Christmas, the empty nest version...

My nest is not empty, not really - but it feels that way.

I have mentioned that this year my son (PFC) joined the Marines, and my daughter (Buffy) moved to Florida to go to school. I have Dub, Neeper and Roomie living in house with me - along with 9 cats - so you see, the nest is not really empty.

PFC has been home since the 22nd, and will be headed to the midwest in early January for MOS training - but he has not been home much.

Christmas Day was really though for me, it was just all wrong. Showers took too long, the Fudge was not packaged and I was missing Buffy something dreadful. I took Neeper to Da'Rents (my parents house) for breakfast, but had to go back and pick up Dub cause the hot water was lacking after 2 had showered. (Neeper doesn't know the meaning of 'quick' in the shower)

Da'Rents house seemed REALLY empty. Brodar (my brother) was not around (yet), Mom was bustling around in the kitchen and Roomie and her guy (does he have a name yet?) were helping with vittles. PFC was sitting in the living room with his PSP, but I felt the hole.. the missing thing.. Buffy was not there. It made me cry, and just re-living it the tears are flowing again.

Some would say, that 'at least you had one of your kids there for the holidays' and that is true... but I really miss Buffy. I worry that she's not sleeping enough, or eating right. I didn't plan for her to be GONE so I didn't have the funds saved go pay for her to come home for Christmas. Next year, I hope will be better with that.

I'm not sure why I was dragging my feet when it was time to return to Da'Rents after Dub was ready to go, it just felt so wrong. When we arrived, the breakfast dishes had been cleared and folks had already started opening gifts. (Thanks for waiting people!) There was a flurry of activity as gifts were opened and for a while I was distracted. There were lots of ooh's and aah's, many nice things were gifted and some odd things too.

Roomie and her guy (I'll have to come up with something for him, I'm just not sure yet!) left for his family do. I had a short phone conversation with Buffy while she waited for others to 'wake up' or 'come home' so they could have their meal. Buffy and her crew didn't have anywhere to go for a Christmas dinner, so I'd ordered sammies, veggies and deviled eggs for them from Albertsons. Who knew grocery stores in Florida didn't do ham or turkey dinners for Christmas, or maybe it was that you had to order them more than 4 days ahead of time.

I mixed up some eggnog with brandy, then Mom, PFC and I started a game of rummy while Neeper talked with Valkyrie and Mr. Peabody on the phone. About 3 hands in, my head pounded so bad I needed a nap. Not sure if it was the brandy, stuffy sinus or stress, but the head won.

Buffy and her crew called and woke me from my slumber some time later, to thank me for the yummies I'd ordered. It was nice to talk with them, and some of the sorrow I had about Buffy's holiday lifted. She was having a good time, with folks she liked, and she was safe.

I'm still teary about it, even now.. though I'm sure it has something to do with the approaching new year celebration and PFC's departure soon after. I suspect it will be better in the years to come, but I'm not looking forward to my kids (that are not kids any more) having lives of their own where they are not able to be with me during the holidays. Is that selfish.. you bet, but I won't apologize for it. I love my kids, enjoy spending time with them, am proud of the adults the have worked to become and I miss them bunches when they are gone.

Beta is better ... how?

I've done it.
I switched to Beta. Figured I'd better do it before they did it for me.

Already I don't like HAVING top put the damn labels on things before you can post put up a post, and that ASSUMES you remember how you have labeled things in the past... YUCK!

Crossing my fingers this doesn't turn out badly!

Support your local Sheriff? uh no..local Romance Author!!

Multi-published author Shelli Stevens has a signing!!

Where: Saturday, December 16, 2006
What time: 2pm to 4pm

Where?
Lynnwood Borders at Alderwood Mall (upstairs!)
3000 184th St SW
Lynnwood, WA 98037
(425) 776-7530

Let's do the time warp again.... 6 mo in speed review

This is a time warp of semi-weekly proportions...

June, My Mate (a.k.a. Dub) and I flew to MD to pick up the Neeper for the summer. The day we left, one of my kitties had a blood clot and had to go to the Vet. Then my daughter (we'll call her Buffy for now) reached the age of 18, and the family went bowling to celebrate. The next week my Divorce was final. Buffy graduated High School the following week and her dad came up for the event. June saw lots of calls from Neeper's mom, much turmoil (catch up here) and head scratching about her future. Kitty improved, and the mercury began to rise in Seattle. The work, it just kept coming.

July saw the passing of Dub's Mom, JEast, and more turmoil for the Neeper. Dub started working on the King County Airport Runway Project, and the hours were long! Neeper started coming to work with me more often, as Buffy was making noises about finding a job, and Kitty dislocated his back leg and ended up in a splint. The work, well, it was the work.

Mid/Late August my son, age 20 and we'll call him Jake for now, went San Diego, for Marine Boot Camp. I cried, was moody, and then there was lots of work. Buffy started working for Home Depot, that meant that Neeper had to come with me to work every day. Oh the work!

Beginning of September Neeper started school (hear the loud cheer: YEAH!) and work kept on keeping on. Kitty saw a specialist about the leg and we hoped that it would not come to that. I started cleaning in Jake's room, thinking to move Neeper in there so Buffy could have her space. It was more emotional than I thought - I cried and didn't make it very far.

