Who Doesn't Love Books?

I take it back. Jason O'Mara is Joe Morelli

2012-01-31T21:37:00.003-07:00

I owe Jason O'Mara an apology. When I heard he has been cast as Joe Morelli I was not a happy person. When I was waiting for the movie to start, I was prepared to be disappointed in Jason O'Mara as Joe Morelli.

Jason, I am sorry. You rocked Joe Morelli. The whole time I was sitting in the theater I just kept thinking 'he's channeling his inner Mel Gibson. Holy crap, he's so amazing.' So, while I haven't enjoyed anything else that you've done, not due to your acting, due to content, I hope they turn the Evanovich books into a series of movies and you get your chance to just be amazing.

That's all. Happy Hump Day!

Losing Weight is Hard

2012-01-11T13:06:00.005-07:00

So as I mentioned before, I've signed up for Weight Watchers. I've been on it for two weeks, but have only gone to one meeting. Why you ask, cuz I couldn't print out the temporary card cuz my printer is a piece of crap. It doesn't get any more honest than that.

The woman who runs the 50+ lbs to lose meeting is a success story. She has lost over 135 lbs and kept it off. HOLY CRAP! Now she's a Zumba instructor and rocks the house. She's a petite hard body and I'm totally jealous. Over 135 lbs!!!! Did you catch that?? How freaking amazing is that???

Anyway, I went to my first meeting and it was PACKED. All the regulars said, "you can tell it's January," which of course means come February this room won't be so full. Damn resolutioners. There were so many people in this meeting I was shocked. I brought a book in case I was bored before we got started. Silly me. One of the big topics at this meeting was setting realistic goals. Don't set your goal for 100 lbs., set it for 5% of your weight. Don't set a goal of working out every day, set a goal of working out three days a week. Things like that. So this lady sitting in front of me says that she has set a goal of walking five days a week. I'm thinking that's very motivated of her. She has a tape workout that she's going to be following and she's psyched. So, she's decided on what kind of exercise, she's decided on how many days a week, she has her walkman and her tape all ready to go. I'm thinking she's done good. I'm proud of her. And then this little blond Chiquita pops up and says "all that's great but she didn't say how long she was going to be walking every day." I leaned over the lady next to me and whispered, "I don't like her."

Don't misunderstand, I know she was trying to be helpful. Ensure that all of the goals were actually met etcetera but couldn't we just give the lady a little kudos for being and thorough as she was? I mean this was her first week too. I thought she did a splendid job.

So throughout this meeting the little blond Chiquita keeps popping up with comments. She has a comment on everything. She's apparently been doing this for a while. She's SO GOOD that she's set up an eating plan for her boyfriend AND she doesn't have to use the e-tools cuz she's just plain fabulous. The meeting is only 30 minutes long. She's killing me. It's all I can do to keep my mouth shut and let her speak.

Finally the meeting ends and all of us newbies stay behind for the "Starter Meeting". I'm really interested. I think I can do this. This is why I signed up for meetings. I need to hear from people every week who are making this system work for them. I need encouragement and I need someone to answer the questions I have. Like, what do I do instead of pasta??

How are your resolutions coming along?

BTW, I signed up for GoodReads.com, loving this site.

100+ Books in 2012

2012-01-05T12:04:00.004-07:00

I didn't get to 100 books last year, I blew it. Again. I only reached 70 books, not that it's a bad number, it isn't, but it's not 100. Last year I think I hit 75 or so. I am determined though, I'm going to do it again. I will hit it this year. I will. My husband has decided to keep track of how many books he's reading this year too. I think he's just curious.

Also, I have a question for all of you. On my sidebar I list the books that I am reading and listening to as well as a book that I recommend. Do you guys ever look at that? Be honest.

If you want to join the 100+ books in 2012 just click here. Come on, join the fun!

Eating Healthy is Hard...and expensive....and...

2012-01-04T14:34:00.004-07:00

For my own health I have decided I want to lose 80 lbs this year. There. I said it out loud. Sort of. In order to do this I joined Weight Watchers. I have used Weight Watchers before but only briefly. There was a family crisis, I went off track and never got back on. I'm going to be better this time.

I went to the grocery store and got healthy snacks. Quakes, Rice Cakes (great with hummus and peanut butter), pop chips (SUPER YUM), salad stuff, frozen "diet" entrees for work lunches, you know, "healthy" stuff. It cost me a fortune. What's up with that? Thank goodness the lettuce was on sale.

I'm sure there's a better way to do this and am open to suggestions.

What are you doing for your health?

Happy New Year!!!

2011-12-31T22:03:00.005-07:00

Happy New Year to all of you. May the best of your past be the worst of your future.

This year has been a tough year for me personally. There's been issues with my mom and her sister (aka my aunt) which has made things difficult, my dog passed away, which still brings me to tears, I am still searching for a F/T job and I've other personal issues that I am not going to be discussing on the world wide web. It's been a rough one, but I've made a decision, those things are now in the past. I'm going to leave them there.

This year I'm going to try to let go of the past, not an easy task for me, and move forward. Make new strides in my life. Control only what I can control and learn how to accept what I cannot.

What about you? Anything you want to make happen this year?

Best wishes to all of you. I hope you have a safe and prosperous new year. May 2012 be all it can be for you and yours.

Devastating Loss

2011-11-04T13:46:00.015-07:00

It has been two weeks today (Friday) that I put the best dog in the whole world to sleep. My Feliz. I am finally able to talk about it for a few minutes without breaking down into tears (she says while her eyes fill).

I had a dog as a little girl, a black lab, her name was Miss "E". Cute right? I wanted to name her Missy, but my parents had another idea. She was a great dog, but ultimately she wasn't mine, she was my mom's dog.

Feliz was "my"

first dog. He was a black lab/chow mix. He was wonderful and beautiful and I would appreciate it if you would all indulge me and let me share our story with you.

In 1999 I decided it was time to get a dog. I'd had a dog growing up and even though my husband wasn't necessarily on board with the whole "dog" idea, I was ready to own a dog. My own dog. Who would sleep in my bedroom, not my moms. I'm not bitter, really. I knew I didn't want a puppy. I had a full time job and didn't want to deal with having to house train a puppy. I wanted a dog. A young dog. A young black lab. I started my search online. I searched for all of the non kill shelters in my area

who had websites. Most of them post their available dogs online with photos. I just wanted to adopt them all but knew my husband would

never go for that idea. (See? I do know limits)

I looked online for weeks unable to locate the perfect dog for me and then one day, there he was. It was a picture of a brown lab looking up at the camera and into the sun. He was beautiful and I knew he had to be mine.

That same day I called the Arizona Animal Welfare League and asked about the dog in the photo. Turns out he wasn't brown after all, must have been the reflection of the sun, he was indeed a black lab mixed with chow. He was 1 1/2 years old and he had been with the shelter for over a year. They had rescued him from the pound where he had been picked up walking the streets of downtown Phoenix. He had severe burns on the pads of his feet from the heat of the Arizona summer streets and there was no telling how long he'd been a stray. Did I want to come down and meet him? My answer was absolutely.

I took my 4 year old daughter, my best friend and her toddler son down to the shelter to meet Feliz. He could have cared less. Feliz showed absolutely no interest in us whatsoever. He just kept walking up and down the line of the fence watching what everyone else was doing. I wasn't offended. I came back that weekend with my husband who he also ignored unless he was giving him a cookie and we decided to take him.

As I was walking up to the office with Feliz to sign the papers and get all the goodies that come with adopting a dog that has been in the shelter for more than a year (obedience training, leashes, collars, good stuff) I noticed that the staff kept asking me "Are you adopting Feliz?" and looking at me like someone just died. When

I got into the office I had to ask, "What is wrong with this dog?" The response was "Nothing. Why?" and I told her how everyone was looking at us like the walking dead. She shook her head and said, "Feliz doesn't really have a use for people." I then shook my head and told her, "He's been locked up in a kennel for over a year, I wouldn't have a use for people either." She smiled at me like I was kinda dumb and we filled out the paperwork.

Feliz drove home with us sitting in the back of our Nissan truck (with a camper shell) firmly seated in my husband's lap. We got him home and he ran through the front door, into the back yard and was the most loving and attentive dog a person could have asked for. It seems all he needed was someone to love him. Who doesn't?

When I took him back to the shelter for his obedience classes, the trainer Sam said if she didn't know for a fact he was the same dog, she would never have guessed it. Does a heart good to know that

you've made a difference in someones life.

Feliz lived with us in harmony (less the chewed shoes) for over 12 years. He was a loyal and loving animal and we all miss him very much. I still look down expecting to have to step over him when I get out of bed in the mornings, but he isn't there. I miss him every time I look down the hallway and he isn't laying on his bed. I miss him when I get out of my car and he isn't whining at me from behind the fence. I miss him every time we eat dinner and he isn't in my face begging for food.

A couple of days after Feliz passed away my vet sent me a card. It had a beautiful poem on it and I only hope it's true. I thought I'd share it with all of you.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Life Style Change

2011-08-29T12:51:00.005-07:00

I'm getting old, er, um, I mean older. Older. That's what I meant to say. I have noticed that I'm getting some lines around my eyes and a deep one in between them. This sucks.

I've also come to the conclusion that this weight that I keep carrying around isn't going anywhere unless I kick it out. This sucks.

I've decided to make a "life style change". I can't call it a diet, I cheat on diets, so it's a "life-style change". I need to health myself up. I was thinking about it and if I lose weight it'll drop my blood pressure and help with my stress level. Doing one thing will accomplish multiple items. WHO KNEW?????

So I ordered my Zumba Exhilarate (from zumbafitness.com) because it's the only form of exercise that I like. It doesn't feel like exercise, really, except that you get hot (YUK!!!) and sweaty (DOUBLE YUK!). I expect it to be at my house on Tuesday. I went to the grocery store and didn't buy any ice cream products what so ever. I skipped the sugary cereal and bought Special K and bananas to put on top. Last night I made enough salad to take some for lunch every day this week. I'm trying.

Wish me luck. My lack of will power has made the Guinness Book of World Records.

Have you made a life style change? How'd it go?

The Kind of Author I Want To Be

2011-08-18T17:05:00.029-07:00

I'm on a Nora Robert's trilogy kick. I've just finished listening to The Key Trilogy and I'm working my way through my favorites. In case you're wondering, and I know you are, my favorites are as follows in no particular order: The Key Trilogy, The In Garden Trilogy, The Sign of Seven Trilogy, Three Sisters Island Trilogy and The Gallagher's of Ardmore Trilogy. I think that's most of the trilogies she's written. Hmmmm.

That's the kind of author I want to be, where my reader's love my books and read them over and over again. When I was reading Key of Light I couldn't wait to get back to it and when I finished it I missed the characters in between books. I actually put off reading new books so that I could read this series. Is that normal?

There are other authors that I feel this way about. J.R. Ward is one of them, I've re-read the entire BDB series with the exception of Phury's book. I've re-read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I plan on re-reading Stephanie Bond's Carlotta Wren series (LOVE THEM ALL) and I have read my Jennifer Crusie books so many times that I've had to replace them. Lisa Kleypas, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Toni McGee Causey, I could just go on and on, but I won't.

What is it that these writers have that makes their stories so incredible and real that I want to read them over and over again? This is the kind of author I want to be. Any ideas on how to get there? (No smart comments about finishing a book either. Just sayin'.)

Stories Keep Coming . . .

2011-06-24T09:36:00.005-07:00

Why is it that the stories keep coming to me even though the writing process hasn't been part of my life for many many months now?

I was at work the other day, cuz I have to do that instead of write, and the song Candle In The Wind came on my player, you know, the one by Elton John, anyway, for those of you who don't know, I am a huge Marilyn Monroe fan. I'm not sure fan is the right word. She intrigues me. Everything about her life and death. I find her fascinating. So, while this song is playing I'm thinking about all the things that I have learned about her from the many many different books that I have read. How the public perceived her, how other actors perceived her and then how she perceived herself.

Wouldn't ya know it, a story came to mind. It's a story about an actress who has finally popped into the Hollywood scene. She's blonde, has a beauty mark, curves that would wreck a Ferrari and a type-casting problem. She's played the stupid high school girl, a porn star and the bimbo more times that she can recall. Her agent assures her better roles are right around the corner. She's thinking about switching agents.

Her adoring fans are numerous but there's one in particular who stands out. He's stalking her. The serious worry began when the creepy deliveries to her home started. Her agent has hired her a bodyguard until this gets worked out.

The bodyguard is a hard body retired SEAL. (I think) He's sure the actress is an idiot and can't believe he's been stuck babysitting her. Sure she's nice to look at but he prefers women who can think without smoke coming out of their ears.

The actress thinks her bodyguard is a thug who couldn't think his way out of a paper bag. She's pretty sure her agent was scraping the bottom of the barrel for this loser.

These two are stuck with each other 24/7 until this whole mess gets resolved. What could possibly go wrong?

That's it. Thanks for letting me share. One day this might be a complete story. Think it will be before I retire?

