Today was a beautiful day. I kept my window open most of the day, except when the leaf-blowing outside grew too loud. William and I went for a walk around some blocks and enjoyed the lovely weather. Then we came back home, watched the movie Hitman, and I took a nap. Cash woke me up by sticking her face right in my face and sniffing.
I talked to Mom this morning and it sounds like they're having a great time in California. My aunt and uncle have come for the weekend so it all adds to the fun. My Aunt Leslie made abelskivers (sp?) this morning, a puffy round pancake-type treat made in a special abelskiver pan.
I should be brainstorming about novel concepts and my mind keeps veering away from it. I don't know what my problem is. I am in suspense regarding the agent's response to SEA CHANGE, which I should hear at the end of next week. This is an agent who another agent recommended me to and to whom I sent my pages last June. Then she asked to see the whole manuscript. After that I heard nothing. I wrote her in December and she responded right away saying she'd get back to me soon, but again I didn't hear anything. I reminded myself how busy agents are and waited it out, not wanting to be a pest. Nancy at writing group kept trying to get me to write her again, but I resisted. Finally, I sent her a short email querying the possible location and status of my manuscript. She answered in a nice way, saying she was "ablush with agent embarrassment" and her team would take a serious look at the ms. next week and get back to me. So I'm excited to have someone seriously considering SEA CHANGE, which I had put on a back burner after finishing PHOTOGRAPHIC. Christie has offered to help me sent out pages again now after she's gotten into the groove of motherhood, I guess, and I need to take her up on it. PHOTO needs to be out there and it's all my fault if it's not.
William and I are getting on each other's nerves today. It's just one of those days. It's hard to fix once you get started. Someone accidentally hurts the other person's feelings, then trying to explain it it just gets worse somehow. Usually we're able to work these things out very easily but today, not so much. Maybe if we go on another walk it will help. Walks usually do.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Not asleep
Yesterday we went to Wren and Anthony's for, you guessed it, the transferral of more mead. I don't know if I've mentioned the Great Mead Caper William and Anthony are embarked upon. They are making their own honey wine, called mead, and which is very popular with the Renaissance set. We went to a special store, "Make Your Own Beer and Wine," to buy some supplies, then headed out to their house. I instantly became a bump on a long and fell asleep on their very comfortable couch. Meanwhile Wren went to get a truckload of dirt for her vegetable garden. Then she got another truckload of dirt. Finally it was full (Anthony built a frame for it). Then I woke up and got to see what everyone else had been working on (see effects of insomnia, earlier post). They got about twenty bottles of mead out of their venture, while Wren was watering her garden-to-be. I played with Cutie Pie, their son Elijah, for a little bit, then went outside to see at the garden. It looked beautiful. All that rich dirt.
We had to hustle home, unfortunately missing a tasty spaghetti dinner, to meet Lori, a friend of William's and mine from The Crossings, where William used to work. We met and drove down to Town Lake for a walk, leaving home around seven p.m. The weather was sunny, a bit cool, and quite perfect. We talked about languages, work, and writing. We tried to go to Daily Juice to have a smoothie after, but they had just closed. A smoothie would have been perfect.
I've read the edited version of "Love for Real" again and am not sure how I feel about it. It's in a different style from my earlier writing. More spare. I added in a little description but am not sure if that added to the story. Will have to run in by Writing Group next weekend. We normally meet every other Tuesday, but are making an exception because Mimi has a month-long job.
Right now William is sleeping peacefully while I write this. I woke early as usual. Usually I go back to bed later after I'm sleepy again. Not quite sleepy yet but can't think of anything else to say, maybe because it's an ungodly hour.
We had to hustle home, unfortunately missing a tasty spaghetti dinner, to meet Lori, a friend of William's and mine from The Crossings, where William used to work. We met and drove down to Town Lake for a walk, leaving home around seven p.m. The weather was sunny, a bit cool, and quite perfect. We talked about languages, work, and writing. We tried to go to Daily Juice to have a smoothie after, but they had just closed. A smoothie would have been perfect.
I've read the edited version of "Love for Real" again and am not sure how I feel about it. It's in a different style from my earlier writing. More spare. I added in a little description but am not sure if that added to the story. Will have to run in by Writing Group next weekend. We normally meet every other Tuesday, but are making an exception because Mimi has a month-long job.
