Do you make lists? Those "to do" lists that keep track of all the things you want to accomplish? Do you keep track of the tasks in your head? Do you write them down on a piece of paper, checking off each item as you complete it? Or do you use one of the new list apps that can prompt and reward you via your smart phone?
I've tended to be a keep-the-tasks-in-my-head type of list maker. I know what I need to get done during the day and for the most part, I get them done. I don't need the validation of the checking off, or the striking through, and if I know what I have to do, why bother wasting a piece of paper to write them down? But maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I've started to worry that I won't remember everything. And of course, I imagine it would be the most important thing that I would forget to do.
Having just returned home from five months away, I have a longer than usual list of tasks I need to accomplish this week. Appointments to make. Mail to go through. Shopping to do. Chores to complete. Writing to accomplish. New covers to upload. I think I need to write a list to keep track of it all. So the next question, do I just grab a piece of paper or do I try one of the new apps?
I'm not one of those techie people who needs to have the newest apps, but I kinda like the idea of having my list on my phone instead of a piece of paper I could easily lose. But have you seen the number of apps available?? I could spend the whole morning just checking out apps. And since that isn't the way I want to spend my day, I'm going to be grabbing pen and paper and starting my list. It probably won't be in order of importance, but I can figure that out as I go.
So I'm off to make a list.
But since we're on the subject, do any of you have a list app you'd recommend? Because I think I need to be getting the tasks out of my head and down where I can keep track of them.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Escargot...on the lamb...
Do you ever notice the small things in life? The dewdrops on the grass? The snail slithering around?
Who would ever have thought taking puppies out for a bathroom break would yield such treasures?
Anyone for escargot?
He’s the one that got away.
Happy Saturday!!!
Terry
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear: Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears http://www.celticbears.com
USA Today Bestseller and Award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval historical romantic suspense, Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She’s a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, to include personalized bears designed to commemorate authors’ books. When she’s not writing or making bears, she’s teaching online writing courses. Originally from California, she’s lived in eight states and now resides in the heart of Texas. She is the author of Heart of the Wolf (Publishers Weekly's BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR), Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf, Wolf Fever, Heart of the Highland Wolf, Dreaming of the Wolf, The Highland Wolf in Paradise, Deadly Liaisons (vampire romantic suspense), Winning the Highlander’s Heart, The Accidental Highland Hero, A Ghost of a Chance at Love (Time Travel Western Romance), The Vampire…In My Dreams (young adult), Deidre’s Secret (young adult) and numerous articles and short stories for magazines.
Back In the Old Routine
The past five months have been a roller coaster ride. A mixture of good and bad. Highs and lows. Laughter and tears. And before I come up with any other cliches, let me say I know that's life in a nutshell. (Another cliche, I know. Please forgive me) I haven't done much writing during this past few months, my brain and body had enough to handle with my father's medical emergency and my mother's need for help, so some of my skills may be a little rusty. I know I've neglected this blog, and I apologize for often leaving Mondays empty. But that's changing.
Not the roller coaster ride, I'm sure life in general will take care of that. But we've gone from the doctor asking us if we want to sign a DNR, to seeing my dad riding his bicycle around the RV park. He doesn't remember being so sick, but the rest of us do, and we try not to get frustrated when he complains about the things he can't do. He still needs to gain weight but he's made remarkable progress. So...
Hubby and I will be packing up the fifth wheel at the end of the week and leaving Florida! Here again is a mixed bag. I've enjoyed spending the winter in warm south central Florida. I sympathized with family and friends as they time and again dealt with more snow and cold than a typical winter, and I was glad I wasn't dealing with that. We're going to take our time driving up, so we hope the roads will be dry and the driveway clear for the RV. But I miss my family and friends. The little guy will be almost two and a half by the time I get home. It will be baby shower time for my daughter-in-law. I'll be able to catch up with friends. In that way, I hope we can get home as soon as possible.
I'm ready. Ready to get back to the old routine.
Back to see my kids and play with the little guy. Back to my house with the lake view (I wonder if the ice will be off or breaking up when we get back) Back to my office and big monitor. Back to writing regular blog posts and more romances I hope readers will fall in love with. But next winter, you can see me escaping the cold for FL again. Yes, I will be a snowbird, with no apologies.
And as a former barbershopper, I couldn't resist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp6bzmDhXi4
Natasha
The Cottage Next Door
Her Royal Masquerade
Playing for Real
www.natashamoore.com
Not the roller coaster ride, I'm sure life in general will take care of that. But we've gone from the doctor asking us if we want to sign a DNR, to seeing my dad riding his bicycle around the RV park. He doesn't remember being so sick, but the rest of us do, and we try not to get frustrated when he complains about the things he can't do. He still needs to gain weight but he's made remarkable progress. So...
