Contest Ends Tonight!

Decided to post this early, to give everyone a fair chance!

Double-check your answers, and I'll announce the winner on Monday:)


First clue: How many books do I have, either in progress or published? (Looking for a total)


Which two EC authors signed my guest book on August 1, 2007?


What movie did I write my own ending to at the tender age of 15?


What E-book did I finish on January 11, 2008?


Clue #5: Who is my favorite musician? (Hint: Check MySpace)


Clue #6...How many book in my Arbor University series are completely written? (Been some confusion over this one...)


Last clue...What are my 3 favorite Reality shows?

BONUS: How many books, both electronic and print, have I read since January 1, 2008? (Not counting Claire's and Nicholas and Alexandra...still reading:)

Email me the answers to storimom2@aol.com with 'Contest' in the subject line' for a chance to win either a signed copy of Love Finds a Way or the e-form. Good luck! I hope everyone had fun looking for the answers! Happy Birthday to http://www.mollydaniels.citymax.com/, and thanks to hubby for letting me keep it for another year:)

I Found It!

Currently Reading: I've made it to chapter 17 in Nicholas and Alexandra! Only 317 pages to go...I definitely should have it finished by the end of next week...

E-Book: When I get off of here, I swear I'm starting Claire Thompson's Golden Boy. It's been sitting there, waiting patiently now, for 2 weeks!


Ever have a song pop into your head, but you can only hear part of the lyrics? And then you go looking for the CD, hoping it is in the place you remember seeing it last?

I was doing laundry yesterday when I got the urge to hear "Mama" by Genesis. I raced upstairs, in my quest to find the CD, which wasn't where I thought I had left it, I FOUND Josh Groban! Have I listened to it? No. My head was screaming for Phil Collins. But now I know where Josh is, and if I get the urge to hear 'The Prayer" or just his wonderful voice, I no longer have to go scrolling through my DVR to find him on the Grammys. Oh happy day!

Had a great day yesterday, and today got a surprise...my first royalty check from AuthorHouse! Apparently, they send them out every quarter, no matter how small the amount may be. Which is good...I like checks with my name on them! I'll take them, no matter how what amount they are for! And yes, this one is quite small, but it prompted hubby to quip, "You can have it all; you don't have to share it with me."

Thanks dear. Last time I checked, none of my royalty checks had your name on it. Okay, I'm getting snarky. Sorry. Blame it on hormones. I'll try to be nicer...

Yay! Amanda and Alex got booted last night! Now Matt and Natalie can go...

Not much is going on today. I decided my muse must be vacationing in Arizona, because Dave Price was in Florida this morning, and it was only in the 20's?? With a high expected of 50...my muse prefers temps in the 60-90 range, so I bet she went to Phoenix. Which, by the way, is where Dave will be tomorrow...who's Dave? The morning weatherman on CBS.

Last clue...What are my 3 favorite reality shows? (Hint: I just mentioned one of them...)

Collect all seven answers and email them to me by Saturday, March 1st at storimom2@aol.com I'll repost the questions tomorrow, in case anyone got a late start.

I think I'll quit stalling and read Claire's e-book. Stay warm! And if you see my muse, please tell her to get her butt back here...I need her!

Six Words...

Saw this on the morning news yesterday. Sum up your life story in six words.

Mine is Wife, Mother, Author. Work in Progress.

What's yours?

Brynn's interviewing me this morning on http://www.brynnpaulin.blogspot.com/ Stop by and say hi!

Clue #6...How many book in my Arbor University series are completed?

Want a free copy of Love Finds a Way? Collect all the answers and email them to me at storimom2@aol.com on Saturday. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

My kids had an hour delay today due to snow. Stay warm all! And welcome Mona Risk! She's joined blogger! Stop by her site and say hi http://www.monarisk.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Happenings

Currently Reading: Finally finished Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. Loved it! Had an unexpected ending which had me in tears...Now I can concentrate on Nicholas and Alexandra. Am still on chapter 3. I've been writing, not reading, for a change today!


I went to scrapbooking yesterday, and was successful in unloading the first of six sets of pictures into my new photo album! And I've already labelled two more. I just wish I'd learn to jot down on the calendar when I actually took the photos...when we had the huge rain storm last summer, and I snapped all those pictures of my toddler playing in the rain...sure, I remember that day. But was in August or early September? Okay....scramble to line them up with the index photo...it was before the Labor Day cookout, so that narrows it down a bit...

And it would also help if I would get them downloaded and printed out sooner than every six months...Remember when digital cameras first came out, and the ad showed a kid hovering between the diving board and the water? I had a naked toddler in the rain...a kid with her hand in a bowl of hamburger....and a son with a bite of birthday cake halfway in his mouth! No more...all is well and downloaded on CD. And I have a clear memory card again...wonder what I'll take pictures of next!

Watched Big Brother Sunday. I'm hoping a certain person gets voted out on Thursday...but saw a teaser for tonight's episode, and it looks as if there's a medical emergency. Will tune in and find out.

The good news of today? Actually, I have 2...1) One of my single friends called and she finally has a bedroom set. After sleeping on either her couch or a sleeping bag, she's finally bought a bed. And I'm invited to her parent's house on her birthday...apparently her dad has a killer homemade pizza recipe!

2) Spent an hour working on my latest WIP, until my other half decided we were going to take the kids shopping. They got out early for Teacher's Inservice, so we ventured out into the cold. Two hours and 3 stores later, my oldest has a sweatshirt; my daughter, new jeans; toddler, Cars outfit; me, food; dog, food; hubby, nosebleed. No, nobody hit him! Came home and I hope I don't have to go out again until the wind dies down! It was supposed to get to nearly 40; it was still 31 when we headed home. And flurries...but so far nothing is sticking!

Clue #5: Who is my favorite musician? (Hint: Check MySpace)

I've got dinner in the slowcooker, so I can keep working and it will be easy clean-up for whoever's got KP duty tonight. Stay warm:)

Remember, collect all the answers and email me on Saturday at storimom2@aol.com with the answers. Winner gets a free copy of Love Finds a Way!

Oscar Buzz...and the Next Clue

Still Reading: Same books; Nicholas and Alexandra (still on ch. 3) and My Sister's Keeper (last section?) this one's good! I should have it finished by later today.

E-book: Haven't started Claire's yet, but my friends Dakota Rebel and Barbara Huffert have a new one out through Total-E-Bound; they're part of the Bound Brits anthology. Go check it out; http://www.totalebound.com/ (I hope that's the right addy...if not, go to http://www.vampsmut.blogspot.com/ and link to it on Dakota's site. She's on a roll; Sweet Dreams two weeks ago; this one today; and Hello sometime next month. Is there no stopping her? As if we'd even want to...)


I discovered something last night. We don't get the ABC network. Therefore...I had to wait until this morning to find out who won.

I was thrilled to see Ratatouille won for Best Animated Picture, and that the woman who wrote Juno won for Best Screenplay. But the rest, I just didn't care about. Although, I would have like to have seen Best Director go the the guy who is now following in his father footsteps as a director and is a first-time nominee (Saw this story on CBS Sunday Morning a few weeks back, and can't remember the director's name...I think the movie was Juno). And I was sort of hoping Johnny Depp would win for Sweeney Todd, since many of my friends loved the movie.

Why did I really not care? Because the last movie I saw in a theatre was Harry Potter, and when I DVR something, I skip commercials, including movie trailers, unless something reaches out and grabs my attention.

