Audio Books = Clean houses

It’s true. Whenever I listen to an audio book, my house becomes a palace. Yes, I hate to admit it but nine hours of solid cleaning is exactly what my home needs. And what’s worse is that I’m not even counting the basement. To tell you the truth, I don’t even want to think about what I have in storage down there.

Yet, with the advent of putting our house on the market by the end of February and (hopefully) moving into our new house relatively soon after that, the only time I have to read is while I’m multitasking. Between classes, work, writing book reviews for my local Examiner, not to mention my day-to-day mom-wife-caregiver-therapist role, the only time I have to read for enjoyment is while I’m cleaning and running errands.

Of course, I have to admit that when I have a new book to listen to, I can’t wait to get started with my cleaning. But don’t tell. If the secret gets out, cleaning services will go belly up all over the country.

Happy cleaning!

Master’s thesis

If all goes as planned, I’ll be attending school for my master’s degree in the fall. The only thing I have to figure out (other than how I’m going to afford it without going into more debt) is what will my dissertation be on? (And yes, I realize I do not sound like an English major when I end my sentences with prepositions…but that’s why this is a blog and not an academic paper). :)

In the last decade there have been two people who have written their dissertations on romance. One was on writing the romance novel. And the other was on romance in medieval literature.

I personally enjoy focusing on 18th century England. There were so many changes happening in both small and monumental ways. After all, the 18th century paved the way for the 19th century and the industrial revolution, and so many changes in human rights. The 18th century changed the way we viewed the world. It’s a very important time in history and also in fashion.

Haha…But seriously, the gowns were beautiful. The wigs I could do without, but the lace, the ruffles, the miles and miles of fabric… *sigh* However, if I’d have lived back then, I would have had much better hygiene.

But back to my original topic, I’ll be thinking about my master’s thesis over the upcoming weeks with the hopes that by the first of May, I’ll present it to my faculty advisor.

Wish me luck! : )

Changes and sadness…

As you know, I’ve started a new job. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I haven’t worked many hours. Therefore, I won’t make much money. And although the thought has kept me up for many nights, I’m no longer concerned as much as I was. I don’t know precisely what happened, but it’s almost as if my brain finally received the signal that there’s nothing I can do about it and therefore has gone numb.

Yet, since I’m not one to let my fate spin too far beyond my control, I have begun a new venture and hope it will turn profitable. But since I’m not an egg-counter, but a chicken-counter instead (For reference, I’m referring to the idiom “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”), I’m just going to enjoy the ride while it lasts and just see what hatches.

Another reason for the numbness of my mind could be because these worries about my financial life have all come on the heels of the grief I’m feeling over the loss of a much beloved uncle. Uncle Al always had a ready smile and laugh just waiting on the tail of one his famous stories. Forever stamped in my memories of my youth was the scent of cherry pipe tobacco that clung to him. And although I was told differently, I was convinced he was a college professor because his beard and buttoned-up appearance made him look more distinguished than a mere businessman. He lived life more than anyone I’ve ever known. He flew planes and sailed boats and never stopped…living. Until cancer took him away from all of us. He will be forever missed, and always thought of with a smile.

New Year’s Resolutions

1. Get an agent
2. Sell at least two romance titles and one children’s title (Yes, I write children’s fiction, too :-)
3. Become a more efficient writer (organize my time, write without the internal editor slowing me down, etc.)
4. Continue to hone my craft
5. Attend RWA National Conference in Nashville
6. Use my elliptical machine for more than just a coat rack
7. Wake up every morning with confidence that I can live the dream
8. Have the courage to keep sending out my stories, no matter what may come back.
9. Know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is MY year.
10. Create stories and characters that are unforgettable (in a good way).

The Mourning Spring

Dark, icy water
clustured across the suface
like bronze singing bowls.

12-26-09

Merry Christmas

The holiday is officially here. Of course, there are a few hours remaining to pick up those last minute items you might have forgotten.

Even I have to rush to the grocery store for packets of hot chocolate, which I plan to put in goodie bags. And yes, these goodie bags were planned before I went yesterday, but I thought I could buy them at a better price elsewhere. Unfortunately I was wrong.

