The Bandwagon

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I would be so much more excited about it being Halloween if I didn't have to work the school carnival this evening.



I'm worried I've made Nano harder for myself than it has to be. With just the small plot I have, I already need to know:

1) railroads
2) guns
3) how to load a cannon

and most of all, sensibilities of the time. She is a widow who's buried her husband and child, he's a widower, they're going to be isolated for a time (though she's got her MIL and SIL with her) and I'm just wondering how they'll act on their attraction.

I think the time period I chose is tough, too. Not a lot of conveniences.

I may have my hero's name, but that took me almost all day. I need to get a name for my heroine.

The good news is I'll still use Jared pictures. I can so see him in this. And his heroine:



Yes, it will be Sam and Jessica from Supernatural, but she has the right look, and I can't remember the name of the other actress I liked for this. I can hear her voice but that's not a lot of help, huh?

Speaking of SPN, not my favorite episode last night. And are they putting too much make-up on Sam? What's going on there? Castiell was kind of stiff in his first scene, I thought, and that Sam pronounced it SamHAIN bothered me. BUT it wasn't a bad episode. I think I just like the stand-alones better. I was happy to see a Halloween episode again, and I liked the lore a lot.

I almost cried when the Metallicar got egged. Dean DID take the time to clean her off, I noticed.

The dh came home and removed the broken part of the fan. Maybe we'll get a new fan this weekend!

I saw the last half of Grey's. I was looking forward to Major McHottie, but now....meh. Denny's supposed to be on again next week, though.

Okay, off to research guns and railroads and weather and stuff.

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So I plotted my Nano Bodyguard story with my critique group. I took a storyboard to school and showed my kids. I have the pictures for the collage cut out and haven't had time to put them together, but....

Yesterday I got another idea. A historical idea. Right in the middle of teaching social studies, reading about Jane Long.

There is no time to storyboard this one. I would be going by the seat of my pants, again. I would be writing something I've never written before. I don't know names or external conflicts. I know she's widowed and taking care of her sisters-in-law and he's a widower looking for a new start in a new country (1830 Texas.) I see them both clearly, and have a few scenes, but....do I have enough?

Does it matter? I did Spy Girl with less (not even names!) but it ended up a mess, though I love the basic idea. But if I don't write this one, I'm afraid it's going to prevent me from doing a good job on the bodyguard one.

I have two days. Let me see what I can get done.

Oh, and the time? Yes, I'm really up at 3:47. The dh came to bed at 2, stood looking at the ceiling fan, said, "That's about to come down," then turned out the light and went to bed.

Guess who sleeps under the ceiling fan? Guess who couldn't go back to sleep?

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I THINK Bull by the Horns is supposed to be out today. It's not on the coming soon page or my author page, though.



Check at The Wild Rose Press and let me know if it shows up.

Today is a Bad Day. Our Halloween program is tonight and I'm unhappy with the other teachers at school. I asked for someone to bring me a CD so I could burn the songs. No CD. I wrote the play before my MIL died and asked them to work with the three students to learn their lines. No. I threw the scripts away. I wrote the note to the parents, have parents calling me, I bought the music and made up the dances. I asked them to decorate the stage. No. I am not feeling charitable with the ladies who sit in the audience and grade papers while I sweat and ache and get behind in my own grading. Oh, and I have to take one home after the program, and another won't be there because she's going to the Spurs opening night.

Never mind that on Friday is our carnival and two of them (the one I'm taking home and the Spurs-goer) are leaving early because they have little kids, and another is not coming to school that day because she doesn't celebrate Halloween, so only one other teacher and I will be running 2 booths, with whatever parents we can round up.

Some days I hate teaching.

On the plus side, I finished the spreadsheet with all the threads from VH last night. I need to print it out to see it better. I see some definite holes, especially in the romance. And the end. Oy, the end.....

I haven't even thought of a single song for a soundtrack for my Nano book. No idea at all where to start. I have my pictures for the collage but haven't had time to put it together.

I need me some Sammy.

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First of all (and I know I'm preaching to the choir here), please spay and neuter your pets! I brought Mama Kitty home last week, and this week a dog had her puppies under the playground equipment. Before we knew it, the dog catcher was there and took the puppies, but I heard he didn't get the mom. Soooo, the puppies will be put down! If they'd only waited, I know one of the teachers would have taken them. But the mom was pretty defensive so the kids couldn't play on the playground, but still.

