Thursday Morning

For those of you who wonder why the Tuesday post went up on Thursday, for some reason my new computer (Windows 7) will write the blog, but blocks posting it, so I have to go to another computer, log online, and go to Blogger and post. Not impossible, but nuisancy. So sometimes there is a delay in posting.

Sorry.

Tuesday Morning

I started to say "Why are there no songs about Tuesday?" But then I remembered "Tuesday's Dead." So never mind. But there really are LOTS more songs about Monday, and Friday, and even Saturday night.

But it is Tuesday, and I am actually feeling fairly perky. Surprising since I was up early this morning. BUT the specialist was right. The new thyroid meds are working. I no longer feel like I've been hit by a truck most of the time. I'm even mostly clear-headed most of the time.

WHOOO HOOO!

On the writing front, the book is actually going pretty well. I'm a bit frustrated but it's technical issues. The new computer needs to be upgraded if it's going to run the old software I like. (I hate most of the new word processing software. It (a) keeps trying to force me to format things the way I don't want to; (b) doesn't have as good of a vocabulary as I do (which is just freaking SAD. Excuse me, you've expanded the memory and you can't even put in an unabridged dictionary?) so that it keeps saying things are misspelled just because it doesn't know the word (oh and the suggestions for replace? Lovely. Just lovely. Hit the wrong button and an article about the Sazi will be about the Suzi. No, not just any Suzi "THE Suzi." Yes, I know it won't be in their dictionary. But I can add it. Or I SHOULD be able to anyway.); and doesn't let me turn off their controls. So I want to use old software. Which means I need to upgrade the new computer. Or use the old one. But wait. I can't. It CRASHED. Totally.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Not when I'm on deadline!

Except, reasonably, I am always on one deadline or another. Such is the life of a working author. And I wouldn't trade it. Because there's a lot of folks right now who aren't working, let alone working as authors, living their dreams, etc.

Ah well.

Bought myself a used laptop cheaply. I had given the previous one to my son, who is also the VP of my company and whose computer had "issues." So I now have a laptop to take on trips again. Yay. There are a lot of folks who would ask why used. See the previous paragraphs. I wanted it new enough to be light, have plenty of memory and speed, and old enough to run my old WP programs. I am a very low-end user for most tech. I use the internet. I e-mail. And I write books. Occasionally I'll splurge and run a DVD movie or TV show on the player.

That's it.

So used and cheap worked well for me.

Okay, have to go. I'm in the process of watering the trees. We are in a major drought down here. I refuse to water grass in a drought. The water is needed for animals and people. BUT trees take 100s of years to grow. So when it's really bad I do take time to water the trees. And frankly, they need it. They are so stressed that we're probably going to lose half of them.

COME ON RAIN.

Okay, gotta go. Bye. See you soon. Be happy and well.

Cie

Sometimes life just gets away from you.

Hi!

Well, it's been an . . . interesting day.

Had some wonderful telephone conversations, but haven't gotten much done.

First, the laundry detergent I bought yesterday evidently had a leak. It drained out over the counter, onto the floor, and pretty much everywhere. I had to clean that up.

Okay, I'm dealing. I go out to feed the outdoor kitties (it's still dark) and encounter a family of skunks. Oh crap. Sprayage ensues (but misses me as I ducked quickly back behind the door. SO I now decide that maybe I should screen in the front porch for the kitties as skunks are not only nasty, they can easily be rabid. And while, yes, the outdoor kitties got their shots, STILL. So I measured and waited until later to call the lumber yard with measurements.

Then I come inside and start doing dishes and such, and find out that. OH CRAP. One whole side of one of the indoor cats is plastered to his skin and crunchy where he (you guessed it) laid in the spilled soap.

Now, is soap going to kill him? Probably not. But it sure as h*** isn't going to be good for him, and there's too much of it for him to clean himself with his tongue anyway. SO, I get to capture, and bathe a formerly feral feline who is the most skittish of my kitties.

OH freakin' JOY.

It was, shall we say, an ADVENTURE.

