prices were jacked up to $10 to part because the Grizzlies played the Spurs that night. Needless to say we didn't stop & just headed on down to check out Beale St. Only the roads were all blocked and the ballgame had just let out. We got caught in traffic and couldn't seem to get out of it.

We finally got through and decided to just head back to our room. We parked in the hotel parking lot and walked to TGI Friday's a block away to eat. After that we were exhausted and went back to the room to sleep.

The seminar itself was awesome! Great speakers such as Steve Forbes, Terry Bradshaw, Krish Dhanam, Laura Bush, Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani and more. I enjoyed every second of their sessions and can't wait to attend another one.

Lunch break was another lesson in disaster. Thousands of people at the seminar and the food vendors ran out of things to serve. The BBQ place ran out of buns, the sandwich shop ran out of coldcuts and the hot dog vendors ran out of hot dogs. Not exactly great planning on their part. After an hour of standing in line for food we made it to the counter and were able to order Chicken Alfredo & cheesecake. Not bad, for a sandwhich place.

We finally made it home about 9 last night and I'm back at work today. I'm exhausted, but I enjoyed the adventure even with all the issues.

How about you? Any misadventures of your own lately?

Follow Your Dreams

2011-03-24T07:48:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately following my dream is not something I've always done. My dream when I was a teenager was to go to college and become a reporter. Instead I got married, had kids and quit writing altogether.

I let my insecurities and an abusive husband tell me I wasn't good enough to be what I wanted to be, so I gave up my writing and I didn't go to college. I am glad, though, that I didn't become a reporter. I don't think I have the get-the-story-at-all-cost mentality and wouldn't have made it far. Perhaps I could have been a columnist, and probably still could if I wanted to. And since I still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up, maybe I will. Who knows?

But I do know that I wouldn't trade my life for anything else. There have been a LOT of hard times and I've gone through things that no woman or mother should have to go through. But those things have made me the person I am today. And I happen to like that person.

And now it's time for me to finally follow my dream. My dream has changed over the years, but it's still basically the same beneath it all. I have always wanted to write. And now that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm not very good at it yet and sometimes I get so blocked and insecure that I don't write for days or weeks at a time. But I'm still following my dream every time I sit down at the computer (or notebook) and write even a single sentence. And that is the greatest feeling in the world.

Never, never give up on your dreams. Put them aside for awhile if you must, but never give them up completely.

2011-03-21T08:25:00.002-05:00

What a great weekend! Saturday was MCRW with Mike Breedlove of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation giving us info on crime scene investigation and relaying stories about cases that he's worked. Fascinating! I was engrossed the entire time. Then we all went to lunch at O'Charley's. The group goes out for lunch every month, but this is the first time I've gone with them. After two years of being a member. I really need to get out of this whole can't-talk-to-people-I-don't-know thing. It's nuts and it's holding me back.

Sunday I had to work. With furloughs finishing up this week there are several people out in our group so I helped cover the obit department. Thankfully it was slow and I didn't have a hard time keeping up, but it would have been nice to be out in the beautiful weather. On the bright side, though, I got overtime!

Tired

2011-03-14T09:02:00.002-05:00

It's Monday again. Minus an hour. Daylight savings time is kicking my butt today. Not to mention CDM was up sick last night & I got up to help clean her up & get her back to sleep, KAM was depressed because my son did/said something he shouldn't have. And MAM was just plain cranky (so was pawpaw, but that's another story).

So all that means that today I'm cranky & not feeling up to snuff. But it's my job to make sure everyone else is taken care of. Of course, who's gonna take care of me when I'm not feeling it?

My babies are home!

2011-03-07T11:18:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited to have KAM & the kids back home now. She's always so miserable when she goes to visit her mother & it drives me nuts. I don't understand how a mother can treat her child that way. It just doesn't seem normal to me.

But they're back home now & I'm so happy to have them around. CDM & MAM are the most adorable babies ever. Of course, they can get loud & messy & just plain fussy, but I love it. It's good to have babies in the house.

HNM will have one to add to the mix in June. I can't wait. But boy could I use a bigger house!

Ok. I'm an Idiot!

2011-03-04T10:43:00.001-06:00

Called the Home Warranty company & got a repairman to come out & check the stove to see if it could be repaired or would need to be replaced. He pulled the whole thing apart & checked every wire & every connection and nothing was wrong with it.

He finally checked the breaker box for a tripped switch and guess what. The switch was tripped just enough to allow enough electricity to power the lights & clock, but not enough to power the elements for cooking.

So, I paid $50 for someone to flip the switch on my breaker box. Can you say stupid? Why didn't I just check the darn thing to begin with? Because I'm an idiot that's why!

Oh, well. At least my stove works now.

New Kitchen

2011-03-03T11:33:00.003-06:00

Well, looks like I'm getting my new kitchen. Piece by Piece. We had to buy a new refrigerator last year. This year it's a new stove. I got home last night and found the stove was completely gone. Oh, the lights were on to show we'd turned a knob, but nothing got hot. Not a single burner burned & the oven stayed cold. Grrr...

Luckily, we renewed our home warranty last month & upgraded to include the appliances. Now I'm waiting for them to come check it out and see if they'll actually cover the cost or if I'm going to have to buy it myself.

If I have to buy it myself I want the solid cooktop so I don't have to clean those darn burner plates. It's such a pain when food gets underneath and you have to take everything apart & clean it. With the solid cooktop that won't happen. I hope.

Maybe we'll indulge & go ahead and get the dishwasher to match everything else. Then I can concentrate on the granite countertops & new cabinets later in the year. Then I'll finally have a really nice kitchen. If only I could make it bigger!

New Release

2011-03-01T08:36:00.001-06:00

NEW RELEASE: The Summoning by Tatiana Caldwell, from Liquid Silver Books.

Everything comes with a price …

Gailyn Bridges is a psychic who is ready to end her troublesome career as a private investigator. For the last time, she summons a powerful spirit to help her close a final case.

However, the mysterious entity who answers, Malak, is no ordinary spirit. He’s more than willing to help Gailyn save the would-be victim of a violent crime.

But who’s going to save Gailyn when Malak returns to collect payment for lending her his power?

Read a free excerpt and buy the book here.

