Movie Night

“An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.” - Samuel Smiles

I'm exhausted today... so I'll leave you with the trailer of the DVD DD and I watched last night as part of our girls' night (DH was away for the evening):



And one for the movie we're looking forward to:



Any movies you're looking forward to?

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

You Are a Spring Tree

You believe in fresh starts, and you're constantly reinventing yourself. You'd like to think that people can change, and you know it's dangerous to become too stuck in your ways. Every so often, you try to branch out and do something new. You love to play and experiment. The world is full of possibilities, and you embrace them fully. Life is all about growth.

What Season Tree Are You?

ABout 50/50...

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

Something Cool

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~Author Unknown

Nothing new in my life, lol, so I thought I'd share something cool I just read off the Wild Rose Press author loop.

Apparently, The Wild Rose Press was asked to provide hundreds of romance novels as props for a movie. One of the characters is a romantic suspense fan, and reads them. How cool is that? It's not like any of my books are there, but still ... I think it's incredibly neat. AND, the movie looks like it's going to be a hoot.

The movie company provided the trailer for The Wild Rose Press website and I gave it a look. It's called "Red" and stars some big named actors like Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren. It also stars Mary Louise Parker as the romance novel addict.



So, if you go see it, watch for romance novels in Mary Louise Parker's place, and apparently also in Bruce Willis' place (he reads them to get to know her better).

I love the that studio is using a smaller press for this. How cool is that?

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

You Have a Wild Imagination

You can think or dream anything. You have very vivid and colorful thoughts. You have a refreshing and bold attitude. People can count on you to be honest. You are chill to the point of being a little lazy. It's hard for you to get motivated at times. You are a very thoughtful person. Even when you're resting, your mind is churning a bit.

The Bubble Bath Test

Except for the "you are chill to the point of being lazy" part (because I DO not know how to just slow down and relax ... something that makes my DH crazy), the rest is pretty right on.

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

Revenge of the Pillars

Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. - Bradley Millar

So, it rained all day yesterday -- frequently POURING as if someone was dumping buckets down on us. I admit to being a bit worried about the new plants -- that's a lot of heavy water to be beating down on them -- but for the most part, they took it just fine. The petunias lost some flowers, the ageratum was pretty well squashed (but should bounce back), some of my taller tomatoes tipped over a bit. But the rain really helped the stuff I moved around to perk right up (I had some gallardia, echinacea and annual bachelor buttons that looked nearly dead after being moved).

The best part, though? It killed the humidity. Hallelujah. I walked out this morning to cool, CRISP air instead of the oppressiveness of the 90% humidity we've been having. Maybe I can finally take my frizz ball hair out of its pony tail without looking like Diana Ross on a bad hair day.

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

We have a few new additions to Pillar Place. On Saturday, my SIL happened to be here when DD found a pillar. Despite telling her we were using the Greek alphabet to name them, she begged us to call it Hercules. So... we have a Hercules, lol. Yesterday, in between cloud bursts, DD went out hunting pillars (she was terrified they'd all be killed in the bad weather .... they weren't).

We now have Kappa, Lambda and Mu to go with the other ten, all of whom are happy, healthy and eating like pigs. In fact, Alpha has been put into The Box -- the one with sticks to make his pupa on.

I was watching a video on raising Black Swallowtail pillars yesterday and the guy makes these little pupa containers out of half a toilet paper roll and a paper towel. When the pillar "purges" which is rather icky, but indicates he is done eating and ready to make his pupa, this guy picks them up and plops them inside.

While I understand his motives (it sure makes life easier to keep them well contained) it seems sort of cruel... the pillars will "walk-about" for a day or more before making their pupa, and I have visions of the poor critter doing a thousand loops around the tiny paper holder.

I know, maybe that shouldn't bother me so much, but it does. So... mine will have The Box to use instead. Also, with The Box, I don't have to move the pupa once it's made.

As an aside, every time I name one of the pillars, I'm reminded of the movie "Revenge of the Nerds". Remember Omega Mu? Or Lambda Lambda Lambda?



