Gossip from my Big Green Chair

Having Myself a Very Weird Little Christmas!!

2011-12-14T06:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve 2010

Christmas this year in the Altom home is following a little closer to fiction than I'd like. Similar to the characters of the last story in my Buckhorn Ranch series, A Baby in His Stocking, our holiday will be much different than it has ever been before.

Hannah is still dating her New Jersey hockey player. We talked about maybe spending the holiday on the beach in Gulf Shores, taking Antonio with us, but as he's been away from his family for months, playing with a Minnesota team, he's of course spending the holidays in New Jersey. Here's where things get dicey. He invited Hannah to spend the holiday with him. Now that Hannah's not going to be here for Christmas, my parents have decided they're not coming, either. Suddenly, our typical houseful of fun has dwindled to Hubby, me and our sons.

Not gonna lie, I'm freaked out. With a family this small, each member counts. Having just lost my last grandparent literally like a week ago, the child in me feels like this is a time when we all ought to come closer, but instead, it feels as if everything's falling apart. I'll be the first to admit I'm a drama queen, but when it comes to Christmas traditions, I hold on tight. Now, I'm a little scared--like there's nothing left to hold on to.

On the flip side, all of my men are excited by this change-up in plans. A new video game has them all held captive. Skyrim--a sequel to Oblivion for you non-gamers--is a HUGE deal in the gaming world. I have a copy for my PS3, but I've had deadline after deadline and it's sitting in a drawer unopened. My guys have this new and--in their eyes--improved Christmas all planned out. Open gifts as fast as humanly possible, cook feast, play Skyrim with said feast on laps while casting spells and slaying dragons. No cleaning, no leisurely sitting around the fire cherishing each gift, no laughing at the dining room table, no cleaning or dressing up or using manners--just a full-fledged Man Fest they're promising me is going to be a great time.

Part of me is psyched about not cleaning, but another part is apprehensive, like if I let something as sacred as Christmas traditions slide, our family has a problem. Every book I write is focused on the sanctity of family, but the one topic I've never dealt with is what happens to my fictional families once the kids grow up and start their own traditions. Dealing with the transition from high school to college was tough enough, but this new kink in my world is a beast. One I'm in no way ready to slay.

I know Hannah will be with a huge, wonderful family having a ball. Not sure what my parents will be doing. I, however, will be surrounded by three of the best looking guys in the state, feasting on ham with all the trimmings, downing "magic" eggnog and embarking on a fantastic quest for gold and power. All of which, now that I think about it, doesn't sound half bad!!

How about you? Switching up your holiday traditions?

Happy Birthday to Me--Now Get to Work!!

2011-11-23T07:03:00.000-08:00

A very content me last year in St. Thomas. If possible, Birthday Fairy, I want to go there RIGHT NOW!! :-)

It's my birthday and I'm feeling a smidge philosophical. I should be cleaning for the arrival of my parents and prepping for Thanksgiving dinner, but what fun is that??!!

It's been a strange year I'm glad is officially over. If there's been any overriding theme I can't ignore, it's that health has got to take center stage. I'm putting it out there that by my birthday next year, I WILL lose at least fifty pounds. Yesterday, I picked up a seventeen pound turkey and nearly couldn't do it. Not cool, but it is what it is and lord willing, by this time next year I'll be doing laps around Super Wal-Mart with my Honeysuckle White.

Another area of personal housekeeping I vow to work on is organization. I've given ten bags of clothes and misc. household flotsam to Goodwill in the past couple weeks, and would love to give more. One of my fave TV shows is Hoarders, because it always inspires me to tidy. Like if they can clean those huge messes, I can tackle the junk drawer and closets!!

One big goal in regard to my writing is to be more like my amazing friend, Margaret Daley. And I'm not just saying this because she's taking me to birthday lunch!! LOL!! Margaret plans her days down to the minute and gets more done than anyone I know. In the time it takes me to write one book, she'll write three. Her secret? Consistency. She writes EVERY day. I think I'll put a pic of her on the wall beside my desk, always reminding me to write by the Margaret Method.

Other small things I must tackle during this, my forty-fourth year:

Weed our front gardens.
Read more.
Lunch or coffee more with friends.
Sleep more.

Whew, that's plenty for now, and even if it weren't I seriously need to get on with Turkey Day prep. To all my friends I've been been neglecting--I'll be nagging you soon to go play!! Until then, here's to hoping we all have an extra special Thanksgiving!!

Seat Stealers--I'm Watching You!!!

2011-11-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I with our Hannah. She's our fave Ice Girl!!!

Tonight is date night as Hubby and I are headed to an Oilers game!! This is big for me as I actually do my hair and he's charming and attentive and buys me onion rings while lots of hot guys skate within a couple feet of my seat. Sounds perfect, right?!

It would be if not for a breed of people I will now call the despicable "Seat Stealers". Some back story--lauramariealtom.com is a corporate sponsor of the Tulsa Oilers. I figure what better product for a romance writer to sponsor than men. Along with my sponsorship, I get a pair of REALLY great seats, but they aren't exactly cheap. Because of the price, during some games, not all of the glass seats are occupied, making way for the Seat Stealers.

Now, not all Seat Stealers are inherently bad. A couple behind us who also have season tickets send down their little boy who politely cheers on our guys and doesn't litter. He's cute and well-mannered and doesn't bother me a bit. Drunks are always welcome, as they up the the night's entertainment factor by setting their beers on the little ledge under the glass. When players ram into that section, the beer splatters and voila--beer soaked drunk people. Great fun!! Especially when they're happy drunks!!

Unfortunately, sweet little Trent is the cream of the crop when it comes to Seat Stealers. We had a game Sunday and I arrived a little later than usual. (Hubby was out of town.) I get to our seats and there are already TEN people in our row. I think it only holds fifteen and our seats are seven and eight. First, this crew refused to let me in. They all just stared like I should climb over them. Finally through, I set my purse and blanket in seat twelve, politely asking the girl in MY SEASON SEATS if she has tickets. She says, "No, we got in free."

I say, "That's great, but you're sitting in MY SEASON SEATS."

This girl gives me a death stare I found chilling, then shrugs.

Fuming, I sit in seat twelve, trying to figure my next move. Then a strange thing happens. The guy in seat one seems to be the group leader announces they have to move.  So six of them move to the glass seats in section 101 and four stay with me, moving to seats one through four, the whole time glaring like I've done something wrong.

Oh well, at least I've got my seats, right? Ha! Next to arrive? AN ENTIRE PEEWEE HOCKEY TEAM!!! Well over a dozen rowdy, sticky, spilling, dripping, jumping, horribly behaved kids fill in the rest of the row. More kids file in behind them.  Where are their parents??!! These kids were so bad, I moved closer to the original Seat Stealers to attempt getting away.

During the first period intermission, two of my adult row mates start making out so hard I thought I might need a condom!!!

Some time during the third period, thankfully, the bad kids ran off. Sweet little Trent appeared and what does he do? Starts picking up all the trash the other kids left!!

Sadly, most every game, this scenario plays out in some form. Like I earlier said, if people are polite about it, it's not a big deal, but by far most Seat Stealers lack basic human manners. Tonight, I plan to speak with the BOK Center usher of our section. I'm highly doubtful this will accomplish anything, but for my own sanity, I have to try. We've got a long season ahead of us . . .

Lets go Oilers!!!! :-)

Hockey is Waaaay More Fun Than Lounging on the Sofa!!

2011-11-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

Remember our Romance Road Trip? Gorgeous Louisa and her

super-talented Oilers goalie, Ian, are still an adorable couple!!

After a freakishly hot summer here in Oklahoma, it's cooling down and time for Oilers Hockey!! I've been sick for so long with that *&^%$ mystery tummyache, I was beginning to doubt if I'd even make it to the first few games. Finally, the last test with the last specialist showed a not-so-little problem that landed me in surgery a few days later.

Fast forward a little over a week and while I tire easier than I'd like and still have twinges of surgical pain, the mystery knife pain that's held me prisoner since May is gone. Can I get an Amen?

I'm not just being a drama queen when eluding to pain being the ultimate warden. After a while, I felt caged. Pain pills made me nauseous, which only made me feel worse. Thus, I've spent months on the sofa and it was getting old. Now that I'm sprung, I've been deep cleaning the house that's felt dormant and at least trying to catch up on laundry. Hannah and I went girl-shopping Saturday afternoon and I did lunch with Russell Sunday afternoon.

Another task Hannah and I tackled is buying silverware--more specifically, forks. We were down to three. How does that happen? Where did they go? We now have a nice, new set I'm counting after meals!!

Wish I had some clever moral to this story or a definitive reason for what I went through. I have gained a new respect for anyone suffering from chronic pain. Having had one doctor tell me it was all in my head, don't take that sort of disrespect!! Only you know your body and insist the search for the problem doesn't end until you say!!

Quick shout-out of thanks to my amazing family and friends who've suffered this with me--Big Terry, Little Terry, Hannah & Russell, Mom & Dad, Margaret, Winnie, all of my fab Facebook friends local and far away, and of course Sweet Pea, Cocoa and Daisy--at the worst of this, you all made life worth living.

As for my Oilers, they're doing great!! Yesterday, since Hubby's out of town and Hannah was doing her Ice Girl thing, Louisa and I cheered them on to a HUGE win over Wichita!! Let's Go Oilers!!!

An Ode to the Renaissance Woodbridge--and Two HUGE Complaints!!!!

2011-10-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

The wall in this lounge was glitter, people!!!!

Let me preface this by saying I've been to a lot of hotels. I LOVE hotels!!! I write better, my hair looks better, I'm sure I'm thinner, and in general life is sublime. While this hotel in no way compares to say a fancy schmancy resort hotel, for a conference hotel, I was blown away!!! Anyone who knows me, knows I'm at heart an interior designer wannabe and the designers of this place should win a MAJOR award!!! The theme? Mod chandeliers, traditional chandeliers,crazy Willa Wonka oversized furniture, bowls with floating mums, wild floral motif carpet done in hot pink and red and purple and blue. Sounds like a hot mess, but it's so right, I can't stop gasping!!!

Interestingly enough, I mentioned my wonder and joy of the decor to the fab Renee Ryan who also writes for Harlequin and she said she didn't like the decor. She's from Savannah and found it all a tad too much--you know, how a true Southern belle would say? She's so stinkin' gorgeous and gracious and talented, I have to love her even though on this issue we disagree. My roomie Winnie Griggs hasn't shown much opinion at all, other than standing patiently while I take pics to send to daughter Hannah.

Now, on to the complaint section . . . Only one mirror in our room--and that's in the bathroom. Um, Mr. Marriott, I might wear sweats and have icky hair 341 days a year, but at conferences, I want to look good!! Since there wasn't a mirror I could stand next to in order to apply mascara and eye make-up, I had to sit on the commode lid using my powder mirror set up on the vanity!!! Not very elegant, but it got the job done.

Second complaint . . . Not enough outlets. Mr. Marriott, I travel in packs of romance writers. We schlep laptops and cell phones and hair dryers and hot rollers and straighteners and curling irons and netbooks--all of which utilize this amazing thing called ELECTRIC!!!!!!

Okay, rant over, time to go ooh and ahh over more pretty light fixture--oh, and we're giving a workshop today, too!!

Breaking Up is Hard to Do . . . RHONJ Style!!

2011-10-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Real Housedogs of Casa Altom after they'd just shredded something . . .

I'm putting it out there--I'm a Real Housewives fanatic. Any city, any time--except Miami. (That one didn't so much much work for me.) The New Jersey season just wrapped and even the morning after the reunion, I'm sad.

Maybe since visiting the fab New Jersey Baccari family this summer, I have a deeper understanding of what it's like to be Italian. They really do live and love larger than life and the women are powerhouses!! I'm in awe of how much Italian women manage to squeeze into any given day!! The Jersey housewives, each in their own way, display these same characteristics.

I've watched RHONJ since the first episode and last night was the start of a train wreck of MAMMOTH proportions!!! I've always been a huge Teresa fan as she's everything I'm not. Thin, big hair, fun sparkle-fur clothes and never afraid to loudly say what she feels. I'm a huge Caroline fan because she's most like me. Not flashy, wears sweats while preparing Christmas dinner and is a lioness when it comes to loving/protecting her children.

These two have been allies against common enemies for years, so to see them last night attacking each other was jarring. Thank my lucky stars, knock on wood, turn around three times and howl at the moon, but so far I've only experienced the total annihilation of one close friendship and it still makes me sad. Last night's show brought back those icky feelings I have no wish to revisit.

My plea to the housewives is to play nice!! Life's too short for this level of animosity!! Teresa--apologize!!! Caroline--calm down and don't take yourself so seriously. Obviously, I don't know these people, most likely will never meet them, yet they enter my home on a regular basis and for whatever odd reason, I care about all of them. And as much as I love it, I wonder if reality TV is the devil?

Wonder if anyone's done documentaries on these people as to how being part of a reality show has hurt/helped their lives? Like the lottery winners who think their every dream has come true only to discover winning brought nothing but pain.

Have sooooo much to do today that in no way involves RHONJ, but because I didn't fully believe what I was seeing last night, I watched it again and sure enough, Teresa has been voted off the Jersey "island" due to a couple of lines in her new cookbook.

I also blame her editor/agent/publicist for getting her into this situation. If I say anything that could remotely be construed as objectionable to anyone my editors have always urged me to reword or delete. My agent catches things before they even hit any editor's desk. I'm assuming the lack of editing done in this case was more about the almighty dollar than anyone caring about these families. Teresa, girlfriend--call me. I'll hook you up with genuinely caring people who have your back!!

If there's anything to be taken from this sad situation that I can use in my own daily life, it's that from now on I vow to never write in one of my books that a character is only 1/16th Italian!!!

A Harley and a Girl Named Gypsy . . .

2011-10-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

Sweet Pea, who at the ripe old age of 98 dog years is the senior citizen of our family!!

Happy Friday!!

So excited for a mini-road trip to Arkansas I'm taking today with my kiddos and Daisy to meet a new family member--Gypsy! But before I tell you who Gypsy is, you have to suffer through the back story of how this 9lb baby entered our lives . . .

The last book in my Buckhorn Ranch series, A Baby in His Stocking, is released next month. UPS brought my author copies yesterday and I got all misty over the dedication. (I turn in books a good six months or more before they're published, so a lot of times what the dedication is has nothing to do with my current life, but was meaningful to me when the book was turned in.) We're a dog family, so I dedicated this story to Noodle, my parents' dachshund who lived to the grand, old age of eighteen.

When you think about how much happens in our lives over eighteen years it's mind-boggling. Our kids grew from infants to college, I think we've had three presidents, MTV stopped playing videos, cell phones are now postage stamps instead of bricks and TVs are flat as stamps!! Raise your hand if you remember how exciting seeing your first big screen TV was!!

Noodle the Wonder Wiener was there through it all, most importantly the passing of both of my grandparents and my favorite great-aunt and uncle. . . . Here I go again, making myself all weepy.

Losing Noodle was crazy hard on my mom. I think if she'd had her way, she'd have gotten a puppy right away, but my parents do a lot of traveling and Dad put the kabash on getting another dog.

Fast forward more than a few months and Dad is out riding his Harley--yes, you read right!! Mom loathes it, as the helmet musses her hair, but she does have all the latest Harley fashions that she sported for Fayetteville's Bikes, Barbecue & Blues. (I cannot keep that name straight, so sorry if I got it wrong.) Anyway, Dad's on his bike and sees this little dog weaving out of the weeds on the side of a country road.

He was in a fairly desolate area, and since it looked like a dachshund, he got off his bike to investigate. Sure enough, he'd found a starving, dirt-covered wiener!! Mom reports her being skin and bones, but still wriggling and kissing in true dachshund style. They asked all over Farmington if anyone had reported losing a dog, then took her to a vet for a check-up and to see if she had an ID chip (those weren't around when Noodle was born, either!). With no chip and my mother already in love, the vet urged them to give the dog a new home.

Mom called to discuss names and decided the usual Heidi and Pretzel wouldn't do. Dad refused to stand in the front yard in his robe yelling for Cupcake or Cutie so I suggested they name her something that told the story of how they found her. A few hours later, Mom called back and made the formal announcement that our new family member shall be christened Gypsy!!

Welcome anyone to your family lately?

You've Never Tasted RANCH??!!

2011-09-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

The morning's view of fog rolling off the Mississippi.

In the far left corner, you can just see the bridge.

When my dear friend and fellow writer, Winnie Griggs, had no roommate for the ACFW conference in St. Louis and offered me a few free nights at the Hyatt, I was instantly on board!! Not only do we have kinks to work out on a two-hour workshop we're giving at New Jersey RWA's Put Your Heart in a Book next month, but something about nice hotels makes me write like the wind!! (Already sent a fun new project to my agent last night!!)

Anyway . . . We got adventurous for dinner last night and walked a few blocks west of the hotel to this place called Calicos. Anyone who's a fairly close friend of mine knows I have a thing for ranch dressing. All right, let's call it more of an obsession, but I'll claim it!! I LOVE RANCH!!!

We get our menus and what do I see? Beer-battered Zucchini strips--be still my heart!! Angels sang!!! Only one problem--how was the ranch? Homemade with buttermilk? Or from a big jug of Great Value Imitation Ranch? As any respectable ranch lover would, I asked our waitress what kind of ranch they serve.

She got a blank stare, and I swear to you said, "I don't know. Never had ranch."

WHHHHHAAAATTTTT???????

At this point, I felt a little faint. She had to be twenty-something. How had she made it this long in the world without ever learning the joys of a superb buttermilk ranch? I got a little panicky, thinking it might be time for a ranch intervention!!

My dining companion talked me down, assuring me the ranch would be fine. Being from Louisiana, though, she felt my apprhension.

My food comes and the zucchini is beyond extraordinary!! Long, lovely quartered strips with just the right amount of batter. In the center of the dish is my ranch. Hands trembling, I go in for the first dunk. Anticipating the tastes of Tulsa's Hideaway Ranch or Ron's, you can't imagine my displeasure to find it wasn't real ranch!!! It wasn't just from a jumbo, industrial-sized bottle, but had to have been part glue. Chef Paula Dean would've died on the spot. Chef Gordon Ramsay would've told the chef to piss off then shut the whole place down!!!

Sigh. Waitress appeared, so I asked for an alternate dip. She brings an imitation of the sauce Outback Steakhouse uses for their Bloomin' Onion. It was okay, but still not what I wanted. I managed to eat a little, but I wasn't happy!!!

Making matters worse, twenty minutes later the waitress gave me the stink eye, asking in a snarky tone if I was enjoying the new dip. NOOOOOO!

Winnie and I salvaged our evening by snagging free Dove Chocolates from one of the publishing house giveaway tables!!

Never tasting ranch . . . Pffft. Ridiculous.

2011-09-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Me and Tulsa City Councilwoman Karen Gilbert!

Last night was a first for me--attending a candidate watch party after an election. The candidate--Karen Gilbert--has been a friend since our kids were in third grade. They're sophomores in college now, so you do the math!! Over the years, we've spent hours together at PTA meetings and school open house nights. I write about doing things, but Karen is one of those people who actually does things. Everything!!! She's a fireball I greatly admire. Any goal she sets, she doesn't just meet, but exceeds, with grace and integrity and great wardrobe flair. (Always a plus!)

Throughout the years, for as much as Karen has done for Tulsa Public Schools, I've urged her to go bigger. She's the kind of woman who inspires and isn't afraid of a challenge. She tirelessly fights for what she believes is right and is a champion of the underdog. She launched an anti-bullying campaign for which she was recently awarded by our governor. Karen worked SO HARD on her campaign for a seat on city council and as is usually the case when she sets her mind on accomplishing something, she got the job done. My dear friend is now to be addressed as Madame Councilwoman and the whole thing has me more than a little teary.

Why? Simple answer--I'm drawn to dreamers. There's nothing more thrilling to me than folks who have big dreams and aren't afraid to go for them. Karen put herself and family on the line in taking on this campaign. Sure, had she lost, no one would've died or anything, but it still would've been hard. Even knowing that, she trusted enough in her resolve to take on the challenge.

Tying all of this in to writers, or athletes, or anyone working for a job promotion, last night was a reminder that dreams seriously do come true. My sweet and funny friend is suddenly putting her talents to work on a pretty big stage and I couldn't be more pleased.

About a month before Karen announced her candidacy, I complained of a stomachache. Months later, after surprise gallbladder surgery and more unpleasant tests than I care to count, I still have a raging stomachache. Having been sick for months, I'm noticing a trend in myself that's distressing. I'm forgetting how to dream. I spend my days on the couch, nurturing this pain the way I used to nurture my family and friends and career. I despise this new side of myself and want to fix it. My next specialist appointment isn't until October, but if there's anything last night taught me, it's that I can't just shut down until doctors figure out what's wrong.

Karen's happiness and drive are contagious and fed me a huge dose of resolve to not let this temporary setback in my health beat me. My goals for today are writing five pages, unloading the dishwasher and cooking Hubby and myself a healthy dinner. Not much, but it's a start toward regaining normalcy. Another thing I'm going to do is make a fresh list of dreams. Some giant, some small, some a little nutty, but all mine and all achievable as long as I give them that initial seed.

What are your dreams? What are you doing to make them come true?

Still stuck on the couch instead of my big, green chair!!

2011-08-14T06:23:00.000-07:00

In the hospital, my toes were the only thing looking good!!

Where to start . . . Right after returning from NYC, I finally went to the doctor about a nagging stomachache that'd been dogging me for a few weeks. My doctor ordered a gazillion tests, most of which came back fine. Meanwhile, my formerly nagging tummy was now screaming!! Weeks and more tests passed and I had surprise gallstone surgery. I was actually pretty pleased about this, as now that I finally knew what was wrong, I could finally get back to living instead of frowning on the couch!! The surgery was a great success and soon I was back on my couch, only with the promise that in a matter of days I'd be mostly back to normal. Hubby was a fantastic nurse and my dogs even managed to stay off the worst of my ouchies!!

Fast forward a week and I'm off pain meds and guess what's back? My original stomachache!! Screaming louder than ever!! Grrr. Meanwhile, Hubby landed an amazing new job, which is great, but the downside is a transition in health insurance. Do we even have it? Once we got documentation proving we're insured, back to the doctor I went, and next week I'm all set up for a flurry of new tests with a new specialist. Yay!!

Daisy pouting when I wouldn't let her sleep on my tummy!

Until then, I'm still on the sofa instead of my big green chair. Seeing friends for a few hours at a baby shower yesterday reminded me how much I'm missing my usual life. Being upright for three hours might as well have been running a marathon. I went straight home to sleep. So far, the only good thing to come of all this is losing a few pounds, but as a diet expert, I know there are far easier ways to diet!! LOL!!

Have any of you had a mystery illness? If so, if you don't mind my asking, did it ever get fixed? I could really use a happy ending about now!!

Happy Birthday to my Twins--Hannah & Terry!!!!

2011-07-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

My wonder twins--Hannah & Terry!!

Today, my twins turn nineteen, and I'm feeling a little misty. They're still in bed, but I've been up for an hour, putting up a few streamers and trying to figure out what to do today. As the temp in Tulsa is predicted to be hotter than the surface of the sun, the zoo is out. We've seen all the movies. Maybe the aquarium--which always leaves me craving a nice, buttery seafood lunch??!!

Hannah and Terry were miracle babies. It took Hubby and I nearly two years to conceive, then I had trouble from the start. Horrible nausea led to dangerously high blood pressure and too many incidents of premature labor to count. I was on bed rest for months and months--only allowed up each day for a brief shower and the potty. During the delivery, I almost died from a bizarre complication. Long story, but after an 8:30AM c-section, I didn't get to hold my babies until late that afternoon.

Because it was such a struggle getting them into this world, I've always tended to go overboard on their birthday. We've had blow-out parties featuring live bands and Jupiter Jumps and Safari Joe with all of his critters. As much as I complain about some of their not-so-fun teen idiosyncrasies, all-in-all, this mom couldn't be more proud.

I love my Hannah and Terry more than I thought it was possible to love, which is scary now that they're getting so "old". I'm struggling with letting go, but Hubby's helping, reminding me that's what we raised them for--to lead happy, fulfilling, independent lives. The thought of which just starts me crying all over again!!!!

Anyway . . . Sniff, sniff. Today, we will no doubt manage to find BIG, high-caloric fun. Tonight, as of my latest Intel, both kids are hanging with friends. Which again, is how it's supposed to be. Hubby and I will share a quiet dinner and reminisce, wondering where the years have gone . . .

My Top 10 Petty (and not so petty) Annoyances!!

2011-07-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

I miss winter!!

It hasn't just been one of those days, but one of those weeks. In that spirit, rather than bore you with details of how every single day has been chock full of ick, I figured why not compose a list of general annoyances and see how many of them bug you, too!!

10. Stomachaches

My stomach has hurt for a solid month!!! I've tried every kind of antacid and potion, but nothing helps. My mom keeps telling me to go to the doctor, but I know it's stress. I'm worried about so much I'd need a Top 20 to even partially cover the angst in my life--and we lead a fairly calm life. My heart goes out to any of you who have really horrible stresses!!

9. Magazines that Look Great in the Check-Out Lane, but Don't Really Say Anything

Petty, but annoying. I LOVE all of Bravo's Housewives series, so when I saw a copy of In Touch with New Jersey housewife, Teresa, opening up about her husband going to prison for ten years, I was on auto-grab!!! I HAD to know what was going on!!! Alas, nothing was going on other than a possible lawsuit that hadn't yet happened and probably won't. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy she won't be without Joe for ten years, but I'm now without $2.99, because In Touch got a little too aggressive with their cover story.

Another magazine gripe while I'm on a roll--the diets promising to lose ten pounds in a week!!! LIES!!!! (But I'm a dufous and fall for it every, stinkin' time!!)

