Hope everyone has a great Halloween and all the ghosts and goblins stay safe on the street tonight.

As for us, we’ll be Trick or Treating as soon as it gets dark. Kiddo can’t wait. He’s SUPER excited and decided he’d go as the stormtrooper (whew…thank goodness I didn’t have to find an Indy costume…). When we get home, we’ll pass out candy until I run out. I only bought four bags this year so I fully expect to run out before the night is over.

Halloween always spooks me out (no pun intended). There’s just something about when it nears midnight and you have to shut the porch light off yet you can still hear folks walking around out on the street… creepy.

And it’s been so nice outside, I’ve had the windows open. I expect tomorrow will be more of the same. At least we won’t be freezing to death on Halloween or sweating our bums off.

And my poor pumpkin didn’t make it until Halloween. It rotted. Isn’t there some way to keep it “fresh”? Or maybe I’m just carving it too soon…

The handyman came and told me the washers were bad in the stems of my handles in the shower. Well, THAT was an easy fix. He told me what to get and how to fix it so the cost was minimal. Looks like I’ll be fixing that this weekend to keep the dripping down. Wish I had the $2000 to get the entire nasty thing replaced but, alas, I do not. That’s okay. I can live with it for a little while longer. Next year I’m going to buckle down to get my bills paid off. I’ve already put a plan into action for buying Christmas presents and paying cash for them all. It’s going to be a slim year, sadly.

Anyhoo…tomorrow is the offical start of NaNo! My friend, Lara, and I have decided to start at midnight (we’re also in the same time zone). We’ll be IMing and I’ll be chugging coffee to stay awake. We did some brainstorming on the beginning of my story (since I still had none) and I think I’ve got a good start to it now. I’m really looking forward to getting started!

PLUS I’m official! I got my official NaNo shirt in the mail yesterday. It will be my “uniform” for the next 30 days. You, too, can get your NaNo shirt at their website. Just go to the store and get your shirt on. I just figured I better hurry up and buy it before they run out of my size.

SO. Look for some movement on the word meter sometime Saturday… and cross your fingers I can write for at least one hour. I wish I could nap today! Think anyone will notice if I crawl under my desk at work?

So. Yesterday as I was in the middle of my shower, I hear a “thump” and then the water pressure disappears in the showerhead. The good news: I had already washed and rinsed my hair; the bad news: I was covered with soap and it took forever to get rinsed.

The really bad news: The showerhead leaked like crazy.

It was literally pouring water out of the stupid thing. I managed to get it shut off to a trickle but it’s still leaking.

Last night, Man bought me a new showerhead and installed it. It works much better than the POS old one and I actually have some pressure now. However, it still drips like crazy. So I called the handyman to come see what he can do about it.

It’s never good timing when stuff like that happens but I guess that’s the price of homeownership. Right?

Oh well.

Today is “western day” at school, so Kiddo calls me on Tuesday night to tell me he wants boots and a shirt, a hat and a bandana. Because I’m a softie, I told him I’d find him some boots. I went out at lunch yesterday and found him a decent western-y shirt at Target for $10 then headed to Payless. They had no boys boots. When I got back to the office, I started calling around to different stores. I finally found a pair at the 4th store I called and they had ONE in his size. I had them hold it for me.

I dashed from work, picked up the boots, then went to pick up the kiddo. We hurried home and I got him dressed for soccer practice and then I whipped up a meatloaf to cook when I got back. We headed to practice, then afterward ran by the store becuase I was out of ketchup. Got home, threw the meatloaf in the microwave and Man showed up. While I cooking dinner and talking to Man, I made Kiddo do his homework. He was so enamored with his new boots, he put them on and clomped around the house.

Finally got him settled down, his homework done and in the tub while Man went to Lowe’s for the new showerhead. By the time he got back, Kiddo was out of the tub and playing in his room for a bit while I finished the laundry and put it up and Man put on the new showerhead.

It was a very hectic evening.

At least I have more good news: I finally got a new desk chair! WOOHOO! It’s great. Comfy. Doesn’t hurt the back. I can actually sit for long periods at the computer without my bum going numb.

And that’s it for me. Tonight I hope it’s a little more…calm around the house. hehe

First, it’s time to put on the heavy comforter. And then the flannel sheets. And finally the electric blanket. Then we get the sweaters out of storage and dust off our boots and find our jackets.

Yes, it’s that time of year. It’s chilly outside! It’s time for It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Trick or Treating and carving pumpkins. It’s time for costumes and fall leaves and cold October wind.

