Theme Song

When "Now and Forever" was rejected by Samhain, the editor mentioned that she found my hero a bit rude and rough around the edges (though she loved some secondary characters AND the storyline ... which is why I'm still gobsmacked she didn't invite a resubmit, but that's neither her nor there). She was right, to a certain extent. He's a man's man (I actually modeled him a bit after my DH). He doesn't "go to the bathroom" he "takes a leak" or "hits the head". He's rough and tumble, wears jeans, works on cars and doesn't mince words.

Today, I was listening to the radio, and his theme song came on. I had to share it with you.



Of course, that got me thinking about Mena, my heroine ... what would HER theme song be? She's such a romantic. She's sweet, (mostly) mild-mannered and a believer in forever.

This is the song that popped into my head:



I can't wait until I'm able to share these two with you. The cover is being worked on as we speak. I have two scenes to add to the story and then I'll send it to a friend for a look-see for typos and gross errors.

Then it'll be ready. I hope.

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

Thursday Thoughts

Tory asked me Tuesday if I'd seen the video of the dormouse snoring. I hadn't, so went off to look. I have a soft spot for rodents, so this was definitely an "awww" video:



I've been looking for stock pictures for "Now and Forever". It's amazing how hard it is to design your own cover -- I have much greater empathy for the cover artists now, though I wonder: is it harder or easier to design a cover for a book you haven't read?

I've been trying to write as well, but am having a tendency to flit between stories and, as a result, am getting little actually accomplished. I need to settle on one, I suppose.

Other than than, things are pretty quiet. That's a good thing...

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

You Are a Carrot Cake Cupcake

You are a complex person. You have many interesting layers to your personality, though others might not know it. You are drawn to a cross section of people. You friends play different roles in your life. You are like a cupcake because you are are deceptively simple. There's actually a lot to you! There are many ingredients in your life, and you only want them in proper amounts. Being you is a delicate art.

What Flavor Cupcake Are You?

Hmmm.... maybe 50/50.

This and That Thurday

Got "The Happiness Project" at the library yesterday. I need it.

My fridge has been running non-stop since last night. You know how, when you open the freezer and the cooler is running, it will stop when you open? Mine doesn't. For HOURS it has just run, and run, and run. Fridge and Freezer part. I finally pulled it out and unplugged it because the noise was making me crazy.

Do refrigerators reboot? I really, really don't want to buy a new fridge right now. This couldn't have come at a worse time.

Dru Ann asked yesterday if I had a publisher for "Now and Forever" -- Dru, I'm going to self-publish it (I said that in one of my previous posts somewhere). I decided I didn't want to place the sequel to something with a different publisher.

Maria Zannini wisely gave me suggestions regarding the cover art, which I'm taking. There's a particular cover design that I love. "One Love for Liv" *sort of* has it (though I really don't like that cover). So, I think I'll go with that. It's distinctive and pretty. Now, I just need to decide what I want to PUT on the cover.

Dakota and Mom's kitty, Camille, got to meet yesterday. They did really well, all things considered. Dakota was very calm and submissive ... right up until the cat swatted at her. At that point, she decided the cat was playing and started to do play bows and head flips.

Camille was not amused. But she didn't run and hide. She held her ground. She's not in the least bit afraid of the dog. She knows who the house belongs to, and it's not Dakota.



Dakota's tail is a blur in the photo because she's wagging it like crazy.

It's a good thing they seem to tolerate each other, because it means I can still bring the dog for visits now and then.

There's a chance of ice on Friday and a chance of power outages. So, if I'm not here, that's why.

That's it for me. I should probably go plug the fridge back in now. *sigh*

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

You Are a Rat Catcher

Not the most glamorous job in the world, but the Middle Ages weren't exactly glamourous! You have the skills, intelligence, and craftiness to be a successful rat catcher. You are willing to take risks and go to some pretty sketchy places in the name of your career. In modern times, you would make a good detective, pilot, or firefighter.

What's Your Medieval Profession?

Awwww... poor rats. I think they're wrong in the overview, too.

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

Snow, Snow Go Away

It's snowing again. Not tons, just enough to make it yucky outside. DD is stressed and terrified I'm going to die in a car accident. They haven't delayed school yet, so it looks like we'll be going in. I was really hoping to avoid driving in bad weather since we've been having such a mild winter.

Why couldn't it have snowed over the weekend instead? My poor kidlet got the worrying gene from me, and will spend all day wondering if I died. Last time the weather was bad and I picked her up, she jumped into the car, hugged me and said, "I'm SO glad you didn't die!"

At least it's warmer. Saturday, Sunday and Monday were brutal with overnight temps in the negative numbers.

