For my racehorse friends: Rest in peace, Barbaro.

I saw a story on that courageous horse on the Today Show yesterday as I was getting the baby ready for school. It actually made me tear up. Especially when Dr. Richardson was too emotional to speak. 

Yesterday was a good day. Had lunch with Best Good Friend and we cracked each other up repeatedly. We’re pretty sure we’re the funniest people on Earth.

And you know the romance is going strong with The Man when he gives you the name of the guy who does his taxes. Gosh, that’s almost like a bouquet of flowers, isn’t it? I mean, he actually SHARED priceless information with me. Hey, I’m not being sarcastic here. I’m totally serious.

Oh and I still haven’t got the smilies up and working again. I’ll get to that. Eventually.

I got the car washed on the way home. It was so filthy from Artic Blast 2007 I couldn’t stand it another minute. So the baby boy and I stopped at the quickie car wash on the way home and $4 later, had a clean car. Got home to discover I had a mailbox full of junk mail – hey at least there’s no bills, eh? And then cooked dinner. The kiddo told me he wasn’t hungry and went off to play in his room but by the time dinner came out of the oven, he got up in his chair and ate nearly the whole thing. Uh huh. Not hungry, eh?

Watched American Idol. You know, I wonder…what if writers acted the way some of these people did when they got rejected? Can you imagine calling up the editor/agent and telling him/her they made SUCH a mistake in rejecting you and then proceed to list the reasons why? Explain how wonderful your writing really is and you were ”just nervous” when you wrote that query letter and could they please give you another chance? And then when they continued to reject you, you yell profanities at them and then slam the phone down. Yeah. That would go smashingly well, wouldn’t it? And it would also mean you’d never work in the business again. Word would spread like wildfire about That Person Who Couldn’t Handle A Rejection and no editor would touch you. No editor, that is in New York.

I’m just saying…

Anyway. Wrote! Using that wonderful little AlphaSmart Neo. MAN, I should have invested in one of those long ago. The dragon story is coming along in slow spurts, but it’s coming and that’s all that really matters.

I was shocked yesterday to realize that today is the last day of the month…and I have two newsletters due. Yeah, like, um, I haven’t started either of them…

Have a parent/teacher conference this morning to see how the Sweetie Boy is doing in Kindergarten. I mean, come on. I know he’s brilliant. He gets it from his mother!

Happy Wednesday, ya’ll.

Monday was a forgettable day. It really was. I got things worked out that I needed to get worked out and it ended up okay. Sort of.

I picked up Sweetie Boy yesterday afternoon and he proceeded to become the Heathen Child the second we walked in the door. Yeah, that made my day. But then he got better, I fed him dinner, and he went and played in his room. It was novel. I folded laundry, talked to The Man, and then repaired the fort that had fallen apart.

Then Sweetie Boy discovered the keyboard, which was fine by me. I worked at the desk while he played on it. Most repeated phrase of the evening: “Don’t bang on the keyboard!” He can’t help it – he’s 5.

I had this huge serving of lasagna for lunch and so I wasn’t interested in dinner at all. I had a salad and that was it. I’m feeling fat lately so I need to lay off all the fattening stuff.

Anyway – Into the tub he went at 8 and then he was out by 8:30. So I’m guessing the Heathen Child reared his ugly head because he was (a) hungry and (b) tired.

Oh, in other news, I GOT MY ALPHASMART NEO! WOOHOO! That baby rocks. And YES! I wrote last night. Don’t know how much yet because I haven’t downloaded it to the computer. But I did get some writing in.

And my friend, Dennie, notated to me that I only need the first three chapters and a synopsis for the submission in March. There is hope yet. My first three chapters are nearly done but since I’m a classic Pantser, a synopsis might be rather difficult. Wonder if they’d mind if I strayed from that?

I got a lot of work down on the chapter contest too. I’m one step away from sending out the submissions to the judges.

My wrists and fingers are sore which is making it difficult to type, so that’s it for me. Back tomorrow.

