now it's the end of the year

4.30 PM approximately... All pics from Santa Cruz Boardwalk, on 31 December 2008 (this one by asg)

And once again I went to Santa Cruz. Two years running now on 31 December, but this time it was only myself and Bob.

Boardwalk from the south photo by asg

Heads-up: long post, plus pics.

Getting there just in time for the sunset, which wasn't over the ocean, but to the right, past the pier, and truly stunning.

Remnant of someone's hard work photo by asg

Plenty to say, as usual, and today's been a funny last day of 2008. Jay and I went to the nearby mall, as I wanted to get a calendar, and she wanted to poke about. Bought some smellies, honeysuckle lotion and shower gel for me, lip gloss and some bath spray for her. Walked around, and between that, strolling along the beach and standing playing pinball tonight, my dogs are telling me they're glad it's already nearly 9 PM.

Getting close to setting photo by asg

New year nearly on the East Coast, and of course, long past for the rest of the eastern world.

I love this place, not sure why, but something about it grabs me tightly... photo by asg

But today, I started plotting out a story that I had no idea I was going to write until last night at bedtime. Sigh. I told Thea there'd be no January writing while she was home, and I got a skeptical UH-HUH. Lo and behold, that girl was right.

I tried to ring Bob, as the sunset was approaching, but he was busy with pinball, so after this shot I went for him, fortunately catching him right before he plunked tokens into the machine... photo by asg

And like last year's January writing, it's barely plotted, loose, sort of out there, which I wasn't planning on doing. Things lately have been sorted, chaptered even, at least in the outline.

Me, right before the sun went down... photo by Nevada Bob

This story, titled New Year's Eve, is just sitting in my head, and on about 5 or 6 pieces of paper, with names, some dates, hardly any backstory and a whole lot of unknowns.

Although, I am going to TRY to write it from one POV, MC Olivia, and I have never done that before.

There it goes...L ast sunset of 2008... photo by Nevada Bob

But I'm also going to treat it as another exercise, as one POV will be intriguing, plus I really only want to write it in the early AM, when Thea's sleeping and Bob and Jay are off to work/school. I want to have time with my home from uni-girl, and while this story will get written, there are other things besides the work. (That means shorter chapters, so I can close it up around 11 AM or so, when she stumbles from her room.)

Like getting to the beach for the last sunset of 2008. Not setting over the ocean, like I had thought, but still gorgeous. Bob and I took these shots, will try to correctly give the props.

Iin the meantime, this year, whoa! Still waiting for Drop the Gauntlet, but this year, I learned to write.

My best friend, Nevada Bob... photo by asg

And I don't say that facetiously. When I think about the strides I've made, 2008 was a year of crawling along, getting my feet under me, and finding not only can I complete projects I felt incapable (Aset the Shining Sun), but I have a much better idea how to edit (DTG, Bubble Torture, ATSS) and how to write in chapters (Detours, September Story, The Road Home). Not to mention writing clearly, in one POV at a time (still working on that one), getting rid of just, and of course just (ha ha ha) getting my head wrapped around working, setting time aside (and that too needs work, otherwise I'd not be starting another book tomorrow) and feeling like this is perhaps something that was coming, regardless of what I might have imagined.

A great pic Bob took...

Bob and I talked about that as I drove home tonight, the traffic on Highway 17 not bad at all. that how moving back here was change after change, but it's still happening, and not just moving house or sending kids off to college or my writing.

It's that parenting has changed too. Save the youngest, they aren't here, and that alters how you approach life. Kids no longer small, and we're changing too. Bob, a chap I just love to bits, well, it's coming down to where it's only him and me (Is that correct?), and we've never only been the two of us, not really.

photo by Nevada Bob

That's another post for another day. Just the ramblings of a woman who has too much in her head, but saw the ocean today. I love the water, and one other thing we mulled while driving was how the road to Santa Cruz is winding, yet, because I know where I'm heading, my beloved Pacific, I don't mind. bends and twists that might otherwise seem daunting, but I'll drive it in the light or dark, as it takes me to the most enormous and spectacular element.

In the arcade after the sunset, Bob deeply involved in one of his fave pastimes... by asg

Sometimes we have no idea what coming, but knowing it's going to be good gets us there no matter how difficult the path. Happy 2009 everyone!

Christmastime

Is a long time, but not as long as you think.

Not as long as mid to late January, but there you go. The latest from the publisher, as to when the book's coming out.

Well, if nothing else, taxes for Bob will be a no brainer, only one person he has to worry about.

Yup, that's the silver lining.

In the meantime... Busy today, with footie and Detours, going through that behemoth of a manuscript. Thea only got up at noon, so it was a still morning, as Jay was at a sleepover. Just Bob, myself, the NY Giants and Minnesota Vikings. Very very quiet.

Nnow all are home, awake and the BBQ is lit. Bob's got a sunny day, beef mince and ribs. Yeah, he's on holiday.

I however, always have something to edit. No writing till April, during which time I will not be wrapped in Script Frenzy, but the alternative, just another novel. Yet, between now and then, I have a book coming out (eventually) two that are 'ready' to be sent out, one that I'll publish with Createspace.com (from NANO '07), another from November 2007 in need of BIG rewrites, and...

