Wiki, Wiki, Woo, Woo

And Happy Birthday to me. Today I'm 45 y.o. -- yeppers ... I'm edging closer to fifty than forty. How'd that happen?

There's an old blog challenge somewhere that has you go to Wikipedia and look up your birthday (without the year). List three fun facts, two birthdays, and one death on your blog.

Here's mine:

Fun Facts:

1963 - The Whisky A Go-Go night club in Los Angeles, the first disco in the USA, is opened. (And life as we know it will never be the same)

1964 – Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Luther Terry, M.D., publishes a landmark report saying that smoking may be hazardous to health, sparking nation- and worldwide anti-smoking efforts.

1919 - Romania annexes Transylvania. (Guess they wanted in on the "Dracula" Tourism money?)

Births:

1961 - Jasper Fforde, British author (Now I want to have as many published books as he does - it's only fair!)

1963 - Dean Reynolds, English snooker player (Just cuz "snooker" sounded interesting)

Deaths:

1055 - Constantine IX Monomachos, Byzantine Emperor (Nobody really fun died on my birthday... I suppose that's a good thing)

And some birthday quizzes:

Your Birthday Predicts You're Sensitive

Ever since you were born, you've always been able to cooperate. You enjoy supporting and being inspired by others. You appreciate the dynamic of a group. Getting along with others is essential to you. You are both fair and well mannered. You are very intuitive and easily effected by other people. Sometimes you are too delicate.

What Does Your Birthday Predict About You?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... no.

Your Birthday is Tan

You are the blunt type. You give it to people straight, whether they want to hear it or not. You are a bit self centered at times. You put your own interests first, but you'd argue that everyone does that. While you love to be flattered, you're pretty good at flattering other people back. You can make anyone smile or laugh. You have a talent for saying the right thing at the right time.

What Color Is Your Birthday?

That's about half right ... wonder if I can get one that's ALL right?

Your Birthday's Wisdom is Individuality

Life has required you to go your own way and do your own thing. You've been taught to rely on yourself. You don't feel comfortable relying on others. You are highly motivated and aggressive. You have no problem getting things done and getting what you want. You feel like you have to look out for yourself, because no one else is.

What's Your Birthday's Wisdom?

HA... that's pretty much right on.

In any case, for my birthday Mother Nature is bringing in a disgusting, nasty wintry mix: snow, sleet, freezing rain .... up to 6" of yuck is expected. Yay.

I think that calls for cake.

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

Weekend Weather, Woes and WingDings

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart. ~Author Unknown

So ... we had an eventful weekend (there is an ancient curse: "May you live in interesting times." ... someone must have chanted that over us).

It snowed here on Saturday. SNOWED. A lot. We got a couple inches accumulation through the day. But then, nearing evening, it warmed and turned to rain. But morning, the snow was gone and it was WARM. Really warm. Warm enough to open the house. We had a good 20 degree change in the temps. Spring in New England is so weird...

Friday, DH went to play hockey like always -- I've always wished him well by telling him not to do all the things he's done before: "Have fun. Don't take a skate blade to the face or a puck anywhere." He has a scar on his chin from a blade slice that required 6 stitches and took a puck in the ankle about six months ago -- which doesn't sound THAT bad until you realize that a solid, hard object traveling upwards of 60+ MPH hit him. He could barely walk for a week and didn't play hockey for almost a month. Now I have something else to add...

Friday night, I went to bed (he plays until the wee hours occasionally) and fell asleep. Next thing I know, the bedroom door opens. I sit up, see no one. Then I hear DH's voice, "Don't we have crutches?" I adjust my gaze downward and there he is on the floor.

Seems he'd been skating full speed down the ice, was approaching the boards and went to do a "hockey stop" -- where you cock your skates to the side a bit. He's done it fine thousands of times, but for whatever reason, this time his feet went out from under him and he slammed, foot-first, into the boards. Going ... what? 30 MPH? More?