I Am A Romance Writer

2011-02-17T18:28:00.003-06:00

It’s not uncommon for me to climb into bed at night with my husband while thoughts of another man still linger in my head. But it’s not an issue between us. He understands that my heart sometimes belongs to someone else. He has even been known to ask me “Who was it today?” to which I smile and whisper “Talon” as I drift off to sleep.

I am a writer of Historical Romance. I fill my life with Medieval Knights, Scottish Highlanders, English Lords, and Civil War Soldiers. I see myself in every lady fair and I fall in love with every handsome prince. I sigh at every first kiss. My heart beats faster at every gentle touch and breaks each time it looks as if all is lost. And each time happiness reigns I know love conquers all, in life as in fiction.

When someone asks me what I do I tell them, “I am a Romance Writer.” And they often smile and give me that look that says, “Oh, you’re not a real writer.”

But the way I see it, I use the same words as Faulkner, Shakespeare or any winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. I simply string them together so that my characters fall in love and live happily ever after.

I don’t consider myself any different than any other writer in any other genre, whether Romance, Mystery, Women’s Fiction or any on Oprah’s Book List. I sit myself down, work on character and plot, agonize over each word and pray that what I wanted to say shows in each sentence.

And when someone tells me that what I wrote gave them pleasure I know without a doubt that I am proud to be a Romance Writer.

Plans Change

2011-02-08T07:52:00.002-06:00

I've been feeling a little down lately. It's 2011 and I had such high hopes for this year. So far everything has changed.

I had planned our family reunion to be in May, but had to change it to September because HNM is having her baby in June and & she can't travel that far at that stage.

I had planned to go to RWA Nationals in New York City, but again HNM is having her baby in June and I can't leave her that soon after she had it. Besides, the money would be way too much for me to come up with at this late date.

I had planned to go to my local RWA Writer's Group yearly Retreat in March, but KAM and the kids are coming home that weekend so I can't leave them alone at home when they first get back. I haven't seen them since November so I want to be there when they get home.

It just seems like everything I've planned for this year is being put on hold and that's not a good thing since 2010 was such a crappy year. I was so hoping this year would be better. But then again. The things that I'm putting everything on hold for will be great. So, guess I should just buck up and enjoy myself. I'm gonna have babies in the house again!

Progress

2011-01-25T09:09:00.002-06:00

The new WIP is going really well. I'm already up to chapter 4 & it's only been a little over a week. I was only up to chapter 7 in the one I just dropped and I'd been working on it for almost 2 years. Of course, this one could stall at any second, but so far so good.

I was sick yesterday so I didn't write much, but I'll make up for it today. Progress is a good thing & I definitely want to keep it moving forward.

WIPs

2011-01-17T08:50:00.003-06:00

Here it is the middle of January and I haven't posted anything in a while. I have been a little busy, but not so busy I couldn't write a simple blog post. I really need to get back in the swing of things.

I've been trying to work on Rebel Union, but it's just not flowing. I think maybe I've plotted the darn thing to within an inch of it's life and now I can't make myself veer away from where I wanted to go, even though where I want to go isn't going anywhere.

So, I've put that WIP aside for the time being and now I'm working on something new. Actually I had started this once before and had no idea where to take it. Now I'm just gonna see where it goes and follow along.

Who, knows? Maybe I'll even discover that I'm a pantser and not a plotter. That would at least be something. The way things have been looking I'm neither.

2011

2011-01-03T08:22:00.003-06:00

Well, 2010 is finally behind us. It's been a trying year for everyone. We started off the year with snow and ended the year with snow. And in between there were floods & storms & enough chaos to cause many people many problems. 2011 has got to be better.

I'm not going to make resolutions this year because I didn't accomplish any of the things I set out to do last year, so why set myself up for failure again. This year I'm just going to do what I can when I can. I can't ask any more from myself than that.

Here's to 2011. May you bring us joy and love and keep our hearts and heads where they need to be.

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-20T07:40:00.001-06:00

Whew! It's been busy. It's that time of year again. Christmas is fast approaching and I always tend to wait until the last minute to do anything. This weekend I spent shopping and baking. It's a good thing I'm done since Christmas is this week!

This year has gone by way too fast. It almost seems like it just started and here it is over already. I never seem to complete any of the resolutions I set for myself in January, but that's not so bad. I finish other things and those are important, too. Anyway, resolutions are suggestions, not written-in-stone-do-this-or-else kinda things. At least that's what I tell myself.

How about you? Do you wait till the last minute to finish your shopping/baking? Do you find yourself with a list of unfinished resolutions in December?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2010-12-17T09:39:00.002-06:00

And I haven't gotten any shopping done. Well, I take that back. I've bought one thing online for my BFF, but that's it. Tomorrow is MCRW's annual Christmas Party & I'm looking forward to the fun. But after that I've got to get started. Can't wait till Christmas Eve to shop!

How about you? Anyone else last minute shopping?

SHOW A ZOMBIE SOME LOVE!

2010-12-10T00:01:00.002-06:00

Hey, Attic Dwellers. Give a big welcome to my very first Guest Blogger Paige Tyler. Paige's book Dead Sexy comes out today from Ellora's Cave. Hi, Paige!!

Thanks so much for letting me guest blog today!

Readers often ask me how I come up with ideas for my books, so I thought I'd give you a little behind-the-scenes peek at how I came up with my new release, a paranormal erotic romance from Ellora's Cave called DEAD SEXY.

Before I say anything else though, isn't that cover too hot for words?! When the art department sent it to me, I probably gazed at it for a good ten minutes in mouth-drooling appreciation before I could email them back telling the artist it not only rocked, but totally fit the book. The hero is "Dead Sexy," after all!

Okay, back to the story and how I came up with it. First, to set the stage, I need to share a little something with you about myself. Well, about my hubby and me, actually. We love zombie movies, from the George Romero gems to Shaun of the Dead and everything in between, including "Walking Dead," the new series on AMC. You just can't go wrong with a movie full of walking dead people, can you? Well, if you've ever seen a zombie movie (or even you haven't), then you know the creatures aren't the heroes of the film. I mean, how can they be, right? They're all dead and decayed and downright unattractive, not to mention pretty damn scary. Which was why you can imagine my surprise when my hubby suggested I write an erotic romance about a zombie hero. I was like, you're kidding, right? What woman in her right mind would fall in love with a dead guy? No way could that possibly work, or so I thought.

