Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ringing in 2012

As 2011 fades in to the past, I am thankful for my family and friends. They are what makes it all worthwhile.

I have accomplished much this year. I've found a publisher, increased my reputation as reviewer, and added many to my writing family. There is life in retirement.

2012 holds many promises. Winter in a new place...hopefully warm. A book coming out in early 2012. One more short story to finish. I know I have at least two novels to review. Who knows what other excitement there is in store for me. I will take it as it comes.

I am hoping that all of you a safe and happy New Year. I also hope that 2012 brings you health, happiness, and prosperity.

TTFN

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Time for a Book Review

The Broken Sword by Liane Moonraven
Unforgettable Books Inc


Riveting story, gripping suspense, could not put it down. Liane crafts characters who are believable for their flaws, as well as their strength in adversity.

Lady Carlota is feminine without being simpering. She is strong of mind and body. She is quick to defend her Arthur and his knights. Her kindness wins her more affection than even she can imagine.

Arthur is not blind to the beauty of his wife. He is smart enough to teach her defense methods should an enemy attack her. He is a loyal man and respected by his men. He has a sixth sense for danger before it happens, yet needs time to figure out where. Once he does there is no other course of action for him.

Mathias, the villain, in a knight’s disguise is wonderfully written. When we first meet him we love him. As a young man he seems kind and gracious. When he disappears it makes us wonder if this was his plan all along. In his heart he knew she would go on with her life, but never expected that life to be lived out in front of him.

The events that threw Carlota, Arthur, and Mathias together set in motion what would make or break the sanctity of the round table. The book was very hard to put down. I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to the next book.

Now you must know that this book has not yet been released. I promise to revisit this blog again when it is.

TTFN

Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Good Life

When I was about ten, I had a teacher who left a permanent mark on my life. I'm not really sure why. She caught me talking to my best friend Patty. She caught me passing notes to Patty. She caught me not paying attention. Every time she caught me doing something I had to write my multiplication facts ten times from 0 through 12.

Mary Jane Porter was my fourth grade teacher. We have kept in touch since I was in college. She was very happy that I went into teaching. She had a great deal of respect for mother who was also a teacher. She was full of praise when she got my first book. She was widowed young. After she retired but still young. She live a full life. She had retired to Florida and I promised myself the next time I went I'd visit her.

Today I received a Christmas card from someone I didn't know. That person apologized for not getting a hold of me a year ago, when her mother, Mary Jane Porter, died. It seems Mary Jane had fallen and broken her wrist. While in the hospital awaiting surgery her heart gave out. She would have been 92 this year. Her daughter assured me that she'd had a long and good life.

I regret not making that trip to Florida. I should have done it years ago. Too late now. Although Mary Jane may now rest with the angels. She will always be a part of my heart. For all those years ago when she made me write my multiplication tables, she was teaching me math. While I chose to teach English, math was not a problem for me. (Geometry doesn't count). What was a punishment was also a lesson in memorization. I had students who liked to quiz me on multiplication facts because I knew them so fast. My grandchildren still like to stump me. So, even though she's gone she left a legacy in a number of children. Many of whom may or may not remember her. I'm just glad I knew her.

If there is someone in your life that you should see. Do it. You never know when they might be gone. RIP Mrs. Porter.

TTFN

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Delayed Post

I haven't blogged for a day or two. Think I have all the ranting out of my system for a while. Actually am feeling rather up...very strange for this time of year for me. Knock on wood, am hoping it lasts.

Have my 'to do' list made and some of the things checked off. It is less daunting this way. I know if I don't make the list I will be sure to lose something or forget something. For now I'd settle for all the Christmas gifts wrapped and waiting to be loaded in the trunk. I'd also like to see Megan's birthday gifts wrapped and in the trunk.

Beyond that life is good. Ran into a friend at the post office and got to wish her a Merry Christmas today. That was good, as I really thought we'd miss each other. Things are looking up.

My brother has arrived for the holidays. That is always a good sign. I look forward to seeing him after the holidays as I make my way south.

My mailbox runneth over with Christmas cards today. I still love snail mail. It's so much more personal. Besides, it's the once of year catch up with all my out of state friends and their families.

So, if I don't post again before Chritmas may yours be blessed and filled with love and memories.

TTFN

Friday, December 16, 2011

I Hate Change

I am the first to admit I dislike change...most of the time. I like moving from the cold in Michigan to some warm destination for winter. I love the change in the seasons.

But this Facebook craze with it's constant changes. Goes to show what happens when children are in charge. Everything has to change constantly. They live in the gratify me NOW world. I don't live there. I believe simple is best. I like simple, I understand simple. Anymore I only deal with complex when writing a scene in a book. I've made my life simple. I like it that way.

So, on Dec 22nd or there about when Facebook makes all its users got to the timeline thing. I will be done. I'll leave my book profile up and the one for the women's writing group. But the other is way too much information. I have deleted most of the information part of my profile. I did that for a reason. I don't want random photos of me popping up. I like my privacy, too. This is stepping over the line. I have other social networks I can use.