I usually have my blog post written and posted by now, but I’m moving a little slow today. Three martinis will do that to me.

I had a restless night. And now that I’m awake and moving this morning I’ve decided yesterday was a piece of shit day. I’m not exactly sure today will be any better, but we’ll see. I haven’t had my coffee yet and I desperately need it. At least I’m not hungover like I could be.

I’m really in no mood to be fucked with, nor am I in the mood to write this blog entry so I’m going to go lick my wounds, regroup, and hope for a happier entry tomorrow.

I knew I should have stayed in bed today.

Last night, I watched two movies, drank two glasses of wine, and then went to bed. Real exciting, eh? I had talked to The Man earlier and he said he was going to try to get a sitter and then we’d go to dinner. I never heard from him, so I figure he couldn’t get a sitter. No big.

This morning, I get up, go to the grocery store first thing because I want to get it out of the way. It’s bloody cold out there! The wind is VERY cold. Anyway, I get my shopping done. In the chip aisle, there are these two heathens who are playing with the chips at their eye level. They bust one of the bags open and chips go everywhere. I wanted to say, “Where is your mother?” But I didn’t. Instead, I grabbed my bag of chips and went on my merry way. Later, I could hear them chasing each other and laughing and carrying on. Running up and down the aisles. Again – where the hell are these kids mother??

Anyway, I get in line. The checkout girl was SLOW. I mean like molasses slow. I wasn’t in any hurry, so no big deal. But for the love of God, she couldn’t even figure out how to ring up produce. Give me a break. Isn’t that you JOB? And don’t they have the little cards there that tell you the code for every item? All the lady in front of me had was cucumbers and oranges. Please.

Oh well. Now. I finally get my new check card in the mail Saturday which is wonderful. HOWEVER, there’s no indication of what my new PIN number is. So I have to use it as a credit card. No big.

So. The girl proceeds to check me out and then talks about almost everything I have unloaded onto the conveyor belt! She even picks up my body wash, looks at it and says, “This is so expensive.” She asks me if I want every large item in a bag – apple juice, dishwasher liquid, milk. Yes, you lazy ass, I want EVERYTHING in a bag. EFF!

Annoyed. Then she has to talk about my chips. SHUT UP AND RING ME UP! I wanted to shout it. I finally get my receipt and I’m outta there.

I realize I forgot shampoo and hamburger buns so I run through Walgreen’s because it’s on the way home. The woman in there acted like it was a total inconvience that she had to check me out. I mean, seriously, folks. I get it’s Sunday morning and it’s bloody cold out, but COME ON.

Later, after lunch, I send a txt message to The Man. He calls a few minutes later, asks me if I got his three he sent last night. I say no. Turns out, he was WAITING at a restaurant FOR ME. EFF. I was so pissed about that. I feel horrible too. He finally manages to get a sitter and then I never get the message. And he’s waiting for me. GAW! I ask him why he didn’t call, he says he couldn’t get a signal. He says he sent messages to two other people and they responded right away. I GOT NOTHING.

Instead I spent the evening watching a movie and drinking wine when I could have had a nice date.

Yeah. I’m pretty effing TICKED.

Yesterday was one of those long days. And not that it was a bad day – it wasn’t. Just long. I got a lot done at the Day Job, too. Looks like I will be traveling at the end of February for training. To Portland, OR. I’ve never been there, so that should be fun. And cold. I’m probably going to freeze my ass off.

I had a thumping headache by the time I got home from work. I felt a little yuck, too. I left the office a little early. Just as I was about to heat up some dinner, my doorbell rang. It was UPS! They were delivering my new Yamaha piano keyboard!

When I told folks I was getting one, the first question was, “You play?” This is such an odd question to me. Why would I spend hundreds of dollars on something I can’t play? I guess it could stand to reason I’d want to learn to play – but that’s just weird. And then they’re surprised I play. “I didn’t know you played.” Well of course you didn’t. I’ve never really told anyone and why would I? It’s not exactly something that comes up in casual conversation. Just like the fact that I used to dance en pointe isn’t something that comes up in casual conversation either, but I used to do it. And to further prove the fact I’m a total nerd, I was in Band and Orchestra in junior high and high school. So there.