Hubby and I will be packing up the fifth wheel at the end of the week and leaving Florida! Here again is a mixed bag. I've enjoyed spending the winter in warm south central Florida. I sympathized with family and friends as they time and again dealt with more snow and cold than a typical winter, and I was glad I wasn't dealing with that. We're going to take our time driving up, so we hope the roads will be dry and the driveway clear for the RV. But I miss my family and friends. The little guy will be almost two and a half by the time I get home. It will be baby shower time for my daughter-in-law. I'll be able to catch up with friends. In that way, I hope we can get home as soon as possible.
I'm ready. Ready to get back to the old routine.
Back to see my kids and play with the little guy. Back to my house with the lake view (I wonder if the ice will be off or breaking up when we get back) Back to my office and big monitor. Back to writing regular blog posts and more romances I hope readers will fall in love with. But next winter, you can see me escaping the cold for FL again. Yes, I will be a snowbird, with no apologies.
And as a former barbershopper, I couldn't resist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp6bzmDhXi4
Natasha
The Cottage Next Door
Her Royal Masquerade
Playing for Real
www.natashamoore.com
The Little Guy is TWO years old!
Hard to believe, isn't it? He's growing so fast and learning new things every day. Talking up and storm and definitely has a mind of his own. We are going to be spending the next three months in Florida to help my parents, and I am going to miss him SO much. (To the rest of my family who might read this post - OF COURSE I will miss you all too - but the amount of changes the little guy will go through in the next three months will make such a difference!)
He's loves to eat. Pasta is a favorite.
He dressed as a railroad engineer for Halloween.
The birthday boy with a Mickey Mouse hat:
It's hard to get a clear picture of the little guy because he is constantly on the move!
The lawn mower was a big hit!
Waiting for a piece of birthday cake.
And just so you don't think he's a perfect little boy - here's he is having a meltdown because his mommy cut his banana in half. LOL.
Happy Birthday, Little Guy! I love you.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
He's loves to eat. Pasta is a favorite.
He dressed as a railroad engineer for Halloween.
The birthday boy with a Mickey Mouse hat:
It's hard to get a clear picture of the little guy because he is constantly on the move!
The lawn mower was a big hit!
Waiting for a piece of birthday cake.
And just so you don't think he's a perfect little boy - here's he is having a meltdown because his mommy cut his banana in half. LOL.
Happy Birthday, Little Guy! I love you.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
It's Been a Long Two Weeks
I haven’t been online/on social media/etc. much in a couple of weeks now. My 83 year old father was rushed to the hospital in Florida and my mom was getting confused and overwhelmed. So two weeks ago, hubby and I threw some clothes in my car and started the twenty-one hour drive from western New York to south central Florida.
It’s been tough seeing my strong dad weak from weight loss due to a trouble swallowing we didn’t realize he had. He’d been hit with several bouts of pneumonia over the past few months which we discovered was being caused from aspirating food into his lungs. I won’t go into all the details, but since we arrived, he’s been in two different hospitals, a skilled nursing facility and back to the hospital for more surgery. He’s confused and angry and doesn’t want to hear that we can’t bring him home right now.
It’s tough on my mom too. Even with us here for support and to talk to the doctors and nurses and to drive her the hour each way, every day. I never realized how exhausting it is to simply sit and wait and worry. Hubby and I have no idea how long we’ll have to be here. We’re lucky we have adult children who can take care of our house and collect the mail and pay bills. I haven’t been getting much writing done, but I know it will be here when I can get back to it.
We’re staying with my mom in their small park model trailer, sleeping on a sofa bed. She doesn’t have wifi, so I have to go over to the clubhouse in their community if I want to get online to do things like upload a blog post. I love my mom, but I think two weeks living in someone else’s house is about the limit. Still, we know we have to stay here at least until my dad gets discharged from the hospital and settled into the nursing facility (luckily only about 15 minutes away from my parents’ place.)
It’s not easy for me to live day to day. I want to be making plans for the next day, next week, next month. But I can’t right now. I think it’s a lesson to me to live in the moment. To appreciate this time I have with my elderly parents. To be glad we were free to make the trip and be here to help my mom. To not worry about tomorrow. But man, it’s hard.
Reading this over now, I know it sounds like it’s all about me and that’s not the case. It’s about my dad healing and accepting that he has a ways to go before he can come home. It’s about my mom not being overwhelmed and being strong enough to take care of him when he comes back home. It’s about my being here to do whatever I can to make that easier for both of them.
But man, it’s been a long two weeks.
