Yee Ha!

It's no NaNo record, but 19,080 words in November ain't too shabby. And today I passed the 70,000 word mark. I'm a happy camper!

This book is turning out so much better than I originally envisioned it. At least I THINK it is. I'm never sure about any of my books until I've had someone read them, and that won't happen for awhile.

Think I'll take a break now and read!

Last Day

November 30^th has finally arrived, and I'm determined to blog – even if it's a blog about nothing!!

I started reading one of my "vacation" books yesterday, thinking I wouldn't finish it before my trip. Ha ha! Joke's on me. If I know me (and I do), that book will be done before I get on the ship, which means it can stay in the car. So….I might just want to pick out another book to take. Oh, decisions, decisions!

My husband has lost 40 lbs. It's a blessing and a gift for me, because I certainly want him to stick around for awhile. Because of this loss, he no longer has to take medicine for his diabetes and if he loses 12 more pounds, will most likely be taken off his blood pressure medicine. But can all that weight loss work other miracles? After my daughter made a remark about him in a tone that usually does not get a response from him, he responded this time. I asked him if he lost weight in his ears. My daughter laughed – saying she was thinking the same thing. Or could it be his weight loss improved his selective hearing? Curious minds want to know!

Yesterday's weather was sucky. Started with rain, rain, and more rain. Then I drove home. The rain turned into snow. The grass turned white. So did the deck. Snow is pretty, but it's cold. I'm not ready for cold. Two more days to warmer weather!

Yay! I did it. I'll have to try this daily blogging thing again some other month, but not any time soon. I think I need to reload my brain. But I'll be here tomorrow. Tomorrow is special.

Status Update

While people have been doing NaNo, I've been doing my own gig.

First, I thought I'd try blogging everyday, Mon – Fri. Except for Nov 1 (because the idea came later), I've done that. I even threw in a couple of weekends. And you know what I learned? Blogging everyday is HARD. I just hope I can continue the rest of this month. Only one more day after this!

I've also written everyday in November, except on the 3^rd when I had a writers meeting to attend after work, and no time during work to write – yeah, bad me. Still, that's pretty darn good. I guess when you have a goal to finish a WIP by year's end, that can motivate a person to write every day. Well, it did for me.

Now come Friday, I'll be on a hiatus of sorts (no internet access for at least a week), so I will not continue my daily blogging into December. I'll try and blog more often, though. I really enjoy the comments and seem to get them more often when I blog more often. Or is it because I visit more blogs? I visit more when I write more, so it's hard to tell.

So, have you done anything unusual for you in November?

And in case you need a reminder, Round 4 of the WRiTE CLUB is now in session. It's a toughy this time around, but I managed to vote. Hope you can do the same. I know DL will appreciate it.

Preparation or How a Procrastinator Packs

Christmas letter written.
Check.

Tree up.
Check.

Packed for cruise.
Ummmm, not yet.

Hey, but at least I won't have to put the tree up when I get back. Or worry about those Christmas cards (the cards are easy – it's writing the letter that's time consuming). That in itself is a MAJOR accomplishment. The last time we took vacation around our anniversary (14 days to Hawaii & California), I scrambled to get my Christmas shopping completed upon return, as well as put up the decorations. So what happens? The biggest snowstorm of the year, that's all. I had a nightmare (an actual, honest to goodness nightmare) that Christmas morning came and there were no presents under the tree. I will not go through THAT again.

But packing for vacation? I'm a last minute packer. I do have a list of things I don't want to forget, but doesn't include what clothes to bring. There, I have a vague idea of what I want to wear, but I haven't pulled anything out – yet. That will be saved for the night before. So far the worst mistake I ever made packing that way was forgetting to pack socks (so I had to buy them, big deal) or a belt for my husband (hey – he has to take some responsibility for his own clothes!).

I have picked out which books to bring. While I plan on doing some writing on this cruise, I also expect to have a lot of reading time, too (sometimes I can only write so much and then my brain shuts down). Especially if I finish the first draft (fingers crossed). The books I plan on taking along (one of which I may start during lunch today) are shown below (And boy, did I have a time trying to get the pictures to line up decently. All I wanted to do was make two rows of three. Blogger doesn't do things easy, do they?).

I don't expect to read them all – I just like to be prepared. I took four books on my last cruise (Sookie Stackhouse series) and ended up buying a fifth. I'd rather read from my TBR pile than sort through the small selection offered on the ship.

I know, I know. If I had an e-reader, I wouldn't have to do that. Still ain't buying one, though.

