Hello everyone and Happy New Year!  How many of you have made resolutions?  I have every year but this one because I never seem to follow through with them–so, instead, I’ve decide to make lifestyle changes.  Nothing dramatic, just subtle changes that I can implement slowly rather than a major change that will be instantaneous and may create a bit of shock to the system (especially if it includes eating healthier/dieting and/or exercising).  I’d like to think that I’m learning as I go along, but I’ll keep you updated. *wink

Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?  I hope your holidays were filled with love and laughter.

So, I’ve been reading Lisa Kleypas’ book Sugar Daddy and it’s really quite fantastic.  I was hesitant –why I’m not sure because I absolutely adore her historicals and her voice… maybe because it’s first person and I tend to shy away from first person.  Whatever the reason, it was foolish of me to wait so long to read this story.  I’m enjoying it tremendously.   What are you reading?  What books are you looking forward to coming out soon?  Any recommendations?

Be well and best wishes for the New Year!

Hello all!  Long time no talk :)  It’s good to be back.  So… what defines winter to you?  Is it the cold? The date on the calendar? The holidays? Well, for me it’s snow.  I love snow… well, mostly the first big snowfall of the year and holy smokes we are so getting it right now.  Winter storm Allison has now arrived in Wisconsin and wooo hooooo! We’re supposed to get 8-12 inches of snow.  Yes, you read that correctly–8 to 12 inches of snow!

Luckily I’m off work so what I’m going to do is curl up with a good book on the sofa and watch the flakes fall… that is, after I do some more of my Christmas shopping online :)  I so love being able to do the majority of my Christmas shopping online… but I don’t do it all because I’d miss the hustle and bustle of the crowds.  I do love the crowds… but only one time during the Christmas season–go to the Mall and browse and enjoy the decorations, the kids sitting on Santa’s lap, even the people… but any more than once and I might have to get  hostile

I hope you all have a happy holiday season–Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  I wish the best to you and your families.  Hugs!

No, nothing as mundane as a traffic sign (heh)… I mean a sign from above–the great beyond–the Fates.  From wherever and whomever it is that sends them.

A friend of mine and I had gotten into an argument a few months back–yeah, months, sigh–and we had no communication.  No talking.  No nothing.  And I missed this friend but respected the boundaries set.

That’s when the signs started.  Really, it’s just one, but it’s been repeating and repeating time and again.  You see, my friend likes the song by Joe Cocker, You Can Leave Your Hat On and I’d go somewhere and it’d be on the radio.  In the car.  In a store.  On the internet.  A bunch of different places… and the funny thing is, I’d never heard it played when I was out and about before.  Funky.

And then… last night I went to Samhain’s site to browse the books.  What do I see on the front page?  A book by Lena Matthews titled–I kid you not–You Can Leave Your Hat On.  Seriously, how funky is that?????

These have to be signs.  There’s no other explanation for it, is there?  Signs for me to make peace–maybe that this friend wants to call a truce too?  What do you think?  Signs?  Coincidence?  Do you believe in signs?  Have any stories about signs you’d like to share?  I’d love to hear them!

It’s five months later after my move and I still don’t have everything where I want it… I still need things…and–disgracefully–I’m not fully unpacked yet. Well, there are a few things I don’t know where to put and some things I need to keep in a box until I get more shelves.  Excuses, excuses…yeah I know. 

If you’ve moved recently, how long did it take you to unpack and find the perfect spot for everything?  I can use some input on this because I think I’m way too picky about stuff.  Imagine that.  *wry grin*

I can’t tell you just how wonderful it is to know that I’ve got my own place.  This is the first time I’ve lived on my own…ever.  I went from my parents, to the Navy, and then I got married…always living with someone and never being on my own…not fully.  But now I am.

I took my youngest son to school one day last week and on my way home I was awash with emotion…for no reason…but it hit me just how lucky I really am.  I’m healthy, my boys are healthy, I’ve got my own apartment and I don’t have to answer to ANYONE but me (woot!!).  I’ve got fabulous friends who are super supportive in every possible way and did I mention I don’t have to answer to ANYONE but me?  :-)  I’ve got a fabulous agent who believes in me no matter what and encourages me.  The Bradford Bunch is a fabulous group of authors/writers who are amazingly supportive and sooooo caring.  Laura sure knows how to pick ‘em… and the Bunch is continually growing.  Woot!

So, that’s what I’ve been up to for the last five months… I’m back from my hiatus and writing up a storm.  I should have a little to share with you soon. I’ve missed you all TONS!  HUGS!!!

