At the door to September

I love September and early October. Nothing prettier than the fall foliage in New England (and Nova Scotia I'm sure ;) )

Went to my daughter's open house and met her teacher. Okay, Carter can be a woman's name too. Silly me. She's very nice though and I think Megan will get along very well with her, though I don't think many of her buddies are in her class this year. Meg is very shy. I hope it doesn't take her long to make new friends. Her best friend moved away this summer (thats two best friends in 2 years who've moved)

Paige went to her old classroom and planted herself there and wouldn't move. But thats okay, they love her there so they were happy to have her. We can go out into town on any given day and Paige will meet at least two people she knows. At least. She knows three times as many people as I do. Paige is not shy. And she's 14 and proud of it.

We also checked out the kindergarten classes for Justin's sake. Next year he'll be on his way to school. Yeah!

Takin' a Day

This is it.... the last day of summer break for the girls. I'm taking it off so I can bring Megan to her open house to meet her new teacher. She's nervous about tomorrow, wants me to bring her in because she's afraid that she'll lose her way.

So, in an ideal world I'll be able to get some stuff photographed to post on ebay, and finish editing chapter 1 of The Storm Within. But we know that this world is far from perfect. I should have just got up early so I could stare bleary-eyed at the monitor for awhile, waiting for the ultrapotent coffee take effect.

Anyhue, time to go find some breakfast and tackle the gazillion dishes in the sink. Oh I can't wait til they go back to school!!!

Revelations

A friend posted an eye opener of a post to one of the crit groups I belong to and its really made me think about what I'm writing and how I'm writing it. The basic jist of it is don't worry about who you're writing for, what editor your going to send it to, what rules you have to obey. JUST WRITE Write how you want, enjoy it. Make that whats important and not the sale of the book after its done. Well, thats not exactly the jist of it, but it gets across the important points.

There's some writer friends of mine who I really really admire. One writes such beautiful scenes, such wonderful descriptions and warm characters, the other two write sharp and quirky characters and dialogue. I get so envious of these 3 writers, think that I'll never be as good as them. Maybe I won't but I know that I have my own voice. Sometimes I think its a little melodramatic, but its me and I should stick to it and not do something that's not "me".

These revelations may cause me to put some projects on the back burner, but if it means reviving one (actually 3) of my wips and do something different with it than so be it. It could be a very interesting and rewarding journey if I turn off the voices that say that it shouldn't be done.

PHEW

I finally talked to my boss about changing my hours.... or the inability to change them, and she was fine with it, so I have one more thing I can relax about! I told her I'd work any extra Saturdays she needs me. Just need to be doing more ebaying.

And more writing. have a partial that needs to get out the door and editing to be done. Heck I'd much rather just work on my new wip. Editing is so duuulllllll......

The Evil Stages of Sunburns

Okay, it was bad enough when I had to wake up to turn over in bed, but now the evil itchies have set in in this wonderful sunburn. aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!!!!!

Not much to say today. Work was a bore.... still haven't talked to the bosslady about not going back to full time (not looking forward to that conversation)

Is there such a place as a retreat that teaches people to confront the unpleasantries in their lives? I know I'm such a chicken about it. hate rocking the ole boat.

but it must be done. and soon.

Somethings better left undone

Like a 38 year old um.. plus size woman on a boogie board.

Ah hell, ya only live once and except for the gritty sand against my knees when I "landed" it was kind of fun, but I'm more of an air mattress kind of gal.

We had another fun filled day at the ocean. Actually I enjoyed it a lot. Except Justin cut his toe when we were walking on the rocks. And I found a great way to avoid that horrible peeling after getting a sunburn... just burn it again! My back is sooooo sore! I had to wake up every time I had to turn over in bed, turning "under" really which isn't an easy thing to do for a large woman. And wearing a bra today??? Ya right!

BUT I had 3 lobsters this weekend so how can I complain??

Okay, time to get ready for work... *sigh*

Sunburns and Men in Speedos

Throw in sand in your bathing suit and you've got 3 things I hate about the beach!

Otherwise it was an awesome day up in Maine. A bit crowded, but we found a spot of our own, big enough to bury an 8 year old up to her chin and far enough away from the water that I didn't have to worry about the water reaching her.

The kids had an awesome time. Justin definitely loved it, could hardly get him out of the water. But as soon as it numbed my legs I was okay to stand with him in the waves. Why is it that when the air temp is 64 degrees its comfortable, but when the water temp is 64 its like standing in a cup of ice cubes??

Had to walk the beach to the store to find batteries (which, along with disposable cameras, were sold out). Man, I just wish there was an underground tunnel for me to walk in. I felt huge! I remember just 10 years ago when I was strutting down the beach looking good and hoping that I was noticed. Now I just want to be invisible.

Which leads me to a question that I've been asking myself for years..... why is it so hard to lose weight??? I KNOW how good it feels to be slim and healthy. I certainly feel like crap now, I know HOW to feel better, what I have to do.... so WHY is it so hard to do it????? I'm sure every aspect of my life would improve if I'd just do it.