The Death of a Series

2011-04-18T11:03:00.006-07:00

The awful part of reading a series is what do you do when the series ends? Some series I have no worries about ending any time soon. Stephanie Plum for example. I have faith that Janet Evanovich will write Stephanie Plum until I'm good and done with it. I just need to send her the e-mail. ;) Women's Murder Club, by James Patterson. I have faith that this series will continue on as well. But what about the series that don't. Harry Potter is done. Finished. Seven wonderful books and that's all you get. Jennifer Apodaca wrote a great series, the Samantha Shaw series, five books. Loved her, but now she's gone. Done. Linda Palmer used to write a wonderful series that centered around a soap opera. LOVED IT. Gone. Or how about Twilight? I've only read the first two books. I've seen three movies though and Jacob just breaks my heart. However, according to my daughter, Edward RULES the books. Four books and it's over. Done. Hope you're not too invested.

How many people were sad to see these series end? I know I was. I'm considering re-reading the Harry Potter books this year. I'll probably skip the first two, just because they weren't my favorites. Prisoner of Azakaban and Order of the Phoenix are my favorites with Deathly Hallows running a very close second.

So I'm curious, has a favorite series of yours ever ended? Did you write a letter? How often do you re-read the series? Inquiring minds and all that . . .

Happy Monday!

The Way I imagine my characters

2011-03-11T08:33:00.024-07:00

When I start writing a new story the first thing I do, after the basic plot is created, is design my characters. I typically have a basic understanding of what they look like. For example, in Jack & Carly, I based my two main characters on my favorite couple from an old soap opera I used to watch. The actors are Maura West and Michael Park. They were the inspiration for my characters.

In Megan's Story, Megan was easy. I just knew she was Jessica Stroup. I had a harder time deciding who Cole Turner was, but eventually found Logan Marshall-Green.

I have several stories sitting on the back burner. One is a YA that isn't romance but fiction. The two young girls in this story are based on real people so finding pictures of them aren't easy because I see clearly in my head who they really are. So I'm looking around for what I think could represent these girls. I've come up with a young Drew Barrymore and a young Ashley Greene. These are subject to change.

The other story I have sitting on the back burner with a pretty clear plot doesn't have a title or even a working title, but I have a picture for the hero already picked out, though I don't think any of you will be surprised. It's Taylor Kitsch. The heroine in this story has a face but not a thought out character profile. I really like Sophia Bush. I think she's gorgeous. Didn't you all love her in John Tucker Must Die?

So this is how the character development starts out. Since I'm still reasonably new at this I'm learning as I go. Here's what I've learned so far. These photos are great guidelines but mean absolutely nothing. Maura & Michael started out as my characters. The people I was writing about, and while they physical characteristics haven't necessarily changed, the way I see them in my head while I write has. I no longer see them as the characters. The more I write, the more they separate from my original picture and are metamorphosing into something all their own.

So my question for all of you who write, does this happen to you? Do you pick photos for your characters or do you just work with what's in your head?

By the way, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

The Goodness of People

2011-02-18T12:56:00.004-07:00

Every morning when I wake up my husband has the news on. I personally don't understand it. I have yet to ever watch the news and hear anything good. The news, in my humble opinion, is chocked full of depressing and horrific stories. Why would anyone want to start their day out this way?

The news media has done their best to try to scare the crap out of our nation. How many "feel good" stories do you hear in an hour on the news? I believe I counted one this morning. If you visit the www.azfamily.com website (our local news station) the links that you are first subjected to are as follows:

Where are all of the good news stories? I know that we need to be informed but I just feel as if I'm bombarded by stories about how much the human race stinks. How awful we all are. Every time I hear something positive I'm mystified.

SO in order to do my part, I have the following story to share with all of you.

Two Wednesdays ago I drove to pick up my friend for Zumba at the community center. I was chatting with her on the way to get her on my blue tooth. When I arrived at her house, I hung up, stuck the blue tooth in my purse, and off we went to Zumba.

The next morning I couldn't find my blue tooth. I knew it couldn't have gone far because I just had it the night before. When I couldn't find it in my purse I knew I didn't to dig out under the seats in my car. This took me a couple of days. I still couldn't find it. I asked my family if they had seen it laying around the house I emptied out my purse and looked through the car one more time just in case I missed it. I finally realized it was gone. It could be any where. Especially if it fell out of my purse. I could have dropped it in a parking lot somewhere. I just knew it was gone.

A few days later I thought I should probably call the community center. Maybe it had fallen out of my purse during Zumba. I tried to call the community center but they were closed. I'd have to try again tomorrow.

It took me over a week to finally get around to calling the community center again, I had no hope that they would have it. It had been over two weeks since my last Zumba class and really, what were the odds that a Good Samaritan found it and had turned it in? Someone was enjoying my handy dandy blue tooth.

This morning at 7:45 I called the community center while I was thinking about it, so I could rule out that they had it and plan on having to get a new one. A very nice lady answered the phone. I told her my story about losing my blue tooth two weeks ago and she put me on hold to go look in the back. She came back on the phone and told me that she had one. She'd had it for about two weeks and I was welcome to come up after 8:00 and see if it was mine. The clouds parted, the angels began to sing and I told her I would be there in 15 minutes.

Now, there was a chance that the blue tooth she had wasn't mine. Some other poor soul had lost their blue tooth also, but the fact that she had even one was a good sign. Someone, even if it wasn't me, was going to get their blue tooth back. The world has some good people in it after all.

Turns out it was my blue tooth. Thank goodness. I really didn't want to have to replace it. I would love to thank the person who found my blue tooth and turned it in instead of taking home as their own. Since I have no idea who this person is, thank you, to anyone who has ever turned something in to the lost and found instead of keeping it. You are an awesome human being and you deserve a big huge THANK YOU!

I think we all need reminders every once in a while that not all news is bad.

The Problem with Reading A Series. . .

2011-02-15T21:36:00.008-07:00

A few months ago I Googled "if you like Janet Evanovich" and the name Stephanie Bond was revealed to me. Not only does she write romance but she also writes the mystery series Body Movers. Luckily for me, since I haven't had any time to actually pick up a book lately, the series is available in audio format. What a great series.

One of my favorite things about this series is that the books take place one right after the other. The first six books all take place within a two month period. IT'S SO AWESOME! Stephanie Plum has two sexy men in her life. Bobbie Faye has two sexy men in her life. Carlotta Wren has three, count them THREE sexy men in her life. There is one of them that I don't particularly care for, but I'm not going to discuss that here.

The problem with reading a series is that eventually you catch up. Eventually you're waiting for the next book release. The problem with reading this series? There isn't a next release date. According to the Stephanie Bond web page, Books 7 and 8 haven't been scheduled for a release date yet. Apparently her publisher is busy trying to sell the books for a TV pilot so has decided to leave all of us readers out in the cold. Very nice.

I have a problem with this for two reasons. You may or may not agree, but they're mine so you don't have to. First, Woman's Murder Club, the TV series. Anyone watch this series? No? That's cuz it SUCKED. ABC took a GREAT series of books and twisted it into a really awful television series. The damage that they could do to these fabulous Stephanie Bond books really worries me. Second, why are the readers being punished? If you missed it earlier in the blog, these books are consecutive. There is no time lapse of weeks or months in between these books. The end of the sixth book left us all hanging. Wondering what was going to happen next and we don't get to find out.

Having said all of that, these are amazing books. If you love Stephanie Plum, Bobbie Faye, witty dialogue and fabulous characters, these books are for you. Just read slowly.

Favorite Characteristics

2011-01-23T21:05:00.013-07:00

I would like to start off by saying that nothing in this blog is a criticism. Jennifer Crusie is one of my all time favorite authors and I love absolutely everything that she has written. Alone. On with the post.

Being an avid reader there are lots of books that I will read at least once a year. Jennifer Crusie authors a lot of those books. This being the case, I have begun to pick up on something. A lot of her female characters have similar features. Examples are:

Minerva Dobbs from Bet Me - "...her hair cut in short loose curls that glinted in the sun..."

Nina Askew from Anyone But You - "...her short dark curls were rumpled..."

Sophie Dempsey from Welcome to Temptation - "...all that dark curly hair..."

Maddie Faraday from Tell Me Lies - "...all dark curls and warm curves..."

Tess Newhart from Strange Bedpersons - "...but she ran her fingers through her short red curls..."

Tilda Goodnight from Faking It - "...Davy stared at her dark loopy curls..."

Dennie Banks from Trust Me on This - "...Dennie Banks shoved her dark curls from her face..."

Agnes Crandall from Agnes and the Hitman - "...dark curls bouncing..."

Andie Miller from Maybe This Time - "...all those crazy curls yanked back..."

Are you seeing where I'm headed with this? I would have never noticed except that I listened to Maybe This Time, Agnes and the Hitman and Welcome to Temptation all pretty recently and close together. Then I started remember all her other books (that I love) and all her heroines have curly hair. I thought they all might be dark, but there are a few redheads thrown in the mix.

Is this one of those rules that only a published author can break? Is it a rule at all? Do we really care?

Have you ever noticed anything like this about one of your favorite authors? Please share.

Happy Monday and all that jazz.

What Color Are You?

2011-01-13T00:01:00.002-07:00

My daughter came home with these character assessments from school. Apparently she's green. So is my husband. I'm Blue, but also a very close Orange. Apparently being blue does not mean always being sad. Who knew???

Your heart-felt communication style creates peace and harmony in the workplace. You know how to bring out the best in others. As a Blue personality you are gifted with tremendous people skills.
You're a heart felt communicator who has a strong need to make a difference in the lives of other people. This strength is immediately noticeable in the way you make connections and bring out the best in those you encounter. People usually feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence.

You love to build self-esteem and make others feel good about who they are. You can easily motivate and inspire people to make changes in their lives and reach their potential. This natural talent makes you excel a counselor, teacher, social worker and journalist, but the list is far greater in the book.

Okay, so those of you who know me are laughing. I can hear you. It's okay. I don't know that "tremendous people skills" is really a quality I possess and I have yet to meet anyone who thinks I am responsible for "peace and harmony" in the workplace; *giggle* however, I do feel that I bring out the best in my friends, at least in comparison.

My other color that I scored high in is Orange:

ORANGE - Where's the Action
You are courageous. You act on a moment's notice. You see life as a roll of the dice, a game of chance. You need stimulation, freedom, and excitement. You are a natural leader, troubleshooter, and performer.
You value action, resourcefulness, and courage. You are generous, charming, and impulsive. You show affection through physical contact.

Hmmmm, this sounds more like me, but maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Want to know what color you are? You can click on this link and it will take you to the website where you too can know your color, then you can come back here and learn what it is about you that makes you that color.

Back on the Write Track (Get it???)

2011-01-08T09:52:00.012-07:00

I've lost my way on the path to completing a book. I stumbled, broke my spirit and refused to get back up.

My very first attempt at writing was when I was a kid. Maybe eight years old. I started writing a story called Bingo. It was of course, about a dog. I don't remember if I finished it. Odds are not in my favor. All of my witing as a teenager was poetry. Angst driven poetry. I will admit, I'm a bit of a drama queen. I know you're all shocked and surprised. [insert sarcasm here]

About seven years ago I started to get serious about writing. I was reading Jenny Crusie and Janet Evanovich and thinking that not all writing had to be Nora Roberts and Karen Robards. I was impressed. Not that I don't love Roberts and Robards, I do, but this was just different. Published authors were writing witty dialogue, fun and funny characters with outlandish dilemmas and hitting the best seller list.

I had never given writing a serious chance because I knew I wasn't capable of writing like Sandra Brown, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts or Karen Robards. I knew that kind of writing just wasn't in me, but now. Wow, a whole new world of opportunities was opened up for me and I knew I needed to give this a try.

I immediately started searching Google for articles on writing. I found character questionnaires, blogs on "how to", web pages from publishers, blogs from agents, and a million helpful hints. I was quite overwhelmed. So I took a step back and pulled only what really interested me. How do you get started?

I'd had an idea a month before while taking a shower, all the best ideas come in the shower, about a woman whose mother had been married and divorced a dozen times. In this woman's opinion, not only did her mother have lousy taste in men, but all men were cheaters. Period. No discussion. Her past relationships had only driven this point home for her.

Then there was my hero. I'm so in love with him myself I'm finding it hard to find a reason why our heroine wouldn't want to be with him. He's strong, handsome, successful and married. Sort of. His wife is a cheater. He walked in on her riding some stranger in their bed and had enough. He packed his bags and moved out and started the divorce proceedings. Here's the catch. The wife's mother is dying of cancer. Our hero loves this woman. She was like a mother to him after his own mother passed away when he was just a boy. He would do anything to see that her last days are peaceful or as peaceful as possible. So when the wife comes to him and asks him to play along as if they're still married for the sake of the mother, he agrees.

I was jumping up and down knowing that I was bloody BRILLIANT. Who in their right mind would not want to read this story? I mean really! I sat down that same day and started filling out my character questionnaire sheets. I didn't even finish before the first scene came to me and the writing began.

During this process I joined a group of other writers who I let read my BRILLIANT idea. They told me it wouldn't work. They told me that the hero couldn't be married. A publisher would NEVER buy it. Maybe a published author could get away with it, but not me. I was crushed. I put my idea away and tried to figure out how to make it work. How could my story still work with this snag? It couldn't. I couldn't figure it out, so I put them away.