PS- If you’ve moved recently, how long did it take you to unpack and find the perfect spot for everything?  And how long did it take you to get everything you need for your new place? –do you ever?

I saw this article and knew that this was going to be my post for the day.  I bet  you’ll apply too. 

SYDNEY (AFP) – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls “the best job in the world” — earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner’s home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland’s state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the “island caretaker” will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of “a few minor tasks” — and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

“They’ll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they’re doing so they can’t be too shy and they’ll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors,” said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

“The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world.”

Lucas said the campaign was part of a drive to protect the state’s 18 billion Australian dollar a year tourism industry during the tough economic climate caused by the global financial meltdown.

“Traditional tourism advertising just doesn’t cut it sometimes and we are thinking outside the box by launching this campaign.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said some people might question whether it was risky to let an unknown person become an unofficial tourism spokesperson for the state.

“I think the biggest risk will be that the successful candidate won’t want to go home at the end of the six months,” she said.

“This is a legitimate job which is open to anyone and everyone.”

Applications are open until February 22. Eleven shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six month contract will commence on July 1.

Job-seekers can apply on .   Islandreefjob.com

Are you going to apply?

Hi All,

Well, it’s almost the end of 2008.  Can you believe it?  I sure can’t.  This year seems to have gone so FAST!  So much has happened, some good, some bad, but the thing I’ll remember most I think is the election of the first African-American president.  WOOT!  We truly are a remarkable country, doncha think? 

Now that this year is nearly gone, I’ve been thinking about things I want to resolve to change next year.  Oh yes, there’s that evil word–resolve.  Yeppers boys and girls, New Year’s Resolutions.   I’ve only come up with a few so far but the are do-able ones, ones I know I can accomplish, so I’m not being unrealistic or reaching too far out of the comfort zone.  My resolutions are:

1. Eat healthier and exercise more.  Totally doable… and I’ve got a coach lined up to kick my booty into doing it too.  WOOT!
2. I’m also resolving to finish one book and hopefully another before year’s end.  Very doable if I stick to a schedule… even if life throws me a curveball, I can meet this goal.
3. Talk more with my family.  I haven’t done this enough in the last couple years, so I resolve to see and speak to them more often.
4. Keep plugging away at the self-confidence issue–or lack thereof.  So far I’ve made a lot of progress in the last 2 months and hopefully by year’s end I’ll be much more confident.

That’s all I came up with but they are the most important issues in my life as of right now so they will be my focus for the upcoming year. 

What about you all?  Do you make resolutions?  Or not?  Do you keep them?  Or end up breaking them? 

Happy New Year to you all!  May it bring you joy and happiness.

Holy smokes! I almost forgot it was my day to post! GAH! Sorry everyone. I’m currently in the middle of moving and I’m a bit frazzled. There are boxes upon boxes lined up that I have to unpack all the while trying to maintain some semblence of a normal life because I’ve got to work, take care of the kids and the dogs–and feed them (they tend to get cranky if they aren’t fed regularly… and I don’t just mean the dogs). It’s craziness indeed and I just can’t wait until I unpack the last item from the last box. Ahhhh.

In the meantime, when I take my breaks… we all deserve really long breaks, right?… I’ve been reading J.D. Robb’s latest… Salvation In Death. Anyone read this yet? Don’t tell me what happens! But tell me if it’s good! I love me some Roarke. If you’re not reading this book, are you reading Undercover by Lauren Dane? How about Wicked Burn by Beth Kery? They are new releases doncha know and they look awesome!

What’s everyone out there reading?

No, not pine needles… needles, needles.  As in poke, draw blood needles.  Blech.  I had to have some routine labs done and I look at the lab slip and there are five things checked off.  I figure, no biggie.  Since these two are in this box, that equals one vial; these two are in this box, so that equals one vial; and the last one equals one vial.  Three vials?  No problemo.  SO not the way it happened.  They took FIVE VIALS!  FIVE!  Can you believe that?  FIVE!  I think I’m running a quart low now!  Seriously.  Five vials?  Do they really need a vial for each test?  Good God. 

I was sitting there calm as could be, even knowing that I’m a hard stick.  Chatting away with the tech about the holidays and the freezing weather, how we dodged the snow that came through Wisconsin.  I look over as she’s looking at the lab slips and starts pulling out vials.  One vial, two, three… I thought cool.  She reached for four, then five. :shock: I’m like GAH!  WTF? 

