Cool school!

What an amazing and very different school we visited yesterday. They actually own the entire little residential street they're on and the classes are held in different houses. Two of the houses are HUGE because of additions they students built (not the current students -- though, they're doing building as well, an addition for another private school in a different town). There are a few outbuildings they built, too, all post and beam and stained glass (beautiful pieces also created by the students, who apparently also make it for various other schools, churches and other buildings).

Everything is very casual, possibly due to the "home" feel of the place and the fact they have to walk outside from place to place (it's quite rural). There's a dress code, but it's not strict. Jeans are allowed and T-shirts, but nothing too short, too tight or too skimpy which works for me. The "feel" is sort of a cross between regular school and homeschool. Class size will be bigger there, but not a lot. Her current school's high school classes run 3 - 5 students. This place averages 10 - 12, a good size.

DD is excited about much of it. Nervous, too, but she's not really super happy where she is, has struggled to make friends (most of the kids there have gone to school together for years) and is pretty sold on the new school. I told her SHE needed to decide what was going to work best for her.

Dru had asked yesterday if she has to test, etc. to be enrolled or if they'll automatically take her. We have to fill out the application, get copies of her report card and references from teachers and mentors and she'll have to shadow a day there (thankfully they're in sessions when DD is off on spring break in a few weeks, so we'll do it then). Her current school required her to test to make sure she could do the work for the grade we wanted her enrolled in. I imagine this one will, too.

=============

In other news, I swear winter has returned. We had 30 - 50 MPH all day yesterday, so bad it grabbed my storm door last evening and flung it open, hard. Didn't break the glass, or the door itself, but yanked the bottom whoosie-whatsit (the thing that controls how fast it closes) right out of the frame and bent it neatly in half, breaking the plastic cover and twisting the metal.

We had to chase down our lawn chairs and garbage can (why is it always windy on garbage day?) as well as my pooper scooper and some other things that stay outside. It's bitterly cold, impossible to walk in or even stay out in for more than a couple minutes. And it's just as cold and windy today. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I'm guessing this wind is blowing in that front. Hopefully then it will stop. But my dog is bouncing off the walls.

The joy of New Hampshire.

================

Thursday Thaw

The last two days up here have been BRUTALLY cold. And not only were the temps low, but there were high winds. It was horrible -- couldn't spend more than a minute or two outside.

The worst part was the poor dog. She was SO full of the wiggles. I finally broke down both days, bundled up and went out to throw her Jolly Ball -- her favorite toy EVER (I swear I need to take a video of her reaction when I pick the ball up so we can play... she leaps in the air and spins and it's pretty incredible) for five minutes or so. But even bundled up, I froze my can.

This morning, though, when I took her out to do her thing, it wasn't windy and it wasn't frigid. YAY!!!

In the "Wow! Cool!" news category ... check out some of these headlines I stumbled across on my daily foray into internet news (I like to find out if anything went nuts in the world while I slept):

Now You See It, Now You Don't: Time Cloak Created

Creatures of the 'Lost World': Found at Antarctic Vents

I'm still on the fence with what to do with "Now and Forever". Fact is, the reason it was rejected by Samhain feels very subjective -- it wasn't "the plot was awful and the ending sucked". In fact, she complimented the plot itself highly.

But do I want to publish a sequel with a different publisher? That is the question...

In the meantime, hopes ever high, I'm still working on the NEXT book with the NEXT brother. *G*

Happy Thursday all.

==========================

You Are Active

You are a generous person who always has a million things going on. Yet, you still rarely say no. You are a doer. Being active makes you feel good, especially when you're spending time with others. You may have a packed schedule, but you always make sure to make time for your friends. You don't seek out attention, but you still get lots of it. You are a very popular person.

The Poppy Test

Mostly right. And Blogthings has redone its site, so new quizes aren't featured -- I may not do quizzes daily anymore. *sigh*

Mother Nature Flipped a Switch

It's COLD here!

Wednesday was almost uncomfortably warm and then POOF! Last night a cold front blew in and it's shivery cold. I had to close my windows last night for the first time in months.

Darn.

I actually really enjoy fall. The temps are pleasant, my outdoor chores are mostly done -- no more gardening at least, though there is wood to split and stack (especially since DH took down more trees out back). September and October in particular are lovely months and I think I would enjoy them more if I didn't know that winter came next.

This year, though, I'm determined to enjoy fall. Long walks with the dog without sweating up a storm! No more feeling guilty because I'm not outside weeding! I'll have my "outdoor refrigerator" again -- especially handy for making dog food and thawing turkeys.

And I'll be able to wave at my down the street neighbor again and she can see me do it, because the leaves will be down by end of October.