I started working on other things and then life got in the way and I stopped writing all together.

Recently I've become phone friends with Nichol. She's great. We chat about books, writing, kids. Stuff. She has inspired me to get back to writing. She told me, in not so many words, that it didn't matter what other people thought about my story line. If I liked it I needed to finish it.

Wow. No one who knows me well would ever think that what someone else thought would be so important to me. I'd let these other people's opinion influence my own decision. I'd given up on a story because of what a small group of people thought. Holy crap! Since when do I care what other people think??? It's not like I thought my very first attempt at writing was going to hit the best seller list. Hell, I didn't even think it would make it out of my house. You could actually HEAR reality crashing in around me.

So, I'm back to writing my story. I love this story and I'm going to write it the way that I see it. I don't care if a publisher will ever publish it. This is for me. I need to finish this book.

Thank you Nichol. You are the best!

Addictions are a Bitch

2011-01-07T00:01:00.001-07:00

I think I might have an addictive personality, and by that I don't mean you can't get enough of me. ;) I'm addicted to television. . . and movies. . . and reading. . . and music. . . the list goes on, but I'm going to stop there. When I find something new that I like, for example a new author, I will read everything I can get my hands on from their book list until I am caught up.

When I discovered Lisa Kleypas historicals I started searching them out. I have read the entire Hathaway series and am working through the Wallflower series. I somehow wound up reading the series from newest to oldest, but whatever.

Janet Evanovich, found her by accident. Started at one and worked my way up to eight before I was current. They are now making a movie One For the Money due out this summer.

Jennifer Crusie, introduced to me by a friend, Fast Women was my first book and I've read every single book by her that I could get my hands on. Even the ones that weren't so good. Not that there are many.

James Patterson & Maxine Paetro, love the Women's Murder Club books. I was so excited when they announced that there was going to be a television series. Then they announced the cast. Anyone else read these books? Angie Harmon was cast as Lindsay Boxer. Rob Estes was cast as her captain/ex-husband. Who is that??? Lindsay Boxer isn't divorced. Is she? Did I miss that in the books? Claire's husband was in a wheelchair. Was that in the books? I'm seriously asking. I don't remember that. The show was so awful that it didn't survive a whole season, only 13 episodes. They took a great series of books and messed it up so they could put it on TV where it bombed. In my opinion it would have had more viewers if they'd just written it as it was.

Stephanie Bond. She is my new addiction. She writes the Body Mover series. The series starts out as follows:

Okay, so Carlotta Wren’s life hasn’t turned out as she’d planned. She didn’t plan for her parents to skip bail for a white collar crime, leaving her to raise her younger brother. She didn’t plan on having the silver spoon ripped out of her mouth and forgoing college to work retail. She didn’t plan on her blue blood fiancé dumping her like last year’s designer bag. And she didn’t plan for, ten years later, to still be single (with no prospects), working at Neiman Marcus, with no idea where her fugitive parents are. But she’s coping, sort of. Until…

…her lovable brother is arrested and his loan sharks come calling.

…the hunky cop who arrested her brother reopens her parents’ case.

…her brother becomes a body mover, transporting corpses from crime scenes.

…her former fiancé’s wife (a good customer) is murdered, fingering Carlotta.

…her brother’s sexy boss pulls her into the bizarre world of body moving.

Suddenly Carlotta realizes that she has to bag a murderer to keep her own well-dressed body from being next on the list!

I loved the first book and quickly moved on to the second and third installments and have the fourth lined up and the fifth and sixth on hold. Coming close to the end of the series I headed over to her website to find out when the seventh book was coming out. Imagine my surprise to find out that no other books are pending. Her publisher hasn't purchased any additional books for this series, but they are considering a television series. *groan* See the above reference to the WMC as a TV series. ACK! I hope that they do something spectacular with these books if they are going to make it into a series. These are awesome books. If you love Bobbie Faye or Stephanie Plum you're going to love Carlotta Wren.

Have you ever had a favorite book turned into a movie or television series that just sucked? If so, which one and why didn't you like it?

One of my favorite books is The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. If you've read the book and haven't seen the movie yet, DON'T. One of my other favorite books is The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. If you haven't seen the movie you are missing out. The movie rocks!

I'm not going to meet my goal

2010-12-30T20:45:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow is the 31st of December and I am realizing that I'm not going to make my goal of 100 books in 2010. I actually realized it a couple of weeks ago. That's a lot of books.

Minus the TBR books on my list I made it to 75 books, assuming I finish the historical I'm listening to now. I don't think 75 books is anything to sniff at. It's a good number, but I'm not going to give up. I'm going to try again in 2011.

Anyone have any great resolutions?

Controversy?

2010-12-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

Controversy, it's everywhere. If they're not blaring it on the news then they're discussing it on daytime talk shows, they're posting about it on Yahoo! and other media sites. I originally wanted to post a blog per day pertaining to each "controversial" issue and see what all of the blog hoppers thought, but unfortunately, I don't have that kind of time right now. Who does right? The holiday season is just a crazy time of year.

I want to discuss is the Glee photo spread in GQ. Anyone see this? I didn't even know that it existed until the ladies on The Talk went a little nuts over it. And not in a good way. (Please click the link to view these photos) I will say that these photos are racy, but that's as far as I'm willing to push it. One photo in particular I think is even in bad taste, but I wouldn't call any of them pornography. These actors are all over the age of 18. Cory Monteith is 29 years old, Dianna Agron and Lea Michele are both 24 years old and while they do play high school students on television, they're not in real life. They're adults. They're grown-ups, capable of making grown up decisions.

The other side of the coin? They appeared in character.

Sort of. People have a problem with the fact that they appeared "in character" for the shoot. Does anyone else watch this show? Rachael does not dress like this. She does not wear this much make up and she does not wear those totally awesome shoes. She dresses like "a preschooler and a grandmother all at the same time". Same goes for Quinn. She wears a cheerleader uniform. Every day. Her hair is always pulled back in a pony tail and she doesn't wear that much make-up either. Cory Monteith is the only one who appears even slightly in character for this shoot.

My biggest problem with this shoot? Where was Mark Salling? Why are he and Cory not half naked for this shoot? I guess it could have something to do with the magazine itself, Gentleman's Quarterly, but come on, a little consideration!

I guess the point I'm trying to make is this: if the ladies on The Talk hadn't told me about this, I would have never known. Sometimes I think the "news media" makes something a bigger deal than it would have been originally if they just left it alone.

What's your opinion? Inquiring minds and all that. :)

I'm trying, I really am

2010-12-08T14:39:00.004-07:00

The beauty of listening to a book, as opposed to reading a book, is that listening to it is like listening to/watching a play. If the reader is good, you have different voices for different characters. The actions actually make sounds instead of just reading the words "he sneezed". You get the idea. The problem with listening to books, as opposed to reading books, is that if the reader sucks, forget it.

There are many books that I haven't been able to read because something about the story pulls me out too often. For example, when I tried to read THE DAVINCI CODE I couldn't. Too many words were in French and when I tried to sound them out, it pulled me out of the story. It's the same reason that I can't read the Kay Scarpetta books. I L O V E the Scarpetta series, but I can't read them. Without sounding like a complete idiot, the medical terminology pulls me out. They are not words I know so I have to stop and sound them out. (I swear, I'm not an idiot.) When I was reading LOVER MINE by J.R. Ward, I was pulled out every couple of chapters when she changed eras. These are some of things that pull me out of books. The other reason I listen to a book instead of reading it is if I have problems getting through it.

My daughter and a handful of friends have been telling me how completely wonderful the TWILIGHT series is. DD has read the series so many times I'm sure she can repeat it back to me from memory. I read all the Harry Potter books and I enjoy Meg Cabot and Gena Showalter's YA books, so it's not a YA thing. We all know I love paranormal so that's not it, I've just never had the inclination to read them.

I decided to give them a shot, I liked the movie, why not the book, so I picked up my daughter's copy of TWILIGHT. I read about a chapter and put it down. I never picked it back up. Why? I dunno. It didn't hold my interest. The first line is a grabber, "I'd never given much thought to how I would die..." it grabs you doesn't it? That was it though. The first chapter and I gave up.

I have decided to give TWILIGHT another chance. I've really enjoyed the movies, although Robert Pattinson is the worst Edward ever. I love him as an actor, but not as Edward. I watch the movies and wonder why Bella is such an idiot and doesn't just take up with that smokin' hot, barely legal werewolf. I mean seriously? My friends all assure me that Edward is awesome in the books. I want to see that for myself, so I've picked up the book on CD.

Back to the beginning of this blog. The reader of a book on CD is everything. This girl, who reads this book, is not. Don't get me wrong, she doesn't stutter, she doesn't whistle her S's or anything obnoxious like that. She reads the book. I could do that. I picture this girl sitting in a chair reading to me, like I used to do for my kids when they were younger. She does put emotion into the reading, but that's just not enough.

I am determined to get through this book. I want to get through this book. Wish me luck!

Best Kinds of Kisses

2010-11-18T08:58:00.004-07:00

So, I have this kissing scene in my head for Megan and Cole and while I don't have a lot of details yet, I can see the kiss in my head. They're arguing over something, cuz that's what they do. I'm thinking it's about why he left her the first time and at some point during her rant, he boxes her in, puts his hands on either side of her face and kisses her.

In my opinion, face touching is hot during a kiss. Anyone ever see Simply Irresistible with Sara Michelle Gellar and Sean Patrick Flanery? There's this kiss in her kitchen where he is touching her face with his fingers. Just running them over her cheeks, and then he comes in for the kiss. It makes my tummy drop. I was trying to find this clip for you on You Tube, but they don't have it and apparently I don't have the capabilities to clip it from the DVD that I own, so I was searching around. I found this kiss, from Catch and Release. It makes my tummy drop too. Plus, Timothy Oliphant. HOT HOT HOT!

What's your idea of the perfect kiss?

Thank You Lisa Kleypas

2010-11-09T20:33:00.015-07:00

I was wandering around my local library a few months ago and I decided to peruse the MP3 aisle. As I'm reading the different authors and titles the security guard bellows, "the library is closing in five minutes. If you haven't already checked out your books you should be standing in line to do so." Five minutes? Seriously? How am I going to find a good book to listen to in five minutes? I mean really! I return my eyes to the MP3 books and search desperately for an author that I know and a title that I haven't read. Lisa Kleypas. Lisa Kleypas has a book on the shelf. Mine 'Till Midnight. Haven't read that one. Listened to Blue Eyed Devil. Loved it. I'll check it out.

I check out my audio book in record time and head out to the car. I sit down and decide to read the summary on the back of the case.

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the "ton," Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan. Wealthy beyond most men' s dreams, Cam has tired of society' s petty restrictions and longs to return to his " uncivilized" Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship-- but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter... .

UGH! It's a historical. I don't really like historicals. They're boring, the women are wimps and, well, just yuk, I just don't like them. *big sigh* But I want to listen to a new book. I'm ready for a new book and I know I like this author *big sigh* and the last historical I read (so long ago I can't remember when) was so good that I even remember the title. The Madcap Marriage by Allison Lane. I'll be honest, I had to Google the book to get to the author, but it was so much fun to read that I still remember it. I guess I'll give it a try. If I don't like it I can come back tomorrow and return it for something different. *sigh*

I slip the CD into the player in my car and am prepared to be bored out of my head. Nothing like going into a new book with a positive attitude! The story begins and this reader has the most amazing voice. I'm transfixed. At the next red light I pick up the case and check out the name of the reader. Rosalyn Landor. Just wow. Even if the story stinks I'm really going to enjoy just listening to her talk.

Are you ready? Here's the kicker. The story is amazing. Amelia is strong and opinionated and enjoyable. Her sisters, Poppy and Beatrix are cracking me up. Merripen is broody and withdrawn. Winn is physically fragile but mentally strong. Cam is hot. Just hot hot hot hot hot. The dialogue is witty and the plot has grabbed me by the lapels and won't let me go. I enjoyed this book so much I was actually sad to see it come to an end.

Guess what. Go ahead. Guess. You'll never guess. IT'S A SERIES!!!!! It's a series of five books. Count them. Five!

I just finished listening to Tempt Me at Twilight, the third book, and it's just as amazing as the first two. So, to sum up this rambling blog, thank you Lisa Kleypas. Thank you for introducing me to a world that I had no idea I would enjoy so much. I just might have to give other historicals a try.

Stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives

2010-10-01T11:12:00.005-07:00

My friend Sabine Goldman is collecting money for the Leukemia Society. If everyone donates just $2.00 it would be a huge contribution.

I found this information on Sabine's donation page, please check it out:

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

The father of a dear friend (Susan Holm) was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. This fundraiser and marathon is in honor of him, Mr Peter Holm of Milford, CT.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!

I am asking each of my FB friends for a small donation of $2, that is less than the cost for a gallon of gas or even a cup of coffee. $2 isn't much your right but $2 each from over 2600 people make a whole lot of difference.
I know I can count on you.

Every dollar helps.

Something to blog about...