Funny how our perspective changes. "Yay! It's 20 degrees outside! It's TOASTY."

Have spent some time considering what to do with the "Kitchen Matches" sequel -- and I think I'm going to self-publish it. I just don't feel comfortable having a sequel go to another publishing company. There's a pretty serious learning curve for self-pubbing, but hopefully I'm up to the task.

Anyway -- time to check the website to see if school is delayed...

Have a great day all!

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

You Are a Yellow M&M

You are a mystery to those around you. You're happy-go-lucky but also quietly enigmatic. You live in a very individualistic way. You're doing what you love, and that varies from day to day. You are very self-aware and introspective. You know who you are, and you're good with that. You have an ironic view of life. You can be both serious and funny at the same time.

What Color M&M Are You?

Yep .... that's about right.

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

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*

A Down Day

Well... I'm ending my year with a rejection from Samhain on "Now and Forever". They didn't even ask for changes or a resubmission, though it wasn't a form rejection and she explained what she thought would help make the story better in her opinion.

*sigh*

I'm going to set it aside a bit and give some thought as to what to do next.

Today I have a dentist appointment. So, yep, the day just keeps getting better!

DH is finally feeling better, but DD has been sick. She hit the wall yesterday (she tends to have one really bad day and night, and I think she just had it).

It's been an interesting week so far, and we still have the rest with DH and DD off.

Thanks to all for exercise suggestions. Charity, I wish I could do half of what you said, but since my knee problems from last year, I'm extremely limited. I can't do anything weight bearing (so no squats, no significant stair climbing), nothing more than low impact (no jumping, jogging, marching in place) and nothing that twists my knee (which leaves out zumba and most dancing). Mostly ... I walk. And in crappy NE winter weather, that's hard. And DD isn't into doing anything alone. We're looking to eventually buy a treadmill, but finances haven't allowed for it yet.

And so are the days of my life.

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

You Are the 7

You value personal growth. If you're not changing, it's likely something is going wrong in your life. You are a lucky person, but it's partially due to how you've crafted you're life. You are a great leader, and you lead without your ego. You know where you're going, and others want to follow. You are comfortable with and really appreciate freedom. You think it's important to be able to do your own thing.

What Slot Machine Symbol Are You?

Mostly right.

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

Monday in Review

Was crazy busy yesterday, and I don't think today looks any better... why did I ever think I'd have more time with DD in school?

I checked my calendar, and this Saturday will have been twelve weeks since I submitted "Now and Forever" (my "Kitchen Matches" sequel) to Samhain Publishing. *sigh* I'm not sure what I'll do at the end of the time. Oh.. well, shoot -- I just checked their submissions page and it says this: Please allow up to 12-16 weeks for a personal reply.

Guess I'll add another four weeks to the calendar. :-P

It's absolutely amazing how much turkey meat was left on the legs, wings and bodies of the three turkeys I deboned on Sunday. I ended up with about eight cups of cooked turkey bits from my stock pots!

I got two more turkeys yesterday. I just couldn't resist. I have one in brine for roasting today (but need to find a solid five hours at some point today ... not sure that's possible, and am checking into whether a turkey can be "over brined" if I leave it until tomorrow). Not that I'm going to have any more time tomorrow. Oy vey.

I took Dakota to the vet yesterday to have that yucky red growth on her head checked. At first look, the vet said, "It's either (insert unpronounceable name of really bad cancer here) or else it's (insert unpronounceable name of totally benign tumor here)." and she took samples by sucking goo from the center to look at under a microscope.

After about five minutes that felt like a hour, I found out that she didn't think it was the cancer. But, the cells are "definitely growing" and apparently this unpronounceable tumor will be getting larger before it goes away. And if it grows to more than twice the current size, or if it takes longer than a couple of months to go away, we should have it looked at again.

Fun times. But at least, for now, Dakota's okay.

How was your Monday?

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

You Are a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

You like throwing random things together and seeing what works. You love to mix things up. You have an open mind and an open heart. You are all about possibilities. You have an incredible work ethic and are very tenacious. You like to productive. You dare to be different, and almost all the risks you take come out in your favor.

What Starbucks Hot Chocolate Are You?

About 75% right.

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

Missing: One Happy Place

Not a lot to say today.

DH starts his next batch of vacation today, and he's sick. This doesn't make him a pleased person. He can't hunt when he's sick, which is the entire reason for his time off.

We got the results of Lexie's fecal exam, and it looks like she has worms. Remember our flea problem? I'm still fairly certain they came in on her. And, for cats, fleas mean worms. Despite using Frontline on her when we first had our problem just over a month ago (and reapplying when the next month started), she had flea dirt at her appointment on Monday. *sigh*

My contact at the shelter doesn't seem to think they can do anything.

