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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Feel Good Friday - The Saturday Edition

I was going to explain everything that happened in the last two weeks, but I don't think that's in my best interest at this moment and despite what happened, I don't feel comfortable giving all of the details in such a public place. Instead, suffice it to say, if it hadn't been for the events of the last two weeks, I wouldn't be starting the job I really wanted on Monday. And we'll leave it at that.
So, anyway. Here's the list...
1. My new Kindle! Yay! I love it! I got a hard case for it, but despite it saying it was specifically for my Kindle, it doesn't fit. The thing just falls out. Dang. I got a second one because I thought it was cute, but I have to take it out of the case to turn it on. I'll figure it out and it's all good for now.
2. That Man working on the dryer. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he found and can fix the problem. Won't know until he gives his verdict.
3. Sleeping in a little this morning.
4. Catching up on The Walking Dead.
5. The rain today. I love that we've already taken care of our errands and have no other plans today. We've needed a day like today for a long time. We'll be hanging, watching movies, and I'm going to get some writing done. And take a nap!
6. Turning in my art sheet for my next book. I can't wait to see it!
7. Hanging out with Baby B last night. And getting to see K1. He works nights and has been working weekends too. We haven't seen him in about three weeks.
8. Tomorrows plans to hang out with K5.
9. Getting bills paid, correspondences taken care of, and organizational items taken care of. Now if I could just find my calendar book so I can update that and get rid of the stack of emails in my inbox and the stack of papers beside my computer. It's stressing me out!
That's all for now!
Behave!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

One Day More...

(Sorry for the Les Miserables reference. Also sorry if you have no idea what the reference means... LOL)
It's Thursday. I know. You don't need me pointing out every day of the week. Too bad. It's what I do... Ha!
What's good about Thursday?
Thursday is good because, well, it's almost Friday! Duh! I can't wait for Friday! Really, as weird as it sounds, I can't wait for Monday! Monday I will start the job I really wanted! Which means tomorrow is my last day at the current job. Yay! I'll explain more later...
Thursday is good because I got to see my grandson. He's so funny and adorable. He danced for me and gave me kisses and laughed hysterically. Tomorrow I get to pick him up from the sitters and hang out with him until his momma gets here.
Thursday is also good because so far I have talked to both of my sisters and one sister(in-law). I also saw my brother for a few minutes tonight and we got in trouble for goofing off at scouts. (not really) I ran out of time to call my mom, but I will do that tomorrow.
Thursday is good because my editor sent my last round of revisions for Cursed Fate to the boss. I'll probably have another round or two of edits to do, but we're close. No cover to share yet, but as soon as I have it, you'll know.
Thursday is also good because my Kindle will arrive tomorrow! I'm so excited! I've been waiting for this for a very very long time. I think I'm the only e published author who doesn't own a device to read on.
Thursday is good because we're that much closer to the weekend. A weekend where we get to hang out with our beautiful granddaughter. I'm so excited. We decided to surprise her, so she has no idea she's coming to hang out with us!
Thursday is also good because my puppy is curled up beside me fast asleep. She's snuggled into my arm and snoring a little. She's so cute and funny. And she's getting so big!
That's all for now!
Behave!


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

It's Wednesday...

I have two days before I can tell you what's been going on.
I'm sorry to tease. It's not purposeful. But it's awesome, so just wait! :)
It's been a really weird week so far. I had a conversation today that I did not expect. It was awkward because some of the people involved did not know what they were supposed to know and I was left holding the bag and looking stupid. But I still answered the right way and was grateful the effort was put forth, even though it wasn't even in the ball park.
Oy! Sorry for cryptic, but it will be explained!!
In other news, we're in the middle of a family discussion regarding what needs to be done around here next. The younger K's have been waiting for bedroom renovations for a very long time. They've been constantly thwarted by the older K's and their stuff clogging up the works. We decided tonight that we'll give the older K's a deadline to remove their stuff because we can't wait anymore. Even though we might decide to move out of this house. I love this house and I don't want to move, but it's an option. Everything is an option right now.
The younger K's aren't that young any more. We don't have too long until they leave us completely. That Man and I have to think about that even though we don't want to. I don't think I want to think about this yet....
Behave!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Rest In Peace...

1. I just today found out that a very good friend's mother passed away. I feel bad I didn't know sooner. Knowing the mother's illnesses, I know she's at peace now. But I'm still sad for my friend.

2. The father of a different very good friend also passed away. He'd been battling cancer and while his tumors were shrinking, chemo was kicking his butt. They expected longer. He died very shortly after his 80th birthday. I have really great memories of hanging out with him. He was so like my own dad. His sense of humor was as dry and his intelligence was as high. We always had a blast - drinking Heineken, hanging out on the sun porch and talking about everything, laughing hysterically. We camped in their yard, climbed their trees, had awesome badminton games narrated in a British accent, the kids chased fish in the stream, we hiked through awesome scenery... We crammed a lot of fun into the two summers before they moved to a warmer climate.