Then, of course, I had to clean up the destruction in what used to be my bathroom, put neosporin on various punctures, and try to calm and sooth an extremely distraught cat.

I go to the lumberyard to pick up the supplies and -- the boards I had pre-cut are the wrong length. CRAP. Yes, I can make it work. But I will have to really work at it rather than just slapping it up. Which means it isn't happening today. It's just NOT.

It is now 1:37. I am completely and totally exhausted. And I have accomplished NOTHING.

Sigh.

Bookmarks, distribution, conferences, medical crap and so forth

I am still sewing bookmarks. Seriously. There was a LOT of response from Posse members, former posse members, and I wanna be in the posse members. This is a wondrous occurrence. But dammit I promised to make the gifts with my own two hands and my own two hands are somewhat busy um, well, writing the next book. SO, the book is being written, AND the bookmarks are being manufactured when I am too braindead to write the book, AND the day job is still getting done. Somehow. I'm not quite sure how I'm juggling it all, but by golly I actually AM.

The mass market version of Blood Song is hitting the market en masse. Seriously, we've got some great distribution going on. I'm thinking in the newsletter I should do a contest with "e-mail us where you found the book" or some such. Except that would entail prizes. Which would have to be made. So perhaps it is not such a wise idea after all. But I am WILDLY happy about the distribution.

Cathy and I are getting ready to attend a couple of conferences. FenCon is comming up in Dallas in September and we will be there. I will be at RT next spring and am already in the throes of planning. We're going to do signings in October I believe. And there will be other marvellous events. You should check the newsletter for details. Assuming, of course you GET the newsletter. (And if not WHY not?)

I am going for some medical testing Monday and Tuesday. It should be minor and will hopefully take care of the annoyance that has been, well, ANNOYING me. I hope.

And lastly, pray for RAIN. We need it so desperately! I mean, seriously. There are towns in Texas that are completely OUT of water. Others are actually considering recycling waste water. (Um, ewwww.) So, put the word out. Light the bat signal. Use whatever influence you may have.

And have a wonderful evening.

Posse Bookmarks, Newsletter, And Stuff

I took today off at the day job.

I was originally scheduled for some medical testing that got re-scheduled. But I wasn't up to snuff physically (nothing serious, don't worry), so I stayed home and rested up. Did things like laundry. Started on the posse presents. They are going to be red ribbon bookmarks with a cat button weight at one end. The cat button is a black cat very similar to Nitsche from Emily the Strange. I, of course, believe it is a good rendition of "Inkspot the Infamous" my beloved many-toed feline. Each one is hand-sewn by yours truly, and therefore possesses certain imperfections that (you will just have to put up with) make it truly unique.

I also wrote a bit. Planned a bit. And basically tried to take care of myself.

movies, sewing, writing, Jim Butcher.

Hi Guys!


Okay, I've been keeping really busy. Work at the day job has been INSANE. I've been trying to relax by doing things like decorating and sewing. It's working. I have nice new curtains sewn in 3 rooms. I have re-painted the kitchen and part of the living room. And I'm generally feeling pretty good on the whole.


Did something stupid. Felt bad about it for a while. But the fact is, it was an accident, and everybody makes mistakes. Can't undo it. Just have to learn and move on. But sometimes that's harder than others.


Went to see Harry Potter today. Very good. They did a nice job on it. This time the 3d glasses didn't give me a huge headache which is nice. I almost just gave in and went to the 2d version, but the times were later and I wanted to get home in time to feed the critters. I want to get to bed early so I can get an early start on writing in the morning.


Writing is going well, but with work being insane and some other things going on, it's not going as fast as I'd like. But there you go. I'll keep plugging at it.


Read the newest Dresden novel by Jim Butcher. LOVE LOVE LOVE his work. Dresden more than Alera, but that's just me.


