The Day After ...

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

What a crazy weekend -- I might have actually been relieved had the world ended. But I'm still here, and so are all my family and friends, so it's all good.

Saturday I spent with my friend, Michele. We had loads of fun -- didn't really DO anything, just putzed around (visited a bookstore OF COURSE), had lunch and talked. A lot. The time flew by and I had a great time. I don't get to get away from my kidlet and dog very often, so it was nice.

We took two pictures, but one of us is blurry in each, lol... I need to have Judy Photoshop it (take the non-blurry one out and copy it over). Here's the good one of Michele, with me blurry. *G*



Sunday was our Fun With Agility match at the place we go for dog agility classes. It was, as always, a crazy day. Lots of dogs, lots of people. DD was signed up to run three dogs: Dakota, Missy (the instructor's dog) and Kenzie (for a lady who was away). She ended up running those three AND running the last run for "Big Max", the mastiff.

With one exception (that I'll get to in a minute) she did great. She won best overall time with Missy, "Team Dakota" won (there are three teams, each comprised of equal numbers of advanced, intermediate and beginning dogs), Dakota won her "class" and Kenzie won his. I filmed all the runs, but my camera films in HD, so every video takes about 20 - 25 minutes to upload. Since yesterday, I've only managed to upload seven, and I have EIGHTY-SEVEN to do. It'll be a while.

The exception, noted above, was in the run-off round. The top four dogs in each class have a run-off to be the winner (that's what Dakota won). DD was running Dakota and Missy (she's a Papillion -- a very small dog who weighs about ten pounds). Everything was fine until the went up the dog walk ... about halfway across, Missy fell off. The walk is about 4' high -- a lot drop for a little dog. Thankfully, one of the ladies running a dog yesterday is a vet and checked her out. She was stunned, for certain (though still managed to find DD and sit at her feet, waiting for a treat!) and limping a bit, but apparently okay otherwise.

DD, OTOH, was devastated. She held it together on the course, and while the vet checked out Missy, but when she walked off she came over, crawled into my lap (a neat trick when I was in a portable camping chair and she's almost as big as me) and cried. Then, last night before bed, she said, "I'm sorry I made Missy fall." and cried again.

I assured her it wasn't her fault (and it wasn't -- I was filming it, so was able to go back and see what happened. Missy just stepped wrong and half a paw hit the edge, unbalancing her.), and that the instructor wasn't going to hate her, and that Missy would be fine. But it's going to be awhile before she gets past this.

So, now we start a new week. DH is off, and the week that was *supposed* to be gorgeous, weather-wise, has changed to pretty much rain of some kind every day. Next week, too. I swear, my garden is going to rot -- nevermind having some rain to get it all set in. And DH will be at loose ends. He'd planned numerous fishing trips, but now he can't go. It's going to be an interesting week...

Hope you all had a great weekend!

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You Are Kind

You value deep, authentic relationships. You're not big on small talk. You hold yourself to high standards. You demand near perfection of yourself. You are idealistic, and you don't really care if your ideals are unrealistic. You are sensitive and compassionate. So many things touch your heart.

The Rescue Dog Test

About half right.

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Craft Show!

My husband gave me a necklace. It's fake. I requested fake. Maybe I'm paranoid, but in this day and age, I don't want something around my neck that's worth more than my head. ~Rita Rudner

I officially signed DD up for a small craft show a local church is sponsoring. It's on June 11th and I'm in a bit of a panic -- I've never done a craft show before, and never really paid attention to what people (the crafters) DO for a show. Thankfully, one of the ladies I work with at LASR/WC does several shows a year and sent me a list of things I need.

I have none of them and three weeks to figure it out.

*sigh*

I spent some time haunting eBay and found a couple of reasonably priced earring displays. I need a tablecloth (I might either buy a few yards of material or a discount sheet -- is that too cheap? will it reflect on us?). I don't have a sign with her name or logo ... since it looks hand drawn anyway, I might go with poster board and ... draw it. Or ... I'll hit up Vista Print.

I need hanging earring cards, a cash box, a way to track sales (because I'm determined we'll have TONS). DD has been making jewelry like a crazy person, because the 100 items she has in her store aren't enough.

As a side note, if there is anything in her store you were looking at and contemplating buying, now is the time. I'm going to put her store on vacation for the show, and with any luck sell much of what we have.

We're also bringing her supplies, and she'll be able to make earrings to order while you wait. Necklaces and bracelets take too long to do, but earrings are *fairly* quick, except wire-wrapped ones.

I'm nervous as heck. I don't want to mess anything up.

Click on the button below to take a look at her store if you want to shop before it's gone:



BTW, yes -- it's still raining here.

I'm going to have a crazy weekend, though. Tomorrow, my friend Michele is going to be up from Massachusetts and we'll get to hang out most of the day. Then, on Sunday we have an agility competition. DD will be running three dogs: Dakota, the instructor's dog, Missy (a Papillion), and Kenzie (a French bulldog / terrier mix). I'll be videoing the whole thing and will put it up on our agility class's YouTube channel. I expect to be exhausted on Sunday night...