Turns out, my hubby wasn't kidding. In fact, he started working up ideas for the story.

"The hero didn't have to be a zombie all the time," he told me. "Think outside the box - take a little literary license!"

Okay, I thought. I suppose I could be open minded.

My hubby told me that in his out-of-the-box world, the hunky hero got cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess and only turns into a zombie sometimes.

"I'm listening," I said.

"And when he does go zombie, he doesn't have to be like the kind in the movies," my hubby added. "Well, he has to look like one, you know all dead and stuff, but he doesn't have to be a mindless creature or attack humans or eat anything gross."

So, brains are completely out, thanks goodness!

"Think Jensen Ackles or Jared Padelecki, with a really, really, really dark tan - (yes, my hubby knows I've got a thing for the Supernatural hunks!) - well, maybe more gray and black than tan, but you get the idea."

I thought about that for a minute. "So, the hero's dead, but he's still sexy, is that what you're saying?"

"Exactly," he said, giving me a grin as my eyes lit up with understanding.

By that point, my hubby had pretty much sold me on the idea. Of course, I knew if I ran with it, I was going to have to sell it to a publisher, and I knew that could be tough since the hero is a zombie. But I ran with it anyway and ended up with a full-length novel. And it came out pretty damn good, if I do say so myself! I still had to find a publisher for it, though.

About this same time, It just so happens that several of my other books were in the process of being picked up by Ellora's Cave and I thought what the heck? Why not pitch it to my editor there and see what she thinks? So I did, and she told me to send it to her. She was interested to see how I handled the whole zombie-thing. Well, long story, short, she liked it. A lot! My zombie romance with it's dead-sexy hero had a home! I was thrilled and my hubby walked around for a week with a smug, "I-told-you-so" look on his face.

I've been getting the word out there about DEAD SEXY ever since I signed the contract for it and I'm thrilled with the interest from readers who can't wait to get their hands on it! I can't wait for them to read it, too!

Now that I've revealed the story behind the story, I thought I'd share the blurb and an excerpt just to whet your appetite for more!

Blurb:

Romance author Simone Kent thinks she might just have found the most perfect guy in all of New York City - in bed and out. But Drake Parrish is about as far from perfect as any man can get. Eight years ago, he was cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess to live part of his life as a zombie. Since then, he has lived like a recluse on New York’s Upper East Side, afraid to go out for fear he’ll suddenly turn into one of the walking dead.

The sex if the hottest either of them has ever experienced and Simone discovers just how naughty she can be with Drake, while he finds himself feeling things for her that he hasn’t felt in a very long time. When the Voodoo priestess learns of their relationship, however, she comes after him again. She is determined to make sure he won’t have a future with Simone, even if that means killing both him and the woman he loves.

Excerpt:

As she led him up the steps to the second floor, Drake found himself wondering if she would ask him in. And wondering what he’d say if she did. When they came to a stop outside the door to her apartment, Simone turned to give him a smile.

“I had a great time tonight.”

“Me, too.”

She caught her bottom lip between her perfect white teeth and chewed on it thoughtfully as if unsure what she wanted to say next. It was probably an unconscious gesture, something she did whenever she was thinking, but to him, it was sexy as hell and all he could think about was kissing her.

Surely, one kiss couldn’t hurt. He desperately wanted to. He hadn’t kissed a woman in so long. It would be nice to see if he still remembered how.

Before he could stop himself, Drake tilted Simone’s face up to his and pressed his mouth to hers.

She tasted just as sweet and delicious as he thought she would. Her lips were soft and pliant under his as she kissed him back, her tongue eagerly seeking his out.

Drake groaned and slid his hand into her hair, deepening the kiss. Simone sighed into his mouth, running her hands up the front of his shirt to grasp his shoulders. The feel of her touch was like a tonic to his deprived soul and he let out another groan, deeper this time.

He ran his free hand up her side and around to her breast, cupping it through the soft material of her dress. He couldn’t stop himself and apparently, Simone didn’t want him to. She moaned and arched against him. He could feel the heat of her pussy through their clothes as she pressed up against his hard cock. Damn, she felt good.

Drake drew her bottom lip into his mouth and gently suckled on it before slowly kissing his way along the delicate curve of her jaw. Simone clutched his shoulders and tilted her head back. He eagerly trailed a path of hot kisses down her neck, then back up, his mouth finding hers again. Simone looped her arms around his neck, pulling him in even closer as their tongues met.

Down the hall, a door slammed, reminding him where they were.

Drake dragged his mouth away from hers, his breathing ragged as he tried to regain control. He had to get it together because he was about five seconds away from doing something really stupid. Like taking her to bed. “I should go.”

Her lips curved into a sexy, flirtatious smile. “Or you could stay.”

God, how he wanted to. But as much as he’d love to spend the rest of the night exploring every inch of her body, he couldn’t take the chance he might go zombie on her right in the middle of sex. Talk about coitus interruptus, And it had already been almost four days since he last turned, which meant he was already pushing his luck.

“You don’t know how much I want to,” he groaned. “But I can’t.”

Simone looked up at him with those big, blue eyes. “Why not?”

“Because I…” He hesitated, trying to come up with something that would sound believable. “I have a column due in the morning and I haven’t even started on it yet.” She knew all about deadlines, so she would understand that. Besides, he did have a column to write, it just wasn’t due until next week. “Rain check?”

She looked disappointed, but she smiled anyway. “Absolutely. How does coming over for dinner tomorrow night sound?”

It would be crazy to agree when he could be so close to having an episode, but he couldn’t say no. Not when she asked in that soft, sultry voice. “Sounds great.”

“Good. Be here at seven.”

“Seven it is.”

She pulled him down for another long, slow kiss on the mouth. “Don’t be late.”

His mouth twitched. “I won’t.” He bent his head to kiss her again, then groaned. “If I don’t go now, I’ll be here all night.”

Simone laughed. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

“Not to me, but my editor at Money Issues might not be too understanding when he doesn’t find my column sitting in his inbox tomorrow.”