ANYWAY, it's a great addition, moves things forward. But be warned, it's more thoughtful, angsty and has a bit less "bounce" than some of the earlier books. Which makes perfect sense since Harry's had a lot of serious emotional fallout from Changes. Including, ahem, DYING. I liked it quite a lot, and have been going over the details (first read on his usually I'm racing through to see OHMIGODWHATHAPPENS NEXT?! and I have to go back for the details.) Anyway, I definitely recommend it.


Unless health crap comes up that I'm not in control of (I'm having some testing done, probably minor, so don't worry), I will be at FenCon in September. Hope to see you there.

Oh, and I've started making the bookmarks for the Posse. Which GREW HUGELY at the last "call to arms" in the newsletter, so it's taking a bit more time. Please be patient.


Best always.


Cie

Sewed this Weekend

Did some sewing this weekend. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I love making things. Sewing and knitting are some of the things I miss when I get "too busy" and don't take time for myself. I now have lovely curtains in the kitchen and the office. As an added bonus, I found the keys to the day job that have been missing for a couple of weeks . (From right about the time I bought the fabric for the curtains coincidentally enough. Can you guess where they were?)

Alas, it had been long enough since I'd sewn that the machine needs a new belt. Bits of rubber started flying across the room when I got it up to speed. Um, ooops.

On another blog I found something I can actually DO for the prizes for the posse. Now I will simply have to DO it.

Gotta go.

Here's to Mistakes of the Past

Here's to the mistakes of the past.

First -- they're PAST. Over, finito. Thank HEAVENS!

Second -- they taught us the lessons we needed to become the people we are today. If you even like who you are a little bit, it's the mistakes that probably taught you the most. "The burned hand teaches best."

I was recently was contacted by my very first roommate, from back in the time when I was very young, very MUCH.

I'm sorry for the people who got hurt. But I learned some lessons that I needed, and learned things about myself I wouldn't have found out any other way.

Would I do things differently now? Probably. I have a few regrets. But if I hadn't made the mistakes I did, I might not be who and where I am. (In life not location.) I might not have written books. Might not have made the bestseller's list. Might even not have had my son, these pets, or any of the other things I treasure.

Yes, I would have different things. Would I love them more? I don't think so. Less? Maybe/maybe not. But I will never know. I am who and what I am. And if I've lost some of my muchness, (as had Alice), I have gained quite a lot more than the pounds around my middle. Experience, humor, endurance.

So again, here's to the mistakes of the past.
********************************************
I went and got the lyrics for an appropriate accompanying song from http://www.metrolyrics.com/those-were-the-days-lyrics-mary-hopkins.html
********************************************

Those Were the Days* Mary Hopkins

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be

In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Feeling Pretty Good Today

Feeling pretty good today.

Can't think of too much to say. Life is plugging along pretty normally. Lots of writing going on, lots of other things going on.

We did a survey about whether folks wanted a new Sazi. They do. So that's probably going to happen eventually. Right now, however, I am in the throes of finishing the first book in a new world, then rushing into the next Celia book.

If I don't write before then, everybody have a happy holiday.

Cie

Migraines sucketh

Migraines sucketh. Yes, the pretty flashy lights and ribbons of bright colors are very pretty. Distracting, make it hard to see, and precursors of doom, but VERY PRETTY.

When I was young I got migraines once a month, punctual as clockwork.
Then for years I got them once in a very great while -- maybe two a year.
Now I'm getting them every three months or so. But when I get them they're not going away in 12 hours like they used to. I can usually head off the pain with meds, but the visual stuff and the mental weirdness don't succomb as easily. For a couple of days I have sort of a "shadow" of the migraine where things are just a little . . . odd and fragile. Light's too bright. Sounds are loud. And it's really hard to focus.

I'm HOPING that this is another thing linked to hormones and now that they're settling in to their new pattern the migraines will go back to being a rarity.

Because MIGRAINES SUCKETH.

Writing, Allergies, RAIN FINALLY, and anything else I can think of.

Book is progressing. If I don't stay too long writing this I may be able to get a few pages done tonight. I actually know where I want it to go, and it's seeming to come together. But it's going slower than I'd like---mainly because I need to get to the next project but can't get this one out of my head.

