On Hold

For the past several weeks, I've been (mostly) locked in to a seemingly never-ending chain of books on-hold at the library. There was Me and Mr. Darcy, which I quite liked, Eclipse, installment three by Stephenie Meyer, which enthralled me...then I took a short break to read the ARC of Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas that my RWA buddy scored for me--loved it!--and now I'm back on track with Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely (what no one ever told us about fairies), and next up is Agnes and the Hitman by Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer. I am getting so behind!

I have a pile of recently ordered books from Amazon on a stack on my nightstand, and I'm pretty much salivating to read them, but I'm on a schedule here! If I get off track with my library holds, then I either miss out or I have to remember to re-request them. I don't have a good system for that. Basically whenever I learn about a book, I nip over to the library website and place it on hold. While this has cut down drastically on the number of books I buy, I still do buy. Hardly ever in hardback, but if I read it and love it, I will buy it when it comes out in paperback. It's just a quirk of mine. It's part frugality, part cheapness, and part comfort--I mostly read lying down and don't like those hard bindings pressing into my stomach.

I've now converted my oldest son to the 'heads-up' on a book library hold. When he finishes a book, he asks if we can look up on Amazon to see when the next one's coming out. Then we check to see if the library is ordering it, request it, and voila--we're good to go! I'm so proud.

Anyone reading any good books? Should I buy or put them on hold at the library?

Thursday 13

Thirteen Things To Do in Austin, TX That I've Never Done After living there for eight years, I sort of feel like I missed out... However, my next book is set there, so a few of these places just might make an appearance

1. South by Southwest--a very big, quite significant movie/music festival held every year in March, in this the Live Music Capital of the World.

2. Dinner & a Movie at the Alamo Draft House

3. Swimming in the brisk 65 degree waters of Barton Creek Pool

4. Austin City Limits--missed out on a chance to be in the studio audience.

5. Texas State Capitol--never toured it, never even stepped in.

6. UT Football--I'm a UT grad, but I've never gone to a game.

7. Sixth Street. I went to one bar on one night--that's how exciting I am.



8. SoCo While the neighborhood of South Congress has been recently developed, there was plenty there (I think) when I was there, and I never ventured down...

9. Brunch--not at any of the many well-known establishments that serve this quirky meal.

10. Zilker Hike and Bike Trail--never hiked, never biked.

11. Skulling on Town Lake--I did canoe, several times.

12. Central Market Cooking Classes--although if I'm still so inclined, we now have a Central Market here in Houston.

13. Zilker Botanical Garden


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Help!

Well I'm on to Day 2 today--Day 2 of having both kids in school. And let me just say that yesterday flew by--I barely had any time to work on my WIP at all. I need to figure out how to make all this work so I'm not cramming so much stuff in that the book gets lost in the fray. Hopefully I'll have something worked out by the end of this week. I better.

The first day of school went very well, or so I heard. My little one didn't even want me to walk him in. His brother took him to class after they ran up the path to school together. They were both excited, and still are today--I hope it lasts all year. I didn't take it personally (very big of me, I thought)--I got my hugs and let them go.

Today I have a social question, and I'm hoping to gather some advice. My neighbor of approximately six years, I've recently discovered, thinks my name is Susan. She said it yesterday and at the pool once this summer, and both times, it was said while she was turning away. I don't know how to correct this. I'm horrible at situations like this. I feel like things will be painfully awkward if I correct her, and while I'm sure most of you would probably say that it will just get worse, that doesn't motivate me in any way. The two of us don't see each other very often, and when we do, it's just a casual 'Hi, how are you?' or a wave, or a few minutes of conversation. I could probably go on indefinitely without ever correcting her. But I'm torn, feeling like I have an obligation and at the same time, wanting to shirk it. My husband says he could mention my real name casually in conversation, but that'll still make me look like a doofus--I can hear her now, 'Oh my gosh, I'm so embarrassed! Why didn't she correct me?' I have no good solution to this ridiculous problem.

