Hey I’m blogging over at Chicas today if you wish to check it out. Stop on over, say hello, and join the Chica-Fun. ;)

Okay. So. I was “researching” the other night and I ended up spending about 3 hours on Amazon. I set up my profile, added pictures, did Listmania! and all sorts of stuff I shouldn’t have been doing. Because what I should have been doing was writing. Hello.

Then I flipped through the Celtic Myths and Legends book and came up with a few little ideas to start working on the second half of The Book. I’m thinking of something something with high adventure with a dash of a quest involved. Cool, isn’t it?

Or as my son says…awesomey awesomeness. Actually, I can’t give all the credit for that phrase to the baby boy. It was orignated by Best Good Friend.

Anyway. Around 7ish when I was on Amazon, the sales rank of Bend In Time was around 388,000+/-.  By the time I got done with my time suckage, I checked back at around 10 and it had dropped to 89,000+/- and then this morning it was around 142,000+/-. So I’m really wondering what this means. If anything.

Yesterday was a good day. I mowed the backyard when I got home. It was really still too wet for it but it was getting out of hand so I wanted to get it done. I came inside covered in grass with muddy feet and sweating my ass off. My face was bright red, too. I was dying so I hopped in a cool shower.

Afterward, the exercise I did really gave me a boost of energy. I started back to work on The Book which felt good.

And in other news…I have music from Pirates 3 stuck in my head…

I can’t believe it’s the last day of the month!

Guess that about sums it up for the day. I’m off to work!

I guess I don’t have much to blog about today. I did a little research on the book last night, searching for ideas. Brought out the Celtic Myths and Legends book and perused it. I think I have the beginnings of a plan for the second half of the book but it’s taking more time than I want to spend. I just want to get to it and get it done!

In other news… I got up and worked out this morning!

Also, yesterday at the office, Boss and Coworker threw a mini-birthday thing for me. Cake and candles… and they each gave me a pair of shoes. They’re funky and fun and I love them. I’ll have to get pictures and post.

I’m in need of some coffee so I’m off. Happy Wednesday! I love short weeks.

It’s always sad when the long weekend is over and it’s time to go back to work. *sigh*

Went to see Pirates: At World’s End and may I just say… I loved it! Oh sure, the critics poo-pooed it. But what’d you expect? I’m sorry, Mr. Cogill, I disagree with your assessment that the movie is “…that bad. That boring. That disappointing.” Maybe you just didn’t get it because the writers/producers actually told a story with action and adventure involved. I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but, you know, they do make movies like that every now and then. It is a tad long at nearly 3 hours, but I can’t think of one part they should have cut to make it the normal 2 hour mark. And Elizabeth Swann is the perfect heroine: beautiful, smart, witty, can kick ass and take up for herself, and totally in love with her guy.

Ok. So. Anyway. After the movie, Brother and I went to Lowe’s and I bought myself a new lawn mower and weedeater for my birthday. If it would ever quit raining, I might be able to mow. Actually, I did manage to get the front done. And the hedges trimmed (bought those, too). It gives me satisfaction knowing I can do it myself and not have to rely on someone else.

Then we had steaks which were tasty and watched Night at the Museum and then had cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Somewhere in the weekend, I managd to write another chapter which completes the first half of The Book. Today I cut 32 pages of crap (yeah, it hurt) and now I can concentrate on the second half of the book. REALLY concentrate. I’m getting closer to being done. I’m so ready to be done! And then it’s off to plot Book 3.

I have a lot of things I want to accomplish this year and just like always I feel like I’m running out of time. I want to finish the rewrite on the first MAGIC book and get it to Samhain and then get the historical time travel done and to Samhain. I haven’t sold a book all year and it’s starting to make me panic just a tad. I need to get it done.

Monday, we took it easy. Somewhat. I got a gift card to B&N for my birthday but since I couldn’t think of one book I was burning to have, I bought the baby two more Magic Tree House books.

