Weekend Recap #15

IN THE NEWS: According to World magazine, "While scientists take turns blaming pesticides, global warming, and even cell phones for the disappearance of many North American honey bee colonies, one PA resident thinks he knows where all the bees might have gone: his home. Tens of thousands of honeybees have taken over his four-bedroom house and have created about 100 pounds of honey in his house. He's arranged a beekeeper to remove and relocate the hive."


I'm know I'm behind in my weekend recap thingy, but I had a hard time choosing some decent pictures. This past weekend was "Night in Venice" weekend in our little town.


Night in Venice is our little town's gala boat parade and decorated bay-front home celebration. This year's parade included approximately 100 boats and over 300 decorated homes. The theme this year was Struttin' By The Bay, a Tribute to the Philadelphia Mummers. Many homes and boats had Mummers decorations and featured String Band music. There was also a boat with The Sopranos theme to it with a guy that looked just like "Tony". Funny. And there was a Don Imus themed boat, too.

I kid you not.


They called it Don Imus Happy Hoe Down and featured a stuffed replica of Imus bound up and hanging (in effigy?) from a Rutger's basketball net. It won most originial for a boat over 24 feet.


Usually the parade starts at 6:30PM, but they moved it up to 7:30PM, so everyone could enjoy the lights on the boats. Unfortunately, that made it very difficult to take pictures as my camera takes stinky ones in the dark.


I did my best. But these pics do no justice to the boats, I assure you.





This one was Christmas in July. Can you see Santa and the reindeer?

This was a HUGE chartered boat. And I was standing in our neighbors backyard--which is on one of the SMALL lagoons. I don't know what was more entertaining, the decorated boats or watching them maneuver and turn around in that small canal.

The rest of the pictures came out terrible, so you'll have to use your imagination. But we had a lot of fun.

What did you do this weekend?

When it Rains, it Pours Kind of Thing

MENTAL STATUS: "Psyched". Having a few lucky weeks here. First, I win a critique and now a book (see below). I'm taking this as a sign and hoping this leads to even more good news soon.


If you hear people say it's a waste of time reading blogs, then all I can say is they're probably not reading the right kind.

I just so happened to be reading my daily blog list last week and came across a contest on the Write Stuff blog. So I entered by posting a comment--and won a book! And not just any book, but a writing book.

**Cue the ooohs and ahhhhs**

I won Noah Lukeman's The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life. Go me.


The writers over there did a great job all weekend blogging about--what else?--books. Hey, one of my favorite subjects. Check it out!


And speaking of books...

I'm still working my way through Kate Walker's 12-Point Guide to Writing Romance. But I think it's really going to help me with a story idea I have for Harlequin. Then Dwight Swain's Techniques of the Selling Writer is calling my name next.

You see, I have an idea for a new book--one I'm hoping to make into a single title. Unfortunately, that's all I have. An idea. Nothing else. It's not even a plot. So, the Noah Lukeman book I won couldn't come at a better time for me. I can't wait to read it.


Are you reading any writing books right now?

Two in One Day? Stop the Press!

I don't usually blog twice in one day... but what the heck?

I received this e-mail from my library, which perplexed me.

There was a Gidget before Sally Fields?

Hmmm. How about that...

Pet Peeves

IN THE NEWS: According to World Magazine, "Iran's state-sponsored media announced it just thwarted a major espionage effort by the Western powers bent on using rodents as spies. In recent weeks, intelligence operatives have arrested 14 squirrels within Iran's borders." That's right. Apparently they thought these squirrels were carrying spy gear--but they couldn't expand on how the big bad Western powers (like us) could train such an elite force of spy squirrels.
(A yikes)


Okay, I think I've mentioned little pet peeves I have when I read published manuscripts. Like little misspellings. ( Drives me crazy. Especially if I paid over $10 for a book) Or like when a blond character in chapter one suddenly becomes a brunette for no apparent reason in chapter ten. (Also drives me nutso) I guess an editor can only fix so much if there are a lot of mistakes to begin with, which is why it's so important to get that manuscript you submit into PERFECT shape.


Literary agent Chip MacGregor had a great blog post on his pet peeves when reading a manuscript for the first time. Here's a few:

(You'll have to go to his blog to read the rest.)

