Another fine mess...

Houston, we have a problem. Several chapters of the nearly finished WIP have vanished from where I thought I'd stored them. The first 115 pages are fine, and the most recent chapters are fine, too, but the stuff in between not so much. I do still have them on the old computer's hard drive, so they are recoverable, but I still need a moment to scream.

Lots of work to do at present, and much of it in a short time, but those who know me well know I like a challenge. So in a way this is kind of a good thing. Of course if the virus from the other computer comes over along with the files, it may be a different, uh, story. Pardon the pun.

For today, I'm writing today's pages, keeping up with the contest stuff and hopefully printing off a few dozen brochures, since I left a bunch of those on the table at church where people leave freebies (everything from fliers to food, household supplies, etc) and taking a few Sims 2 breaks to keep sanity in place.

Midpoint on my week with Kat, and a few hours before the book party tonight, so I'm grabbing a moment to blog.

Kat and I had a lovely walk yesterday afternoon, trying to tell each other things about ourselves we didn't already know. Seeing as how we've been good friends for a long time, it was a bit tricky, but we did find out about our mutual hatred of celery, that tomato soup should only be properly made with milk if either of us are expected to eat it, and we would each rather chew off a limb than work retail again.

So, in that spirit, things you, the blog reader, might not already know about me:

*The playlist most often played on my laptop is named "angst, and contains multiple selections by Meat Loaf and Alanis Morrissette.

*My slippers are big bear heads

*It was either that or big orange cats, but I thought they might give Olivia a complex

*I once considered going into cosmetology as a career

*The toasted coconut donuts are always mine

*I don't understand why anyone thought lemon was a good flavor for toothpaste

*When I ride a carousel, the horse should be black if at all possible

*I love rollercoasters unless there is a loop -- then you're not getting me on it ever

*Current song stuck in my head is "Bird in December" by George Canyon -- it makes me weep, and I like that

*There are three sets of disposable contacts in my medicine cabinet that are at least two years old, but have never been opened. Not sure if I'd seem like a doofus if I asked the optometrist if they're still safe.

*Correct order in which to eat Chuckles candy, according to me: orange, yellow, green, red, black. (Going from least to most favorite, that's my technique.)

*I have to start dialing the numbers for voting on American Idol as soon as they start showing them (at the end of the program) because it takes me that long to figure out how to punch in the whole thing. (btw, I voted for Chris last night; sorry, Taylor and Mandisa. There's always next week.)

Apologies for the low profile, and the huge lag in updating the actual website (with Marguerite's wonderful graphics, too; should get on that ASAP.) I have informed the DH that I intend to make a pup tent out of our fuzzy duck blankey and live in that for at least two weeks, subsisting entirely on a diet of midget cans of Diet Coke and Kentucky mints.

Why? Besides the fact that Kentucky mints are nummy, that is? Glad you asked. You know those times when real life and writing life all go foom in your face at once? Uh huh. That's where we are at the moment. Besides plugging towards the end of OitS, being historical category coordinator for our chapter's contest, getting ready to look for new online class instructors, moderating a faaabulous online class, helping to plan a book launch party some wonderful friends are putting together for me, and getting ready for a houseguest (the delightful Kat, only days away now) while in the midst of two big decluttering projects...and the cold snap we've been having and the cold sore that may be brewing, I really do think the pup tent idea has merit.

Of course I will have my review books and laptop in there with me. As well as the world's most comfortable headphones -- which Rheuben got at the dollar store of all places. The things were apparently designed for joggers, but work equally well for computers. We now own three pairs. I am spoiled for other headphones.

Rheuben beat me to the punch by informing me that he knows when I slide the Phil Collins CD out of the pup tent, that means I am done with it for the time being and he is to slide in one of Rod Stewart's American Songbook albums (which Rheuben bought me on his own, no prompting; what a guy)and when I slide that one out, the next one in the stack. He also insisted on putting in a chicken sandwich once in a while, which I do appreciate, as long as he keeps the level of the Kentucky mints up to the line I will mark on the dish.

Can't complain much, though. Reviews for MOH are starting to come in, and so far all of them have said lovely things about the historical atmosphere (which thrills me to no end) and characters. I got my first fan letter yesterday; actually first and second, ass the gal wrote back after I told her she was my first. (Thanks, Mary Ann)Now I really have to get started on that "first year as an author" scrapbook.

Okay okay, I admit it, I am a very very baaaaaaaaaaad blogger. It's been a rather full (and cold, as in freezing, as in dive for the flannel sheets and add blankeys to the wardrobe kind of cold) week around here. Writing is going quite well; I think I've hit my stride for this part of the book.

I will admit that part of my quietness is that the last complete scene I wrote was a tough one. My heroine had to say some things -- and not say other things-- to a character she might not see again, and let me tell you, this is one of those that takes something out of a writer. I love when that happens.

Matter of fact, I wish it happened more. That's when I know it's doing it right. When I want to run to the rail along with Jonnet and heave lunch over (okay, gross and graphic, I know, but bear with me) myself, it's because I'm feeling her turmoil along with her in more than the usual way.

I remember the first time this happened, when I was still writing "1" as the first digit of my age, and visiting an aunt in NYC. She understood I needed writing time (one of the many reasons we always did and still do get on that well.) As I sat down for that session, I told myself "when I get up from writing this, X will be dead." I liked X. I liked X a lot. Killing him was rough on me, but needed for the plot, and if I ever revisit that story (though I would have to fight the abominable mothball monster for it) X is still going down. I don't think I would have been happy with myself or the story if X hadn't gone out when and where and how he did. Nor would OitS be right if Jonnet didn't go through what she just did.

Bad things can happen to good characters, and make the story even better. Make it right. Since I'm writing romance, I know the happy ending is there, waiting at the other side of whatever lies between once upon a time and happily ever after. Call me twisted, but that's where the fun lives.

First time in around a month I've been able to do any stamping. I got the Feb/Mar issue of Stamper's Sampler last night, got inspired by some fabulous envelope designs this morning, so after breakfast, I decided to get started. When I was stopped by two realizations that hit at the exact same moment -- 1) I had misplaced the most important stamp I neeeded for this project, and 2) my jeans split. It's okay; they had led a long, full life and were too big for me anyway, but they were ready to lay it down at last.

Since the other winter-ready things I could possibly wear are in the wash, I am now dressed, ah, creatively on the bottom half. May have to send my friend Linda by Target on the way to come grab me to do evening errands so she can pick up something that will fit me and *not* look like I mugged a clown on my way to the beach. Ahem. I really do look quite well put together from the waist up.

Big ol' snowstorm headed our way which should seal me in at home on Saturday. That might actually be nice. I can finish judging Golden Heart entries and read books for review. Okay, and play Sims2 until my eyeballs fall out. I am nothing if not realistic. Does hot chocolate and teeny flavored marshmallows count as a necessity? I'm thinking yes.