:::shakes head:::

Yes, he drove himself home. Yes, he crawled up the stairs. No, he hasn't gone to the doctor (and he's too big for me to force). We *think* it's badly sprained. He can walk on it ... sort of. He can move it up and down, but not side-to-side and wiggle his toes. It's badly swollen, but not bruised (except for lines of bruising down the base of his foot... I wonder if that's from his skate?).

Made for a fun, fun weekend.

DD turned twelve on Sunday -- I told her the whole world was celebrating her birthday. *G*

Except for having a grouchy, injured father around she had a good time. I got her two model horses, and she also got a Michaels GC, some clothes, a watch, notecards with a seal and sealing wax (she LOVED this!) and, of course, some cold, hard cash.

We went to the in-laws for Easter and she got to play with her cousins, which she LOVED. All in all, a good day for her.

I can't believe she's TWELVE.

And, as proof that spring is finally here:


Yes, I painted my toenails. *G*

How was your weekend?

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

You Are a Green Peep

You have a restless spirit, and it keeps you curious about the world. Everything is up in the air for you. You just go where the wind takes you. You see things how they are, and luckily, things are pretty great. You are an optimistic realist. You need to understand what's going on with someone before you can truly empathize with them.

What Color Peep Are You?

Peeps are just nasty ... :::shudders::: ... but this quiz is pretty close to right.

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

Monday, Monday...

A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows. ~Doug Larson

Yesterday turned out to be a very nice day -- a surprise, really, because the weather forecast had called for overcast and rain.

DH decided to go fishing, and DD went with him, so I had some alone time -- not a ton, because they left late and came home early, but I'll take what I can get.

I relaxed a little ... took the dog for a nice walk, pulled dandelions (an ENTIRE big bucketful AGAIN, and that's not all of them! -- this tool is a miracle, though), did some other weeding (yes, I find weeding relaxing). My neighbor came by with her dog, so that was nice for both Dakota and I.

I did some writing (my heroine has a regular menagerie of animals... who knew?), and managed to get *sort of* caught up on my crit group (speaking of which, we could REALLY use one more active member ... anyone out there looking for a good, serious but fun crit group? If so, email me at authormariannearkins AT gmail DOT com).

The only black mark this weekend is this: my business partner, Judy, went away on Thursday expecting to have internet available. Much to our mutual dismay, this was not the case. So, I've been doing double duty at LASR/WC/Goddess Fish and will all that's going on (including a BUNCH of virtual tours) it's been a little crazy. I think she gets back today. Thank heavens.

Anyway, today DD takes off school and we officially celebrate her birthday. We were going to go see "How To Train Your Dragon" in IMAX, but it's school vacation this week, and I couldn't face all the kids sure to be there. I promised her a trip to the movies next week. Instead, we're heading to the mall to walk around (DD is learning the fine art of window shopping), she wants a new paint-by-number, then to Toys-R-Us for her pogo stick, and then we'll head to lunch for some seafood (she's craving shrimp) and then to the library to get a movie.

I'm tired just thinking of it.

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

Your Attention Span is Long

You're attention span is amazingly long. You can concentrate well, and your mind doesn't stray easily. Even if you have a mundane task to complete, you can get it done easily. Because you don't get distracted, you accomplish more than most people. Your self discipline is your greatest strength. You can will yourself to do almost anything. All you have to do is put your mind to it.

How's Your Attention Span?

Yep... pretty much correct.

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

Weddings and Weeding and Writing -- oh my!

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. ~ Martin Luther

Yesterday wiped me out... lol. I went to bed at 8:30 --

DD said, "Mom, it's EARLY."

I said, "I'm old and tired."

She said, "You're not old, you're only 43. You're middle aged." Then she stopped to think for a minute. "No, wait, you ARE over the hill."

Gee, thanks.

I think it was the wedding that wiped me out. There's a lot of family drama involved with the girl who was getting married. She's my niece that lived with us for a little while a couple of years back, and we were very excited for her .... but...