8. Cleaning the Bathrooms

We have three of these beasties in our house. The master, the guest and the kids', which I haven't set foot in for three years!!! Honestly, it's only been a couple weeks, but even that's too much!! I trust the kids are tidy down there, but who really knows? I try so hard to keep the rest nice, but why can't someone invent a cleaner that does everything? I'm tired of needing separate cleaners for the toilet, shower, marble counters, laminate counters and mirrors. I'm also tired of toothpaste spots on said mirrors. Why does someone in my home feel the need to brush so aggressively that toothpaste explodes all over the mirror??? Warning--I WILL find you, and when I do, get ready to scrub!!!

7. Fleas

I just adore this summer treat that seems to invade every May--NOT!!! This May, I bathed all three dogs in Frontline only to still have fleas. $70.00 more dollars and another month later, I repeated the drill. Still we had fleas. My mother lives in Arkansas and swears by a new flea product called Comfortis. It's a miracle!!!!!! I've tried getting it in Oklahoma, but our vet says it doesn't work. I say, bull. We will from now on be setting up an anti- flea pipeline to Arkansas.

6. Exercising

I could literally walk eight hours a day and gain weight. We joined Gold's Gym and weigh more now than when we joined a year ago!! I've tried Wii Fit, but hate that, too. Now, if I could snorkel, scuba, hike-in-a- real-forest-that-isn't-a-hundred-miles-from-my-house or snow ski here in Oklahoma, then I'd be happy and skinny. Until then, I will protest all forms of movement--especially in the heat of summer!!!

5. Dieting

This should probably top my list, but I have so many other things bugging me right now, that this one doesn't seem so bad. I loathe counting calories or points or carbs. Hubby and I were just talking about when the kids return to school, we'd like to purge the house of anything naughty. Lately, I've been using watermelon as my go-to treat. It's good. But then I have to pee a lot. Which reminds me I need to clean the bathroom. Which gets me grumpy all over again!!

4. The Yard

We live in the kind of neighborhood filled with mostly rich, retired people who have nothing better to do with their time or money than worship their yards. They have grass people and flower people and tree people. I have three, lazy teens and no money. (I'd do it myself, but my eyes would be swollen shut for a week!) I offer to pay them and they say they make more at their real jobs. I've tried being nice about it, but no more. If the backyard isn't mowed by this weekend--for free--I'm turning off cell phones. (Hubby and I pay for the front yard to be mowed by a nice man who actually does a lovely job. If only he weeded flower beds and/or trimmed bushes and trees . . . )

3. Kids who Don't Pay Their Bills

On the fridge, I keep a markerboard that has a running tab of how much The First National Bank of Mom and Dad is owed. All three kids owe monthly for cell phones, car insurance and two owe for car payments. Some months we get paid, some months, we don't. I understand if something important comes up and they can't pay in full, but when two months go by with no payment, it makes me crazy. Again, I'm thinking it's time to get ugly.

2. Insurance

If added together--car, home, health, life--we pay WAY more for insurance per year, then we do for our mortgage!!! Combine that with agents who don't return calls and bills and fees that make no sense and I'm losing my mind!!! This could launch a whole new debate, but as a kid, I don't remember my parents even having medical insurance--let alone dental. I was paying bills the other day and it dawned on me that a huge portion of our income is consumed by fees for technologies that didn't even exist when Hubby and I were kids.

2A. Thieves

This week we experienced bank fraud. I'm pretty sure my bank is covering our losses, but not for a while. I have the info available on my statement to track down these people in their California lair. That said, why can't my bank find them? Cuff them? And put them in jail forever?

1. Heat

I HATE excessive heat!!!!! I'm a typically calm and rational, good-humored person. Hit me with weeks and then months of temperatures over 100 and I feel crazed. Our AC never stops running and I'm still hot. What happens to folks who don't have AC or can't afford it? In the winter, I can put on a coat to stay warm outside, but with this kind of weather, I feel so helpless. Usually, this type of heat doesn't strike Tulsa until the end of July, but we've had HOT, HOT, HOT weather now since early June. I water my porch plants at six AM and by noon, they're already drooping. I'm ready to move. NOW!!! Only first, I'd need to mow and clean bathrooms and change insurance and I'm pretty sure even exercise, since I'd have to pack boxes.

Okay, whew . . . That's pretty much it. But if #1 dropped to eighty degrees, I'm guessing all of my other complaints would vanish!!!

All right, come on, people!! Tell me what's bugging you!!!

. . . Feeling like a Disney Villain!!!

2011-07-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

Prim and proper Daisy

**Warning, if you're not an animal lover, turn back now!!**

Not sure if I told the blogosphere, but last month my mom lost her dachshund, Noodle. She'd had him for eighteen years, so it was a tough loss. With that in mind, when Hannah and I started planning the Romance Road Trip, our first concern was who's going to watch Daisy? Yes, the boys will be home, but only sort of. Hubby works all day and I don't even want to know what Not-so-Little Terry does all night!! Russell has moved on to that great land called TU Apartmentville, so that left Daisy alone and crying for the two weeks Hannah and planned to be gone.

Knowing my mom was hurting and Daisy loves nothing more than to be loved and adored 24/7, I figured who better to watch her than her great-grandma? Mom agreed. The day before leaving for the East Coast, we met up at the BK Lounge halfway down the turnpike and made the exchange.

The next day, we were somewhere in Illinois when I got the call from Mom that Daisy had fleas and needed a haircut and her nails trimmed, but Mom was on it. That dog was primped, pampered and plucked within an inch of her life, but came out of the operation looking more like a prim and proper Yorkie than the hairy little beast we all love. She's still adorable, but in a different way.

As the days went by, each time I called Mom for a report, I heard more about how much Daisy loves barking at golfers and refuses to eat hamburger, but she LOVES salmon!!! Um, so do I!!! Mom and Dad have a raised bed, so Mom slept in the guest room to make sure Daisy didn't fall.  The more cute stories I heard, the more my stomach churned. When we used to leave the twins with my parents when they were babies I didn't hear this much cooing!!

Yesterday was the big day for us to meet back up at the BK Lounge to take Daisy home. When we arrived, Mom cried to give her up. I don't mean a sniffle, but cried. My heart ached. Had it been up to me, I would've given Mom the dog.

Don't get me wrong, I love this dog like crazy, but I also have two other dogs, two cats, my own kids, drop-in kids, a high maintenance Hubby and wonderful friends I don't see near enough of. My heart is full enough to share. Trouble is, Daisy isn't my dog, but Hannah's. And from the second we walked in the door from our trip, all Hannah has wanted to know was when we were picking up Daisy?

I now feel lower than low to have even asked my mom to watch the dog. Never in a million years did I see this coming. I offered to buy Mom a puppy, but she sort-of laughed and said she didn't want a puppy, she wanted Daisy.

When I was a kid, all I wanted was to be grown-up. Everything would be perfect if only I were sixteen and then eighteen. Twenty-one. Now that I'm forty, I sometimes feel as if decisions are hurtling at me like hailstones. And now, I'm the one crying. And Daisy doesn't really seem herself. And I wonder how much time I have left with my parents and was this one of those decisions I'll later look back on thinking, if only I'd done something differently?

To clarify, for me this issue isn't just about a dog, but my responsibilty as a daughter to my mother.

My family is terribly small. Mom and Dad, Grandpa Alisch and a couple uncles and distant cousins--all of whom live in different states.  Dad has this uncanny knack for making friends wherever he goes. He's thrilled wiling away days tinkering on his boat or Harley. Mom reads, watches Y & R, and gets her hair and nails done. I constantly worry if she's lonely. When she had Daisy, something about her sparkled. Daisy seemed to give her purpose. All of which lessened my worries over living two hours away.

One tiny Yorkie. Seems like such a small thing for me to have such an awful stomachache over, yet here it is, and I feel like a villain for even suggesting Mom watch the dog.

Romance Road Trip--Day Fourteen Thousand Eighty-Three/Flips and Flops

2011-07-07T02:30:00.000-07:00

Romance Road Trip primary objective complete!!!

Hannah and Antonio goofing in the pool!!

Happy to report that as of about three yesterday afternoon, the Romance Road Trip officially ended with our rolling up to Casa Altom and me finally landing my bootie back in my big, green chair!!!

After souvenir distribution, sharing stores with Big & Little Terry and a mini road trip out for Bueno, I crashed hard and didn't wake until now--3:11 AM. Considering I have book proposals and laundry to do, along with 80,000 e-mails and 90,000 snail mails to deal with, I figure why not put off all of that until at least dawn and get right back to doing what I do best--procrastinating!!!! LOL!!!

Thanks to the Marriott Marquis, I was unable to keep a running journal of our days as I'd planned, so to conserve time and my already lagging energy, in the spirit of summer, let's list the trip's overall Flips and Flops. (Get it? Flip-flops??!!)

Flips

At Harlequin's Media Savvy Day, I learned new tricks--such as posting the Harlequin link and above link for Bueno!! Still not sure why links are good, but if web guru, Malle Vallik, tells you to do something--do it!!!!!
Seeing Kirstie Alley at The Plaza Hotel for tea and Tweeting about it!!
Having Kirstie answer my Tweet--well, it was sort of her. I'm sure it was really her "people", but you have to think at some point she may speak with her "people", which would then be sort of like speaking to me??
The Metropolitan Museum of Art!!!! This may have been my second visit, but I'm now even more convinced I've missed entire wings. This place is a national jewel. If you haven't been--RUN!!! NOW . . . I'll wait!! :-)
Junior's Restaurant--Go ahead and use the link to lust, but it won't get you any closer to this freaky yummy and comparatively cheap NYC food!!! (Oops, spoke too soon. Apparently, you can order cheesecake from the site. Ironically, the one item out of hundreds I didn't sample!!! LOL!!
Getting my 25th Harlequin book pin at the Waldorf!!!! Freakishly surreal, magical moment--soon to be followed by a harsh and surprise flop that will appear on its appointed list. (Links are now agitating me to an alarming degree!!! We could've stayed at this gorgeous hotel for less than the Marriott Marquis that has the rudest Priority Gold Card Member desk check-in clerk in the entire chain!!!!)
Lounging in our beds, giggling and grousing with besties Margaret Daley and Winnie Griggs!!! These two have been taking care of me in various locations for over a decade and I'm not sure how I'd cope without them!! Smooches to you both!!!
Visiting Harlequin's NYC office located in the iconic Woolworth building!! Always a treat!!
Watching Mr. Bacarri handle NYC traffic--both awe-inspiring and hysterical!!! (For those of you new to my Green Chair reports, Mr. Bacarri is Hunky Antonio's awesome dad!! Hunky Antonio is my daughter Hannah's Jersey boyfriend. Cute and funny, but he lives ridiculously far away. I know--I just happened to have driven there!!! LOL!! Anyway, if you ever find yourself in an urban traffic nightmare, Mr. Bacarri should be your go-to guy!!!! Can't thank him enough for delivering me safely to and from his lovely Jersey Shore home.
Watching MomMom hit a $1250 jackpot on a fifty cent slot!!!! MomMom is Hunky Antonio's Italian grandmother who is so sweet and funny and charming I cried to leave her!!! Mr. Bacarri works at the swanky Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. At nine on a Sunday night, MomMom announces in her thick Italian accent, "We go see my John at his casino, yes?" YES!!! Also have to give a shout out to PopPop, who is MomMom's hubby!! Cutest couple EVER and they reminded so much of my grandparents and how much I miss them. Had a mini-meltdown, but I'm better now!!
Tasting Rita Bacarri's yummy Italian food!!! Rita is Hunky Antonio's mom, who makes delish lasagna and cookies and chicken thingees and tomato-stuff and tons of other yum-yums for which I was too busy tasting to jot down the official names!!!
Riding in the car with Hannah for FORTY-SIX HOURS!!!! Toss in another four for the round trip to NYC. Truly, I love, love my baby girl who has somehow turned into a young woman!!! We sang, laughed, saw real-live Amish people and tried spreading Oklahoma goodwill and smiles wherever we went--even after being commanded by Hunky Antonio and his Gorgeous sister Vittoria to, "Stop saying 'hi' people will think you're weird!!!" Whatever. I'm pretty sure Hannah and I enjoy being weird!!! LOL!!

Flops

Drop-offs!!!!! All right, time to get this confession out in the open--I'm TERRIFIED of drop-offs!!! Not heights, per se, but the edge right before you get to heights. Driving and drop-offs are seriously my number one phobia and in over 3000 miles, we encountered a lot of them. Safest way I've found to sidestep the issue is by always driving in the fast lane. This way, I'm both safe and speedy!!!
The Marriott Marquis. From perpetually being out of toilet paper, to dangerous, woman-devouring toilets, to their lack of wireless Internet, to the rudest check-in lady in the entire Marriott fleet, can't say I enjoyed the hotel.
Times Square. I know, everyone loves it. It's so exciting, yadda, yadda, yadda, but for me it was overwhelming and scary. I get that the lights are impressive. What TV fanatic wouldn't enjoy skyscraper hugging flat screens, but the place was loud and dirty and what I felt was dangerously crowded. There were tons of families with small kids staying at our hotel and I couldn't imagine having taken our kids here when they were little. I'd've been a nervous wreck. Sorry, but I don't get it.
Not enough Ranch Dressing. New Yorkers don't know how to properly make it, and my open plea to all East Coast Subway employees--when a fluffy patron such as myself enters your fine establishment and asks for Ranch? Glob it on!!!!! It seems no one outside of the Oklahoma/Texas/Arkansas area gets this.
Missing half the Harlequin party. There may be some dissension here, but I'm pretty sure I write for the best line, Harlequin American. Within this line are wonder editors, Kathleen Scheibling, Johanna Raisanen and Laura Barth. Before the party, I was lucky enough to be invited out for pre-party dinner at a super swanky place. So far, so awesome, right? Well . . . Just so happens that Kathleen is a tall, gorgeous, highly athletic blond who suggested we walk to the restaurant, then after our meal, walk to the Waldorf. She said it was a quick, three blocks, no biggee, right? While I have no way of knowing exactly how far our death march turned out to be (it was a gorgeous night for walking), the further we went, the more my tummy protested. I had on my fancy dress accompanied by my brand new wonder-spandex-girdle that was squeezing the life out of me!!! But at least I looked good while dying, so that was a plus, right? We get to the Waldorf, I cry getting my pin, dance like crazy, eat a few yum-yums, take tons of pics, then aching tummy screamed, GO HOME!!!!!!!!! While leaving out the more intimate details of what else tummy told me, the party ended on a bleh note.
Missing my Hubby/Having to be the grown-up. The most stressful part of this trip for me was realizing I was a LONG way from home with only myself to rely on. Yes, I had Hannah, but ultimately, as much as I tease her that she has to take care of me, I was in charge. For what now feels like every moment for the past two weeks, I worried. Did I have enough cash? What if I didn't and couldn't find an ATM? What if I was robbed? What if we ran out of gas? What if the credit card didn't work? What if I lost my room key? What if I couldn't find a bathroom or hotel or got sick or the car broke down or I missed a road or drove off a cliff???!!! I spent so much time worrying, I forgot to have fun. Which is sad. Don't get me wrong, I had pockets of sheer joy! Meeting amazing new friends and reconnecting with wonderful old friends. Watching fireworks over the Atlantic from Cousin Bobby and Sue's condo. Witnessing what I suspect is my daughter's genuine first love. But wow, is it tough being single--even for two weeks!!! What I've realized about myself is just how neurotic I can be. The same qualities that give me the ability to write romance are just as capable of plotting nightmare scenarios for every occasion!! Hubby grounds me and I need him.

Now that my epic journey is over, time to get back to the real world. Have GOT to handle some banking and bills today, wash clothes and convince my mother to give us back Daisy!!! Yesterday she offered to buy her, and I'm pretty sure she was only half joking!!!

Romance Road Trip--Day Seventeen/Nekked People/Killer Toilet

2011-06-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

The Naked Cowgirl with her signature pose!!!

Note the lack of my supposed besties rescuing me!!!

Glory be and Hallelujah!!!! I'm connected to The Internet!!! The multi-hundred dollar a night cave my girls and I currently reside in has none, so we've schlocked all our stuff down to Starbucks for the morning!! Shame on you Marriott Marquis!!!

Where to start? Obviously, I'm way off on my Road Trip day count, but considering how much action has been squeezed into the past few days, I feel like we've been on the road for seventeen!! First, MAJOR thanks go out to Mr. Baccari for bringing me into the city from his sweet, seaside Jersey town. The trip was not for the faint of heart!! I saw more hand-gestures in three blocks here in NYC than I have in two years in Tulsa!!

Times Square is the most insane blend of crazy I can ever remember seeing. In ways it's fun, others scary. I find myself holding on to dear life to the back of my girl, Winnie's, shirts. Margaret's the brave one, always leading the pack, looking back to see if we're following. I wouldn't dream of bringing small children, but I've seen lots. The crush of people freaks me out.

Yesterday was our day of culture, so we did the Met and Guggenheim. Gotta say, the Met is off-the-charts spectacular!!!  Wish I could stay in the atrium/Egypt area for the rest of the week instead of the Marriott!!! This is the room where Jennifer Lopez attended her big party in Maid in Manhattan.  We also saw lots of hunky Greeks and Romans missing arms, legs and pee-pees!! The European china, silver and furniture was also drool-worthy.

Finished with the Met, Winnie's feet hurt, so she went back to the room while Margaret and I walked about five blocks through gorgeous Central Park to the Guggenheim. I'm a HUGE Frank Lloyd Wright fan, so this was big for me. Modern isn't really my thing as far as art goes, but I could certainly appreciate the importance of the pieces. Plus, I picked up a great fridge magnet in the gift shop.

Moving on to the topics I know all of you really want to hear about--NEKKED PEOPLE!!!!!  The Naked Cowboy is pretty standard stuff in Times Square, but The Naked Cowgirl is a woman well into her twilight years who was dancing around with red star pasties covering her naughty bits and not a whole lot else aside from her guitar.  Being me, you know I was fascinated, so I took lots of pics. But then I felt guilty and sad for not helping to support her in what was her career. I tossed a dollar in her bucket, then next thing I knew, she dragged me out in the middle of her cleared circle for a personalized pic!!! Instead of saving me, Margaret and Winnie stood by howling!!!!

Next controversial topic--the attacking toilet.  If one of the three of us should vanish during our NYC stay, look in the sewers, because for sure the commode ate us!!!! It flushes with such force you actually feel as if a giant vacuum is attacking your *ss!!!! What happens if you should want to wipe? If you're left-handed, your elbow hits the flush/suction valve at least fifteen times!!!!! In addition to seeking Internet connections, I'm now auditioning safe toilet locations!!!!

After Starbucks, on tap for today is a trip to the NYC Harlequin offices, which are quite swanky. Alas, most of my business is handled out of the Toronto office, so I probably won't run into too many familiar faces, but I'm still looking forward to maybe finding snacks, wireless Internet, and a safe bathroom!!!!

This afternoon is formal tea at the Plaza. Guess what I'm most excited about?? The Bathrooms!!! I know from previous visits they are the embodiment of elegance and safety. God bless The Plaza, obviously far more civilized than our abode!!!

Pray for me!!! Between nekked people, Internet withdrawal and killer toilets, I may not last the whole week!!!

Romance Road Trip--Day Three

2011-06-25T04:48:00.000-07:00

Check out the view from where we dined in Ocean City high style!!!!

Cheating by writing this on Day 4, but I crashed EARLY last night!!

After a relaxing day lounging at the Baccari house, which is in a nice, ordinary neighborhood, we drove about ten minutes to arrive at a ginormous bridge that carried us directly to CRAZY BEACH FUN!!!! I'm used to Alabama or Texas beaches where you can drives for miles without seeing a soul. Sure, they have fun little bustling towns here and there, but Ocean City is wild!!! Just like on TV--I know I'm a dork, so don't be a hatter by laughing at me so early in the morning--there's a wooden boardwalk that stretches for what felt like miles!! Especially since in typical Laura style, I wore the completely wrong shoes!!

Back to the beginning of our night, we met Cousin Bobby and his wife, Sue. Not only do they summer on the 14th floor of a beyond sweet condo with views that include the boardwalk, occasional dolphins and far off Atlantic City, but they were seriously fun folks!! Bobby's a professor at Villanova and Sue a property manager with great stories.

Watching them prepare chicken picatta, homemade Caesar salad, asparagus and summer squash was akin to viewing one of my fave cooking shows. For dessert, we had peach and blueberry pie made with fresh fruit and topped with ice cream. It was breathtakingly yummy--and y'all know I love my food!!! LOL!!!

After dinner, we walked the boardwalk, which pretty much starts at their building and went on until my feet became bloody stumps. Trouble is, with an atmosphere part carnival, part mall, part people-watching extravaganza, no matter how much I knew my girl Margaret was going to yell at me for wearing myself out before even getting to New York, I couldn't stop. I REALLY wanted a Jersey Girl shirt, but the shirt shops were custom-order with long lines. I did snag a fridge magnet, bottle of sand and cute crab Christmas ornament.

Whew . . . I'm tired all over again just thinking about it!! The only not perfect part of the night was missing Hubby and my boys. I would've loved sharing it all with them, too.

Today, Antonio's sweetheart dad is loading my eighteen suitcases, Tori and Hannah for my trip into NYC. I'm excited, but a little angsty as I'm usually joined at the hip with my girls, Margaret and Winnie. Their flight doesn't even land till five, so I should stay in our room and work. Knowing me, instead of being responsible, I'll no doubt run off on some crazy mission to find the NYC Housewives and/or Regis and Kelly!!!! That said, I vow to wear the right shoes for stalking!!!!

Romance Road trip--Day Two

2011-06-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

Me, lounging in the Bacarri hot tub after our nearly 1400 mile drive!!

At two this afternoon, Hannah and I finally made it to the sweeetest little town on the Jersey Shore where Hannah's boyfriend's folks live. The house is amazing--straight out of Southern Living, but in Jersey!! Mr. Baccari greeted me at the door with a wine spritzer made from homemade wine!! Making our stay even better is the added bonus of Antonio's mother, Rita, being an off-the-charts great Italian chef!!! My tummy is soooooo happy!! I'm thinking would it be wrong for me to skip my conference and just hang here for a while?

The only downside to our stay is Antonio not being here, but hopefully he'll have an awesome weekend at his camp and then be back by Monday.

Tomorrow, we're having a fun ladies day of shopping and a movie, followed by dinner on the Atlantic City boardwalk!! I can't wait!! I also can't figure out what to wear . . . :-)

Romance Road Trip--Day One

2011-06-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

Lousia and Ian--Reunited!!! Romance Mission #1 Accomplished!!!

With my big, green chair about 860 miles west, I'm writing this propped against a pillow pile at a Columbus, Ohio Hampton Inn.

As I didn't know it was possible for a body to be this tired, I'll be quick, but just had to share the pic I promised of the successful completion of Mission #1 of the Romance Road Trip!! I may write books about romance, but can't describe how exciting it was seeing two young people obviously smitten with each other reunited. Not gonna lie--I got a little teary, not just from happiness for the two of them, but wondering what happened to the days when Hubby and I ached to be together.

About thirty seconds after the happy couple left for a night on the apparently happening town of Columbus, I called Hubby and was very much excited to hear his voice. I was profoundly grateful to have him in my life--to get Sprite for me when my tummy hurts and to wholeheartedly support me in this nutty, cross-country mission to enable two lovesick girls who can't afford airfare to indulge in romance.

Hubby and I tell each other every day, I love you, but tonight, I have the oddest sense of feeling closer to him than I usually do. 860 miles from our comfy home, I know he's there for me and always has my back, just as I have his.

Sniff, sniff, enough misty rambling.

Time to gripe about something!! LOL!! Indiana drivers were very rude today--at least the ones we came across. I would've liked more ranch dressing on the Subway we had for lunch in Illinois, and the storm we collided with outside of Indianapolis was SUPER scary!! With tornadoes seemingly everywhere, it was unnerving to be immersed in an alien-green sky with rain falling so hard the wipers couldn't keep up.

On the eastern side of the storm, however, Hannah, Louisa and I encountered one of the strangest weather events I've ever seen--a ground hugging rainbow. It was as if we were directly in it. Surrounded by prismatic light. No gold to be had, but breathtakingly gorgeous. Alas, it wouldn't show up on film, but we felt blessed to have experienced it.

With my eyelids drooping, I'm off to bed, already fretting about the 600 miles we have tomorrow!! Next stop, the Jersey Shore!!!

Romance Road Trip Preview!!

2011-06-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

Daisy, Hannah & the fabulous, Mee-Maw at the BK Lounge!!

After a couple days of being sicker than sick, I'm happy to report my antibiotics have kicked in and we're go for our RWA Conference East Coast launch!!!

Today, Hannah and I met Meeps and Peeps (Grandma and Grandpa for those of you who don't speak Arkie) at the BK Lounge located midway between Tulsa and Fayetteville. I made an executive decision that Daisy needed a level of care while her mother and I are out of town that our boys just aren't able to give. I asked Hubby if he would take her to work with him, but he declined. She's beyond spoiled and pretty much needs attention 24/7. My mom just lost her dog, Noodle, so I figured not only could Daisy benefit from getting love, but my mom from giving it!!

Home from buying Hubby's two week's worth of frozen pizzas and pot pies, the phone rang and it was my mom, reporting that she's in love!! Apparently, Daisy follows her everywhere and wants nothing more than than to sit on her lap and watch golfers whiz by on their carts. Mom has never had a true lap dog, and I've told her for years she needs one. Now, I think she may believe me!!

Since our mini-road trip this morning, Hannah and I have tanned and got our nails did, and are now home to pack. I've already tried on most everything in between runs to Dillard's and Steinmart, so I think I'm pretty good aside from finding my fave black Spanx which have vanished since our Shreveport trip. I know I wore them home, so they have to be here somewhere . . .