So how far in advance do you pack for your vacation? And if it's more than a day, do you actually pack or just create a pile of what you'll be taking? I've never understood how some people pack in advance, probably because I can't imagine putting the clothes in the suitcase a week ahead of time. Do you really have that much underwear you don't have to wash for over a week? Don't the clothes get extra wrinkly? It's not like I'll have an iron. Just saying…

Movie Day

Went and saw "Tower Heist" today for Movie Day (or as others like to call this day – Black Friday). It wasn't the best movie we've seen on Movie Day and not the worst, either.

It definitely had its funny and its "oh you got to be kidding me" moments. And there were scenes where my daughter wanted to "shoot Ben Stiller through the head" (she is not a fan of his, can you tell?). But overall, the move was better than most expected and we had fun. That's the important part, right?

Tomorrow is THE game for us Ohio State fans. Yeah, the one against Michigan. And the quarterback for the Buckeyes (Braxton Miller) attended the same high school my kids did (we saw him play quarterback for the Wayne Warriors and take us to the state championship game last year). I'll be glued to the television during that game. I hope he plays well. I hope they all play well. I hope they win. Go Bucks!!

Playing Around with Blogger

I've been blogging for two years now (my first blog was Thanksgiving in 2009 - Happy Anniversary to me!) and I'm still learning how to use the blog.

I've decided to add some "pages" to my blog, starting with the list of books I've read this year. I haven't figured out what other pages to add. Any suggestions?

I've also tried to add a picture to my header, but the header keeps coming up black! Very frustrating. If anyone knows how to get around that, I'd appreciate the information.

Maybe one day I'll just change the template, but I'm afraid if I change it, I'll hate it, and then I won't know how to go back to what I had. Can you tell I've got an aversion to change?

Holidays & Vacation

Sometimes I don't know if I'm the dumb one or smart one.

I tend to take my vacation throughout the year. A little bit here. A little bit there. By the time the end of the year comes, I've used it or planned it. And because I do that, I'm at work during the holiday season when a lot of employees seem to take vacation to make the holidays (or their vacation) last longer. Or because if they don't they'll lose their vacation.

Use it or lose it? Don't be ridiculous! I don't have enough.

Even before writing became all consuming (and gobbled up my vacation time – conventions anyone?), I used my time off to play golf or go to the amusement park. Things done in the warmer months. Fun things! I don't consider taking vacation during the holidays so I can do shopping (or clean the house, or prepare for a meal) a vacation. But then, maybe that's just me.

So, am I smart for not taking vacation this time of year? The work place is definitely quiet (I think half the employees are gone). The work load is light and so is the traffic (at least it was this morning). And sometimes the boss lets you leave early because there just isn't any work. Or should I have hooked some vacation to the holidays and make them last longer?

If I don't get around to writing a blog tonight (as I didn't yesterday evening, thus the later post), I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving however you spend it. We'll be visiting our oldest and dearest friend in Columbus. She loves to cook and we love to eat – a perfect combination, don't you think?

And if you're bored, you can always stop by DL Hammons blog and vote in Round 3 of the WRiTE CLUB. I'm sure he'll appreciate you stopping by!

What I Read Last Week

On Saturday I finished reading TIME'S ENEMY by Jennette Marie Powell. While it started off just a little slow, by the second day (well, actually second hour, since I was reading this during my lunch hour) it picked up. And by Saturday, well, I don't normally read on Saturday so that should say something – I just had to finish it! It's labeled as a time travel romance. Here is the blurb on the back of the book:

Tony Solomon never wanted to be a time traveler. But when a freak accident gifts him with the ability to travel in time, he becomes an unwilling initiate in the Saturn Society, a secret society of time travelers.

Determined to prevent his daughter's murder, he violates the Society's highest law and becomes a fugitive. But the Society refuses to tell Tony how to time-travel within his own life, so he seeks help from Charlotte, the woman whose life he saved during a prior trip to the past.

When Tony arrives in 1933 looking for answers, Charlotte is both thrilled and terrified to see her childhood hero. Loyal to the society, she is honor-bound to bring to justice those who manipulate time for their own gain. In giving Tony sanctuary, she faces a terrible choice – condemn the man she loves and to whom she owes her life, or deny her deepest convictions by helping him escape and risk sharing his sentence.

