K.A. Steele

Compare My Docs

2009-11-06T09:28:00.002-05:00

I love this website!

CompareMyDocs.com

(That's not a screencapture of my GH entry - this is from the edits of My Christmas Wish, which comes out Dec 1st.)

I've been sending out my GH entry to ~~just about anyone I can beg to read it~~ a few trusted crit partners and beta readers, trying to find errors and weak points and anything that fresher eyes than mine can catch. I don't think I've ever sent the exact same "something" out to so many people before (5 now) at the same time read the exact same thing. Usually I'll send it to one person, or maybe two, but I'll make changes if I think they're needed as they come in. So what person two is reading and commenting on isn't the same thing as what person one read.

The feedback I've gotten has been fantastic, but that left me with several different documents to try to look at simultaneously as I thought about the edits. I've used Microsoft's "Compare Docs" feature before, but sometimes the interface there can seem a bit clunky.

For some reason this looks a lot cleaner to me. I like the way it handles just a single word different, and a whole sentence or paragraph. Comments inserted into the body are clear to read too.

Great software for anyone looking for a compare tool. It's still in beta, so I won't be surprised if there are a few strange things that pop up after I've used it a bit more, but so far it seems to do exactly what I need it to do - and it does it in an easy to read format.

It's time for me to get back to actual writing. Happy Friday!

My kitty pumpkin (because TwitPic decided to go with “trick”)

2009-11-01T08:49:00.000-05:00

Anyone Else But You

2009-10-17T09:34:00.002-04:00

I've got a few hours of quiet time this morning, so I'm about to unplug and find a few pages shaking around in my head.

But first, I took a few minutes to do a long overdue iPod playlist update. Out with the Summer Pool List (I did say it was long overdue) and in with the Spooky songs. And mock me if you will, but the Christmas Playlist has returned!

Also the Juno Soundtrack, which includes this song (I like this off-key version, because that's what it sounds like if I try to sing it) that always makes me smile.

I hope your weekend is full of happiness and music.

Buckles and belts

2009-10-13T14:39:00.000-04:00

If you're a writer, you should check out Nathan Bransford's "The 3rd Sort-of-Annual Stupendously Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge" It's good stuff, some hilarious, some so bad you know it has to be bad on purpose, and all of it a guaranteed good time if you like this sort of challenge. Yeah, my WIP is in there, but good luck finding it in what looks like it will soon be several thousand entries. I guessed 5000 when it opened, and a friend thinks it's going to come closer to 6000/ Both of us are hoping someone bought Nathan a big bottle of bourbon to help him get through it. I'll toast him with my 1792 while I sit here all happy that I'm not the one having to read them all.

I've buckled down the past two weeks to get some serious writing done. "Serious" meaning I have a goal when I get up in the morning, and if I don't make it to goal I don't go to bed. Tough love can be the best love.

I've also had to dig deep into the boxes under my bed and pull out some old belts. My waist is shrinking faster that my hips, leaving me with about 4 extra inches of fabric in my shorts. So, it's belt time. Luckily we're maybe finally possibly going to get cool weather so I can break out the jeans for good. My jeans tend to be much more forgiving of this kind of size mismatch.

So those squirrels that had moved into my attic last summer? They came back for a visit. They're very creative, and seem to get a real kick out of finding new ways into the house. It got over 100 in the attic Sunday, which drove them back outside for the day, and while they were away I shut their latest door and put on new locks. Fingers crossed they don't find a new way in, because if it really does cool down I'll have to call the animal trappers to get them all out.

Happy squirrels are squirrels who aren't getting trapped in my attic.

As I was going along, along

2009-10-06T22:19:00.001-04:00

The lane that I went was so long, long, long

Long days, short nights. Except it’s October and the nights are getting longer, and the days shorter. Either my calendar is off, or I’m ignoring my clock.

That’s what I thought too.

So now I’ve gotten nice pretty art for My Christmas Wish, which I have to sit on until I get the all-clear to share. But it’s shiny! And FLE’s should be coming soon. Which excites me, because it means that the book is just one or two little steps (hopefully little steps!) from getting a final coat of wax and being marked Done. Until it is Done, it stays in the WIP folder on my hard drive. I like Done, because Done means it gets to go to the Published folder.

I do like being organized.

In other news, the dog stinks and no one else seems likely to bathe him. Guess what is on my list for tomorrow.

H1N1

2009-09-22T12:56:00.002-04:00

The Princess seems to have bounced back from her weekend of fever / sniffles / cough, and is back to high energy, full speed ahead.

Her father, not so much. Yesterday he started with the sniffles. And aches. Then the fever.

Today, the flu test. It was positive for Influenza A. The clinic we went to doesn't do a strain specific flu test, but since "Ninety-nine percent of all subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC this week were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses" and his symptoms fit the model, that's what they're calling it.

We went to the Walgreens clinic instead of to his usual doctor because we wanted very badly to get him on Tamiflu before he hit the 24 hours of symptoms mark. His doctor could get him in today, but not until the afternoon, and by the time we got out of there and picked up a perscription it would have been closer to 28 hours. Walgreens, we walked in, waited 5 minutes, swabbed, waited 2 minutes (it can take up to 10, but his test showed positive in less than 2 minutes), and the diagnosis was done.

I just became a big fan of the Walgreens clinic.

So, wash your hands. Stop touching your eyes, nose and mouth. And if you start feeling crummy, go get a flu test as soon as you can.

He's quarantined for now, and I'm off to pop a few more vitamins and get back to sanitizing the surfaces. Hopefully we'll get through this without passing it on any further.

Never a Lemon Tree when you need one

2009-09-19T20:28:00.002-04:00

Since the sad death of Mary Travers this week, I've had all the Peter, Paul and Mary in my music folder on my Playlist. I thought I'd share one of my favorites with you - Lemon Tree - but after half an hour searching I can't find any on YouTube or Google Video that are actually PP&M, not a cover.

So instead, here are Peter Paul & Mary singing Jesus Met The Woman At The Well. The passion that the three of them brought to the song makes this one really stand out.

Goodbye, Mary. You will be much missed.

Charged up

2009-09-19T13:03:00.000-04:00

My old laptop battery finally died it's final death last week, and my new one came last night. This is the first laptop I've owned long enough to kill 2 batteries. *knocks on wood* I'm hoping this battery doesn't live longer than the laptop. I'm glad to have it working again. Things like google reader and and facebook and twitter and chat - I've usually got those open on the laptop, not the desktop.

Batteries are so freaking expensive. In the back of my head I hear this voice saying "for what you spent for the battery, you were a quarter of the way to a Netbook." Hush, voice of extravagance. I don't need a Netbook. But they sure are shiny.

Writing - not enough this week. 2700 words this week so far, plus a synopsis about half finished. I don't know if I'll get much progress this weekend, but I'm going to at least finish the synopsis by tomorrow night.

Princess came down with some sort of cold / fever and came home from school early yesterday. I'm running around behind her with sanitizer, trying to keep the germs away from Sean. He's got a trip coming up in a few days and I'm trying to keep him healthy until then.

Possibility City

2009-09-19T12:59:00.000-04:00

Hubs just came out snickering and took me back to the bedroom.

Hush, the kids are home.

"I just saw a commercial for your hometown. At first I thought it was a Saturday Night Live skit."

It really does look a bit like a fake commercial. But it's also pretty cute, and has me giggling still. He saw it on ESPN, so this isn't just a goofy YouTube viral ad, this is something they're putting some real $$ behind. And you know, I'm ok with that. Also, ok with how they found a voice-over actor who can pronounce Louisville correctly.

Enjoy - it's "Possibility City"

Next! And it was good.

2009-09-10T10:04:00.000-04:00

Ever found something that you love so much, you wonder how you went without it? What's even worse is when this same something has been there for years, and you never even knew it wast there.

It's "Yay! This rocks. How the hell did I not know about it before now."

So ok, I've been using an RSS reader to follow the several hundred blogs / sites I keep track of for a couple of years now. I was all sorts of happy with myself about how much time it saved me, because I don't have to sit there clicking on all these websites every day just to see if there's something new. When it's new, it pops up on one site and says "Hey, look whats new today".

Using Google Reader it looks something like this :

But for all my love of reader there are two downsides. First, it's way to easy to just read the post and go on to the next one. If I want to comment, I have to click through and reload what I just read at the original site, and gee is what I was going to say really that important anyway? Much easier to just skip commenting and read the next post.

Second, and this is the one that really bothered me more, is that I never even see some of these sites. Because I'm reading the content in the reader window, I miss all the fun stuff - the sidebars, the polls and page layout and fancy work that makes each site special. And the comments - sometimes half the fun is in what other people said. (Just because what I was going to say isn't important, doesn't mean that what someone else had to say isn't!)

But wouldn't you know the people working at Google felt pretty much the same way? And came up with a way to use the beauty of RSS feeds - visit only a site that has new content - and still actually let me read the site at it's source?

Living with Lindsay has already written up a nice little post telling you how to get this working for your own Google Reader (it takes 'bout 4 clicks and 30 seconds and involves nothing more than dragging a bookmark up to your menu bar). And if her post ever disappears, you can just google "google reader goodie next bookmark" and find the simple instructions.

Google, what else don't I know you've already thought of?

Fox News : Proving made up news is more fun than actual news.

2009-09-06T17:22:00.000-04:00

I can't make this stuff up. FOX News wasn't going to let a little thing like the absence of real footage stop them though.

New FOX promo suggestion : When we can't get real news, we'll recreate stories we hear and call it news. Open auditions for "bear" being held in studio.

Fit enough to be a Marine?

2009-09-06T05:28:00.000-04:00

Are you fit enough to be a Marine?

If the 3 pull-up's didn't end my hopes, or the 45ish crunches in 3 minutes, then running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes would. Yes, you can now approximate my age by checking the charts.

I don't think I'm going to be passing this fitness test in this lifetime.

Nostalgia. It's not what it used to be.

2009-09-05T21:43:00.000-04:00

After my sadness this week that "V" wouldn't be on ABC's schedule until November, I checked Netflix and was excited that they had the miniseries available on DVD. Three clicks and it was at the top of my queue, and two days later in my mailbox.

I put it in last night after the princess was in bed, and settled in for some warm fuzzy times with aliens-that-aren't-what they seem.

And was asleep in 20 minutes.

Some memories are not meant to be revisited.

Now I'm hoping the new version is as good as I had remembered the '80's miniseries being. Which is much different from how "good" it seemed last night.

In much happier Netflix news, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 season 1 part 1 disc 1 also showed up in my mailbox yesterday. It made much happier viewing than "V" did.

Rearranged

2009-09-03T14:03:00.001-04:00

Why am I overcome with the urge to rearrange the furniture any time my husband has to leave town for more than 4 days? Is it because I miss him so much I need to do something to keep me busy, or is it because I hope that after 5 days or more of being gone he won't realize I've moved things around when he comes home? (He's not a fan of change, so the comments are usually more "You moved stuff around again huh" than "Hey, it looks great in here!")

At least the dog's happy, now that his favorite chair is back in my library / writing room. He's about 100lbs of dog, so there's only one chair big enough for him to fit on. He's happily snoozing on it now.

Is there anything good on tv this fall?

2009-09-02T10:48:00.000-04:00

I'm over at Beyond the Veil today asking "Is there *anything* good on tv this fall?" Let me know what I've forgotten!

Fresh start for September

2009-09-01T07:38:00.002-04:00

I love the start of a new month. There's over 4 weeks of projects, plans, and things to look forward to. My deadlines always seem to fall at the end of the month, so the first few days always seem relaxed compared to what I've just been through.

And it's not quite as hot outside as it was at the start of last month. Another reason to be happy.

Today I'm doing some web updates on a few sites, then I'll be shutting off the 'net for a few hours to get some writing done. Abby's about to be in a really bad accident, and I need to make sure she comes out of it a stronger person for it. Or at least, a more interesting one.

YARWA!

2009-08-31T11:48:00.000-04:00

We're excited to announce that YARWA, The Young Adult Chapter of Romance Writers of America, is now official. Our webpage is www.YARWA.com (a marvelous work in progress). You can also follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/YA_RWA. We'll follow you back! We'll be tweeting about current industry news, contests with YA categories, contest wins, and --of course-- sales!
Dues are $15 for new members (next year renewals will be $10) and that will get you access to all sorts of (planned) wonders, including a chapter newsletter. We are setting up a Paypal account but for now you can mail dues to:
YARWA
P.O. Box 148
Black Diamond, WA 98010
We also need your RWA member number, email address, pseudonyms if any, and website if any.

Our wonderful board of directors is headed by president Rosemary Clement-Moore with:
Denise (Anne) Hale, VP of Programs
Donna Maloy, VP- Communications
Judith Laik, Treasurer
Melissa Lucken, Secretary
Melissa Francis, PAN Liaison
Vanessa Barneveld, PRO Liaison
YA author Regina Scott headed up the committee that wrote our by-laws.

For RWA members

2009-08-29T14:48:00.002-04:00

RWA elections start next week, and I'm on the ballot under Karen Steele / Ember Case, running for the seat as Director, Region 3.
My official biography and vision statement, along with answers to some questions asked of all the candidates by RWA, are below. If you have any other questions, please contact me and I'll do what I can to answer them.

Karensteele

View more documents from EmberCase.

Get to know me

2009-07-21T12:22:00.000-04:00

Oh boy. Halfway through summer. It's been incredibly productive for me, so much that a part of me wishes I wasn't leaving on a road trip for 5 days early Thursday morning. But only a very small, hates-to-jinx-it part. 99.9999 percent of me is really excited about it.

