Lessons Learned from the Weekend

1. Never go to the Lancome counter in Macy’s looking for AN eyeshadow. Because odds are you’ll come out looking like a movie star (i.e., after getting a make-over) and you’ll have dropped a small fortune buying said eye shadow.

For the record, that all came about because (a) I was bored with my current make-up and (b) Man was bored with my current make-up. I had planned to buy new eyeshadow anyway, but Lancome was unexpected. The girl who did the make-over made me look great and I wasn’t “overdone” either. Very subtle shades. I looked in the mirror and wondered who that person was looking back. So even though I spent a wad of money, you know what? I deserve it. I got a bonus and I should spend it any way I see fit.

2. When trying to look awesome at the Bass Hall wearing four-inch heels, it’s wise to pay attention to how you’re walking down the granite steps. Missing a step, nearly falling into the back of you man, and sloshing wine over the rim of your cup, drenching your hand, your coat and your handbag, is NOT cool.

We had tickets to The Nutcracker this year at Bass Hall. I’d never actually be inside and have always wanted to visit it since it’s construction completion. So Man said if I’d buy the tickets, he’d take me. I was so excited when I saw the ballet coming. I wore a nice red shirt and nice black pants. The thing about the pants, though, is they’re very long so I have to wear tall shoes with them. Never having been in the performance hall, we decided to look around. I nearly killed myself on those steps. They’re very slippery anyway and not conducive for stilettos. I think the thing that was the most awful about that moment was spilling the wine. On my suede Coach handbag. NOT happy about that. The good thing is, I got it off immediately. The really good thing is it doesn’t stink like wine. And THANK GOODNESS it was white wine and not red.

Overall, it was a good weekend. I also got my hair done by my Stylist Extraordinaire. I even went complete with gifts in hand. I gave her a bottle of my favorite wine, a small box of chocolates and one of my signed books. :D She’s a lot of fun and makes the long salon visit bearable. Plus my hair looks great. ;)

We slept really late on Sunday. Well, late for me. It was nearly 10 before I rolled out of bed. I cleaned house but there’s still so much that has to be done. I need to sweep the front walk, rake leaves, scrub toilets, clean sinks, scrub the shower. I *thought* I was done Christmas shopping but it turns out there are still a few folks I need to buy for. At least they’re gift cards. That I can handle and it’s easy shopping and a no-brainer.

Went out to dinner with Man and his son, who’s visiting for the holidays. I stuffed myself silly at Texas Roadhouse. Then came home, finished laundry, wrapped gifts, and did other little miscellaneous things. There are no presents under the tree! It really looks like Christmas now.

And that’s about it. The weekend is done. And I’m sad. I love my weekends. This week is going to be truly hectic. The kiddo has a dental appointment on Tuesday. I STILL need to get to the post office to mail a ton of packages. I need to get to the bank. All the normal errands that never seen to end. I’m really looking forward to a long weekend with the family. I plan to do a whole lot of NOTHING.

Happy Monday, ya’ll.

So…um…now what?

I’m really behind on emails and reading blogs and all my “social” internet-ing. I’m missing my online world and my online friends. Isn’t that strange? After being virtually unplugged for two days, I feel totally out of touch! I came home yesterday and today to about 100 emails. Most I could ignore completely. Some I had to answer. Others can wait. And still others can go to the trash bin.

My work computer decided to explode last Friday with a major Trojan. Man thought he’d fixed everything. But it’s still sick. Major problems abound. Today, it undergoes major surgery. A total wipe out and system reload.

R.I.P. Trojan.

One thing that little scare had me do, though, was immediately come home and scan the home computer, the Mini, the thumb drive. All are clean, thank goodness. And then I backed everything up. EVERYTHING. The hard drive, the thumb drive. I can’t afford to lose any data. Especially when I’ve been working so diligently on the revisions. I think I’d weep if anything happened.

I did have a wonderful surprise in the mailbox when I got home, though. Karen Marie Moning’s Dreamfever has arrived! And yes, I’m salivating to read it. After I cooked dinner, did the dishes and got the kid settled into bed, I settled down to read. I’ve been waiting for this book for a LOOOOOONG time.

This weekend is about running errands, cleaning house, church, soccer practice, and getting the kiddo ready for the first day of school. Plus I need to work on the OTFS contest and those revisions. I’m this close to being finished and I don’t want to come to a complete halt.

And that’s about it for me. I can’t believe it’s Friday already! This week totally flew.

Happy weekend, ya’ll!