I have allergies. All kinds really, but mostly to chemicals. It can trigger asthma (irritant induced asthma is what they call it) or contact dermatitis, or whatever. Basically the contact dermatitis (which may not be spelled correctly) in my case means that my skin breaks out into nasty blisters that crack and bleed and then peel (the blistering is quick. The breaking, cracking, bleeding and peeling can take long, miserable days). The wrong toilet paper can give me days of "adult diaper rash." Thus, I am somewhat fanatical about staying loyally with the products that actually work for me. New and Improved are words I dread.

The skin stuff I have used on my face for years is no longer being made. I have bought up (and had given to me as gifts) all of the supply we can find on E-Bay. It is now, gone.

ARGH!!!

So I bought some new stuff to try out. It has not made the inside of my elbows break out overnight. It has not made the other delicate skin I've tried it on break out. Tonight we will try it on a small patch of my face and hope that I don't react to it.

One interesting thing that I wasn't expecting. When I put it on my test patches last night it glittered. Seriously. Gold glitter effect. Pretty, but somewhat startling to say the least. I felt like Edward Cullen, or actually one of his female relatives (but I don't remember their names right now---ESME maybe?). I think I'll only be using this at night even if it doesn't make me break out. I'm not sure what the good conservative folks here would think of a woman wandering around town SPARKLING. On the other hand, it might be fun to find out. (wicked grin).

WE GOT RAIN LAST NIGHT!!!!! An inch even. WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! WOOT WOOT WOOT! We need more. Quite a lot more. But WE GOT RAIN.

Okay, off to write. Wish me good luck.

Cie

Stuff and Nonsense/Status

Okay, the edits are back to the publisher, the book is in process. YAHOO!!

The book I am working on hit a snag for a bit. I went back, took out a few pages to see if that's where I "went off track" and voila, we're moving again. Quickly even. I really need to get this first draft finished and out of my head so that I can move on to Celia's next Excellent Adventure.

The health plan is working. Slow and steady, which is just fine. My goal is to see where I stand in a year. I've improved my eating habits (still allowed a bit of junk food, or I'd give up). I'm exercising daily, both aerobic and calisthenic (and have added a bit of weights now that I'm able to do a decent number of repetitions).

The good news is --
1. I'm starting to see muscle tone.
2. My balance has improved (a couple of the exercises are specifically for that.)
3. My flexibility is improving. (This has always been bad, even from childhood, so this is kind of cool).
4. I'm not as "jiggly." So I think I'm getting smaller. (Also, my clothes are fitting better. Or else they're too big [i.e., my blouses]. The latter of which is annoying[as addressed in the previous blog]. Also, I don't want to have to shop. ).

No, I have not weighed or measured. I know myself. If I saw those numbers, I'd get so discouraged I wouldn't do what I need to do. And the goal isn't really about the numbers. (Okay, yeah, I want to be in a particular size, but that's not the goal.) The actual goal is to get well. Because, when I had the chest stuff (probably bronchitis but we didn't say for sure) last time, even when I was over it, I had asthma problems and generally wasn't breathing well. No stamina. No energy. Complete lack of oxygen.

VERY SCARY.

I've had bronchitis more times than I can count. I've had pneumonia several (really seriously SEVERAL) times. The last time they did chest x-rays they commented on the scarring.

So I was looking at myself and saying. Do you want to get well, or sometime soon do you want to be one of those people dragging around an oxygen container?

Let's hear it for diet and exercise!!! I am SOOOOOOO committed to getting well.

AND IT IS WORKING!!

AND I FEEL GOOD!

Now the bad news.

Now that I've lost weight in my face and neck I can see my thyroid. Clear as a bell. Full outline.
NOT GOOD. Where everyone else has a dip, I have a bulge. NOT GOOD. I am going to be making an appointment with the doctor.

I'm a little scared about this. But I've just got to pull on my big girl panties and take care of it.

So I will.

Scheduling

Yes, this is not an exciting post subject. I mean, really, who cares?