I love this time of year. It has to be my all time favorite. November is right around the corner and that means Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie, turkey and dressing, gobs of desserts… and of course, NaNoWriMo. And before we know it, it’ll be Christmas and we’ll be putting up the tree and the lights and getting ready for opening presents and more turkey and a Christmas ham and candlelight service at the church. Hanging out with the family and loved ones. 

And then…the New Year. 

I seriously can’t believe the holidays are here already. It came so fast! Where did the time go?

I’ve been working on Magic the last few days. Seems I’ve gotten a burst of inspiration for that flashback chapter that turned out not to be a flashback after all. Okay, so I used a plot device but I really feel like it works. I’m really looking forward to NaNo this year. Still haven’t figured out the opening scene yet but I’m going to probably end up writing this one out of order. At least, that’s my feeling so far. Even though I have the synopsis, I still don’t have a clear beginning. That worries me. So I’ve decided not to worry about it and I’m going to just start writing whatever strikes me on November 1. Should be an interesting 30 days.

Anyhoo… I have to admit I’m really looking forward to the weekend. We’re going Trick or Treating on Friday and then on Saturday, we’re off to the movies and then Sunday my old friend from high school is coming for dinner. I haven’t decided what feast I’ll be cooking but a feast it shall be. That and a nice bottle of wine. I’m really looking forward to seeing her and meeting her beau.

And that’s it for me! It’s time for work and stuff. Happy Wednesday!

This past weekend was fantastic. Man and I left early Friday and took our time getting down south. We stopped in Hillsboro for coffee and then again in Waco for dinner (Cracker Barrel which wasn’t as good as I remembered and the waitress was annoying).

We had great conversation on the way down there. He can be very chatty. As the sun went down, and we got through Austin, we stopped for gas and more coffee. The man can spot a Starbucks miles away. I think he has an internal radar or something.

And, incidentally, my little car got excellent gas mileage this weekend. I only filled up once (in Austin and I had a 1/4 of a tank still) and made it all the way home on the same tank. Nice!

Anyway. We check into the hotel and got settled into our room. They had it all ready for us by turning the AC on 60. It was like a meat locker in there. Super cold. Even when it’s 100 degrees outside, I don’t know my AC on that low. I’m a 78 kind of girl.

So as he started to unpack (he brought his computer to check on work things), I opened the wardrobe to pull out the extra blanket. And there, lo and behold, was a half a bottle of vodka. Jackpot!

Of course, Man’s comment was, “Put that down! You don’t know who has been drinking out of it.”

So I shoved it away and washed. Needless to say, it stayed behind with the room.

We watched some Comedy Central and the guy on there cracked me up beyond words. I was weeping I laughed so hard. He did this entire skit about Hot Pockets that sent me over the edge. So all weekend, Man and I sang the “Hot Pockets” jingle (which really isn’t a jingle at all) and it would crack me up every time. Yes, I’m easily amused.

Saturday morning, we got up fairly early. Had breakfast downstairs and then headed out of the hotel for a full day. Our first stop was the Alamo. It’s been more than ten years since I’ve stepped foot in the place. The funny thing about the Alamo is, inside, no one talks. Or rarely. It’s a very hushed tone inside. People are in awe, I think, of all the things inside. Bowie’s knife. Crockett’s rifle and vest. Travis’ ring. Amazing stuff, really.

I think there’s something really special about being a Texan and walking on that hallowed ground. Knowing that’s your roots and you wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for those men who sacrificed their lives for our freedom today. How different our state would be if Santa Ana had won. It boggles the mind, actually. (Maybe I should write one of my string theory stories about that…)

Very cool place, the Alamo. And known internationally as we discovered when we walked through it. We hit the gift shop then. My kiddo specifically asked for postcards with pictures of the guns and a Republic of Texas flag. Yes, he’s a true Texan. I’m raising him right.

After the Alamo, we walked and walked and walked the Riverwalk. Had a very light lunch at a crappy Mexican place (so disappointing!) and then by 2 pm, headed back to the hotel for some R&R. I napped and he watched the Texas Longhorn game.

We got ready and headed for dinner that evening at Morton’s. That’s some seriously good food there. I had: colassal shrimp cocktail; sliced beefsteak tomato salad with bleu cheese dressing (best salad I’ve ever had – thick slices of tomato with awesome bleu cheese on top); filet mignon with béarnaise sauce (melt in the mouth); steamed broccoli with hollandaise sauce; and for dessert the legendary hot chocolate cake. To.die.for.

It really looks like that picture, too. It comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

He had: lobster bisque; pepper-crusted tuna; asparagus with hollandaise sauce; and the chocolate mouse.