Laundry, football playoffs, Super Bowl, St. Patrick's Day (actually, that's very small on the radar, but fun to mention), then April Fool's Day.

What happens between now and 1 April, oh, well, we will have to see...

Early end of year recap. More to follow...

on drugs

And I'm veggin'. Actifed is a killer for me, even with much tea ingested.

But better than being a huge snotty mess. Now I'm just an oozing thing, slugging around...

Did get two ATSS chapters read this AM, as girls slept, and Bob poked about the heater, after it started making a rather loud, obnoxious sound.

Much better now, although I do think it's time for lunch. Out of cream cheese, hmmm... Perhaps something else?

Yes, I think variety is a good thing...

lovely morning...

So, my brother Patrick likes to faff about in his garage...

And his wife Marie loves to paint...

I received some great pressies this AM, including the most recent NANO mug, Joe Jackson's Mike's Murder CD and WKRP in Cincinnati DVD's.

But one of my faves is the photo above. It sits right behind my laptop.

Hee hee... Hope all are having a most happy Christmas day...

Happy Christmas Eve

Well, it's 7 PM, and here at the house we've all opened a pressie (I got a lovely CD from my friend Miss W) and now it's time to watch a flick. Years ago, when it was just Bob and myself, it was Annie Hall.

Not really Christmas-themed, but a great movie.

Tree's lit, dinner's been eaten (some In 'n Out) and we're all feeling full from pie, cookies, goodies. I did the ritual laundry, a habit I began years ago, when in the UK I felt nearly obligated to get things sorted, what with shops closing for three days over the holiday.

Christmas, Boxing Day, the day after...

Such a lovely tradition, but now shops are open Boxing Day, although I don't know if that includes the grocery stores.

Anyways, I felt like I needed to get everything done, t's crossed, i's dotted. laundry done. So on Christams Eve I did laundry. Just felt like it should all be washed.

So I did that today. Amidst making cranberry sauce, peppermint ice cream pie and a bit of work, I got laundry done.

Hadn't planned it, but some things are far more ingrained than you think.

So, here on Christmas Eve, baskets are empty. My heart however is not. I have gifts far beyond what sits under the tree, more than I can explain.

If you hold these in your hand, you'll know what I mean.

if I had more than half a brain

I'd not get my knickers in such a twist.

I knew last night I'd be having a look at ATSS this morning. Girls are both sleeping, Bob's at work, and after a pot of tea brewed, Ntingwe Kwazulu from Betty's that my lovely friend Cynthia sent me, I sat down and read that extra chapter, and the bit I added to the last one.

Bits that were VEXING to me last week. Today, it came.

Sigh... I know these things, yet I still get all worked up, fearing the worst.

That the story's gonna languish in the dregs of my laptop...

But even as I was fretting, I knew somehow I was going to sort it before the end of the year. Didn't know HOW, but knew before 1 January, 2009, this story was going to be done.

Finito.

El fin.

The end.

And yup, knickers twisted unnecessarily, it is.

Man, sometimes I could just kick myself for being such a dork. I mean, good grief.

But there you go. And this story, one that was from ages ago, but meant more than I could have known, this one's for Nevada Bob...

Ta love...

just to say...

Well, since the book's coming out REALLY SOON, maybe there might be more folks checking this blog.

Maybe.

So, because of that, I thought I'd add some info people might be interested in...

I'm sort of tired, just made a bunch of chocolate chip banana nut muffins, and now that Monday Night footie is over, I'm sort of veggin' out.

Nevada Bob, my better half, is watching Top Gear, as his Green Bay Packers have lost, again...

Eldest daughter Thea is home for the semester break from university.

Middle son Bud is up north, at college, and won't make it home this Christmas... Sigh...

But youngest child Jay is busy working on a project, off from high school for a couple of weeks.

With two kids out of the house, life is very different, but having moved back to California, my native land, after nearly 11 years of life in the UK was pretty altering. I mean, American football used to not start until 6 PM on a Sunday. Now, it's an early morning affair, 10 AM!

Other differences as well, like driving on the right, no Marks & Spencers or Indian takeaways, lots of sun and enormous motorways. Not to mention the only place to buy proper tea is an import store, and we can't seem to find refrigerated clotted cream ANYWHERE...

But we are home, yet no longer homeschool. So that leaves me plenty of time to...

WRITE!

And since NANOWRIMO 2006, that's what I have done.

Writing keeps me sane, out of Target, and off the streets. Might actually pay the light bill, one of these days.

And when I'm not parked at the laptop, I'm listening to music, cooking, driving up north to see the kids at university, driving youngest child to the mall, or watching sport, especially tennis, baseball, tournament college basketball or football (soccer).

And of course, AMERICAN footie, my beloved San Francisco 49er's where my heart lies.

Or I might be stitching, crocheting, reading or if the TV is on, and no sport available, Dr. Who, Top Gear, or the ubiquitous Godfather or Star Wars flick could hold my attention.