She sighed. “Deadlines can be a real pain in the butt sometimes. Okay, go home and write your column. I’ll cuddle up with a bowl of ice cream instead.”

He chuckled. “Sounds better than taking a cold shower, which is what I’m going to be doing when I get home.” He closed his mouth over hers once more. “See you tomorrow night, beautiful.”

Resisting the urge to pull her into his arms again, Drake turned and walked down the hallway toward the stairwell. At the top of the steps, he glanced over his shoulder to see Simone standing where he’d left her, a sexy curve to her lips.

It took every ounce of strength he possessed not to go back and pin her against the door for one more long, lingering kiss. God, what he wouldn’t give to spend the night with her. Man, it was going to take more than a cold shower to get her out of his head.

Hope you enjoyed the excerpt and that you can't wait to read more! You can get DEAD SEXY from Ellora's Cave at http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8917-50-dead-sexy.aspx

You can also check out the trailer here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5D_YH6bYrE

If you decide to pick up DEAD SEXY, let me know how you like it!

*hugs*
Paige

http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com
http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com

2010-12-02T08:37:00.002-06:00

Ah. Another week almost gone. Christmas is creeping up fast and I still haven't started my shopping. I know what I'm getting a couple of people, but others I can't think of anything. *sigh*

How about you? Started shopping yet or are you like me and wait until the last minute?

Black Friday

2010-11-26T09:16:00.003-06:00

Personally I don't get out on Black Friday and stand in line for hours in the cold to shop. Now, if I find something I just have to buy then I might consider it.

Like last year. The netbook was only $199 so I HAD to get one. My laptop died and I needed a new one and this was a deal I just couldn't pass up. So I left my house at 2 am and stood in line at Sam's Club. But notice I chose a store where the lines are not so long. Actually I sat in my car and waited. The store gave out cards for each item they had on sale so I got my card and went back to sit where it was warm to wait for the store to open. I'm not brave enough to stand out in the cold for 2 hours.

This year nothing really struck my fancy so I didn't bother going out. How about you? You shopping today?

New Release

2010-11-23T08:09:00.010-06:00

Sleeping With The Wolf

Maddy Barone
ISBN 978-1-59578-777-4 Sterling Silver title
Rising country music star Carla boards a plane in the year 2014. But it crashes in the future, fifty years after Armageddon has destroyed technology and plagues have reduced the female population to a precious few. She finds herself offered as prize in a Bride Fight, where only the strongest and fiercest men are allowed to compete to win a wife. Alpha werewolf Taye knows Carla is his mate. He wins the Bride Fight and takes her to his den, ready to give her everything, even his heart. Will Carla ever be ready to give him anything?

Read An Excerpt Here
Word Count: 42500
BUY IT HERE

Ah! Bliss!

2010-11-17T08:50:00.003-06:00

It was blissfully quiet at my house last night. Almost too quiet, but not quite.

Kimberly left yesterday with the kids to drive to San Antonio to visit her mother for a couple of months. I'll miss them, but they need to visit there, too.

I came home from work last night and cleaned the house before I even had dinner. Now, tonight, I can go home and just relax. Maybe I'll even get a little writing done. Or at least read a good book. I haven't done either since Kimberly and the kids came to stay last week.

I. Can't. Wait!

Deployment 2010

2010-11-08T08:51:00.002-06:00

It's been a long weekend. Saturday I spent all day with my son and his family preparing for his deployment. He's headed over to Afghanistan for a year.

He deployed a couple of years ago, but this time will be different. The last time he was sent to a base in Iraq that was away from the main area of combat. He was a mechanic and of course he was trained in combat, but he didn't have to use it then. This time he's going to a base in the main area of combat and his job will be to man the guns on top of the trucks.

Needless to say, I'm terrified for him. He may be grown, but he's still my baby boy and I pray every day that he will be safe and will come home to us whole.

In the meantime, his wife and kids are coming to spend this week with me and then they'll go to Texas to be with her family for a couple of months. I'll miss them all, but they'll be home soon and I'll get to spoil the babies more. And when James comes home next year we'll all be together again!

Another Round of Layoffs

2010-11-04T09:45:00.002-05:00

Well, they cut 10 more people here yesterday. Luckily I wasn't one of them. Now the move I made on Friday makes much more sense. Instead of cutting my job completely they moved me back into my group and just cut the classified front counter position. I still have a job we just don't have anyone from our department manning the counter anymore. Thank the Good Lord for looking out for me. I feel much better now. Whew!

Old Friends From Far Away

2010-11-02T10:04:00.003-05:00

I found out last week that I'm "googlable". Hmmm...new word for Webster's? :-)

A girl I knew in high school contacted me last week through the "Contact Me" page of my blog/website. To say it was a surprise would be an understatement. I'd looked for her on Facebook, but was never able to find her. I even tried googling her and looking on those "find someone" websites, but nothing turned up. Turns out she'd been looking for me, too, so she googled me and found my website. How cool is that?

We've been emailing back and forth all week, catching up, learning what's been happening the past 25 years. She's still married to the same guy (I was in the wedding) and they had 2 kids, a boy and a girl. Just as with everyone else, it's been hard, but they've made it through and have a good life together.

I'm so excited to find her after all this time. We worked together at Sonic in Dumas, AR when I lived there one semester with my dad. We tried to keep in touch after I moved away and she got married, but as usual, life got in the way. But now that we've found each other I won't lose her again.

Isn't it great to find old friends from far away?

Happy Monday

2010-11-01T09:52:00.002-05:00

It's been a long week. On Wednesday I was told I had to move my desk by today, but was moved on Friday instead. The same day I got a call from JAM that he was leaving early to go to Afghanistan. And again, the same day, I was told by HNM that she's pregnant.

JAM, KAM and the kids came over Saturday and spent the night. I love having them there and when JAM leaves next week, KAM is taking the kids to Texas to visit her mother through Christmas. I'm going to miss having them around.

Yesterday, I made Thanksgiving dinner for them then after, we went trick or treating. CDM was so cute in her Barbie Cheerleader outfit. And she was the most polite trick or treater out there. They took her to the door, she knocked and kept repeating "Trick or Treat" until someone opened the door. Then she'd stand there with her bag open, waiting for candy. But she always remembered to say "Thank You". I love that little rug rat. LOL

Now, it's a new week and I'm back at work, at my new desk, waiting for the phone to ring and feeling my butt go numb from lack of movement. Hmmm...I may have to stand and shuffle around my cubicle to get the blood flowing again.