Any big plans for you this weekend?

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You Should Visit Big Ben

You are orderly and focused. You get things done quickly and efficiently. Whenever possible, you like to be in control. You are good at running things. You like to be in command. You find the leader role to be very comfortable. You are a hyperactive and impatient person. Once you get the gist of something, you're ready to move on.

What Landmark Should You Visit?

Um ... yeah -- that's about right. LOL...

Rain

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

I really only have one thing on my mind:



When I did a search for "It's Raining Again" -- THIS came up, too (and made me laugh), so I had to share:



Who remembers THAT song? *G*

I think it may stop raining eventually ... so, THIS should be my next theme song:



I'm fairly sure I have webbed feet. And the dog is going just a little (okay a LOT) crazy from not being able to get outside and get her wiggles out.

I'm going a little crazy, too. When I don't some sunshine, I get really, REALLY low. I checked the forecast, and this is what they say:



Geez... even the days with a sun on them don't sound THAT great. But, I'll take what I can get.

I shouldn't complain -- we aren't being flooded out of our house. There are no tornadoes or other natural disasters. Truly, we're very lucky and blessed. But I really would like just a teeny bit of sun.

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You Are Intense

Your passion fuels you. Your fire for everything and everyone burns brightly. You are protective of those closest to you. You do the worrying for other people. You are direct and to the point. You move quickly, and you don't like to waste time. You are a very inspiring person. You show others that dreams can come true.

The Petit Dessert Test

That's pretty much right.

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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.

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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.

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Characters Make the Book

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy. ~Edward P. Morgan

It's amazing sometimes at how different people are. I know, that should be obvious, but it's never more obvious to me than when various people comment on books.

As I've been working through the suggestions given to me on "Now and Forever", one CP has mentioned something things (little things, really, but they clearly stood out to her) that have struck her as odd. Mostly, she questions my hero's behavior in places -- says he's acting far too immature for his age.

I'd never even considered that. Either I hung out with guys who acted immature for their ages or she hung out with guys who acted older than their years. My thought, though, is that my guy should probably fall somewhere in between. So, I've taken her advice on some parts, but not on others, and it will be interesting to see what readers have to say (assuming this story ever sees the light of day).

I recently read a book where I felt the heroine was too perfect. She never got ruffled, never got angry, never got scared; she was always calm, level-headed and reasonable which was ridiculous considering the situation she was in (this was a romantic suspense book). I didn't like her. Ironically, it was those very traits the hero found attractive. Still, it really bugged me ... and when I looked at reviews after I finished, I discovered that more than half the folks who'd read the story felt the same.

Clearly, the author didn't go out of her way to make her heroine a person no one would like. I have to admit to being surprised that no one in her CP group or her editor mentioned it (though, I suppose they might have and she ignored them -- she's a very popular author, so might be able to get away with something like that).

No real point to my rambling other than I know we authors try to create protagonists that people like reading about (unless you've created an anti-hero ... but that's an entirely different thing), but it's amazing how badly we fail sometimes without realizing it.

I'm very much a reader of character-driven stories, so if a character doesn't work for me, the story won't work no matter how amazing the plot or writing. I had to finish that book I'd mentioned above, because it was one sent for review, but had I been reading it for pleasure, I might have stopped. I say *might* because I liked the hero and the secondary characters, so that may have made the difference.

And ... I'm done rambling. *G*

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The other day I was so excited because my neighbor mowed his "lawn". I had someone comment that I got excited about strange things... but the fact is, his lawn is primarily weeds, and they spread into OUR lawn if he lets them go to seed. Drives me NUTS.

It's hard to keep a lawn looking like this:



When your neighbor has a lawn looking like this (and actually, this is the nicest part of his lawn because our sprinklers hit it ... you should see the other side of his driveway -- there are these odd weeds that are tall and spiky EVERYWHERE):


I've pulled dandelions four times now, ending up with full buckets every time (and we don't LOOK like we have that many):



It's a good thing I enjoy doing yard work...

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You Are a Round Cut Stone

You have excellent organizational abilities. You can make sense of any mess. You are driven to fulfill your duties. You take every responsibility seriously. You are decisive and resolute. You choose well, even when the choice isn't easy. You are quite disciplined. You exercise self-control in all aspects of your life.

What Stone Cut Are You?

How they got that answer from the questions they asked mystifies me... and, though I don't like round cut stones, the answer is exactly me. Scary.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.
- ROGER S. NICHOLS, PAUL H. WILLIAMS

Yes, it is raining. It rained all day yesterday. And our long range forecast is predicting rain every day but one for the next seven days. Fun time.

Sorry about the prolonged absence, though all of you with Blogger know that the stupid thing was down Thursday and most of Friday. Worse, when they did the "fix" on Friday, it deleted everything done Wednesday night forward. So, even though I *could* have posted on Friday, I had to do massive damage control on the LASR/WC site... all our reviews, our guest blogs, our spotlights -- ALL had to either be recreated or retrieved from draft.

