Friday Morning Sept 30, 05

I didn't blog last night.

Blagh. What a yucky couple of days. And now my weekend is shot too. We were going to go camping with a family of friends of ours, but that's out. I have one sick daughter, one son who is starting to get sick, and one sick hubby. The other daughter keeps spraying Lysol around herself.

My oldest started out with a stuffy nose and sore throat. Now she is unable to keep down liquids. I am hoping that changes this afternoon. She is sleeping it off right now. Hubby went to work, late, and son is at school. So is my germaphobe daughter. I can't even take my oldest to the doctor. They won't give her anything but codine and she can't take that. So, I am trying to talk her into taking Nyquil but she is avoiding it. I mean heck, woluldn't you like to take two days off of school?

So, here I am, not getting my story done, listening to family members whine then not take my sage advice, washing sheets and blankets so I don't get sick too, and reading up a storm. It keeps me from snapping. Grr.

Well, since I won't be going anywhere this weekend, I will get Midas' Treasure back to the editor. Even if I have to lock and bar my bedroom door.

That is the Friday morning update to make up for last night.
If I remember, I will post again tonight to keep you updated.
One last thing, I am looking for a counter to add to the blog. :) Livy said she put one in and I thought it was such a great idea, that I am going to go searching for my own.
Did I mention that I like to 'borrow' other peoples great ideas for my webpage and blog? :P I thank each and every one of the 'loaners'.

Brenda

Tuesday, Sept 27, 05

Hi all.

This is going to be a short one. I woke up grumpy for no particular reason. I guess it was just one of those days. Then I worked on Midas' Treasure until it was time to pick up teens.
Since then, I have been trying to read Janet Chapman's ONLY WITH A HIGHLANDER. I have been reading this series since it started, but I think I missed TEMPTING THE HIGHLANDER so will have to go back and get it. :) A great series with time travel, romance and sword fights with hot, huge guys in kilts. Woohoo!
Now it is teen's bedtimes, so I am going to try to get in some quality time with my paperback.

You all enjoy your night.

Brenda

Monday Sept 26, 05

Never, never on a Monday...

Sorry, just had to break out into song.

The son had his physical today. Poor guy. Luckily, we warned him of the possibility of the "Cough". Now it's over, and he doesn't have to face it for a while.
I sat out in the lobby like a good mother of a teenager, and knitted a square. Listened to another mother spend an hour chatting up her friends on the cell phone and with the other ear, listened to the news.
It wasn't very good, but I did get a sick laugh. I couldn't help it. I do feel sorry for the girls, but being a queen nerd in school, I can't get over the bias.
Really, I have tried. It is just beyond me.
I am so sorry, but I heard about the poor young ladies of the beauty pageant variety, that were hurt by the SUV and my first thought was that a band geek retaliated.

As I said, I was an JROTC nerd all through high school and the POP's just loooked down their surgically straightened noses at me. But I'm not bitter.

So, the son and I leave the lobby of tortures, and grab some lunch. Yummy. Wendy's burger combo with chilli... Megga yummy. I was doing some craving.

Off to the post office, mailing off more pen-is bookmarks to Loose Id Author Contest winners. YAY! and then back to Lowes. No, we didn't find that I got the wrong thing, but the paint said I needed a few extra items. That is what we got today. Next week, I will have to go back and get another set of handles and accoutrements for the other bathroom, the hubby liked my purchase so much. But now I have fiberglass in my nose. ARGH! I had to clean out the tub after he sanded so he can paint. My sinuses are girly and delecate and don't do fiberglass. Too rough. Now my nose hurts. But only on the edge. Luckily. It hasn't gone further into my sinuses or lungs. Great news.

Sigh. Didn't get to work on Midas' Treasure today. Yet. But it isn't too late to get a little work in. Is it?

Tomorrow, I am planning on spending the whole day on it. I will be good and try not to be lured by the mystique of email. My perpetual downfall. :)

I am going to try to get to sleep soon, so I can start bright and early in the morning... after mainlining coffee of course.

You all have a great night. Catch you tomorrow.

Brenda

Sunday Sept. 25, 05

Sorry. I know I am late, but I have a good excuse.

I was reading a book for an author quote and got so lost in it, I forgot the time.

Gotta tell you, Mechele Armstrong's Blood Kiss is one heck of a story. Blood Kiss will be out SOON and I don't want you to miss it.

That and working on a Mile A Minute Afghan is about all I did today. Oh, and I went to the local Lowe's and spent money for the hubby to fix the tub in the hall bathroom. I actually got all the right stuff for a change. Yay me. Had the son with me and we oohed and ahhed over all the cool house fixing up stuff there.

As I am about to pass out cold from the need for sleep, I will close for now. I am putting Mechele's blogspot on my list as soon as I figure it out. LOL

Brenda

Saturday Sept. 24, 05

I know, I missed last night's blog.

I mentioned the rapist in town, the other night. Here is the story...

Worry and worry about the rapist, and knowing the hubster would nix the whole deal, ruining the youngests good time, I volunteered to stay up all night watching a football field with some tents in it.

Oh joy. There were 17 teen girls and two tents. Not to mention the 25 or so boys. Don't worry, we separated the girls from the boys with that Do not Cross police tape in the middle of the field. Worked great... One more thing I was keeping my eyes open for. Anyway, we set up our monster tent, then the daughter and I stayed in the van. LOL. Comfy as comfy could be. Daughter slept well, I slept an hour or so. But I did get considerable work done on Midas' Treasure, (which the contract has now been received by the bigwigs) and my knitting. Oh, and munching. I was showing my intelligence by hitting the local grocery store and finding the day old munchie aisle. I don't mind day old bakery items because they are half price and they would have sat around my house longer than that. :)

Where was I? Oh yeah. Munchies. I loaded up on the really good stuff and a deli sandwich and some chips. Sodas, I had at home, but got some ice. Loaded up the cooler, with caffeine free diet soda, the ice, cookies, cake, I think I put some strudel in there too. Made fresh coffee, filled the thermos and packed everything else up that an intrepid high school campout might need. That included my Palm, Alphasmart and yarn. Lots of yarn.

