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This is like my mom's dog, who I'm dog-sitting. My step-dad's mom is very ill and they've gone to OK to see her.

I've made a list of what I want for Christmas. See what you can add.


1) A new contract
2) Stunning covers
3) Endings that we know from the beginning
4) Characters with great chemistry
5) Glitch-less printers
6) Endless laptop batteries
7) Discipline (or, 4 extra hours in the day!)
8) A royalty check that will pay the car payment-or the insurance payment
9) Books that promote themselves ;)
10) Endless inspiration, like below

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You know, I watch a LOT of movies and a LOT of TV, but I've only seen 6 of the movies and 4 of the nominated shows (including the ones listed for best actor or whatever.) And believe me, Vicky Cristina didn't deserve all this.


1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures
b. FROST/NIXON
Imagine Entertainment, Working Title, Studio Canal; Universal Pictures
c. THE READER
Mirage Enterprises; The Weinstein Company
d. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
An Evamere Entertainment BBC Films Neal Street Production; DreamWorks Pictures in Association with BBC Films and Paramount Vantage
e. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.; Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. ANNE HATHAWAY – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
b. ANGELINA JOLIE – CHANGELING
c. MERYL STREEP – DOUBT
d. KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS – I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T’AIME)
e. KATE WINSLET – REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. LEONARDO DICAPRIO – REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
b. FRANK LANGELLA – FROST/NIXON
c. SEAN PENN – MILK
d. BRAD PITT – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
e. MICKEY ROURKE – THE WRESTLER

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. BURN AFTER READING
Working Title/Releasing Company; Focus Features in association with Studio Canal
b. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Summit Entertainment, Film4, Ingenious Film Partners, Miramax Films; Miramax Films
c. IN BRUGES
Blueprint Pictures; Focus Features
d. MAMMA MIA!
Relativity Media, Playtone, Littlestar; Universal Pictures
e. VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Mediapro; The Weinstein Company

5.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. REBECCA HALL – VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. SALLY HAWKINS – HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
c. FRANCES MCDORMAND – BURN AFTER READING
d. MERYL STREEP – MAMMA MIA!
e. EMMA THOMPSON – LAST CHANCE HARVEY

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. JAVIER BARDEM – VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. COLIN FARRELL – IN BRUGES
c. JAMES FRANCO – PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
d. BRENDAN GLEESON – IN BRUGES
e. DUSTIN HOFFMAN – LAST CHANCE HARVEY

7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
a. BOLT
Walt Disney Pictures; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
b. KUNG FU PANDA
DreamWorks Animation SKG; Paramount Pictures
c. WALL-E
Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
a. THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (GERMANY)
(DER BAADER MEINHOF KOMPLEX)
Constantin Film Produktion GmbH; Summit Entertainment, LLC
b. EVERLASTING MOMENTS (SWEDEN/DENMARK)
(MARIA LARSSONS EVIGA ÖGONBLICK)
Final Cut Productions Aps; IFC Films
c. GOMORRAH (ITALY)
(GOMORRA)
Fandango; IFC Films
d. I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (FRANCE)
(IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T’AIME)
UGC YM/UGC Images/France 3 Cinema/Integral Film; Sony Pictures Classics
e. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (ISRAEL)
Bridgit Folman Film Gang/Les Films D'Ici/Razor Films/Arte France/ITVS International; Sony Pictures Classics

9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
a. AMY ADAMS – DOUBT
b. PENELOPE CRUZ – VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
c. VIOLA DAVIS –DOUBT
d. MARISA TOMEI – THE WRESTLER
e. KATE WINSLET – THE READER

10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
a. TOM CRUISE – TROPIC THUNDER
b. ROBERT DOWNEY JR. –TROPIC THUNDER
c. RALPH FIENNES – THE DUCHESS
d. PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – DOUBT
e. HEATH LEDGER – THE DARK KNIGHT

11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
a. DANNY BOYLE – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. STEPHEN DALDRY – THE READER
c. DAVID FINCHER – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
d. RON HOWARD – FROST/NIXON
e. SAM MENDES – REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
a. SIMON BEAUFOY – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. DAVID HARE – THE READER
c. PETER MORGAN – FROST/NIXON
d. ERIC ROTH – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
e. JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY – DOUBT

13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
a. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT –THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
b. CLINT EASTWOOD – CHANGELING
c. JAMES NEWTON HOWARD – DEFIANCE
d. A. R. RAHMAN – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
e. HANS ZIMMER – FROST/NIXON