Anyway, yes, I play. And I had been missing it too much lately. And since my house can’t accomodate a real piano – and I couldn’t afford one – I started looking into keyboards. I found a reburb 88-key directly from Yamaha with 90 days parts and labor warranty for about half the price of a new one. Sweet deal.

So the UPS guy was nice enough to bring it into the house for me. I signed for it and he was on his way. I was so excited! I unpacked it right then and there in the entryway of my little house. It came with a stand, a sustain peddal, a music stand, and AC adaptor. It has over 400 “voices” and all sorts of features. Not that I was really interested in the features. I just wanted something that sounded like a piano.

Because I’m impatient, I set it in the middle of the floor in the office and turned it on. It worked! And it was beautiful. And it sounded just like a real live piano. After a little while, I tackled putting the stand together – which came with no instructions whatsoever. It took me a few minutes, but I did figure out how to get it together.

And so, now, I have this beautiful 88-key Yamaha keyboard in my office! I love it. I played last night until my fingers ached. I think I played just about every piece of music I have. It’s still a little surreal to me, looking over and seeing that keyboard sitting there. but it’s SO awesome. I’m so happy!

And so in debt.

But you know what? What good is money if you can’t spend it? I’ll recover from it. It may take a few months, but I’ll get there. And in the meantime, I’m very happy with my purchase. I’m also very happy with the fact I can sit down and play anytime I want. And no one cares. And no one turns up the TV when I start to play. It’s wonderful.

Anyway…this morning the cat decided it was time for me to get up when the sun was streaming in through the bedroom windows. He poked his little head over the edge of the mattress, reached is paw out and nudged me as if to say, “HEY. Get up, lazy!”

I’m feeling better today. I think yesterday I was overtired and just needed some rest. I got up and made a pot of coffee. Then I ran to the bank to cash my expense check. Since I’m still check card-less, I knew it would be the only way to get some spending money this week. I sure hope my new card comes next week. Although, I have to say, it’s really kept my spending in check since I don’t carry it with me. Maybe I’ll keep that up and it will keep me in control. No more impulse items.

I have some things to do today including returning movies to Blockbuster and grocery shopping. I guess I better get to it!

The last few days have been…interesting. The Man popped over at the house after the NHL All-Star game. I mean, he text messaged me first (can I just pause here and say I freaking LOVE text messaging? I mean…I LUUUUURVE it. It’s the most awesome invention known to man…anyway…) and asked me if I was still up. I replied I was. He asks if he can come by. Thinking he was kidding, I say yes.

Imagine my surprise when he showed up on my doorstep a few hours later.

He said he was there for a hug and kiss and then he was leaving.

Yeah, okay, whatever.

He left shortly after 2 am.

And we talked the entire time he drove home. Wanted to make sure he got there in one piece. It was 3 am before I finally went back to sleep. And even though I was running on lack of sleep and caffeine, I never really felt the urge to fall asleep at my desk yesterday like I expected. A tremendously good thing.

It’s always a shocker to me to see him in street clothes since it’s so rare. Jeans, a Dallas Stars sweatshirt, running shoes…and he smelled awfully nice.

And Devon, you’re absolutely right. It doesn’t have to mean a picket fence future. It’s funny, I was thinking that too. Ten years ago, I would have projected this HUGE fantasy – marriage, kids, white picket fence, house with two car garage, dog, cat, whatever. Today, all I really want out of a man is a committed long-term relationship. I want to maintain my independence and I know The Man respects that. I still want those things – house, family, kids – but on different terms.

Still…it scared me for various other reasons.

Anyway…exhaustion hit me hard last night. I slept like the dead but I’m still tired this morning. I’m looking forward to sleeping in this weekend and getting a lot of work done on the book. I AM going to write on it, if it kills me. Of course, there is contest stuff that will have to be done, but I’m going to get my writing time in.