LOL...

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

You Are Circus Circus

You are fun loving and outrageous. You are always looking for the next good time, and you are easily entertained. You are daring and open minded. You'd run away with the circus if the offer was good enough... You are unpredictable and zany - no wonder people love to be around you so much. You're not just the life of the party. You bring the party with you!

What Las Vegas Casino Are You?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... no.

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

A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Who's the more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him? - OBI-WAN KENOBI, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Yesterday flew by. DH went fishing, so DD asked if we could have a "girls" day. And she wanted to watch the first Star Wars ... you know, the FIRST one, the one made in 1977 (which I will never be able to refer to as "A New Hope". It will always be "Star Wars" to me). She's been dying to watch it, and I finally decided she could. I was about her age when I saw it (I was 10 1/2), so I'm passing it on. Of course, she won't have to wait three years to see "The Empire Strikes Back". Hmmm.... maybe I should make her wait.

:::evil laughter here:::

In any case, I only have it on VHS, but discovered the player didn't want to work right, so checked the library for the DVD -- it was checked out. Went to everywhere nearby to see if I could find it to buy ... no luck. DD was despondent.

So, I went to the mall and found it at Best Buy.

All-in-all we spent two hours trying to find that sucker. But it was worth it -- she loved the movie (of course) and I was reaquainted with how truly awesome it is, watching it through the eyes of someone who was seeing it for the first time.

Then we went out into the windy day and finished hand-tilling the garden. It is ready to plant! I *might* throw in some beans, peas and swiss chard seeds today, along with some herb seeds. We'll see...

In any case, it's gorgeous here today: warm, sunny and NO WIND. So it'll be as much an outdoor day as I can manage.

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You Were a Snake

You have a primal energy that drives you to explore the mysteries of life. A nearly immortal soul, you'll live a very long life.

What Animal Were You In a Past Life?

Okay.. I'm good with that. And I don't even hate snakes :-)

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What Makes It a Keeper?

Thinking is the activity I love best and writing to me is simply thinking through my fingers. ~ Isaac Asimov

I'm excited: "Savor the Moment" by Nora Roberts comes out today. YAY. I've read mixed reviews about this series of hers, but for me? It scores 100 -- every one of the books has made me get weepy at the end, a sure sign I'm attached to the characters. So, yeah, I'll be at the store getting my copy today.

I've been re-reading some warm and fuzzy keepers lately and thinking about writing in concert with that. I've tried to figure out what makes that book a keeper when this book is a wall-banger (aside from poor writing, grammar and editing which makes me CRAZY).

I think it's two-fold for me.

I have to connect to the characters, and pretty quickly. I'm not one who will give a nasty, snarky heroine who will grow and change and develop a heart of gold (and manners) very much time. Snark is fine (Oh, how I loved Cranky Agnes in "Agnes and the Hitman"), but sheer nastiness loses me every time.

I've also discovered that I love a good sub-plot. As time goes by, I find that a simple romance, where ONLY the romance is happening, bores me. It's probably why I've found myself gravitating toward the paranormal or suspense romances, because there is always something else going on. I find this last part amusing because I usually just write ONLY romance. But it's given me pause for thought... and I'm considering whether I want to add some significant sub-plots to my work.

What about you? What draws YOU to a book? Makes it a keeper for you?

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

So yesterday was *mostly* a success. We went to the mall, where I spent my Macys gift card from Christmas. I'd forgotten there was a Macys in there (it used to be something else... like eight years ago -- yeah, I don't get out much), so DD and I ended up with five shirts (three for me, two for her). I splurged and bought some smelly lotion at Bath & Body Works (I prefer Body Shop, but the sales help is VERY heavy-handed there and it makes me uncomfortable -- if I have a question, I'm not too shy to ask, but otherwise...GO AWAY). Then it was off to Toys R Us and her pogo stick only.. they were sold out. But, they did have refill foam arrows for her bow, so I got her a big pack of those.