So, not in my happy place right now.

In other news ... it's been nine weeks since I submitted my story to Samhain. Three more weeks equals the twelve they ask us to wait. *sigh*

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

Your Persona is Elegant

You are wise and thoughtful. You are very philosophical about life. You love to have fun, possibly more than most people. You have your own kind of fun though. You are the master of new ideas, techniques, and ways of looking at things. Your thoughts may seem scattered to you, but they seem strong and passionate to those around you.

The Elegant Chandelier Test

Oh yeah, that's me: elegant. From head to toe. :-P

Invasion of the Germs

DH is getting sick. He came home last night all stuffed up and miserable. I don't know if he'll stay home today or not, but I'm betting he might. I hope he keeps his germs to himself.

The weather site says we might actually be getting our first frost here this week. It's late, but I'm not complaining. At first I was dying for a freeze so Dakota would be less itchy, but her allergies have cleared up (both goldenrod and ragweed are pretty much past, and those are my two suspects for her allergies) so, I'd really just love no frost every please. Yeah, I know, I'm practically in Canada, but I can dream.

On the other hand, they predict temps in the 80s for the weekend. :::scratches head:::

Weird New England weather.

It's been a month since I submitted "Now and Forever" to Samhain Publishing. They said twelve weeks ... so I'm not surprised I haven't heard. Just antsy.

It's only three weeks until NaNoWriMo. I keep waffling on whether I should even try to participate. I love NaNoWriMo, but my life is already insane. *sigh* At least DH isn't off the entire month like usual to mess with my routine. He's only taking off two weeks.

Can you believe there are stations out here (well, in Boston) already starting to play CHRISTMAS MUSIC? I miss the days when Christmas didn't start until after Thanksgiving. Anymore, I'm sick of the holiday by the time it comes, and that makes me a little sad.

Have a great day!

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

You Are Openly Ambitious and Secretly Brainy

You are driven and determined. You'll figure out a way to realize your dreams. You are energetic to the point of being impatient. You can't wait for life to happen. You are a dynamic and interesting person. You are constantly changing, growing, and improving. You are a total brainiac who enjoys learning new things. You think studying is just plain fun.

The Lip Gloss Test

That's pretty much right...

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

Wednesday Warbling

Missed yesterday. Sorry. I won't go on about craziness, just know it exists in my world.

DD is loving school. She loves everything: the kids, the teachers, the classes, lunch, having a locker .... yesterday she was SO happy (having had an especially good day) that she would NOT be quiet. She talked a mile a minute about anything that crossed her mind, and even if she had nothing to say she hummed or spouted nonsense words or just giggled maniacally. It about drove me crazy. But it's hard to get angry when someone is just so darn happy.

They're having a field trip on Thursday and she wanted me to drive (mostly so she could ride with her new best friend). It's ALL DAY and my schedule is already nuts, but I told her if they couldn't find enough people I would. Thankfully, they found enough people.

I know, I know ... I should participate, but Oy.

She's doing pretty well, grade-wise, too. All 90s except English where she first forgot to do the homework on time( so 10% off) and then did it sloppy and partly wrong. She got a 57%. AND she had to redo it correctly.

I check on her homework assignments, and I nag a bit, but she's old enough that she knows what to do and is competitive enough she won't want to fail. Hopefully.

I tried taking pix of the stairs last night, but they didn't come out. Will take more today in natural light. They look nice enough, but I just know come winter with me running up and down in my socks that I'm going to slip. And fall. I'm not the most graceful person when it comes to stairs and fall down (and up) most sets of stairs I use at least once.

I did take pictures of the magnets my mom cross-stitched and that I'll be putting up on DistinctivelyDD soon. Aren't they adorable?





I also located a crafters store where you can rent space for your stuff. It's not in a great spot and I don't know how much traffic it gets, but I'm going to look into it and see what I think.

Yanno... in my spare time.

On a side note -- going through the slush pile again at Samhain Publishing kinda sucks. The wait is 3 - 4 MONTHS... *sigh*. I'm antsy. And I can't help but think about submitting it somewhere else at the same time. I'd love for the sequel to be at the same publisher, but there's no guarantee they'll take it and if I wait to submit elsewhere, it's just going to make the time before it sees the light of day that much longer.

Decisions, decisions...

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

Your Next Car Should Be an Audi

You are pretty conventional when it comes down to it. You have mainstream tastes and interests. You value quality and craftsmanship. You rather have a few nice things than many low quality possessions. You are very focused and responsible. You take your duties seriously, no matter what they are. You are patient and trusting. You know that the best things in life don't come overnight.