Then we came home and hung around while it rained some more. I’ve just about had it with this rain.

All in all, it was a pretty good weekend and a very nice birthday. And now it’s back to the old grin. At least it’s a short week that ends in payday.

I was perusing the shelves at my local Barnes & Noble today when LO and BEHOLD! I saw fellow Chica here!!! I’m so happy for you, Ames!! I smiled and said, “HEY! I know her!”

Congrats and here’s to TONS of book sales! :)

We’re off to see Pirates 3 today…and then have an early dinner. Other than that, I’m not doing much of anything except enjoying the day!

Tried to blog earlier but it wouldn’t post, which always annoys me.

It’s been raining here a lot lately.  It started last night and didn’t let up until nearly noon today. I got started early and cleaned the entire house from top to bottom. I got two loads of laundry done and put away. So I’m all ready to have guests this weekend.

The baby boy has decided to take a nap, so I’m going to get some work done on The Book and then try and read some pages of a friend’s new WIP. And then here in a bit I have to dash to get Mom and then we’re going to dinner. WOO!

And I mean happy as in it’s a happy Friday – not just have a happy Friday!

It’s going to be a long weekend. Here in the States, it’s Memorial Day on Monday. And Sunday happens to be my birthday. We’re going to see Pirates 3 – WOOHOO! Saturday I’m going to be picking up my mommy and then she, Sweetie boy, and me are all going out to dinner to The Man’s restaurant cuz, you know, I’m lazy and don’t want to cook and it’s a free meal for all involved. Well, relatively free. I’ll still leave a sizeable tip.

Yesterday, I was talking with Best Good Friend/Sysenlaw and SHE told me this. She hadn’t heard from Borders yet about her book she ordered, so she calls them And lo and behold, the guy says he thinks it came in with their shipment, got shelved…and sold. That means it’s somewhere out there in captivity, owned by someone I don’t even know. How totally rocking cool is THAT? The guy apologized profusely, but she was pretty glad it happened (and so am I) AND she orderd another one.

HA!

I still haven’t received my author copies. If they don’t come today, I’m going to have to find out what’s up.

Last night, the boy and I went to Borders because I had a gift card burning a hole in my purse. So I figured I’d let him pick out a book. They had a large display of POTC books – and of course he picked the movie storybook. I am trying very hard to maintain control and NOT go read the end of it because I totally want to be surprised. It’s very hard to resist that kind of temptation especially when it’s the next room over.

I also got him another Magic Tree House book, #33, Carnival at Candlelight. We started reading it last night. These are the best books. Not only educational, but fun to read. AND they have illustrations. They’re just little chapter books, but the Sweetie Boy loves them. He was very excited with this one has it had a window cling in the back he could put up on his bedroom window. He would find the one book with a sticker in it, eh?

Anyway. Don’t know if I’ll get to blog this weekend. I have lots to do. If not, have a save and happy Memorial weekend, ya’ll!

I just can’t think of anything fun an interesting for my blog titles these days.

First: LOST. *SPOILERS* in case you haven’t seen it yet.

DOH! So do they or do they NOT get off the island? And what about Desmond stuck down there underwater in the Looking Glass? And even though we all knew Charlie was going to die, it still ticked me off that he did. And where did Walt come from? I’m wondering if it was just the black smoke thingy (which I think is Jacob) making Locke see him. AND! If the “flashback” was actually the future, it begs the question of whether or not they get off the island or they stay. I mean, according to that future, they do. But we all know that things can be altered by one little action. I thought that who alternate reality thing was totally cool and I can’t wait for next season.

In between running after my child and LOST, I did some tweaking on chapter 11 yesterday. I intend to start chapter 12 today. Still striving for that four chapter deadline on Friday. I’m getting there!

The kids had their end of year party yesterday at school. I have never had a party like this. I thought it was totally awesome. They had face painting, bubble blowing, bounce houses, paint guns to paint big sheets of paper on the side of the building, hair spray coloring, snow cones, snacks… I wish we’d had that for the end of year when I was in school. And it was the entire school and not just the kindergarten class.