EX

**Here's one! Novelists who use exclamation points as though the period key didn't work! I hate this! Really!!

**People who use an open parenthesis but no close parenthesis. (For example, this kind.

**The serial comma. Drives me crazy. The rule for using commas is that there should be ONE LESS COMMA THAN THE ITEMS IN YOUR LIST. So if you list five things, you'd use four commas. An example: "Farnsworth visited Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, and Djibouti." Note that there are five countries and four commas -- one less than the list. Writers often drop the last comma, in an apparent attempt to make "Ireland and Djibouti" one country. (Similar to Trinidad and Tobaggo, if you're into geography jokes.) Makes no sense at all.

**The overuse of the spell-checker. It won't pickup every thin. Ewe can knot rely on it soul-y. (An alternative? Learn to spell.)

**Figure out the difference between "your" and "you're" before writing you're book. :o) Ditto for "its" and "it's." (True story: I once had an editor try to convince me that there is no such word as "its," claiming that every instance should use the contracted form "it's." I felt it was my duty to slug her on the spot.)

Oh dear. I KNOW the difference between its and it's and I STILL make mistakes with them. (But only on the first draft. Not when actually submitting. LOL)

The people submitting to Mr. MacGregor obviously need to find a good critique partner. Thank goodness for mine.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday Thirteen #13

Thirteen Country Songs that Make Me Smile

*****************************************************

1.... "A Boy Named Sue" by Johnny Cash: The title alone makes me crack up, but the song is hilarious.

2.... "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo" by Tracy Byrd: These lyrics crack me up:

"Then after Three rounds with Jose Cuervo I let her lead me out on the floor

And after Four rounds with Jose Cuervo I was showin' off moves never seen before"

3.... "She Just Started Liking Cheatin' Songs" by Alan Jackson: What makes me smile? The line "But I don't know if it's the cheatin' she likes or just the melody". LOL!

4...."Beer for My Horses" by Toby Keith and Willie Nelson: Something makes me smile at the lines

"When the gun smoke settles well sing a victory tune

Well all meet back at the local saloon

Well raise up our glasses against evil forces

Singing whiskey for my men, beer for my horses"

5.... "Family Tradition" by Hank Williams Jr:

"Why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

Stop and think it over - try to put yourself in this position

When I get stoned, I'm just carryin' on and old family tradition." (That's a hoot!)

6.... "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" by Toby Keith: Well, they may not be politically correct lyrics, but they amuse me anyway:

"Cause we'll put a boot in your ass, It's the American way."

Is it? I had no idea. LOL!

7.... "Ticks" by Brad Paisley: "I'd Like To See You Out In The Moonlight

I'd Like To Kiss You Way Back In The Sticks

I'd Like To Walk You Through A Field Of Wildflowers

And I'd Like To Check You For Ticks." LOL

8.... "You Ain't Much Fun" by Toby Keith:

"I sobered up, and I got to thinkin'

Girl, you ain't much fun since I quit drinkin' (It's funny because it's true)

9.... "Before he Cheats" by Carrie Underwood: "Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats". Sheesh. I would hope so! LOL

10.... "Goodbye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks: Is it wrong to me amused at this song?

11... "That don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain: She's not impressed with Brad Pitt? Uh-huh. Right.

12.... "One Piece at a Time" by Johnny Cash: It tells a story of an auto worker who watches Cadillacs roll by day after day, all the while knowing that he will never be able to afford one. So, he decides to steal a Cadillac, avoiding getting caught by taking parts from the factory, as the title suggests, one piece at a time. Too funny.

13.... "Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House" by Garth Brooks: This song is so cute. It makes me smile for that reason alone.

***Dang, I should have been a country girl. :)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. 1. Elle Fredrix 2. Cassandra 3. Annalee Blysse 4. R.G. Alexander 5. Babe King 6. Gina Ardito 7. Tempest Knight 8. Jennifer McKenzie 9. Crystal Jordan 10. Jennifer Colgan & Bernadette Gardner 11. Elizabeth Parker 12. Rhonda Stapleton 13. Paige Tyler 14. Robin L. Rotham 15. Heather 16. Kate Willoughby 17. Ava Rose Johnson 18. Kissa Starling 19. Amelia June 20. Shelley Munro 21. Lyric 22. Debbie Mumford 23. Diana Castilleja 24. Adelle 25. Ciar Cullen 26. Marguerite Labbe 27. Lesley Speller

Break from Blogging

MENTAL STATUS: "Determined". So far, I've been super busy this week. Time is slipping away, so I'm determined to get some writing done. No blog--or even LOOKING at blogs for me today. (Well... maybe later)

So there.