Late September My Mate started working Sunday's in the bus tunnel and My Roomie started spending MORE time with her boyfriend. And the work kept coming.

In the Beginning of October there was the ECW Conference (note to self, finish the damn post that's in the drafts section) and then there was more work. Kitty's leg was so bad it had to be amputated. I cried, we paid the hefty bill and he came home as a tripod, but on aspirin for the rest of his life.

Mid October Buffy decided to move to Florida to go to school. I cried, was moody and there was the work. She at least packed up her stuff in boxes so I could send it to her, but there was cleaning to do in her room too. Kitty improved and things seemed to be going good, but there was always the work. Neeper had fun with her new cousins on Halloween, but I have forgotten where we hid her candy. Oops!

Early November Dub and I went to see Stephen King at Benaroya Hall. There is a post forthcoming on this one too... I think, a place holder at least! Kitty had a relapse and was back at the vet. They didn't know if he'd recover this time and I cried. Work was work, school was school and my Roomie kept putting words to file on her book. Work, work and more work.

Mid November Dub and I flew to San Diego for Jake's graduation from Marine Boot Camp. We'll call him Private First Class (PFC) or Marine now. PFC came home with us for 10 days, which included Turkey Day. The holiday was great, food and fun and family - but Roomie's boyfriend didn't make it. (He's still in trouble with me for that one!)

Late November we had snow, and it stayed for a couple days. School was closed and I worked from home. Work was done, but backed up more, just love the work.

Early December, Neeper reached the age of 10, though if she'd been any more excited about her birthday she may have exploded before making it there. She went shopping with Roomie for clothes and toys, then we met for lunch and had a mini celebration.

The work was the work, but Kitty had a relapse again and ended up at the emergency vet. I cried and was moody and worked very hard not to bite off the heads of those I love. Sadly I had to put him down the next day. I cried, and spent as much time with him as I could before he had to go. The rest of the day I spent with my folks helping them with a Christmas project, though my heart was not in it, at the very least it was a nice distraction. There is another post about the Moo (Kitty) forthcoming, but it's still too raw to do right now.

It's technically still early December, and I'm so ready for this year to end. Roomie's made leaps and bounds of progress on her manuscript, Neeper's doing well in school though she rushes her work and has nasty handwriting. Dub's been taking art lessons when he can and his drawing is shaping up nicely. I think Buffy's going to have a job at Winn-Dixie soon, if she doesn't already. PFC will be home on or around the 19th for another 10-12 days liberty, and some of the work is easing up. And I've cried all the tears I think I can, without dipping into next year's allotment, so I'm done ok.

That's the news, what there is of it... let's hope the posting will pick up now - these review shows are difficult when the memory fades.

Tag - I'm it!

Ok, fine - I'll play along but I don't have done few MeMe posts, and will make an exception cause I've been tagged by my roomie - Aura. From her blog:

"The lovely Kristen tagged me to write 5 fairly interesting things about myself for all to see."

Fairly interesting? I'm the least interesting person I know, but as I said, I'll play along.

1. When I was in kindergarden, I was hit in the head with a golf club (3 wood I think) at a friends house. I think that crack in the skull could explain so much!
2. High School: I flunked typing freshman year (when it was still called typing), and now spend my day doing mostly that. I also played the flute all four years.
3. I love peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches, I ate them even before I was preggers.
4. I wanted to join the Air Force and fly fighter jets, but I was told that not only was I too short (at 5' 2") but because I was a girl, I would be allowed to fly transports but not fighter jets. I decided to make movies instead, and have an 'almost' degree in Broadcasting, that goes unused as I work for a major financial institution as a business systems analyst.
5. My cell phone bill once showed I'd used 28,852 minutes in one month. This was an average month.

Happy now? In the spirit of Tagging - I'll tag my buddies Serra and Paula.

Blog about Stephen King...

This is a place holder ... so I have a place to put the story when I can put all the works/thoughs together.

An Evening with Stephen King - TANKS ROOMIE!

My Roomie left me a message this frosty October morning, that Stephen King was to be in town Wednesday for a lecture. She followed it up with a link to the details via instant message, and I checked it out - only to find all the tickets that included the reception afterwards were sold out. *pout*

Thinkin' Dub (My Mate) would appreciate the lecture, I prepared to buy tickets to listen to the Master of Horror talk about his body of work, while I pondered the chances of slipping into the reception unnoticed (FAT CHANCE!!) . One of the many voices in my head was chanting 'eBay. eBay. EBAY!' so on the off chance that someone had reception tickets for sale - I bopped over to the auction site and typed in 'Stephen King Seattle' - and was shocked.

Only one item, but there it was, my wish come true.... tickets to the King lecture with the RECEPTION afterwards. ~~ I heard voices in my head cheering as I clicked the link and found a BUY IT NOW option and did just that! ~~

Holy Cow ~ I'm going to have a chance to meet the Master of Horror... BUT more importantly, I'll have a chance to surprise My Mate with something extra special right here in our own back yard!

