ON VACATION....

This blog is closing down for the Christmas holiday. Blogging will resume on January 5. Have a blessed Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Thanks for stopping in.

The Silent Treatment...

Have you ever had a disagreement with your hubby and then gave him the "silent treatment?" Most women have. Sometmes men do the same, but they just aren't as good as women. Check out the story below...

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.

The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't woken him. Then he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The note said, "It is 4:00 AM. Wake up."

Men just are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

Thanks for stopping by!

Creativity Breeds in Chaos...

My writing office has taken over. I no longer have control. I squeeze myself to my keyboard which is surrounded by pop cans, bible, nail cream, organizer, magazines, important mail, address labels, a storyboard, cups of pens and markers, a box of tissues, phone, a bowl of stale popcorn, lists...

I cannot think in this chaos. Yet, this is when I can allow my fingers to fly across the keyboard without worrying about editing, or getting every word just right. I don't look around, I keep my eyes focused on the monitor, and give free rein to my brain. I don't have to think. I just have to write.

And the story flows....

Thanks for stopping by!

A Snail Tale...

Two snails were taking a leisurely walk one day enjoying the beautiful fall weather. Suddenly a turtle jumped out of the bushes and beat them senseless. Hours later they awoke in the hospital. The doctor looked grim and said, "You've received a lot of injuries and it would be helpful if you could tell me what happened." Both snails replied...


Are you ready for this?



"We don't know. It all happened so fast!"


Thanks for stopping by!

What To Do When You Can't Sleep...

Pull out a hand-held game of Phase 10 and play a classic game...and win. Listen to the song play while reading "you win!".

Read three chapters of a book which you started, but isn't too exciting to put down. Close the book and get out of bed.

Decide what to order for your upcoming Christmas party. Count up how much money it's going to set you back, but still it's worth it not to cook.

Eat cheese and crackers. Think about hot chocolate and decide it's too much trouble.

Read through the latest Lifeway Christian Stores flyer.

Make a list of the people who will be coming to your Christmas party and make sure you have enough gifts.

Look through your change and get excited because you have one of the last three quarters you need to complete your set.

Pick up the book you put down earlier and read another chapter.

Write a blog....

Thanks for stopping by!

I Want a GPS for Christmas

I'm directionally challenged, although with a map I can find the right direction by turning the map so that it's facing the direction we're going...that's when hubby is driving and I'm the navigator. However, I do a lot of driving on my own and I try to follow the directions on Mapquest. This is a challenge when traveling by yourself or waiting for my co-rider to catch up and read the directions before I pass my turn. So, I want a GPS for Christmas. I'm buying it for myself out of my Christmas bonus. But, I don't know the first thing about them. I need something easy...no hard installation, and I don't want to leave it in the car to be stolen. I do want it to talk to me and tell me where to turn, rather than have to constantly look at the map.

So, can anyone give me some guidance? I've been reading the specs on-line which only confuses me more. And I don't want to spend over $150. I'm cheap, but I want the best for my money. **grin**

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Tree Trimming...for cats...

It's that time of year again when we put up our artificial tree, spend hours arranging the lights, adding the ornaments, ribbons, and birds...

Yep, this is the year of the "red" Christmas tree. The tree with the red poinsettias, and red cardinals. Two years ago, the cats managed to practically destroy the tree by climbing and laying on the branches, snatching the poinsettias and birds and batting the red satin balls around the floor. Once, they knocked the entire tree over. By the time Christmas morning arrived, both the tree and I were bedraggled and wishing it was New Year's.

This year, the cats are two years older, so I'm hoping for the best. So far, I've only had to replace a few of the satin balls after hearing them hit the floor and go rolling...with a cat in hot pursuit.

The entire bottom of the tree has no ornaments at all, but this hasn't discouraged the cats from going after their prey. So far, they haven't attempted climbing the tree...thankfully, for the cardinals are resting in the highest branches. But, who knows. Tomorrow I may come home from work and find that beautiful tree...destroyed.

Ho, ho, ho!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Honey, Who Took the Remote?

Have you seen your hubby hold a remote (which obviously needs new batteries) and click it over and over to no avail? Have you seen him stand and move closer and closer to the screen as he tries to make it work?

Well, I received a humorous email which I felt was very appropriate during this commercial Christmas rush. I mean, after all, aren't we women the ones who are responsible for purchasing the majority of the gifts? And, while we are out shopping, our hubbies are sitting in the recliner, remote in hand, enjoying football.

Enjoy!

"Cash, check or charge?" I asked after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. "So do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked. "No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me. I figured this was hte most evil thing I could do to him legally."

Thanks for stopping by...and remember to laugh. It's healthy!

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall

My friend and I walk on our breaks at work. We bundle up and laugh at the cold, biting air. Tears escape from the bite of the wind and run down my cheeks, but when we're finished I feel so renewed.