14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
a. “DOWN TO EARTH” — WALL-E
Music by: Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman
Lyrics by: Peter Gabriel
b. “GRAN TORINO” — GRAN TORINO
Music by: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
Lyrics by: Jamie Cullum
c. “I THOUGHT I LOST YOU” — BOLT
Music & Lyrics by: Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele
d. “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” — CADILLAC RECORDS
Music & Lyrics by: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street
e. “THE WRESTLER” — THE WRESTLER
Music & Lyrics by: Bruce Springsteen

15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
Showtime/John Goldwyn Productions/The Colleton Company/Clyde Phillips Productions
b. HOUSE (FOX)
Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions
c. IN TREATMENT (HBO)
Sheleg, Closest To The Hole Productions and Leverage in association with HBO Entertainment
d. MAD MEN (AMC)
Lionsgate Television
e. TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Your Face Goes Here Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. SALLY FIELD – BROTHERS AND SISTERS
b. MARISKA HARGITAY –LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
c. JANUARY JONES – MAD MEN
d. ANNA PAQUIN – TRUE BLOOD
e. KYRA SEDGWICK – THE CLOSER

17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. GABRIEL BYRNE – IN TREATMENT
b. MICHAEL C. HALL – DEXTER
c. JON HAMM – MAD MEN
d. HUGH LAURIE – HOUSE
e. JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS – THE TUDORS

18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. 30 ROCK (NBC)
Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little Stranger Inc.
b. CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)
Showtime Presents in association with Aggressive Mediocrity, And Then...
c. ENTOURAGE (HBO)
Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
d. THE OFFICE (NBC)
Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios
e. WEEDS (SHOWTIME)
Lionsgate Television

19.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. CHRISTINA APPLEGATE – SAMANTHA WHO?
b. AMERICA FERRERA – UGLY BETTY
c. TINA FEY – 30 ROCK
d. DEBRA MESSING – THE STARTER WIFE
e. MARY-LOUISE PARKER – WEEDS

20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. ALEC BALDWIN – 30 ROCK
b. STEVE CARELL – THE OFFICE
c. KEVIN CONNOLLY – ENTOURAGE
d. DAVID DUCHOVNY – CALIFORNICATION
e. TONY SHALHOUB – MONK

21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. A RAISIN IN THE SUN (ABC)
Sony Pictures Television, Storyline Entertainment, and Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment
b. BERNARD AND DORIS (HBO
Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films
c. CRANFORD (PBS)
A Co-Production of BBC and WGBH Boston.
d. JOHN ADAMS (HBO)
Playtone in association with HBO Films
e. RECOUNT (HBO)
Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. JUDI DENCH – CRANFORD
b. CATHERINE KEENER – AN AMERICAN CRIME
c. LAURA LINNEY – JOHN ADAMS
d. SHIRLEY MACLAINE – COCO CHANEL
e. SUSAN SARANDON – BERNARD AND DORIS

23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. RALPH FIENNES – BERNARD AND DORIS
b. PAUL GIAMATTI – JOHN ADAMS
c. KEVIN SPACEY – RECOUNT
d. KIEFER SUTHERLAND – 24: REDEMPTION
e. TOM WILKINSON – RECOUNT

24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. EILEEN ATKINS – CRANFORD
b. LAURA DERN – RECOUNT
c. MELISSA GEORGE – IN TREATMENT
d. RACHEL GRIFFITHS – BROTHERS AND SISTERS
e. DIANNE WIEST – IN TREATMENT

25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS – HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
b. DENIS LEARY – RECOUNT
c. JEREMY PIVEN – ENTOURAGE
d. BLAIR UNDERWOOD – IN TREATMENT
e. TOM WILKINSON – JOHN ADAMS

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So yesterday I posted that I wanted to hear from one of my editors.

I did.

Rejection. Kinda bummed my morning. By the time I got home, though, I'd decided to submit Surface to her, and she requested it within an hour. My hopes are not up. And it's rough to write when you're feeling this way, ya know?

I made a Facebook page yesterday and I already have more friends there than on MySpace. I still like Good Reads best, because there's stuff to do. Like I need stuff to do. And just FYI, if you ever need to find friends, go to Trish's page. That woman knows EVERYBODY. I did find a HS friend. I recognized a couple of names, but didn't think they'd remember me. I knew Yvonne would...we survived Catholic School together.