So there it was, midnight, taking my second potty break of the evening. Man that coffee goes through a person, when I hear what sounds to me like shots fired. Maybe a 25 caliber weapon, rapid fire. I am instantly on alert. I don't see anything but decided it was across the street from the school. All I saw was the weird little birdies that shot across the field at top speed running.

In the morning, I tell the Major what I heard. She looked at me and said, "Yes, I heard the car backfiring." I looked at her, shook my head and said, "Whatever you say, ma'am." and went to take the tent down. I'm not stupid. If the major wanted to hear a car backfiring, and since nobody got hurt, I guess it was a car backfiring. Strange though, there wasn't a car around at that time. I know...

Oh well.

So that is where I was last night. Tonight, I am working on my edits and watching Spongebob. Hey, great taste doesn't come easy you know.

Brenda

Thursday, Sept. 22, 05

ALOHA!

(Youngest teen gave me the greeting for tonight)

Today was a pretty much unproductive day. Sure, I got dinner started in the crockpot, then remembered I had a proof job to do. OOPS! It is due tomorrow, so I knocked it out today. All done. By the time it was finished, my oldest teen called from school to tell me she needed me to bring her some medicine. She has a cough and snuffly nose. I took her some day time medicine and since I was so close to the grocery store, got myself a chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat at the deli. Yummy.

Finally, I was back home, ready to get to work. I get my manuscript off the palm and onto the laptop, and notice all the italics are disappeared. Blagh. SOOOOO, I start at the beginning. I have figured out how to make sure the italics are marked so that even if they disappear on me again, everyone will still know where they are.

Where was I going again? Oh yeah. I had to start at the beginning and mark all the italics. I got one chapter done today. Super sigh. I got that far, when I had to start picking up teenagers. Since they get out of school at different times because of after school activities, I get to make several trips. That's ok, I have nothing better to do. Also, I have two girls, and there is a serial rapist running around the neighborhood the school is in. He likes petite girls. He got a fifteen year old and a seventeen year old and tried to get a grown woman coming out of a nail salon after closing time. The girls go to my kids school. Everyone is on the lookout for this perv. Anyone sees a man in a red truck looking like the description is going to get his @ss kicked before questions are asked.

So, anytime the teens want to go anywhere, I take them, drop them off, watch them go inside, and pick them up the same way. I end up taking a lot of kids in the van, if they walk. I would rather take them home myself, than have them attacked.

Ok, enough of that, I had to vent. Lemme get back to the exciting life of me.

Basically, I got one proof done, one chapter done, and an update or two on my webpage. I added pictures on the craft page and added a link to an author.

Check out the bookmarks I make for contest winners. LOL.

Speaking of contests. I would like to congratulate Jody, and Josie for their win of bookmarks. They both requested a naughty bookmark, and to Marcy who won a copy of my book Regulating Archimedes. I will be sending out the bookmark to Jody tomorrow, and if Josie sends me her snail mail address, I will send hers.

Last thing for tonight. Today, I messed up on the square I was knitting two-thirds the way through. Argh! Had to start over. That is always agravating.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will get farther along in my book.

Happy Autumnal Solstice!

Brenda

Official Contest Winners!!

This is the official list of the Loose Id authors contest. I would like to congratulate each and every one for participating, and enjoy your prizes in good health.

Brenda



Jackie Wisherd -- One Loose Id Tee Shirt Transfer from Lena Austin

Joy Isley -- One mini-digital camera from Barbara Karmazin


Shirley -- One bracelet from Cynnara Tregarth, one bookmark from Jeanne Barrack


Sara W. -- One Sensual Gift Basket from Beth Williamson

Sherry Banks -- Bath Goodies from Mechele Armstrong,
One manuscript critique (electronic) from Silvia Violet


Katie Walo -- One Loose Id Tee Shirt Transfer from Lena Austin

Danny -- One deck of Spiderman Cards from Barbara Karmazin

Humma Nargis -- One download of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun from Barbara Karmazin

Sherri Virtue -- One deck of Small Soldiers cards from Barbara Karmazin
Debbie Ellison -- One $10 Loose Id Gift Certificate from Kai Anderson

Phyllis N. Crabtree -- One deck Mayan cards from Barbara Karmazin, one bookmark from Jeanne Barrack

Dorothy Sexton -- One Deck Hulk Cards from Barbara Karmazin

Jean -- One deck of Spiderman cards from Barbara Karmazin, one bookmark from Jeanne Barrack

Darla Ray -- One Loose Id download from Lena Austin

Karen Gray -- Custom made notecards from Lauren Dane

Virginia Ettel (Bookdragon3) -- One download Simply Irresistible by Lucynda Storey

Josie -- Naughty Tattoos from Lucynda Storey. One bookmark from Brenda Bryce


Veronia ' Ronnie' Banks -- One Autographed Trade Paperback of Out of The Dark from Barbara Karmazin,
One free manuscript critique, electronic only from Lyn Cash

Shirley Ann Speakman -- One download of Games Empaths Play from Cynnara Tregarth

Mindy -- One book thong from Lena Austin

Ann M. -- One Trade Paperback (Autographed) of The Huntress from Barbara Karmazin

Renny -- One Loose Id download from Lacey Savage

Marcy -- One download Regulating Archimedes from Brenda Bryce

Jeanette Jackson -- One Loose Id Tee Shirt Transfer from Lena Austin

Penny Morgan -- One Hardbacker leather bookcover from Barbara Karmazin,
One manuscript critique (electronic) from Lena Austin

Debbie C -- One book thong from Lena Austin

KimW -- Star Candle Surprise from Daria Karpova

Jenny -- One Loose Id download from Jeigh Lynn

Huguette English -- One Loose Id ebook from Alyssa Brooks

Sunny Gonzales -- One Autographed Trade Paperback of In Other Worlds from Camille Anthony

Rebecca Ramer -- One Hardbacker Leather bookcover from Barbara Karmazin,
one critique, two chapters of Work in Progress from Diane Charles Linford

Christy McKenney -- One Lipstick shaped pen from Elizabeth Batten-Carew

Pam Kinsey -- Massage Oil Set from Silvia Violet

Megan Freed -- One Loose Id Tee Shirt Transfer from Lena Austin

Shaiha -- One $10 Loose Id Gift Certificate from Alyssa Brooks

Debra Guyette -- Handmade earrings from Lauren Dane, one bookmark from Jeanne Barrack

