happy last day of 2012!

Well, we made it through another year! Woo hoo!

Hope you enjoyed your celebrations! I saw many happy faces on Facebook. Though I pray for comfort for those who lost loved ones - I know many this month who have.

I immensely appreciated every minute I got to spend with my family. We had a great time at my sister's with cousins and grandparents and played many games and ate wonderful meals! My only regrets were that I didn't get many pictures and that it was way too short!

And tho I was only gone a short time, I'm still catching up! I'll tell you about it in a song...(This has been done before, but this is my rendition)

The Twelve Days After Christmas

On the first day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

A fridge in need of food!

On the second day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Two tons of laundry!

On the third day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Three dozen emails!

On the fourth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Four stacks of junk mail!

On the fifth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Five extra pounds!

On the sixth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Six inches of snow!

On the seventh day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Seven days to New Year's!

On the eighth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Eight hours to sleep in

On the ninth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Nine games of basketball

On the tenth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Ten sales for shopping

On the eleventh day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Eleven chores awaiting

On the twelfth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Twelve hours of editing!

I'm also way behind on visiting blogs. I am trying to rectify that and get my 2013 New Year's Resolutions up this week too! Thanks so much for an awesome 2012! See you next year!

it's all about the ...

TREE

star bright

halls decked out

lights     all   a-glow

reindeer tout

anxious    to   go

presents in their wrap

cocoa     Mrs. Claus    brews

give the whip a snap

thru neighborhoods on cruise

down the  chimney    he descends

enjoys a treat   from thoughtful  friends

homeward route

take flight

wheee!

Merry Christmas!

Sister time

I miss my Sis! I'm so excited to see her if just a few days!

Things have changed so much since we were kids. We grew up with our cousins, knew our aunts and uncles, and our grandparents babysat us. Our lives were so rich.

Now we have had to move here and there, farther away from relatives, uprooted from friends, and I feel we are missing out on quality relationships. So I say again, I miss my Sis! And my parents and nieces and nephews, etc. I am going to cherish these upcoming days.

And since I will be tuning out for the next week or so, I leave you with a list and a request...

My top 10 writerly events in 2012...
10. I went to my first writer's conference and had a face to face pitch
9.  I saw one of my favorite books, The Hunger Games, turned into a movie
8.  I also saw the culmination of the legendary Harry Potter series, final movie
7.  I got a short story published in Bewildering Stories e-zine
6.  I finished my second book at Camp Nano (editing!)
5.  I've been requested a bunch for my banner/caricature making skills - surprising and unexpected!
4.  I co-hosted a successful blog hop with my most excellent new friend and CP, Vikki
3.  I am excited for so many friends reaching writing and publishing goals
2.  I have over 500 followers - thanks!!!

and the number one achievement this year, a fulfillment of my 2012 New Year's Resolution!...

1. I got a publisher!!

2012 has been an awesome year!

And here's the request. If you get bored over the holidays and feel like writing a post, here's a prompt: I'd love to hear your top ten of 2012 - it can be about anything! I've seen some movie choices, book favorites, favorite characters, shows, etc. Have you done anything new and exciting? travel? (hint, hint, Rhonda) Lists are awesome blog posts!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Don't worry, Santa, I got this

So here's the Help the Elf story...
A few weeks ago Pete the Elf had a touch too much Eggnog at the Holiday Christmas Party and as he stumbled home, he lost Santa's NICE LIST. (can you believe!?)

The North Wind scattered the papers to all four corners of the world, and The Bookshelf Muse put out a call to help find them in order to SAVE CHRISTMAS. Ever since I read about it, I've been on the lookout. And then today, EUREKA! Yes that's right...I found part of Santa's missing NICE LIST  There it was, fluttering in the wind, half caught under the corner of my welcome mat. And shock of all shocks, I recognized a name, and I bet you will too.

This is what it said:

NAME: Dana
LOCATION: The Daily Dose
NICE LEVEL: 95%
NAUGHTY LEVEL: 5%
OBSERVATIONS: Dana is a wonderful mom and inspirational blogger. Her only flaws are being overly critical of herself at times and I can't remember the other one.
RECOMMENDATION:     a) Coal                   b) Gift

~ ~ * ~ ~

Because poor Pete is dashing all over the place trying to hunt down the rest of Santa's missing Nice List, I decided to take care of this one myself.