We had coffee with our chocolate. We walked out of there stuffed to the gills and very happy.

And since we were stuffed, we headed back to the hotel to change clothes and then hit the Riverwalk again. We had margarites at the Naked Iguana and were disappointed – they were so sour they were awful. I caught the score of the hockey game and he caught the store of his Big 12 college games. Then we headed out of there and down the river. We ended up at Jim Cullen’s Landing were we sat and listend to a life jazz band for a while.

It was midnight when we left there and headed back to the hotel. I crashed immediately.

Sunday we got up, checked out, and headed out of town. We stopped in Austin. We checked out the visitor’s center at the Capitol Building and then walked down to 6th Street for a couple of mean burgers and fries. More walking! After heading out of Austin, we stopped in Round Rock at the outlet mall. Man indulged me in my shopping fantasy. I had to go into the Coach store to see what they had and yes, I walked out with a new bag. But I saved about $150 and that’s just too hard to pass up.

Then we went into Michael Kors, White House Black Market, BCBG, Nine West… and walked some more.

FInally we headed home about 4 pm and I hit the door just after 7. What a weekend! It was great. We had a super good time together.

And so now it’s back to reality. Sadly.

BUT… the countdown has begun to NaNo. Only three more days!

Made it home last night after a really long, nice weekend. It was super. The weather was fantastic.

Short on time right now but I’ll post a longer message later with all the juicy details.

…and not blogging, thought I’d post this:

…Feel free to enjoy THIS:

The bag is packed. The house is secure. The cat is fed; the box is clean. The Yahoo Groups are on no mail. The fuel tank is full.

And I’m getting out of town for the weekend!

I’m not taking my computer. I’m not even going to check my email. Everything is going to be put on hold until Sunday afternoon. Wanna know where I’m going? Well, here’s a hint:

Happy weekend, ya’ll!

I have started the official countdown to the Estimated Time of Departure for the Big Weekend. At the time of this writing, there will be less than 24 hours to go. WAHOO!

I’m SO looking forward to getting out of down and blowing off some steam for a while. It’s going to be greatness.

I actually have to work all day today. After I pick up the kiddo, we’re going to the book fair at the school so he can get his books on his wish list. I have to admit I’m really looking forward to that! And speaking of the book fair… I volunteered yesterday with the kiddo’s class to help them out on their wish list. It was great fun. The librarian thought I was nuts because I said it was great fun. hehe

There was the cutest little girl who reminded me a lot of my niece. She asked me to help her find books on horses so we scoured all the shelves for horsie books. She was so cute. The boys were cute too. All of them found the Star Wars and Indiana Jones books in a matter of seconds.

I chatted with the librarian after his class left to go back to work. Then I headed to the office.

I’m so happy to report a cold front came through and it was in the 40s last night. Talk about COLD! I also froze my bum off at soccer practice last night, too. Another mom and I chatted and shivered the entire time. That was the longest, coldest hour of my life. Well, so far.

I got some critiquing done yesterday as well as getting in some words on the Magic story. I can’t stop thinking about the NaNo book, though, and I’m trying to decide where to start it.

Oh, and I’m very excited to report I’ve managed to get my niece interested in the Young Writer’s Program through NaNoWriMo. I think that’s just fabulous. My sis-in-law told me she’s started outlining her book. I hope she keeps that up. Working without a synopsis is mucho difficult.

Okay that’s it for me. Time to take the kiddo to school and get me to work. Happy Thursday!

Hey don’t forget I’m over at Book Talk with my interview! You have until Friday to post a comment and get entered in the drawring for one of two books. Go on! You know you want to. Click here.

Yesterday was draining. Not totally happy with the outcome but it was an outcome. Not sure I can live with it yet but I will have to figure it out for now. It sucks. But it is what it is.

I’m about to dash out the door to go to the school book fair and help the kids. I’m looking forward to that.

But I’m REALLY looking forward to Friday when I get out of town for the weekend.

That’s all for now. I’ll post more for tomorrow. Thank goodness the week is half over!

Everything went great at the eye doctor yesterday with the kiddo. He’s doing very well with his glasses and his vision is fine. NOW if we can get him to straighten out that eye, we’ll be in good shape. hehe He got a new prescription and it was really about time anyway. I think we were the only patients that afternoon and that was super nice. We didn’t have to wait a long time, even after they dilated his eyes.

