I am so far behind....

on everything but my story *BG* I'm about half way. 7,200/15,000 words Well ok maybe I am a little behind from where I wanted to be but it's for a good reason. I am layering detail as I write. Of course now I am questioning a major detail I have in the beginning of the story. AARRGGHH! I don't even have a good reason for questioning it except for if it will help or hinder the sale. I'm working a bit later tonight and it always quiets down so I'm hopeing to find myself a corner and work out some details.

Wanting to be a author is one thing but I tell you there is so much conflicting advice out there. Write what is in your heart, write what the market demands, don't watch the market, know your genre.....well that last one is a good one. I already know my short or Parthenon stories won't be for the print market. They be a bit to...um explicit? yea that's a nice word.

My historicals, I'll be submitting....begging....Avon. If memory serves they don't take unagented submissions, but to get a good agent you need to have been published...see the vicious circle. Of course there are tons of people out there I'm sure will contradict what I just said. This businss is nuts....can't wait till I'm a part of it *G*

Ontario's Liquid Gold

From humble, frozen beginnings....

You get one of my favourite delicacies ICEWINE!

If you have never had an opppourtunity to try some I highly recommend the experience. Unless you are my husband. The only person in this universe that actually turned his nose up at the stuff.

I had a small 50ml bottle in the fridge. Just enough for one glass and today I decided to treat myself. I poured, I nosed, I savoured and being the generous wife I brought the glass to him and said "Here smell this."

His response? "Ach, god what is that! That is disgusting! I'm not trying that it smells horrible."

Yes, he is a fussy eater and hates wine....but this is sweet and rich and decadent. It smells like honey, ripe peaches, apricots, orange blossom, and beeswax. None of which I would label as anything remotely disgusting. The heathen.

My husband still has the ability to amaze me. On the bright side of things....I don't have to share. I can be selfish and not feel guilty for a moment. So here I sit with my Inniskillin Vidal Icewine and a box of Bissinger's truffles having a truly orgasmic experience. *BG*

The wordcount is 4,800/15,000. Submission deadline January 31st. Yuppers I'm trying a short story again. They really are hard to write. I've had to edit tons already because the characters keep complicating the story too much. This time I have an Aztec god and a couple of paranormal investigators subcontracted through CSIS. At the very least I'll have another "bong" letter for my binder. Every rejection is a set closer to a contract.....at least that is what I keep telling myself.

Ever had a warm apple fritter?

I did. This morning as I picked up coffee at Tim Hortons. I asked for one on impulse as they look exceptionaly deish and it was still warm in the middle. Oh Rapture. To bad it didn't last long, I had it eaten before I pulled outof the parking lot.

Blogging is truly an amazing thing. You never know what it is your going to learn or discover through other people. I popped over to J.A.Konrath's blog this morning and he had written about Lance Storm's book club. Lance is a pro wrestler who has created an interactive internet book club. Juct click here for more information. http://www.stormwrestling.com/bookmarks/index.html

Impressed me because anyone who encourages reading and literacy, rocks in my book. Joe's book Bloody Mary has been chosen by this book club as their first book for 2007. If you have never read any of the 'Jack Daniels' series I recommend them. Bloody Mary is the second book in the series after Whisky Sour . They are gritty, funny, and scarey as hell in parts. This isn't horror but it's not your run of the mill detective story as well.


What tipped the scales is when I clicked on one of Lance's links and noticed that there are Maple Leafs all over his costume. The man's a Canuck!!! Hailing from Calgary, Alberta. I've moved from impressed to pratically hero worship. LOL

Attack of the Technogoobers

2006 My year as a writer

Sounds like the beginning of a memoir. Too bad that is about all there is to my career...aside from the rejection letter that arrived in November. Not that I am complaining, that launched me into 'professional' status and marked the beginning of my rejection binder *G*

I will be peppering this blog a bit more with writing flavoured pieces but don't look to me for advice. I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I'm just following the lemming in front of me.

The historical workshop is proving to be very interesting. I've read some unique ideas just through the general discussion. For example:

Frances Housden made this comment during one discussion. "...Near the end of my first book, I had a scene from a secondary character's POV where because of the seemingly stupid actions of the woman he was with, he got shot. Those two became the hero and heroine in book two, where I rewrote the scene as a prologue - this time from the heroine's POV, which makes her
look heroic instead of stupid. The same things occurred but the second time I
knew the heroine's motivation."

