HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!

And all that good stuff. You can't put it off any longer. So, what is your New Year's resolution for 2009? Are you going to quit drinking or smoking? Going to lose weight? Maybe you're going to pay off your credit card...I mean cards, and get out of debt. Whatever it is, we all make them. Even if you don't voice it you know you're thinking about it.

Why do we feel compelled to make New Year's resolutions? Is it because it's the beginning of a brand new year? We have a chance for a fresh start to change what we've lived with the whole year before? And how many of us make the same resolution every year? I can honestly say the last 15 years I've made the, "I'm going to lose weight" promise to myself. Did I keep it? Well, it's obvious I didn't succeed if I had to make the same resolution 14 more years.

I don't drink or smoke so at least I don't have to worry about those issues. Credit card debt? Well, who doesn't have a little credit card debt? I would like to lose weight, I need to lose weight. But I don't want to make another resolution I won't keep. I just don't have the will power. But what if I say, in 2009 I'll try to eat healthier? I like healthy food, it's just that I like the other food, too. I'm so weak when it comes to ice cream and chocolate.

I think 2009 is going to be a good year for me, with some big changes. I have a new book coming out. I'm attending the biggest book lovers convention in April, the RT Convention. I'm doing my first book signing in April at the same book convention. I'm attending the Mr. Romance competition at the same RT Convention. Those are the same hunks who grace the covers of our books! I hope I don't have heart failure:) I'm hosting my first chat at Coffee Time Romance on January 15th from 7:00-10:00 at night. Be sure to put that on your calendars and stop by, I'm giving away some goodies!

My daughter and husband are going to start trying for grand baby number two. I'm excited about that! I think I will try very hard to get healthier, by eating better. I have so much to be thankful for. And I know I'd feel better. It's never too late to start and I know it will make my doctor happy.

If you're celebrating tonight have a good time and stay safe.

It's getting close folks. Have you thought about your New Year's Resolution?

Woohoo! Two Great Reviews on the Same Day!

Just got in a new review in for "THE SENATOR'S DAUGHTER". Read what Romance Junkies had to say!

Also, I was thrilled and honored to receive a review for "ALL THE RIGHT MOVES", from Terri Armstrong, a fellow author and winning recipient of the book during a contest. I wasn't expecting the review but she gave me permission to post it.

"All the Right Moves” by D.A. Wallace: is a tale of smart, rough and rugged detective, Marshall Thomas who has had nothing but bad luck with women, especially Michelle, his last relationship.Enter Dr. Annie McCall, beautiful, intelligent, sexy and in danger; the four things that brought the attention of Detective Thomas to her door.

Annie, never one who enjoyed being told what she could and couldn’t do, defied her “protector” at ever turn. Bound and determined she didn’t need to be rescued by anyone, least of all some, detective with an over-inflated sense of self-worth, she, along with her pet bird, Harold, move in with Detective Thomas against her better judgment.

The sexual tension that stood tall and proud between them was as much a source of contention as it was arousal and passion. It isn’t long before Thomas’ aching need to claim Annie’s body gets the better of him. Reluctantly, he begins having feelings for her that go far beyond his animal desires. She was more dangerous than any assignment he’d ever been on…he could fall deeply in love with her.

Finally convinced she did need his protection, Annie succumbs to his constant insistence he call the shots…sort of. There’s still a fire in her that makes her determined to defend herself no matter the threat, which could turn out to be the biggest threat of all.

Can these two lust-struck people get control of themselves long enough to find a killer without being the next victims? Will their lust turn into something fulfilling and life-long?

I loved this book from the first word to the last. I wanted it to go on forever. Wallace weaves a tale of intrigue and pure, guttural lust unlike anything I’ve ever read. This is so much more than your coffee table romance; this is an entertaining, enticing, page-turning, gotta-read-it-to-the-end story. Bravo!

Reviewed by: Terri Ann Armstrong, Editor and Author of “My Soul has Spoken”, “Where do I Begin?” and “Husbandry 101” www.freewebs.com/tarmstrong

Need I Say More?

A friend sent this to me. I just had to share:)

Well, did ya'll have a good Christmas? Santa bring you everything you wanted? Eat so much you have to let your pants out? I can't complain. I didn't over eat this year though, because I didn't cook at my house. Guess what, it makes a difference! LOL I did miss the left overs.