Still, I could really get into having three seasons (like we did in California): Spring, Summer, Winter .... lather, rinse, repeat!

In cat news, Lexie is still "basement cat". She'll come upstairs sometimes at night but she never sticks around long. I leave the door open all day long and she never peeks her head out. The slightest (and I mean slightest) noise will freak her out if she's upstairs and she flies back down to her "house".

I've also found that she's a plastic eater (cardboard, too, but that worries me less since it's pretty well digestible). I had another cat who ate plastic and it's a real pain. I can't leave the garbage down in the basement -- she chews on the bag. I have potatoes in the basement as well .... and she chews on the bag. Hopefully it's just a nervous habit and she'll out grow it, though my other cat never did.

Otherwise she's a sweet, affectionate kitty who really loves living in the mushroom patch.

========================

You Are an Imaginative Thinker

You are a nonlinear thinker, and you're even surprised by the places your mind takes you. You love to get lost in a story, whether it's your own or not. You love fantasy. You are a positive and uplifting person. You inspire others to be better. You are full of wonder and curiosity. You feel a strong connection to the world.

The Library Test

About 75% right ...

==================

Local Love

At home I serve the kind of food I know the story behind. -- Michael Pollan

First off, a little blog business: I've picked up a couple new followers -- but no new comments were posted, so if I'm not following your blog and you follow mine, would you comment here please so I can rectify that?

Thanks :-)

So, we went to our local "New Hampshire Store" yesterday -- not the real name, but what we call it. It's basically a shed with refrigerators inside and heat. They stock only local foods and I just completely enjoy going there. Yesterday I got some veggies (grown in a greenhouse in Maine), hamburger (grass fed, grain finished on a ranch in Louden, NH), organic amaranth and quinoa from a farm in New Boston, NH and shrimp from off the boat in Rye, NH.

I'd directed one of my agility friends there -- we'd been discussing food, and I could tell she felt the same as I did about local foods. She went in and had loads of fun, but had seen the unique jams they had (garlic jelly, pepper jelly, etc) and asked the lady if the person who made the jellies had tomato jelly.

So the owner called.

The lady who makes the preserves said she'd be happy to make some, but would need to wait until tomatoes were in season in the summer for best flavor.

How cool is that? Can't get that kind of service from your chain grocery store.

I might have to try making tomato jam this year. Just for something new.

In other news, at beginning agility last night one of the other dogs came in with kennel cough (yes, CAME IN, which really annoyed me). The owner said he got it the same weekend as Dakota, so I have to assume they got it from the same place. Probably from someone WHO BROUGHT THEIR SICK DOG IN EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW IT WAS SICK.

:::grumble:::

The instructor didn't make her leave, but did advise everyone that the dog had kennel cough so they could choose to stay or not. I would have asked her to go home.

Today is cold. Really cold. Like negative numbers cold. It's going to warm up a little one the sun is really up, but right now it's brutal. I hated making poor Dakota go outside to do her business.

Come on spring.

=======================

You Are Balanced

You are an expansive and open-minded person. You want to experience the world without judgment. You are energetic to the point of being athletic and sporty. You like to move! You have a good sense of humor. You are easily amused, and others find you to be quite amusing. You are optimistic and always expect the best. You put misfortune in perspective.

The Watercolor Blot Test

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

HA - only about 25% right. But I do love teal.

====================

The Weekend Past

Home is where you can say anything you like cause nobody listens to you anyway. ~Author Unknown

Happy Monday all! It's President's Day (who else remembers when George Washington and Abraham Lincoln got their own holiday?) and my DH is off work -- for all the good it does him.

This weekend he's been tied to his work pager. I try to remember to be grateful that he has a job, and a very good job at that, but there are times I really, really hate it. He works very long hours, and he works very hard AND he has a long, traffic-filled commute. So he needs his weekends to decompress. This weekend, he didn't get that.

Still, he's managed to fill his home time by doing renovations to his bathroom that we've been planning for a long time. He's been picking up the stuff for it over the last several months, so it was ready. He did much of it yesterday, but will finish laying the tile today.

Next project is hardwooding our stairs. The carpet is so thin in places that we're afraid it's going to tear soon. The joys of home ownership...

How was your weekend?

==============

I haven't been able to say this in a while (for which I am truly grateful): It's snowing!

We aren't expecting much: 2 - 4", and it's the light, fluffy kind so I really don't mind. Besides, I know spring is on its way ... my woodpile is almost gone. AND, the warm weather actually melted nearly all the snow in the gardens directly in front of our house (it COOKS there), so I may even have daffodils in March, which is very unusual.

I'm so ready for spring.

