Finished Reading “Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus—Revelations” and I’m at Dragon Con

It’s Labor Day weekend (well, almost) and that means…Dragon Con! We got into Atlanta yesterday to a bigger crowd than we’ve ever seen on that day. I mean, we come a day early because it’s quieter. Apparently, not anymore. Wednesday has become the new Thursday and Thursday the new Friday. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be a whole week long at this rate.

But I’ve pretty much got my whole stay planned. And daughter and I already have appointments for group photos: cast of Roswell and cast of Resident Alien. It’s more than I’ve ever spent on photos, so I’m not looking to get anymore. Well, except maybe some selfies in the Walk of Fame. Provided they aren’t charging a fortune for one.

And we’ll see if I can last the day of busy panels and standing in line (in 90+ degree heat, at that). I’ve been known to say “screw it” and go back to my room until the next day. You wouldn’t think it would be exhausting, but fighting crowds of over 70,000 people is exactly that. Still, we keep coming back.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 25

Dates read: August 23-29, 2024
Title: Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus—Revelations
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Lydia Sherrer
Genre: Paranormal
Series: The Lily Singer Adventures #2
# of Pages: 259
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Being a wizard, Lily Singer likes her magic logical and systematic. So when her cat suddenly starts opening locked doors and telling her what to do, she is not pleased. Before Lily can deal with her errant feline, however, her witch friend Sebastian warns of a heist plot at the very museum she was just hired to ward.
    Lily must lay a trap for the would-be thief and figure out why Sebastian is suddenly acting so suspicious, all while wrangling her newly magical cat. To make matters worse, a mysterious wizard waltzes into her life claiming to know the truth about her past, and Lily must decide who, amid all the chaos, she can trust. Will discovering the past reveal her future? Or doom it?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Okay, the cat finally started talking in the first chapter. But I still haven’t found the snark or the love (as the titles implies), so I’m not going to bother buying anymore. That’s not to say I didn’t like them. They were okay to read. Just not what I look for in a book.

It’s not like I don’t have a pile of books to read as it is. And since I’m away, I’ll pick something on my Nook next. Maybe the one of vampire short stories that I stopped reading while in California. Just so I can get the thing marked as read!

I brought my crochet projects with me. Not just to work during the car drive here and back, but also because there’s a panel on crafts (for us to bring our own) and I had started working on this little vampire bat that the instructions don’t really show how to assemble it! It was a kit I purchased, so it wasn’t like I could see the pattern beforehand. I made sure to complete all the parts and I’m really hoping someone shows up in the panel and can show me how to attach the ears and wings. I also brought another project that is way easier to do (a pretty lacy scarf). I may work on it while I’m waiting in line for one of the many panels I plan on attending. I don’t need to count stitches and rows with that (unlike the vampire bats). I really don’t know what I was thinking when I ordered the kit. But they were so cute, I couldn’t resist. However, I did post a review on the kit saying if someone needed detailed instructions (like I do, plus it states it’s a pattern for beginners), not to buy it. If I had seen such a review, I would have rethought my purchase.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Nightwalker” and I Finished My Shawl!

I finished the shawl I mentioned on another post. Isn’t it pretty?

I plan on wearing it to Books and All That Jazz, a book event in Cleveland this weekend. Don’t know if it’ll help me sell any books, but maybe it will be enough to help me stand out.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 32

Dates read: Jun 18-22, 2023
Title: Nightwalker
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #8
# of Pages: 362
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: One night, desperate for money to support her grandfather, Jessy Sparhawk places the bet that will change her life forever. Just as she’s collecting her winnings, a man stumbles through the crowd, a knife protruding from his back, and crashes into her, pinning her to the table.
    Hired to investigate the murder, private detective Dillon Wolf finds himself fascinated by the gorgeous redhead who’d been trapped beneath the victim—and by the single world the dying man had whispered in her ear. Indigo
    One murder leads to another as Dillon and Jessy realize that the nightmare is only just beginning—and that the dead still have a hand left to play.
My thoughts: I gobbled this one up. Lots of ghosts! And a good mystery (I didn’t know who was involved until I was told—I’m either bad at deducting or the writing was that good). I liked all the characters in this one. The romance was pretty good, too.