Oh and if you’re wondering where all the smilies went – they’re still there. I upgraded WordPress and I always have to redo the file to get them to show up. I’m going to try to get that done this weekend. I hope.

I need coffee. Much coffee.

Hey I’m blogging over at Chicas today. Stop on by and give me more words! 

What is it about that word that can strike fear into the hearts of men – and some women? Especially when it’s unexpected.

Monday was just a weird EFFING day. I’ll just put it that way. It began like any other normal Monday and ended up totally spinning out of control. By the end of the day, I was completely beside myself – had an…altercation with one friend (all is well now), the cat broke one of my beloved shoes, and The Man threw me for a loop.

Yes. With the L-word.

I think it was completely unintentional and he never quite got the entire word out. But I remember saying, quite bluntly, “YOU WHAT?”

“Sorry, I almost dropped an L-bomb.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I ask.

“You know. The L-bomb,” he says.

OH yeah. I know it. Boy do I ever! “But, wait a second here, what exactly are you saying?”

“You’re smart enought to figure it out,” he says.

Uh huh. And that’s what scares me. I’m not exactly sure I was pleased to hear it. (Or almost hear it.) Nor can I say I was displeased either. I was just…stunned. Not horrified. Just stunned. And bewildered. And my first thought was there’s no effing way. NO WAY!

And so I was relaying the story to a very good friend – via email – and she had the same reaction. But then, in her wisdom, she said, “Out of all the women he sees coming and going in that restaurant, he picked you. I think that’s pretty special.”

I’m not exactly sure what I think about that. Some women wait their entire lives to hear that word from the man they adore. Some hear it daily. Others have heard it from a man they were crazy about, only to have their romance crumble. I’ve said it. I’ve heard it. I’ve felt it. But almost hearing it made me stop and question everything about it. Is he serious? Seriously? And if he is…then what?

I think I should be afraid. Very afraid.

For a hilarious post on eBay, hop on over to Voodoo’s blog and read this. 

So. Yesterday, after I took the Sweetie Boy home, I watched my Grey’s Anatomy so I’d be all caught up for this week. Then I climbed into my nice warm bed…and wrote. Only two pages, but the point is, I got some pages done. And the story took an odd twist I hadn’t expected. Hm.

A friend of mine emailed me yesterday, telling me about a review for Talk Dirty To Me, one I didn’t know about! It’s from Enchanted Ramblings, and they gave the book 4 out of 5 wands. Isn’t that nice? You can read the entire review here, but here’s the good part:

This book is great for those who want a hot steamy read. There were a few spots in the book where I found it hard to believe, but if you are willing to suspend disbelief to read the scorching love scenes this is a good book for you.

I wonder what part the reviewer found hard to believe? Maybe the whole idea of a phone sex operator…who knows. Anyway, it’s always nice to find a review you didn’t know about.

And here’s something else that’s cool. I Googled the words: “michelle miles talk dirty to me” and I got all kinds of hits. Awesome! But this is the one I found totally cool.

In other news… I broke down and purchased an AlphaSmart Neo. I totally can’t wait to get my hands on this little thing. I’ve been drooling for one for about a year now so I figured it was finally time, huh? Plus, I can write it off my taxes next year and I think it will keep me on track. AND I won’t be tempted by the Dark Side – meaning, email, Internet, goofing off – when I’m supposed to be writing. If you don’t know what an AlphaSmart is (and most writers do these days), then check out their website.

And you’re right Devon – I need to get off my ass and just write. I’m not all that pleased with my 2 pages, but I AM pleased I managed to get the hands on the keyboard long enough to write something.

I can’t believe how fast this month is going by! Where does the time go? I guess I really better get on the stick if I’m to make that March 2 deadline.

But now it’s off to work. I owe! I owe!

It’s been a long time coming but I finally got a review for A BEND IN TIME. Coffee Time Romance gives the book 4 out of 5 cups. I am so happy!