But, no pogo stick.

:-(

Then to the library, where we got so wrapped up in getting books that we forgot to get a movie. I realized halfway to the restaurant.

DD said, "Great. The whole day is ruined."

I said, "Yeah, cuz new clothes, new lotion, refill arrows and a yummy seafood lunch pales in comparison to watching a movie YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN."

Ah, the drama of the tween years.

But, movie aside, we had a good day. She even came up to me at bed time and said she'd had a great day and gave me a big hug.

So, yay.

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

Your Name is Gray

Your name tells people that you are calm and level headed. Your name makes you seem honest and fair. You are able to look at things clearly and without emotion. You tend to remain neutral in most disputes. People see you as reliable and trustworthy. You treat everyone equally, and you don't tend to have any prejudices. You are naturally calculating and even a bit cunning. You don't like to show your cards too early in the game.

What Color Is Your Name?

That's mostly right on...

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

The Quest to Do Nothing

I watched some of "Office Space" and became inspired by his quest to do nothing. (If you haven't watched this movie, and if you've ever worked in a corporate environment, you need to).

So today, I'm taking the day off.





See you on Monday, glorious Monday.

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Grown Up Girl Bonding Time

A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer. ~ Author Unknown

I had a nice, restful long weekend. DH actually went away to snowmobile up north on Thursday, so DD and I were alone Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It was a lot of girl fun: movies, card games, cooking, shopping, eating. We watched the original "The Parent Trap" which she loved, and "Monsters vs. Aliens" which I thought was okay but not stellar. Then we watched "Enchanted" and "Prince Caspian" again.

We ate all the stuff DH doesn't like, like spinach, portabella mushroom and roasted garlic pizza, and listened to Broadway show tunes. *G*

Tomorrow, vacation is over and it's back to the old grind.

The weather today is pretty crazy with light but steady snow and very high winds. Yesterday we got around 10 - 12" of snow. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the snow blower started (the pull start is just too hard for me), so DD and I scooped it all -- and I am SO sore today!! But, it was good exercise.

No plans today except keeping warm, cleaning up the clutter before DH is home and doing all the stuff I didn't do yesterday (like finishing up the pages for LASR/WC/Aurora).

Did you have a good weekend?

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

You Are Strong For Yourself

You see yourself as a natural leader. You believe in yourself no matter what. You think other people see you as friendly, happy, and charming. You tend to get along well with everyone. You want to see yourself as independent and free wheeling. You'd like to do your own thing more often. You identify as a compassionate and accepting person. You pride yourself on being forgiving.

Who Are You to Yourself?

That's about 75% right...

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Time Warp

The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there. ~Lesley P. Hartley, The Go-Between, 1953

DD and I watched "War Games" yesterday. I remember seeing that in the theater (it was released in 1983) and loving it. Yesterday, though, I spent the time explaining to DD what the main character was doing!

"That's a 5 1/2 inch floppy disk -- they had those before CDs."

"That's a library card catalog with actual cards -- they didn't used to have them on computers."

"That's microfiche -- he couldn't learn about the professor on the Internet because there was no Internet."

It got to the point where she started saying things (in all seriousness) like: "Wow! A 7-11 store! They had those back then?"

*snort*

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

She worked a good part of the day on replenishing her stock on DistictivelyDD. I have six pairs of earrings, two bracelets (one of which I had to pry out of her hands because she wanted to keep it for herself), and a bracelet/earring set that I need to get up on the site. She's going to work more today, but I can see we're going to need to get more beads soon!

I only managed to get dog food made yesterday, no baking, so that's on the schedule for today. I think I'm going to try the wheat flakes cold cereal first since we're out of cereal, instead of the wheat crackers. I'll post about it on Healthful and Homemade tomorrow.

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

Your Word is "Fearless"

You see life as your one chance to experience everything, and you just go for it! You believe the biggest risk is being afraid and missing out on something amazing. Sometimes your fearlessness means you're daring. You enjoy risky activities. And sometimes your fearlessness means you're courageous. You're brave enough to do the right thing, even when it's scary.