Trying to find a sexy Santa Clause was harder than I thought. I gave up after a while but I did manage to find this one, on a costume website. Not the best looking hunk I've seen but I'll take him over roly poly any day. And I have to admit, I like his boxers.

Bad news. I have to go back to work tomorrow:(

Isn't She Cute?

Yes, I'm blogging on Christmas Day! Hubby is still in MO, my daughter and her family were planning to spend the day at Bush Gardens but changed their minds at the last minute. Thank goodness! I didn't really want them on the road during Christmas. My niece and her boyfriend are going to go to his family for the day. And me? I'm not going to do anything but enjoy the day.

I received this picture of my granddaughter in my Christmas stocking. The girls and I did our thing on the 23rd. We had a great time and just like I said before, they laughed and joked over the first aid kits. I spent a couple nights and of course Alivia had to sleep with grandma. She's a little bed hog but I got even by snoring.

A couple cute stories to share.

My dad smokes and I taught Alivia to do the shame shame thing with her fingers whenever she saw him smoking. The other day my daughter took her shopping and she saw a woman smoking and said shame shame to her. Michelle said she was so embarrassed but the woman just smiled.

Then, yesterday we went out to Longhorn's for lunch. Before we left the restaurant I decided to go to the ladies room. We've been training Alivia to go potty on the toilet. Michelle said after I left that Alivia announced, quite loudly, that grandma's going potty on the big potty. So when I came out of the bathroom I got an applause:)

Thought you might enjoy a recent picture of my three little kitties. Woofy is the gray tabby, Gin Gin is the calico and Jezebel is the black one. They luv each other:)

They say good things come in small packages...LOL

Well friends, I'm off. A little bit later today I head to my daughters for our thing. Just finished dividing up the stocking stuffers and fixing the bags. Wrapped my granddaughter's gifts. Now I have to pack a small bag, clean the cat box. Get a shower and put on my face.

I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone later today. I'm happiest when around my family. My son-in-law calls us, meaning my daughter, niece and me, the Golden Girls. I guess because we have so much fun together and cut up like kids. So what? It keeps us sane.

Gotta go! Have a great day:)

Traditions

With Christmas right around the corner I was just wondering, what's your family tradition? We all have them. Mine is that my daughter, niece and I always get together one night very close to Christmas. We hang out, have dinner and exchange our stockings, which are really large gift bags. Like overgrown kids we sit around the tree and take our turns pulling gifts out. Making a big deal out of the new toothbrush or floss. LOL I can just hear them now, when they pull out those first aid kits.

Of course, there's some good stuff, too. Like the snow baby I get for my daughter every year to add to her collection.

We started this about the time I divorced my first husband. My daughter was being pulled all different ways because she had two sets of grandparents, her dad and me, and Christmas for her was spent trying to make everyone happy. She spent more time on the road trying to divide her time up between us because we all wanted her with us. So, to try and be considerate of that and help ease the stress of what should be a great day we decided to do our thing before Christmas. My niece has always been like my second daughter so it was only natural she be included.

We've been doing this about 16 years now:)

Can you believe how close Christmas is? Gee, it came up fast. I'm looking forward to another 4-day weekend, beginning on Wednesday.

Are you still shopping? Used to be I would shop right up until the last minute, and still worry I didn't buy enough. Yesterday I ventured to the mall down the street but only because I needed some pants. I didn't actually go into the mall. I'm not crazy! LOL I dashed into Penny's, found the pants I wanted and was out in under an hour. How good was that?

Did I tell you I hate shopping?

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Why is it that when you can't sleep in you'd give your first born to, but when you can sleep in you're up at 5:00 in the morning and raring to go? Doesn't make sense, does it? I tried to go back to sleep but things kept churning in my head of everything I have to do today. So, I got up and started my house work. I took today off from work and figured, get it done now and I won't have to do it on my weekend. Now I'm taking a break and watching the news.

The first thing that came on was a sappy holiday commercial that threatened to make me cry. I know you know what I mean. This time of year they play those tear jerking commercials about the soldier coming home Christmas to surprise his family, or my recent favorite, the one of the young doctor who couldn't make it home. So when he gets off his shift and goes to his apartment, he opens the door to his whole family in the process of decorating and cooking.

I guess this time of year makes us all emotional in one way or another. Some folks get depressed over the holidays. I look forward to Thanksgiving and fall but Christmas has changed over the years for me. I look forward to the time off from work but not so much for the actual holiday. It's become too commercialized.