Nope, I was not a happy camper. Which has led me to dusting off a PHP / Java / MySQL computer book and sending myself back to school. We hope to get all the LASR/WC stuff off blogger and onto a dynamic website over the next few months. We're actually planning some pretty massive changes so if I disappear, it's because I not only have to learn an entire computer language (well... three, actually), but also need to reimagine and rebuild the site.

I can't believe I did this on purpose.

However, I did have a wonderful Friday. The weather was GORGEOUS: warm and sunny. And, since there was rain on the forecast until June (that's only a slight exaggeration), I decided to put in my veggie garden.

We planted 24 tomato plants, 21 cucumber plants (yes, I really DO want pickles this year!), 4 butternut squash plants, 3 yellow summer squash plants, 3 eggplants, and uncountable pea and bean seeds. DD already planted carrots and I have my lettuce growing. I forgot to pop in my chard seeds, so I'll do that today.

We ran out of steam on Friday, so didn't put my "weed block" (i.e. newspaper covered with straw or grass clippings -- it all breaks down into compost eventually, but BOY does it do wonders for the weeds) down until Saturday.

Unfortunately, Saturday was cool and overcast and DD and I got eaten alive by mosquitoes.

In any case, the garden is in and happy. The flowers are blooming. I really, really love spring (and summer). I am just not a winter person at all.

Want a tour?

Here's the garden from in front (see the woods? Is it any wonder I have to fight deer?):



And from the side:



My rhubarb is crazy -- I wish you could use it for more, because I always have about ten times what I need, and end up throwing it away:



DD's little garden:


I swear, there are plants there! Here's my squash plant -- you can see my super professional weed block:



DD took a tour around the flower garden, too... here's a sample:

English daisies:



Our peach tree:


Wild blooming dogwood:


Rhododendron:


Bleeding Heart:


Mountain Laurel (from our woods):


Grape Hyacinth:


Creeping Phlox:


There are tons more flowers -- I love flowers -- but I won't bore you :-)

How was your weekend?

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You Are Dominant

You like to put yourself to the test. You don't feel alive unless you feel challenged. People usually totally love you or totally hate you. You are extremely intense. You are a little demanding. You know what you want, and you're not about to settle. You have a very strong personality. You don't tone it down for anyone.

The New Hair Color Test

As a funny ... that's actually not a "new" hair color -- it's what I have now. I didn't like the others (if they'd had a real auburn, I'd have chosen it -- but that "purple" auburn is ugly). AND... this is really pretty much true... guess I have the right hair color for me?

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The X Factor

Books are delightful society. If you go into a room and find it full of books - even without taking them from the shelves they seem to speak to you, to bid you welcome. ~William Ewart Gladstone

What "grabs" you about a book? What makes a book the kind of story you can't put down? Can't stop thinking about when you have to close it?

That's something that I've been wondering about for myself lately. I've been trying, and failing, to find new books that interest me. I've picked up dozens, opened and started to read only to lose interest quickly and put them away. One I tried is by an author I usually love and I know why I stopped reading this one: the story starts with the H/H in love and then the hero discovers that the heroine has lied to him about something.

I know they're going to find their way back to trusting each other again, but that isn't the point. Oddly, I wouldn't mind having them at odds in the beginning if they weren't ALREADY in love. It's the destruction of their relationship I can't stand to watch. I'm not sure what to do about this book because it's part of a series, and I feel as though I need to read it. I guess I'll just have to wait until I can handle the sadness I'll feel.

But the other books? I'm not sure why I haven't been able to read them. It's been discouraging, and I finally started hitting my 'keeper' shelf instead.

Yesterday, though, I got an ARC for the LASR site. I usually pass them on to my reviewers, but this was from a very well known author I've never read before, and the review is actually due ASAP, so I thought I'd give it a try. I wasn't that hopeful, to be honest, since I'm apparently in a reading slump, but I figured it wouldn't cost anything if I hated it.

I didn't. I loved it. I didn't want to stop reading even when I was completely exhausted. I'm not sure what grabbed me, though. It didn't start with a huge bang, though it is a suspense book. But whatever it was... I wish I could bottle it.

I'm not teasing you when I say I can't tell you what book it is -- since I'm going to review it for the site, and I HAVE to stay anonymous, I can't share. But assuming the book continues as it starts, I know now why the author is so popular.

What do YOU think gives a book that "X" Factor? What pulls it from just okay to amazing?

What books can you recommend to me that you think have that? Because I'd sure love to populate my Nook with some great books.

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You Get Your Point Across by Thinking

To the outside world, you seem to move at a snail's pace. You contemplate everything. You are detail oriented, and you take things one step at a time. You are very accurate. You tend to formulate ideas and make decisions alone. Once you're done, you're ready to talk to others. You work best alone and at your own pace. You have a quiet and low key way about you.

How Do You Get Your Point Across?

About 75% right.

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