The Saucy Scribe

So we have new kitten in the house this holiday season. After 48 hours, here’s a list of 13 ways our lives have changed since the arrival of Oreo.

1. New kitten = a trip to pet store. Can you say money? Like to see money evaporate from your wallet in the blink of an eye? One trip to outfit the cat and you’ll get a quick taste. I keep trying to remind myself most of these purchases are one time only – like the litter box, cat carrier, etc…

2. I get to see my children! – Well, that’s actually a lie. The cat gets to see them more than I do. They get off the bus and smother the cat with affection, the video games have been stagnant since the kitten came home.

3. Keep an eye on the parakeet. Poor Buddy the parakeet, he sits in his little cage while the cat sits on the floor licking his chops. Sorry, kitty – but bird was here first and he’s not dinner.

4. Hey, is that coffee for me? – I didn’t know cats liked coffee, but this little guy has been trying desperately to get his face in my over-sized coffee mug for the last two days. Guess he didn’t get the memo that there are some things Mommy doesn’t share!

5. Pet me. NOW. – My little kitten is so affectionate, he’s contantly at my side looking for head rubs, body rubs and even rubbing his wet nose against mine. – too cute!

6. We’ve adopted a motor boat - I’ve never heard a cat purr so loud – it’s adorable!

7. Forget snacking while watching TV - last night it took me ten minutes to get him to stop jumping on my lap to help me eat the slice of cake I cut for myself. Forget the tea. It was next to impossible to eat with one hand held high of over my head to keep him from getting the cake and the other covering my hot teacup so he wouldn’t stick his face in my tea.

8. Cat watching 101 - Our new favorite past-time. We watch the cat run up the stairs, down the stairs. Leap off tables and the backs of chairs with the ease of an accomplished trapeze artist.

9. Keyboard antics - I think it took the kitten about 1 hour to discover my computer keyboard…now he parks himself there while all sorts of characters show up in my manuscript. This is going to take some getting used to. Any suggestions from you cat owners out there?

10. Monitor fun - Add chancing down the cursor on my monitor to the antics above and it looks like writing is going to take even longer that it did before. Now that I can’t see the screen since a little cat head is busy bouncing as the cursor moves across the screen…

11. Kitty kisses - This not being the first cat we’ve had – I can’t believe how affectionate this little guy is. He follows me around the house like a puppy – he loves to climb up on my computer desk, put his paws on my shoulders and rub his face against mine…and his little wet nose? Who can resist when he wants to rub noses with me?

12. Hide my chocolate? – Okay I forgot that chocolate is not good for animals (which is probably good, cause like I said before – I don’t share some things very well) – but hide it? No more tossing the candy bar on the desk so I can nibble as I daydream my plot and premise issues? Come on, this could be a problem.

13. No place is safe. Warm towels from the dryer, folded laundry or just a spot on the couch – no place is safe from the kitty. When he claims his spot to take a catnap, he’s just too adorable to move. Last night he crawled into my lap while watching TV (after my snack was finally done!) and slept forever – sprawled out, head in the lap.

Awww…I think we’re in love!

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Hmmm…Get a load of those dimples!

So, while thinking about my man monday for today, I had a few possibilites.  Then the other night I happened to catch the latest christmas movie on the family channel (Holiday in Handcuffs) and knew I had a winner.

First of all the movie is cute.  A holiday romance any romance writer (or probably anyone for that matter) could see the ending to from the very beginning.  It’s got some cute sappy moments, some funny moments and yes, the sap and hopelessly romantic that I am – needed the tissues by the end.

Now, I can’t say Mario has always been on my list of hotties – afterall he’s probably waaayyyy to young for me.  But a few minutes with those dimples and then the rest of the oh-la-la package – well – you can guess.

Happy Monday, girls!

Oh yes, my little chickadees, it’s that time of year again!  It’s time to take stock in what we accomplished (or didn’t) in the year that’s gone by.  It’s now time to look ahead and plan for the future.  So, with that in mind, here’s my list of things I’d like to see get done in 2008! 

1. Get a mamogram – Looks like an odd thing to put first – doesn’t it?  And while I don’t have a family history of breast cancer – I’ve put off getting my baseline mamogram for long enough. (So, now all you family members & friends who remind me ALL the time to get this done, can get off my back!) 

2.  Curb my inner pack-rat – I think our house move this year brought this more into focus for me.  I am a pack-rat.  Maybe not a full-blown hoarder yet, but it’s coming if I don’t get a handle on it now.  It’s hard.  I’ve seen shows on this behavior and at some point many “hoarders” need therapy and medication – I don’t want that to be me.  I will learn to throw stuff out and organize!

3. Exercise – I know it’s important.  I know it’s going to benefit me in the long run, but I’ve yet to actually get off my duff and do it.  I might need a push every now and again, but this year, I’m going to exercise! 

4. Up my patience level. Yup – a tough one for me, cause if you know anything about me – I have no patience for stupidity, for people who don’t think and act for themselves, for anyone on the pity train well past their time to get off, etc. etc. etc… I think I can be more tolerant. (Okay, I might need earplugs or become blind – but it’s worth a shot, right?)

5. Keep my agorophobic tendancies from overwhelming me. Yup, there it is, I’ve said outloud.  I’m agorophobic.  I go out of my way to stay home.  My family and friends have begun to call me and invite me OUT and force me to make plans.  When I think about it, I see that this could be a problem – but when I’m home (writing) I don’t feel the need to leave.  Maybe having my groceries delivered is a bad sign?  I will leave my house and my desk in 2008 on a regular basis.