So...anyone? Any thoughts, suggestions?

Mom-In-Law

I have two funny stories to share about my mother-in-law who occasionally reads this blog. Two things to know about my MIL: her favorite colors are white and black (gray is also acceptable), and she has a new Maltese puppy who is very pampered.

So first up...my MIL has decorated her current townhome and her lake house in shakes of white, gray, and black. The lake house is accented with red. She and my FIL have recently purchased the house across the street and plan to completely remodel it for overflow or particularly private (or demanding) guests. Well, I'd bought a black comforter for my upstairs guest room and decided it didn't go. I asked her if she'd like to have it as it was a very good price and it was black--'nuf said. In an email, she told me no thank you, she was thinking of going with different colors for the new house.

Different colors?? My eyes bugged. What on earth could she mean? I shared this little tidbit with my husband, and he was similarly curious and incredulous.

So a couple of days later, she visited, and obviously I asked her what colors she was thinking of. Her answer? Brown-black, cream, and reddish orange. I find this pretty darn hilarious. There's going to be a bizarro-lake house right across the street from the current one. Different colors! Hah!

Next up: the dog. I have been charged with taking care of the little Maltese for a week while they go on vacation. I've been wondered about this for some time--how it will go with him being so spoiled and me being so unwilling to spoil him... So we were at the lakehouse last weekend, and she was making his breakfast. She calls me out of the bedroom where I was reading a book to show me how to make his food. Here is the procedure:

1. Grate some frozen liver roll onto a plate
2. Add a handful of dry dogfood pellets
3. Mix in a third of a jar of baby food--that day was Mac & Cheese
4. Mix in a quarter teaspoon of Angel Tears so that his fur does not get stained
5. Slide the plate into the microwave and heat for 15 sec.
6. Offer him the food and give him fifteen minutes to eat it.
7. If he doesn't eat it, refrigerate and offer it again in 1-2 hours.

I should note here that she always feeds him one spoonful with a baby spoon so that he knows what's on the menu.

I joked with her that his time at my house is going to feel like a concentration camp compared to what he's used to. I actually think she's a little concerned. But what can I say? That's almost more effort than I expend on my own dinner. Maybe my husband and I should just have frozen liver roll for dinner...

Thursday 13

Thirteen Things I Have Planned For My Life As a Stay-at-home-mom With Both Kids Finally In School!

1. Writing. My first priority is to try to get this book wrapped up and ready to submit.

2. Website Redesign. I have a lot of ideas swirling around in my head. I figure I'll work on this project when I need a break from writing/editing.

3. Weeding. My flowerbeds have definitely been neglected this summer.

4. Exercise. I'm going to try to walk every morning after I get the boys off to school. Unless it's too hot or too cold or too icky, and then I'll use our Elliptical.

5. Yoga. It fell off during the summer season of Coach-pitch. Too many weekly game nights and practices. I want to start it up again.

6. Closet clean-out. My younger son's closet is large and also used for other storage. It needs a total revamp.

7. Substituting at Mother's Day Out. Now that I have all this time, I think I'm going to want to associate with other humans...occasionally.

8. Shopping alone--ah the freedom!

9. Watching the news, probably in the guise of a morning show--I feel so out of the loop.

10. Volunteering occasionally to help out at my sons' school. So far I've only been good for the parties...

11. Spending those rare chilly mornings here curled up with a cup of cocoa and a good book.

12. Lunch with friends (two will have new babies)

13. A little sanity

Countdown: 4 Days Remaining to the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Metaphorically Speaking

It occurs to me that I don't think--or write--in metaphors. Done well, and in moderation, I think they add so much to a book, but when I try to weave in a few attempts, they come off sounding forced. Probably because I'm forcing them. Even when I feel like I could really use a metaphor (or simile), I sit there, stuck, thinking to myself...'it's like...?.... what ? what is it like??' Obviously this is not conducive to the best comparisons.