2010-09-28T15:36:00.011-07:00

I know I am behind the eight ball on this but I just learned that they're making a movie for ONE FOR THE MONEY by Janet Evanovich. I'm so excited. It's been a long time since I read the first book and when I heard they were making a movie I almost went back and read it again. I didn't though. Anyone know why? Because they always make changes to the story, characters, etc when making a book into a movie. I want to like this movie. I'm excited about this movie. I even like a majority of the actors who they cast, therefore, I refuse to read the book any time soon.

So, in case you're behind the eight ball like I was here is the cast...

Stephanie Plum

Lula

Ranger

Joe Morelli

Connie & Vinnie

So? What do you think? Any opinions? I know I have a bunch and a half....

I Watch Too Much TV

2010-08-12T20:01:00.005-07:00

Here I go again. Do these two bear any resemblance? Just asking...

What about when the Writer deserts the Muse?

2010-07-20T00:30:00.000-07:00

Do you remember my muse, the "Fancy" Caped Jones, and the conversation we had last year about her deserting me for two angels on sabbatical?

I keep telling you they weren't angels, angels don't sunbathe in the buff and these guys were definitely buff...

Yeah, okay, quit trying to distract me. Anyway, as I was saying, I was left to write on my own. It was fuzzy, soundless, blah blah blah. It sucked, but I persevered and wrote on without her.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Quit interrupting.

But what happens when the writer deserts the Muse? It's my understanding that a Muse cannot write on her own. She is only capable of helping humans create and unable to create on her own. At least that's the way they explain it it the movie Dogma. Go Kevin Smith! ANYWAY, as our current situation would have it, I have deserted Fancy. I've had things happen in my personal life that have changed my daily schedule and unfortunately writing has had to take a back seat to life.

This has put quite a crimp in Fancy's life and she has taken her revenge by following me every where I go and singing Henry VIII I am and reminding me that I made a promise. Not only a promise to myself, but also a promise to her. I promised that I would finish Megan's story.

She did and she hasn't.

She's right, I did promise and I haven't held up my end of the deal. Having said that I don't think the punishment fits the crime this time, no offense Fancy but you can't carry a tune all that well. I thought Muses were suppose to be all inspiring.

We are!

There is nothing inspiring about your singing. I'm sorry.

Apparently there's nothing inspiring about your writing either, otherwise you'd be on top of it!

Hey now, I've been busy. I have lots of things going on.

Whatever!

I'll make you a deal,

What kind of a deal?

Quit interrupting and I'll tell you,

Fine!

You did it again.

Sorry.

Okay, if you quit singing I will make a concerted effort to write 100 words a day.

You've said that before...

Yes, I know, but I will be better this time.

Promise?

Yes, Fancy I promise.

Alright, but if you fall off the wagon, I'm grabbing my microphone and there will be NO SLEEP FOR YOU!

Deal. I've announced it publicly and everything. You have it in writing. You heard it here, I promise to write 100 words a day or else Fancy has permission to drive me to drink.

Drinking is an option? You never mentioned that before....

Have you ever deserted your muse? Is she evil like mine?

Writing, the toughest job you'll ever love . . .

2010-07-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I stole the title from that old Peace Corp commercial, but I thought it appropriate.

Webster defines the word author as: one that originates or creates, which is a pretty generic description. I know a lot of authors, some published, some not, and to define them as "one that creates" seems a little nondescript. The women that I know, who write, spill their blood on every page. They can spend thousands of hours, creating a new world and every single thing that lives inside it. A new race of people, a new language, new rules that make an age-old paranormal creature new and exciting again.

It all starts out with an idea. An idea that comes from out of nowhere. One day, you're driving in your car and a crazy woman driving faster than her beat up old Toyota appears to be capable of going, cuts you off. After you swear at her in multiple languages and give her an obscene gesture the thought runs through your mind that she just might be chasing after that idiot in the Hummer who tried to kill you just moments earlier. Maybe the idiot in the Hummer has stolen her prize Chihuahua and she has only minutes to get to the poor beast before she'll collapse from not having her seizure medication. And so it begins. The hours and days of researching Chihuahuas and endless hours talking with vets. Do Chihuahuas really have seizures? What would cause such a thing? Is there a cure? Can a Chihuahua have epilepsy?

We pour hours of our heart, soul and anything else we can possible put into the mix into this woman with the crazy Chihuahua fetish. We discover things about her and her life, that honestly, we didn't need to know. We learn so much about being a veterinarian and what kind of person would truly kidnap a dog that we dream about it. A lot. We keeps pads of paper and pens by the side of our bed, on the off chance that something brilliant comes to us in sleep. We do all of this, so that we can tell the crazy woman's story with a little bit of realism. So that the readers that we one day hope to have, get a true sense of her fear, her love for her animal and the understanding of just how much the anti-depressants really do help.

We go through all of this, so that we can submit to an agent/publisher/CP who will say. . . insert negative comment here.

Why do we do it? Why do we subject ourselves and our talent to this kind of criticism? Why can't we just write for ourselves and be happy with it? Be happy with knowing that we did the best that we could? Because we want the world to love it as much as we do. It's an illness really.

Why do you write?

Originally posted 2009

Glee - 19 Emmy Nominations

2010-07-08T09:07:00.004-07:00

I have been a fan of Glee from the beginning. I like musicals, as I mentioned in an earlier post, and I enjoy comedy. I am so excited to see that I'm not the only one. I wanted to share a couple of my favorite Glee "acts" with you. I hope you all enjoy them too.

Tell me, are you a gleek? I am.

Top 5 Reasons to Watch As The World Turns on CBS

2010-07-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

So You Think You Can Dance

2010-07-01T08:03:00.003-07:00

I know a lot of you don't watch this show, so I post the really AWESOME dances so you can see them too. The dancers in this are Twitch, the All-Star (seriously) and Alex, the contestant. Alex is the dancer on the couch. He's a ballet dancer. You heard me, ballet. Check him out in this amazing hip hop routine....

E-Mail

2010-06-29T02:46:00.000-07:00

You know all of those annoying e-mails that your friends forward to you? The ones that make you cry, the ones that make you laugh, and the ones that make you take stock of your situation in life and realize it's not so bad after all? You know the ones?

I received an e-mail today that put things back into perspective for me. I've been struggling with getting older. I'm not OLD, I know it, you know it. I'm only 37 years old, but I've been struggling none the less. My daughter is only 3 years away from heading off to college and my son is getting older and doesn't have a whole lot of uses for me unless he's hurt or hungry. So I've been wallowing a little bit. My friend Donna sent me this e-mail, I don't know who originally wrote it (duh) but it put things back into perspective for me and I wanted to share it with all of you.

Happy Reading...

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore..
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever,
but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

LSM Monday

2010-06-28T09:31:00.003-07:00

The family and I went and saw The A-Team yesterday. I liked it. I was never a Bradley Cooper fan until I saw him in The Hangover. I have a whole new respect for this hottie.

Audio Books

2010-06-24T09:02:00.005-07:00

The way my summer has been going I'm working a ton of hours, hence the lack of blogging and LSM Mondays, so my reading time for hold it in your hand books has seriously diminished. I've been getting my book fix by listening to audio books and have discovered a lot of new to me authors thanks to my neighbor at work who also listens to audio books. I've enjoyed books by Lisa Kleypas (Blue Eyed Devil) who I have included all her titles in my TBR pile, Greg Iles (24 Hours) whose suspense is just amazing, and Mark Gimenez (The Abduction) who I am currently enjoying.

Here's the problem that I'm running into, not every author gets audio books. There are a lot of authors who have been recommended to me by all of you and other readers that are not available as audio books. Elisabeth Naughton, Tara Janzen, Lori Handeland, Anne Stuart (can you believe it?), Sarah Mayberry, Lori Foster, the list goes on and on of authors who are not available as audio books. What's a reader to do? Who do you think is in charge of making these decisions? I'd write to my congressman but I don't think he gets a say and I don't think he'd care.

I know a lot of you don't listen to audio books, but those of you who do, any recommendations of authors? I could always use a few more authors to read, er, listen to.

Happy Friday Eve my friends.

Complete Change of Subject

2010-06-07T12:04:00.003-07:00

My friends, I am in need of help. I know this blog is typically about hot men, writing, reading and general fun book stuff, but I need to change the subject. I need help.

I am working for an old employer and he has transferred everything over to Mac. UGH. It wouldn't be a big deal except that I'm a PC. Mac Office uses Entourage. I'm updating his contacts in Entourage 2008 and need to know if there is any way possible to sort the contacts by two different items. For instance sort by Company than by last name.

Do any of my friends out there use Entourage and if so can you help me???? I would really appreciate it. I'd even be willing to give a $15 gift certificate to Amazon or Barnes & Noble .com for the person who comes up with an answer that works. I'm desperate. Pathetic and sad and desperate.

Thanks everybody!

LSM Monday and such

2010-06-01T07:13:00.007-07:00

Hello my friends! This week is going to be a crazy one for me. I have so much going on I'm not sure how much time I'll have to visit with everyone. I will miss you and try to catch up on my blog hopping as quickly as possible.

On that note, Happy LSM Monday!

This werewolf hunk is SUPER DUPER young, however, he is fun to look at...

You can't tell if this vampire babe is wearing a shirt or not, but I liked the photo so I wanted to share...

LSM Tuesday - Sometimes Sexy Wears a Shirt Dammit!

2010-05-25T08:33:00.006-07:00

Ah, the many different looks of Russell Crowe. This man does not pose without a shirt, which is a shame. Just goes to prove that sometimes sexy wears a shirt. Dammit.

LOST Finale

2010-05-24T08:48:00.004-07:00

Everything happens for a reason . . . we're just not going to tell you what those reasons are.

Did anyone else watch the Lost finale last night? My family and I started watching Lost three seasons ago. We started out with Season 1, 2 and 3 on DVD and caught up with season 4 online. By Season 5 we were excited and ready to see what happened next. Season 6 was it. We all knew it. The final season. Questions will be answered.

Uh-huh. Well here it is. The end of the series. Lost is officially over and I have more questions now than I did before. I'm confused. I'm baffled and quite frankly I'm a little disappointed. I think part of my disappointment stems from the creators and the network making SUCH a big deal out of the end of the series. Questions will be answered my ass. They should have stated it as selective questions will be answered or maybe questions will be answered. That would have been much more accurate.

I hesitate to get into too many details of the finale because I don't want to spoil anything for the people who haven't watched it yet; having said that, if any of you have some closure for me, please comment and let me know what the finale meant to you. For those of you who haven't watched the finale and are worried for spoilers, maybe don't check the comments.

LSM Monday will return tomorrow.

Validation

2010-05-21T08:38:00.009-07:00

Merriam Webster defines validation as: 1 a : to make legally valid : ratify b : to grant official sanction to by marking c : to confirm the validity of (an election); also : to declare (a person) elected
2 a : to support or corroborate on a sound or authoritative basis b : to recognize, establish, or illustrate the worthiness or legitimacy of
synonyms see confirm

Who doesn't need validation every once in a while? I know I do. When it comes to my job, I don't need constant praise but a "good job" every once in a while goes a long way. The majority of people that I've worked for have lived (and died) by the "no news is good news" philosophy of supervision. I disagree with this. Everyone needs to know that they're doing a good job once in a while.

Of course, not every one feels this way...

Our dependency makes slaves out of us, especially if this dependency is a dependency of our self-esteem. If you need encouragement, praise, pats on the back from everybody, then you make everybody your judge.

Fritz Perls
American, Psychologist Quotes

But hey, they're entitled to their opinion right?

When I learned I was pregnant with my daughter I promised myself I would try my best to be a good mom. My mom and I have an excellent relationship. Now. When I was growing up that wasn't the case. I promised myself that I wouldn't be the same kind of mom mine was. The problem that I kept debating in my head though, was how to do this. How do you balance being a good mom and being a responsible one? You hear terrible stories of "those moms". Moms that are so busy being friends with their kids that they forget to be a parent as well. Moms that are so over protective of their kids that they go out into the world unaware of the realities of our society. Moms that are so ashamed of their behavior as a child/teen that they assume all kids behave the way that they did and don't allow their children the freedom that they probably deserve and have earned by their own behavior.

I didn't want to be any of those moms. I wanted to be the kind of mom that laid down the rules and didn't falter. The kind of mom that could be counted on to be at recitals, award ceremonies and such and could also be trusted to confide in. I didn't want their to be any subjects that were off limits. I wanted my child to be able to discuss anything with me and feel safe while doing it. I set pretty high goals for myself and thought I had done a good job of sticking to my ideals.

This past Mother's Day I got a letter from my daughter. I would love to share the whole letter with you, but I think she would be upset with me, so I'm only going to share bits and pieces of it. She told me...

...you're aren't just my mom, you're like a best friend. I know that I can trust you with anything, and I know that you'll always stand by me.

It was/is the best Mother's Day present in the whole world. One of the people that I love more than life itself is proud of me and thinks I've done a good job. Everyone needs validation.

Happy Friday my friends.

It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To...

2010-05-18T09:21:00.006-07:00

Today is my birthday. I don't tell you this because I want "Happy Birthdays" or gifts. (Okay, if you feel you must send a gift, cash is always nice.) I tell you this because I'm struggling with this birthday. A lot. I know I'm not old. Yet.

