So sad! It’s all over now. And we’re headed back to work/school.

I had a great weekend/Thanksgiving. Thursday, Man, Kid and I went to my mom’s. We had too much food and a nice long visit. Mom made apple pie (my favorite) and I got to bring some home. Then we discussed my niece’s wedding in January and tried to figure out if we could get there and how. I checked airfare and it’s not that expensive (to Houston) so my sister, niece and I may fly down together. Still don’t know yet.

On Friday the three of us picked out a nice Christmas tree. A big full one. And the weather was gorgeous. Then the kiddo went back to his dad’s for the rest of the weekend. Or at least I tried. Turns out my car battery was deader than a door nail. Man gave me a jump and I dropped off the kiddo.

Got home, put up the tree (after a trip to Lowe’s and Wal-Mart for a proper tree stand), then went for tacos. We pigged out again.

I had to get a new car battery, much to my dismay. And since I have a foreign car, the battery for it is “special”. So special, in fact, it cost me $120. I was not amused. But the thing is in (thanks to Man) and the car starts and I guess that’s all that matters.

We had two leisurely days – Saturday and Sunday. We even did a little house shopping. I don’t think we’re in the market yet, but we’re looking at what we like and don’t like. And this current house is just too small for the three of us. We’re cramped and crowded and I don’t think it’ll be long before we’ll be ready to get out of here and into something bigger and more spacious. Plus not having a pantry and a utility room really stinks.

Since we were looking at houses, I decided it was time to pull my credit report. I haven’t seen it in a while and I figured it was time for an update. It’s better than I thought but not good enough. Seeing the report and what made the negative, made me form a plan. So I now have a pay-off schedule to get out from under the bulk of my bills. I’ve decided I’m sick of paying them, so I’m going to schedule myself to get them paid off in a year. That’s my New Year’s Resolution. Plus put more money back into savings. We’ll see how long that lasts. Anyway, it’s good to have a plan and a goal instead of aimlessly wandering.

We spent a lot of time at WalMart, Target and Lowe’s this weekend. Numerous trips for various things. The tree has lights but that’s about it. I’m waiting on the kiddo to come back so we can decorate it. Man wants to put up the house lights but it’s turned cold and will be all week. Should be good frigid weather for putting up the outside decor.

Hard to believe Christmas is less than a month away. I still have a few little things to get but overall, I’m done. Now if I can just live through Jury Duty on Friday, I will be a very happy girl.

Happy Monday, ya’ll!

To all my friends in the States – Happy Thanksgiving! Hope everyone has a wonderful day. I’m thankful for all my friends and family, a roof over my head, and a job to pay the bills.

Now I’m off to put icing on the pumpkin bars, start the homemake mac and cheese and – of course! – watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Here in the States, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and then the official beginning of the Christmas season on Friday. I’m SO happy it’s a long weekend. I really need some time to recharge and get my brain back in order. And, oh yeah, I’m nearly done Christmas shopping.

Here’s today’s wisdom: The hardest part of writing is beginning.

I find that I can distract myself with all sorts of tasks when I’m sitting down to write to avoid writing. But the last few nights I’ve been successful. I wrote 2032 words Sunday night. Then 1300 Monday night. Then 1692 Tuesday night. I’m on a roll. It feels good. I hope I can keep up the momentum.

So when you doubt yourself, and you want to throw in the towel, remember that all you have to do is BEGIN. Even if your beginning is in the middle or the end. Even I have to remind myself that every now and again.

The words I’ve been writing really stink up the page but at least I know I can go back and edit and make them beautiful words. That’s the goal anyway. I would so love to have the revised book done by April 1.

But the point is – I’m making myself do it every night. And it’s working! What’s that saying? It takes 14 days to form a habit? Only 11 more days to go…

So yesterday I received a rejection from one of the agents that had my partial. She said the writing was strong and engaging but she wasn’t overly excited about the violence in the story. Hey, I understand. It’s about gladiators and I have fight scenes in the arena which means there’s a lot of death and dismemberment.

Tis okay.

It’s still on submission with the other agent. So we’ll see what happens with that, if anything. I’m finding that rejections don’t bother me as much as they used to. Oh, sure, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. But at least I can handle it a little better than back in the old days. I think I still have my first real rejection letter from TOR when they first launched their paranormal romance line. It was from Anna Genoese. She liked my writing. I wish I’d gotten off my duff and written another piece and submit to her. Ah well. Coulda, shoulda, woulda will get you nowhere.

