Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The End of December 2011


Well here I am again, updating my blog. It is a rainy day on the home front today, but at least it is not snow. I really can do without that stuff, however, I know it is coming. Back home in Ohio they are already getting snow, so I know it is coming our way.

I hope the last month of the year has been good to everyone, but you know what, I am so looking forward to January and a new year. I have high hopes and great dreams for 2012. In my case, I am hoping that the new year will be brighter and better because 2011 was not all that great....too many problems that were out of my control. I hate it when I can't fix something that has gone astray or just plain messed up. For 2011, life has dealt us a lot of uncertainties and high mountains to climb. But, all in all, we are still here hanging in there, so I am thinking that God has something good in store for us because we have been patient and steadfast in our faith.

Oh, in a couple of days guess what.....we will be celebrating our wedding anniversary. We got married in 1974 on New Years Eve. We will be married 37 years. I've actually been with my husband since I was 16, going through the boyfriend/girlfriend stages. Our relationship started out in Ohio and here we are today in Washington DC. I wonder where will be in the future, because quite frankly, I've had enough of our Nation's capital. After all, I am not a city girl!

Another thing for the end of December, 2011; I found another publisher for my new book. Well, it hasn't been accepted yet. I had to send in a query letter, a synopsis and the first chapter to the publisher to see if they are interested in the content. I hope they turn out to be better than the last wish-washy publisher that I pulled it from. The waiting period for their answer is 4 weeks, could be longer than that because publishers do get swamped with manuscripts. You have to grab their attention within the first couple of paragraphs. I truly hope I've done that with this story idea. If it is accepted, this will be my first book for the new year. So my reading buddies, keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer, for I am on a mission to get published.....again.

Well, it is time for me to go and refresh my cup of coffee, time to get my day started. Actually, it already started for I have checked my mail, made my presence on Facebook and checked on my fish in AquaLife. That's just some game I am addicted to. Now it is time to go do my thing on Twitter. Oh yeah, I'm a tweeting kind of gal too. Since I am not babysitting today, I have a lot of time on my hands today. But trust me, I have plenty to do so I will not be sitting down twiddling my fingers wondering what to do with myself.

All in all, the end of December is alright with me.I am not going to complain because God is in control.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

December Ranting: Before There Were Computers


Wow, tis the season to be jolly! Yeah right, at the moment there is nothing jolly about it. I am sitting here with a long face, all because my computer is not working as it should. Woe is me, for there is so much to be done and I can't do it. This bring me way down in the dumps. But the bad part is....a technician will not be here until the 20th, and today is just the 13th. Both phone service and internet service are in need of repair, for lines are criss-crossing somewhere. However, today I did manage to check my email and leave an updated status on Facebook, while the green light was flashing, signaling that I could get on the internet. But, the thing went out again, so I am back at square one....being frustrated. Now would be a good time for a back up system, however, if the problem is in the phone lines, a back up system would be useless.

This reminds me of the days before computers. How did we ever manage our days before we had internet and telephones? Do you remember? For one thing, I bet housewives or stay at home moms had clean houses, spotless from top to bottom. However, I've already done that this past weekend, when the troubles began. I was even in the mood to rearrange furniture, which I did and I wore myself out doing it. But since the phone and the internet were going bonkers, I did the next best thing to occupy my time, became a busy little housewife.

I am hoping the green light starts to flash again, for when it does, I plan on transferring this ranting to my blog, if it allows me. Well do you see that? Before there were computers/internet and phones, people wrote their writings/rantings down on paper. This I had already done while drinking my first cup of coffee this morning. I just took out the old stand by me....the writing tablet and pen and jotted down what I wanted to say. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, so I did.

So how will I fill the remainder of this day......I plan on fixing a big dinner to occupy my empty time without a working computer or phone service. This is such a drag and a cotton pickin shame! Thank goodness Direct TV isn't messing up! How about that?????

Tell me, how do you cope when all of your electronic gagets go on the blink? Do you put on your apron and start baking and roasting, or doing something crafty in the kitchen? Did I lose my mind or what???????

As you can see, if you are reading this blog, I did manage to get a little writing done today.......and this is a good thing. And Oh yeah, the green light started to flash, letting me know the internet is ready......for me to transfer my rantings to my blog.

Until the next time....wish me luck in surviving this test of endurance and patience, for I am running out of both.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

December 1,2011



How wonderful it is to see a brand new month come rolling in. November is gone and December has made its appearance. Lucky for us in DC, it is cold, but there is no snow as of yet. I dread that falling stuff. December is a very festive month as we all know, however, it is more so in this family because of birthdays and anniversaries. Oh yeah, ours is coming up at the end of the month, married since 1974. Dang doesn't that sound like ages ago? Anyway as I see it, it is a blessing, which shows we made it through the bad times and the good. You know, to be married this long, you can't do it without having God in your relationship. After all, married life can get crazy at times and make ya just wanna jump up down and scream or start throwing stuff. But, you don't really do that, what you do is Pray, Pray, Pray and count your blessings; especially when the devil tries to throw you a curve ball. So for all you newly wed folks, or those planning a wedding, go forward not only in love but in faith, patience and by all means, take God with you. Do not leave him out, trust me.....your going to need him when the honeymoon is over. Oh yeah, I wouldn't trade married life for nothing in the world. Okay, enough of that. I don't even know how I got started on that topic. It is just something that popped up in my head and I thought I would share.

Well, here is an update; I was all prepared to go forward with my new book idea, "The Itchy Scratchy Spots." Had a publisher and everything. I was ready to move forward, but it seems I picked the wrong publisher, they were slow as molasses's,not very professional and they didn't accomplish what they said they would accomplish. Not even a book cover. Even the correspondence was shaky. Needless to say, I pulled the manuscript and now I am back at square one, searching for a new one, which isn't easy;for one thing, I like publishers who accept email submissions. I am also looking for a small independent publisher like the one I had before....New Line Press. Now they were awesome and I had a super good experience with them. So, I guess you are saying, why not go back to them...Well here is the scoop on that situation. Even though I am still friends with the publisher, they have decided to drop doing children's books, their material is more adult centered. Meaning children books and erotica books are two different genre's and they are focusing more on attracting adult audiences. I can respect and appreciate that decision. The publisher has helped me so much and I learned a lot about publishing through them. As a matter of fact, the publisher even thinks that I should think about going into publishing like she did, learn the trade. However, I am not thinking along those lines, for I do not believe that that is something I want to do. But, you never know where God will take you...all you have to do is follow and see what is in store. So actually, I am not closing the door...just not thinking about it.....now. For all I want at the moment is to have another book published by a respectable and hardworking publisher who cares about their authors. I've been down that road before and I know what to expect....so until I find what I am looking for, me and my manuscript will just be doing a lot of finger walking through the "Yellow Pages," that's internet search engine jabber.

My goodness I am long winded on the first day of December. Well, what can I say, I had to update my blog so folks won't think I am on vacation somewhere. As I look at the clock, it is telling me it is time to wrap this little chit chat up and get busy. Lord knows I have plenty to do....I am so inspired. Until the next time, be good, be blessed, stay focused and may your day be filled with peace and happiness.

Thanks for stopping by and reading....I hope you enjoyed.