Now the worry begins:

• How to tell Dub?
• What to do with Neeper?
• Where to dine that evening?
• What to wear?
• Where to park?
• Will they allow cameras?
• Will he sign book?

I'll post more when when some of these questions have been answered!

Not your normal song virus...

Goin' to the Conference and we're going to be in-spiiiired. (to the tune of "Goin' the the Chapel")

This weekend is the Annual Emerald City Writers Conference, and I'm attending with my roomie in an effort to kick start my writing now that the Big "D" is final and legal and done!

I'm taking some lovely Pepperminty Scenty Soapies from my buddy Serra, that I'm planning to give to the organizers and some of the authors I've met over the years as little 'thank you's' - but still trying to figure out what to do with the washy clothies. Serra suggested A China Rose fold, which is totally awesome, and I've been toying with an envelope - but so far that's a bust. We'll see.

So from this weekend conference, I expect to be inspired to park in front of the computer and write down some of the many ideas that have been floating in my head for years.. and who knows, maybe I'll actually finish one, sell it and eventually work as a writer full time.

or not..

perhaps I'll just continue to dabble at writing and work forever as a pawn in Corporate America. More news, later!

CHOW!

Stats, Traffic and Sundries

I've never been one to watch traffic to my site, no need, I'm the only on that visits regularly, and that's not at all regular. *hee hee*

Serra had a post on her site for a new 'traffic' option or some such goodie, and I thought I've give it a try.

eXlinks traffic cops - monitors - whatever! Check it out!

Good stuff should come your way if you sign up pre-launch, so follow the linky above and join the club.

Just like that... She's gone!

Today's been a very rough day. My Mate took the bus to work and like most days while Neeper has been here, I returned home and started answering email and checking the to do items I had for the day.

My Mate Beeped* me, like always, when he stepped off the bus, but asked me to call him back instead of just using the radio.

The conversation went some like this:

Lesa~Dragon: Hi Dub**, what's up?
My Mate: I had a call from Mouse while I was on the bus.
Lesa~Dragon: Uh-oh, is everything ok?
My Mate: She said My Mother is dead.
Dragon: What?
Mate: My Mother is dead.
Dragon: How? When?
Mate: I guess she was having trouble breathing last night and went to the hospital. The Doctor called this morning and told Mouse she died in the night.
Dragon: Oh My God! No.
Mate: Yeah.
Dragon: Where are you? I'll come pick you up.
Mate: On the street. Yes, please.
Dragon: Ok, go to the office, and let them know what happened, and I'll be there to pick you up as soon as I can. I'll call when I'm close.
Mate: Yea, I'll go pick up the van first, then go into work.
Dragon: I'm on my way, be there as soon as I can.
Mate: Ok.
Dragon: Dub?
Mate: Yes, Dub?
Dragon: I Love You.
Mate: Thanks. Come get me.
Dragon: On my way.

JEast was gone? I was stunned,and turned circles for at least a full minute trying to decide if I should change out of my PJ's or just go. I went down the hall to brush the sleep out of my hair and pull it back, when my Roomie cracked open her door and asked if everything was alright. Apparently she heard my exclamations and was curious, thinking there was a new Neeper development. I told her as quickly and quietly as I could, Neeper's bedroom is right next door, and then dashed off to the city to pick up My Mate.

I called my Mom (as yet not nicknamed) on the way, and left a message on her cell phone. I asked her not to call back after a certain time, sure I'd have My Mate in the car with me, but when she called back I was still in traffic. I BAWLED while driving on I-5, talking to my Mom about My Mate's loss, our loss really, and trying to explain all the things that have happened with the Neeper over the last couple years. She didn't have any idea how Springer like things had been. I don't know if we will have the $ to send My Mate and Neeper back for a service, and if I had to tap into the International Bank of Dragon's Mom and Dad - I figured they needed to know ASAP.

Then I called a Co-worker in LittleApples and told him I had to cancel our weekly Power Hour meeting. He was very understanding and offered any assistance needed. He's a great guy.

I called My Mate when I was close, and picked him up near a local bar he has been to after work a couple times. Seems they're not open at 8 AM, go figure. We returned home in relative silence, and then he called Mouse back for more details and to check on how Grumpy took the news.

I just can't believe she's gone. It's not sunk in yet, and I don't know how long it will take before the hurt goes away, but it hurts really bad. There is a hole, a huge black hole inside both of us that will take much healing time to find the light again.

When Neeper wakes up, we'll have to break the news to her. Damn this won't be easy. Crap, I have a meeting I have to prepare for.. I just wish I could send someone else.
More update later, maybe, maybe not.

* Beep is the radio function on Nextel Phones
** We call each other Dub, like Silk Stalkings detectives called each other "Sam" - it's a long explaination.. someday I'll tell that story perhaps.

Mom Again?

Or so it would appear... not that I'm complaining but it's just different.

My kids are now grown, graduated and gettin' on my nerves. (not really but sometimes) My Mate has a 9 year old daughter ~ "Neeper" ~ and she's come to stay with us for the summer the second weekend in June.