But usually I'm caught up in a manuscript; reading, editing, tweaking or plotting one out in longhand. Using black gel pens, college-lined notepaper, my favourite tools.

Listening to the White Stripes, R.E.M., Madonna, or about one hundred other artists and bands. Reggae ranks highly, along with Nilsson, Murray Gold & the BBC National Orchestra, Sheryl Crow, Supertramp, Living Colour, Camper Van Beethoven, and so many that I need to move on.

Life's gotten quite varied, with a return back home, kids flying the coop, no rain or Radio 4. But that's the beauty of the thing. Nothing stays the same. So, with that in mind, enjoy the blog...

coffee and tea

Bud's morning brew... Holiday marshmallows and everything... all pics 21 December '08, this photo by Bud

I've had three cups of tea so far this AM, and Jay is making some coffee that her boyfriend gave her for Christmas. He'll be gone until Wednesday night, and she's already planning on finishing a blanket she's been SLOWLY crocheting for him.

It's Sunday. Football and Thea's home, and maybe some work done today, but my team is up 3-0 over the St. Louis Rams. Used to be the LA Rams, but that was ages ago...

My morning coffee, after the tea... snapped by Jay

And has nothing to do with tea or coffee. I'm going to get out one of my little Spode Christmas teacups, pour a little bit of Jay's brew, add a significant amount of milk, some sugar, and sip away.

Sitting, writing the blog... photo by Jay

Jay took the pics of my cup (and me) and Bud sent a photo of his morning brew, and yes, those are marshmallows. But not in a cup of cocoa.

Hello dolly bars

He likes marshmallows. A lot. And puts a fair amount in his coffee. He has a tiny percolator, very cute. Only Thea likes tea, and I've nuked her a cup, as she's home for the holiday, and just woke.

The kitchen, where three teapots and one cafetiere need to be cleaned. Pecan cookies to the right.

Today I need to... Well, watch footie, get some groceries, wash teapots (see above), watch more football, enjoy having my eldest home, drink some water, and end the day with one last football game.

I did all my baking on Friday, as by the photographic evidence. I'm getting better with the new camera, did all the goodie pics myself, the others were by Jay. Except the one by Bud.

Walnut shortbread bars (my faves!!!)

I should get going, if I'm going to watch any footie today. Plus Jay wants a haircut, and there is shopping to do...

Fudge...

And maybe some work. We will see...

cold right hand

I figured out a few days back why when reading/editing my right hand is always cold.

Because it sits on the mouse, as I change things, scroll through the manuscript. Away from the small, slight warmth offered by the keyboard.

Price Is Right moment...

Two of my siblings are lefties, but none of my kids are. Isn't that funny? Things that happen so arbitrarily, and as neither of them have kids, I don't know if it's a genetic thing, luck of the draw...

It's sunny, but cold. 36 F here, and my feet are cool. I'll be heading out in a bit, blasting that heater down on my toes, and all will be better. I'm wearing a sweater, and it reminds me of living in Britain, where I wore sweaters nearly year round. Yorkshire was cool, even in July.

But I only wrote one book there, not even a whole story. Don't know what that would have been like. Everything else has come here in California.

Been thinking about Belated recently, listening to the tunes, getting ideas. Still lots to flesh out, reading to do. Birthday Letters is a part of it, R.E.M. too.  Is it the time of year, feeling like ending, things ending? Is it time passing, making for memories to fade, turn not rose-coloured, but easier?

Thinking of people with left hands, people I love, people long gone...

I don't know. Reading manuscripts that make me cry, maybe that does it. About love, loss, and most days that's far away, because I know where he dwells. Not here, not for a long time.

But a place better. He was left handed, and my cold right hand is warming up, writing this blog.

Tears fall, but the hand feels warmer...

small grey bird

Do you ever write stuff and you just don't know what in the hey it means?

I just did that very thing. Wrote out a chapter for ATSS, and I haven't even cleaned it up yet. Red and green marks all over the word document, but I had to give it a minute. Now, and when writing.N ow to just say I really don't know what I just wrote, and then, as I watched a small, sleek grey-ish brown bird hopping along the back garden.

He was plump, the cooler days not giving him any trouble. Poking about, he made his way along the cement patio, then back onto the grass, against the back fence. I put my glasses on, as I wanted to see him crisply, observing him until he moved from my view. I think I even saw a hummingbird out there earlier today, zipping along our lemon tree, then to the neighbor that directly backs our house. It was raining this morning, and now it's sunny to the west, a few dark clouds remaining along the eastern hills.

My feet are cold, from sitting for so long. But I needed to get that chapter out, even though I have no idea what it's supposed to say.

Maybe once I correct all my typing errors, it will be clearer to me. Hmmm....

Yeah, I hope so!

it's beginning to smell...

Me and the tree... pic by Bob 14 December '08

...A lot like Christmas.

We got the tree up and decorated yesterday, and it's quite pretty. Monday night football is on, Eagles are taking the Browns to town, and the house smells like pine and Gruyere cheese...

Both are the scents of the holidays for us... Pine, obviously, the tree.