This weekend is the start of my busy summer, author-wise. I’ll be in Cleveland for the above mentioned book event. In July, I’ll be in Savannah for a book convention (which I have a LOT of stuff in my house for—I’ll unclutter the house when I leave for that con). In October, I’ll be up in Rockford, IL for another book signing. Will I sell any books? I can only hope!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Dead Room” and Another CT Scan

Had another CT scan today. I get them every three months, but they just seem to come closer and closer together. And while the experience is never totally good, it’s not all that bad, either. Except for today. First, the tech didn’t swab my arm for the IV (I thought they always did that!). And when he poked me, it hurt. A lot. I’m usually not such a wimp, but I cried out. Then after the scan, he removed the IV and wrapped my arm up. But apparently not tight enough. By the time I walked to my car, my arm was bleeding and getting on my jacket!  

Needless to say, I didn’t feel like doing much of anything once I got home. Well, except read. And I did.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 30

Dates read: Jun 8-13, 2023
Title: The Dead Room
Year of publication: 2007
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #6
# of Pages: 379
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: A year ago, archaeologist Leslie MacIntyre barely survived an explosion that took the life of her fiancé, Matt Connolly. Since then, she’s slowly come to terms with both her loss and an unsettling ability to communicate with ghosts, a “gift” received in the wake of her brush with death.
    Now she’s returned to lower Manhattan, site of the explosion, to investigate a newly discovered burial ground. In this place restless spirits hold the secrets not only of past injustice but of a deadly conspiracy against the city’s women—including Leslie herself.
    By night Matt visits her in dreams, warning her and offering clues to the truth. By day she finds herself helped by—and attracted to—his flesh-and-blood cousin Joe. Torn by her feelings for both men, caught between the worlds of the living and the dead, Leslie struggles against the encroaching danger: As she is drawn closer to the darkness she must ultimately face the power of an evil mind, alone in a place where not even the men she loves can save her.
My thoughts: Lots of ghosts in this one. I liked it. The ending took me totally by surprise, though. Still don’t know how I feel about that.

I’m almost finished with season 2 of Deep Space Nine. Zipping through them, while I crochet, of course. I’m working on a shawl. One that I may keep for myself. It’s turning out so pretty!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Séance” and a Crochet Project

A writer friend had a bunch of yarn (which belonged to her mother who couldn’t crochet anymore) and was going to donate it to a thrift store run by a woman’s shelter. But another writer friend who runs the store didn’t think it would sell. She knew I crocheted and asked if I wanted it. I said I’d take it and make things for the store (like scarves and hats). Writer friend #2 said she had a lot of yarn in the store and asked if I wanted that, too. I said, why not?

I had no idea what I got myself into.

But I’ve made the store lots of blankets, scarves, hats, and miscellaneous things and they appear to sell quickly (although, I think she doesn’t sell them for very much).

I had some cotton yarn that I thought (THOUGHT) would make a nice market bag. Thing is, the bag turned out way bigger than I thought, and took much more yarn than I had on hand. So of course, I used my own leftover yarn to finish it, only to find out I didn’t have enough of that, either. On to the store I went. So what started out with left over yarn, ended up with purchased yarn. I figure I can keep some of the other cotton yarn for myself. Maybe.

Anyway… this is what I made. It was supposed to be 17” across. It’s more like 24”. Doubt I make another. It took way too much yarn. But that’s what I like about making things for the thrift store. I can try out patterns. If I don’t like them, I don’t make anymore. If I do like them, I have a new pattern to reuse.  

