Oops, I did it again

MoonCat.
I have been known by MoonCat for 8 years now, since I was the ripe old age of 25. LOL. And I have thought about doing this for a while, but had never had the money and the nerve at the same time.
Well, Saturday night I set things in motion by making an appointment with the guy who did my first tatoo. (First is Phantom mask from Phantom of the Opera with a rose by it, it's on my right shoulder.) The one I got last night is on my right ankle. And to say it was painful, is an understatement. I honestly thought I could deal with the pain. The shoulder tat was nothing compared to this. Enough whining though. What do ya'll think? Is it pretty?
It represents me on two levels. One; my totem animal would have to be a cat and Two; I've always been kind of a night person as well as dreamy. I guess that's the writer in me.

MoonCat

Somedays just aren't worth the effort

Somedays it just doesn't seem to be worth the effort to get out of the house. I would say bed, but you know.. just being at home is a nice thing. Even if you get up in a good mood, you leave the house and there you come across those people who REALLY make your day. I'm sure you all understand and know some people like that. Right now you are probably thinking.. yep.. I can name a few. Well, so can I and those people make me want to go postal. Alas, I shan't.. only because my mom raised me better. But that furry little kitten pictured above certainly does say how I feel about those people.

So to you folks who have made my day so happy.... Say hello to my little friend Mittens the Kitten.
Mwah ha ha ha

Gramps

Horace Vines

November 15, 1923 - July 19, 2006

My Gramps passed away last month. It's been hard to deal with the loss. I am not much of a public speaker, but I braved the front of the funeral home to say something about a wonderful man, who I miss very much. I wanted to put on here what I said that day.

In Webster's Dictionary, the definition of Grandfather is the father of one's father or mother. But a grandfather is so much more than that. To us, Horace Vines was a teacher, an inspiration, a confidant, unconditional love, honorable, and so much more, in a word, he was Gramps. I know we all have our stories about our times with Gramps, and I could talk your ears off about the time I spent with him. However, what I want to share today with you is how no matter what was going on he was always happy to see me. He was always there for me. And he always had something to teach me, even when it didn't seem like he was teaching. He embraced life and those around him, living it to the fullest and sharing with those all he was. And I want to thank him for being the grandfather he was and I will always love and miss him.

I found this on the internet and it seemed to fit.

Ever unfolding, like Angel's radiant wings.

Is the magical love and kindness that a grandfather brings.

Dark Side of the Moon Finally Out

Okay. Tuesday was the release for Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Yes, I waited impatiently for the work day to finish, then jumped in my car heading for the promiseland. That's right... Books a million. I had already called around to check on which store had not only the book, but the audio as well. Thank God for the audio, because I don't think my supervisor would be okay with me reading at my desk Wednesday. Probably would have received one of those not so pretty in pink-pink slips. Anyhoo, it was really good. Everything I have come to expect from a Kenyon Dark Hunter book. For those of you wondering what is a Dark Hunter; a Dark Hunter is a protector of humankind against those who would destroy it. This book is fast paced, intriguing and has sparks between the hero and heroine of the book. The subplot that has been running through out the series is coming to a head with this book.

Susan Michaels once a hot respected reporter until a major scandal ruined her career, now works at a paper that deals with Elvis sightings, killer moths and such. Not her idea of the best change in jobs. She gets a call from her friend to meet her at the local animal shelter for a tip on a story. She scoffs at the tip as it is regarding a police cover up for a ring of soul sucking vampires out to take over Seattle. Not really the story to bring back her respectability. There she ends up by chance taking home a cat, which she is allergic to. But the cat is not your run of the mill feline.

Ravyn Kontis is a shapeshifter who was killed by his family after the woman he loved betrayed him and his clan. He made a vow to the Goddess Artemis in return for revenge for those who killed his family. He vowed to serve her as a DarkHunter, protecting humankind from Daemons, those who feed upon human's souls. Captured by those who want the Dark Hunters killed, he is stuck in cat form at the animal shelter until Susan takes him home.

Ravyn and Susan are stuck coming to terms with things they would rather not in order to save Seattle. She must open her mind to the possibility that magical beings exist. He must learn to trust another woman with his existence and secrets.

Several familiar faces make an appearance in this book. The tension between Dark Hunters and Daemons are at an all time high. Allegiances are tested.

This is a great book! The only problem with this is that you have to wait for the next book. Another book that deserves 5 meows out of 5 meows.