Susan Muller -- One deck Xman cards from Barbara Karmazin

Alexandra Rowland -- One Loose Id ebook from Sedonia Guillone


Laura Tarman -- One Loose Id download from Lacey Savage

Kassandra Luckeroth Morales -- One blue beaded purse from Barbara Karmazin

Corinne Ogonowski -- One two year planner from Elizabeth Batten-Carew

Sheryl -- One download of On The Edge of Time from Barbara Karmazin

Michelle Anderson -- One download Second Chances from Lauren Dane

Vicky -- One Hardbacker leather bookcover from Barbara Karmazin

Samsoness -- One Autographed Trade Paperback of Charming The Snake Anthology from Camille Anthony

Teresa Balderas -- Body Sensuals from Jeanne Barrack

Karen Staley -- One download Handle Me With Care from Diane Charles Linford

Sanjay Srinivas -- One download Mistress Mine from Lyn Cash, one bookmark from Jeanne Barrack


Draven Mendel -- One Truth or Dare Party Ball from Jeanne Barrack

Cindy Blades -- One Autographed Trade Paperback of Down Came a Blackbird from Barbara Karmazin

Lisa Risdon -- One Book Thong from Lena Austin

Nicole Hulst -- One LI book thong from Lena Austin

Nikita Gordyn -- One LI Tee Shirt Transfer from Lena Austin

Karen -- One Loose Id ebook from Elizabeth Batten-Carew

April -- One $10 Loose Id Gift Certificate from Lena Matthews

Sherry Haut -- One toy space gun that shoots smoke rings from Barbara Karmazin

Amy Smith -- Joker's Wild Goodie Bag from Lena Matthews, one bookmark from Jeanne Barrack

Christine Dionne -- One LI Tee Shirt Transfer from Lena Austin

Sheila Johnson -- One LI book thong from Lena Austin

Jenn Donnelly -- $10 Loose Id Gift Certificate from Beth Williamson,
Critique of (1) electronic manuscript from Daria Karpova

SandyKL -- One autographed Trade Paperback of Covenants from Barbara Karmazin

Jody B -- One Loose Id Download from Camille Anthony, One bookmark from Brenda Bryce

Wednesday Sept 21, 05

Good evening children.

My day started so well. I did the morning ritual: mainline coffee, brush hair and teeth, get dressed, mainline some more coffee (I started setting the automatic timer on the pot so it is already made when I roll out of bed) take the teens to school and come back.

Then it got messy. I cleaned the fridge. By the time I was done, it sparkled. But it was empty. There were a couple of condiments, half a loaf of bread, a few eggs and just under a gallon of whole milk (I drink fat free and that made my decision) I had to go shopping. Grabbed the keys to the van, the bank card and my cell phone in case there were any teen emergencies. Oh, and a grocery store ad and my list. It was a pretty long list as I hadn't eaten yet and was pretty hungry by this time. Well, after I got over the fridge grossies anyway.

I spent a good dollar amount at the grocery store but got lots of good foods. Meat, veggies, condiments, starches, chocolate, good milk. Lots of good stuff. I even brought it all home and PUT IT AWAY as soon as I got it all inside.

Whew! The day cleaning was over... Thank the Mother. I sit at my computer and make sure nothing in the world is going wrong, and what do you know? Hurricane Erin is headed straight for my Critique Partner. Everyone is stressing about it, understandably. I stress with them while knitting on a square for an afghan. I started to work on Midas' Treasure, but decided I have to 'up the heat' by adding a short scene. Since I didn't have the concentration for it, it was postponed.

I acquired a horrible headache sometime this afternoon while stressing. I made dinner and cleaned up after it. The teens weren't real impressed with my frozen veggies, but Hey! I made a well rounded meal, so suffer. I cleaned up after dinner so my kitchen stayed in its pristine state, and went to lay down.

I talked with the hubby for a while then he went to play Bejeweled. He is (gasp) an addict. I can't complain. I have two addictions myself. Books and Yarn. Makes me feel giddy.

Still trying to find something on television, but was striking out. Mythbusters just started though, so I am good, and I really want to get rid of my headache. It is sinus induced I know it. I took some Tylenol (I stay away from aspirin because it thins the blood and I have asthma, no blood to the lungs mean no oxygen to the extremities)and a bit of Nyquil. I love Nyquil, (ok, so it's a namebrand, but the offbrand stuff, while working good, just aren't the same) It clears up my sinuses and knocks me out for the night while the headache goes away.

One last thing, I forgot to tell you that my wonderful teens did the yardwork this afternoon with only a little inducement. Since the trashman comes in the morning, it has to be done by Wednesday night. Our yard is the one in the neighborhood that everyone points to on a regular basis, and says, I don't want their yard. sigh. It is because we are computer geeks. We are fairly healthy, not fat, but we don't get a lot of strenuous exercise. Lately, my exercise is the deep cleaning I am doing.

Tomorrow, the plan is to work on Midas' Treasure. Take a day off from cleaning. I know I have to do it, but my book is suffering and I won't have that. So, goal tomorrow, get the scene (shower master ba tion) and get further along in the edits so that when the editor says we are gtg (good to go) I can shoot her the newest copy. All pretty and hopefully needing less work. :)

Sure, wishful thinking, but hey! you never know.

Night all,

Brenda

Tuesday Sept. 20, 05

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man... Oh darn. gotta pee.

Ok, Now that I am back, lemme tell you that I am starting this blog early in the day. It isn't but a little after 1pm right now. But tonight I have a chat to do and would be happy for anyone to join me. TRS BLUE is where I will be at 9pm Eastern time.

I cleaned off the cabinets on one wall of the kitchen this morning. I also cleaned and organized one of the cabinets and two drawers and (gasp) papered them. Of course, I didn't peel off the paper part from the sticky part, because I can never get that right. So, left it as it was. :) cheating I know, but I don't care.

Been working on Midas' Treasure. Being good. Being sleepy. The rain always does that to me. I could never return to Florida or live in Washington state. Too much rain and I would spend my days snoozing. Not that that would be a bad thing, but my stuff would never get done.