Well, I do. Because one of the tried and true facts of life for a multi-published person is DEADLINES.

And no, they're not just suggestions. When the publisher says they want it then, they really do. And they've scheduled things like editing and cover art and publicity and publishing schedules around it.

Yes, if something drastic happens they'll cut you slack. And there is (sometimes) a little wiggle room worked in. But it's only a LITTLE wiggle room, if any. And you don't want to push that envelope. Besides, they paid you to deliver, so you need to . . . well, deliver.

So while Cathy is plugging away on edits I am faced with a dilemma.

The first book of the new book is 3/4 done. It's going well. I've actually caught some kind of rhythm, know where it's going, and it's heating up to a climax.

But the next Celia book needs to be written. It's actually scheduled.

ARGH!

So, after angst, and hemming, and hawing, and weighing my options (which, by the way, are NOT losing weight in THEIR bust thank you very much) I am giving myself until either the 15th or next weekend to wrap up the current book and start on Celia.

I want to get it finished. I really do. Because if I don't the book is liable to "turn to ashes" in my head (to quote a favorite author's phrase.)

And then there's the newsletter. And picking the winner for the prizes and MAKING the prizes for the posse members, and doing paperwork and cleaning the freaking house and doing the laundry and taking care of the animals and and and and . . . . CRAP.

Okay, enough whining. And enough stalling. Wish me good luck. I am going to check and see if the laundry is dry, then I am BACK TO WRITING.

Cie

Annoyance of the day.

Losing weight makes no sense.

When I gain weight. I gain in my belly, or my ass first.

When I lose weight, I lose in my bust and my neck first.

Considering how my weight fluctuates, it is a wonder that I do not have a negative bust measurement.

I'm exercising, and concentrating on getting fit. I am paying particular attention to my abdomen. But my blouses are what is getting loose.

THIS IS NOT FAIR!!!

LOL

It's FRIDAY!!!. .

WOOT WOOT WOOT.

Why is it that sometimes short weeks seem so much longer than regular length weeks? Seriously, it makes no sense. But true nonetheless.

I've been being very good and exercising, and walking the dog when it's still cool (I hate 100+ temperatures when I'm trying to be active). I've been writing some. Not as much as I'd like, but some. The book took a slight left turn, and I'll have to fix something, but that's not unusual.

ANYWAY, have a wonderful day, weekend, and life.


Cie

DO YOU WANT MORE SAZI?

Do you want more Sazi stories? We want to know. SO, we've put up a survey. Here:

www.surveymonkey.com/s/PKDPB93

Trying to post this isn't working well. Darn it!

THE BOOK IS IN

Okay, the edits are in. My mind is still reeling. I can think of three things already that I'll want to do in the next edit pass. (Oh yeah, logically she WOULD call her attorney, duh.) But for good or for ill, it's gone. I'm exhausted.

And now it is time for cleanup.

Cleanup?

Well, when one is in full-bore book mode, real life vanishes. POOF. It's MAGIC. (Actually, it's more along the lines of a disaster movie, but there you go.) I have to go through and shovel out the house, (cleaning is too mild a word for it) and the car. Do laundry. (You know you're in trouble when you sit at your desk, and realize that you simply do not have time to do laundry, so you buy new socks and underwear [and something pre-cooked for dinner] instead 'cause it's faster.) Sort through all the paperwork that has come in and needs to be dealt with, send out TONS of things that everybody needed days/weeks ago or won in contests embarrassingly long times ago because you haven't come up for air. (And while you're at it, you'd better shop for all those Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthdays and etc., because you just KNOW they'll roll around when you're on the next deadline.)

This all HAS to happen. But before you can do it (assuming you're over 21 and can no longer abuse your body the way you used to) your body screams "I QUIT! SCREW YOU BUDDY! THE MIND THINKS IT IS IN CHARGE? HAH! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO's REALLY IN CHARGE." And you sleep. And sleep. And sleep. If you are VERY lucky you haven't worn yourself down to the point of catching some sort of crud.