Not a bad day…

First – in case you missed it yesterday, my first post at Miss Make A Movie was up! Yeah, I forgot to blog it. It’s my introductory post. I tried to get creative instead of the boring old “I do this and that” so check it out if you can. Click here.

The ice started to melt as soon as the sun hit it this morning. The temp rose to a balmy 40 degrees. By the afternoon, it was just wet and gross. But still COLD. Supposed to freeze overnight again, so that should make for a bit of messy commute in the morning. I’m so glad I stayed home.

The kiddo came over mid-morning and hung out all day with me since the school was closed. He played Wii. I worked. I got a lot of stuff done. And then I had to run out and return movies and put gas in the car. I nearly froze my bum off doing that. I was very glad to be back home in the warmth. I had a nice fire in the fireplace. I figure I better get this wood burned up before Spring or it will sit there until next January.

Not much else to tell. Just worked on a lot of things writing-related, but no real progress on the book. Hopefully I can get back to that tonight. The chapter is all-consuming sometimes (not that I’m complaining mind you).

Here and There

Why does Monday always come so fast? It seems like you blink and it’s here.

This weekend was busy for me, seeing as how I didn’t have my kiddo with me. Saturday I had RWA. Good meeting, as always. Had lunch and then didn’t break from the group until nearly 2. I headed home… only to be stuck on 820 in bumper to bumper traffic. And being stuck in that kind of traffic in 102 degree heat, quite frankly, sucks. A normal 10 minute drive turned into 30.

That’ll learn me to ever get on 820 again. Ever. I will be taking the back roads from now on.

After I got home and out of the heat, I puttered around the house a little bit. I did end up going to Bed Bath & Beyond and made some purchases… which I ended up taking back on Sunday. I don’t know what I was thinking – the 4-tier shelf I bought had no home in my home, so back it went. When I returned it on Sunday, the store completely beat me down. There was this dumb woman in front of me who yakked on her bluetooth the entire time she was in line, didn’t bother to hang up when she got to the counter. And, incidentally, she was brining her coupon she “forgot” the day before to get her $10 back. It took FOR-EVER for her to get her discount and then this asshole butted in front of me in line.

I was highly agitated by the time I left that store. I may never patronize it again.

Anyway… went grocery shopping Saturday night, got home, unloaded grocersy, talked to my mom on the phone for at least an hour and a half. I guess we had a lot to say! While we talked, I managed to polish off a half a bottle of wine on an empty stomach. No wonder I was woozy by the time I hung up! I sputtered out some drivel in Word (i.e., yes, I wrote), emailed a few friends in my drunken stupor and then went to bed to pass out.

Sunday morning I awoke at 6:30 am… to the sound of the next door neighbor’s lawn mower. Yes, folks, you read that right. I was livid! SIX THIRTY AM!!! C’MON! At least wait until 7:30 when it’s somewhat a decent hour. I was ticked. Of course I get the neighbor wanting to get the yard mowed before it got hot (it was another scorcher today) but that’s just downright rude and inconsiderable. It’s Sunday for crying out loud!

My yard remains shamefully unmowed. Ask me if I care. ;)

I finally managed to go back to sleep until nearly 9, though, at which point I stumbled out of bed for a cup of java.

I started laundry and rambled around the house a bit before heading to church. Got home, changed, ate lunch, and then ran errands (see above the BB&B story). Went to Lowe’s to pick up a few small things including a birthday present for my boy. He wants a flashlight, so I bought him his first maglite. Then I went to Walmart which was actually pleasant after the beating I took at BB&B. Got another birthday present for my boy.  It seems he wants to have his birthday at Chuck E Cheese which makes me throw up a little in my mouth at the thought…

After I got home from running around, I cleaned house and only collapsed at about 6 pm with my book. I read in peace and quiet until the kiddo came home and actually finished my book. Now I’m wondeirng what to read next.

I have another story percolating in my head. It’s another fantasy story and I am seriously starting to think my “calling” is YA fantasy fiction. I devour it every chance I get. I love reading fantasy. So maybe it’s time I choose this and just go with it. I’m still at the point of figuring out where I am and what I’m doing, but I feel like I’m getting closer to resolution. This whole last rejection thing has really turned me on my ear and made me do some deep thinking. It’s all good.

I had fully intended to have “me” time this weekend but ended up running all over creation and cleaning house instead. So much for that. However, I did something very important – I read, I cleaned, AND I vacuumed behind the bed and got up all the cat hair. Very important indeed!