A Bend in Time has everything you could want: bad guys, good guys, time travel, and lots more. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time. This was a fast paced, nail biting story. Intrigue around every corner, all the way to the very end. I am certain you will not be disappointed by Ms. Miles’ work.

Pretty good, eh? You can read the entire review here. I’m pleased.

The Man called yesterday and I’m thinking he must be missing me, since I got a grand total of four phone calls. There’s a slight chance we’ll see each other tonight, but I know he has a meeting all day and then he’s got a dinner thing and a drink thing and…well…I get it. Dating a workaholic restaruant owner with two kids who lives an hour away is definitely a challenge.

In other news…well, there’s not much other news. Seeing as how I’m NOT WRITING. Gaw, I suck. I totally suck. I know what I need to do but I’m having trouble getting started lately. Too much drama and introspection I think. I just gotta fight through it and keep on keeping on.

Right?

Sunday was the one year anniversary of D-Day. The day I got my freedom and independence back.

A difficult day.

To battle it, I went out and bought some new accessories for the bedroom. New wall scones, a wall grille for over the bed, and new curtains. The bedroom has a very romantic and medieval feel – at least to me – and I love it. It’s finally the retreat I’ve always wanted. There are still a few things I need to do in the room to make it 100% done, but I’ll get there.

I ironed the new curtain panels and scarf – in colors called Copper Canyon and Dune – and then hung them up in the bedroom. I love them! The colors are just perfect and go with the wall color.

I’m in the market for an 88-key piano keyboard. I’ve decided I should have what I want and get it. I’d really like a piano – but I don’t have the space or the money for it. An 88-key keyboard, however, is in the budget. So. I’ve found one and it’s on eBay and it’s for a good price with decent shipping. So! I’m going for it. And I’m excited!

I’ve missed playing so much. I’m looking forward to being able to veg out while I play again. And it’ll go in the office right across from the computer, so I can “share” the files if I want. AND it will give me that creative outlet I need. I used to do my best thinking while playing the piano.

I can’t wait to get it.

My house is really coming along. I’ve decided to finish up my bedroom before moving on to the other rooms. Meaning, getting everything just the way I want it. I’m going to go ahead and paint the baby’s room in the coming weeks. He told me he wanted his bathroom to be “seagreen blue”. I think that can be arranged!

After the baby’s room, then I’m going to paint the office, then the rest of the house. My goal it to get the entire house painted by the end of the year. I have some time.

That’s it for me – I’m off to work! I can’t believe it’s Monday already…

It’s been so dreary the last few days. Yesterday it rained ALL day. Today – the sun is out! Nice to see the sun at last.

Sweetie Boy and I ran some errands yesterday. I had to go to the bank for the chapter and make a deposit. They have a popcorn machine there and he asked for some. So I let him have a small bag of it. Then it was on to my bank.

Since my Visa check card had to be canceled, I decided to cash a check. Just so I’d have a little money for the week. And when I wondered how I was going to pay at the store, it occurred to me I could write a check. Duh. I’m just so used to never carrying my checkbook and only using checks for bills. It’ll be 7-10 business days before I get the new card.

I let the baby watch Superman Returns. He liked it right up until the part where Lex Luthor stabs him in the side with that sliver of kyrptonite. He cried. So I had to give him the assurance that all would be well.

It gave me an idea. Maybe I needed to get the old version of Superman, the 1978 version with Christopher Reeve. So we went to Blockbuster and I got that and The Breakup and bought a previously viewed DVD of The Lake House. After cooking dinner, I made some popcorn and we settled in to watch the old Superman.

Sweetie Boy was out by 7. It’s because he got up at 6:45 that morning and asked me why it was still dark out. :dead:

I let him sleep on me for about an hour and then I tucked him in bed. I finished watching the movie. My favorite part of that is when Lois is falling from the helicopter and he swoops in to save her. I remember when I was kid, I wanted to be her. Just so a big strong man could swoop in to save me.