What Should Your Next Car Be?

About 80% right, but I don't like Audis.

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

Busy Weekend!

Missed yesterday ... sorry! The day just got away from me. I had a crazy weekend and I think I'm still recovering.

On Friday, DH is off work and decided we needed to go up to the lake. Keep in mind, we couldn't leave early (had to take DD to school) and then had to be BACK early (to pick DD up). It was the quickest day on the lake every (the lake isn't exactly nearby).

Saturday I did some running around in the morning with DD and my mom. Got home slightly after noon and spent the day cramming three days of website work into an afternoon (had to build the LASR/WC website and edit all the reviews for the next week, plus Goddess Fish stuff which is a little crazy).

I also got really annoyed that I was spending so much time on others (personally and business-wise) and decided that I was going to FINISH "Now and Forever" (the Kitchen Matches sequel) and get it submitted. Don't remember what set me off, but I was so mad! LOL... guess it worked. I hunkered down, finished the scene in the middle (involving Zach and wedding dresses *G*) and rewrote the ending (which was much more satisfying for me ... hopefully the publisher feels the same), then edited the synopsis, wrote up a query and blurb (since I was "fired" by Samhain for not submitting in the past two years -- means I have to go through the slush pile again -- means I have to wait 12 - 14 weeks to hear back, darn it) and sent that sucker off.

Here's the blurb (which I'm sure will change):

Zach Weathers doesn’t believe in marriage. He’s tried the whole commitment thing before and got taken for everything he had and then some for his trouble. So it’s surprising when he finds himself seriously attracted to his sister’s all-things-love and romance wedding planner.

Mena Smythwhite believes in happy-ever-afters and after spending years helping other couples get theirs, she’s on the search for one of her own. She’s not into one night stands or serial dating and is certain her Prince Charming is waiting to be found. So why is she intrigued by the one man who laughs at romance? A man who sneers at love and simply won’t do?

Sunday, we attended the local shelter's fundraiser. What a crazy time! DD sold a few things (all pet oriented -- she has some gorgeous shepherd's hook book marks with dog and cat charms and beads, some cat and dog earrings and more).

My mom had crocheted some dog sweaters (SO CUTE! They'll be going up on DistinctivelyDD soon ... which is morphing into a store for three generations: DD, me and my mom) and cross-stitched the most adorable magnets (which will also be going up on DistintivelyDD when I have time).

The most amazing thing about the day was that there weren't more kerfluffles between dogs. I saw one and there was a rescue dog wearing a muzzle who was there to be socialized, but otherwise, everyone seemed to get along famously.

I was exhausted when I got home, but still had work to do. So when Monday morning came, I did NOT want to get up. Then it was rush-rush-rush to get DD off to school, then I met my mom for some couponing and other errands, and didn't get home until after noon, leaving me little time before I had to turn around and go get the daughter.

The hours just disappeared.

Today, despite actually needing to go to the grocery store, I'm determined to stay home. We have food (though I need to make dog food...) so it can wait one day.

I'm sure there's more, but I'm out of time this morning. Gotta go wake the kidlet.

OH! One quick note, because I'm so proud: they tested the eighth grade kids to see if they should be in pre-algebra or algebra I for the year. DD made it into Algebra I! I was so proud of her (and ... I'll be honest, of me, too. It means I didn't totally screw up schooling her *G*).

Now, going to wake her up and toss her into the shower. Have a great day!

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

You Are Focused

You know what you want, and you know how to go after it. You feel equipped for whatever may happen. You are good at putting things together and following directions. You stay focused. You lay the groundwork for months or years before you act. You like to be completely and totally prepared. You are a late bloomer, and you may be coming into your own right now. You're still figuring out who you are.

The Hummingbird Test

About 60%

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

Just Two More

It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop. ~Vita Sackville-West

Two more scenes.

That's all I need to finish for the sequel to "Kitchen Matches" to be complete. More, I've already sent it through a couple of CPs for crits on what was there and polished it up.

Two more.

Why is that so hard?

*sigh*

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

My dog is going to peel her skin off. This morning, she couldn't even walk to the door, her back legs were twitching with each step in the need to scratch. We gave her a bath with medicated shampoo and two kinds of soothing leave on spray and it helped for a while. Last night, though, she woke me up several times scratching. And she has a big, red welt on her shoulder.

I've never wanted it to freeze early before, but I'm kinda pulling for one good hard freeze. Then in can warm up again.

