Havin' a Great Day!

As far as willy-nilly afternoons go, this one isn't too bad. We came home from church and I told my husband he was in charge of the kids today. If they didn't go anywhere, fine, but for all intents and purposes, I would not be available for anyone. Hey, even I need a break from the whiny "don't-touch-me's" to the "he-stole-my-seat" scenarios.

So today I've been very content doing what I want. Wow. What a thought. :D

Yeah, for those that know me, I hardly ever do this.

My favorite local radio station went wacko a couple of months ago and the only way a person can decently hear them is to stream them. (Not the stations fault; the broadcaster went wacko, really). Even though this ticks me off when I'm in the car, it rocks here because I've had my rock going all afternoon.

Next, I've been listing a few odds and ends on eBay, hoping to have a few extra coins for Christmastime, ya know. 

Peeking at pics of hot guys. *sigh* Uh, I mean, I'm looking for a pic that'll match the hero of, um, one of my stories? Yeah, I'll go with that. 

Drinking delicious coffee with way too much creamer and absolutely no sugar. 

Loving the fall time change. Loving it!

Bookmarking pages in my research for the wicked Horror Romance I'm beginning. I became super excited last night when the story, plot and characters clicked and everything fell into place. I typed up a loose synopsis and outline last night and today I've been checking a few ideas/facts to make sure the story makes sense to others. I'm going to start hard and heavy on the writing today or tomorrow and will definitely let you know how this is going. I am so psyched about this one!

Ah, I hope your Sunday afternoon is going well. Try to take it easy, if you can, because we all know tomorrow comes too soon!

What to do when you're down

Depression seems to be the word du jour lately. Every other person I see/hear/talk to lately seems to be going through some kind of down-time, as in feeling stressed out, fed up, or out of sorts.

Life in general is hard right now. No doubt about it. We all do our best to keep our chin up and, as the proverbial mud flap states, "keep truckin," but even the weight of being upbeat takes its toll.

Sadly, I've fallen into the rut as well. It kinda ticks me off, really. I mean, this time of year is one of my favorites. Fall is in the air with hints of winter (okay, some of you have more than just hints of winter), the leaves are gorgeous, and lovely, thick winter clothes stuff my closets. I love the holidays as well. Huge Thanksgiving feasts with friends and family, gift giving at Christmas time. I mean, I thrive.

Except...now. I chuckle to myself, reminded of one of  those cartoons where a superhero can touch another person and absorb his or her powers. I feel like I've touched (i.e. been around) too many people who are in a depressing mood and it's soaked into my skin.

Now, how to shake it? *sigh* I can read - which I've been doing. Lots of hot little books and even a couple of historicals. I can write - which I've been doing, but I need to do MORE. I can hike and be outdoors - which I've done some. I can plan (I'm a HUGE planner), but for some reason, this isn't giving me the umph it usually does.

Maybe I need more sleep? I'm notorious for staying up way too late and then having to be up early every morning. I never - and I mean never - get to sleep in. Then again, I'm a night owl by nature, so what to do?

I think what will help me the most will be to write. To completely, unequivocally, unapologeticly immerse myself into a different world, different circumstances, different set of people, and let loose.

Yeah, this sounds like a plan to me. Have a great weekend. Oh, or - I can stand next to someone honestly upbeat. Maybe I can re-absorb the good stuff. :)

Works in Progress

Okay, on a short update: I am busy writing. Not as hot and heavy as I'd like to be, but I'm gettin' there.

At present I've been working on two very little, very hot and short snippets that will eventually become available for your pleasure. These will be FREE READS, and once I know more, I'll be sure to let you know about them and where to read them.

Also I want to let you know of my next release. December 17. Yep, just in time to treat yourself to a great little Christmas treat. For three weeks in December, Changeling Press will have for sale their annual short Christmas stories. Mine is entitled Emmy's Wish, and it's about one of Santa's little workshop elves who wishes for a Christmas gift that is a little, shall we say, bigger. Keep checking back and I'll be sure to let you know more as the days approach.

Finally, don't forget to drop by Changeling before the end of October. All you have to do is make a simple little purchase and you will automatically be entered into their Halloween contest! Check the bottom of their home page for the discount code as well. Super Sweet Treats for you!