I would like to see Sweeney Todd, and I'm interested in seeing Juno, but the rest of them...unless a member of my family happens to rent it, or it shows up on network TV, I'm not likely to see any of the films honored last night. Except Disney's...I always buy the Disney DVDs!

Contrast this with my enthusiasm four years ago, when I went into labor with my caboose. My water broke at 10:30 pm; Best Picture award was still quite aways off, but when we finally arrived at the hospital, I had two things on my mind: Turn on the TV so I could see if Lord of the Rings 3 had won yet, and 2) Don't let this child be born until after midnight! It was February 29th, and I had no desire to have a Leap Year baby.

Yes, LOTR did win, and yes, I was only dialated at 5cm, so not only did I get an epidural for the first time, baby boy arrived at 3:29 am on March 1st. We only had to push for 29 minutes, beating his sister's push time of 30. And as his older brother arrived at 3:41 am twelve years and three months earlier, he won the clock race as well.

Why did I mention the last part? Sommer's having a tiny contest on her blog http://www.smutgirl.blogspot.com about sleep deprivation. One of mine relates to that story. And remember the hoopla on this blog, concerning Kelly's upcoming release? Apparently the critics agree with me (or bought into the hype, anyway, LOL) and Kelly's posted her first official glowing review on http://www.kkirch.blogspot.com/. And whoo hoo! AJ's flogged my contest and asking about what readers want in romance novels on http://www.amarindajones.blogspot.com/.

Okay...clue #4...

What E-book did I finish on January 11, 2008?

Collect the answers and email them to me at storimom2@aol.com by the weekend. Winner will be announced next Monday!

Clue #3

Not much is going on today. The snow is slowly melting; oldest teen is recovering from his hives; daughter has a sinus infection.

I'm finishing up my laundry duties and will have to go grocery shopping in a little while.

Clue #3...

What movie did I write my own ending to at the tender age of 15?

Remember, all the clues can be found on this blog, my website www.mollydaniels.citymax.com or my MySpace page. Collect the clues and email them to me at storimom2@aol.com by next weekend.

Stay warm! Kelly's got a hilarious cartoon on her blog www.kkirch.blogspot.com and AJ's talking about recycling plastic bags www.amarindajones.blogspot.com Stop by any and all sites to the right and tell them I sent you:)

Busy Day Ahead...and Clue #2

Currently Reading: Just finished Djinni and the Geek last night, before the disaster occurred. I whole-heartedly recommend this book! It will keep you scrolling; you'll laugh; you'll be cheering for the characters! This was my first Cindy Spencer Pape book; I'll be reading more!

Still reading Nicholas andAlexandra; My Sister's Keeper.

E-Book: Next in line is a pair from ClaireThompson, Golden Boy and Golden Man. Will probably not get to the first one until tomorrow.


Had a minor problem happen yesterday. The toddler took a 3 hour nap on my bed, and he's not completely potty-trained.

So what was the problem, other than the obvious? I was settled in, doing double-duty on two different chat sites. I was promoting on one and alternately lurking and commenting on another. For whatever reason, I'm the only one who knows how to change the sheets on the bed.

I know; bizzarre. But when I first discovered said problem, I didn't think it went all the way to the mattress when I checked, stripped off the top quilt, and hurriedly returned to the computer.

And then I tried to go to bed.

Correction: HUBBY tried to go to bed. Guess whose side was less than desirable?

And guess who ended up remaking the bed?

So while I'm sleepily tossing things down the laundry chute, he sat on his butt and griped about normal bodily functions of toddlers. Go figure.

And since the majority of our blankets are in storage, due to lack of space in our home, hubby and I ended up playing tug-of-war with the blankets. And if this morning was any indication, he won.

So today its more Laundry Goddess duties, if I want to be warmer tonight! And note to self: Do not let toddler nap for more than two hours on my bed without a nighttime diaper...

Had a great time on both chats! Got to read a sneak peek at two books Anny's got coming out, as well as Cindy, AJ, and Mary:)

Okay...here's clue #2....

Which two EC authors signed my guest book on August 1, 2007?

Remember, collect all seven answers and email them to me at storimom2@aol.com by next weekend to win a copy of Love Finds a Way. Good luck!

Contest!

Currently Reading: Nicholas and Alexandra, by Robert K Massie. I'm up to chapter 3. I'm also reading My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. I'm on part 2...the chapters are broken into sections, day by day, starting on Monday. I'm on the 2nd chapter on Tuesday, if this makes any sense.

E-Book: Djinni and the Geek, by Cindy Spencer Pape. Holy cow...I had to force myself to stop reading! I figured, read a chapter or two, go hit the shower and come back later. I was on the 1st page of chapter 4 when I realized if I didn't stop, I was going to severely piss off everyone who wanted the computer! So if I find a lull in the computer usage this afternoon, I'll read some more. So far, I'm lovin' it!

I'm posting this earlier than usual, because 1) we were hit with an ice-sleet-snow mix last night and the kids have no school, so my computer time will be limited this afternoon and 2) I'm going to be lurking at the Ellora's Cave chat tonight and maybe even putting in my 2 cent's worth at whatever AJ, Anny, and whoever else shows up tonight has to say. Plus, being sick for the past week has thrown my family into a tizzy, as clothing hasn't been washed on a regular basis, and people are running out of socks. Not my toddler...remember I bought him 10 new pairs? So far he's been able to avoid wearing them. Score 1 for the toddler who's finally kept the same pair on his feet all day; score 0 for the dryer gnomes who eat them....

My website turns 1 year old this coming week, so I thought I'd honor it by having a scavenger hunt. Blame Anny for this...I got the idea from her, plus the various contests I've tried unsuccessfully to win. I can't play my own game, but I can certainly send you on a merry chase!

So here's the rules: Every day, I'll post a question. The answer can be found on either my website, http://www.mollydaniels.citymax.com/ or this blog, or my Myspace page. All links are to the right. The contest will start today and run through Friday, Feb 29. I'll repost the clues on Friday; collect the answers and send them to storimom2@aol.com with 'Website Contest' in the subject line. I'll throw all the names in a hat and pick a winner.

Wanna know what you're playing for? Of course you do...Free copy of Love Finds a Way, either download or the actual, signed, paperback. Or, if they already own the book, I'll send Love is Sober.

First clue: How many books do I have, either in progress or published? (Looking for a total)

That's it for today. Time to get busy and let the kids take over the internet.

Forgot to mention: I'm also going to be popping in and out over at the Novel Sisterhood tonight, for Member Promotion Madness. I'll be posting a few excerpts, but mostly reading this time...I promoted like mad last month!

Update

Currently reading: Just finished Phil Donahue's autobiography (1980) and am starting Nicholas and Alexandra, a thick, 613-page book of which the last 100 are footnotes. The actual book part is 532.

E-Book: Am on chapter 6 of Cherished Destinies and have chomping at the bit to get back to it!


Not to panic; it was an allergic reaction to something in the basement. Tuesday night, his hands were itching uncontrollably and starting to swell. He lotioned them and went to bed, only to wake up with the itching spread to his feet and legs. Found some anti-itch medicine and slathered him with it. Kept him home from school for an hour, to try to get him in to see the doctor, but our new doctor doesn't have office hours on Wednesday just like our Indy doctor. K said the itching was under control, so he went to school.