6. Show my family & friends I love them.  Nope, it’s not enough to toss out the occasional “I love ya” – actions speak louder than words, and let’s face it – life and time is fleeting.  Say it now.  Show it now.  Even if that means letting the writing sit and turning off the computer after dinner to sit and talk.  I think this is a resolution I can handle!

7. Save. Hmmm. We just bought house that needs some work – is this even possible?  I am going to strive this year, to say NO to something impulsive and bank the money instead.  Might just be that second White Chocolate Mocha Latte at Starbucks, but it’s a start, right?

8. Submit second novella. Since at the writing of this resolution list, I plan to have my first novella sealed and out the door by the end of the year – I’m going to plan to write a second in the latter half of 2008.  

9. Start and Finish my planned novel.  My next idea is brewing and I’ve begun plotting in my head – which hopefully will make it to my plot board by January 1. 

10. Procrastinate Less. I’m laughing as I write that – is that a bad sign?

11. Be a better critique partner – Surprise, surprise, I can be quite blunt and honest in my critiques.  Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but a little praise goes a long way.  I can do better in balancing the negative with the positive.  Hear that girls?

12. Have more confidence in myself – In my writing as well as every other aspect of my life.  I have many good points, it doesn’t do anyone any good to dwell on their faults for too long.  I need to have more faith in my own ability as a writer, stand on my own and not allow others to water down my voice. (I am NOT saying any of my critique partners do this, it’s my own weaknesses I’m talking about here!)

13. Expect success! – I will send out queries.  I will send out partials, which will lead to sending out fulls and finally becoming a published author!  I can dream it, I can do it!

So what’s on your resolution list for 2008?

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Your Holiday Stress Level is Moderate

The holidays sometimes stress you out, but mostly because they wear you down.Take it easy! You can have a fun holiday without running yourself ragged.

What’s Your Holiday Stress Level?

Why am I posting a blogthing quiz on my blog?  Could it be that the holidays have taken their toll and I’m in a tizzy?  YES!

I’m really trying to get my novella done before the holidays, so I can relax while the kids are off from school (and with a little of Santa’s magic, possibly be adjusting to life with a new little kitten…fingers crossed here, cause the hubster is totally against a kitten in the new house.)

I’m almost done with my shopping.  I haven’t even started the baking.  And not to mention I feel like my blogging well, is well, dried up!  So enjoy the quiz, don’t be shy – post me a comment and let me know what your holiday stress level is!

I’ve been a Johnny Depp fan way back to “21 Jump Street”, but for me, Captain Jack Sparrow is it. Of course I ran out and got my copy of Pirates 3 last Tuesday – did you? I’ve always loved a good pirate romance, I’m so glad this movie took off the way it did and Jack was back 3 times!

Enjoy and happy Monday!

This Christmas meme is from Kristen Painter. So blame her for getting it started, and Jennifer can now share the blame as she tagged me!. And away we go:

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate. IS A TIE ALLOWED?  I love my eggnog, love it spiced with rum…but, who can pass up the chocolate?

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree?  Wrap ‘em up baby!  Nothing like the sound of presents being ripped open, paper flying and the mess on the floor!

3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? We decided to go with an artificial tree this year and bought one pre-lit with hundreds of white lights!  It’s the first year we’ve gone “white” and we put the colored lights outside.  Love it!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  Sometimes, if I can find it in the stores and if I have just the right place to put it.

5. When do you put your decorations up? We usually start the weekend after Thanksgiving.

 6. What is your holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Corn Souffle – my kids eat it like it’s candy.  It wouldn’t be a holiday without it!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child. Baking Christmas cookies with my Grandmother and putting up the tree with my family.  It was an artificial tree my parents still have (going on 40 years now!)  We’d dance to Christmas music on the stereo, we’d pull the branches out of the box and pass them assembly line style to my Dad, who then put the tree together.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I was about 8 or 9.  But I had a younger brother and sister, so half the fun was playing along for them.  So, I was well into my teens by the time no one in the house believed.  It always made the season just a little more magical to think of flying reindeer and someone giving just for the joy of speading happiness and good will.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? YES!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? This year with white lights, lots of tinsel, ornaments the kids have made and lots of lenox and precious moments ornaments!  And of course, the yearly ornament we buy to commerate something special – this year it will be buying the new house!

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? HATE it!

12. Can you ice skate?  I used to go skating all the time, but it’s been years, so I have no idea if I can still skate or not. 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I’d have to say my first christmas with hubby when we were dating and he bought me a fur coat – I knew the poor guy was doomed! 

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Spending some quality time with the family and buying presents.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Cheesecake and cookies!!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Decorating, christmas carols and watching all the sappy holiday movies! 

17. What tops your tree? It’s always been an Angel.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I know, I know, but I’d say this is a tie.  I love to see the faces of those I buy for – the kids especially.   But, man, I do love to see something for me under the tree on Christmas morning too!  (Does that make me bad?)

19. What is your favourite Christmas song? “Do you hear what I hear?”.

20. Candy canes. Symbolic and decorative, minty and love to make mine into a little point at the end and stab people as they walk by me (I’m evil that way!).

21. Favourite Christmas movie? Hand’s down – It’s a Wonderful Life. 

22. What do you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk.  (Last year, I think we put out the bottle of scotch too!)

Okay so as with any meme – I’ve got to pass this little gem on to a few of my favorite bloggers.  Here ya go girls – Merry Christmas.  I’ll be hopping over to these blogs to see their answers!  Gina, Angelle and Jennifer.

Let’s get the holiday season off to a great start!

Happy Monday!