Since they needed more Mom volunteers for the party, I ended up doing face painting with another mom. Yes, me who cannot draw a stickfigure did face painting. I seemed to have gotten all the little girls in the entire kindergarten class in my line and they ALL wanted a kitty cat face. Hey I got pretty good by the time the two hours was up.

When the part started, my child disappeared and I didn’t seem him until he came walking back into the classroom, his hair all plastered against his head with sweat and a big ole grin on his little face. He came running up to me with a big hug and a big kiss. He was all happy because he got to go in the bounce house…and then he told me all about how all the kindergarten teachers got in there too. He thought that was funny.

And then at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon, something short circuited in that little head of his and he snapped. He went from happy to the devil child in 2.3 seconds. That’s when he decided to take a nap. And hour and a half later, I finally got him up for dinner and he was all happy again.

Children make you insane. LOL

Today is the awards ceremony. I’m going to get some work done before I head to the school.

Shocking, right? I got up this morning and did a 30 minute workout – thighs, butt, and power stretch. OMG I feel so energized! I am loving this workout DVD because I can mix and match the workouts, just pick one, or do them all. It’s bloody wonderful. As soon as I can master the beginning tone exercises, I’m going to move up to another more difficult one. I want to get my body used to the idea of working out before I totally shock it into major workout mode.

Then I actually ate a healthy breakfast.

I also got up this morning to find cat garf in three different places. Nice. I think he must have a sensitive tummy or something because I switched to a different brand of cat food. I might have to go back the the really expensive Iams stuff. *sigh*

Worked on The Book last night – got another 4 pages in which means Chapter 11 is complete! I’m getting there but my gaw it’s slow going. I keep thinking that if I can get past this major chunk, it’ll go a lot faster. At least that’s what I’m hoping for. Chapters 9 and 10 were so fast-paced that it’s time to slow things down a little for 11 and 12. It’s Wednesday, which means LOST finale AND I need to get another chapter done.

Sweetie Boy has his end of year party today at the school and then tomorrow is awards day. That is so cute. Then he has a doctor’s appoinment Friday afternoon – more ear problems. I think it’s blocked by wax again. So this should be another lovely experience with getting the ear flushed. Hoo-Ray.

Okay gotta started the day… I have to be at the school shortly!

Is anyone as disturbed as I am by the new La Quinta ads? The one with the dude turning cartwheels and dancing really disturbs me…

Anyway… I got up this morning and did my 10 minute ab workout. WOOHOO!! I’m so proud of myself. Tomorrow is thigh day. Plus I’ve been eating better. I bought green leaf and red leaf lettuce and other salad makings at the store and made up my own salad and had that last with a Lean Cuisine new brick oven pizza. It was good!

On Sunday, I managed to get 10 pages done on The Book and finished Chapter 10. And 4 pages last night on Chapter 11. I had to go back and change some stuff at the end of chapter 10 because I needed to get it right. I had to ask Brother what would happen if you sliced someone’s throat open with a machete. Yeah, um, it’s not pretty. He was quite graphic. Thanks, Bro!

Yesterday afternoon, I stopped on my way home from work and got my toes done. It felt SOOOOO good to get a pedicure and it was much needed. She made little white flowers on my big toes and put a little tiny green jewel in the center. It’s cute.

And today I’m wearing my new skirt and shirt and cork sandals. I feel pretty damn good, if I do say so. Maybe this change of diet and exercise is starting to agree with me…

So. This weekend was busy and I love when that happens. Especially when I don’t have the baby because it makes me nearly go stir crazy not running after him.

I got these shoes from Easy Spirit to try out and see what I think. Can I just say I totally love them? They are super ultra comfy. But I’m talking about that over at ShoeIQ today if you want to pop by and say hello.