Immortality is starting to fade away and I'm realizing that this great ride isn't going to last forever. My kids keep getting older even though I've asked them to stop. I'm starting to notice that I'm getting some wrinkles (ACK!) at the corners of my eyes and I'm saying things like "damn kids" to people who must be in their 20's. *sigh* I was not looking forward to getting older. I had my first child when I was 22 years old. I was excited. I told myself, when she graduates from high school I'll ONLY BE 40 years old. ONLY. Why is it that 40 seems so much older now than when I said that?

So my question to all of you is this, is there a birthday that you struggled with? Is there a point when you realized your immortality was fading? Are you willing to share that with me (and the entire internet)? Happy Tuesday.

Maxine on Aging
"Take every birthday with a grain of salt.
This works much better if the salt accompanies a large margarita"

LSM Monday

2010-05-17T08:41:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I took my kids to see Date Night, while it was funny, I mean who doesn't love Tina Faye, there is only a couple of scenes that I remember. Did anyone else know Mark Wahlberg was half naked through every single one of his scenes??? Totally made it worth the $7.50 to see it.

LSM Monday (kind of)

2010-05-13T09:26:00.008-07:00

Thank you Cosmo for keeping excellent photographic records. These guys have all appeared in Cosmo. I guess they have a hot shirtless guy contest every year. Who knew this and didn't share??? :) Happy Friday Eve ladies!

LSM Monday

2010-05-10T07:32:00.012-07:00

We interrupt this LSM Monday for this late breaking story . . .

SUNS WIN! SUNS WIN! SUNS WIN! SUNS WIN! SUNS WIN!

The Phoenix Suns swept the San Antonio Spurs to make their way to the Western Conference Finals!!!!!!

Despite the lack of calls from the BAD referees....

Despite the fact that the Spurs are once again beating up on our star guard....

Despite all playoff history to the contrary . . .

And due to amazing defense . . .

Off the charts offense . . .

And heart that would make any fan and team proud . . .

The Phoenix Suns have FINALLY beat the San Antonio Spurs! This could be the year my friends, this could be the year!

Reality in Advertising

2010-05-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Now this is what I'm talkin' about . . .

Seriously?

2010-05-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

When I was in junior high I saw a girl wearing a button that said "Stupid people shouldn't breathe" and I remember thinking that she must not be a very nice person. To this girl, I owe an apology. You were right, I was wrong, please accept this most sincere apology.

In case you haven't heard, Arizona passed an extremely controversial immigration law recently. (I am not going to discuss the law or my opinion) The Phoenix Suns played the second game of the second round of the NBA Playoffs tonight against San Antonio (GO SUNS!). Suns General Manager Steve Kerr made a comment on the news that the Suns were going to wear their "Los Suns" jerseys tonight to show that they do not support this new law.

Prior to the start of the game tonight TNT announcer Chris Webber made a comment along the lines of not being surprised that Arizona passed such a law because we didn't want MLK Day to be recognized either even when John McClane was in office......

Seriously? John McClane? The guy from the Die Hard movies? If you're going to rant and rave about our politics you should at least get the names of our politicians correct. While John McClane was a kick ass cop in the movies, I don't think I'd want him as Senator. Also, I feel the need to point out that Senator McCain didn't have anything to do with not making MLK Day a holiday in Arizona. It was Governor Mecham (who was impeached in 1988) who rescinded MLK Day in Arizona as his first act of office in 1987 until 1992 when Arizona voters brought it back. Maybe someone should tell the TNT guys to stick to sports. I hope someone slapped Chris Webber up side his head when they went to commercial.

Happy Hump Day my friends!

LSM Monday

2010-05-03T00:01:00.001-07:00

So I spent Saturday afternoon with a friend of mine working on crafty things and watching X-Men. *sigh* It was a good day. THEN my friend tells me she doesn't know who Taylor Kitsch is. In my defense we were talking about Wolverine Origins, not just randomly discussing hot men. ANYWAY, in honor of my friend I am dedicating this LSM Monday to Taylor Kitsch.

Readers Have Expectations

2010-04-29T00:01:00.001-07:00

That's just the reality of it. When a reader likes an author they don't ever walk into a bookstore or browse at Amazon thinking "I really hope one of my favorite authors has changed the way he/she writes or the things that she writes about. That would be really awesome!" At least none of the readers that I know.

When I pick up a Janet Evanovich book, I expect wacky craziness filled with humor, Jennifer Crusie is witty and has excellent dialogue, Karen Robards has mild suspense and H O T sex. These are the things that I expect from these writers. Is it wrong to have such expectations? I don't think so. I think that's why Nora Roberts doesn't write murder and mystery under Nora Roberts. She writes it under J.D. Robb. I think distinguishing between what you're writing to your readers is very important.

Having said that, I'm listening to a book (not the one listed on my sidebar) that is by a favorite author and it's just not clicking for me. I keep waiting for the plot to pull me in like it usually does, but it's not happening. I keep waiting for the characters to be fun and interesting and they're not. This has happened to me before with this author and I was hoping it was a one time fluke. I'm beginning to think it's not. I'm beginning to think that this author has lost their stuff and has lost their interest in writing. It makes me sad.

Has an author ever let you down or changed their style so much that you lost interest in their books?

Inquiring minds and all that . . .

Recalling your Character

2010-04-28T00:01:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've written anything on my WIP. This is due to many unique circumstances and while it probably could have been prevented, I didn't do anything to prevent it. I've let my characters carry on in my head for a long time now without giving them any outlet. They've played their stories through my head and I said I would get to them. Eventually.

Eventually is here now. After months of not writing anything except a grocery list I have decided to take the bull by the horns, quit playing so many Facebook games and get down to the business that is writing. I have an hour (or so) every morning that I have the house to myself before I have to leave for work. I have decided to spend this hour writing. Get in some solid WIP time. I even e-mailed my characters to let them know my intentions. You know what they said? We'll be there. Eventually...

H O W R U D E!!!!

I mean really! Just because you harassed and harangued me for months on end without any getting anywhere, does that mean you get to do this to me???? I don't think so! I created you, you are just a figment of my imagination so damn it get back here!

Fine. Maybe I'll go back to working on Carly & Jack. Who needs Megan & Cole when I have Carly & Jack?? So I left a message with Carly & Jack. Told them I was trying to figure out where their story went wrong. I'm ready to sit down, nose to the grindstone and figure it out. They didn't return my call. Are you beginning to sense a theme here?

So here I sit. Ready to write. Pen in hand. Paper before me. Blank. Please characters, please come back to me. I'm sorry I was bad. I truly am. I have all kinds of excuses, but none that are worthy. I'll be better, I promise. Please please please come back to me. I miss you . . .

Music and Lyrics

2010-04-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs their own setting for when they write. I have a friend, who puts on her headphones and writes, anywhere. She says that the music doesn't bother her, in fact it drowns out the rest of the world so she can concentrate. She calls it "white noise". I have heard that other people write in coffee shops, book stores, with music on in the background, with scented candles to help them visualize, you get the idea. Many writers have many different ways of setting "the mood" for writing.

I am one of those writers who needs absolute silence. If I am disturbed by music, noise aka my kids, television, whatever, it completely pulls me out of my head. When I read I can be in the middle of a mosh pit, but when I write I need QUIET.

Having said that, I was in my car the other day and I was listening to 'Against All Odds' by Phil Collins. I LOVE this song. The emotion that this song pulls out of me is intense and amazing. I don't associate this song with any person, place or thing, it's just the music and lyrics. This song makes me think of the terrible heartache that a person could, would feel if the person that they loved more than life itself wasn't available to them. Be it death, divorce or irreconcilable differences for one reason or another you can't be with the person that you love.

...and you coming back to me is against the odds, but that's what I've got to face.
I wish I could just make you turn around, turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why, you're the only one who really knew me at all....

And it goes on and on *sniff* gets me every time. I can see the end of Megan's story in this song. Megan and Cole standing at the school where they find her son safe and she's hugging him to her and crying. Cole is standing a distance away from her, watching the scene between mother and son unfold. She stands up holding her son's hand and they walk away with another officer. Back to their lives. And he knows he has to let her go, let her return to the life that she's built with her son.

I get it now. I can see why some writers would use music to help them in their writing. I still couldn't do any actual writing with it playing, but I can see how it helps "set the mood".

Do you have a song that has helped you with a book or a scene?

LSM Monday

2010-04-26T00:02:00.001-07:00

I tried in vain to find a picture of Jake Pavelka dressed up (or not) as Tom Cruise from Top Gun. Did anyone else see that fabulous shirtless image??? If not, you missed out. A LOT. So, this is the next best thing I could find . . .

This entire season I've been trying to figure out who he (Jake the Bachelor) reminds me of and I think I've finally figured it out. What do you think?

I Need New Authors

2010-04-22T08:52:00.003-07:00

I'm kinda particular about what I like to read. Once I find an author that I like, I read everything they've ever written. Then, I sit around, and wait for them to write something new.

I am in need of new authors. I am asking you to recommend to me some of your favorite authors. I'm going to list the authors that I read regularly and obviously, if your author is one of them, I already know about them. ;)

Here are some of the authors that I read (all the time)

Sue Grafton
Allison Brennan
Janet Evanovich
Jennifer Crusie
Sandra Brown
Nora Roberts
J.D. Robb
Jodi Picoult
Susan Mallery
Patricia Cornwell
J.R. Ward
J.K. Rowling
James Patterson
Maureen Child
Jennifer Lyon
Jennifer Apodaca
Karin Tabke
Natalie Collins
Toni Magee Causey
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Carly Phillips
Karen Robards
Sarah Strohmeyer
Sara Paretsky
Linda Howard
Iris Johansen
Nicholas Evans
Steve Martini

I'm sure I've left some out, but you get the idea. Romance, Suspense, Mystery, this is what I like. Please help me! I thank you in advance.

Happy Reading!

I have a plan . . . to have a plan . . .

2010-04-19T08:35:00.002-07:00

I am writing this post quickly before I run out the door to my temporary full-time job. I have been a big huge slacker lately and need to figure out how to fit everything into my life. I have a plan to sit down and figure out what I WANT to do with my extra time every day. Work on my WIP, write blogs, work on my cross stitch project, etc. So this week I am going to figure it out. At least, that's the plan. :)

Happy Monday to all of you. I hope to be more organized next week!

LSM Monday

2010-04-12T08:54:00.004-07:00

My internet has been down for a whole week! ACK! In honor of my return to the internet world, (I know you all missed me, don't lie) ;) I have found a way to keep a good man down.....

Nothing says lovin' like steel shackles. :D

HAPPY MONDAY!

TGIF!!!!!

2010-04-02T08:14:00.006-07:00

In honor of this beautiful end of the work week, which has been long and strenuous, I offer up these gifts for all of my internet friends. Happy Friday! May your weekend be long and relaxing.

April Fool's Day

2010-04-01T08:39:00.011-07:00

I suck at pranks and I'm gullible, so I try not to play on days like today. However, for all of you who do, have a great day.

In honor of this day, I give you some of the most famous April Fool's Day pranks. Enjoy.

Sidd Finch 1985: Sports Illustrated published a story about a new rookie pitcher who planned to play for the Mets. His name was Sidd Finch, and he could reportedly throw a baseball at 168 mph with pinpoint accuracy. This was 65 mph faster than the previous record. Surprisingly, Sidd Finch had never even played the game before. Instead, he had mastered the "art of the pitch" in a Tibetan monastery under the guidance of the "great poet-saint Lama Milaraspa." Mets fans celebrated their teams' amazing luck at having found such a gifted player, and Sports Illustrated was flooded with requests for more information. In reality this legendary player only existed in the imagination of the author of the article, George Plimpton.

The Taco Liberty Bell 1996: The Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

The Body of Nessie Found 1972: On March 31 1972, a team of zoologists from Yorkshire's Flamingo Park Zoo, who were at Loch Ness searching for proof of Nessie's existence, found a mysterious carcass floating in the Loch. Initial reports claimed it weighed a ton and a half and was 15 ½ feet long. The zoologists placed the body in a van and began to transport it back to the zoo. However, the police chased down their truck and stopped it under a 1933 act of Parliament prohibiting the removal of "unidentified creatures" from Loch Ness. The body was then taken to nearby Dunfermline for examination. The discovery of the carcass received worldwide media attention. The British press dubbed it "Son of Nessie." But upon examination, Edinburgh scientists identified the creature as a bull elephant seal from the South Atlantic. The next day John Shields, Flamingo Park's education officer, confessed he had been responsible for the body. The bull elephant seal had died the week before at Dudley Zoo. He had shaved off its whiskers, padded its cheeks with stones, and kept it frozen for a week, before dumping it in the Loch and then phoning in a tip to make sure his colleagues found it. He had meant to play an April Fool's prank on his colleagues, but admitted the joke got out of hand when the police chased down their van.

Bombs Away! 1915: On April 1, 1915, in the midst of World War I, a French aviator flew over a German camp and dropped what appeared to be a huge bomb. The German soldiers immediately scattered in all directions, but no explosion followed. After some time, the soldiers crept back and gingerly approached the bomb. They discovered it was actually a large football with a note tied to it that read, "April Fool!"