Time passes

It is now nearly 9 pm and the chat is over. I think a great time was had by all who attended. And I have winners! Shiela won a copy of TS1:Regulating Archimedes, and Sherri won a hand crafted crocheted penis bookmark. Congratulations you two. It was a blast and I will be sure to have another chat again. I am such a sweet person, I even offered one lucky chatter the boobie prize. No, it wasn't a boobie. It was a bookmark. Lisa, enjoy.

As it is getting late in the evening, I am working on the tote that will be the giewaway prize available to the first 50 members of my newsgroup. I think it will come out really nice.

Oh, the contest ends tomorrow, so if you are going to do the Loose Id Authors scavenger hunt, best get it done. And good luck.

Well, I guess that's it for me tonight. Tomorrow, I tackle the refridgerator.

I will need to double glove it.

Brenda

Monday, Sept 19, 05

Day one of deep clean.

I am soooooo tired. I am surprised I have stayed up this late. Every muscle in my body is aching. My face feels peeled. My hands hurt. This cleaning stuff sucks.

Here's the deal. I got up bright and early, drank coffee, took the teens to school and sent the poor overworked hubby to his toils. I made it home, although it seemed to take forever because of the butt heads who decided to have a freeway shootout a mile up from my normal overpass. Finally, finally home.

I don the cleaning woman accoutrements. Rubber gloves to protect my delicate, petal flower skin and a huge apron to keep the cleaning solutions and ickies from my expensive wardrobe. Ok, so I put gloves on because bleach dries out my skin so that I can't play with yarn and the t-shirt and shorts were already toast, but leave me my delusions.

Retrieving my kitchen bucket from the last place I had put it, took about 10 minutes as I had to find the darned thing. Since I was in the garage, I tossed a load of clothes into the washer. Back inside, I filled the bucket with hot water and bleach, a cloth and scouring brush and I was ready to go. Already the kitchen is filling up with bleach fumes. I feel giddy and prepared. I begin my endeavors by Swiffering (trademark with an ending) my walls and cabinets. Love that thing.

I am so proud. No more cobwebs. Since that went so well, I pulled down the sticky fly trap that has been dry for over a year. Woohoo! I am on a roll. I grab the scrub brush and cloth and start in on the wall with the door to the garage.

Took twenty minutes, but I finished the 4x7 foot wall. I thought I would never get it clean. Oh, since the door was in the middle of it, I cleaned that too. Darned men and their greasy hands. Sheesh.

Whew! By this time, I had to go take a break away from the fumes. I played with my email for a while. Had a great time, but I was dilligently back to work when the timer went off. Did I mention I am using a timer to monitor my work and break times? Setting it for 15 minute incriments.

The timer goes off and sadly, I return to the kitchen. I am slightly diverted to take a load of clothes out of the washer, put more in, and hang the clean ones outside. Returning inside, I decide the counters have to be next. I move the coffeepot and take the breadmaker and several other things I am not exactly sure what they are, off the counter and look at it. It is a lovely shade of brown. I jump on it with the bleach water, and scrubbie. A very long while later, my stove top, and the counter surrounding it is clean. And WHITE! Whoda thunk it?

I admire it for a good few minutes then go on break and play with my email some more. I think at this point I actually added a few dozen stitches to my cross stitch picture.

The timer goes off and my body creaks as I get out of my chair to return to the room of doom. I have a whole other wall of counters to clean. I sigh and put my gloves back on.

Half an hour later of dilligent scrubbing, the counter is clean. The sink is a disaster area, but the counters are clean! I needed another break and a drink. That is hot, hard, sweaty work, and dang it, if you aren't having sex, what's the point in getting into that state?

I couldn't think of one.

I took a nice long break after rotating the laundry again by reading the latest daily offering from my critique partner. Yay! That was a nice break. I am pretty sure that on this break I received a new book to proof. Never did get to start it today... There is tomorrow.

Back to work. I am barely shuffling my feet to get back to the kitchen. I load the dishwasher, run it, and fill one side of the sink with hot water and bleach and leave it.

At this time, it has been over 4 hours since I got home from dropping the teens off. Still, I had to work on Midas' Treasure. Ok, I can do this... I open the manuscript and get half a chapter done. My eyes want to close. But no! I can do this. I work while checking my email every 5 minutes or so, because you never know what might happen if I'm not paying attention and get a little more done.

I quit! My sentencese aren't making sense anymore so I save and close the manuscript. It is getting close to time when I have to start picking up teens. Eventually, I go and pick up the older two from school and bring them home. I come into the bedroom and lay down. I can't take a nap because any minute now my youngest is going to call from school saying her after school activity is over and wants to come home.

Luckily, there was Animal Planet. It keeps me awake and fairly entertained until she calls and I trek over the freeway again to get her.

I had noticed that we were nearly out of whole milk this morning so I drug my aching, tired body to the grocery store. We had a whole gallon of my favorite, Fat Free milk, so only had to get a couple of gallons of Whole. We, as a 5 member family drink upwards to 10 gallons of milk a week. Yes, it does a body good. And goes good with chocolate.

After we get through the line with about a million cans of Chef Boyardee Ravioli (yes, another trademark) and oil for the cabinets that I plan on wiping down tomorrow, I finally get home. I come to the room, expecting to fall asleep halfway through my bed dive. It didn't work.

I inform the teens that they are responsible for opening their own cans an microwaving their dinner, and to bring in the laundry, NOW! Surprisingly, they did. I lay on the bed, sure I am giong to hit dreamland any second now.

And I wait. And wait, and wait.

Sigh. Well, that isn't working so I pick up my knitting and remote control. Funny videos is on. Oh good.

That is how I have spent the rest of my evening until I decided that I really am starting to get tired and better set up the coffee pot and do the post.

Tomorrow, the goal is cleaning the outside of the cabinets and decontaminating at least one of the insides of said cabinets. If I have time, and am not incapacitated by stiff muscles, I may try for two, but we will see.

You all have a wonderful night and wish me good luck and loose muscles.

I still have a lot to do. If there are mistakes in this blog, please excuse me. I have my eyes closed.

Brenda

Swine retraction

This is the clock the hubby brought me from Germany. He is no longer considered a swine. Isn't he a sweetie?





Brenda

Sunday Sept 18, 05

Happy end of the weekend all.