I've been away from blogging a lot this year. Hey, you might have forgotten who I am! My favoritest uncle seems to have - he sent me this list of questions so he can "Get To Know Me". So here we go :

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:50

2. How do you like your steak? Rare. I try to limit my beef (which is always steak if I am cooking or ordering) to once every 2 or 3 months, but nothing in the world tastes like it. Sometimes I have to have it.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Star Trek

4. What is your favorite TV show? Burn Notice

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? San Francisco

6. What did you have for breakfast? Smart something cereal on Saturday.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian

8. What foods do you dislike? Beans, cooked greens, sausage.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? My family's table

10. Favorite dressing? Warm mustard. Or my FIL's homemade vinegar & herb.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? a 2007 Prius

12. What are your favorite clothes? tank top and yoga pants. Socks, because my feet are always cold.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Ireland

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Sure.

15. Where would you want to retire? what is this "retire" you speak of

16. Favorite time of day? 6am

17. Where were you born? Louisville, KY

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? let me think about it

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Mike (Tags coming on Facebook)

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Deborah (Tags coming on Facebook)

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Montgomery (Tags coming on Facebook)

22. Bird watcher? Yes, in my pool

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? morning

24. Do you have any pets? 1 each dog, cat, turtle

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? My new book!

26. What did you want to be when you were little? a veterinarian, a writer

27. What is your best childhood memory? getting my kitten

28. Are you a cat or dog person? yes

29. Are you married? Yes

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes

31. Been in a car accident? Yes

32. Any pet peeves? People who talk about pet peeves

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Onions, mushrooms, peppers

34. Favorite Flower? honeysuckle

35. Favorite ice cream? half melted

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Taco Bell (I know! It's horrible! mmmm)

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None

38. From whom did you get your last email? Kristen

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The Apple Store

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Deleted something just because the misspelled title bothered me

41. Like your job? Sure

42. Broccoli? Yes.

43. What was your favorite vacation? Paris

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My kids

45. What are you listening to right now? Ben Ten on Cartoon Network

46. What is your favorite color? why does everyone have a favorite color? What did the other colors ever do to you?

47. How many tattoos do you have? None

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? 25

49. What time did you finish this quiz? 7:11am

50. Coffee Drinker? Rarely - it was a hard habit to break.

A day more

2009-07-09T12:24:00.000-04:00

It's been a wild week here, but we have come through it alive. Too many parties, and everyone here feels a lot older from it - probably because 50% of our household aged by a year. Yes, we are all getting older, some of us just do it measurably and at the same time.

SeaWorld was pretty awesome, and I have pictures if I can ever get Flickr to cooperate. If I can't, maybe it will be time to finally make the move to Picassa for good.

This morning I took the princess out and we worked on her two wheel bike skills. She came close to mastering the driveway before we were driven inside by heat and bugs. Right now we're getting storms that have driven us inside for a bit.

And now, it's time to get some work done.

In the beginning

2009-06-16T12:26:00.000-04:00

So far summer is trying to kick my butt through sheer power of heat. We took the kids down to Universal Studios for a few days fun this past weekend, sweating our way through back to back to back 99 degree days just for giggles. Why does June in Florida have to be so, well, hot?

But after many many years, my husband has his theme park attack plan down to a science. It starts with his Preferred Season Pass, which gets us free valet parking (no half mile trek through the parking garage / people movers filled with strollers and stagger-a-long tourists). We just drop the keys in the attendants hands, and five minutes later we're in a very short line waiting for the park to open.

With his Swiss-like precision timing, we never have to wait more than 10 minutes at the gates. Then it's off to the rides in the quiet, not yet baking hot parks. At 9am you pretty much have the park to yourself. You can hit every ride in SeussLand twice in an hour. You can ride Dueling Dragons 6 times in 35 minutes, 3 of those trips in the front row. You'll walk on at Hulk, Fear Fall, River Ride, even Dudley Do Right. That first hour is a quiet happy time. Later when the temperature starts rocketing up towards Heat Stroke levels, that quiet hour will seem like a brief moment of paradise before arriving in hell.

There were meals out at places like Margarittaville, Hard Rock, Fusion Pizza, Don Pablo's. Great food that someone else cooked and cleaned up after. We had Heavenly Bed experiences at the Westin, and a gorgeous pool to laze away the hottest part of the day in. With only 3 days for our summer vacation, it hit all the high notes.

So far for a season that doesn't officially start for another 5 days we're doing pretty good. But I'm just getting started.

You can never appreciate the shade of a tree unless you sweat in the sun.-- Author Unknown

The Lunas

2009-06-10T12:26:00.000-04:00

It's been wild kindgom here this week. Between the Garramus (huge thank you to Trisha and your honey for identifying these for me!), the lizards mating outside every window, and the frogs I've been scooping from the pool, I thought my animal adventure quota had been filled for the week.

Not quite. Meet one of the Lunas.

There were 5 of these Luna Moths on the back wall this morning. They're quite pretty, as large as my palm, and my daughter says they are the loveliest thing she's every seen.

Sadly, Luna Moths only live about a week after reaching this final stage of their evolution. And they don't eat in this stage either, so I don't have to worry about these guys nibbling on my wood frame (not that they would anyway, unless it was made of hickory, walnut, or sweetgum). They don't fly during the day, so I'm a bit worried about them being on what will eventually be a 95 degree surface when the sun hits it in a few hours. So my daughter and I are going to try to move them off into the bushes before they fry their delicate little fuzzy wings.

I've got my fingers crossed that my animal adventures stay this mild. But with all the rain we've had this spring, I'm a bit nervous about what might next crawl, slither, or creep its way out of the bushes.

Little Blue Man

2009-06-08T12:29:00.000-04:00

Last week's walk down the Crazy memory lane made me think of another song straight from my parent's 45 collection. Little Blue Man - I drove my sister absolutely nuts playing this song. At the grand old age of 11, she thought this song just so ... juvenile.

Of course it is. But that's probably why I loved it so much.

I thought for sure there must be something at least a bit naughty about this song, since my parents didn't like me playing it. These two things made me more determined than ever to play it over, and over, every time they left the room. I never did figure out what the naughty part was, and I think now that it must just have been that the singer tried to kill the Little Blue Man. Shocking! But he survived, even if his love did not.

Pool spawn

2009-06-08T12:28:00.000-04:00

Summer, the season, doesn't start here for a few more weeks. But summer, the vacation, is now officially under way.

From 2009

So the above is my pool about 10 minutes ago, after I spent an hour and a half cleaning, blowing leaves off the patio, washing furniture, bagging yard debris, blah, blah. Oh, and hacking my way back into the bushes to rescue the cat who decided today was the day to go exploring. In the middle of a mosquito swarm.

From 2009

And here it is now. My apologies for the waterlogged nature of the photo; I had to shoot it from the patio, since my camera is not monsoon proof.

Yes. Very briefly the pool was all cleaned up and ready to go. My daughter had invited her friends down the street over for water fun, as soon as the cleaning was done. Then the storm rolled in, as it has every day for the past 10 or so. By the time I finish cleaning we have about 10 minutes (one day, all of 30!) to swim before the storms chase us away.

So you might be thinking, if it happens every day, maybe you should skip the cleaning and just swim with the leaves. How bad could it be?

Well this is what keeps me from swimming before cleaning:

From 2009

A bug? One little bug?

From 2009

As cute and harmless as they seem to be when they cling to the side of the pool, we don't just get one cute little bug. We get thousands of them. Overnight. When I get up in the morning, there are piles and piles of them along the bottom walls of the pool. They seem to die pretty quick - the few times I've seem one alive in the pool, they are already beginning to weaken and drift down towards the bottom.

My exterminator is stumped. Google Images has so far not been any help. I can't find out what they are, or where they are coming from. The ground? The trees? Spontaneous air drops?

This is what keeps me from swimming pre-cleaning. If anyone has any clue what these guys are, please send me a link so I can at least have a name for my daily spawning.

Yummy Sunday - Sweet Corn Nuggets

2009-06-07T12:29:00.000-04:00

At a birthday party a while ago the kids were introduced to something that began to immediately harden their arteries and and boost their cholesterol sixty percent.

Sweet Corn Nuggets.

It's corn, and it's fried. I'm not sure how I've lived in the south for multiple decades without ever coming across these before, but my kids aren't going to let me forget them now that they've found them.

Sweet Corn Nuggets
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 cup flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 cups drained whole kernel corn

Beat eggs, and stir in remaining ingredients. Drop from a spoon into deep fat and fry until brown.

Some recipes call for half creamed corn and half whole kernel. Some call for half flour half corn meal. I don't think you can really mess this up, but I like the recipe above best.

Crazy

2009-06-02T12:30:00.000-04:00

When I was about 9, my sister and I were moved down into a new "kid's room" my dad built in the basement. There was a new baby on the way that needed our bedroom, so we did what the most skilled of midwesterners know how to do, and built a bedroom in the basement.

Really, it was cool. First we got to help build it, then we got to pretty much do what we wanted as long as we kept it quiet and didn't fight. (That last part was actually a lot harder than it sounds.) Except for the creepy loud pachinko machine I both loved and feared - you would not believe how many times I nearly peed my pants because I was afraid to go past that hunk of levers and metal balls lurking at the foot of the stairs in the middle of the night - I've got some great memories of our basement bedroom.

One of them was finding some treasures when we were cleaning out the basement before we began construction. Treasure number 1 was mom and dad's collection of 45's. And were there some classics in there? You tell me.

Cocoa Beach, Star Trek, Mother's Day and Monday All Day

2009-05-11T12:32:00.000-04:00

We had a beautiful, too short, and still exhausting trip down to the Space Coast this weekend for an event. The hotel we stayed at was absolutely fantastic, a wonderful combination of luxury and comfort, and small inn service. I hope we have a reason to go back and stay there again very soon.

Saw Star Trek Saturday night. It was one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in a long, long time. Watching how the writers combined the old backstories with some new twists, and how the actors put their own spin on characters that many of us have been watching for several decades, was amazing. I know not everyone agrees but I thought they did a fabulous job. It seems to have made big heaping buckets of money as well, so I'm looking forward to seeing where this new spin on the franchise takes us with sequels. Stayed up a bit late reading Mortal Sins by Eileen Wilks. This was the first book I'd read in this series, and I could definitely tell I'd jumped in a few books down the line, but it was a good read that makes me want to go back and read the first ones.

Mother's Day started with kisses, hugs, flowers, hand made gifts, tea, and a Hallmark card that sang to me. I've nothing against singing cards, but on Mother's Day I gotta say the message I wanted to hear was not "Get on your feet! Get up and make it happen." I seem to do that all on my own 364 days of the year. Really, a message more along the lines of "Put your feet up and let the kids take care of you" would have been a bit more well received. But the kids loved their card so much, we all started the day laughing, and there's a lot to be said for that. Hallmark, you get a pass on this one. Next year I want something a bit more appropriate though.

Unfortunately the night and day away starting the weekend meant I did have to do some work yesterday. Future World Dictator had an AP study test that he needed a ride to, so there was a trip downtown in the day. Then work; mostly tech stuff, setting up a new pc for hubby and transfering / cleaning out files from his old one. By the time that was finished it was dinner time, bath and bed time for the little one, and the weekends exhaustion caught up with me. I picked a short read (Tooth and Claw, a wonderfully hot paranormal from Annmarie McKenna) and was turning out the lights by 10.

Now it's Monday, and there's no rest for the overscheduled.

~ Hugs and productivity

One foot in front of the other

2009-05-08T12:32:00.000-04:00

One foot in front of the other. That's what I've been doing this week, just keep putting those feet down and moving along, believing that eventually I'll end up where I need to be. If nothing else, at least I'm not sitting still.

The Christmas novella was bettered from being read by Most Favorite Reader, and is off to Exceptional Editor. I think this was the first one that made me tear up a bit when I did the final read through, which either means that I packed some emotional punch into it or I'm a bit in love with my own specialness. Jury is still out; updates as they come.

The day before I sent it off I still didn't know what to start writing next. I read through my "ideas" folder, and added a few more to it. Found two things that I was tempted to flesh out and dive into, but in the end I put the old ideas away and started Chapter 1 of the followup to Flawed (which comes out June 30th!). Now I'm racing the clock to get a first draft done before the kids are out of school for the summer, and my days devolve into the sucking morass that is life as "mom".

Also. Things I don't want to see by my front door anymore ever - snakes. Black snakes, that the fireman who lives 2 doors down thinks may be Water Moccasins (aka Cottonmouth). None of them - I've seen 3 different snakes so far within a few feet of the door - have opened their mouths so far for me to check the inner color, but really, if you ask me they can just slither a few hundred feet across the yard and back into the marsh where they should be living. I'm not at all happy with them where they have been hangin'. Their peeps and my peeps weren't meant to mingle.

I'll leave you with this uplifting little ditty that's helping me keep on keeping on.
~Hugs and snakeless days to you

Earth Day

2009-04-24T12:34:00.000-04:00

Every day may be Earth Day now, but April 22 is the one where our neighbors will frown disapprovingly at us if they see us put the newspaper in the regular trash instead of the recycling bin.
Who needs that kind of mojo?
So here are a few simple suggestions you can adopt to keep your earth karma healthy.

- Turn off the water. Do you leave the water running while you brush your teeth for 2 minutes? Then nearly ten gallons of water just slid down the drain. Remember, you PAY for that! Now, think about saving water when you shave, wash dishes, do laundry, water the lawn, wash the car, hose off the sidewalks.... avoid sending water and $$$ down the drain.

- Do less laundry. When you do it, do full loads on the lowest temperature setting possible. Washers can use more than 50 gallons of water per load, so avoid washing a lot of small loads whenever possible. Also, be sure to choose the lowest level of water needed for each load, use warm water instead of hot, and set the rinse cycle to use cold water.

- Break the paper towel habit. Use rags or towels instead of paper towels for cleaning.

- Carry cloth shopping bags.

