Random Stuff

How do other bloggers, moms and otherwise, manage to post an entry every day?  Either I can't think of anything to write about (who really cares about the mundane events in my life?) or I don't have time.  Well, I have time, but unfortunately, I have a Facebook/Farmville addiction that must be fed.  I'm also reading a HUGE book (The Passage by Justin Cronin) which is a freaking door stop but really good.  I have to have that read before it's due back at the library since there are other holds on it so I can't renew it.  After that, I have a book to read that I said I'd review.

Speaking of reviewing books, I was reading a PDF for review that was just AWFUL.  I forced myself to read about 50 pages, but just couldn't do it.  I felt really guilty, but I had to email the publisher and let him know there was no way I could finish the book, let alone review it.  But once I did email him, what a weight off my shoulders!  Life is too short to read crappy books.

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I just checked my email, and the editor wrote me back.  He completely understood the book wasn't my "cup of tea" and offered me a new book to read and review.  I'm so glad he was cool about it.

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I've been walking every day this week, and yesterday I started the Wii Fit.  Yet I've gained a couple pounds this week.  Frustrating!  I'm eating healthy, so I'm wondering if the meds I'm taking have something to do with it.  But I guess I'd rather be a little overweight but happy rather than miserably depressed and skinny.  And I know it's silly, but buying jeans one size up just gets to me.  It feels like I'm giving up or something, but it's better than lying on the bed struggling to zip up, right?


Of course, my recent baking spree isn't helping.  Check out the peach crumble bars I made a few days ago:




I love the cup and saucer; they belonged to my beloved grandmother, Mom-Mom.  I only use them for photographing food; I'm afraid I'll break them if I used them on a regular basis.

And finally, a recent picture of Lauren and Becca, taken by Chris's mom.  Am I in trouble, or what?











 

I Baked Today!

Peach Crumb Bars

Meet Me on Monday, 9/13/10

1. What is your favorite pasta dish?

I love pasta in almost every form, but a simple bowl of tortellini with a little butter, fresh ground pepper and some Parmesan is my favorite.

2. What is the last thing you do before going to bed?

Shut down my computer, brush my teeth and stumble up the stairs (if my sleep aid has kicked in).

3. How many nights a week do you go out to eat?

We go out to eat only about once or twice a month, at least when school starts.  We might go out a little more often in the summer, especially when we go on day trips.

4. Are you an avid book reader?

My to-be-read shelf plus library books:

My book collection (not including books strewn about the house) - the books on this shelf are categorized and alphabetized:

5. Would you rather have x-ray vision or bionic hearing?

I really don't want to see strangers' birthday suits on a daily basis, so I'll pick the bionic hearing.

Nothing Exciting Going On

Just been hanging out, cleaning, running errands, taking care of sicks kids.  Life is so different during the school year than it is during the summer.  Now that marching band has started up, weekends aren't our own most of the time until mid-November.  It's still nice in Ocean City!  But we can't go.  Don't get me wrong; I love watching Lauren and the band perform, but it is hard to have so much of our family time taken up.


Chris and I went out to dinner just the two of us for the first time in AGES.  It was nice.  We also did a little shopping and got some Dairy Queen, and I proceeded to brag about it to the girls since they love DQ.  I'm such a great mom.


I'm reading a book to review and I'm not enjoying it.  Not only is it in PDF, but I just don't think I get what's going on.  It's very disjointed.  Can I get through 300-and-some pages in PDF? Can I write a fair review?  "The font was very legible." That'll be the extent of it.


Why am I so fascinated with hoarders?  I can't get enough of those shows.  I discovered today that the first season is on Netflix Instant Watch, and it was ridiculous how gleeful that made me.  My house certain wouldn't be featured in House Beautiful, but it's pretty clean, if a little cluttered.  I'd love to run a camera during one of the episodes.  Becca's dying to see a real-life hoarder's house.  Is it bad that I let her watch with me?


See?  Just like the title said, nothing exciting going on.  But that can be a good thing.  

Meet Me on Monday, 9/6/10

Before I start answering this week's questions, I'm going to crow once again about my winning entry in the Necon e-book August flash fiction contest.  Because not only did I win, but the editor said, and I quote:

Also on the site, you can find the submission guidelines for our September contest, should you decide to attempt to win in back-to-back months (hint, hint, nudge, nudge...)


Wow!  Talk about boosting my ego!  So anyway, you can find my story here.  Please read it!


1. Do you wear socks to bed?


Yes!  Even in the summer.  I get cold when it's less than 75 degrees!

2. Do you have any pets?






3. What topping(s) do you like on your pizza?


Spinach and diced tomato!  Which my husband thinks is gross.

4. What time do you go to bed?


I used to stay up until all hours with my sleep problems, but since taking Lunesta, I go to bed around 12 or 12:30.

5. Would you rather get free chocolate for one year or free potatoes forever?

Oh, please!



You can find other Meet Me on Monday participants here!

 

Horrorfind Convention and some BIG NEWS

Today Lauren and I went to the Horrorfind Weekend Convention and had a great time.  The convention is a mix of horror actors, horror writers, and horror props people.  People dress up crazy and scary, and those are just the attendees!  The writers and actors are pretty "normal."

Here's a convention attendee:



I got to see several famous actors, but didn't feel like standing in line for a meet-and-greet and then pay $20 per autograph.  Seriously?  You're not THAT famous anymore.  I saw Adrienne Barbeau, Dee Wallace, Gary and Jake Busey and then a lot of people who were glorified extras in zombie movies who you wouldn't recognize without their makeup.

The horror writers don't charge for autographs, and they are much cooler anyway.  Here is Monica J. O'Rourke at her reading.  Great story, very gross.  I was surprised it didn't churn Lauren's weak stomach!



And Jack Ketchum starting to read - but I took Lauren out because I could tell it was going to be a very inappropriate story for her to hear.  See, I'm a great mom!



And the two of them before the reading:



There were several creature wandering the convention who were gracious enough to let me take their pictures (for free!).  I wanted Lauren to get in the pictures, but she wouldn't.  Wuss!












This little girl was quite pleased with her makeover:



Lauren and I were getting hungry, but decided this didn't look very appetizing:






And finally, Monica and me reuniting after many years of not seeing each other.  Hopefully now that I'm writing again, she and I will be seeing more of each other.



Now for my BIG NEWS!!!  I was one of the winners of the Necon E-book first flash fiction contest!!!  My first horror story acceptance is probably eight years.  I am beyond excited!  You can find my story right here!  

I was also encouraged at Horrorfind to get back into the horror writing game because my writing was good.  Such a confidence booster!  I'm so glad I went today.  And I had a good day with Lauren, who is so busy with band and school that I don't get to hang out with her much.

Wordless Wednesday, 9/1/10

Stretchy Kitty in the Sun