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

No, I didn't feel the earthquake yesterday -- we were driving, and I expect that hid it from us. My SIL felt it pretty significantly, as did others around here. Poor folks down in that area! Hurricane Irene is supposed to come through, too. God's not pleased with that area right now.

Of course, Irene is supposed to hit US, too. So if I'm offline, it's cuz I lost power folks. We're pretty far inland, though, so hopefully it'll just be heavy rain and a little wind.

Whee.

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

You Are a Pretzel

You are reliable and dependable. You can be counted on, through thick and thin. You enjoy relaxation and quiet. You don't have a need to make things exciting. You are comforting and stable. You know what you do best, and you stick to it. You prefer a steady life, but you have been known to add some spice when things get routine.

What Baseball Park Snack Are You?

That's about right!

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

Wednedsday Writing and Weather

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Yesterday, I took time to write -- and tried not to feel guilty about it. I went back to my NaNoWriMo roots and brainstormed the silliest scenes I could think of and then figured out where they might work in "Now and Forever". I got most of one written AND I think I figured out how to make my ending more "Awwwwwwwwwww....", which is what I strive for in all my endings.

Speaking of NaNoWriMo... they're having a NaNo THIS SUMMER! I'm so excited... though I may not be able to participate (because I have to learn three new computer languages AND rebuild the LASR/WC website -- theoretically) I'm thrilled they're doing this because someday I hope to actually have "me" time again and be able to participate twice a year. I love NaNo. There is something incredibly freeing about NaNo. It helps bring back the joy of writing for me, and I miss that.

In other news: it's raining. Again (or is that "still"?). It's awful. I hate it. The overcast, the lack of sun, the inability to get outside and walk or garden or play with the dog. UGH.

Thankfully, this should be done by Saturday. Then I get a whole 'nother pile of fun because DH is taking all of next week of. For no reason. Just because. And you know what THAT means... he'll be finding chores for us to do. DD is already behind a few days in school, I have neverending work to do (learning new computer languages for one) and I KNOW he's going to be taking down trees or tiling the kitchen or something. *sigh*

If he would just stay home and be calm, relax, recreate ... I could handle it.

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

You Are Grounded

You don't put bounds or limitations on your thoughts. You are a down to earth daydreamer. You are compelled to help everyone around you. You are naturally selfless. You like to be around others even if you don't share easily. You enjoy camaraderie. You don't try to understand the world around you... it just comes naturally.

The Rooted Tree Test

I agree that I'm pretty grounded, but the rest is only about 25% right.

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

Tuesday Traipsing

"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude." - Karl Barth

Finally got my last crit (of sorts) on "Now and Forever" ... and a couple things are clear. I need to work a LOT on the ending (which I knew) and a couple more scenes need to be added (though I haven't a clue what they will be). *sigh*

This writing thing is WORK. *G*

Speaking of, I gave a shout out to Maria Zannini yesterday about her interview with my old editor, but I was a slacker on mentioning that she has an awesome new fantasy romance release out from Carina Press called "Apocalypse Rising". Though it's the second in her series, it's written to stand alone (though you could always just buy the first book, too: "Touch of Fire" from Samhain Publishing).

If you're a fantasy fan, I'm betting you'll thoroughly enjoy her books.

Yesterday, Brandy asked (in comments): Are you buying items you regularly use if you have a coupon, or are you buying items that you haven't used before because you have a coupon?

Before I started watching "Extreme Couponing", I would idly go through the coupons and clip two or three for items I buy anyway and then use them the next time I went to the store. Yes, I saved my $.075 or whatever, but what I've learned since then has been two-fold.

First: I really don't have a lot of brand loyalty. I'll use Colgate or Crest or Aim or whatever for toothpaste (and toothbrushes ... OralB or Reach or Colgate -- it's all the same to me).

Second: You never, never, EVER use a coupon on a regular priced item. You combine them with sales.

What this means to me is that I clip about 90% of the coupons in the flyers now. There are some things I know I'll never use (allergy medicine, contact solution, diapers, denture adhesive, etc) so I skip those, but if it's something I *might* use, out it comes. They're organized by type of item (Food, personal care, household cleaning, pet, etc) first and then by specific item (toothpaste, canned vegetables, laundry soap) and THEN I paperclip brands together (all my Colgate toothpaste coupons, all my Tide coupons). Though many couponers recommend NOT clipping, I can't rely exclusively on the websites to tell me what date of flyers goes with what sale. It's just easier for me to compare flyers to my coupons. PLUS, there have been times I've been out shopping and stumble across an unadvertised sale (like the Ken's Dressing at Shaws) and if I didn't have my coupons clipped (and with me), I'd miss out.