About two weeks after Neeper arrived, we received a call from her mom ~ "Valkyrie" ~ stating that the boyfiend ~ "Mr. Peabody" ~ had missed work, and was drunk and passed out naked on the living room floor. Valkyrie didn't want to have Neeper in the house with Mr. Peabody doing stuff like that, and suggested perhaps Neeper should stay with us longer than the summer. It seems Mr. Peabody has some dependency issues, and has been known to relieve himself throughout the house, not always in the bathroom. My Mate and I agreed it would be best that Neeper stay with us.

A few days later Neeper received an email from her mom saying that Mr. Peabody was being good again and they were acting loving again to each other. A couple days after that, Neeper told My Mate that she didn't want to go back and live with her mom, and then she told her mom the same thing during a phone call. Next think I know Neeper is crying because Valkyrie has told her she HAS to come home and that's just the way it is.

Additional informatoin that may fill in holes later on: Valkyrie was arrested in May for assalt, seem she used the flat edge of a knife on Mr. Peabody, the cops were called, and Valkyrie spent a few nights in jail. During the time she was locked up, Mr. Peabody was calling My Mate and asking what he intended to do, then saying he needed to 'be a man' and then demanding that Mr. Peabody be allowed to adopt Neeper. Uh.. HELL NO. We had thougt at that time that we may have to go out early and pick up Neeper, but we were able to let her finish the school year in MD.

Also, some time last year, Valkyrie took a baseball bat to Mr. Peabody - and the cops were called then too but I dont' think there was any jail time. They have a volitale relationship and there have been times when Neeper has called My Mate because her mom is drunk and nasty and Neeper just wants to be away from the house. At those times, she'd figure out how to make it to My Mate's Rents house for a couple days, until things settled down. It's tough for us to do anything about it, as My Mate's family lives in Maryland - nearly 2700 miles from Seattle.

It's been tough this year for the Mate-Rents too, Mom ~ "JEast" ~ has been having Kemo treatments since April for her lungs, and Dad ~ "Grumpy" ~ had his left leg amputated at the knee in early May and then a quintuple (5) by-pass heart surgery in the beginning of June. Since Grumpy has been unable to drive, and really in the hosipital or extended care for those two months (and still), Neeper has to less options for leaving the house when things grow too tense with Valkyrie and Mr. Peabody. To make things in MD even more like a Springer show, My Mates Sister ~ "Mouse" ~ her husband ~ "Saint" ~ and their family (5 kids total though not all of them live at home right now) have been forced to move from the house they've been in for over 12 years, because it's being sold and they can't afford what is being asked for it. (too much by the way, if you ask me) So Mouse and the three youngest kids ("BonBon" ~ age 9, Neepers best friend, "Thomas" ~ Age 5?(I think) and "Nate" ~ Age 13) are moving in with the Mate-Rents, while Saint is going to stay with his parents near by for the time being. The oldest is living with his other grandparents out of state and "Coyote" has been hanging out at the Mate-Rents off and on for the last 9 months - mooching.

This is not the worst thing that could happen, with Grumpy in the hospital still and JEast doesn't drive, but it's a small house, and the Mate-Rents have been sans little kids 24/7 for a lot longer than I have.

Back to the present ~ Last weekend, Valkyrie called, very in her cups (read: drunk), and a conversation with My Mate started out that maybe it would be best for Neeper to say with us. In the course of the 10 minute conversation, though she did a 180 and ended the call with "If Neeper is not back in MD by August 1st, I'm calling an Alphabet Goverment Agency, and reporting a Neeper-napping." to which My Mate replied, "Thanks for the warning."

Today - July 4th, Neeper was chatting with Valkyrie and again the subject of the return trip to MD was brought up, which sent Neeper into tears again. Poor thing! And of course, we were at the Dragon-Rents place with my family, so then others wanted to know "What was up?" Thankfully it was easy enough to say that she'd just had a disagreement with her mom on the phone and leave it at that.

We don't know what is going to happen from one day to the next, but at this point, we are not planning to send Neeper back to MD until we've talked with someone familiar with family law. There reasons too numerous to count why she should not return, and one really important reason she should stay ~ because it is what is best for her!

More Neeper Saga updates later as the story developes - Happy Fourth All!

It's Official...

Signed, Sealed and Delivered ~ I'm free!

At approximately 2:39 PM Pacific Daylight Time on June 12, 2006 ~ The BIG "D" is final, filed and finished!

I'm planning a definitely Divorced Party for myself and my Mate this weekend - there will be much drinking.

And in other Official News - My Daughter Graduated from High School last night and "Mom does the HAPPY DANCE!!"

More news later - too much work to do at this time for a long posty!

Book Review: Dark Prince and Dark Descent

My Roomie is working on her 4th year in the Pacific Northwest, after moving to Seattle from Florida. Aura is a big fan of Christine Feehan, and the Carpathian characters she has been writing about since the late 90’s. Many times Aura has suggested I might like the series because it is contemporary, rather than historical. I’ve thought about it, but my TBR shelf was stacked with other authors at the time, and I figured I’d pick up Christine eventually.

Christine’s Wild Rain was just on the shelves when I bought it at the airport after I’d forgotten to bring a book along on a business trip. I really enjoyed the story and her writing style was easy to follow. Wild Rain is the first in a series of books about shape shifting cat people, and I look forward to the next in the series expected out later this year.