I read a book recently--I can't remember which one, and if I did, I would not mention it here--that actually used them too much. Every other paragraph seemed to have the phrase: 'It was as if...' Some comparisons were spot-on, others could have been dropped and would not have been missed.

Right now, I'm reading a book that I think does them stunningly well. I'm actually envious. ARCs of Private Arrangements, Sherry Thomas' debut historical romance were being given out at Nationals. I begged a chapter mate to get me one and she did!! And I'm just thrilled. I'm not far along yet, but so far I love it! She has such a way with words and such a new take (for me anyway) on the historical. There are so many details--the reading seems almost indulgent to me. Personally, I love adding those little details, but I've been told that I get bogged down. So I'm trying to make my descriptions more vibrant and interesting. This book could be my manual.

Anyway...getting back to metaphors and similes... I read one in this book last night that I just thought was perfect. It never would have occurred to me, and it's not the best image, but I think it's wonderful. Judge for yourself:

"Now the defoliated willows looked rather like naked old spinsters, all thin and droopy."

And there's more...so much more.

I'm eagerly anticipating this truly beautiful read. If anyone has any tips on coming up with that perfect metaphor or simile, please share your secret!

Creative Differences

Whew! Well after a marathon reading weekend, I just finished Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse. I'm in awe, stunned, I absolutely LOVED it. Ms. Meyer, like Ms. Rowling, astounds me with her creativity, her storytelling ability, and her elegant ability to weave everything last little bit together to make a story a phenomenal whole.

I wonder if I'm at a disadvantage as an author by not having even a fraction of this sort of creativity. I struggle in coming up with character names. I usually have a good hook or a good starting point, and that's something, but really, it's just the tip of the iceberg. For me it's like pulling teeth to brainstorm and imagine and then decide what should happen. I think that's the main reason I write so very much (many, many pages). I can have a whole chapter (or more) done, and then decide that it's not interesting enough, it doesn't play into the rest of the story, or it's just lifeless.

For me the writing is the least painful part of the whole process. I'm a pantser and only spend the bare minimum on an outline or notes for the book. Part of that is likely due to my shortage of creativity--if I could think up a whole story all at once, complete with subplots, turning points, and character arcs, maybe I'd be a plotter. I am, however, trying to work myself in that direction. An article in the latest RWR had the suggestion to try writing the synopsis first. I think I may give that a whirl when I start working on my next book. Already on my list for the next project are a repeat of Fast Draft (which will probably be more manageable with the kids in school) and a collage or some other form of visual stimulus. We shall see what works and what doesn't.

Until then, go read Stephenie Meyer's vampire love saga...

One Last Storytime

I took my sons to what was probably their very last Barnes & Noble storytime yesterday. At five and seven, they're really kind of older than the target audience. And they never want to go to the storytimes unless it's a 'party'. A party entails a story, a juice box, a snack (usually gummies or some sort of Little Debby selection), and some sort of activity: a craft or some publisher-supplied activity pages. For the parties, they're willing to revisit their younger days.

So anyway, yesterday the party theme was 'Back to School' and the headliner book was How Do Dinosaurs Go To School, a short rhyming text by Jane Yolen, pictures by Mark Teague. Very cute books. So the place is PACKED--there are literally fifty kids there (I saw two separate booksellers count, and they had to go back to the storeroom twice for extra juice boxes)--and we're all crowded in, kids and moms, trying to listen to this story over the din of childhood. So it starts off like 'How do dinosaurs go to school? Do they blah, blah, blah--blah, blah, blah, rhyme?' And this lady behind me starts answering these really kinda rhetorical questions in a loud, baby-talk voice: 'No! No they don't!' Next rhyme. 'Oh my goodness, no!' Next rhyme. No, they don't do that! Next rhyme. 'Naughty dinosaur!'