===============

Your Style is Bohemian

When it comes to fashion, anything goes for you... especially if it's whimsical and fun. You draw your style influences from all over, and you are a pro at mixing and matching. You believe that fashion rules are meant to be broken. You don't need anyone to tell you what looks good. You rock your own unique and free spirited style. And many people secretly envy you for it.

What's Your Style Type?

My own unique and free spirited style is called: comfy jeans and T-shirts. I know, crazy!! *G*

==================

The Deep Freeze

The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches. ~e.e. cummings

It's COLD. Really, really cold. Right now, the weather stations say we're running somewhere around 10 degrees below zero.

:::shivers:::

I felt so bad putting the dog out to go potty. It's bitterly cold and all I could think of is how fast she could get frostbite on her tootsies. At least she doesn't have to pull down her fur to pee. *G*

It's supposed to be cold today, with a "warm up" tomorrow: highs in the 20s. I may pull out my summer clothes. The bad news is, this is our forecast for the week:



Snow. Snow. Snow.

Granted, it won't be a zillion inches, like we've been having. But still.. I'm really, really sick of snow.

My DH has expressed the desire to be buried in Arlington when he dies. I told him I'd bury him there on my way south because if anything happens to him, I'm hightailing it to warmer climes.

Only two more months until the spring equinox. Hurry up, Spring!!

===================

You Are a Loyal Best Friend

You are true to your friends, and that goes double for your best friend. You are trustworthy and faithful. Once someone is a friend, that person is a friend for life. You are hard-working and believe in persevering. You don't give up on anything or anyone. You make your friends feel stable and secure. You will be there through thick and thin.

What Kind of Best Friend Are You?

Yep.

=====================

The Temps Are Dropping

When the bold branches
Bid farewell to rainbow leaves -
Welcome wool sweaters.
~B. Cybrill

I said something yesterday that, in retrospect, made me shiver. What was it?

"It's going to be warming up into high the 40s next week."

Yes, it's true... it's COLD here. Blech. Today I am thankful for my wood stove. Yesterday our house got so warm, we opened the windows. LOVE having a wood stove.

DD watched a bunch of cooking shows yesterday. I now have a pile of recipes she wrote down that she wants me to try (including Chickpea meatless Meatballs) and last night she sauteed herself a bunch of different veggies based on color ... because everything they made on the shows looked so pretty and she wanted her plate to look pretty, too.

I told her she could take over cooking dinner any time she'd like. She declined.

Nothing planned for today here. Anyone out there doing anything exciting?

=================

You Should Go on a Disney Cruise

You are family oriented, fun loving, and truly a kid at heart. For you, a cruse is less about the destination and more about the total experience. You love the idea of a cruise with a little nostalgia and lots of activities for everyone. A Disney cruise will wow you, entertain you, and give you memories to last a lifetime.

What Type of Cruise Should You Go On?

I'm good with that... when do I leave?

=====================

Random Gabbing and NaNo Dreams

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. ~Sylvia Plath

We've had frost the past two days. This is the toughest time of the year for me -- I ache to bring in my annuals so they won't die. Leaving them outside KNOWING that they're going to get killed is one of the hardest things to do for me. The portulaca are already gone (though I'm probably going to go out and collect seeds) but the zinnia and petunias are still hanging on. I'm itching to pull in the two pots I have planted... but so far I've resisted.

It's unseasonably warm here, so I shouldn't complain. That doesn't mean it's WARM -- we're having highs in the 60s -- but I'm trying to remember that we usually get our first hard frost in mid-September. DH has requested most of November off for hunting and it made me remember why doing NaNoWriMo is doubly hard. Because DH is around messing with my already crazy routine! Oy...

Speaking of NaNoWriMo , I've done some more plotting on the story and have found out lots of interesting information on Geoff ... things I never would have guessed from writing him in "One Love for Liv". It's fascinating how characters can spill their guts when you just relax and let them.

I need to research organ transplants (probably kidney, since I'd prefer my donating character to live).

I kept trying to throw in some significant external conflict, but the characters told me NO. They said they have enough to worry about with the internal conflicts. Of course, there is some external conflict, but apparently it's not going to be the major issue. Of course, it IS NaNoWriMo , so that could all change as the fingers take over.

The next thing I need to do is to look through the list of dares on the NaNoWriMo forum. I love to use dares when I hit a road block. Using dares is what created an entire character in "Liv", and one that I ended up adoring and having so much fun with -- Frank, the chaser of world records.

I also need to figure out who is going to have a pet. I don't think it can be my heroine, because she runs a cooking business in her home, and I think that's a code violation, which leaves Geoff ... and that could be interesting. OH... OH... I just had a great idea!!! Nope, not sharing, but am going to add it to my NaNoWriMo notes.