Part of what I really enjoyed was learning some of Dayton's history, as the book is set in Dayton, Ohio. And I can only imagine the kind of chart Jennette had to have to keep track of all her time travel changes (and I couldn't find any oops's either). I do wish the romance started sooner, but there is a sequel, so I'm hopeful there will be more in the next book. And yes, I do want to read the next one. It was a fun read.

If you're so inclinced to purchase (or just want to check out her books), click here and it'll take you to her website and links to purchase the book (either e-book or paper). You won't be disappointed.

My WIP and Ringtones

While waiting in line for BREAKING DAWN, I talked about my current WIP with my daughter (yeah, big surprise there – I'll talk about it to anyone who'll listen). I needed some help with a ringtone.

My hero assigns ringtones to everyone he knows, and for those he doesn't, Who Are You by The Who will play. As I wrote a recent scene, I realized he needed a song for the heroine (of which I put a marker [ENTER SONG APPROPRIATE FOR BRIDGET] to let me know to do some research).

I didn't need the information right away (and I would have eventually searched my iPod and other sources once the book was complete), but since my daughter and I were just sitting there waiting in line, I thought she might have an idea of what kind of song my hero would use. And boy, did she.

I don't know how she knew of this song. It's not exactly a popular song (doesn't even show up on the group's best sellers CD), and it took me awhile to find it on the Internet. But Poison's She's My Cherry Pie is PERFECT. Of course, it seems to have been also done by Warrant (a group I've never heard of) and I found their video on YouTube.

I realized I now have to have my hero love cherry pie. It would only be fitting, right?

The Aftermath

I'm tired and my eyes itch.

Was it worth it?

Yeah. I really enjoyed BREAKING DAWN. They stayed pretty true to the book (but no blonde jokes – darn!).

Saw the trailer for HUNGER GAMES (Loved the books!!).

Looks like that might be my NEXT midnight showing (provided there is one). Yeah, I'm a glutton for punishment, but those midnight showings are kind of fun (and March shouldn't be as cold…I hope!)

Have a fun weekend.

E-mail Bantering

Below is an example of the kind of e-mails my husband and I send to one another. I think this is one of the reasons why I love him soooo much! He makes me laugh.

Husband (H): Just got our Thanksgiving gift card from (work), Kroger $20.00. Love ya.
Me: Next time we go, use it to get a DVD or something for yourself.
H: Why?
Me: Why not?
H: I have not used any of the other 18 on myself, why start now?
Me: Fine. I'll use it to get you something. But don't blame me if you don't like it.
H: I don't like that idea. I will spend it myself.
Me: Chicken!
H: Yep.

Gosh – can you tell we've known each other for 33 years?

It's going to be cold tonight. Things will FREEZE. I hope I'm not one of them while I'm waiting for the midnight showing of BREAKING DAWN. I hope the theatre has some compassion and lets us wait inside. I hope it's warm in the theatre!

I also don't expect to have a blog up at 6:00am Friday morning, but I will try to blog. I've been doing pretty well so far this month, haven't I?

Music

There was a time, way back before I was married, when music was a big part of my life. Every Sunday (I think it was Sunday), I'd listen to The American Top 40 (remember that?) and write (yes, write) down the Top 40 list. I knew what was playing and who played it. I didn't have a lot of money then (I was a kid with no job), but I managed to get a good collection of albums (the vinyl variety).

Then marriage and family came. I still bought albums (vinyl morphed into cassette – which I hated – then morphed into CDs – which I love), but of my favorites only (Billy Joel, Barry Manilow). I didn't have time for new music. Sure, there were songs on the radio I liked, but I had no idea who sang them. And I'd heard of band names, but I had no idea what they played.

Enter the Internet. When my favorite local station was replaced with oldies (ugh), it got me to search the web for an alternative. WOW! I not only found a great radio station, they told me who's playing the song, with the name of the song! It was great. Songs I had liked all along now could be identified (i.e. Killers, Coldplay).

Of course, all that identifying got me to buying. My CD collection started to grow once again (and as you can see from the picture, I haven't even put them all away – yes, they are filed alphabetically). I think I'm just as bad with my music as I am with my books. I find established bands and I want everything they've put out (i.e. Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Death Cab for Cutie, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Black Keys) and discover new ones (i.e. Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Carolina Liar). And all that music has been so inspiring for my writing. It's like my two favorite things in the world mesh together.

Yes, I do have an iPod (something I would have absolutely LOVED back when I was a kid), but I still buy the CDs. I'm one of those freaky people who like to have a hard copy of something they bought. I don't know if I'll ever change in that regard.