Saturday I hung up the final two ceiling fans in my house. Well, the one in the living room anyway. When I took down the one in the master bedroom, I ran into some problems. Namely, the wires were coming out of a hole in the ceiling and the fan bracket was bolted into the joist. Uh huh. Great. So I made a call to the handyman and, being Saturday, I figured I’d just schedule and appointment for next week sometime. But he said he was out and about and working and he’d swing by. So he came, conquered, and got the ceiling fan up. WOO!

Then I knew I had to write. Knew it. But I avoided it like the plague. It was nother non-productive day. Very bad of me. I cooked dinner and watched TV instead. Mindless TV. I guess I needed to decompress.

I even went shopping because I had this $15 off coupon for JCPenney and I just couldn’t let it go to waste. I bought two new outfits.

Sunday morning, I woke up to someone’s effing dog barking its stupid head off at 6:45 am. HELLO! There are people trying to sleep! I gave up and got up at 7:30, made a grocery list and went shopping, coupons in hand. I’m trying to make myself use coupons lately to save some money. I even cancelled Showtime, much as it pained me, to save some money every month.

I did well at the grocery store. I didn’t go overboard. And I’m trying to eat healthier so I bought really good stuff to make salad with. Not that crappy bad salad that goes bad in like two days after opening it. It was about 9:15 when I got back, unloaded, and put things away.

I knew Half Price Books opened at 10 and I had some stuff to get rid of. I wanted to get the most bang for the buck, so I spring cleaned my bookshelf. I got rid of a bunch of hardback books, paperbacks, CDs, a couple of DVDs, some old Writer’s Digest magazines… I carted them all to the store at 10 am sharp and 45 minutes later, I had $130 in hand. WOOHOO!

I now have money to go to the movies and have birthday dinner this weekend. Very happy. I still have a bunch of CDs to get rid of, so I’ll be working on that in the next few weeks.

Then I made up my own salad and put it in Tupperware so it wouldn’t go bad and I can fix individual servings without having to get out everything.

And then… I sat down at the computer. I had sent the first nine chapters of The Book to a friend who is going to read and critique…and give me deadlines. I have four chapters due on Friday.

I wrote one of them from scratch on Sunday. Chapter ten is complete! Proofed it and got it ready. I made myself turn off the TV and concentrate but sometimes I have a hard time doing that in silence. So I turned on the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack and wrote my little fingers off…and had a few surprises along the way.

No matter how well you pre-plan, characters have a mind of their own and do things you never thought possible. And once things are done, you look back and think, “Yeah. They would totally do that.” The creative process is amazing, isn’t it?

Cooked dinner. Watched Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. No matter how hard I try, I am so hooked on those shows it’s not even funny. I’m glad for the summer break. Now I can get some serious work done.

Had a glass of port and put away the last of the laundry. And then it was time for bed. As of this week, I’m starting my new healthy regimen. I’m working out and eating better. I think that will make me feel better. Has to, right?

And can you believe it’s Monday? And the end of the month is quickly approaching? Make it stop! I need more time. But then again, if I had more time, I’d have more time.

Okay, folks, I’m off to work. Happy Monday! As happy as Monday can be, that is…

I just realized I haven’t blogged all weekend. I’ve been busy – yesterday and today. I’m actually working on the book from H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS. And making some good progress as long as I don’t get distracted by things like laundry and house cleaning. hehe

I have a deadline – May 31st! And I’m going to meet it if it kills me. I swear. I have to finish this book!

And don’t forget about the Chicas contest! You need to pop by there and make a guess sos we can award fabulous prizes on Monday.

So. My son has inherited a very large stuffed dog from his aunt. It was her daughter’s and I’d imagine she’s tired of it being in her house. I can see why. I mean, look at the thing! It’s huge! In fact, it’s as tall as my Sweetie Boy is.

When I arrived at his grandparent’s to pick him up, he came running out of the house with a big grin on his little face.

“Mom! I got a big dog named Spike. Come see!”