We watched The Incredible Hulk last night. Pretty good, and I love Edward Norton. I didn't love it like I loved Iron Man, though.

I'm listening to RHETT BUTLER'S PEOPLE on audio book and I am crazy about this book. It's Rhett's story, from a boy on, and while not really in his POV, it reveals a lot about the man. I'm just to the part where he finds out Scarlett is widowed. It really makes me want to write historical.

I'm reading Larissa Ione's PLEASURE UNBOUND and it is SO GOOD. Really dark, and there are a TON of characters, but once you get in the groove, it's wonderful. A tremendous amount of world building went into this. I know why paranormal writers like to do series, after doing this much work!

My SIL carved this pumpkin.



Scary brother-good thing Sam Winchester wasn't there!



Mom



SIL



Me and Scary Brother



The Boy and Baby Brother as Shaggy and Fred



SIL singing, The Boy behind her



The whole crazy family



SIL and her best friend.



Hank the Designated Driver Dog



Sarah Palin and moose

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The dh and I had dinner with Mary Beth and her dh last night on the Riverwalk. It was gorgeous and great fun and of course both of us forgot our cameras. Seriously, we never do the couple dinner thing, and it was a lot of fun!

Baby Brother came over last night to bring me a CD of the pictures, only it didn't work, so he's going to try again. INTERESTINGLY, though, he's talking about writing a historical novel about one of our ancestors, who he's been researching. The interesting part is that I'm toying with two historical ideas. I've NEVER written a historical..the research overwhelmed me before, but I'm having to do quite a lot of research anyway, so....

The first idea I've had since last year, when I was doing a TAKS passage with my kids. The story was about a "school" train that would travel from town to town, making a circuit, staying in a town a few weeks before moving on to the next town. The children would go to school in the train, and the teacher would leave them with homework before moving on. My idea was, of course, of a female teacher, perhaps traveling with her brother, teaching the students and falling for a widower. I think it would be short, maybe for TWRP.

The second idea is more nebulous at this point. I'm listening to Rhett Butler's People and Rhett was a blockade runner and that just sounds so romantic to me. My cp, Linda, says Civil War romances are hard to sell because of the slavery thing, but like I said, the idea is nebulous still. It would have to be WAY down the queue.

Have you written a historical? How did you like it? Was the research difficult?

Oh, and the queue?

Nano Book
Vamp Hunters
Ghost Hunters
Spy Girl
Hostage Negotiator story
Politician story
Antarctica story
Second Chances revision
High concept story (I need some experience under my belt for this one, I think.)

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1) Survive Student Showcase
2) Survive School carnival
3) Enter critique group suggestions in first 15 pages of Vamp Hunters so I can enter in Gotcha contest
4) Promote release of Bull by the Horns
5) Work on Vamp Hunters
6) Finish prewriting on Nano book
7) Lupe’s booksigning Saturday
8) Dinner with Mary Beth
9) Progress report
10) Keep up house….when I’m here ;)

You have to wait for pictures of the Halloween party - I forgot my camera so have to wait for Baby Brother to send pictures. There weren't as many good costumes this year, though there was a moose for me (Sarah Palin) to shoot.

Did I mention I really love the denim shirt?

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I found out yesterday I can't enter the Rita after all because my book is print on demand. I am wildly disappointed about this. I had thought before I couldn't enter because of the copyright date, but then an email went out on the Wild Rose Press loop saying we couldn't, and it's because it has to be "mass-produced." In a way I can understand, because they might be inundated with books if they didn't draw the line, but still. It's my first book and I've worked toward this for so long. So I was very down yesterday.

So I'm trying to console myself by thinking what that money I saved could be spent on (think: $40 for entry, $35 for books and $10 for shipping.:.so $85)

1) Two dinners out
2) entry fee and postage for 2 other contests
3) 17 trips to Starbucks
4) 15 new books
5) a good chunk towards a new laser printer (yes, mine died AGAIN)
6) a good chunk toward getting my laptop repaired
7) 3 new writer t-shirts....or Supernatural ones
8) 20 12-packs of Diet Coke
9) 3 movie theater trips for the family
10) 20 shares in GMC ;)

God bless Supernatural.tv for the screen caps of Thursday's episode, and the denim shirt.

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Okay, Blogger ate my post! That's a first for me.

HOW HOT WAS SAMMY last night? OMG, the last scene alone made the episode a keeper. MUST FIND PICTURE of him in that denim shirt! I hated the way they solved the problem, though. HATED it.

