cross town rivalry July 5, 2008

Today #1 son’s All Star Little League team is playing the championship game against our cross town rivals Western. They’ve beat us once so we’re out to even the score.

Last Tuesday night #1 son hit his first home run. A solid hit over the right field fence (he’s a lefty) that resulted in a grand slam! DH, who is normally a very mild manner sort of guy could be heard screaming in the video “Get out!” Then, “Yeaaahhhh!”. He rushed right over and picked up the ball and refused to give it back when the umpire asked for it. #1 son got to take it home.

Today #1 son did it again. Our team had come back from a  7-0 deficit in the first inning (our worst showing yet) to a tie score 8-8 in the 6th (we only play 6 innings unless there’s a tie). There were 2 outs and a runner on first. #1 son hit the first pitch and sailed it over the right field fence to win the game!

I heard all about it.

Why didn’t I see it? Because I didn’t think he would be up to bat so soon so I took Monkey Boy to the bathroom and snack bar. Inside the bathroom I met up with my sister, my mother-in-law and DH’s oldest sister. We all missed his game winning home run!

Some lady at the snack bar (I was wearing a team shirt) said, “I think someone on your team got a home run.”

“I hope it wasn’t my son.” I said.

Oops!

Wish us luck, today’s game is for a division championship banner and bragging rights.

Go Eastern!

Happy birthday america!!! July 3, 2008

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you all eat too much, watch fireworks until you can’t ooh & aah no more and get some funky new tan lines. It’s the American way.

top 100 romance novels July 2, 2008

All About Romance compiled a list of the 100 top romance novels. I’ve checked the ones I’ve read. How many have you read? Top 100 Romances, November 2007

1. Lord of Scoundrels Loretta Chase Eur Hist 1995 2. Dreaming of You Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 1994 3. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen Classic 1813 4. Outlander Diana Gabaldon Time-Travel 1991 5. Flowers From The Storm Laura Kinsale Eur Hist 1992 6. Slightly Dangerous Mary Balogh Eur Hist 2004 7. Devil In Winter Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2006 8. Bet Me Jennifer Crusie Contemporary 2004 √ 9. Welcome to Temptation Jennifer Crusie Contemporary 2000 √ 10. The Viscount Who Loved Me Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2000 11. Lover Awakened J.R. Ward Paranomal 2006 12. Mr. Impossible Loretta Chase Eur Hist 2005 13. The Duke and I Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2000 14. It Had To Be You Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1994 √ 15. Lord Perfect Loretta Chase Eur Hist 2006 16. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2002 17. The Bride Julie Garwood Medieval 1989 √ 18. Mr. Perfect Linda Howard Contemporary 2000 √ 19. Naked In Death J.D. Robb Futuristic 1995 √ 20. A Summer To Remember Mary Balogh Eur Hist 2002 21. Nobody’s Baby But Mine Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1997 22. Dream Man Linda Howard Romantic Suspense 1995 √ 23. The Raven Prince Elizabeth Hoyt Eur Hist 2006 24. Paradise Judith McNaught Contemporary 1991 √ 25. As You Desire Connie Brockway Historical 1997 26. MacKenzie’s Mountain Linda Howard Contemporary 1989 √ 27. Dark Lover J.R. Ward Paranormal 2005 28. The Secret Julie Garwood Medieval 1992 √ 29. Son Of The Morning Linda Howard Time-Travel 1997 √ 30. Lover Eternal J. R. Ward Paranormal 2006 31. Devil’s Bride Stephanie Laurens Eur Hist 1998 32. A Knight in Shining Armor Jude Deveraux Time-Travel 1989 33. Heaven, Texas Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1995 √ 34. To Have and To Hold Patricia Gaffney Eur Hist 1995 35. Almost Heaven Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1990 √ 36. Match Me If You Can Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 2005 √ 37. The Shadow and The Star Laura Kinsale Historical 1991 38. Cry No More Linda Howard Contemporary 2003 √ 39. A Kingdom of Dreams Judith McNaught Medieval 1989 40. Over the Edge Suzanne Brockmann Contemporary 2001 41. Sea Swept Nora Roberts Contemporary 1998 √ 42. Ravished Amanda Quick Eur Hist 1992 √ 43. Then Came You Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 1993 44. To Die For Linda Howard Contemporary 2005 √ 45. Something Wonderful Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1988 √ 46. This Heart of Mine Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 2001√ 47. The Serpent Prince Elizabeth Hoyt Eur Hist 2007 48. Suddenly You Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2001 √ 49. The Proposition Judith Ivory Eur Hist 1999 50. Honors Splendor Julie Garwood Medieval 1987