Happy Monday!

Things, They are a'Changing.

2010-10-27T14:16:00.004-05:00

Well, looks like my worries have paid off, so to speak. I'll be moving back to the "hole", in the dark, away from the big, sunny windows at the front counter. My manager informed me today that beginning on Monday I'll move back to the classified department and my partner, Amy will be manning the front counter all by herself.

I'm not happy about the change, but at least there are some good things in it for me. Like, I can focus more on my incoming calls and hopefully make goal more often which means more money for me. Then there are the not so good things like I still have to take care of any walk-in customers, only now I have to walk in from the other room, take the customer back to my desk & enter their ad, then walk them back up front to pay for it. Makes no sense to me, but I'm just a peon so my opinion doesn't count.

Now, Amy, on the other hand, has nothing good to come of the whole situation. She'll be taking care of all customer who walk in the door, with no help from anyone. Security is usually gone a good bit of the day making rounds or whatever so anyone who comes through the front door would have to be taken care of by Amy. That means anyone. Even the weirdos and crazies. I feel bad for her and wish I could do something but of course that's not possible.

Why do the "powers that be" make decisions that affect the people who do the work, without knowing exactly how that person will be affected?

Happy Birthday, Josh

2010-10-20T08:32:00.005-05:00

Twenty years ago today I gave birth to my middle child by C-section. The little squirt couldn't wait and had to come six weeks early, weighing a whopping 5 lbs & 2 oz. His lungs weren't fully developed and they told me he might not make it. But before the nurse took him away she let me touch him in his little incubator and asked me his name. Since he was so early we didn't have a name picked out so I'm not sure where I came up with it, but there it was. And so he became my little Osh Kosh B-Josh. He was flown to Little Rock because the hospital couldn't handle high risk births and spent 31 days in the hospital, the first couple of weeks on a respirator to help him breathe. He was a tough little thing even then and fought each day to get stronger.

Now 20 years later he's still going strong. He's not afraid of anything and has broken bones and scars to prove it. LOL I'm proud of the way he turned out and I know he'll continue to make me proud.

Happy Birthday, Joshie!!

Book-in-a-Day

2010-10-18T09:05:00.003-05:00

Deb Dixon was awesome on Saturday. Her Book-in-a-Day workshop is based on her book GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict; The Building Blocks of Good Fiction and I learned tons of stuff that I can use to help bring out the hero of my WIP. Deb is funny, smart and knows what she's talking about. If you ever get a chance to go to one of her workshops, don't miss it. I guarantee you'll find something you can use. And you'll have a great time.

SFoB Was A Hit!!

2010-10-14T08:57:00.003-05:00

The Southern Festival of Books was awesome last weekend!

Saturday I attended a panel called "Seduced, Tangled and Corrupted: Three Mysteries" with J.T. Ellison, Libby Fisher Hellmann, Erica Spindler. These women were great. I've ready all of J.T's books and loved them. I got a copy of Erica's book "Blood Vines" and can't wait to get started on that one. They were all wonderful speakers, funny & witty, and I enjoyed the session very much.

After this session I attended "Spies on Both Sides: True Stories of Civil War Spies" with Gail Jarrow & Camilla Wilson. I guess I expected this one to be more than it was. The spies they discussed were ones I'd read about in other books and there was nothing new to add. The topic was one I'm interested in but the presentation was a bit on the boring side.

Sunday was the MCRW panel. These women are a great bunch and I'm glad to be a part of their group. "Cops, Kilts and Vampires: The Many Faces of Romance" with Trish Milburn, Jennie Bentley, Ramona Richards, Annie Solomon, Jody Wallace, and Beth Pattillo was an awesome session. I bought a book by each and got the ladies to sign them for me. Now my TBR pile is higher than it's been in a while and I'm loving it. Can't wait to get through them all.

Next year's Southern Festival of Books can't get here soon enough for me! But in the meantime I've got Book-In-A-Day with Deb Dixon this weekend. How exciting!!

Southern Festival of Books

2010-10-07T09:51:00.003-05:00

This weekend is the Southern Festival of Books in Downtown Nashville. Over two hundred authors will be available for booksignings, panel discussions, readings and more. If you're in town this weekend, drop by.

Music City Romance Writers, the local chapter of Romance Writer's of America, is hosting a panel titled "Cops, Kilts and Vampires: The Many Faces of Romance". The panel runs Sunday, October 10th from 12 Noon to 2 p.m. It's sure to be a great discussion and I can't wait to hear what these awesome ladies have to say. Join us. You'll love it!

Poisoned Kisses

2010-10-03T18:14:00.001-05:00

Buy from:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Borders

Constellation Books

Indiebound

Powell’s

He can wear the face of anyone who has ever hurt him...

This former soldier-turned-gun-runner thinks his true identity is safe, but a mysterious woman is about to force him to face the tragic past he thought he left behind.

She can disguise herself as the only woman he's ever loved...

It's not easy to be a Daddy's Girl when your father is Ares, Greek God of War. To thwart her father and all those who serve him, Kyra intends to assassinate a modern day hydra. To kill him, she needs to seduce him, but Marco Kaisaris isn't the monster she thinks he is--and even if he doesn't break her heart, he may still be the death of her.

Can they see past each other's masks to find a love that's more than skin deep?

Lois McCollough McDaniel

2010-10-01T13:58:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday my very best friend got a phone call that changed her life forever. Her mother passed away. She wasn't sick with any kind of terminal illness. She didn't have a known heart condition. She simply woke up one morning, got out of bed to get the paper from the porch, came back inside and died of a heart attack (according to the coronor's office without benefit of an autopsy).

When I was five years old I met Tammy, who turned out to be the best friend anyone could ever have. Her mother Lois and my mother were friends and I considered Lois my second mother all through our teenage years. I didn't see her much once I got married and moved away from our small town, but I knew everything about her from Tammy. She was a good woman who loved her children even if she didn't know how to express it the way she wanted to.