3. K2's rat, Maggie, has gone to the big rat maze in the sky. (Actually, I guess you could say she was my rat.) She'd been doing very poorly. We think she may have had a stroke as she was having trouble moving and it seemed to affect one side of her body. She stopped eating, despite being given her favorite treats. She was having a hard time drinking, which meant me standing there to squeeze the water bottle so she would stay hydrated. Her bodily functions changed - that's really all you want to know about that. I thought she looked better yesterday. Her eyes seemed clearer and I thought she had some pink back in her tail. I was wrong. She was at what they say is maximum rat years, though I've heard of rats living much longer. Our experience with two different rats has been two years. Maggie turned two a month or so ago. And yeah, I know she was a rat, but I'm still really sad. She was my little buddy. I'll miss her.

I think that's enough of that...
Behave!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Monday Only Sucks Because I Say So...

THIS Monday sucks because I say so... I didn't want to do what I had to do. No one wanted to get up and take showers and get out the door. We didn't plan dinner and ended up throwing crap together - though it turned out great. Our evening was busy. I didn't get to sit down and relax until almost 9pm.
But. Next Monday should be awesome. Sorry for the tease. I'll explain as soon as I can. I promise!
Anyway!
We took the puppy to see Grandma tonight. She was bad (the puppy, not grandma). Grandma doesn't really like the puppy on her couch (though she loves her granddog!) and since we let her on ours... well... Elsa was into everything, but not crazy and out of control. It was a calm disobedience. lol.
I'm tired. That Man has already set up the coffee pot for the morning. It's killing me. I'm so confused. I smell the freshly ground coffee and it hits me in the "get up and drink coffee" place. But I haven't slept. See what I mean?
I think I'm delirious. Must sleep!
Behave!


Sunday, March 23, 2014

Feel Good Friday - The No Posts Since Wednesday Edition

My goodness last week was long! Sorry for the lack of posts, but the end of the week took a totally crappy turn, and then an awesome turn...
I'll explain as soon as I can, but things did work out.
Anyway -
1. Birthday dinner for my daughter-in-law last night. Calzones, coffee, Baby B, and family. We had a good time and Baby B hung out while his momma ran some errands. It was a good day.
2. Gorgeous weather yesterday. We hung laundry on the line, got the yard cleaned up a bit, and Elsa got to play with our neighbor's grandsons and dog. We had windows open, too. (It's freezing with snow in the forecast today. How stupid is that?)
3. Round 2 edits for my next Liquid Silver release completed and returned. Yay!
4. K4 rocking her auditions for arts school. Decisions will be sent out in a few weeks. We're so hopeful!
5. A night out with That Man. We went to an event put on by one of the supply companies through his work. It was comedy night. The whole evening was free - food, drinks, and the show. We kicked back with a few beers and even though the comedians weren't all that great, had a fantastic time hanging out together and with our friends. It was much needed.
6.  Ordering my new Kindle! I haven't done it yet, but I will today! Yay!
7. Elsa had her second vet appointment the other day. She weighs 33# already! The vet was very happy with her progress and was impressed by how well she's doing with training. She's a smart puppy, though there are commands we're still working on. Playing in the neighbor's yard totally wore her out yesterday, which is a cool thing. She needed to run and she loved it.
8. Hanging out in comfy pants today. Tonight's dinner is simmering. My laundry is drying. I'm slowly catching up with myself. I'm ready for a nap though.
That is all!
Behave!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Adjusting...

It's been a long week so far.
It's going well. I'm new, so there's the learning curve.
I'm tired.
Tomorrow is my Friday.
I am grateful for that.
I'm tired.
That is all.
Behave!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Feel Good... Oh Never Mind...