Dana, I have known you since the beginning of my blogging journey and you've stuck around all this time always leaving me a kind word. Someone I can always count on. Can't thank you enough! Enjoy the gift I sent to your inbox and have a wonderful Christmas!

Photo credit: assorted gold baubles (christmasstockimages.com) / CC BY 3.0

And to bring a little family fun to the holiday season, my Sensational Haiku Wednesday -

Families are...

Insane, idyllic,

Irritating, intricate,

Irreplaceable

Sure security,

Sheltering sanctuary,

Sharing soothing smiles

Dynamite Dads, Brave- 

hearted Brothers, Sweet Sisters

Magnificent Moms

Enjoy your family and friends! Merry Christmas!

only a week til Xmas!

Are you ready? Shopping done? Everything all wrapped up with a bow on top?
I'm close. Picking up a couple more things today and waiting on packages...hope they get here in time!

Plus I have to get my Secret Santa Writer a gift with the Help the Elf project brought to you by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi over at the Bookshelf Muse We reveal our recipients on 12/19!

There are so many generous writers out there giving stuff away and encouraging us to do the same...

If you are looking for a gift to give or get, make sure you check out Angela & Gwen's Holiday Indie Giveaway

Brinda Berry is giving away a book trailer! If you don't have a book ready for that, it would be a great gift for one of your friends who might need one!

And don't forget, David P King is giving away a blog makeover to celebrate his 800+ followers on 12/20!

And lastly, if you're struggling with what to get your writer friends, Chuck Wendig has a nifty, or is that naughty? list of 25 gifts to get a writer for Xmas.

hairy feet and pointy ears

That's what hobbits are known for, right?
Tyrean & Mary are so excited about the Hobbit movie, they made a blogfest for it! Thanks, ladies! I'm excited too! It's been so fun to reminisce my youthful experience as I read this classic with my boys at bedtime.

Here are the Hobbit Fest questions and my answers...

What is your favorite hobbit characteristic/or the one that you think closely resembles you . . .?
Well, I am NOT a neat freak and I am NOT good at baking and cooking. (yes, I am a poor example of a housewife, oh well) But I do like to eat and I am pretty stubborn and down right ornery sometimes. And I love a challenge!

If you could choose between a scrumptious second breakfast and a perilous unexpected journey – which would you prefer?
That is such a tough choice! Can I make my 2nd breakfast to go? As long as I have a wizard and some sturdy companions with me, I'll go! I could use an adventure!

Have you ever left behind something on a journey (expected or unexpected) and wished you could have it over and over again? (a pocket handkerchief?)
Can't think of anything. Our vacation motto is, if we forget something we need, we can buy it.

What is your Favorite part or quote from the book that you hope will be in the movie?
"Short cuts make for long delays." J.R.R. Tolkien, THE HOBBIT
How true it can be, though I'm the biggest short cutter around!

And here is my hobbity diva (couldn't resist!)

Happy Friday!

Worth Saving?

Things worth saving:

• your family!
• your pets!
• your friends!
• your files!
• how bout the rest of the world?

Tough question! And that is what Akara must decide in Kelley Lynn's upcoming YA Fantasy release, FRACTION OF STONE. Comes out March 21, 2013 from Sapphire Star Publishing. Look at the pretty cover!!!

Here is the blurb - 

Wind tunnels, torrential rains and earthquakes tear apart Casden. The cause of the world’s imbalance is unknown, but the mounting occurrences suggest there’s little time before life ceases to exist.

Rydan Gale and Akara Nazreth are the only humans with the ability to wield magic. The tattoo on their necks and the discovery of an ancient book, dictate they are the key to the world’s survival.

But the greatest obstacle for saving mankind isn’t the bizarre creatures, extreme betrayals and magic-fearing men hunting them.

It’s that Akara doesn’t believe the world is worth saving. 

The blurb made me picture this...

I love the sound of it! She has the power but doesn't think the world is worth saving! 

Here is a link to the trailer

And here is the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, Kelley!

Kelley's links:

 Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giving back to our Captain Alex!

Time to give back blog hop - Cheers for Alex J. Cavanaugh! Thanks to Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, Stephen Tremp for hosting!

Today we describe what we think the mysterious Alex looks like in 20 words or less - well, I heard a picture is worth a thousand words...

Rockin Starship Ninja Captain!