The Gruyere... From garlic potatoes. And yeah, it smelled like garlic too.

There were still spuds left, so I bought some Gruyere cheese, heavy cream and a bulb of garlic; along with some simple hamburgers, there were potatoes full of cheesy, garlicy, creamy goodness.

Usually had with ham, but certainly dressing up lowly beefburgers too.

Today was full of running around, until the afternoon. Picking up a few pressies, getting things accomplished. A few more bits wrapped and under the tree, and I'm starting to think I'm getting a handle on things. Rainy here, on and off; blue skies appearing, then showers that our state needs desperately. Rain falls here and it's an event.

I did get some work done early, then a tiny bit more after getting a package ready to go. Early tomorrow I'll get to the post office, stand in the queue. If the post office was open earlier than 9, I'd be there. As it is, I'll get Jay off to school, then do some reading, mail my box, and then we'll see.

But the holidays are really approaching. And once I have a bit more shopping done, I'll be feeling better...

reasons to be cheerful

I attribute today's title to Bob. He was listening to Ian Dury last night.

Not that song, but it's a Sunday, footie, and the Christmas tree is standing in the back yard, hopefully will make it inside today.

Watching my 49er's, Jets and Bills on the other station. I'll never understand the rule where sometimes we don't get both games. It's complicated, because we have two pro teams here in the Bay Area, SF 49ers and Oakland Raiders. Unless they are on a bye week or playing the Sunday or Monday night games, we get one team in the AM, the other in the PM. Now, usually there is a double header shown by one of the two networks, either in the morning or afternoon.

If this is too much American Football information, bear with me... Ta loves!

But because we have two teams, sometimes all we get is the one game, both in the morning and afternoon. Yet, today the NY teams are on the other station, and when Bob gets home from church, he'll be glad when I change it, happy to see ex-Packer Brett Farve playing. Very complicated, and I do apologize...

Okay, so that's one reason to be cheerful. Another is that I made stew last night, and don't have to cook dinner tonight. I will make roast potatoes for lunch, as I bought a bag of spuds yesterday, and need to use them up. Turning on the oven will boost the temperature in the house. It's cool today, relatively. 45 F out and cloudy. Rain's been forecast but none has yet fallen. We need it, and if it comes down, it will go on the cheerful list.

(My team's playing like a bunch of dorks, but we will overlook that for the time being.)

As for the work... Well, I'm cheerful that I keep notes on my editing progress. Because... I found yesterday that I have NOT done a read aloud edit of ATSS. I thought I had, but it's not down anywhere, and that will be what I do after getting through this round. And...

I figured out how to transition to the end. It's been missing SOMETHING and until last night (or was it early this morning) I just didn't know what I was gonna do...

I mean, I could say it's done, I could.

But that wouldn't make me very cheerful. But I think I know what will come, and once I get to that bit in the story, I'll write something, getting this book sorted. It began on 1 January, 2008, and as it's going, will finally be finished by the end of the year, the longest I've spent writing a book, in the sense of actually getting it done right.

It's been a book that I've struggled with, a story that I'm still trying to find the essence of; a story that just goes along, one in that the writing is pretty good, but has taken me, well, a year to get to grips with.

And I hate ending sentences with a preposition. Not a reason to be cheerful.

Blah blah blah... I'm rambling, because I'm watching football, typing what comes into my head. My team's moving the ball but gave up a 60-plus yard TD throw. My team bites this year, but has picked things up here at the end, making me hopeful for next season.

ATSS has been that way. Couldn't finish the story in January, and set it aside. Picked it up in September, and 'ended' it, but then went back and scrapped that ending.

Now I'm going to add a chapter, that hopefully will sort it properly. Then...

Well, another reason to be cheerful. IF I can sort it, and feel it's okay, then...

I'm gonna put it out there, and see what happens...

And if something happens, now THAT would be a reason to be cheerful!

1, 2, 3...

faffing about

Is what's I'm doing this AM...

Oh, and before I get any further, I should go dump the laundry into the dryer...

So, yeah... About that laundry. Got some towels in now, blankets and towels and more towels to last the rest of the day. And a bagel's on the counter, defrosting, and...

Yeah.

Bob had a late morning, which is always nice. But he's gone now, and I'm procrastinating.

And I'm not sure why...

Did some on Detours last night while watching the game, as I feel horribly guilty watching TV and not doing anything else. All I watch are sports, or on the rare occasion, when Bob's found a good movie, I'll join him. Otherwise I just don't bother with television. I used to, ages ago, before we moved to the UK. but once there, shows I watched were gone, and I got into the habit of only eying sport. The homeschool rule was no TV until after everyone was done with school, or 5 PM, whichever came LAST. Ha ha ha...

Invariably, the TV never came on until 5.

So now, in a quiet house without contractors or husband or child, it's me, my laptop and I.

Towels notwithstanding. Although, when tennis is on, I am tempted, and do watch a match here and there...

So, I find myself drawn to work. But this morning, it's just not coming.

Not that I'm bothered. it's just odd...

I don't like being unoccupied. Is that being a stay at home mom, but the only kid at home is at school, and she's 16 and really, in a year and a half, she'll be gone?