I know, I know. The end of the weekend is nothing to be happy about, but I had a nice relaxing weekend, playing with my yarn. Hubby came home too, with the beautiful bribe, and I like having him home.

I sat around on my tushie all weekend chatting and crocheting and knitting and watching nothing on TV.

Tomorrow, I am going to get back to work on Midas' Treasure and I would like to start Autumn cleaning my kitchen. I love Flylady and am trying to get rid of the CHAOS. {Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome} :) Gotta fix that. I can do it. And, you my lucky readers, will be appraised of my progress. If I have to tell you about it, I will have a great excuse to do it. :) Whaddya think?

I am going to need my rest if I am going to tackle it, so-- GOODNIGHT ALL!!!

Brenda

Saturday, Sept 17, 05

Did I mention I have been sick? I medicated yesterday and fell asleep early and missed blogging. waa.

Today, I felt better so went to Michael's (craft store) and bought some new crochet hooks because mine were dinked and snagging on the yarn. I also picked up a cross stitch project that is a Dolly Mama's that says Put your big girl panties on and Deal With It! I thought that was so funny and appropriate that I have to do it and post it in my office.

After the wonderful shopping spree, I came home and started cleaning. I did it for as long as I and the teens could stand, then picked up my crochet hook and made another square for Warm Up America. I am also working on a Lizzard green tote to give as a contest gift.

I have finished all the proof jobs and worked on my book a little. Midas' Touch that is. That is coming along, slowly, and hopefully, by the time I have permission to start working with the editor, it will have less to be fixed.

did that sentence even make sense? I think I need to take a nap.

Yall have a great weekend. I am going to spend it with the hubby. He is coming on a jet plane right now.

Brenda

Thursday Sept. 15, 05

Good evening folks.

I'm sick. Yes, the invincible one has gotten worse. I have a horrid headache, a cough and sore throat. I went down and purchased medicine, three types of flavored tea, and ice cream. The ice cream was yummy, I took the medicine, which wasn't, and I am wondering if I will stay awake long enough to need the tea. Maybe I can con one of the teens into making me a cup.

Today was bill paying day. Watching money fly out of the bank account at an alarming speed is always fun. NOT! Well, the hard ones are done at least. Just have to pay the ones online... tomorrow.

It is Funny Animal Video night so I will be tea-ing, video-ing, and pass-ing out. I am in the middle of making a new page for my website, but it will have to continue to be unfinished.

The only thing I read today was a proof job, and I did work on Midas' Treasure for a while. I am trying to make 3x5 cards with the important information in the stories. Flash cards for the writer. :) I have a sieve for a memory. If it isn't written down, it didn't or doesn't happen. Daughter number one has a doctors appointment tomorrow so will be doing that first thing. Hm, I need to get my asthma meds refilled too while I am there. Lemme write that down. (I feel like the jury on Alice In Wonderland).

Now that I am thinking about it, I have to roust the teens into going out and getting the laundry off the line.

I guess that's it for tonight. As usual, lots going on and I am just trying to keep up. I like having the blog to organize my thoughts. I have a nice centrally located place where I can go to find out what I was doing the day, or week before. And it doesn't take long. :)

Catch everyone tomorrow.

Brenda

Wednesday, Sept 14, 05

Groannnnnn,

After the great news of yesterday, today the prognosis has changed. I am sick. Bad, icky, barfy sick. I blame my oldest daughter. She came home Tuesday, sick from school. Now I am sick. But I have edits to do, proofs to do, and keeping Livy in line, so can't just go to sleep.
:)

I did work on my edits for a long time today. 5 whole hours, between bathroom breaks (which we won't discuss the details) and picking up teens. I also finished proofing a book. Of course I finished three this week, and received two today. :)
Did I mention I was a bookslut? Even half dead, I can read. It just takes longer. Between naps you know.


This evening, I was informed that Loose Id has a blog. It is for the Katrina Relief and I would like you to check out Loose Id-Katrina Blog. I am sure they would be happy to have you.

I am going to lay here watching my geeks (Mythbusters) cause they are soooo hot! and probably fall asleep. Hopefully, I will feel better tomorrow.

Crochet line: I crocheted a few squares and last night I worked on a Lizzard green tote. I think I will give that one away.

Tomorrow, I get to pay bills. Oh Goodie!!! Lucky me! good for me, I can pay all but 3 online.

Thank the Goddess for the internet.


Brenda

Tuesday, Sept 13, 05

Party Time, Excellent, (and some horrible squealing guitar solo noises).


I have heard from Editor Land. They want The Society 2: Midas' Treasure. Don't ask when it is due out, I can only say eventually. Yay!

Now I get to do lots of rewrites and editing. LOL

Today, I was working on book 3, can't wait to find out how it comes out. Haha. It is about half done. I will work on it while I am waiting on edits for MT.

I made some squares today, crochet, and read a book. Double Play by Penelope Neri. I couldn't find a webpage for her, so the link is to Amazon. This was a very good book. Romantic Mystery about a woman escaping from her abusive husband and the police officer who tries to help her. Very good.

I also took a short nap this afternoon. LOL. It was pleasant and very refreshing. Not much else happened.

As I said, I resumed working on The Society 3, which I have tentatively entitled Enforcing Justice. This will be Alexi's book and much darker than I am used to writing. Hopefully, my humor will still show through the horrible lives of my characters.

Midas' Treasure is Mykil's book and will be starting on it tomorrow. Gonna be busy, busy, busy for a while. Guess the ironing is going to have to wait. *snicker* I will keep you updated, without actual details (cause I wanna ruin ALL your fun), on the writing and the ironing.

Brenda

Monday, Sept 12, 05

Hey all.

First, I would like to congratulate the two winners! Pam and Jenny, congratulations! I sure hope you enjoy it. Thank you for donating money to the Katrina fund. These two lovely ladies joined the Loose ID fund drive and won a copy of the book Regulating Archimedes.

I enjoyed the chat immensely, but whew! Them girls be insane. And can they talk. So fast, I couldn't keep up and neither could my laptop. LOL

Had a quiet day. My oldest came home sick from school. Barfy. Eww. I read, since it was so quiet. Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper. Love this extended series. My daughters read it too. Paranormal FBI agents. woohoo!