Be safe this weekend, and try to stay warm. My advice: snuggle up with someone very hot. :-D

Eye Poppin'

I recently came across a fabulous little blog on this oh so spacious world wide web. Run by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton, it's entitled Coffee and Porn in the Morning/wine and sex in the afternoon. Love it. It's short, sweet, and so much pleasure for the eyes. But be forewarned, it's definitely, definitely in the 18+ category. Drop by, tell 'em hi, and enjoy your morning cup of coffee with them.

The Good Ol' Days or the Good New Days?

There are times I think it'd be cool to live in times gone by. I mean, a century or more past. Those times where you had to live off the land, bathe in water pulled from the streams, go to the general store once a month for supplies. No cars, no telephones, no computers.

What!? I can hear you exclaim way over here. :)  

This past weekend I went camping with my family at a huge scouting event. It wasn't completely primitive: we did have working bathrooms and our leader is the consummate cook and provided all our meals. Yes, that does spoil a person. Still, we had to walk everywhere, and there were no phones to contact each other. We had our base - our tent site - and if we split up, we knew to meet back there. We had campfires and told stories and snuggled together as the temps dipped into the lower 30's at night. We do this routine a few times a year at least, and I admit, I look forward to them.

As a kid, I hated - I mean HATED - the outdoors. Even going for something as simple as a walk would send me into tears. How times change. With four males in the household, there is no way I'd survive if I didn't like the outdoors. Walking, hiking, biking, camping, you name it. If it's out-of-doors, we're into it. Yes, now, even me.

During the times, like this past weekend, where we do camp out, I can feel the adjusted change in me. The first night/day can often be uncomfortable. Getting used to only being outdoors. Not having the computer to turn to or the TV to turn on or an iPod to plug in. Not to mention all the other appliances and technology you do without. By the second day, I'm more used to the "withouts," and even though I think, it'd be nice to have them, I can feel myself already start to get past them. By the third day, I'm thinking that it's kinda nice where we are, and that I wouldn't mind living out "here." I think hard on all the stories - fiction and fact - about time before technology and I get invigorated. A challenge. I know I could make it. It'd be hard at first, really hard. But I know I could adjust and that I'd love it in my own way. As would my family.

Then the trip is over and we're coming home. First things first. Hot showers for everyone. Freshly perked coffee. Put the kids in front of the tv or games so I can sort through the belongings. Washing clothes. I find myself ever grateful for modern technology. I admit to myself that even though I know I could survive, somewhat happily, in the centuries past, I am happy to be here now. I like my technology. I like having hot running water and toilets that flush and washing machines and stoves and refrigerators. A car is handy and the computer is practically a necessity.

The point that came to me, out of all of this, is comfort in knowing my place is here. Comfort, too, in knowing that if I had to live without, I could - and would - but that I'd rather not. :)   It's nice sometimes, to know where you are in the great scheme of things. How about you? Where do you find your comfort level? Let me know and have the best of  days.

How bad do you want it?

While you're reading this, I'm lost in the wilds on a camping trip for the weekend. In the meantime I've not left you high and dry. In fact, I've left some words of, I hope, inspiration with a shot of kick-in-the-ass on my monthly visit to Total E-Bound's Hitting the Hot Spot today. 

Come on over and hear my version of wanting to write, then finally deciding TO write.

Oh, and have a blissfully happy Saturday!

Still time for Octoberfest at Changeling Press!

Octoberfest -- Changeling Press style!

Did you know Changeling Press has over 1000 great books for sale! How long would it take you to read them? Well, how about a few, then? 

This month only, every visitor will have a chance to receive a double treat:

First, shop at www.changelingpress.com during the month of October, use the discount code Octoberfest at checkout, and not only will you get an extra 5% off your entire order, but you'll also be eligible to win free books! 

Then, come Halloween, CP will give away - yes, GIVE AWAY - 31 awesome books to random winners from the Octoberfest contest. 

Remember, all you have to do to enter is shop at CP and use the discount code. Enter as many times as you wish between now and then end of October. Enter before the contest is over (I know. Duh. But it makes the legal people happy). No other restrictions apply.

Shop. Save. Win. Octoberfest!