Whatever happened to customer service

Recently I had to deal with my cell phone service. I realized how annoying it is to have to play musical numbers while trying to get in touch with a real person. It's horrible. If you are calling for this press 1, for that press 2, for a headache hit 8 for other options. I sat through the perky automated voice rattling off numbers for things I had no problem with. After you get to the number you need you have to wait and wait and wait. I refer to the waiting as the Eternal Hold Abyss. And if they ever answer; most of the time you get a person who you can't understand and they can't understand you because they don't speak English. You pay so much for convenience when it's not really convenient. Then if you have problems come up where you don't pay it right on time they make you feel worse by asking; Is there a reason why you were late. I honestly want to tell them: "Well, let me see. Your service costs an arm and a leg. You claim you have fewer dropped calls, when I lose signal all the time. Add that up with all the free extras that aren't really free, I just freaking LOATHE you people." You don't even get what you pay for these days. AUGH!!!!!

So Many Books, So Little Time & Money

Lately, I have had an insatiable reading bug. I don't go through as many books as I could, darn having to work a 40 hour a week job. I've been lucky enough to come across some really great books. Books that make me want to tell the world what a good read it was. One of the most recent reads: Date Me, Baby, One More Time by Stephanie Rowe is the very picture of a hot, fun, exciting read. With quirky characters, interesting twists and turns that make it a quick read, but so enjoyable during the time.

Justine Bennett is the Guardian of the Goblet of Eternal Youth. She's been guarding it for 200 sexless frustrating years. Things have gotten kind of boring for her and her guardian in training a dragon named Theresa who is hooked on the internet.
Enter one handsome and cursed man; Derek LaValle. Derek is trying to break a curse on the men in his family. When they turn 31, they die. The only way to save him and his twin brother is to find the Guardian, behead her and drink from the Goblet.

This would be pretty cut and dry, until you add a lovesick Devil, ghost mom who is having problems fending off said lovesick Devil, a council of old, stuffy men who are trying to test Justine to see if she's capable of protecting the Goblet and the attraction between her and Derek.

Honestly, if you like quirky, supernatural books with strong characters you will enjoy this. I give it five meows out of five. Definitely a keeper!

Into our lives a little angst must come

Okay, I know this probably bites, but here it is; an original by me. Yep, this might be horribly punctuated, but it's a very old poem.

Within me

Look at me I laugh, I cheer, I smile
But you can't see inside
Inside I'm tired, I'm wary
I'm watching the skies
I'm waiting,
I'm wondering
When does it end?
When can I rest?
Is this all there is?
Maybe you might can see I'm hesitant
But do you know why?
Within me I hide
All my fears, all my shame
wrapped up inside a smile for the outside

To my friends from Sherri's board

Okay Ladies, Here are the Spike pics for you. I hope you enjoy.

What kind of Soul are you?

http://blogthings.com/whatkindofsoulareyouquiz/


You Are a Visionary Soul
You are a curious person, always in a state of awareness.Connected to all things spiritual, you are very connected to your soul.You are wise and bright: able to reason and be reasonable.Occasionally, you get quite depressed and have dark feelings.You have great vision and can be very insightful.In fact, you are often profound in a way that surprises yourself.Visionary souls like you can be the best type of friend.You are intuitive, understanding, sympathetic, and a good healer.Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul


To those who know me, what do you think???

24 Days and Counting; Darkside of the Moon

Sherrilyn Kenyon has got to be my favorite author! At the end of last year I had got into the Dark-Hunter series and devoured every book I had missed. I made it a mission to read them in order as Sherrilyn is a crafty minx and drops hints building the plots through out each book in the series. Things you might think are cool in one book fall into place to show it to be AWESOME foresight for another book. How she manages to construct with such continuity is amazing. And now the latest of the Dark-Hunter books will be coming out in 24 days per the counter on her website. I can't wait!! If I'm lucky my local Barnes and Noble will have it earlier then street date like they did with her Lords of Avalon book; Sword of Darkness.
These books are so wonderful my husband has started reading them. There will be an author conference for her in New Orleans. Kenyon Minions, as we call ourselves will be showing up from all over the world to spend time together and just have fun. I really can't wait! These are as Simi says "quality peoples" and a blast to post with. I know they are on the edge of their seat for the next book to be out.

Got to say: Sherrilyn Thanks for the new buds and great reads!!!!

If anyone is curious and wants to check out her site here's the link: http://www.kinleymacgregor.com/hunter//intro.htm

Enjoy!!