Drama. Most of which DH and I were on the wrong side of (side note: I hate leaving that "of" at the end of my sentence -- it really rubs me wrong, lol. As Winston Churchill said, "...ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.").

So, I was wrung out.

DD had a fun day, though. She had cake for lunch (what? Is that wrong?) and opened her gifts after (she especially loved her earrings that I bought -- she got her first hoops ... tiny, yes, but still HOOPS), and she got to play computer games, which doesn't happen often.

Okay, yes we tilled the garden, too, but she didn't find that all THAT onerous. It was more like a biology lesson. We opened our composter to take out the stuff on the bottom that had composted and found the most massive ant hill I've ever seen. Our composter is about two feet in diameter, and the composted part was at least a foot high, and they'd PACKED that sucker with ants and eggs and larvae.

Sadly, Hurricane Marianne hit and destroyed their home -- I really needed both the new dirt AND the room in the composter -- but not before we watched them for a while. We also discovered that the toads are still hibernating (another reason I carefully use a pitchfork to turn the garden and not a tiller) since we turned up several of those in the dirt as well.

We only got it about half done -- it's full of weeds (which are filling my composter!) and rocks, so it's hard work. But we'll be planting our cold crops in the next week or so AND putting the softer crops outside in their little greenhouses (thanks to a neighbor who consumes quite a bit of milk, I have lots of little greenhouses).

I can't wait. I can almost taste the fresh veggies now.

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

Last night after I crawled into bed, my brain kept thinking about my "Kitchen Matches" sequel and I have the next scene I want to write. My favorite character is not the hero or heroine, though ... it's Gram. I <3 her. She's so much fun to write. She's a little loopy, irreverent and full of love for her granddaughter.

I can't wait to sit and get it on paper.

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

You Are a Lucky Person

You are wild, to the point of being reckless. You often act before you think! You are happiest when you have an obstacle to overcome. You need to be challenged. You work at a pace that is comfortable to you. You can get more done if you don't burn yourself out. You are a quick moving person. You get through things as efficiently as possible, though you occasionally cut corners.

The Swimming Pool Test

Um... 50/50. I'm REALLY not wild and reckless, but much of the rest **might** fit.

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

A Busy Day!

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip. ~Author Unknown

Today is a little jam-packed. First off, and most importantly, it's my DD's ELEVENTH birthday. Sadly we will not be celebrating much today because we also have my niece's wedding right smack in the middle of the day.

Still, DD will get whatever she wants for breakfast, she has a cake, and she'll have gifts to open this morning. I love to buy her little things and wrap them all individually, because small presents drive her crazy. :::cue evil laughter:::

Monday we're planning on having a real celebration, with lunch out and a movie in (we'll get the DVD of her choice and have popcorn and soda) and we'll go pick up her "big" gift -- a pogo stick.

Sometimes DD wishes she was allowed all the "stuff" her friends have: iPods, cell phones, gaming systems, etc., but I really love that she's still being allowed to be a kid -- playing simple games that require her imagination -- like I had to because, yanno our version of the Wii was Pong.

For those of you too young to remember Pong, here's a video showing you how it worked:



And, yes, I had a friend who had it for her TV and we played for HOURS at a time, lol.

In any case, I need to stop now and go bake applesauce coffee cake for breakfast.

Have a great day!

==========

You Are a Tank Top

You are a lively, energetic person. You are often on the move, and it's important for you to dress comfortably. It's likely that you are quite healthy and fit. How else would you look good in a tank top? You are fashionable and stylish. When you wear a tank top, you make sure that it's chic and not trashy. You are bold and courageous. You don't mind showing a little skin every now and then!

What Kind of Shirt Are You?

HAHAHAHAHA.... uh, no.

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

Happy Birthday Breeann

My DD reminded me that today is our cat, Breeann's, SIXTEENTH birthday -- she's quite an old lady!



Happy birthday, Breeann!