Aura splurged on an audio book version of Dark Prince, the first in the Carpathian series and was listening to it in the car one day when we were shopping.. uh, I mean running errands. The characters sounded interesting and I was intrigued by the parts I heard. Aura has offered her copies of the books to me many times, but I have always turned her down – I can be hard on paperbacks - thinking I would pick up my own copies when I was ready to read.

On a trip to the book store with the boyfriend and his kids, Aura picked up a copy of Dark Prince for me – little sneak – so I could read it whenever I was ready, and some how it ended up on the top of my TBR pile.

From the beginning of the book there was intense non-stop action. And too much sex. Yes, you hear me right, too much sex. Unusual for me to say, but I was about ready to put it down and find something else when I shared my thoughts with Aura. She said that she’d heard somewhere (perhaps even from the author herself) that the published version of Dark Prince was not the book Christine had written. I know publishers and editors often take certain liberties, and I really wanted to see how the story ended so.. kept on reading.

It was fascinating the way the author jumped form one characters head to another, yet the printed page did not offer any indication of the move form one character to the other – not even so much as and extra space between paragraphs. At times, with all the action, it was hard to follow who’s thoughts were who’s. Characters seemed to appear without much introduction, though the reader was supposed to understand and accept them without suspicion. That fact also made me uncomfortable and caused confusion.

I enjoyed the story and the adventure – but the writing, mechanics and flow of the book was a bit disappointing. I’m still not sure if I like the main characters. Raven started out as likeable, and when she confronted the vampire hunters in the forest I was with her every step. It was believable that when she first met some of the other Carpathians, she could hear their thoughts and it made her crazy… but it was really too much to expect that they’d have control all the time when they were around her, I didn’t buy that. I know that Mikhail is a prince, and old school, but he felt like an over bearing macho man, and I don’t think I can say that I ever really liked his character. He didn’t seem to let Raven grow and adjust to the changes, but his over protective assuming attitude was way beyond alpha male for my taste.

I felt there was much of the detail missing, and want to know more. I have to continue to remind myself this was the first in the series, perhaps the first book Christine published. I do want to read more, and plan to, but I think it will be a couple months before I visit with the Carpathians again. Withholding judgment on the series until I’ve read more.

The book Aura bought also had a novella length story from an anthology as a
bonus feature. Guess I’m going to visit the Carpathian Mountains sooner than I thought.

Dark Descent ~ initially part of The Only One Anthology ~ started with a bang, literally - with Traian fighting vampires and Joie was shot on the job, but the writing and syntax was much easier to read after struggling through Dark Prince. The characters jumped off the page and while I wanted to know more about the special gifts of Joie and her family, the shorter story was more cohesive and solid, and I would think that’s because the author is now very comfortable with the world she’s created and the publisher will print the heart of the book, not just the sex and action sequences. I hope that the story started here will be more fully explained in the series – there are still so many unanswered questions.

It is very apparent Christine knows the craft of writing and has good stories to tell. I think it will be easy to move past the disappointment from the first book and enjoy the series as the tale of the Carpathians unfolds. I will, however, read them in order of publication, including the other novella stories, because there was information in Dark Descent that will probably color the books about some of the characters already introduced but their full stories yet untold. I don’t think it was a good idea to include Dark Descent with Dark Prince.

Book Review: In Deep Voodoo

The title alone made me pick it up, and the potential for paranormal had me taking it home. In Deep Voodoo was a delight to read though I did complain to my Roomie that there was not enough sex in the first 2/3 of the book. However, the mystery of who killed the ex-husband and the journey to find the real killer made up for the lack of steam between the sheets.

The suspense in the story along with the comic timing had me fit to be tied when I left the book on my desk over the last weekend. The characters remained fresh in my thoughts until I was able to pick up the story again on Tuesday after working from home on Monday. I was giggling at my desk during lunch at one particularly funny....

“Doing the research on dimethyl sulfoxide. The chemical has, shall we say, a checkered past.” He put a fork full of tofu in his mouth, then stopped, grimaced, and swallowed.
“It grows on you,” she said encouragingly.
“I bet this stuff would grow on just about anything,” he said, turning to the salad.
She bit back a smile. “So what did you learn about the chemical?”
“It’s a by product of wood pulp, used commercially in paint thinner and antifreeze.”
She made a face. “I thought the man in the square said it was used to preserve body organs.”
He nodded. “The medical grade of the substance was used for organ transplant preservation in the 1960s, but there were side effects, and the close kinship of the chemical to harsher commercial grades made it suspect. Apparently the cheep and potentially harmful grades were popping up at roadside stands and general stores.” He grimaced. “I image it tasted like this tofu.”
She laughed. “But it’s good for you.”
“What is it exactly?”
“It’s made from soy bean milk.”
He scratched his temple. “And I didn’t even realize soy beans had nipples.”
She bust out laughing; he was so…male.

I have wondered myself about how they milk soy beans, I’m glad I’m no alone not knowing… uh.. yes.. moving along.