I seriously need my computer fixed. I didn't write at all once the dh came home last night. I know I can ask for the laptop, but I also know it's his way to unwind. That's why I bought my own computer. Maybe next week. I don't mind getting up early to write but I don't always meet my daily goal that way.

I didn't want to get out of my warm bed this morning. It's in the 40s here finally. I don't even know if I have a medium weight jacket, though.

Okay, better write while I can!

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I grew up watching Roy Rogers on Saturday afternoons. I loved those silly movies and I wanted a Palomino like nobody's business.



After Roy Rogers was the series El Chaparral, which I always imagined was filmed in West Texas. I remember the main character was John, and his brother the trouble maker was Buck, and his hot headed son was Blue, and his brother in law was Manolito. I always thought Manolito had the best lines! Anyone else remember this show?



When I was a preteen, the modern cowboy movies started coming out. I remember the love story in The Electric Horseman more than anything else. She was a reporter or something, wasn't she? I did have the album.



Then came Urban Cowboy, which was actually pretty depressing, if you think about it, with all the infidelity, but I loved the music and dancing.



Then the brat pack made Young Guns. Dermot Mulroney with a wad of tobacco - yuck. But even dirty, Kiefer was pretty. And I loved the bonds between the men.



My favorite FAVORITE western, though, is Silverado. How do I love that movie??? I watch it every time it's on, even though we own it. Kevin Kline - what a hero. Kevin Costner - what a hoot! Love Danny Glover and Scott Glenn (also in Urban Cowboy, come to think of it) and even Jeff Goldblum was a good villain. And Linda Hunt! Loved her. Again with the bonds, and the shoot-out at the end, like Young Guns. I guess that was a staple.



What are your favorite cowboy movies?

Okay, going to work on VH for awhile ;) I thought I woke up earlier!

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I thought in honor of Bull by the Horns releasing next week, I'd blog about my first cowboy book.



I was in middle school when I wrote it and it was called Ramblin' Man. Back in those days I had a crush on John Schneider and come to think of it, maybe it was about the jeans....

ANYWAY, I cast him as my rodeo cowboy, though I don't remember what kind. Probably a bronc rider. He would go from city to city, each place a different chapter, and meet different girls. There were at LEAST 6 of them, and to think I had that many "cute meets" in me at such a young age is pretty funny. They would have little love stories, but he'd move on, thus the title. EXCEPT that in the last chapter he realized he'd had enough and went back to the girl in the first chapter.

The book was written in PENCIL on notebook paper and I think I tied it together with yarn through the holes. I don't know how long it took me to write, but I remember working on it when I went on vacation with my dad to south Texas. Unfortunately, I threw it away before I moved out of my mom's house. Boy, would I love to read it.

Since then, I haven't written another cowboy story until now, when one of my cps challenged the other two of us to write a story for Wayback Texas. Even the cp that challenged us hasn't written her story, though I have her heroine in my book! Anyway, it's fun and while it has the common theme of the homebody vs. the traveller, it has some cute twists, too.

I finished the galleys on Hot Shot last night. Please PLEASE let that be the last time I have to read it!!!! Not that I don't love it, but I have read it at LEAST 50 times. At LEAST.

I storyboarded my Nano story last night since the boy was working on the computer, but I'm itching to focus on Vamp Hunters.

Mama Kitty stayed outside yesterday, and was mostly good when we brought her in yesterday evening. Poor thing is scared and pregnant and she was so hungry!

I was falling asleep during The Mentalist last night, made it to bed just after nine and slept till after five! YAY!

I found out yesterday that my Wayback Rodeo story, Bull by the Horns, is coming out NEXT WEDNESDAY! Woot! 7 months, finished to published - wow.

I've been talking about Mama Kitty at school. Yesterday I got her, put her in my room all afternoon (yeah, good idea, Mary - at least we were out of the room for an hour to practice for the program). I got her in the car (twice - she escaped the first time!!! I've never had a kitty do THAT before!) and drove home. Thank goodness I was giving another teacher a ride, and Susan kept her calm. After I dropped off Susan, Mama Kitty curled up in the passenger seat for the rest of the way home.

So far so good.

I brought her in the house and she turned into Mrs. Hyde! She attacked Skippy, who was astounded. Everyone loves Skippy, but she was MAD. She's staked out the food and won't let the other kitties near. Oh, and the whole reason I wanted to get her was so she wouldn't get pregnant again, and guess what?