He came home, went to the basement and played PS2 and watched a show he had DVR'd. Came up at 5:30, complaining that the itch was back, and now a rash was all over his hands and face. Further quizzing showed that his younger brother had taken upon himself to Febreeze everything in the basement.

So I went digging through the medicine cabinet and called my nurse-mother. Hubby went to the store for some hydrocortizone; I had the child take 2 Benadryl capsules. After smearing the h-cream all over the itchy rash, he took a short nap, inhaled his dinner, and was fine the rest of the evening.

Daughter went downstairs and vacuumed the furniture, floor, and discovered her older brother had been wrapped in the sleeping bag and curled around a pillow. Today, my job has been to wash said sleeping bag and pillow.

K has been tolerant of some good-natured ribbing about anything his new girlfriend wears. In short, he's not allergic to her; not allergic to holding her hand, and has not, to the amusement of a hearing-impaired grandmother, been holding her 'stretch bra' (he said stress ball)! I laughed and said if that's what he'd been holding, then the rash serves him right, ha ha! I then informed my mother that if he had said what she thought she heard, I would not have been so calm and matter-of-fact!

So that's where we stand currently. He has an appointment today at 12:30, and will meet one of us at the doctor's office. I'll post the final dignosis later today.

Thanks for the prayers and well-wishes, everyone! And for the record, I'm feeling a whole lot better than I have the past week!

Update: The dr is putting him an a 12-day steroid pack. If it continues, then we go see him again. But hopefully this will fix the problem!

Family Crisis

I've got a sick kid who is suddenly breaking out in an itchy rash all over his body.

And of course, its after doctor's hours!

More later.

Female Bonding

Currently Reading: Good Little Wives, by Abby Drake. What if... was interesting. You get to choose the outcome of the story, and see if you're making wise decisions! I hope B liked it as much as I did...

E-Book: Cherished Destinies. I still haven't started it...maybe in a few minutes. I just woke up from a sudafed-induced nap, so if I feel up to it, maybe I'll indulge.


My daughter and I swapped hair color last night.

I suggested that we simply swap scalps, but she protested, "But that would give me gray hair!"

I don't see a problem...

But since that wasn't an option, I signed the release and her wonderful, butter-yellow hair (the color I once had myself 16 years ago, before kids!) has been dyed a wonderful reddish brown.

Me? I got highlights, and am now back to a somewhat respectable blonde. Hubby hates it. I like it, and that's all that matters.

But three hours in the beauty parlor gave me an opportunity I've not had for a while. I was able to laugh and joke with my moody teenager.

She laughed and said I looked like Einstein when the hair had been pulled through the cap. I looked at her head being painted with a paintbrush and said she looked like she'd been dipped headfirst in chocolate.

Then when it was my turn to be painted purple, we joked about the alien toy in 'Small Soldiers', who I was now resembling. We cracked up both our stylists with our good-natured ribbing.

And being the good daughter she is, she brought up the booksigning while I was getting combed out. So I have two potential new readers, and they may even show up at the local signing on April 5th. And yes, I actually had my business cards in my back pocket!

When it was her turn to be combed out, I sighed. That beautiful blonde hair was replaced by the color of her best friend's hair...proof that teenagers want to be individuals, but they all look alike!

At least I should be happy my daughter doesn't want to follow the fashion trends; only the hair ones!

And hubby? It took only one statement as to why I approved this: "You let our oldest son get a mohawk two years in a row...be thankful she doesn't want to shave HER head!"

Point taken. I only hope he doesn't complain when she has to return periodically for touch-ups!

Trying This Again

Currently Reading: What if...All the Boys Wanted You, by Liz Ruckdeschel and Sara James (I bought this for my cousin's daughter at Christmas and looked through it before I wrapped it. So I bought it for myself last week!) Finished Shelley Winters' autobiography...wow! There's one lady who followed her dreams and didn't let anyone hold her back!

E-Book: Just finished Time for Love, by Kelly Kirch. You go, girl:) This one had a great ending, and kept me scrolling the final 100 pages! I think it needs a sequel...and I'm not going to tell you why. Just read it yourself!

Next up: I didn't win the contest, so I'll have to buy the others. In the meantime, I've got 6 new ones to choose...I'll probably read Cherished Destinies, by Anny Cook. That Mystic Valley series ROCKS! (As if you couldn't tell from Friday's song, LOL:)

Okay...I've finally gotten word (somewhat!) on my submission.

The company has closed its e-doors.

How did I find out? During a workshop on Character Development on the NovelSisterHood. I was blabbering happily about how my characters pop into my brain and appear in rough form on my blank document, when a question was formed concerning editors. I innocently informed everyone I was waiting anxiously for my 1st contract, and had everyone crossing their fingers and toes.

And then someone asked which publisher. I responded, and the next thing I know, a link pops up from another blog announcing the company has folded...the day AFTER I sent my polite email, inquiring on the status, since Feb 9th had come and gone.

Thank you for telling me...otherwise, I'd still be harboring false hope.

So....this morning I gathered my courage, decided on a new publishing company to submit to, copied and pasted the relevent material, and sent it on its merry way.

And since I've been instructed to not contact them again for at least 12 weeks...let's see...I should know something by my wedding anniversary! That would be a nice present...17 years of marriage, get an acceptance for book #3? Just in time for my planned booksignings...

I have to remain optimistic about this. I really don't want to be pissed off for the next 12 weeks. My family may vote me off the island, to borrow Brynn's phrase...and then again, being alone, with no responsibilities? If I can take the computer with me, or at least a stack of paper and a healthy supply of pens, my CD's and CD player....I'll even go willingly:)

Update on my cold: Getting slightly worse. Tylenol only took part of the pain in my throat away. I'm still living on hot soup. Look on the bright side: I'll probably lose a few pounds this way...unless the medicinal chocolate counteracts it...

Change of Pace

Got this email from a friend of mine. Thought it would be appropriate for a Sunday. Enjoy:)


THE LAW OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK


How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly they can get back their focus on what's important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.

So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.'

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.'

I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie 'The Sixth Sense,' the little boy said, 'I see Dead People.' Well, now 'I see Garbage Trucks.'

I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses.

Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here's my bet. You'll be happier. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, So...
Love the people who treat you right. Don't be so concerned with those who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, TAKE IT!

Relaxing Day

Currently reading: Am on Ch 21 of Shelley's book
E-Book: Time for Love, by Kelly Kirch. I'm at the halfway point.

I've had a lazy day.

Got up and watched my weekly 90210.

Took my daughter and toddler to Burger King for lunch.

Spent an hour emailing my photos to Walmart. I can pick them up later.

I've made it to Ch 11 on Time for Love. If the kids had been gone, I'd probably had it read by now. But Mommy duty calls...

Papa John's pizza is being delivered in about an hour. Afterwards, I will bathe the baby and read some more. I'll put him in bed and go pick up my pictures. And since I missed my Iron Chef episode (missed it Sun, then on Valentine's Day, and forgot it AGAIN an hour ago...arrggghhh!), my electronically-minded daughter has graciously set up the DVR so her DVR-challenged mom can watch it once it records tonight at 11pm! I'll probably watch it in the morning before church...I just can't stay up that late. Okay, I can, but I (and everyone around me!) pays for it the next day:)

Glad the songs and the limerick were well received:) Time for me to get back to work.

Did you order Kelly's book yet? Oh...you're waiting to see if you've won the contest? That's why I didn't buy some of the others on my list. Seven books at one time is a record for me. It may be a while before I order some more!