I’m pleased to say I was surprised to find out who the killer was, I should have seen that coming but maybe I was too fixated on the lack of sex to see it clearly. I like to be surprised, it doesn’t happen often. While checking out the author site, I discovered there are several other titles that sound like they’d be a lot of fun to read.

I’ve added Stephanie Bond to my growing list of authors to look for at Half Price Books, and I’m sure I’ll be traveling to the Full Price store near me in October when the follow up to Voodoo comes out.

Classic Example..... of what NOT to do!

I really like Miss Snark.

Her site is educational, entertaining and scares the b-jeeberz out of me all at the same time.

I have not had a chance to check in over there much in the last couple months, but today I was surfing (read: avoiding work) and ended up at her blog.

I've known some folks who didn't think their poo was stinky, and some other folks that were very full of themselves too... but THIS CLOWN is just SO over the top. Heed well the "beverage warning" within the Snarky One's post... it does not mean have a drink!!

Oh, Pinky!

Bird Flu in South Florida

Aura is from Florida, and I think more than one of her family members has lawn art. We do not know yet the extent of the tragety for the Petersons, but a memorial will be held in a few weeks when the family is all gathered.

This was just so goofy I had to share.

Book Review: Breath of Magic

Teresa Medeiros is known for her historical story lines having only recently ventured into paranormal. I’m not big on historical novels, though after reading the ‘blurb’ for several of her books on her website, there are one or two that intrigue me. Magic, time travel and betrayal are the elements for a fascination tale from the past into the present called Breath of Magic. My Roomie recommended this book to me when I said I needed something a little different than the contemporaries I’ve been reading lately.

With a bang the story takes off on a wild ride, keeping in the realm of possibility but still teasing the depth of my belief that there is magic in the world if you know where to look for it. After being catapulted from the simple Puritan life to the decadence of New York City the young Witch Wannabe discovers it might be easier to return to the past and face those who would put her on trial than to suffer the distain of the man she’s fallen head over broomstick in love with.

I enjoyed the way the characters in the present interacted as if they really had known each other since childhood, and the painful twist of mistrust that followed the lovers through their courtship and beyond was well crafted. There were times I wanted to toss the hero off the top of his mighty tower for being a jerk, and yet his tenderness and growth brought tears to my eyes in the end.

I discovered there is a follow up to this story and now I’ll be on my way back to the book store to track it down. There are also a couple other paranormal titles on Teresa’s shelf, if you like vampires. I here they’re pretty good and look forward to starting another Medeiros title soon.

Book Review: Almost Perfect

Julie Ortolon has been on my must buy list since I read Lead Me On. LMO is the middle book in the series about siblings, ghosts and treasure with a whole lot of adventure and humor. I loved it and highly recommend it. After reading that series, I bought every Ortolon book I could find and even shared them with my Mate’s mother and now she’s hooked too. I was very pleased to hear she had another series in the works, A Perfect Trilogy. Almost Perfect is the first book in this new series where three friends make a pact (you might call it a bet) to take chances and follow their dreams.

The main characters in Almost Perfect are high school sweethearts now in their late 30s, that had a lot of growing to do before they would be ready to settle down. Through the story they find out things about each other they didn’t know to ask when they were younger, yet as much as they’ve grown there was much for them to learn together.

The characters were real enough, thought it was sometimes hard for me to read through the misinterpretations without wanting to scream “say what you really think, idiot” as the characters communicated. Misunderstanding and assumptions plagued their reintroduction of the characters from the beginning, but that was their biggest hurdle to overcome. At times the story was almost like a sitcom (which I no longer watch) where you can predict what stupid thing the character is going to do next and must agonize with them then as they try to pull themselves out of the mega mess they’ve created. The thing that kept me reading was that these were very real life messes, not a “Friends” or “Cheers” storyline with intentional lying and deception.

Dreams are important, as are love and trust. These are lessons hard learned by the couple as they struggle to understand how they fit into each others lives after 20 years apart. The supporting cast of characters are vibrant and worthy of their own stories. I look forward to finding the next two books in the series to see what kind of mess the Doctor and Nanny fall into as they fulfill the requirements of the pact.

Going thru the big "D" and I don't mean Dallas!!

I spent the day at the King County Courthouse with my Daughter. She was there to observe a criminal trial, required for credit in Government class, I was there to atone for missing a status meeting with the court I didn't know I had. (Who knew there was a calendar at the back of the package they gave me on the day the paperwork was filed in August last year.- Oh, Wait! - I did, when I read it, but I forgot... oops!)

I needed to be in court at 9:30a, and not knowing where the heck I was headed, we decided to arrive early, pulling into the parking building at about 9:10a. The three story cement structure was very dark on the ground floor level, which we found very odd. There was no parking available on the street, so I drove on up to the second floor, found a spot, and spend a few minutes making sure the truck was positioned evenly between the lines.

The second floor of the garage has a sky bridge to the courthouse, and there were a large number of folks standing along the rail, smoking or talking on cellular phones. We entered the courthouse to find even more people lining the hall, sitting ~ standing ~ milling about, and still more folks filled the lobby.

Seems the power was out in the courthouse and the guards were not allowing anyone but court/state employees through the non-working metal detectors. I don't understand why... really. Pfht.