Today, I was pretty well chained to my desk except for those two breaks. When I went to the ladies room, I did what needed to be done, washed my hands and escaped back to my desk.

Late this afternoon, while making a bathroom trip, I looked up and caught sight of my reflection...and the black smudged below and beside my eyes, trails coursing down one cheek. Egads! And no one had told me!

Now, I imagine all the men thought I was in my office all day crying. **sigh** I wonder if I can milk this and get some sympathy gifts? I mean, after all, Christmas is coming.

Suntan Lotion for Your Cat??????

I thought I had heard it all...until I turned over my daily cat calendar to find a beautiful white cat. It was sitting in profile on a fence post. Then I read the caption. I couldn't believe it.

The gist--if you have a cat with a white face, it is very sensitive to the sun. And, you should get a special suntan lotion for protection.

I don't know about you, but I've never seen a sunburned cat. Have you?

Thanks for stopping by!

It's That Time of Year Again...

Every year, following the tradition of my mother, I purchase Christmas cards to send to family and close friends. This year, I bought two boxes while browsing through Barnes and Noble. The cards are beautiful renditions of Thomas Kincaide.

They've been sitting on my desk for three days now. I stare at them and know I must make time to sign and address them. I vow to mail them early this year so they will be received before Christmas.

Let's see--there are twenty two days left. It will take me at least two days to get them ready. I have to stand in line at the post office and purchase Christmas stamps. I have to work every day and have only my lunch hours free...but I don't want to work on Christmas cards at lunch. That would be stressful. I need to unstress by reading. That leaves the evenings. But then I have to cook dinner, clean up, exercise, do some writing...hmmm. What about the weekends?

I have to grocery shop and clean house on Saturday in preparation for a writer's group meeting at my house on Sunday after church. Ah, the following weekend...nope. That's reserved for our family get-together. And then...Oops the last weekend before Christmas. If I mail the cards on the 22nd they probably won't arrive before Christmas...again.

Why do I put myself through all this stress? Ah, but the cards are so beautiful...

Thanks for stopping by!

Braving the Elements...

My friend and I walk on our breaks at work. We started doing this last July and we have been faithful. We walked when the temps were in the high eighties and even nineties when sweat dripped from our armpits and people cleared the hallways when we returned. Now the weather has changed...drastically, but we have continued walking when it isn't raining and the wind isn't howling.

Today we bundled up and headed out the door to brave the elements. Snowflakes drifted around us. We wore winter jackets and matching knit hats bearing "Samuel Adams" on the earpieces (the emblem meaning the ale, not the man). Such cute little earflaps with knitted ends to tie under our chins. The end result meant our hair would be sculpted to our heads for the remainder of the day. We turned the corner and felt the wind blowing against our backs. We chatted and continued walking, enjoying the brisk weather and the glowing feeling in our cheeks. A half-mile later, we looped around and headed back...directly into the wind.

Even the ear flaps couldn't stop the fingers of cold from driving down into my ear canals. And my nose! Can we say icicles formed on the hairs inside? And those beautiful snowflakes now froze on my glasses and burned the exposed areas of my face. I looked at my friend and thought she'd turned into the headless horseman. All I saw was the collar of her coat, but then I noticed a bit of blue plaid...the top of that Sam Adams cap. I couldn't laugh for to do so would mean getting frostbite of the lungs. The last half-hour of that walk was equivalent to "dead man walking."

Needless to say, we did not go outdoors to walk in the afternoon. I suppose they'll find our frozen bodies sometime tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Why I Hate Answering Machines...Or How To Stress Your Cat

First, before I start getting angry comments about cat abuse, let me state that I love my cats. They are part of the family and are probably more spoiled than our kids ever were (sorry, kids)!

