Audio Books = Clean houses

It’s true. Whenever I listen to an audio book, my house becomes a palace. Yes, I hate to admit it but nine hours of solid cleaning is exactly what my home needs. And what’s worse is that I’m not even counting the basement. To tell you the truth, I don’t even want to think about what I have in storage down there.

Yet, with the advent of putting our house on the market by the end of February and (hopefully) moving into our new house relatively soon after that, the only time I have to read is while I’m multitasking. Between classes, work, writing book reviews for my local Examiner, not to mention my day-to-day mom-wife-caregiver-therapist role, the only time I have to read for enjoyment is while I’m cleaning and running errands.

Of course, I have to admit that when I have a new book to listen to, I can’t wait to get started with my cleaning. But don’t tell. If the secret gets out, cleaning services will go belly up all over the country.

Happy cleaning!

Master’s thesis

If all goes as planned, I’ll be attending school for my master’s degree in the fall. The only thing I have to figure out (other than how I’m going to afford it without going into more debt) is what will my dissertation be on? (And yes, I realize I do not sound like an English major when I end my sentences with prepositions…but that’s why this is a blog and not an academic paper). :)

In the last decade there have been two people who have written their dissertations on romance. One was on writing the romance novel. And the other was on romance in medieval literature.

I personally enjoy focusing on 18th century England. There were so many changes happening in both small and monumental ways. After all, the 18th century paved the way for the 19th century and the industrial revolution, and so many changes in human rights. The 18th century changed the way we viewed the world. It’s a very important time in history and also in fashion.

Haha…But seriously, the gowns were beautiful. The wigs I could do without, but the lace, the ruffles, the miles and miles of fabric… *sigh* However, if I’d have lived back then, I would have had much better hygiene.

But back to my original topic, I’ll be thinking about my master’s thesis over the upcoming weeks with the hopes that by the first of May, I’ll present it to my faculty advisor.

Wish me luck! : )

Changes and sadness…

As you know, I’ve started a new job. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I haven’t worked many hours. Therefore, I won’t make much money. And although the thought has kept me up for many nights, I’m no longer concerned as much as I was. I don’t know precisely what happened, but it’s almost as if my brain finally received the signal that there’s nothing I can do about it and therefore has gone numb.

Yet, since I’m not one to let my fate spin too far beyond my control, I have begun a new venture and hope it will turn profitable. But since I’m not an egg-counter, but a chicken-counter instead (For reference, I’m referring to the idiom “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”), I’m just going to enjoy the ride while it lasts and just see what hatches.

Another reason for the numbness of my mind could be because these worries about my financial life have all come on the heels of the grief I’m feeling over the loss of a much beloved uncle. Uncle Al always had a ready smile and laugh just waiting on the tail of one his famous stories. Forever stamped in my memories of my youth was the scent of cherry pipe tobacco that clung to him. And although I was told differently, I was convinced he was a college professor because his beard and buttoned-up appearance made him look more distinguished than a mere businessman. He lived life more than anyone I’ve ever known. He flew planes and sailed boats and never stopped…living. Until cancer took him away from all of us. He will be forever missed, and always thought of with a smile.

New Year’s Resolutions

1. Get an agent
2. Sell at least two romance titles and one children’s title (Yes, I write children’s fiction, too :-)
3. Become a more efficient writer (organize my time, write without the internal editor slowing me down, etc.)
4. Continue to hone my craft
5. Attend RWA National Conference in Nashville
6. Use my elliptical machine for more than just a coat rack
7. Wake up every morning with confidence that I can live the dream
8. Have the courage to keep sending out my stories, no matter what may come back.
9. Know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is MY year.
10. Create stories and characters that are unforgettable (in a good way).