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We get another cold front today. Temps should be in the mid-20s tonight. BRR

I like the cold weather. However, I have no desire to be out IN it. I’d much rather stay at home and have a fire and a cup of coffee and a movie (or a book).

I did get some writing done yesterday. Not much, but some. I’m starting to get to know these characters even more than I did before. They’re actions are very telling and it turns out there’s a long sordid history between Graeme and his former best friend, Ethan. They really do hate each other. And they both want Marion but for very different reasons. I love how the characters reveal themself to me as I’m writing them. And there’s nothing better than have a “zone” moment.

But I’m anxious to finish this one up and move on to the next one.

I still can’t get Darkfever out of my mind. I think I must have dreamed about it the other night because I kept waking up looking for Unseelie - scary Fae monsters (read the book - no really!). I still marvel at how masterful Moning was able to pull off the first person in that book. And I can’t help but think, “Damn, I wish I’d thought of that.” hehe

A good friend ordered Bloodfever for me as a gift so it’s on the way. I.can’t.wait.to.get.it. The suspense of wanting to know what’s going to happen in the next book is killing me.

I’m going to be looking for more dark fantasy books, I think. Just to see whate everyone else is doing.

And I still want to read more YA.

Yep, that TBR pile is getting longer every day.

I think I mentioned yesterday I’m giving away a book this week - Free Book Friday! The prize is Melissa Schroeder’s Lessons in Seduction. So all those who post on the comment section this week will be entered in the drawing. So all you folks in lurkdom, come on out and play. You have until midnight CST Friday to play. Winner will be announced Saturday morning. I’ll have my kiddo draw the name.

Anyway. My ad was in the February issue of Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine on page 55. Everyone needs to go check that out, pronto. I’ll have an ad in the March issue as well. You’ll just have to go find it to see which book I’m promoing. hehe

AND - it’s official, folks. I’ll be doing a book signing on February 9 at the Barnes & Noble in Highland Village from 2 pm to 4 pm. I’m signing copies of A Bend In Time and I’ll have cover flats of the ebooks to give away. So if you live in the area, come on out and say hello. I’ll be signing with several other authors that day.

And that’s it for now. It’s off to work!

I fell off the wagon yesterday. Hard and fast. I’d been having a time lately. Lots of depressing moments when I look at my bank account. Doesn’t help I have a sky-high electric bill to pay this week. Those bastards.

Anyway. I woke up on Sunday, got up, had coffee. And all of the sudden all I could think about were those two $10 gift certificates from DSW. They were burning a huge hole in my pocket. So I started laundry, read email, and thought about shoes.

It’s really a sad obsession I have.

They opened at 11 am, so I figured I’d head that way about that time. I showered, got dressed, read more email, watched the Food Network, and decided to fix my couch. It was the only thing standing between me and DSW - fixing the couch I mean.

It seems there were two springs out of place. It’s happened before and I put them back in place. But this time I was going to fix it so it wouldn’t pop out again. I got my tools of choice - work gloves, hammer, epoxy, staple gun. I managed to get the springs back in place. Both of them! And then I took the lid off the epoxy, got a toothpick and put epoxy in the holes on the front and back of the springs. They won’t be going anywhere this time!

Then I stapled the ripped covering on the bottom of the couch back into place. I even sewed up the holes. Aren’t I crafty? Then I took the cover with the big green and white flowers off and washed it. My couch is all clean and shiny and perfect once again.

Which means I can hold off for a while on purchasing a new one. Darn it.

DSW, though, was still beckoning me. Why not? I thought. I can just go look. There’s no harm in that. Right?

I stuff the two certificates in my bag and off I went. It was cold but sunny and beautiful yesterday. The wind was blustery. I drove to DSW, arriving after them being open about twenty minutes.

I found the clearance rack right away. And two pairs of brown flats - one was 80 percent off. I couldn’t NOT get it. A pair of Steve Madden suede brown ballet flats. I decided to stroll through the store, just to see if there was anything that would catch my fancy.