I am also in the process of setting up a new website. I'm hoping to have that up soon after the first of the year. It will contain my current blog, so you won't have to go looking for me. That is unless the only place you read me is on Facebook. Because I won't be there anymore. Might be a good time to subscribe to the blog before you lose me and have to go searching.

That's another whole item. I get a headache just looking at Facebook now. I cannot imagine the mess this timeline thing will create. Saving my eyes and sanity for the important things.

TTFN

Friday, December 9, 2011

Trying to Beat the Holiday Blues

I love Christmas. It is one of the most wonderful times of the year. Many years I have been blessed at Christmas. This year was one of them. In doing a good deed for a friend and her family, it came back to me tenfold. Something I had not expected.

I also hate the holiday season. It makes me blue. I used to blame it on moving to a new area when I started 7th grade. I figured out last year that this was not the case. It had to do with losing a loved one the day after Christmas when I was younger. I hoped that knowing the cause of my blues would help me to fight them. So far, it's not working.

I don't put a tree anymore. What's the point? No one comes here for Christmas. No one has for years. I go to my daughter's on Christmas Eve and we then all go to my sister's where the family gathers Christmas day. It's a wonderful time with family. But I am usually ready to turn in and be away from people by 5pm. No offense to my family. Christmas is the only time I see some of my nieces and nephews.

I thought about putting up a tree again. Then decided that was senseless. I am leaving right after Christmas for the winter. Why go to all that trouble to have to pack it up, while I am trying to pack for going away. Nope, just did not make sense to me.

I generally spend Christmas Eve by myself. My daughter and her family go spend Christmas Eve with friends. We used to do a Christmas Eve service but that has gone by the wayside. Some traditions last and some don't.

So before I become too maudlin, I'm going to sign off. Wishing everyone a very safe and Merry Christmas.

TTFN

Monday, December 5, 2011

GRRRR

Have spent the entire day reading the new pension tax law. I hate the Michigan legislature. Starting with the worthless human inhabiting the governors office. He ranks right up there with the worthless president and congress. Yes, I did use lower case letters.

I am going to make it on my retirement. I got my first 3% raise in Jan. That is the raise I will get every year from now on. Oh....wait....put on the breaks....I just lost it and then some. The raise was no big deal. It was one light bill payment a month. Which means that amount could be tacked onto another bill. I am good with that. However the legislature and the current idiot in the governors office believes that you take from those with the least amount of money and give to those with the most. So in Jan. he's going to tax my pension by 4.35%. He will kindly lower it to 4.25% in Jan. 2013. Wait....that means he's taking my 3% and then an additional 1.35%. How does this work. I just lost the light bill and the light bill again. That now has to come out of food money. Hmmm....guess I'll continue to lose weight won't I.

What it really means is that in order to pay my bills the extra $100 to pay down my mortgage is gone. It will be needed for bills. I still put money in savings but I refuse to lower that. I might need it at some point.

See this new tax does not effect people born before 1946. It directly impacts the baby boomers. If you were lucky enough to be born between 1946 and 1952, you get a $20,000 exemption if you are single and a $40,000 if you are married. If you were born after 1952, you are screwed. There is no exemption until you are 67 and if you exempt your pension then he's going to tax your social security. Don't kid yourself. He's taxing social security from the minute you draw it. And if you have a 401K he's taxing that too. So much for having put away money to support yourself. He's hitting baby boomners the hardest.

Well this baby boomer will give him one year. She's got her house up for sale and is moving to a state that does not tax pensions....maybe one that has no income tax at all. Yes, I'm doing my research. It's been nice knowing you all. I might be back some day for a visit. But once I move, I will never live here again.

TTFN

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sliding Into the Week-end

It's been a busy week. Some of Christmas is coming together. I am still on the look out for a new laptop. Time is running out for both.

Started a site on Facebook for people to do advance reviews on my next book. I am excited that we can do reviews from the galley proof. It will be exciting to have reviews on the cover. It feels like things are finally coming together with my writing. That is an accomplishment.

I have located the mouse door. Hopefully Dad will get up here this weekend and we can close it permanently. I sooooo hate rodents. Mice being at the top of the rodent list. Traps are out and doing their job until this is taken care of.

I need to unearth a box of crochet cotton to finish a project. I believe it is in my upstairs closet. I will do that later tonight. The project is in it's final stages of completion. I won't be sorry to see it done.

I took a step out of my comfort zone this week. Baby steps will be needed to see if this is what is needed in my life. So far it has been positive.

I am ready to start packing, but it is too soon. I will wait at least until next weekend to begin that. Deciding what to take and how much will keep me occupied along with gift wrapping. As long as the snow holds off I'll be fine.

TTFN

October Already

 I'm not sure where the time has flown. June was an exiting month. July was a mess. I had a change of medication which caused me to gain...