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 29

Dates read: Jun 2-7, 2023
Title: The Seance
Year of publication: 2007
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #5
# of Pages: 371
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: A chill falls over Christina Hardy’s housewarming party when talk turns to a recent murder that has all the hallmarks of the so-called “Interstate Killer” murders from fifteen years before. To lighten the mood, the guests drag out an old Ouija board for a little spooky fun…and that’s when things become truly terrifying.
    Summoned by the Ouija board, the restless spirit of Beau Kidd, the lead detective—and chief suspect—on the original case, seeks Christina’s help: the latest killing isn’t a copycat crime, and he wants his name cleared. Back in the real world, cop-turned-writer Jed Braden is skeptical of Christina’s ghostly encounters, but his police sources confirm all the intimate details of the case—her otherworldly source is reliable, and the body count is growing.
    The spirits are right. The Interstate Killer is still out there and Christina’s life is hanging in the balance between this world and the next.
My thoughts: I’m glad I picked this series to begin my binge-reading. They have ghosts (yay!) and will hopefully get me back into my own ghost story. I liked this story. The mystery had me guessing for most of the book and brought back characters I actually remembered from the previous book. I like when that happens.

My son owns the dvd series of Deep Space 9. I felt like watching it again, so I borrowed them from him. I forgot how much I enjoyed the shows. And it’s nice to watch them while I’m crocheting, too. Keeps me from eating, anyways! Haha! I’ve already watched season 1 and started on season 2. I appear to be binging a lot lately. Books, TV. Hmmm… what else could I binge? Is there anything else?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and My Crochet Projects

Since I didn’t schedule this post yesterday (too busy watching the second season of Stranger Things—which I enjoyed a lot!), thought I’d share some photos of the granny square market bags I’ve made. These will go to some lucky readers at the Literary Love Savannah convention next July.

I call this my Halloween bag.

Used leftover yarn from a placemat project I made for my son and DIL.

This was made from leftover yarn of the placemats I made for me.

I've always wanted to try this granny square (from a pattern I had since the 80s). I need a brighter yellow, I think.

Again, leftover yarn from something. Probably more placemats or hot pads. I made a lot of those.

This was definitely made from scraps of all the yarn I had. I really like how it turned out. 

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 25

Dates read: August 15-23, 2022
Title: King of Midnight
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Lara Adrian
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Midnight Breed #18
# of Pages: 335
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: As a Breed warrior and the son of the Order’s founder and commander, Darion Thorne is an exacting tactician and a lethal combatant, yet nothing can prepare him for the catastrophic act that forces him to step to the helm of the Order as its leader. With their adversaries growing bolder and more brazen with every strike, Darion knows he must take the war to them before it’s too late to stop them all.
    Yet of all their enemies, the one most dangerous for Darion is the beautiful, yet volatile, Selene, Queen of the Atlanteans. Determined to recover four powerful crystals stolen from her ages ago, Selene will go to any lengths to have them. When that goal puts one of the Order’s own in the crosshairs, she finds herself locked in a personal battle with Darion, a Breed warrior she knows she should despise, yet who stirs an unbidden desire within her.
    With the battle lines drawn between them and a diabolical evil on the rise, can Darion and Selene put aside their mistrust in time to save all they hold dear, or will they see the world plunge into a darkness that has no end?
My thoughts: This was a fitting end to the series. It was hard to see Selene as a heroine when she’d been a villain in previous books, but I came around. As did she. Haha!

So… do you think people will enjoy getting one of my market bags? Do you carry a bag with you when you shop? I have some, but I keep forgetting to take them with me! Or rather, I keep forgetting to put them back in the car. D’oh!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

My Crochet - Recent Projects

I haven't finished reading my latest book yet. So I'll write about something else I'm doing.

I've been crocheting a lot lately.

Friend 1 had some yarn her mother was discarding. She gave it to Friend 2 for a thrift shop she was involved with. Then Friend 1 thought I would like the yarn because I've been crocheting so much. Well, I didn't want the thrift shop to lose out, so I told Friend 2 that I would use the yarn to make things for the thrift shop to sell. 

Friend 2 delivered the THREE BOXES of yarn to me. Wow. And I thought I had a lot of left over yarn. 