So yeah, now I have 5 kitties and counting. Anyone want a pregnant Mama Kitty? Honestly, she's very sweet, she just doesn't like other kitties.

Oh, and I taught the Men in Black dance yesterday. I'm SO SORE.

Look, two of my favorite things!!!

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URGH, I don't want to go to school, but at least I did my Men in Black dance (thank you, You Tube!) and I met my writing goals this weekend. I need to grade like an insane person today - progress reports go out next week again.

Grey’s Anatomy was GREAT this week – wonderful humor, excellent timing. I loved George this week, especially how he was with the little boy, who was ADORABLE and a pretty good little actor. The whole dermatology bit was a hoot, and Bailey trying to give Callie advise about her relationship with Hahn….priceless. Bailey is my favorite. Season 5 is rocking.

Crusoe was terrific, too. Fast-paced and adventurous, with pirates and, who knew, Sean Bean in excellent casting. I like the interspersed backstory. I hope it makes it in the Friday night slot, but wonder how they’ll structure it. There can’t be pirates and soldiers every week.

Back in the old days when I was on AOL, there was often discussion on different boards about who would make a good Jamie Fraser, should OUTLANDER ever be made into a movie. The hero of Crusoe would definitely make a good Jamie. Of course, I can’t find any pictures.

I already talked about Supernatural, LOVED it.

Heroes is pretty fascinating, though I don't like Claire or her real mom at all. I'm over Parkman, too. I'm really digging the evolution of Sylar.

I caught up on Fringe, which I can still take or leave.

The Office is only okay.

I keep Tivoing Life on Mars but it gets bumped before I can watch it. Blast my 40 hour limit!

Valentine is cute, though the main reason I watch is the romance novelist character.

I like The Unit but don't understand why Kim can't keep her own baby.

Army Wives makes me cry every time. The season is long this year, though, I guess a full season.

What's making a hit with you this year?

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I can’t even think of a name for this week. It’s getting busier, won’t die down for awhile.

1) Get through p. 200 in Hot Shot galleys. I’m so tired of reading this book.
2) Work on Vamp Hunters as I can – hopefully also get to p. 200.
3) Continue plotting Nano book. I have names now, at least. I need a new storyboard and a collage board.
4) Nudge editor with my short story – they said I’d hear something by the 20th
5) Go vote – early voting starts Monday. Of course I can’t find my voter’s registration card, but I might be able to vote with my license.
6) Make up Men in Black dance. I’d saved the last episode of Valentine because there were some neat dance moves at the end, but it got bumped from the Tivo. Blast the 40 hour limit!
7) Get ready for Halloween party. I want a suit so I can go as Sarah Palin.
8) Dinner with Mary Beth?
9) Grocery store and Michael’s
10) Keep up house

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I got this link this week and thought it was hilarious. I printed it out and took it to school and had to POINT OUT the main characters. Ahem. I posted it in the teacher's lounge and someone wrote, "Looks like Sarah Palin." :::headpalm::: And I was telling Trish one of the teachers repeatedly refers to McCain as McBain. She's not joking, either.

I woke up at 3 after having a nightmare that someone was pounding on the door, trying to get into the house. Scared the bejeebers out of me. In the dream, I was in my garage but it was my mom's house, and the closest phone was in the line of sight of the front door, and the ds and dh were asleep at the other end of the house. Anyway, I woke with my heart pounding.

Interestingly, my thoughts turned immediately to a book I started YEARS ago, that finalled in the Gotcha contest, even, but I never could figure out what happened next. Now I know what happens next! Very exciting, except I'm going through the galleys of Hot Shot (will this book EVER stop haunting me???) and revising Vampire Hunters (I've decided not to push myself to try to finish before Nano because that will merely hurt the story, and my brain.) So I will make good notes on this idea and put it in the queue!

We started practicing for the Halloween program at 2:20 yesterday, by the time all the teachers showed up. Gah. I still don't have a dance for Men in Black, and none of the kids wanted to be Munsters, so we dropped the dance. We only have 7 days to get ready.

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Loved SPN last night, but Dean would totally know who Mina and Harker were - he's a movie guy, isn't he? I've always loved the old monster movies, and this came at a good time. Called the "monster" and the bad guy, but that didn't ruin the fun.