- Use latex paint. Oil based paints are toxic. They cannot be thrown out in the trash, but require special "hazardous waste" handling available at most recycling facilities. Call for instructions and collection dates. Use latex paint instead. To dispose of excess latex paint, leave the can uncovered to allow evaporation, then pull out the hardened paint and recycle the can. Never pour paint on the ground or wash brushes outside, as the runoff can contaminate groundwater.

- If your city or county has curbside recycling, take advantage of it! Start looking at you've been putting in the waste can, and ask yourself how much of that could have been recycled instead of going into the landfill. If you aren't sure what can and can't be recycled, call your city manager and ask for a list. They'll be thrilled to tell you.

Have any more suggestions? Share them in the comments.
Here's hoping we have a healthy Earth for the many generations to come.

Flickers

2009-04-23T12:33:00.000-04:00

My power just flickered off and on. How can something that only lasts a fraction of second create 15 minutes of angst? There were TV's that turn themselves on when this happens that needed to be shut off, the DSL router had to be reset from it's .6 second powerless confusion, two pc's to reboot, and then once my desktop was back up, well, my train of thought was totally gone. What was I writing? And more important, what was that next sentence going to be? I know it was going to be awesome.

Thankfully the surge protectors all seem to have done their thing, so the only victim to this interruption was my productivity.

Getting things done

2009-04-21T12:34:00.000-04:00

[Lotsa work today, and it's not the fun sitting down and writing kind. Instead, I've spent 3 hours procrastinating.

So far I've :
- found a Twitter icon thingie for my main page and linked it. (such an urgent, important detail - my day could not start until this was done. No, really. I even let the kids sleep in an extra 5 minutes while I played with naking it different sizes.)
- taken out the garbage. Because it's garbage day, and someone's gotta do it.
- Started some laundry. See above.
- added a mix cd a friend burned me to iTunes and updated the iPhone and iPod. Without actually listening to the mix cd to see what is on it. I'm all about the living dangerously like that. (I see Tool on there, so I know it'll all work out ok.)
- Scanned in pics of my daughter. These may or may not make it to Flickr later today.
- Worked out schedule with hubby for work this weekend. He only needs me a half day on Saturday - yay!

Also drove the kiddos to school, which took up half that 3 hours, so my Mom Time vs Procrastination Time is about evenly balanced.

And now, these logos aren't going to get done by themselves. And neither are these edits.

What's on your schedule today?

Hope you find balance in your day!

Lovin' on Adam Lambert

2009-04-08T12:35:00.000-04:00

I've not been an American Idol "fan". I started watching for the first time ever about half way through last year, and did much enjoy David Cook. This year I thought I'd give the audition rounds a try, and they were everything I thought they'd be - and worse. They bothered me so bad that when they finally got to Hollywood, and brought Tatiana along for another week of "Let's make crazy things happen for ratings and forget about the music" I stopped watching the show.

But that doesn't mean I've stopped watching Adam Lambert. Because this ~~boy~~ (man? I think he's in his 20's) man can sing.

So I love Wednesday mornings, and this site, because on Wednesday mornings I get to see what other amazing, sometimes outrageous, and always entertaining song Adam has pulled out of his soul to sing for us this week.

He didn't disappoint this week. Mad World (I prefer the Gary Jules version to the Tears for Fears) is one of those haunting songs that I never get tired of. It's been on my "fav songs" playlist for about 3 years now. I think I have a new favorite version of it though. Click through and listen (Mad World is at the bottom of the page, so scroll down) for yourself and tell me if you agree.

What's up

2009-04-07T12:36:00.000-04:00

So much to do today. But quite a bit of it has gotten done.

My washer died last week. After a few days cruising craigslist and freecycle I had a few nice offers. Unfortunately, they required my husband to actually get involved with the replacement process to help with moving it.
Let's not go there.
So Saturday I went washer shopping. I went in the store planning to get one of their cheapest models. Had the salesman already checking to see if it was in stock. Then turned around and saw the row of "open box specials". Ie, floor models on sale 30-50% off.

And all of a sudden the HE model made a lot more sense. We'll save back the extra we spent upfront in less than 3 years.

So last night it was delivered. Small problem. When I measured the space, I measured it at the top of the unit. Unfortunately, my laundry closet walls and floor are not at a 90 degree angle; shoddy construction and a 2x4 that wasn't installed straight on the corner mean that it is 1/32nd of an inch narrower at the bottom than it is at waist height.

So this morning I was off to Lowes to buy a file. I filed down the edge of the 2x4 that had been nailed in crooked on the corner (curses construction workers that can't hang a straight piece of wood), and with a bit of wiggling got the dryer back in place behind the doors, instead of out in the middle of the room. Any upcoming houseguests will appreciate that, since "middle of the room" means "in front of door to guest room".

