My house almost burnt last night

Yesterday, about five o'clock, there was a frantic honking in my driveway. A man and wife in two different vehicles were warning everyone around here about a grassfire that was right down the road. And it was headed in our direction. I freaked out for about three minutes and then started directing traffic.
Told the kids to shove their clothes and favorite toys into bags and to start loading. I had my best friend take my computer apart and grab it. I grabbed all my backup discs and purse. The kids were frantic, and we had to keep calming them down. I called one of our other close friends (THANK YOU, BETSY!!!) and told her what was going on. She said supper was on the stove.
We had to run to the gas station for something and by the time we topped the hill by our house, we could see flames above the trees.
It's dry here. We're ten inches below normal rainfall, and when I say I live in the middle of a hayfield, I'm NOT lying.
We load up four cats (2 in a carrier together and 2 free) and 1 dog (THANK YOU, MATT!) and boogie over to Betsy's house.
There is a four way stop that is a 1/3 of a mile N of my house. Then it all slopes downhill until you get to a small highway. It's 2 1/4 miles from my house S to the highway. A mile and a half down my road is a propane place. I don't know if refinery is a right word, but it's got all the equipment and whatnot. The firefighters around here were working frantically to not let the fire get that far because if it did...BOOM! That would pretty much be all she wrote.
I live in a tiny town with a volunteer fire department. There were neighbors, firefighters from all around, and residents who pitched in to help. It was truly a group effort.
When they got that under control...or so they thought...a person up the highway had 70 haybales catch on fire.
There were probably around four or five fires just in my small little town. One was caused by a downed power line because of the wind. It reached up to 66 mph here.

I am very thankful that my children, my furry children, and my work survived this ordeal. You just never know when something like this may occur. Right now, I'm still wound up on nerves. But soon enough I'll tumble into bed and hope like hell it rains.
Crystal*

For the future

I've given this a lot of thought. And here's what I have. Something triggered this in me the other day.

When I was young, I would run willy-nilly and not care where I ended up. I would laugh long and loud with my head thrown back and ear-splitting shrieks. Snorting was acceptable. I would say "Hi" to strangers and smile at everyone. My socks wouldn't match, and I wouldn't care. Chocolate was an acceptable meal at any given time. I wore the gaudiest dollar store jewelry with pride. Coloring a paper might take a whole day, and I loved the way it looked.

But somewhere around twelve, I changed. I no longer showed my emotions. For some reason, I started to hide them. My body changed. My feelings changed. I was confused. And I didn't like being uncomfortable in my own body. Some people became mean. Some people would make promises they didn't keep. I wanted to trust but was afraid. This lasted until I was thirty.

At around thirty, I changed again. The laughter came back. I painted my toenails each a different color. I got two tattoos. I would dye my hair to match my mood. I wore what I wanted to. I held open doors for strangers and thanked everyone for every small kindness. I began to appreciate my differentness instead of wearing it like an invisible stigma.

People still confuse me. But I'm well with myself. Those eighteen years between twelve and thirty are lost. And I just thank God that I came back to the child I thought I lost all those years ago. So that is my thought for the future.

Don't just embrace the inner child. Show them the sunlight. Let them pick out your clothes.
And for God's sake...let them laugh.
Grins*

Three in a row

I remember a time, not so long ago, where I would actually blog twice in one day. *snort*
Them days are LONG gone.

Today wasn't half bad. I didn't leave the house. *cheering* So I actually wrote on one of my many manuscripts. Plus I moved several MS Works to MS Word. It works for me.
Tomorrow will be hectic. I have a doctor's appointment (I SO do not want to go. Anybody want to bet on whether I get water pills for my high blood pressure? grrrrrrrrrr) I also need to take my flat tire and have Wally World fix it. I need to zip into town and see if I can pick up Harry Potter tickets early or if I have to wait.
I could rant on and on and on right now. But I'm tired, and I flat don't feel like it.
I think everyone in this house has got the "blah's" quite frankly. Maybe a movie will help.

Here's a cyber throw to all of us that are gonna freeze our arses off tonight.
Grins*

Lalalala

Yep, that's me. And I'm singing. Lalalalalalalala

Just 'cause I feel like it. Here's the rundown of the good stuff.
I have MANY releases due out next year. WOOHOO!