See you tomorrow.

My Safe Reading Haven is Invaded

IN THE NEWS: According to CNN Money, GI Joe will have to move over for a bigger action star: Jesus. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Tuesday it will test sales in some stores of biblical action figures whose makers say they are aimed at Christian parents. The figures will be offered in 425 of Wal-Mart's 3,376 discount stores and Supercenters. The toys, based on biblical stories, include a 3-inch figure of Daniel in the lion's den, a 12-inch talking Jesus doll and 13-inch Samson action figure.



Okay. I tolerate all the tourists every summer in my little home town, but when they start to interfere with my body sculpting classes and my library--I get MEAN.

1) First off the parking. Oh, right. There was none. Grrr.

I circled around the gym/library 3 times and finally ended up with a spot on the street FAR AWAY from the front doors of the building.

2) The exercise classes are so FULL, there's no room to breathe let alone work-out.

I'm going to get fat--er, I mean fatter.

3) All the children's computers at the library were on a wait list, and there were so many kids and families, I couldn't even read. Which brings me to my next point.

4) It was so loud in there, you'd think you were at a Chuck E. Cheese's birthday party. I couldn't even enjoy perusing the "new arrival" book selection without being bumped and jarred.

I love going to my library for some peace. I do a little reading and/or work. (AKA critiques) I enjoy being there. Not yesterday.

WAH!!

I am SO ready for fall.

Weekend Recap #14

MENTAL STATUS: "Happy". It's going to rain all day today, but my grass and flowers need it. Plus, the weather will force me to stay home and get some things done around the house--like cleaning and reading.

Well, this weekend wasn't anything exciting--but I WAS busy. The mom and the older brother came down to visit, so we were busy entertaining them.

Took them--of course--to the beach on Saturday. Being the total shoobies they are, they both got a terrible sunburn on the first day and as a result couldn't come to the beach with us the next day. Oh, and for those not in the lingo and are wondering, here's a definition:

shoobie--n. A short-term visitor to the beach and shore communities of New Jersey.

Editorial Note: Shoobie has long been said to derive from a description of tourists, day-trippers, weekenders, and others who would bring a meal packed in a shoe box. Though often repeated, this supposed origin has not been verified.

Anyhew, I brought TONS of sunscreen to the beach. You'd think they would have used some. Oh well. Live and learn.

While we were at the beach on Sunday we saw what could be described as a rainbow-cloud. Basically, a small cloud spread across the sky with the colors of the rainbow shooting through it. VERY cool looking. And the mom and brother missed it.

That will teach them to wear sunscreen next time.

But they did get to enjoy my hubby's fine barbecuing techniques. He made burgers with shrimp and melted blue cheese on them. (I know all you blue cheese haters are turning up your nose, but it was awesome) and on Sunday he made grilled pizzas for us.

I'm really becoming spoiled, with the hubby doing all this fantastic grilling. I don't know what I'm going to do when fall time comes and I have to learn how to cook all over again. Ha!

So what did you do this weekend?

That Darn Dog

IN THE NEWS: According to World Magazine, a woman in Austin, TX found a stray cat under the hood of her Chevy Tahoe, so she took it home, where the stray became quickly attached to the woman's 3 year-old dachshund. In fact, SO attached that in a few days the kitten began to nurse on the dog mother. Their dog, Lillie, has now gone into full-blown mother mode and like a good "mom" is nursing the cat every morning and evening and after naps.

There was an extra little tidbit in the news this week that had me cracking up--so much so that writing about it couldn't have done the story justice. So I searched YouTube and...

Eureka!

YouTube rules!

If you want to see something unusual, it's almost always there. But first let me preface this video with a mention that the human was probably more injured than the dog. Both physically AND mentally. See for yourself:

Tour de France dog.