What's Your Word?

HAHAHAHAHA... no

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

A Good Day

Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone. ~Paul Johannes Tillich, The Eternal Now

We had a pretty decent day, weather-wise, yesterday. Partly cloudy with two short but intense rainstorms. DH and DD went to the lake and stayed for the fireworks, leaving me blessedly alone. I haven't had a real "alone" day in so long I don't remember. It was wonderful. It's also amazing how much happier I feel when the sun is out.

I took walks with the dog. I took pictures of DD's chalk pictures, because she'd worked so hard, and the rain would wash them away.



I admired my echinacea that is just beginning to bloom.



I watched "P.S. I Love You" because I knew so many people really loved it ... but I didn't. I couldn't get past wondering why her dead husband had even loved her -- she was mean and nasty to him all the time and he spent every moment apologizing or groveling to her. She wasn't nice to her mother or her friends. Basically, I really did NOT like the heroine at all. So, the rest of the movie just didn't work for me. It was good in concept, and I liked the idea, but I didn't like the execution.

I also worked on the computer, of course. I even did some writing -- practice, really, more than something I would use for publishing (though one never knows what will happen). I recently had an editor tell me I needed to add more description using all the senses... that some of my writing could be much richer if I just slowed down a bit and made sure people could see, taste, touch, smell, hear what was going on.

I remember taking a class when I first joined WVU about a million years ago that concerned this very thing. We had to write a short story using all the senses. It was a challenge to write those things in without them feeling false. Fact is, we typically use sight and hearing and sometimes forget the rest.

So, yesterday I went back to school and practiced. And it was good.

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

In Pillar Place: Swallowtail we have one more pillar making her pupa (Fiona). I had her make it in the small box with the lid, because I'm worried she and Greg (our last pillar) are over-winterers. If they aren't, fine... that box works for them either way. But the bigger one without the lid would NOT work.

I hope they aren't going to over winter. *sigh*

No monarch eggs yet. I wonder if they weren't able to fly up here due to the lousy weather. Will keep you posted. Monarchs are so much easier than swallowtail to raise.

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

Movies from Books and Spring Fever

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. ~Nadine Stair

I've been underwhelmed by the four Nora Roberts movies this past month or so. Have any of you watched them? I understand that it's hard to squash a novel into less than two hours, but they all four were really lacking parts of the book that I thought were important. Maybe if I'd never read the books? Dunno. IMHO, Nora's big enough to rate a mini-series type thing. I also didn't love the casting. **sigh** It was disappointing, to say the least.

Did any of you watch the movies? What did you think? Have you read those books ("High Noon", "Tribute", "Angels Fall" and "Midnight Bayou")?

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

The weather has been lovely the past couple of days. Sunny and warm (for here: in the fifties). I wish I'd been able to get out in it more, but I'm swamped with work as always... *sigh*... Spring Fever is only going to keep getting worse! Even Dakota has it -- she's starting running off into the woods when we play ball now, or even when she's playing with a doggy friend. She doesn't focus and, up until now, she's been pretty darn good. I think an invisible fence is in order ... just to keep her in when we're puttering outside. Otherwise, she'll end up inside the house too much because she's terrified of her tie-out. She flips out when we hook her up, and then just ... stands... won't walk, won't move, won't lie down.

She is a very high maintenance dog.

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

You Are Not Stylish

To be honest, you think fashion is a complete waste of time. You don't really care about how you dress, and those who do are simply superficial. While you don't have to look like you stepped out of a magazine, maybe you should update your wardrobe. People treat you better when you look better. Besides, it's fun to express your personal style!

Are You Stylish?

Well, now... THAT'S a surprise! HA.

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

Update: Cunning Voles of Doom

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. ~John A. Simone, Sr.

