An Oldie But Goldie

I don't know what jarred my memory on this, but out of the blue I remembered the magazines I use to sit for hours and read of my grandmother's. She subscribed to TRUE LOVE and TRUE CONFESSIONS along with a couple movie magazines I can't remember the names. OH, MY GOODNESS! I had so forgotten about them. I remember reading them and getting a little warm (you could say). They were my truly first romance stories I ever read. I remember how my grandmother would say something about them not being age appropriate, but she never stopped me. LOL! I guess she was just happy to see me reading, unlike my other cousins.

Anyway, here's a link to check them out.

Another Day In Paradise

One of the guys in my section has gotten a new job in another department. He will be moving to another building and his office will have a large picture window. From what I understand, it’s not a promotion, but a lateral move. It’s just that this department has a section of the building with several offices and each office has a window or two in it. Last time I was in the department, meeting with a couple of people, I noticed something that disturbed me. The men are in the offices with the windows and the women in cubicles against a blind wall, no windows. Only one of the men is in a position to be considered to be management. And if you’re thinking the women are secretaries, no. Only one of them would be considered in that type of position. From what I know the women’s jobs are as important as the men and in some cases, not much different.

Though I’m not in the same office, I know I would love to have a office. One where I could close the door and have some quiet time to finish working on a job or finish a call without interruption or being over heard. But especially to have a window. I sit in a cube in the center of a building with no windows with five cubicles around me and the complete room has around fifty people in it. It gets plenty noisy in there.

I’m thankful for my job, but it still disturbs me with the unequal treatment I continue to see in the workplace between men and women.

Now That Looks Good

Overall I have a hard time turning down food. Thus the reason I have weight issues. Or like the new PC way of saying it, I’m weight challenged. To me that sounds like what my mother and sister’s problem when they were younger. They were underweight. That’s not the case for me. Remember I said I have a hard time TURNING down food. Why The Lord decided I would be only one of my siblings to have the problem, I have no idea, but even my brother is tall and skinny as a rail. I’m not only the tallest one sideways, but the shortest lengthwise. I get my weight challenges from my dad’s side of the family. He had two sisters who were well-rounded individuals - yes, a play on words.

I was standing at the candy vending machine, slipping in coin after hard earned coin into the slot, anticipating the taste of one of my favorite candy bars, Milky Ways. The creamy caramel and nougat all covered in milk chocolate…awww…cho…co…late. It was wonderful.

Sorry. I’ve got my eyes uncrossed now. While standing there I was thinking of my favorite foods that I cannot turn down unless I have the stomach flu and even then I’ve learned where’s there a will, there’s a way, and decided to list them on the blog. Yes. Another list. You know me. I love lists.

10. Cotton candy and caramel popcorn.
Though two junk foods, I feel they belong together on the list.

9. Anything with cinnamon in it.
Especially “cinnamon toast.”

8. Cheese
Especially gouda.

7. French fries

6. Chicken and dressing
My mom’s in particular.

5. Apple strudel or baked apples.
Remember the cinnamon above?

4. Coconut Bon-bons
Coconut centers with a thin layer of flavored fondant.

3. German Chocolate cake
The coconut and pecan icing is to die for.

2. Pie
Pecan, lemon, apple, etc., but preferably chocolate. Not surprised, heh?

1. Donuts
Krispy Kreme or a little bakery near where I work called Fultondale Bakery. They could give Krispy Kreme a run for their money.

And I wonder why I’m so…plump?

Let The Sunshine In

I’ve learned when I get stumped in my writing to move my laptop to another area in the house. The room upstairs I normally write in has one small window while the rooms downstairs have large floor to ceiling ones. Daylight helps me write. I’m like a bug. More sunshine, the more active I am.

And They Lived Happily Ever After

My favorite part of romances.

Remembering Why I Write

I took a few days away from the blog to get a little more writing done and even finished reading another book. I'm still enjoying Susan Elizabeth Philllips's backlist. Between hers and Victoria Dahl's newest one, I've been laughing so hard. Great romances, good laughs, heated moments and tear-jerker emotions.

My goodness, I haven't had so many wonderful books to read in years. There is a benefit in finding a new author who has been writing for several years.

Recent Trends in Romance

You know, one trend I’ve seen in the last couple years or so is where the heroine sees what needs to be done and charges forward with all her doubts and insecurities screaming at her. Even if she fails, succeeds or makes a mess of things, she takes ownership and becomes a better person for it, with or without the hero’s help. This new heroine can be bitchy but we sympathize or a wimp who we cheer on. I like this woman. She’s real with her many layers. And I love the men who love her despite hers and his flaws.

Just Like In The Movies

When I was growing up I watched a lot of movies set/made in the 40's and 50's. One of the mainstay characters was the nosey busybody who tried to solve everyone's problems but her own. Lately, I've realized that's me. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten myself in a jam by trying to help someone who hasn't asked for help.

So I've been working real hard not to be that way. To let others handle their own problems and make their own mistakes. It's hard. Real hard. But it's best for my own sanity.

What To Say When You Final

After being the contest coordinator for the Linda Howard Award of Excellence for four years out of five, I've heard all types of responses to the news of being a finalist or winner.

Some responses are frustrating. Like when I've called to tell someone they finaled and I hear "What contest did you say this was? What was the name of my entry?" Gee, that tells me they've entered and finaled in too many contests. I can promise you when it comes to ones I enter, I know when they're to call and I know which manuscript I've sent in. Yes. I do maintain a spreadsheet. I'm a little OCD about that.

Other times you call and get their voicemail. I guess I could leave a message for them to call me back, but they would already know that's the reason I'm calling (if they're not like the one above) and some probably wouldn't even return my call. So I leave a voicemail and hope they're the type to listen to it over and over again, so excited they finaled. Well anyway, that's what I do when I receive a voicemail like that.

Then you have the ones who have obviously finaled over and over again and they say "That's nice. Thank you," all in a calm businesslike voice. By then I imagine my hands around her neck and shaking.

On occasion I get one who's excited but says the wrong thing like "I'm shocked!" Okay. I understand this might be your first one. Or you just slammed together the entry at the last minute and had received the day before a horrible judge's comments from another contest, but come on people. I'm now rechecking the score as you say for the third time, "I'm shocked!" Have I made a mistake? If you're excited about finaling or winning, don't say you're shocked. Think positive and say, "That's wonderful!" Miracles do happen. Miracles are wonderful. So be sure to say so. That's wonderful!

That leads into good things to say. The one I usually say when I get a call about finaling. I squeal and say, "That's the best news I've heard in a long time!" Even if I received a call the day before from another contest. I know how hard that coordinator worked and I can tell you she gets as happy and excited as you do when you act thrilled. I've been told by one coordinator I'm her contest's favorite finalist because of my reaction. They feel appreciated and they'll remember you in a good way. I promise.

Fan Girl Strikes Again

I know you have seen me infatuated with several authors over the last year and Susan Elizabeth Phillips's books are no different. Check out this clip. I really like her sense of humor.