Is it that it seems wasteful not to be busy?

For almost a decade all my kids were home, and there was always SOMETHING going on.

Now, it's different. No Betty's to sit at, sipping tea, on mornings when things were slow.

No kids needing my assistance.

No one but me.

And that's fine. As long as I feel like I'm contributing.I n that, I'm not just oozing around, doing nothing.

Blogging counts, sure it does. Laundry too. And if I was really in need of an distraction I could go Christmas shopping.

But that doesn't call to me either. Maybe I just need lunch, then the afternoon will be better.

If not, there's always an interesting article to read. Or maybe an idea to plot.

Yeah, there's always something. If it not one thing, it's another...

watching footie again

So it's Thursday and I'm watching Chicago and New Orleans. Iin the city of corruption and graft, I mean, the home of the Bears. The home team scored first, a TD coming from the kick off return.

Finished a 'small bit of poking around' on September Story, got a bag of goodies from Melissa at the write-in, plus a handmade small painted house. What a lovely thought!

Did some shopping too. A good day, varied accomplishments.

Then, I came home, and thought about food.

Yup. Food.

Stuffing specifically. I bought several boxes of a name brand stuffing mix over T-day, as I love stuffing. But while it's one thing to make it for lunch with a cup and a half of water and some butter, five minutes on the stove, it's another thing to look in one of my favorite cooking magazine and drool over I mean covet those recipes.

So then I was thinking about Christmas dinner.

I was hungry, okay?

Back in the UK, we always had a ham from Marks and Spencers. Smoked gammon, oh so good!! Ham, garlic potatoes, peas, Grandma's fruit salad and broccoli.T hat was Christmas dinner.F riends in Britain thought it odd we didn't have turkey, but having just eaten it the previous month, and that scrummy ham from M&S, just too good. Dessert was double layer pumpkin pie, peppermint ice cream pie, leftover Christmas goodies and one year I made mincemeat ice cream. Which will be the desserts this year too.

But thinking of stuffing, I might make that too. Bob's not a fan, but he has peas. Jay and Thea would enjoy it. And I would too.

I love to cook, and while pies aren't my speciality, these ones are easy pies. Graham and cookie crusts preclude any actual pie crust, one of the things I just leave for others' hands. I love to eat it, but avoid making it.

Looking through that magazine made me hungry and excited. There are many different aspects to this time of year. Spirituality, giving, shopping, thoughts of peace.

Food too. I like to write, but I like to cook. And eat. There are things from the UK I miss, that great ham, Christmas cake and mince pies. A good friend sent me some tea and a box of those delectable pies, which remind me of trips to Betty's, or buying a box at M&S.

But here in the US, there is... Uh, well, warm days and football on Thursdays and write-ins and the sense that Christmas needs freezing temps. I suppose as long as I keep looking in my old cooking magazines, it will seem like the holiday.

And in the meantime, maybe I'll heat up one of those mince pies in the AGA. I mean toaster oven...

it's always something...

If you know from where that title originates, let me know...

In the meantime, I am again waiting for the inspector, who did NOT arrive yesterday. However, as these things invariably land, it was for good, as the sensor light in the bathroom wasn't working and now there is a fairly nice fluorescent piece along the wall. Bob will decide if it stays. Seems fine to me.

California code 24, I believe. Although, if you simply turn OFF the light when you leave, that works too.

Anyways... I spent the afternoon yesterday waiting, doing some laundry, finding a bag of gloves, and while it's not frigid here, the mornings are getting cooler, in the low to mid 40's. Taking Jay to school precipitates a need for some gloved hands, or else the steering wheel is cold. Now I have all those things, hats and scarves as well, hanging in the front closet, all the trappings we needed in Yorkshire, that really aren't in use in California.

I did wear my coat yesterday, taking her to school, so far the only time it's been on all of 2008.

After sorting those items, I got bored. Either I'm reading, editing or writing. So I brought up September Story, just for kicks, and poked about the second half of it the rest of the day and evening. Cleared out a bit, took a look at a chapter that I'd been considering for major overhaul, and decided for now, it's fine. It's about a woman who escaped major injury in an accident when she was ten years old. Now, twelve years later, things are coming to disrupt her life, and of those around her. I had the ending first, for a good while, and it had nothing to do with the rest of the story. Then, it all came to me, and then, after it was written, the real meaning slapped me upside the head.

But beyond that, I wanted something to do that wouldn't be too taxing, in case the inspector arrived, not wanting to lose a train of thought. So today, I'm back to that manuscript, starting from the beginning, poking about, waiting to hear that knock knock.

Keeps me out of the shops, staying close to home. And since Jay forgot her key, I will be here until at least half two.T here are some pressies needing to be purchased, but until this light passes code, I'm bound to the house, the lovely Bay Area sun shining through windows.

Not at all like the snow Jo's finding in New York, but if it does turn chilly here, at least I know where my mittens are...

swim

Back to song titles. Madonna, from the Ray of Light LP. Been going through my head all morning...

BT is ready for a break.F inished another round, different font, and am pretty happy.S haved off 450 words, down to a slender 91,512.