Dieting. The Great Conspiracy

Recently I started a diet trying to get ready for a trip my husband and I are taking in October. I wanted to be able to take the tour and not be worried about being out of breath or worse unable to finish the tour do to being out of shape. Well a couple of weeks have gone by and with the different foods I've added to our grocery list, I've noticed the increase of money. Then I realized how bad the odds are stacked against those who want to lose weight and be healthy. If you want to snack on the right stuff you better have a good paying job. However, if you want to snack on fatfull, artery clogging munchies it won't cost you much at all. That's right. Money for fruits, vegetables, wheat thins, and those convenient 100 calorie pack snacks can add up pretty quick, then you just can't get as much. Six bars to a box of SouthBeach Diet breakfast bars for almost $3.00 compared to a box of Little Debbie Snack cakes for a 99 cents a box can not only tempt you it can make your wallet weep. They say America is the fattest country and I believe that. The things we eat can kill us. But who can afford to be healthy?

I Realized What This Page Was Missing

That's right ladies, eye candy. Of course Gerard Butler is so much more than eye candy, but you got to admit, he sure is pretty.

For the Book Addict

A couple of months ago I was at my home away from home, Books A Million looking through the magazines when I found a nice little surprise. It's called Romantic Times Bookclub. I'm sure others know of this magazine, but I was clueless. This lovely little book has been a joy for my reading addiction and a sorrow for my checkbook. Tons of interesting articles with authors and reviews of books about to be released. The reviews are broke up by genre and by order of stars. I've found so many books in there that I MUST find and read. Due to the overactive reading I've been doing lately my boss has made the comment I only work to pay for my books. Anyway, just wanted to share about this magazine.

Things you'll never see in a romance book.

Some of my writer buddies and I were discussing my latest educational session for our group. I mentioned I had strove for length this time because my first one was so quick if you blinked you missed it. I was already in an interesting mood since my topic was Sexual Tension. I made the joke "Whoever said size didn't matter was wrong." That's when we started discussing things you would never see in a Romance novel. Here's a list of things you wouldn't see in a romance novel. They are not in any order.

He had a little weenie, but he sure knew how to cook with it.

Between the Greek God look a like dressed all in leather on the back of a Harley and the pocket protector toting nerd I'll take the nerd any old day.

Somehow he knew where all my buttons were and yet all I could think about was did I turn off the coffee pot.

Why can't I find a guy like those on Jerry Springer?

I decided even though he was buff, sensitive and everything a girl would want, there was too much to work through to keep him.

I'm looking for a man who takes advantage of me. He doesn't have any money of his own. I have to take care of him. I even don't mind if he goes out with other women.

He was missing his upper front teeth and it made his smile endearing.

The hero and heroine meet in normal circumstances, no misunderstandings, decide they are made for one another and get married. That would be a short book.

I'm looking for the man who's so attached to his mom you can't go any where without her.

Both the heroine and the hero are dirt poor, but that don't matter.

Her butt looked like two hippos wrestling under a blanket, but it was the sexiest thing he ever saw.

Please let him be a snorer! I just love being kept up all night by the sounds of a chainsaw lying next to me.


And finally..

Really, size doesn't matter.

I know there are tons more out there and will probably add more of these later, but it's really late.. or early however you look at it.

Where Does the Time Go??

Time has slipped through my hands like the elusive sand we use to represent it in hour glasses. I was last working on a New Year's message and since it's already January 31st, it would be pointless to post it. So belatedly, A Happy New Year to one and all.

Off course the usual New Year's Resolutions were made; Lose weight, Make time to write more, Enjoy family and friends more, Join Romance Writer's Association of America, Travel, Learn More Recipes and Get Out of Debt.

Let's see, weight thing hasn't been approached. My inlaws have been coming over and I'm planning a scrapbooking session for some friends at my house. I've been experimenting with new recipes when my Inlaws came over, so far all of them keepers. Still working, so that's helping on the getting out of debt. Basically your very typical humdrum.

So, just to get back in the swing of writing something on here I'm posting a really good cake recipe and it's very simple too. If anyone tries it, please let me know what you think.

Creamsickle Cake

Cake

1 box of cake mix (yellow, white or orange)

1 box of orange jello

1/2 cup of boiling water

1/2 cup of cold water

Icing

1 box of vanilla pudding

1 small container of cool whip

orange flavoring

Cake;

Make the cake per instructions on the box for a 9x12 pan. Once it's done let it cool.

Get the jello and add the 1/2 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cold water. Pour this over the cooling cake. Refrigerate for an hour.

Icing;

Mix the vanilla pudding per instructions on the box. Add a few drops of orange flavoring until it tastes like a dreamsickle. Fold the pudding in with the cool whip; frost as thick as you like.

I made this on Saturday.. I didn't have any left by Sunday evening. It's quite refreshing and very easy to make.

ENJOY!