I could barely contain myself. I thought this whole thing was hilarious. Every rhyme--she commented on every rhyme. It was like the bookseller was reading it just to her and she was talking back. Even my older son turned around to see who was responsible for all this crazy, disruptive talk. I'm actually kind of surprised he didn't tell her: 'You're not really supposed to answer.' He's that sort of kid. Thankfully, we didn't hear from her again after the story was over. She kept quiet through the next book, and everything went back to normal.

And now we are officially ready for Back to School...Yay! Although we still have one more week to go. Bummer.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen TV Shows I'm Looking Forward To This Fall/Winter Season

1. 24...who can resist, really, finding out what other tricks Jack Bauer has up his sweaty little sleeve.

2. LOST...Not back until 2008. I'm so glad I finally gave this show a chance. Wonder who'll die this season...

3. How I Met Your Mother...LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this show. If you have not seen this show--I urge you to rectify that wrong as soon as possible. Occasionally hokey, it is also very clever and laugh-out-loud funny. In a time when reality shows and police/lawyer/doctor dramas are edging out the comedy, this show is a God-send.

4. Numb3rs...possibly a little on the unbelievable side (although I did read that a Caltech (or similar) math professor is a consultant for the show), I just like the characters. Plus a little romance never hurts...

5. The Office...so ridiculous, it's hilarious. I know a show is working when I get embarrassed for the characters. And Pam and Jim are once again a possibility...


6. Psych...while technically the season has already started, I thought I should include it anyway. If you haven't caught a show, do. It also is a little hokey, but it's good, clean fun. A very observant man partners with a childhood buddy to open a psychic agency and assist the police. (That didn't sound that great, but trust me).

7. Burn Notice...this season has already started too...apparently USA likes to buck the system. We've only seen one episode, but it looks promising. It's about a ex-CIA who's been 'burned' or outed, and now he has to figure out who outed him while using his unique skills to make a living.

8. Dancing With The Stars...I think I'm going to give it a try this season, right from the start. There's no Apolo this season, but I'll try to stick it out.

9. Samantha Who? A new comedy on ABC. I'm always on the look out for a new comedy, and this one has some actors I really like. Christina Applegate plays Samantha who gets into a car accident and ends up with retrograde amnesia--but it's a comedy. (Melissa McCarthy from Gilmore Girls is in the cast).

10. Rules of Engagement Another comedy, but this one's on CBS. Starring David Spade and Patrick Warburton (Putty from Seinfeld), I'm sure it will, at the very least, be occasionally funny.

11. Standoff...I don't know what the season situation is with this show--it seems sort of on again/off again. Two romantically involved FBI negotiators do their thing.


12. Heroes...we're waaaay behind. We need to catch up with last season before starting in on this one.

13. Cavemen...gotta admit I'm not so sure about this one. I do like those Geico commercials though. Three cavemen living in Atlanta must learn to coexist with modern-day Americans. Hmmm.

Long Live The Tivo!


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Dreamgirls

Wow! Just finished watching Dreamgirls by myself, and all I can say is, Wow! That must have been an awesome Broadway show--maybe it still is. It could, possibly, have been a little shorter, but then we would have really missed out on some great musical numbers. And what a cast! Who knew some of those people could sing (Jamie Foxx? Eddie Murphy? Okay, well I didn't).

I did occasionally think it was a little strange when the movie would reach a really tense moment, and there'd be a moment of silence, and you'd be on the edge of your seat, expecting someone to lash out. And then...they'd break into song, and the entire argument would be belted out by all interested parties. Got me thinking...what if we had to sing everything. Good grief--I'd probably never speak again. (If anyone in my family is reading this, don't get any ideas--I have no shame in front of you people).

And then there was the part where Eddie Murphy's character was referring to himself in the third person. "Jimmy's got soul, Jimmy's got soul." Or 'Lorelle and Jimmy are through....' (sung by Lorelle). I swear I could not stop thinking of that Seinfeld episode where this guy--Jimmy--is referring to himself in the third person, and Elaine gets confused, thinks he's referring to someone else, and finds herself stuck going out with him. "Don't mess with Jimmy!"