Oh, and if the R wasn't enough, I have a terrible sore throat, the kind that makes it hard to swallow. Joy.

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From Angela James at Samhain:

In a blog post elsewhere in the blog-o-sphere, Teddy Pig lamented that epublishers don’t publish a top ten bestseller list for the year. I accepted his “challenge” and at the beginning of 2009, Samhain will be publishing their 2008 bestseller list. But I wanted to make it a fun event, and do some other reader-driven lists, so I put together a quick (only five questions) survey for Samhain customers to choose their favorite books and covers. Please take a moment to fill it out and help us compile some “best of” lists to publish with our bestseller list of 2008.

Samhain Survey

It's one of my favorite days of the year....the last day before vacation, full of possibilities! Here, a few days early, are my goals for the two weeks.


1) finish Texas book, write query and synopsis
2) write short story
3) breakfast with Mom
4) lunch with JoAnn
5) lunch with other teachers
6) see SIL and family
7) research trip to Brazoria
8) finish Christmas shopping
9) read 2 books
10) clean house
11) mail contest books
12) enter 2 contests
13) finish Christmas baking
14) critique
15) get Mama Kitty fixed
16) take boy to get eyes checked
17) take boy to get his license
18) at least one trip to the library
19) Oh, yeah, Christmas

It would be lovely if I would hear from one of my editors before they take their break, but if I don't feel like working, why would I think they would?

A cold front is coming in tomorrow night. We've had 2 full days of FOG and another day predicted. Bleh!

In case I needed more proof I'm not Stephen King, here's his list of the 10 Best Books in 2008:


1. The books of Robert Goddard
2. The Garden of Last Days, Andre Dubus III
3. When Will There Be Good News?, Kate Atkinson
4. The Tenderness of Wolves, Stef Penney
5. Nixonland, Rick Perlstein
6. Heartsick and Sweetheart, Chelsea Cain
7. Hollywood Crows, Joseph Wambaugh
8. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
9. Old Flames, Jack Ketchum
10. The Good Guy, Dean Koontz

I didn't read any of them.

Dear Author has had lists from each of the reviewers. I haven't read a lot of them, either.

Here's my list, though some weren't actually released in 2008, and there aren't only 10:

Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann


Not Without Her Family by Beth Andrews


Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips


A Firefighter in the Family by Trish Milburn


Mustang Wild by Stacey Kayne


PS I LOVE YOU by Cecelia Ahearn (in a different way than I loved the movie.)


Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer


Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany


Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts


Lifelines by CJ Lyons


Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione


Santa's Angels by Janet Kaderli

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For readers and writers:



For writers:

Five Sexy Scenes

Manic Readers Romance Novel with a final judging by Bantam.

We watched The Mummy 3 last night. Visually stunning. Liked the horses in particular. Very creepy. Not crazy about the evolution of the O'Connells, and while I appreciate Maria Bello as an actress, I had a very hard time with her as Evie. Once I stopped thinking of it as a sequel, I enjoyed it more. Still, since the first Mummy movie is my Favorite Movie, this one disappointed overall. Brendan's still ripped, though.

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Alas, not cold enough (or wet enough) for an ice day!

I have really written myself into a corner. TONS of conflict and I see no way out. And last night I didn't sit down for more than 30 minutes at a stretch (that was the longest, during Heroes-OMG). I know my next 2 scenes and that's it. I wish I had gotten up early to write, but it was hard to get out of that warm bed!

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I slept TERRIBLY last night. I couldn't fall asleep, then the dog barked at 1:30 because she was still outside. I didn't go back to sleep until 3, then woke at 5:30. Teaching should be FUN today.

The weather is changing. We were 80 yesterday and right now a front is blowing in that's going to take us into the 30s this afternoon. I love this weather....only all my pants need to go to the cleaners!

Finally started Pagan Stone yesterday. Is gooood, but print is tiny.

Also made gingerbread men and molasses cookies this weekend. Yay!

And while I was awake last night, I figured out the next two scenes in my Texas book.

Would someone please tell me what to get my guitar-playing computer geek husband????

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I just woke up (about 8:15), and I'd gone to bed at 10! I NEVER do that.

I got another good review on Bull by the Horns yesterday. Check it out!