I started listening to a new audio book yesterday and was ready to give it up, then the author introduced the heroine - ugly and "simple" and now I'm hooked. I need to know how this romance is going to work out. Has that ever happened to you?

I'm WAYYYYY behind on my goals, both the Hot Shot galleys and my Vamp Hunter pages. Need to get busy this weekend. But today I need to make up 3 dances for the school program.

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Going back to work yesterday was not as hard as I thought. Most people were just concerned about why I'd been out - they didn't know. A friend from another school had left me flowers, but thought MY mom had died. I emailed her school to tell her differently - I don't want her freaking out if she runs into my mom!

The kids missed me, but this week is district testing so we just hugged and went to work. It was SUCH a long day. They tested until 2:30! It's hard to keep them quiet so long!

Came home and Trish and I went to SARA, where she was our speaker. It was a really good, social meeting, and Trish's presentation on making settings come alive was great. I sold 4 more books.

We stopped at Freddy's Custard on the way home, then watched the debate, which we'd Tivoed. She's leaving this morning, so said she'd get up to say good-bye and so she could make the most of daylight. The sun doesn't rise till around 7:30, though....

It's been so much fun having her. I'm going to miss her! I wished she lived closer.

New Supernatural tonight!

WAS AMAZING!

We got to the store half an hour ahead of time, found Ellen Wulf, the CSM, who was wonderfully supportive. We got set up, then wandered around for about 15 minutes, then at like 5 minutes after 7.....wow.

Five teachers walked in - Cindi and Lucinda, Cindi's good friend Corrinna, my cooperating teacher Mrs. Tidwell and another teacher from my first school, Mrs. Gerarde, who used to do duty with me and listen to all the story ideas I had.

Then Martha Hix walked in, Martha Hix who is multipublished, who heard about my booksigning and HAD to come. Martha Hix who was in SARA when I started, who is just terrific and giving and awesome. She had Evelyn Rogers on the phone, and she apologized for not coming, but she thought it was Friday.

THEN the PHARMACIST I used to work with at Eckerds over TWENTY years ago came.

Then it was just a blur, JoAnn came and Joni and Patricia from SARA, Merrily who'd been SARA prez years back, Michele came and Linda, my cp, and Elise, who helped me brainstorm this book, and Kammy. I sold one book to someone I didn't know, but everyone else was a friend.

Here are pictures - share the excitement!

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I don't know if I mentioned I got the print galleys for Hot Shot Sunday, due Halloween. I'm trying really hard not to let my head explode!!!

Tonight's my first booksigning and I'm nervous. I dreamed that I went without my accoutrements, my tablecloth, my M&M firetruck, my magnets and my pens!!! I know at least 5 people are coming....I hope more. Trish, of course, is not nervous.

I don't know what to wear. I have a few options - a red knit top and black slacks, a black knit top and a black and white skirt, a knit shirt with Cupids on it.....decisions, decisions.

Yesterday, we took Trish to Gruene, ate, shopped a bit. We were on our way back when I got a call from one of my teacher friends asking where I was. I said "New Braunfels, where are you?" And she said, "Your street." They brought us dinner! So we booked home, then Cindi and her family came by, then we went to Borders (the boy had a coupon about to expire) and then ate. Good day, but tiring, and I had trouble getting the computer from the guys, so I'm behind on my writing goals. I don't see much writing today or tomorrow, either.

Tomorrow, pictures of the booksigning!

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My galleys for the print version of Hot Shot came yesterday, so I'll be working on galleys the rest of the month. At least it won't interfere with Nano.

I went to critique on Saturday to get my mind off everything and we plotted our books for NaNoWriMo. I sent 12 lines of what I had, no names, even, and walked away with pages of notes. One of my cps was just stunned that I could start with so little. But by the time we were done, I was itching to get out my Post-It notes and story board. I don't storyboard the whole thing, but I go as far as I go, just so I can "touch" and "see" the story. Once I do that, I may never look at it again, but I need to do that. It makes the story more three dimensional to me. I can't just write a synopsis and have everything just be on the computer, just flat. That's why I do a collage and a soundtrack and all that, so the story surrounds me.

I know I jotted his name down somewhere but I don't remember. Also, I need a visual for my heroine, a smart, gorgeous politician. Maybe Addison from Grey's....

How do you start a book?

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I came home from critique to 2 rejections from Medallion. Ouch. Need a new plan for STTA. I so love that book.

BUSY week but mostly in a good way.