I almost forgot my dress for the big black/white ball being held at the Waldorf Astoria!! Remembered just in time to grab it from the cleaners. That would've been a DISASTER!!! Or maybe a blessing, considering the shopping within a few blocks of our Times Square hotel!!

Hannah's friend Louisa should be here soon. I'm hoping to make it to her Columbus, Ohio drop-off point tomorrow, where her boyfriend Ian is picking her up. The two of them are so gorgeous together it hurts to look!! I'll be sure to grab pics!!! Poor Hannah doesn't get to see her hunky Antonio until I've already left New Jersey for Manhattan. He's been invited to a hockey camp in Minnesota, so we wish him the best, but will miss him.

In other Oilers gossip, Hannah worked a promo event Sunday with Derek Eastman and Coach Ramsay. The coach was super nice and gave her shooting tips. Derek? Didn't say a word. Didn't even flash a half-smile. My writer's mind will weave him a sad, dark backstory as to why he's so dour!!

Mean Lady in Green Shorts!!/Contest

2011-06-14T06:26:00.000-07:00

Please help find my missing book!! This is what it looks like!!

Good morning!! Hope your summer is off to a way cooler start than ours here in Oklahoma!! One summer ritual I've had for a good ten years--probably more, but I'm too old to count--is my annual trek to the Romance Writers of America conference. This year, we're back in Manhattan, which means extra pressure to look polished and professional, rather than like I-haven't-left-the-house-in-three-days-and-dribbled-Spaghettios-down-the-front-of-my-shirt!!!

As part of the last push to prepare for my trip, I've been going to the gym--a lot!! I think my butt's a little smaller, but other than that, I haven't seen a whole lot of results. Anyway, yesterday was a half treadmill/half weight day, so Hannah and I schlepped from the movie-treadmill room to the ladies weight area.

In the ladies only area was a woman wearing annoying green shorts. They were bright, ill-fitting and kinda ugly considering how gorgeous she was!! If I had her body, you'd better believe I'd be wearing something seriously hot all the time!! (See what kinds of crazy ramblings fly through my head while on those horrible weight lifting machines??)

I'd just finished strengthening and toning my luscious thighs when the woman sneezed. As I would with any human--usually my dogs, too--I told her, "Bless you." Not only did she not reply, but she gave me a squinty little glare!!!! What was that about?? Was she an atheist? Or just generally not in the mood to be blessed?

Literally, a minute or two later she left, and we never saw her again. So now, I'm asking you--am I wrong in blessing folks when they sneeze? I appreciate every blessing I can get, and assumed everyone felt the same!! Comments? Other blessing experiences? Grrr.

In happier news, I supposedly have a book out this month called, A Cowgirl's Secret. That said, I have yet to see it here in Tulsa, because all of the May releases are still on the shelves. If you've seen my sweet story anywhere--Poughkeepsie, Mongolia, Detroit--please let me know!! First person to tell me where they found their copy wins their choice of any two books on my backlist, plus a romance-themed charm bracelet!! (Amazon doesn't count!! LOL!!!)

It's Raining "Man" at the Tanning Salon!!!!

2011-06-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

Not a good likeness to Tanning Man, but hunky all the same!!! LOL!!

In case you somehow missed one of my eight thousand posts about daughter, Hannah, being an Ice Girl for the Tulsa Oilers, she was/is one (tryouts for next season are in July). Her Ice Girl coach, who just won a double-header of beauty titles and accompanying crowns announced right after Christmas that the girls needed to tan, as tan fat looks better than white fat.

While I have no scientific proof for this statement, the coach is stunning and tan and while preparing for my annual trek to the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference, it has come to my attention that I may have some jiggly white stuff in need of attention!!! I know tanning's not good for me!! I'm Czech and whiter than white, but in lieu of actually losing weight, this is my only hope of looking like Penelope Cruz in a little over two weeks.

(I am faithfully going to the gym every day, too, but in case I fail to spontaneously lose 400 lbs in two weeks, tanning's my only hope!!)

Okay, so that's the background on why I'm tanning.  Hannah's tanning so she will look hot on the Jersey Shore with her hockey-playing Guido. A sucker for love, I'm driving to RWA so Hannah can see Antonio and her friend, Louisa, can see Ian (we're dropping off Louisa in Ohio!!) More on the Romance Road Trip to come, but back on today's topic--the hot tanning man!!!!

Yesterday afternoon, I left my little tanning room to see Hannah. She made an odd excited, eye-jerk, for me to look behind her. (She tans on a different hall.) I didn't think too much about it, when WHAM!!!! This bronzed god steps behind her. Like, I literally couldn't close my mouth and neither could she. He was all muscled-up and of course, tan. Wore some kind of manly shorts and a T-shirt and had longish blond hair pulled back in a ponytail--totally not my usual type, but OH MY!!!!!!! He carried a Louis Vuitton backpack that had to be pushing $5000 and climbed into a navy BMW. The whole ride home, Hannah and I couldn't stop giggling and daydreaming about what this amazing alien creature was doing in a Tulsa tanning salon!!! If anyone in Tulsa knows this hunk, please give him my number!!!!! ;-)

Is it Monday Yet?

2011-06-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

It's official--the worst week I've had in a while has been crowned by the worst weekend. Surprise bills, dental work, angsty kids, dead fridge and now, a neighbor I'd like to drop kick into the next county.

Since the lovely gentleman doesn't even know my name, I feel free to vent. Last Fall, he replaced a retaining wall that tore our side yard to shreds. It was a nightmare for days and days and days. A loud, messy mud pit that resulted in our master sprinkler box being crushed by the same back hoe that damn near slid into the house. His crew finally fixed the box, but not before our water bill went up by a hundred big ones. To polish the project, he literally tossed down a few sheets of sod and that was that. All these months later, with half of our side yard still dirt, I figured it was high time his team finish their job.

I just caught him outside and asked very politely, when he had a chance, could he please have one of his crews--there are at least half a dozen each week--finish sodding our side yard. Here's how that conversation played out:

"What's wrong with it? There's as much grass as there ever was."

"Sir, with all due respect, before, there were at lease green weeds to mow. Now, there's only dirt."

Big sigh. Huff. Stomp. "It looks better now than it ever has."

"Yes, but half our side yard is dirt. When we allowed you to tear our yard apart, you promised to make it right. This isn't right."

"Fine. Whatever. I've got to have work done next week. I'll have'em do it."

"Thank you." I turn to head into the house.

"Those vines are ruining your house. You need to take them down."

"I like them. They add character."

"They're ruining your house. Gonna make your roof leak. If that's what you want . . ." Big shrug, huff and bonus sigh.

"That's what I want. Thanks."

I'm sooooooo angry. Why do people have to be this way??? Seriously??? I thought I might make the tail end of the ladies' weekend I've been planning to attend literally all year, but at the rate this week has gone, I'd crash and burn on the toll road.

Instead, I'm off to mix a nice adult beverage, plop down in my big, green chair and focus on wishing for my neighbor to vanish from my life and prosper elsewhere. Oh--and did I mention he had no shirt on? Yum--NOT!!!!

Tulsa has vampires!!!

2011-05-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hannah and Louisa before an Oiler's game!!

After much daughter drama and finally buying Netflix only to watch more buffering than movie, I didn't get around to even trying to go to bed last night until 12:30. Before reaching the bedroom, Hannah charged up the stairs, proclaiming her friend Louisa had run out of gas and she was going to rescue her. When she invited me to tag along, I figured why not? I'm always up for an adventure.

Louisa was stuck across the street from Whataburger near Cherry Street and Lewis. Since we're way further south than that, I just took Lewis all the way up. So there's hardly any traffic and lights are green and I'm thinking we're the only people crazy enough to be out this late, right? WRONG!!!

We hit Brookside to encounter five cop cars with flashing lights and sidewalks filled with packs of twenty-somethings in tight black dresses and heels high enough to be weapons!!! For three blocks, people were everywhere--dancing on balconies and on the side of the street. I had no idea all of this was going on so late. Were these folks vampires???

While I got all excited, looking for drunk people and/or hookers, Hannah rolled her eyes, explaining its always like this--a fact I would know if I stayed up past ten!! A few blocks later, we once again owned the road. We found Louisa and put gas in her hot little BMW convertible. (Yes, I'm jealous!! LOL!!)

Hannah declared Louisa more fun than me and I drove home alone, still wondering how so many people willingly stayed up so late??!! And in spiky heels??!!! Maybe I've watched too many episodes of True Blood? Maybe my eyes don't work like they used to? Either way, I know some of those partiers had fangs!!!

I found other fat people!!!

2011-05-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

Me on a Death March in St. Thomas. I puked twenty minutes later!!!!

Those of you who know me understand I'm somewhat gifted in pounds, but also in love!! LOL!! In my never-ending search for new weight loss methods, I'm now walking at a 15 degree incline on the treadmill, but for only thirty minutes--I used to force myself for an hour, but it hurt and I quit. I really like this thirty minute thing, and while I've only been doing it for a little over a week, I do feel better.

That said, my biggest problem at the gym is the other people. I typically go to Gold's in the afternoon. On any given day, there will be at least a hundred half-naked Gods and Goddesses strutting their stuff, looking more like they're at the gym to see and be seen than work out. I'm the token fat, old chick and it's getting on my nerves--which should make me eat less so I can emulate all of them. But all it really does is make me want to drown my misery in the ooey, gooey warmth of a Big Mac!!!! (I have, however, valiantly resisted this urge, thank you very much.)

Anyway, I find the presence of so damned many freakishly perfect bodies a tad depressing. So this morning, when kid-car-usage forced me into going to the gym early, you will understand my glee at finding others of my kind!!! They were fluffy and had grey hairs and even wore sweats instead of the latest in skin-sucking, neon Lycra!!!!! From henceforth, I will be going to gym early, because for once, instead of feeling like the perpetual ugly duckling, I walked and sweated amongst swans!!!

I'm Stuck in Hitchcock's The Birds!!!

2011-05-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

Cocoa has volunteered to date the bird!! Or maybe eat him.

A lady reserves the right to change her mind!!

I'm basically a nature-loving girl, but if the bird pecking our living room window doesn't knock it off, he may find himself knocked out!!!! I'm guessing he's trying to "date" our deck door. His song is lovely, but then he scrapes his beak against the glass, sending the dogs into a yipping, yapping frenzy!!! This has been going on for three days. I've shut the blinds, but every time the bird pecks, the dogs yap. Combine this with my already bluh mood and I've written one, whole paragraph of my new synopsis!! Maybe I should take my laptop out to the car?

In other news, Hannah is now a nanny!! Her charge is a four-year-old Turkish boy whom she describes as being adorably spoiled. Yesterday, he dribbled cereal and milk on the iPad he was playing with that was housed in a Louis Vuitton cover. Wonder if this family would adopt me? I'm a very neat cereal eater. Just sayin'.

Mayhem or Magic . . . You be the Judge

2011-05-21T05:28:00.000-07:00

At the start of yesterday, it seemed magic was afoot in Casa Altom. By the end of the day, I was just plain ol' ready for bed.

By 6:30AM, I was already hard at work. Had a synopsis to write, farm to harvest and a frontier needing to be tamed. I needed a cookie for sustenance, but alas, there were none. In the midst of all of this heavy labor, Mother Nature was putting on quite a show. Thunder and lightning and rain pounding the skylights so hard I couldn't hear my sheep baa!!

Last Saturday, we had a neighborhood yard sale, during which, I went haywire, snatching up as much junk as I could from every corner of the house. (Stay with me, this is all going to tie together soon!! LOL!!) Eyeing the scum-filled tank of death--otherwise known as the $1000 fish tank all kiddos promised to help clean--I knew this was my time. Most of the fish had long since been cannibalized or sucked up the seafood-loving filter. Three, hearty souls remained. To them, I promised a new, scum free world. To my eldest bundle of joy, I said, "Get that thing and all the crap that goes with it out here to the garage STAT!!! I want it out of my house!!!" He complied. Although, wondered what to do with the surviving fish. I told him--or maybe screeched, it was 42 and blustery in May--to just stick the fish in a bucket. I'd deal with them later. As an aside, the fish tank still sits in the garage.  As of yesterday, the three fish still sat in a pitcher on the bar.

Back to the thunderstorm . . . Our ancient mutt, Sweet Pea, was shivering from the thunder and a lightning flash revealed the last surviving fish. Holy Crap!!! In my joy over never having to see that filthy tank again--unless, in the unlikely event I looked in the garage--I'd forgotten those few remaining souls.

Rain hammering our home, I jumped from my big, green chair and set out on a mission to save the fish. I found I'd already had one more casualty, but two more remained!! They must be saved!! In particular, the neon pink tetra who somehow escaped the cannibalism and outlasted his brethren for at least two years. Can I get an Amen?! Since we still had the old itty bitty tank, I washed it out--lightning cracking so hard I wondered if I'd get struck as punishment for all the fish death.

After a successful transfer of the last black molly, I went for the sainted tetra. He wasn't having it. This little guy is like the Navy SEAL of fish. Finally, I resorted to dumping out all but a mud puddle of water at the bottom of the pitcher. My plan was to then scoop him up. Um, that's when something went horribly wrong. He leaped from my hands and jumped right down the GARBAGE DISPOSAL!!!!! Pretty sure I actually screamed!!! Lightning still flashing, I went into Wonder Woman mode, sticking my arm down that disposal, pulling out pasta and potato chunks and some mystery stuff that scared me plenty bad. Finally, I found the fish, tossed him in the tank and can you believe it, he lived!!!!!

The clouds parted, the sun came out and angels sang--then it rained again, but anyway a happy ending!!! It is now my mission to keep this little guy happy and out of the disposal for many years to come!!

In other news, I dragged my big butt out of my big green chair to go to the gym. My reward?? Oilers player, Derek Eastman, a regular visitor in front of my glass side seats, happened to be lifting weights. Whew.  And I thought he looked good in his hockey suit. Ducking behind our resident Ice Girl, Hannah, I whisper-squealed, "OHMYGOSHISTHATDEREKEASTMAN?" She rolled her eyes and confirmed my suspicions. Alas, the couple times I've talked to handsome, talented Derek, he wasn't especially loving the fan attention.  And contrary to what you probably believe, I've never ambushed him, but only approached him at bona fide fan functions where he was being paid to be nice to me!!!  Whatever. As you can tell by the two hunks in my profile pic, I've moved on!! LOL!!!

Next on my agenda, helped our oldest kiddo, Russell, move into an apartment at TU and I'm actually a tad jealous. It smells heavenly with not a trace of cat or dog and drum roll, please . . . Directly across from his place some seriously yummy, giant football players were moving in. If only I were back in school at my fun & flirty weight!!!

In today's news, Happy 23rd Anniversary Sweet Hubby!!! Out of all of my boyfriends, I love YOU best!!!!!

Ouch!!

2011-05-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

My head used to be so happy back before the great thaw!!!

Dear Spring, PUH-LEEEEEZE stop hurting my head!!! Thanks--Laura Marie :-)

Now that that's out of the way, my head REALLY hurts!! Everyone here in Tulsa is complaining that this is the worst allergy season we've ever had. I concur. If it's not crazy pressure, it's dripping and coughing and sneezing. Almost makes me ready for winter!!

It's been a busy day. Had some fun news that I can't share just yet, but hopefully, will be able to soon. Got a little more updating done on my website. Picked my May book winner--yay, Ruth Vick!!! Worked on a synopsis for the proposals I'm feverishly trying to get out. Ran out to get printer paper only to arrive home to discover we're out of ink!! Even managed to get to the gym. I also managed to cram five cookies into my mouth for lunch.

Lots of kid drama. Bickering amongst the kids. Me, yelling at the kids, etc. Can't believe I'm saying this only a few days into summer, but now that they're in college is it too late for sleepaway camp? LOL!! I love my children, I love my children. If I chant it enough, maybe everything will calm down and we'll once again have clean towels??!! Seriously, my kids mean the world to me, but it's frustrating to buy a case of Sprite intended to last me a week only to have it vanish in a couple hours!! Oh--we also lost five frozen pizzas in the same periodl!!

Can I get an Amen for tomorrow being Friday?

Enough already!!!

2011-05-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Goose babies at the park near our house! Crazy cute!!

All right, Blog Nags (You know who you are!!), I'm back and you'll probably end up being sorry!! LOL!!

Just finished edits on Book #4 of my Buckhorn Ranch series!! YAY!!!! Not sure why, but at one point, I was pretty sure this book might be the death of me. (I know, I say that about every book!!) But this one was seriously hard. Making matters worse was a harsh review on my last book that broke my heart. The grown-up in me knows to take reviews with a grain of salt and move on, but honestly, I think this was the kick in the britches I needed to get back in the habit of sending advance copies to lots of reviewers--at least then I'll have a fifty/fifty shot of finding love!! LOL!!

For once, I'm thrilled with who won Survivor!! Rob has never been a fave of mine, but this season, he showed a lot more heart. I felt for him in having tried to achieve a goal for so long and always just missing. (Case in point, my RITA scores!!) For me, there's always next year to try, but for Rob, I'm guessing this was a last shot situation.

Today, I'm alternately working on updating my website and getting new proposals to my Harlequin American editor. I've gotten a general "go ahead" on a new series idea, and am now in the uncomfortable position of writing up three storylines. LOVE brainstorming. Loathe cramming ideas into a neat and tidy salable package.

With the annual RWA conference looming, I'm worrying about weight, but so far that's the extent of my efforts. :-(

Lots more rambling to come, but for today, I'm back to wrestling with html!!!!

2010-03-14T10:45:00.001-07:00

Hubby & Son in Mexico last summer!

Happy Time Change!! Ugh. LOL!! The clock might say it's noon, but I feel more like six AM!!

My friends all tease me that my life is never boring, and the past few days have certainly proven their point!! On Friday, Hubby was supposed to leave for South Africa. We've been shopping for adapters and luggage locks and specialty batteries for some oddball work thingee of his and making sure all of his medications are filled. We finally got everything ready when an hour before he was due at the airport, the phone rang. It was his doctor, telling him he had diabetes. Upon dropping him at the airport, he was still shaken. I assured him that I'll do everything I can to help him change his diet for the better--lord knows I could drop a few LBs myself!!

Tulsa traffic was insane!! Gridlock and construction and rain in all directions!! It took over an hour to make the normally fifteen minute trek. Hannah and I had just gotten home, lit a fire and settled in for a lazy Friday night when the phone rang. Bad weather in Atlanta caused Hubby's flight to be canceled. Back out into the cold rain we went to pick him up.

With Hubby home, we scrambled to find him something safe to eat. His doctor advised cutting all sugar and white flour products. I had no idea how tough that is!! I made a spinach salad with black beans and grilled chicken, but when it came time to pour on the dressing, even the low-calorie versions are loaded with sugar. I finally resorted to sending the kids out for sugar-free dressing.

I've always been a firm believer in everything happening for a reason and this time is no exception. Friday, my sweet, funny Hubby was pretty shaken up about his diagnosis. Since then, we've done lots of online research and discovered that this isn't a death sentence, but lifestyle change. I'm doing it with him, and it's hard, but we'll make it through. Had he kept to his original schedule, I think his trip would've been ruined by worry. Now, this little extra time to form a nutrition plan has made all the difference.

As a reward, fate gifted him a much simpler direct from Atlanta to Johannesburg flight, as well as a three-day weekend to spend exploring while he's there.

Last night, I fooled around in the kitchen and came up with a chicken, shrimp and brown rice gumbo that was delicious. Hubby made us a spinach omelet for breakfast. Yes, we'll miss Domino's and I-Hop, but after having been married for twenty-one years, we figure we might as well try for thirty or forty more!!

2009-12-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

It's almost Christmas and so far the Grinch has sent $800 worth of heating repairs, $900 worth of auto repairs, one car sent to the junk yard (we had about $5000 in that), $300 for a new garbage disposal, $600 for Hollyball dress, ties, hair, corsages, and just this morning in the midst of printing my edits that are due the 17th, the laser printer decided it needed a new $100 ink cartidge. Oh--and did I mention we finally got the Christmas tree up and gorgeous only to have it topple over, breaking ornaments we've had for decades? (This month's pic is of Abbey, Russell and Hannah all dolled up for the big dance. Terry was off picking up his date!)

Okay, so while none of that has been fun, I was snuggling with Hubby on the sofa last night in front of the fire with a wonderfully sappy Lifetime Christmas movie playing when it struck me how incredibly blessed we are. When we were first married, that much calamity striking at once would've meant a dreaded call to the folks to beg for money. Now, it just means covering the big, honking holes in the sofa with blankets for a little while longer! Ornaments break, but the memories attached to them will be with me forever.

I'm grateful for family and friends and my goofy, infuriating pets. While I need to lose a few pounds, I'm grateful for the bounty of food always in our cabinets and fridge. The older I get, the more it seems like my favorite parts of Christmas have less to do with gifts and more with the true gifts of family traditions. Playing epic games of boys versus girls Trivial Pursuit on Christmas Eve while watching The Grinch and Christmas Vacation. I love seeing friends and baking and the special hush of Christmas morning when it feels as if the whole world's taking a much-needed breather.

Happy, happy holidays to all!! What are some of your favorite family traditions?

Library Update . . .

2009-11-06T18:55:00.000-08:00

I just spoke with my dear friend and fellow writer, Margaret Daley, who was kind enough to point out that our speaking gig is not tomorrow, but Thursday, November 12th. Thanks to Margaret and all of my other friends who keep the dates straight in my head!! Perhaps I should spend less time in my imaginary world, and more time with my planning book?? Groan . . .

Anyway, Thursday, Hardesty Library in Tulsa, 10:30 till 2:00. Be there or be square!! ;-)

Romance in the Stacks!

2009-11-06T08:16:00.000-08:00

Love reading romance? Join me tomorrow at Hardesty Library in Tulsa (8316 E. 93rd) for the first annual Romance in the Stacks!

From 10:30 until 2:00, attend a booksigning, meet & eat lunch with Oklahoma Romance Authors, watch a public program for the Tulsa community, compete for door prizes!

Want more info? Check out:

http://www.odl.state.ok.us/ocb/romance.htm

Hope to see you there!!

I'm Tired!!!

2009-11-03T14:03:00.001-08:00

Having not slept a full night in about three weeks, I see the reason for all of the prescription drug ads for "sleeping aids"! Not sleeping is no fun!! If there's a silver lining to the situation, it's that I'm not teaching anymore. Can't imagine keeping up with my Energizer Bunny middle school kids while feeling like a zombie!!

Logically, I would guess not being able to sleep means you have a lot on your mind, but I'm so tired, my brain isn't even active enough to worry!! Bluh.

Anyway . . . On to happier news, the kids had their last, big Halloween party Saturday night. I'm guessing between 30 and 40 showed up. (This pic is of me in my costume!! I wish!! LOL!!Britney Spears in her costume while we were at her Dallas concert.) We had many looks represented from a nun, vampire, Phantom of the Opera diva, doctor, two lumberjacks, Popeye, Strawberry Shortcake, an Underworld Fairy and my darling kiddos who dressed as Hooter's Girls. Hannah looked pretty. (Her shorts and shirt were MUCH less provocative than the real deal.) Terry, hairy legs and all, might've gotten fired!! Surely Hooter's has a leg shaving policy?! Russell was the smart one by getting scheduled to work that night!! Big Terry hid in my office!!

QT Coffee Should Come With a Warning Label!!

2009-10-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Having literally been up ALL night, I'm more than a little out of it. Around 8:30 last night, Hubby announced he was making a Diet Pepsi and ice run and asked if I wanted to ride along. Seeing how I had nothing better to do than the edits I seriously needed to be working on, I was all about procrastination!! At QT (Quik Trip, Oklahoma's version of 7-11), we were bombarded by a junk food cornucopia that I fought valiantly to resist!! The coffee smelled wonderful, so I went for that, figuring that something warm and rich would get my mind off of the donuts, chili-cheese Frito's and hot dogs!! (This pic is of son, Terry, looking as sleepy as I feel!)

I'm wired very strangely in that caffeine has always had a backwards effect on me. I loaded my steaming Styrofoam cup with cream and Splenda and happily trailed hubby to the counter, proud of myself for having resisted the plethora of temptation!!

I drank the whole 20oz by 9:30 and was working up a storm. By 3:30AM, I'd done 15 new pages!! I tried going to bed at least four times, but each time I touched my head to my fave pillow, my eyes popped open. Seeing how Cocoa and Daisy sleep with me, and Cocoa needs lifting, getting in and out of bed is a lengthy process. Finally, I just gave up. The poor dogs were exhausted, eyeing me with accusatory doggy stares for messing up their full night's rest!

So here I sit, needing to write more, pay the electric and gas bills, do laundry, cram something into my growling stomach and yet I'm so tired all I can think is that I need to never, ever again drink QT coffee!!! Happy Friday . . . Me and the dogs are headed back to bed!!

Daughters are Dangerous!

2009-10-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

Monday was Senior Skip Day here in our fair town. I'm not sure if this was a school-sanctioned thing--I'm guessing not--but when crisp sunny weather and the Tulsa State Fair come to town, come on, who can stand being indoors?

Long story short, Daughter and her best friend set off for the magical land of fried Snickers and pickles and I and my dog posse settled in for a nice, quiet day of writing. Then I got an e-mail. Not just any e-mail, but one containing nothing but a giant picture. Think pink satin and sparkles and crystals as big as my thumb! Next, comes the phone call . . .

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Did you get my e-mail?"

"Yes . . ."

"Aren't they gorgeous? Like the most awesome shoes EVER!!!!!!!"

"Um, they are very pretty, sweetie, but exactly how pretty in monetary form?"