51. Saving Grace Julie Garwood Medieval 1993 √ 52. Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte Classic 1847 √ 53. When He Was Wicked Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2004 54. Persuasion Jane Austen Classic 1818 55. All Through The Night Connie Brockway Eur Hist 1997 56. It Happened One Autumn Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2005 57. Born In Fire Nora Roberts Contemporary 1994 √ 58. Thunder and Roses Mary Jo Putney Eur Hist 1993 59. Kiss An Angel Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1996 60. Out Of Control Suzanne Brockmann Contemporary 2002 61. After The Night Linda Howard Contemporary 1995 √ 62. Lady Sophia’s Lover Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2002 63. The Secret Pearl Mary Balogh Eur Hist 1991 64. Once and Always Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1987 65. More Than A Mistress Mary Balogh Eur Hist 2000 66. Untie My Heart Judith Ivory Eur Hist 2002 67. See Jane Score Rachel Gibson Contemporary 2003√ 68. The Rake Mary Jo Putney Eur Hist 1998 69. Dragonfly in Amber Diana Gabaldon Time-Travel 1992 70. Perfect Judith McNaught Contemporary 1993√ 71. Whitney, My Love Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1985 √ 72. The Duke Gaelen Foley Eur Hist 2000 73. One Perfect Rose Mary Jo Putney Eur Hist 1997 74. Shattered Rainbows Mary Jo Putney Eur Hist 1996 75. The Windflower Laura London Historical/Pirate 1984 76. Dream A Little Dream Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1998 √ 77. Frederica Georgette Heyer Classic 1965 78. Passion Lisa Valdez Eur Hist 2005 79. Voyager Diana Gabaldon Time-Travel 1994 80. The Lady’s Tutor Robin Schone Eur Hist 1999 81. Morning Glory Lavryle Spencer Amer Hist 1990 82. Worth Any Price Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2003 83. Winter Garden Adele Ashworth Eur Hist 2000 84. My Dearest Enemy Connie Brockway Eur Hist 1998 85. Where Dreams Begin Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2000 86. Devil’s Cub Georgette Heyer Classic 1932 87. Gone Too Far Suzanne Brockmann Contemporary 2003 88. Anyone But You Jennifer Crusie Contemporary 1996 √ 89. For My Lady’s Heart Laura Kinsale Medieval 1993 90. Rising Tides Nora Roberts Contemporary 1998 √ 91. Lover Revealed J. R. Ward Paranormal 2007 92. Open Season Linda Howard Contemporary 2001√ 93. Born In Ice Nora Roberts Contemporary 1996 √ 94. Ransom Julie Garwood Medieval 1999 95. Venetia Georgette Heyer Classic 1958 96. Miss Wonderful Loretta Chase Eur Hist 2004 97. Ain’t She Sweet Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 2004 √ 98. The Notorious Rake Mary Balogh Eur Hist 1992 99. The Prize Julie Garwood Medieval 1991 100. Slave To Sensation Nalini Singh Paranormal 2006

Recipe roundup July 1, 2008

I’m posting a recipe today for the yummiest dessert! These delicious squares have been a must have for every teacher luncheon at our elementary school for the last 6 years! In fact my friend Cindy was not allowed to show up without them. They take some work but are totally worth it. Enjoy!

Pear Squares

Crust

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup butter (don’t cheat, use the real stuff)

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/3 cups chopped pecans

1 1/2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pat into lightly buttered 9×13″ pan. Bake at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool.

Middle Layer

2 (8 oz) pkgs. cream cheese (I didn’t promise you they would be low fat!)

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream until smooth. Spread on baked crust (crust may still be warm).

Topping

1 large can pears, drained and sliced thin

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp sugar

Place sliced pears on cream cheese layer, then top with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Refrigerate when cooled.

Over at my friend Barrie Summy’s blog she is having a recipe round up so stop by and fill a whole notebook up with some great new recipes.  http://barriesummy.blogspot.com/

I’m falling in love with you… it says so right here in the script June 30, 2008

Tonight I watched a show that I would normally never watch but found my self getting sucked into it anyway. I stopped by my friend Berk’s house to swap an elephant for a key (long story) and got there just as she and her neighbor were getting comfy with a jumbo bag of M&M’s & the TiVo remote to watch The Bachelorette.

It was down to the final 3 bachelors and the ‘over night’ dates. Back in my day it was slutty to have ‘over night’ dates with 3 different guys 3 nights in a row (plus, think of the laundry), but I guess it’s okay these days if they’re filming it for TV. 

The thing that struck me the most (besides all the really uncomfortable spit swaping scenes) was the use of the phrase, “I’m falling in love with you.” The Bachelorette said it at least 2 or 3 times per guy (including the last one to get kicked off the show-for a total of about 9 times) and each one of the guys said it to the confessional camera at least twice and to the Bachelorette approximately 2 or 3 times.

Is this for real? I had my doubts. I don’t know about you but what I distantly remember about falling in love is that I was totally into that one guy… you know, cause I was falling in love with him. So I just didn’t get how these people could brandish it about so cavalierly.

What do you think? Can love be real when it’s manufactured on a reality TV show? And could you tell 3 or 4 different people you’re falling in love with them all at the same time or are you like me, a one at a time type of gal?

losing my cool June 29, 2008

Today I had the opportunity to shop without 2 boys whining and fussing. DH sent me to Old Navy to pick out some shirts for him while he and my dad took the boys fishing for Monkey Boy’s birthday.

2 teenage girls were checking out some shorts for their dad and I overheard one of them say, “These are cool.”

My ears perked up and I swung my head in their direction. I had to know what was cool.