I like Kate Gosselin, there I said it

2010-03-31T08:25:00.005-07:00

I must be one of the few people in the world who actually likes Kate Gosselin. That's right. I like her. Do I think she can dance? Not so much. Do I think she's a bad mom and a rotten person. Nope.

I think Kate gets a lot of bad press because she's easy to pick on. She's not a sweet person who wants the world to love her. She is what she is and if you don't like it, too bad for you. She married a HUGE loser and had eight children with him. He then cheated on her and left. ASS. She gets grief from the media for stuff that I know I do in my every day life and I know I'm not the only one.

I realize that she signed up for a reality show, which was probably her first mistake, and invited the whole freakin' world to watch her life. We critique the way she lives it, the way she raises her children, deals with her (ex)husband (the ass) and the people that she chooses to be friends with. As a society we have decided that women can't possibly be "just friends" with a man, even one who's married. They must be sleeping together otherwise what's the point? We all know that men can't possibly be faithful to their wives and all women are shameless floozies who will sleep with anyone. Right? Isn't that what we're saying?

Anyway, back to the point. I like Kate Gosselin so I really hope that the article I read on MSN is wrong. I'm assuming it is. At least partially. The media likes to rake this woman over the coals. So I'm asking you, the public. Does anyone have any proof that this article is true?

LSM Monday

2010-03-29T07:25:00.006-07:00

It's going to be a better week this week. You know how I know? Cuz these smexy guys told me so!

Why Do People Suck?

2010-03-25T09:48:00.006-07:00

Some idiots broke into my Suburban last night and stole the DVD monitors right out of the back of the seats. Why do people suck? Why? Thank God tomorrow is Friday!

Audio Books and their Readers

2010-03-24T07:30:00.001-07:00

There should be rules.

1. If you have a lisp, you can't read an audio book
2. If your S's whistle, you can't read an audio book
3. If you can't read the words correctly, you can't read an audio book
4. If you can't read it any better aloud than I can, you can't read an audio book
5. If you think this is a speed reading competition, you can't read an audio book

For those of you interested in checking out audio books, there are good readers and bad readers. A short list of some of the best readers, IMHO are:

1. Anna Fields
2. Dick Hill
3. George Guidall
4. Frank Muller
5. Joyce Bean
6. Susan Ericksen
7. Sandra Burr

There are lots of good readers out there, but some people, even actors who I won't mention here, shouldn't be allowed to read audio books. There should be rules.

Is there anything that you think there should be rules for?

High School - ACK!

2010-03-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

I hated high school. There is not enough money in the entire universe to make me go through high school again. EVER. I mean it.

The other day my daughter was going through a box of photos and such and found this hardback dark blue book, that in white out reads "Rik's Poems & Stuff". *headdesk* I thought I had burned that book! Thankfully she just wanted to giggle at me, because apparently that's what teenage daughters do. So I picked up "Rik's Poems & Stuff" and started reading. Holy cow was I an emotional teenager. UGH! I'm glad that's over. :)

In order to entertain all of you, my dear internet friends, I have decided to post a poem that I wrote on August 1, 1991 to an "ex". Now that I'm older I get to call him a BIG HUGE MISTAKE, but at the time, I was devastated. *sigh* Teenage angst, don't it suck?

I guess this is it
Our final good-bye
Our last loving look
For our last final try

Neither one of us leaves
With a sorrow filled glance
Neither one of us prays
To renew our romance

I guess it was dumb
To think we would work
But yet we gave it our all
Casting aside all our doubts

But time was a factor
We forgot to add in
And we proved ourselves wrong
In all that we did

The constant fights
The looks of distrust
Putting all of our passion
Into what was only a lust

We say that we love
And I believe that we do
But not you for me
And not me for you

There's another out there
Who is holding our hearts
Safely and proudly
And not in two parts

Anyone else want to share a humiliating high school drama? Please?

LSM Monday

2010-03-22T06:44:00.003-07:00

Here are some hotties to start your week off proper...

Emotional Reading

2010-03-18T07:15:00.004-07:00

One of the greatest things an author can do for me is make me feel. I want to feel the Heroine's pain, sadness, happiness and anger. I want to feel like I'm inside her head when she goes through these things. Not every author can do it, even some of the greats can't make it happen with every book. Sometimes, you pick up a book, and while it's very good, very well written, the chemistry, the spark isn't there. You put down the book and wonder if the HEA will last. If they were in "forever love". Sometimes, the hero/heroine gets angry about something, but you wonder if they really mean it. You can't feel their anger so it doesn't seem as "real" as it should... you get the idea.

The book I'm listening to now is Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown. I'm not very far into this book. I may be only three or four chapters in, but I was so angry with the situation that I had to stop listening. I knew what was going to happen. I knew that the bad guys were going to get away with something horrific and the heroine was going to be devastated. Done wrong by those who are suppose to always get it right and forever scarred because of the pride and ignorance of those around her. It appears as if even her own mother isn't on her side. Which I just can't stomach. Your mom's job is to be on your side. It's part of the job, it isn't an option.

I know that today, I will put my headphones back in and get through this awful part of the book, because I know that the heroine is a strong woman and she'll work through it and figure it out, (plus I want to see what she does to make them all pay) but I'll finish this book. My question to all of you is this, have you ever stopped reading a book because an emotion was too strong for you to continue? If so, what was the emotion and did you ever go back and try the book again?

Inquiring minds and all that. Happy reading.

Imagination

2010-03-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Merriam Webster defines imagination as : 1 : the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality
2 a : creative ability b : ability to confront and deal with a problem : resourcefulness c : the thinking or active mind : interest
3 a : a creation of the mind; especially : an idealized or poetic creation b : fanciful or empty assumption

Mark Twain said, "Now, isn't imagination a precious thing? It peoples the earth with all manner of wonders, strange beasts and birds, angels, cherubim and seraphim. And it has to be exercised. No child should be permitted to grow up without exercise for imagination. It enriches life for him. It makes things wonderful and beautiful." - speech in Elmira, April 1907 (reprinted in Mark Twain in Elmira by Jerome & Wisbey)

Can anyone imagine growing up without an imagination? My imagination was (is) so strong that when I read The Ghosts of Departure Point by Eve Bunting, I slept with the lights on for two weeks. It wasn't even a scary book, but it was about ghosts and it gave me the heebity geebities. I was in elementary school, what can I say?

My strong imagination is the reason I don't read horror. When I read a book I can see it so clearly in my mind that it becomes real to me. It's like a movie playing in my head. I buy into vampires, werewolves, witches and wizards, magic, ghosts and supernatural abilities. I read the entire Harry Potter series, *sniff* and in the third book, *sniff* when he created his very first Patronus, *sob* I cried because I was so proud of him. When I watch the Twilight movies, I get upset with Bella for being such an idiot. Jacob is so obviously in love with her and overall just seems like a better choice, so why on Earth is she chasing after that pale faced glittery vampire??? None of these people are real, but they bring out real emotions in me.

********************SPOILER ALERT*******************

J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood books were the first "paranormal" romance books that I read. The first book was good. I was interested, I bought the second one. The second book, Lover Eternal had me hooked. I fell head over heels in love with Rhage and could completely understand why Mary would want to be with him, faults and all. I was able to forgive him for cheating (sort of) on her because for him it wasn't sex, it wasn't about emotion. It was the release that kept his monster at bay. Kept Mary safe. I bought into the whole idea of the Scribe Virgin saving her life, curing her of the cancer that had been ravaging her body for years. The cancer that was going to take her life. I believed that the Scribe Virgin returned Mary to Rhage when she found out that Mary couldn't have babies because she couldn't rob her of her warrior as well.

In Lover Awakened, I totally believed that Bella's love could heal Z's broken mind. I believed in his struggle with his own worth and his belief that Bella would be better off with his brother. I cried for him throughout his struggle and his own self destructive behavior and I completely believed in their HEA.

In Lover Revealed I hurt for Butch and what he was going through, or thought he was going through, with Marissa. I hated her brother for putting both of them through it and felt his pain for being unable to fight with the men he considered his family, his brothers. I struggled with the turning of Butch. I struggled with his "vampire roots" being strong enough to turn him into a vampire. I struggled with the fact that some long lost deep rooted relation to Wrath was enough for him to survive turning, but I wanted Butch to be a vampire, so I sucked it up and moved on. I am happy that Butch is a vampire and I don't think too much about it.

So please, why is it, that when I got to Lover Unbound my imagination gave up? Why did I struggle to believe that V could fall in love with a doctor he had been conscious with for only a few moments? Why did I struggle to believe that Rhage and Butch would risk their brothers secrets and safety for a doctor that no one knew? And when she died, why do I still struggle with the fact that she's a ghost and only V can touch her?

How am I capable of believing in vampires, lessers, dragons, curses, witches, warlocks, magic and Dark Hunters but I can't buy into the whole ghost Doc Jane thing? Tell me friends, have you ever run across a story line you just couldn't believe in? If so, what was it and why do you think you struggled? Inquiring minds and all that.

Happy reading!

LSM Monday

2010-03-15T00:01:00.001-07:00

Sunday afternoon my daughter and I went to see Dear John. In spite of that, I'm posting Channing Tatum as the LSM of the day. Is there anything this guy can't do? He dances, he surfs, he saves the world, I'm just sayin'. Even with a shirt, this guy is smokin'. Enjoy ladies.

Movies Movies Movies

2010-03-10T08:45:00.016-07:00

My family and I are movie addicts. When in doubt, anyone who knows us, knows you can get us a gift card to Harkin's Theaters for any occasion. We prefer Harkins over AMC because Harkin's has souvenir cups which you buy at the beginning of the year and can refill for the entire year for $1.00. That's it. $1.00 to refill a 32oz cup. Pretty awesome right? And if you're a super big dork, like we are, you can buy a Harkin's t-shirt for $20, at the beginning of the year, and if you wear it to the theater you get a free popcorn pass. The pass is excellent for one person, or for $1.00 (that's right just $1.00) you can upgrade to a large popcorn, which can be split between you and your teenage daughter. Unfortunately for most of you, Harkins is only the southwest. Arizona, Colorado, California, Oklahoma and Texas. If you have one near you and you haven't checked it out, you should.

Okay, so on to bigger and better things. I DVR'd the Oscars and have yet to watch them but I understand Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were awesome. Did you watch? What did you think of the two of them hosting?

So, without having watched the Academy Awards, my favorite movies of last year were The Blind Side (loved Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw); Boondock Saints II All Saints Day (did you see the first one? Must see movies!); Fast and Furious (I thought Vin Diesel did an excellent job with this sequel, it was the best one made) and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (I cannot wait for the final two movies, SO EXCITED!!!). Of course I saw a lot of movies last year, but these are the favorites that stand out in my mind.

So spill. What were your favorite movies of 2009 and why?

Inquiring minds and all that....

TGIF!!!!!

2010-03-05T07:23:00.005-07:00

Since I was pouting on Monday, here are some hunks to make up for it. TGIF!

Dancing With the Stars

2010-03-03T06:51:00.021-07:00

Has anyone seen this season's line up? Anyone? I don't watch The Bachelor, but a friend of mine does and she texted me the line up as she watched it. Here's what I've got...

These are the names and/or faces that I recognized right away. Buzz Aldrin, astronaut, one of the first men to ever step foot on the moon. Did I mention he's 80 years old? Chad Ochocinco, football player, changed his last name legally to his football jersey number, except he didn't change it to Eighty-five, he changed it to Eight Five. ????? Nicole Scherzinger, lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. I didn't recognize her name, but I definitely recognize her face. Pamela Anderson, former Playboy centerfold, Baywatch star and ex-wife to Tommy Lee, drummer of Motley Crue. She used to be a star, kind of. Now she's just famous for being Pamela Anderson. Kate Gosselin. Jon & Kate Plus 8. Reality television star and tabloid money maker. I like this woman. If people followed me and my kids around 24/7 with cameras I'd look like an abusive bitch too. I give her kudos for getting up there and giving it a try. I hope this will be positive media for her. Shannon Doherty. 90210 star, Charmed star and famous for being difficult enough to be kicked off two hit shows. I like her, figures right?

Now for the rest of the stars...

Aiden Turner, he's a soap guy. I don't know what soap but it's not CBS. Erin Andrews, an ESPN reporter lady. My husband knew EXACTLY who she was. Evan Lysacek, an Olympic Figure Skater. Jake Pavelka, star and latest piece of meat on The Bachelor. Niecy Nash. I don't have any idea who this woman is. When I Googled her I got hits on her "booty" before anything else.

And there you have it. Your line up of "stars" for season 10. What do you think? Do you think DWTS is running out of stars? Inquiring minds and all that....

OUCH!

2010-03-01T07:27:00.004-07:00

My feelings are hurt. I've been told that I'm good, just good enough. It's not that I'm not spectacular, because I am, I'm just not spectacular enough. I am great at what I do, just not good enough in all the right ways.

My feelings are hurt. I was unable to accomplish a goal set before me and now I'm a failure. I have failed. I don't fail. Okay, I hardly ever fail. But I failed at this. UGH! SUCKS! I don't know what to do about it or with the knowledge that I wasn't good enough.

My feelings are hurt. I'm going to go hide somewhere and lick my wounds...