My only tree this year is a ceramic Christmas tree my step-mother made for me about thirty years ago. I love it and it's one of my favorite possessions. You know, the kind where you add the little plastic bulbs and there's a light inside that lights the tree up. I put it out every year. I can still recall how surprised I was the day I opened the box to discover it had made it all the way from Maine, without breaking. It looks great on my dining room cupboard with the mirror behind it.

I've already started thinking about my New Year's resolutions, have you? I'll share mine later.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I finally posted a blurb and excerpt of "THE COWBOY WAY" on my website! Check it out when you get the chance.

Tory Richards

A Nice Surprise

I came home today to a small package in the mail. One of my readers and new friend sent me a Christmas card and 3 cute little handmade kitties! In my heart each one represents one of my beloved cats. I'm pretty sure they're Christmas tree ornaments but I'm going to hang them some place where I can enjoy them year round.

Thank you Nancy! Did you make them?

Woofy, Gin Gin and Jezebel

I'm smiling as I write this. Every morning after I get up I call out to my babies, "Who wants a treat?" And of course they all come running. It's impossible handing out one at a time because they all want to be number one. So I just drop several to the floor and watch them scamper to get one, making sure they each get their fair amount. For a minute there I feel like I'm feeding chickens at my feet.

Do I have a favorite? I know I shouldn't, but I do. I love them all. They each have their own personalities and are as different as night and day. They bring me so much joy and companionship and I look forward to their greetings every day when I come home from work.

Woofy, my first, is the only male. A little gray tabby with green eyes, he's so lovable and polite. He talks all the time and enjoys being brushed and cuddled. He welcomed and bonded with Jezebel almost from the first day we had her. When I pull into the drive at the end of the day he's right there poking his head through the blinds to welcome me. Then he races to the door and waits for me to come in.

Gin Gin, my second, is the largest of the cats tipping the scales at almost 15 pounds. She's a beautiful calico and very independent by nature. She only wants to be loved on when she wants it. It has to be on her terms. She's quiet and likes alone time, mostly sleeping in on my bed. She will however head butt me during the night to get beneath the covers with me. She likes being brushed, too, but won't stay still long enough for a good one like Woofy.

Jezebel just joined our little family. A solid black tabby with gold eyes, she's a little devil with those lethal nails of hers. Still just a kitten, everything is play time with her. When I make my bed in the mornings she's right there under the bed, clawing at my feet as I walk from side to side. I'm embarrassed to wear sandals right now but the scratches will heal. She likes to be brushed, too, and has become Woofy's little shadow. Everywhere he goes, she goes. When Woofy pokes his head between the blinds she's right there in front of him. It's early yet but I have a feeling her temperament will be more like his.

So there it is. I treat them all the same but I do have my favorite. Can you guess which one?

None of that Sissy Stuff!

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this post- Just the stone cold truth of a great friendship.

1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off-- After I laugh my butt off!!

9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask -- because you are my FRIEND!


Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

"What's Your Pleasure?" Winner from Author Island Chat

Thanks to everyone who sent me an email answering the 5 questions I provided during the chat last night. Sorry I'm a little late announcing the winner but congratulations goes to Val!

Please email.

I AM DONE!

Good lord, I just spent $250 on stocking stuffers and I am done Christmas shopping. I usually buy the girls, and by girls I mean my daughter and niece, the same stocking stuffers every year. They look forward to body lotions, toothbrushes, purse size hand sanitizers, nail polish and various other personal items. Of course they get candy, the good stuff, and my daughter gets a can of asparagus. She loves the stuff but it's so darn expensive. Gee, it was almost #3 a can this year.

This year I bought my son-in-law a few things for the stocking, too. He loves Red Lobster so I got him a gift card. He gets a jar of olives. I know it's weird but it's our funny tradition. Michelle has received a can of asparagus for Christmas every year for as long as I can remember:)

The girls always get a kick out of the practical gift I usually come up with. One year it was one of those car window breakers for just in case they get into an accident and end up in a lake. They can also use it for cutting the seat belt strap. Then another year I got them something that inflates tires in case they get a flat somewhere, they can at least make it somewhere safe to get it repaired.

This year I bought them first aid kits for their cars. Well...I have a little granddaughter now and my niece commutes back and forth to college every week on the turnpike. You never know when a band aid will come in handy. I also got her Triple A for peace of mind.