I sorted the yarn and decided to use up the baby yarn first. Started with making granny squares, which turned into blankets. I also made a one-piece blanket. I used up pretty much all the baby yarn I could use. Then I switched to some reflective yarn. I've been having a blast, really. Here are pictures of the items I made in the last few months:

This is the first baby blanket I made using left over yarn. I basically just started making squares until I ran out, which proved a little troublesome when it came to assembling it. I like patterns and couldn't figure out what to do. Then another friend suggested diagonal. That seemed to work.

This second granny square was made with finer yarn (so I couldn't mix it with the first blanket). There was a lot more there and I was able to figure out a pattern first then just used the rest of the yarn as edging. I goofed a little on the edging (it wouldn't lay flat), but I loved the way the colors turned out.

There weren't enough yarn to make more granny squares to suit me so I just started crocheting a one-piece blanket using a pattern I found in a book. It's not very big, but would work good in a stroller. 

After I posted pictures of the blankets I made for the thrift store, my cousin asked how much it would cost to make a blanket for his niece. He didn't care what kind, just that it was blue! I told him I would do it at cost. I've made this blanket before and think it's cute. 

I was finished with the baby yarn and found some patterns for the reflective yarn I had (which was a bulky yarn). I had just enough in these two colors to make this hat. Unfortunately, it was too small for my head, so hopefully it'll fit a child. I've since made a larger one and will probably make another (as I have more bulky yarn to use up).

Found this pattern for ear warmers and the orange reflection yarn seemed perfect for this. You can't see the reflection, but if you hold it up to the light just right, or take the picture with a flash, it shows up. I was just happy the ear warmer fit my head so it's good for an adult. I also made one of these in neon yellow & neon green (since you use two strands of yarn--yes this will really warm your ears!).

Before I started using all this donated yarn, I had my own project - place mats for my table. I found a cool pattern and made one of each color. They turned out larger than I thought, but it's cotton and will probably shrink when I was them. I'm just afraid to wash them now, so I'll wait until they've been used at least once!

I'm making scarves and more hats for the thrift shop since they could use winter wear. It's fun to crochet, but I don't always have someone to make things for. I feel like I'm helping doing this, and it feels good. 

So... Are you a crafty person? What's you're talent? I tried knitting, but that's just too frustrating. And bulky to carry around. Crocheting is easier and if you drop a stitch, you only drop one stitch. And if I make a mistake... well, that's what makes handmade items special. They're one of a kind!

Stacy

Reading Update and Keeping Busy

My writing has stalled (can’t figure out the main conflict), so I’ve been keeping busy with some crochet projects (and using up the yarn stash I have—finally). And when I crochet, I like to have the TV on with something I don’t have to give 100% of my attention to. So I’ve been watching lots of old movies. More than I have all of last year!

I’m still reading, too, because my fingers can only crochet so much a day. Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #20

Dates read: April 29 – May 10
Title: The Institute
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Paranormal Thriller
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 557
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. In the middle of the night, in a house on a quiet street in suburban Minneapolis, intruders silently murder Luke Ellis’s parents and load him into a black SUV. The operation takes less than two minutes. Luke will wake up at the Institute, in a room that looks just like his own, except there’s no window. And outside his door are other doors, behind which are other kids with special talents—telekinesis and telepathy—who got to this place the same way Luke did: Kalisha, Nick, George, Iris, and the youngest of them, ten-year-old Avery Dixon. They are all in Front Half. Others, Luke learns, graduate to Back Half, “like the Roach Motel,” Kalisha says. “Kids check in, but they don’t check out.”
    In this most sinister of institutes, the director, Mrs. Sigsby, and her staff are ruthlessly dedicated to extracting from these children the force of their extranormal gifts. There are no scruples here. If you go along, you get tokens for the vending machines. If you don’t, punishment is brutal. As each new victim disappears to Back Half, Luke becomes more and more desperate to get out and get help. But no one has ever escaped from the Institute.