So off we went. I expected something large, but certainly not this large! For Pete’s sake.

The damn thing was so big I had to lower the back seat and stuff it in through the trunk just to get it in the car. But I got it in the car all right and it’s here now. Sweetie told his dad Spike lives in his room at my house. In this photo, Spike is watching Scooby-Doo with the Sweetie and they’re sharing snacks together.

Anyway, so apparently we have a new addition to the family. Spike the Giganto Dog.

Since I’ve had several late nights in a row, I took the night off to recharge and regroup. I have Saturday and Sunday to write so I’m hoping to get a big portion of the book done this weekend. Even though those last two ceiling fans are calling me to put them up… I’m going to forego home improvements this weekend for the book.

And yes, Devon, I want you to pester me. Crack your whip! In fact, demand chapters from me (even if you don’t read them haha).

I’m glad it’s Friday. I’m tired. I have a backache and my new shoes gave me blisters yesterday… Do you think anyone would notice if I wore my new $10 flip flops to work?

Yeah, that’s what I thought too.

Oh, and hey, we’re reading for guesses on the Chica contest!

AND the radio show is up in the archives. You can get to it here. Just scroll down until you see my name under “Shows With Authors”.

First of all - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIEND LARA! She’s also a new mommy for the fourth time, so congrats on that too, dear. HUGS!

1. Surf the ‘net. This is the ultimate in Time Suckage. I can’t think of a better way to blow an hour than by this. Call it research to make yourself feel better.
2. Visit MySpace. Add as many new friends as you can. This is another Ultimate Time Suckage. Call it “networking”.
3. Read and reply to ALL your email. Even if you get 100 messages a day. Even reply to Spam and tell them how much you hate them or really don’t need penile implants and/or things to make it pop up faster.
4. Rummage through the pantry/fridge/cubbard looking for fattening food you don’t need. When you don’t find what you want, start over again until you give up. This can usually take at least 20 minutes or more depending on how desperate you are to have chocolate you know you don’t have.
5. Look for podcasts. Even though you’re not a podcast fan, you suddenly have the urge to find all the podcasts in Creation, spend then next 20-30 minutes downloading them, and then listening to the hour plus shows.
6. Pet the cat until he bites you.
7. Rip CDs to your hard drive. Play them all back as you rip them.
8. Sharpen all your pencils, even if they don’t need it. Curse the cheap-ass POS pencil sharpener you got before you toss it aside and give up.
9. Try on and model your new shoes (all three pairs) for the cat.
10. Pause to make the plotting board for the plotting workshop you’re taking because, after all, this is “homework”. Make the squares as precise as possible using your yard stick. Yeah, totally anal.
11. Talk to your boyfriend/husband/significant other about nothing. See how many times he can tell you how exhausting you are and when he tries to hang up, come up with more things to tell him just to keep him on the phone and annoy him. Tell him things you’ve already said and then act surprised when he says you already told him.

Yeah, okay. So I have issues with time management lately. I’m pressuring myself to finish the book by the end of the month. Please, people. I need all the help I can get. Will you do me a favor and pester me about it? Crack those whips, folks. I need it.

So…my mom got her copy of A Bend In Time yesterday and she called and told me she read it in one afternoon. She said I needed to write longer books. hehe She liked it! She asked when book 2 would be out and I told her in print, most likely next April. “That’s too long to wait,” she said.

Actually. Not really. Especially considering I’m not done writing the book yet. And it still has to go for another round or two of editing.

Where’s that whip smilie? And speaking of smilies…why the hell can’t I get them to work anymore? Argh.

Oh well… At least I’ve completed chapter 9 of the rewrite! WOOHOO!

I stayed up too late working on The Book and then talking to The Man on the phone. I have one of those not-enough-sleep headaches and it sucks. So I stopped at Starbucks this morning and it (almost) made it all better.

Not much else to blog about other than that. I’m going back to hibernation now.

And hey don’t forget about the contest over at Chicas!