Do you keep up with new music? Or are you like my husband, who likes to stick to what he grew up with? Although, he is changing. Now that he walks everyday listening to music, I think he's getting tired of hearing the same stuff all the time and has asked what albums of mine he might like. That makes me very happy because now maybe we can listen to MY music when we travel!

Anticipation

I received my CD of "Breaking Dawn, Part I" in yesterday's mail. I should have received it last week, but apparently the release date of November 8^th was postponed to November 11^th. Anyways, I finally have the CD and plan on listening to it on my drive into work this morning.

I can't wait!!!

Ever since I found out "Twilight" was being made into a movie, I've been an obsessed fan. My obsession isn't quite as fanatic as it used to be – and not near as bad as my daughter's – but only because I've since discovered writing. Now my time is spent on my own novels, leaving little room for obsessions.

Still, I anticipate the release of "Breaking Dawn Part I" and I'm peeved I have to wait a whole year to see Part II. Of course, if they do it right, I'll forgive them the wait. I'd rather have the movie be good than shortened.

So, come this Thursday night, I'll be sitting out in the cold (I believe the high is forecasted to be in the 40s meaning it will be colder once the sun sets), with my daughter, waiting for the midnight showing. We've done it with all the other Twilight movies, why stop now?

If I remember, I'll take my camera with me. I just hope I remember to take my blankets!

And in case you don't follow DL Hammons blog, Cruising Altitude, Round 2 of the WRiTE CLUB is now in session. Go on over and vote. Or better yet, play along.

Movies

Thanksgiving is almost here – GASP! When did that happen? Oh yeah… while I was writing!

The day after Thanksgiving is family movie day for us. Not that we don't go to the movies the rest of the year. But fight the crowds on Black Friday? No way. The problem this year is finding a movie we all want to watch.

My daughter and I will be seeing "Breaking Dawn" at the midnight showing this Thursday/Friday (Yay! Less than a week). We forced the guys to sit through "Twilight" several years ago (even though my daughter & I went and saw the midnight showing), but we don't think we'll get them to see "Breaking Dawn." At least my husband already said NO. I didn't even bother to ask my son.

"Tower Heist" looks interesting, but my daughter doesn't care for Ben Stiller. So that's out. She'd rather watch "Happy Feet 2." Uhhh, no. I liked "Happy Feet" – sort of. Well, I like penguins.

So now my husband and I wonder if this is the end of our family movie day. And if so, we'll probably go see "Tower Heist." Unless one of you out there have a better suggestion!

As for other movies, I'm all set to see "The Avengers" when it comes out in May. We've seen "Iron Man" and "Iron Man 2" in the theatre, not realizing it was part of a bigger picture at the time. Didn't see the other three in the theatre, but after watching "Thor" on DVD, and enjoying it very much, we then watched "Captain America." We liked that one, too, so that left "The Hulk." Why not get caught up on them all? While "The Hulk" isn't the best of the bunch, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be (I had loved the TV series and thought it was cool how they put cameos of Bill Bixby – via "Courtship of Eddie's Father" – and Lou Ferrigno).

The other movie I'm looking forward to watching is "Snow White and the Huntsman." One look at that trailer and I was hooked.

Any movies you're anticipating?

60,000 Words and Counting

I had to write over 3000 words this weekend to reach my next milestone and I made it!! 60,000 words. There was a time I wondered if I'd ever get THAT far when I started this book back in April. Now the completion is looking like a reality.

I love it when that happens!

Now, maybe I can write a blog for tomorrow. We'll see…

How Do You Know?

If you're a writer, how do you know when you've made a boo boo in the book you're writing? Do you go back and fix it or push on forward? With NaNo on the loose, I'm guessing those participants would push forward, because it's all about the word count, not the story. Right?

Wednesday night my writing slowed down. The first time that happened, I kind of ignored it and tried to push forward. Just get the words down. That's all that mattered. Well, guess what? It matters to my writing. When the story slows down, and it's not toward the end, then I made a wrong turn. Forcing the words doesn't help.

So this time I stopped and thought (which usually means I sleep on it). The scene I had written would be great if it was close to the end, but I'm not near the end. I can't have the eventual happy couple be happy when I had over 30,000 words left to write. Luckily I woke up with the answer. Of course, at the time I thought it was a minor fix and I wouldn't have to erase the five pages I wrote the previous day. Then I started fixing the scene and realized it all had to go. 1250 words went bye-bye (although I replaced most of them already). I'm not sure if I'm on the right track still, but at least the words are flowing.