New washer is shiney and red. And it's HE, so it has a fun door on the front to watch the magic happen. Also, it takes about 2x as long as the old one to wash a load. But the loads are bigger.
~~~
None of that was nearly as exciting to write as it was live. There was some cursing (when I realized it wasn't going to fit), some banging (as I tried to wiggle the dryer back in a space it wouldn't fit), and a bit of laughing (mostly hubby and son, laughing at me for buying a machine that didn't fit). So yeah, every load of laundry for the next few days is going to come with a bit more satisfaction than just getting the clothes clean and dried usually offers.

26 3/4" wide

2009-04-03T12:36:00.000-04:00

I'm running into difficulty with buying a used washer. Is it really that hard to find a washing machine that fits in a space 26 3/4" but does large loads? Evidently. All the ads I've followed through on at Craigslist have resulted in "sorry, my machine won't fit in that space." I may have to buy new after all.

My post on Wednesday - you did check the date when you read it, right? 'k. Just making sure.

I'm over at the Samhain blog today, talking about Surviving Spring Break. If you have any tips come let me know - or even if you just want to offer some support. I've got 3 more days to live through.

And now I need to go cruise the Craigslist ads one more time before I give up and go appliance shopping.

The Wyndham Resort (aka RT 2009 hotel)

2009-03-16T12:37:00.000-04:00

Through the random coincidence generator of Hotwire, hubby and I stayed at The Wyndham Resort in Orlando this weekend. A few writer type peeps who are going to this years Romantic Times convention asked for some details; here's what I've got.

Note - As mentioned, we booked our room through Hotwire. I would not be shocked to find out that we had the worst room in the place; in fact, for the sake of everyone paying full or near-full convention price, I hope we had the worst room in the place.

First - the good:
The very best thing I can say about this place was that the workout room rocks. Half a dozen treadmills, at least as many elliptical and bikes, and both free weights and a full wall of various body-part-specific machines. Four tv's, and you are welcome to change the channel to whatever you want. Water cooler and fresh towels, and sani-wipes at each station. Yoga mats and balance balls. More that I can't remember. Temp set low enough to stay comfortable after you break a sweat. A great view of the pool in front of you, and while I was in there, some serious man candy as well (the calf muscles on the man in front of me distracted me for the entire C25K session I had committed to.)

They also offer massages although I didn't have time to check that out. The woman's locker room had both steam and sauna room. The shower area was nicer than what was waiting for me back in my room, and I was wishing I'd carried my bag over so I could shower and clean up there.

The convention area itself seemed entirely suitable for the RT convention. There was no convention going on while we were there, so I can't speak for how that part will go. Likewise, the restaurants weren't being taxed by hundreds of readers and writers, so no idea what they do that will or won't make that part a success.

Our guest room had hardwood floors with a few area rugs. I actually liked this because I could tell the floor was clean, and didn't have to worry about what was hidden in the carpet.

OK, if you only wanted to positives, you can stop reading now.

The bad :

No wireless internet in the rooms. Too far from any other hotels to hope to "borrow" a signal.

The guest room itself was on the small side, but we weren't doing anything but sleeping there, so we coped. It was 2 beds, a tv cabinet, a table, 2 chairs - your basic room. Three standard pillows per bed, plus 2 decorative. The linens were hotel standard, not the luxury level I've gotten used to from staying at Marriott and Loews.

The bathroom was a nightmare. It's only redeeming feature was a large countertop. The tub caulk was flaking off in several inch long strips. The tub itself had some sort of black dirt ground into the surface that I couldn't wipe out, so the kids were told to take showers for the weekend.

There were several fire ants (one of which had the courtesy of suiciding in the toilet, but that freaked my daughter out and made her all but refuse to go to the bathroom for the weekend.) There was a mystery bug that stayed up on the ceiling where I couldn't get to him. People who say "Florida hotels always have bugs" - no, they don't. I spend about 30 hotel nights a year in Florida, and rarely find bugs in the clean ones.

The ceiling had two spots where the popcorn surface was coming down. The one right outside the bathroom was only cracked and slightly sagging. The one over the tv was already gone in one gaping spot, and was losing the fight in several others.

The walls - oh my, the walls. I've slept in tents and had more privacy. The neighbors on one side had children, one of which was of the "up all night and going to cry in several pitches and at the loudest possible decibel" variety. The crying from the baby didn't bother me nearly as much as whichever parent it was that took to screaming at him around 2am.

The neighbors on the other side were relatively quiet in comparison. I don't think the kids noticed.

The upstairs neighbors were of the "wild monkey" variety. I'm not talking about their eating habits. Believe me, they were making the earth move. Or at least their furniture. My kids were out of the room when they had go-round-one, and I *think* they were asleep through round two.

Something that I wouldn't like in a convention hotel but which didn't really bother me either was for our stay was the way the place is laid out. It is of the "many buildings each surrounded with it's own parking" layout, not a tall vertical building with floor after floor of guest rooms. I would not want to trek from building 4 or building 6 all the way over to the convention hall in the Florida sun. Or in the Florida rain. Or in a fairy costume.

Oh - there was one more positive. When the hotel room safe stopped working, security was there in less than 10 minutes to get it open for me. So, fast security! If you need it.
~~
If you're going to RT, I suspect you're going to have so much fun with the actual convention that these details will be at worst a minor annoyance, and not the sort of thing that makes or breaks it for you. But I'd recommend you request a room near the convention, and take advantage of the health club. If nothing else, it will make a great backup shower if you're splitting the room with a few friends.

From the thesaurus today

2009-03-12T12:38:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry for the week of radio silence. No good reasons, just Life happening at the speed of life.
But yesterday, I got edits! And because I was for some reason in the mood, I sat myself down and did them.

On editing.

Words I needed help with from the thesaurus today :
bond
shiver
slowly
twitch
quickly
horribly
dire
deliberately
encouraged
sharply
stab
dark
delight
release
demand
searching
needed
darkened
attack
attacker
drawing
thick
thickly

When I got my edits back, there were 3 things that I needed to focus on.
First, I have a real problem with sentances that start "He (did something / said something)" and "She (did something / said something)". I've talked about it before on twitter, and I know it may be a sign of small minded narrow opinioned reader-quirkiness, but to me it makes for dull reading. And so I have to force myself to use that as an opening in a sentance of my own writing. Now, much like the words "... he said" as a dialogue tag, there is a real place for this to be used in writing. What there isn't a place for is using things like "His arms reached for her" instead of "He reached for her". The first is even worse than the second actually. And I do it All. The. Time. So I had about 180 of those to clean up. Not that I was counting.

The second problem (and let me get comfortable on my couch while I'm unloading my soul here) is with those good old adverbs, the 'ly words. I muchly love them, abundantly evenly. Ahem.

And third? Every few pages I pick a new word-of-the-day. Something like demand. Or delight. Or desire. (A whole heap of them are D words, it turned out.) And I use it over and over, occasionally even twice in one sentence.

Now, you'd think that my own self editor would have caught most of this before I sent the dang thing to my editor. And what I missed, the CP's would have caught. But it turns out that we have editors for a reason, and no one's eye is as sharp as the eye of someone who edits for a living.

Random House free reads

2009-03-05T12:39:00.000-05:00

For the Science Fiction / Fantasy lovers out there, Random House is giving away some free reads. Mmmmm, free. Word of the year

Angels' Blood = awesomeness

2009-03-04T12:40:00.000-05:00

Stayed up so very late finishing Nalini Singh's Angels' Blood last night, that it was early. But it was worth the loss of sleep. Best book I've read in a long, long time. And yay! it's the first in a new series.

Ever heard of Couch to 5k? I survived day 1. We'll see how my knees feel later; hopefully the past few weeks walking on the treadmill have built up a bit of muscle in the area. Last time I tried to run (4 years ago I think?) I jammed both knees and couldn't walk for over a week.

Shower time. The best part of getting sweaty is not being sweaty anymore.

There be shadows in darkness

2009-03-03T12:41:00.000-05:00

I'm racing towards the no-more-working time of the day and haven't gotten most of what I wanted to get done complete.

What did I get done?
Lots of staring at the screen. LSB tells me that I've got a net gain of 131 words. That's about a word every 3 minutes since I opened the WIP today.

I've got a great book sitting on the table waiting to be read. Nalini Singh's "Angels Blood". I'm about 40 pages in, and really wished I could tell the chiropractor this morning "Go on and take the next person, I don't mind waiting a bit longer..." But I didn't. So now I'll have to wait until the munchkin is off to bed before I can get back to it.

Gena Showalter's The Vampire's Bride just popped up in my email box with a 100% micropay rebate from eBookwise. This makes me happy.

Also, the episode of Criminal Minds with Wil Wheaton will be on tomorrow. I was late to the CM fanwagon and missed it when it originally aired, so this will be a must-watch for me.

Have you hugged your cat today?

Recipes

2009-03-01T12:42:00.000-05:00

Popeye's Dirty Rice
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Rice

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 pound Spicy bulk breakfast sausage
1 Can clear chicken broth -- (14 ounces)
1/2 cup Long-grain rice
1 teaspoon Dry minced onion

Brown sausage in skillet until pink color disappears, crumbling with fork.
Stir in broth, rice and minced onion. Simmer gently, covered, 18 to 20
minutes or until rice is tender and most of broth is absorbed.

Boston Chicken Bake And Baste Chicken
1/4 c Canola oil
1 tb Honey
1 tb Lime juice
1/4 ts Paprika
4 Chicken breast halves Washed/patted dry

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine canola oil, honey, lime juice and paprika.
Place chicken, skin side up, in a 7x11 inch baking dish.
Apply mixture to chicken pieces in a single layer.
Bake in over for 35-40 minutes, basting every 8-10 minutes or until well browned and juices run clear
when you cut into the thickest part of chicken. Remove from oven. Cover with foil for 15 minutes. This
softens chicken and keeps it hot until served. Serves 4.

Shameless

2009-03-01T12:41:00.000-05:00

[Shamelessly lifted from the incredible Angela James :
Ask your kid the questions and write them down exactly how they respond.
(Princess is 6 years old.)
1. What is something mom always says to you?
"No."
2. What makes mom happy?
"Me doing what you say."
3. What makes mom sad?
â€œNot doing what you say."
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
â€œJokes."
5. What was your mom like as a child?
"Umm you never told me things like that."
6. How old is your mom?
â€œOk I always forget this." (Good girl!)
7. How tall is your mom?
â€œA little taller than me."
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
â€œTry to make time to play and take a break."
9. What does your mom do when youâ€™re not around?
â€œWorkâ€
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
â€œBeing a great artist."
11. What is your mom really good at?
â€œDoing Logos"
12. What is your mom not very good at?
â€œDriving an airplane."
13. What does your mom do for her job?
â€œDoing logos"
14. What is your momâ€™s favorite food?
â€œI would say... umm.. Strawberries"
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
â€œYou being happy"
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
â€œIf Sleeping Beauty were a cartoon character, you would be Sleeping Beauty!"
17. What do you and your mom do together?
â€œTalk and snuggle ane help each other."
18. How are you and your mom the same?
â€œWe're both humans and we both have legs arms eyes hair (there was more) and our own butt!"
19. How are you and your mom different?
â€œYou have a different color hair and our skin colors are a little different and we do different things and umm we don't know the same things and our names aren't the same."
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
â€œBecause I'm your daughter and I'm your sweetheart and I'm your honey" (Then she gave me a big hug)
22. Where is your momâ€™s favorite place to go?
â€œA vacation with our family."

The heart, still beating

2009-02-25T12:43:00.000-05:00

Saturday, as we were getting ready to go to my FIL's birthday party, I let my husband know that I really probably should take it easy that night; my nose was sniffly, my throat tight and scratchy, my head a bit stuffy.

Sunday morning at about 11am, WHAM. My body was swarm attacked by every germ that had been lurking in my blood, guts, and mucus.

So now it is three days later, and I'm trying to remember what exactly happened in the past 72 hours. I spent a lot of it in bed, crawling out long enough to do the basic things (carpool, laundry, dishes). I'm finding emails I sent, so I must have been borderline coherent at times.

My point? Cold medicine these days sucks. It killed none of the symptoms, muted none of the discomfort - I remember every sniff, every mouth breath, every hack for the past 3 days. But what I actually did for the past few days is pretty much a blur.

It's inappropriate

2009-02-21T12:44:00.000-05:00

Princess just called out to me from the other room "Mom there's something on tv and it's inappropriate."

Which made me giggle a bit. Oops. I'd set Sarah Connor and Dollhouse to TiVo earlier, since I knew I'd be in bed before the first show even ended. (It's a golf weekend, and yes, that means bed before 9 on Friday nights - good times!)

When I went in to turn the tv off she said "Mom, there's killings on it, that's inappropriate." Correct usage, twice in a row!

She also told me earlier she wants to be an artist. I've been trying for several years to get her into the county art magnet school, so far without luck. Please, let the magnet school karma smile down on us when they do the lotto this spring.

Facebook owns any content posted on their site?

2009-02-17T12:45:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting at the downtown library catching up on emails and feeds while I wait for an appointment. Not a bad place to wait, since there's a delish coffee shop here where for the price of a cup of coffee and a generous tip I can surf away an hour - an hour that would otherwise be spent driving home, then back downtown.

Really, I'm doing it for the environment.

So the hidden gem in this mornings feeds :
Facebook: All Your Stuff is Ours, Even if You Quit

It's well worth your time to click through and read the whole thing, especially if you're an artist, writer, photographer, or post other original content on Facebook. But the high - or low - point is

In short, all of the content youâ€™ve ever uploaded on Facebook can be used, modified or even sublicensed by Facebook in every possible way - even if you quit the service.
The TOS says the following:

You hereby grant Facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to (a) use, copy, publish, stream, store, retain, publicly perform or display, transmit, scan, reformat, modify, edit, frame, translate, excerpt, adapt, create derivative works and distribute (through multiple tiers), any User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof subject only to your privacy settings or (ii) enable a user to Post, including by offering a Share Link on your website and (b) to use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising, each of (a) and (b) on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof.

Ouch. Does anyone even read TOS anymore? (Guilty.)

All you need is love

2009-02-15T12:45:00.000-05:00

Was your Valentines Day filled with love and good times? Hubby was out of town, which made mine a ~~bit~~ lot lonelier than I like. But it had itâ€™s high points (morning kiddie snuggles, some quiet time in the afternoon, phone calls before bed). While not the most memorable day, it was a good one nonetheless.

The week :

Reading â€“ Undercover by Lauren Dane was fantastic. I love futuristic romance, and Lauren's books are always amazing. The way she handles the D/s parts of what are some very complicated relationships worked for me on every level. One of many things I love about Lauren's books is that she writes such amazingly strong women â€“ kick ass, tough on the outside but all woman inside women (cue the Enjoli commercial). But in the bedroom Sera, her heroine, had no problems submitting to her men. It is her strength that makes her submission so much more powerful to a reader. I donâ€™t know why this one sat on my TBR for so long before I picked it up, but itâ€™s earned a spot on my keeper shelf now. The rest of the reading week was much less exciting.

Watching â€“ This week, finally, the premier of Dollhouse. Was it great, the best TV ever? No. But I remember another series that I kind of felt the first way about after the first episode. Besides the brilliance of Joss Whedon, these series have another thing in common â€“ FOX screwed with the pilots, in one case not even showing it in favor of an episode they thought was more commercial, and in the other forcing a complete rewrite/reshoot. Why does FOX hire some of the most unique writing talent in Hollywood and then try to make it fit into their mold? The only thing that gives me hope that Dollhouse could make it past season 1 is that FOX has actually kept Sarah Conner Chronicles around for 2 seasons (even if they have done everything a network could do to stop any possible fan base from forming).