My thoughts: Whoa. That’s all I got right now. Whoa. It has been awhile since I read a Stephen King book. This one sucked me in right away, too, and I can see me reading this one again. One of these days I just need to claim a reading season to be nothing but Stephen King and then re-read all the books I’ve been wanting to read again. Heck, it might be more than a season. It could possibly be a year!

Do you ever feel like binging a favorite author’s books, to re-read them, one after another? Or are you a one-and-done kind of reader?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I Started Walking … Again

I don’t know how many times I’ve STARTED my walking regime. I was doing okay in May and June and then … Ooops. Yeah, it’s been hot, but still, I need to walk. It’s in my best interest to walk. And I hate being out of shape.

So yeah, I started … again. Just this past Monday. And I’m back to posting about it on Facebook. I’m hoping THAT will keep me motivated to walk. At least Monday-Friday. I won’t promise anything on the weekends, but that doesn’t mean I won’t TRY.

Now, can it be a little cooler outside? Maybe less humid? That would be nice.

Here’s what I read this week:

Book #38

Dates read: August 9-13
Title: The Forbidden Door
Year of publication: 2018
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Suspense thriller
Series:  Jane Hawk #4
# of Pages: 434
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: She was one of the FBI’s top agents until she became the nation’s most-wanted fugitive, a happily married woman before becoming a devastated widow. Now Jane Hawk may be all that stand between a free nation and its enslavement by a powerful secret society’s terrifying mind-control technology. She couldn’t save her husband, or the others whose lives have been destroyed but equipped with superior tactical and survival skills—and the fury born of a broken heart and a hunger for justice—Jane has struck major blows against the insidious cabal.
    But Jane’s enemies are about to hit back hard. If their best operatives can’t outrun her, they mean to bring her to them, using her five-year-old son as bait. Jane knows there’s no underestimating their capabilities, but she must battle her way back across the country to the remote shelter where her boy is safely hidden … for now. As she moves resolutely forward, new threats begin to emerge: a growing number of brain-altered victims driven hopelessly, violently insane. With the madness spreading like a virus, the war between Jane and her enemies will become a fight for all their lives—against the lethal terror unleashed from behind the forbidden door.
My thoughts: The best decision I made was waiting until Book 5 was out before reading Book 4. Man, what a ride. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

Book #39

Dates read: August 14-18
Title: The Night Window
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Suspense thriller
Series:  Jane Hawk #5
# of Pages: 417
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: A visionary young filmmaker hunted for sport across a vast Colorado ranch by the celebrated billionaire at the heart of a monstrous cabal…
    A brilliant computer hacker slipping through top-secret databases as whisper ahead of security trackers, gathering the facts to fight the all-powerful perpetrators of mass murder…
    A pair of brutal operators, methodically shadowing their targets with every cutting-edge tool in the arsenal of today’s surveillance state…
    A sequence of quiet heroes—everyday citizens—stepping up, stepping forward, intent on countering the advancing darkness…
    A Vegas mob boss teamed with a homicidal sociopath, circling a beloved boy and his protectors, aiming to secure him as leverage against his fugitive mother…
    And that fugitive mother herself, ex-agent Jane Hawk, closing in on the malevolent architects of ruin she has stalked as they stalk her, prepared to sacrifice herself to finally bring them down.
My thoughts: Whoo boy, what a finale. A very tense, suspenseful series. Horrific, too. Scary how easily I could see it happen. **shiver**

Every time I think I’m getting caught up in my reading, I’m still 17 books behind in my goal. STILL! I guess it’s better than 18, huh? I did get a lot of reading done during our trip to and from NJ this past weekend (the reunion was a blast, by the way!). But I’m also crocheting some coasters to give away at next year’s Literary Love convention (yep, I signed up for next year already, that’s how much fun I had). Figure it doesn’t cost me anything to make as I’m using up old yarn and I’m using up old yarn! That’s always a bonus. The coasters are turning out pretty neat, too. I’ll try and get some pictures taken later on (when I have a bunch to show). I’ve only got seven done so far.