1) 7000 words on Texas book
2) go through library books and return them
3) get items together for charity
4) Christmas baking
5) Grocery store/get stuff for class party/get DVD for Cindi’s kids
6) Survive dh’s vacation
7) Figure out when to make research trip
8) Survive last week with the kids
9) Keep up house
10) Find some new Jared pictures

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MICHELE!!!!!!! Michele, email me your snail mail at mfechter @ gmail. com and I'll get Janet's book out to you!

This has been a crazy lazy week. I had to stay late 2 days at school, I did errands 2 days on the way home, I cooked every night but last night, the Christmas party, which was fun but I maybe shouldn't have had that last beer. I'd kept up with the house until Thursday night, and the ds invited his girlfriend over today. I've written hardly at all and of course have an idea for another story. And my Tivo is about to explode because I've been watching DVDs. So today is Tivo watching/cookie baking/house cleaning/cooking/hopefully writing.

How's your week been?

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I'm going to wait until I wake up Saturday morning to pick the winner of Janet's book, so if you want to be in the running, leave a comment in her post before then!

I don't feel good. I don't feel bad enough to stay home, but I don't feel good. I ache and I'm tired, but I don't have a fever. If we weren't having the science fair and tutoring today, I'd stay home, but that's too much for a sub to do.

I DID wake up to some good news! I placed third in the Barclay Gold contest! On the bulletin board in what was going to be my office is a printout of the first contest I ever made the list in. I placed 7th (I know!) with my very first book in the Barclay Sterling in 1997. And now this is my first published contest against the non-e-pubs. Oh, and Barclay is my maiden name. The list should be up today here.

Like I mentioned Monday, I've known Janet all my RWA career. I read this book in manuscript form a few years ago and I read it again this weekend. It's just the most adorable Christmas story, with characters who really came to life for me and put me in the Christmas spirit! Remember, I'll send a copy to one lucky commenter, so you can enjoy this story, too!

Now, welcome Janet!

You've had a long road to publication, including some children's books (which I have in my class library.) What kept you going when the business got you down?

Getting the children's books published really kept me going. The first came out in 1998, the two reading resource books in 2001, then the sequel to the first book in 2005. In between, I kept writing romances, entering contests, sending Santa's Angels to agents and editors. Although, up til a couple of years ago, Santa's Angels was rejected, I kept getting positive feedback on the book. The "good" rejections and encouragement from other writers (like you!) gave me the courage to keep sending the manuscript out until it found a home.

What is your writing routine like?


You know, I gotta get me one of those. I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer, but a strict reviser. When I'm in the writing groove, I find I write a couple of hours every day--I estimated once I can complete about 4 pages an hour. After an hour, I need to get up and move around. I make handwritten notes in a spiral as new thoughts come to me, then work it in to the manuscript on the laptop next time I sit down with it. That way I reassure myself I'm still working on the novel even if I haven't opened my laptop in days.

What was your inspiration for Santa's Angels?

I used to be a teacher, and every year at Christmas, the staff would play Secret Santa, where we'd draw names and do fun stuff for each other in the weeks before Christmas Holidays. One year, the person whose name I drew said she liked reading "hot and steamy" stories. Being a writer, I figured I could come up with something, a story with a Secret Santa. It started as a short story, and ended as a novel--sweet, rather than "hot and steamy," but there's still a Mystery Santa.

You have other creative outlets - tell us about them!

I play keyboard in a band, The Seven Dutchmen Orchestra. My husband is the leader. At this time of year, we're playing a lot of Big Band music. We'll be playing on New Year's Eve. We play at some German festivals, including the Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, TX and Wurstfest in New Braunfels, TX. I also like to crochet. I still write poetry and children's books. I l-o-v-e baking.

What has meant the most to you since your sale?

There is nothing like seeing my story as a book. The cover is lovely. I was surprised and delighted by my first fan letter! Especially since the book had been checked out from a library and recommended to the person who sent me the email.

Can you give us a quick blurb about your book?

No one knows the local celebrity who is playing Santa Claus at Filmore's Department Store in downtown Dallas, Texas. Not even Janie Langston, the "elf" who takes pictures of the kids with Santa knows--and she's falling in love with him!

Lastly, do you recommend reading this book with eggnog or hot chocolate?

Hot chocolate! With cinnamon and lots of marshmallows.

