Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Tuesday Quote

Tomorrow,
         is the first blank page
    of a 
           365 page book.
 Write a good one.
                            Brad Paisley

Monday, December 30, 2013

2013 is Almost Over

I can't believe 2013 is almost over! Where has the year gone?

  • Family.
  • Day job.
  • Friends.
  • Social events.
  • Business events.
  • Writing.

All of the above things and more have filled my year.

The biggest event of 2013 for me was the publication of Lisa's Bear and Chasing Tara, books 1 and 2 of my Bryant Station series. It has been fabulous and scary and awesome!

2014 is going to be even better.

I'm working out a blogging schedule.

I'm currently working on book 3, which is Skylar Anderson's story. He met his mate back when he was in college, but did something really stupid to cause her to disappear. Now, 15 years later, he gets a second chance with her, but will he blow it again?
(In Lisa's Bear, David mentioned that Skylar, his cousin, would run Theo Willis's construction project.)

Book 4 is outline. I'm working on the outline for book 5, and the story ideas for book 6-8.

I'm also working on two new series. You will actually meet some of the characters for one of new series in book 3. I'll give you a hint: They love full moons. :) The binder for this series is under construction. I've put together some of  the background information, family charts and other information I need for the series.

2014 is going to be a busy year for me.

Thank you for your support. I hope you're enjoying the Anderson bears and their Curvy Women as much as I'm enjoying writing their stories.

Have a fun and same New Year's Eve, and raise your glass with me to welcome in 2014.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Falling Snow

In most of Texas, we don't see this kind of snowfall. Where I live, snow is extremely rare. Sleet is usually the closest we get to snow.

I found this snowfall clip and thought you might enjoy it. It does have sound.



Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas

May your house ring with laughter and joy.
May your hearts overflow with love and peace.
May Santa have left you all kinds of gifts and toys.
May with family and friends, you have a wonderful feast.

I hope your world is filled with all the wonders and joy of Christmas.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

This is one of my favorite Christmas poems. Thank you, Clement Clark Moore, for writing this wonderful piece.


Monday, December 23, 2013

It's Christmas Time

The houses are outlined with bright twinkling lights. Christmas trees peak out from behind the curtains. Beautiful wreaths adorn the front doors.

It's truly a magical time of the year.

Christmas music drifts through the air. All the radio stations are playing it. And Christmas movies are on most all of the television stations. (We watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas last night.)

Christmas is almost here.

It's only two days away.

Where has the time gone?
Thanksgiving was just here and now it's Christmas time.

As a kid, I knew Christmas was coming when the Sears Christmas catalog came in the mail. I would spend hours looking through it and dreaming about what I could do with all the toys. Using the Christmas catalog, I made my list for Santa and wrote, and rewrote my letter to him. I had to make sure the letter was perfect.

And then, the wait...

Finally, Thanksgiving arrived with the smells of turkey and pecan and pumpkin pies baking in the oven. On television, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade left me in awe. I knew Christmas was around the corner and Santa would read my letter, if he hadn't already.

But Christmas was slow. It took forever to get here...but now...

The holidays rush in when I'm looking.

I'm lucky. My Christmas shopping is done, though I am going to have to brave the grocery store for a few things I ran out of over the weekend. The fur babies want their kitty food, and I really need my coffee! So, off I go...

I hope Santa is good to you and your family.

I hope you make some special memories this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 14, 2013

"Old School" Calendars

I LOVE technology, but I HATE electronic calendars.  
Can't stand them!
Nope.
No way.

I've tried the ones on my computer and my phone. I've downloaded various styles, but so far I hate them all. Yes, each has a feature or two that I like, but overall they irritate me. Maybe it has something to do with the fact of putting pen to paper, or being able to put sticky notes and stickers on the calendar. Yes, I like stickers...LOL!

I guess you can say, I'm a bit old school when it comes to calendars. 

A few of weeks ago, I bought a 2014 calendar because I needed to start planning out the new year in terms of goals and writing--both books and blogs. Basically, I've got to get my writing life organized with my family life and the day job. I have a separate calendar for the bills and household expenses. It's so much easier to look at it and see what I've paid and what I still need to pay.

The calendar is one of those monthly and weekly numbers. I like the monthly for a quick overview and the weekly for more detailed notes.

"If it's not on my calendar, it doesn't happen," is the running joke in my house, and I've already colored specific dates and penciled in some tentative deadlines.

Technology is wonderful, but "old school" is cool too!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Did You Do Black Friday?

Days before Thanksgiving, all the commercials on television were aimed at Black Friday shoppers.  

It was crazy!

I had no plans of going anywhere near the stores this year, but my son had other plans. He wanted to go shopping , and he wanted mom to go with him.

I've only been shopping on Black Friday one time. I hated it! 

But I went with my son. (But only after I stalled and came up with a lot of excuses as to why we really didn't want to go anywhere near the stores.)

The crowds were ridiculously crazy, and the lines at the registers were even worse. I heard some people stood in line two hours just to check out. 
We went to two stores, and that was two stores too many. People were lined up waiting to get specific items, or they were grabbing anything that happened to be in front of them. 

The only thing I could think of was "FEEDING FRENZY!"  or maybe I should say "SHOPPING FRENZY!"

I know a lot of people who love Black Friday shopping. It's an annual event they never miss, like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's just not for me.

I would rather stay at home, watch a few Christmas movies, and drink coffee or hot chocolate. 

Now, CyberMonday...that's more my speed. 

How was your Black Friday shopping experience?