Mixed Reviews

Currently Reading: Am on Ch 19 of Shelley's life...she's involved with Burt Lancaster and is beginning work on 'A Walk in the Sun'.

E-books: Just purchased Cherished Destinies, Golden Boy, Golden Man, Djinni and the Geek, One Hot Experience, Born Again, and Time for Love. Boy have I got a lot of reading to do this weekend....

Wow...Did anyone else catch Reality TV at its finest last night? First up, Survivor double-makeout. Yuck...this was day 3 or 4...if I haven't showered properly, or brushed my teeth, would I want to be that close to the opposite sex? I guess if the hormones were overpowering the rest of the senses...and it worked for 'Romber'...

And then kudos to Trump on the Celebrity Apprentice. I was really sweating this one out; he saw through the entire thing and decided not to fire anyone this week. However, both Omarosa and Piers should be fired for losing their professionalism. I mean, really...fighting in front of the customers? Sure, it made great TV, but I wanted someone to send them both to their rooms, or opposite corners. And for Trump to tell them BOTH to shut the hell up in the board room! I'll say this much; this is one show the ratings are probably through the roof and The Donald is probably rubbing his hands with glee over the money he's making. But if celebrities can't even act professional, what does it say for future contestants on the show? 'Act idiotic so we can get the ratings and hope your team wins so you won't be fired'? I think there's another Celebrity edition in the works. I hope they behave themselves. Otherwise, this is one viewer who will probably quit watching.

What did we do last night? We spent an hour with the MIL; I popped in to see the aunt, who was glad to see me; we ended up at our Amish BBQ buffet. My throat was sore, and I don't like BBQ, so I dined on potato soup, brocolli with cheese sauce, and fresh sourdough bread. I came home, climbed into my pj's, set a block of chocolate almond bark in the double boiler on 'low' and watched TV. And when the chocolate melted, I dipped mini-pretzels into it and indulged. Took my meds and went to bed.

Another thing I did yesterday: Reconnected with another old friend. Remember the limerick for Kelly? In the 5th grade, we were supposed to come up with two. I chose to 'forget' the assignment and my teacher instructed me to come up with 5 by the next day (this was the teacher who also paddled students!). Being the procrastinator I was (and most likely still am, lol!), I again chose to 'forget', until five minutes before classtime. My best friend frantically dictated limericks off the top of her head; I scribbled them down and turned them in. Thirty years later, I can make them up without help! So I guess I owe my rhyming skills to her, ha ha! I think this was BEFORE we had the student teacher who 'unlocked' my imagination and showed me I could write the stories down...

I'm feeling slightly better today. We have nothing special planned for the weekend, so it should be relaxing. I'm hoping to get some solid writing in, now that the paradies are finished...oh yeah...Barb wants an encore...I'm going with Veggie Tales again.

If you want to read several good books,
Anny Cook can make you smile
If you want to spy on the blue kids,
Mystic Valley's just your style...

(Have we got a library for you!)

Cherished Destinies, Dancer's Deelight,
Travelor's Reeefuge, Jade and family,
Anny's go-o-ot the Flowers too,
Came-A-Lot could be right for you!

Aaaaaa Jaaaa, Kelly too,
Elooooraa's Cave and Ceeee Peee too,
Brynn and Broooon, Barbara,
Dakooota, Cindy and Jae!

Okay, I've croaked my last song! The (cough) sick lady has sung. Stop throwing tomatoes at me, and put away the hook! I'm going peacefully...

Have a good weekend:)

Valentine's Day

First of all, a shout out to Kelly Kirch! Today is the day:) And to make up for that awful limerick yesterday....anyone out there like Veggie Tales? My favorite Silly Song is the Hairbrush Song. So without further ado....

Todaaaay is your release day...
Todaaaay is your release day....
Today today today today today today today today todaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy
Is your release day!

(I'm bowing. The End!)

Okay. Now run over to her site www.kkirch.blogspot.com and buy the book! She's got the exact link, not to mention a veeeerrrry cute guy pictured....

I have a bad habit this time of year. I either broke up with my boyfriends, or they broke up with me right before Valentine's Day. The most romantic one I ever spent to this date was back in 1991. Hubby and I had been seriously dating for 3 months, and he brought me a solid Hershey's Kiss....one of the BIG ones, in its own little glass holder. I think it took me 2 days to eat the thing.

The most unromantic? Probably when I actually handed back the class ring on this date and walked away from the stagnate relationship.

And over the years, I've learned not to depend on anyone bringing me anything in particular. I usually cook a fantastic meal and provide chocolate for myself and the kids. I've been lucky for the past couple of years; the tax check has arrived in time and I've been taken out for dinner. Today, I'm dealing with the beginnings of my semi-yearly laryngits, and so I don't know what we'll do tonight, other than my usual Thursday Reality TV. Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you.

Now I think I'm going to exercise my right to take a nap. I need to quit coughing. Yes, AJ, I'm on drugs...Sudafed, Robitussin, and Hall's cough drops. Real hard stuff. I might even have to puff the inhaler. My asthma is trying to join the lineup. I might even take some Mucinex.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone:)

Shopping Frenzy

Currently Reading: Shelley Winters. I'm up to Chapter 14; she just finished filming "A Double Life".

The sweetest words this time of year?

"Whatever you want, dear..."

I stocked up on shampoo, children's cold medicine, and hubby's aspirin. The kids got a couple of games for the PS2, PSP, and DS. The family got a couple of Disney DVDs. I bought my niece and nephew some spring clothes to add to the Christmas package going out (yes, my sister knows I always wait 'till the last minute, so they get their gifts in February, lol!). My toddler, who received 8 pairs of socks at Christmas, but Mom can only find 5 pairs, now has 10 new pairs. I predict I'll be finding the rest of his old socks stuffed in the couch or under beds. At least now he'll have some, and I won't have to improvise with mine...

Food-wise, we pigged out at Applebees for lunch, dessert and all, so I was stuffed. I did get everything on the list, but for once didn't impulse shop (no gum, no candy bar). And I did get three books I've been wanting.

I was too tired to go to Kohls or the regular grocery store, but the day's not over yet! And then tomorrow, I get to pay bills, pay for my website, pay for a conference I want to attend, and there's something else I need to get...can't remember what it was...seems to me it has something to do with a certain blogmate...

In keeping with that 'Deck the Halls' parody, I came up with one for me:

One more day and I can juggle...
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Time for Love and Honeysuckle...
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Stone and Earth and Ronan's Grail...
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
Winter Hearts and Mystic Circle...
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Cyberspace will next sell...
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Celestine and Marabelle...
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Demon Wind and Incubus...
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
Let's just hope the kids don't cuss...
Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Oh yeah...now I remember! Kelly's Kountdown...How about a tasteless limerick?

There once was a girl who was waiting
For her book to have a high rating
She's got one more day
And then she can say
"Read the book and see how they're mating!"

My apologies if you're all groaning...blame it on the frigid temps down here!

And as to mine...I may wait and see if I win the contest first. Sorry Anny...I just couldn't squeeze Cherished Destinies in there anywhere!

Update on the aunt: Apparently Medicaid refuses to pay for a hospital stay when the patient is lingering and on no medicine. So she's in a private room at the nursing home, and a Hospice nuse is with her at all times. My thought was give her a mild antibiotic, but at least she won't have to depend on the short-staffed nurning home! And, now she has a chance to die with dignity...

The weather is finally getting warmer. Kids didn't have school, but they will tomorrow!