Natasha
The Cottage Next Door
Bound to Submit
Bound to Surrender – coming soon
www.natashamoore.com
It’s been tough seeing my strong dad weak from weight loss due to a trouble swallowing we didn’t realize he had. He’d been hit with several bouts of pneumonia over the past few months which we discovered was being caused from aspirating food into his lungs. I won’t go into all the details, but since we arrived, he’s been in two different hospitals, a skilled nursing facility and back to the hospital for more surgery. He’s confused and angry and doesn’t want to hear that we can’t bring him home right now.
It’s tough on my mom too. Even with us here for support and to talk to the doctors and nurses and to drive her the hour each way, every day. I never realized how exhausting it is to simply sit and wait and worry. Hubby and I have no idea how long we’ll have to be here. We’re lucky we have adult children who can take care of our house and collect the mail and pay bills. I haven’t been getting much writing done, but I know it will be here when I can get back to it.
We’re staying with my mom in their small park model trailer, sleeping on a sofa bed. She doesn’t have wifi, so I have to go over to the clubhouse in their community if I want to get online to do things like upload a blog post. I love my mom, but I think two weeks living in someone else’s house is about the limit. Still, we know we have to stay here at least until my dad gets discharged from the hospital and settled into the nursing facility (luckily only about 15 minutes away from my parents’ place.)
It’s not easy for me to live day to day. I want to be making plans for the next day, next week, next month. But I can’t right now. I think it’s a lesson to me to live in the moment. To appreciate this time I have with my elderly parents. To be glad we were free to make the trip and be here to help my mom. To not worry about tomorrow. But man, it’s hard.
Reading this over now, I know it sounds like it’s all about me and that’s not the case. It’s about my dad healing and accepting that he has a ways to go before he can come home. It’s about my mom not being overwhelmed and being strong enough to take care of him when he comes back home. It’s about my being here to do whatever I can to make that easier for both of them.
But man, it’s been a long two weeks.
Natasha
The Cottage Next Door
Bound to Submit
Bound to Surrender – coming soon
www.natashamoore.com
Thoughts on the Weather
I just got back from my second trip in one month. Hubby and I just flew down to Florida to drive my elderly parents up from Florida, where they spend most of the year. On our way back to western New York, we stopped to visit family in Georgia. There is such a great disparity in the weather from Florida to New York, and we had some interesting conversations on the way.
We live in western New York, just south of Lake Erie, and our region is famous for our rough winters and lake effect snow. It's the reason many people leave the area, either permanently, or by becoming "snow birds" who travel to warmer climes for three or four of the winter months. My parents' situation falls somewhere in between. They come north for about four months (my father says he never wants to see snow again!)and spend most of their time in Florida.
Snow can be a pain. Blizzards are hell to drive through and digging out can be horrible. (Thank God for snow blowers!) And it's just plain cold! But...
Most of the year it's beautiful here. It's rarely hot enough to suffer from the heat and usually has enough rain to avoid brown lawns.
Snow can be beautiful drifting down like you're living in a snow globe world.
Skiers like my hubby wouldn't be able to enjoy their sport without snow.
AND...Snow doesn't destroy property - or entire towns! - like hurricanes or tornadoes that hit other parts of our country.
Still...I'd love to be able to spend more time outside which is why hubby and I are considering becoming "snowbirds" but probably only for a couple months.
How about you? Are there pros and cons to the weather where you live? Do you ever want to get away, at least for a little while?
Natasha
Silken Canvas - available now
Voluptuous - coming Sept 6th
Playing for Real - coming Mar 18th
www.natashamoore.com
We live in western New York, just south of Lake Erie, and our region is famous for our rough winters and lake effect snow. It's the reason many people leave the area, either permanently, or by becoming "snow birds" who travel to warmer climes for three or four of the winter months. My parents' situation falls somewhere in between. They come north for about four months (my father says he never wants to see snow again!)and spend most of their time in Florida.
Snow can be a pain. Blizzards are hell to drive through and digging out can be horrible. (Thank God for snow blowers!) And it's just plain cold! But...
Most of the year it's beautiful here. It's rarely hot enough to suffer from the heat and usually has enough rain to avoid brown lawns.
Snow can be beautiful drifting down like you're living in a snow globe world.
Skiers like my hubby wouldn't be able to enjoy their sport without snow.
AND...Snow doesn't destroy property - or entire towns! - like hurricanes or tornadoes that hit other parts of our country.
Still...I'd love to be able to spend more time outside which is why hubby and I are considering becoming "snowbirds" but probably only for a couple months.
How about you? Are there pros and cons to the weather where you live? Do you ever want to get away, at least for a little while?
