I love holiday anthologies. Until my thousand year-old landlord threw them out (and it was my fault–I’d left them in his basement too long), I had quite a collection. So I am starting my collection anew with this book, featuring fellow Risky and awesome friend Amanda McCabe (whose nickname cannot be revealed here, but not because it’s naughty, just because):

I am in the land o’ the lakes, basking in the no-nonsense love of my relatives (”We like you. You’re one of our favorite relatives. It’s hard to believe you’re so normal, given your mom.” Which is better than what some of her other siblings say, such as “I can’t believe Abby’s still alive.” (my mom doesn’t take great care of herself.))

My son is out power-washing the deck with my uncle. How much more suburban does it get?

I am contemplating getting to bed not too late and having time to write my synopsis, which a new kick-ass friend just bitched me out about (”Wait. So you’re holding your career up writing this other thing because you don’t want to write a synopsis?” “Uh. Yeah, I guess so.” “You know how dumb that is, right?” “Uh. Yeah, I guess so.” Notice what a sparkling reply I give.).

Then onto something resembling a career, right?

After some sleep. And, perhaps, a little Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt.

Visit Marianne Mancusi and Liz Maverick to see me in pure idiocy. And to see very nice pix of MM, LM, EKM and Leanna, whose birthday we were celebrating.

I don’t feel so bad anymore, though, ’cause of your nice comments, and the ebbing of time (Cindy, the story about your friend asking for more is just mind-boggling. WTF? I don’t think I’ve ever been so rude).

I sent my agent the partial of Road to Desire/On Bold Adventure on Sunday; we’ll see what she says. It’s much more traditional romance-y than That Subtle Knot/Road to Passion, but it’s still edgy.

I started reading Lover Enshrined yesterday. Already love it, already have rolled my eyes in several places. Isn’t that what a guilty pleasure is all about?

So, in a once-in-a-millennium event, I went out last night with a group of friends. It was fun, but the best part mighta been right before the main event:

Bartender, asking me and my friend where we were going next: What’s after this?

Me and Friend: Jekyll & Hyde.

Bartender: No, really. Where are you going?

Us: Really.

Bartender: Where’s your friend from?

Me: You’re gonna say New Jersey or something, right?

Bartender: Or Connecticut. Some place like that.

Us, sighing: Yeah. Jekyll & Hyde.

So despite Friday’s Riskies post, I didn’t actually start writing Road To Desire–I did start reading a friend’s book, which I am loving (for feedback, not just ’cause I love to read), and did a whole bunch more HouseWork, to which Amanda can attest.

And I figured out what my heroine looks like. And the first line, and the first scene. So I will start actually writing when I have finished said friend’s book and life is a smidge calmer, probably tomorrow.

Amanda’s visit was lovely, I think our Beau Monde workshop this summer is going to kick serious booty. Go us!

It’s the best feeling to walk into a bookstore and pick up a friend’s book. Yesterday, I went to the B&N in midtown and got a copy of Deb Marlowe’s Scandalous Lord, Rebellious Miss:

And I’ve got Meljean Brook’s Demon Night on order from Amazon:

I also, unfortunately for the TBR pile, went to TWO libraries and checked out a total of four books. What is wrong with me?!? I’ve got plenty of unread material here, why must I get MORE?

To the in-laws this weekend, wish me luck. And wine.

1. My Marie Claire essay got approved, so is going to run in March, I think.

2. I wrote yesterday, am in the middle of the second of last three (plus epilogue) scenes. I WILL be done by Friday, or heads (namely, mine) will roll. Not that I have two heads, but ‘head will roll’ sounds weird.

3. Almost all of the Christmas discs have been uploaded into the Mac. If played continuously, all the music we’ve got on the computer would play for 143.8 days (thanks for giving me the scoop on that info, Goedi. I didn’t realize that data meant that). I wonder how much you would actually like?

4. I wore a dress on Saturday. No-one mocked my knees.

5. I have a new friend. No nickname yet, though.

6. I am seeing the faux critique group this week. ANOTHER IN-PERSON EVENT, and I am looking forward to it.

7. Steak is for dinner tonight!

8. The Super-Smart Lawyer is coming over this weekend to see a bad movie and drink red wine.

9. The Son is getting what he most wants for Christmas.

10. I got a refrigerator. Yay!

11. And this book:

One of my closest mom-friends I’ve known since our sons were in pre-K. They’ve been friends ever since, and now they are both finally in the same class again.

It was just her birthday, and the Hates To Socialize With Stupid People, so Likes These Folks Spouse and I went to the friend’s house for her celebration. I brought her a copy of the Introvert and the Extrovert In Love, which I thought was funny, because she is Miss Chatty, and her husband (whom I like a whole heckuva lot, too) is Mr. Dour.

Apparently, I thought it was funnier than they did. I am so in the doghouse. He is not an introvert, it seems, just a moody Irish faux- bordering on near-alcoholic. My bad.

I shouldn’t be allowed to parties after all.

CindyS tagged me for this screenshot doo-hickey.

Here’s how you play:

A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop. It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun. You can do a screen capture by going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right
side of the F12 key). Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste (CTRL + V).If you wish, you can “edit” the image, before saving it.

B. Post the picture in your blog. You can also give a short explanation on the look of your desktop just below it if you want. You can explain why you preferred such look or why is it full of icons. Things like that.

C. Tag five of your friends and ask them to give you a Free View of their desktop as well.

D. Add your name to this list of Free Viewers with a link pointing directly to your Desktop Free View post to promote it to succeeding participants.

I tag:
Hm. EKM, Abby, Arlene, Jennie, and Colleen.

The list of Free Viewers so far is:

iRonnie - I Set No Corner
Thess - Thesserie
Rebecca - Skippy Heart
Knoizki - A Dialogue With K
Beng - Kauderwelch
Tina- My Good Finds
Rachel - Heart of Rachel
Alice - Hello, My Name Is Alice
Julia - Julia’s Books Corner!
Darla - Nichtszusagen
Marg - Reading Adventures
Holly - What Were you Expecting?
ames - Thrifty Reader
Dev - Good Reads
CindyS - Nocturnal Wonderings
Megan - Frampton Comes Alive!

I know I don’t need to explain why I chose this picture. Plus I love that olive-y, kinda puke-y green color. And I hate a cluttered desktop, hence the minimal amount of icons (you should see the Spouse’s! Makes me shudder).

Aw! The Delightful Phone Friend not only resized the photo below (ring/”Hello?”/”One of these days I’m going to have to teach you how to size photos properly”/”but then you wouldn’t call!”), but she mentioned our amazing, FABULOUS (her word) friendship here.