Workouts â€“ 5 days on the treadmill. I found Weeds on Netflix, which got me through 3 miles on Friday. I need to work some sort of light weight training into my workouts soon â€“ Iâ€™m looking at a few DVDâ€™s on Netflix, and bought resistance cords at Target yesterday.

Music â€“ Alison Krauss and Robert Plants Please Read The Letter â€“ this song haunts me. The video, with that big almost empty house, like a life in the process of being emptied of the past. T

Writing â€“ 2k more on My Christmas Wish. Itâ€™s coming along. Made myself cry while I was writing one day, which is usually a good sign that thereâ€™s some emotion going into the page

We loved with a love that was more than love. ~Edgar Allan Poe.

The Weak Week

2009-02-09T12:47:00.000-05:00

Hubby is home, and exhausted. There were more than the usual number of slackers refusing to pull their weight this year. He had something like 9 hours sleep in the past 4 days, and most days only had time to eat once.
The "is it worth it" discussion will come later when he's recovered.
~
Reading - I loaded a half dozen new releases from Silhouette/Harlequin on my reader this week. Transformed Into The Frenchman's Mistress (Silhouette Desire) by Barbara Dunlop was a favorite, and Friday Night Mistress (Silhouette Desire) by Jan Colley was pretty great too.

Watching - I caught Lie To Me on tv Wednesday, and searched out the first two episodes online so I could watch them too. Great treadmill viewing; I'm loving the characters, and the great job the writers do of tying the body language into the plot. Coraline came out Friday - fantastic move. Can't wait to see it in 3D.

Workouts - Treadmill 4 days this week. Hip hip yay.

Music - I went classical for the week. Mostly Buxtehude, a bit of Bach.

Writing - Nine pages in My Christmas Wish. Some notes on a contemporary in first person that will probably never get written, because I don't have a lot of confidence in my contemporary voice, or in my first person voice. But it was fun to write.

The glamorous life of a writer whose husband does not do repairs

2009-01-16T12:48:00.000-05:00

My husband does not do fix-its. I don't really know if he's ever changed a light bulb. He probably couldn't find the toolbox if his life hinged on finding a Phillips head screwdriver (or be able to recognize one if he did).

Which means that the new toilet seat I bought 9 months ago sat in the hall for ... well, 9 months. Because replacing toilet seats is right down there with plunging drains in my list of least-favorite things to do.

Then this morning, the handle broke off the toilet. A trip to the hardware store later (solo trip of course; at least he did watch the kids while I went) I was playing plumber. Which isn't nearly as much fun as playing cowboys and Indians, but that is another story for another day.

And as long as I had the tool box in there and my hands were all grimed up from the first repair, I went on and replaced that seat that had been sitting patiently since last April.

My day is now complete.

Quotable

2009-01-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low ~and settled for very little.
George Carlin

Friday nights

2009-01-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

Friday nights should not come with web site issues and husbands with pulled muscles.

Just sayin'

Cold Feet

2009-01-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

My feet are cold. Or were, before I tucked them under this fuzzy $4 couch throw. Now they're toasty warm, but they do not want to come from under the blanket.

And it's almost noon, which means I've lost any hope of getting my Sunday shopping done before the after church crowd hits Publix.

Leaves me two options. Shop with the masses (get it? after church? crowds of people? Never mind.), or don't shop until sometime not soon.

Maybe I'll just stay snuggled up here on the couch while I decide.

Friday Checkin

2007-01-12T12:16:00.000-05:00

Remember back in July, when I wrote about a fangirl moment? There will be another one soon - I just won a book giveaway on Jordan Summers blog. Expect much gushing after I read The Arrival.

Shocking even to myself, I'm still on goal for 2007. The kids have only had 4 days of school out of the 12, so I'm beyond amazed I haven't fallen behind. And with Fast Draft starting next week, hope to get ahead a bit. If I can get really, really ahead I may even throw a 9th book into the 2007 plan. We'll see how that's going when Jan 31st gets here.

Time to feed the heathens. Then maybe they'll give me a few minutes peace to get more writing done tonight.

Welcome to 2007

2007-01-02T12:15:00.000-05:00

I'm not a resolution maker - never have been. But I do make goals, and try my best to keep them.

I've made one goal this year - write every day. So far (all two days of it!) I've kept it. The actual word counts haven't been stunning, but it's all about the habit forming.

I've also set out a pretty impressive project schedule for the year. Several new short novellas to start the year, two full length books to be ready by GH, and several more shorts to end the year. Most of the shorts are theme stories - Halloween, wedding, dragons, and more. There are so many publishers with great theme lines going, it is hard to pick which one to go with. But I've narrowed it down to what I think may be doable - especially if I can keep to my goal, and write every day.

2007, hang on tight - we've got a long road ahead of us. :thumbup:

One day's The End is another day's Chapter One

2006-12-29T12:13:00.000-05:00

I typed "The End" last night. Read it through one more time from start to end, then sent it off to sis and cp's to get some thoughts, opinions, and hopefully critiques. Of course I sent it to sis just as she was heading to bed in preparation of a full day of work, followed by an eight hour car ride (to visit me!), so it will be a while before she can get back to me...

Today it was on to Chapter One of the next story, tentatively titled "Wedded Blyss". It's another short, planned for 14,000 words, about a confused woman named Blyss who wakes up to find herself married to her brother's best friend. It helps that she's been secretly in love with him for years, but she can't remember the last 24 hours - why are they married, and does he know she loves him? Is this a marriage of convenience, or a marriage of the heart?

At only 14,000 words, she won't have long to worry over it, but I'll not ruin it for you by sharing the ending, 'k? (Especially since it's only day one, and Blyss herself still isn't sure.)

Two more days left in 2006.� Hope yours are memorable!

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-26T12:12:00.000-05:00

Hope you're having a fantastic holiday, whatever you celebrate. May your days and nights be filled with love and laughter, friendship and family. And a good book or three.

My holidays are winding down. Four days on the road before Christmas, visiting with my family. Lots of good memories to treasure from them. We had Christmas Eve dinner at the in-laws, then Christmas morning here at home, and then finally Christmas dinner back at the in-laws to finish the day. I was happily exhausted by the end of it all.

Now it's the day after Christmas, and I'm having to force myself to get back into some kind of routine. Being gone then having the holidays back to back means my house looks like monkey house when the zookeeper takes the week off. Laundry. Dishes. Wrapping paper. Oy.

So I took sat down to clear off my desk as a reward for getting through two rooms and three loads of laundry. And then rewarded myself with a bit of play time on the pc. But my reward time is about over, and the laundry and 5 rooms still waiting to be cleaned are calling.

Tomorrow it's back to the real schedule - and real writing. I've got one chapter to finish up on a story I've had on my desk far too long; it needs to be gone by the end of the year. And then it's on to my bride story.

Let's not talk about werewolves, 'k? :shake:

Things I've Done/Haven't Done

2006-12-08T12:10:00.000-05:00

By way of
Annalee Blysse
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain - then rappelled down a rope into a very long, dark cave. Then climbed back out again many hours later. Sometimes I really miss the mountains.
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula - amazingly soft and silky
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea - I'm cheating on the definition of "at sea" here - on the beach, by the ocean.
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars Now I really, really miss the mountains.
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer - This thing is not like the others..
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud - One word - College.
64. Played in the rain - 64a - Played touch football in the rain and mud
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage - I think it was 4th grade. Long, long time ago
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Been to the Great Barrier Reef
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication [Do books count?]
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

How about you?

Banks are evil

2006-12-08T08:01:00.001-05:00

It's Friday, and I should be looking forward to so many things - the quiet morning with the kids off at school; going to a basketball game tonight and listening to hubs call the game (listen live here, or listen to the podcast after); the weekend, with a Christmas party and a birthday party; the cold clear December day that brought us our first true taste of Father Winter.

Instead, as soon as I get my daughter off to school I'll get to waste yet another morning navigating the automated phone trees of banks and credit card companies, set up I believe with the sole intention of frustrating us until we throw up our hands and let them keep our money. The more frustrated you become, the more useless departments the person who finally answers the phone will find to transfer you to.

Listening to Sarah Mclachlan's "Wintersong" to calm myself. It's not really calming, but it is beautiful.

If your life were a soundtrack...

2006-12-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

(Blatantly borrowed from http://mdbenoit.com/blog M. D. Benoit -

...What would the soundtrack be?

Here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool~

Here's mine:

Opening Credits: Macarena - Los Del Rio
Waking Up: Graveyard Symphony - Exodus
First Day At School: Its Still Rock and Roll - Billy Joel
Falling In Love: Rock and Roll Band - Boston
Fight Song: Mr Brightside - The Killers
Breaking Up: Dr Dre - Smoke Weed
Prom: I Want Your Sex - George Michael
Life: I'll Stop The World and Melt With You - The Cure
Mental Breakdown: Final Fantasy VII - One Winged Angel / Final Battle
Driving: Respect - Pink / Scratch
Flashback: Just a Friend - Mario
Wedding: You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
Birth of Child: Blue Oyster Cult
Final Battle: You Don't Mess Around With Jim
Death Scene: What's The Frequency - REM
Funeral Song: Get Drunk and Screw - Jimmy Buffet
End Credits: She - Green Day

What's on your life soundtrack?

Do You del.icio.us ?

2006-12-07T10:58:00.000-05:00

http://del.icio.us/ksteele2

How did I never realize just how incredibly useful this is before? I've stumbled through the site a few times, and always thought that it didn't look appealing. Then when I looked at it again yesterday, the pieces all lined up with a mental click and suddenly, I fell in love.

Hate it when you bookmark a page on one pc, and then can't remember the link when you're on your laptop - or at work? Never go through that again! Upload your favorite lists from all your pcs, add the "post to del.icio.us" icon to your toolbars, and you'll never use the Bookmarks page again.

It was this "post" thing that really had me puzzled at first. I didn't want to post - my stalkers know I've got enough places to post with Blogger, Wordpress, Vox, Flickr, Myspace, and forums. But that post option? It's really "add". You're adding a favorite place to your online list of favorite places. And when you add a place (lets say, sweepstake places), you can see 84 people who have also listed that as their favorite. And then you can see what other sweepstake places they have linked. Hey, this looks like a cool site - I'll add it too!

Useful. Entertaining. Borederline addictive. What more can you ask for with web page bookmarking?

Depth

2006-11-30T16:48:00.001-05:00

Young Dude just came out of his room wearing a black tee shirt. Usually, this near-teenage son of mine considers tee shirts of any color fit only for sleep, and that period of post-sleep that lasts on the weekends until I threaten to withhold food or tv. Tee shirts are not a part of his fashion statement. But today, it is. And it's black. Oy.

After somewhat gracefully accepting the hard time I gave him over his new wardrobe (What? What? WHAT?? - he added a new word to his vocabulary along with his new shirt) he told me a joke. I'll leave you with this :
Why are three dimensional games better than two dimensional games?

"They have more depth."

Cheers and Jeers

2006-11-30T16:22:00.000-05:00

Cheers to YBP Library Services for their plan to distribute eBooks to academic libraries. Where they lead, may many more follow! Details here.

Jeers to Blogger. Oh, how I am coming to loathe you. Today's wackiness began with me not being able to leave a reply on a friends blog. This has become such a regular feature of Blogger that I have all but given up commenting on Blogger blogs; I typically read them through the rss feeder and don't even click through to try. But today someone pulled my heartstrings and I really, really wanted to comment. Only to be told to "Type the characters you see in the picture above." But there WERE no characters, there was no picture above. Then I came here to blog about my disgust, and was told repeatedly that Blogger was unavailable.... try back later. Hopefully after I'd cooled down.

Blogger, you've about ended your usefulness to me. A change has been a long time coming.... This link will soon be moved!

Ha. Take that.

I'm sure they're shivering in their timbers over my intention to move my free blog elsewhere....

"I guess we'll have a good Christmas after all"

2006-11-28T16:39:00.001-05:00

My tree is beautiful. Definitely a top 5 tree. Maybe a top 3. It inspired this quote from my daughter - "I guess we'll have a good Christmas after all."

I'm not sure what made my four year old think we weren't going to have a great Christmas in the first place, but looking at the tree is definitely enough to inspire one to visions of a good Christmas.

DH's mystery headaches have mostly tapered off. After our scary trip to the ER last Friday night he spent most of Thanksgiving weekend in bed doped up on Vicoden. This morning he woke up with chest tightness and a bit of coughing, so off he went to the DR. Now I'm not saying it's mental, not at all, but he left here at 2pm breathing fine and came home at 4pm wheezing and gasping for breath after they told him he may have bronchitis. Drugs are inbound - cough medicine with yet more morphine and antibiotics - here's hoping he feels better soon. Hopefully by the weekend; he's got a tournament in Orlando Sat / Sun.

The princess and I are going down to help with registration on Saturday; we were planning on coming back right afterwords, but now he is worried he will be too tired to handle finishing it up. And Teen Dude has his Duke TIP test Saturday morning (yay for aunts that will get out of bed at 6:30 on a Saturday to drive my kid across town, since DH needed me to go with him!) - I'd hoped to be here to take him and pick him up, but now it looks like we won't be back by the time it's over. I'm trying not to think about the last time we stayed at this hotel, when the bedtop deflated and I couldn't walk for weeks. Happy thoughts! Block out the bad memories!

Sick-and-wheezy is hungry. Looks like it's time to go brave the empty pantry and turn bread crusts, broth, and frozen lima beans into a feast fit for the bedridden. I knew I needed to go shopping today....

2006-11-15T11:18:00.001-05:00

My back has gotten a bit better every day. I can sit for up to 30 minutes without cringing and moaning when I finally stand up. Yes, that is progress!!

The laptop is on it's last legs, and only boots up when it wants to - yesterday it decided to play nice, so I got some of what I've written longhand typed up. Ran out of time after only about 10 pages, but it's progress. Unfortunately I'm not going to make the Golden Heart deadline now (which is today!!) - I'm just too far behind. But I've got several friends who entered, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for them. And I signed up to judge; should be able to learn a lot just from looking at others entries this year, and be ready next year with my own.

Starting to get excited about the holidays. Found a great web site that tracks all the Thanksgiving sales ads http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/index.php
and just the thought of shopping is getting me all excited. And I see some great deals on there. So now I'm torn - get up early and shop with many other people there (ugh! People!!) or stay at home and miss the deals? Going to be a last minute decision I'm sure.

We're having dinner at the in-laws this year. As long as the weather stays nice (fingers crossed) it will be a great day. With the Broncos playing at 8, we'll be eating by 6 so DH can make it home to watch the game. The table will seem much quieter without sis here this year; I'm trying to get over it. (sobs quietly) I'm on bread (sourdough, cheese, and yeast rolls this year)and dessert (pumpkin pie, apple pie, and a third not-decided-may-have-to-test-a-few-in-the-next-week variety that will be something new and exciting. Or it may be cherry. Which doesn't pass as new, but is always exciting. Or at least delicious.

Time to get up and move around a bit before my spine fuses together. Is it bad that I've gotten used to it making firecracker sounds when I stand up?

On the fly -

2006-11-05T11:22:00.000-05:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
350
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

And there are 104 people sharing my husband's name, 65 sharing my daughter's name. My son is unique!~

Catch-up Sunday

2006-10-29T10:58:00.000-05:00

Things to get done before Wednesday-

update chapter website for contest that starts next month
update chapter website Bookshelf
write letter to judges for contest
write book review (just one! And it's not even late!)
finish phrasing out the last 5 chapters of Krissy's story