The best part about writing a book that doesn't take itself seriously is that you can do pretty much anything you want, even if it's a bit crazy. And random. For instance, when Judy and I first started the LASR/WC site, we had a person who regularly entered our contests and had the funniest name. She told me I had to use it in a book someday. So ... I am. And she's a fun character -- one I added simply because I wanted to use the name. I suspect she'd going to become fairly integral to the plot now. I wonder what the real person is like?

In any case, I'm doing the best I can to plan and arrange for success in NaNoWriMo . There's no guarantee of course, but I'm going to give it the best push I can.

In the meantime, it's time for me to go wake up my house. Wishing you all a fabulous day!

==========================

You Sometimes Attend to Your Emotions

You can express your emotions, but it's not always easy for you. It takes you a while to open up. You always make your decisions based on facts and logic. You never listen to your heart, because you know it can lead you astray. You are somewhat emotionally responsive. You react emotionally, but you are not overly sensitive. You are not a very empathetic person. You tend to look at things cooly and rationally.

The Five Factor Emotional Intelligence Test

Just call me Spock.

Live long and prosper.

======================

Ready for Spring

Weather means more when you have a garden. There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans. ~Marcelene Cox

We had a lazy day yesterday, but I wish it wasn't so cold out -- I really want to go and walk!

I did stop by Agway and get seeds for my garden next year. I may have overdone it a bit... good thing DH wants me to expand a little. I got: burpless cucumber, summer squash, carrots, spinach, swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, green beans and snow peas. I'll supplement with plants for tomatoes and peppers. I'm also going to buy seed potatoes when they are out.

Okay spring, I'M READY.

========================

You Are Not a Sheep

You don't follow the crowd. In fact, whenever it's possible, you try to avoid the crowd. You don't like blending in, and you are a complete rebel. Being like everyone else is boring. You are a distinct individual, and you're definitely on of a kind. People probably consider you to be quite quirky. If anything, the herd ends up following you. And you find that to be highly annoying!

Are You a Sheep?

Quirky? ME? .....

=======================

Tired of the Cold

Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail. ~Proverb

Is it April yet? I have to admit I'm really, really tired of the bitter cold (mostly the wind... the cold, I could deal with, but the wind makes it unbearable). I HATE not being able to go for my walks outside and, what's worse, is that it's really starting to affect my joints -- my legs and hips are really achy. I try walking in circles around the inside of the house, and up and down the stairs, but it just isn't the same.

*sigh*

I swear, if anything ever happened to DH, I'd move to Arizona. Or maybe Hawaii. Aruba?

I am NOT a winter person.

It's showing on the dog, as well. She went in for her annual check-up yesterday and has put on EIGHT pounds. That's sixteen percent of her body weight. That would be like me putting on nearly thirty pounds! She's still not fat, but it's not good. Clearly SHE is also missing our nice long walks we used to take on a daily basis.

:-(

=============================

My birthday lunch yesterday was wonderful. We went for Tex-Mex and I had the portabella mushroom fajitas. Mmmmmmmm.... better, I discovered that if I order the steamed veggies as a side, it's the SAME veggies they use on their veggie fajitas. So yesterday, I mixed it all together, and took half home for dinner :-)

Our lovely server (it was a man... can I call him lovely?) even brought the birthday dessert without singing to me. Yay. DD and I did our best, but ended up leaving half of the brownie ala mode behind.

Today.... the diet begins (for me AND the dog *G*).

==============================

You Should Stay Warm by Bundling Up

You are a rational and logical person. You are good at solving problems. So if you're cold, it makes sense to just put another layer on. You are very practical that way. You are rarely unprepared in life. You would never forget your gloves and hat on a cold day. You're ready for anything that comes your way. By being responsible, you find it easy to relax and enjoy life.

How Should You Stay Warm?

They got all that because I hate winter? Really? It's oddly close... weird.

==========================

Brain Dead

"It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized.” — J. W. Goethe


see more dog and puppy pictures

Spent the bulk of yesterday migrating one of the LASR reviewer groups onto Google Groups. Oy. Copying the database, making a note of anniversary dates so that I can give kudos and gifts to the folks who stick it out with us, inviting the members ... it was crazy, to say the least. And today I need to to the other two groups!

I did find the time to get my hair cut again... This time it's a LOT shorter than last time. I didn't want it *quite* this short, but I think it will work better curly at this length. We'll see the next time I wash it. For now, I had the stylist straighten it again. DD has her hair cut, too, and lots of curls put in. She looks so cute! Lately she's been wearing her hair in a headband and putting on the lip gloss she got at Christmas which has just a hint of color in it, and she looks so grown-up. Makes me want to fold her up and put her away somewhere!