Right now William is sleeping peacefully while I write this. I woke early as usual. Usually I go back to bed later after I'm sleepy again. Not quite sleepy yet but can't think of anything else to say, maybe because it's an ungodly hour.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
French toast
William made French toast on this, a Saturday morning. So far my dinner specialty seems to be meatballs and marinara. And okay, I didn't make them by hand. But they're good! This morning I kept up Mom's tradition of washing all the towels on Saturday. Yesterday I did a lot of chores and there were more this morning. It's a fight to keep up with this house. And the cats. Now Xena has started lunging for you if you come in kitty-flight-zone distance. William thinks Cash's almost constant meowing is due to her age. I've decided not to yell at her about it. She didn't used to be that way, so it make sense. It's just that it sets your nerves on edge sometimes, especially when she does a particular plaintive meow that sounds more like a yowl. It's like, what does she want? She's been fed, she has everything (except sometimes a place on my bed, her favorite haunt). She does tend to be quiet when she's up in the bedroom.
Still liking the haircut. It's refreshing to have a change.
Still liking the haircut. It's refreshing to have a change.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Hair cut
Well, I'm back. With my hair cut. I like it very much so far. I haven't washed it or anything and it's been perfectly straight-ironed and styled by Delma so I still have to see how I cope with it. I won't describe it since Mom and Dad are away and I want them to be surprised. Maybe I'll put up a picture later after they get back on the 15th.
It's the weekend but it's already filling up with things to do. Some of them fun things, but still things. William and Anthony are supposed to transfer their mead to bottles tomorrow, William having forgotten we already had plans with Lori to go for a hike. Then we have to go grocery shopping for things you can use eggs for, like quiche recipe ingredients and the makings of banana bread, because we have three, count em, three huge cartons of eggs. One was very kindly given to us by Robin, Wren's mother, from her chickens, but when I accepted it I had no idea we had two monster cartons at home. Maybe we need cake, too. Just to use up the eggs.
It's the weekend but it's already filling up with things to do. Some of them fun things, but still things. William and Anthony are supposed to transfer their mead to bottles tomorrow, William having forgotten we already had plans with Lori to go for a hike. Then we have to go grocery shopping for things you can use eggs for, like quiche recipe ingredients and the makings of banana bread, because we have three, count em, three huge cartons of eggs. One was very kindly given to us by Robin, Wren's mother, from her chickens, but when I accepted it I had no idea we had two monster cartons at home. Maybe we need cake, too. Just to use up the eggs.
Cats on the rampage
The three cats have grown very needy since Mom and Dad left. They seem desperate for attention, and it's impossible to give them as much as they want. Nothing can replace Mom or Dad's shoulders (where Xena like to hang out). She's trying to climb on my shoulder this very minute, but can't because I need two hands to type.
I'm getting my hair cut today, and I am very, very afraid. The idea of chopping off my long hair after having it in pretty much the same style for ten years is scary. I'd like it to have more of a style, rather than hanging there all the time. I will have to consult with my hairdresser about this. After looking through magazines I've concluded every star, with the exception of one or two, have long hair like mine, so that didn't help much. I don't know if I'll go for shoulder-length or a shorter bob. Like I said, scary.
Now Xena is tapping my face with her paw, claws only a quarter of the way out. I think she wants shoulder time.
I'm getting my hair cut today, and I am very, very afraid. The idea of chopping off my long hair after having it in pretty much the same style for ten years is scary. I'd like it to have more of a style, rather than hanging there all the time. I will have to consult with my hairdresser about this. After looking through magazines I've concluded every star, with the exception of one or two, have long hair like mine, so that didn't help much. I don't know if I'll go for shoulder-length or a shorter bob. Like I said, scary.