Yesterday, DD and I had a movie day. DH had to work, so we girls popped popcorn and watched "Bolt" (what a cute movie!) and "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" (which, as Veggie Tales goes, wasn't really up to par -- a few cute moments and funny jokes... I may have nightmares about cheese curls with teeth... but not as clever as I've come to expect).

Then we went outside for a bit, even though it was overcast and windy. DD and Dd played and I scooped poop (whee). As I made my way around to the back, I saw a VOLE. A gray, furry vole -- he ran right by me and under the deck into the rock wall. The little buggers have been eating the tops off of my crocus before they can bloom and probably have their eyeballs on the bulb part as well. The scary thing is, this means they are EVERYWHERE. And... and... and... all my neighbors have them, too!! Dakota found a vole body at her friend Bugsy's house and they live clear at the end of the road. And now that the snow has melted, I can see vole trails on HER neighbor's yard AND the people across the street from me.

Dear heavens.

I don't know what to do. I'm probably going to resort to poison, which I HATE. But I have to make sure I do it in such a way that Dakota doesn't find it. And I don't want to kill the chipmunks, either. And, once I get rid of mine, what's to stop the neighbors' voles from moving in?

DH said we should get an outside cat (and yes, Brandy, my kitty is an indoor one) at which point I reminded him: BEARS. Hello? Not to mention the fisher cat I know lurks out there. And, cat safety aside, I don't want the kitty eating my birds or chipmunks.

Maybe I'll just move into an apartment somewhere and not deal with the wildlife.

*sigh*

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

Last night I couldn't stop thinking about the "Kitchen Matches" sequel, which now has a working title of "Drive Me Crazy". I thought of scenes, dialogue, how to realistically transport an orphaned baby goat (I want to say "kid", but need to make certain folks understand it's the four-legged variety) across half the country, how my H/H can make each other totally nuts AND still fall madly in love.

It's fun.

I like it.

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

You Are Twitter

You are energetic to the point of being hyperactive. You are the ultimate multitasker. You don't have much of an attention span for anything. You like things short and sweet. You can't help but let everyone know what you're doing, even if it's just what you're having for dinner. You are big on sharing what's going on in your life. If anything, you share too much!

Are You Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter?

The first part... mostly yes. The second? Not SO much...

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Tightwad Tidbit: Where's the Beef?

Save money on cooking with meat without becoming a vegetarian

I eat a *mostly* meat free diet, but my DH is a carnivore, through-and-through. Because meat is so expensive, even when you get it on sale, I look for ways to cut back on use without DH missing it.

Here are a few tips to help you do the same.

* Check to see when your area supermarket puts their nearly-expired meats on sale. Here, it's typically on Tuesday and Thursday. I'll go and stock my freezer about once every 4-6 months on one of these days.

* Grind your own burger. I have a grinder attachment on my KitchenAid mixer that I'll use for this. I can buy inexpensive roasts or steaks on sale, grind it up and freeze it. I'll do the same when boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (they'll go on sale for less than a dollar a pound, now and then). When's the last time you got ground beef or turkey for less than a dollar a pound?

* Don't serve meat as the main part of the meal. Instead of baked chicken breasts and rice with peas, try using half as much chicken, chopped, and added to the same rice.

* Find ways to extend your meat. I buy TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) and boil it in beef bouillon and toss it into lasagna or other casseroles in place of, or in addition to, ground beef. My DH has yet to notice (and, as a side benefit, I can make a small dish of my own, completely meat free). You can also use things like oatmeal or bread crumbs.

* Go meat free for at least one meal a week. If you have a family of four, and you each eat 1/2 lb of meat, you save 2 lbs a week (or at least $4-6 a week, possibly more, depending on what meats you typically buy).

* Cut back on how much meat you serve in your meals. Do you really need a full pound of burger for your spaghetti? One chicken breast is usually more than enough for a person -- if you consider a serving of chicken is the size of the palm of your hand (or about 3 oz), you probably eat far more than you should.

If you save only $10 a week on meat by using these tips, you'll have $520 more a year. What would YOU do with an extra $500?