So… Do you like to craft stuff? What’s your favorite? And do you start and stop your exercise routine? If not, how do you keep with it (provided you exercise, that is)?

Happy Reading!

Stacy
P.S. So far I haven't needed to push the button on my heart monitor and I've been wearing it a week! And it's still on (I think I'm more surprised at that). It comes off on Monday. Boy, will I be glad to get rid of it.

Wednesday Reads and I’m Crocheting…Again

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #23

Dates read: April 28 – May 5
Title: The Trouble With Vampires
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Lynsay Sands
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series:  Argeneau #29
# of Pages: 380
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: For close to three thousand years the imposing, impossibly handsome Santo Notte has fought in armies across the world and battled his own, more personal enemies. Of all the places he might expect to encounter his life mate, a quiet corner of upstate New York doesn’t seem likely. But as soon as he makes contact with history professor Petronella Stone, while hunting down a suspected rogue immortal, he knows that she will be the greatest adventure of his eternal life.
    He expects her to be surprised, confused, even overwhelmed. What he doesn’t expect is that Pet has a secret history of her own. There’s no mistaking the mind-blowing, mutual pleasure they share. But as Pet struggles to protect her nephew from a danger lurking too close to home, Santo realizes there’s another threat to her safety—him. And claiming their passionate future will be impossible until he leaves his past behind, forever…
My thoughts: You’d think after 28 books in this series that the 29^th might just feel like the same ol’ same ol’. But NOPE! Still hot romance. Still humorous. Still suspenseful. But a different story every time. I love the Argeneau family and hope the books continue for a long time to come.

Well… the Blue Jackets are out of the playoffs, so I guess I’ll be rooting for the Canes (sorry, Jeff, I just don’t like ANY Boston teams!). Don’t know how much I’ll sit and watch them, though. I probably will if the daughter comes home to watch. But alone? Nope, not likely. I’m not THAT big of a fan. Of the Canes.

I started a crochet project. I wasn’t sure I’d ever crochet again, but this yarn and pattern has intrigued me (for a baby blanket—like I know anyone having babies!!!). I’m starting small first, though, making a scarf for my granddaughter (the yarn color is called Pegasus, and it’s her favorite creature, so I thought…why not?). Once I determine my hands will not turn into two painful fists (can’t tell if it’s arthritis or the stupid pills I have to take for another FOUR YEARS, but my hands get stiff easily), then I will make that baby blanket. Which really won’t be for a baby. Probably more for my lap. Or a gift to someone. I haven’t decided yet. What I do know is that when I finish it (and see, I’m being positive here), I will take a picture and show you all how neat it turned out (because I only make neat things, didn’t you know??).

So… Are you a crafty person? What do you like making?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Crochet Project and Novella Updates

I finally finished one of my pot holders (yes, I designed it)! What do you think?

It looks black, but it's actually navy.

 

And in case you missed my post, I’m making these to give away at RAGT and maybe RomCon. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be lucky to have two completed by June.

Or maybe not. I’m pretty much done setting up QuickBooks for my treasurer duties (it’s going pretty smoothly—and easily), so that will leave my weekends free to crochet. Next Sunday Hubby and I will be at B-dubs (that’s Buffalo Wild Wings for those of you who don’t have one of those restaurants in your area) for the Super Bowl party (we snagged tickets), which means I’ll have lots of time to crochet (we figure we’ll have to get there early to get a comfortable seat). In the past I’ve taken my laptop, but this year I’ll just take my crochet projects. I bet I get lots done, too.

At least, I HOPE so! But just in case, I’m also crocheting a scarf. If it goes faster, I’ll do more of those. But I do love those potholders. They’re so thick, you don’t burn your fingers with those suckers! And I’ve tested them.

No, not that one. I’m not giving away a used potholder.