That just hit me as an absolutely brilliant idea!! You never know what you will learn when you sign up for stuff. *G*

Also the HeSaid/SheSaid blog has changed a bit. Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer have reworked it to be more of a writing workshop as well. They are both very talented and very different writers with different writing styles. Which mean that there is a TON of experience they are going to be sharing over the coming year.

I don't expect that I will be published or anything by this time next year, but it is my hope that I will have a couple of books finished and editor ready. I have learned so much in the past year, a small amount of what I need to know but I'm a stronger writer now. Thanks to a great number of patient people that I have pestered. *G* You know who you are, and please you can lift the restraining order now. I promise to be good.

This is getting easier.....

At the rate I'm going I'll be a HTML Master in no time. I've taught myself a ton of stuff already. The first time I changed this template, it took me over an hour to get it set up, now I can do it in half that time. LOL I've gone back to a warm brown colour, a kind of a dreamy background. This one is a little more grown up then the previous attempt.


Did you know that Hershey Kisses come in peanut butter filled? They are like little Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Trust me, they are horrible rotten little things. In fact; if you have any in your house I suggest you get rid of them quick. Just send them to me and I will make sure that they are disposed of properly *BG*

Trying Again

So the Solitary White Music template got mixed reviews. How about this one. I'm sure most of you will know why I picked it. Goes with the name nicely I think *G*

All opinions are welcome

May you all have a Safe and Happy New Year!!

*MUAH*

So what do you think??

Since I am about to start a new calandar, perhaps it's time to give myself a virtual face lift.

What do you think? Should I keep this look or go back to the earthy browns?

Honest opinions please,
I won't be insulted I promise *G*

And I thought I was busy before the holidays!!

Today my little bro, sisinlaw and nieces headed home bringing a close to all family visitations. I miss them already. I love it when they come to visit, the house is noisy, the girls are freaking out with each other..it's great *G* Of course suddenly having a quiet house is nice as well. I do wish they lived closer though. I get along very well with my sister-in-law and I think we would be much closer if there wasn't 3 hours seperating us. My brother taught me how to play crib last night. I don't have it completely down yet but I'm pretty good. Second game found me wiping the board with his butt!*BG* but then he 'skunked' me on the third. So the thrill of victory was short lived, but it was still a great way to spend a couple hours.

I have a few ideas on the back burner for the coming months. There is a workshop starting at the beginning of the month on historical writing that I am going to be taking. I'm really looking forwards to it. The first couple books I seriously started working on were historical romances. I'd love it if this jump-starts those stories again.

Feel free to nag me in the comments over the coming months to make sure that I am staying on track. Now that the holidays are over and the house is quiet there are NO EXCUSES!!! No good ones anyways. I want to get back on my 'writing everyday' habit that I started in October. I'm not going to worry so much on what story I am working on as long as I am working on something.

There isn't a publisher out there who will offer me a contract for a blank page so I had better start filling them.

Finally it's here...

I love this picture! LOL

Thankfully I have today off. Which is a good considering everything that need doing. It's been a scrooge filled week and I am sad to say that I just don't have an ounce of the holiday spirit in me. Takes the fun out of it all to be honest. I'm hoping that at somepoint between prepping for tomorrow's dinner and cleaning the bathrooms I might be able to play with the kids and start to enjoy myself. But enough of that depressing whining.

I read a really great story about someone who got on a bus and started handing out cards that contained $50.00. This person never brought attention to herself or anything just appeared handed them out and left. *snort* and people don't beleve in The Claus'. Secret Santa
Reading that lifed my spirits considerably.

I don't believe in coincedences. Everything happens to you for a reason, it's up to us to recognise when it happens. My hubby and I have talked about adoption since before we got married. When it was reccommended to me that I NOT get pregnant again after my second; it was no big deal because we decided long ago that our third child would be adopted, if we decided to have three. So yesterday somehow the topic came up in the lunch room at work. One of the women I work with has a sister who is a missionary in Chile. Her sister helps arrange adpotions from that country. Which has been on my mind ever since it was mentioned.