After a bloated 117K, a pretty nice accomplishment. One that I didn't think possible.

So now I'm waiting for one last inspection of the loo, a bathroom light that's on a sensor. All those California energy saving mechanisms that my dad rails against, and am I just getting older, or more like my father?

I mean, if you can't turn off the light when you leave a room, good grief! The dumbing down of a house, indeed... As Elvis Costello says, it's Beyond Belief...

the kind of editing I'm talking about...

This is what I mean, by skimming words here and there... Back to work early this Monday morning, even though Jay's feeling a bit under the weather. We'll see if she gets to school later today.

Anyways, the work:

R.E.M.’s version of Arms of Love filled Susie's ears. Her feet were beginning to feel the effects of walking fifteen miles a day, coming in the way they ached when she sat down, how they responded when she got back on them. Being off her feet felt odd, which made her laugh. She and Donovan had established a routine. Susie walked in the morning by herself, then the threesome ate lunch together. Donovan would unload the Segway and while he and Susie traveled, Jackson drove the RV and, if necessary, reloaded with water and provisions. They were eight days into the trek and Susie’s mood was positive.

So, I read that and felt... Hmm...C lunky. Here's what it's like now...

R.E.M.’s version of Arms of Love filled Susie's ears. Her feet were beginning to feel the effects of walking fifteen miles a day, coming in the way they ached when she sat down, how they responded when she got back on them. Being off her feet felt odd, which made her laugh.

She and Donovan had established a routine. Susie walked alone in the morning, then after lunch, Donovan would unload the Segway. While he and Susie traveled, Jackson drove the RV and, if necessary, reloaded with water and provisions. Eight days into the trek, Susie’s mood was positive.

Just from putting it in a different font. How many times have I read this over the last couple of months? And while this is a more severe change than what else has happened this go-through, basically, it's what eyes see, what looks right, or almost there...

Ba-dump-bump... Time for blogging is over. Back to work...

a day that will live in infamy

Is this day, 7 December, Pearl Harbor, getting this country into WWII.

(Heads-up! Sort of a long, rambling post...)

When we lived in the UK, my kids got off the internet a recording of FDR's speech after that bombing, and for ages they'd recite those words, using his accent.

We homeschooled for nine years, and while Jay is finishing up her education at the local high school, it was a good run for us, got Thea accepted into two UC's here in California (fees being what they are for out of state students, she's going to a Cal State, but it was very flattering for her) and overall gave me nine years with my children that otherwise I would not have had. They would have been at school away, and the book, The Bubble Torture, that I'm pouring over now, gives an insight to what it's like letting go of that lifestyle.

That, and of course, drug addicted dead siblings, etc, etc.... Gotta have the drama.

Anyways, JC asked what was next... Still getting BT into shape, but it's nearly there. I've put it into a different font, and that still gives food for thought, plus I need to get back to ATSS, give that a read aloud too.

But this Sunday AM is the first day I haven't felt compelled to work.

And what I mean by that is probably for the last year I have been driven by some inner focus to spend much of my time either writing, reading, editing or something to do with this 'work'. This work that has become my life as a writer.

And this morning, all I want to do is watch football. American football.

A very strange feeling...

It's a quiet house, except for the odd rumblings the big PC makes, like Norton is running, but that's tomorrow night. Bob and Jay are at church, and I'm here, trying to make some sense of this notion. I assumed I'd pop open a file or two, sit down and start the usual process.

But with NANO done, DTG at the printers (Which makes me nervous- did I forget something? Did I use a reference incorrectly? Is it just going to suck so bad that I want to disappear?) and the 2008 pro and college football season winding down (I watched two college games yesterday, the latter being a blowout by the Oklahoma Sooners over Missouri that I turned off in the beginning of the third quarter), I feel strangely detached from the work today.

Is that weird? Or just normal? My pace is what it is because since last NANO, I've treated my writing as a 'job'. Because now that the kids aren't homeschooled anymore, what else is there for me to do?

That was my life. Teaching and raising kids in a country not my own. I loved living in the UK, LOVED IT. All caps, no questions. It was cold and different and not a lot of warm sunny days (Did I mention it was on the cool side?) and it was a place where I found myself after my own brother's death and so much more. A place where I learned how to take what you are given and find the beauty in it, a place where I discovered TEA! (that alone means so much) a place where I met great people, tried and savored Indian food, built coal fires, lost 7 stone, and went to Betty's as much as I could possibly get away with. Even a place where I got to see my beloved football played, (Sunday nights, on Sky sports, with Nick Halling and Kevin Cadle) and didn't have any more kids and forgave and moved on...

Two years ago we had made the decision to come back here. Not on the 7th of December, but the day after Thanksgiving. Yet, by this date in 2006, I knew my life was going to change. BIG change. Big as in I was coming home to California and had started writing (but not finished DTG) and was going to say goodbye to my eldest when the school year ended. It was all turning, as we joked we were going to alter about as much of our lives as was possible. I had NO IDEA (and I mean none, none whatsoever) that two years later all this would be as it is. Well, I assumed Bud would be off at school too, but that was about the only thing I knew. Now it's so, oh my goodness...