So, Brandy, long story short? I spend a few hours a week perusing the sales flyers for our three local grocery stores and our three local drugstores for sales and compare it to my coupons. If it's something I think I'll use (I'm going today to Walgreens and getting two big bottles of Listerine for $0.50 after coupon ... I don't usually USE Listerine, but at that price I just might give it a try *G*) and it's a good price (like a few cents or free), I pick it up. In a pinch, if I have to use a different brand of sanitary napkins or toilet paper than I usually do, it's okay.

Right now, I'm still having to buy some things at full price because I haven't been doing this that long. But, as time passes and my coupon supply AND my supply of goods expands, I expect that to end. So, yes, I buy things I may not need right away (I bought six bottles of dish soap the other day ... it'll take me a while to go through it, but I have room to store it so why not buy it when it's almost free?).

Still, I'm not like the ladies I saw on the show... one who has something like 75 things of diapers and NO kids. Or the lady who has hundreds of cat treats, but no cat (they paid her to buy them -- $0.05 per each to take them out of the store after coupon). I *hope* those ladies donate their goods to a local women's shelter and animal shelter...

It can be time consuming, but I'm all about saving money. The sooner we have our house paid off, the sooner we have a decent amount in savings, the sooner my DH can quit working 70 hours a week at a job he hates and enjoy his life. So, it's worth a few hours a week.

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

You Are Steady

You value your own opinion over the opinions of others. You know when you're right. You trust your intuition. So far it has a good track record of not leading you astray. You prefer logical to emotional appeals. You like well structured arguments. You are very clean and tidy. You take pride in taking good care of your possessions.

The Old-Fashioned Car Test

Um.. yeah. That's pretty spot on.

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

Getting the Shakes to Save

I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living. ~John D. Rockefeller

Cannot people realize how large an income is thrift? ~Cicero

I'm already getting a little fixated on the challenge of couponing, so I can see how some of those ladies (and gents) on the Extreme Couponing show can get so crazy. Last night, I heard the "thump" of our once a week local paper being delivered. I was already in my jammies, but I very nearly ran out to grab it so I could read the store circulars and see if I had any coupons to make stuff free or nearly free. I resisted, but just barely. Still, it was on my mind enough that I dreamed about coupon shopping last night.

Yesterday, I found a deal at one of the coupons/deals sites I 'like' on Facebook, promising free after coupon Reach toothbrushes at CVS. I went in with my coupons, but their sale price didn't match that of the site's, so I left empty-handed.

I did, however, get a free-after-rebate bag of The World's Best Cat Litter ($9.99 savings!), so my day wasn't a total loss.

Seriously folks, I'm jonesing for my Sunday paper... I can't WAIT to see the coupon flyers. It's a little scary.

As a side note, though: Lowe's is giving away a small tree to any customer on Saturday, 4/23 in honor of Earth Day and also (at least in my neck of the woods) has their tomato and pepper plants on sale, 2 packs/$1!! It's WAY too early to plant those here, but I can buy them and keep them in my spare bedroom for a couple of weeks.

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

I need to add a couple more scenes to "Now and Forever" to make the fall into love a bit more realistic for my couple. I'm not sure what I'm going to add or where. I've been thinking about it over the last couple of days. I just know it needs doing. AND the end needs fixing, which I already knew, but again... I'm not entirely certain how I want that fixed. I prefer to end my stories so the reader goes, "Awwwwwwwwwww...." when they finish, and I haven't found that "Awwwwwwww" ending yet.

Soon.

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You Are a Blueberry Smoothie

You have an intricate and accurate memory. In fact, you wish you were able to forget some things. You aren't one to stick out in a crowd. You're content to hang back and observe. Whenever someone you love feels a certain way, you can't help but feel that way too. You don't like to see anyone feeling discomfort or pain. You want to make everyone around you as happy as possible.

What Berry Smoothie Are You?

About 75% right.

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(Over)thinking Things Through

A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket. ~Charles Peguy

It's amazing how one comment can derail your writing. I've had it happen dozens of times, with dozens of stories, and it's occasionally a small thing that I then fixate on and can't get past.

I used to belong to a crit group where I was the only romance author -- the rest were either literary authors or mystery authors (without romantic elements). Two of the group were men.

While I credit a great deal of my growth as an author to them, and truly miss being part of the group, it also messed with my mind on a regular basis. Genre fiction is completely different than literary fiction, so frequently the crits, at least when they pertained to plot, weren't really applicable. Still, I'd grab hold of something they said and gnaw on it like a starving dog with a bone.

Overthink much?

It's happening again with a couple of my stories that have gone out for crits. And, while thinking through things isn't a bad thing necessarily, it can be if it keeps you from moving forward.