RE: Dogs attacking Dakota. For some reason, this happens a lot -- she must have a vibe. The schnauzer at the end of the road (that is a nasty-tempered little dog anyway) dislikes Dakota fiercely and has nipped her on several occasions. I am happy to say that Dakota stood up for herself the last time, not biting, but growling and barking at him, something I've never seen her do. Granted she was hiding behind my legs at the time, but even so, it was a proud moment.

We have a miniature Australian Shepherd in class who likes to "herd" Dakota, and since Dakota loves to run, it's a perfect fit. However, there is another dog in there (a rescue that looks like a Golden Retriever, Husky, German Shepherd mix) who has a problem with excited dogs, so whenever the herding/running starts, she has to break it up. Poor Dakota always ends up on the floor, on her back in a bit of a daze, while the other two more alpha dogs take each other on.

And she was bitten by the Weimaraner on our street when she was a puppy -- he actually grabbed her by the skin on her back and tossed her.

What amazes me about all of this is that Dakota never thinks any dog is going to hurt her. She's not dog shy AT ALL, and even with dogs that have attacked her before (except the shar pei I mentioned yesterday -- he makes her uneasy), she's not in the least bit worried about running right back up to them. It's the oddest thing.

It's supposed to snow today. Oh. Joy.

I hear the orange crops are freezing in Florida. :-(

And now, I'm off to work on migrating group number two and fixing all the problems with group number one -- we're still missing about half our members! All fun, all the time.

===================

You Are Crayons

You've always had a creative, artistic streak - even when you were a kid. You were the type of child who could spend hours with a box of crayons or markers. Even now as an adult, colors and design matter to you. You are probably very fashionable and stylish. Maybe you even dabble in the arts from time to time. You certainly still have the talent.

What Childhood Toy Are You?

You are probably very fashionable and stylish ... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...no.

============================

Hoping...

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat. ~Author Unknown

The weather folks aren't entirely certain what's going to hit and how bad it's going to be. They waffle between a total snowfall of only 3 or 4 inches to a blizzard with 40 inches... big difference (and again, I say that I'd like to be a meteorologist where you can make huge guesses and get things wrong on a regular basis and still keep your job).

The problem seems to be that the storm is going to move in and then stop and just swirl overhead dumping snow, and they aren't certain where it's going to stop and dump. I hope it goes north, where they WANT the snow, stops and dumps and leaves us poor southerners alone.

The good news is that the chimney guy came by yesterday and said our chimney was fine to burn. The cap is starting to lift a bit, and he'll fix that in the spring, but the creosote levels are not bad at all inside the chimney. YAY.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

===================

We've picked up a few more brave souls for JaNoWriMo -- I think we're up to six now. Woo hoo!

====================

You Are a Sonnet

There's no way we would write a whole sonnet for you So you'll have to just believe that our love is true You are a romantic at heart with a beautiful spirit You should embrace who you are and never fear it

What Type of Poem Are You?

Hmmm... okay. Though, I have to tell you -- when I write poetry, it's usually REALLY depressing. LOL...

=================

Do. Not. Want.

Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~Robert Byrne

I've put in an order to rescind my DH's prayer for snow, but I think it's been ignored.

I'm preparing to hunker down for the next four or five days in the house -- they're calling for snow T/F/S/S/and maybe M, with "blizzard conditions" possible on Friday. I know lots of you like snow, and I don't mind it in moderation, but five days of snow with accumulation that isn't measured in inches as much as FEET with enough wind to cause a whiteout doesn't thrill me. Just saying.

So today, I'm headed to the store to buy things we can eat if we lose power (which I anticipate but hope I'm wrong) and to the library for some videos to watch if we don't. We also have a couple new puzzles (thanks to some very savvy gift givers -- we love puzzles!) and of course we have plenty of books to read (I have dozens and dozens on my Nook -- I've bought many eBooks over the past couple of years that I haven't read, and NOW I CAN. Dru asked a couple of days ago if I still loved my Nook... YES, yes I do.)

In any case, if for some reason I don't post on Friday or Saturday, it would mean I'm without power. This storm wasn't exactly how I wanted to escort in the New Year.

======================

I'll be doing JaNoWriMo with a couple other folks ... it appears we are only three this year (as opposed to fourteen last year), but three is a lovely number. Come visit if you get a chance (after the first of the year).

=======================

Your Ideas Are Blue

When you think, you tend to have very detailed, well thought out ideas. You take your time with your thoughts. You are a deep thinker who likes to explore every possibility. Your ideas tend to be very innovative and perceptive. It's amazing what your mind can come up with. Your mind is energetic and alert. You are "always on" and thinking of new things. It's hard for you to relax.