Forgot to add earlier: My daughter DVR'd part of the Grammy's the other night. No Doughtry, but a wonderful performance of 'Rhapsody in Blue' by Lung Lung and Herbie Hancock, and best of all, Josh Groban and Andrea Buccelli (sp??) singing "The Prayer". And I don't agree with a couple of the winners, but hey, I had no vote in the matter, and I don't have to buy their music.

Another Place to Find Me...

Currently Reading: Shelly Winters' autobiography. I'm up to chapter 7.

I started a MySpace page.

Why?

For starters, a couple of my friends have them and I can't comment on their pages.

Secondly, my kids offered to set it up.

We'll see if I keep it. Too many bells and whistles. But in the meantime, check out the new link to the right and check it out for yourself:)

In other news, we have a snow day. Which was funny at first, because...don't you have to have SNOW? Today is better defined as an ICE day...several layers of freezing rain and sleet fell throughout the evening hours while we slept. Although...now at 3pm, we have nice, big, fat flakes coming down and the kids are jubilent! Will they miss tomorrow as well?

No updates on my aunt yet...

Kelly's Kountdown...with all this snow, remember Deck the Halls? Enjoy:)

2 more days for our Miss Kelly...
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Time for Love will soon be selling...
Fa la la la la, la la la la
May your site be inundated...
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
Go with Scott and celebrate!
Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Barb asked if I'd come up with one for her and Dakota's anthology...I'll work on it:)

Does this make me the 'Weird Al' of the written word, ha ha?

No Time to Relax...

Today was another one of those rush-rush days.

Overslept due to being at the hospital until 11pm last night.

Decided to go file taxes and realized I'd never calculated the lodging. Took 30 minutes to do so.

Found out I tripled my personal income. Seriously. Last year, made $40; this year, $140. Woo hoo...at this rate, I'll be independantly wealthy in, oh say...by the year 2065? No comments about my sarcasm...right now I have a reason.

Just got word about my aunt. Does this make any sense? She's lingering. A strange doctor took one look at her, removed the IV, ordered intermuscular (intramuscular??) shots every hour on the hour, and wanted to discharge her and send her back to the nursing home. Where, in the Hippocratic Oath, does it say to cause more pain and suffering? She still has moments of lucidity...I was there last night when she woke up and asked for water! She spoke to me and said she was glad I was there; even squeezed my hand. (I was afraid I had nearly drowned her with the water, but she simply said, 'Damn, that tasted good!' Yes, it's a good thing I'm not a nurse, ha ha!). Right now, her blood relatives are fighting to keep her in the hospital. There's a stay on her until another doctor can evalute her in the morning.

Went to a scrapbooking class. Due to the taxes, I got there as it was breaking up, but as it meets weekly, I'll be there for the whole shebang next week.

Went grocery shopping, and did some stocking up for the snow storm that is due to hit sometime after midnight. We're supposed to get 3-6 inches. The kids are hoping for a delay or even a closure.

Found out my 16-year-old finally has his first official girlfriend.

Finally, my monthly parent meeting. Since nearly everyone chose to stay home due to the weather that was supposed to arrive between 5 and 7 (and is now arriving after midnight!), there were only 6 of us present.

Got home and found a note from hubby to go visit his mom. So I went. And got the Final Jeopardy question right.

The good news? I've got the rest of Kelly's 'little ditties' composed. Ran them by my hubby and he asked if I was going into the Jingle business. Forgive me if I'm not amused...

Sigh. I did win Dakota's contest, and I do have the peace of mind knowing I'm going to get a nice meal on Thursday that I don't have to cook. And I'll also be able to make a huge dent in my TBB list:) Now if I'd only hear about my submission, and from the managers I called last Friday! And with the weather arriving, at least I'll have the time to make my phone calls tomorrow.

Kelly's countdown: (I seem to have appointed myself her personal cheerleader...)

Anyone Hannah Montana fans? (Tune to "Best of Both Worlds")

You've got just 3 more days girl...
It's been long, it's been slow,
Time for Love is the show,
You've got just 3 more days girl...
Put it all together and
Your next one will be coming out soon!

I guess this answers Brynn's question: What do I do when I'm angry? Get sarcastic and compose music parodies...Actually, I also scream, see red, and tend to kick things. It just depends on how mad I get. I have a long fuse, but when I do blow up, watch out; it ain't pretty!

It's been several hours since I read my blogmates' posts, so wander over for yourself and see what they're all up to. I still haven't found today's Eternity clue...but maybe the person hadn't posted it yet? Time for another look-see...

Kudos to the Newest Author on the Blog!

Finished: Best Friends...was disappointed in the ending. Was hoping for a better explanation of an object. Also finished Marvella. Next up? Shelly Winters' autobiography.

Tonight on TV: 50th Grammy Awards and two interesting Chocolate Challenges on Food Network. I'll DVR Iron Chef Chocolate and watch the Grammys...Harry Smith on CBS says if we watch nothing else, please watch the first few moments of the Grammys...we won't be disappointed!

Yesterday I saluted Kelly; today it's Dakota's turn!

Sweet Dreams is published, oh joy, oh yes
Interviews, promos, appearances, happiness!
Your daughter, your partner, your friends are so proud
They await your next book...will it cause a crowd?
Demands of your time, your fingers, your label
You'll soon be exhausted; just know you are able
To handle it all with your grace and your wit;
After all, 'Published Author' means you're no twit!

And Kelly's countdown continues...

4 more days 'till we're reading
Time for Love and we're weeping
Over Sarah and her hero
Who knows if she'll stay in the nineteenth century?

Kelly knows, but she's not telling
Only excerpts, but she's hoping
That we'll buy her 1st book
And come back again for Marriage Mart!

(Tune of 'Hello Mother, Hello Father)

No, AJ, I'm not going to quit my day job...

RealityTV...

Still no word on my submission...I guess I'll be sending a reminder on Monday, if I've not heard anything (sigh).

Still reading: Best Friends...I'm up to part 3. Will probably continue with Marvella tonight.

Did anyone else watch Thursday night's debut of Survivor: Fans vs Favs? What was up with Jonny Rotten, er, Fairplay? Was that sob story on the up and up, or was it a ploy gone wrong? At first, I thought it was just a ploy, to throw one alliance off the scent of one player, enabling the other alliance's target to be sent packing. But instead, it was unanimous (I think) that Jonny went bye-bye.

Which is fine by me. He even admitted in the diary part that he found it incredible that ANY of the players were actually taking his story SERIOUSLY! "Dude...have you not watched the show before?" So better for the drama control that the 'loose cannon' is gone. Back to business.

And then there was Celebrity Apprentice. And more drama, from the Piers-Vinny fallout. Stephen nearly quit! But then the girls lose again...They really need Trace on their team...wow...can that guy come up with slogans, or what? But maybe if Stephen hadn't missed part of the task, maybe it would have gone another way. Who knows? Nelly deserved to get the ax. She should have been axed instead of Gene, but he saved her. Again, I think he wanted to be fired.

Lipstick Jungle. Yeah, I know...not reality. But it put me to sleep. I DVR'd the last half hour, and who knows when I'll watch it?