Yeah, I know! It's been really crazy around here!
I'll try to be brief, but I know it won't happen.
1. Our Boy Scout troop has an annual spaghetti dinner. It was yesterday. This year was one of our biggest dinners to date. It was amazing, fun, and exhausting. We cooked and served over 100 lbs of spaghetti. We also had our first ever silent auction. It was a huge success. I still have one basket to deliver to the bid winner, but people were excited to come back and pick up their prize. Anyways, obviously and event like this doesn't get planned and executed in one day. It's been crazy! We're a really small troop so everyone doing their part was key. We have a great scouting family!
2. Cousins hanging out. K4 and K talked for something like 6 hours straight. They had a blast together and I'm so happy they have so much in common besides blood. It was fun hanging out with my sil and brother after the dinner. We need more time like that.
3. I start my new job tomorrow! I'm excited and nervous! I have much to do today to prepare myself and my family for the change.
4. Edits! My next release from Liquid Silver will come out around the end of May. More info on that as available.
5. I hate shopping. Yesterday I made the trek for work clothes. Ugh. At one point I was in tears in the dressing room as I realized I have no idea what my personal style is and because of how much I dislike my body at the moment. I'd started off feeling pretty good. The scale was down, I felt in control and confident... Anyway. I managed to make some decent purchases even though I blew my original budget.
6. Retreat planning! I've already ordered our t-shirts. They're an awesome color. My only committee member and I have a plan for some very awesome swag. Since our numbers are lower this year, we will fit in the awesome little hallway I've always wanted to check out and we'll be steps away from our meeting room. Less than two months! I can't wait!
That's enough for now. I have a crazy amount of stuff to do today!
Behave!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Writing Process Blog Tour

The talented and awesome Natalie Damschroder has graciously invited me to be a part of this blog hop about my writing process. You can check Natalie out in the above link! Other authors this week are Misty Simon and Vicky Burkholder. Misty's and Vicky's went up on Monday, but I'm a little late. (Not on purpose!)

So here it is...

1. What am I working on?
I'm waiting for edits on my next book from Liquid Silver, pondering requested revisions for another publisher on a women's fiction-y book, and working on a post apocalyptic romance about a world where there is no green - no grass, no trees - and it's the fault of the heroine's father.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Good question. I tend to be a little sarcastic in the make up of my characters. And I like to push the envelope of what's acceptable in polite society. For example - I once called my sister to ask her what she would do if she bit into a sandwich and found a dead bird.

3. Why do I write what I do?
I am fascinated by a changed world - whether because of the paranormal or due to a cataclysmic event. And even in a toxic world, there needs to be love and hope.

4. How does your writing process work?
It changes with every book. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants for most books, but at some point I have to pull back and focus on world building to make sure everything gels. "What if" is the start of almost every book and I will "pre write" until I solidify the characters and the conflict. Sometimes I create a "book bible" with every aspect of society explained and other times I'll just keep a word doc with that info.
Sometimes I write to music, sometimes it's silent. It all depends on what's going on around me and what mood I'm in. (and if someone has "borrowed" my headphones.)

I'm supposed to invite three more bloggers to participate, but unfortunately, I don't have three bloggers who haven't already participated... So...

Behave!

Sunday, March 09, 2014

The Wow I Suck Feel Good Friday on Sunday Edition

Man. I suck! And I don't know why...
Anyway... I have a list...
1. Hanging with the family! First time in forever that all of the kids and spouses were together! We had fun! And we had our modified version of South Bay Chowder! Which was excellent!
2. Cooking all day Saturday!
3. A hopefully productive week! Last and upcoming!
4. Less puppy biting! And learning new tricks!
5. Homework getting done and grades coming up! Yay!
6. Auditions coming soon and K4 getting prepared!
7. A mostly jammie day today!
8. Chicken on the grill!
9. The melting ice! Our patio is almost back! (Hacking ice is a good thing!)
10. Sleeping in! Though I really do hate the time change! Except... The sun was out longer and that's awesome! And the sun was awesome too! I laid on the picnic table and filled up on it!
11. Talking to two friends I haven't talked to in forever and feeling warm and fuzzy because of it! It's so great to pick things up without awkwardness!
The sad thing...
The rat is not good. She's old and not doing well. I'm sad! I know she's a rodent but she's my buddy and I don't like this!
That's all for now...
Behave!!

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Wrong...

Just wrong...
Imitation?
Behave!

Sunday, March 02, 2014

Feel Good Friday - The Late Sunday Edition

Crazy weekend! Sorry for being so late!
Here's the list:
1. Hell Week - this is the week before / of performances where craziness ensues. Late rehearsals, last minute issues, tired performers - That was this week. K3 ended up arriving home minutes before legal curfew. He was exhausted all week. But the performance was stellar!!
2. Awesome musical performance! OMG!! These kids did the best job ever! It was amazing! Helping with dinner theater was a lot of fun, too!
3. Fantastic writing meeting yesterday!! I had to run out before our speaker got started (see 1 & 2), but breakfast was awesome and the conversation and commiseration was much needed.
4. Husbands who do laundry.
5. Critique partners and their suggestions!
6. Getting the kid caught up on homework after a tough, but much needed conference. Her teachers are awesome.
7. It's March. March is awesome!
8. Retreat in 73 days!!
9. The upcoming week. I hope it's what I hope it is!
10. Also, the snow we're supposed to get! So far, it's doing nothing, but I'm hopeful! I know that's hate to some people, but I want more snow!
That's all!
Behave!