Tammy loved her mother with all her heart and will miss her deeply. And so will everyone who knew her. RIP Lois McCollough McDaniel.

Let not your heart be troubled.
Let not your soul despair,
For I am in God's keeping,
His arms surround me there.

My troubles now have eased their hold,
My pains no longer mine,
For God my master's face I see
His light for me does shine.

Dry your tears and smile for me.
I watch you from above,
And know dear ones that all is well.
I live now in God's love.

Wicked Wednesday

2010-09-22T09:10:00.010-05:00

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a few good-looking, hero-types from this season's line-up. Enjoy the scenery!

Nathan Fillion of Castle

Mark Harmon of NCIS

Brian McNamara of Army Wives

Congratulations, DH

2010-09-21T08:25:00.003-05:00

DH officially starts in his new position this morning. He looked so nice leaving the house this morning in his business casual instead of in his ratty T-shirt and cut off shorts.

I'm proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone and going for what he wants. This may not be where he was before 9/11, but it's putting him on track to get back to that point. And I know that he will be wonderful at it. How can he not? He's got me to encourage him. LOL

Should I or Shouldn't I?

2010-09-20T12:14:00.002-05:00

Ok. Here's the deal. My local RWA chapter is looking for a new editor for our monthly newsletter. For me, this would be a big deal. I don't normally put myself out there like this, but I'm thinking I might like to give it a try. It will give me experience I may be able to use later on and it will break me out of my shell a bit more.

It seems like a pretty simple process and the current editor has all the files and information I would need to pick up where she leaves off. I know I can handle it and I know once I decided to do it I would give it my all. But none of that is what's keeping me from volunteering.

The reason I'm waffling on the whole idea is that I'm terrified that I will screw it up. Even though, deep down, I know I can do it, there's always that little voice inside that says, "You're gonna suck and everyone's gonna know it."

So, I've emailed the current editor to get her feedback. And I'm posting here to get it off my chest and put it in writing. If I put it in writing it becomes a little more real and that voice quiets down to a whisper. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Anyone else go through this "should I, shouldn't I" thing?

Civil War Days

2010-09-10T10:27:00.007-05:00

I'll be in Munfordville, KY tomorrow. Early in the morning I'll get up, dress in my costume for the event and drive two hours to get there, then I'll spend all day walking around Munfordville with civil war reenactors as well as those like myself who just like the era.

There will be a battle reenactment, booths selling anything from books on the civil war to civil war souvenirs, a tea in the afternoon and a ball in the evening.

Come on out and join me!

Debra Dixon is coming to Nashville

2010-09-02T08:56:00.005-05:00

Want to learn more about GMC (Goal, Motivation and Conflict) and how those
elements work with the Hero's Journey to conceive and create strong plots
and compelling characters? Check out MCRW's upcoming day-long event with
Debra Dixon. Register before September 25 for only $35!

Visit Music City Romance Writers for more information and to register for this awesome event.

For more information about Debra and to buy her book "GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict, The Building Blocks of Good Fiction" visit her website.

The Most Amazing Thing

2010-09-01T11:39:00.002-05:00

KAM finally had the baby. She got admitted to the hospital about noon on Monday and Mason Alexander was born at 10:54 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 15 oz. He's a beautiful little thing and I got to watch the whole affair.

I've been on the pushing end of delivery, but I've never really seen it from the other end. It was completely amazing. The woman's body is designed to do wonderful things. Giving life to another living being is truly the most amazing thing I've ever seen. And I'm truly blessed to have been a part of this one.

Still No Baby

2010-08-30T09:39:00.002-05:00

KAM was supposed to be induced this morning, but military hospitals must only be prepared for 1 pregnant woman at a time. She was told to all this morning at 5:30, but they told her to call back at 7. she called back at 7 and was told to call back at 8. When she called at 8 she was told that someone had come in sick and they had to take care of her before KAM could come in so it might be 11 or 12. So, now we're waiting to find out if it's even going to happen today.

This makes absolutely no sense to me. If you're going to be induced your doctor makes an appointment with the hospital for a bed for you. You go in, you have an IV put in and the medication is injected. Soon you have contractions and sometime after that you have your baby. This hospital has you call them to see if you can come in or not. How stupid is that?

So, now we're playing the waiting game. Poor KAM is tired and anxious and these people are playing games with her emotions. Not Good! Grrrr!!!!

Great Finds

2010-08-29T11:20:00.004-05:00

I went "yardsaling" yesterday. There were several near the house here and they were all uphill. It seems like everything in this part of town is on a hill. But I got good exercise and I found a couple of really cool items.

This old antique typewriter doesn't work, but I bought it for decoration in my office, not to use, so it works out.

After a couple more places didn't have the one thing I was looking for, I went to a consignment store that used to be located here in Bellevue, but which is now over in Rivergate. And that's where I found it. The rocker I've been looking for. Sure I could buy a brand new one, but those aren't as well made or as sturdy as the older ones. So, I picked this great chair up for less than $100. Awesome find! And now I'm ready for the new baby.

What's Wrong with Me?

2010-08-25T08:26:00.004-05:00

I haven't been writing much lately. I'm not sure what's going on with me. I have plenty of time to write, but I don't always sit down and write. I want to. I think about it all the time, but I just can't make myself do it.

I think it might have something to do with my lack of exercise. I go to bed early, I get up late & I don't do anything. I don't clean house except what's absolutely necessary. I don't do anything in the yard even though there are things that really need to be done. I don't like to go out and do things with my friends and hell would freeze over before I'd do anything that even remotely feels like exercise.

My health is slipping, my eating habits have gone completely downhill and I feel like crap all the time. I really need to get back on the wagon and put myself back together again.

Anyone else go through these phases?

It's Almost Time

2010-08-20T10:51:00.002-05:00

Well, it's just about that time. My DIL is about to give birth for the 2nd time. That's right. I'm gonna be grandma again soon. This time it's a boy & they're gonna name him Mason. They haven't agreed on a middle name yet. JAM wants Wrigley after Wrigley field & KAM wants something else but she's not sure just what yet. Personally I want Mason James, but I am a little prejudiced about that.