Changed. Altered. Different. Dissimilar. Not the same.

And neither am I.I t's ten o'clock on a Sunday morning. When I lived in California last, that was always the time to watch footie. Not the footie I grew to know in the UK, but American footie, with guys in pads and helmets and WAY too many beer commercials in between. Today's first game is the NY Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. My team, the hapless SF 49ers, will play this afternoon. It was always a winning Niner team when I was here, but years pass, and there you go. Years passed, and I became used to football at night, the eight hour time difference putting the games on at 6 PM in Britain. Now I covet the Sunday night game, reminding me of a life two years gone.

Two years gone, but not forgotten. Like Pearl Harbor or my brother or having one's kids all around, chattering and giving me a day full of activity.

Things change. People age, move on. move out, go to college, have their own lives. Now, I'm learning how to have mine, in words and stories and ideas that have been with me since the first time I saw Thelma and Louise. written by Callie Khouri, and I thought, hey, I'd like to do that. Like to write something that meant something. (Not necessarily with Brad Pitt in it, but hey, if that happens too...) I saw that film, found out it was written by a woman, and from that moment, already a young mum with three kids, I knew writing was something I wanted to revisit, wanted to try again.

(Used to write as a teen, but then tossed it aside, after going to beauty college, doing hair, meeting Bob and having kids.)

Do the words come now as they do because I'm 42, feeling like time is short? Because I've had ages to come up with ideas and tales? Because now my time is freer than I ever imagined?

Probably all those. And a sense that life comes as it does, even days like this one, for a reason. The US should have been involved in the Second World War long before the end of 1941, but that attack put us where we needed to be. And all that has come before this day for me was to get me here.

In the bigger picture, this little blog post is a minute footnote. But all these things are for some purpose. Even a day spent watching football. The manuscript will be there tomorrow, when Bob's at work, Jay at school.

Have a good Sunday. I'm ready to watch muscular guys in tight pants. Hoot hoot!!

camera fun

Ninja close up... all pics from 6 December '08 by asg

Bob got a new camera recently, and with my camera phone, I eschewed learning how to use it.

Well, my cell died a few days back, and so, necessity is most certainly the mother of invention. Jay helped me sort it out, and here's the results...

I like the red one...

Just of the ninjas today. More soon, as I get my head wrapped around it.T oday's a day to finish laundry, watched college footie and maybe get some work done this AM...

I used to take pics all the time, but I'm not the most techie of folks, and when I got this notebook, it was a pain to get photos sorted. And I was writing. :))) But I miss that aspect of things and getting the pics loaded, cropping, etc, took me back to previous days...

Plethora of ninjas...

If I can pry myself away from the ninjas, then I'll get something else accomplished...

feeling accomplished

Man, you throw one load of sheets into the washer, and boy does the confidence ooze...

Well, that and getting dishes out of newspaper, washed and into the cupboard.

And getting over 900 words sliced off a manuscript. Hee hee..

Been reading BT aloud for what feels like DAYS now. (although it's only been three) and today I got under 92K.

OH MY GOSH!

It really does feel that good.

And with 1 1/2 chapters left and no one around for another hour or more, I'll wrap up that puppy today. And that feels so good to contemplate, as well linens off my couch.

The sun's shining, making the day feel warm, is that it? Is it getting dishes out of boxes, into the house, properly placed? Getting sheets (that cushioned said dishes) off the chairs and into the washer? Clearing out words from a manuscript that this time last year wasn't quite done and giving me FITS!

Maybe a combination of the three.

And I should stop dawdling and read.

But I wanted to just post this, because it feels so good... Woo-hoo!!

Update....

1.46 PM, Bob just having gotten home. I'm done, BT coming in at...

91,976....

Ahhh.... It feels so good!!!

taking a break...

Prior to work... These cabinets were put in back in 1990... That was a while ago... October '08


Kitchen after tile counters had been removed by Sam, the stove trying (unsuccessfully) to escape. (The dishwasher however did manage to flee...) October '08

...From work. Which I have been doing today, in addition to running a few errands and getting another visit from Jason, who went through the kitchen, testing his cabinets. It was pretty funny...

Ed tearing cabinets from the walls. utter devastation! (He loved doing it!) October '08

His babies... Like my manuscripts. And he's only 25 years old...

Gutted at the bottom, top still hanging in there... October '08

But tonight Jay and I are going shoe shopping, as Bob has to work late. She'll get some dinner, and I'm taking a moment to blog, eat some stuffing, stop thinking of dead autistic kids and running mothers and walking mothers and suffering writers.

From left- Justin, Jason and David, cabinet trio extraordinaire! November '08

Drama blah blah blah...

But at least the electrical outlet in the loo is sorted, towel rack moved over half an inch so the shower door opens and perhaps that's the end of my interaction with Jason and Shaun, both great guys and very good at what they do. Shaun thought it hilarious how much I loved the vinyl and all the work they did. I joked that I was pretty easy... Ha ha ha....