"Compared to last year's Holly Ball shoes, they're CHEAP!!! Like you won't believe how cheap. Please, Mommy? Please put money in my account? I love you . . ."

I look at the picture, envision my precious cupcake of a child on a day when she does the dishes AND cleans the cat box without whining, and you guessed it. My resolve to ween her from all things sparkly crumpled like the old McDonald's bag I'd found under her bed that morning.

"Please, Mommy! I promise I'll even mow the lawn when I get home."

Uh huh. Just like I promise not to eat cookies or ice cream for the next month! Yes, she got the shoes and they are scrumptious, and next time I will be strong and just say no--to the shoes and the cookies! Lucky for me, I'll have a whole year to practice before the fair comes around again! As for the lawn, what girl in her right mind would mow in hot-pink satin, diamond-encrusted shoes?!?!

My Pageant Debut!

2009-10-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

I'm baaaack--again! And this time, to stay. The past few years have been quite a departure from my usual life. Great fun, but teaching middle school doesn't leave a lot of free time for blogging!

Literally, the first day of school in August, I recieved a call from my agent who asked if I would be able to handle a speedy book contract. In short, seeing how I had bulletin boards to assemble, shelves to dust and a supply closet threatening to swallow small sixth graders--no. I'd been having a tough enough time keeping up with current writing obligations, let alone taking on new ones. After a lot of soul searching and long talks with Hubby, we made a family decision for me to return to full-time writing.

While I've wholeheartedly enjoyed working for Tulsa Public Schools, I also seriously love working in my PJs again!! Both of my parents were teachers, and also my grandparents. It's a profession I've always wanted to try, and will always look back upon fondly.

One lesson learned, is that teaching is hard. VERY hard. I went into it starry-eyed and excited to meet my eager students who wanted nothing more than to learn. Ha! Yes, there are a few of those kids out there, but the reality is that there are an awful lot of kids in need. They sometimes arrive at school not having eaten, slept, or even bathed. They worry about not just grades, but bullying and gang issues. There is cyber-stalking and text-hating and even "sexting". Though many public schools in my area have instituted a uniform policy, there are still all too many ways to show status--or a lack thereof--through the latest Nikes or Ed Hardy's.

Though I'm no longer on the front line of education, directly serving children, I'm still keenly aware that there's a serious need for change in this nation. As a former teacher and parent, it is my opinion that never in America's history have strong families been needed more. During our first days of teacher inservice, my building's principal told us that when it comes to student behavior, we should remember, "Fear equals anger."

It was my goal for this school year to model this quote in my every student interaction. There are a lot of angry, frightened, lonely kids out there and while this blog has now taken on the tone of a pageant contestant wishing for world peace, my original intent was to praise teachers and parents and encourage them to keep fighting the fight of raising responsible citizens. Our kids are worth it. When you see a child acting out, sure, he or she might just be pulling a typical teen tantrum. On the other hand, they might have larger issues dragging them down. Don't be afraid to help either through volunteering at a local school, talking to the kids on your street, or being the household where your child's friends feel comfortable hanging out.

Okay, whew, stepping off of my soap box, major smooches to all of you readers who have been with me from the start!! Sorry for my disappearing act!! From here on out, my blog will most likely consist of everything from wacky Granny Sylv stories to conference play-by-plays and of course, the latest gossip on my Hubby and kiddos!!

Until then, there are lots of book excerpts on my web page and if you're in the mood to chat, sign-up to be my Myspace friend!

I'm baaaack!!

2008-06-02T04:35:00.001-07:00

It has come to my attention by a few whiny individuals (you know who you are!!) that I'm a little behind on posts. A little?! Seriously, sorry for the delay!! It's been quite a year! (This pic is of me and Hubby on Mother's Day at the Muskogee Renassaince Faire. These little guys were soooo cute!)

To recap: I started teaching full-time, and writing full-time, and mothering three teens and all that that implies!! I just landed a FABULOUS new teaching position at a school near my house. I'll be teaching Art, and couldn't be more thrilled!!

In family news, Hubby's great and still loving his new job. He's hoping a new contract comes through for work in Japan. Join me in crossing my fingers for that!! Not only would it be fun for him, but with him out of the house, me and the kids play lots more!! LOL!! Both sons celebrated their one-year anniversary at the grocery store where they work. We were proud of them for that. Both are at the moment, single, so ladies, come and get 'em!! Daughter made Varsity Cheer, and now is tumbling!! She's not single. So far, we like the new boyfriend, but he gets grounded a lot, so she rarely gets to see him. Not sure what's up with that. I'll keep you posted. All three kids will be Juniors next year!! Hard to believe!!

On the writing front, I just got a new four book deal!! One, is about a Marine who, after a one-night stand, ends up with twins!! The next three are a series revolving around three women who meet at Lamaze class.

Today, I'm headed to Arkansas to see my folks!! Since the boys are all working, it'll be me and Daughter. She's excited, because she gets to drive!! Pray for me!! LOL!!

Hubby's 300 Debut!!

2007-05-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hubby has brought it to my attention that it's been a while since I've posted, and yikes--he's right!! And you know how much I hate it when he's right!! LOL!!

The past month's been a blur of end-of-school meetings and helping the kids study for finals. Son #1 has been sick, but thankfully, he's feeling better now. Hard to believe the kids will be sophomores in a little over a week.

We had a yard sale last weekend that was EXHAUSTING!!! We spent the proceeds at the Muskogee Renaissance Faire, and had a ball!!

Here's Hubby striking a 300 pose!!

Daughter has always wanted a corset, so we broke down and bought her one. Isn't she cute??!!

Son #2 had never ridden a camel, so we forced him to climb aboard!!!

The neighborhood pool opens in a couple weeks, so Hubby and I have been trying to get in shape. Ugh. We've been walking a nearby park trail that's 3 miles around. Yesterday morning, I did my 3 miles, then, since I can't seem to get one of my kids to do it, I mowed the lawn. OUCH!!! I never realized that we live on a mountain!! The front yard wasn't so bad, but the back is awful. Lots of rocky spots, and it's marshy by the pond. At one point, I fell--double ouch!!

On the writing front, I finished up the last of my Harlequin contracts (an anthology project out of the NYC office that'll be released in January), and my fingers are crossed to hear great news soon about the latest batch of proposals I sent to Harlequin American in Canada.

Hope everyone has a great start to their summer!!

Stickers!!!!

2007-04-17T05:26:00.000-07:00

I have a dirty secret to confess . . . I'm addicted to stickers!!!!! Any of you who know me (or have been checking in to my blog with any frequency), accept the fact that I'm horribly date challenged. I'm flawlessly punctual--assuming I know the date I'm supposed to do something. But more often than not, I need reminding.

Enter stickers. I've been breakfasting with my writer gals Karen Crane who writes as Karen Toller Whittenburg and Amy Lillard who's a soon to be writing star!! Anyway, Amy's incredibly organized, and has a darling planning book that she decorates with stickers. It's gorgeous!! I was so jealous!!! Anyway, long story short, I now have my own sticker book--ahm planner --and no longer need reminder calls about every little thing!!!

What got me on the topic this morning, is that Daughter and I went out last night for *bling* to decorate her new dresser with--long story--and wound up at the dollar store (don't you just love those?? ) I found Barbie stickers, My Little Pony, and even fabulous iridescent fairy stickers!! I've already been playing with them, even though Hubby shot me a dirty look for purchasing a cute binder to store them all in.

In other news, my anthology that's due May 1st is coming along nicely. Daughter's shoulder's healing well, but she found out she needs glasses. I didn't figure she'd even wear them, but we bought her a pair of Coach glasses (with the matching Coach case, of course), and now she wears them all the time! Yay!! She just got her grade check for cheer tryouts, and she's doing MUCH better in class, so they must be working!!

There's not much news with any of the boys. Hubby's been behaving (aside from his sticker grumbling! ), Son #1 is so smitten with his new girlfriend that he's always in a great mood, and Son #2 has been helping me redecorate the downstairs. We had to plaster the walls in the bathroom, which turned out to be tougher than I thought, but seriously cute!! I've got to get one of the kids to take pics. Why can't I do it, you ask? Hey--I finally learned how to write down a date, but no way have I figured out how to work the digital camera!!! LOL!! (This pic is of Son #1 and his girlfriend. Aren't they cute??!!)

Happy Easter!

2007-04-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!

We're having low key celebration this year. Son #2 has to work an eight-hour shift sacking groceries, and Mom and Dad said they're tired after their return trip from the Bahamas and didn't feel like making the two-hour drive to Tulsa. Hubby and I are still cooking up a storm, though. Plenty of ham, baked beans and cheezzzy potatoes!! We made Granny Sylv an Easter basket, and will go see her soon.

Monday night, Daughter was running from being tickled when she ran right into a wall!! She complained about it hurting pretty bad, so we took her to the emergency room and after x-rays discovered she has an AC separation on her left shoulder, which is a fancy term for she tore the ligament from her bone. I spent a huge majority of the week taking her around to various doctors. Poor thing is in a shoulder-harness-immobilizer-thingee, and is still in a lot of pain. Her pain medicine made her throw-up, so she's just having to suck it up pain-wise.

Compounding the problem, is the fact that cheerleading tryouts for the coming year are next week!! Her orthopedic specialist said he wasn't prepared to make a prediction on whether or not she'd be able to even move her arm--let alone tumble--until this week. I'll keep you posted on how this turns out.

Like we hadn't already had enough fun earlier in the week, Hubby was grabbing something out of the car Thursday night, when he hollered for all us to come. Why? Because we had a tarantula on the driveway!!! AGGHH!!!

On the writing front, I just finished a flurry of mini-revisions and the last round of page proof edits for my September book, Dancing With Dalton. My latest project is due May 1st, so this week--barring unforeseen kid trauma--I'm hoping to lock myself in my office and write, write, write!!!

In the mean time, however, I'm off to make potato salad! YUM!!

Mixed reviews . . .

2007-03-27T05:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning, Hubby and I took Granny Sylv to the nursing home. She's been there before on short stays, and all the workers fuss over her, so she was happy.

From there, we took Daughter to her first beauty pageant. She looked gorgeous, had a ball, won Prettiest Smile and a sparkly crown she rarely removes!! Daughter's happy.

Sunday, we rearranged furniture and deep-cleaned Granny Sylv's room, as Daughter's moving in there. The eeeuuw-factor was off the charts. We found lots of very odd things I won't get into, and while I painted, poor Hubby scrubbed.

Okay, so Monday morning comes, and after doing carpool, I arrive back home where I should've gotten a ton of writing done. I should've been happy. I had no breakfast to prepare, no bath to run, etc., yet I felt frozen. After staring at the computer, waiting for the words to come, I finally gave up and cleaned the kitchen. Hubby and I did lunch, but ended up bickering.

We went to the nursing home around six to drop off papers and have a quick visit, and we found Granny Sylv glowing with happiness. She kept saying over and over how this was the best place she'd ever been in her whole life. Patsy--her main caregiver--is a sweetie, and dotes on all of the folks in her charge.

I thought I'd wake this morning feeling great and ready to write, but I have to drive Son #2's Christmas kitten about thirty minutes North to get spayed and declawed. We adopted her from a shelter up there, so the vet services were included in the adoption fee. How cute is this pic of Foxy napping on my desk?!

I'm hoping at some point during the drive, I'll figure out what's bugging me!! If there are any armchair psychiatrists out there--or real ones--who have ideas as to what's wrong, please feel free to chime in!!

Spring Break in Altomville

2007-03-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

It's spring break here in Altomville, and seeing how we're not going anywhere fabulous, that means a messy house and whiny teens!! LOL!! Seriously, the house is a disaster, but I'm trying to keep boredom at bay by providing plenty of activities. Sunday, we did the zoo (this pic is of me & Hubby on a popcorn break), yesterday we did errands and the orthodontist, and today, we're lunching with Margaret at Olive Garden. I think we're going to a movie, too, but will have to check with Margaret's schedule. Being a teacher, she's on spring break, too, but she has an action-packed schedule even on vacations!!

Tomorrow, we're headed to a miniatures museum, and then on to the Philbrook, which is a fancy schmancy art museum here in Tulsa. The kids will probably slip into a coma midway through our tour, but all three of them could use a massive dose of culture!! Hubby thinks I'm nuts for this, and in fact has said he's thrilled to not be on vacation so I won't be torturing him with force-fed culture!!! Nice, huh?? LOL!!!

Ignoring hubby, Thursday, we're trekking to Bartlesville (about an hour north of here) to learn about Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Phillips. We were recently at the airport, picking up Hubby, when the kids were checking out a Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit and asked who he was. Having majored in Interior Design in college, during which, I spent a year studying Architecture, I freaked!! By the end of Thursday, at least two of my apple dumplings will know about Mr. Wright!! Son #1 is narrowly avoiding our family study day by going to a friend's lakehouse!! Hubby finds this most amusing!!

Happy news for Granny Sylv . . . She'll be staying in a private home that houses six other elderly men and women. They have round-the-clock nursing, eat in a family setting, etc. She's stayed there before on a temporary basis and the caregivers are great!!! We're relieved to have found her such a perfect home, and will move her in Saturday morning.

Sad Granny Sylv News

2007-03-15T05:07:00.000-07:00

Boy, have I done great on my wish to become a regular blogger again, or what?? In the words of Borat--NOT!! LOL!! In my defense, things have been a tad crazed around here. But then that's the usual, so I should be getting used to it!!

One sad thing that's happened is that Hubby and I have made the tough call to put Granny Sylv in a nursing home. She's as sweet as ever to me and spooky mean to him. She's constantly taking things from the kids and staring at them in the middle of the night. She's spitting, etc., etc.. It's too much. With Hubby traveling a lot with his new job, I can't care for her on my own and still stay sane--like I ever was!! And the kids are all pretty freaked out. My job for the next few days is to scope out some homes that have Alzheimer units. In talking with her lawyer, he said that he has a client who runs a nursing home, and that 95% of her workman comp claims come from the Alzheimer unit. He went on to tell us that she's seen Alzheimer patients become Jekyll/Hyde and snap someone's arm in half!!! Anyway, two years after bringing Granny Sylv to live with us, we're thinking it's not only best for us that she go, but her.

On a lighter note, I'm lunching today with Heidi the cheer coach, so in between looking at nursing homes, that'll be fun!! She's such a hoot, and always full of good stories!!

Hubby and the boys are doing great, but Daughter's been grounded for grades. To be ungrounded, she had to get three raised, and so far, she's fixed two of the three. Next week is spring break, so I'm really hoping she pulls it together by Friday!! I remember my parents feeding me the old "this hurts us more than you line" as a kid, and rolling my eyes, but it's sooo true!! She's one of my favorite "toys"!! When she's not allowed to play, seeing how she's usually my playmate, that means I'm crazy-bored, too!! LOL!!

Oh--before I forget, if anyone's out there . . . Drum roll, please, I redesigned my website!!! It's not fancy, but totally updated, and since I'm now handling it myself, I'm hoping to get updates done more often. Also, I added a mailing list, so get signed up!! (lauramariealtom.com)

All right, I'm off to yell as three out of three kids ignored my first "get up!" rant!! Time to get ugly!! LOL!!! ;-)

Hello? Anyone Out There?

2007-02-21T04:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I was at Ladies' Night last night, when my gal, Sandy, comes up and says that she enjoyed my blog, but what happened? So I was like, what? Could you possibly be referring to the fact that I vanished?? LOL!!

Truth of the matter, I had a *baby*, and he's taking some getting used to. Remember Son #2? Well, he's now legally ours, and something about having an added son, on top of caring for Granny Sylv, has emotionally taken a lot out of me. Don't get me wrong, I'm over-the-moon happy with the new member of our family, but I wasn't prepared for the amount of worry that came along with him--both emotionally and logistically. He was sort of a blank slate in terms of dentistry, health care, government documentation, etc., so it's been an adventure getting him on the *grid*.

Yesterday, he got his learner's permit for driving, and both boys have gotten jobs at our local grocery store, so there's been banking to do in setting them both up with new accounts. The job is more work for me than them, in that I'm now driving to and from work in addition to cheer and track and tennis!! They make $6.00 an hour, but hit me and Hubby up for snack money during their breaks. So far, between gas, snacks, and buying their uniforms, it would've been cheaper for them to stay home loafing!!!!

Daughter's great! We just got back from a trip to Orlando with her cheer squad. They competed in the UCA National Cheerleading Championships, and while they performed their hearts out, the other teams were SPECTACULAR, so they didn't make it to the semi-finals. Coach Heidi explained that many of the teams have had programs in place for twenty-plus years, whereas our school has only been competitive for the past two. I was still impressed with how our girls performed!!! But you know me, I was REALLY impressed by Disneyworld caramel corn!!! LOL!!!

As for my diet . . . Sigh. I'd lost seventeen pounds before Christmas, only to gain it back during the holiday rush. It's finally gotten pretty again outside, so I've started walking again in the park. Hopefully, that'll help offset my love of McChickens!!!

Hubby's great--currently in Minnesota. He took a new job that he's happy with. It's a much smaller, specialized consulting firm VERY close to home, plus, he's great friends with the guy in his office, so now that we're past the hump of switching insurance, etc., I'm thinking it's going to be a great fit.

As for the writing front, I just finished a flurry of new Harlequin American proposals that I'm excited about! (Let's hope Johanna and Kathleen are, too!!) Speaking of my poor, new editor, Johanna, she shattered her ankle weeks ago, and as far as I know is still out of the office. I just finished edits on my September book, Dancing With Dalton--yay!!! LOL!! Johanna made some great suggestions, and I was pleased with how it turned out. I'm now fine-tuning a detailed synopsis/outline for a project I've been contracted for out of the NYC Harlequin office.

This was MAJOR excitement for me, hearing I'd been invited to participate in a winter-themed anthology headed by my first editor, Tina Colombo. It's been fun catching up with her again, and crazy-flattering that they thought to include me in the project!! Lindsay McKenna and Cara Summers are the other two authors!! Cool, huh??!!!

Now that life has settled into somewhat of a regular routine, I'm hoping to get back into my regular routine--meaning blogging and an updated website and answering e-mails!!! In the mean time, time to wake the kiddos!!!

Homecoming, Halloween and Birthdays, Oh My!!!

2006-11-02T03:46:00.000-08:00

What a fun, but crazy time we've been having!! Friday afternoon, I picked up Hubby from his Connecticut trip. As luck would have it, I was finally on time in picking him up, only to have his plane be an hour late!! After lunching at Olive Garden, we headed home, and still had a couple hours before the kids got home. Seeing how Hubby would be on hand should the Fed-Ex man appear or the phone ring, I headed to the tub to work on Dancing With Dalton edits. How's that for the ultimate decadent romance writer behavior??!!!! LOL!!

I'd gotten about ten pages done, when Hubby comes in, and says I need to get out as we have company. I rolled my eyes and said, hah ha, you're so funny. Now leave me alone!! These edits are due Monday!! A few minutes later, he reappeared, this time with a squirming dog in his arms--Noodle, my parent's beefy wiener!!!

Surprise!! My parents were in town furniture shopping and stopped by for a quickie visit!! They just bought a new house, and needed a kitchen set. I'm soooo jealous of their granite counters!!!

Friday night was homecoming, and though our team lost, we still enjoyed the festivities.

All day Saturday, Daughter was at a cheer clinic for middle school girls, teaching them cheers. I helped out for a few hours, helping another mom man the snack table.

That night, we had our second annual Halloween party. My pal, Dixie, helped me chaperone, as well as a few seniors from the cheer squad. I was very careful from the invitation stage to only invite kids I knew weren't likely to knock holes in our walls (remember last year??), so aside from one set of crashers who showed up with an electric guitar and amp, the evening was trouble free. In the past, I've done fancy virgin blender drinks, but Dixie and I let the kids handle their own beverages while we relaxed, keeping an eye on the pizza rolls coming out of the oven.

Sunday was Hubby's birthday!!! While the kids slept, we snuck out for a romantic birthday breakfast of cheesy hash browns at Cracker Barrel, then strolled in Tulsa's rose garden. It was a GORGEOUS morning, with just a little nip in the air. That afternoon, Hubby vanished to the guitar store where he spent his gift card on a new guitar. It's pretty, but I don't see that it sounds much different than the old guitar!! LOL!!!

In between getting opening chapters of D w/ D to my new editor, attending football games for Son #2, Halloween, and teacher conferences, I've been working up new proposals. I've had some VERY exciting news from my agent, but nothing's remotely settled yet, and I need to do edits on that work. Trouble is, I'm not clear on what the editor wants, so Michelle's promised to translate!! Cross your fingers for me that I finally figure it out!!! LOL!!!

I Knew Life Wouldn't Stay Calm Long!!

2006-10-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

Was it really me just a week ago bragging about how wonderfully calm life's been? BIG mistake!! LOL!!

Heading the trauma train, last week, Daughter's boyfriend of the past year broke up--totally out of the blue. (This is the same guy who gave her the Tiffany's necklace for her birthday.) He then admits he's been doing pot, and that he no longer has time for her!!!! :-O Daughter was initially a sobbing wreck, then things really got interesting when all these other guys started calling, asking if she's really and truly single!! Last night she got an invite to the Holly Ball, their school's Christmas formal!! Um, it's Halloween!!! Anyway, she's doing much better!!

But to insure she keeps smiling, we're hosting a Halloween costume party. Am I a glutton for punishment, or what?? Sunday, we made invitations and stuck them in goody bags with little glow-in-the-dark skeletons for name tags. They turned out super cute!! We then hand delivered most, seeing how I only let the kids invite kids we know. Meaning, I know their parents, so if there's trouble I know who to call!!! LOL!!

Hubby got home from Ohio, only to turn around and head to Connecticut. He said the leaves are amazing! MUCH better than anything he's seen around here, or even in Arkansas where they have a beautiful Fall. Speaking of Hubby, Sunday's his birthday, which reminds me that I need to go shopping!!

Our new sort-of adopted son (we'll call him Son #2--long story!!!!) has been sick with a cold. Bless his heart, he stayed home yesterday, looking miserable. He's on the freshman football team, and I'm sure he wasn't helped by being out in the cold for two hours Monday night. Now, I've got it and would just as soon sleep, but seeing how much I've loafed lately, I seriously need to work!!

I haven't heard anything new from Harlequin American, but when I do, I'll let you know!! ;-)

Weekend Update & Editor News!!

2006-10-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Whew, it's been a crazy-busy weekend, but fun! Daughter's cheer squad won 1st in their category, then we had fun at Frontier City, riding rides and eating waaaay too many forbidden foods!! I screamed so hard on the Wildcat rollercoaster that my chest and throat hurt!!!

Hubby jetted off for a sales thing in Ohio this morning. As usual, I'm not sure what he's doing, but he seemed excited as he wouldn't have his usual workload at night in the hotel. I hope he has fun!

Meanwhile, I've got plenty to keep me busy. I got edits on my anthology, and whew--they're nice and light!!! Drum roll, please . . . I also have an official new editor, Ms. Johanna Raisanen. I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting her, but have heard she's VERY sharp! According to Kathleen, she's been with Super for the past four years. I love reading Supers, so hopefully I'll also love working with a Super editor!!

Kathleen put me in the hot seat, requesting anthology titles ASAP. Usually, titles are fairly easy for me, but this one just isn't coming. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!! Seriously!! LOL!! The story is set at a class reunion being held on 4th of July. Overall themes center around fresh starts. My fave so far is Sparklers and Smooches!!

In other news . . . Granny Sylv has lost her glasses again. I've searched EVERYWHERE!!!! They're seriously gone. Maybe she flushed them?? Considering the fact that she doesn't go that many places, I can't imagine where they've gone. She didn't have them when we dropped her off at the rest home, so I know they're not there. She usually doesn't wear them anyway, it just bugs me to not know where they are!!

Blessed Dullness!!

2006-10-13T05:02:00.000-07:00

Ahh . . . It's been wonderfully dull around here lately--knock on wood!! LOL!! I've written 22 pages this week, and I think I might've lost one more pound. (I'm weighing in today instead of our usual Saturday morning, and our scale doesn't even remotely match up to WW's, so it's always a crap shoot as to whether or not you've lost!! )

Yesterday I had the BEST surprise in the form of an impromptu coffee meeting with two dear friends I haven't seen in ages. Karen Crane, who's a star of the Harlequin American line and also writes under the name of Karen Toller Whittenburg was a mentor to me before I'd sold to Harlequin. One of the books she helped me with was Santa Baby. The early drafts we played with never made it into the final version, but she helped me a lot with tightening and learning to not being afraid to cut my work. Amy Lillard was also in attendance. She's sold confessions and a wonderful book to a small press that sadly went out of business before her story went to the printer. She's a fighter, though, and I expect to see great things from her soon!!

Rounding out the fun, Thursday night was our bi-monthly critique meeting. I haven't seen the gang in ages, so it was awesome getting together with them, too!!

Today I'm thinking will be crazy busy. Due to our leaving town at seven tomorrow morning, and not coming back till late, I'm taking Granny Sylv to her home away from home. It's a rest home, but set up in a private house. It's a pretty cool alternative to some of the depressing retirement homes we've seen. Getting her out of the house is a MAJOR ordeal. In the past, we've just split up (Hubby and I) rather than move her, but caregiving is taking a toll on the whole family, and we think it's worth the effort to try getting back into somewhat of our normal family routine.

When I read the stats on how the folks caring for Alzheimer's patients are actually worse off the patients, I'd have to agree. It's a horrible disease I wish they'd hurry up and find a cure for. In the mean time, Hubby and I are consciously trying to make the best of this tough situation.

On a lighter note, Daughter's cheering at a big game tonight, so that'll be fun!! So far, our poor team hasn't won a regular season game, but I'm thinking (praying ) tonight's their night!! LOL!!