KAM went into labor earlier this week, but she was sent home to walk because she wasn't dilated enough yet. The contractions stopped after she tripped and almost fell, but they've started up again today. With any luck we'll have a new baby boy to spoil in a few days.

And I'll post pics as soon as he gets here.

New Release

2010-08-12T08:08:00.002-05:00

You’ve never heard the fable Rumpelstiltskin told like this …

Due to her father’s constant bragging, word of Anna Miller’s beauty and virtue piques the interest of King Thomas.

Upon taking the boasting of her father too literally, the king of Grimbros imprisons Anna and threatens to kill her and her father if she fails to spin straw into gold.

A mysterious and sensual magical being finds himself drawn to the castle – and the beautiful Anna. He offers his help in exchange for the most intimate, precious gifts she could possibly give. Soon Anna finds herself wanting far more than just his help. But he threatens to consume her and all she holds dear.

Unless she says his name.

There's a Mouse in the House

2010-08-11T08:18:00.001-05:00

Mickey might be cute, but I soooo do not like a mouse in my house.

Now, I know that mice and rats are different, but to me they are exactly the same. They both carry disease and plague and they scurry around in hidden places jumping out at you at the most inopportune times.

When I was about 5 or so we lived in this run-down old house in Mississippi where there were holes in the floors and walls. And we had rats. Big ugly scary rats. Jump on the table and scream like a little girl rats. Ugh!

My mom put out rat poison, but the little buggers avoided it like the plague (pun intended...lol). But I didn't. I found it behind the dresser and since it looked like candy, I helped myself. Let me just say that having your stomach pumped is not a fun experience for a five year old.

It's also not a fun experience to have a rat crawl up your leg when you're five either (or any age for that matter). Not to mention watching my mom shoot them through the holes in the floor with her little 22 pistol. And let's not forget the puppies.

My German Shepherd, Lady, had puppies under the house. And the rats ate them all. Well, except the little runt. We brought him up into the house and tried to keep him alive, but he didn't make it. Another tragic event in my life to remember about rats.

So, now that I have one in the house, leaving me gifts and trying to be a good little mouse who keeps out of sight, I can safely say "NOT GONNA HAPPEN!" The little bugger will be drawn and quartered if I have anything to say about it.

And Good Riddance!!

30th Annual RWA Conference

2010-08-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

Conference week was AMAZING! Or so I hear. Since I did't get to go this year as planned I lived vicariously through Twitter.

There were awesome pics posted throughout the week & Saturday night's Rita/Golden Heart Awards Ceremony had the Twitterdom hot, hot, hot. Congratulations to all the winners.

La Nora's keynote speech was to die for. I can't wait to download that one from www.rwanational.org. And from what I hear the workshops were great, too.

God, I hope I can make it next year. New York City, here I come!!

2010-07-22T08:19:00.002-05:00

Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever "business casual" means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference...

The Conference You Don't Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors -- and you don't even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We'll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O'Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton

Shannon Delany

Kiersten White

Carrie Ryan

Linda Gerber

Saundra Mitchell

Lara Zielin

Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL'S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelley:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora's Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora's Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner's choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis.../crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner's choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner's choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner's preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR'S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner's choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner's choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner's choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

Random Stuff

2010-07-21T10:28:00.003-05:00

Whew! It's been a month. I've been sick since I got home from Seattle in June and finally made it to the dr last week. The meds he gave me made me sick to my stomach and unable to sleep at night, but I'm on my last day with them and am feeling a bit better now. Nothing like a summer cold to stick around forever.

HNM has knee problems so I've been taking her to the dr, too. The first dr she saw didn't do a good job in my opinion. He didn't do x-rays or bloodwork before he put her on the meds, then after the meds didn't help he decided to run tests. Only the bloodwork didn't take because the steroids he put her on affected their outcome so that now he doesn't know if it's an infection or the meds. He finally sent her to the orthopedist and we're not scheduled for an MRI on Saturday. He seems to think it's the cartilage beneath the kneecap. It's supposed to cupped with an opening on the bottom, but he says hers might be solid instead of open and he wants the MRI to make sure. If that's what it is, then he'll have to insert a scope inside her knee on either side to scrape it down to where it's supposed to be. Doesn't sound fun to me, but if it will help her with the pain and swelling then I'm all for it.

We're still waiting on FEMA, too. We were denied at first because we live in a condo and they automatically deny that. So, we had to file an appeal and we're still waiting on a decision from that. We were also denied an SBA loan so if we don't get FEMA to help, then I don't know what we'll do. We can't afford to put all new duct work under our house and the heat is only going to get worse. Of course, we'll figure it out like we always do.

Next week is vacation. I'm still disappointed I can't go to Orlando for the RWA conference, but at least I still get a vacation. And maybe next year I can go to New York City for the conference. That would be awesome. Staying right on Times Square. Fun! I'm looking forward to that one now!

So, instead of conference I'm going to AR to visit my parents. It's their 25th anniversary so we're gonna have cake and spend the day together. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Genealogy

2010-06-28T11:06:00.002-05:00

I've been researching my families genealogy recently and am happy to report I've found my great-great-great grandfather. And I think I may have even found up to 7 generations back, but until I can prove what I've found I'm only going with the 3 greats.

It's exciting to know where I come from. I don't know a lot about them yet because I'm just beginning the search, but it's fun going through all the records online. Of course, there's so much you can't find online that I'm starting to get stuck. Not to mention if I want copies of birth, death or marriage records I'll have to pay for them and that's not going to happen right now.

I'm thinking of putting all the info I find in a family history book for the family. I'm apparently in charge of the family reunion we'll be having for the first time in years, so I wanted to do something special for it. And this is just the thing. Gathering stories from all the family members and finding info on family that far back is going to add a lot to the project.

What about you? You know anything about your genealogy?

Rough Week

2010-06-21T12:18:00.002-05:00

It's been a rough weekend. My uncle passed away on Wednesday morning & I left out Thursday morning for the 8 hour drive back home for the funeral. Before I left on Thursday, though, my husband's truck broke down & we had to take it to the shop to be fixed. That cost us a good $600.

The trip was good. The visitation & service were nice & I got to see all my family again. It seems like the only time we see each other any more is at a funeral. But that's about to change. I've been elected by the family to organize a family reunion for next year. Should be fun, though.

