Happy New Year!!!

Yes. It's been quite a year to remember.

I've had the wonderful and not-so-wonderful happen.

The wonderful:
I have a teenager in the house now. (Did I put that in the wrong category?)
I have a full-time job (outside writing) that helps pay the bills and promo stuff.
I actually received about eight child support payments. (I knew it wouldn't last, but it was nice while it was there.)
The kids are all happy and healthy.
I've had number one bestsellers on Fictionwise and Whiskey Creek Press.
I'm another year older.
The writing seems to be growing and evolving.

Speaking of writing...What He Wants received FOUR STARS from Romantic Times Magazine (February issue). I won't be able to receive the online review because my subscription doesn't start until January (with the March issue). But I'll be snagging my copy at Waldenbooks and reading what they wrote about my story. Then, of course, I shall be sharing that with y'all.
If you receive the magazine, email me. I'd love to know what they wrote about the book.

Don't know when I'll be able to get back on a computer and blog. Probably after the first.

So, until then...Happy New Year, my lovelies!!!
May it be blessed, bright, and bountiful.
Crystal*

Why I spent Christmas morning in the ER

Well then.

Been one hell of an ending to a year, don't you think? And yes, at 6:30 am Christmas morning, I was in the nearest ER because I'd been throwing up for nine hours straight. A nice shot in the hip (burned like hellfire itself), and I've quit throwing up. Now if I could only take care of the other end.
Ah. Well.

Kids had a great Christmas. And I hope you and yours did, too.

I've spent a bit of time (when not throwing up, sitting on the toilet, or sleeping) putting bits of my life into perspective.
First...I will never, not EVER, eat cream cheese again. Because the second time 'round is NO good for NOBODY.
Second...I won't be attending RT this year, though I had originally planned on it. I think buying another computer first would be best.
Third...it's stuff. And I cope with this on a day-to-day basis. I'll think of something that I used to have and try to readjust my thinking to 1)Realize it's gone. 2)Know it's never coming back.
Stuff. Just stuff.
Fourth...People are fundamentally good. And I have enough Thank You cards to write to prove it. Thank God.
Fifth...the writing will come. My Muse scattered with the ashes of the house, I'm thinking. Because I can't get into the swing of it for anything. Irritating? Yes. But I know it'll come back. Because I still get those little pieces of dialogue/character/story at the oddest times. I'm just scared to open the floodgates when I don't have a trusty desktop to take the load off. Longhand? I think it would be a nightmare. If I can't transcribe from thought to fingertip, I'll lose something in there. So I'll wait a bit on that.

I have no pearls of wisdom. I barely have enough "oomph" right now to type this. But I wanted all of you to know that I wish you and yours the best of holidays and happiest of new years.
Crystal*

Oh yes, my friends, there is a Santa Clause

He left a tin of popcorn on my desk today with four candy canes attached. He's also made sure that my kids have a nice Christmas even though other events would suggest otherwise. AND...(because I'm pretty sure my chickens don't read this)...there is a special surprise for baby chicken on the way. Details as the event approaches. But let me just say that my publisher is one of a kind.

I love the spirit of Christmas. And even though I'm not quite ready to *grin* yet...(*wink* @ Bryan)...I think my spirit is a little stronger.
There is a Christmas program tonight for the elementary children, and I'd be lying if I said I was looking forward to going to the school and receiving all the glances and whatnot. But I suppose that's part of it all.
I haven't gone back to the site of the house. I've put it off and put it off. And just when I think I have a grip, I find that I don't really.
I want to go during the day. It wouldn't be fair to drive-by in the dark and call it good. I need to actually be able to grieve for the walls that no longer stand and the memories made in the house that linger only in my mind now.

So even though there is still more dark than light...I can see the beams shining down and lighting those dark places. A little bit at a time.

Crystal*

One week later...

...it's rather surreal.

We're making do with what we have, but I'm so eternally grateful for the community we live in and our co-workers. I'm simply overwhelmed by the generosity and caring.

I appreciate all you lovely people, also. *waving* I wouldn't know how to put together a PayPal account if my life depended on it. So don't worry about it.

I could sit here and blather on about what I don't have...but I'd rather not.
Here's a list of what I DO have:

Every member of my family.
My favorite pair of underwear. Details not provided. But they are PRETTY.
All our animals, though three of our cats are still MIA.
Both vehicles.
The digital camera that we forget to get out of the van.
My new tennis shoes because I wore them to work that day.
BRAND NEW socks that match from Penney's. And they're FUZZY, too. *dancing*

What more could a girl want?
Crystal*

My house burned to the ground Saturday

I got a call at work Saturday, a little after three, that my laundry room was on fire. I left immediately. A couple of minutes later, my best friend, there with the kids called and said to call 911. I did.

By the time I got to my house, a third of it was burning. I thought to myself...not to bad. We'll lose the last couple of rooms and have smoke damage. A couple of minutes later, half the house was gone. And the fire had spread to the north pasture. The fireman who arrived on the scene had a first priority to stop the spread of flames. I understand this.

My best friend told me to take the kids to our friend's house. She didn't want the kids to see the house burning. I quickly left.

Two of the chickens didn't even have shoes on. One had slippers. We literally lost everything we had in that house. Everything.

I haven't grieved yet. I'm still holding onto my sanity by a shred. And I have yet to see the site where the house used to stand. I don't think I'll handle it all too well.
Do I care about the towels, cd's, etc. that I lost? Not really.