Virtually Yours Available Now Whiskey Creek Press
LOVE Anthology January 2006 WCP
Winter Wishes Anthology January 2006 Whiskey Creek Press Torrid Line
Perfect Timing February 2006 WCP
Spring Flings Anthology April 2006 WCP Torrid Line
What He Wants June 2006 WCP Torrid Line
The Portrait July 2006 WCP

I might have a couple more short stories out at the end of the year, but I don't think I'll have any more novels. Of course, I'll have three full novels out anyway. So that should work itself out. I'm still in progress on one I wanted to be through with by the end of this year. But I don't know if that's happening or not. This year is FLYING!!!!!
I've run around like a crazy woman yesterday and today. Finally got the PE situation worked out with my youngest chicken. Apparently she's Gifted and Talented...which no one shared with me until today. *shaking head*
So she'll be doing work on the computer to broaden her cranial horizons. Doesn't bother me a bit.

Harry Potter will be out Friday! OMG...the chickens are beyond happy with that one. So we'll be going to check that out. Probably have to camp out to get tickets. Ought to be a GOOD one.
And I've actually blogged two days in a row. *thud* Wonders never cease.
Grins*

Lost: Organizational brain cells

Okay. That does it. My memory has left the cranial building.
I don't know WHAT has happened. But my organizational skills are non-existent. And I'm wondering why.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
I'm sure everyone around me is thinking...OMG! What a twit!
But really...I'm not. I'm just organizationally challenged right now.
Every little aspect in my life feels like a struggle right now. I think it may be related to my sinus infection that I have left over from my flu that my doctor chose not to give me antibiotics for. And I think this is related to my blood pressure issues. *sigh*
I'm just exhausted right now. And I absolutely hate feeling like this. And when in the blue hell did it become the middle of freakin' November? *glaring at calendar*
This year has been one whirlwind for sure.
So I'm just checking in...and asking for patience if I haven't visited in awhile or emailed you back. My synapses...they aren't what they used to be.
Grins*

Me and Billy Blanks

You know...I have a love/hate affair with Billy Blanks. You might know him as the Tae-Bo guy. Rather attractive, muscular dude that is a world champion ass-kicker.
I used to do one of his tapes almost everyday. And I could SEE the difference. And I've gotten WAY out of practice. So I thought I would give it a go again. *sigh*
He's great. It's a great workout. But I find myself calling him everything but a fitness instructor. My favorite being "you twisted ass" when he expects me to double time some kicks that leave me looking highly unattractive with the mother of all wedgies.
But I've committed myself this time. *snort* Funny how I use the word "committed." I'm seriously thinking I need to be at times.
I worked out today. Did some free weights. Yada yada yada. Let's see if I can keep up this time.

Now for a rant. Ya know, I'm rather sick of people with attitude problems. Really. There is a teacher at school that thankfully has pared down her workload. She has an attitude problem. She likes to yell. Combine that with my baby chicken who ALSO has an attitude problem. Get the picture? It is NOT a pretty one.
It's like seriously refereeing two children. But the adult has the advantage. She has the principal in her corner. Here's a few problems that I've encountered JUST THIS YEAR with the teacher.
1. She yells. A lot.
2. There is no discipline in that class. I've witnessed that firsthand. And thus...the yelling.
3. For some unknown reason, she lets other children get away with not having notes for sitting out in PE. Never mind that my child isn't one of them. She needs a note for everything.
4. Some little girl kicked my chicken's PE shoes and stuff out of her locker. And the teacher yelled at MY CHILD for not finding her shoes. I believe that the other little girl needed to be talked to.
5. The teacher has the principal in her corner telling my child that she's rude and won't be allowed to go back into PE.
Over my dead, freaking body. The principal, I'm sure, doesn't care for me much either. I have SEVERAL issues with the school this year. It's simply falling apart under pathetic leadership in several areas.
So I'll be going up Monday and letting them know we need to conference. I can work on my child's attitude problem at home. And believe me, we talked at length this evening. But there is also another attitude problem that needs to be addressed. I don't care HOW old she is.
This is the same teacher that I sat in front of at a Christmas program who badmouthed every teacher at the school. I was appalled.
So Monday ought to be ALL kinds of fun.