All that training down the drain, all because of one negligent dog owner. Oh dear. I feel evil for laughing. But at some point, you have to think winning this year just wasn't in the cards for that guy.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday Thirteen #12

Thirteen Pieces of Useless Trivia ********************************************************** 1…. Betsy Ross, Jackie Onassis, JFK, and Daniel Boone have all appeared on Pez dispensers. 2.... More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes. 3.... Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. 4.... There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with: orange, purple, silver, and month 5.... The dot over the lower case i is called a Tittle. 6.... Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do. 7.... The average life span of a major league baseball is 5-7 pitches. 8.... The mask used by Michael Myers in the original "Halloween" movie was actually a Captain Kirk mask painted white 9... Debra Winger was the voice of E.T. 10....Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin! 11.... Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie 12....The average person laughs 13 times a day! 13... It is impossible to lick your elbow or stick your elbow in your ear. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. 1. Elle Fredrix 2. Cassandra 3. Annalee Blysse 4. R.G. Alexander 5. Babe King 6. Gina Ardito 7. Tempest Knight 8. Jennifer McKenzie 9. Crystal Jordan 10. Jennifer Colgan & Bernadette Gardner 11. Elizabeth Parker 12. Rhonda Stapleton 13. Paige Tyler 14. Robin L. Rotham 15. Heather 16. Kate Willoughby 17. Ava Rose Johnson 18. Kissa Starling 19. Amelia June 20. Shelley Munro 21. Lyric 22. Debbie Mumford 23. Diana Castilleja 24. Adelle 25. Ciar Cullen 26. Marguerite Labbe 27. Lesley Speller

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A New Toliet Frontier?

MENTAL STATUS: "Thrilled." Plugging away at my word count goal--slowly but surely.

I came across this news article yesterday at FOXNews.com that just so happened to strike my funny bone. Pardon me, if you've already seen it.

Apparently, in Chongqing China, they now have a porcelain palace featuring an Egyptian facade, soothing music and more than 1,000 toilets spread out over 32,290 square feet. Chongqing government officials are even hoping this four-story public bathroom will become a new tourist destination and set a new world record for size.

"We are spreading toilet culture. People can listen to gentle music and watch TV," said Lu Xiaoqing, an official with the Yangrenjie, or "Foreigners Street," tourist area where the bathroom is located. "After they use the bathroom they will be very, very happy."

Really?

Oh, well, assuming I'd be in China for pleasure, you could sign me right up for that newfangled TV watching on the john. Forget Prozac and all those other anitdepressants out there on the market. We'd all be a lot happier if we could just listen to music and watch TV in the bathroom.

Here's some pictures of it. (If you haven't stopped reading by now)





And other countries think we've got issues.
(But maybe they're really hoping for a Seventh Wonder of the World nomination.)

Do you think we should put TVs in our bathrooms?

Post Convention Envy

IN THE NEWS: According to happynews.com, Jessica Osborne, 20, received a gift from a family of regulars at the Pizza Hut where she works in northeastern Indiana. After chatting with the family about having to drop out of college twice due to lack of money, the family returned a week later and handed Osborne a $10,000 check with money from an education fund they had set up after a death in the family.
Now that's some tip!

Don't you just love hearing all the talk on everyone's blog about this year's RWA convention? I do. Sounds like people had a blast. I love hearing about all the "Nora" spottings and seeing all the fun pictures. I ALMOST feel as though I was there. ALMOST.

I'm getting the inside dish right now from one of my CPs, who had some extremely good news to share and is giving me the play-by-play of the entire week. Yay!! I'm loving each and every word of it.

**sigh**

Maybe one day I'll get to go, too. But alas, I'll have to be content, knowing I'll be at the NJ RWA conference soon.

Go me.

But I had some fun here while everyone was schmoozing it up in Dallas. For example, I hung around Romance Divas and read up on some of their fantastic workshops they had. I learned a few things, and I even won a door prize! What did I win? Why a critique from author Rhonda Stapleton! Woo-hoo!

Now I must get my partial in working order for that and try to finish up the chapter I'm working on. So I've got a busy morning.

Have you ever been to Nationals?