But at least I'm not a man wearing a Speedo.

DUMBASS COMPUTER

ATE MY LAST POST.

I'll redo it tonite. I just don't have the strength right now. blah

DUMBASS COMPUTER

ATE MY LAST POST.

I'll redo it tonite. I just don't have the strength right now. blah

IT'S BEACH DAY!

My son is going to see the ocean for the first time in his life today. I think I'm more excited than he is. To see his face, that is.

I really should be getting ready for this little excursion. Still have to make sammichs and stuff.

Okay, I've been absent for the past few days. Call it a funk. I was doing great yesterday morning til I found a note in my box at work. My boss needs to know when I'll be back on full days. Hmmm.... when I get a raise large enough to cover the $500+ worth of daycare that I'll have to get. It just won't work. I'm job huntin again and it sucks. Getting afterschool care for Meg is doable, but for Justin it would cost me a minimum of nearly 400.00 a month. I can't justify spending over a quarter 0f my paycheck on daycare. Maybe if the company would cough up a raise I'd be a little more inclined to make it work. Not to mention the fact that last fall and winter the office was extremely quiet. If I started paying hefty daycare prices so I could stay those last 3 of the day and I just sat there twiddling my thumbs I would be livid.

Well, I'm not going to worry about it today. Let the stress begin tomorrow. But for now I have to make egg salad.

I just hope I don't come home looking like a Maine lobster. {:oD

Would someone please explain.........

Because I just don't get it.

Many years ago, like 16 years, I went to work for a horse farm in New York. I will not name names here, but the son of the woman I worked for was the most horrendous spoiled little brat. He was very mean to his dogs and he was a miserable little s**t to anyone else he decided he didn't like. At that time he was about 12 years old and I groomed horses for him and some other riders at various horse shows in NY and FL.

Well, I've come to find out that this little um, person is on the United States Equestrian team and respresenting us in the Olympics even as we speak.

Growing up there was nothing I wanted more than to do what he's doing now (and write). I was and still am a nice person. Okay, I didn't have a millionaire father, but how is it that someone like that can achieve like that? And here I am, treading water just to barely make ends meet.

Fate is cruel.

Trying...

I'm trying very hard to get some writing done, but its just not coming out. I know what I should do, just push it out, force it to come spewing forth. *eewww* sounds gross, huh? But its the only way to get past these blocks.

And I'm going to submit my first baby (now titled "Ride Away Home") by the end of the week, mercury in retrograde be damned. Also trying to get "Sweet Forever" finished so I can send that out into the big bad world.

Need something to cheer me up, and maybe accomplishing those two things will do it. That and getting my bills in order. Wouldn't it be so amazingly cool if I actually sold something? I'd even start with Woman's World buying the short I sent them.

Anything.....

Going back to bed seems like a really good idea.

I'b aw stubbed ub

I hate summer colds. The weather is all over the place, one day in the 80's and hot and humid and the next cool and damp. Can't breath out of my nose at the moment. I woke up to flashes of lightning and a nice little t-storm move by. short lived and not too loud. At least it didn't wake the kids.

I can't believe its already Wednesday! Yippeee!! But must work Saturday so its not really the middle of the week. My husband mentioned something about going to Texas Roadhouse this weekend. I'm all over that idea! Haven't been there in ages.

Well, not much to say. I'll probably remember it all on my walk to work. Hate that. Guess the coffee hasn't kicked in yet. That with the inability to get a good lungful of air.

ttfn

It's baaaack

I'm talking the heat and humidity. Ya know, I like summer more than winter, but I just don't like this humidity stuff. I think I'm going to have to find a place where its 70 degrees half the year and the rest is 55 degrees and its autumn. In no time the trees are going to be turning. Its my absolute favorite time of the year, but its much too short. There are so many things to do in the fall in New England. Lots of towns doing little harvest festivals-there's nothing like the smell of fresh apple cider made from Macintosh apples. The Big E down in Mass and King Richards Faire. How about walking down the sidewalk thats covered with leaves. Of course its followed too closely by *shudder* snow and sleet and -10 degree weather.

Okay, now I'm just procrastinating. Things to do... places to be (like at the sink washing dishes. Joy of joys)

{:o(

Mondays should be illegal

Who ever created Mondays was sadistic. Got a long work week ahead of me. Oh joy of joys. Not that it was a fantastic weekend. Being broke suck big time! Especially during a weekend that we have a full house.

Its going to be a full house all week actually.

And I need to find a new job because I'm never going to be able to afford daycare for my son, even if I can find part time day care for 3 hours a day. {:o( I can't wait til he gets into school, but have another year before that happens.

So, no words of wisdom today. So I'll just say goodbye.

LOOK OUT.. FOUL TEMPER DISPLAYED HERE

I am in one big bitchy mood!!!!! Its horrible and I feel sorry for anyone around me. When I'm in this kind of mood (and most women know what I'm talking about) we should be allowed to go off on our own and not be bugged by ANYTHING! We can turn into vicious animals when we have to deal with pms.