I am not ill! WOOO HOOOO!!! Serious happy dance. But I am POOPED. I took the holiday weekend to rest, but I'm still exhausted. I do think the new vitamins helped to stave off the usual post-book-crisis-illness and will thus continue taking them. I am looking at re-starting the exercise program (which inevitably flew out the window during the crunch).

And I am, already, working on the next book.

In the course of these edits I wound up having to pull out the old computer and hook it up.

The new computer has the new Word. You know, the pretty one, with the fancy, schmancy stuff at the top that you have to scroll through with big bright pictures. It does EVERYTHING for you. You want to outline? It will outline. But not the way YOU want it. Nope. It has a standard format and heaven forfend you want to do something else.

I am a professional legal secretary. I know what I'm doing. I know what I want. I do not WANT/NEED/LIKE having the freaking computer program tell me how I'm going to do something. I was wasting HOURS wrestling the freaking program rather than getting through the edits.

Screw that.

So I hauled out the old computer with it's OLLLLLLLLLLD professional version of Word that lets ME set up all of the formatting the way I (and, incidentally, the editor) want it and AMAZINGLY ENOUGH I was able to work at least 5 times as fast.

So now I've got the two computers set up side by side. The old one is for writing. The new one for researching, internet stuff, watching Hulu, e-mails.

Eventually I will probably see if I can make the new system play nice with the old program. (I'm told there's a way to do it, but it requires the inevitable software upgrade). Windows 7 in the version that came on my system does not. The new system is beautiful and FAST. BUT, I'm a WRITER, what I need is the software that works best for me in creating. If it slows me down, drags me back to this reality kicking and swearing, it's counterproductive. Unfortunately, I replaced the old machine for a reason. It was dying. SO, that software upgrade will be coming soon. But not this week. And I am writing this week. So I'll back up often and hope/pray for the best.

In the meantime, I have to get in touch with everybody. Maybe I'll do a grand blog re-launch and get back into doing the fancy and fun things I used to. Maybe I'll actually re-visit Facebook and Twitter (I think MySpace may have gone the way of the dodo, but I don't know for sure. I'll check.)

ANYWAY, I doubt there's still anybody visiting here. But if there is, HI! This is what's been going on and why I've not been available. My apologies. I'd tell you I'll do better, but honestly, the next time a deadline hits I'll probably do the same thing.

Sigh.

Guten Morgen

Guten Morgen to all!

I am in a wonderful mood.

On Thursday I closed on my house. I am officially, once again, a homeowner. YAY! And while I would very much wish that the house could simply be located in Denver, I'm still has happy as I can be. I have been decorating and settling in again, and it is amazing how much difference that makes.

Also, I've been (somewhat tentatively) writing again. I had an idea for a romantic comedy. It's fluffy, but a lot of fun, and just the thing to get me back into practice.

Demon Song is out. It is the third book in the Blood Singer series. It's a bit hard to find, so you may have to order it. But PLEASE do. I truly think you'll enjoy it.

Also, a friend just sent me the link to the Irish Rovers singing the Scottish Kilt song. It's on You-Tube and it's WONDERFUL.

Best.

Cie

Writing Again

Okay, I'm turning in the loan documents today. James is recovering well (he was in the hospital for 12 days, nearly died, but is rebounding with the resilience of youth). Work is insane, but it always is. I'm trying to get back into writing, so I was playing with something this morning. For want of anywhere else I want to put it at the moment, it is going here.

Enjoy.

********
I was up on a ladder trying to fix the light above the pool table when Arnie walked in. It was enough of a shock that I nearly fell---would've fallen if I hadn't made a wild grab and clung to the chain suspending the stained glass shade from the ceiling.

"Easy Jenny. You don't need any medical bills." His voice was like grinding gravel. Huge hands steadied me at the waist until I regained my footing.

"What in the hell . . ." I looked down at the man standing next to the ladder. Not much down, mind you. Arnie is a former linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. He's six-eight and built square. All of it's muscle. He may be graying, adn enarly bald, but he's still damned imposing. And he still has to buy his clothes from the specialty shops.

