Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Whoops!

Again blogger won't let me edit a post I just made, but in case you are interested you can visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Reclaiming Nick

It's that time of month again when I get to talk about fun books I've read lately...as if I don't talk about that anytime I durn well please! Anyhoo...

I got to read Susan May Warren's newest book Reclaiming Nick the other day and as usual she didn't disappoint. Maybe it is just that I'm a country girl at heart, but you've got to love a cowboy.

This is sort of a modern day Western. Part romance, part mystery, part suspense, enough bad guy who isn't and good guy who isn't to keep you on your toes.

Here's the back cover copy:

Nick Noble hadn't planned on being the prodigal son. But when his father dies and leaves half the Silver Buckle--the Noble family ranch--to Nick's former best friend, he returns home to face his mistakes...and to guarantee that the ranch stays in the Noble family.

Award winning journalist Piper Sullivan believes Nick framed her brother for murder, and she's determined to find justice. But following Nick to the Silver Buckle and posing as a ranch cook proves more challenging than she thinks. So does resisting his charming smile.

As Nick seeks to overturn his father's will--and Piper digs for answers--family secrets surface that send Nick's life into a tailspin. But there's someone else who wants to take the Silver Buckle from the Noble family, and he'll stop at nothing --even murder-- to make it happen.

Jamie here: and none of that is even the best part of the book which I won't tell you about because reading is more of a pleasure when you don't know what's going to happen.

I have to say that this is one of my favorite of Susan's books so far. Grab it and give it a read. If you are anything like me, it will take all of a day of ignoring dishes, laundry, and meals to get it finished.


Monday, January 29, 2007

Hey Drew!

Just when you are seriously wondering why you exist because your IRL friends don't seem to really notice whether you are there or not, you get an email from a long lost friend who hasn't seen you since you wore your skirts too short and were not harboring an extra 40(!) pounds of baby.

Monday

So NOT surviving the chaos today.....

Friday, January 26, 2007

Teenage Boys

What is up with them anyway?

All week I have driven past 3 of them dressed in sweatshirts in 20 degree weather throwing snowballs at the street as I drive by (I'm going to pretend that they weren't aiming for my van).
Every morning.

Do they ever get tired of it?

Do they ever wonder if the same people drive past them everyday and it isn't a surprise that they are there nailing us?

And my second question: Why do they go outside in only a t-shirt? It is really that big of a deal to put on a jacket? I'm talking about a different one now. T-shirt, hands stuffed in pockets. Like it is uncool to cover the arms.

Well I suppose technically it is "uncool," it is warm. Hello!

And if they do put on a jacket (mom must have been standing vigil at the door) it is never zipped.

Ah, to be a cool teen again...

But God has chosen to give me three boys who will be teens. I'd better figure them out one of these days.

Well Knock Me Over With a Feather

I paid $1.89 a gallon for gas this morning.

I remember college when I would drive out of my way to pay 99 cents instead of $1.01, but still...considering we were at nigh $3 recently I wondered if we'd ever drop below $2 again. And lookie, it wasn't even $1.99.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

How Annoying Is That?

I realized that I didn't linky to Julie's blog, Beach-Lit Writer so I went in to edit it in. Every time I try it blanks out everything I wrote but the title. Anyone have a clue?

And as of the next morning....after all that I put in a crummy link. I think we are good now.

Exasperated.

A Mixed Kinda Day

Today I am thrilled to report that I received my copy of Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini, blogger friend and American Idol addict. I am so excited to start this book and I'll tell you all about it soon. Get a load of the cover. What woman wouldn't want to be afloat on that thong (that was for my 80s friends, for you youngun's you will recognize not underwear, but "flip-flops").

And on the down side, I got rejected today. Not even a real rejection. My proposal was solicited, I wasn't sure I wanted the project and aside from the butterflies I had while I opened the email, I am experiencing relief that I won't have to actually produce the article I offered to write. I lose sleep over the silly things. But I have to say that selling articles before they are written is a lot more fun that writing them and sending them all over tarnation trying to sell them. And probably not doing so....

Besides it is like being "accepted" about six times. I feel acceptance when I get the email that asks for my ideas. I feel more accepted when my idea is actually accepted. I feel accepted when the article I send in is finally accepted. It is super acceptance to get the fat envelope with the contract in it. And then there is the acceptance when the check shows up. And finally....THE ACCEPTANCE when I see it in print. Something I WROTE was worth printing. WOW! So it is a bummer to get the "sorry, everyone wanted to write on that topic this month." Even if it isn't really a rejection, boy there isn't all that acceptance.

Of course with all that acceptance going around, who would want to write the Great American Novel so that a whole bunch of upstarts can sit around and discuss why on earth you were ever published in the first place? One must wonder.




Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Cookin' My Grits

My kids have been a little....er....demanding since the flu episode. I think they got used to stating fact (I'm thirsty) and having it produce action on the part of the parents. So much for giving 'em mercy when they are sick...

So I was upstairs and I heard Hubs tell the kids "You're Cookin' My Grits, Guys." About 2 seconds later I heard him yell, "I told you that you are cookin' my grits! Chill out!"

Okay, chill out they understand. Cookin' my grits? I hardly understand it. One, they have no clue what grits are. I'm not a big fan. I'm not Southern. I don't make them. Two, if they've heard the expression it wasn't in this house.

I've been married to this man going on 11 years. We dated 3 years before that. I met him 3 years before that. I've never heard him use the expression. I've never heard his parents use the expression. I have no idea what got him started.

Did he read it somewhere? Last I checked he was reading Plato. I doubt he said it. I have no idea. Anyone read "The Never Ending Story?" He's been reading that to the kids. I suppose someone in there could have said it.

Dunno. What I do know is if you are going to use an expression on the kids, you gotta use one they know.

Speaking of, the other day I heard Eldest tell Princess, "Well, that was passive aggressive."

That's what I'm talking about. Chip off the ole block.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Ah, Kids....

This morning my children invaded my bed at about 6:45--which I welcome if they go back to sleep. It is kind of like my pre-wakening. But this morning, oh man.

Eldest is on my right, displacing Frodo who came in earlier but still wanted to sleep, Princess is on my left. I, who spent many words in thankful gratitude for my awesome kids last night after the went to dreamland, was feeling motherly and well rested so I put out my arms in order to "cuddle" both kids. (What a good mom. LOL)

Eldest noticed his head was in my armpit. NOT because it smelled, but because he opened his eyes. Then he asked how I washed them. Are you noticing the "subtle" jab? I showered last night after they went to bed. I know my pits do not stink when all I've done is sleep.

Then Princess joins in asking "what stinks?"

As if it isn't bad enough to be awakened before necessary in the morning. Be kicked and jabbed and footed and poked and breathed on with morning breath and listen to air being sucked through snotty noses just because they don't feel like blowing them. No they have to gang up and comment on my hygiene which, need I remind you, was fine because I SHOWERED LAST NIGHT!

I love them. I love snuggling with them in the morning. I believe it helps us all welcome the day a bit more gracefully. But if you are going to climb into MY BED at 6:45 in the morning, you'd better darn well not start criticizing me.

Hello? Don't like the way I smell? Go get in your own bed. Trust me, I won't be climbing in and bothering you anytime soon.

Friday, January 19, 2007

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

Just when you think you are over something....

The six year old figures out how to fake it well enough to come home from school.

And the husband comes down with whatever the kids had.

And another winter storm is heading your way.

And the tires are not $23 apiece as the tire guy told you, but $100.

Still a spoiled sub-urban American, just feeling a little disgruntled.

Thanking God that I don't yet have the flu and begging that I never will.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Spoiled Suburban American

(Deep Sigh of Relief) Life for me should soon return to "normal."

Last week I had a triple whammy. Three kids with the flu (as if I haven't whined enough about that). Ice storm. Flat tire. No matter what I was staying home. And Hubs mostly worked so I had one shot a day at the grocery store at best IF I could talk him into stopping for me IF he came home early enough to make it worth it. IF.

My cupboards have never seen so much space. My fridge has never been so empty. My deep freeze? Don't even ask. We are out of food.

Except we aren't.

I've managed to provide some meals every day that are relatively healthy. But it has been a stretch.

We are out of milk. Out of pasta. Out of fresh fruit. Out, out, out.

But yesterday it occurred to me how spoiled I really am. I was baking cookies. I had no trouble with ingredients (because I stocked up when sugar, butter, etc. was on sale before Christmas). I have a wheat mill and wheat so we had no shortage of bread or flour.

So many people in so many places live hand to mouth and I'm whining because I can't get to the store for a week.

It was a good reminder.

Thank you, God for my country and the freedom to run to a fully stocked store most anytime I want.

Oh, and I'm still pretty thankful for the ability to buy flu medicine in the middle of the night, also.

VBG

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

feeling off

I feel dissatisfied. Or antsy. Or irritable. Something.

Maybe it is because I've hardly left the house in a week. I don't know.

Maybe it is because I can't seem to get my behind BEHIND a story I want to write. I don't think so.

Everything I read irritates me. Especially the fiction.

Everything on TV irritates me. Especially the two hour premieres that are preempting my regularly scheduled programming (Don't get me wrong, I like a little American Idol, but two hours of those poor folk who sing like junk isn't my idea of a quality pastime.). I watch two shows a week. At least one won't be on this week. And it isn't like a book is going to grab my attention--in a good way that is.