All it needs is a sink! November '08

And I did tell them if I get last month's NANOvel published, I'd thank them, as TRH was written surrounded by various contractors and their bits and pieces.

Just a few days ago, definitely with a lived-in feel... 2 December '08

And to share with you some of Jason's handiwork, here's my kitchen, before and after.

My overdressed window, bits I have been waiting to see for ages! 2 December '08

I am pretty pleased with it all, and he's just such a charming chap. I hope he gets to catch a nice wave soon, and maybe someday a blue-eyed surfer with a handy knowledge of cabinetry will pop up in a book.

If you scroll up a few, a real difference. I'm a happy camper, that I can tell you... 2 December '08

If one does, you'll know from where he came...

hard at work

Where I work (when I'm working)... The backyard and old computer chair in the background... 2 December '08

Or hardly working... A mix of the two...

Okay, so back to the issues at hand. NANO '08 done, read through that puppy, adding one bit I forgot and fixing one glaring mistake. Funny how Matty and Mark were interested in certain bits of construction at the beginning, switching roles later on. Sorted that out, and I'm feeling TRH can now sit for a bit...

Good thing too, because I did start doing a read aloud edit on BT, until Jason the kitchen guy and occasional electrician came to sort out a switch in the house bathroom. According to state of California code, bathroom lights have to be some weird motion sensor type, energy saving, blah blah blah...

But Jason's specialty is kitchen cabinets. After a short time of his presence, the new switch was blown (thankfully none in my house went!) and he was off, with news that Shaun might come round this afternoon to sort it out.

And I thought Mark and Matty were having troubles... See, truth is stranger than fiction.

Anyways, no reading aloud while Jason was here and he had the breaker off that precluded any internetting. so I changed sheets, chatted with my mum, and held the flashlight while Jason tried to sort the wiring.

He really should stick to cabinets.

I took some photos of said cabinets today, and will post them in day or two. Today's pics are of my workspace and ninjas.

Plot ninjas on the windowsill... 2 December '08

Plot ninjas, to be precise.

Because while I need no plot help, I do need to get my fanny perpendicular into gear. Jay should be home soon, and I won't be reading aloud while she's around. But I should do some laundry (sheets can get thrown in) and have a look at ATSS, in need of a rewrite for the first couple of chapters. And then...

Well, I may shove it out the door, see where it lands. With DTG in print mode, it's about time to get another baby off the steps and into the hands of someone else.

Jay just got home and this blog is about done. Hard at work or hardly working... You make the call...

belated

Now that TRH is done, all that comes into my head, work-wise is the next one.

Sort of how I had my first kids, Thea not even a year old before I felt ready to have another.

Bud came along, only 18 months between those two. Bless Bob, he's a saint, I'll tell ya!

Five months will separate The Road Home and Belated, but it's already there, gestating away. Crazy, I know. But sometimes things come later than you think, yet, at just the right time.

Trying to eat lunch, write this, unpack teapots, put things in appropriate places, and I love metaphors. If anyone ever asks me why I write what I do, all I'm gonna say is read the books. Everything you'd want to know is there, in black and white.

This is a funny post. I'm sort of a funny person. I hung up yesterday, or maybe the day before, things that haven't been in my house for over 5 years. Well, just about. Crystals from one lost, a blue-coloured glass hanging frog that I made when I was 16, wind chimes from the UK, little pieces of my past that I'm going to gather into a novel come next spring.

And it's amazing to me how things come together; houses, books, bits of you life that are saved up over time, leaving parts here and there, and as I put photographs into a box, as there is just no room for them now, I know one day I'll open that box, take them out as I've been doing this morning, and set them where they need to be.

Sometimes belated, but at the right time.

(Intro)- Blanche
Too Much Between Us- George Winston
Don't Tell Me- Madonna
Restless Reminder- Empress
Edge of Seventeen (Live)- Stevie Nicks
Little Glitches- Subaqwa
Wake Up Bomb- R.E.M.
Money Changes Everything- Cyndi Lauper
Because the Night- Patti Smith Group
E-Bow the Letter- R.E.M.
Let It Go- Subaqwa
Leave- R.E.M.
Offend in Every Way (Live in Berlin 19 May 2003)- White Stripes
Angel- Annie Lennox
Departure- R.E.M.
Let's Rock- Sly & Robbie
In the Sun- Peter Gabriel
Fretless (Instrumental)- R.E.M.
I Can't Wait- Stevie Nicks
Eternal Flame- Bangles
Someday...- Blanche

See, I'm not kidding. Got the music (just about. there maybe a bit of tweaking with that playlist between now and April) and everything. Now to just wait for spring... And plenty to do between now and then. Book coming out, next book to get out to be published. Editing (always editing) and reading and unpacking and Christmas and a new year and crystals bouncing light around my kitchen, light that I've been looking forward to since Dale House.

Sorry if sometimes I'm sort of loopy. In DTG, Sally tells Graeme she's just a loopy woman. Graeme tells her he happens to like his women loopy.

Hmmm... Gonna have to ask Bob about that one. Well, it's been twenty years since Thea came along. I guess he doesn't mind me too loopy....