On your mark, Get Set, Flashback!!!

You are cordially invited to participate in a fun and exciting Blogiversary of the fantastic Fel Wetzig and her crazy peasants that are in constant revolt! Then participate in the fun with a Flashback Blog Hop.

Psst, come closer...I hear, there will be gifts. Yes, if Christmas didn't gift you up enough, there's chances to win lotsa good stuff! Yippee!

So, ring in the new year in a Flashy Hoppy style. (That doesn't mean just sequins and beer, though that's acceptable too! : )

Where can a girl find a couple extra hours...

I am busy. Busy prepping to enter the Amazon Breakthrough Contest in a couple weeks. This entails re-editing a published novel to see if I can make it shine even more. It means crafting a savory pitch that will get people salivating.

It means taking a hard look at Return to find any niggling little irritants that need to be removed, and finding errors that have snuck past (I know there are still some in there), though its been edited and proofread more times than I can count.

And, while I'm trying to accomplish this, to help Ravyn and Zelera get a little more acclaim, I've got all the normal daily life activities to pursue.

There is an Iphone that needs replacing, as the dog decided to eat it. The Lifeproof case does not protect against Doberman, in case you were wondering.

Christmas decorations need to go away...sigh. Back up into the garage attic I go.

Child number three's Bell kit was stolen from the car two days before Christmas. So, I need to find new bells...preferably used. And, buy the book again. It's a convenient excuse for her to not practice at the moment.

A couple Christmas gifts need exchanging. I refuse to do those today. Augh!

The bookkeeping for our business needs to be done, so we can decide if we will be jumping off the fiscal cliff, limbs flailing, wallets drained. Gotta have the numbers in order to plan...would be so nice if our government would do that as well. Oh, but I'd better not get started on that...that's a whole 'nother post...

The house could use a top to bottom clean-up. After the chaos of NaNoWriMo and the joys of the holidays, this place is a disaster. Okay, who am I kidding, it's always a disaster, but still...it'd be nice to get it tidied.

Then, there's the whole keeping up with blogs, twitter, Return's facebook page, etc. Something I've been not so good at the past couple months.

My dear sweet husband gave me a wonderful new camera for Christmas! The Sony NEX-5R! Oh the things it can do! I'm so excited, I can't wait to start fiddling with it. Another tiny nibbler of my time. But, I fear it's not high on my priority list at the moment. (Sad face)

So, it you know of a way to turn back a little time, or extend it and would like to share that information with me, I'd be ever so grateful!

Hope your Christmas was Merry, and you are looking forward to 2013!

Missing Momma

Christmas brings with it a frenzied burst of activity, buying presents, attending parties, reconnecting with friends. It is also a time when many people find themselves missing someone special. Someone no longer here. My mother passed several years ago. I miss her daily, though like many others, I feel the lack of her presence at this time of year. She, so loving and giving, a truly unselfish angel on earth. I wanted to take the time to post a little something I wrote the day after she'd died.

I am sitting here at Clear Lake, on the balcony of a condo, waiting for the sun to rise. I can't sleep anymore. I need to watch the sun come up, hear the birds, and reflect. I am not feeling overly sorrowful, and in fact, feel glad you are at peace, and had the courage to let go. I'm glad pain is unable to find you. Rest easy in death's gentle hands. For now, it is easy for you. A quiet repose until your savior gently wakes you with a kiss and a good morning sunshine.

You have given of yourself tirelessly over the years, and have suffered so many trials. Peace be with you, Merbles.

You have taught me so much. It was you and daddy that turned me into the person I am today. Though I know I am far from perfect, I think I turned out reasonably well, and that speaks volumes about you. The most important thing I received from you throughout my life was love. Unconditional Love. Thank you.
Thank you for all those hugs and kisses, especially those on my forehead. They were the most special.
Thank you for letting me crawl into your bed to cuddle, even when I'd grown far too old to do it.
Thank you for letting me squash you as you sat in your comfy chair, just so I could prove I still fit on my momma's lap.
Thank you for being firm, and teaching me definite rights from wrongs, and setting parameters. Those things I pushed so desperately hard against. Even as I rebelled, I knew you placed them there to keep me safe.
Thank you for instilling a love of music in me.
Thank you for expecting the most out of me, and not accepting mediocrity.
Thank you for encouraging dreams and goals.
Thank you for seeing beyond the mischief maker.

I hope you know it was an honor and a privilege to be your daughter.

A kiss on the forehead is special
When given by you
No one does it better
It erases fears
Eases tears
Restores happiness and hope
Give me just one more - Please

I wish I could have been there with you, to kiss your forehead, to let you know it was okay.

Human Resources: A tasty treat

Geoff Neil has created a sinfully delectable read. The story flows across the mental palate, paced to perfection, allowing one to savor the different flavors of the story - humor, action, tension, shock, mystery. All prepared in a Chrichtonesque recipe. Take an unlikely hero, sprinkle in some technology and scientific zest to capture the imagination, spice it all up with a nemesis that sets your nerves afire with her ruthless cold-heartedness.

I mean to impart to you, my pleasure at having read this five star gourmet literary meal. Mr. Neil's first book Dire Means - a delightful appetizer. Human Resources - a well-rounded meal. I am hungering for dessert,with Wanton Disregard. I can only hope that there is a nightcap planned as well! I encourage you to feast on Human Resources, but let me give you caution, if your nerves get your stomach all tied up with butterflies, you may want a bottle of Tums close at hand.

Please check out the works of Mr. Neil here Geoffrey Neil.