Still haven't heard word one from the hubby. Be assured he will hear about that. Not since I left him at the airport. Silence. argh. Men.

Ok, I have mentioned sick kid, hubby (the swine), fund drive chat, reading... hm, what else is there?

Still haven't heard word from TPB (the powers that be) about book two yet, but I am sure it will be soon. One way or the other. Argh. I hate being patient.

Anyway, Yall have a great night (or day if you are on the other side of the world) and I will catch you tomorrow.

Brenda

Sunday, Sept 11, 05

Evening All.

It's getting late here. School for the teens in the morning, which means I have to hit the ground running. Oh boy, I can't wait.

Hubby left on a jet plane this early afternoon, headed for the land of bratwurst and beer. He will be partaking of both, I have been informed. Business has sent him there. Yes, I did finally iron his clothes, and he laughed while I grumbled. Now, I am home alone with the teens. I spent the first evening alone asleep. I took a long nap. Felt good too. I feel refreshed and ready to proof a book. So I am.

Went to the grocery store for milk today. We go through about 4 gallons of milk every two to three days. We do a body good. Yuppers! As I was wandering the aisles for pork and beans {which we eventually forgot to get, and I will have to pick them up tomorrow}, I passed the book aisle and they had a book I didn't. Naturally, I added it to my collection. It is extensive. I have bajillions of books. Lots I haven't read yet, but I am getting around to them. Been reading the Sherrilyn Kenyon anthology Born To Be BAD. They are rereleases from anthologies I have, but I like them centralized so picked it up. The next book is due out in about a week or so. You can't go wrong with Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Did I mention that the Palm is operational? I don't remember. Anyway, I had to sync it on the desktop. My laptop is still freaked out from the whole attempt to set it up, but the desktop just chuckled and reset everything as it was before. Unfortunately, I lost a bit of info, but it is nothing I can't reenter.

I didn't crochet anything today. Blagh. Oh well, maybe tomorrow night I can get in double. I will be watching Animal Planet so will not be reading.

Well, time to get back to the proof job. I prefer not to discuss them until they are released, so don't ask. I have my reasons.

I would like to take a moment and remember the victims of 9-11.

Ok.

Night all, have a wonderful Monday.

Brenda

Saturday, Sept 10, 05

Heydi-ho neighbors. (Yes, I stole it from the comedy show)

Today, I read. I inhailed two books of a series that isn't all out yet. Paper, Lovespell. Multi-Author series. Crimson City by Liz Maverick and A Taste of Crimson by Marjorie M Liu.

Gonna try to put links to the titles, so this post may take a while. I enjoyed both books. The world is fresh, and a great new concept. The predjudices, regular SOP (standard operating procedure) for this world or any other. If it is different, it must be bad. These three factions: human, werewolf, and vampire are trying to live in peace, but it isn't working too well. This series is giving us the battle on the fine line between all out war and an uneasy peace. Very interresting books. I hate to say that I liked A Taste of Crimson better ONLY BECAUSE the heronine was a fiesty bitch. She was popping off wisecracks that had me rolling. I do love humor in my mysteries. The hero, well, he was a special case. Gotta love him. In Crimson City, the heroine comes into her own power and the hero is not the usual hero you find. Empathising and caring for this hero was easy to do. I sure don't want to ruin either of these books for you, so you can read them for yourself and make up your own mind.

When the next ones come out, I will be sure to read them as well.

Otherwise, it has been a quiet day. Lazy Saturday. I must break down and iron tonight. Blech! We know how I feel about ironing. Oh well. Hubby has to go on an out of town trip tomorrow and I don't want the freulines to think he is fair game. Ironed shirt=wifey with a hot iron and not afraid to use it, ON THEM!

Oh, no officer, I would NEVER do that!

Anyway, I am going to be left with the teens, all alone to fend for myself, for a whole week! Whatever will I do? Sigh, probably work on my story. Sad but true, Brenda just isn't a party animal.

On another front, I have been waging a losing war all day. I have somehow tweeked out my Palm. I have turned it into a non syncing beast. Also, my documents to go has somehow reverted from a good copy to one that is a thirty day trial. ARGH. As I said, hubby is leaving and he is my IT guy. He HAS to fix it before he goes. He just has to. Best get to humoring him, and kissing up.

Since I have done my duty to me and my shadow, and written out my ever exciting blog, I will now dig around and see what other books I have to read. Then I will suck up to hubby, get my Palm operational, iron some clothes and I guess that will have been my action packed day.

How's yours?

Brenda

Hmm, Oh, Thrusday, Sept 8, 05

I'm a delinquent.

Today, the most important day of my week, and I blew the one personally important thing I had to do.

The day started off well enough. I got up, mainlined my coffee, emailed lots of people, played on the net, ignored the ironing, did the dishes... You know, the usual. I have plenty of time to run my errand.

So, I pick up the oldest two from the high school, and take them home and go back to the nothing that I was doing. Time goes by and I have to pick up the youngest from the same school, so I forget the items I needed to complete my errand, but figure still have lots of time.

Home again, home again... I watch Animal Plantets Funny Videos (can't go a Monday or Thursday without it). By this time it is 7 PM and I decide now is the time to go because if I wait any later...

Hop into the trusty van and actually remembered the items this time. Drive through the evening gloom and the pretty red and green lights to the section of town I need. I see the building. Woohoo! But wait. Something isn't right. It should have people entering and exiting until 8, right?

OH NO! It's closed! At 6, do you believe the nerve???

I was shocked. Dismayed. Darned right put out. As I drove back home, slower and more dejected, I wondered where I could get a print out of their actual hours.

I enter the house, the teens asked how it went.

I had to tell them...

The Library was closed.

waaaa. It turns out that it is open until 8pm every day BUT Thursdays.
I owe now.

Brenda

Tuesday, Sept 6, 05

And a How-do-you-do this day?

I have a headache. :) I am now the proud owner of a webpage. You can find it at www.brendabryce.com and I would love comments, suggestions and what you would really like to see on the site. No nudies, please. I want to draw in readers and crafters, not scare them into heart attacks. I will be changing the front page soon. I will be making it my what's up page, and putting my bio on another page.