Update on the aunt: She's bleeding internally and it's only a matter of time. The family decided to DNR her...she wouldn't survive surgery, and one lung is filled with fluid. Was at the hospital until 3 am, but she's still hanging on. The docs can only give her pain meds to keep her comfortable, but not enough to make her sleep. Nothing worse than hearing someone moan constantly...and the dear old lady was concerned about US, needing to go home and get some sleep! Like I said, finally at 3 am, I could no longer prop my eyes open, so I kissed her gently, squeezed her hand, and told her I loved her. Will probably go see her tomorrow after church.

Update on Operation Merit Badge: Went very well! My walls are actually white again! And my MIL's lace curtains are crisp and white, not dingy with gray tops:) Sorry Bron...too snowy to come up there while you're gone! Barb...you're too far away, ha ha....

I came up with an inpromptu verse for Kelly...her 1st book, Time for Love, is just 5 days away from being published/released with Cerridwen Press. Here goes:

5 more days and it'll be free
from the cyberspace mystery
Promos, chats, and sales galore
the mailman bringing checks to your door!

I challenge each of you to create your own little ditty and post it either on her comments the next 4 days, or your own blog. And while you're at it, make one up for Dakota...she's a first time author also; we don't want to leave her out now, do we? I'll see what I can come up with tomorrow for her. Let's encourage our first-timers!

Broken Household Items...

Sigh...I'm still reading the same two books....no change there; just the page numbers:)

Remember yesterday's quiz? I told you there were no right or wrong answers...

Several years ago, our microwave quit working. Fortunately, my parents were due to visit the next day, and volunteered to bring the small one I had in college with them, until we could afford a new one. Hubby took the old one apart, to see if he could figure out what was wrong. Turned out a fuse had blown. Cost to replace? $1. And the cool thing about it? A week later a friend had the same thing happen to her microwave, and thanks to our info, her hubby came home to find her fixing it!

I'm a dryer gal. I like soft clothes, but I do respect hubby's wishes every summer and hang them on the line. But I absolutely hate stiff jeans, so I soften them up afterwards in a 10-minute 'fluff'. But one day, I opened up my dryer to find the clothes still in the same heap. Further investigation showed the drum not turning. Hubby tore the thing apart and called the appliance store, which fortunately had one in stock. Before he came home from work, however, I had made a trip to the laundromat with all the wet clothing! Cost:$10. Cost of new dryer? $600.

And finally, the storm door issue. The other night, all was peaceful in the Daniels' home. Oldest son and hubby watching TV, daughter in the shower, toddler playing with his favorite dump truck and Spiderman action figure. I was reading in the bedroom. Suddenly, a large BAM! echoed. I jumped up at the same time hubby yelled our daughter's name, thinking maybe she had fallen down the steps. She yells back she's fine; it came from outside. Hubby yanks open the back door...the storm door nearly falls forward. The only thing holding it to the house was the safety chain and the closer cylander. Apparently, when I had put the dog outside, the door hadn't latched completely, and the wind ripped it right off the house. Hubby brought it inside and the next day, went to find replacement hinges and pins. Ended up coming home and looking the company up online. The new hinges/pins are on their way, at no cost to us. But the hardware stores in town wanted us to buy a new door.

I guess I'm lucky to have such a handy man around. The door is practically brand new; we've been here a year, and hubby remembers buying it from Lowes for his mother in the last 5 years. But the attitude of workers at Lowes, and other places hubby went for parts was like, "so throw it out and get a new one!" Cost of new door: $120. Parts to fix it? Not worth the cost of processing a credit card.

I can understand tossing some appliances, like the can opener, toaster, coffee makers, or even my iced tea maker, because they are all under $30. But the larger ones...if they can be fixed, I'll do it. And part of it is sentimental...the microwave was my birthday gift the year I graduated college, and the dryer was my grandma's. And the door...well, it wasn't even 10 years old yet. But if the hinge parts couldn't have been replaced, then yeah, we would be at Lowes, buying a new door.

Because my basement stairs are considerably colder now, without that extra barrier. Who would have thought?

On to better news: I have been a busy little bee this morning. After playing phone tag with the manager of the college bookstore, I went over in person and trapped him behind his desk with my charming self until he agreed to set up my signing on April 5th.

I also phoned Indiana State, Indiana University, Ball State, and Purdue's bookstores. ISU will be calling back any time now; IU didn't seem interested...my connection was lost ala AJ (hahaha...see her blog entry yesterday? Wed? One of them, anyway...); Ball state and Purdue are interested and will call me on Monday. Tried to convey my enthusiasm to hubby...he just sighed and said, "That's your problem." Sigh...I get so much support from him...

Tomorrow, we start Operation Merit Badge. My Life Scout is trying to earn an Eagle-required merit badge, and had to hold a family meeting, discuss six items ranging from substance abuse to chore distribution, and do a family project. So, tomorrow is an early 'Spring Cleaning'. My jobs will be to wash curtains and help wash the woodwork; the kids will dust, wash the woodwork, and vaccuum; Hubby will wash windows. Lucky's job will be to demand attention if anyone sits down for a moment!

Kelly's starting a serial story every Friday http://www.kkirch.blogspot.com/ Stop by and tell her she's got only 6 days left until her 1st book is released; Anny's thanking all of us who post her blog, for she's listed under some strange Google entries http://www.annycook.blogspot.com/ and go congratulate Dakota on being a published author for nearly 4 days. She's holding a contest (which I sort of entered...I think...) and several prizes has her author info on it. I want a pen and some sticky notes if I win...and lastly, if you want some great PROMOTIONAL ideas, drop by Ashley's site and learn how to market your book http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com/ (it was yesterday's entry...very helpful!)

Waxing Nostalgia...

Update: Marvella: Ch. 10. Nixon's just been elected. Best Friends: P 97. One girl's a lawyer; the other is in her final year as a med student.

Found out David Cassidy will be on Oprah next Tuesday!! Tonight: Survivor and Celebrity Apprentice:)

Before I begin, I have a small quiz. Don't worry; there are no right or wrong answers. I just want to see if I'm unique...

1) If your microwave quits working, do you
a) Toss it and buy a new one
b) Have someone fix it

2) The dryer drum belts break. You
a) Buy a new dryer
b) Have someone fix it

3) The back door is torn off its hinges during a storm. You
a) Buy a new door
b) Buy new hinges and have someone rehang the door

See how painless that was? Leave your answers in the comments section or email me privately at storimom2@aol.com and I'll expand on this tomorrow.

Now for the nostalgia...

Heard Andy Gibb's song "I just Wanna be Your Everything" and it magically transported me back to my 6th and 7th grade years...6th, because I believe that was the year the song was popular, and for the first time, our elementary school's Spring Frolic (aka carnival) had a dance in one of my classrooms. My sister and I thought we were hot stuff, wearing identical pantsuits (hers maroon, mine green) with white turtlenecks and saddle shoes. We danced to the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, Donna Summer, Blondie, and other disco artists. And in the 7th grade, I watched in awe of the Select Choir singing Andy's song and four or five 'select' couples doing choreography. I couldn't wait to be a part of that choir!

But alas...disco was dead the next year. There went my hopes of nightclubs, being 18, and being pursued by various men. No, I now had to wait until age 21. And while I felt confident enough to try out for the top choir in jr. high, one of the requirements of staying in it was holding a 'B' average. My 9th grade biology grade kept me at the top of the 'Alternate' list. I never did join that choir...

And switched into band the following year.