On a professional note...I wrote about 1800 words on another erotic romance short story. I hope to finish it by a week from now, polish, and send off. The entries...they are piling up for these anthologies. The second one has already been closed due to all spots being filled.
Have a great day!!!
Grins*

Yep, it's that time again

Hello everyone!
It's that time of year again. BOOK FAIR! And yes, I'm working a couple days this week to cover SOME of the costs of my kids' books. Little heathens. *laughing*
I worked 8-3 yesterday, and I'm working the same hours Wednesday. I absolutely love it. Nothing like a bunch of children running around and getting excited about books.
Plus, I get to embarrass my children at will. It's a win-win situation. I think I'm 2 for 3 right now. But then again, I'll be back Wednesday.

I handwrote 13 pages yesterday in between spurts of children. So I'm pleased with that, also. Now I just need to transfer all my writing onto the computer file. I was going to go back to bed this morning, but I don't see that happening now.

It's lovely here. Around eighty today. Seventy-three tomorrow. I love this weather. I'm simply hoping that winter won't bite us in the butt in another month or so. One week of a hard freeze to kill the bugs, and then I'm ready for the leaves to start growing again.

And Christmas? OH. MY. GOD. Um...first of all, the kids don't even really know what they want. Of course, the middle chicken has a BRATZ list. Because that's just how she is. The baby chicken wants one thing that she can think of. So I have to laugh. I think it's a twenty dollar toy from KMart. That one's in the bag. The oldest chicken probably wants more PS2 games.
I think we're going to go for a couple of bigger gifts they can all share this year. Electronics perhaps or something of the like. But where has the time gone? It's NOVEMBER!!!
*checking calendar and trying not to faint*
It's one month and seventeen days until Christmas. I know. I know. But I just had to share that. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Grins*

It's not a good thing...

...when your blood pressure is higher than your IQ. *laughing*

Went to the doctor today. Apparently the blood pressure is high again. What a pain in the arse. I mean, really. I've got bigger fish to fry. Hell. It's just so bloody inconvenient.

I haven't written in about two weeks. *gasp* *wheeze* I HATE that. I need to get my butt in gear and finish at least another contemporary before the end of this year. I'm about 25,000 in on one of them. I want to finish it soon. That would require the "butt in chair" method. Ya know. Being horizontal just doesn't seem to help.

Going over to a friend's tomorrow to visit and to contribute to her yard sale. This weekend is still kind of in the air. Don't know what's cooking yet. But I can't believe it's already November, and I haven't bought ANY Christmas presents yet. *choke* *clutching chest*
Wish me luck.
And have a GREAT weekend!!!
Grins*

Things that suck

Okay people. Just because I'm in a mood right now.

Things that suck:
Children who are ungrateful that I've taken time away from my several hundred emails (most business-related) to help them with their math for the twelfth time.
My sinuses. (Oh man...do they ever. I'm finally breaking down and calling the doctor tomorrow.)
My damn female cat that's in heat. (Now I have to keep the boy out in the cold because she's turned into slut kitty. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr)
All the beepity beep clothes on my damn bed that need to be folded. (Screw a big bunch of them.)
President Bush. (Don't get me started. That man, and I use that term loosely, is a pox on society.)
My Packers. (Ya know. I love Brett Favre. But his team inhales.)
All the dirty dishes in my kitchen. (See note about my clothes. Same goes.)
The headache I've had since last Monday. (Yes! Yes! I'm calling the doctor tomorrow.)
My school's superintendent. (He is the debil. I'm convinced of it.)

And now things that I'm eternally grateful for:
Puffs Plus. (God bless those tissue makers.)
My friends. All y'all. My rotten children. My author friends. My editors and co-workers.
My doctor. (Who, yes, I'm calling tomorrow.)
Over-the-counter medicine. (I need stock in it.)
Chocolate. (By God, I can't taste it. But I know it's there on my tongue.)

And now that I've rambled on incessantly, I'm going back to bed.
Grins*