I've been talking adoption for the better part of a year, hubby is kinda draging his heels about it. I'm not sure if he wants a third but damn I do. Money is a factor of course. Have to be realistic about 3 university educations in the future and everything you need before then. Also we might have to look at a bigger house. This one is fine for the four of us. There is so much to consider but isn't it worth it is the end. I love children, they drive me crazy sometimes but flaking out on a Sunday morning watching cartoons with them is one of my favourite things.

The point I brought up to hubby is that if I suddenly found my self pregnant again we wouldn't be the least bit upset. More the opposite, so why is adopting so scary?

Oh goodie another one!!

*muah* Big hugs to Paxa for pointing out I missed one LOL

Which of Santa's Reindeer are you? Donder Like Donder you are sensible and a good leader. You know the right things to do at the right time and have people's respect Find out which of Santa's Reindeer you are at Quizopolis.com

I'm off to start wrapping some presents. This year I am not going to leave it all to Christmas eve! LOL

A bit of Christmissy fun

In hopes of getting more in the Holiday Spirit I have decided to change my name too...

Christmas Elf Name My Christmas Elf Name is Get your Christmas Elf Name at JokesUnlimited.com

Christmas Naughty or Nice List I am on the The Nice List After checking the North Pole database I had : 1,282 nice entries 100 naughty entries Check your name on the Christmas Naughty or Nice List at JokesUnlimited.com

HAHAHA Now I have proof. I'll be sure to remind my husband. I looked it up and his on the naughty list. *snort* I could have told him that. Can't complain though; I like him naughty *BG*

Secret Santa This year my Secret Santa bought me : Your Own Daytime Talk Show Get your Secret Santa gift at JokesUnlimited.com

Oh I really do not have the time for that! I wonder if "Ho-Ho" has a nice all expense paid trip to mexico he'd be willing to trade me? In actuality my Secret Santa at work got me a bunch of gift certificated to "Tim Horton's". I was thrilled! *G*

I can't wait till it's over!!!!!

Only 3 more sleeps till it's all over for another year!! I can't wait LOL That may sound a bit scroogy but anyone who work retail will understand my attitude. The general public has been bitchier and much more short tempered then normal this year. And it started earlier too. Usually the nastiness doesn't start till today but we have been knee deep for at least a week. Personally I think it is all this unseasonably warm weather we have been having. It feels like April not December.

Somthing about a fresh dumping of snow...turns the roads into a flurry of madness but everyone seems to get that starry 'oh it's so pretty' look about them. Not this year. Nothing but scowls and scarcasm.

I feel like a soccer ball in an Under 5 league. For those of you who have never seen 4 year olds play; then entire team follows the ball like a swarm of bees

I'm sorry if I am sold out of the wine you HAVE to have but perhaps you should think about shopping earlier then 2 days before Christmas. Sheesh

I actually had a customer come up to me yesterday and say "What do I have to do to get a couple cases of wine?"

I looked him in the eye and replied "Well first you better get a bunch of grapes and start stomping on them."

He didn't think I was funny.

*shrugging* Normally I wouldn't dare make a comment like that but I will admit to getting short tempered as well. But at least I'm funny *G*

Just a NAVY girl at heart

I have two uncles and a brother that have served in the Canadian armed forces. My uncles in the Navy, my little brother in the Army(infantry) reserves. Gotta tell you, seeing my uncles in uniform at a young age...I'm sure is what started my love of uniformed men.

When I got married, I asked my Uncle to come to my wedding in his ultra fancy 'Mess Dress'. This is the uniform used for only special occasions. He worked out, for like a month, to make sure it still fit for my wedding. Aside from pictures of my husband, the picture of me and my Uncle D in his uniform is my favourite.

He sent me this video, It is really amazing, but personally I love all those pristine white uniforms. *G*

NAVY rules baby!!

Navy Norway


This is the US Navy Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard Drill Team.

Dead Parrot Sketch

I can watch this on over and over and never get sick of it.

A Classic

Ok so I've been playing on YouTube again but lookie what I found *BG*




This is one of my favourite stetches from Monty Python. Honestly I just don't understand when people say that they don't understand their humour or *gasp* Don't think they are funny!!