What Color Ideas Do You Have?

LOL.. this is pretty close, especially the last part!

==================

Let it Snow...

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat. ~Author Unknown

Dru scared me on Facebook yesterday, talking about a snowstorm coming in. And then Michele chimed in with words about double digit snowfall. In a panic, I checked the weather (I haven't looked in a long time... I'm in denial) and was relieved to see that the worst of the storm is expected to stay south of us. They're calling for about 3" of snow.

Thank heavens.

Though, to be honest, a little snow would be welcome. The "snow" we have on the ground is actually pretty much solid ice, and DD can't sled nor can Dd go potty easily (she tries to squat and slips around, poor puppy. She needs doggie cleats).

Worse, we aren't burning in our stove to heat the house right now. DH has been keeping an eye on our chimney, and it's already starting to build creosote to the point it worries him, PLUS it looks like there is a problem with the chimney cap. Since we're both a little worried about chimney fires, he called the guy who did our chimney last spring. He agreed to come check things out, but not until the 30th -- so we're heating with oil for now, which is a bummer, cuz we can't keep it as warm.

*sigh*

Ah well -- at least I HAVE heat. Things could be worse.

=============================

You Are a Vintage Christmas Card

You find Christmas to be the most peaceful time of the year. The holidays relax you. Some people may get stressed out or frazzled, but not you. It's like you're celebrating a completely different holiday. You take pleasure in the small things the holiday season has to offer. Candy canes. Happy children. Your favorite Christmas music. Christmas may be more complicated than it used to be, but you refuse to get mixed up in the drama. You're bringing simple holidays back.

What Kind of Christmas Card Are You?

Hmmm.. not really, lol!

=========================

Who's Tripping Down the Streets of the City?

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella. ~Pepper Giardino

Am I showing my age with that title? And, does everyone know it's Windy? *G*

The wind here lately is driving me bonkers. It's bad enough that it's about 8 degrees outside, but then add in cold, 40 mph winds and it's unbearable. DD and I dropped off our recycle stuff yesterday, and by the time we got back into the car, we couldn't feel our faces or our fingers. Another five minutes out there, and I would have had frostbite, I swear!

It makes it impossible to take walks or play with the dog (who is bouncing off the walls). I can't take Dakota to the mall with us to go mall-walking, her agility class is done for the next two weeks. It's awful. And I want it to stop NOW.

/endrant

====================

Going to be baking a lot over the next week. And cleaning. We're hosting Christmas (which I prefer -- I really don't like to drive all over the place. I'm such a homebody), and that requires a little extra attention to tidiness (not that we're slobs, thankfully, so it won't take THAT much extra elbow grease).

I also need to make my annual donations to Samaritan's Purse in all my in-law's names, as it's the only gift they allow me to give them. DD loves to go through the catalog and choose. "Let's buy chickens!" or "Ooh... blankets, let's get those." She also donates a little of her own money toward at least one gift, so it's both fun and educational.

Speaking of DD, she's decided to use her income from Distinctively DD to earn her own Nook. I downloaded a couple of books for her to read on it, and she's absolutely loves it. It's a huge amount for her to save, but she's determined and so far hasn't spent any of her money on anything else. She'll be spending most of her Christmas vacation making new items for the store. I'm also looking into creative ways to use her nature photography and make it into something we can put there (note cards are leading the pack at this time). I told her that I'd like to see the numbers in the store hit at least 100 items (it's at 34 right now), so she has her work cut out for her.

I feel a great amount of relief at being done with my shopping (I'm SO glad we have the ability to shop online nowadays) and have sent out my cards. Christmas planning was very stressful this year and it came WAY too fast.

Are YOU ready?

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You Are Warmly Compassionate

During the holidays, you take time out for yourself and the people that you love the most. You try not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. You prefer to stay inside your warm home as much as possible. You believe that the holidays are all about the little things. Being and reconnecting with those closest to you. People are important to you, not gifts. Love is the best gift in the world.

The Christmas Tree Test

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Hmmm... about 50/50 ...

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Head-Hopping and a Cold Weather Walk

Antisthenes says that in a certain faraway land the cold is so intense that words freeze as soon as they are uttered, and after some time then thaw and become audible, so that words spoken in winter go unheard until the next summer. ~Plutarch, Moralia

I didn't get very many responses from people to my questions about guest blogs / author interviews yesterday. Darn it. I'm still asking, so feel free to comment today!

Maybe I'll do monthly themes and solicit guest blogs in that theme? This wouldn't work if I hit up bigger named authors (and yes, I did get a few folks suggested to me). OTOH, if I had, say "cowboy month" and I hit up... oh... Linda Lael Miller, that would work.