I own the 'Shadow Dancing' LP, and have my sister's 'Saturday Night Fever' record on cassette tape. I love my Donna Summer CD. And right now, with hubby home, the only time I get to listen to music anymore is either in the car or while I shower. I seriously need a 'Girls Night Out' to go dance my heart out and sweat off some pounds, hee hee:) The last time this happened, a strange thing occured: My bf and I (both married) were breaking men's hearts because we refuse to break our marriage vows and the two single women we were with were astonished, because they were dressed to thrill and not attracting any attention. Just goes to show you men will still pay attention to women having fun and not looking for anyone! A lesson I learned quite a while back....BF and I had gone to meet her guy at a bar. I had broken up with my guy, and was promptly hit on by three different guys, offering to buy me drinks while I waited for her. Did I take them up on their offer? No. However, three nights later, I was on the prowl and couldn't even find a male dance partner! Lesson learned: Do Not Look Desperate/Overeager/Available.

Anyway....just got word my aunt is back in Critical Care and the family is on 'standby' again. Sepsis and pneumonia and whatever else is the diagnosis. And yesterday, another friend informed me she is finally with the rest of the world and getting hooked up to the internet! Finally....and hey, maybe she'll check out this lil' ole' blog of mine? Let's hope!

Check out the contest on my blogmates' sites to the right. So far I've found 3 clues. How many have you found?

It's all about the Pace...

Still Reading: Marvella (ch 5...they have moved to DC) and Best Friends (p. 87). E-books have been put on 'hold' until next week...hubby complained. Have been promised several after tax check arrives:)

I recieved a compliment today:)

I emailed the first chapter of my new wip to a new critique partner, who said my writing was clean, meaning very few errors. She made some suggestions of minor wording flaws, such as taking out unnecessary words or changing a few minor suffixes here and there.

And when I told her it was an unedited 1st draft, her reaction was "WOW...I wish my 1st drafts were that clean!" She agreed to critique the first chapter of one of my polished manuscripts "...although you probably won't need it", and I sincerely hope there aren't too many flaws in it. Sometimes I worry my pacing is too slow...a lot of the e-books I've been reading are fast-paced; I tend to build up the attraction slowly, and then let everything click.

I guess this goes back to the way I approached my own relationships. The ones which started out fast soon fizzled, and it's the ones in which love, trust, and respect took a while have lasted the longest. Case in point: I was good friends with my now-hubby for four years before I ever thought of him as a potential dating partner. The six men I dated, was semi-engaged to, and just had fun with, all lasted from a minimum of 3 weeks to a year before I broke up with them.

Timeline:
9/87-started dating C. (Apparently, hubby and I met at this same time, but I don't remember meeting him! He claims it was Love at 1st Sight...I had no clue!)

10/87-My first memory of meeting him, and an accidental 1st kiss. (Photo stunt...)

2/88-I broke up w/C. D takes me out for a friendly Valentine's dinner and presents me with a tiny stuffed bear.

One week later- Start dating DB. Lasts 1 year.

2/89-Tried to break up w/DB...he whined, so kept him for another couple months. (Talked to D about maybe talking to him, to help my case? Didn't work...)

5/89-Finally broke free of DB and jumped into a friendship w/B. Only lasted 3 months.

7/89-Briefly dated B's next door neighbor. Didn't last.

8/89-Groomsman from best friend's wedding started calling me. I agreed to go out w/him.

9/89-Engagement.

2/90-Threw ring back in his face during a fight.

7/90-Successfully broke up with him, and made plans with J. Later that month, plans fizzled.

11/90-D sends me friendly letter; I go to see him; he comes to spend the next day w/me; sparks fly.

1/91-We're dating.

5/91-Married. And so far, it's been nearly 17 years.

My point? This didn't happen overnight. Not every instant attraction has the potential to last; my books are hopefully showing the struggles which occur during the course of true love. Some times Fate intervenes and you find your soul mate early; sometimes you wander off the path only to find he's been in front of you the whole time. And sometimes if you find him too early, the maturity isn't there, and you let each other go, only to rediscover each other twenty years later after some hard life lessons. But the struggle was worth it, especially when the timing finally comes together.

After a small break, I've begun retyping the synopsises again. They're getting better! I'm up to the fourth one now, and frankly, now I want to reread it! I like the way this one reads:) Will you? If I ever get the 3rd one pubbed (and no word yet), I'll post a blurb and we'll play 'name that book' again!

Yippee!

Currently Reading: Still on Marvella and Best Friends. Haven't purchased the e-book(s) yet.

I have finally found a PS2 game for me! And no, it's not Jeopardy!. It's Rock Band, and comes with a cute, four-pad, simulated trap set! With the toddler in front of me, we did the easy demo to 'Wanted: Dead or Alive", and I was in heaven.

Until the toddler got bored and ran off to join his dad, leaving me feeling foolish with my rusty drum skills in the middle of the aisle at Walmart.

I don't know how much the game costs, or even the cost of the contraption. But I want it...apparantly, you can also hook up the 'Guitar Hero' guitar and play in tandem. Put my daughter on the guitar, myself on drums, and my oldest on the karaoke machine...we'll have a blast!

If I can get the kids to cooperate. If not, Dakota and I can jam!

It's been raining off and on today, with temps in the high 50's/low 60's. And tomorrow we're supposed to have a high of twenty and snow. Yuck. Damn groundhog...couldn't they have brought him out in the SHADE on Saturday? Or at least when the sun was behind a cloud? Or is it simply a matter of letting the winter-lovers having their turn at six weeks of more cold and ice? Lent came early; why not Spring?

And speaking of Lent beginning tomorrow...I'm giving up ice cream. I've tried giving up sex, but unfortunately that was only an option 4 years ago. But since it was medically directed, it didn't count, right? So why does my hubby refuse to go along with it? It's for both of us...and he just complained about how regular 'activity' will keep his prostate healthy, and how I want it to stay healthy, don't I? So I guess I'll have to stick with having no ice cream until after Easter....sigh...

Giants Win!

Currently Reading: Marvella, the autobiography of Marvella Bayh. Finished Silas Marner Saturday.

E-Book: Finished Lucifer's Angel today...it was good! I loved the honest interaction between Mariah and Gabriel! Very intertaining! Kaenar's next one, Jude's Choice, is farther down on the rotation. Next up...either Odd Man Out by Claire Thompson or Thief of Mine, by Amarinda Jones. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Go Manning...Go Manning...Make history...Go Manning:)

Just doing my happy dance...

So what did you think of the commercials? Thank God I DVR'd the game, because during most of the action in the 2nd and 3rd quarters I was in the kitchen! Hubby and one of his friends don't really care for football, so J and I kept up with the score. And that last 3 minutes...whew! When Eli threw the pass after nearly being sacked, we danced. And when the TD was scored, we danced. Daughter was upstairs by this time and complained that seeing two grown women dancing like teenagers was making her go blind...

Anyway, back to the commercials. I loved the Charles Barkley one. And the Amp...I loved it also, even though it made a part of my anatomy hurt to watch it! Don't get the Audi one...or the dancing lizards...but my three favorites have to be the Annheisor Busch one about the horse in training; the screaming squirrels; and the NFL channel..."The closest Eli's going to get to a Super Bowl ring is when he gives Peyton a manicure!"

Oh, and let's not forget the one featuring Peyton and the 'special effects'!

Let me know your favs or the ones that left you scratching your heads...

Super Bowl Sunday

Eli Manning vs Tom Brady. NY Giants vs NE Patriots.

Personally, we're Manning fans over here! And we all agree that Brady does not need rings for every finger...