All day, I spent web paging... Lucky for me, it was pretty easy. Geocities has a nice page builder tool that enabled me to change, change, change. :) I love change. Be prepared for regular upgrades on my page.

OHOHOH!!! School started today! Yippee. I got to hog two computers at one time. Sped the webpage making up twofold. Now the family is home and I am watching Animal Planet. Teens are excited about school, and tomorrow they will go a full day. Yeehah!

Since I played with the webpage all day, tomorrow, I start working on Alexi's book. I'm ready! Haven't heard anything about Midas yet, but eventually, I'm sure.

On the crochet front, I have been plugging away at several things. 3 inch squares for the son's afghan, 7x9 inch rectangles for a donation afghan, got me a lap loom and am making (or seeing if it is possible) a lapghan. Yes, I have lots of projects started. I am hoping to get the light work done before winter, so that when it is cold, the ghans will be long enough for me to cover myself with them as I work. It works. I did it last year. that is why I have no almost finished afghans. I finished them by February. LOL
Thinking ahead. Someone has to.

Well, since my life is soooo darned exciting, I will leave off. I COULD tell you about sitting in the sun, crocheting as I waited for the teens and all their friends to come out to the van so I could take them home, and a kid walked by and said something to the effect that I was knitting. It is so sad that parents don't teach their children the difference between knitting and crocheting. I mean really, my kids know the difference between lots of different crafts.

But I guess you might not be interested in that. Anyway, I am putting a link to my webpage on the blog.

How is everyone doing on the contest? I now have the link in two places on this blog... LOL. Just find one, and you can go on.

Good luck, have fun, play nice.

Brenda
Webpage: http://www.brendabryce.com

CONTEST

CONTEST: Lots of prizes, some rules... LOL. Here is the deal in a nutshell. Find the puzzle piece on this blog, then find the next link in another message. Good luck and have fun.

Oh, and read some good books.

I have been informed that nobody could look far enough down to actually find the next link which was posted in the blog called HERE IS MY BOOK, so I am putting it here.

If this don't work, I will put it in again.


FOR THE NEXT PUZZLE PIECE GO TO: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lacey_savage_news/

brenda


Loose Id Authors Scavenger Hunt Contest
Begin date:09/06/05 End Date: 09/20/05 Prizes Awards Announced: 09/21/05
Twenty-one (21) Loose Id Authors have joined together for a fun Scavenger Hunt Contest with prizes ranging from trade paperbacks, Loose Id Gift Certificates, ebook downloads and a mini-digital camera to SEVENTY-FIVE (75) lucky winners. We took two pictures, The Nymph and Native American Hunks, and divided them into 21 puzzle pieces. Each author took one piece and hid it at his or her website, blog or newsletter.

Contest Rules:
The contestants start at The Sensuous Alien http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheSensuousAlien/ Newsletter on September 6th, 2005 to find the first puzzle piece. Right after that puzzle piece is the link to the website or blog where you can find the next puzzle piece and follow the links until all 21 pieces are located. The puzzle pieces are numbered as Nymph #1 through Nymph #10 and NA Hunks #1 through NA Hunks #11.

Each Contestant needs to send an email to selkiewife@sff.net in order to submit his or her entry for the prize drawing. In the body of the email, the contestant lists WHERE he or she found each puzzle piece.

All emails received at selkiewife@sff.net with the complete list of puzzle pieces and their locations will be entered in the Scavenger Hunt prize drawing. Names will be randomly drawn on September 21, 2005 until all 75 prizes are awarded. The prize award announcement listing the winners and their prizes will be made on September 21, 2005. The individual authors will then email and/or snail mail the prizes to the lucky winners.


PRIZE LIST: 75 Prizes TOTAL
Alyssa Brook-2 prizes (1) Loose Id download of choice from Alyssa Brook, $10 Loose-Id gift certificate
Barbara Karmazin -18 prizes (1) download of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, (1) download of On The Edge of Time, Four (4) trade paperbacks given as separate prizes The Huntress, Covenants, Down Came a Blackbird, Out of the Dark
Six decks of playing cards (2) Spiderman deck, (1) X-Men (1) Incredible Hulk (1) Small Soldiers (1) Maya Cards Three hardbacker leather bookcovers, One toy space gun that shoots smoke rings One blue beaded shoulder purse. One mini digital camera
Beth Williamson-2 prizes Sensual gift basket, $10 Loose Id Gift Certificate
Brenda Bryce-3 prizes (1) download of Regulating Archimedes, (1) hand made bookmark naughty, (1) hand made bookmark clean
Camille Anthony-3 prizes (1) print copy of RATE: In other Worlds, autographed by all three authors (1) print copy of Charming the Snake & (1) Loose Id digital download
Diane Charles Linford/Chuck-2 prizes (1) Book Download/ Handle Me With Care, Critique of 2 Chapters of Work In Progress
Cyn (Lucynda Storey)-2 prizes (1) download of Loose Id ebook Simply Irresistible, Naughty temporary tattoos
Cynnara Tregarth-2 prizes bracelet made by author, (1) download copy of Games Empaths Play
Daria Karpova-2 prizes star candle surprise, critique of one (1) manuscript (electronic, please)
Elizabeth Batten-Carew-3 prizes (1) eBook download (1) Two-year planner (1) Lipstick Pen (a pen that looks like a lipstick)
Jeanne Barrack-2 prizes (1) Truth or Dare Party Ball, (1) Body Sensuals - pamper yourself with this petite bath and body trio and six (6 ) hand made bookmarks
Jeigh Lynn- 1 prize Book download
Kai Andersen-1 prize $10 LI gift certificate
Lacey Savage-2 prizes (1) Download of one of my LI books (winner's choice) and (1) Download of any LI book (winner's choice)
Lauren Dane-3 prizes (1) Download of Second Chances, (1) Pair of hand made earrings and (1) set of three custom made notecards
Lena Austin-12 prizes (1) Loose Id Ebook Download, (5) Book thongs, (5) Tee shirt transfers (Loose Id titles only) and (1) critique of a manuscript (electronic, please)
Lena Matthews-3 prizes (1) pleasure yourself bath kit, $10 Gift Certificate to Loose Id and (1) Jokers Wild Goodie Bag
Lyn Cash-2 prizes(1) Download of Mistress Mine and (1) free ms critique electronic only
Mechele Armstrong-1 prize beach themed bath goodies
Sedonia Guillone-1 prize free download of choice
Silvia Violet-2 prizes One manuscript critique, (1) Massage Oil set.