Here's where you can get this awesome book: Barnes and Noble

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When I joined SARA in 1997, Janet Kaderli was one of the first people who befriended me. We were both music teachers, both seeking publication. Janet found it with two children's books about Texas heritage, but she had this terrific story and publication eluded her. I read it at least once in manuscript form and thought it was adorable, perfect for Silhouette Romance, but alas, no. I suggested Avalon, and after a really really long time, this book is finally here.



I read it again over the weekend and all I can say is, this is going to be a new tradition for me, reading this book at Christmas time. It's a dual identity hero, a la You've Got Mail, where the heroine falls in love with him in one form and doesn't want anything to do with him in his other identity. All of this is set in a department store at Christmas, with a struggling single mom, an adorable little girl, and a man who wants to change who he is.

Janet will be here Wednesday to talk about her book, and I will give away a copy to one lucky commenter! So come back by Wednesday!

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The boy and I stayed in our pjs all day yesterday. I read TWO books, A Virgin River Christmas and Santa's Angels. Less than 500 pages between them, but still. Feels good. Then I watched Swing Shift and Flirting with Forty. A good lazy day. I haven't written for 2 days now, though.

This week:

1) Get to teacher store for construction paper and paint
2) Go to grocery store
3) school party
4) write 7000 words on Texas book
5) write SOMETHING on Vamp Hunters
6) think about baking
7) faculty meeting
8) critique group (blast, guess I'm not baking that day)
9) keep up house (I'm doing okay, it's the yard that's suffering because of the early sunsets, and me not getting out of my pjs on Saturday)

I have approximately a kabillion books to read and some I REALLY want to get to. Dawnkeepers is good, but long and the print is TINY. Amazing world building, but it's taken my 5 weeks to read. Okay, so it was during Nano, but still.

So I finished it, and now I need to dive into my stack. This one's next.



This one's soon after. I've been DYING for Gage's story.



My friend Janet, who will be a guest here next week, has a new book out. I read the manuscript, but it's an adorable book and I want to read it again!



I've heard good things about this one and look forward to reading it.



Then I have about a dozen ebooks, and another half dozen I want to buy at Wild Rose Press, not to mention the books I have from the library. So I'm taking the day off to read! (Okay, let's see how long I can keep away from the computer.)

When was the last time you gook a day to read? What books are you looking forward to?

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I watched Wanted last night and It. Was. Awesome. Not just the incredible effects and stunts, but the story. GREAT pacing and tight writing and terrific conflict. Pretty gory, and hearing Morgan Freeman saying some of the words he said was just wrong. Terrific black moment (that maybe some people saw coming, but I pictured something different.) Anyway, I highly recommend.

I'm blogging today at The Samhellion about tortured heroes (Dean and Jack Bauer.) Come say hey!

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I thought that picture was appropriate since SPN is on tonight (though a rerun.)

Report cards went out this week and yesterday I had a phone call, 2 emails and a handwritten note. Nothing negative, just concern, which is good, but parent conferences are my least favorite part of the job. I feel helpless, ya know, and walking a fine line between being honest and not hurting their feelings. And we had a meeting during planning (for which everyone but me and the woman conducting the meeting was 20 minutes late...grrrr) about a new task we have to do that is redundant and overwhelming. I went to talk to the union rep because there's a law about not too much paperwork which takes us from our teaching.

And after dropping $40 at B&N this weekend, I got a 25% off coupon for this Saturday. It wouldn't bug me except that I haven't even read the books yet!

And I got rejected from Sourcebooks. Form letter.

And then I read about Black Wednesday, which makes it feel like I'll never get picked up by NY.

At least the boy got his driver's ed completion certificate.

I also found this, which is pretty cool: Rose's Colored Glasses Calendar

And a cold front came in. I love cold fronts.

And this came up in my Google Alerts this AM: Where There's Smoke review

What are you feeling positive about today?

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So I joined Twitter and played with my MySpace page this break, but.....now what? Twitter seems to be a kind of stream-of-consciousness thing, but you have to make the effort to log in, right?

And MySpace...I finally figured out the blog thing, but what else do you do? I added music, but I probably won't remember to go back over and even listen!

Can anyone tell me the point? Or is there one?

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I’ve finally reached the big plot point in my western. I need to finish revising Vamp Hunters. I want to write a new short story. I want to write a new RS in case Susan rejects BD.

And between cat in heat and dh getting up every 2 hours, I don’t feel very rested. (HE'S getting the Tylenol PM tonight!) At least I get home at a decent time today, unlike the rest of the week. Of course, then I have to do laundry....

Why isn’t there more time???