So Sunday night I decided enough with this avoiding-writing thing. I got stuff done around the house and once I got the kid in bed, I got the Mini, the iPod, and sat down in my bed. I put in the ear buds, played Loreena McKennitt and just started writing. I wrote for an hour and half and by the time I got to a stopping point I had just over 2000 words. It was GREAT.

Hopefully I’ll have a repeat performance (writing this before I actually sit down to write, so I’ll have to update the progess if any). I’d like to get the draft done by January 1 of this new book. That’s the new goal, anyway.

Not much else going on except work, work, work. I’ve got a lot of interviews coming up so I’ll be sure to share the links when they’re posted!

Hey all – I’m over at Pop Culture Divas today if you want to stop by!

Can’t believe it’s the last week of November AND Thanksgiving. And I’ve failed miserably at NaNo this year. Which is the pits.

Weekend was good but too fast. I spent way too much money at the grocery store. I was quite surprised when I got the total after all my coupons. But the freezer is full and the fridge is full and the pantry is full and that’s all that really matters.

Took the kid to the gym for his basketball evaluation. He can dribble with this right hand but not is left. Then we went and bought him basketball shoes at Academy. Some inexpensive ones since he’ll only be wearing them for practice and games. The price was $29.99 but they rang up $34.99 and I was the obnoxious customer that made them change it. Yes, I held up the line. They should have their computers right, though.

Not much else happened. Had a lazy Sunday mostly. Went to Lowe’s and bought a new storage cabinet that will become the new pantry. There’s not a pantry in this house (which is a royal pain, by the way; NEVER buy a house without a pantry!) so in order to get more storage in this house, we bought a free-standing unit at Lowe’s with four shelves. I had one already but it was small and didn’t hold much and right now I have food in the overhead cabinets and the pantry. Hopefully this will solve that problem and get everything in one place which will make me a much happier person.

Thanks goodness this is only a three day work week. I’m so looking forward to having four days off to do not much of anything.

And that’s it for me. I’m off to take the kiddo to school and then the office. Happy Monday!

Got another partial request from an agent. This one was via email, so I sent it off last night. NERVES!

Also…I’m going through the painful process of changing my email address. I never realize how much crap email I get. You know, the junk you sign up for and then forget and are too lazy to unsubscriber so you just hit delete instead? Wait. You don’t do that?

So I spent a good portion of the evening changing email address on the stuff I DO want to get and unsubscribing from the things I DON’T want to get. No sense in continuing with the crap if I have no use for it. And then there was the various logging on to places where I need to change – like eBay and PayPal and various and sundry credit card places. I’m also trying to email everyone who I send email to on a regular basis – family, friends, etc. The old address will work forevern since that’s what my internet is tied to but I rather like the new address. 

It’s gmail by the way and it works a lot better with the iPhone than the other account. Plus, I really like the user interface via the web. Very user-friendly. And I can set up labels for my various Yahoo groups and filter it into those folders. I also really like the way it groups emails into “conversations”. It makes it easy to find those emails and keep up with them.

The next order of business will be to move all my Google Reader stuff over to the new account. Which actually WILL be a royal pain in the patoot.

And did I get any words in? HECK NO. I was messing with the durn email thing most of the night. The rest of the night I was helping with homework, cooking dinner, doing dishes. You know. All those Mom duties we all have to do. It really sucks the evenings fly by. I hate it. Wish they would last a little longer. I guess I just enjoy them too much!

Happy Thursday, ya’ll.

But I wrote 1150 and got a jury summons.

Yay me.

And no, I’m not talking about writing (even though mine is a tad lacking at the moment). I’m talking about the PTA plot. The one that makes parents attend the PTA meeting because their child is in a “special program” afterwards. So you have to sit through 20 minutes of a meeting that means nothing to you.

Ack.

But, actually, the little 3rd grade program was kind of cute. And the kiddo was funny when he bowed every time the crowd clapped.  So that’s what I did with my evening.

And then I came home and attended to some business and then wrote 773 words. But I was interrupted because I have to stop and research. Which really isn’t a bad thing. However, it took me a while to figure out where I was going. My characters are off to Orkney next and I needed to know how long of a flight it was from JFK Airport to Edinburgh and then how to get from Edinburgh to Orkney. Fascinating, actually. And then I had to research the actual place in Ornkey my characters will be visiting. And then from there, they’re off to the Otherworld and I’ll have to figure out what THAT place looks like.