Even with these little foibles, I thought it was awesome--I highly recommend it. Now I just need to get around to watching The Devil Wears Prada, and I'm all caught up. Oh, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. And Waitress. I'll always be behind...

Number Two

Today my local RWA chapter had it's 2nd Annual Author/Bookseller Reception, and while the turnout wasn't what we'd hoped, it turned out very nicely. Last year we'd scheduled the reception in September, and while we were told by a large number of booksellers that they were very interested in attending, many said it was a very busy time for them, what with school book fairs and Christmas coming. So we only had booksellers from about eight stores in attendance. Still a very nice event.

This year, we solicited advice as to a better date and time. Sundays in the summer were recommended. So here we are, on a summer Sunday. We had RSVP's from six booksellers this year--three showed up, although a couple of stores did send multiple representatives. Still a nice event. I just wish we'd had a better turn out. We have forty-one stores on our list here in the Houston area--you'd think we'd score a little more interest. No one from any of the Borders stores showed up (for the second year in a row), and only one bookseller from Barnes and Noble. The rest were independents. And they all left with goodie bags filled with author freebies, a list of our author websites, and some of Stephanie Bond's suggetions for booksellers.

I'd mentioned I'd maybe be bringing a 7-layer dip, but remembering last year's plethora of dips, decided to bring homemade cookies instead. Dismayed reaction as I came in the door: 'I thought you were bringing the 7-layer dip!' Apparently no one else had planned to bring any dips, so I and another member had to run to the store to get some premade 7-layer dip, tortilla chips, supplemental fruit, and cheese. My cookies, however, were much admired and enjoyed.

So now I'm tired, wondering what happened to the booksellers, wondering how to rally them en masse next year, and ready to be done with this event for another whole year.

ALVIN!

Somehow, my husband found a trailer for the live-action, Shrek-style animation Alvin and the Chipmunks movie scheduled to come out this December. And then...he let my sons watch it over and over and over.... Now they can quote it and do, and if you watch it, you'll see just why it's the perfect little clip for two little boys.

So now that they've been exposed to the Chipmunks, I wondered if a CD would be a good idea. What kid doesn't love listening to that high-pitched, superfast, sorta garbled, babytalk chipmunk voice? I know I did. My husband is on record as against a CD (after letting them marathon-watch the trailer), but I surfed over to Amazon and let them listen to a few songs from one of the old albums. They loved it--of course, they loved it! So now it comes down to: can I possibly stand to listen to a CD full of those songs over and over and over again just to make my children happy? Maybe the Christmas CD...

Thursday 13

By Popular Demand...

Thirteen Euphemisms Frequently Employed in Spicy Historical Romance Novels

Ladies First...

1. Center of her being

2. (Velvet) Sheath

3. Silken Passage

4. Moist Petals

5. Womanly Core

Now on to the men....

6. Purple-headed warrior

7. Member (used very tastefully IMHO in U.P.), often paired with 'jutting'

8. Manroot (this one just gives me the heebie jeebies)

9. Velvet Sword

10. Male potentcy

11. Manhood

12. Promise of Future Delight

13. Turgid Shaft (ick!)

I have to admit, I had to do a little research to find enough to fill the list (I haven't read too many historicals lately), and although they weren't the stuff of romance novels, some of the ones I came across were hilarious. A few to remember...'Womb Weasel', 'dangly bits', 'The Rod of Lordly Might', 'Six Inches of Pink Steel'. But there were literally hundreds of these euphemisms. If only all this creativity could be channeled to a greater good...

If you have another good one, feel free to add it in the comments.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

New Week, New Resolution

It seems just a teensy bit ironic that just days after I signed off from my '100 Words in 100 Days' Yahoo loop, with the excuse that I was hooked and ready to go off on my own--I didn't need to check in every day for motivation, I had it covered--here I am having only written a few days in the last week. They were actually very good days (at least I think so now), but still. Part of the problem is that my husband had the computer tied up most of the weekend trying to complete a six hour defensive driving course. (On the way back from Colorado, driving through a little town in northwest Texas, he missed a speed limit sign, and the ticket is for $180!)