When we returned home from an errand tonight, the red blinking light on the telephone indicated a message waiting. I dialed in to check and listened to the message, then listened again, and again, and again...I hate it when people talk so fast that the words slur together. Here's what I heard: "ADT Securities...Ro...Errrrha...test. If you have any questions call (phone number left out to protect the innocent). Well, yeah! I had a question. First, where did this guy learn phone etiquette, and second what the blinkety blank was he trying to tell me? So I called, listened to the three minute spiel of press this and press that (of which none of the numbers applied to "decipher a phone message") and finally "Hold for all other questions" So I held. And then heard a "busy signal". Oh, yeah. I'm feeling the pressure now. Dial, listen to the canned garbage, hold, finally...a voice of reason...maybe. So ADT wants to test our security system. We can do it now or you can call back in the morning at 9am. (No thanks, it took me fifteen minutes to get through this time). So I agreed to "test the alarm" now after assuring them I had no small children sleeping in the house. I set the alarm and was instructed to open one of the doors. A loud screech ensued...and my cats became acrobat artists. Their eyes grew large and they suddenly all had more hair than I realized any cat could own. Can we say armed porcupine? They ran in circles, stared at me like I should be doing something to stop the noise. And then...the alarm went off for real. The gal on the phone said it would have to go off for two minutes. She had set a timer and would let me know when the test was over. Then...I got a busy signal on the phone. NO!!! Now, what would I do? The cats would have shredded my legs if they had claws... Do you know how long two minutes are? When your eardrums are bursting, two minutes can seem like two hours! And...I had no lifelines left. ADT has hung up on me! The cats and I ran around in circles trying to avoid each other. They finally figured out how to stick their paws in their ears, but their eyes were about to burst from their sockets. Soon, I'd have to sue ADT for killing my cats. Then, the phone rang. It was ADT telling me the test was over. "Okay, so stop the noise!" She instructed me how to stop the alarm, and then hung up. Now I have a green ready light, and Zone 1 is orange and so is alarm. My fingers shook wondering if it would go off again. The cats have now climbed my back and are on each shoulder, while one is perched on my head just daring me to set that alarm off one more time. Let me tell you, cats can inflict a lot of damage even without claws. Have you seen their teeth? So, I tentatively pressed the code and armed the system. Then I pressed it again to unarm it...and breathed a sigh of relief. All was well.

My cats may not forgive me before Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Thanksgiving

Our world is facing many challenges. People are losing jobs, homes, health. The stock market is turned upside down. Our family has suffered losses this year, death of friends and family, family moving away, family members joining the military, declining health, loss of jobs.

But despite this, we have many things to be thankful for. We have a diverse family filled with love. We thank God for the blessings he gives...the comfort of knowing our loved ones who pass are with Him, being able to reach out to those who are far away through the telephone, internet, and snail mail, wonderful surgeons and doctors, church family.

We will sit together this Thanksgiving around the table and give thanks to the Lord.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Thanks you for stopping by.

Writing A Synopsis - Lesson Four

We're ready to finalize that synopsis. We've written the back page blurb, used it (or part of it) as the hook to the synopsis. We've introduced our characters, shown the conflict and what their goals are. We've picked out the turning points or high points of the novel and written these into the body of the synopsis. Now it's time for the climax and resolution. Again, keep it simple, don't overwrite, and most of all don't keep the editor guessing what happens.

Here is the final part of the synopsis for Foxfire:

Her trap works, and she faces her worst nightmare, for her ex-lover captures her and holds a knife against her throat. He leads her into the dark wooded mountainside where he plans to kill her, just as he has five other women. He's the serial killer the police are seeking, but they'll never find him. He's set up the perfect ruse.

By the time Tyler realizes Grace has lied to him, it's too late. She's been captured by a killer. The same man who killed Tyler's wife. He realizes that he could lose another woman he loves. He can't let Grace die, too.

Tyler and his boss catch up with them and Grace knows she has to do something or the man she loves will die. She drives her arm into her assailant's midsection and grabs the hand gripping the knife. Gunshots ring out, and she is pinned beneath a dead body. She's faced her worst fear and lived, but her enemy has been slain.

Tyler proposes to Grace. She accepts. Together they've found the strength to overcome the shadows in their past and open their hearts to true love.


Once you have put your entire synopsis together, don't forget to go back over it several times. Don't be afraid to make your sentences stronger, use active verbs, and most of all let your voice shine through.

Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by.

Drowning in an Ocean of Food

Friday we had a turkey potluck at work. I wanted to boycott it and go out to run errands and eat a sandwich, but I do enjoy spending time with my co-workers. Thus, I ate too much food, and went back later for second helpings of dessert. Sunday we had our Thanksgiving potluck at church. Yep, once again I sampled nearly everything. Came home feeling drugged and laid down on the bed to nap. For the rest of the evening I didn't feel like doing one thing. Finally gave up and went to bed at 9pm. Now I'm sitting here in my office and staring at....FOOD! I'm cooking our Thanksgiving dinner this year. I guess we'll have 16 people. Ugh. With no place to put all the extra canned goods and things, I stored them here in my office. I'm going to be glad when Thanksgiving is over...but, then comes Christmas. **sigh** No wonder I can't lose weight.

Sending warm wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to each and all of you. Thanks for stopping by.

Interview with Liana Laverentz

My first experience being interviewed on another blog happened yesterday. If you'd like to check it out:

Click Here

Interviewing with Liana was a lot of fun, especially since we met face to face last June at Lori Foster's Readers and Authors Get Together in Cincinnati.

Thanks for stopping by!

Writing A Synopsis - Lesson Three

Now that we've written the back page blurg and introduced the characters including their goals and what is keeping them from reaching that goal, we need to get into the "middle" of the synopsis. Don't get caught up in putting in too many details. This is the hard part. You must pick out the most important parts of your story and no matter how important each piece is to you...the editor doesn't want to know all the little details. Think "condensed" version.