It's times like these that really give me the confidence to continue writing.

It's also times like these I wish I didn't need the paying job.

Can you hear me sighing?

Fall Colors

I've been waiting forever (yes, forever) for these trees on our street to turn color (they are not in my yard, but across the street). All the maples in my yard had turned and their leaves fallen, but these pear trees (non-fruit bearing kind) remained green and full.

Then I went outside to get my paper yesterday morning.

Did it happen over night, or was I just too blind to see the change? I swear, I don't remember them looking so pretty the day before!

But alas, rain was forecasted, which meant probably wind, too (I was correct in both regards). And by the time I get home from work, the sun is setting. I took my chance (hoped for enough daylight) and snapped these pictures before the rain ruined it all.

I really hope the color lasts more than a day. Especially since I've waited so long. But if it's like my tulips, it will be short-lived (those tulips always seem to bloom just before a huge storm or cold snap). I'm glad I was able to capture them on film.

Well, not film, since I don't use film anymore. Gee – what do I capture them on? My memory stick? That just doesn't sound right.

I Met a Goal!

I reached a goal early. My reading goal. Surprise, surprise!

When I set the goal to read 50 books in a year, I wasn't sure I could make it. I didn't read that many last year, so I figured it would be a challenge. Apparently it wasn't as I finished number 50 last night.

I've read a lot of great books this year. Now I'm curious how many I'll get read in 2011. I'll be going on a cruise in December and plan on taking lots of books with me. Of course, I'll have my laptop, too, so I can finish writing my WIP. My husband said I could. Ain't he great??

Other news events - if you don't follow DL Hammon's blog, get on over there and vote for Round 1 of  the WRiTE CLUB. It's not too late to join in the fun (there will be 12 rounds), but make sure you follow the rules. This is all I will say about it. You'll have to check it out for yourself. Now you're curious, aren't you?

Almost Free of Interest

The last of the student loans will be paid off this month (something we promised our kids we'd do if they graduated with at least a B average). It became possible when we sold the Altima via Craig's list (this is the car my daughter was going to purchase from us – which is why I bought the Xterra – but then after borrowing it on and off the past year as we waited for her to afford it, she realized the clutch aggravated her knee and didn't want it). We posted it one day, got a response the next and it sold. Remarkable!

Can I say how happy this makes me?

Of course, instead of a student loan payment, I have a refrigerator payment (although the loan is a LOT smaller), but no more interest (12 months same as cash – I love those!). Even the loan on the Xterra is interest free (it's why we got it when we did). The only interest we're paying is on the house (and we're working on getting that paid off in the next eight years).

It has taken us many many years to get to this point. I think I'll do a happy dance!

As remarkable as it sounds, this may be the month for NaNoWriMo, but apparently I've blogged nearly everyday in November. I'd like to think I can keep up the momentum, but who am I kidding??

Ahh, but stranger things have happened.

My Magnets

My son can come up with some pretty great ideas. I was talking about my blog regarding the refrigerator and my magnets and he suggested I put something like that in my book. And as it so happens, I was coming up to a scene where I could do just that! So I put in a scene where the main character has a refrigerator covered with magnets - courtesy of his mother!

It also gave me the idea to post some pictures of my magnets (yes, I must be desperate finding stuff to blog about).

As you can tell from the black background, I've moved my magnets. This group are the magnets I've collected from various Hard Rock Cafes. I don't always eat at the restaurant, but if the city I'm visiting has one, I stop in to buy the magnet. Except for Pittsburgh. I ate there before I started my collection. But I'll be back in February (to see the Penguins play) and I'll pick up my magnet then!

As with the Hard Rock Cafes, I also collect magnets from Bubba Gump Shrimp. I love those restaurants and will be able to add to my collection this December, because I believe there's one in Charleston, SC (which is where we'll be leaving on our cruise).

My husband is a big fan of aquariums, and I enjoy going to some of them. My favorite is the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California. If you're ever in the area, it's a must see! The biggest surprise for me was the Ripley's Believe it or Not Aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I really didn't expect to see so much there.

On the front of my fridge, I have the lists of states we have lived in since my marriage, in the order we lived in them (along with some Pittsburgh stuff!). And that magnet on the left, under Arizona, is so true!!

As I moved the magnets from the old fridge to the new, I was able to group them around and left a lot of the older calendar ones behind (still on the old fridge). I'm sure eventually I'll fill this one up. There's definitely more space to work with!