So, after gnawing on a couple of things lately, I think I'm going to have to go with my gut. Move forward and hope that my gut is right. But it's going to be something I worry about from here on out ... and heaven help me if (assuming it's published) a reviewer nit-picks any of those things I've spent the last few days agonizing about and second-guessing.

*sigh*

In any case, I'm waiting on one more set of crits for "Now and Forever" so I can finish up my edits and move one step closer to submission. After that will come the Dreaded Synopsis.

Oy.

In other news, I think I'm planting my chard and spinach seeds this weekend... spinach in the pots and chard in my front flower garden. I think I have most of my perennials popped up enough that I know where things are now, so it should be safe.

Yay spring!

And, check out a few of the earrings I'll be putting up on DistinctivelyDD today -- DD's into dangles lately:





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You Are Dramatic

Witty and talkative, you entertain with your stories and gossip. You know how to delight a crowd. No matter what, you're the life of the party or conversation. And you like to be talked about. You enjoy the honeymoon phase of friendships and relationships, but after that it's hard for you to stick around. Life is too short to be bored! When you get in a rut, you immediately shake things up.

The Little Cake Test

Uh.. no. That's so not me. I just like chocolate...

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My Weekend Recap

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

Busy weekend.

It was gorgeous out, so I spent most of the time clearing billions of leaves from my gardens. And, no, I'm not exaggerating. DH decided to de-thatch the lawn last evening, so there was much raking involved... though it made for lots of "homemade straw" to use as mulch in my veggie garden when I can finally plant (probably another month).

We walked a lot, too, and my knee held up. So far, so good! I still can't kneel on it, or squat without pain, but I can bend it almost full range, and walking is a breeze. Baby steps.

I'd planned on planting my cold crops, but didn't get a chance. Maybe today (it's going to be in the 70s) -- we'll see. The temps are going to drop again tomorrow, so if I want to get out and do stuff today is the day.

In the "cute notes from DD" file, I've added this:



And in the "public grammar errors" file, I've added this (it really irritated me -- who knows why this is wrong?):



I got one set of edits back on "Now and Forever" but haven't had a chance to go through them yet (the curiosity is killing me). In the "good news" column, she said she laughed through much of it, so that's a start!

That was my weekend... how was yours?

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You Are a Pink Martini

You're eager to lend a sympathetic ear and likely to develop a deep connection with people. You are an idealistic and romantic person. You have a very clear idea of how you'd like the world to be. It hurts you to see anyone or anything in pain. You are thin-skinned and empathetic. You are very sensitive. You tend to get easily hurt, and you have learned to protect your heart.

What Color Martini Are You?

Um .... not so much. It's maybe 25% right. Maybe. Partly because I couldn't answer the way I would on some... like the "skiing" question. They didn't have, "I wouldn't be caught dead on a ski slope." ::shrugs::

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

This and That Thursday

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

First, let me address a couple questions / comments from yesterday.

Angelina, I used the word "fired" from Samhain for lack of a better one. Basically, any author who hadn't been contracted by them in two years was told that they had to go through the slush pile again. I suspect this one an effort to free up their editors a little. Don't know -- I do know that a BUNCH of authors were affected. They aren't saying I can't ever go there again, they're just saying I can't go through my editor. Truthfully, I'm not that concerned. The editor they had me with had never actually edited for me before... I went through a bunch of editors there as mine kept leaving and I was reassigned. This might be a blessing, truly, as my previously assigned editor kept saying she was looking for GLBT erotica most, and that is certainly not what I'm writing. Maybe I'll find a better match this way.

Brandy and Dru, I might submit other places besides Samhain. I'd like to keep the series together but they might not want the story. I have a few other publishers in mind as well, which is always a good thing, but I'll go to Samhain first. I have another story I'm working on that isn't part of that series that I may submit elsewhere first.

In other news, my manuscript went off to two people yesterday. This is always the hard part, especially since I really hadn't sent this out in pieces first. Way back when I actually was part of an organized crit group, I'd usually have had the story critiqued in chapterlong bites first, so doing it this way is a little nervewracking.

We had a gorgeous, sunny -- though incredibly windy and cold -- day yesterday, and it looks like we're having another one today. Maybe I'll have a chance to get outside soon and clear out all the leaves and such from my gardens. I did it a little bit in the places I know I have daffodils, so they could grow (they're about 6" tall and have buds now, yay!), but there's a lot more work to be done. It's also about time to plant seeds for my annuals and my veggies. I should be able to put in my "cold" crops like peas and spinach in the next couple of weeks, and then mid-to-end of May I can put in everything else.