But noooooooooo I have to deal with 4 kids this weekend, a husband who's bitching because "there's nothing to eat" around the house, although there's plenty. So eating pasta with just butter and parm cheese isn't exciting, at least it's filling and better than going hungry. but he'd rather piss and moan and go to work with no lunch than do that. yet will he give me a list of stuff that he wants? nope. Once in a while he'll give me an idea, but he'll eat like pasta salad or ziti for awhile and then won't want to touch it for days. I liked it better when he did his own shopping.

So I guess I'm off to make a pot of spaghetti--with the sauce (as long as there's decent sauce we're on safe ground) so he can have a decent dinner. My luck he probably won't come home for dinner tonite.

sorry, I don't mean to be bitching soley about him. he's just an easy target at the moment. And I'm just going to complain about everything.... like dealing with the friggin neighbors. Now the dumbass bought a motorcycle and has it parked so its 6 inches from my van and last night he and his bitchy wife were under my dining room window fighting while he was working on it. such a joy!!!

See what I mean about the need for pmsing women to have a sanctuary to go to while they're in the throes of their misery??? As a comedienne once said "People don't kill people, PERIODS kill people!" Hmmm.... maybe that would be a good self defense.... where is that neighbor....

Just kidding.

And did I mention that I love my neighbors?

Last night they were parked under my window while he was fixin his new motorcycle. And they were fighting and yelling at their kids. It was real nice. He keeps his motorcycle parked in front of his wife's car, about 6" from my van and blocking the stairs to the back yard. But for some reason they're on the landlord's good side (the husband is putting a new roof on the landlord's house), so can we complain? nope.

Okay, the bitch section to this blog is now done.

Was chatting with a woman about the South Beach diet this morning. sounds good. I need something, I'm not looking too good right now (that picture of me was taken a loooong time ago). It's that TOM adn I've been ravenous. Especially for pasta. I don't dare get on the scale.

Okay off to do something that resembles work... yah.. right. ;)

PUTTING THE PROVERBIAL NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE

And it ain't going to pretty! But its been highly recommended that I fix up and resend my first ms to another editor. So I'm going to spend the next few days editing before I move on to my next wip for editing.

I hate editing.

I looked at my chapter one, got a few paragraphs in and thought..... this really sucks. So I've got my work cut out for me. Luckily its only the first few chapters I don't like.

Another rainy day! Yeah!

My little buddy 

This is me! Well, a while ago. 

Best Behavior

The head honcho, top of the heap, king of us all is going to be in the office today. That mean nooo internet, no emailing. Work work work only.

Oh the pressure. Thank goodness I'm out at 2:30. I'm going to be going through withdrawals without the internet..... LOL I'm bad.

Okay, I think I've finally understood how to load pictures. We'll find out... fingers are properly crossed.

Let the editing begin!

I just finished the first draft of "Sweet Forever". Woo hooo!! Only 2 days past my self-imposed deadline! Now I can turn to editing, which isn't as much fun, but must be done or else I can never send it out anywhere. Yesterday was a very productive day. Not only did I finish it, but I also sent out my contest entry after receiving an email from the contest coordinator saying that was okay to send it (thankyouthankyouthankyou!!) and I sent a short story to Woman's World. Of course I think it would be easier to get a story accepted by Harlequin than by WW. They must get hundreds upon hundreds of stories every week. How do you get them to notice yours? Don't know. Maybe I should have cast a spell on it. I could sure use the money they pay.

So today, the powers that be willing, I'll either work on editing or work on my new wip, which I'm very psyched about. I know what my cohorts would say..... EDIT!!!

AND I also got my alphasmart. Now I can write when I'm away from my puter. Of course its missing the manual and a cable. but should be able to replace the cable. I'm still happy.

'Nother hot yuggy day ahead of us. The hazy lazy days of summer! Can't wait to go to the ocean in a few weeks! :)

Come to think about it....

Its really not a bad thing that I'll have a week without a cubbymate. yes, I'll miss our chit chat, but it also gives me the chance to get more writing done if the phones are quiet. I know that people always stop to chat, but I look forward to their going away again. Maybe, just maybe, I can get Sweet Forever finished today, then I'll be a very happy camper!

Aaaaaa!!! I'm melllltttiiiinnnnggggg

Okay, I'm sick of the heat. I'm ready for summer to be over and fall to begin. I want it to be late September forever! It's supposed to get near 90 today and tomorrow and for most of the week, for that matter. ugh ugh ugh!

Well, got an extension on my contest entry so it'll go out today, as well as another story heading to Woman's World. They're a tough nut to crack, but I really want to try! And if I don't, then its one more R to add to the collection, working towards that Rejection award. Heck, I should send out lot of stories!

Okay, time to get ready for work. My cubby-mate is on vacation this week, so I'm going to be all alone, except for those who give me pity conversation. LOL