It's fun collecting magnets. As a souvenir, they are cheap and portable (and unlike t-shirts, I can't outgrow them). 

I haven't collected magnets all that long (maybe 15 years - and when I've been married almost 32, well, it's not all that long!). It actually started when we could afford to take actual vacations. I used to collect t-shirts, but they wear out (and take up lots more room).

So, what do you collect as souvenirs? Do you display them?

Theft or Not?

If you order something off the menu that states "All You Can Eat" or "Endless", exactly what do you think that means?

Apparently, six college-aged girls thought it meant something else altogether.

At a recent visit to national chain restaurant with our friends, we watched these girls continue to order shrimp item after shrimp item and dump the contents into to-go boxes – all in front of the waiter. My husband had ordered the same "endless shrimp" entree and only asked for one "refill" because he was full.

When we paid our bill, our friend asked the waiter if my husband could get a to-go box and order four more skewers of shrimp (yes, he was joking). The waiter then asked my husband if he wanted more (no, he wasn't joking). My husband said no. Our friend then asked about those girls.

Seems the waiter is not allowed to say anything, even though it states on the menu (albeit in small print) that it's for consuming in the dining room only. He was under the impression he could lose his job if he did.

Frankly, I think the waiter was an idiot if he didn't bring it to the attention of the manager. And if he did, then the manager was an idiot not to put a stop to it.

So, is it stealing if the restaurant doesn't enforce their rule?

And would it be Karma if those girls got sick eating it later?

My New Refrigerator

On Wednesday I mentioned my new refrigerator. I decided to take pictures of the new and the old. I think this might help me remember WHEN I bought the thing, as I seem to lose track of that—a lot.

So here's my new refrigerator. All shiny and black (except for that white papertowel under the water dispenser, which I forgot to remove). I think I really love my camera, too. My kitchen looks clean. How did that happen?

And here's my old refrigerator, in the room that used to house our failing freezer. Eventually, most of those magnets will end up on the new. I just haven't gotten around to moving them, yet. I think I want to make sure we don't have any problems with the new before I go to all that trouble. Same with moving the food.

But so far the new refrigerator is working out okay. I think I might need to move some shelves, but that's minor stuff.

So, think I'm crazy posting my refrigerator pictures? Think I own too many refrigerators? You wouldn't if you were here when our friend, who loves to cook, comes to visit. Really, she knows how to take over a kitchen (and refrigerator). But that's not me complaining. No siree!

Interpretation

My horoscope for today (via My Yahoo!):

"An elevation in your emotions can bring you lots of joy today, as long as you know when and where to display them. Propriety and an objective demeanor will be called for most of the day, so save up any outbursts or giggle fits for tonight. Stay loose and relaxed inside, though -- you need to learn to be flexible enough to recognize a gigantic opportunity when it appears. The work at hand demands a lot of you, but it's nothing you can't handle with grace and a dollop of your individuality."

In other words – if I get that e-mail (or phone call) I've been anxiously waiting for the past four months, I shouldn't stand on my desk at work and squeal!

Well, I wouldn't stand on my desk anyway. I'd probably break it.

Ranting - Or Not

I always thought I'd treat this blog as my diary, but I realized I can't do that. I can't rant about things that can come back and bite me in the butt. Oh sure, I can rant about my writing, except I love to write and there isn't much to rant about. But rant about the query process? No way. Rant about the paying job? Uhhh, nope.

But I can rant about the traffic, which is the pits at the I-75 and US-35 interchange. Lanes moved/shifted, which is always a problem. And bringing four lanes down to two doesn't help matters, either. If I could find a way around the problem, that didn't add more time than waiting through all that crap, I would (but then, so would everyone else, right?). My 30-minute drive into work turned into an hour today. I hope that's not a sign of things to come.

Some good news – and a reason I stay at the paying job: We bought a new refrigerator and it was delivered yesterday. I have to say, it's a LOT bigger than my older one. And I got it in black (thinking it would look smaller??). We'll have to get used to it for sure. Just not used to seeing this big black behemoth in my kitchen. But one thing that is awesome about this new appliance – the reflection on the shiny front makes me look super skinny! I will enjoy that until I cover it up with my magnets. Or fingerprints.

Aside from a job I wish I didn't need – and the trip I have to take to get there – everything is peachy-keen! (Do you hear sarcasm in that remark? You should).

At least the weather has decided to be good for a change. And I will be watching "Captain America" tonight with my son & husband. How is it in your neck of the woods?