"Corrine sent me. She wanted you to hear the news from a friendly." His expression was sober. "You'd better sit down."

I took him at his word. Arnie's been around the block more than a few times. If he said I needed to sit. I did. I climbed down, seating myself at the nearest table for two. He sat across from me, his massive form dwarfing the chair. He was obviously acutely uncomfortable, and not from the seat.

"What's up?" I forced the words out. My mouth was dry, my pulse pounding. I hadn't heard a word from anyone at Layton, Walker, Simpson and Burns since I'd gotten fired . . . excuse me, resigned (with extreme prejudice) and been blackballed in the local legal community. Sending Arnie here could get them both fired. It wasn't something Corrine would do lightly.

Arnie squirmed, causing the chair to creak in protest. "The old man decided to add a couple of new associates, so we were moving boxes from the storage room up to the attic. Paul, the new intern, tripped and fell into the drywall. It broke." He paused, not for drama, but to figure out how to best phrase what he wanted to say. "There was a fake wall. Behind it there was what was left of a body wrapped in heavy plastic sheeting."

I felt the blood drain from my face. The world swam. If I hadn't been sitting, I'd have fallen. As it was, I tucked my head between my knees and tried to breathe deeply. I didn't want to hear what he was going to say next. I was afraid I already knew.

"It was Derek."

And Life Takes a Sharp Left Turn

Ah life. Never a dull moment. (At least not in mine.)

Two days after I began really settling back in to the house (set up the stereo, re-hung all the drapes and most of the pictures on the wall, repaint the trim, etc.) The landlord stops by. I can either buy back the house or move, because they're needing to sell it.

Well, hell.

This left me with a few options.

But after much thought, prayer, and talking with various folks whose opinions matter to me, I decided. I'll buy it back.

The move to Colorado had stalled anyway. I won't find anything here I like better. There are almost no rentals in the area, I have a history with the bank and can probably get another loan on the property, etc.

I feel pretty good about it.

As to the one-chin project. I fell off the wagon for a few days due to stress and injuries. But I'm back on track. Still at 1.25 chins, but I'm back in the tighter jeans and my bras are much looser (sigh, I always lose in my bust first and most. And it's the LAST place I gain.)

****

General stuff. Had the handyman come out yesterday to help with all of the heavy lifting & stuff I just can't do myself. (Things like hauling away the dead washer, moving the large oak desk from the garage to the office and the dresser from the office to the garage, etc.

He was injured, his truck was giving him trouble, and I really felt bad that he was having to do it. Apparently most of his crew don't work on the weekends. Unfortunately, I have a day job. The only time I can be around and have people do things is on the weekends. Sigh.

Almost everything in this town is scheduled for the unemployed. Seriously. Businesses open after 8:00, close from 12-1, and close before or at 5:00. (Exceptions being fast food, WalMart and the gas stations, grocery and convenience stores.) So, if you want to pay your cable bill in person (say the bill didn't arrive, which happens, because the mail has to go through like four different stops before it comes to Brady), you have to take time off work. The bank opens at 9:00 and closes at 3:00 or 3:30 (fortunately the drive-thru is open until 5:30, so if I really HUSTLE and don't have to stay and do any overtime I can actually go there. BUT everyone else is doing the same thing, so don't be too sure. The post office opens at either 9:00 or 10:00 and closes at 4:30 ON THE DOT. Again, if I have packages that need to be mailed I can either brave the lunch crowd (everyone who works who has to go to the PO during it's open hours. Which generally takes the entire lunch hour, maybe a little more because they usually only have one person on duty at lunch.) or I have to take time off work to go.

It is very, very frustrating.

OH, I thought of something else that's open at night. The liquor store.

You do get used to it. But it is frustrating nonetheless.

Okay, I'm off to get ready and go to church. Have a happy day/week.

Since I'm not doing well at posting daily. I'm going to try for every Sunday. Wish me luck!