We're heading to the store soon, so I'm throwing a party. I'm posting my menu and invite you to let me know what you're eating today. Are you die-hard pizza eaters for the Big Game? Or if you like what I'm having, feel free to crash the party and pig out with us.

Appetizers: Shrimp Coctail, chips, crackers, cheese, and Chex Mix.

Soup: Homemade Broccoli-chedder (Thank you Emeril!)

Main Course: Corned Beef, slow cooked to perfection.
Deli meats, if you don't like corned beef.
Focaccia rolls
Sauerkraut
Baby Swiss cheese
Chicken Broccoli Braid

Also available for consumption: Pickles, various raw veggies.

Desserts: Daughter made a yellow cake
Sugar cookie tart...sugar cookie dough rolled out and cooked on round baking stone. When cooled, chocolate frosting is spread, and decorated with blue and red icing with 'GVP' on it.
Ice Cream.

Drinks: Regular soft drinks, as children will be present. However, I was able to get my 4-pack of White Russians! One after the 1st quarter; 2 during Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; one to either celebrate the Giant's win or commiserate with them.

And it's my house, so I'll be changing into my pink #18 Manning jersey and my blue Colts pj pants around 5 pm. Wore my blue, #88 Marvin Harrison jersey to church this morning. My pink one is too tight to layer a white turtleneck under it...

Sound good? I'd better get cracking! Let me know what's on your menu and if you're wearing anything special for the occasion? See you tomorrow!

Go Giants:)

Getting Ready...

We're having guests over for the Big Game tomorrow, so after my usual Saturday morning 90210 fix, and checking out all my favorite sites and dropping a comment here and there, I finally got dressed.

And found out I have some good news to pass along!

I sent Aphrodite's Apples a polite email, inquiring about the status of my submission, and they very nicely informed me my ms officially made its way to the screener on the 31st, and that I should hear back by the 9th! So keep your fingers and toes crossed, light candles, say prayers, rub the lucky Budda, or whatever, that the news is favorable.

Washed the dishes which had piled up from Friday (I think we used every damn bowel in the cabinet!) and made another pitcher of iced tea. Also tossed some stew meat in the slow cooker with two cans of French Onion soup, and a can of Golden Mushroom. Left to go visit the aunt and the MIL, and watched 2 episodes of Dinner: Impossible and Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Now my hubby wants me to revise my lasagna recipe. Darn Bobby...why is there no scratch and sniff TV? Okay...that would be a bad idea. The nursing home would have to disinfect the room after I finished drooling...

Anyway, don't know when we're going shopping for the stuff we need for tomorrow. If we don't go tonight, then no White Russians for me...I'll have to gently prod hubby into taking me shopping after dinner. The kids can clean up; they've had 2 days off from KP duty!

Along with the beef, I'm fixing rice and some kind of vegetable. Probably either carrots or green beans. Haven't decided yet. And darn it...I forgot to put out a loaf of bread dough...was going to fix this yesterday, but forgot, so we had leftovers. Although...I could go ahead and set it out...it'll be ready before bedtime, ha ha! Nothing more wonderful for breakfast than a couple of slices of homemade bread slathered in butter and rewarmed in the microwave! (See, AJ? I'm a microwave queen too! www.amarindajones.blogspot.com to understand the comment, lol!)

Had a great time on the promo chat, Fallen Angels Review, with AJ, Kelly, Anny, Dakota, Brynn, Bron, and Cindy last night. Keeping up with everyone was rough; I've either got to learn to read faster or increase my typing speed! Of course, maybe not get so long-winded in my posts, either? But hey...when you love an excerpt, a simple 'WOW' just doesn't do it justice...If my #3 ever makes it to the actual published stage, I'm going to have to have a contest of my own, to come up with a killer title for #4. Right now, 'Control Me Not' is flying around the brain...but is it catchy enough for a romance novel? More on this later.

Okay. Time to say goodbye to Emmaline, Zoltan, Queen Z (yeah, I know...she perished a couple of months ago, but still...), Rinalda, Jonas, Pete, and whoever had cameos in the Blogga Saga. Go read the final installment on www.annycook.blogspot.com And then pop over to Kelly's site and ogle the necklace she's giving away. Wow...I may have to enter now... www.kkirch.blogspot.com for details.

Go Giants!

Snow Day...or Not?

Currently Reading: Silas Marner, the final section of the Lit book. I'm up to the part where Silas discovers the baby on his hearth, and her mother frozen to death in the snow.

And checked: Only 6 or 7 boxes left! Then it will be time to hit the bookstore again...or just stick with the e-books!

E-book: Am on page 100 of Lucifer's Angel. This one is fantastic! Can't wait to read the rest of it!

Ah, the weather in Indiana...so unpredictable, even the weatherman blows it!

You guessed it; we were supposed to get 3-5 inches between midnight and 6 am. My children, positive they were going to have a day off from school, stayed up late, anxiously watching out the windows every fifteen minutes. Finally, when the 11:00 news was already reporting some school closings, the kids were disappointed their school system wasn't on the list. And the system was so close to us...but where was the snow?

"They say it's coming in after midnight," I said. "Now get to bed! Both of you!"
(Why were they still up? We all watched Celebrity Apprentice. Yup, even me! More on this later!)

I woke up at six this morning with my oldest son's reaction. "Oh, man! We only got rain!"

I struggled to get my eyes open. The coffee had already been made, and the news was on. Verdict? 1-hour delay. And by the time the sun was up, we had less than an inch of white stuff on the ground. Even the weatherman said, "Forget the 5-7 inches. That's not going to happen..."

Oldest child had been inflicted with mild insomnia; he'd been up since 4:30 and had drunk 3 cups of coffee by 7. Hubby decided to make scrambled eggs, hash browns, and sausage for everyone, which earned points for getting daughter out of bed long before anyone expected her to! (Note to self...start making eggs in the morning...she'll get out of bed on time...) Toddler fell out of bed; refused to return to warm bed; drank his cup of weak coffee; got dressed; complained about his no-school day; fell back asleep on the couch!

Oldest son successfully warmed up both vehicles, but promptly fell on his butt the second trip outside. I had told him to be careful! And IF his father and I let him attend the birthday party tonight, he will take a NAP before he leaves! Jury's still out on that decision...we'll call up north and find out about road conditions.

Did anyone else watch Celebrity Apprentice last night? Oh. My. God!! A joke gone bad...I still don't know where the 1st mistake was made...Vinny, when he actually delivered his 'information' or Piers' letting the cat out of the bag? I was sooooooo hoping Piers-I'm-too-arrogant-for-words would be fired last night! But hurray for the women for finally getting a win! I pretty much thought they had it nailed when they were brainstorming the Croc bin...good to know I was right:) This is one episode that will stay on the DVR...and so will next week, I think! Too bizarre...

And I'm proud of myself. Why? For the first time since joining bloggerland, I've finally posted every single day in the month of January! Thought I was going to miss it on Tuesday, but the storms moved out and hubby turned on the computer...I'm not one to pass up that opportunity!

Have a good weekend...I found out the Crazy Serial Blog/Blogga Saga is coming to a close. Anny is posting the final installment tomorrow on http://www.annycook.blogspot.com/ she's also running two contests. One starts today; the other one begins...the 5th? Go to http://www.kkirch.blogspot.com/ and double-check. And while you're there, remind her the countdown to her Time for Love release has begun...13 days! Also, hop over to http://www.amarindajones.blogspot.com/ and congratulate her on finding her sunglasses!