In other fun news, HOW AWESOME WAS SAWYER AND KATE'S KISS ON LOST???!!! Whew!!!! Daughter and I have been watching it over and over on AOL's TV Pick of the Day. Love, love, LOVE that show!!!

Whirlwind Update!!

2006-10-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well, after sickness, famine (with Weight Watchers me and Hubby are both down 12 lbs!!), school angst, book deadlines, and two Chinese exchange students, I'm back!! If anyone's still out there reading--thanks!! ;-)

It's been a seriously crazed few weeks, but I'm hoping things will now settle back into a somewhat normal routine.

In a whirlwind update, my anthology is done--yay!! But my editor was laid off. Boo!! Jen was super sweet and I hope she finds another editing gig soon. I'm now working on a project called Dancing With Dalton, which doesn't yet have an official title, but is a little like Dancing With the Stars, only in a small town setting, minus the stars. LOL!!

Our exchange students were a hoot--even more so since neither spoke much English. There would be lots of times in the car when they'd be chattering up a storm in the backseat, and my son and I would just look at each other like how bizarro is this??!! NEVER have I experienced such an action-packed week. There were activities planned all day every day. The week before, we cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. The Saturday they arrived was like the perfect storm of kid events. Daughter had her first cheer competition of the year, at which I worked, starting at 7 AM. We were there till 2 (or driving back and forth, running last minute errands), then went to fetch the China kids from the airport, then went to a big China party that night. On paper, it doesn't look all that tough, but in real life, it was hellish!!! LOL!!!

That Sunday, we hosted a barbecue for FIFTY!!! That was pretty hellish, too, but fun. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Never have I seen so many cameras. The visiting teachers got a kick out of our house, and did lots of posing on my office balcony while more visiting teachers took pictures of them from the street!!

Literally hours after putting everyone on planes bound for Washington DC, I came down with a nasty something. I'm wondering if it's the dreaded e-coli, as I'm the only one who had it. A week later, I'm still not a hundred percent. I just thank God it held off till after everyone left.

This weekend, Daughter has another cheer competition. This time, it's at Frontier City on OK City. Should be fun--at least I hope so, as we're taking the whole crew!! ;-)

The Tree's Winning!!!

2006-09-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

Tree 15, Altoms 2. Well, Hubby, Son and I started out Saturday on a fairly confident note, sure in our ability to take down the last of the tree. HA!!!!! With Daughter at the OU game, the three of us ended up neck-deep in scummy pond water, trying to get our footing while stepping on hidden branches and mud that'd suck you down to your knees. I've got bumps, scrapes and bruises in places I didn't know I had!!!

The last straw was when Hubby and I were trying to tackle one of the last branches still over the water, and the chainsaw got stuck. By jacking up a portion of the main trunk, we managed to remove the chain, so at least the actual saw was salvaged.

Sunday, we headed out to buy a new chainsaw, figuring we could cut out the old one's chain, then have two, so both of us could be cutting at the same time. Great plan, but seeing how we did start Weight Watchers, we were both too weak from starvation to tackle much of anything beyond unloading our $200 worth of fat free, sugar free, taste free groceries!!!!

This morning, we'd planned to get back to it, but it's raining. Thank God!!! LOL!!! Poor Hubby has developed some kind of itchy rash on his legs, and is wondering if he's caught a bizarre pond scum allergy. I guess if he isn't better in the morning, he should probably go to the doctor.

In other news, I was saddened to wake this morning and hear Steve Irwin had died. When the kids were smaller, we never missed his show. I thought it especially odd as to the way he died. Hubby and I have played with stingrays, and never thought anything of it. They've always seemed like such gentle, harmless creatures. I'm having trouble even picturing how something like this could've happened. Anyway, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I'm sure he'll be deeply missed.

Misc. Rambling!!

2006-09-01T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ahhh . . . Finally, a delightfully slow week!! Not that I haven't been busy, madly trying to organize and paint and clean for our exchange student, but it's made for a nice change in my usual routine.

Hubby's due home from Canada tonight, and tomorrow, we're planning Attack of the Downed Tree Part Two. It's so ugly, I've been tempted to tackle at least part of it myself, but the chainsaw needs sharpening which is a tad out of my realm of expertise!!

Last night was the first regular season football game. It was neck and neck, with our team down in the last quarter. At 58.6 seconds, we got the ball, then started making crazy-beautiful passes. At 3.3 seconds, we were a foot away from a touchdown, the crowd was going nuts, my baby was jumping and cheering, when splat. The try bombed, and our fans just sort of sat there, stunned that we'd lost. Oh well, it was seriously fun almost getting that miracle!!

Son (who'd painted his face red and blue--joy) had a friend over to stay the night, so while Daughter headed off with the cheer girls for ice cream, Son, friend and I drowned our sorrows in late night Taco Bueno. YUM!!

Which brings me around to my failed diet!! LOL!!! In the grocery store the other day, I bought this book called Fitness over Forty For Dummies. I've got a couple years till I actually get to forty, but I figured what the heck? I feel ninety most days, so why not give it a try? Sadly, it said pretty much what I already know, which is to stop eating and exercise. Ugh. Why, why can't science develop an anti-fat pill???? LOL!!

Anyway, Hubby and I are backsliding Weight Watchers, and lately, we've been getting tons of coupons to join back up. Today, I even got an e-mail!!! Is nowhere safe?? Hubby doesn't know yet, but I'm thinking maybe before we start on the tree in the morning, we should mosey on by a meeting.

Meanwhile, Daughter is heading off for a fab weekend of football and tailgating at an OU game, then on for more fun at her friend's lake house. I want her life!!!! LOL!!!!

I'm Back--and Still Hot and Grumpy!! LOL!!

2006-08-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

What's more depressing than working, working, working all week, then spending your weekend chainsawing a dead tree and deep-cleaning? Doing all of that, then waking Monday morning to find Hubby spent half of his weekend at Niagra Falls!!!!! Then lounging in his fabulous Toronto, Canada hotel!!!!!

Here's an excerpt of his e-mail hotel description, so you can be sick along with me:

"The hotel is really nice. I'm on the 10th floor, and it is sort of like a suite. I have a separate living area and bedroom. The bathroom has the same marble that our master does, only it is gray instead of tan. There is even a vanity mirror with lights all around it next to the closet that you girls could use to preen if you were with me. And there is a live Bamboo tree next to my bed that is probably at least 10 feet tall." --Hubby

Instead of waking beside a lovely, ten-foot bamboo tree, I had two dog butts in my face, and a nest of wild Daughter hair!! LOL!!! Anyway, I am glad he's having fun, but sad for me!! LOL!!! Since my Harlequin editor's in Toronto, we talked about me going, too, but decided to be responsible and save $$$. Aren't there days you just hate being a grown-up??

Oh--with all his Gold-Club-Flying-Bonus-Wonder-Boy Points, he got to fly First Class, too!! If I'd didn't love him so much, I'd seriously hate him!! LOL!!!

Nothing much new to report. The tree in front of the kitchen window died and fell. Swell. As did another in the pond. I'm starting to feel creepy about all the tree deaths around the house--like the Tree FBI may come for a visit!! LOL!! Seriously, the one by the pond was pretty much a dead, leaning trunk when we got here. It has a few straggly branches and used to sport a bushy poison ivy vine before Hubby sprayed it. The tree in front of the kitchen was an odd, straight, TALL, branchless oak that has looked half-dead for the past year. I glanced out the window Sunday morning and noticed it'd tipped. Like it'd broken off at the base. Very odd. Not sure how to tackle removing it, as it's leaning against another tree.

Daughter had her first football game to cheer at Thursday night, so that was fun!! Despite the kick-off temp of 105, she looked amazingly perky!! I, on the other hand, felt--and no doubt, looked--amazingly bedraggled!! This was a pre-season tournie, and since our team won their first game, we stayed for a second game that didn't start till 9:30!!! We didn't get in bed till close to midnight!!

Knock-on-wood, but both kids seem incredibly happy and well-adjusted to high school. I'm talking so happy, there's been virtually no angst at all. I'm not sure what to make of this, but am sooo happy that for once, they're happy!!!

What's not happy is that I'm already getting a stomachache from worrying about getting the house clean enough for our Chinese exchange student who will be here on September 30th. Figuring he'll want to e-mail his parents, I'm starting with my office. Seeing how due to heat, this space has been abandoned for the past month, the cat has taken it over. There's cat hair EVERYWHERE!!!! I don't know what she's been doing up there, but it's nasty, and needs to stop!! I did get quite a bit done, but there's still a lot to go. I going to paint this morning until it gets too hot, then work on my anthology.

I talked with Editor Jen about the anthology's opening chapters on Friday morning, and she said it's off to a good start, so that was cool news!! She also extended my deadline to October 1st. That's nice, but seeing how I'll be cleaning 24/7 the week before our student gets here, I need to finish by the 18th--which was the original date.

It's my week to carpool, so guess I'd better find some shoes . . .

Just When You Think Things Can't Get Worse . . .

2006-08-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

Well, one crisis averted, only to get slammed with another!!! Cocoa's home, healthy, and feisty as ever. Hubby devised an anti-tipping gizmo for the trash can, but Son sat down on the floor with her, and showed her how head-butting it in just the right place now tips it even easier than it used to!! Hmm . . . wonder if there's any way to get Son sent to college early--and take the dog with him?? LOL!!

After narrowly surviving family angst too icky to get into Monday & Tuesday, Hubby and I were out drowning our sorrows in vodka and a split cheeseburger, when Daughter calls Hubby's cell. "OH MY GAWD," she screeches. "HAVE YOU SEEN THE BIG TREE IN THE BACKYARD??!!"

As a matter of fact, yeah, I'd just seen it a few hours earlier, hauling laundry up the stairs, and it was fine. This oak is ancient and MASSIVE and the showcase of our backyard. It's on the pond bank, and our pride-and-joy cushioned swing sits in this gorgeous tree's dappled shade.

Long story short, the tree is gone. I guess rain from the previous night's storm must've weakened it, then an ant colony in the core finished it off. Fallen, it stretches half-way across the duck pond, and obliterated the swing.

After shelling out $400 for Cocoa's vet bill, I shudder to think what this will cost to have removed. I'm guessing $1000--at least. The branches are thicker than Hubby's chainsaw blade is long. The trunk's easily half a VW Bug!!! Our babies are wanting to go school shopping, but judging by the Altom Calamity Meter, they'll be sporting the latest in Adam and Eve Leaf-Wear!!!! Ugh. I'm just sick, sick, sick.

Meanwhile, more edits--this time on my April book, are making me even sicker. Fortunately, health-wise, I'm much better. Margaret and I were commiserating last night on a variety of topics, and turns out she had the same symptoms I did. Chest pain, sweaty, tired and blah. Seeing how we both came down with this mystery ailment Thursday--the day after our lunch and movie outing, we're thinking it must've been some bizarre food poisoning.

I do have some happy news--alas, not for me, but Margaret, so I'll borrow it!!! She just got a new, three book deal from Steeple Hill!!!!! YAAAAAYYY, MARGARET!!!!

Scary, Fun & Wacky News!!!!!

2006-08-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

Yikes--I think I liked it better around here with no news!!!

Starting with the scary, yesterday morning, Hubby and I got home from taking my edits to Fed-Ex to find that Cocoa had dumped the trash. No big deal, right? She does it a couple times a day!!! Well, Son and his pal had eaten turkey legs the night before (it's a guy thing--makes them feel medieval to chow on them while immersed in a video game they play!!). The busy day wound on--more about that
later--and Daughter and I were recovering from heat stroke, watching Overboard, when we noticed Cocoa breathing funny.

We watched her for about an hour, and when it didn't get better, and her stomach now seemed swollen and tender, we took her to a vet. Figures, our regular vet didn't answer their emergency number, so at six on Saturday night, we scrambled to find one!! Turns out my poor baby has pancreatitus (sp?) from eating too much turkey!!! She has a fever, and is having to be hospitalized and put on an IV till sometime on Monday!!!!!

Pet ailments are like a double whammy emotionally, because not only are you sad to see your baby sick, but sick over how much treatment is going to cost. Luckily, the vet assured us she'll be fine, but last night wasn't much fun without her. She's literally my shadow, so not having her constantly by me is disconcerting and blah.

Okay, on to fun news . . . Part of the reason we were so busy yesterday is that Daughter had her first Varsity football scrimmage to cheer at!! One of the crazier parts of the event, was when the football players played bowling with the cheerleaders and plowed down a pyramid!!! The scene was captured on local TV!!! Luckily, no one got hurt, and Daughter got great coverage, gasping as the trauma unfolded!! I taped it for posterity!!

She's stressed over their next performance--putting on a mini-show for Thursday night's 9th grade orientation!! Someone please remind me to find a red satun hair ribbon by then!! Usually, bows are ordered as a squad, and are big, fancy affairs, but I guess in high school, bows are more low key. Anyway, I hope she and the squad do great in front of her peers!! I especially hope they don't get *bowled* over again soon!!!

Moving on to wacky news . . . This report also involves Daughter. Her longtime boyfriend is moving to a town about thirty minutes northeast of here. (This is the same guy who bought her the Tiffany's necklace for her birthday.) Thursday night--10:00--I was laying in bed, certain I was having a heart attack (I still feel wretched, but wasn't able to get a doctor's appt. Friday), Daughter runs into our room, shrieking "Mom--you'll never guess what Boyfriend just said!" She rambled on about how they'd been in a fight, and she'd commented she never got to see him, when he says, he'll be right over!!

I rolled my eyes and said, no, he won't, but if he did, I'd take him straight home. He lives at least three miles from here, and would have to travel some fairly busy streets. Not only that, but we're under our first thunderstorm warning in months, and the wind was blowing like crazy!! She danced off to call a girlfriends, and I continued watching Seinfeld and hoping I wasn't dying!!!

Twenty minutes later, I hear the security bell chime on the front door. Figuring it's Hubby communing with the storm, I didn't think much about it. It chimes again. And again. A few minutes later, Son comes running in. "Mom, Mom! Sister's down the street with Boyfriend! I bet they're kissing!" Swell.

I added a bra and sneakers to my PJs, snatch up the car keys, then head out into the night. I'm not sure where Hubby was during all of this. I'm thinking downstairs, practicing guitar. Probably, just as well.

I find Daughter and Boyfriend, sitting in an empty field near the house--no kissing going on. They looked sweet, but my parent-alarm was going nuts!!! With Son in the front seat beside me, thrilled to have Sister in the hot seat (usually, it's him), I hollered out my window for the two lovebirds to get in the car. Underway, I asked Boyfriend if his parents knew where he was. He said, no, they were at a lodge meeting, but his brother did. He'd asked permission, and the 17 year old brother endorsed the mission. Double swell.

Just because I felt someone needed to, I lectured him on the dangers of skateboarding across town at ten at night, during an approaching storm. He said he skateboarded all the time, and didn't think it'd been any big deal. Excuse me, but I thought it'd been a VERY big deal, and if it'd been one of my kids, they'd now be in Mom Jail.

I got home to find Hubby in bed. He opened one eye, then asked, "Where've you been?"
AARRGGHH!!!! LOL!!!!!

I was going to share the events of RWA Friday, but after rehashing the last three days, I'm exhausted--and hoping things calm down in a relaxing way!!!

August Blahs and RWA Thursday

2006-08-10T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ugh. It's over a hundred every day here in Tulsa, and I'm mired in edits. Can you guess what kind of mood I've been in? GRRRRR. LOL!!! That said, there's not much to report in the way of new news.

Yesterday, Margaret and I did a last lunch and movie of the summer. I HATE it when she goes back to her day job!!!!! Having no one to lunch with is a serious bummer. We saw My Super Ex-Girlfriend which was very cute. Plus, the theater was nice and chilly!! We had time to spare before the movie, so she dragged me to this super-fabulous new florist/home decor store. Very, very mean of her!!!!! I could've dropped an easy $50,000 in five minutes. Seeing how after Atlanta, there's approximately $4.87 in checking, all I could do was drool!!!

Back to conference news, here's Thursday . . .

Thursday was one of those days that was so good, it makes up for all the icky stuff that sometimes makes writing feel similar to ditch digging on the fun meter!!! LOL!!! As usual, Margaret was off first thing in the morning, while I lounged in bed, reading. I think I finished my Janet E. book, as well as the cappuccino cookies I'd bought at Ikea--YUM!!!! I took my time getting ready, then headed down for the Harlequin American booksigning.

The signing was held in the Harlequin suite, which had been decorated with about fifty red, white and blue helium balloons. They touched the ceiling, and had a couple yards each of curling ribbon flowing down, so you walked through this party-forest to reach the head table where we sat. Way, way, fun and festive!!! I also heard there were awesome snacks, but I didn't get any!!! What's up with that???

Anyway, Pamela Britton was at a NASCAR race, so it was just Marin Thomas, Debbie Macomber, Ann Defee, and me!!!!! The signing began, and droves of people showed up!!! My editor, Jen Green, acted as my *handler*, handing me pre-stickered (with autographed copy stickers) books that were already open to the title page. The whole thing was quite surreal, and aside from my blechy hair, made me feel like Jessica Simpson at a CD release party!!! Oh--I think I have a couple hundred pounds on her, too, but we won't discuss that!! LOL!!!

From the signing, we piled into cabs to go to a restaurant called, Canoe. It's on the Chatahoochee (sp?) River, and super elegant, while at the same time, being not so elegant that it made you feel uptight. We sat at a round table, and I had Paula Eykelhof (Executive Editor) to my left, and Kathleen Scheibling (Associate Senior Editor, American Romance) to my right!!! How's that for cool company??!! To Kathleen's right, was Marin Thomas (Code name, Brenda!! ) She is so much fun!! Kind and gentle and all around cool gal--and taaaallll!! I'm so jealous!! Next, was Jen Green (Editor, American Romance), Ann DeFee (double Rita finalist!!!). Ann's also way fun with an infectious laugh!! I very much enjoyed her company!! Next, Loriana Sacilotto (Executive Vice President, Global Publishing & Strategy), then--taa daaaa . . . Debbie Macomber!!!!! I had a creamy potato soup appetizer and salmon--double YUM!!!

Back at the hotel, I was late in meeting with my agent, Michelle Grajkowski, so once I found her in the lobby, I yanked her up to my room for girl talk. We were supposed to be discussing the State of the Laura Marie Altom Union, but Michelle's so fun and giggly, whenever we meet in person, we never seem to get much done!!

From this quasi-meeting, we had to settle down and meet with Jen and Kathleen to further discuss me!!! By this time, I could tell my editors were pooped, and still had appointments to make, so I kept my questions brief, and seeing how much by this point in the day, I was LOVING my job, I certainly had no complaints!!!! From here on out, whenever I whine about how hard writing is, I'll just think back to how much fun the results are!!!

Okay, so like this wasn't already enough partying for one day, Margaret and I met up with my Winnie and Beth, and headed to the PASIC, Editor of the Year party. From there, we went to KOD's Death By Chocolate party. And from there, quite near death from exhaustion, we went straight to bed!!!!!!!

RWA--Wednesday/Current Home Stuff

2006-08-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Good lord, it's tough coming back to reality after having been gone a week!!!! All that stuff I didn't do the week before RWA? It's come back to bite me with a vengeance. Anyway, I'm ticking stuff off my To Do list, and this morning am heading halfway to Arkansas to pick up Mom and Dad's dachshunds. Combined with our two--yes, that makes for FOUR wieners for the next four days!!! ARGH!!!! :-O Fortunately for us, M & D's dogs are better behaved than ours!!! LOL!!!

In other current news . . . Daughter got 4 of her 6 cheerleading uniforms!! CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!!!! I told Hubby that it'd be much cheaper if we just bought her the fun costumes from the start, then skipped coaching fees, tumbling fees, pep club fees, etc.!! I can't wait for the first game. Since she's on varsity, even Hubby's excited about watching *real* football. I just watch my baby!!

Okay, back to RWA . . .

Wednesday, while Margaret chased around at the crack of dawn, getting ready for her mini-conference, I lounged in bed, reading the latest Janet E. (LOVED IT!!!), then got ready for the big trek to IKEA.

I met Dream/Danica in the lobby, where we waited for her friend who had the car. CJ Lyons is a doctor and just sold her first book to Tor ( I think). We stood outside the store that I'm pretty sure occupies an entire city block, waiting for the cafe to open. While waiting, a cute redhead runs over--Staci Wallace. Danica, CJ, and Staci are all part of an online critique group and had plenty to talk about. I kind of felt like I'd crashed their party for a while, but once we started chomping on our yummy .99 cent breakfast, I began feeling like more of the gang. After eating, everyone exchanged biz cards. Staci had cellophane-wrapped cookie panties attached to her card!!!!!! She had them professionally made, and I was seriously jealous!!!

(**Secret Confession Time*** I'm still not all the way unpacked, and while pilfering through my stuff, looking for candy, Daughter came across the panties. She thought they were cute, too, then set them on top of the suitcase. That night, I hear rustling beside the bedroom door, only to find the panties in Cocoa's mouth!!!!!! Apparently, she also liked them??!!! We rescued them in time for them to only be partially mutilated!!)

Back to IKEA . . .

CJ and Staci are IKEA regulars, so this was no biggee for them. Danica and I, on the other hand, were virgins, so we wandered around oohing and gaping. TONS of cute things for kids!!! I could've filled a whole suitcase, but since the mean, airplane people only let me take two, and they were already full of shoes and purses, I had to show restraint!!! I ended up getting a few cheap organizer-type-thingees for my office and cookies. What more could a girl need??

Got back to the room, intent on napping, only to find the maid there. Ugh. Dumped my stuff, then headed to deliver my Bookseller Tea goodies. Denied. Some woman not from RWA--can you imagine???? LOL!!!--stopped me and said in a very grumpity tone that the room was her company's till 3:00 on the nose. O-kay.

Went back to the room. The maid was gone, but Margaret was home!! Yay!!! We swapped stories about our day, then got ready for the tea and big booksigning to be held that night.

Just after 3, we went to the bookseller thing, but it was seriously crowded and hot and we found no booksellers!!! I ended up heading to the goody room and handing out sunglasses in person to anyone who wanted a pair under the condition they had to wear them and have fun!!! LOL!!!

The big event of the night was the literacy booksigning. I loooove hosting yard sales because of all the fun folks you get to talk to, and this is like the granddaddy of all yard sales, only everyone stopping by your *sale* is a friend!!! VERY cool, only every year, the As are stuck staring at a wall. Just once, I'd like the As to be in the middle. I know it makes no sense alphabetically, but it would be more fun!!

After the signing, a huge gang of us tried to go out to eat, but everything was packed. We ended up buying sandwiches in the lobby, then taking them back to our room. I know--boring, but as it was already pushing ten, what're you going to do???

RWA Atlanta--Part One

2006-08-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

Whew--I'm back from Atlanta, and still EXHAUSTED!!!!!! I'd planned to add a few entries while at the conference, but alas, was too cheap!! When given the choice between buying Internet access or purses/jewelry, I'll take the latter every time!! LOL!!

Here's a daily rundown:

Monday--Had a wonderfully uneventful flight in. Checked right into our pretty room on the 6th floor of the Marriott Marquis (GORGEOUS place!!! 47 stories and it was all open in the middle w/ glass elevators!!), then, while Margaret napped, I watched Y & R!!! Doesn't get any better than that!!

We unpacked, then checked out the mall attached to the hotel. Had a strange nacho-like lunch in the food court, then shopped!! Picked up a great pink and white polka-dot purse everyone in the elevators always seemed to love!! Oh--I also snagged a new pair of sneakers at Naturalizer, as I'd failed to pack a single pair of comfortable walking shoes!!!!

That night, we met up with my Winnie and her roomy, IM author, Beth Cornelison, at a sports bar. I was still reliving the black beans from lunch, so I just ordered soup, then snagged one of Winnie's chicken strips!! YUM!!!

Tuesday--Woke up at the crack of dawn to tour the Georgia Aquarium. You have to make reservations, and ours were for 8AM. Good thing, seeing how once the 9AM crowd showed up, the place was too crowded to even see any fish!!! I HIGHLY recommend seeing this place, but only if you go early. They had whale sharks and beluga whales and a gazillion sharks. Gorgeous, gorgeous, but seriously overcrowded.

From here, we schlepped back to the hotel to drop off gift shop purchases, register for the conference (no more fun ribbons to attach to our badges. BOOOOO!!!!!), then took the Marta (subway) to the Atlanta Underground where we basically lunched and tore through a Dollar Store finding goodies for the Booksellers' Tea. I signed up for it, but didn't know we were supposed to bring party favors.

Seeing how I'd made simple business cards with a beach scene and my web site, I tied those with curling ribbon to kid party sunglasses. They turned out darling!! Took the rest of the afternoon to make those. While Margaret napped, Winnie and I had an assembly party in her room while watching Airplane (but a space shuttle version I didn't even know existed) and eating peanut M & Ms. We were supposed to have our goodies downstairs, so we schlepped them all down, only to be told to come back the next day at 2.

Sixish ( I think), we went to the general meeting for the Kiss of Death chapter. The free dinner was a great enticement, as was the evening's speaker, Suzanne Brockmann (sp?). Her speech was wonderfully inspirational and made me vow to quit whining!!! (At least for thirty minutes, or so!! )

From dinner, we headed to one of the hotel bars, where we met lots of cool people!! I'm going to butcher names, but here goes . . . We originally sat down with my Winnie, Beth and Margaret, but then snagged Cynthia Cooke and Nina Bruhns (LOVE them!!). Next, Dream/Danica from eHarlequin.com wandered by, as did Margaret's friend, Dana. (LOVE them, too!!!) Nora Roberts was seated a little ways down!!! How's that for cool??!! We didn't get back to the room till late, but had fun catching up!!