stop eating the now 1/3 empty bag of Reese's Peanut Butter minicups that I sat behind my desk to keep it safe from the kids til Halloween. Ha, who was I kidding? I should have asked them to hide it to keep it safe from me. Hope the trick-or-treaters don't mind if they end up getting granola bars and raison boxes this year.

More You've got Mail

2006-10-28T08:34:00.001-04:00

I love checking my email - you never know what's going to be there for you.

This morning, it was a email from an editor asking for revisions. My first revision request!

The editor had two things she'd like me to change to make the story what she'd be looking for. Basically, it comes down to writing a few more scenes, this time from the hero's POV.

So yay! All I've got to do is find the time to write the scenes.
**************

Today I'm supposed to take Princess to a Halloween party at The Corner (where the two beach towns meet). We had a lot of rain overnight and it's still pretty dreary looking, but should be clearing by noon. This is the first year Young Dude hasn't gone - it's going to feel a bit odd, not having his costumed ghoulishness with me. But he decided he's too old for trick-or-treating this year, and even wants to stay home to do candy duty while I take Princess out on Tuesday.

Then, he decided he was old enough for haunted houses. Real ones - like Universal's "Halloween Horror Nights". Last night he and DH went down and were properly terrified by chainsaws, splatters of unknown warm fluids (supposed to simulate blood, but just water DH assured me when I had my own horrific vision of doing laundry), screams and spiders and haunted houses. I think they lasted about 30 minutes before they fled for the relative quiet of Islands of Adventure and did a few therapeutic Spiderman rides. I haven't talked to them yet today... wonder how late he was awake with visions of chainsaws in his head.

The Montgomery genes carry on

2006-10-26T18:33:00.001-04:00

Driving home tonight, the conversation in our car.

Hubby : You're Little Miss Attitude tonight.
Daughter (with the full I'm-four-and-I'm-the-princess-scorn): I am NOT Little Miss Attitude.
Me : Princess, say "I am NOT Little Miss Attitude" again.
Daughter : "I am NOT little Miss Attitude Again."

It took four years, but there it is - proof that no matter how far from the Montgomery family dinner table I take her, she is still my grandfather's great-granddaughter. And my fathers granddaughter. And, I say with pride, my daughter. 100%.

Very Short Stories

2006-10-26T10:06:00.000-04:00

This link is going 'round the blogs, but I was laughing out loud at some of these so I just had to share.

Very Short Stories - actually, 6 word stories.

Such as :
"Longed for him. Got him. Shit.
- Margaret Atwood"
and
"TIME MACHINE REACHES FUTURE!!! … nobody there …
- Harry Harrison"

Follow the link if you're entertained enough to want more.

The kids are off school tomorrow - weather make-up day, for those hurricanes we didn't get this year - so it's feeling a bit like Friday around here. A busy one - my desk is still buried. I can see the piles much more clearly than usual, since I'm sitting on an excercise ball and my eyes are about 6 inches higher than the desk surface. Will let you know tomorrow if this really helped my back. I think I'm going to need a shorter desk if it does.

Listening to : Nirvana - Nevermind

Halloween music

2006-10-24T10:33:00.000-04:00

Is there really any Halloween music? I don't mean the cheesey cassettes of creaking doors, wolves howling, and high-pitched screaming that you pick up on the endcap for $4.99. But actual songs about Halloween, with music and lyrics and such.

I can't find any. So I'm listening to other holiday music.

Someone go pick my mom up off the floor, she probably just passed out reading that it's still October and I've got the Christmas cd's playing.

Sis, "Oh, Holy Night" never sounded so good.

Just like Daddy

2006-10-22T08:15:00.000-04:00

Some days I look at her, and it's just like looking at her daddy.

Who are you?

2006-10-20T10:42:00.000-04:00

Mom often mixes up her kids. We just didn't know she did it in writing too.
(Thanks to Mike for saving this visual until he could show us what we've done to our parents.)

On Fence Building

2006-10-18T08:30:00.001-04:00

Today is supposed to be day three of fence building. We're down to the last bit - three more 8 foot sections, which means 4 more holes to dig. I write "supposed" because it is raining right now - just a drizzle. Hoping it's not enough to stop us, since we're already overdue getting the equipment back and if it's not back by noon today there will be even more of a charge.

Woke up at 4am. Was dreaming that the neighbors came over, looked at the fence, and kicked it down. Not our real neighbors, but fictional dream neighbors three doors down the hill. We don't even live on a hill. We don't, as far as I know, have neighbors that will kick over our new fence either. And I really hope the new fence can't actually be kicked over by a few irrate teenagers and one pissed off soccer mom.

DH is in bed, aching and sore. I'm up, but very sore - my knees have taken the worst of it, from carrying lumber and from the up and down of getting down on the ground to clear bushes and standing up to put it in the trash.

More later - hopefully, the fence will be DONE.

Travelin' days

2006-10-11T19:00:00.001-04:00

Seems like DH is barely back home, and now I'm going to be taking off. I think my trip will be a lot more fun than his - I get to go see my big sis, my lil' sis, my big little brother, my other big little brother (why'd he have to ruin what was a good thing by getting big?), Mom, Dad, one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law, two nephews, two uncles, two aunts, two cousins, one cousin once removed, one boyfriend-of-cousin, and a partridge in a pear tree. Or some Bluejays in pine trees at least.

Even though many of these people are from Alabama, and even more of them have once lived there but have since fled the state, all of them are people I'd be happy to call friends even if they weren't related to me. Even the republicans in the bunch.

Tonight is laundry, and packing, and baking, and saying goodbye (again) to the hubby. And drinking a bottle of Shiraz that I decided not to take after I noticed it had a screw on cap. (Wine snob? Not me. I just prefer to travel with corked wine.)

And come tomorrow, I'll be on the road again.

What are you reading?

2006-10-10T11:30:00.000-04:00

I haven't had tons of time to read the last week - a few pages here and there between the house sanitizing and the carpool and the work and the writing - yay, the writing has been happening again! But I've got about 20 books in my "books I really want to read" pile, another 100 or so in the TBR, and three I checked out from the library a week ago and haven't touched yet. Something I do way too often - check out books I know I don't have time to read. But they look so good! Like a big fat juicy peach sitting on the shelf begging me to come along and take a nibble, and I just can't pass it up. Tasty.

Right now I've got "Dusk" by Tim Lebbon sitting at by my bed waiting to be picked up and devoured. My hand keeps wandering to pick it up, and I'm promising myself as soon as I finish this short story I can do it. So it's sort of a carrot and stick thing. Finish writing my story and I'll let myself read it. Since I usually have very little self control, we'll see if I can actually hold out until it's done.

Read any good books lately?

Goodbye friends

2006-10-09T10:39:00.000-04:00

It's so hard to say goodbye before heading off to school.

Cleanliness

2006-10-08T10:52:00.001-04:00

I've done a lot of cleaning the last 10 days - office, bedroom, and my car especially. Those three spots are the hardest for me to maintain with any sense of order. The office because it's really the hub of our house, with it's three work desks, tv, laundry area, and huge floor space Princess spreads her dolls out in most days. The bedroom because if DH is home, he's usually stretched out in there with food and drink working in bed (maybe because he can't see the surface of his desk to work there?). The car because Young Dude eats breakfast in there five days a week - bad habit, but most days he'd just skip it instead of giving up that extra 10 minutes of sleep - and Princess brings along whatever she's playing with when it's time to go somewhere and then abandons it when we get back home. Since most days average 2 hours and 4 trips in the car for her, she ends up abandoning a whole lotta "crap".

It's so much easier to clean with DH gone. My main cleaning method involves a very big garbage can and disposable cleaning wipes. Throw everything you can away, straighten what's left (ideally, nothing), and wipe off the surface you know will stay clear of clutter for less time than it takes the dog to sniff out a trespassing cat.

The one spot I can't touch is DH's desk. The last time I did, he couldn't find anything for weeks. Somehow, he knows exactly where everything on his desk is. My brain locks up just looking at it, so I try real hard not to.

The car, there's really no excuse for. I told the kids they're going to have to get neater, or stop taking things with them. Let's see if the threat of no food and no toys can keep them neat for a while.

If not, they can start riding with their dad.

One of the many reasons ...

2006-10-07T15:28:00.000-04:00

... that I love my husband is that he never even asked if we could name our child ESPN.

Note to any parents who think you are being unique by doing this - you aren't. At least 4 other parents have beat you to it.

Happy birthday

2006-10-07T09:09:00.003-04:00

My sister-in-law's birthday was yesterday - I'm sure she wouldn't want me sharing a number with you, but it comes after the 35th and before the 40th >G<. She was stranded part of the day in airports, but made it back in time to meet the family for a drink at Shelby's Coffee House. Much fun while we listened to the music of a live performer (although I've got a feeling most of this guys music came off the cd player buried in his equipment and not off his actual playing of the instruments). The sun set, the full moon rose, and the kids (young, and young at heart) danced to their hearts content.

It's always so quiet with DH gone.

He'll be back from his 10 day west coast trip tomorrow night though. Counting the hours!

Little Bronco Fan

2006-10-03T19:21:00.000-04:00

Peeking out of my cave here...
One of the dozen ways I've fallen behind the past month is putting up pictures. And once I fall behind, it becomes "Ugh - I'm so far behind - I'll do it tomorrow...."
And then tomorrow becomes next week, and next thing you know it's been a month with no pictures. Grrr!

I know I'll have many, many pictures to put up when I get back from my trip next weekend, so I'm trying to get caught up before I go. So here's one from a few weeks ago to show you I'm trying!

I've also got three websites to update, a newsletter to publish, a short story to finish, and a months worth of invoicing sitting on my desk waiting to be done.

Sounds to me like a very good time to go snuggle with the Bronco Fan and read "The Missing Piece Meets The Big O".

Good health fairy, where are you

2006-09-27T08:49:00.001-04:00

So about the time I finished yesterday's post, DH started feeling a little queasy. Then more than a little. That escalated into about 12 hours in the bathroom. Poor guy.

In the middle of all that I went to get Princess from school. I did my third "are you feeling ok" check of the day (everyone else is falling apart, how could the four year old escape it?) and finally got the answer I'd been expecting for a week - "My throats a little sore. And my tummy hurts."

Two hours and one strep test later, it was official - strep 4, Steele family 0.

DH actually thinks it's strep 5, Steele family 0, since there was a puke stain on the floor that no one will claim and he's now blaming it on the dog.

So today, Young Dude is off to school mostly healthy - please, let him stay mostly healthy enough to make it through the day.

DH is huddled up in a ball on our bed, every muscle in his body exhausted by his battle with the bowl. Less than 48 hours from now he's supposed to be on a plane to the west coast for 10 days.

And Princess is quarantined until her 24 hours on meds passes, so no school and no dance class. But she feels GREAT. Wants to go to the beach, or the park, or her cousins, or the store, or anywhere that isn't in this house of sickness. Can you blame her?

My desk has work I can't even remember coming in, from my week long "I'm not sick; let me sleep" denial phase. All of it due out yesterday, except what was due out the day before.

Can I even tell you how much scrubbing I'm doing to try to find and kill these damn germs that seem to have taken over my house?

Oy. Happy Wednesday!

Creepin' back to good health

2006-09-26T12:12:00.001-04:00

Got my voice back this morning, yay. I sound like a barfly from Tennessee, one who's been drinkin' and smokin' since she could walk, but at least I can carry on a conversation. My daughter wants to know when I'll get *my* voice back - she seems convinced I somehow got back someone else by mistake. The antibiotics have finally beaten down the strep. Unfortunately my headache is back.

Young Dude is still home from school - today, it's a stomach bug. Or something he ate. Either way the symptoms are the same - him in bed, me scrubbing carpet and every inch of his bathroom. Poor kid. (Although I was saying poor me when I was cleaning at 5am.) He's perked up a bit in the last hour; hope he's back on his feet by tomorrow.

Only three days til DH leaves for Palm Springs. I hope we can all be healthy for a day - dare I ask for two?? - before he leaves.

Went to the chiro this am and was shocked to realize it's the last week of September. Princess's preschool was setting out their pumpkin patch. Fall really snuck up on me this year.

Why does Barbie need a dog that poops?

2006-09-23T18:36:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting in my semi-delirious state (5 days sick now, and about to break down and go to a dr) appreciating the fact that Avatar: The Last Airbender has my kids attention for 30 minutes. That's 30 minutes that I probably won't have to move. And it's 30 minutes we're not watching "Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses", which we have seen more than two dozen times in the past 4 days.

And like raw brocolli across my raw throat comes the grating sound of ... Barbie. Noooo!!! Make it stop! But it's not Barbie and her eleven sisters (one set of twins and one set of triplets, if you're wondering at the whole 12 sisters part). It's "Barbie Doll & Tanner Dog".

Just as I'm relaxing, I realize that Mattel has gone too far. This dog doesn't just fetch like a real dog, and doesn't just love treats like a real dog. This dog poops. Craps. Relives himself of solid waste - "goes potty" as the website says.

Why, Mattel? Why would you think even for a second that Barbie needs a dog that poops? What mother of little children, and likely cats / dogs / other living animals, wants to chase plastic poop around her house when she's got plenty of the real thing to worry about?

Unable to believe my eyes, I had my son rewind the TiVo so we could watch it again. Yep, that dog is popping out the poop on tv. Although really, it looks more like rabbit poop than Golden Retriever poop - if real Goldens had pellet turds instead of those big stinkin' mounds my sister-in-laws dog lays down, the world would be a happier place. But even fake pellet shit doesn't have a place in my house.

Right now, I'm thinking two things. If anyone gives my daughter Tanner the Crapping Dog for any reason, that person will go on my .... er, crap list. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) And second, I bet this thing is going to have great resale value on eBay.

I've gotta rememeber to check Walmart, if I'm ever healthy enough to shop again.

Producing a Flawed Product

2006-09-05T06:49:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite reads the past month has been Jane In Progress, the blog of Jane Espenson. Among other claims to fame she has a degree of connection to Joss and the Buffyverse. I mourn the lack of great writing on TV the last few seasons; in self-preservation I think I have searched out some of my favorite script writers, hoping to see where they are now and what I can look forward to from them. Sadly for me many of them have moved away from TV production to the big screen.

Did that first paragraph ramble on or what?

My point, yes I had one, was that Jane wrote over the weekend one of those Great Truths. Not just a writing truth, but one that you can take to many situations and know it as Truth. She wrote, "...our ability to detect flaws is far stronger than our ability to avoid producing flawed product." It's easier to go to a restaurant and say the meal was terrible than to stay home and cook it ourselves. Easier to criticize the politicians making choices than to do the work to find ones that make choices we support. And yes, easier to find flaws in the books and TV shows we see than to write better ones ourselves.

But don't let that stop you from trying. Better to produce a flawed product, than none at all.

Off to work on my own flaws. Happy Tuesday!

Labor Day plans

2006-09-03T10:07:00.002-04:00

Dinner last night with the in-laws. Just Princess and I - DH has a 36 hole event in Orlando this weekend, and Young Dude was off on a birthday trip with some classmates. Dinner was a good time, but once the kids started going nuts at 8:30 I scooped up Princess and headed out. When all my time is spent telling my kid not to do the things other kids aren't getting corrected for (spitting water on the floor; picking kiddie furniture up and swinging it around; dunking toys in their drink and then spreading the liquid joy around the leather furniture) it's time to go. Normally my little angel (!) wouldn't do any of the above; but when her beloved companion gets away with it, she assumes she can as well. Not.

Young Dude had a fantastic time at DisneyQuest. I'd never even heard of it - they call it an "Indoor Interactive Theme Park", which is evidently another way to say video game mecca. The parents who took him must have the patience of a turtle trying to cross I-95 on a holiday weekend; they not only drove 4 boys on the cusp of teenage hood 2 hours down the road, they spend 8 hours in the 'park' (really a 5 story warehouse type building) and then took them all out to dinner. Met them in town at midnight to pick up my son - the other boys all live across town - and was snuggled in my bed by 1. Young Dude says it's "pretty cool" - a glowing recommendation from him. Princess was so worn out enough from her midnight trip that she slept in until the late, late hour of 8.