New Release ~ Julie James - Something About You

2010-02-28T09:28:00.008-07:00

You all may remember (or not) that I attempted to review Just The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James back in March 2009. I'm not a great reviewer, in fact, I'm not a reviewer at all, but I was so impressed with the book that I just had to tell someone. Don't you all feel lucky?? Anyway, Julie James has a new book coming out on March 2, 2010 it's called Something About You and you can pre-order it at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Here's a little excerpt for y'all:

FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .

Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…

. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS

Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…

Unedited Advance Excerpt from Chapter Two

“This is getting ridiculous. I have rights, you know.”

Cameron faced off against the cop guarding the door to her hotel room, determined to get some answers.

The young police officer nodded sympathetically. “I know, ma’am, and I do apologize, but I’m just following orders.”

Maybe it was her frustration at being cooped up in her hotel room for what was now going on five—yes, five—hours, but Cameron was going to strangle the kid if he ma’am-ed her one more time. She was thirty-two years old, not sixty. Although she’d probably given up the right to be called “Miss” somewhere around the time she had started thinking of twenty-two-year-old man-boy police officers as kids.

Deciding that throttling a cop was probably not the best way to go when presumably dozens more stood right outside her door (she couldn’t say for sure; she hadn’t been permitted to even look out into the hallway, let alone step a toe out there), Cameron tried another tactic. The man-boy clearly responded to authority, maybe she could use that to her advantage.

“Look, I probably should’ve mentioned this earlier, but I’m an assistant U.S. attorney. I work out of the Chicago office—”

“If you live in Chicago, what are you doing spending the night in a hotel?” Officer Man-Boy interrupted.

“I’m redoing my hardwood floors. The point is—”

“Really?” He seemed very interested in this. “Because I’ve been trying to find somebody to update my bathroom. The people who owned the place before me put in this crazy black and white marble and gold fixtures and the place looks like something out of the Playboy Mansion. Mind if I ask how you found a contractor to take on a job that small?”

Cameron cocked her head. “Are you trying to sidetrack me with these questions, or do you just have some weird fascination with home improvement?”

“Possibly the former. I was under the distinct impression that you were about to become difficult.”

Cameron had to hide her smile. Officer Man-Boy may not have been as green as she’d thought.

“Here’s the thing,” she told him, “you can’t keep me here against my will, especially since I’ve already given my statement to Detective Slonsky. You know that, and more important, I know that. There’s clearly something unusual going on with this investigation, and while I’m willing to cooperate and give you guys a little leeway as a professional courtesy, I’m going to need some answers if you expect me to keep waiting here. And if you’re not the person who can give me those answers, that’s fine, but then I’d like it if you could go get Slonsky or whoever it is that I should be talking to.”

Officer Man-Boy was not unsympathetic. “Look—I know you’ve been stuck in this room for a long time, but the FBI guys said that they’re gonna talk to you as soon as they finish next door.”

“So it’s the FBI who’s running this, then?”

“I probably wasn’t supposed to say that.”

“Why do they have jurisdiction?” Cameron pressed. “This is a homicide case, right?”

Officer Man-Boy didn’t fall for the bait a second time. “I’m sorry, Ms. Lynde, but my hands are tied. The agent in charge of the investigation specifically said I’m not allowed to talk to you about this.”

“Then I think I should speak to the agent in charge. Who is it?” As a prosecutor for the Northern District of Illinois, she had worked with many of the FBI agents in Chicago.

“Some special agent—I didn’t catch his name,” Officer Man-Boy said. “Although I think he might know you. When he told me to guard this room, he said he felt bad for sticking me with you for this long.”

Cameron tried not to show any reaction, but that stung. True, she wasn’t exactly buddy-buddy with a lot of the FBI agents she worked with—many of them still blamed her for that incident three years ago—but with the exception of one particular agent who, fortunately, was miles away in Nevada or Nebraska or something, she hadn’t thought that anyone in the FBI disliked her enough to openly bad-mouth her.

Officer Man-Boy looked apologetic. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re so bad.”

“Thanks. And did this unknown special agent who allegedly thinks he knows me have anything else to say?”

“Only that I should go get him if you start acting fussy.” He looked her over. “You’re going to start acting fussy now, aren’t you?”

Cameron folded her arms across her chest. “Yes, I think I am.” And it wouldn’t be an act. “You go find this agent, whoever he is, and tell him that that the fussy woman in room 1307 is through being jerked around. And tell him that I would appreciate it very much if he could wrap up his little power trip and condescend to speak to me himself. Because I would like to know how long he expects me to sit here and wait.”

“For as long as I ask you to, Ms. Lynde.”

The voice came from the doorway.

Cameron had her back to the door, but she would’ve recognized that voice anywhere—low and as smooth as velvet.

It couldn’t be.

She turned around and took in the man standing across the room from her. He looked exactly the same as he did the last time she’d seen him three years ago: tall, dark, and scowling.

She didn’t bother to mask the animosity in her voice. “Agent Pallas . . . I didn’t realize you were back in town. How was Nevada?”

“Nebraska.”

From his icy look, Cameron knew that her day, which had already been off to a most inauspicious start, had just gotten about fifty times worse.

I know it will get better, I know it will get better

2010-02-24T10:08:00.002-07:00

ARGH! I'm currently listening to The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell. I love Patricia Cornwell, L O V E her. When I was working data entry full time, I believe the year was 1996, someone said, you should listen to Cruel and Unusual by Patricia Cornwell. I said, okay, thanks for the recommendation and instantly fell in love with her work. I love the reader, although I can't think of her name right now, and I love the characters. So please tell me WHY am I struggling with this particular book????

I was at work yesterday, listening to The Scarpetta Factor on my mp3 player and I got through two tracks, which was approximately 2.5 hours of listening before I had to switch it to music for a bit. There are 14 tracks for this book, each track at approximately 1.25 hours. I don't know if I can get through another 12 tracks if it doesn't get better.

Have any of you read this book? Is it worth my time? Please help me.

Cornwell Fan at Heart

LSM Monday

2010-02-22T07:47:00.005-07:00

You all know this man....I think.

But am I the only woman alive who didn't know he was also this man?

Thank you Silver for introducing us. I am forever grateful.

Such is Life....

2010-02-19T00:13:00.001-07:00

Mark Twain once said, "It is not likely that any complete life has ever been lived which was not a failure in the secret judgment of the person who lived it".

What does that say about the human race? I know what it says about me, but I'm going to keep that to myself for a bit. Do you think it's all human beings? I think it's probably the major of human beings.

What is it that makes people want to accomplish more than is humanly possible in a short amount of time? Okay, what is it that makes me want to accomplish more than is humanly possible in a short amount of time? I'm trying to figure it all out, trying to make it all work and I'm failing pretty badly at it. :)

I don't think I set unrealistic expectations. Initially. For example, my friend is having a baby (yeah, I'm so excited) and I wanted to make her something for the baby. I found this really great growth chart that I could cross-stitch for the baby. It's super cute. She's due in May, I might have it done by the time she's in college.

At the beginning of the year I signed up to read 100+ books in 2010 on J. Kaye's book blog, audio books count, re-reads count. I figured I could do this without a problem, not so much the case. I need to read 10 books a month (or so) and I'm only at nine books between what I have completed and what I have in progress. I'm running a little bit behind.

I also have multiple characters from two different stories that are running around in my head begging me to be written but alas, I am ignoring them. I can only hope that they don't give up on me and leave before I make the time to get their thoughts down on paper.

Did I mention I have two kids, two dogs, a husband and a house? They all want a piece of my time too. Maybe instead of focusing on the things I haven't finished I should focus on the things that I accomplished. For example, I made my son breakfast this morning, I followed up on some phone calls that I needed to take care of and I went to work today. I made dinner. While I was at work, I listened to Dogs and Goddesses and think I'm only a couple of chapters away from done. I blogged and I spent time with my daughter catching up on some televisions shows that we watch. These are all positive things. Wow, I was really busy, no wonder I'm exhausted! :0)

So spill, what did you accomplish today?

Dirty Minds Winner...

2010-02-18T06:21:00.002-07:00

This was a very close game but there is a winner. The winner is Venus with 7 correct answers! Venus, I already have your e-mail so I'll get you your gift certificate ASAP.

The correct answers are:

1. Motorcycle
2. Fork
3. Maid
4. Surf/Wave
5. Headache
6. Taste
7. Bell
8. Sneeze
9. Quilt/Sheets/Comforter
10. Candle/Wax

Congrats to Venus and thanks for playing this game with me!

Dirty Minds? Anyone?

2010-02-17T06:14:00.003-07:00

Hello my friends! I know it's been a while since I've come out to play, I have excuses but they're boring and non-productive. Let's play a game shall we?

The game is called "Dirty Minds" (brought to you by TDC Games Inc.) and the clues are dirty but the answer is clean. I'm thinking there should be a prize, how about a $10 gift card to Amazon.com? Comment to leave your answers and tomorrow I'll announce the winner.

Let's get started...

1. I vibrate, I'm a lot of fun between your legs, I can handle two at a time

2. I start with an "F", I end with a "K", If you can't get me, you have to use your hands

3. I can do it upstairs or down, I usually come in the rear, I sometimes make my living on my knees

4. You have to be brave to ride me, I can pound it day and night, I swell before I come

5. Sometimes you take me to bed with you, It's hard to stop my pounding, When I come in your head, you're miserable.

6. You do me with your tongue, When I'm bad you spit, When I'm good, you swallow

7. I've got a lot of dongs in me, I have to be hung to work well, I can get you up in the morning

8. I happen when you itch inside, I'm a sudden ejaculation, You know when I'm ready to come

9. I get on top of you in bed, Housewives spread me in the morning, Women sometimes do me by hand

10.When I get hot, I drop, I'm long and hard until I'm overheated, A total stranger dips my wick

Okay, now get your minds out of the gutter and get to guessing...I love this game. :)

LSMs and what nots....

2010-02-09T08:22:00.004-07:00

I am struggling to get through Night Pleasures, while I'm sure it'll get better, I just can't seem to keep my interest. Tell me ladies, does it get better??

To keep our minds off our every day struggles and junk I give you the LSMs of the week.

The Things Our Children Will Never Know

2010-02-08T12:08:00.002-07:00

I stopped by Maureen Child's blog today to put in my two cents worth of "Today In History", but it wasn't there, this was instead and it's definitely worth reading. Please visit Maureen's blog and read her post, especially if you have loved ones in school.

The LSMs will return tomorrow.

http://maureenchild.blogspot.com/

New (to me) Author

2010-02-03T11:43:00.002-07:00

I have been hearing about author Sherrilyn Kenyon for a while now from all of my reader/writer friends, you know who you are, so for Christmas I asked Santa to bring me the first couple books in her Dark Hunter series.

I must admit, at first I was skeptical, Fantasy Lover? Really? I read the back of the book and had absolutely no sympathy for our hero Julian, BUT I was determined to give this book a fair shake. . . I finished it in a weekend.

I love the way she writes. I love everything about it. The dialogue that comes across as real conversation. Conversation that I know I would have with my best friend if I found a book with a "Greek love slave" in it. (she needs to get laid too) The wine, the pizza, the sarcasm, it was all real. I loved it. And Julian....well, there just aren't words. I cried for his losses, loved his attitude towards his brother Eros and at the end when he chose to...well, I don't want to give anything away, but at the end. I had to leave the room my family was in and go read in my bedroom so I could cry fat sloppy tears without getting any grief from the peanut gallery.

So, to all my friends who have been raving about Sherrilyn Kenyon while I sat back and said, "Sure. Whatever you say." this big huge thank you is to you. I am a fan and an addict. Anyone who enjoys paranormal and hasn't picked her up, this chick is DA BOMB.

THANK YOU!!!!

Monday LSM

2010-02-01T08:26:00.005-07:00

Happy Monday Ladies! Another week another Monday. Here's hoping these guys help you get through it. Tomorrow I have a character interview so with any luck I'll have the interview posted on Wednesday. Please tune in and check it out.

This man has become my favorite male actor recently. I love him regardless of his state of dress...

Tuesday LSM

2010-01-26T08:25:00.001-07:00

I know I'm late. I'm sorry, things have just been crazy around here. I can't seem to find my head to keep it on my shoulders. I hope he makes up for it. Happy Tuesday ladies!

Do You See The Resemblance?

2010-01-21T08:45:00.005-07:00

This young man is Steven Strait. He's the hottie from Sky High, Warren Peace and just one of the hotties from The Covenant, Caleb.

This young man we all know, Taylor Lautner. He's the under age hottie from the Twilight movies. He was also Shark Boy. Anybody else get stuck watching that??

Do you think they're related??

FINALLY! I'm back

2010-01-20T00:22:00.001-07:00

The fabulous IT guy, Scott, has finally come through for me and I'm back up and running.

It's been an interesting week (past 7 days). The Cardinals blew it on Saturday against the Saints in the Playoffs. The defense didn't realize there was a game and stayed home and the offense got a really bad case of Can't Seem to Stop Dropping The Ballitis. I must say though, if we had to get knocked out of the playoffs, I'm glad it was to the Saints. Go Reggie!

My car broke down and spent last week and the weekend in the shop, it is also back home with a new alternator and A/C compressor. Thank goodness for the extended warranty.