This book is hard. Hard becuase I’m writing about places I’ve never been. I feel a research trip coming on. I’ve been seriously talking about going to New York this next year. Hey, it’s research. I can write some of the trip off. But I really need to see these places for myself before I can write about the accurately. I’ve ordered a book about Saint Patrick’s Cathedral from Amazon and it should be here this week (I hope). At least once I get that, I can read up on that because a part of the story takes place inside the cathedral and I really want to get it right.

So. Anyway. I did make some progress on the book. Which is always good! But I’m still convinced it sucks rather bad at the moment. That’s okay, though. I’m not going to stress out yet. I’m nearly to the 25K mark.

I just looked at the calendar and realized this is the third week of November. Crap. Where does the time go?

And by the way, some of  the neighbors have their Christmas decoration up. *head thunks on desk*

I would like to at least get through Thanksgiving … ah well.

Happy Tuesday!

This weekend flew by! FLEW! Zero writing but the package has been delivered to the agent. So now more waiting.

Not much to report other than I was busy doing lots of things. The final soccer game of the season was Saturday and then the end of season party. Went home and worked on chapter business for several hours while Man was out with his daughter. And then came home and watched the Stars lose.

Sunday we got up and lazed around for a bit. Started some laundry went to get some lunch and to see Pirate Radio at the movies, which was great by the way. We already have about four movies on the list we want to see! I think we’ll do some of that next weekend, too. The Kid wants to see A Christmas Carol and we want to see 2012.

Got home and Man raced the weather to get the front yard mowed and the leaves picked up. He had just finished when it started pouring. And so we had Taco Bell for dinner, watched the Cowboys get beat by the Packers and then went to the “reward members only” sale at Best Buy. I’m nearly done Christmas shopping for the kiddo. I got a great deal on the TV/DVD combo I wanted. I saved $60 because it was on sale for rewarded members only AND I got double points. WOO!

Came home. Man worked. I worked more on the chapter biz and then crashed. Literally. I was so tired after a full weekend.

And now it’s back to work. Tonight the kiddo is in a program after the PTA meeting so I’ll be at the school for that. Tomorrow night… I”m working out. Yes. I am. Man and I actually went Friday night. I just feel so much better when I work out.

Okay that’s it for me. I gotta run. Happy Monday, ya’ll!

…along comes a response to a query letter asking for a partial.

WOOT!

Oh, yeah, baby. It’s in the mail today to the agent. Wish me luck.

…YMCA!

Okay, seriously. My new company–that I love by the way–offers employees a free membership to the local YMCA. Which is just awesome! I figured since I had nothing except for inches to lose, I’d join. Plus, family members get to join for the low-low price of $25 a month.

Anyway – I joined. And Man joined, too. We’re going to start working out together. Or so he says. He chickened out the first time. But I went last night and just walked on the treadmill for thirty minutes. Hey – I’m newbie and it’s been XX number of years since I’ve worked out and I didn’t want to push it. But I got off the treadmill and I felt GREAT by the time I got home. Energetic and just all-around good. Had tuna salad for dinner. Then I vacuumed. Then I sat down to write. Go me!

I’m going to attempt to get there two times a week. I think I’ll feel better mentally and physically if I can work out. Plus, it helps to have someone else to go with and stay motivated. I’m making him go with me the next time.

Earlier this week, I actually got a few Christmas presents. I’m starting to shop! I know what I want to get and for who so it should make things easier. And of course I have a list and a spreadsheet. (Man likes to say I have spreadsheets about my spreadsheets that turkey.)

And gaw, it’s Wednesdsay already?! Sheesh. Time flies!

Last, but definitely not least, Happy Veterans Day! Thanks to all those who have and continue to fight for our freedom!

I have nothing to blog about.

The first week of November is done and over with and filed away for past reference. I guess every time I look at the calendar, I’m startled by how quickly this year has gone by. Seems like only yesterday we were celebrating New Years. I’m already thinking about Christmas dinner. And I even started my shopping.

Twas a good weekend. With the Man out of town, the Kid and I stayed busy. We had an early morning soccer game, which I always dread since we have to get up early. So early it was. Except it was earlier than I really wanted. The cat, you see, knew his bowl was empty and thus thought he was starving. Which meant he sat at the foot of my bed and meowed his head off promptly at 7 am. I’m sure he wanted to know why I wasn’t up yet. His stomach is still on daylight savings time, I suppose.

So I got up and made coffee and fed the cat. Got the kid up, fed him, too, and then off to the game. They boys played hard and they won. Even the kiddo got a good scoring chance which was kind of exciting.