One Year Older

Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened. ~Jennifer Yane

In childhood, we yearn to be grown-ups. In old age, we yearn to be kids. It just seems that all would be wonderful if we didn't have to celebrate our birthdays in chronological order. ~Robert Brault

Today is my 43rd birthday.

Forty. Three.

I don't know why, but this year the number is bothering me a bit... 30 didn't bother me, 40 didn't bother me, but 43 seems ... old.

I'm sure I'll get over it soon. After all, how different am I today than yesterday, really? Next year, I'll look back and think, "What was the big deal?"

To celebrate, I'm bringing a stool sample from Dakota to my vet. Yep, that's right, I really know how to party hearty. And Dakota has her annual everything done, too -- exam, shots, the drops in her nose, the works. It could be worse -- my neighbor and birthday buddy, Sue, has to bring her dog in to the vet for an ultrasound to check out a mass behind her eye (and to decide whether or not the eye has to be removed). I'll take a routine vet visit over that. Sue, if you're reading: I'm thinking about you!

My date night with DH was an early celebration (I'm still full from that dinner), and today, DD and I will go out for lunch somewhere (I'm leaning toward Mexican, but haven't decided yet) as well. I think I'm going to buy myself a pair of Crocs for my present (and, no, DH doesn't ever buy me anything -- he just says, "Get whatever you want." Good thing I'm sensible, or things could get a little crazy!).

In any case, that's my day :-)

What do you typically do to celebrate YOUR birthday?

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

You Are a Guru

Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world. You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm. Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche. Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done. Your strength: Your inner peace Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds Your power color: Emerald Your power symbol: Leaf Your power month: November

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Man.... I totally missed my power month. Actually, November is my worst month -- DH takes the entire thing off, and it really messes with my schedule!

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

Happy Birthday Dakota

Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again. ~Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Time really flies...

I remember when we brought you home, all fluffy and small:


You were only 12 weeks old, and so cute!





I documented your growth with a daily photo on the blog because you changed by the minute.

You tried my patience to the point of tears. There were times I was ready to give up and find you a different home. But I never did...

... and then something clicked. And you started to mature and learn and enjoy behaving. Then, we discovered agility, and you truly turned the corner into being a dog we could enjoy.



Happy Second Birthday, Dd (for Dork Dog or Ding Dong Dog or Dumb Dog or Dear Dog ... depending on the moment) -- we can't imagine our lives without you.

The Day After

“Your Birthday is a special day, one that's just for you, a time for doing everything, you have always wanted to do..." - Author Unknown

It was a good day, yesterday. Busy. Fun. Fattening.

Best part? Surprising DD with the ear piercing. We walked into the mall and stopped at the main area (where there just happened to be a Piercing Pagoda).

I said, "What do you want to do first?"

She shrugged.

"How about getting your ears pierced?"

Her eyes got WIDE and she asked if I was joking, and then asked if Daddy would mind.

She was terrified. But she was a trooper. And now she has holes in her ears.



We cruised the mall. We went to Toys R Us and got the Nerf bow she wanted.



We went to Olive Garden, where I pretty much told her she could have anything. We ordered an appetizer: calamari! She asked what it was when she saw the menu. I said, "Squid." At that point, she HAD to try it.

She liked it. Said it was chewy and a little bland.

We had soup, salad and breadsticks. Yum. And then black tie mousse cake for dessert. They sang, she blushed and blew out the candle.

It was good.

Today, she was up early and is gone fishing with her daddy as well as a couple other family members. I made a point of singing to her at 5:37 a.m. Good thing she was already up, or it could have been ugly! *G*

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

You Are a Dreamer

You are primarily concerned with possibilities. You tend to be a fanciful person. All of the world's opportunities sometimes overwhelm you. You are obsessed with ideas and tend to be a big thinker. Theories interest you greatly. You crave intellectual stimulation. You are drawn to a philosophical way of life.

Are You a Dreamer or a Doer?

Mostly right. Judy hates it when I IM her and say, "I was thinking..." -- it makes her shake in her shoes. *G*

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

Writing and Turkeys and Birthdays, oh my!

Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again. ~Menachem Mendel Schneerson

So... those of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook know that I actually managed to write some words on Tuesday. Not very many, but I think they were good words. AND, they helped my solidify my H/H's first (and last) kiss from high school. You know, the one they NEVER TALK ABOUT. Yeah, that one. My poor hero, Zach, is obsessing about it on his drive to my heroine's place.

It felt amazingly good to write. I forget, sometimes, when I'm so busy I can't breathe how much I crave the action of putting words to paper (or letters to laptop screen). It's as though the tension builds in my brain and I have to let some out or run the risk of having my poor head explode.

It was only a few hundred words, but it helped. I need to do that again. I can't figure out how Zach is going to get Syndey to cooperate, so am stuck in that scene right now, but I think I'm going to hop ahead to the scene where Cori, Cori's mother, Syndey and Michah's mother are discussing the upcoming wedding (this story takes place just over a year since "Kitchen Matches"). I'm also considering the bachelor party. Hmmm.... dunno. But this story is going to be one I write out of order, that much is clear. To be honest, I don't care how it's written, so long as it IS written.

How about you? Do you write your stories in order? Or do you write miscellaneous scenes and them sew them together like a patchwork quilt?

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

The wild turkey has visited my feeders every day this week. On Tuesday it stayed for nearly three hours! I think I'm going to buy it some cracked corn today. I'm a little afraid to get too attached: there are two turkey hunting seasons in NH and one of them starts soon.

Still, I think I need a name. I noticed that it has a "beard", and I've researched it and discovered that females don't -- not even little ones. I think he's a young tom, still finding his way in the world. Aside from the name, Tom, anyone have ideas?

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

Today, DD and I are celebrating her birthday. It's a day early, but tomorrow she is going fishing with her dad. We're going to run a few errands and walk the dog first thing so Dd is tired enough not to mind being crated for several hours. Then it's off to the mall.

She doesn't know it, but she's getting her ears pierced. I'd planned on waiting until she was 14 (like I had to wait!), but I really think she's ready and I know she'll remember it forever.

We're also going to Toys-R-Us to get her a bow and arrow set. She's been asking for one forever, and they sent her an ad book with a small set in there. We'll probably hit up AC Moore for some art supplies as well.

We'll browse (she loves to browse... that's my girl) and putter and then it's off to lunch at the Olive Garden.

I'd intended on taking her to a movie, too, but with the dog we can't do the mall and the movie, so we're going to Blockbuster and renting "Bedtime Stories". We'll pop some popcorn and watch it at home. The next best thing for her last day of being nine years-old.

What about you? Do you have any plans today?

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

Today I'm 42

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. ~Author Unknown

A man's age is something impressive, it sums up his life: maturity reached slowly and against many obstacles, illnesses cured, griefs and despairs overcome, and unconscious risks taken; maturity formed through so many desires, hopes, regrets, forgotten things, loves. A man's age represents a fine cargo of experiences and memories. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wartime Writings 1939-1944, translated from French by Norah Purcell

I like announcing my age. I've never understood why folks are hesitant to do so... does NOT telling people make you any younger (or older, for the teenagers who long to be 21)??

I'm proud to be forty-two today. I don't feel forty-two, I'd like to think I don't look forty-two (though, anymore isn't forty the new thirty or something?). I hope that number keeps on rising and doesn't stop until there are three of them up there. And then, I will proclaim that I am one hundred years of age and proud of it.

I celebrated by lazing around this morning like a lazy slug. I went to bed around 9:30, DH woke me at 11:30 when he came in and had to shuffle the dog (she's a snuggler and doesn't like to sleep at our feet, so it's always an ordeal) and then Dd woke me at 1:30 to go out (which is why she sleeps with us, btw -- she doesn't whine to go out, she just... stares. So if she were crated or put out in the living room, I'd have a mess to wake up to), so I took her out and then checked on the wood stove, fed it and curled up on the couch with the dog and the cat. I'd wake periodically, look at the stove and see the glow, and then doze off again. It was good.

Not going to do anything much today, though. It snowed and is still snowing -- the expectation is 6-9" and I won't drive in the white stuff if at all possible. So DD will sing to me, I'll open her gifts and bask in being the birthday girl for the day. Maybe DH will even make dinner.

How do you like to celebrate your birthday? And... do you care if people know how old you are?

As an aside, happy half-birthday to Charity. :-)

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

In 1967 (the year you were born)

Lyndon B. Johnson is president of the US President Johnson and Soviet premiere Aleksei Kosygin agree not to let any crisis push them into war Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first black Supreme Court justice The first home microwave is released by Amana Dave Matthews, Kurt Cobain, Liz Phair, Vin Diesel, Julia Roberts, and Anna Nicole Smith are born St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup Disney's The Jungle Book and The Graduate are the top grossing films One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is published Paul McCartney announces that all four members of the Beatles have "dropped acid" For the first time, Jimi Hendrix sets his guitar on fire during a concert in London Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is released The first issue of Rolling Stone magazine is published The FCC orders that cigarette ads on television, radio and in print must include a warning about the health risks of smoking

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Happy Birthday Mom

My Mom turns 75 today.

Wish I was there.

From last year:



Pretend it's this year, okay?

Random Decisions

Choices are the hinges of destiny. ~Attributed to both Edwin Markham and Pythagoras

Who is Edwin Markam again? I'm going to have to go look... I attended Edwin Markam Junior High, so you'd think I'd know.

Anyway....

Okay... so, I took Judy's suggestion of letting fate choose what I work on. I went to Random.org and put in the four in progress WIPs and for fun, I added the Harlequin American I want to work on this year. It's only in the planning phases, though I have my hero and heroine fairly fleshed out as well as the conflict and how the story begins (in fact, I've written the beginning).

So, I typed them in and hit "randomize" and this is what popped up:

1. HQ American
2. Queen and Assassin
3. Camilla
4. Stiller Creek
5. Playing House

So. Hmmm...

Truth is, I find that terribly interesting. With the exception of wanting to bump Stiller Creek up above Camilla, I rather like the order. I'm going to take the rest of this month to finish my character interviews and do at least 20 scene cards for the HQ American (working title will be The Hammer... don't ask). Then, come April 1st, I intend to give it a NaNo-like intensity. I'll need at least 55,000 words for HQ American. I may allow two months instead of one--so, 1000 words a day--but that's the plan, Stan (and the rest of you).

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

Speaking of Judy, today is her BIRTHDAY!! Woo Hoo!!!! She's only 87 years-old. Doesn't she look great?



I don't know if she plans on posting at her blog today, but y'all might take a second to wish her a happy birthday.



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

Shhh.... don't tell anyone, but I think it might be a halfway decent day here in the NE. Sunny! Warm(ish) -- in the low 40s! NO WIND (I thought we were going to get blown away yesterday). They're calling for snow again on Monday (please, please let it be rain), but I'm going to enjoy today.

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

You Are a Cadbury Creme Egg

You're the type that stole little brother's easter basket so that you could have MORE CANDY!

What Easter Candy Are You?

Actually... I was the baby of the family, so I was the one who had her stuff stolen! Okay, not really... my older sibs were pretty okay. :-)

**YAWN**

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~ Leo J. Burke

Didn't do much yesterday for my birthday (except watch my trailer over and over, LOL). I had a sick puppy again and couldn't leave her alone for any length of time. She was fine in the morning, after being off food for 14 hours, but the moment she started eating again? Oy!

So... for my birthday, I took a "runny" dog outside every fifteen minutes. I also found out that my friend, Michele, has fried her computer modem and will be offline for several days (this is a public service announcement, since many of you who read here also read her blog--don't worry if you don't see a new post for a bit). Also, my DH has a wicked cold and can't sleep. He crawled out of bed about ten last night and laid on the couch so he wouldn't bother me. Of course, the fact that I had a puppy who needed to go out about every 90 minutes was bothersome, too, but at least I got a few cat naps in between. Hopefully today will be better.

I did get some writing done (yay!), but I need to polish up a synopsis for "Kitchen Matches" and get that sent off (yes, I have found a place to submit it that makes me very happy), so this will be a short post.

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

Your Daily Dakota:

"Hey, this is a cool perch to look down upon you, you peons."



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

What Your Name Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Actually, yeah...mostly that's right on except for the "You don't stick with any one thing for very long" bit, because I have pretty amazing "stick-to-it-iveness".

What about you?

It's My Party...

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. ~Chili Davis

So the general consensus is: You like to hear me gab. I can do that! :-)

Look what I found in my inbox today: The Cleaning Hunk (thanks, Judy!). Now, if only I could teleport him here, I'd be all set for my birthday. She also sent me an Amazon.com gift certificate (Judy, you really didn't need to do that...) to help me celebrate (with BOOKS--it doesn't get any better than that). My mom sent me a B&N gift certificate... yep, these are the folks who know me best!

So, today at about 2:00 p.m., I turn 41. Holy tamale, how did THAT happen? Do you ever look in the mirror and think, where'd that old lady come from? I always expect to see the me from 20 years ago. It's the strangest thing.

I won't be doing much today because we're expecting sleet. Is there anything grosser than sleet, weather-wise (I add that qualifier, because I had a sick puppy yesterday with goo coming out both ends, so I know FIRST-HAND that there are things grosser than sleet)? IMHO, if there is precipitation, it should be rain or snow. Period.

In any case, my plans for today are to read, write and nap. Good goals, all, don't you think?

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

So, I sent Judy the first 16,000 words of the fantasy I was working on for NaNoWriMo to see if it has legs. I'm nervous. Will it stink?

And, "Kitchen Matches". Hmmm... I just don't know what to do with this one. I haven't heard back from an editor I emailed regarding proper line placement. Should I look for a home elsewhere? I love this story and, despite the first editor's scathing rejection, I think it deserves its day in the sun. I've changed quite a bit, added quite a bit and am still adding a little each day. We'll see how it goes. I'm trying to be patient.

I'm re-reading "The Possibility of Forever" (formerly "Camilla's Critters" for those of you who've been around since her beginning) and trying to figure out how I want it to end. This is the first novel I've ever written where I didn't have the ending done first. I wonder if that means something? I'd like to get it completed and polished up by mid-March. We'll see how that goes.

And I'm still brainstorming my category novel, working title "The Hammer" (don't ask). I have what I think is a cool conflict set up. Now I just need to get to know my characters a bit better.

That's probably enough to be working on for now, but I still may dust off my mystery "Stiller Creek" and see if I can't get that one done -- I do have the ending written on that one. I just need to get them there.

So many ideas, so little time.

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

Your Daily Dakota (no, I didn't take pictures of poor, sick puppy yesterday):

"What's this?"



"Ooh... snacks!" ((slurp, slurp))



Yep, can't keep her away from the dishwasher, the little brat. **sigh**

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

Next Wednesday, January 16, the Long and the Short Of It's public Yahoo group will be having their very first author chat! Liana Laverentz, winner of the 2007 Golden Leaf Award and finalist in the LASR Best Romance of 2007 award and the EPPIE award. Liana will be interviewed at The Long and the Short of It on Tuesday, January 15th and then will be at the Yahoo group the next day for a Q'n'A session with our members. If you aren't already a member, join up! You don't want to miss this chance. And then think up some questions for Liana and be there next Wednesday to welcome her to the group.

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

Your Birthdate: January 11

Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world. You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm. Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche. Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done. Your strength: Your inner peace Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds Your power color: Emerald Your power symbol: Leaf Your power month: November

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

My strength is my INNER PEACE? ((falls off chair laughing))