Anyone else have ideas on saving on your meat budget?

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

In other news, I just discovered that Disney is opting to NOT produce "Voyage of the Dawn Treader"... can I tell you how truly distraught I am? What are they THINKING???

**sniff**

I can only hope that another studio picks it up before the original actors aren't too old to play their parts.

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

Slug-a-Bed

The amount of sleep required by the average person is five minutes more. ~Wilson Mizener

You know what? I slept in today... sort of. I was awake early, but DH isn't home (he did an overnight at his BILs camp -- camp cleanup yesterday and snowmobiling today), so instead of worrying about waking him because I was restless, I just stayed there. I let the cat in and she flopped onto my head (why do they DO that?) and the dog snored beside me and all was well with the world.

Until DH called... lol. It was early, but he knows I'm *always* up early.

In any case, I can see the attraction of laying around like a lazy slug-a-bed.

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

DD and I watched "Nancy Drew" yesterday. She loved it, I thought it was okay. I loved Bruce Willis' cameo, very cute. But what cracked me up is that my DD is hitting the stage where she's noticing boys, but it's uncomfortable. So, at the end of the movie, when Ned and Nancy share a very chaste kiss, she got all scrunched up on the couch and said, "Don't do it, don't do it!" and hid behind her hands. I said, "I can fast forward." She said, "NO!", but still watched through her fingers. *sniff* My little girl is growing up.

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

Would you believe I started brainstorming a sequel to the fantasy I'm working on? I'm only 23,000 words into this one! But, I couldn't help myself. There's a character in this story who deserves a HEA and I want to give it to her. First things first, though. I need to finish this one. I will -- I like it a lot. It's challenging to write a fantasy, though. Despite the fact I get to play God and decide what works and how, and if things behave in certain ways, it still has to make sense. So, if I say -- "This rock is sentient", I have to have a reason for that, a purpose AND make it work.

It's doubly tough working with psychic powers, which a few of my characters have. I have to remember that they always have them, not just when it's convenient.

And there is more -- but world-building is hard and I know I haven't done the best job I can. I'm going to have to make sure I take care of any problems or lacks when I go back and edit. In the meantime, I'm still moving forward.

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

Re: yesterday's post and hair.

Brandy, I don't know how you can wear your hair the same way every day -- doesn't it hurt?

Amy, I use headbands, but they still bother me after awhile -- and the soft kind tend to slip out of my hair unless I let my hair stay wicked curly.

Gay, yep I like to change things with my hair, too. My only problem is that my hair grows VERY slow, so when I do something drastic (like the last two times I did Locks of Love) it can take forever to get back to where it was. It take MORE than a year to grow ten inches of hair for me.

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

Your International Spy Name is Honey Steel

Your Code Name: The Pirate You Reside in: Stockholm Why You're a Good Spy: You have total recall

What's Your International Spy Name?

Okay... sounds more like my porn movie name, but hey ... I can see the fun in it. "Don't call me sweetheart, my name is Honey."

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Snow Day

The advantage of being celibate is that when one sees a pretty girl one does not need to grieve over having an ugly one back home. - Paul Leautaud

That quote seriously cracked me up!

We managed to watch two movies yesterday: Enchanted and Prince Caspian -- both of which were heartily enjoyed by all. But DD and Dd did find a little time to play in the sub-zero temperatures.



Today? Well, it's snowing, so I think I'll work a puzzle. Maybe write a little, if I'm in the mood. I'm due some time off after the brutal schedule I kept rebuilding the entire LASR site in less than a month.

What about you? Any plans?
=====================

I'm Late!

"It must be remembered that the purpose of education is not to fill the minds of students with facts…it is to teach them to think. -- Robert Hutchins

That quote has nothing to do with the post... I just liked it :-)

We've already had a busy morning... I slept in like a lazy slug, until 6:00 and then woke up the DH for snowmobiling. Folks started showing up shortly thereafter and have only just gotten on the road.