Margaret was speaking the next morning at a mini-inspirational writing conference that Winnie would be attending, meaning I had no one to play with on Wednesday!! I mentioned this to Danica, and she invited me to IKEA. Having always wanted to go to one of these supersized houseware stores, I agreed to meet her at 9 in front of the concierge desk.

To be continued . . . Time to take Daughter to cheerleading!!

Butchered Hair & Snoring!!!

2006-07-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Well, finally, the last pair of shoes are packed and I should be sleeping, as the alarm is set for 3:45. Alas, Hubby's snoring REALLY loud, so I'm up, too excited to sleep!!

What an AWFUL time it's been, though, to get to here. Remember how I was joking about my hairstylist being mad at me? Famous last words. I gut butchered!!! My hair was well past my shoulders, and is now above my ears!!! Not only that, but it's crooked!! And onIy curls under, when I flip it up!! I called the salon owner to get a new cut, but she said I'd have to pay $40 for it, as each of the stylists are independent contractors. GRRRRR. $115, and I'm miserable. This morning, I took matters into my own hands and snipped two-inch chunks off the bottom where it stuck out past the shortest part. Once I finished that, it was obvious that the left side was shorter than the right.

This afternoon, in between shopping for toiletries and a last ditch attempt at a new bathing suit cover-up (non-existent in this town!!), I got a fresh cut at a mall salon. After fooling with it myself, I still think it's a tad crooked, but better.

I tried making new business cards, only the template didn't fit the design, so they'll all have to be hand cut. Of course, after one sheet, I ran out of ink, so a cheap, thirty minute project ended up costing just over a hundred bucks and three hours. Double GRRR!!! LOL!!!

Anyway, I think I've got everything handled now--knock on wood!! Hopped out of bed the first time to launch a mad search for my badge pins!!! Important stuff, you know!!!

This afternoon we went to see Lady in the Water. BIG disappointment. It was okay, just didn't match up to the hype. Margaret was wanting to see My Ex-Superhero Girlfriend, and I wish we'd done that instead!!!

I suppose I should get back to at least trying to sleep. To those of you I'll soon see, can't wait!!! To those of you stuck home, if I manage to get my laptop hooked up to the web, I'll try posting at least a couple times to catch you up on any fun gossip!!! Safe travels!!! ;-)

Three More Days . . .

2006-07-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

Oh, the trauma!! To acrylic nail, or not??? It must be almost time for RWA, as any other time of the year my nails always look like crap and I don't care!!!! LOL!!! Seriously, as I haven't been getting any writing done this week, I have been pondering the issue of what to do with my nails.

I've seen so many pretty, pretty French manicure acrylics lately, I'm wanting some. Trouble is, I've got a TON of writing projects due in not a lot of time, and if the nails turn out too long, I'm afraid I'll have trouble working on my laptop. Thursday's my only booked day in Atlanta, and Margaret and my Winnie will no doubt be busy little responsible, workshop-attending beavers the whole week, abandoning me all alone in the room with the room service menu, so I figure while I'm eating, I also might as well be working. Another potential pitfall to acrylics, is what to do with them after I get home?? Am I willing to take the time out to get them filled? I had them once, and was so tired of sitting in the salon every week, I learned how to do them myself. But it's a hassle even worse than sitting and letting someone else apply them!!! Ahh . . . How lucky am I to have such minor trouble, huh?

On the kid front, Son has finally gotten grounded. He's a freakishly social creature, while Hubby and I are cave-dwelling hermits!! Son LOVES sleepovers, but is seriously bad about going from the house he's supposed to be at, to the pool, or I-Hop, or another friend's house, etc. without letting me know. Nothing sets me off faster than calling him on his cell, only to get his voice mail. Nothing, that is, other than driving 20 minutes in 105 degree heat to fetch him, only to have him not be there!!!!! This happened today, and he says he and his friend were wrestling with the friend's little brother and they didn't hear the doorbell. Or the phone? Funny how if my name were Carrie, Cassie, Kelly, Kimmy, etc., and I weighed 100lbs soaking wet, he has no problem answering the phone!!! GRRRR!!

Anyway, his phone's mine for a week. His next offense? While Hubby and I took Daughter to tumbling, he was supposed to have taped Big Brother. He forgot. This wouldn't be such a big deal, but he's forgetting a lot, lately. One day last week, he was being generously paid to feed Granny Sylv lunch, when he forgot that, too. Double Grrr. As there are a few other infractions, he's now lost all electronics and sleepovers for a while, and is pouting in his room.

Daughter's boyfriend's leaving on a week-long cruise, then spending another week in Florida, so she's also pouting--which is why I have the computer all to myself at 10:30 at night!!! LOL!!!

In other conference prep news, I get my hair done tomorrow, but the hair dresser's mad at me. She called at 3:30 today, asking where I was. I said, "Home." She said, "You're supposed to be here for your appointment." Huh? My appointment was for Friday at 3. She says in a grumpity tone that the receptionist must've written it down wrong. I'm now being squeezed in with an elderly woman's wash, curl and fluff. If I show up in Atlanta with an orange poodle perm, you'll know what happened!!!!

Uncooperative Son, Dogs & Atlanta!!!

2006-07-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

Ahhh . . . The kids' birthday is officially over for another year. Seems like we've been doing something birthday related for weeks--but wait, that's because we have!! LOL!! Yesterday, my folks came over from Arkansas to spend the day with me and the kids. Hubby had to work--probably a good thing!! Daughter was lovely, but son woke at 6:30 AM--a freakishly rare and bizarre thing--expecting piles of gifts, cash and a trip to I-Hop for funnel cake!!! When I nixed that idea, and told him he wasn't opening gifts till his father got home that afternoon, he pouted, then rebounded with a new demand for me to cook a full-on breakfast. This, I did, after which, he went back to bed, leaving me to clean the wreckage of my kitchen that'd previously been sterile in anticipation of Mom & Dad's visit.

Son didn't roll out of bed until around eleven. Then, only because I made Daughter go get him. I asked him to take a shower--no. I informed both kids of our plans to see Superman in 3-D at Imax. Daughter says no. I asked Son again to take a shower and change clothes. (To be ready in a heartbeat to attend impromptu pool parties, Son lives in his fave Abercrombie bathing suit--seriously!! ) A fight erupted between Daughter and Son. Mom and I left to pick up their cake, leaving Dad to referee. When we got back, Son looks at the cake with disdain and says, "Only one cake?" After a couple days earlier having tossed mounds of uneaten individual cakes left from their party, it was all I could do not to throw it at him!!!! LOL!!! Can someone say spoiled rotten????? In hindsight, birthday or not, I should've sent Son sent to his room. Oh well, next time.

It's been HELLISHLY hot here in Tulsa. So hot, we've all become mole people, dashing from air-conditioned tunnel to tunnel, and by this time, Mom, Dad and I were sick of Son's attitude. To stay cool, Mom suggested renting a movie and having pizza delivered. Of course, both kids couldn't decide on a mutual movie, so Son got one, and Daughter got one. Daughter picked The Ringer, so Dad and I watched that with her in the master bedroom, while Son and my mom watched Bad News Bears in the downstairs TV room. (The living room DVD player broke!!) Anyway, in the end, a lovely time was had by all.

Last week, I went nuts, alternately shopping for Atlanta and finishing the anthology partial due Friday. I'm generally happy with it, but fear I've overstated the conflict. I read it for critique and no one seemed to pick up on it, so maybe it's just me. It's funny how different editors you work with like it different ways. Tina Colombo was heavy on the conflict being repeated often. Paula Eykelhof, rarely wanted it stated. My current editor, Jen Green, is in between. The trick is figuring out how to fit with each editor's style, while staying true to your own vision of the story. Apparently, I'm not yet there!!

In fun news . . . Last night, my friend Lynne called and asked if Daughter could attend the Red River Shoot-out in Dallas in October with their daughter. (OU/Longhorn football game.) They're flying and staying at a ritzy place, so it should be great fun!! Also, my boyfriend (Matthew McConaughey) historically attends this game. (He's a Texas fan. Unfortunate, as Razorbacks--like myself--and Texans typically don't mate, but as yummy as he is, I'll forgive him!!!! LOL!!!)

Anyway, while talking about Daughter's fun, Lynne mentioned her mother--a seriously, world-famous portrait photographer whose name I'm totally blanking on--got a kick out of my July book!!! Just so happens, it was dedicated to Lynne and a bunch of other fun folks, so Lynne's been passing it around. Being hard up for excitement of the variety that doesn't involve bad kids or doggy stains on my carpets, I thought this was cool!!!

This week, in between more Atlanta wardrobe prep, though I should get started on edits for my April 2007 book, I've got a paranormal idea I've been itching to play with, so I may mess with that in the afternoon, when it's too hot to shop!!!

Oh--one Atlanta/Gone With the Wind complaint . . . Margaret and I are flying in on Monday, planning to have fun Tuesday, touring antebellum homes. (My Winnie thinks she's going on an educational trip to a firing range, but I'm kidnapping her instead!!) Sounds fun, huh? Only one problem, after searching online for three hours, I've reached the conclusion that Atlanta has no antebellum homes. Grrr. Well, wait, they're plenty of homes, just not mansions. The only historic places I've found are perfectly nice, but not take-your-breath-away gorgeous. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Gone With the Wind specifically mention many, many mansions built specifically for my viewing pleasure?????? LOL!!!!!

PLEASE, if anyone out there knows of freakishly gorgeous Atlanta homes to tour, let me know!!! Otherwise, our one day off will be spent wandering. In the past, where Margaret, Winnie and I are concerned, this may or may not turn out so great--or safe!!!! LOL!!!!

Naked Dreams & Party Update

2006-07-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well, after narrowly surviving the kids' party (more about that later), I'm now playing catch-up in getting ready for RWA in Atlanta. I was supposed to have lost a hundred pounds, but seeing how that didn't happen, I've been squeezing myself into the stuff I wore last year and haven't been overjoyed with what I see!! LOL!! One impulse buy I grabbed last year at the Reno Macy's with Margaret before the big booksigning, I'm thinking I want to have tailored. The pants are way too big, but the shirt's too small. Weird, huh? Anyway, I just got a new shirt--again while shopping with Margaret--that I love, but I think it's too big. Oddly enough, the big pants are a perfect match with the big shirt, so we'll see what my fave sewing guy Thu can do!

In the mean time, after getting a surprise check in the mail from my Harlequin editor (God Bless you, Jen!!!!), Daughter and I hit the shopping trail. Why is it that when you actually have a few bucks to spend, you find nothing, yet when you're flat broke, everything looks and fits amazingly great??!! Anyway, I'm now having dreams of showing up naked at the conference, which isn't a good sign as to the level of my wardrobe preparedness!!!! LOL!!!

On to the party . . . Dear Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those kids were soooooooooo bad!!! Evil, evil teens that will NEVER be invited back!!!!! We've had big parties lots of times before, but I don't remember the kids having been quite so wild. Running and chasing and screeching. I was on food replenishment duty while my pals Dixie and Debbie bartended. (We bought fancy, plastic margarita glasses and made virgin margaritas and pina coladas with umbrella and fruit garnishes.) Hubby manned the Jupiter Jump and deck area. (Oh--the deck is finished save for the expensive trim pieces. Hubby and Son did an AMAZING job!!!) Daughter wasn't happy with the usual cake selection at our fave grocery store, so we got her one from a wedding cake designer. Not only was the cost double, but it was supposed to be ready at 4 Saturday afternoon. Then 6. Then 6:15. By 7, me, with my hair still dripping from the shower, along with Daughter and her friend, were sitting on the sidewalk outside the closed cake shop, just praying someone arrived with this cake we'd already paid for!!! They finally showed, then we dashed back to the house to finish doing helium balloons and cooking.

Around 11 that night, Daughter's long-time boyfriend presented her with a GORGEOUS Tiffany's necklace. The thing came in that distinctive, robin's-egg-blue blue box in a blue suede pouch, along with an engraved card. I shudder to think what it cost, and my father apparently thinks she should give it back. (I got this news from Son, who was instant messaging with Pee-Paw Monday afternoon.) Hubby and I thought about it, but looking back, when I was 15, I had a boyfriend give me a gold drop necklace with his initials--this was all the rage back in the early eighties in small-town Arkansas!! It had to have cost well over a hundred bucks, which, considering inflation, would about equal out. Dad didn't make me give that back, so I don't know why he's upset over this. I consulted with my pal Winnie (crazy-talented Americana historical author, Winnie Griggs), who felt that making Daughter give it back turned the necklace and the boy into a forbidden fruit kind of thing that had the potential to make her rebel. My Winnie's raised five perfect kids, and Dad only had me, so I'm following Winnie's advice!!! (And if by chance my father ever reads this, I am sooooo grounded!!!! LOL!!!)

Anyway, by the time Hubby and I got in bed around one Saturday night, my feet and back hurt so bad, I just laid there wondering how it was possible to hurt so bad and still be alive??!! Finally, I got up to take sleep assistance in handy pill form!!!

On the writing front, I've got the partial for my anthology due the 15th, so I've been steadily stealing moments to work on that. It's cute, but my people won't stop kissing!!!! At the end of Chapter Three, I'm putting them both on opposite sides of the town!!!

Also, my July Harlequin American, To Catch A Husband, just hit the stores, so it's been fun seeing it while running errands!! I LOVE the cover!!!!! Thank you, Cover Gods!!!! LOL!!!

Ghost Addendum!!!!!!! :-O

2006-07-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOD!!!!!!! Okay, so I'm sitting here commenting on all the ghost comments, thinking, boy I'm glad the d*mn thing went away, when an empty pop can on my desk wobbles back and forth!!!!!!!! I've got chills!!!! There's a fan on, but even when I aim it directly at the can, it won't wobble. Also, I tried shaking my desk, and it won't wobble. (I mean like teetering back and forth, making a chirpy little clang!!!)

AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to hide in the dining room, which doesn't suddenly sound too bad!!!! LOL!!!!

The Birthday Beast!!!

2006-07-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

Does anyone out there want to take over the planning of my twins' birthday??? LOL!!! It's grown into a monster I'm fearing will get worse before it gets better!! Thank goodness the ghost has laid low for the past few days, because I've got enough on my plate without having to deal with a haunting!!

First off, I had a SUPER rough time getting my kids into the world--six months bedrest, lots of close calls where we almost lost them, etc., so I've always tended to go overboard on their birthday, just because I'm so thankful they were safely born. Well, birthday thrills used to be easy, but now that they're reaching the ripe old age of fourteen, it takes a bit more pizzazz to wow them.

This year, each kid is inviting 25 guests. The theme is pirate (in large part due to last year's theme having been a luau, and we have lots of cute tropical decorations left over!! ), so for invitations we made cute little message in a bottle thingees with sand and shells in the bottom that I brought back from the Bahamas. For the girls, I added cheap gold rings, so it looks like there's buried treasure. For two hours yesterday, we drove and drove and drove trying to deliver them all. If I ever again have the bright idea of hand delivering fifty invites--PLEASE, someone conk me over the head!!!! We still have half to go today!!

In the mean time, we had to think of entertainment. Last year, one of Daughter's friend's brothers (that sounds so grammatically wrong, but hopefully you get what I mean?? ) brought his band. I thought they were great, but very loud. Son said he didn't want to do that again, so we had to think up new entertainment. We're going with a Jupiter Jump, that due to our sloped lawn, I wanted to put in the street (very quiet--maybe two cars a day!!). Hubby said the city won't let me. I said I'm doing it anyway, but to appease him, I spent an hour on the phone with various city officials. Turns out, hubby was right. Grrrr. I hate it when that happens!!!! Anyway, after staring at the backyard, there is a sort-of flat area I think will work, so the Jupiter Jump guy arrives at 6:30, and we'll have it from 7-11. The party's from 8 to 12, but this way I get a turn!!!! LOL!!!

All of which brings up another dilemma--the deck. The unfinished, butt-ugly deck. Now, plainly, the deck will be gorgeous once it's done, but in the mean time, we can't very well send fifty, hormonal teens racing across the back yard, leaping from this half-finished deck, so I've graciously agreed to use my conference clothes fund to finish the deck. If any of you see me at RWA in Atlanta wearing sweats, now you'll know why!!!!! LOL!!!

Anyway, after doing party, party, party, Hubby, Daughter and I went to a party last night at a friend's lake condo. If any of you are familiar with Oklahoma's Grand Lake, Arrowhead Yacht Club put on its fireworks show and it was SPECTACULAR!!!! Hundreds of boats filled the harbor in front of our friends' condo, and it was gorgeous with all the running lights!!! Except for the loooong ride home late at night, we had a great time.

Daughter's staying with them till Thursday, at which point, I'll drive out to pick up Daughter and her friend, so they can help with the rest of the birthday party, which is Saturday night. Daughter also has mandatory tumbling Thursday night for cheer, which I didn't think was very nice, seeing how they were supposed to have July off from practice, but I suppose it makes sense not to totally stop just when they're getting good. (Did I mention Daughter got her back handspring?? I think that's what the flippy things are called. Anyway, it was pretty exciting!!)

Okay . . . so while Hubby works on the deck, I'm tackling the horrific job of clearing out the dining room of all the office clutter I stashed in there while painting my office. Only I never finished painting my office, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all the crap!!!! Give me a holler if you have any spare room at your house, and I'll be right over!!!! LOL!!!!

Get Out the Twilight Zone Theme Song . . .

2006-06-30T05:01:00.000-07:00

It's baaaaaaack . . .

Like we haven't had enough fun this week, what with Daughter not being very *cheery* at cheer camp, and me holed up in my hot office with line edits, plus ALL day Wednesday being devoted to Granny Sylv getting her hair cut and a new perm (loooong story!!!!), the ghost is officially back.

Okay, for those of you just now joining the Altom household who aren't familiar with the ghost, check out my earlier blog on eHarlequin.com. It should still be archived in the blog section. At the bottom of most entries for a period of maybe a month or two around October, you'll see a paranormal log that'll catch you up to speed.

We live in an ultra-modern house built in the seventies. Lots of tall ceilings, sharp angles and glass--not the kind of place most folks would associate with a haunted house. During the height of the *haunting* last fall, we had a friend of a friend who's psychic come over just to see what's going on. (We had lots of electronics go on and off by themselves, books flying, other small objects flying, ironing board falling, weird lights, etc.) She told us Granny Sylv is going into deep trances because of her illness, during which, she's having *visitors*. Like dead visitors!!!!!! :-O

Around that same time, unbeknownst to us, Granny Sylv was way sick and could very well have been unconscious at times we thought she was sleeping. Initially diagnosed with heart trouble, we took her to a specialist who said it wasn't her heart. Based on her weakness, he suggested taking her to the ER. There, they gave her two quarts of blood, and she's been awesome ever since. (There was a problem with her blood not carrying nutrients.)

Anyway, since the time she's gotten better, all weird stuff stopped. A week ago, however, it started back up with Daughter being alone in the master bathroom when the TV popped on. Next day, Hubby was alone in the living room when the master bedroom TV popped on. Next day, Son was in his room when his radio popped on--to a classical music station!!!! He likes rap!!!! We had a three or four day lull, when this morning I get up to hear son and Hubby having a pretty heavy talk in the master bathroom--at 6 AM!!!!

Son NEVER wakes before noon, and is a mini-version of my engineer Hubby in that he's practical, calm, and doesn't put much stock in the paranormal, so to have him upright and fully alert was a sign of trouble. Turns out, he's been up all night. Hubby and I went to bed about eleven, then Son settled in for a video game marathon, only he says he'd been playing for an hour when the couch moved--liked someone sitting beside him. He ignored that, then seriously cold air hit him. At which point, he said he ran upstairs to my office, which was, as usual, nice and hot. (He said during this whole time, the A/C didn't kick on.) Next, he said the computer started making hissing, crackling noises, then my office got cold. He now went back downstairs to his room to try going to sleep. The minute he got in bed, he said it felt like someone snuggled up against him, and put their arm around him. He said he laid like that for an hour, too scared to move!!!!

Poor kid has finally fallen asleep in our bed. I asked him why he didn't come get us, and he said because he wanted to see what would happen next. That's my little scientist!!! He said it was seriously creepy, but interesting.

Yeah . . . interesting as long as whatever it is stays away from ME!!!!!!!

In other news, Margaret and her hubby left today for Kauai. She doesn't get back till next week Saturday!!!!! :-O

Mansions and Ice Cream!!!

2006-06-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I admit it, I'm an AWFUL summer blogger!!!

I have no excuse, other than that there's just too much fun stuff going on to be in front of my computer!!! Oh--plus, my office gets too hot in the afternoon, so any writing I have to get done, usually gets done first thing in the morning, and then after that, the kids are up and I want to play!!

Speaking of which . . . Thursday, my gal Margaret and I went to the Parade of Homes. They were pretty and all, but it blows my mind that a $2,300,000.00 dollar home wasn't THAT big. I mean, first off, that's more money than I can even conceive of. The payments are over $15,000 per month!!!! At 6000 sq. feet, utilities are probably going to add another $1000, if not more. Yes, Tulsa's a big town and all, but how many folks around here make that kind of money???? And the reason I ask that, is because Margaret and I take this tour every year, and every year, they put up more and more of these financial giants, yet I haven't seen new multi-billion dollar businesses coming to town that would need appropriate CEO housing!!!

Now, the reason I describe the home as a financial giant, rather than palatial estate is that while, yes, given all the toys like the pool and theater room, I'd move in today, but the home was by no means a palace--I know, because I look!! LOL!!! Remember how I said one of my ultimate dreams/wishes/goals is to buy an old castle and renovate? Well, for 2.3 million, that'd get me a GORGEOUS European castle with a 1000 years' history. I just can't fathom spending that kind of money and having neighbors right next door!!!

Midway through our tour, Margaret and I needed a bathroom break, and other than those outside porta potty things, the nearest bathroom is Braum's. YUM!!!!! If you're not blessed with Braum's ice cream stores in your part of the world--sorry!!! Really!! Because they serve up all kinds of sinfully good treats from ice cream cones and sundaes to double cheeseburgers!!!

While ordering, because my purse had been stashed in the trunk while touring, I pulled out my cell to check messages, and had four. One, from Son wanting to know when I was coming home to take him to the pool, and three from Daughter, telling me my agent had called. Hmmm . . . Always an interesting development.

Trouble is, seeing how my agent's the ultimate Jerry McGuire in female form, this call could have been good or bad. She calls often with phone hugs!!! I LOVE her!!! Anyway, so I called Michelle, (Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary Agency) and asked what's up? Turns out, the call was great in that Harlequin was offering a new quickie contract for a dance-themed book and an anthology based on a Fourth of July class reunion. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The party was short-lived, though, as the next morning, Daughter woke with a 102 fever. Seeing how she NEVER gets fevers, I called the doctor. But remember how we no longer have a doctor? Well, we had to switch to another woman in the office, who was very nice, but it was weird seeing someone new. I've been battling MAJOR sinus headaches and congestion, etc., so I asked the doctor to look up my nose, too. Daughter had strep, and I had a massive sinus infection. No wonder, I've had the energy of a dead slug!!!! Anyway, we're both now on antibiotic and seem to be slowly perking up. A good thing, seeing how Daughter leaves for cheer camp at 8am tomorrow morning, and she hasn't even started to pack!!!!

Picture Experiment . . .

2006-06-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

Chrystal--if this works, you're a goddess!!!! (Even if it doesn't, thanks a bunch for trying to teach me new tricks!!!)

Seeing how I'm thinking it just might work, these pics are of the eighth grade formal you all got to hear me grumble about. Seeing how pretty my babies turned out, I think the effort was worth it!! (Notice how when the kids are cute and polite, they're mine, but otherwise, they're all Hubby's doing!!! LOL!!!)

Trading in Hubby's Kids for Duck Babies!!!!

2006-06-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!!

Hubby and I are always on the hunt for a reason to celebrate (translation: go off our diets!!!!), so, like Mother's Day, we did the day up in style. First off, was a trip to Cracker Barrel for breakfast--YUM!!!! If you've never been to this fab little restaurant--go now!!!

We discovered this chain when the kids were babies while on a road trip to North Carolina. I told Hubby to buy stock, but alas, he didn't listen. Anyway, back to why this place is so great, they have Southern cooking that tastes just like you've been slaving for hours over a hot stove. As a bonus, they also have country stores attached with all kinds of cool vintage food items, clothes, housewares and gifts. In the winter, they have a gigantic fireplace with a crackling fire making the place feel way better than home!! LOL!!

Now, ordinarily, Hubby and I have a delightful time, because we make it a point to go without HIS kids. (I'm not sure where they came from, but as bad as they've both been lately, I had nothing to do with their creation!!! LOL!!!) Yesterday, being Father's Day and all, we thought it would probably be a nice gesture to take the kids with us. WRONG!!!!

Hubby leaves for work by 6:30, and there are lots of mornings I'm up working by 5:00, so to avoid the holiday morning rush, we figured why not go early? If, say, you moseyed in at ten, there'd be a forty-five minute wait. Okay, so at 6:45, I round up the kids, Hubby tramps off to feed the duck babies (more about them later), and we agree to rendezvous back at the front door in ten minutes.

Lucky me, both kids must've stayed up till 4 AM, as they both seemed to be in comas. I finally got them upright and dressed, but they weren't pleased. As for wishing their dad a happy day, all he got were a few grumbles.

At the restaurant, Son perked up nicely, but then he'd just given Hubby a new video game. Coincidentally, one that he'd (Son) very much wanted. Hubby and I later had a laugh over that. Well, the fact that Son had a gift and Daughter had forgotten, sent Daughter into a classic teen hissy. From then on out, the meal rocketed downhill!!!!!

Hoping to steer the conversation in a lighthearted direction, I introduced the topic of their upcoming birthday, for which we always have a blow-out party. (My pregnancy with them was HORRIFIC--including seven months of TOTAL bed rest, plus, I seriously damn near died delivering them, so considering how hard I worked to get them here, we always celebrate the day they finally popped out in grand form!! LOL!!!)