Weekend Recap #13

MENTAL STATUS: "Happy". The daughter has a summer activity today, so I have the morning to myself. Yay!

Well, I'm sure a few of you will be happy to know I had a relatively boring--er, I mean quiet weekend. What? That's right. Not a party, family reunion, clown, big band or frozen margarita in sight.

And it was bliss. Sometimes it's nice just to hang out with the family.

Friday night was beautiful--no wind, not too cool and most importantly, no bugs or mosquitoes. So after we put the little one to bed, the hubby and I cranked up the old Ipod and sat outside on our lounge chairs. Yep. We talked and listened to Jazz. Very romantic. The hubby had a nice glass of white wine and I had... a caffeine free diet Pepsi?

Oh well. Diet Pepsi (not my drink of choice, by the way) isn't exactly romantic or cool on my end, but now that my teeth issues are done (for now) I'm trying for baby #2 again. (I'll keep you posted if there's any late breaking news.)

Anyway, the next day we went to the beach. Yeah, yeah, I know. Enough with the beach already. But I can't help it. The weekends are the only time the hubby gets to go to the beach, so when he's off that's where he wants to be. Being a good and faithful wife, I readily comply with his demands to be there. Twist my arm, why don't ya?

But this weekend, I did something new at the beach. I sand sculpted! Ha!! Yet another talent I have!

I did the mermaid below on Saturday, but I did a better one on Sunday (of course, I didn't have my camera then) that created quite a "buzz" on the beach. Someone came over and even took a picture of it on their camera phone. Then I did a turtle and a shark head (which really looked more like a big fish with teeth).




My daughter helped decorate all my "masterpieces". As you can see from this one, she did a super nice job.

So, what did you do this weekend?

Vanilla = Bland?

IN THE NEWS: According to HappyNews.com, James Bond will be back--in BOOK form. ''Devil May Care,'' a novel written by British author Sebastian Faulks and authorized by the estate of the late Ian Fleming, is due to come out in 2008, the centennial of Fleming's birth. It's set during the Cold War and, like so many Bond adventures, moves about a variety of scenic locales.


I took this quiz on another forum last year. I was Vanilla then, too.

**sigh**

It did nothing for my ego at the time--and does nothing for my ego now.

You Are Vanilla Ice Cream

Your personality is anything but "vanilla" You're a risk taker, who's up for anything new. You go well with anyone and fit into any situation. You are most compatible with rocky road ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Thursday Thirteen #11

I get a lot of compliments on my skin. So here's my "recipe" for success: Thirteen Things I Use on My Face ******************************************* 1…. Dove Gentle exfoliating facial cleanser (Gentle enough for everyday. Wow. I sound like a commercial...) 2.... Dove Cool Moisture Foaming facial cleanser 3.... L'Oreal Hydrafresh Toner 4....CVS brand Eye Lfiting Serum (I think it's a knock-off of Oil of Olay) 5....Skin Effects Lightweight Moisturizing Souffle w/SPF 30 for sensitive skin 6....L'Oreal Age Perfect day cream (for those extra dry areas) 7.... Neutrogena 3 in 1 Concealer for eyes cream w/SPF 20 8....Covergirl concealer in neutral 9.... Bare Minerals SPF Sunscreen powder 10....Lancome Blush in Shimmer Coral Sunset 11.... Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment (For those days when all those crazy moisturizers clog up my pores) 12.... Olay Daily Facials express wet cleansing cloths (to take all that junk off my face at night) 13.... Cetaphil moisturizing lotion (for bedtime. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz) ***** Now the secret is out***** And all those poor ladies in Dallas missed it. LOL!!! What's your favorite beauty product? Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Elle Fredrix 2. Cassandra 3. Annalee Blysse 4. R.G. Alexander 5. Babe King 6. Gina Ardito 7. Tempest Knight 8. Jennifer McKenzie 9. Crystal Jordan 10. Jennifer Colgan & Bernadette Gardner 11. Elizabeth Parker 12. Rhonda Stapleton 13. Paige Tyler 14. Robin L. Rotham 15. Heather 16. Kate Willoughby 17. Ava Rose Johnson 18. Kissa Starling 19. Amelia June 20. Shelley Munro 21. Lyric 22. Debbie Mumford 23. Diana Castilleja 24. Adelle

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Different Perspective

MENTAL STATUS: "Foggy". Went to bed early--I don't know what time but I'm sure it was before ten. I should be well rested, but I had a dream I was shopping in New York City and had my purse stolen. So a good part of my sleep was very stressful as I went through the nightmare (no pun intended) of trying to cancel all my credit cards and such.
(I hate it when my mind double crosses my body like that)

I had offered my time and eyeball services to judge a writing contest recently. It was the first time I had ever judged a writing contest--or ANY contest, for that matter--but I found the experience enlightening.