An announcement was made, and power was promised at 10:00a. We went back to the vehicle to wait out the electric in comfort, with tunes. At 9:55a we made our way back over the sky bridge to find the power had not been restored. We mingled with the masses, in the grey light of a rainy Northwest day, waiting. Then.. at 10 o'clock on the dot, the low hum of building systems powering up could be heard as lights began to flicker. The crowd cheered, and like livestock, people began to move into line to pass thru the metal detectors for their day in court.

We found what we thought was the correct room for my day in court after talking with the court clerk. As we waited outside there was a flurry of activity in the background to prepare and print calendars as the morning processes were stepped up to double time. Court clerks and advocates rush around in a flurry to post information and unlock doors.

We sat thru three different protection order hearings, and then the judge said they would recess until 1:30p. WHAT? I talked to the court clerk after the judge had returned to chambers and she told me we were in the wrong room. She told us the room she thought we should be in, so off we went to the other room. A case was being reviewed as we arrived so we slipped into the available seating until the next case was called, them I checked in with the clerk, but was again told I was in the wrong room. *sigh*

Third times the charm? Off we went, down the hall the last room on the right. I check in with the clerk, signed in, talked to the lawyer guy about what I still needed to do and what the judge wanted to know. We sat and waited while the judge handled three other cases and then I was up, last in line. *Yeah!*

I had some documents that still needed to be filed for the parenting plan, and a parenting class that the court required we take before the final decree could be filed. I'm not sure why a parenting class was required, my Daughter was 17 when the paperwork was filed last August, and would be the first one to tell them that she 'no longer needed parenting.' So I talked with the judge, set at date for the final decree after my Daughter's 18th birthday so the parenting plan and class would no longer be necessary. I filed the official paperwork to set June 12th as the day for the final decree and then it will be all over, and the new beginning can.. well, begin.

I think I'll check in with the clerks office in a couple weeks to make sure all the necessary documents are filed, so there is not more waiting.

Book Review: Deep Blue

I have another book by Kat Martin on my TBR Shelf, in the living room. But I found the Deep Blue title in the $1 bin at 1/2 Price Books so I couldn't pass it up. I have read the backs of several of Kat's books, and they seem like a good adventurous read.

My first impression of this book, however, was that I was not going to enjoy it this author. My main objection is the choice of adjectives used to describe the people of Jamaica and what seemed like the constant re-use of the characters first and last names or descriptions of things that were already firmly set in my mind. One of the minor characters that appeared several times was always described with very black skin and bright white teeth - but I remembered that from the first introduction to the character.

As another example of beating the information over the readers head, a car is mentioned in detail in the beginning of the book - color, make, model and the reason for the silly thing being part of the story, YET every time the car was mentioned in the story, it seemed like 3 out of the four points were mentioned again as well. This was frustrating to me. Unless the plan was to repaint the vehicle, blow it up or take it off the island - there was no reason to repeat that it was an old blue, Toyota Corolla that was kept on the island for the purpose of running them around while they were there so it was not necessary to hire a taxi or rental car every time they were in port. DUH! On my death bed, I'm going to remember it was an old blue Toyota Corolla. I can't even remember what my Soon-to-Be Ex-husband's first car was, but this, I will remember. I'm not sure why I felt the need to do a mini-rant about this annoyance, but I feel better now, having typed it.

After I pushed past my annoyance the story was very engaging. Pirates and treasure have always held a fascination for me, even before being introduced to Captain Jack Sparrow. The adventure and excitement of the story pushed me along and I often found myself transported to the aqua colored waters where untold treasures could be found just below sand. The tale was gripping and I was very pleased to find that I didn't have any unanswered questions at the end.

This appears to be the last in a trio of books about the Sinclair sisters. I found a couple of text errors (wrong sister's name) that caused a wee bit of confusion during my adventure, but because my copy was a first printing, I'm sure they've already been corrected. I think I'll read the other book on my TBR shelf and see how I feel before making the decision to add Ms. Martin to my list of 'must have' authors. I do recommend this book, for folks who like suspense there is plenty of it. Readers who devour tales from Cherry Adair will enjoy this story too.

Book Review: Killer Curves

My roomie has several Roxanne St. Claire books on her TBR (To Be Read) shelf, and she's been on a Historical bent of late, but she'll come round eventually. I picked up Killer Curves at 1/2 Price Books during my last visit, after reading the chapter one blurb on the author site. (I spent a bit of time reading the available excerpts and was thrilled to find even one book by this author on the shelf.)

Right off the starting line I didn't want to like the female lead, but it was out of my control by the end of the first chapter. With the difference in the up bringing of the two main characters, it could have been difficult to find a common ground, aside from the natural physical attraction. This common ground was one of the aspects I enjoyed the most in the development of the female lead. The sex was GREAT, steamy and exciting, while the base emotions and motivation was easy to believe, didn't seem forced. The cast of secondary characters was vividly drawn, leaving each firmly fixed in my mind between scenes. The action on and off the track was fast and I don't recall a time when there was too much drag. I'm looking forward to the other titles Roxanne has to offer, and will be visiting the NEW bookstore near me in the very near future. This author is on my 'must have' list.