I’ve got some good news… The cover to A Vampire Wedding is just about finished and it looks sooooo cooooool! If you’d like to see it a week before I show it to everyone (here and Facebook), you’ll need to be a subscriber to my newsletter. I want to give my subscribers first looksee. It’s only fair. They put up with my newsletters! J

So, if you aren’t a subscriber and want to be, there’s a sign up form on the side bar. If you don’t see it (or you’re too lazy to look), here’s a link for you: http://eepurl.com/bCN0Oz. Don’t say I didn’t make it easy for you!

So… Tomorrow is Ground Hog’s Day. Wow! Already! With the way the temperature was yesterday (in the 50s!!!—I swear it felt like spring out there), I’m thinking that little guy is gonna see his shadow. How does that make you feel? Happy? Sad? Indifferent? It’s certainly been a strange winter, though. At least it has HERE. You see, the snow missed us. Whew!

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

I Did It, My Afghan, and Pills

Well… I did it. I entered Blind Temptation in the Judge a Book By Its Cover contest (in the paranormal category). We’ll see how it does. Once I’m informed that it’s up for the online voting portion (it has two: online and judges), I’ll post the link here. You know, in case you WANT to vote for little ol’ me. The judged portion is completely separate from the online portion, but I wouldn’t mind winning either. Okay, I do mind. I want to win the judged portion so my cover will show up in the ad in the RWR (Romance Writers Report—the magazine RWA sends out to their members). Why else enter, right?

Of those that commented on Monday’s post, no one knew what design is on the afghan that shows up in my tree picture. Here’s a better picture of it (should be able to enlarge it by clicking on it). Do you see the kitty cats?

 

I had made this afghan for my mother-in-law (many, many years ago). When she passed (in 2001), I made sure to get it back (since her stuff was being given away). I love that thing. Hopefully she did too.

I saw my physician assistant (PA) yesterday and got that referral for physical therapy. He also suggested I take glucosamine chondroitin, to help with the cartilage (or lack thereof) in my knee. I have a feeling one of these days I’m going to be taking just as many pills as my hubby does. Except mine will all be supplements.

Have I ever mentioned I hate swallowing pills? Ugh.

I’m already taking iron, calcium, and vitamin D. I was taking magnesium, but I think that was the cause of my stomach problems (they have since ended since I stopped taking the pill—a pretty good indicator if you ask me). I know I wouldn’t have to take all those pills if I ate right, and maybe one day I will, but until that day…I’ll stick with the supplements.

Tomorrow night hubby and I will be taking my son’s girlfriend and her daughter to the Madrigal Dinner (held each year at Wright State University). Why aren’t we taking my son? Well… He and daughter are performing as dancers (son used to be part of the choir when he attended the college and before that he was one of the trumpet players). It’s a nice Christmas party. Lots of music, singing, and dancing (performance, not participatory). All the participants are dressed in madrigal style (1500s?) garments, and the food’s not so bad, either. We’ve been going since 2000 (man, that’s a long time!). Sure, it’s the same food and usually the same skits, but it’s a fun time, plus I like seeing my kids in action.

So… What are you up to this weekend? Shopping? Parties? Whatever, have a great one!

Stacy

Goals Accomplished

Since September, I belonged to a Yahoo! Group called “100 Day Challenge.” It was to help me accomplish goals I set to have completed by the end of the year. One of those goals was to finish crocheting a tablecloth I promised my friend for Christmas LAST YEAR!

Well, thanks to that group, I was able to accomplish that goal (and most of the others I set). Sometimes it helps to tell other people your goals – it certainly motivated me to get them accomplished. Anyway, I wanted to post some pictures of that tablecloth, because I am pretty proud of how it turned out.

I would have posted these sooner, but it was a Christmas present for my dear friend, so I didn’t want to spoil the surprise (and I believe she was surprised when she opened it on Christmas day!).

The top photo is a full shot. I tried to get some of the detail on the bottom photo.

Eighty some rows, and many hours later (those last ten rows alone took about three hours each!) I finally finished it. Maybe if I had set this goal last year, she would have gotten the gift when promised. But better late than never, I guess. I'm glad to have finished this project and will probably NEVER crochet another tablecloth (and to think I wanted to make a larger one for myself - not anymore).