I'd better decide soon... January is right around the corner!

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HA... proof that "head-hopping" is confusing, even to the untrained eye.

Last night, DD and I were sitting side-by-side and she was reading. All of a sudden she growled, slammed down her book and looked at me. "Mom, first the story is told from this person, then that person, then another one. I can't figure out who is telling the story. It's CONFUSING."

I clarified. "You mean that it starts out from the point of view of one character and then shifts unexpectedly into another's?"

"YES." She slams the book again. "I hate it. I'm inside one person's head, I even get their THOUGHTS, and then I'm not anymore and I can't keep track. I don't want to read this book anymore."

"This book" happened to be the first in a series -- and my DD is a series freak. If it had held her attention, she would have gobbled up every last one. This author lost a rabid fan by breaking the "No POV switches" rule ... and my DD isn't an author. I've never talked about head-hopping to her. The simple fact is, it confused her... her biggest quibble was being in deep POV with one character and then getting tossed out.

I bring this up because I started reading a short story this a.m. -- and was in deep, deep POV with the heroine, and then WHAMMO! it changed to the hero, mid-scene. I really, really hate that. Changing at chapter breaks is fine and dandy, or even scene breaks, but this was at a pivotal point in the story (the heroine realizes that her new teaching partner is an old flame) and dumped me right out of the story. So, I shut down the document and deleted it off my computer. And the author, who is quite a prolific eBook author, lost me as a reader/buyer (I'm looking for more books to buy for my Nook!).

BTW -- anyone have any suggestions for some good, newer, books?

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Yesterday I took a walk for the first time in several days. Between the snow storm on Wednesday, and then the gale force winds on Thurs, Fri and half of Saturday it was downright inhospitable. The dog was going nuts, my joints were starting to ache... so yesterday afternoon, when I noticed the wind had died down (never mind it was 20 degrees outside!), I bundled up and took both my kids (DD and Dd) for a nice walk.

I did decide that I need flannel lined jeans, though. My legs were the only part of me that was cold. OH, and my eyeballs. I swear, they felt like they'd frozen solid.

Next year, I'm spending the winter in California. I have a friend who lives in Monterey. It's lovely there in the winter. Yeah.... sounds like a plan.

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Thinking Things Through

Invest a few moments in thinking. It will pay good interest. ~Author Unknown

So, I'm not going to talk much about the Bru-hah-hah at Harlequin, other than to say it's clear they didn't think things through much. Most of you who are readers ONLY probably don't know what happened, but it's made quite a splash in the writing world.

Harlequin has partnered with Author Solutions to open a vanity press. Again, I see no problem with this IF THEY KEEP THE TWO ENTITIES SEPARATE. Most people probably don't know that Random House own Xlibris, right? That's as it should be.

What bothers me most about Harlequin's venture is that they are referring authors that they reject for publication to this new vanity press. And that, to me, it completely unethical. If you're interested, much of the news regarding this little mess can be found at these links:

Author Jackie Kessler

Writer Beware

Dear Author

And there are many more -- just type "Harlequin Horizons" into Google and you'll see.

The biggest ramifications of this move to authors is this: RWA (Romance Writers Association) has revoked Harlequins "approved" status, which means that no author may submit their Harlequin published book for a RITA.

This is a big deal, and my heart breaks for my friends who are pubbed through Harlequin. This mess may be cleaned up before Nationals, but will it be cleaned up in time for the RITA? I have no idea.

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So, DH got his deer on Tuesday and we're processing it today. Thankfully the weather has been quite cold this week, so we didn't have to worry about hanging it for so long.

As much as I don't like the cold weather, I do have to admit that it's nice not having to pull in my bird feeders at night. I DO have to retrain myself to check them now and then to see if they're empty, though! I use to just fill them every morning before I put them out.

The morning sky is bright pink. Should I take warning?

So ... what are YOUR plans for the weekend?

OH...and I've been meaning to ask you all a favor. Suzanne McMinn is trying to get an online gig with Sam-E and needs votes! I've been voting daily, but there are never enough, and competition is stiff. You can vote every day and the link is here: Vote for Suzanne!

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You Are a Blogging Expert

You got 7/8 correct! You know so much about blogging, you should blog for a living.

How Much Do You Know About Blogging?

I wish they'd tell me which one I got wrong! LOL...

A Busy Day

If God didn't want us to eat carbs, He wouldn't make fresh baked bread smell so good. -- Marianne Arkins

Yesterday was busy, busy... it was SO stinking cold outside I thought I would turn into an icicle. But, regardless, things had to be done, dogs walked, wood stacked (I'm beginning to think this will never end ... actually, when we're done stacking THIS wood, we have to go to our neighbor's property where he had several trees taken down over the summer and cut them into chunks and stack them out back to season so that NEXT year we can split and stack wood all over again! Woo. Hoo.) and errands run.

I also decided it was a good day for baking (and laundry, but that wasn't the fun part) and DD wanted to do it, so we made "Perfect Dinner Rolls" (made with yeast, so we had rise time) and then, when it was clear the recipe would make 30 or so, we took half the dough, rolled it out nice and thin and spread butter, cinnamon and sugar and raisins, rolled it up and cut some cinnamon rolls (which are on the top of my stove, rising, as we speak). Unfortunately, I don't have any powdered sugar to make the frosting, so will have to create my own (yes, you can do this... did you know? Just put regular, granulated sugar into your blender and turn it on -- Instant Powdered Sugar).

Today is another cold one, but hopefully the wind will die down so I can get out and plant all my new deer resistant (and therefore, hopefully VOLE resistant) bulbs. I bought some beauties including giant allium and pink ruffled daffodils. And, I have to chop down all the plants that were killed from the hard frosts we've had the past several days.

Is it April yet?

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Your Best Trait is Creativity

You may seem like you're a bit flaky or flighty, but you're really just deep in thought. You are the artistic type, no doubt. However, you are also highly analytical and logical. You are able to solve problems in unique and interesting ways. Your ideas are unpredictable, but they always end up making sense. You are picky and sometimes downright critical. You expect the best of yourself, but others are not prepared for your exacting standards.

What's Your Best Trait?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Yep... pretty close again. I don't feel flaky, though. :::shrugs:::

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Snowy Days and Mondays

A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water. ~Carl Reiner

I typically do the Monday Morning Meme, but as I look out at the six inches of snow on my deck and see the snow still falling from the sky, I find myself a bit blue.

Yesterday, before this all started, I could see grass and my daffodils were just starting to poke out of the ground (silly things, you'd think they'd know better). There were houseflies (which are now little black corpses that Dakota wants to eat) and spring was in the air.

Clearly, it was a fluke. They are calling for upwards of 15" of snow.

*sigh*

DH will be working from home. I will be housebound. The DD and Dd will be bouncing off the walls.

I am so over winter. Please, please let this be the end...

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Your Energy Level is High

You are a very enthusiastic, productive person. You have no trouble getting anything done. Beyond having a lot of energy, it's likely that your energy level tends to be quite steady. Unlike people with very high energy, you don't tend to be impulsive. By keeping your energy in check, you are able to use it as productively as possible.

What's Your Energy Level?

Hmmm... I don't know about that. I DO a lot every day, but I'm usually tired when I do it, lol...

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Brrr... part deux

Never take a job where winter winds can blow up your pants. - Geraldo Rivera

It's cold today. I have a love/hate relationship with this nearly record-breaking cold. On the one hand, when I have to go out in it, every breath I take makes my lungs feel as though they are freezing from the inside out. It's literally cold enough to take my breath away. And, poor Dakota... she has to get her business done in record time because if she lollygags, her tooties get so cold she can't walk. Yesterday she stood on two feet, the other two feet up in the air and cried. I had to go fetch her inside and give her feet a good rub.

On the other hand (and I wish I knew where this phrase originated... I may have to Google it), the sheer force of this particular weather system has worked to keep the snow that was expected to hit us today, away.

So... bitter cold and clear. Warmer and snow. Rock. Hard place.

Sunday will warm up to 24 degrees. We'll all be running around in our shorts and T-shirts! Actually, by the week following, they are predicting highs in the high 30s. Dear heavens, I actually feel a little faint contemplating it.

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I did a search for the etymology of "on the other hand" (though I'm not sure if that's the correct word for the origin of a phrase... let me check. Okay, probably not: the study of historical linguistic change, esp. as manifested in individual words. -- but, too bad, I'm using it anyway) and found nothing. Anyone know?

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I submitted my romance/mystery yesterday to Resplendence Publishing. I feel a little ill. Why doesn't it ever get easier? Maybe because I have the same number of rejections as I do contracts? LOL... in any case, it's out of my hands now. Their estimated time of response is 6 - 12 weeks. So, for now I wait.

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You Are "tab"

Some people might try to say that you're always spaced out. You do tend to be a dreamer, but you're also a great multitasker. You work quickly and efficiently. So it's no problem if you goof off a little while you're working. And if people want to think you're flaky, that's fine. You're getting more done than they are.

What Keyboard Key Are You?

Hmmm... mostly that works. I don't *think* I'm flaky, but wonder if that's like thinking you're crazy. If you don't, you are? :-)

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