Book Review: Bitten and Smitten

Michelle Rowen is a new author currently working in Pranormal Romance, and her first book is called Bitten and Smitten. As excited as I was at the prospect of finding a new FAV to add to my list, I was a little disappointed in this book. The main female character is likeable and there is a lively group of seconary characters that were very well written. When my roomie asked me what I thought the first words that came to mind were 'not enough sex.' Not enough? Try none at all. This is fine, and would have been ok, if I had felt the two main characters had spent enough time together learning about each other to know their own feelings. It's not like they had different story lines that didn't cross, it was just not enough for me. I enjoyed the book, for a 'sweet' romance with a lot of violence, and the numerous Buffy the Vampire references were good for a number of laughs. I wanted more from the hero, but thankfully didn't spend much time at all wondering how the female lead could "be so dumb!" I could suggest this book to someone who doesn't like a lot of steamy action between the characters (but I don't know any) and I could even suggest this as something my teenage daughter might read. I will seek out Michelle Rowen's next book, and then decided if the belongs on the FAV list.

Attitude is EVERYTHING!

A friend of mine I'd lost touch with until the first of this year is one of the 'forward everything' email personalities. I've known this since we met, and often allow email from her to gather in my inbox for a week or more before reading thru all the little "FW: ..of good will" she's prone to send along.

The text below is from an email sent in the "FW: .. of good will" mode, but I very much enjoyed the message - and realized I've worked to apply this logic to my own life for a long time. It's worth reading, it's worth doing, Attitued is everything!

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood.
I choose to be in a good mood.

"Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.

"Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the company to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

He continued, "..the paramedics were great.

"They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'."
Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

She also added:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34.


So remember... after all ~ today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Sex, Lies and Vampires - Dark Ones, that is!

I just finished reading the most current Dark Ones book by Katie MacAlister ~ Sex, Lies and Vampires.

It was a fun read, with plenty of all title elements. Katie's books are exciting because they jump right into the action and it helps to suspend reality for a bit. From each initial encounter for those not inducted into the other-realm of it all, the blend of humor and danger, sorrow and sex is right on the mark.

With very little effort it's easy to find your way to the world where Dark Ones must find their Beloved to save their soul, while mortals must work to fathom the reality of Ghosts, Wards, Mummies, Curses, Charms and Demons - let us not forget the Demons.

I have enjoyed all three books in this series and anxiously await number 4, Even Vampire get the Blues - due out in May 2006.

7-11?

Not that all night store~

So, I haven't really done much of this, and not sure there will be more MeMe's in the future (tags or not) but here goes Dragon's 7-7 (Lucky/Unlucky you make the call)!!

7 things I can't get through the day without (not exactly this order every day):

1) Dub
2) Coffee
3) Friends
4) Laughs
5) Cell Phone
6) Sleep
7) Air
8) Chocolate

7 autobuy authors:

1) Cherry Adair
2) Katie MacAlister
3) Sharron McClellan
4) Julie Ortolon
5) Piers Anthony
6) Catherine Spangler
7) Lynn Ewing (for my Daughter)

7 things I wish I invented:

1) iPod
2) Blackberry
3) HDTV
4) 8 oz soda cans (they're so cute)
5) Fuel alternative to petroleum
6) Lint Rollers
7) Half-Naked Thursdays

7 movies we should be able to sue someone for wasted time:

1) Just plain SICK: Hostel, Saw, Texas Chainsaw Massacre - etc. WHY?
2) Slasher Sequels: Halloween 2-X, Nightmare on Elm Street 2-X - etc. STILL NOT DEAD?
3) Teen Trash: American Pie, American Pie 2, American Wedding, Band Camp GACK!
4) Jackass ~ The Movie
5) Dawn or Night of the ANYTHING
6) Reservoir Dogs and most the QT that followed
7) Remakes: When a Stranger Calls, King Kong, The Fog - etc. are there no more new ideas worth making?

**You'll note here that it doesn't say that these are movies you had to have watched, and this is a BIG winner here - cause most of the 'stuff' listed above I have not and will not waste any time on.

7 things I like to eat but shouldn't:

1) Ice Cream
2) Alfredo
3) Slurpee (or is that a drink?)
4) Fries
5) Bread Balls
6) Chocolate (to be clear: excess chocolate)
7) boiled peanuts

7 last books I've read lately:

a) Touch of Night
1) Smoke thief
2) Sex and the Single Vampire
3) A Girls Guide to Vampires
4) Blow Me Down
5) Red Hot Santa
6) Date with the Devil
7) Corset Diaries

7 things you remember from the days this week beginning today:

1) Thursday - I love it when a plan comes together!
2) Wednesday - Drinks with the Dub
3) Tuesday - Cough Cough Cough
4) Monday - Holiday - Thanks to the old Presidents and sewing
5) Sunday - Diablo II with DaBoo
6) Saturday - Reading, Dishes, Laundry and more Reading
7) Friday - Home Sick, Sleep, Pizza for dinner

So, where does the eleven come in here? I added another to the list so it would at least be 7-7 (yummmm), if not 7-11.

I'm not tagging anyone but if you wish to play along, please post a link/note in the comments and thanks for stopping.