I swallow hard and wait as she applies the  tourniquet, then alcohols up my arm.  Swallow again as she gets her needle and plastic thingie ready.  

Here’s the best part.  She says, “Little poke.”  Laughing.  It was no little poke.  It was a big poke.  There is no such thing as a little poke.  Pffft.  And even if there was- little, big, it all still hurts, right?  Then come the vials… so I try to look away, but it’s like a train wreck… you just can’t turn away.  One after the other my blood filled the tubes.  Sigh.  Five vials. 

Ah well, it’s over.  The needle stick or blood draw wasn’t even the worst of it.  The worst of it is now it has to be 12 hours fasting–what happened to 8 hours anyway?  So I was fasting… which is cool.  No prob.  I can go that long without eating, what I can’t do without is my morning coffee!  But I had to.  No morning coffee… pffft!  I could have had it I suppose if I drank it black, but I have to have my Coffeemate French vanilla creamer in there <G> 

So, not only was I poked (BIG POKE) by a needle and drained of five vials of my life (heh, drama), I had to go without my coffee!  Sheesh. 

All is well now, though.  I brought my coffee to work in a thermos and am drinking some as I type this out.  *taking a drink*  Nice hot coffee.  Now that’s what I’m talking about. 

What about you?  Do you do the routine labs too?  How long do you have to fast?  What are your thoughts on the whole process?

Sorry for the late post, peeps. I’ve got a really great excuse. You see, I’m recovering from the evilness that is kidney stones! Oh yes, evil, vile kidney stones. They had me flat on my back from Wednesday through yesterday. Let me tell you it is one experience I never wish to have again. Ever. You know how they compare kidney stones to childbirth? Well, it’s pretty close. Not quite as painful, but the pain does last a whole lot longer… hopefully. Heh.

Anyone out there experiencing higher-than-average temperatures? It’s bizarre for it to be 63 in November in Wisconsin. Me thinks Mother Nature is playing tricks on us… that she’s teasing us with warmness and then all of a sudden WHAMO! Cold and snow! She’s sneaky, that Mother Nature.

Do any of you read your horoscope? Do you believe it when you read it? I tend not to, but then there’s the occasional time it’s right on the money and I wonder if the psychic was really in tune with me that day I mean, horoscopes cover such a broad number of people… how many Libras are out there? Not sure, but it’s gotta be a lot! So that means that one reading is going to cover all the Libras for that day? Hmmm. I kinda wonder how they get the “readings”. Are they in tune with all the Libras? Or just a select few? My mind tends to wander down really weird avenues sometimes.

What’s going on in your world? I hope you all are well and had a fabulous Halloween.

How is everyone doing on this beautiful fall day? Its gorgeous out there with the leaves changing colors- all the yellows, oranges, browns, greens, and reds. Gorgeous! Fall is my favorite season, in case you hadn’t noticed.

I don’t really have anything profound to say this week, so I thought I’d share a few quotes about love that I absolutely adore. If you have any you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it!

A relationship is like a rose, How long it lasts, no one knows; Love can erase an awful past, Love can be yours, you’ll see at last; To feel that love, it makes you sigh, To have it leave, you’d rather die; You hope you’ve found that special rose, ‘Cause you love and care for the one you chose.” Rob Cella
There will be a moment when you’re eyes meet and everything in the world is simple again.” [Michael Edwards]

Her need for me And mine for she Has made my Winter Spring.” Robert K. Charron

“The most powerful symptom of love is a tenderness, which becomes at times almost insupportable.” Victor Hugo

I only wish to be the fountain of love from which you drink, every drop promising eternal passion.” Unknown

Love is everything it’s cracked up to be. That’s why people are so cynical about it… It really is worth fighting for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don’t risk everything, you risk even more.” Erica Jong

Love is when you look into someone’s eyes and go all the way inside, to their soul and you both know… instantly.” Angela Chase “My So Called Life”

All you need is already within you, only you must approach your self with reverence and love. Self-condemnation and self-distrust are grievous errors. Your constant flight from pain and search for pleasure is a sign of love you bear for your self, all I plead with you is this: make love of your self perfect. Deny yourself nothing — glue your self infinity and eternity and discover that you do not need them; you are beyond”. Nisargadatta Maharaj

Love enables you to put your deepest feelings and fears in the palm of your partner’s hand, knowing they will be handled with care.” Carl S. Avery

Where there is love, distance doesn’t matter”. Mata Amritanandamayi

And what is it to work with love? It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth. It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house. It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit. It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit, And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.” Kahlil Gibran