I wanted to do an extra good job with them, so I tried to devote at least two days for each entry--one day for just reading through the partial and synopsis and the other day for looking over the score sheet and making comments. Judging was extremely difficult since almost every entry I read was fantastic. In fact, one was SO good and SO funny, I was actually excited for the author as I read his/her work--oh, and maybe just a teeny bit jealous, too. HA! I wanted to be a literary agent right then and there, because I would have represented it in a heartbeat.

It really came down to the nitpicky scores of scoresheet to differentiate them all--and even then it was tough. So, if you're going to enter a contest... play CLOSE attention to the scoresheet that's offered with it. And if that scoresheet doesn't jive with what you're trying to write, you may not want to enter unless all you're looking for is feedback.

All I can say is the next time I enter a contest, I'm sure I will look at the judges comments and scores more thoroughly and with a new appreciation.

Have you ever had a BAD experience with a writing contest?

Weekend Recap # 12

IN THE NEWS: According to World Magazine, there's a 15 mile of U. S border fence (that keeps illegal immigrants from coming into that area) near Columbus, N.M. with a problem. What is it? Well, 1.5 miles of it is built on Mexican soil and now that the Mexican government learned of the territorial infringement they want to recover their land. So our government may have to spend $3 million to tear it down and rebuild it on American soil.

Well, I'm sure you ALL were waiting with bated breath for the recap of my exciting weekend. (PS. Sarcasm is hard to write)

So let's see...what did I do... Oh yeah! I went to a surprise birthday pool party on Friday.

Yeah. Let's talk about that. First off, let me preface this description of the party with a "I do not have this kind of money" statement. These are people I just happen to know--who just so happened to know how to throw a really kick-butt party.

The birthday couple just had a big old underground pool installed in their backyard--complete with fountains pouring into the pool, lights that changed color, an outside brick fireplace and piped in music all along the property.

Sweet set-up, huh? It was.

The party was catered and had a root beer keg for the kiddies and margarita and cherry vodka lemonade for the adults--along with various and sundry drinks. Servers were floating around with trays of jumbo shrimp (not an oxymoron in this circumstance), clams casino, egg rolls and dumplings. Oh, yeah. They had a magician who worked the crowd and made balloon hats for the kids. (And a few adults)

My daughter was--no lie--the first one in the pool and the last one out of the pool when we finally were able to drag her out at 10PM. She normally goes to bed at 7:30, so that was a late night for her.

The next day we went to beach. Surprise surprise. BUT--and this is a big BUT--we found little starfish in the ocean. Actually, it was the first time I ever caught starfish. We caught ten to be exact which my daughter took excellent care of until we let them go when it was time for us to go home.

After dinner, we biked back to the beach for the Fourth of July fireworks which had been postponed on Wednesday. It was a beautiful night for them. This was the first time my daughter saw them--aside from our Disney Trip. But she thoroughly enjoyed EVERY SINGLE ONE of them and was so excited to be there (and staying up late two nights in a row). It was adorable.

Basically, that was our weekend.

So how was your weekend?

Not going? No problem!

Not going to Nationals? Don't worry...

Romance Divas is doing the next best thing!

Romance Divas announces the first annual "Not Going to Nationals Cyber Conference" from July 11-15, righton the forum. Best of all, it's FREE!

Just register for Romance Divas--membership is free, you just need to sign up! www.romancedivas.com if you have trouble with registration email night.diva.maria (at) gmail (dot) com

There will be workshops, Q&As, and giveaways each day.

All you have to do is participate!!!!