1) Trish and my BOOKSIGNING on Tuesday evening.
2) SARA, where Trish is speaking
3) have fun with Trish
4) read through galleys of my Wayback book
5) get to cleaners, grocery store, library
6) continue with the business of dealing with Renea's estate
7) enjoy my family
8) district assessments for my kids
9) get music together for Halloween program, start practicing
10) keep up house

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Okay, maybe not CHEERINESS but not more maudlin talk.

I FINALLY read my July and August RWRs. Virginia Kantra had an excellent article in one of those about the steps of relationships in romance novels. I love Virginia anyhow, but this article really spoke to me.

There was another article about how to describe your voice. The article by Julie Rowe suggested you label your own voice. I don't know how to do this. She had these examples:

"Full of attitude, personality and imagery"

"A Marilyn Monroe kind of whisper. Throaty, sexy, luscious."

"Deeply emotional with a touch of humor."

Can you label your writing voice?

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As terrible as this week has been, we have been blessed by the people around us. I know it's expected that hospitals give good care, but we received exemplary care at Northeast Baptist Hospital.

My dh dealt with the ER personnel, but he said they were all excellent and compassionate.

Brandi, the little nurse who worked with my MIL Saturday night and called us Sunday morning, didn't want to leave her shift until she was sure my MIL was okay.

Judi, who was thoughtful and efficient and there in a blink when we called her.

Tony, who was so gentle with her.

The boy who took her down for her first CT, and let her feel useful by letting her carry her chart.

Cerina, who took her down for her CT Sunday morning, so sweet and patient.

Alfred (or Albert) who was the tech who helped with her upper GI Sunday, so patient and gentle.

Amanda, the speech pathologist, who was so upset that Renea went down so quickly.

The respiratory therapist who came in yesterday, and before she left told us, "God bless you."

The housekeeping ladies yesterday, the one who did the cleaning and the supervisor, who both told us the same thing, "God bless you."

The chaplains, who understood we needed to laugh a little and cry a little.

The lady in the administrative office who hugged me and brought me tissue when I went looking for the chaplains.

Dr. Mallott, who looked as upset as my husband when he told us she would go yesterday. I honestly thought he was going to cry.

The lady in the attendance office at my son's school, who squeezed my arm and wished us good luck.

You guys, who have emailed and called and sent me your phone numbers if I want to talk.

Chris Fletcher, who emailed me from Russia when she found out.

In my MIL's letter to my dh, she said people were rude and hateful. I hope this week changed her heart.

We lost her today at 1:45. I'm glad I'd stayed home, but I had to go get the boy, who'd gone to school, after the doctor told us she would pass today. Fred's sister made it too, coming into the room, just minutes before Renea took her last breath.

She didn't want a service or an obituary, but I wrote this about her a few years ago. Superheroine

We got some of her papers and she'd left a loving letter to my dh. She also had an interest in collecting coins and stamps that I didn't know about.

The next few days are going to be hard, but she's at peace. She doesn't have to fight anymore.

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ONly was at the hospital for half an hour yesterday. By the time we got there, she was tired, so she asked if we would mind leaving so she could sleep. Her bronchoscopy is this AM, so will know for sure today, and then decide the next step. She was very alert despite being tired, so I was happy when I left the hospital.

We were home by 7 and watched some Daily Show and even a bit of Supernatural before the debate. The boy got wrapped up in "In the Beginning" and almost forgot to switch the channel!

And I got some pages done.

I got some new denim skirts delivered from Chadwicks Monday and I wore one yesterday. It was nice having a pocket for my cell phone. I may wear another today, just to have pockets! None of my pants or skirts have pockets. I slept until the alarm, unusual, but I feel pretty good.

Oops, hear the dh's alarm, better go grab the bathroom while I can!

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She was doing better yesterday. They got her a nicotine patch, for one. But she was really quiet. The scary thing to me is that she's not hungry - this after eating everything they put in front of her over the weekend. She didn't even want the Tylenol crushed in ice cream, and she LOVES ice cream.

The dh was there from 7:30 till 6:30, when we went to Mom's to eat, then went back till about 8:30. We all watched Heroes together, which was awesome, and felt normal.

How fair is it that the ds has decided NOW that he is ready to drive? My muscles are already tense enough to snap and I have to ride shotgun!!!

I took my crochet to the hospital last night but couldn't remember how to start a granny square - how sad am I? But I can't stand to have my hands still.