The baby boy was up again at 6:45 this morning. :dead: I told him to go play in his room until I got up. But after the third or fourth time of him coming and telling me his flashlight was broken, his fort fell apart, he needed me to play with him on the walkie-talkies…I gave up and dragged myself out of bed.

Of course, now he’s in there playing with his pirate fort and leaving me alone. Now that I’m up.

Not sure what we’ll do today. It’s still a bit chilly out, so we may just hang around the house. I have laundry to do and a house to clean. And coffee. Must have coffee.

:coffee:

So… It had been a rainy yucky day all day Friday. Rained on the way TO work; rained on the way FROM work. I picked up the Sweetie Boy but he had fallen asleep in the car on the way home. And I mean, he was OUT COLD. Slept all evening. Didn’t even want to get up for dinner!

I went to the mailbox and had a letter from my credit union. Which always scares me. I knew I wasn’t overdrawn and my bank statments are electronic, so I wasn’t sure what this was all about.

The letter tells me my Visa Check Card has been compromised! I immediately call the bank. The lady tells me no fraudulent activity has been detected, which is a relief. I check my balance daily so I knew nothing was awry. She said the breach was from TJ Maxx and Marshall’s stores – and I had used my check card at a Marshall’s back in early December. So I canceled my check card and ordered a new one. Just to be safe.

And then I called the credit bureaus and put a fraud alert on all my credit reports.

Just to be safe.

Friday was one of those emotionally exhausting days. I guess I’ve been thinking too much lately. I’m coming up on the one year anniversary of D-Day and starting to deal with things I couldn’t deal with back then. It’s been hard. But I wasn’t strong enough then when my life was in thousands of pieces. And now I am. I’m stronger than ever. I haven’t changed; I’ve evolved. And so I’ve allowed myself to face those demons I locked away.

It’s not a pretty thing, but a necessary one. It’s something I have to push through because in the end, I’ll be better for it.

All right – today is Saturday! And I’ve got a $20 gift card to Pier 1 calling my name. I’m getting some things for my bedroom. It’s going to be so “grown up” by the time I’ve finished.

Yesterday was a great day for my little shoes! Not only did Best Good Friend give me three – Comet, Spring Raine, and Mother’s Love – but I also got three more in the mail! Snake Skin Wrap, Flirt, and Pointedly Wicked showed up on my doorstep. (None of them are pictured here – this is Bling.)

Flirt is ADORABLE. Spring Raine is so feminine and so beautiful. Comet is just gorgeous. Pointedly wicked it totally wicked. They’re all awesome. And I’m running out of room. AND I’m expected three more! Graffiti Gurl, Bimbette, and Ever After are on their way.

I wonder if there’s a place I can take these little shoes and say, “Make this in my size.” hehe

Had lunch with Best Good Friend to collect said shoes and chit-chat. It was greatness. It’s always nice to get away from the office for a quickie lunch and some good company. Work has been exceptionally busy of late and that’s good. I’m glad. I like being busy. It makes the day go by.

We’re due for another – yes, another! – bought of freezing rain this weekend. Sheesh. Will it ever end?

I spent a good portion of the evening working on contest stuff. I went through and updated my list, then got all my deposits ready. It took nearly two hours to get that all done with all my supporting paperwork filled out. I did all this while listening to Loreena McKennitt’s Book of Secrets. One of my all-time favorite CDs.

I tried to get some writing in, but I found myself dozing with the laptop on my lap. Not a good thing. I’ll have to try again tonight.

I’m glad it’s Friday, though, despite the fact it’s been an odd week. The Sweetie Boy and I will be holed up if it’s going to do the freezing rain thing again. I need to get some firelogs so I can have another fire. AND we’re planning on watching Superman Returns. I did the pre-screen last weekend and deemed it worthy for him to watch, althought I think it might be to “talky” for him. We’ll see.

Happy Friday, ya’ll.

Hey I’m blogging today over at the Chicas! So if you stopped by last week to give me a list of words, stop on over and see what I managed to come up with. Um. Yeah. It’s…different.