So, since I don't really write anything with a pen and paper, and since I wasn't really looking to do 'fresh material' on my AlphaSmart, I instead used to time to read Me and Mr. Darcy (which I'm liking a lot) and get some stuff done around the house. But I'm starting to feel the distance, starting to get a little detached from my WIP. I need to focus this week and write everyday.

The problem I'm having right now is that my critique partner (whose opinion I do really respsect) keeps telling me I have too much description, too much internal reflection, and too many little asides. Okay. But then I read a book like Me and Mr. Darcy, for instance, and that sort of stuff is littered all over the place. And I like it. So...it makes me wonder if my C.P. and I just sort of like different styles or if my non-action/dialogue parts are just not interesting enough to pull her in. I'm having a lot of trouble with this, and I'm not really sure how to solve the problem. Other than to just make everything a lot more interesting. No sweat!

Oooh! I forgot some very exciting news. I've been appointed as an advisor in Stacy's new World Domination Regime. So, besides the writing, I'm searching for the perfect designer (all Stacy's advisors get a designer, a villa in Italy and an apartment in Paris--woo-hoo!), who'll say 'Respect Me, but Envy Me Too'. I'm tagged to do the World Domination Meme, but I think I'm happy toiling under Stacy.

Racy Humdrum

Last night, I submitted my monthly column to my local RWA chapter's newsletter editor. I always have trouble thinking of topics. The column is entitled 'Ask A PRO'. I am a PRO, which in RWA lingo means that I've finished a full-length novel and submitted to an agent/editor for consideration. Yes, I've done all that, but I don't really feel all that qualified to be offering anyone writing advice--I don't feel like an actual pro. I feel like I've barely scratched the surface myself--I'm still figuring out things that most writers probably get from the get-go. But that doesn't stop me from having to write the columns, so coming up with a topic is always a trial. This month I wrote about critique partners--I've only had mine for a few months now, and so I felt I had a fresh perspective. I sent the column out at about 10:00 pm on the day of the deadline. Within five minutes, the editor had written me back to tell me that someone else had already submitted an article on critique groups.

She told me she was fine with including them both but did I mind? Did I want to see the other article. No, I didn't. Because I'd already written this article and I didn't have another topic in mind. But I looked. And it was great. Written from a different perspective from mine, but still about the same basic thing. So even though I thought it was sort of weird, I asked her to go with it unless the author of the other article had a problem with the overlap. I haven't heard from her. And I'm crossing my fingers because I still don't have another topic. But still...I feel weird about it.

And thanks to my Thursday 13 commenters, I'm now frantically trying to collect a thorough and entertaining list of Body Part Euphemisms. So thank you all. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments. I'm trying to stick to terms used in historical novels, but feel free to let loose.

Thursday 13: A Medley

Thirteen 'Thursday 13' Lists Considered But Abandoned Special thanks to my husband and sister for a couple of doozies...

1. 13 G-Rated Differences Between Boys and Girls

2. 13 Foods I'd order in a restaurant but never make at home.

3. 13 Words found on one particular Boogle shake--okay, I admit that would have been totally boring, but I was desperate...

4. 13 Baby Names I Considered (I doubt there were even 13)

5. 13 80's TV Shows--I couldn't think of any--I was only allowed to watch The Cosby Show

6. 13 Pirate Phrases--again 13 would be stretch for me.

7. 13 Seinfeld spin-offs--not sure if there even are 13

8. 13 Life Goals. I may revisit this one, once I think of 13.

9. 13 Weird Names of Actual Acquaintances

10. 13 Euphemisms for Body Parts--this one actually had promise. (We're talking Regency here.)

11. 13 Common Yearbook Quotes

12. 13 Food Network shows and why I enjoy them

13. 13 Bloggers I love to read. I may still do this one too.

So there you go...this is how my mind works.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants