Muse is Back!

Currently Reading: Speak to the Winds, by Ruth Moore and Best Friends, by Martha Moody. Finished Show Biz last night.
E-book: Most likely Kaenar Langford's book, Lucifer's Angel. If I change my mind, I'll post it.

I don't know if it was just the fact the story needed to 'gel' a little more in my head, or if having to concentrate on other things for a few days recharged my batteries. Whatever it was, my imaginary friends are not only talking to each other, they are finally letting me write down the conversation! So far I've written nearly 3 pages. I know, not a lot, but it just so happens this is the day I decided to get my butt in gear and finish the laundry, separate the 14 pounds of meat in my fridge before it spoiled, and make a pitcher of iced tea before the mad rush of dinner. Oh, and crack out the ice cubes.

What's the big deal with the ice and tea? We have no ice maker and the kids are forever picking individual cubes from the trays instead of dumping the entire tray into the bucket I've provided for that purpose. I don't like finding empty ice trays or an empty bucket in my freezer! And for the past week, my tea pitcher has gone dry right around dinnertime. I dislike milk; the water in this town is horrible; and I'm not a juice drinker. And my occasional alcohol intake brings unwanted comments, so I don't indulge that often. So I've decided to just start making a pitcher of tea every morning so we'll always have a supply.

Yesterday was one of those insanely busy days. Hubbby had a post-operative eye appaointment that was only supposed to last maybe thirty minutes. It took 90. I was supposed to take the dog to the toddler's classroom at 10 am; due to the delay, we arrived twenty minutes late. But the kids enjoyed seeing Lucky, and she happily rolled over on her back and submitted to a fifteen minute lovefest from 3, 4, and 5 year-olds. When it was time to leave, my toddler wanted to leave too, and was none too happy when I had the audacity to leave him there for lunch. But when I picked him up, we took him to Pizza Hut and while his father and I ate pizza (and a huge bowl of broccoli-chedder soup...YUM!), he snacked on the dessert pizza and chattered on about his day.

Went to the store for a few items and kept an eye on the time: My father was due to arrive anytime after 2 pm. As luck would have it, he was waiting for us on the porch, having gotten an earlier start than expected. He brought in his old computer he no longer needs, and is very graciously donating it to the kids. He also brought a printer and a fax machine...don't know yet where we will put it!

I then proceeded to make cupcakes; my aunt's birthday was yesterday. Had them iced and ready around 4. We went out to the nursing home and sang Happy Birthday to her, passed around cupcakes, and kissed her goodbye before going down to the MIL's room. Visited with her for an hour, and returned home. Had planned tacos for dinner, only we had forgotten the lettuce, so hubby told oldest son and myself to go get it. K insisted on showing me something in the electronics section, and by the time we'd retrieved the bag of lettuce shreds, the storm had arrived. The lights flickered; thunder rolled; torrential rain and hail could be heard pounding on the roof. Being the sweet, kind, mommy that I am, I informed the 16-year-old that he could go get the van while I finished paying.

The temperature plummeted 20 degrees in that half hour we were in the store. Thank god he and I had both worn coats! And since we knew there was a good chance the rain was going to turn to ice, I had him pull into the CVS store so I could buy a gallon of milk for under $3. Yes, I bought two.

And this morning, both kids were very disappointed when there were no school delays or closings! The car was frozen shut, but not the van, so hubby was able to get our daughter to school. K stayed home; his throat was extremely sore.

Blame me for sending him out into the hail storm...but as I write this, he's only missed two days of school and is feeling much better. And I'm thrilled hubby can see well enough to drive again!

And we're supposed to have another ice storm tomorrow night...I hope we don't lose power; it's Celebrity Apprentice night. Which reminds me...I still haven't watched last week's episode yet. Might have to do that tonight.

Ms Cook's 'Honeysuckle' and Ms Green's 'Mystic Circle' are released today, from Ellora's Cave! They're both on my TBB list, and I can't wait to read both of them. Details on www.annycook.blogspot.com and www.bronwyngreenblog.blogspot.com Or, just follow the links to the right...