On the back wall…I saw it. Sitting there in all its beauty. I swear I had the Inward Sucky Noise of Joy.

They were Steve Madden in this luscious striped brown satin. Peep toe with a stiletto four inch heel in dark brown. A little rhinstone faux-buckle on the toe. I was in heaven. I had to have it.

But they didn’t have my size. The closest to it was an 8. I was devastated!

So I took my purchases to the register and asked if they could call another store. Yes, I know. It’s excessive. But I couldn’t help it.

The other store didn’t have my size either. Bummer.

I went to Nordstrom and Macy’s and Shoe Pavilion. No luck. No one had it. (Incidentally, Shoe Pavilion has this really weird smell about it. I know they are trying to compete with DSW, but really - they are no match - and they smell.)

I stopped at Taco Bell on the way home and spent my last $4 in cash. But I couldn’t stop thinking about those shoes. How sad is that?

I scoured the internet for them. I couldn’t find them anywhere. Not even on the Steve Madden website. Again…devastated.

So as I shoved the remaining Nachos Bell Grande in my mouth, I had an urge. I was going to drive across town, to the other side of Fort Worth to see if that other DSW had them. I figured what the heck becuase I didn’t have anything else to do that day and it sure beats sitting at home.

Of course, I had a helluva time finding that other store. But I finally did. And JOY of JOY they had it. But in a 7.

Luckily, the 7 fit. And it was the last pair. So I cradled it against my body as I walked the rest of the store. And found a pair of blue and black Nicole Miller that were to-die-for.

Turns out the lady in the same aisle was a big shoe person like me. We had a lovely conversation about shoes and our favorite brands and we both ended up buying the Nicole Miller. Her husband walked up as she was trying them on and said, “But, honey, look at them. They’re so fabulous.”

hehehehe

Yes, I had a hand in that. It felt great!

So I ended up purchasing four new pairs of shoes. I couldn’t help it. I so needed them. There’s just something about buying shoes that make everything all better again. You know?

After I got home, I decided to have some seriou downtown. I finished reading Karen Marie Moning’s Darkfever and I loved it. It TOTALLY rocks. Of course, I simply must have the second book so I can continue the story and see what happens. It’s very different from her Highlander series. A lot darker. But I liked it a lot and I found myself amazed at the smooth way she could write in first person. It’s amazing. I laughed in a lot of places and even wanted to cry in some. The mark of a fantastic writer.

I picked up Smoke Thief by Shana Abe next. She’s got a new one out called Queen of Dragons but I wanted to start with the first one. Of course, my TBR pile is getting longer by the minute. I have Melissa Schroder’s to read, too.

And I plan to have a giveaway on Friday of one of her books. Yes, I’m teasing you. So all you lurkers out there will have to post a comment to win.

As for me, I’m off to work. For some it’s a holiday. I wish it was for me!

I went to Melissa Schroeder’s book signing yesterday afternoon and ended up purchasing four books - two for me and two for giveaways. I have The Accidential Countess and Lessons in Seduction. So, be on the look out this week for Free Books! (This will be cross-posted at MySpace, too, if you’re a lurker there hehe)

I also printed some promo stuff for the signing I’m doing in February with her. AND! I printed business cards. I’m all fixed up now.

Yesterday was super productive. Got lots of that business stuff done as well as some writing. The word meter moved! Did you notice? Anyway, just a quick entry here and then definitely more tomorrow.

Still reading Karen Marie Moning’s Darkfever and I am LOVING it. It’s a fantastic book.

YAY! I got a review from FallenAngels Reviews for Nice Girls Do!

This story has an uplifting message that although it may be hard, you can choose to change your life if you want to and you don’t have to give up everything!

I love that!

You can read the entire review here.

AND - here’s another one from Romance Junkies:

In addition to the combustible sexual relationship between Cara and Mark there’s an intense emotional bond that develops which really captures your attention.

You can read that one here.

…to Friday. Whew.