I used to know what was cool. I had cool instincts. I could look at a piece of clothing or listen to a song and know if it was cool or not. These days I’m not so sure. I think my cool-dar is on the blink. At least I hope it is, because the alternative is that it’s either permanently broken or I was never as cool as I thought I was.

Looking at those girls, I was overcome with the urge to follow them around the store testing my cool-dar. I wanted them to show me what they thought was cool so I would know.

Maybe having a pre-teen is draining my cool-dar. The older he gets, the less cool I become. At some point he’s going to look at me and be embarrassed of me like I was of my parents.

Do you think the fact that I’m worrying if I’m cool or not is a sure sign that cool has passed me by? Do you ever worry that you’re losing your cool?

 

Happy birthday love!!! June 29, 2008

 

Today Monkey Boy turns 6.

His birth was one of the greatest surprises of my life.

We didn’t want to find out if he was a boy or a girl even though everyone wanted us to. DH was especially adamant about not wanting to know. With #1 son I was so sure that he was a boy that when he was born there was no surprise in it. But with Monkey Boy, I really had no idea what he was going to be.

I saw that he was a boy and announced it before the doctor could. I cannot express the sheer joy and pure surprise I felt in that moment. To this day it is the single happiest most amazing moment of my life.  And everyday he continues to be a source of fun and joy for our whole family.

So happy birthday my little love. May all your dreams come true (exept the one about the motorcycle, cause my heart just couldn’t take it) and your life be blessed as you have blessed ours.

What you can buy for a dollar or how ebay & eharmony have merged June 27, 2008

Deven Traboscia a divorced mother of 2 living in Florida is auctioning off her house on both ebay and craigslist.org. The opening bid is 99¢, the shipping charges are $500,000. The house boasts 2,000 sq. feet of living space, Berber carpet, upgraded tile and neutral colors… oh and it comes with a wife, Ms. Traboscia who, it would seem has made some.. ahem… upgrades on herself as well.

Apparently the dating market is as bleak as the housing market for this woman to concoct this unusual plan. But it might just work. Ms. Traboscia claims a gentleman from Italy is flying out to meet her… oh and to look at his potential real estate investment too of course.

And they say you can’t buy much for a dollar these days.

P.S. I couldn’t find her reported ebay listing but I did find the link to her Craig’s List ad.

You can choose your friends… June 25, 2008

Tonight several of us got together to plan a family reunion for my grandfather who is in his 80’s and in poor health. We figured it would be more fun to get together while he’s still alive then to wait for everyone to come to his funeral.

As we were putting together the list of family to invite we came across some complications. It so happens that so-in-so won’t show up if such-in-such comes because they aren’t speaking. And if whosit comes and brings his new girlfriend (the slut that broke up his marriage) then she and them won’t come. But if whosit comes without his girlfriend and she comes without her boyfriend then it would be okay.

Families are a complicated lot to say the least.

So what’s a family reunion planner who is hosting the event to do?

 I’ll tell you what I’m going to do… tell so-in-so and such-in-such to suck it up and inform whosit that he can’t bring his girlfriend because you know what? It ain’t about you! It’s about this 80 something year old man that would like to pass on to the next life with the image (however false) of a happy family, one that he helped create.

Can we all be adults and do that?

judged June 24, 2008

I just got my scores and comments from the judges in the Winter Rose contest.

There were some interesting comments. One judge gave me the best advise and explained it in a way that I really understood. Truly it was the best prize I could have gotten (better than the cute rose pin, $15 check, recognition in RWA’s Romance Writer’s Report and being able to list my 3rd place win on agent query letters). She said (I’m assuming it was a she because the handwriting was too pretty to be a man’s) ‘Make sure your description works hard. If you can make it do double duty-have it give character insight as well as description.’ Then she gave an example in my work where it didn’t ‘work hard’ and then one where it did. It was like a mini writing seminar.

Some of the other comments from the other judges were helpful as well. I looked closely at the comments that were similar between all of the judges. When they all say the same thing, I should probably listen, right?

I had 4 judges, 3 gave me scores in the 90’s (out of 100) and the 4th gave me a 58. I looked at all her scores (again I’m assuming it’s a woman by the handwriting) for the entries she judged and discovered that she scored all of us quite low except for one. She then proceeded to tell me throughout my work, how she would have written this or that part differently. As if I gave her the prompt and she then wrote my story her way. I didn’t find that terribly helpful. The topper was her comment that a Beauty Adviser in a department store wouldn’t do this or wear that. Really? Cause I only spent years of my life working in that industry. I know what we would or wouldn’t do. I don’t think she got that I was spoofing the industry, the outfits, the selling techniques, the personalities and the ridiculous product claims. It is supposed to be funny, not true to life. The clincher was her red-lining huge sections of text and wanting to dump it all.  

I entered a couple of other contests so we’ll see how they go. Over all it’s been a worth while experience but I think I’ll stop entering contests for a while and just focus on making my stories the best they can be and perhaps finally get myself an agent (that journey is another great topic for a blog).

Have any of you entered your work (writing or other work) in a contest? How did you fair?