So my morning had this -- DH running around the house until everyone showed up (bet my neighbors LOVED that!):



And this -- Dd having to come inside from playing because her feet got too cold (she's pouting, but GEEZ... it's -6 degrees out):



And this -- DD having snowball fights with her cousin (who was going on the ride -- DD wants to start going, but we don't have equipment for her yet):



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

Today, DD and I will be hanging out together. Going to get a movie from the library, pop some popcorn and watch it (maybe "Nancy Drew"). Then, we'll pull out a puzzle and work on that some. She and I haven't had much time together lately (real time) because I've been busy and she's had to do school.

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

And, on that note, I'll sign off for now. Have a great day!

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

Monday Morning Meme and more

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. ~Kurt Vonnegut



1. What was the last thing you laughed at? Would you say you have a great sense of humor? What sorts of things make you laugh in general? Would you say people “get” your humor?

This email was the last thing I laughed at:

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words.

The winners are:

1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

3 . Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.

6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.

7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

I have an odd sense of humor. I'm more "Frasier" than Adam Sandler or Three Stooges. I appreciate a good pun, and liberally sprinkle my conversation with sarcasm. Some people get it, some don't.

2. How many pieces of jewelery are you wearing at this very moment? Do you wear jewelry every day, or only on special occasions? What is your favorite piece of jewelery? Tell us the story behind one piece of your jewelery.

Um... wedding ring and two pairs of earrings: diamond studs and usually silver hoops. Does a watch count? That's pretty much what I wear daily. I really don't wear necklaces or bracelets and my ears are the only thing I have pierced. My fave jewelry would be my wedding ring. Story? Um... the diamond earrings I wear in the top hole in my ears were from my DH. I wanted little bitty chips (maybe an 1/8th carat total?), and he refused to get me something that small. I think the ones I have are 1/4 carat, but I gotta be honest -- it really doesn't matter to me. I am SO not a jewelry person. If I could find good, cheap, fake jewelry that wouldn't tarnish, I'd be all over it. Who cares if it's real?

3. If you could offer one piece of etiquette advice that everyone should follow when dining out, what would it be?

I have to admit to leaning toward how your treat the waitstaff... but that's probably because I was one for so many years. Pay attention to them, they really are people. I typically make folks who eat out with me laugh, because I'll carry on long conversations with the servers, but I remember being ignored or treated like a piece of furniture, and that stinks.

You might also take your kids outside if they are screaming, turn off your cell phone and don't talk like the person with you is deaf.

Wait... you asked for one, didn't you? ::shrugs::

4. What are the first three things a guest would notice when they walked through your front door?

Once they got through the Dakota leaping, crying, barking, licking greeting? The stairs (the door pretty much opens on them, the living room and the TV room. I don't have any fancy furniture or paintings or knick-knacks. Sorry.

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Favorite line I wrote for my JaNoWriMo challenge yesterday (from "A Jewel for Geoff")... Liv has just run into Geoff (much to his dismay). And she says:

“Geoff, I need advice.” She grabbed his sleeve and tugged him to the chairs that lined the wall, shoving him into one. “Okay, now pretend you’re a man.”

Ouch.

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RE: My Big Fat Greek Wedding...the votes were as follows:

Chick Flick: 5

Comedy: 2

People who haven't seen it, but thought it was a chick flick: 2

Hmmmm..... I guess the votes reflect that it's a truly funny chick flick that both men and women can enjoy.

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Chick Flick or Comedy?

Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your home. ~David Frost

A quick post because I woke late and still want to try and write a bit.

I caught my DH watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" last night and said, "You're watching a chick flick!"

"It's not a chick flick. I don't watch chick flicks. It's a comedy."

"Chick flick," I crowed.

"Comedy," he growled.

(Aside: I love using funky dialogue tags here... because I CAN!)

So, I post the question to you: Despite the fact that MBFGW is certainly funny, do YOU think it qualifies as a chick flick?

Inquiring minds want to know.

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New review just came through on Google Alerts (aside: Google Alerts, how I love thee) for "A Change Of Heart".