Now Xena is tapping my face with her paw, claws only a quarter of the way out. I think she wants shoulder time.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A day for fun
Today I am going to Lige's swimming lesson, or rather survival training in the water, and then Wren and I are going to her house to hang out until the boys get home from work. We'll have barbecue chicken. Last night I was home alone as everyone was at game night playing World of Warcraft. I made spaghetti and meatballs and had a nice bottle of Martinelli's cider with it. The bran-applesauce muffins I made are still edible (barely--they're not very sweet, only really tolerable with honey on them). I'm contemplating cutting my hair off and it's kind of scary. I've had long hair for so long it feels like a security blanket. Also it keeps my neck warm. Luckily I have a really good hairdresser so I have to put my faith in her that she will help guide me in the right direction and give me something that looks good. Of course now my hair is acting unusually cooperative and prettily wavy as if to say, "You don't want to do anything to me." I've just recently learned of the advantages of hairspray on long hair, not to make it poufy but to give a kind of separated look to the waves. I bought a $7 magazine that said Celebrity Hairstyles on the front. Come to find out there is not a single celebrity in there. It's all weird-looking photographs of women with unrealistically funky haircuts. So much for help in that department.
William and I went for a late-night walk after he got back from game night. It was nice, a little windy, but we didn't get back home until 12. We're up with the birds though!
William and I went for a late-night walk after he got back from game night. It was nice, a little windy, but we didn't get back home until 12. We're up with the birds though!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sleep and other musings
I haven't been able to sleep well for the last few nights, or couple of weeks, actually. Should make it interesting coming off my sleep medication. I wake up around twelve, am up for two or three hours, then go back to sleep. Then I'm up again at six or seven. I need a nap in the day to catch up. Interrupted sleep is no joke. It makes me feel strange and light-headed during the day. This is good practice for motherhood, right? That's the way I'm looking at it.
Carolyn M. and I went for a long walk yesterday in the drizzle. It was a good walk even though a bit soggy and wet. We had to change when we got back home. Then she worked on her drawing (she starts school to be an Interior Designer today) and I edited a short story, "Love for Real". I have an idea for a series of stories based on songs. What would be so cool if they got published is to include a CD with all the songs. I suppose I could just include a track list. I'm only on my second story, and the first isn't finished, so I have a ways to go. Still thinking about that inkling of an idea for a novel. It needs to germinate for a little while. Luckily I have months and months before I go to the writers' retreat so I have plenty of time to get something well started beforehand.
An interesting development on the vacation front. The trip we're planning to take to CA in July may be able to extended if William can get permission to work from "home" during the second two weeks. Our friends have offered to let them use their high-speed Internet at their house (our house only has dial-up). I'm trying not to get too excited yet but it would be splendiferous. I would love to stay for a whole month. I've done that once before, on my own in January, quite a few years ago. It was a wonderful time, my own little retreat. When I got back home the cars passing on the streets here sounded so loud.
Still haven't heard what prize we're getting for Renaissance Magazine. First prize is a $1500 costume. Second is a $500 gift card to a Renaissance store. Third, I think, are matching pendants worth $150. We can't lose, really. The pictures we sent were the best of the lot, and there were a lot of pictures, believe me!
Carolyn M. and I went for a long walk yesterday in the drizzle. It was a good walk even though a bit soggy and wet. We had to change when we got back home. Then she worked on her drawing (she starts school to be an Interior Designer today) and I edited a short story, "Love for Real". I have an idea for a series of stories based on songs. What would be so cool if they got published is to include a CD with all the songs. I suppose I could just include a track list. I'm only on my second story, and the first isn't finished, so I have a ways to go. Still thinking about that inkling of an idea for a novel. It needs to germinate for a little while. Luckily I have months and months before I go to the writers' retreat so I have plenty of time to get something well started beforehand.
An interesting development on the vacation front. The trip we're planning to take to CA in July may be able to extended if William can get permission to work from "home" during the second two weeks. Our friends have offered to let them use their high-speed Internet at their house (our house only has dial-up). I'm trying not to get too excited yet but it would be splendiferous. I would love to stay for a whole month. I've done that once before, on my own in January, quite a few years ago. It was a wonderful time, my own little retreat. When I got back home the cars passing on the streets here sounded so loud.
Still haven't heard what prize we're getting for Renaissance Magazine. First prize is a $1500 costume. Second is a $500 gift card to a Renaissance store. Third, I think, are matching pendants worth $150. We can't lose, really. The pictures we sent were the best of the lot, and there were a lot of pictures, believe me!
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