Tropical Storm Ernesto this week left me a few limbs down in the yard - one 25 footer - and some leaves in the pool, so there will be yard work and pool cleaning in my immediate future. And then a quiet day at home tomorrow - I'm very happy with the philosophy that living a mile from the ocean means never having to actually go to the beach. Much prefer a swim in the (clean) pool and some chicken and 'dogs on the grill.

Read a few really great books this week - started off with Christina Dodd's "Trouble in High Heels" on Tuesday. Great read, a bit of romance, a bit of suspense. Then on Wednesday, Nora Robert's "Morrigan's Cross". Also fantastic, and the first of a three book series. I love it when she has a trilogy that comes out quickly - three books in three months. I know I've got something great to look forward to. And then Thursday I read Christie Golden's "On Fire's Wings". Golden was a new-to-me author - can't wait to get more of her books. Fantasy with just a bit of romance; she also has written quite a few books in the Star Trek Voyager series, and has a trilogy coming out set in the World of Warcraft universe. I still occasionally play WoW, so I'm hoping those will be good.

Unfortunately the other two Luna books I picked up this week haven't grabbed me yet. I've read the first two chapters of both, and haven't been tempted to go further. This is why I don't usually buy Luna - these were trade paperbacks, so $15 each for books that aren't engaging me makes me cringe.

Lucky for me I've got something to look forward to - JR Ward's "Lover Awakened", the third book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, comes out Tuesday. I got turned on to her books (vampires and slayers in New York) in Atlanta and have been looking forward to this one's release. Can't wait!

Happy Sunday - hope your weekend is filled with family, friends, and a good book or two.

Wednesdays child is full of woe

2006-08-31T13:35:00.000-04:00

I can't get the childrens rhyme out of my head today. You know this one? It goes -

Mondays child poem

Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

I'm a Wednesday child, and the first time I heard this as a kid I remember wondering why being born on Wednesday had to be so bad. Everyone else on that list has good things going on for them - good looking, graceful, a traveler (now that's what I'd be picking!), loving, giving, hard working, "bonny and blithe and good and gay" - hey, Sunday rocks! Want to bet a Christian wrote this dity?

But why do we Wednesday kids have to get such a bad rap?

Tea is better for you than water -

2006-08-27T16:51:00.000-04:00

- or so the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition tells us.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5281046.stm
Good news for me, since my tea intake is way up lately. My body has taken a strange dislike to coffee, and most days it isn't worth the hours of indigestion that follow my preferred daily half-pot. Since late spring I've been weaning myself off the java, and now I'm (sadly) down to less than a cup a week. I've missed my coffee; I'll miss it even more when cool weather finally hits us around ... December. Guess I've finally got a reason to be glad Florida gets mild winters - a short cold season to suffer thru without my morning jolt. Studies show green tea may help ward off cancer and Alzheimers - yet more reasons to refresh from the leaf, not the bean.

I'm keeping an eye on the tropics this week, as most of the gulf and east coast is. Ernesto is giving Haiti a rough time today, and is slowly moving north. So far the storm is tracking with more of an easterly curve with every update; we may get lucky yet again and have this miss us by many miles. Fingers crossed.

Let's Say Thanks

2006-08-24T07:16:00.000-04:00

Dad sent me an email this morning with a really cool site.
Let's Say Thanks.

It's a great way to send a message to the people who are actually standing on the frontline in the "war against terror".

Now if only Xerox would give us a quick and easy way to send a message to the people who are sending the soldiers there.

**(You don't actually need Xerox for that... you can Register to Vote, or send a message to any of your representatives. Don't forget to Vote!)Publish

"I wish..."

2006-08-20T12:20:00.001-04:00

"I wish I could not have a brother, like my cousin doesn't have a brother." - Princess Steele, age 4, random thoughts.

Blogger Beta

2006-08-19T21:39:00.000-04:00

I got an invitation to Vox on Friday. Yeah, I know, just what I need - another web community site to suck more of my time up. But... a few good friends who live thousands of miles away are active there, and not active anywhere else I play online these days. So I played around and made a site there.

I had my invitation sent to my gmail account. Blogger is owned by Google, who owns Gmail. And within 24 hours I had gotten an invitation to have my Blogger account expanded to the new Blogger Beta. Coincidence? hmmm...

Anyway, so I've heard that the new and improved Blogger allows tags (or labels, as Blogger calls it). It's something that I've missed - or at least it's been missed by the anal-organizational part of me, the same part of me that loves Google Spreadsheets, although not as much as Excel, and color coded file folders, and sock drawers sorted by lenght and color.

So I played around with the new 'improved' version. And what's the first thing I find out? There is no HTML editing yet in this shiney new beta! Is it just me, or is that a step backwards in flexibility and customization?

Anyway. Meh. I've got my labels, and lost my shiney template.

Vox is pretty nifty, although it has it's own limitations. It' has limited templates as well (is it really that much of a challange to let us add our own html and css to your nice web portals?). It doesn't have a customizeable links page at all, unless you're trying to link to someone on Vox. But it does have a very cool catalog system built right into the site, that lets you keep track of your books, videos, music, and photos. And since Vox is owned by Yahoo!, who also owns Flickr, there's a direct import of your photo's from Flickr.

Which comes in very handy for something else Vox does - the Vox hunt. It's a photo scavanger hunt. Today's is "Take a picture of something striped." My picture of something striped turned out needing a bit of editing, which has to be done on the desktop, and I'm way to comfy in bed with the laptop... so it'll have to wait til tomorrow. But it's a great reminder to break out the camera - and yesterdays Vox hunt was for a "Tall, Cool One" - there were some great pix in that set!

And Vox also does a Question of the Day. Today's was "What was the last wedding you went to? Were you in the wedding?" I wasn't feel particulary creative as I tried to recover from a near-death-experience disguesed as a family get-together, but hey - that question tickled my memory enough to get a few lines out of me.

QotD:
Here Comes The Bride
Aug 19, 2006 at 7:30 PM

What was the last
wedding you went to? Were you in the wedding?
Last one was my baby sis's wedding almost two
years ago! They had the ceremony in a classy ballroom, and
the reception was in the same room immediately after. Great wedding!
Major points for food, bar, music, and all the family making it to the event
with no drama.
Bonus points for the 3 year old that got
'lost' and started a security lockdown of the entire hotel and galleria who was
found 10 minutes later going potty.

I'm not trying to make anyone link-surf here. In fact, I'll probably make a habit of posting my Vox info here - I'm making the effort to stay connected to my friends over there, but I'm not making anyone follow me around the web ;)

Hope you're having a good weekend! And if you'd like to give Vox a try, leave me a comment or send me an email - I've got a few invites to give out.

Friday Techie Facts

2006-08-11T10:15:00.000-04:00

I stole this from Dakota, who admits it came from someone else, via someone else, etc...

TECH-OLOGY

Number of contacts in your cell phone? 89
Number of contacts in your email address book? 274
What is the wallpaper on your computer? none - I keep it blank
What is your screensaver on your computer? the monitor turns off after an hour idling to save power
Are there naked pictures saved on your computer? No! I hide incriminating things where the kids won't find them. My computer would be the first place they'd look.
How many landline phones do you have in your home? 3 different lines, 5 phones (4 of them 2 line phones), and a fax machine
How many televisions are in your home? 6 that work
What kitchen appliance do you use the least? The dishwasher - it's been broken for 2 years.
Number of computers - 3 desktops and 3 laptops that work
Number of email accounts - err. 9 active, but they all funnel into my gmail account now.
Number of game systems - 5 systems (PS1, PS2, XBox, XBox 360, Nintendo 64); 4 handhelds (Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gamboy Advance, Gameboy DS) *most of this is my son's
What is the format of the radio station you listen to most? NPR
Favorite gadget - my Sidekick cell phone. Since I activated the email and web browsing features, I am in love with this thing. I spend less time checking email, since I can see at a glance that no one wants to talk to me about anything but penis enlargement and refinancing my mortgage.

How about you?

How Karen lost her groove

2006-08-07T16:57:00.000-04:00

It's been a long summer. Going to be even longer, since it's officially not over for another September 23rd, but getting my largest bundle of joy off to school to start his 7th grade year marks at least the beginning of the end for me.

Next week the smaller bundle of joy will return to school (pre-K : where my baby thinks she's a big girl and starts asking to wear lipstick). And I will start grasping at the slender threads of sanity that are still within reach, hoping to emerge from 2006 a non-institutionalized person.

Not that there hasn't been plenty of fun this summer - there has. My two favorite sisters (ok, both my sisters) visited with their families. There was the week long trip that I'm still recovering from. Summer football, and weekly radio shows, and a golf tournament (sometimes two) every weekend. A family situation that is still unfolding that has kept us on our toes around the inlaws.

And not nearly enough time to write, either blogs or books.

Now it's time to start getting that groove back. 6am wakeups, and 9:30 bedtimes - summer is definately over.

I've never been so happy to welcome the fall.

2006-07-31T21:00:00.000-04:00

(This is one big-ass post, consolidated from the blog I actually posted on during my trip to Atlanta last week for RWA National. There was barely time to update one blog; no way I could manage two! And after 9 hours on the road with kids today, it's just not in me to manage more than cut and paste. So if you haven't read this yet - hope you enjoy seeing the conference through my eyes.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
July 29, 2006
Notes from Friday
It’s quiet around the Marriott – and the Mall – this Saturday morning. Last night was a big party night for people (editor parties, agent parties, writing group parties, seems most everyone had someplace to be). There was celebration into the whee hours as people let loose after a long day of workshops and book signings.
Having neither editor or agent, I was lucky enough to attend the “second annual unofficial PRO dinner” organized by La Juan Snider. There were over 100 writers who got together to talk about having hit that big step of having finished a book (or two, or 11), but not yet published one. The absolutely fabulous Deidre Knight was the guest speaker, and she gave an amazing talk about working for what you want. A great line she used was the title line from a Tim McGraw song – “How Bad Do You Want It”. And she drove home really the same point that Nora Roberts had put so well at the PRO workshop on Thursday morning. Writing is work. It’s magical; it’s amazing to be able to sit down and create people and worlds from nothing more than imagination and dreams. But it’s also work. And if you really, really want it, it’s work you’ll pour your heart into willingly. Just because that’s what it takes.
Earlier on Friday, I had one of those shit-to-sugar moments that sometimes come. About two weeks before conference my editor appointment (with Pamela Campbell of Ellora’s Cave) had been canceled. Erin Frye from the RWA office worked for several days and didn’t stop until she’d gotten me another appointment – this time with Tara Parson of Harlequin. I was very happy with that, so I was more than a little disappointed to step up to the appointment table yesterday and find out that Tara had also been forced to cancel her appointments. Before I could even get too disappointed she asked if I would like to see Hilary Sares from Kensington. Yes! I would definitely like to see Ms. Sares.
A 20 minute wait later, there I was sitting down pitching “Tonight, Forever” – the werewolf story – to Kensington. And 5 minutes later she was handing me her card and asking me to send her the complete manuscript.
This one needs more than a little polishing, but now I’ve got an actual face to go with a name, and an invitation to submit. I was walking on air when I left. So much so that I went all the way back up to my room in a daze, before remembering that I had a workshop to head to – one where the very same Hilary Sares was on the panel. I raced back down and tried to sneak in quietly (of course it’s hard to sneak when the end seats are all taken and you have to climb over 5 people to get to an empty seat) to hear the latest on what Kensington is publishing and actively acquiring.
Also Friday, the Passionate Ink chapter of RWA had a lunch for over 200 guests at the Georgia Acquarium. Catered by Wolfgang Puck, it was absolutely the best meal I have had all week – tops even Ruth’s Chris. Gorgeous setting, with our own window into the Beluga Whale tank to entertain us. And we had some fabulous speakers – editor Raelene Gorlinsky from Ellora’s Cave, and agent Roberta Brown. That will stay a highlight of a trip already filled with fantastic moments.
My total fan-girl moment yesterday came when we left the Aquarium. I’d driven over to help get the goodies there, and coming back we squeezed in as many people as could fit – which ended up being 7, after we popped up the jump seats in the back of the wagon. About halfway back to the hotel I realized I had no idea who was navigating for me (yes, I can get lost on a trip that has 2 turns and needed a navigator) so I craned my head over to try to read her nametag. After swerving to miss the truck I almost rear ended attempting to be subtle, I finally reached over and picked up her nametag off her chest to see who it was. And “OMG. Jordan Summers is telling me where to go. Jordan Summers is in my car!” Then I looked in my rearview mirror and did a quick count, and realized I had 5 published authors (I think all Kensington authors) in my car, along with my new great friend (and I’m sure soon to be published author) Robin. It was a total geeky happy moment. I’d like to say I carried if off with grace and composure, but I’m pretty sure I gushed all over them.
I got us back to the hotel without hitting anyone, although someone from the back asked if I learned to drive in New York…. What do you think that meant?

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Notes from Thursday
Fabulous day of information and meeting people. And a great start to conference!
Started the day with the PRO workshop. I was a bit late getting there (it’s nice my customers need me, but it would be nicer to have a true vacation without having to squeeze in an hour or two of work in the morning first!) but walked in to workshop by agent Meg Ruley, who reps for Jenny Cruise. She offered some tips – network! Make friends with booksellers. Find the young, hungry staff at the agencies. To find an editor you think will love your work, find the authors YOU love, then find out who reps them.
Next we were treated to a great panel with Jenny Cruise, Bob Mayer, and Molly who runs their website. They gave some good info on why having a great website is so important. Jenny talked about how, just as your agent presents you to your editor, your website presents you to the world.
Bob talked about blogging, and how to have a blog people will actually want to read.
And then Molly got into some specifics about what you’re looking to have for your website. And how much a professionally designed one costs. $1500 - $5000 is “reasonable”. Ouch!
A great Editor panel was next. Tracy Farrell from Harlequin, Cindy Hwang from Berkley, and Raeline Gorlinsky form Ellora’s Cave talked about some trends in the industry, and what they’re seeing and looking for.
-Tracy Farrell said mass market sales are weak. This was the first of many industry people I’ve heard give this same quote. She said the Romance industry overall is still strong – “Romance is a strong part of a challenging (and challenged) business.” Harlequin is looking more at epubs and other alternative pub’d authors, and looking at more diverse subgenres. Not just paranormal, but paranormal with a twist, for example. And Tracy is evidently not personally a vampire fan ;)
-Cindy Hwang talked more on the theme of Romance being strong, but publishers facing challenges. She personally judges lots of contests, and has found several new authors that way. She’s looking for “complex characters and delicious heroes”. And she talked about prolific and disciplined authors, as did Tracy.
-Raelene talked mostly about looking for fresh subgenres at Ellora’s Cave. Editors are tired of seeing the next LKH or Feehan clone. They’ve seen great sales from male/male romances in the last 6 months at EC – and women are the ones buying them. To get the attention of an editor, you need to really push the genre envelopes.
And then the highlight of the morning – Nora Roberts came in to deliver the Keynote. After a slight delay while the Marriott tried to move us to another room (how rude!), we were treated to a fabulously inspirational talk on the Magic of writing. And the hard work that it takes to keep that magic working. Nora is as great a speaker as she is a writer; it was wonderful to hear her speak.
Then it was off to lunch, and a lunch keynote that had me all but falling out of my chair laughing. Meg Cabot was hysterically funny as she talked about her path to publication, and the stories behind getting her book turned into the Disney movie “The Princess Diaries”. I’ve never read her before, but after hearing her speak I can’t wait to dig into the two books we got at the luncheon and see if she’s as funny in print as she is in person. Her talk made an otherwise bland lunch worth sitting through. (Since my last meal had been the Ruth’s Chris dinner, maybe it’s not fair to call the Marriott food bland… but really, there’s only so much you can do with chicken served over grits.)