And the third thing that went wrong, (you know these things come in threes) I lost my job. I have two part-time jobs to replace the one full time job I was laid off from in January 2008, but now, I am sadly down to one. These things happen. People are still trying to save money and I'm a luxury item. How many people really need a personal assistant? Not many.

It's all good though. Until I can find something else to do on Tuesday & Thursday I'm going to try to put more time towards writing on those days. I'm currently working on an outline based on a true story from my teen-age years. I don't want to get into too much detail, but suffice it to say that I need to schedule some interviews with the people from that "adventure" that I am still in contact with. I want to spend some time and get their side of the story. I think I'm going to be basing it from a couple of different perspectives. I will definitely be discussing this with my beta blogger friends, looking for advice and such.

So what do you do to get over something lousy? Me? I try to redirect my focus. I try to not put too much attention on something I can't change. Everything happens for a reason and I'm sure something awesome is out there waiting for me.

Happy Reading!

100 Plus Books in 2010

2010-01-12T00:01:00.001-07:00

Last week I was blog surfing and I ran across J. Kay's Book Blog. She's posted a challenge, to read 100+ books in 2010. Here's the general idea:

Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count.

I thought I hadn't given myself enough to do this year, so I joined. I'm going to post the books that I've read and the date that I finished them on the sidebar of my blog. If you would like to join this crazy challenge with me click on the title of this blog and it'll take you to the appropriate page. Come on, join in the fun!

Happy Reading.

Monday LSM's

2010-01-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

I've been watching a lot of television with my 14 yr old daughter. We watch stuff like 90210, The Vampire Diaries, Glee, Friday Night Lights and stuff like that. Can we just for a minute talk about the guys who are playing high school students? OMG. We never had guys like this when I went to high school. So I started doing some research, because I have that kind of time, and this is what I found out. Every single one of these hotties is over the age of 20. SO, it was with renewed energy that I decided to dedicate this weeks LSM to all the high school boys of television. All I'm sayin' is if these boys had gone to high school with me I would have attended more often.

Without further ado, I give you the LSM's of the week, Sometimes Sexy Wears a Shirt. Dammit.

Calling All Black Dagger Brotherhood Fans......

2010-01-08T10:05:00.005-07:00

I was on amazon.com searching for a book by my friend Silver James (Faerie Fate out in April 2010)and I saw a book without any cover art under my recommendations called: Lover Mine: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Anyone have any clue as to whose book this is? Is it John's book? Does anyone know? I went to J.R. Ward's website and the last book she has listed is Lover Avenged. If anyone has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Reading!

LSMs Ba-beeee

2010-01-07T10:39:00.003-07:00

So Jennifer Lyon has Wing Slayer Worthy on Wednesday and Kira has Screaming O Friday, what day should we use for the LSM club? Mondays? That seems like a good way to start off the week. What do y'all think?

UPDATE:*headdesk* And of course, there's Saturday Brunch at Silver's place. (I knew that).

Here's a little eye candy for your trouble. ;)

The New Year Has Arrived!!!!

2010-01-06T11:58:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year friends!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year's eve and a new year's morning that was hangover free. I only have a few moments to say hello before I have to get to work, but I wanted to write a quick note and make my resolution public. I think. Maybe not.....

Oh well, I'm just gonna do it. My resolution is to get some writing done. Now that I am back to working normal hours, (no more 12 hour days for me!)I want to write 500 words a week. Every week. For a whole year. ACK! My resolution is to make the time to accomplish this goal. I love writing. Why is it I can never seem to make it a priority?

Tell me friends. Did you make any resolutions this year? Do you have something you love to do that you never make time for? Inquiring minds and all that...

The LSM Club and stuff

2009-11-23T23:16:00.013-07:00

Hello my friends. First off, it's that time of year again. People magazine has named Johnny Depp "The Sexiest Man Alive" and quite frankly, who can blame them???? Have you noticed that they don't run a "Sexiest Woman Alive" issue? Just sayin'.

Anyway, in their effort to get 110 of the HOTTEST men on the planet in their magazine, they put in a blurb for "Best Chests". I was EXCITED! Below are the guys that People magazine named with the "best chests". While I can't argue with all of their choices, I think they should have contacted me first...

This last guy, was on the inside cover of the above referenced People magazine with a blurb that said "ideas are sexy too". I had to share with it all of you, because, HELLO!!!! Who knew Einstein was such a hottie? Anyone?

I wanted to let everyone know that I'm taking the rest of the year off from blogging, writing, possibly reading and other things that are not holiday and/or family related.

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL holiday season. I will miss you and look forward to seeing you all next year.

May the best of your past be the worst of your future. Have a safe holiday season.

Saturday Morning Humor

2009-11-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

My husband and I saw this guy live years ago, he's too funny to not see if you get the opportunity.

This guy is just hilarious!

CMA Awards

2009-11-13T15:45:00.002-07:00

First of all, I would like to say, I know the whole Taylor Swift/Kanye West thing is old news, HOWEVER, country music forgets nothing. Get a good laugh about 42 seconds into this video.

Happy Friday my friends.

LSM - So You Think You Can Dance

2009-11-10T07:50:00.010-07:00

I'm late, I'm sorry. I got sidetracked by all the hot hard bodies that are available for this post. So the bonus with this particular group of LSM's is not only are they LSM's but they CAN dance! You gotta love that. In honor of my daughter and I going to see the SYTYCD tour this Friday I give you the hot men of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!

Word Count

2009-11-09T10:16:00.002-07:00

604 WORDS BA-BEEE!

Go me, go me, go me.

In case you missed it, I'm very proud. Writing 100 words a day is harder than I thought it would be. I have to make an effort just to remember to do it every day, but I am getting it done.

95 more days to go. Thanks to all my friends for encouraging me, it really does help. I have to get back to my day job now.

Join me tomorrow for a the LSM club.

Words words words

2009-11-04T10:10:00.002-07:00

*sigh* This is a lot of work. WHO KNEW???

100 Words Per Day for 100 Days

2009-11-02T10:43:00.004-07:00

I didn't sign up for NaNo this year. I barely have time to get all the other crap, uh I mean stuff, done in my daily life right now. SO, instead, I agreed to write 100 words per day for 100 days less weekends. I have to be honest and say I'm not sure this was a better idea. ACK!

That's what I'm up to. 100 words per day for 100 days. I'm going to keep track of it here, on my blog, so that I'm somewhat accountable. Not that any of you know where I live, but you get the idea.

To all of my friends who did sign up for NaNo, best of luck, I have faith that you can do it.

When a hero goes too far

2009-10-27T01:36:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading a really good book by a really great author. It was the final book in a trilogy of three sisters. The third sister, we'll call her Miss X, was a troubled young woman who didn't believe in love and had her share of men. She didn't believe in relationships and thought men only wanted her for one thing and made it so with her behavior. Until she met our hero. We'll call him jerkface. Okay fine, we'll call him Mr. X.

Anyway, Miss X and Mr. X meet and fall in love, while she is unsure of his feelings for her and insecure of the relationship in general, he is amazed and dazzled that a girl like her would ever fall in love with a guy like him. Are you seeing the recipe for disaster here?

So Mr. X learns from another party that Miss X has cheated on him, and without asking her about it, without confirming it with another source, he assumes that it must be true because of her history with men. Miss X tries to explain to him that it's not true, but of course, she must be lying. When Miss X learns that she's pregnant by Mr. X, he sends her away, telling her that he doesn't care or believe that it's his baby.

So she leaves. She moves out of the city and decides she's going to make it on her own. And she does. When her son is 4 years old he starts asking about his father and instead of lying to him and telling him that he's dead, she decides it might be time to introduce the two of them. See if Mr. X is willing to have a relationship with his son.

Well Mr X. is pissed off. How dare she keep him from his son all this time. She should have tried harder, after all she knew that he didn't believe her. (Pardon me while I barf on all the righteous indignation.) So Mr. X decides to take something away from her, so she'll have a complete understanding of how devastating what she did was to his ego. Err his life? His time with his son? The relationship that he didn't have with his son?

So Jerkface, I mean Mr. X, takes it upon himself to play Miss X for a fool. Let her believe that he still loves her, that they have a chance together so she'll drop her guard and be devastated when he serves her with papers to take their son away from her.

This MIGHT be a forgivable act IF Mr. X realized what a complete stupid jerk head thing this was to do BEFORE he actually served her with papers. Once she's served, in my opinion, this is unforgivable. There is no going back from this, there is no apology that is appropriate, there is no diamond big enough to forgive this. How do you ever trust a man who would do something like this? How do you ever believe that he isn't playing you again? How can ever trust that he's telling you the truth? HOW? HOW? HOW?

What do y'all think? Am I over reacting? That never happens, I never do that, but I might consider it a possibility if you guys say so. Tell me your opinion. Inquiring minds and all that . . .

LSMs Ba-beeee

2009-10-09T00:19:00.008-07:00

I've been slacking and I'm sorry. Anyone remember the hot hay days of Chippendales? Well, here they are, for your viewing pleasure, the men you've all been waiting for . . .

Everyone has a twin some where

2009-10-07T08:01:00.002-07:00

This is my 2nd favorite dude in the whole world:

THIS is the super cute little boy from the Boots On video:

What do you think? Separated at birth? Aiden's mom swears she only had one, I dunno . . . .

Federal Trade Commission Puts Their Nose Into Blogs

2009-10-06T12:21:00.001-07:00

Anyone have any more clear information on this?

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/lit_crit/ftc_blogger_rules_carry_11k_fines__139253.asp

Dirty Minds Winner . . . Again.

2009-10-06T01:00:00.001-07:00

Silver has graciously given up her copy of Soul Magic by Jennifer Lyon because she has already pre-ordered her copy. I had my daughter draw a name out of a hat and the name she drew was . . . *drum roll please*

CECILE!!!!!

There ya are! Send me your snail mail address and I'll make sure you get your copy.

Happy reading.

Dirty Minds Winner

2009-10-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Silver! She wins the contest with 7 correct answers. Send me your snail mail address and I'll make sure you get your copy of Soul Magic by Jennifer Lyon, when it comes out on October 27.

For those of you who are wondering the correct answers were:

1. Insomniac
2. Fire Drill
3. Arrow
4. Lettuce
5. Earthquake
6. Buck
7. Thread
8. Engine
9. Book
10. Door

Thanks to all my friends who came to play with me. This is fun, maybe we'll do it once a month. Who knows.

Games for my friends

2009-10-02T08:11:00.007-07:00

First off, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.I know that everyone has their own breast cancer story, but the survivor in my life is my mom. My mom would not be with us today if she hadn't gone and gotten a mammogram. It literally saved her life. My mom's tumor was embedded deep in the tissue, so she never would have found it with a home exam. This is my plea to all of my friends, please please please get your annual mammogram. While it's not the most pleasant experience in the world, it's better than dying. SO, onto the game for the day.

Today, I have stolen clues from the game "Dirty Minds" (Copyright 1990 TDC Games, Inc.). The winner of today's game will receive a copy of Soul Magic by Jennifer Lyon when it comes out on October 27, 2009. So my friends, come play with me.

The Objective: To guess the correct "clean" answers to the dirty clues provided.

Clue #1:
I try to do it with sheep
I try all night to get the right position
I only sleep in snatches

Clue #2:
It's a premature evacuation
It's an alarming discharge
Some men wear rubbers during one

Clue #3
I have a stiff shaft
My tip penetrates
I come with a quiver

Clue #4
I get stuck with a piece of meat between the buns
When I get old, I get limp
You're never satisfied with a little head

Clue #5
I am a huge vibrator
When you're on me, the earth moves
I can give you a big crack

Clue #6
I'm game
I end in "U C K"
I'm horny

Clue #7
I need licking before the prickling
My end slides in a very small hole
I can slip out at the wrong time

Clue #8
I sometimes blow a rod
Oil makes me stroke much smoother
I can be used for pumping

Clue #9
I get fingered a lot
People stick things in me
I sometimes get laid on my spine

Clue #10
We sometimes have big knockers
You can ring our chimes with only one finger
We're all swingers.

Okay friends, let's see who can keep their minds out of the gutter. You have all weekend to get your answers in. I'll post the winner on Monday.

Thoughts for the Day . . .

2009-09-30T01:00:00.002-07:00

So we all get those e-mails, the ones that have the funny thoughts that you've seen 8 BILLION times. We scan through them and then delete them and think, those are fun, but I hope I never see that one again.

Well, my friends, I got this e-mail the other day with brand new and EXCITING thoughts of the day and it had me spitting diet coke through my nose. I knew I had to share. I hope you all get as big of a kick out of these as I did. Happy Hump Day!

Thoughts for the Day

I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

Bad decisions make good stories

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?

Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard.. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

There is a great need for sarcasm font.

Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

Was learning cursive really necessary?

Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in. . . (10 second lapse) . . . ummm . . . Goonies"

What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

I would like to officially coin the phrase 'catching the swine flu' to be used as a way to make fun of a friend for hooking up with an overweight woman. Example: "Dave caught the swine flu last night."

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?

If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.

Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles...

As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

I think that if, years down the road when I'm trying to have a kid, I find out that I'm sterile, most of my disappointment will stem from the fact that I was not aware of my condition in college.

Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

I think the freezer deserves a light as well