After McDonald’s for lunch, we went to Office Depot and he talked me into get him a new binder for school. It was actually much needed since his other one was falling apart. And we haven’t even made it to the end of the second six weeks! I got him a much nicer, sturdier binder so hopefully this one will last until the end of the school year.

I still had errands to run, but he had a birthday party to go to so I dropped him off and then spent some time at Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Have I ever said how much I totally love walking into Best Buy and sniffing electronics? I think it’s my second favorite story (B&N being the first). I’m planning Chrismtas presents and trying to decide what to get and where. I have a pretty good idea what I want to get and how much I want to spend. I need to stay within budget so I have a set amount and I can’t go over it.

Picked up the kid. Couldn’t face cooking so ordered pizza and wings and watched the Stars lose. sigh

By the time I got the kiddo in bed, I was ready to relax. I laid on the couch and watched HGTV and texted the Man about House Hunters International my observations. I fell asleep sometime after that and woke up around 1 am and stumbled to bed. I had wacky dreams (about the nose of an airplane crashing in my backyard – what is UP with that? – and being thankful it missed the house. Only to see the other half crash right through the house next door… yeah… weird…) and slept til 9 am. It was nice. Well, except for the weird plane-crashing dream.

Picked up Man at the airport mid-afternoon followed by a trip to Lowe’s. The toilet in the master bath has just about bit the dust so we actually looked at toilets and priced them and discussed whether or not we could install it ourselves. I’m pretty sure we could; he thinks that’s a no. I’m thinking we should save the $150 install and do it ourselves. I think I have him about talked into it.

Cooked chicken fried steak for dinner. Watched the Cowboys game until the end of the 3rd quarter and then got digusted (I detest Philadelphia and the refs were throwing a flag every few minutes; it was annoying) and turned it off.

And then that was it. The weekend done and over with. Another two days shot and nothing buy clean laundry and a clean house to show for it.

Lots of things to do today so I guess I best get to it. Happy Monday, ya’ll!

I have numerous copies of Joan Johnston’s The Next Mrs. Blackthorne to whoever wants a copy. Hey! It’s a FREE BOOK!

Email me your mailing address and it’s all yours! Free of charge. I’m even paying the postage.

Or post a comment here that you want a copy and I’ll contact you. First come, first serve. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

And please spread the word!

I can’t believe I haven’t blogged in two days. I’ve been busy trying to catch up on everything I’ve been ignoring for the last few weeks. My email inbox was full and there were a lot of loose ends I needed to tie up. I think I’m finally caught up for the moment. Now awaiting final judges to return entries on the contest and then I’m officially done with that.

So, how’s the writing going, you ask? Terrible. Non-existent. Because I’ve been so busy lately and ignoring all my chapter business, writing is, sadly, the last thing on the agenda. Which totally sucks. And it’s frustrating. Once this year is over, I will only be responsible to one board, thank goodness. I think I’m seriously about to burn myself out.

I sit and thing how awesome it will be when I no longer sit on a board (because after 2010 that is IT…at least for a while) and all I have to worry about is finishing my next book. Right now I feel like a ferret on crack. Like there aren’t enough hours in the day and guess what? There are only 50 days left until Christmas.

Which means the holiday season is about to be in full swing. And I still have an extra couch in my living room that desperately needs to GO. If anyone with a pick-up truck wants to come get it and take it off my hands, I would be MORE THAN happy to help you shove it to the front door.

Man has a business trip for this week and so yesterday we carpooled to work and then I picked him up at lunch and took him to the airport. I thought for Wednesday night, once I got the kid in bed, I could sit down and write but NOOOO. The kid had 8 pages of homework because, apparently, he’s day-dreaming in class and not getting his class work done. With makes me crazy. And of course, he diddled on that and it took him an hour and a half to get it done. And we didn’t get home until after 6 and didn’t eat dinner until nearly 7. So you know how the evening went.

I did plan ahead for dinner tonight, though. I’m making beef stew in the crockpot all day (YUM). Last night, I chopped up onions and carrots. Now all I have to do is throw it all together and let it cook. LOVE those kinds of dinners. Easy clean-up, too. Anyway, by the time I got him in bed, I was nearly falling down with exhaustion. I’d had a particularly busy work day. So instead, I laid my fat-butt on the couch and watched the Stars-Flames game. Great game, too. Then once the game was over, I managed to drag myself off to bed with the Mini. I *did* get some words in, though not nearly as much as I’d like.

Is it just me or is this the Longest Week Known To Man?

Thank goodness today is Thursday!