NCIS

My newest craze. Watching NCIS. I may be able to figure out the killer most of the time, but the show has heart. Love it!

Come On Over

Yep, posted over at the Romance Magicians' blog today. Come over and talk about misconceptions.

Shopping

I hate to shop. I hate spending money. Probably the reason I feel this way has a lot to do with being broke for most of my life. Well, this weekend I plan to crack open up my wallet and buy a couple new outfits. And some shoes.

Yeah, yeah, it's a hardship but someone has to do it.

Full Circle

Lately, I've noticed more homeless people. With the way everything is, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. But so sad. The last time I saw so many was in the 1980's.

On the way home, I passed this one tall, lanky fellow who was walking along a bridge on the interstate. The section was so dangerous. The traffic was going sixty to eighty miles an hour within inches of him. Alongside him was a dog on a leash and the man made sure the dog walked opposite from the traffic. It proved he loved that dog, protecting it like he did. The dog was a brindled color and matched the man's dirty skin and clothes perfectly. On the man's back was a cardboard sign that read ATL. It's a three hour drive to Atlanta. So he probably won't reach there until, heavens, I have no idea. Tomorrow morning? That is, unless he gets a ride.

Well, I hope he makes it safe there with his dog.

No Need to Nag

LOL! This past weekend I brought my laptop out of the "study" into the living room where my hubby watches TV. I did it mainly so I could continue working on my manuscript while my grandson was visiting. Plus I had gotten a little lonely being upstairs all the time.

Well, it worked to my advantage. I even got to see a few shows I rarely watch as the TV in the study wasn't connected to cable.

Then out of the blue on Saturday he hooked up the TV in the study. I had asked him to do it last year and even mentioned it a couple times (unusual for me to ask more than once - really) and he never would. Obviously he got tired of me controlling the TV (LOL!) in the living room and sitting in "his" chair (my usual one until I got my laptop and moved out of the room).

I can watch almost anything now. Too funny. I'm like a kid who finally got a TV in her room.

Say Hello

Thought I would share a photo of two talented go-getters who don't sit around on their butts, waiting for someone to do something. Kelley St. John and Laura Hayden are two of the hardest working people I know. Kelley is a self-promotion queen and damn fine writer. Laura is a wizard at putting together the award ceremonies for the National RWA's conference and damn fine writer. And I'm proud to say they're members of my writing group, Southern Magic.

Excuses, Excuses

You know it's so easy to think up excuses not to write. The weather was too hot, too cold. My husband, friend, sister, brother looked at me wrong and I can't concentrate. I had to clean my house. I had to cook a large meal, company's coming. I had to blog, Twitter, answer emails. I stumped my toe. I had to wash the dogs, feed the cat. I'm sad.

You get the idea. Life can get in the way.

So you have to decide for yourself what is important in your life. Of course, your soul should be number one. Then family. And third should be writing. Yes, it could be your day job, but that one can always be worked around. Considering during normal times, I work a lot of overtime and still get my writing done. Until October, last year was a normal schedule and I finished three books. Two were small books for Harlequin (both rejected) and one was a single title for anyone (waiting for a publisher to decide). Not everyone has a supportive family when it comes to writing. My husband and mom aren't, but I don't worry about them. They just have to come to terms with my decision. It's not like I'm breaking the law or ruining my life. Deal with it.

So instead of excuses, look at what you can change (maybe the house doesn't need cleaning from top to bottom every week -- yep, I use to do that) and decide, do I want to be published? And how bad? Then no more excuses and get to work on your manuscript and finish the sucker. Then send out those query letters. It might take the first one or fifty or hundred. But you will never know until you finish it and start putting yourself out there.

No more excuses.

Thankful Friday

I'm thankful to the inventor of air-conditioning. With highs in the 90's and humidity above 50%, it gets miserable outside.

Oh, that reminds me. Years, years ago, as a teenager, I worked in a drug store and I had a boss from Afghanistan. He was a mess. He had a beautiful French-American wife and also a bleach blonde mistress. Whenever an angry customer would fuss at him, he would pretend not to understand English. One time I walked into the back office and he was writing a letter to his mom. Well, I had to take his word for it as I don't understand or read Dari. He was having a problem with translating the English words of air-conditioning to his language. In fact, he showed me the letter (in Arabic lettering) and the words "air-conditioning" stood out. Too funny. He asked me if there was another word for it. I couldn't think of anything. So he finally described to his mom that the English words meant a big box that blows cold air. Simple but true. LOL!

Book Stores

Like libraries, I love book stores. Big or small. Just having all those books surrounding me is a wonderful feeling.

Today, my boss let us off early and what did I do? You guessed it. I walked into Books-a-Million (such a great name) and took my time looking at every cover in the romance section. I sure wish the set up was similiar to years ago. The romance section was broken up between contemporary and historical. I was in the mood for a good medieval, but it got crazy trying to figure out the historicals. They pack them all in one aisle and almost all are spine out.

Anyway, I found one contemporary (Victoria Dahl's newest), two paranormals, and one historical. No. The historical wasn't a medieval. Drats. But one set in 1762.

Oh, speaking of book stores. Every time I go in one and someone walks into the romance aisle with me, I can't stop myself. I do one of two things: Tell them about our readers luncheon in November or tell them about our meetings. Well, today, I did both. In the aisle I told a lady who loves Julia Quinn about our Readers Luncheon and at the checkout counter told the cashier about our monthly meetings. LOL!

As I've said before, I'm not shy.

Speaking of Conferences

I'm counting down to the big National conference I'm going to in a little over a week. This time I have a lot planned and I'm being more reasonable about the whole thing. Not expecting to find editors or agents standing around wanting to talk with me. Go figure. LOL!

Normally on trips (big or small) besides making sure all my clothes are washed or cleaned, I wait until the evening before and, more often than not, the morning I leave to pack. Yes. Sounds crazy. But I hate to pack up everything and realize I need something to get ready for bed or something to get ready that morning. Plus once I pack my mind is set on leaving and it makes it hard for me to go to sleep.

I would like to make a list. I love lists. But I need to think about the outfits I would like to wear. Especially the formal I'll wear for Saturday. Besides my wedding, I wore a formal only one other time (and still have it), when I was ten (yes, that long ago), I was in a piano recital and wore it. Sad to say, but I no longer know how to play.

Now, I have three formals. Well, really two long skirts and three blouses. The blouses have beads, sequins or glittery stuff on them. I do love to shine. For the first time ever, I bought an evening bag to use. Target had them on sale after all the proms. The best time to buy one.

Oh, yeah, I can't wait.