I care about the outfit I brought all three girls home in. I care about the pictures I can never replace. I care about all the homemade gifts that have been made with little hands and big hearts.
And it hurts like hell.

Everyone in this community at our works has been unbelievably kind and caring. Donations of money and clothes are coming in. Food. Help in every shape and form. I'm incredibly grateful, blessed, and humbled by everyone's generosity.

I'm also so damn tired and frazzled that I can't put together a coherent sentence. As soon as I finish one task...six more open up. It's incredibly wearing. I have a horrific headache that won't go away. I'm so tense that every muscle in my body aches.

And the chickens? Safe. And so well-adjusted that they put their Mama to shame. Because, you see, they are grateful for all this stuff. They think we're rich. Because even stuff that has been gently worn or used is new to them. And they embrace it all with an amazing spirit that lifts mine every day.

Me? I have sad eyes. I can feel them aching in their sockets as I try to get a handle on a situation that has taken the floor from underneath me. Sad eyes that wonder when it'll be okay to be happy again and not worry about what tomorrow brings.

I apologize to all the entrants for my contest. My computer is lost. All my files. All my books on it. Everything. So I'll get to you, I promise. But I'm not sure of timeframe.
We're taking it day by day.
So please keep my family in your thoughts. We appreciate it.
Crystal*

I'm not WEIRD! I'm ECCENTRIC!

Thanks for all the well wishes. Have a doctor's appointment Monday morning. *groan*
I'll draw the three winners when I get home this evening. (I get off at 5:00 pm)

Lyvvie has challenged me to write six weird things about myself. I find these little memes fascinating. So without further ado...
Six Weird Things About Crystal (in no particular order or severeness):
1. I remember the most inane, useless stuff. Really. The little factoids that cling to my gray matter with evil intent and probably take the place of stuff I really need to know. *shrug* But who can remember?
2. I have OCD. I've confessed to this before. And no, you don't get to know my magic number.
3. The left sock MUST be put on before the right. I attribute this to years of marching in band where the left ALWAYS came first.
4. I do NOT listen to radio commercials. The ONLY exception being the BC Clark jingle that has been playing on the radio for more years that I've been alive. Ask any Oklahoman to give you a couple of lines, and I guarantee that they can.
5. I have a thing about noses. (Geez. I cannot believe I'm actually sharing this one.)
I love a cat nose. Dog nose. Horse nose. You get my drift. Not quite sure where the nose fetish came from. I'm not so keen on homo sapiens' noses. But there ya go.
6. I will break out into song any damn where I please. Embarrasses the chickens...but that's a perk.
And bonus, um...eccentricities:
1. I don't drink warm pop.
2. I don't let the microwave timer ding.
3. I hate to hear a phone ring.
4. I've actually done my own little "Singin' in the Rain" dance. No details provided.

I'll check in later with WINNER'S Names!!!
Grins*

Just shoot me.

Please.

I've felt like shit the last two days. Actually, I felt crummy Monday afternoon but sucked it up. Tuesday...not so much.
I'm having these horrific pains on my right side. Had to actually break down and call the doctor. Damn it.
The last time I did that...I had my nonfunctioning gallbladder removed. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Now you know why I don't like going to the doctor. Plus...um...I wait until something's really wrong to go. Damn it again.

Professionally...I think we get our EPPIE scores Friday. *fingers crossed* I'm hoping for the best. Let y'all know how it works out.
Take care of yourselves.

Oh. By the way...you guys are GREAT! Loved the comments on my last post. Nanu nanu, indeed.
Grins*

I'm scarred for life

The other day I was messing around with the chickens while they were playing PS2. They said something to me, and I said, "Really?"
The oldest chickens pipes up, "Fa Rizzle."
For those of you who need a little vocabulary update...that loosely translates to "For real."
Where in the hell did that come from?
Why in the name of all that's holy and good did my oldest chicken channel Snoop Dogg? *eye twitch*
Of course, I almost wet my pants because I was laughing. But that's beside the point.

Pop culture seeps through our lives in the oddest of places. And it springs up likewise.
The good, the bad, the ugly.

And although my children wouldn't understand a "Mork and Mindy" reference, I make it my business to understand all of theirs. For obvious reasons. Never can tell exactly what's copacetic and what's harmful.

Fa Rizzle.
Grins*

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

...and so are the chickens.

In cold weather, the consumption of toilet paper, ibuprofen, and food has gone up considerably. Chickens are climbing the walls. The Mama is in her room blogging (hiding). Yeah, I'll make no bones about it.

Yahoo is only sending through about a third of my emails. The fuses in our well are fried (no water). And I'm cranky.
However, this afternoon, all will be right with the world again.
Fuses are being bought as I type this, and I've tried to straighten out the Yahoo snafu. (Ha! I made a funny.)
Meanwhile...back in my subconscious...I couldn't go back to sleep this morning at seven thirty or thereabouts because my mind is on Water Goddess. So that will be filling my time this morning/afternoon.

I just realized that I haven't given away a book or two in awhile. So I'll have a contest for a week. Anyone commenting on this blog through Midnight December 8th CST will be entered. If you comment twice...your name will be entered thusly. (I really do like that word.)

What will you win? Good question. There will be three winners. If you've a mind for naughty, I'm putting up Fall Fires and Christmas Candy. If you'd rather have something a little less spicy, I'll put up The Portrait.
All will be sent in pdf.

And to end this loverly blog, how's about an Okie snowman? And check out that snazzy blue scarf that middle chicken donated.

Grins*