We talked party themes. Luau? Nope, did it last year. Pokemon? I got double sets of eye rolls. Strawberry Shortcake? Stone silence. Cowboy? Double glares. At this point, I switched to the topic of guest lists, and how this year, seeing how they have such different friends, I plan to introduce the veto rule. Daughter may auto-veto two folks on Son's list, then he will have the same right with hers. Oh, that went over real well.

From here on, while the kids launched WWIII over potential guests, Hubby and I consumed as many calories in white gravy, butter and cheese as humanly possible, yelled at the kids for not touching their meals that'd cost $40.00 bucks with all their fancy side-orders, then packed up the kids and ran!!!

Next stop, naps!!

Around one, we faced a new dilemma . . . Neighborhood pool or movie? I balanced the checkbook, and seeing how aside from snacks, the pool's free, we went that route. Only again, the troops dissented, as neither kid wanted to go. In the end, we forced them into the car. They both pouted and glared for a good thirty minutes, but Son then had two mystery girls fawning over him, so he perked right up, begged cash for a Coke and Frito Chili Pie, then we never saw him again. Daughter slept while listening to her I-Pod till it was time to go.

Oh--but she did briefly wake to again discuss party themes, and we got one!!! Toga! Toga! Toga!!! Seeing how Hubby and I met at his fraternity's annual toga party, I concurred.

Back to the duck babies, behind our house is a huge pond (I think there's a pic posted at my old eharlequin.com blog), and all year we wait to see if we get any babies. This year's been dismal, until last week, Hubby said he'd spotted two. Sure enough, I finally saw them, too, and they're DARLING!!! The size of fluffy tennis balls!!! If Hubby's kids continue on their hateful streak, I'm thinking we should boot them out of the house and adopt the ducks!!! LOL!!!

P.S. Does anyone know how to post pics? I followed what I thought was the procedure with formal-wear pics, but they vanished!!!

Work-out Woes & Jaws

2006-06-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've been SERIOUSLY working out since last week Friday and have gained three pounds!!!!! I tried on my too-tight jeans, fully expecting them to fall to my knees, and guess what? They were even tighter. I'm not sure what kind of cruel trick the Body Gods are playing with me, but do they realize I'm at least trying??? Would it be too much to ask to at least lose a token pound or let my jeans zip???

I bought some of those miracle belly fat shrinking pills, but am afraid to take them as it says on the warning label that they're not intended for folks under forty. What the label doesn't say is what, exactly, will happen if you take them and haven't yet reached that magic number? Do you blow up? Break out in hives?

I had planned to ask my doctor, but just got a letter stating she's leaving what I'd assumed to be a fairly lucrative general practice to work part-time at a midtown free clinic. Huh????? Granted, life isn't all about the money, but I wish she would've consulted me in this decision!! I've been with the woman for ten years and feel betrayed!!! Abandoned!!! Adrift!!! I'm not sure why this news is bugging me to such a degree, but it is. Maybe an ice cream bar would help??

In other news . . . The neighborhood pool is teeming with sharks. Girl sharks. Gnashing, meanie, slit-eyed girl sharks who have suddenly decided Daughter is not fit to look at, let alone speak with. I'm talking girls who have been friends since third grade!!! The whole thing's very hurtful and disheartening. I guess I was lucky in that I really can't recall any mean girls in my high school circle. Or was I flying so low under the radar, as to not warrant this kind of behavior?

Seeing how I'm hardly an expert, my only advice to Daughter has been to try not to let them get her down. She's smart, talented and gorgeous and should enjoy her true friends and forget about the rest. Okay, so now that she's doing great, having a ball with high school cheer and meeting new friends, why don't I feel better about the situation??? Hmmm . . . Maybe another ice cream bar would help??

Speaking of cheer, I just learned the high school coach is a fan of romance!! I promised her a *shout out*, so Heidi Weber, if you're out there, thanks for being such a fun coach and role model!!! Daughter and I both adore you!!!

A MAJOR Thrill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-06-06T06:19:00.000-07:00

I don't know about other writers, but for me, I have a secret list of must-reach goals before I'll be happy. Big goals include driving a brand, spankin' new Jag, traveling first class to Tahiti, Monaco, Switzerland, England, Easter Island, etc., having one of my book babies debut #1 on the NYT Bestseller list, be invited on one of those "Read At Sea" cruises as a special guest author, go on a publishing house sponsored booksigning tour, buy and renovate an old castle--you know, the usual stuff dreams are made of.

Well, in addition to the Big Boys of dreams, I also have more immediately attainable ones. Selling a YA novel, hitting any bestseller list, selling a new paranormal novel, losing 5 lbs (Okay, I'd be thrilled with one!! LOL!!), being invited to be part of a continuity series, selling an anthology, seeing someone reading my book on a plane or poolside.

Imagine my surprise when--taa daa!!!! Saturday afternoon, Hubby, Daughter and I were schlepping our stuff to our fave neighborhood pool chairs, and had just gotten set up when I got the biggest thrill!!! Setting up right alongside us was a women carrying my April Harlequin American, His Bonus Baby!!!!!!!!! For about 2.2 seconds I was going to play it cool, but around the 2.8 second mark, I blew!!!!!

"Sweetie!," I cried to Hubby, jabbing his six-pack abs (not an entirely accurate description, but I have to live with the guy!!) , "She's reading my book! Look! She has my book!!" To the woman, I cried, "Not to be nosy, or anything, but this is such a special moment for me. I've always dreamed of being out and about and seeing someone read one of my books." At this point, she looks around, no doubt checking to see if she's on Candid Camera or Punk'd. "This book?" she says, holding out my baby. I beamed and nodded and in general made a fool of myself!!

Turns out, she was lovely and gracious and had a friend who was interested in trying her hand at writing romance, so I told her to have her friend send me an e-mail if she had any questions, and that was the end of my encounter. Aside from sitting there, broiling in the sun, stressing over whether or not she liked the book or found it just so-so. Some day--soon, I hope--I will learn to take any given moment for what it is and be happy!!

In the mean time, now that I've met that fun goal, I'm ready for another. I'm thinking the castle thing would be super!!! ;-)

Big Fun at the Not-So-Big Neighborhood Pool!!!

2006-06-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, got some sleep and I'm back!!! Although the reason I got sleep is because my supposed best friend roped me into signing up at a new health club. I stayed two hours, trying out all the gizmos and gadgets and man, am I feeling the burn!!! I was zonkered by 8:00 last night--even missed all my fave Friday night ghost shows!!

BIG excitement at the neighborhood pool!!!!! Daughter has always been pretty, but all of the sudden, she's blossomed into a Victoria's Secret model!!! Even dressed in a perfectly acceptable bathing suit, she has, er, assets I've only dreamed of!! So anyway, we're (Daughter, her friend, and myself) broiling, eating M & Ms and basically bored because none of us are liking the books we've brought, when this teen god of a male strolls up.

This kid was so freakishly good looking and muscular and tanned and gorgeous, I was momentarily stunned!! So anyway, he and the girls start talking. He's two grades ahead of them, but knew them from school. He wants Daughter to go in the pool. Daughter's lazy and says no, she's tired and doesn't want to get wet. (Or, she may just be far more adept at flirting than I've ever imagined!! LOL!!)

At this point, Freakishly Gorgeous Guy picks up Friend's water bottle and squirts daughter. Shooting her this melt-worthy grin, he says, "Now, you're already wet. You have to get in." Daughter giggles and says she's not going to. At which point, Freakishly Gorgeous Guy scoops her into his arms, then carries her halfway around the pool!!!! I'm gaping, Friend's gaping, we're all gaping!! I expected Freakishly Gorgeous Guy to toss her in the pool, but apparently his momma taught him better as he gently set her on the edge of the pool, then gave her a nudge. Whew!!!!! This kid's got game!!

Yesterday, while my ex-best friend and I did lunch and a movie (see above for why Margaret's now my ex!! LOL!!!) Daughter headed back to the pool with another batch of friends. I asked if she saw Mr. Freakishly, and she said, "No, but an even hotter guy showed up and wanted to exchange cell numbers." Sigh. Oh to be fourteen again, only this time around to look like her!!!

Back to the movie Margaret and I saw, I'm still livid!!!! We went to The Break-Up with Jen A. & Vince V.. I hooted and howled and thought consistently, this is a FANTASTIC movie!!! Then, three seconds before the end, I was left with the most disgustingly sour taste in my mouth and wanted to toss popcorn at the screen. But alas, I'm on the pre-conference diet, so I didn't have any. It was the stupidest, most horrific ending for a romantic comedy I've seen since that Sandra Bullock/ Ben Affleck (sp?) flick about the two of them getting stuck in all kinds of bad weather. Darling, right up until the end. At which point, you just kind of sit there, thinking, huh?

What doesn't Hollywood get about the fact that we don't shell out big bucks to go to the movies to be depressed by a film advertised as being a feel-good movie? Stupid, stupid, stupid. I hereby predict that had this movie had a satisfactory ending, it would've made millions, but will now tank. Have I mentioned the ending was stupid???????

Happy Saturday!! I'm off to the neighborhood pool!!! ;-)

No Sleep, But Plenty of Orange Hi-C!!!

2006-06-01T06:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the vanishing act!!! But seriously, this has been one of those periods your momma told you about--you know the one . . . Goes a little something like if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut!!!

Thank goodness summer's here, kids are out of eighth grade and we've finally gotten a new batch of rain!!

Nothing much to report news-wise. The kids have been busy. The neighborhood pool opened last Saturday, so Son's there everyday and Daughter spent four days with a friend at their Grand Lake condo. They both turned out beautifully for the 8th grade formal. Not sure how to get photos posted on this site, but I'll sure try!!

I'm thinking part of my blah mood problem is lack of sleep. I'm exhausted, yet the minute I put my head to the pillow, my eyes pop open and I start worrying!!!! When I think of the horror that was going on at this time last year (we still hadn't yet sold our old house and had double house payments, etc.) I've got nothing to be worried about. Generally, lots of little things. Like each worry is a mosquito, whining around my head!!! Get five or six going and you have a problem!!! LOL!!!

Speaking of worries . . . Did anyone see Oprah's show on Bird Flu? Boy, oh boy, that looks like something to look forward to!!! And then there's the new Al Gore environmental film. Just watching the preview makes me want to puke!!! What was so striking to me was the photo evidence he presents about global warming. I'm thinking it was Mt. Kilamanjaro (sp?) he showed a pic of from like forty years ago, topped with snow, then now, with hardly any snow--ever. I'm hoping that the film doesn't just scare, but tell folks what to do to help on a personal level.

For years, I laughed at the whole global warning thing, but with the weather so odd lately, the issue very much concerns me. Here in Oklahoma, compared to when we first moved here ten years ago, our entire climate has changed. Rain used to be common, now it's something to pray for!!!

Okay, didn't mean to get a downer vibe going here!!! There are lots of things to be happy about!! Healthy, pretty, smart kids!! Darling dogs!! Handsome, smart Hubby!! (If he ever reads this, I'll catch hell for putting him after my puppies!!! LOL!!) Oh--and as of late, the number one thing to be thankful for, McDonald's french fries and Orange Hi-C!!!!! Don't ask how my pre-conference diet has been going!!

Corsage Shopping and All That That Implies . . .

2006-05-18T04:24:00.000-07:00

Knock on wood, but aside from edit stress, things have been remarkably calm around here!!!

Tuesday, Daughter and I got Son's date's corsage ordered for the formal. We're picking out flowers in the cooler of a fairly swanky florist along with a pretty, pearl wristband holder-thingee when I asked Daughter if her boyfriend had asked what color her dress was so that he could get her a corsage. She said, no, but that the dance was no big deal and she didn't want one. Besides, it was too expensive. I said we'll manage if she really wants one. She again said the dance is no big deal. I said, if that's the case, why'd we spend a whole day picking out your dress? Silence.

I suggested she call her boyfriend to ask if he's getting her a corsage. (They've been *dating* a year now and his family lives in a great neighborhood and I'm pretty sure they aren't on food stamps, so I didn't see that this would be too awfully rude.) She looked at me as if I'd asked her to spend the weekend on Mars. I suggest she have one of her friends call him to see if he's getting her a corsage. That was equally as bad. Daughter then tells me her boyfriend's for sure not getting her a corsage. I asked how she knows. She said he would never think of it. I reminded her that we were out shopping for her brother. Seeing how her boyfriend has a perfectly fine mother, wouldn't it make sense that maybe she would help him? Silence.

Fast forward fifteen minutes down the road to the grocery store. Daughter hops out of the car and says that anyway, she'd much rather go on vacation this summer than have a corsage. I said, trust me, barring a financial miracle from the great Harlequin Office in the Sky a summer vacation is probably not in the cards and a corsage isn't the deciding factor. She said, oh.

We're shopping, shopping, picking out taco-fixings and misc. mushy treats for Granny Sylv when we pass the florist stand. It's here Daughter points to a certain flower she loves and asks the name. I don't know right off hand, but I tell her to ask the florist lady. Calla lilies. Daughter decides these are what she wants in her corsage. I said, I thought you weren't getting a corsage? She shrugs, then turns her attention to picking which line we check-out in. This is a highly technical teen process depending upon not which line is shorter, but which line has the hottest checker/bagger guy!!! Alas, only the express lane has a stud, and we have just shy of eight-thousand Granny Sylv snacks!!!

Waiting in the grocery pick-up line, Daughter says, "Yeah, I really like Calla Lilies. Those would be pretty with my dress." Okay . . . I said, Sweetie, if you want a corsage, Daddy and I would love to get you one, but please, tell me now before we get all the way home.

Yes--she wants one, but with calla lilies. We get back to the florist with about thirty seconds to spare before they close. We inquire about the lilies, but alas, they have none. They will, however, by Friday, receive a shipment of white, baby orchids. Daughter perks right up. Did someone say, orchids?

All of which brings me around to the question of why is it so hard to just come right out and ask for what we want?

In other news, yesterday, Hubby left for Atlanta. He returns home tonight. ;-)

Is Monday Morning too Early For a Nap?

2006-05-15T04:38:00.000-07:00

After an amazing weekend--which I'll get to in a minute--I should be smiling, right?

Well . . . I guess this is a sign I take my reality TV a tad too seriously, but I'm still boiling over the Survivor outcome!!!!! Hubby's name is Terry, so naturally, hunky, gorgeous, smart Terry on the show was the guy for me!! I wanted him to win soooooo bad!!!! GRRRRR!!!!! LOL!!!!!

Okay, guess it's time to let his loss go, but I fear I'll never truly recover from the pain!! I love you, Terry!!!!! You, too, Hubby!!! LOL!!!

Moving on to other business, after a mad dash of printing tags for promo goodies, then packing, I finally made it into Margaret's gorgeous, but itty-bitty car Friday afternoon. Whew. (If you're late chiming in, Margaret Daley is my best writing bud. She writes for Harlequin's Steeple Hill line.) Anyway, first thing out of the house, she yelled at me for having too much stuff!!!!!

Now, I'll be the first to admit to being a high maintenance girl, but all I had was Hubby's icky-foo, teeny-tiny, black overnight bag. We have lots of pretty luggage with matching carry-ons, but I took the boring stuff, because it's smaller. Did Margaret pat me on the back for packing lightly???? Nooooooooooo!!!! Thirty minutes down the road, I was still catching flack for the rest of my stuff--all of which was work related!!!! Next trip, I'll just bring my hooker hair and clean underwear!!! ROFL!!!!! (My hooker hair is this great hair extension I wear for parties. I suppose it would also work for not washing my hair on weekends. Just slick dirty hair back and clamp it on!!!) Margaret, sweetie, if you're out there, you know I love you, right??? But I've got to have my pillow and hair stuff!!!! LOL!!! ;-)

Okay, so four hours later, we were standing outside Whataburger in Breckenhookenwokkaville (sp?), Texas to meet our Red River Romance Writer escort, a woman named Debbie Calloway. I believe she blogs and writes as Debra Calloway, but wow, what a neat, sweet, talented, gorgeous woman!!!!! We followed her into Wichita Falls--a good thing because Margaret and I tend to get lost. Oh--we figure it out eventually, but like the time we wound up at the Shreveport City Jail at 2:00 AM, our detours aren't always so pleasant!!! LOL!!! But back on topic, having safely and uneventfully arrived at a beautiful historic bungalow, we met our hostess for the night, another equally beautiful, smart and talented woman named, Jackeye Plummer. Shortly thereafter, we met many more cool folks!! Darese, Mary Beth, Sue, Ardella, argh--I know I'm leaving people out!! It's calorie-overload!! Those Texans know how to feed company!!

So Friday night, we had a delicious potluck, then Saturday morning, Margaret and I woke to a beautiful spread by Jackeye. She'd set a gorgeous table!! I'm talking juice glasses, water glasses, tea cups, etc., plus biscuits with three kinds of jam. Yum!! Next, we met up again for RRRW's chapter meeting where Margaret and I gave our speech on "Falling in Love Without falling Into Bed".

At the meeting, we met up with a writer named Karen Kelly. I've been thumping my head, trying to remember where we've met, and then it hit me. She's a Gemster!!!!! Online, I've known her forever!!! To be a Gemster, you have to have sold a book to a line of romances Kensington published, called Precious Gems. Anyway, I'm thrilled to have solved that mystery. Just wish I'd've remembered sooner so we could've reminisced!!

After a yummy, deli-style lunch with our new friends, then the long drive home, Margaret dropped me at my front door. Whew.

On to Part Two of the weekend--Mother's Day. Greeting me on the front porch was a waaaay pretty, bird bath fountain I've been wanting!!! I yelled at Hubby and kids for spending too much, but it's gorgeous!!!

Sunday morning, after Hubby served me delicious breakfast in bed, then I had a nice, long chat with my mom, the kids gave me more great stuff!!! Son had made a giant card out of a scrap booking kit's photo album. He filled it with lots of goofy-fun pics and quotes. Way, way cool. Next, Daughter had made me a coupon book. I now, at any time, whine-free, get her to clean for an hour, give me a hug, feed Granny Sylv, do her cheer stretches, cheerfully give up the computer, etc.. I can't wait to start putting her to work!!! LOL!!! Both gifts made me teary. I love my babies!!!!

After a leisurely morning, we headed out to see Poseidon. Josh Lucas was HOT!!!!! The movie was so-so, but he was HOT!!!! Hubby was ticked that the hot girl he liked croaked. Sorry, hon!! LOL!!! Have I mentioned Josh was HOT??!!!

From here, I planned to garden, but instead lounged in bed with Daughter and Cocoa, watching more movies while Hubby and Son worked on the deck. The Fog turned out to be way better than I'd expected and Shopgirl left me sad. I agreed with the ending, but it put me in a melancholy funk. A couple hours later, the Survivor finale left me devastated!!!!

Whew, and here we are, back at Monday morning. I'm exhausted!!!! But in a good way!!! ;-)

Formals & Fed-Ex

2006-05-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

All right, as the realities of the hell otherwise known as 8th Grade Formal set in, my gigantic grin has somewhat faded!!! ;-)

There should be gold medals awarded for moms who survive teen formal-wear shopping!!!! After pounding the mall ALL day Saturday for Daughter's dress, she found a pretty black and white polka-dot summery cotton frock for a great price. I was thrilled. That night, we went to the cheer party where she discussed dresses with her friends. Turns out a girl who was not at the party reportedly had the same dress. The horror!!!!! Daughter whined and moaned and Sunday, decided the dress must be returned. She had a new one already in mind. Oh? I asked. Which one? The one that cost double the price of the original, of course!!!

Okay, so we get the pretty pouffy white confection home, she parades around the house in the dress and my shoes--which I politely suggested she wear to help defray some expense--Hubby approves that the new dress isn't too low cut. Whew, crisis averted, right? WRONG!!!

Now, Son chimes in that it's not fair that his sister gets a fancy new dress and he doesn't get anything. I'm sorry, but at this point, seeing how the girl he'd asked had turned him down and he was going stag, I failed to see why he couldn't wear the nice slacks and shirt we bought for his China trip. Especially in light of the fact that the previous weekend, he'd left his cell phone in his jeans pockets and Hubby then washed it!!! And the cost of his new phone will be soon appearing on my cell bill!!!!

I was all set to stick to my guns on this issue, then, the girl who'd turned him down instant messaged him that she did want him to take her. ARGH!!!! That changed everything. Now, we have family pride involved in that I can't send the boy out in rags to do the whole corsage thing, etc. Yesterday afternoon, I took Son to the mall for a new outfit and--are you sitting down for this??? His cost more than Daughter's!!!!! He did chip in, though, with a chunk of his chore money, seeing how I'm still miffed over his phone getting washed.

Speaking of which, even though I was home all day, recovering from the walk I'd taken that morning, I zig-zagged through the road crew and sprinkler crew and dirt delivery crew to the mail box, then, on the return trip found a Fed Ex tag on the front door. I never even heard the doorbell ring!!! Assuming it's Son's phone, at 8:00 PM (the time the tag said to go), we head to Fed-Ex to pick it up. You wouldn't want him to be without a phone any longer than necessary, right??? LOL!!! Can you believe it? Fed-Ex is packed!!!! I'm talking, the little lobby was so full one lady had to stand outside!!!

We waited a good twenty minutes--maybe more, the stuffy heat and blaring prison-based talk radio show had me a tad woozy. Yes, from what I could gather, the show was being broadcast from prison!!! The topic was some guy named Sweetheart, and if it was emotionally healthy for him to visit with men from other cell blocks!!!!!!!!! :-O

But I digress . . . After waiting and waiting and waiting, we were told the driver hadn't yet returned, and so therefore, it will be delivered to our house again today. I tried explaining that we'd gone that route with no success, but judging by the thunderous expression of the guy behind me who was no doubt Sweetheart's recently released cousin, I flashed the guy a faint smile and left.

Next stop, Lowe's, where I picked up a gallon of Laura Ashley Apple 6. My beige office walls are closing in on me, and seeing how when I read my swamp book at critique Thursday night, it was politely suggested I restart, I figure I'd much rather paint!!!! LOL!!!

Oh--and as the cherry on top of the whole formal saga . . . Turns out the girl didn't have the same dress as Daughter, after all. Grrrrr!!!! :-)

Color Me Over-The-Moon Happppppy!!!!!!!!

2006-05-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

Gimme a Y!!!

Gimme an A!!!

Gimme another Y!!!!

What's it spell? YAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

Daughter made her new high school's varsity cheer squad!!!!!! Whew. It's funny how when you have kids, your own rejections still hurt, but nothing like the pain of when your kids get rejected or hurt. The forty minutes it took to waiting to see the results be posted felt like eight hours!!

We didn't get out of uniform fittings till 8:30, then to celebrate, a group of us met up at Olive Garden at 9:30. We didn't get home till nearly midnight!!! Driving home we heard Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, so then, we of course, had to stay up watching Wayne's World for the famous head-bobbing car scene!! I zonked out pretty soon thereafter, but for once, happily!!!!!

Today, we go spring formal dress shopping. It's pouring, so I'm assuming the malls will be insanely crowded, but at the moment, even that's not going to get me down!!!

I know, any of you regulars are probably near falling down in shock at this point that I have nothing to whine/gripe/complain about, but sorry, my smile's just too darned big!!! ;-)

Ant Invasion!!!!!

2006-05-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday.

Midway through cheer week.

Between waiting for my May royalty check, waiting for my editor to read my newest batch of proposals, waiting for the eight-thousand concrete trucks to leave our road and waiting a little longer still to see if Daughter has a happy weekend or is yet again thrown into a pit of despair, my stomach's on FIRE!!!!!

To counteract the fire, plus fit into summer conference clothes, I've walked the three-mile trail in a nearby park for two days. That's all well and good, but I'm so exhausted afterwards, I've pretty much done nothing but sit and stare glazed and sweating at the computer.

Last night, it was time for bed, and still fretting, I couldn't sleep. ARGH!!! I did finally get some writing done, though, on a hot new proposal. So at least something positive came from the wreckage that's become of my mind!! ;-)

Oh--and my desk has ants!!! Just my desk. Have I mentioned how much I despise my family's habit of eating and drinking at my desk, then flitting off to do their thing, leaving their food and drinks and candy wrappers and various other flotsam???? Does Nora Roberts have to share her desk??? I think not!!!

On a lighter note--anyone out there watching 8th & Ocean on MTV? My lord, what a good looking bunch of youth!!! A couple weeks ago, Daughter and I were pacing the mall, waiting for an opening at the pedicure place when we saw Britt on a Gap poster. I hereby predict, if she ever gets over her thing about not being too sexy, she'll be crazy-famous!! Oh, and the twins, Kelly & Sabrina, are in a contact lenses ad. I'm so mad at Kelly for not giving sweet Sabrina her messages I want to spit!!!! And Vinci. Whew. I want to spank the boy for bad behavior and just plain throwing away a BIG buck career!!!!! The child's criminally hot, but his attitude sucks.

In other news, my folks just bought back a lake house they sold like ten years ago. Mom celebrated her birthday. My grandfather was in the hospital for a mystery illness he now seems to have mostly recovered from, but is having more tests. And Son got new rubber bands at the orthodontist that are so tightly woven through the brackets, he literally can't speak. His teachers will be thrilled!!!!! (Assuming he wears them, which I highly doubt!!!) During my parental update at the orthodontist, they praised his brushing and wearing of rubber bands.

We left the office and I said to him, "You haven't worn a single rubber band since your last appointment--and you NEVER brush without me screaming."

Skipping with joy, he grinned and said, "I know! Isn't this great? Someone Upstairs must be smiling down on me!"

Don't you just love teenagers??!! ;-)

Hiding from the Gigantic, Medieval-looking Corkscrew Device!!!