I'm not paranoid. I just like to be prepared. Anyway, they'll roll their eyes over the first aid kits and laugh, but it's all in fun. They expect something like that from me:)

Thanksgiving Pictures

Here are the pictures I said I'd share with you. Taken Thanksgiving Day, the family picture is of me holding Alivia, my dad, daughter and niece. My daughter's father, otherwise known as the ex, took the snap shot. Daughter's hubby had to work. My hubby was still in MO with grandson and family. I know it sounds weird but it all worked out.

I have a zit...

...why God why? I'm 53 years old and I still get zits! I have very oily skin, could that be the problem? I usually get a zit on my chin area but lately they've popped up in the nose area. Never more than one at a time, which is frustrating. As soon as it clears up and disappears another one begins to grow. I wash my face twice a day, use an expensive face cream that's supposed to keep my skin smooth and the wrinkles away. Have worn the same makeup for, like, ever. I just don't understand why a woman my age still gets pimples. Frustrating...anyone else have that problem?

Thorny Tuesday

I'm with Maxine on this one. I hate shopping so it didn't take much to persuade me into rolling over and pulling the covers over my head!

Sad but True

It's only been ten years since I put my hands on a computer for the very first time. I was terrified! Sure I would do something to make it blow up or something. People, or co-workers I should say, got a good laugh at my expense every time I was introduced to something new about it. And I hated the computer classes I was signed up for because I always felt so frustrated and inadequate.

The first thing I had challenges with was the mouse and learning how to control the cursor. It seemed to have a mind of its own and trying to zero it in on what you wanted to click on was nearly impossible. But alas, I mastered the technique fairly early on.

Then challenges came with the mouse pad. It wasn't big enough. The mouse would be at the very edge of the pad but the cursor wasn't any where near I wanted it so I would have to pick up the mouse pad and move it beyond the mouse.

One morning I came in to work and a smart ass co-worker, so called friend put his desk calendar, the kind that covers most of your desk, under my mouse and wrote Debbie's mouse pad on it. Ha! Ha!

Now let's move on to the CD player. Did you know that it works perfectly as a cup holder? Try it. At first I didn't know that's where you insert those little records. But wow, now it provides two services so you really get your monies worth.

Speaking of money, why are computers so expensive when they're only good for a few short years before they become slow and outdated? I'm on my second desk top and first lap top, which by the way, is the way to go. I doubt I'll ever buy another desk top.

I've learned a lot over the years and can't imagine not having a computer in my life.

Oh I'm tired! This won't be a long post. Just got back from spending the day at St. Augustine with my daughter and granddaughter. Had a girl's day out. The weather was absolutely perfect for a day of riding a trolley car and walking around town. Cool and breezy, the sun behind the clouds. Christmas decorations out.

Going to bed now. Nightie night:)

It's My BIRTHDAY!

Another year gone by, another one to look forward to:)

Thursday Tips

ADULT:
A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing in the middle.

BEAUTY PARLOR:
A place where women curl up and dye.

CANNIBAL:
Someone who is fed up with people.

CHICKENS:
The only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead.

COMMITTEE:
A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.

DUST:
Mud with the juice squeezed out.

EGOTIST:
Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.

HANDKERCHIEF:
Cold Storage.

INFLATION:
Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.

MOSQUITO:
An insect that makes you like flies better.

RAISIN:
Grape with a sunburn.

SECRET:
Something you tell to one person at a time.

SKELETON:
A bunch of bones with the person scraped off.

TOOTHACHE:
The pain that drives you to extraction.

TOMORROW:
One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.

YAWN:
An honest opinion openly expressed.

WRINKLES:
Something other people have, similar to my character lines.

Wednesday Words

Hubby's coming home today! I pick him up at the airport after work. He's been gone for a month and had planned to stay away until the New Year but I guess his great-grandchildren have worn him out. Plus it's cold and snowing where he is. With his old bones the cold has probably got to him, too.

I look forward to seeing him. I miss him when he's gone. In fact, we get along much better when we're apart. LOL Don't most old married couples?

He doesn't know about Jezebel yet. I thought I'd surprise him. Hopefully it will be a good one:)

Thorny Tuesday

For some reason I always think of Maxine when it's time to post for thorny Tuesday. So why should it be any different this week? But, am I being fair to the old biddy? Should I continue to feed her ego? Personally I think she likes the being in the spotlight.