Now, I’m preparing to brave the elements as well as the holiday crazed crowds. The bonus for me is that I’ll pick up a yummy Eggnog Chai from Starbucks and that will surely bring a smile to my face.

So, I’m starting off my Christmas Eve with happy thoughts (inspired by a warm cup of Chai as well as by thoughts of goodwill toward men) and, most importantly, with the intention of doling out friendly smiles to all those I encounter.

My wish for you is that I hope someone smiles at you today and tomorrow and every day and adds a little cheer to your holiday spirit.

Merry Christmas!

Bonus recipe

This is a new recipe of mine and I’m already in love with it. These cookies are perfect for adding a little panache to your holiday cookie plate. And the best thing is, they’re super easy. One batch will fit on your cookie sheet, so there’s no slaving in the kitchen for hours on end.

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

1 box 3.4 oz. instant vanilla pudding
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup butter flavor Crisco
2 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine
3 to 4 Tbsp. cold skim milk
Raspberry preserves

Preheat oven to 350°

In food processor, pulse pudding, flour, and Crisco until crumbly. Gradually add the melted butter. Then slowly drizzle in the milk while pulsing until a soft dough forms.

Form dough into 1 inch balls on cookie sheet. Press thumb into center. Fill with preserves. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove onto wire rack immediately. Cool.

Makes 2 dozen

These are perfect with a steaming cup of green tea.

Enjoy!

The new job

I am happy to report that I have managed to fool another person into thinking that I know what I’m doing. And this week, I started working my new job. It isn’t something I’m at liberty to talk about, due to confidentiality, but I will say that I am thankful to be working. Having a job at all is a huge blessing and I am very thankful for it. Also, I’m thankful for the opportunity to help people. In addition, I hope that my new schedule will provide the much needed time to write without interruption. However, with that said, I’m worried about spending so much of my family time away at work. I’ll be gone five nights a week, at least for a time, and then I’ll be gone both Saturday and Sunday. It seems my time off will be when my kids are in school. There have been days when I would have said this was another blessing, but for the most part, it makes me sad. I absolutely adore my kids. I love spending time with them. I love their personalities. We call ourselves a pack, and like a pack we’re not complete when one is missing. I sincerely hope to be able to juggle my work, where I have the potential to do good work and help people; my writing, which is how I really want to earn my living (but I realize that happens for only 2% of all writers); and most importantly my family.

But to tell you the truth, I’m not feeling quite adept at keeping those balls in the air right now. If you have any suggestions…Well, you know where I’ll be.

Nice surprise

So, I woke up today and the wicked witch was gone. Sometime during the night she must have realized that I don’t live a very exciting life. :) After all, a lot of it is spent in front of the computer.

And speaking of my writing career…We were, weren’t we?

I had a very nice surprise last night (and perhaps this is the true reason why my witchy attitude is gone). Google alerted me to a very good review I’d received from the eHarlequin community about my novella, The Cowboy Way.

It’s always nice to know that even though I’m a struggling writer, something of mine is still being read and appreciated. Thank you, Christa R, for the silver lining that will gleam for the rest of the year!

Wicked Wind

Alright, I’ll come right out and say it. I’m blaming the weather for my bad attitude. The wicked wind that blew in a couple of days ago, turned me into a wicked witch.

Now, you might be saying that I can certainly control my own actions and it makes me sound like victim to lay the blame at Mother Nature’s door, and you might be right. All I know is that when the bitter wind started to blow, the bitterness seemed to latch onto me.

Normally I’m an upbeat, positive person. I like a silver lining in every cloud. But for the last couple of days I’ve struggled with my level of patience. Idiots are the first to be blasted with my wintery tone and glacial stare. And then afterward, I usually feel guilty…usually…for the honesty I’ve hurled.

Maybe I need to meditate. Maybe my chakras were blown out of whack. Maybe my chi needs to be recharged. Maybe I need vitamin D. Who knows? Right now, I’m willing to give them all a try in order to get back to normal…Or at least, what I’ve convinced myself is normal for me.

In the meantime, I’ll try to keep looking for that silver lining.

By the way, I have a new job. And I’m waiting for excitement to sweep over me.

I’ll keep you posted.