Okay, but a book that didn't annoy me...Deb Raney's Remember to Forget is out next month. And lookie here: I got quoted. You'll have to scroll down a bit to the book bio. I always love her books. I felt cheezy setting my book in small town Kansas wondering if anyone who hasn't been here could appreciate it until I read how realistically Deb writes Kansas. Then again, I grew up here so I guess I'm not the best judge.

Anyway. A bright spot in an otherwise dreary day.

Monday, January 15, 2007

A New Fav

Children's Dimetapp Nighttime Flu Syrup.

Trust me. I got three uninterrupted hours of sleep last night. It was SOOOOO worth going out in the ice storm for this stuff. And I can't even get my ice covered van back in the garage so you know the stuff is good.

Can anyone tell me how long this illness is going to last?

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Totally Cracking Up

Someone visited my blog after searching "what makes you fall asleep in the middle of doing something." One, I have no clue WHAT I was blogging about. Two, I wasn't even on Google's first two pages as a hit and I'm not curious enough to check twenty thousand pages to find out.

But in case someone really wants to know the answer.....

MOTHERHOOD.

And I think Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner should hook me up with some free stuff. You wouldn't believe the number of people who visit me when they search for that.

I knew I should never get into Googlies (Thanks Tess, Um, Liz, Um, not sure I should link because you've gone all "check your references and I'll let you know if you can have a link" on me.(my references checked out)).

In Case you are Curious

When you have three kids with the flu, by day five you are all out of compassion.

Mother Theresa types need not comment.

But you are welcome to pray for me.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Falling Ice Balls

I am so much loving the street I live on this week. Ice began falling from the sky this morning and before noon the salt truck made four passes down my street.

I don't live on a busy street. I live on a hilly street. I live on a curvy street. But my street is not a thoroughfare. My sister's street may make it all the way through a storm and well beyond without one plow or salt truck passing her home. And she lives in a "nicer" neighborhood.

Hubs thinks one of the salt truck drivers must live nearby. Whatever. I'm thankful.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

The Plague

aka The Flu?

I don't really know. I've never had the flu. I hear about the flu. Nurses are always recommending that I get a flu shot. I hear about the "feel like I've been hit by a train" comparison. I don't know. I've never understood the flu.

My mom used to always call our stomach bugs "the 24 hour flu," but I'm pretty sure that isn't worth panicking over not enough vaccine for...I mean, really.

My daughter came down with something. I suppose it is the flu. It has been going around since before Christmas and we missed the first bout and I expected to miss this one. They sort of cough for about a day, but not like a bronchitis. Then fall asleep in the middle of the day, then spike a fever, then break the fever, then puke. Then nothing for hours, then fall asleep in the middle of the living room, then spike a fever again. Is this this flu?

My eldest son keeps complaining about not feeling quite right also, but he is always so suddenly better just as soon as he gets whatever treatment his sister got that I'm suspicious. She didn't go to school this morning and he therefore didn't want to go either. Of course the school called an hour later that he wasn't feeling well. I drug her out of bed, drove over to get him wondering how I had missed the symptoms so badly.

Nope, he was fine. Still is. And yet I probably won't send him to school in the morning. Might as well save myself the trip of the extra pick-up, don'tcha think?

Though my mom would never let me stay home with a little cough and headache. No fever, no staying home from school. Especially if the headache only manifests itself five minutes out of every two hours.

When a kid chatters all the way home and asks if he can have friends over...I don't care what he is coughing and how bad his "head hurts" he isn't sick.

But my friend, who is on child number two of this disease we will call the plague promises me he will be sick tomorrow and the guilt will eat me up.

We'll see. He did this all day yesterday also.

I really prefer to just have well children. I suppose a lively game of dominoes tomorrow instead of schoolwork and housework will be worth it for them all to be well Tuesday when they go back.

Maybe by then everyone else will have had the plague also and we can go back to real life.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

The Best of Intentions

My dishes are stacked in the sink, but not washed.

My laundry is in the laundry room, but not washed.

I made cookies, but don't feel like putting them away.

My boys room is picked up but not vacuumed.

And a literary agency that doesn't take unsolicited queries (much less manuscripts) from unpublished writers is open to queries (this month only) from people with my initials (the odds aren't good folks) and I can't decide whether to send anything in.

I am tired. So tired. And so unmotivated. I know it all needs to be done, the question is, will I do it?

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Prayer

Tonight I'm going over to pray for a friend who can't seem to kick a cancer. All she has so far is a blip on the MRI and a lump, but she's going in for further testing tomorrow. Anyone who would like to send up a prayer for Cara, I'm sure it'll be appreciated. We're praying that a blip is only a blip and nothing more.