My name is Cavanaugh and I pilot a Cosbolt. I swear by my IWSG (ionic whirling space generator). Reliable. That’s what she is. Just like my wife, Second Lieutenant Ninja Cavanaugh. I wouldn’t trade my Cosbolt for anything. Not even a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. Well, maybe for that.

Liam Neeson would be a perfect Alex...Isn't it strange that we know hardly anything about this guy except he writes killer sci fi, he loves rock and guitars, and he is blogtacular! I chose Liam Neeson because his roles are versatile, sci fi/fantasy, commanding leaders, and usually a good guy...consider:

Zeus (Wrath of the Titans)

Admiral Shane (Battleship)

Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars)

Hannibal (the A-Team)

Aslan (the Chronicles of Narnia)

The list is long and growing. A worthy comparison!

To add a bit of sweetness, I want to share this great review of CassaStar by Honey!

And one new blogfest to add to your calendar in the new year...

Join LG Keltner's celebration of your beginnings to start of 2013 right!

Yes, 2013 is right around the corner! Is it going to be a bad luck year? I don't even like saying it!

Friday 4 U - Tis the season!

Holly, Jolly, Good Golly, Miss Molly and Fa la la la la, la la la laaa!

Welcome to Friday 4 U, Lazy Housewife - December edition, where I ramble about mundanities and pass on tips for you to use or just chuckle about =) Plus it's interactive! With questions!

Shopping
Grocery shopping is a chore I don't mind, it just eats up a lot of time. (CAUTION! Big but ahead, followed by RANT!) BUT I cannot stand anyone else touching my food. All the stores where I used to be able to scan and bag my own groceries have folded or taken away that option =( I may have to write a letter to Kroger and offer them my services to teach a class on "How to Properly Bag Groceries" - drives me nuts when one bag weighs a ton and others weigh nothing. Equal distribution! And common sense says to put the lighter items on top! Am I asking for too much here? (rant is over, you may proceed)

Speaking of food, holiday parties and meals mean lots of yummies! Here is an easy and scrumptuous appetizer recipe for you!

Orange Cranberry Spread

Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese, 2 Tbsp thawed frozen OJ, 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/8 tsp cinnamon on medium speed until fluffy. Stir in 1/4 Cup finely chopped, dried cranberries. Refrigerate at least 1 hr. Serve with town house crackers. Also delicious on bagels!

Q1 - What is your favorite holiday treat?

Got your gift list checked off? I'm doing well. I love having a list of specific items for my nieces and nephews. Makes shopping so easy. Gift cards are easy too. I like them, but I also like a well thought out gift and that's what I'd rather give too. It's a hard call sometimes.

Q2 - How do you feel about giving/receiving gift cards?

Technology
Gift cards are great online too. You can buy books, music, games, apps, etc. And they have an app for almost everything. Here are a couple of things I wish they had an app for:

1. face matcher - I don't doubt this might happen some day soon. I imagine it to work like a barcode scanner. Scan a person's face and name it in the program, can even match to more info. Then when you see the person again, scan the face and recall it...No more, "What was your name again?"
2. lie detector - No explanation necessary. Great for parents of teens and so many other uses!

Q3 - What would you like to see an app for?

Tips!

• It's sweater weather here in the US! Where do you keep your sweaters? Folded on a shelf? They don't stay neat and tidy for long, do they. And hanging them in a closet gives us shoulder pooches from the hangers!...Here's my suggestion: For light sweaters or any knit shirts, hang them inside out - then the shoulder pooch is on the inside when you wear them!
• And since I'm running out of room, I'll leave you with 5 alternative uses for a top sheet (my boys do not like using them, try as I might to get them to...)
1. couch protector - keep germs off the couch when someone is sick =P
2. fort/tent building - the obvious one and my favorite
3. dog bedding - we have lots of spare sheets to cover the spots where our puppy likes to lie
4. toga!
5. ride for tots - when my boys were 1 & 2, my teenage niece would drag them around the living room on a sheet. they rolled off, and ran back to sit on it again, laughing hysterically. I should post it on youtube!

That wraps up (get it, wrap, xmas =) this edition of LHW! See you next year for the next installment!

Extra! Extra!

(stay in paper boy character and continue reading these headlines!)

Lisa Regan Book Launch Today!

a spine tingling mystery!