My inbox is overflowing, and the little time we're home (walked in at 8 last night) I don't get the computer because it's the dh's way to relax and he sure needs it. He's off again today, but has to go in tomorrow, so I may take his duty. I can't do what he does, though. Anyway, thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers and I'll try to get to each of you. My cousin called last night the minute we walked in and all I wanted was a shower.

I did get the guest room cleaned up and closed the door so certain four-legged creatures couldn't get in. I walked down the hall later and the door was open and there was Napoleon on the bed. Yeesh. I guess I didn't close it well enough! Now if I could just get the boy to clean up after himself.

I need to go to the library and by the MIL's house to get her mail after school. And the cleaners. And I need to do laundry. At least Mom is making dinner.

Maybe I'll write a bit, it's good therapy.

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Sunday was bad. Very bad. My MIL is extremely disoriented so the hospital called us at 7 AM and my dh stayed most of the day. We managed to slip out for breakfast when she went to sleep but the hospital called in the middle and the dh went back while the ds drove me to the grocery store, then to the local political party headquarters for a yard sign (they were out). I said I need a shirt that says, "I survived the boy's first trip on the highway." I got some of the house clean in between visits and sleeping.

The dh has had maybe 8 hours of sleep all weekend, and is taking today off.

I need to tell my co-workers what's going on and wish I could just do it in one announcement so I don't have to say it over and over.

I have to say the dh is a true hero. If you could see how patient he is with his mom....it's just amazing.

Doesn't feel right to post a pic of Jared today. :(

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They're thinking my MIL has lung cancer, pretty advanced. We'll know more Monday, and we're still processing. There's a lot to be taken care of in either case. So far her spirits are pretty good, but that will change. She's already said she won't do chemo, and it might be pointless. So we're looking at care for her, whether here or hospice or what....I don't even know what questions to ask.

So my goals this week are different. What I GOTTA do, what I SHOULD do and what I WANNA do.

GOTTA

1) hospital every night (and avoid eating out) Be strong for the dh and ds.
2) clean the house. It's BAD and Trish will be here in a week.
3) color my hair. My roots are awful.
4) Write the play for school
5) go to library
6) go to grocery store
7) go by MIL's house and gather mail, etc.
8) make sure the dh contacts the rest of the MIL's family.

SHOULD

1) go to senior night at the boy's school
2) get ready for critique
3) work on Vamp Hunters
4) get a thank you gift for the B&N CRM

WANNA

1) enter Vamp Hunters in the Emily
2) get my eyebrows done

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I almost brought home Mama Cat from school. I thought someone had taken her but I saw her yesterday, but couldn't find her after school. :(

Then the crazy day got crazier. Instead of MIL coming for dinner, we took her to the ER because she waited till she was REALLY sick to decide to see the dr. ER on a Friday night. It wasn't too bad - they took her back right away and decided to admit her for her swollen throat and high blood pressure - but THAT took another 7 hours! Thank God for critiques and iPods and gel pens and RWR....then I was so cold I went to sit in the car and slept an hour and a half before the dh brought me home then went back. Poor dh. At least the boy spent the night at a friend's and we didn't have to worry.

Okay, I watched SPN last evening - my reactions as they happened. SPOILERS!!!!!!

Uh-oh, where’s Sammy going?

Woot – Castiel!!!

LOL, Tab. I loved Tab.

John doesn’t look too much like Papa. Where are the dimples? Right color eyes, though.

Yeah, Dean, it’s the 70s.

Love the wings in the open.

Woot – Castiel!

“Are you allergic to straight answers?”

A VW van? John, really? The Impala was only 6 years old at that point. $2200. Wow. Look how dirty she is.

Dean Van Halen – LOL!

“Are there any cattle mutilations in town?” LOLOL!

John is younger than Dean here, isn’t he?

WHAT is Dean driving? And why would Mary want John to buy a VW van?

“I’m going to hell – again.”

WHOA – Mary kicks butt! WHAT? No, no, I don’t think I like that she’s a hunter. I don’t think I like that at all. Has Kripke known this from the beginning?

“You’ve heard of him?”
“Clearly not enough.”

Samuel and Deanna. I like that. Will Dean tell Sam he was named after a woman??? I doubt it. Will he tell Sam any of this?

The family that slays together…..

“John Winchester, mixing it up with spirits? Can you imagine?”