Five angels from Fallen Angel Reviews, who said (in part):

Get ready to savor every moment of this delightful read. A Change of Heart is a page-turner...Marianne Arkins produces a star-studded read I enjoyed immensely. With realistic characters she allows the players to emit love, jealously, betrayal, and a turn of the heart to make all things flow at their own pace. The reactions and justifications of each of them are brought out in a way that threw the reader into the scenes, making one feel a part of it. Heartwarming and wonderfully spun, this story packs a wallop of an exciting tale.

Yay!

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And, now... I'm off to write more for JaNoWriMo. I do believe a super-soaker will be involved in the next scene.

Muhahahahaha...

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To Sleep...?

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

So... I forced myself to sleep in this morning. I got up with the dog at 3:30 and curled up on the couch because I knew the cat would just come sleep there instead of demanding her food at 4 a.m. It worked. I didn't get up until almost 6 a.m., but now I feel... off. DD got up at 6:30, I lost all of my "alone" time and I haven't even had a cup of coffee.

I think I prefer lack of sleep.

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Well, DH got caught up in something yesterday and couldn't get the tree... at about 3:30 he told DD and I to go get it without him. So we did :-)

I let DD do the choosing for the most part -- "we" narrowed it down to 3 or 4 and then she made the final selection (after being reminded that we couldn't have the nine foot tree with our seven foot ceilings). And, when we got it home, it was much complimented -- and she spent the evening saying, "I picked it out." with a proud smile.

We didn't decorate it though. We'll do that today.

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DH and I watched "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" last night on PPV. It was cute... not stellar, but good. I had a hard time warming up to Shia LaBeouf -- his character was a bit off-putting, IMHO. Still, I enjoyed the movie.

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You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

Okay... I'm good with that.

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This and That Thursday

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

Taking DD to see a movie... one of our theaters just became a discount one that play older stuff, so we can see something we missed: Prince Caspian.

Today is writing day. Will be working on my synopsis for "Stiller Creek" and work on more characters and scene cards for my HQA.

It's freezing cold here already, getting down to the mid-30s at night. Winter is around the corner. Yuck.

Sorry... already in a time crunch today. I really need to get more disciplined at write my posts the night before.

Have a great day!

Wax On, Wax Off

Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your home. ~David Frost

DH and DD will be off boating today, so I'll be alone with the dogs and the pillars. I fully intend on getting some writing done in the relative peace and quiet. I'm just not sure WHAT I want to tackle...

Here's a question for romance writers: Do you fall in love with your heroes? I mean, I suppose we should... yes? If we want to make both our heroines and readers do the same.

What traits make you get all mushy? I've discovered lately that it's tenderness from a tough guy. **sigh**

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Vole hole alert! Vole hole alert! Whoop, whoop, whoop!! We have another vole...

Yes, folks, there is a new vole hole. I have the trap set, and I have plans for a drive with this one. After I dab him with red food coloring (great idea, Brandy, thanks!!).

Someday, I may be able to replant that garden...

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I watched "Karate Kid" last night... mostly out of the corner of my eye, but still. Dear heavens... could it have been any more cheesy? I remember LOVING that movie back in the day. LOL... I wonder what Ralph Macchio looks like now. I had to go look, and oddly, he looks about the same. But that girl beside him?? HIS DAUGHTER!!



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What I'm reading: So, I started "Exit Strategy" by Kelley Armstrong. I struggled with getting into it, and then wondered if it would end well. I admit to skimming and then peeking at the end. But I just didn't love it. I started "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. I was going to read "SOS, Marry Me" by Melissa McClone, but just couldn't do it without reading the first two books in the series. I thought I could, but... nope. So, I'm off to the UBS to get them since they aren't in the regular stores anymore, and I want instant gratification.

What I'm writing: Nothing yesterday. DH was home and puttering. DD was needy. Dd was psycho as always. Today? I have HIGH HOPES!!

Have a great Saturday!