The RWA Annual Meeting was after lunch. I was truly shocked at the low turnout. There are over 2000 writers in Atlanta, and less than 10 percent went to the meeting. They missed out on a heartwarming, sincere moment as Gayle Wilson thanked her board for all their help the past year, and spoke about some of the “Wow!” moments of her year as president. She is such a sweet, sincere, and gracious person. RWA has been served very well this past year by having her lead us, and I’m sure she’ll continue to be an important part of directing RWA in the years to come.
Thursday night I had two parties to go to. I started at the RWA Online party – the party for the online chapter I’ve only been a member of for a few months. Some fantastic people there, and I was sad to leave after only an hour. But I was already late at that point for the Romance Diva’s dinner at Azio’s. The Diva’s had 2 very large tables in the corner, and I squeezed myself in at the head of the table where I could take some great pictures. Then forgot to take hardly any. (There are a few up over at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksteele2/ ) We ate and talked and laughed for hours, then headed over to a bar at the Marriott to do more of the talking thing. And then a lot of the dancing thing. I’m trying not to post anything to incriminating, but a VERY good time was had by all. Maybe the movies will make it up someday – but I think I better get a waiver signed first….
I headed off to bed at the early hour of just after midnight. Friday is a big day, including my editor pitch. Don’t want to show up for that with eyebags and a hangover!

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July 27, 2006
The Shelli Show
RWA National is underway!
The conference kicked off with a huge event last night, a literacy signing at the Marriott Marquis. It’s a great kickoff event, since it throws thousands of people into a large ballroom on the first day (first for most of us), and gives us a chance to mingle among the rock stars in the literacy signing, and introduce ourselves to the authors and to the friends we haven’t met yet. Many authors tend to be naturally shy - we voluntarily choose to spend most of our time all alone staring at paper or screen. An event like this is sort of sink or swim - get out there and mingle! So mingle I did.
And I met so many people last night that the names quickly began to blur together. I found my roommate Lia almost immediately – she is as wonderful in person as she was long distance. We said a quick hello, then headed off to find all our favorites. I did a quick lap around the room to see which authors were sitting where and who had long lines – Nora Robert’s line was already stretching around the corner of the room she was sitting in, and up next wall. I shot a quick picture and decided not to stand in line – hopefully I’ll get another chance to say hi to Romance’s biggest name.
Found the fabulous Sylvia Day, had time to talk to her for a few minutes as well. Romance Diva’s own Gemma Halliday was signing - and sold out in about 90 minutes! I had to circle twice to get through to say hi to Sasha White as well, but was lucky enough to get a few minutes to chat with her once I did.
So many authors, and not enough time to talk about them all. And books everywhere, tempting me with their bright glossy covers, bold titles calling to me “Buy me! No, buy me!” I got out pretty light - I could carry my purchases without breaking a sweat. My roomie didn’t get out quite so easily :
I don’t have time here to write about all the people I met last night – so moving on! (There are pictures on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksteele2/ - if you see a picture not labeled please leave me a note with who was in it! I’ll update them later.)
After the signing there was enough time for a quick shower, then it was off to Ruth Chris’ for a late dinner. 15 of the Romance Diva’s piled in two cabs (literally piled into the one I rode in – they are supposed to seat 7, and the driver had to have a seat to himself). Off we went to a fabulous, mouthwatering, MEAT dinner. There was also wine, onion rings (it’s the south – of course you can have onion rings with a nice glass of Zin), sautéed mushrooms, creamed spinach, and too many other great foods that I can’t remember. Jax’s Tuna looked yummy; Shawn’s Ribeye had me excited; my Petite Filet was absolutely perfect. Although how 8ozs of mid-rare perfection can be called petite puzzles me…. It made me a very happy Diva.
Another packed and stacked cab ride back to the Marriott. Then it was off for a nightcap. Found more Divas, Inkers, and friends I hadn’t met yet in Champions, and let the giggles begin.
Robin, Lia and I were wayyyyy to seriously into a conversation about ebook publishers when a flash of blue out of the corner of my eye. What was that? That was Shelli. Shelli doing what she could to make sure we were all having a fabulous time. The Shelli Show must be seen to be believed for all it’s fabulous abundance - and so, for you :
Workshop time is here! More later.

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July 26, 2006
Check in Goody Bag Books
Yay! Much book goodness in the checkin bag. 18 :

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July 25, 2006
Atlanta on Tuesday
I passed through Atlanta on the way to Bham today, just long enough to drop off some boxes, check in for conference, and make a run through the goody room. Few quick notes :Beautiful hotel. Room checkin was moving smoothly at 4pm - hope it’s as smooth at 4pm on wad.Conference check in was unbelievably fast. It helped that no one ele was in line. Yay for Tuesday checkin!The Avon bag with 18 assorted print books was a sweet gift bag.
The mall is a wonderful thing.
Off ro bed to recover from 10 hours in the car with kids. Zzzzzz….

One more thing crossed off the list.

2006-07-24T13:45:00.000-04:00

Last night I had a dream that I showed up early at the Literacy signing, volunteered to run security on Nora Roberts signing table, and then she never showed up. Neither did anyone else - there were only about 25 authors, about 100 “fans”, and no books. Just a bunch of computers that the authors and fans used to chat to each other with - while in the same room. So I can cross “have a wierd dream about Atlanta” off my list - that’s taken care of! At least it woke me up early so I could be at the car dealership by 7 to get my oil changed and tires checked
Went to start packing my bags, and found a stain on one of my pairs of pants. Oh no, a wardrobe malfunction! Packing is now on hold until more laundry can be done, and the stain hopefully removed.

Off to the stain wars, wielding hot water and the power of Shout!

(Pictures from the Bobcats didn't happen - my camera battery was DOA. /headslap. Was a great game though, and the Bobcats won 29-7 after holding the Savanah Warriors scoreless for 58 minutes.)

In two weeks, you can look for not only pictures, but behind-the-scenes reports, as I will be taking over gameday operations. Please, try to contain your exctiement, I can hardly hold myself back as it is.)

Head eating aliens

2006-07-23T07:52:00.000-04:00

I started a new book last night and got half through it before I had to sleep. And had weird, crazy, alien abduction dreams as a result of it. Why couldn't my alien experiences been more like Kyra's? But no, I get the aliens that want to eat my head off. And my arms, and my legs, before having what's left for a midnight snack. (Kyra's story, The EmpressesNew Clothes, is quite good if you like alien abduction erotic romances where the hero's intrest lies in loving you, not making a meal out of you - and I do - can't waiit to finish it.)

Also read the new Laurell K. Hamilton Anita Blake book this week, Danse Macabre. I had a great time through the first two thirds, then the last part of the book just lost me. The book's premise is that a vampire ballet, the Danse Macabre, is coming to town, and Anita has to attend in her role as the human servant of the vampire Master of the City. But there's so much else, so much internal conflict / angst / struggle to deal with who Anita has become going on that the actual plot is stuffed into the last 150 pages of a 500 page book. It felt rushed. Left me with a wierd feeling of "why'd you have to do it like that?" I recommend it - LKH is still a fabulous writer - but it's not one of her best.

Cleaned out the car yesterday - tomorrow it's up bright and early for an oil change, the last thing I have to get done before my trip this week. And burned a few cd's for the car (Phantom of the Opera, the two cd set, should keep Samantha happy into Alabama).

Today it's family day - and football. Go Bobcats! Pics of the team to come later.

Fun with email

2006-07-19T19:23:00.000-04:00

One more note for the day - looks like I won't have an actual editor appointment in Atlanta at conference. The one I was scheduled to meet with had to cancel her trip altogether, and all her appointments had to be dropped.

I've got backup plans to meet and talk with the editor I really want to be with (same publishing house), so I really think it's going to be ok. I'll let you know how my super-stealthy-approach works after the trip ;)
---------------------------------

I had a short email pop up this afternoon that made me snicker.

For quite some time now I have been receiving emails intended to be sent to you that were inappropriately addressed. Please send out an email to your entire contact list indicating that your proper email address is
(my email address). Even some of your online shopping purchases have sent me billing information and spam email as a result, which is indicative of you mistyping your email address yourself. Please correct this on your side.

Thank you,
(person-with-a-similiar-email-address)

Do you ever get email clearly not addressed to you? What do you do with it? This person was able to track me down because my true email address was in the previous conversation part of the email (gmail is so nice to keep track of it all nice and neat). And really, I was glad that he did - this was information that was timely and needed a quick response.

I emailed the three other people involved in the email conversation and asked them to check their address books, then emailed the person-with-a-similiar-email-address letting him know that I appreciated his forwarding the email, and would try to keep my contacts from bothering him in the future.

Ten minutes later he emailed an apology for the bit about my shopping habits and typos - adding that there is of course yet another ksteele who he is getting spam for. And then he forwarded me some more of my email.

So I thanked him again, but I was starting to laugh by now. I've often muttered about having to add a number at the end of my email address, instead of just my having my initial and name. Now I see the other side of the coin This poor guy. was the first person with a name like mine to register his email address at gmail - yay! But for the rest of his life he's going to be getting quite a collection of spam.

And somewhere out there is a similiar person at AOL, Bellsouth, and a few other sites where I've put a number after my name. Next time I have to become a numbered name, I won't mutter so much about the choices. It could be worse - I could be wading through the spam of every number that comes after me.

Updates

2006-07-19T08:21:00.001-04:00

I've been trying to clear off my desk of a few things before I head out of town next week. After doing filing, order processing, invoicing, and putting away the scattered junk the kids like to bring to show me and never cart off again, I was left with : a take out menu from a chinese restaurant I've never eaten at shuffled in with the invoicing; a few thank you cards I need to finish and get in the mail; an empty chocolate bar wrapper (hey! who's been eating chocolate at my desk and not sharing?), and a stack of mail that came a few days ago addressed to the previous resident - who moved out almost 9 years ago, and died almost 7.

I left the mail sitting on the corner of the desk - maybe today is the day remember to make that grueling 60 foot walk out to the mailbox - and tossed the menu and wrapper. Yay clean desk!

Princess got a good report from the doctor this week, so she's off the medications. Now we wait and see if she gets another flare up. Good news there.

Young Dude is next up at the doctor. He's got a vaccination due before he can go back to school, and has a typical 12 year old's dislike for needles. "They" really need to find a method of vaccination that doesn't involve long sharp needles piercing the skin.

Time to put that clean desk to work now - hope you have a happy Humpday!

It's the little things. (Or, the littler things)

2006-07-15T18:18:00.000-04:00

Had a happy happy moment today when I tried on the dress I bought for a big party, and ... it fit! It was a size too small when I bought it last month, but I just could not pass on it. Not only is it gourgous, but it was over 75% off. I told myself I'd be really, really good and maybe I'd be able to fit into it by the 29th. And now - I can! If that doesn't make a woman happy, she's even less dress concious than I am. And that is hard for me to imagine!

The BJ's sale catalog was in the mail when I got home, and I think I may have a bit more shopping in my week. They've got memory cards for my camera on sale - a 3 pack, with a total memory of 1.5GB, for $49. Since my wonderful camera has had a woefully small memory card since I got it, I don't think I'm going to be able to resist buying that. They also have a luggage set on sale for $69. We've needed new luggage for years (we've got a couple of beat up carry on bags, and a huge duffal bag that has wheels but no strap to pull it by).

And then sis IM'd me that she picked up some books for me at the used bookstore.

It's the little things that made this Saturday happy. Hope you had a great one too!

Playing catch up

2006-07-12T08:22:00.000-04:00

It's mid-summer, mid-week, and mid-month (close enough!). I must be in the weeds. Old restaurant term for so far behind I can't tell if I'm coming or going; sometimes nothing else will do. Ohh, very much so.

Samantha's doctor was pleased with her progress so far. We go back next week for another check, and hopefully she can come off the meds. She's regained full vision in her eye - thank you so much for all your good thoughts and prayers. It helped me tremendously.

Two weeks from now I'll be on the road. I get a little more excited every day. In the back of my mind is the thought that this is the first time I've taken a "vacation" without my kids and husband, and I am absolutely loving it. What does that say about me?

Difficult day

2006-07-07T11:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a tough day. Samantha's follow up at her dr for her eye did not go well, and the dr sent us down to Nemours Children's Hospital to see a pediatric opthamologist.

Right now she has some damage to the left cornea that is interferring with her vision. She's on a different medication, every 2 hours for the next 4 days, and he'll recheck her then.
I'm trying to learn as much as I can about her condition, so I can at least know what questions to ask when we go back.

It's going to be a long weekend.
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On a happier note - Sean's bday is today. The man I love will be 'older' than me until I catch up again in December. I love to call him an old man during that 5 month gap.
We're having lunch with his family at 1, then we're supposed to go out tonight. We may just do dinner and cut the night short - depends on how Samantha is feeling, and if she settles down for the sitter easily.

For now - off to shop. What do you get the man who has only one hobby (golf), and gets every golf goodie he would ever want - and more - through his work connections?
I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out.

July goals

2006-07-06T10:35:00.000-04:00

My Very Busy Week has ended. Baby girl is now officially 4, big sis and her brood have headed back home after 4 days of Florida fun, and we still have half the summer to look forward to. Here we go!

The RWA conference is now less than 3 weeks away, so it's deadline time. I've got some work to do between now and then writing!

So :
1 - 10,000 words a week on Krissy's story
2 - rework the first chapter of Desire

Still not sure which story I'm going to pitch at my editor conference. I think Krissy's story is the stronger one, but I want to pitch a completed work, not something that isn't done. So if I can't finish Krissy's story by conference, I'll pitch Desire - it's finished, just needs a new opening.

19 days to write!

Fun days ahead

2006-06-28T21:42:00.000-04:00

The next week will have it all. Fireworks, strawberry cake, water parks, a space shuttle launch (*knocks on wood*), St. Augustine site seeing, a birthday party, cook out, and a house full of family to share it with. Not sure how much updating I'll have time to do here once sis and her six kids roll in during the whee hours between Friday night and Saturday morning, but now you'll know what I'm doing!

I started the preperation today by beginning the shopping. Friday, I'll begin the cooking - and probably won't stop until the 5th, when they leave and I demand my husband buy pizza and other take-out for a week while I recover. But for now, I've got cooking on the brain. First up - German Potato Salad.

This recipe isn't exactly like Grandma Montgomery used to make, but it's pretty close. I like to add a bit more vinegar, until it's tart enough to make your eyes water. Goes great with a cold beer ;)
German Potato Salad

1 1/2 lbs. potatoes
8 slices bacon, fried until crispy
1 whole onion, sliced to please
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
3 stalks celery, sliced to bite size
1/4 c. boiling water
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 c. cider vinegar

Boil potatoes until tender (not mushy). Slice into a deep bowl (peel if you like, but I like the skins and leave them in).

Fry bacon until crispy. Remove to drain, and saute onion and celery until slightly soft. Add salt, pepper and sugar to the bacon pan (keep the grease - I didn't promise this was going to be healthy). Add water and vinegar, simmer until it thickens. Pour over potatos and toss lightly. Serve warm.
Makes 6 servings.

I can taste it already. And it goes great with brats and burgers!