Whoa – “He’s everything a hunter isn’t.” Poor John. He wanted a HEA.

Hey, Mary looks like Buffy.

“The very worst thing – for my children to be raised into this like I was. I won’t let it happen.” SOB!

“Promise me you won’t get out of bed.” SOB!!!!!!

Woot – Castiel!

Wait – so if Daniel had the gun that long, why didn’t he use it?

Hey, look, Sam is pinned against the wall and Jared’s not even there.

Damn, too late!

Huh – Grandpa believes Dean pretty quick, huh? Ohh…..I bet – DAMN! I was right! So glad this is on Tivo – gotta stop typing to bloop!

Grandpa is a creepy YED! Almost as creepy as John was in Devil’s Trap.

What? Wait. What about the psychic kids???? Here to choose the perfect parents – strong, pure, master race?

“So far she’s my favorite.”

“Demon blood is better than Ovaltine.”

I like Mary’s mom. NO!!!!

John doesn’t seem very sure of himself, does he? Kinda wimpy for an ex-Marine. So he never knew about her?

WHAT? John!!!

I want to watch every episode now – were the grandparents ever mentioned?

Ohhhh, no. No, no, no – 10 years! Mary, you dummy. NOT a good deal. What is WITH these Winchesters and deals?????

Ick – she had to kiss her daddy to seal it? YUCK.

How is she going to explain THAT to John?

So Mary could have taught John everything she knew but she died.

What was the point of Dean going back, then? He changed nothing.

Woot – Castiel!

Huh – destiny and destination have the same root word. I never noticed that before.

Uh-oh, Sammy’s outed. That’s why I figured Castiel was here.

Bummer, since I’m using Jared and he was only in the episode for one scene.

Hey, zombies! Cool!

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I've been up since 4:30, finished watching one of my Spanish Javier movies while working on Vamp Hunters, which I didn't work on at all yesterday. Once the dh got home, he took the computer, so I read through the rest of what I'd printed out. Guess what....I need to rewrite the ending.

Before school, I need to go get balloons for a science experiment, get my MIL's gift card (today's her bday and I'd rather do it now than later), take my mom to school.

Once at school, I need to do duty, copy the reading tests (want to bet the copier will be down?), finish grading, set up experiments, monitor recess, after school duty (last time till Feb).

When I come home I need to clean, get out Halloween before my MIL comes for dinner. I'm HOPING I don't have to cook, too, but we'll see.

This weekend, clean house, write the play for school, critique, the barbecue, work on Vamp Hunter. I think my head may pop off.

Apparently I like Jared in wife-beaters.

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With all the stuff happening on Wall Street and stuff going on in my family and work I'm going to have to act like a grown-up instead of hiding in my house and playing in my stories and watching movies and TV.

Speaking of, looks like Supernatural will be on at its regular time, but no Grey's Anatomy and no Office.

I'm one paragraph behind my daily goal, and I woke up late. 2 more days until I can sleep all I want.

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My new favorite look for Jared is a denim shirt. Oh. My. God. That last scene alone made "Yellow Fever" a keeper. I couldn't find "the" denim shirt but I found "a" denim shirt. I will be trolling the web for screen shots....

I NEED MY COMPUTER FIXED!!!! I can't stand not having it. I get up early so I don't have to share, but I can't always finish my goals in that time, and, okay, yes, I'm spoiled and I want my computer fixed! I got maybe 2 lines written last night. Gah. I'm so far behind in Vamp Hunters. Since I'm revising, I can't use the Alpha Smart, which I may have to resort to in Nano.

I was so happy last night - I got to wear my cozy pjs because it got down to the mid 40s. The kittehs were cozy, too, though Mama is still belligerent.

I need to get my suit so I can be Sarah Palin for the big Halloween bash this weekend. Not going to use her budget, though. If I get too lazy, I'll be the fat lady from the opera. I already have that costume, but it's a pain to wear. Yes, key to my Halloween costumes is comfort.

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I woke up in the middle of a dream about Javier :(

So I don't know how long this book is going to be. I know it needs to be 85,000 words for most places, but in case it isn't....where can it go? The vamps are bad guys, my hero is a hunter, so that leaves Nocturne out. Kensington? Dorchester? Who takes short paranormals? Last night, when I was reading through it between PHONE CALLS - so no NCIS or Mentalist for me - I found a place where I can start expanding, but don't know if it will be enough.

This is my favorite Jared picture EVER.