You know what? I’ve discovered that I love to look at…curtains. Isn’t that strange? I got the new JCPenney spring catalogue (yeah, spring!) in the mail the other day and I spent a good portion of quiet time just looking through it. They clothes are not interesting at all, but the curtains… oh! They have so many pretty new ones out! And I want. I want.

But, alas, I cannot have.

I’ve also discovered that I’m going to need (1) a new couch and (2) a new mattress and box springs set for my bed. The springs on the couch are busted the bed is just hard as a rock. It’s going to have to be retired and soon. I was looking at those too.

And bedding! They have lovely new bedding. Why are they doing this to me? When they know I’m on a permanent spending hiatus??

Anyway, I found out about this energy efficiency program in my area. I called them and they are going to come out and do a free inspection of my house to see how efficient (or non-efficient as the case may be) is. They’ll inspect the entire house (including attic insulation) and make recommendations on what I can do to improve the efficiency of the house. They’ll also replace weatherstripping on doors and windows, insulate light switches and plates, and seal air ducts and the furnace for free. I figure it’s worth it!

I even went and bought energy efficient lightbulbs. I just need to go back and get more.

AND I’m recycling.

Just call me green.

Had the kiddo with me last night who seems to be ailing a bit again. We just had a round of antibiotics, so I’m not exactly sure what’s going on. He had a 99.9 fever, but acted fine. Very sniffly though, so I’m still wondering if it’s just allergies. There’s no runny nose and he’s not coughing and sneezing like a cold. So I’m stumped. I gave him Children’s Motrin, he played the Wii, did his homework, and we watched Don’t Forget The Lyrics and he was just fine. Happy and chatty.

In fact, he was busy telling me jokes. “Mom, what’s a tree’s favorite soft drink?” I ask him, “What?” And he says, with a big grin, “Root beer!”

And then he demonstrated “The DJ” dance for me and it cracked me up.

I have no idea where he gets this stuff. He’s a nutty kid. And I’m glad he has a sense of humor.

We’ve been blasted with some very cold air here. The temp on Thursday morning when I got up was 26! And it’s about that again. BRR And then it’s only supposed to get up into the 40s this weekend. And lows in the very cold 30s.

I love this cold weather, really, but I’m finding that my bones ache more and more.

I built a fire in the fireplace last night and we enjoyed the warmth. Anything I can do to cut down on the heat running. I’m starting to turn into a cheapskate. haha

Tonight I plan to build a fire and work on the book. I’m going to be visiting the Kimbell Art Museum for research purposes. I’m actually looking forward to it.

Fellow writer, Melissa Schroeder, tagged me in her blog post of yesterday. So I’m gonna play.

7 Random Facts About Mik

1. I secretly want to be an actress.
2. I love crunchy peanut butter but hate nuts in my ice cream or candy.
3. I play piano; I played saxophone in HS.
4. I took classical ballet for 13 years of my life.
5. I’m pretty mouthy, but generally avoid confrontation at all cost. haha
6. I gave birth to my son at home, on purpose, with a midwife (who was my big sis).
7. My favorite snack is sharp cheddar and triscuits.

Okay now I’m going to tag Lara, Devon, Sandy S, and Sandy J (so she has NO excuse not to blog!).

Nothing much else to report. I did get my words in on Tuesday. I took the night off on Wednesday, cooked chili, and watched American Idol.

Cold front came in and - BRRR! It’s cold!!

 

1. Michelle Johnson 2. Carmi - Written Inc. 3. Indonesian WAHM - not feeling well 4. jeanette y

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So.

This weekend, when my child was bugging me to play on the computer or the Wii, I made it very clear to him that he needed to find something else to do for a change. He said he really really wanted to play on the computer.

So I told him, “You’ve been on the Wii a lot and you really need to rest your eyes.”

“But, Mom,” he replies. “My eyes are bored.”

Okay I totally laughed out loud at that. And of course I caved. I needed to get the dirty house cleaned, so I gave him time on the computer while I cleaned the cat box, the toilets, vacuumed, and all that other junk I hate doing.