I love warm weather. I really with DH wasn't so attached to snowy winters...

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You Are Reflective

You don't expect perfection. You accept yourself, flaws and all. You are good enough! You are proud of what you know how to do. And you know that you're improving every day. You tend to keep good news to yourself... or only share it with a few very close to you. You are self-sufficient and don't need many friends to live a happy life. You are very private.

The Skirt Test

Mostly right.

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Finished

"One hasn't become a writer until one has distilled writing into a habit, and that habit has been forced into an obsession. Writing has to be an obsession. It has to be something as organic, physiological and psychological as speaking or sleeping or eating." --- Niyi Osundare

So ... those of you on Facebook know this, but I finally finished the first draft of "Now and Forever", the "Kitchen Matches" sequel. I'm relieved. It's been weighing on me and, to be honest, I probably shouldn't have taken the time because I'm SO backed up on other work (like six book videos I need to make), but it was like an itch ... and it kept getting worse and worse until it was almost painful, so I had to scratch it.

I'm going to give the first draft the once over and then send it to a couple of victims volunteers who've offered their eyeballs. Then... it's time to submit. Since Samhain "fired" me because it's been more than two years since I contracted anything with them, I no longer have an editor there and have to go back through the slush pile. Blech. Oh well... maybe that'll keep me writing so it doesn't happen again.

I'll be tackling the next sequel to "Kitchen Matches", currently titled "Drive Me Crazy" which is about half done already. Then? I have no idea what I'll work on (though there IS one more Weathers brother who is unattached).

My DD has finally decided she likes model horses. It was a passion of mine growing up, and even into adulthood. I collected them, I showed them, etc. I still have all my horses and dragged them out of DD to take a look at. They're shelved now -- they're old and pretty valuable because of their age and nearly perfect condition -- but I told her if she decides to show them, she can use mine, too. Her birthday is coming up and all she wants is horses and model horse stuff (jumps, barns, tack).

I wonder if she'll finally start reading all my horse books, too? Of course, at her age I also owned a real live horse, so I was probably a bit more crazy than she is!

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You Are Art

You are a vibrant person who can't help but leave a mark on the world. You want to create something amazing. Your dreams (and daydreams) are active and colorful. Anything and everything can be art for you. You are an active and impulsive person. You love to work with your hands and make beautiful things. You are easily inspired, and your flame burns brightly. You definitely have an artist's temperament.

What Elementary School Subject Are You?

:::shrugs::::

I never took art in school. I *wanted* to be an artist, but didn't have that special something that made what I did amazing. So I write instead. :-)

My Weekend

Adolescence is perhaps nature's way of preparing parents to welcome the empty nest. ~Karen Savage and Patricia Adams, The Good Stepmother

Loooong weekend this weekend. DD and I had a bit of a struggle last week about her schooling and I put my foot down about some things. She's facing loss of privileges due to her lack of desire to actually do the work required of her, so this weekend was full of more conflict as I required her to do some studying and work to prepare her for tests she has today. There was much drama. She's a sensitive, emotional girl and I can tell the teen years are going to be ... interesting.

The weather wasn't exactly the best, either -- it LOOKED beautiful: sunny and clear. But it was cold (in the low thirties) and VERY windy, making it unbearable to be out in it for very long. I'm getting so itchy for spring, for going outside and puttering, for walking the dog and such that it was sheer agony to be indoors. But every time I ventured out, I froze my can.

There was humor and fun, too. I got another of DD's notes one afternoon (I'd run out for a quick errand and returned to this):


She was a bit fascinated by a spider we have living in our front door area (there are a few little "cracks" in the jamb around the storm door and he's hanging out there -- but ventured into public to soak up some sun).



She also made a little jewelry and I uploaded it to her store. I especially like the turquoise-like stones (it's howlite, a substitute for turquoise) she used for these:



And even better? I managed to get a little writing done -- a couple thousand words in total. I have to finish the scene I'm one (it's nearly done) and then write the final scene (it's started) and my first draft is complete. Then I need to do a quick edit and send it to one or two people for an eyeball to see if it works.

It'll be good to submit something again.

How was your weekend? Anything exciting? I know Melissa McClone got a RITA nomination for her book, "Christmas Magic on the Mountain". Who else has something to share?

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You Are Carefree Like Summer

You are open to the world and whatever it has to offer. You are comfortable with and really appreciate freedom. You try to keep things flexible because you're always picking a new path. You have changeable moods. You don't like to stick to a routine, and you prefer a lifestyle where the rules are flexible. You have a sharp and lively intelligence. Your mind is active and often restless.

What Does Your Favorite Season Say About You?

About 60% correct.

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