Nancy Thompson's Mistaken on W4W!

a totally twisty thriller!

W4W = Writers 4 Writers and it is finally open!

This wonderful concept was invented by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Christine Rains. They had the genius idea to
• Help writers bring awareness of their books
• Drive new traffic to their blog and increase following
• Create verbal and viral buzz.

How do they intend to do this you ask?
Every month, one to three spotlighted authors will choose a social media and on the selected day, the authors will post pre-written Tweets on their blogs.  At your convenience, simply copy and paste Tweets into Twitter. Or go to #W4WS on Twitter and Retweet other Tweets.

And for Facebook, the authors will also post an image of their book along with a short blurb and a link to Kindle on their blog. We help each other by sharing the link with FB friends and Writers' Groups.

That’s an incredibly large new audiences the author could not reach on their own.  Imagine a hundred bloggers over a few days Tweeting and sharing links for new books and reaching thousands of new people! Sounds exciting! Can't wait to see how it goes for Nancy!

A Happy Scrooge!

Welcome to December's IWSG!

First, my cool publisher, Curiosity Quills, recently spotlighted IWSG and its supa star inceptor Alex C! Check it out!

Now on to today's topic.
For the past year or so I have only posted my fears and doubts for our group sessions (there are so many to choose from!) But this month I'd like to spread some happy around! Though sometimes I feel I might come across as too perky. So I'm going to tell you a little about me...

At home, IRL, I am usually stressed and cranky. Being a mom to teens is like being a prison guard - no respect and they try to get away with as much as possible. I hate nagging and repeating myself, not to mention cleaning up after everyone, cooking for picky eaters, and dealing with a crazy, ever changing schedule...See? Cranky stress.

Then, when my chores are done (or when I need a break from them - they're never done!) I write. My escape from the mundane. It's heaven, even if only in small increments most days. And my favorite thing about writing is you guys! Communicating with writers and readers!

So though you may feel the need to roll your eyes at all my smiley faces and exclamation points, please realize that my Pollyanna attitude is sincere! This is my happy place! =)

I hope you take some happy with you today! Where is your happy place? I know you all can relate to this positive atmosphere. It's a wonderful place to go you get stuck, seek advice, or receive yet another rejection...keep writing!

There are a couple more things I wanted to mention...

Please congratulate David P King and his 800 followers! and he's giving away blog makeovers!

Special happenings tomorrow and don't forget the fests coming up!

I leave you with my Sensational Haiku Wednesday on avarice (I had to look it up and remind myself what it meant...)

Miss Scrooge?

She hunts in pockets,

crevices, and piggy banks

No treasure is safe

There isn't enough

She needs more to satisfy

insatiable urge

Her desire is not

avarice, she needs cash for

delivery boy!

Nicely Naughty

Good Monday to you! and Happy December!

I just had to participate in this silly blog hop - "And you are...?" hosted by Emily and Tammy - it's a hoot! Here are the questions...

1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?

4, 2 in Florida and 2 in Georgia...ah well, I like to go fast.

2. Can you pitch a tent?

sure, I'm mechanically inclined =)

3. What was your worst vacation ever?

first son's first birthday in Disney World, we had no idea why his fever wouldn't go down and he was so cranky until we took him to urgent care. Ear infections in both ears - we spent the majority of the vacation in our room...

4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?

I don't usually spend that much, my computer I guess

5. We're handing you the keys to what?

Time machine!!!!! (can't believe I let that typo go all day yesterday!)

6. What was the last meal you cooked that made even you sick?

I experiment a bunch and usually like what I make, but I remember once I didn't only I can't remember what it was...

7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like  ____?

she likes cheesecake (not good at fat jokes...)

8. What was your first car?

from my parents - 78 blue Celica, bought on my own - 90 blue Celica

9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first?

if it's not too serious, then I laugh while I ask...

10. What's the worst song ever?

Baby, Baby, Baby by Justin Beiber


And to be extra nice, I want to announce the launch of MAKE BELIEVE - a collection of enchanting and exciting fantasy stories by J.A. Belfield, Jennifer M. Eaton, J. Keller Ford, Terri Rochenske, Kelly Said, and Lynda R. Young!


Kelly is one witty ninja

&

Lynda has some great writing posts on her popular blog!

Purchase info can be found on their publisher's website:

J Taylor Publishing