After his appointment was over with, we headed to the mall. I had to return something to Penney’s. While I was there, I noticed they had a kid’s glasses sale in their optical department. So I talked to the lady and ended up getting his glasses there. He’s getting some really nice wire-rimmed frames in dark blue with a super awesome warranty and scratch-resistant lenses. I can’t wait to get them and see him in them. He’s going to be so cute (not that he’s not anyway). I also got the frames and the lenses (he has a high-powered bifocal so it costs more) for a really good deal. I ended up saving $250 off the regular price. WOO!

I was so happy, I bought him two new pairs of pants.

Which reminds me… that little stinker decided he wants to be Indiana Jones for Halloween…AFTER I’ve already bought the stormtrooper costume. I’m really not totally opposed to that because (a) we don’t have to worry about a mask covering his face and (b) I have most of the stuff. I already have the hat and he has the whip and the pants I bought today are khaki. Now…where to find a button down tan shirt. Any ideas? Penney’s had none. And the kiddo wants his pouch too. Next he’ll be asking for the leather jacket. Argh.

I have less than two weeks to figure this out if he is indeed going to be Indy.

We came home and watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (I sense a theme here) and had snacks and then his dad picked him up. I goofed around the house for a bit before heading to the grocery store. I’m so not a fan of shopping lately what with all the high prices but … I seemed to have got a lot for my money. They had all the meat on sale and stuff which makes it actually kind of nice to buy food for once.

Got home, sweaty, tired and hungry (NEVER go shopping hungry). I managed to force down a sandwich and while I unloaded and put away the groceries, I guzzled a beer. I’m getting to be a bit of a lightweight… one beer and I’m ready to fall asleep. So lame. Ten years ago, I’d be doing tequila chasers.

Okay that’s it for me. I have a busy afternoon today. NOT looking forward to it, but it’s a necessary evil. Some of you know what I’m talking about so cross your fingers for me. I think I already know the outcome, but one can hope…

Okay I spaced and forgot I was doing this today. Well, I didn’t really forget, I just misplaced the reminder in my head that I was doing this today. LOL

ANYWAY… I’m doing an interview over at Book Talk and giving away books. Come on over! Click here.

I can’t believe how fast the weekend flew by. We were so busy!

Friday I picked up the kiddo from school and then we hung out. Went to Blockbuster and rented movies and a game and then got pizza from Little Ceasars. I let the kiddo stay up a little late and play his Wii game.

Saturday, I made pancakes from scratch for breakfast and then it was soccer time (I need a shirt that says Soccer Mom). The boys played really hard and really well – and won! Then it was back home for a late lunch and some resting. More Wii. That afternoon, we headed to the Fall Festival at school. Kiddo spent his 25 tickets fairly quickly. He did manage to win some tickets to redeem. He got: a spikey ball with squishy stuff in it, a flying saucer with goop in it (I sense a theme…), and a whoopee cushion (I think that’s his favorite). He did the whoopee cushion all the way home from the school and cracked up each time.

sigh

Boys.

We had Sonic for dinner. Yes, I was a lazy Mom this weekend on the cooking front. Mostly because I was out of everything and didn’t have time to get to the store.

That evening, the kiddo and I carved a pumpkin together. It came out smashingly well, if I do say so myself. (See post: What I did on Saturday night…)

Sunday, I got up early, cooked cinnamon rolls and put a pot roast in the crock pot for all day cooking (that’s the BEST). Then we headed to church. It ran a little longer than usual. Got home at 1 and had another late lunch and then headed back to the soccer field for his 3 pm game. Got home closer to 5. He played on the computer and I caught up with the DVR while the washer and dryer was going.

By Sunday night, I STILL needed to get to the store and I STILL hadn’t made it. I guess that means I’ll be shopping tonight. Oof.

This afternoon, kiddo has an eye appointment. Tomorrow I have an appointment in the afternoon. Wednesday morning I’m volunteering at the book fair at school. And Friday I’m headed out of town for the weekend. I am SO looking forward to that.

This is going to be a super hectic week. I will need the downtime for sure this weekend. Plus I’m preparing for NaNo. Lots of stuff to read and critique between now and then not to mention the research I need to get done.

And that’s it for me. I’m off to work and school. Happy Monday!

It’s Sunday.

Went to church; then had afternoon soccer game.

Had to lock Hate into my box and store it into the back recesses of my head. Began to ooze black sludge by half-time of soccer game.

Home now. Cooking pot roast all day in crock pot; smells divine!

Gas is $2.59!

This is like a really bad hiku.

Behold!

Click on the picture to see a bigger version.

P.S. The kiddo says, “MOM! This is just like Two Face!”

Yes, sweetie. It is. I totally scored Cool Mom Points. GO ME!