Sunday, Sept 4, 05

I have been reading. And crocheting squares to make into a relief afghan. For those of you who crochet or knit, please give. I will be looking around my neighborhood to find a Katrina relief station and donating, hopefully, an afghan at the end of this week or the next.

I will be adding more to this blog later. Gotta get back to my book.

Hubby is off in the desert driving a sandrail, and I am doing laundry. Oh, the glamorous life I lead. I don't know what I am going to do if my writing carreer dries up. Might have to get rid of the household staff and the driver. LOL



brenda

Puzzle piece

This is puzzle piece NA #4. Look at the contest blog to find the next site.
Don't forget to read The Society 1: Regulating Archimedes for a cowboy vampire and a scientist finding love and mystery.

Friday, Sept 2, 05

Sure, technically it is Saturday, but since I haven't been to sleep yet, it is still Friday to me.

Um, I just remembered the blog. I have been bad and reading. Ok, so that is a good thing. I took the day off and have been reading. Well, reading and fending off teenagers. They were restricted from the computers for the day by their father. I got to be the meanie and make it stick. I hid out in my room reading and they came and tried to bribe me regularly. Didn't work. I told them to take it up with their father if they had a grievance, I was just upholing management doctrinations. Essentially, I passed the buck. But in the morning, a few hours from now, their privileges will have been reinstated and I can hide without them barging in when I am reading. LOL

I am going to do a tiny rant here. So, if you don't like rants, skip this section.

Here's the deal. I have been busting my tushie trying to get rid of head hopping. That is where you are in one characters point of view and jump to another's and back and forth and... Well you get the idea. I have been instructed that point of view shifts are a bad, evil, villainous thing and publishers and readers alike hate it. I am reading this really great story from a reputable epublisher, and the head hopping is making me insane. I keep wanting to make notes to change the pov. (it is what I do to mine, I am really bad at it and have to go back over the entire manuscript and spend days fixing it, so it catches my eye easier now.) My rant is, NOT FAIR!!! I do all this work and this other author at another publisher gets to do it.

OK!!! RANT OVER! For those of you who skipped, you can tune in now.

My day was quiet except for the teen angst and having to pick up my youngest from school. She has joined the armed drill team of the high school's JROTC. Very excited individual I have there. She has drug out the BB gun to show me all the moves she has learned in two days. Luckily, I spent three years on the drill team in my JROTC unit in MY high school, so am knowledgeable in that field. They are on their own in math, I suck at that, but flinging rifles at other dorky teens. I am stellar.

So, It is now past 2 am, I did laundry, waged war with wasps, cleaned out my dishwasher and tested it on numerous loads of dishes and did my motherly duty of making my teens miserable. I think I will return to the ending of my story and get some rest.

Have a nice day all!

Brenda

Thursday, Sept 1, 05

Howdy bloggy babies.

It's Thursday evening, finally. I got no writing or reading done today. It's a shame. I don't like it and I don't approve of it. Going to have to make up for it.

I did however, purchase a couple of books. Had to get the next Kay Hooper, Stephanie Laurens, Lori Foster, Maryjanice Davidson... Oh, heck. I bought a lot of books. Now I just need to find the time to read them. That will be the hard part. I had a great time, flinging my ATM card at the nice clerks at the bookstore. LOL.

Sure, I did some grocery shopping done, so the family won't starve for a few days. They appreciate that. And I got some necessities for the teens so they can go to school Tuesday. And I bought a couple of skeins of yarn. I can't help it. I try to tell myself that I have a million skeins already, but I cave when I see that I don't have that exact color in that exact amount.

Maybe I need an intervention. Sigh.

Well, I don't drink, smoke or do illegal drugs, so I have to have some bad habits or yall will hate me. I am a book slut and a yarn ho. Can't help it. Don't deny it. Everyone has something that they do that others think is strange. Ok, so I picked up a new crochet hook too. but it isn't serious.

The books were tough. The day started off at a drug store. Didn't find the items I wanted that were on sale, so I picked up a couple of books. Then I went to the grocery store, and got a lot of groceries and a couple of books. Then my oldest and I went to Barnes and Noble and while she looked for an anime book to get with her gift card, I looked in my favorite section. Found the one book I was looking for, and a couple of others caught my eye. I calmly placed them in my pile till I had one hardback, two oversize paper and two paperback. Then I calmly went in search of my daughter. I hollered that she needed to hurry before I spent more money. She laughed and continued to look for her book. I got bored looking in the anime section and wandered to the new book section and whodathunkit a book I didn't have but really really needed. It joined the pile. I ended up spending almost $90 on books in just B&N!

Did I mention it is something I can't help?

Oh, and I lost a hubcap. I don't know where, or when, but I have this naked tire now. It looks weird on the van. SIGH!

Other than being broke again, and my tire is naked, I had a pretty good day.

Now to get back to work.

Brenda

HERE is my first book

The Society 1: Regulating Archimedes

Brenda Bryce

Price: $5.99

Genre: Paranormal, Vampire

Length: Novel

Rated: Hot

https://www.loose-id.com/detail.aspx?ID=197



Stephen Westlake is more than just a vampire. He’s the Society’s Regulator. The Society needs a new chief scientist and Stephen has to find one. Piece of cake, right? Sure. Except when she turns out to be your new mate, too.

Disgruntled scientist Angela Heissman races against her biological clock to find a test for the anemia that killed her mother before she succumbs to her own. So after a foiled kidnapping that has something to do with her new serum, she couldn’t be less interested in dealing with a new man. Especially not one who says he’s a vampire.

Angela doesn’t believe in vampires, until Stephen proves it in living color. Then her scientist mind wants to test out this new reality, but her body just wants to test out Stephen.

What do a nine hundred year old, cowboy vampire and a adorably geeky scientist have in common? Everything.

To read an excerpt, visit: http://www.loose-id.com/BBTS1RAex.aspx


FOR THE NEXT PUZZLE PIECE GO TO: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lacey_savage_news/