2006-04-30T06:17:00.000-07:00

Whew, the book's gone, the play's over, Mom and Dad went home and after being gorgeously, top-to-bottom cleaned and polished, the house is once again trashed and I feel run over by one of the steam rollers parked in front of the mail box!!!!

Seriously, I've got the energy of limp and sticky overcooked pasta!!!! Now, on any ordinary weekend, this wouldn't be an issue, but on this particular weekend, Hubby's got a ten-pound bee under his bonnet. Ugh. Seeing how our backyard is a mud pit (dust pit if it hasn't been raining for three days!!), we're all wanting a deck. This is a pricey, labor-intensive goal I'm willing to wait five or six years for. Hubby, however, wants a deck NOW!!!!!!! Like today!!! Well, actually, he wanted it yesterday, but after he'd spent his Christmas Lowe's gift card on posts and concrete, then rented some gigantic motorized corkscrew thingee for digging post holes, it poured. No--it didn't just pour, freshwater lakes fell from the skies in gushing torrents.

In Hubby's defense, he had just watched the Weather Channel, and it looked as if the rain was moving out, otherwise I'm sure he would've tabled the project one more weekend.

But seeing how my goal for the day was hiding in my office playing my new Sims 2 expansion pack, I was loving the rain--that didn't move eastward, but stalled directly over our house. Pouring and pouring. At which point, Hubby paced the house, rumbling and grumbling about how much the medieval-looking, gigantic corkscrew thingee was costing and how was he going to ever get it back in time, etc. etc. Never have I been gladder to have a son, as the two men of the house stayed out there working until lightning started. At which point, Hubby stormed back into the house to scowl. He did perk up after a trip to the grocery store for cheeeezzzzy-potato and grilled burger fixings. YUM!! Meanwhile, Daughter, Cocoa and myself tried hiding as much as possible!!

Now, I thought once darkness fell, I'd be safe from toil. Wrong! Both kids had parties to be picked up and delivered from. Plus, Son's party was a birthday, meaning I had to go get cash to hand out to kids I've never even met!!! Hubby, meanwhile, had collapsed somewhere in a muddy heap. Poor guy. He did look beat. Plus, I'm pretty sure he broke his toe, but is too manly to go to the doctor. Speaking of his manly ways, he looked sexy wielding that massive power tool!!! LOL!!! ;-)

At eleven, rain still falling, it was time to pick-up the kids, plus one extra who needed a ride home. He had the sniffles REAL bad, and I'm praying it was allergies and not a contagious head cold, seeing how I've got another stress-filled week ahead. Will this school year ever end????

In the mean time, I've got to go find a new hiding place!! Hubby's got the medieval corkscrew thingee till noon, and I can't chance getting caught, then roped in to help!!! I'm a girly girl!! I decorate decks, not help build them!!! (Snort!! In my dreams!! Actually, as an only child, I spent many loooong weekends acting as my dad's *son*!! I know my way around tools a little too well!!!) ;-)

Cliff Notes Version of a Quickie Catch-Up!!

2006-04-27T04:47:00.000-07:00

Feels like forever since I've been here, and pretty much it has!! ;-)

Wow, where to begin? Seeing how life's still going at a much faster pace than I'd like, guess I'll give the Cliff Notes version of what's been going on!!!

For the most part, writing, revising, writing, revising, etc. Ugh. I've crammed so much writing into the past week, I feel like my eyes are crossed!!! Good news, last night at 7:45, I got my book shipped off!!! Bad news, our Fed-Ex guy said that branch is closing, as is every other branch aside from the Tulsa airport. (A million miles from my house.) We'll still be able to use Kinkos, but seeing how bless their hearts, but the poor Kinkos people don't have a clue what they're doing when it comes to international shipping, this is NOT good news. I work with the Harlequin office in Toronto, Canada which, as far as shipping from Tulsa, might as well be outer Mongolia!!! My manuscript cost $67.50 to ship, but Fed-Ex is the only way to get it quickly through customs. Otherwise, I've had it take up to two weeks to arrive!!! My editor at the time was lovely about it, but still, that's not cool!!

Other good news, not only do we have a partially black-topped road, but real live concrete curbs!!! Bad news, we have no driveway and must park on the road at the top of the hill for two more days until all concrete work is finished.

Good news, the house is painted. Bad news, I'm not sure I'm thrilled with the color. Don't get me wrong, it's a perfectly acceptable beige, but I wanted something darker and richer than standard beige. I gave darker chips to Painter Joe, and he about had a heart attack. "Oh no, Ma'am, you don't want to go that dark." Um ... Now that my latest book is out and I'll have nothing better to do than obsess over the house, yes, I very much did want to go that dark!!!!!! Oh--and the doors were supposed to be cranberry. They're not. Again, they're okay. But not my ideal. In other bad paint-related news, Painter Joe is done, but he was seriously broad-chested, strong-shouldered eye candy I no longer have access to. The day he painted my office door (there's a small deck off my office), he had to have the door open to paint, and he was quite flirty in a painter-sort-of way. Under a spooky green Oklahoma sky, in a dead calm, his last words to me were, "Thank you, Sugar." Five minutes later, we had a raging hail storm.

Today is my best bud Margaret's birthday!!!! I am ROTTEN with dates, so Tuesday night, she reminded me!!!! Thank goodness, because I would've forgotten. I also forget my anniversary, all parental birthdays, etc. I'm thinking this is because outside of deadlines and school functions, I usually have no idea what the date is. Anyway, I hope she has a happy day!!

Also today, is the big premiere of the school play my babies are starring in!!!! It's called Who Done it, and to Whom. I think. I'm always getting the title wrong. Anyway, my folks are coming to watch and spend the night. Oh my. Last night, we went on a whirlwind cleaning spree, as when I'm approaching a book deadline, I stay in my office 5 AM till 12PM and the house pretty much falls apart around me. Hubby cleaned carpets and scrubbed bathrooms. I picked up general clutter, dusted, and supervised kid work--of which there was hardly any, seeing how they didn't even get out of play practice till seven. Then, Son had acting class till 8:30. Meanwhile, Daughter and I picked out plants for my deck, in an attempt to make the ugly beige house color go away. Have I mentioned I really wanted the house to be darker?????

Whew. I think that's it. Next week starts Daughter's high school Cheer tryouts. I'm not sure if my stomach or heart can take it, but at least for the moment, I'm tress-free from writing!! ;-)

The Easter Bunny Brought Rotten Eggs!!!

2006-04-17T04:15:00.000-07:00

May I please have a do-over on Easter?

Yech, what an ultra-crappy weekend. Well, I suppose a portion of it was all right. Friday night Son slept over at a friend's and Daughter had a friend come to our house. Saturday started off calm enough, but ended on a doozy of a sour note.

First off, have I mentioned the bedroom AC is broken? If not, it is. Tulsa is in some Twilight Zone weather-wise and the heat we've been having is nuts. Scary, scary stuff!!! Anyway, after calling literally a dozen AC service companies (our usual was so busy, they couldn't come till this week Thursday), we found one to come Saturday. The guy said he'd be there between 10 & 12. He got there a little past 3. Not a problem, we didn't have much going on anyway. Now, remember how we got that surprise money last week? And how thrilled we were to finally get a chance to get ahead?

Apparently the motor is out on the AC. The part is $450. God only knows what labor will be. Talk about putting a downer on Saturday night. Ugh.

Forcing ourselves to get over it, it's only money, yadda, yadda, yadda, we went out to rent movies. Lounging in our disgustingly hot bedroom, we watched One For the Money starring my boyfriend, Matthew McConaughey. (Remind me later to tell you why we couldn't watch in the lovely, arctic-chilled TV room--looooong Granny Sylv story.)

Okay, so there Hubby and I and dogs are on the bed, window fan set on gale-force, when our bedroom door slams open, and in strolls this pale, zombie-like creature looking suspiciously like our son, sobbing, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm--" Right away, your stomach sinks, cause you know this can't be good. Apparently, he didn't feel good, and didn't merely throw up, but projectile vomited down a fifteen-foot hall, then proceeded into the downstairs bathroom, where he did it again--everywhere but the toilet. (To emphasize what a truly dire moment this was, a couple hours earlier, he'd feasted on pizza rolls and Raviolios. Seeing how I puke at someone saying the word, puke, Hubby stepped into hero mode and tackled the mess--right outside Granny Sylv's room--while I medicated Son and got him into the tub, trying to calm him down. Good lord, was he sick.

Okay, thinking this was just something Son ate, hours later, we put him in bed and finished our movie, only to have the whole scene repeated around eleven--only this time, he'd projectile vomited in his room, all over the carpet and clothes and the other mountain of crap lurking beside his bed. Hubby reaches for the carpet steam cleaner, only to find we're out of cleaning solution. We hop in the car and head to Wal-Mart--open another forty minutes until they're shut down for Easter.

We made it in time, and by nearly one, had this latest mess tackled. Son, meanwhile, had been banished to our bathroom floor, where I made him a cozy, sleeping bag nest alongside the commode. Seeing how he was feeling hot, I checked him for fever and sure enough, he had 102!!!!!

When he was a kid, he had 104 a couple times, so I wasn't in full-mommy-panic-mode just yet, but getting close, especially since this now meant there was a great possibility he's contagious. Hubby and I had HELLISH throw-up flu like a month ago, and no way were we ready to go through it again. Not only that, but seeing how Son just got back from China, Hubby launches into this never-ending story about how there are bizarre foreign diseases out there where folks come home supposedly fine, only to weeks later come down with mystery sickness.

Anyway, it was a bad, bad night. Wake up Easter morning to do the whole egg routine and Daughter had fun, but Son still had 102.2. My stomach was churning. Seeing how it was just the five of us for Easter, we'd bought a beautiful ham and LOTS of fixings to console ourselves. What a waste when I just knew I'd be puking any second.

Finally, around two, well after I'd made all of my assigned dishes and still hadn't yacked, I got brave enough to make a plate and kept it down fine enough to brave seconds. Whew.

Meanwhile, no one else--knock on wood--has come down sick.

But wait, in an hour, the painters and road crew and AC guy all converge on our house!! Talk about making me sick . . . ;-)

Yaaay For Fun News!!!

2006-04-14T05:03:00.000-07:00

Yaaaay!! I've felt really awful about being so cranky lately, and apparently the Big Guy Upstairs must be sick of hearing me whine, too, seeing how we've finally had some fun news!!!

And no, our road still hasn't been paved and the painters and jack-hammerers are still pounding away!! :-(

First up, some folks who owed us money paid--early and nearly double what was due!!! Seeing how after paying taxes, we're still on a starvation diet of Ramen noodles, getting surprise money was a VERY good thing!!! Easter dinner is saved!! Second--and while this may not seem like a big deal to a lot of folks, I was pretty, darned excited!!!

Drum roll, please . . .

Yesterday, I was slogging away at my daily pages, hot as the devil, seeing how all the doors and windows had to be closed due to road dust and I'm too cheap to turn on the AC this early in the year, I was barely awake when I heard the fun little click signifying I'd gotten an e-mail!! Yaay--entertainment!! (Yes, my life really is that dull!!! )

Anyway, the e-mail was from the top editor of the series romance line I write for--Harlequin American. **Back story alert** Every year at the national Romance Writers of America conference, there's one, giant book signing hosted by a literacy organization, proceeds of which go to help promote literacy. Then, throughout the conference, publishing companies host lots of baby signings just to give away books to promote their authors and the publishing house. A lot of times, they're also used to promote new lines within a publishing house. Usually, they involve Big Name authors, and whit Harlequin, lots of fun promo goodies and food are given away along with the signed books. Conference attendees LOVE free stuff, so the lines are usually pretty long. Anyway, the Powers That Be at Harlequin have decided to host a signing to promote Harlequin American. This all by itself is HUGE, and speaks well for the general health of the line!!! Now, here's the REALLY exciting part . . .

Apparently, only the four American authors who have books out in July are participating--and I'm one of the four!! EEK!! Now, I've been told this was a significant month for the line, but didn't really think all that much about it. Guess I should've listened!! Wanna know who the other authors are??? Pamela Britton!! (Totally cool, adorable, talented best-seller!!) Mystery author. (She was listed in the e-mail, but I think it's by pseudonym as I didn't recognize the name. I'll let you know soon as I find out.) And--if you have a weak heart, fortify yourself now--Debbie Macomber!!!!!!!!!! In case you've been off visiting Mars, she's a multiple, multiple New York Times best-seller and amazingly talented and savvy and ultra-sweet to boot!!! I'm not worthy of breathing her air, but am very much looking forward to it!!! Oh--and to getting my free promo goodies without even having to stand in line!!!

In other news, Hubby's safely back home and Daughter's first cheer clinic went great, but have I mentioned I'm getting to do a book signing with Debbie Macomber????

Oh my gosh--now, I have to start a new diet and decide what to wear!!! ;-)

Black Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday . . .

2006-04-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Gimme a G

Gimme an R

Gimme another R

And another R

What's it spell?

GRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Which pretty much sums up the past few days!!!! Let's see, where we last left off in the Altom's continuing saga, one of the youngest Altoms--or, would that be Altours according to the painter?? --was trying out for high school Pom. Well, that mission was a bust.

Daughter was pretty bummed through the weekend, but has since rebounded--thanks in large part to massive quantities of sleepover guests and junk food--and now wants to go for the cheerleading squad. I'm not sure my heart can take it!!

Meanwhile, the road crew has torn our road down to bedrock--literally. I've never seen a road constructed like this--outside of say, maybe backwoods Peru. Every day, trucks come to dig up more dirt, haul it out. Bring more in. Haul it out. Another big dozer thingee then comes to rake it into these giant crumbles it's tough to even walk through. My car literally hasn't been out of the garage in a week. Thank God Hubby's out of town, so I can use his Jeep. Sadly, the road is in such horrendous shape now, that the Jeep couldn't even make it down.

I lunched with Margaret, and to get back to the house, had to park a half block away, trek through a forest area, hop down the three-foot dirt ledge to our road, then scramble up three feet to get to my front walk. Our nice, custom stucco mail box that matches the house has been wrenched out and is now in the middle of the front yard. As are the sprinkler heads.

The road is so bad, the painters left early, because they were afraid they wouldn't be able to get out. Now . . . Painter Joe is fairly hot, so he can stay, but the rest have to go!!

Feeding Granny Sylv her lunch, it occurred to me that if she needed an ambulance--which she has since she's lived with us, they couldn't get down the road!!! They'd have to airlift her out!!! I told her I was going to call someone just to rant. What's she do? Start giggling and ask if she can watch!!!!

I did manage to find someone to talk to, but all they could do was forward my number to someone else, promising they'd call back real soon. Right. We live on a mega-quiet street with only four houses, so I'm thinking they seriously don't care when our road gets done. It's great that we're getting new roads, really, it is. But does it have to be this painful???? ;-)

Oh--and have I mentioned the road is now empty with no work being done? It's just a big pit of giant, impassable crumbles of red clay. The new neighbors have a landscaping truck that's pinned in. Guess they'll be staying the night. Hmm . . . Wonder if any of them are hot??? (Don'tcha know male eye candy makes everything better!!! )

As for writing, I'm so wound up over so many things, it's a wonder I've gotten anything done, but have managed to get a few chapters further into my May 1st book, so that's good.

Sorry to be such a whiner, I'd just really love for something happy to happen--like maybe seeing the blacktop truck come barreling down the hill!!! ;-)

Please God, Let Them End--Pom Tryouts, That Is!!

2006-04-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's 5:20am here and I'm so angst-filled I couldn't sleep--my raging sinus headache wasn't helping, either!!! Anyway, I figured I might as well get up, knock out a quick fifty pages, or so, then I won't feel so bad about my looming deadline, right?? Heh, heh, heh.

Thank you for all those silence prayers!! They must've worked great as the road crew has mysteriously vanished for two days!!! (Although all the scary road worker machines straight from Mad Max are literally still parked at my front door!!!)

Yesterday morning, it rained for a whole ten minutes, so the painters knocked off, too. I had four delicious hours of silence yesterday afternoon, and did manage to get ten pages done, but I needed more like thirty. Oh well. I am pleased with what I've got, but I need to twisto/chango something plot wise to give my characters as much angst as I have. Hopefully, please God, that'll come today!!

In other news, Daughter and I have been at school every night this week from 4:30 to 9:00, which is probably why I'm exhausted--reality show withdrawal!!!! Plus, last night, Hubby said the vast majority of my Survivor tape was preempted by tornado warnings. Which leads me into another angst-ridden topic . . .

Last night was the first of the two-night Pom process. Like the compulsories in ice skating, last night, the girls did technique-type stuff. How many times they could leap while twirling, etc. They paired up, got in two rows, then went at it. Sometimes all across the floor at once, sometimes individually. Sometimes, Daughter nailed her stuff. Other times . . . Well, let's just say I was craving a green appletini REAL bad!!!

Right in the middle of me leaning over to whisper to my pals Karen and Dixie that if I fainted to please remember to call my Hubby to remind him to tape Survivor, the tornado sirens went off!!!!!!!!! Like the situation wasn't already tense enough???!!! We had to have a tornado arrive in the middle???!!! Interestingly enough, we took shelter in some fancy, schmancy auxiliary locker room under the bleachers that must only be used by elite male athletes. This place was seriously swanky!!! Plush navy carpet, lovely oak uniform cubicles, shiny new weight equipment, posterity photos of bygone teams. I felt like I was in the school Twilight Zone. Someone please remind me to fire off a stern letter to someone about injustice of this room!!!!!

Anyway, where was I? Oh--back to the twirly part of tryouts that resumed once the tornado apparently got sucked back up into the cloud . . .

Tryout attire: Since none of the tryout ensemble I'd selected for Daughter was deemed acceptable, I checked her out of school for lunch and her planning period, so she could pick out her own suits. We ended up at Victoria's Secret!!!!!!! Who knew they have cute workout clothes--not me, seeing how I couldn't fit one arm into the itty-bitty shorts she picked!!! If they're bonus points for cute, she wins!!! Yaaay!! As for those jumpy, pointy, split-thingees, I'll let you know as tryout results are posted tonight. Dear God, is 5:30 am too early for that green appletini???

I hate that I'm so wrapped up in all of this. I don't like to think of myself as *that* kind of mom. But what it comes down to for me is seeing how excited Daughter is. Whatever choices she makes in life, I want her to be happy. If she does make it, we'll have a big party, then, by next week, I'll probably be grousing about too many parent meetings and everything costing too much. If she doesn't make it, she's been scouting cute tennis skirts, and seeing how the high school tennis coach we met at incoming freshman open house is waaaay cute, as are the guys on the team, I'm sure she'll be happy with that, too!!!! As an added bonus, all the money we'll save can fund more green appletinis!!!

See? I'm feeling better already. Sudafed's kicking in, my breakfast bowl of Ramen noodles are ready for consumption. All is well--or would be, if only the painters and road crew weren't due at my front door in an hour!!!!! ;-)

Grumble, grumble . . .

2006-04-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

Ever have one of those days--okay, weeks--where you just want to crawl under the covers and hide???!!!

I mentioned we're getting the house painted, what I didn't mention is that the whole neighborhood is getting the roads redone--I'm talking, scrape the pavement off to bare red clay. It's nasty, dusty and creates a high-pitched scraping noise twenty feet from my office that would wake several thousand dead!!! At the same time, they're jack-hammering the road twenty-five feet from my office!!! At the same time, I have men scaling my house and roof like Spidermen with high-pressure washers. Those who aren't wielding the big automatic car wash-sounding machine, are scraping. Scraping, scraping, scraping!!!!! To round out the noise jubilee, is the further construction going on at a nearby hospital parking garage. More jack-hammering that shakes the whole freakin' house!!!!! Oh--and I forgot the most fun part which is having the dogs barking NON-STOP!!!!! Oh--and the doorbell ringing every five minutes. "Miz Alltour, do you have a hose hook-up? Miz Alltour, can you open the garage door? Miz Alltour, Can you close the garage door? Miz Alltour, we're really gonna need that garage door open again. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, I take Granny Sylv her breakfast and lunch and both times, she grins up at me and says, "Sure is quiet around here. What's goin' on in the world?" Double ARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

Doesn't anyone on the planet know I have a book due in 25 days?????? It's a small world, and lest she stop by, for fear of freaking out my sweetheart of an editor, I'll refrain from saying just how dire the situation is, but if we hadn't had to pay all of our money we ever made and hope to make between Uncle Sam and the painter, I would now be hiding out in a nice, quiet motel typing till my fingers bleed!!!!!

Meanwhile, it's Pom tryout week. For those of you who've experienced this special brand of angst--hugs!!! My poor baby practices from 4:30 to 9:00 each night. She's adorable, but that's no guarantee of making the squad. Last night was the first Pom Mom meeting, and all the new high school moms were sooooo cool!!! HIGHLY efficient and ran the meeting like a real live meeting. I wanted to get dibs on the fun jobs like making competition noisemakers and decorating the school showcase, but alas, you can't volunteer till your darling makes it.

Me and my best non-writing buds, Dixie and Karen (fellow middle school Pom Moms) have spent more time together this week than the whole past year!!

Anyway, pray for me!!! Between the AWFUL noises outside our house and Pom week, I just may come out needing even more psychiatric help than I already do!!!!!! ;-)

Son's Safely Home!!!

2006-04-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yaaaay!! Son is finally home!!! He gave all of us the most AMAZING hugs at the airport--like he really does love us!! His plane was supposed to land at 10:25, so we left in plenty of time. Got there by 10:15 (we never go too early now that you have to pay for parking over thirty minutes, plus, there's nothing to do and no place to sit now that security is so tight). Anyway, we were just parking when Daughter's cell rings and it's Son, asking where we are. He's been there since 10:00!!!! We were the only parents not there!! :-( I guess since Hubby travels so much, we're used to the airport, and Hubby NEVER gets in early.

We had a pretty bad storm about thirty minutes later that started just as we rolled in the driveway from getting Son's requested Taco Bueno!! Hubby thinks the pilots deliberately gunned it as to miss the line of storms. Thank goodness, as the airport was damaged!!!! An airport hotel even had to be evacuated!!!

Back to Son's happy homecoming, though, he brought us all kinds of wonderful goodies, as did his host family. Lots of pretty silk scarves and jewelry. My fave is a little kimino-shirt for my cell phone!!! Daughter got a cell holder, too, but hers isn't quite as cute as mine. Seeing how I rarely even use my cell, I told her she could have the cutest, but that I reserved the right to snatch it back for fashion-important events!!! Snort!!! Like I attend sooooo many!!! LOL!!!

Oh--MAJOR trouble brewing in that a certain female friend of Son got a VERY cool Mao Tsetung (sp?) backpack/purse. It's camo green, and just ultra cool in a weird sorta way. Me and daughter both want it BAD!!!!!!! Goal of the day is to figure out how to get Son to give something else to this girl, so me or Daughter can keep the awesome backpack!!!!

Shout-out time to my best bud, Margaret Daley!!! (She writes inspirational romance for Harlequin's Steeple Hill line of books, and should've been listed as one of my fave recurring cast members!!! .) She called yesterday to tell me she'd finalled in the Holt medallion--a VERY hoity toity awesome writing contest to be a finalist in!!! Yaaaaay!!! I didn't get a call--booooo!!! But then, seeing how I didn't enter, I'm not too torn up. Contests are expensive, plus I ran out of books, meaning just to enter, I'd have to pay entry fees, plus buy twenty bucks worth of my books, so since money's been disgustingly tight this year due to Granny Sylv issues--looooong story--I'll just live vicariously through Margaret's glory!!!

This and That and a Smidge of GRRR . . .

2006-03-31T19:55:00.000-08:00

Hey! I used to blog at eHarlequin.com (they're archived if you're into that sort of thing), but that was only a short-term gig, so since I've had about eight kajillion lovely folks request more of the ongoing saga of my life, here goes . . .

First off, the major players are Hubby, our teen twins who will be known as Son and Daughter, our mutt Sweet Pea, mini-dachshund Cocoa, super-secret stealth kitty Domino and of course, Granny Sylv, who is Hubby's grandmother and has Alzheimers, which always provides plenty to talk about. Okay, so now that you have the basics, I'll jump right in to the juicy parts!!!!

I spent the day working on a new book proposal. I write for Harlequin American and should've been working on my next book that's due May 1st, but instead, played around with some single title, dark paranormal stuff that's probably not fit for public consumption, but is a great time waster!!! So anyway, spent the day working up what was supposed to be a short synopsis, but ended up twelve pages. Ugh. My agent will no doubt be thrilled, but I seem incapable of writing a short synopsis!!

Son called from China--did I mention he's an exchange student? Getting ready for his trip was a NIGHTMARE, but he seems to have had a great time!! He'll be home tomorrow night, which is good, seeing how his main chore is trash removal and we're all buried in trash, seeing how we're too lazy to gather and remove when, considering the cost of his trip, he's being paid the equivalent of about $500 bucks per minute to do it for us!!!!

Tonight, Daughter shared a babysitting gig, but the money wasn't split. There's where the GRRRRR comes in. I asked her friend how much they made and she said $20. Cool, I said. Did Daughter get her share? The friend shrugged and said she didn't feel like splitting it at the time, but maybe would later. If this was the first time it'd happened, I probably wouldn't be so peeved, but it's like the third or fourth time Daughter's helped without compensation. This has also happened to her with other friends. Now, maybe I'm just not up on proper protocol for this kind of thing, and am getting jacked out of shape for nothing, but it does frustrate me greatly!!! :-/

Speaking of frustrations, angst of the week shall be Pom tryouts which commence Monday. Oh--and signing the papers on our paint loan. (Have I mentioned we live in the fave house in the neighborhood for squirrels, woodpeckers, bluejays and whatever's living in that BIG hole in the garage that Hubby hasn't been able to trap???)

Hmm . . . Does anyone have any Tylenol PM????!!! ;-)