The easiest way to decide which points to include is to write a high level outline. For each novel you will have three main turning points. The first comes about 1/4 of the way through the book. This is where the hero or heroine MAKES A DECISION to do something that takes the story in a new direction. The second comes at the half-way point. This is a MAJOR turning point and must be high stakes. The third comes about 3/4 of the way through the book. If you have identified these three major points, then you can easily write this part of the synopsis. Remember to keep it simple and to avoid telling every little detail.

Here is the beginning and middle of the synopsis for FOXFIRE.

GRACE WILKINS knows about disappointment, about guilt, and about fear. She's spent her life running away from all three until she finds the perfect hiding place in a small mountain community. At twenty-eight years of age, she's finally put down roots. The murdering mobster she once slept with will never find her here. Nothing bad ever happens in Foxfire, Tennessee.

TYLER SANDFORD is a thirty-five year old undercover agent who is soured on his current job. He's haunted by guilt over his wife's death at the hands of a convicted felon, who remains at large. Tyler wants to turn in his gun and utilize his veterinarian degree to begin a new life somewhere far away. Perhaps then he'll be able to sleep at night.

Then MAX CLAYTON, the man who killed Tyler's wife, resurfaces with a new face and begins picking off the people who testified against him. Tyler moves to Foxfire with a dual purpose--to set up his veterinary practice and use Grace to flush out Max. When Tyler finds Grace unemployed, he hires her to work in his clinic. Though he never mixes business and pleasure, he's having a difficult time keeping his hands off her. She's sexy, tough, and as vulnerable to their mutual attraction as he is.

Strange things begin to happen. A serial killer leaves his fifth victim's body behind the only restaurant in Foxfire. Grace's weird neighbor begins making veiled threats after seeing Tyler and Grace in a compromising embrace. Someone leaves roses on Grace's doorstep and she receives a package that sets her fear racing once again--Max has found her. Someone brutally stabs Grace's dog, and she turns to Tyler to save her canine friend. She spends the night on Tyler's couch and wakes to overhear him talking on the phone about the man she's been hiding from for three years. She barges into the bedroom and confronts Tyler who is pointing a gun straight at her.

A bitter argument turns into raging passion and the two find themselves tangled together in Tyler's bed sheets. Sated and basking in the afterglow, Grace is only amused when Tyler's boss, JAKE SCOTT walks in on them. He shows them a picture of Max's new face. Grace tells them she's seen Max in Foxfire. She convinces Tyler and Jake to let her work with them to capture Max.

Then her world is turned upside down. Her best friend's house is bombed and he is rushed to the hospital. Knowing Max is responsible, Grace fears for the other people she loves. At that point she realizes she's fallen in love with Tyler. She must work alone, setting herself up as bait to catch her nemesis.

Good luck and happy writing. Thanks for stopping by.

P.S. Apologies for posting this a day late.

Traffic Woes

Winter has come early to central Ohio. Yesterday we had snow squalls, huge snowflakes, icy snow pellets...and no accumulation. Last night we had a little snowfall, just a few patches remaining this morning, but icy patches on some roads and overpasses. Now I sound like the weather forecaster...but let me tell you, there are some really angry people driving this morning.

An SUV came roaring past me in my subdivision where the speed limit is 25mph. They had to stop in front of me and wait for the school bus to load. But I suppose that person relieved some anger by moving up one slot in the traffic line.

When the school bus stopped at the railroad tracks, I stopped at the intersection to let another vehicle turn from the left lane into a subdivision on my right. I feel so great! The person behind me blew the horn so loudly I can now hear despite my congested ear. I suppose they were angry at the school bus for stopping, and I'm sure they felt much better after releasing that hostility on the horn. After the vehicle made the turn, I inched up one car length to stop and wait for that school bus to clear the railroad tracks so traffic could once more move.

As the traffic moved toward the first major crossroads and traffic light, we merged into two lanes. The left becomes a turn left only lane...mine to go straight or turn. See, I learned something today. If you are angry and tired of waiting in line, you can move into that left lane and cut off the next person in the right hand lane going straight! Isn't that amazing.

Thanks for stopping by!

Living with Arthur is a Pain

Five reasons living with Arthur is a real bummer:

1. When I'm so exhausted I can't wait to crawl between the sheets, Arthur likes to keep me awake.

2. When I'd like to be alone and meditate, Arthur intrudes without an apology.

3. Arthur tags along with me everywhere I go.

4. When Arthur came to live with me, my entire life changed...for the worse.

5. Arthur's like that energizer bunny...relentless and annoying.

Living with Arthur Itis is a pain.

Thanks for stopping by!