On the way home Saturday I got pulled over for speeding, costing me another $170. Only the ticket wasn't written for speeding, it was written for some city ordinance. Supposedly that's supposed to keep it off my record. I bet it costs more than a regular speeding ticket, too.

Then when I got home my husband told me the repairman who came to fix the intake line on our A/C unit says that we need to contact FEMA because we've had standing water in the ductwork and there's mud in the intake line due to the flood in May. Great. We've been living in a contaminated house for 2 months. No wonder my cough won't go away.

Yep. I'd say it's been a rough week.

Good-bye Uncle Bart

2010-06-16T08:58:00.005-05:00

Though time seems short and hearts do grieve
The loss of one we love.
And though we mourn and wish him here
He's now with God above.

Fear not this loss, hold back your tears
He sits at Jesus' feet.
Some day, dear ones, when time has passed
Again his soul we'll greet.

For now, take heed, bring forth a smile
Remember all times past.
He watches us from high above
And rests in peace at last.

Back to Reality

2010-06-02T15:29:00.003-05:00

I had an awesome time visiting family in Seattle (actually, they live outside Olympia) over the Memorial Day weekend. We got there on Friday afternoon, visited awhile, then went to dinner at Ramblin Jack's. Good food, good company...who could ask for more?

Well, it gets better. On Saturday, my sister-in-law & I went shopping, bought a few cute things for myself and had a great time. Then we went back to the house, gathered up the menfolk & went to the shooting range set up on their property. They had several different guns & we had fun handling those. I shot a 45 pistol (and actually hit the target twice...lol) and a 30-30 (sorry, no hits with that one...I am soooo not coordinated...lol). But the most fun was working the Trebuchet. My brother-in-law built one and loves to fool around with it. That was pretty cool. After that we had a cook-out along with some of my brother-in-law's family. Good people and lots of fun. I was worn out by midnight!

Sunday we all got up and dressed and went to pick up my mother-in-law, then went to Tacoma to the Glass Museum. It was so awesome to sit in the Hot Shop & watch the artists blow glass. They were creating a 5 ft tall "flip" cup. The museum was showing some awesome pieces, including some designed by kids which the artist turned into masterpieces. I loved it!

Then on to the Melting Pot for a 3 hour meal. That was really fun & a definite experience if you've never done it before. I'd love to go to the one here in Nashville sometime.

But the real experience came on Monday. Our flight was scheduled to leave around 11:30 am so we got to the airport around 10 or so. That's when the fun began. There were thunderstorms in Chicago where our connecting flight was & everthing was grounded going in or flying out. We left Seattle around 1pm & got to Chicago around 6:30pm. Our next flight was originally scheduled to leave about that time but was delayed until 8pm...at the gate on the far end of the airport.

Luckily we had plenty of time so we didn't have to hurry. We stopped for a bite to eat once we found where we were supposed to go, then relaxed a bit, hoping our flight would take off when they said it would. And of course that didn't happen. I looked at the board again to check things and they'd changed the flight to leave at 10pm...back on the other end of the airport.

We gathered our things and moved back to where we'd come in originally & waited for 10 to come around. It came around...then passed us by. The flight kept getting delayed. Actually, we had a plane, but no crew to fly it. They were on another delayed flight that wouldn't come in til 1am so we were told we'd leave about 1:30am. Around 1 they let us know that the pilots had made it in, but were back in the middle of the airport...we had to move again. We finally boarded & left Chicago around 2am & got home to Nashville around 4. Needless to say I didn't go to work as I'd planned & spent all day Tuesday relaxing & sleeping.

But all-in-all it was an awesome weekend! And I can't wait to do it again sometime!

Vacay!

2010-05-27T09:36:00.003-05:00

Well, tomorrow's the day. We finally go to the airport and hope we get to board our flight to Seattle. I'm so excited. We're going to visit my husband's mother & sister. They've got a big weekend planned for us. We'll go sightseeing & visiting all the other family up there. And on Sunday night we're going to the Museum of Glass and then out to dinner at the Melting Pot. Sounds like a blast & I can't wait. I am sooooo ready for a vacation!

My Writer's Attic

Busy, Busy, Busy

I'm a Loaner

Join the Fun!

New Year. New Novel.

Welcome to 2012

Twas the Night Before

Wrapping: Check

Shopping: Check

Aaaaggghhh!!

Weekend

Furlough

Pumpkin Cookies

I Got Nuttin"

The Chains That Bind You

THE END!

I Lost It

Same Time Next Year

I'm So Excited!

WARRIOR WRITER is coming to Nashville!

Reunion Plans

I Haz A Sad

Labor Day Weekend

Mason Turns 1

Getting Ready

Grrrr

Baby's Back

It's No Fun

OMG! We Did It!

Stupid Laws

Nice Weekend

Cable It Is!

To Cable or Not To Cable

Random Thoughts

*yawn*

Weekend Reflections

Excuses, Excuses

NEW RELEASE! Haunted Heart by Carolyn Rosewood

NEW RELEASE! Quarter Square by David Bridger

It's a Wonderful Life!

Home for Furlough

NEW RELEASE! The Beta by Annie Nicholas

Peace and Quiet

Review: Living In Color by Trish Milburn

NEW RELEASE! Friction by Kim Knox

Rain Rain Go Away!

NEW RELEASE! The Weaverfields Heir by David Bridger

NEW RELEASE! The Lost Soul by Carolyn Rosewood

Sick

I Wish I Were Me

Get Motivated!

Follow Your Dreams

Tired

My babies are home!

Ok. I'm an Idiot!

New Kitchen

New Release

NEW RELEASE: The Summoning by Tatiana Caldwell, from Liquid Silver Books.

I Am A Romance Writer

Plans Change

Progress

WIPs

2011

Merry Christmas!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

SHOW A ZOMBIE SOME LOVE!

Black Friday

New Release

Ah! Bliss!

Deployment 2010

Another Round of Layoffs

Old Friends From Far Away

Happy Monday

Things, They are a'Changing.

Happy Birthday, Josh

Book-in-a-Day

SFoB Was A Hit!!

Southern Festival of Books

Poisoned Kisses

Lois McCollough McDaniel

yawn