Schedule:
July 11:Workshop: PC Cast and Kristin Cast (topic TBA)PCCast.netQ&A: Erotic romance with Portia da Costa and Madelynne Ellis PortiaDaCosta.com
MadelynneEllis.com

July 12: Workshop: Book Signing 101: Tips to Help Make your Signing a Success by Jackie Kessler JackieKessler.comQ&A: Legal Issues for Writers by Amanda Brice AmandaBrice.com

July 13:Workshop: What to Expect After You Sign the Contract by Marley Gibson MarleyGibson.comQ&A: TBA (either with an agent from the Larsen-Pomada Agency or a panel on multi-cultural romance)

July 14:Workshop: Sasha White (topic TBA) http://www.sashawhite.net/Q&A: How To Write Both YA and Adult Romance by Berta Platas BertaPlatas.com

July 15:Workshop: Trim That Fatty Writing! by Rhonda Stapleton
RhondaStapleton.net>Q&A: TBA (either with an agent from the Larsen-Pomada Agency or a panel on multi-cultural romance)

We also have loads of great giveaways, including books, critiques, coaching, and more!


(I'll be there for sure!)

I Need a Vacation from My Summer Vacation

MENTAL STATUS: "Exhausted". Had friends come over yesterday with their FOUR children. Needless to say, there was NO downtime--and no Thursday Thirteen. We have tons of food left over, my house is in shambles and the extra cup of coffee I had is NOT doing it for me for this morning.

I'm sick of entertaining.

I'm done.

The food shopping, the cleaning, the cooking--the "chit-chat". I've had it! I want some peace. I even think I'm finally gaining weight. All that body sculpting can't compete with the dips, chips and desserts I've been shoving in my mouth lately--not to mention the fudge, saltwater taffy and cotton candy I've had at the boardwalk.

Yesterday, we took FIVE kids (all below the age of 8) to the boardwalk for rides and mayhem. You see, whenever friends are visiting from out of town, the hubby and I feel the obligation to show them the sights--which usually means the junk food. Ha!!

Hopefully, this will be it for awhile. Well, okay, after tonight.

Tonight, I'm not hosting, but we're going to a surprise 40th birthday/pool party tonight. Then I'm done with junk food and small talk. I hope. I really need a break.

Although, I did manage to read Shirley Jump's Married by Morning while I was at the beach. (Really cute book!!) My only escape of the week.

I must recharge my energy now for tonight. I plan on doing a little writing, too. It's therapeutic.

Have a good weekend!

We'll Be Right Back...

IN THE NEWS: According to FOX News, "LANSING, Mich. — A state forensics scientist who said she tested DNA in her husband's underwear to find out whether he was cheating could be disciplined if investigators determine she violated the use of state equipment.
Ann Chamberlain-Gordon of Okemos testified in a March 7 divorce hearing that she ran the test in September on the underwear of Charles Gordon Jr. Asked by his attorney what she found, she answered: 'Another female. It wasn't me.'"
Yikes!


Still party-hartying.

I'll be back tomorrow with an extra cup of coffee by my side and stuff to chit-chat about.

Have a good one.

Happy Birthday America!

According to Wikipedia, "In the United States, Independence Day (commonly known as "the Fourth of July","July Fourth", or even simply "The Fourth") is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Fireworks have been associated with the Fourth of July since 1777."





“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
of America, and to the Republic for which it stands.
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Have a safe holiday!

Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins

Whoops. I forgot to post this on July 1st. Cousins-Party-Train Weekend must have really thrown me off. HA!

But, yes, since it's the first of the month (sort of), it's time for another first chapter brought to you by Fiction in Rather Short Takes. This month's selection is Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins, a Christian suspense novel.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Kill tonight—or die.

The words burned, hot acid eating through his eyes, his brain.

Right down to his soul.Only a crazy person would obey.

He slapped both hands to his ears, squeezed hard against his head. Screwed his eyes shut. He hung there, cut off from the world, snagged on the life sounds of his body. The whoosh of breath, the beat of his heart.

The words boiled.

His skull hurt. He pulled his hands away, let them fall. The kitchen spun. He dropped into a chair, bent forward, and breathed deeply until the dizziness passed.

He sat up, looked again to the table.

The note lay upon the unfolded Kanner Lake Times newspaper, each word horrific against the backdrop of a coral crescent moon.

