> Recent Entries
> Archive
> Friends
> User Info
> My Website
> previous 20 entries

December 1st, 2009

04:14 pm - Pampered Chef Update My first thirty days as a Pampered Chef consultant are almost up. I have one more cooking show scheduled before the deadline, this coming Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I will meet my thirty-day requirement and qualify as a consultant. Here comes the plug... If any of you Canadian bloggers have been considering buying some Pampered Chef products for yourself or as a gift for the holidays, please contact me ASAP. The deadline for placing orders for guaranteed Christmas delivery is Dec 17th. You can browse the catalogue and place an order at my Pampered Chef website. ...end plug. For those of you following the big drama in my personal life, nothing has changed. I continue to be frustrated, but have resolved to be patient and hope for the best. Current Location: my office Current Mood: busy Tags: pampered chef, personal

(Leave a comment)

November 4th, 2009

09:28 pm - A New Venture I've done it! I've signed up as a Pampered Chef consultant. For those of you out there in Canada, if you're thinking of ordering some of their product (for yourself or as a gift for the upcoming holiday season) give me a shout! Jump to their website to check out their products. As for the why, well, with all the ugly stuff and its related expenses, I welcome the challenge and will appreciate the extra income. As part of my launch, I will be having a couple of Grand Opening shows. If you're interested in coming out for one, let me know. And the best way to save money on the products is to host a show. If you've always wondered what it's like, it's not only easy, it's fun! I would love to hear from you. Current Mood: busy Tags: pampered chef, personal

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

October 20th, 2009

01:43 pm - Paperwork Days Yes, we all have them, the dreaded paperwork days. These are the days when we read emails we've been avoiding, update our bankbooks, and generally try to feel as though we have a handle on what's going on in our lives. This is what I spent my time doing today. Remarkably, the first time I checked my watch, almost the entire day had flown by. This means no writing for me today. I do feel as though my life is stabilizing. Many of the big items on my plate have been finishing/resolving/completing. So I many have some brain time and/or writing time soon. Must make time. Current Location: my office Current Mood: cold Current Music: the sounds of patio stones being set in place Tags: personal

(Leave a comment)

October 2nd, 2009

12:25 pm - Out and about I'm sitting in a Starbucks in Toronto, taking in the vibe, hoping to be inspired to write something. I might give "Destiny Lives in the Tattoo's Needle" a read, and decide if it's worthy to sub to Tesseracts 14. I will definitely send them something (maybe two somethings, if they allow multiple subs) because I like the antho and hey, it's Canadian, eh! The weather here is dreary, so I bought myself a new purse and scarf -- perfect accessories to get me through the fall. Current Location: Starbucks Current Mood: thoughtful Tags: personal, writing

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

September 30th, 2009

08:09 pm - Out the Door I sent, "Jelly and the D-Machine" to Writers of the Future today. Yay! It read like a first-draft-ish story, but I think it worked, so what the heck. I'm feeling pretty good about having a couple of stories out there, even if it means I've been neglecting the novel. Orcs storm the wall! That puts my total number of submissions for the year at 6. The shiny counter: 6 / 52 submissions. 12% done! In other news, my pool is closed, just in time for our cold miserable weather. Summer is certainly long gone. And on the irritating front: inanimate objects are the enemy. I'm just saying...it's been one of those days. Current Location: my office Current Mood: accomplished Tags: personal, pool, submissions

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

September 9th, 2009

09:32 pm - Home safe, but BUSY Michael and I got home late last night. Today, my kids returned home with a sea of requests: clothes, school supplies, etc. My pool needs some serious attention, as fall has brought forth a ton of leaves! Dragon*Con was fantastic. I hope to blog about it, Washington, and my fall plans as time permits. But the next few days will be all about getting my house in order after a two week absence. Busy doesn't even begin to describe my life right now. I must make some lists... Current Location: in bed Current Mood: exhausted Tags: personal, vacation

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

August 31st, 2009

10:40 am - Cherry Hill, NJ Michael and I stayed in Cherry Hill, NJ last night, visiting a whole crew of his relatives. Lots of fun. Ate at Ponzio's last night and the food was great. Today, we're on the road to Washington, DC. Wicked was fantastic. Loved it. Great musical. More when I have time... Current Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Current Mood: cheerful Tags: personal, vacation