You know what’s TOTALLY annoying? When you get a package that says “Open Here” but clearly the perforations DON’T bloody work and you spend the next fifteen minutes ripping and tearing and trying like hell to get to the shit you want to OPEN!

Yesterday, because I had cabin fever and because there was only water left on the roads, I made a trip to Walgreen’s (LOVE the Walgreen’s company and PS CVS can kiss my butt) because I was out of AA batteries and because my keyboard and mouse were dying a slow painful death and it was totally ticking me off that I couldn’t click on ANYTHING and when I typed the keyboard would drop letters s I wld b typng lke ths.

So!

I went to Walgreen’s, freezing my happy ass off but going because I needed the batteries (and you have to remember, I’m from Texas, so if it gets below 60 degrees, I need a jacket – and it was a high of 30 yesterday) and I get them and the idiot moron dude in front of me can’t seem to decide which bloody video tape he needs for his camcorder. Um. Hello? Don’t you usually figure that out BEFORE you get in the checkout? But whatever. The hired help there actually had a brain and another lady opened another register and I escape back to my hole with my 16 count batteries in hand. Because you can never have too many AAs. Right?

Right.

So I get inside and my feet are cold and my hands are cold – even though I did manage to wear gloves – and there are these little perforations on the back of the batteries with a punch out that says “OPEN HERE”. And OF COURSE it doesn’t work so I spent the next few minutes ripping and tearing with cold fingers and then give up and get the kitchen scissors and it still takes me for-freaking-ever to get all the cardboard torn/cut away. FINALLY I do and then I try to pull open the little plastic cover thingy that’s encasing my precious batteries and I tug and I pull to no avail. I give it one good jerk and guess what? Batteries went flying EVERYWHERE.

Figures.

At least I got the bastid open.

I’m not exactly sure the batteries helped my clicking problem though. It might be a faulty mouse. Methinks it might be time to retire the thing.

Anyway. I can’t believe how goofy the weather folks are. I watched the evening news on Tuesday and they said we MIGHT get a few flurries in the morning, but all the precip was going to the south of us. Well, we all know how that went on Wednesday. Waking up to about an inch of snow…yeah, you idiot weather folks WERE WRONG. That’s why they’re meteorologists in Texas. Because the weather report usually goes something like this: “It’s hot. It’s humid. Wear sunscreen and a hat.”

You know…I think I could do that for a living.

And here’s another thing I don’t get. Every school district in the Metroplex was closed. Every one, that is, except for Dallas ISD. Hello? Even Fort Worth ISD was closed! And when they got the dude from the DISD on the phone to ask about their decision, the guy says, “Well, it was a decision we made early on and we decided to stick with it.” Okay, so, what? You can’t change your mind? And then they had the nerve to complain about all the absences in the schools. Well, freaking DUH!

Apparently, the Superintendent of schools doesn’t make the final decision, they have people who go around to the neighborhoods and “check” the roads and check with TxDOT on road conditions. They decide whether or not it’s safe to get to the schools and whether or not the buses are going to run. WHATEVER. I mean, what idiot looks outside with 1-2 inches of snow and ice on the ground and says, “HEY! I think we’ll have classes today! And start at REGULAR time!” I know if it were me, there would be no way my kid was getting on a bus just to appease the school district.

Morons.

Another day of being stuck at home has once again shown me that I need human contact to feel complete. hehe I find that I start talking to myself, the cat, and other inanimate objects and that’s just weird. Though I suppose it’s not any more weird than having conversations in your head with people you make up.

Slow progress on the dragon story, but some progress to report. I guess I have too much going on upstairs to really focus on the writing, which is not a good thing. Sometimes it’s hard for me to divide up work/personal/misc things and put it aside so I can concentrate on dragons, sexy heroes, and sassy heroines. Oh yeah, and hot sex.  

All right, that’s it for me. I’m off to brave the roads and get to work. Do you think they could give me an IV of coffee? 

This is from my back door. Can you see the gigantic flakes against the fence?

And this is from my front door. White!