How did they get in here?

What a stupid question. As if they lacked stealth, as if mere walls and locked entrances could keep them out. He’d been down the hall in the bedroom watching TV, door wide open, yet had heard nothing. Hadn’t even sensed their presence as he pushed off the bed and walked to the kitchen for some water.

A chill blew over his feet.

His eyes bugged, then scanned the room. Over white refrigerator and oak cabinets, wiped-down counters and empty sink. To the threshold of the kitchen and into the hallway. There his gaze lingered as the chill worked up to his ankles.

It had to be coming from the front of the house.

His skin oozed sweat, a web of sticky fear spinning down over him. Trembling, he pulled himself out of the chair. He clung to the smooth table edge, ensuring his balance. Then, heart beating in his throat, he forced himself across the floor, around the corner, and toward the front door.

It hung open a few inches.

They were taunting him.

He approached, hands up and fingers spread, as if pushing through phantoms. Sounds of the night wafted on the frigid air—the rustle of breeze through tree limbs, distant car tires singing against pavement. He reached the door, peered around it, knowing he was a fool to seek sign of them. The air smelled crisp, tanged with the purity of pine trees. The last vestiges of snow dusted his porch, bearing the tracks of his footprints alone.

He closed the door and locked it. As if that would do any good. He sagged against the wall, defeated and sick. How stupid to think they would leave him in peace. Hadn’t he seen this coming? All the events of the last few months . . .

Shoulders drawn, he made his way back to the kitchen and his inevitable fate. Each footstep drew him away from the life he’d built, reasoning and confidence seeping from him like blood from a fatal wound. His conscience pulsed at what he had to do.

The message sat on his table, an executioner beckoning victim to the noose. He fell into the chair, wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. He read the words, fresh nausea rising in his stomach. No misunderstanding their commands. They had a chess score to settle. He was their pawn.

He pushed back against the chair, arms crossed and hugging himself, the way he used to do as a boy. Dully, he stared at the window, seeing only his own pitiable reflection. For a long time he watched himself, first transfixed in fright, then with the evolving expression of self-preservation.

If he just did this one thing, his debt would be paid. They’d leave him alone.

For another hour...two…he sat, forcing down the queasiness as he thought through dozens of details. How he should do it. What could go wrong.

By the time he rose near midnight, he’d laid his plans.

Gathering the necessary items, shrugging on a coat, he slipped out into the cold and soulless night.

Copyright 2007 by Brandilyn Collins.
Used by permission of Zondervan.

Weekend Recap #11

Mental Status: "Tired but pleased". Had a "party train" weekend this past weekend. A lot of entertaining went on, so I'm tired. Everything went without a hitch, though. Yay!

You might be wondering what exactly a "party train" weekend is. It's actually a new name my hubby dubbed our "Cousin's Weekend" adventure in order to breathe new life into it. And "What is Cousin's Weekend?" you might ask. My, you're curious.

Well, basically, Cousin's Weekend is a weekend with my hubby's cousins. One family of cousins are in NY, another in North Carolina and the hubby's aunt in in NY, too. They all came down/up and stayed with us for a whole festive family weekend of par-taying and getting acquainted with one another again.

We hosted a BBQ Friday night at our house, which kicked off the festivities. (Plenty of wine and food flowing, I assure you--and a great Raspberry Lemon Trifle I made) Then the next morning we all went to my brother and sister-in-law's for brunch and more partying.

Everyone walked to beach from there and we spent a good part of the afternoon. Afterwards, (when we all showered and changed) everyone came back to our house for pizza, then we all took the kids to the boardwalk for rides and more exhausting fun.

Oh, but the fun didn't stop there. Sunday morning was breakfast at my mother and father-in-laws to say good-byes before everyone had to get on the road to travel.

Whew!

Needless to say, it really was a party train weekend and I'm tired. But it was a lot of fun, too. My daughter loved playing with my hubby's cousin's daughter. (Does anybody know what the realtion is? Second cousin? I give up.) Before she went to bed Friday night she told me, "Mommy, I had TOO much fun with that little girl." (As you can see, my daughter's not big on names)

Anyhew, I'm going to try to fill up on coffee this morning and try to get my house back in order.

How was your weekend?