(Leave a comment)

August 26th, 2009

08:37 pm - 50 Bands I've Seen Live Pauline Zed tagged me on this one. I racked my brain for a while, but got to fifty and sighed with relief. I know I've seen more bands, not to mention all of the opening acts that I haven't remembered. Test your memory and your love of live music by listing 50 artists or bands you've seen in concert. An act you saw at a festival and opening acts count, but only if you can't think of 50 other artists. Oh, and list the first concert you ever saw (you can remember that, can't you)? Should you choose to reply to this challenge, here's what you do: (Facebook info) Copy my note. Click on "notes" under tabs on your profile page. Select "write a new note" in the top corner. Paste the copy in the body of the note. Make your list. Once you've saved, don't forget to tag friends (including me) on the right. FYI, these are in roughly chronological order, as best as my brain recalls... The Monkees (yep, my first concert was in 1970 for their original tour) Ray Charles Burton Cummings The Police The Fixx James Brown Luba UB40 The Nylons The Pursuit of Happiness Parachute Club Gowan Tom Cochrane Honeymoon Suite Triumph Van Halen (w Sammy Hagar) Phil Collins Kim Mitchell Alannah Myles Wham! Pink Floyd LA Guns Slaughter Vince Neil Skid Row The Spoons U2 Eurhythmics Howard Jones Bryan Adams Platinum Blonde Huey Lewis and the News Elton John Barenaked Ladies Treble Charger Warrant The Box Lee Aaron Steppenwolf The Tragically Hip Aerosmith Spin Doctors The Rolling Stones Mobile Default Theory of a Dead Man Colin James Stabilo Hedley Great Big Sea Current Location: my office Current Mood: busy Current Music: 80s ipod mix Tags: concerts, personal

(1 comment | Leave a comment)

August 4th, 2009

11:14 pm - Hey out there It's been a while since I posted to my blog. I haven't used my computer much this summer ... been too busy with family type stuff. For a while, the six of us (Michael and his girls, me and my boys) spent several days together. Remarkably, we all got along well. No big fights, no territorial stuff. A wonderful time was had by all. We visited Niagara Falls with Michael and his girls last Friday. Did the hike down to the whirlpool rapids and even caught some fireworks by the falls. I'm now home and should be preparing for WorldCon. Spent most of this evening downloading pictures from my camera to prepare for the con. My cough is pretty much over, just some lingering spells from time to time. Yay! Current Location: my office Current Mood: busy Current Music: ipod shuffle Tags: family, personal

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

July 20th, 2009

02:53 pm - The summer of bad luck continues I'm feeling a bit pissy today, feeling like the summer is slipping away and I haven't done much of anything yet. First, the tendinitis, then the nasty flu, and now I'm overwhelmed by all of the stuff I should have been doing weeks ago, but put off because I wasn't feeling up to it. Grrrr... Ah well, I'm playing each day as it comes now. No plans for more than a couple of days ahead, no grandiose ideas about all that I will accomplish. Nope, I've thrown in the planning towel and have allowed the world to throw its worst at me. Even swimming has become iffy at best as the weather has really been rather crappy this summer. Sounds depressing, but it's not that bad. Just frustrating and underproductive. I finished reading "Second Glance" by Jodi Picoult today. Great book. I'd recommend it to ghost story readers, chick lit readers, and generally people who like complex stories that come together at the end. Current Location: my office Current Mood: frustrated Tags: personal, reading, summer

(Leave a comment)

July 15th, 2009

09:48 pm - Flu day 8 My flu has reduced itself to the nasty cough and a general fatigue. Not bad. I can see light at the end of the tunnel. My kids returned to my place today. Yay! And just in time to take them to see Harry Potter 6. I will not spoil it, though, come on, you must've read the book by now! It was enjoyable, but kinda sad. Why? For a couple of reasons. 1. I can see the end of the series, and it will be sad to know that soon there won't be that opening night excitement for HP any more. 2. These last books are dark and filled more with nastiness than wonder. So to watch one leaves me feeling melancholy rather than exhilarated. The kids have early camp tomorrow, so time to get some rest, cough willing. Current Location: in bed Current Mood: exhausted Tags: harry potter, movies, personal

(4 comments | Leave a comment)