You'd have to be a dead parrot not to laugh at this one....speaking of which, I'm going to go find myself a "Dead Parrot"

A holiday quiz? What a great idea!

I'm feeling festive. My favourite part of this time is year is all the lights. There are a couple of houses near us that we have nicknamed "The Griswalds". I'd hate to get their hydro bill at the end of the month but am thankful that they do it. It's so pretty. Now I just wish we had some pretty snow for all those lights to refect off of.

It's so unseasonably warm here, really it's kinda a creepy. We had a nasty cold snap a week and a bit ago then it went away and it warmed up. I just keep getting this feeling like it is the calm before the storm.

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Just put your results in the comments. I'd love to hear what everyone is *G*

I've Been Tagged!

It's been ages since I was tagged to do one of these, here it goes *G*





Four jobs I've had:

I've had soooo many, I'll name my 4 least favourite

Detassling Corn
Dress Shirt Factory
Telephone Solicitation
Retail Clothing

Four places I've lived:

Nova Scotia (I was so young I don't even remember the town's name)
Fort Erie
Kitchener
Oakville

Four favourite foods:

Potato Leek Soup
Sushi
Stuffed Shells
"Taters 'n' Cream" A burger place called Lick's makes this.
It's fries with shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon and chives on them. mmmmmmmm

Four movies I'd watch over:

Dogma
Shaft with Samuel L
Hell Boy
Serenity

Four TV shows I enjoy:

Supernatural
Heroes
Mythbusters
Thirsty Traveller

Four places I've travelled:

England, Scotland, Wales I know that is 3 but it was all one trip *sigh* Wales
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Antigua
Florida

Four places I’d like to visit:
Wales again
Egypt
Australia
Italy

Four websites I go to (almost) daily:

Loose-Id
Yahoo
Blogger
Vintages


Four people I’m tagging to do this too:

Just think it will give you an excuse to procrastonate a bit *G*

Myfanwy
Frenchpeas
Samatha Winston
Scott Oden

I see you!!!

Aren't these cool? They are digital pictures of my eyes. I look crosseyed though LOL
This is a new thing that they do instead of putting the drops in. You know that kind that make your vision all blurry. Considering my glasses are broken and I hadn't put in my contacts I figured I had better not make them any worse. I did have to drive home.

So according to the optomerist they are healthy. Nothing of real concern except for the spot in one eye on the maculat area. That's the dark part. She isn't concerned right now but told me that if I don't already I should start taking a multivitamin and eat lots of fruit and veggies. Get lots of those good eye vitamins.

Of course being the calm person I am *coughcoughcough* I started freaking about Macular Degeneration and worring that I am going blind in one eye. Yes I know I leand towards being an alarmist, but I have calmed down now. I figure this gives me an excuse to drink more "Sludge".

("Sludge" is what I am everyone at work affectionitly call that aweful looking green juice that we are all addicted too LOL)

I wonder if you can get the same vitamins out of red wine?? Grapes are fruit *BG*

Just a few of my thoughts today

I realised the other day that when my mum was my age I was 12 years old.
I actually remember her being my age.
Don't know why but I found this whole thing very bazarre, but I do. I don't feel old enough to be a mum, let alone remember when my mum was my age. It's a little confusing if you think about it too much.

So as everyone who has stepped foot in any retail outlet in the past week will know that the general public has clicked into christmas shopping mode. I was swamped today, asked a thousand questions and lost count how many cases I slugged from the warehouse to the foor and up to the cash.

Of course do to the fact tht I forgot my age I was up chatting way to late last night. I remember being able to party till the wee hours, go to work in the morning (waitressing) then do it all again the next night. NOW, hell I'm up to 1am and then dragging my ass around the next day.

But it was still a great gab session and I'm all fired up to get some writing done. The voices in my head were clamboring over each other while I was at work today. Whispering their secrets, tempting my to jump into their story.
I only have two hands and one keyboard. I may need one of those mental ticket dispensers. If each voice would take a number you will get your turn when it comes.

Nono buddy sorry I know your big and you can growl all you like but you have to wait. Unless you belong in a bikini on south beach, You'll just have to be patient.

Now serving number 35.....