Today it begins

Two important things take place today.

1. My dad's birthday - Happy birthday, Dad!

2. Blood Rights releases in the UK and Australia. If you live in either place and see Blood Rights on a shelf somewhere, I'd love a pic!

Other than that, I'll just be writing away as usual, working my fingers down to nubs on book 4, Out For Blood. How about you?

Catching Up - Part 1

I feel like I've been away from home for months, but it's only been 9 days. That's like 78 years in cat time according to my boys, who've been demanding massive quantities of attention in an effort to show me what a bad cat mother I am. *ahem*

Actually, after yesterday's airport disaster I wasn't sure I'd even make it home last night, but Hotrod worked his magic and found us another flight before JetBlue even announced our original flight had been canceled. (It pays to be married to a man who's proactive. That is all.)

RWA Nationals is now a blur, but I will say that one of the highlights was getting to spend time with many of the Orbit folks. This only renewed my love for my publisher. Individually, they're all amazing. As a group, I'm surprised they haven't taken over a small country and renamed it Orbitland.

While I dig out from under a towering pile of laundry and head out to restock our fridge, here are a few book-related things worth mentioning:

There's a signed ARC of Blood Rights up for bid in the LA Banks Relief Auction here. Great cause for an amazing author. Check it out!

The cover of Blood Rights has been listed in a Goodreads Best Book Covers of 2011 here. If you like the cover, give it a vote!

Christmas Eve Traditions

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about Christmas Eve traditions. Come share yours!

New Year's Eve!

Hotrod and I will ringing in the New Year this evening with my parents and a lovely Italian family that we're all friends with. The food alone will be worth celebrating. I'm sure there will be much laughter and chaos like any good gathering of a large group of pisans.

How are you spending the evening?

Have a fun, safe time, whatever you do and wherever you go!

What cute looks like

One of my nieces in the Halloween outfit I got her. How much do you love the wig? Seriously, isn't she so cute your back teeth ache?

Home!

I'm home from my trip to Maryland to visit family, but I came home with a lovely head cold. Seems like every time I fly, I get sick. Ugh.

I do not have, as Hotrod likes to call it, the R2D2 virus. I'm just stuffed up and feeling icky.

The upside of that is I'll be working from bed today.

Have a great day and stay healthy!

Monday comes too often

Actually, I've reverted to diet Pepsi, but you get the idea. I'm still hanging out with family in MD, which is awesome, but Monday is still Monday.

Today my brother and I are dropping his kids off at school, running some errands, putting a bed together, then going to visit my grandfather at the assisted living facility he lives at. He defines cantankerous, so it should be fun. You never know what he's going to say. Like the time he threatened to punch out someone's lights.

What's on your Monday plate?

These are a few of my favorite things

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about favorite childhood toys and the memories surrounding them. Come share!

Bested by the short stacks

After a grueling day yesterday that included both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, numerous rides, several water related games/rides that got me much wetter than anticipated, miles of walking in about 90 degree heat, two stuffed dinosaurs and many drinks/snacks/meals, we arrived home safe and sound.

Immediately after getting into the house, the 2 and 1/2 year old and the 5 year old got a burst of energy unlike anything I'd seen before. I believe they could have run a marathon.

Of course, they spent the day riding in style in a double stroller. Why aren't there strollers for adults? I'm not too proud to ride in one, just saying.

Today will be spent recovering from yesterday.

More family fun

Today we're headed to Universal Studios for big fun with the short stacks. I've never been to Universal with kids this little before (5 and 2 1/2) but both parks (US and Islands of Adventure) seem to offer a lot for kids that age.

I'm sure I'll be needing a nap the same time they do.

Home!

I'm home from RWA Nationals and I'm completely wiped. However, I will be returning to the airport this morning to pick up my dad, mom, brother and his two kids (ADORE!) who are all coming to stay for the week. So, if I'm not around much you know why.

I'll still be doing my best to post some pics and some tidbits about what went on, so don't completely abandon me!

Now I must figure out how to wake myself up enough to make that return drive...extra strength coffee, anyone?

(That pic is the inside of the Orlando airport, in case you were wondering.)

Mi Familia

That's me and my awesome brother, Matt! As you can see, he got most of the Italian coloring. Although I am now much blonder thanks to Vincent and my trip to the salon yesterday. lol

My brother was only here for five days, but it was wonderful to see him and hang out, even if he does like to cannonball into the pool every stinking opportunity he can to splash me.

I miss my brother already. I wish he lived closer. He's a great dad, though, and his kids come first.

Do you have brothers or sisters? Are you close to them?

Eat at Jimmie's

That's what we're doing this morning. And by we, I mean my mom, dad and brother who just got a wild hair and decided to drive down from Maryland on Friday. Hotrod will be headed off to work like a good worker bee.

Jimmie's is sort of a legendary spot around here, especially for breakfast. I've taken my parents there, but not my brother, so today I'll be fattening them up then taking them to Lowes for some home improvement type purchases. Both my dad and brother are home builders, so whenever they come down, I have chores for them. What? That's what family is for.

I'll take pictures of the massive breakfast and report back tomorrow. (You can actually friend Jimmies on Myspace. lol) What are you doing today?

Headed Home

Today's my last day in Maryland. I've had tons of fun and it's been a great visit, but it's time to go home and get back to work. Plus, I miss my kitties!

In other news, my nephew's crayfish molted. That was pretty interesting. The crayfish then proceeded to eat his own exoskeleton. Kinda gross, but to a five-year-old, wicked exciting. Kids really dig the strange and unusual.

I'm-a Leavin' On A Jet Plane...

Hey y'all, I'm probably on my way to the airport by now! I'm headed to the OC, MD area to hang with the 'rents and my favorite brother. Yes, he's also my only brother, but let's not quibble.

Have a great weekend! Hug someone you love. Just saying.

Oh Happy Day!

My house is now empty of all visiting family and in a few short hours, Hotrod will be on the road too.

Don't get me wrong, I love Hotrod's family (most of them anyway), but I'm not used to have kids and babies in my house. Or having to be fully dressed just to go into the kitchen. I like my routine. My cats like their routine.

Granted, in a few days, my parents arrive, but for me, they're much mellower visitors. When he's not fixing something that needs fixing, my dad sits outside and watches the water and the birds. When she's not cooking, my mom sits inside and reads. It's peaceful when they're here.

Speaking of peaceful, can you hear that? It's the sound of silence. Blessed, sweet silence. Ahhh...

Now, I will spend the day writing and at some point, take some time to workout. What are you doing today?

Good Genes

Here's a recent pic of my bro and my darling nephew. What can I say? Good genes run in our family. Hehehe!
And just for the record, my brother is usually better groomed, but they were camping and apparently that renders him incapable of shaving.