July 13th, 2009

07:51 pm - Flu watch, Day 6 Today, I am feeling slightly better, again. The fever part is finally, mostly gone, thank goodness, because it was knocking the stuffing right out of me. As for the cough, it is nasty, deep, frequent, painful, make-your-head-hurt, barf-up-a-lung, did I say nasty, yucky! I now have a much better understanding of why people have been dying from this flu, if I do in fact have the swine flu. It is thoroughly horrible. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow (one I made months ago on another matter) and I hope to get some advice for her as to how to make this thing hurry up and finish already! Current Location: living room Current Mood: exhausted Tags: personal

(6 comments | Leave a comment)

July 9th, 2009

(8 comments | Leave a comment)

July 6th, 2009

05:59 pm - Words on paper I finally managed to write today. After a long, thought-filled hiatus. I managed 2,600 words on the first, rough draft of a new story, tentatively titled, "Wear Life Like a Eulogy." It felt good to get out and write. I'm in Starbucks in Chapters, comfortable, excited, and filled with the promise of "the new." I've been so blindsided by life over the last few weeks. Writing is what I love to do, and I'm glad I'm finding a way to fit it back into my life again. Could it be that the block is lifting? I will give myself the space to watch, wait, and see. Current Location: Starbucks Current Mood: accomplished Current Music: their piped in stuff Tags: personal, writing

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

June 15th, 2009

07:48 pm - Someone Call the Fat Lady to the Stage In court today, with the combined efforts of me, my lawyer, my ex, and his lawyer, we came to an agreement on all of the outstanding issues of the divorce. We signed the memorandum and handed it to a judge. Our case has now been pulled from the trial list. Wow. The next step involves finessing the wording on the final agreement. And then, wham, we will be officially divorced. I am in shock at the moment. I had to pick up groceries after, and was so stunned that I spent most of the trip staring at the shelves trying to remember what we eat. Current Location: my office Current Mood: shocked Tags: divorce, personal

(8 comments | Leave a comment)

June 11th, 2009

03:49 pm - Cafe time I'm sitting at a cafe, sipping a Chai frappe, and nibbling on a butter tart. Today is my birthday and I'm a mix of happy and sad. Happy because I get to spend today with Michael. He is an amazing man who has truly made my life better. I would never have guessed or even dreamed that a relationship could be as loving, comforting, supportive, and healing as this one has been for me. Thank you, Michael, for bringing more joy into my life than I will ever be able to measure. Sad because my two sons are away (one at camp and one with his dad), and I miss having them around on my special day. My mother and sister are out of province, too, so I'm feeling particularly separated from my "peeps". Current Location: urbana cafe Current Mood: contemplative Current Music: June 2009 mix Tags: birthdays, personal

(9 comments | Leave a comment)

June 4th, 2009

10:32 pm - Ouch Still in short post mode. The splint helps a little, but my hand aches after a short time at the keyboard. I hope this passes fairly quickly. Current Location: in bed Current Mood: exhausted Tags: personal

(6 comments | Leave a comment)

June 2nd, 2009

03:45 pm - WorldCon is a Go After All Today I received an invitation to the launch for Tesseracts 13. So I suppose I AM still going to WorldCon. Now I should really try to find a room before I end up on the street... My thumb still aches. I can't sit at the computer for long and it's driving me crazy. Current Location: my office Current Mood: sore Tags: conventions, personal

(9 comments | Leave a comment)

May 28th, 2009

06:29 pm - Bummers all around I have tendinitis in my left thumb. Now wearing a splint, icing, advil, etc. Can only type for short periods. Found out last night that Tesseracts 13 Won't be in print until September 15, so no WorldCon launch. Grr... If anyone out there in LJ land wants to buy my WorldCon membership (I paid $240 Canadian) please let me know. It's in Montreal this year, from August 6 to 10. Current Location: my office Current Mood: sore Tags: conventions, personal

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

May 19th, 2009

09:30 pm - I own a van A Chrysler Grand Caravan to be exact. And gold coloured (they call it sandstone) if that's your next question. A 2008 with about 20,000 kms. I miss my Jeep a little. At least I had one final wave-to-a-fellow-owner on the drive to the dealership to trade it in. It's a Jeep thing...you wouldn't understand. *sigh* Current Location: in bed Current Mood: exhausted Tags: personal

(2 comments | Leave a comment)