But I find I don’t hate it so much because it’s all my house and all my dirt.

Anyway. Had a great brainstorming session on Take Me I’m Yours. I really feel like I can dig deeper and make this a really good book. I got some good ideas from writer pals for some serious motivation for my three major characters. This is good. This is very, very good. And I find that I really, truly enjoy spending time with Marion and Graeme.

Now if I can just get the darn blurb written…

But I find that it’s eluding me only because I haven’t figured out the ending yet. And this is a much longer story than the other two Coffee House books. You’d think after all this time I’d learn to PLOT first and write later. But - oh no! The muse will have none of that. She wants to explore the plot and the characters a little bit before the actual story emerges. Bitch.

Just kidding. I love my muse. I find that she’s very cranky when she doesn’t get some edit time in on the new material and she refuses to show up for work. So I give her what she wants. I give her that edit time before I jump into the writing time. And the loud, jamming rock music TOTALLY helps too.

I’m looking forward to Tuesday night, really. It’s my night to get home, have a quick dinner, and then sit at the computer all evening. It’s my night to turn on the XM Radio station the Boneyard and jam and write.

(Don’t tell the muse, but I’ve managed to sneak in a synopsis or two on a couple of new stories. She’ll be highly agitated at me if she finds out…hehe)

Of course, I’m still like a ferret on crack. I can only sit for a short period of time before I have to get up and get a drink, pet the cat, or whatever. I have a short attention span sometimes on the computer.

How come I can sit at one all day long at work but when I get home, I can’t? Must because I do sit at one all damn day at work. Eh?

I’m also happy to report I got my words in for Monday. I’m trying to get on track to my 1000 words a day goal. I’ve been slacking off these last few days, only because I’ve been a little stuck. But now that I have these great notes in front of me, I think I can get going again.

Read a colleague’s revised novel yesterday and loved it. I mean, it totally seriously rocks. It will be a crying shame if this book doesn’t get published. Seriously.

Anyway, I need to get off of here and get to work. I’ve been staring at the computer awhile and my eyes are bored, so I have to go.

Have a good day!

It amazes me how fast the weekends go.

After the fight with the door on Saturday (see that post here), I woke up Sunday with sore, achy muscles. I hurt ALL over. It was like I had done this super-duper workout with weights and step boxes and everything. So I climbed out of bed (albeit reluctantly) and did a few stretches to get the muscles worked out. It helped some.

The door was still standing this morning, so I guess my fix worked. hehe

Then it was off to church with the kiddo. And afterward, we came home and had lunch. Then he played on the computer while I cleaned house. I finally got to that point where it was driving me insane. I vacuumed, swept, dusted, cleaned the dirty bathrooms, and did laundry. I even cleaned the cat box, one of my most hated chores.

I stripped the beds and washed all the flannel sheets. Even though it hasn’t been that cold here, I have to have those sheets. I can’t stand crawling into a bed with icy cold sheets. BRR.

After getting all the laundry put away, I baked a batch of brownies. Don’t ask me why. It’s not like I need them. In the 10 minutes I sat down to watch HGTV, all I could think about was brownies! So I finally got up and baked some. They’re my mom’s old recipe from the 1950s. Simple and oh-so-good.

Then for dinner I made made a London Broil with rice, veggies, and salad. It was pretty good. But I’m so lame I had to look up how to cook the thing on the internet. And what to season it with. I went with Worchestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of EVOO. It came out pretty good except it was a little too rare in the thickest part in the middle. Even for me and I like my meat rare.

Then my kiddo decided to lay down and go to sleep at 5 pm! I would have none of that. Because I knew if he took a nap then, there would be no getting him to bed on time. He’s gotten into the bad habit of staying up until nearly 10 and he really needs to be in bed and asleep by 9 to get the proper amount of sleep.

Oh well.

In other news…I started reading Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I’m not usually a fan of first person work, but I do like this so far. It keeps me interested and that’s a very good thing lately. Especially since I have the attention span of a gnat!

Well, it’s off to school and work. I owe, I owe!

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