THAT'S Why!

Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake. ~Author Unknown

Check out Tess Gerritsen's blog post: Writing books can make you fat.

HA.

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

DD got an intro to the Body Shop yesterday. Back when I was footloose and fancy free (read: SINGLE) I used to practically live in that place. I didn't realize how much I missed and how much I can't justify spending that much money on lotion now. LOL...

Still, we did buy some things. I paid for some, but DD had to pay for part. She only had $20, which doesn't go very far there. She really wanted the pink grapefruit body scrub, but didn't want to spend the money. I wanted the Satsuma body butter, but didn't want to spend the money.

We compromised by getting four bars of soap: two pink grapefruit and two satsuma. And DD bought exfoliating gloves (to use in lieu of the body scrub).

But, man-oh-man... if I won the lottery? I'd go to town!!

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

It's raining. In mid-February. A couple of weeks ago, we had near record-breaking cold temps and tons of snow. Today it's raining. And then the temps are supposed to plunge again over the weekend. Fun, fun, fun...

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

I'm working like crazy on my fantasy... I really need to update my word count on the side bar over there ------>

It's been great, but I don't know if I have enough story to get to my goal of 65k. I guess we'll see. I'm feeling like I only have 15 - 20k left, give or take, which will give me about 50k. That's not good.

I did think of one thing I need to add in to what I've already written. I need my heroine to get a little training in using her gift. She's pretty much self-taught at this point, but I'm going to need her to be more controlled in a situation that's coming up, and it won't work if she hasn't gotten at least SOME help.

Hey, did I ever upload the collage here? I don't think I did -- I think I only put it at the JaNoWriMo blog.

Check it out:



It's a really intense story. Very unlike me. I wonder where it's all coming from?

Anyway, I still have 45 mins to write, so I'm off!

Have a great day.

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

In Which I Ramble...

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while. ~Kin Hubbard

Welcome to stream of consciousness writing. I don't have anything specific to say, so you get to hear whatever comes to mind as I write.

It's raining. UGH. I supposed it's better than snow, and I suppose we need it, but why did it have to rain on a Saturday? This means my DH is trapped inside the house and he doesn't do well on these types of days. Bother.

One set of neighbors with ATVs that they ride behind their house, on the road or pretty much anywhere they like at any hour -- has moved! Yay! And, though I certainly wouldn't wish foreclosure on anyone, my next door motorcycle riding (at 2 a.m. -- vroom, vroom), drug dealing, heavy drinking, acid rock listening (at top volume) loose dog owning neighbor's house is going up for auction in the next few days. Please, please, please let us get some quiet, sweet neighbors in. Please?

I did better on my diet yesterday. The first couple of days were tough because I'm a snacker, and I like to snack on things like peanuts, triscuits, etc. And I couldn't. So I did a lot of pacing and looking at the pantry door with deep longing. Yesterday, though, I pretty much forgot about snacking. And I wasn't as hungry. A breakthrough (break-through?)!

I hate hyphens. Typing the one before this reminded me how much. Ha. There has been talk around the blogosphere about them as well. Nice Mommy~Evil Editor had something to say about them last week. I curse them quiet regularly in my mind. Hyphens should be outlawed (NOT out-lawed).

My neighbor's daughter (not the neighbor I referenced, above) had a science project to do: find and murder forty perfectly innocent bugs for a pin board. She asked me for help. I told her I didn't believe murder was acceptable, but if I came across one already dead, but in reasonable condition, I would get it for her. I ended up providing her with a monarch corpse -- one of the bugs from last year that DD had gotten attached to and named "Mr. Butterfly". His wing was deformed and he couldn't fly, so we fed him and kept him alive for a while, and then put him in a little box to bury outside. But, we decided that his life would have some meaning if he helped another, healthy butterfly not die in the name of science. And we donated his corpse. In my opinion, having children kill bugs is inhumane. If my DD was in school and asked to do that, I would have complained and refused.

Next week is Halloween week at LASR. Check out the romance reviews blog on Monday for a review and giveaway of a Halloween romance. An author spotlight with a paranormal author -- and a free download of one of her books. And lots more fun. We don't have candy for the Trick-or-Treaters (ACK! hyphens!!), but we do have books. And that's even better (though, I do love candy corn).

My DD discovered the joy of "Calvin and Hobbes" this week. She found a book chock full of the comic at the library and has been tee-heeing (HYPHEN! EEK!) all week. I loved "C&H"...

Gah... I could ramble for days. I'm worse in person. Blah, blah, blah. So I'll stop! Have a great day. I'll be building an ark.

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

You Are Apple Cider

Smooth and comforting. But downright nasty when cold.

What Part of Fall Are You?

That's very true... I am downright nasty when I'm cold. I HATE cold weather. Grr...

You?

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

Edited to add:

I'm part of the Sweeter Romantic Notions authors and we're having a Scavenger Hunt this week! Here are the details:

SRN is throwing a Halloween party! Join us on a scavenger hunt. All the answers can be found through our main site: http://www.sweeterromanticnotions.com.

It kicks off on Friday October 26th and will end on Halloween!!

There will prizes, books and goodies, and maybe some chocolate too!

Here are the rules:

Answer the following questions and email the answers to sweeterromanticnotions@gmail.com with "contest" in the subject line.

The winner will be announced on the Group Loop October 31st and in the First Friday News Blast!

So, let's get scavanging!!

1) In the October News Blast what was the title of Edita Patrick's release from New Concepts Publishing?

2) Who has the picture of a dog on their cover art?
Elle Fredrix?
Kim Watters?
Adelle Laudan?
What is the title of that book?

3) What branch of the military is Sela Carson's husband retired from?

4) Cindy Green is published by By Grace Publshing?
True or false?

5) Diane Craver has three titles listed on her author page at SRN?
True or false?

If I Must

Grammar is the logic of speech, even as logic is the grammar of reason. ~ Richard C. Trench

I had some interesting comments, yesterday, in regards to MY comments on the overuse of "that" in writing. Please note, its isn't that I'm opposed to using that word when it is necessary. The point was, that sometimes its use isn't necessary. The Long and the Short of It actually had a lovely article about that word last week, that may help clear up what I meant.

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

Judy and I were gabbing the other day, and somehow (I don't remember how) we decided to go on Weight Watchers together. I must be out of my mind -- I'm going to attempt NaNoWriMo without the benefit of unlimited chocolate! So, to help keep me accountable, I'm putting up a weight loss ticker. Yikes!

Today, the ticker is here. But tomorrow, it will be on the sidebar. Heaven help me.




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

My eyeballs were killing me yesterday -- too much computer, probably. So I opted to write, last nigh, in longhand. Shocking, but true. Judy suggested a new idea (and, Judy, you were right, it's easier to *ahem* write a lot than none, LOL...) and I ran with it, to the tune of seven handwritten pages. I need to transcribe it, now, but at least I'm writing again.

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

ANIMOLOGY: What Animal Are You? Your Result: Tan Giraffe Loner. You're a sort of a loner, but you are very brave and a quick thinker. You have a little secret: you like to help others. Soul Mate is the Red Jaguar, but you hate the Marroon Panda.
Gold Falcon
Ocre and Gray Dolphin
Red Jaguar
Silver and Red Wolf
Teal Cat
Blue Fox
Yellow Trout
ANIMOLOGY: What Animal Are You?

Grrr.... Just THINKING about a maroon panda makes me angry...