Natasha
Silken Canvas - available now
Voluptuous - coming Sept 6th
Playing for Real - coming Mar 18th
www.natashamoore.com
The Little Guy is 6 Months Old
He's growing up so fast!
Hubby and I are flying down to Florida today to drive my parents back up north for the summer, so while we're gone I thought I'd share some recent pictures of the little guy. Hope they bring you a smile as your week begins.
Tough guy on Memorial Day:
Looking at that face, I'm not sure he liked his first taste watermelon:
He's not crawling yet, but I don't think it'll be much longer:
Yeah, he's a happy guy (most of the time!):
Have a great Monday!
Natasha
Silken Canvas-available now
Voluptuous - coming Sept 6th - pre-order now
Playing for Real - coming March 18, 2014
www.natashamoore.com
Hubby and I are flying down to Florida today to drive my parents back up north for the summer, so while we're gone I thought I'd share some recent pictures of the little guy. Hope they bring you a smile as your week begins.
Tough guy on Memorial Day:
Looking at that face, I'm not sure he liked his first taste watermelon:
He's not crawling yet, but I don't think it'll be much longer:
Yeah, he's a happy guy (most of the time!):
Have a great Monday!
Natasha
Silken Canvas-available now
Voluptuous - coming Sept 6th - pre-order now
Playing for Real - coming March 18, 2014
www.natashamoore.com
Holiday Heart
Holiday Heart...sounds like the title of a sweet romance, doesn't it? Well, not exactly.
We just got back from eight days on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I posted some pictures last week. We had a great time. The weather was hot. We only had a couple mornings with some rain. I walked the beach every day (with my new hat to protect me.) We ate out occasionally, cooked at the camper more often, drank wine every day. Relaxed and just had a great time.
Our last full day there was the Tuesday before Memorial Day. The night before, Monday night, I noticed my heart racing. I could feel it in my chest. I figured I'd had too much sun. I relaxed that evening, but when I laid down to go to bed, my heart was pounding so hard, I couldn't sleep. I started to get worried. Googling "rapid heartbeat" in the middle of the night reassured me that I didn't have any other symptoms of heart problems like shortness of breath, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, so I sat up most of the night, hoping it would get better. It didn't.
So in the morning, my hubby drove me the 25 miles to the nearest urgent care facility. Two seconds after they hooked me up to the EKG machine, people were running around like crazy, giving me aspirin and putting in an IV. My first thought was, "Shit!" I was in "a-fib" - atrial fibrillation, where the top part of the heart gets out of rhythm, beating too fast and irregular. I was asked often if I'd had a lot of alcohol. Well, yeah. I'm on vacation...
Who knew you could have too much sun and too much wine??
Dehydration can bring about a-fib. It wasn't so much the sun and the wine as no water. I was stupid and didn't stay hydrated. Apparently it happens so often in that area, the doctor's have a term for it. Holiday Heart.
I spent my last day of vacation in the ER, nine hours, four bags of fluid, and a drip of meds to bring down my heart rate. Luckily, my heart flipped back to regular rhythm on its own, otherwise I would have needed a procedure called a cardioversion - a shock to the heart to zap it back in line.
I'm following up with a cardiologist at home. And I learned my lesson. I'm drinking lots of water and much less wine. I still hope to get to the beach again before too long. I'll just be walking with a bottle of water as well as my hat.
Take a lesson from my experience. Stay hydrated. As sweet as it sounds, you don't want a case of Holiday Heart.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
We just got back from eight days on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I posted some pictures last week. We had a great time. The weather was hot. We only had a couple mornings with some rain. I walked the beach every day (with my new hat to protect me.) We ate out occasionally, cooked at the camper more often, drank wine every day. Relaxed and just had a great time.
Our last full day there was the Tuesday before Memorial Day. The night before, Monday night, I noticed my heart racing. I could feel it in my chest. I figured I'd had too much sun. I relaxed that evening, but when I laid down to go to bed, my heart was pounding so hard, I couldn't sleep. I started to get worried. Googling "rapid heartbeat" in the middle of the night reassured me that I didn't have any other symptoms of heart problems like shortness of breath, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, so I sat up most of the night, hoping it would get better. It didn't.
So in the morning, my hubby drove me the 25 miles to the nearest urgent care facility. Two seconds after they hooked me up to the EKG machine, people were running around like crazy, giving me aspirin and putting in an IV. My first thought was, "Shit!" I was in "a-fib" - atrial fibrillation, where the top part of the heart gets out of rhythm, beating too fast and irregular. I was asked often if I'd had a lot of alcohol. Well, yeah. I'm on vacation...
Who knew you could have too much sun and too much wine??
Dehydration can bring about a-fib. It wasn't so much the sun and the wine as no water. I was stupid and didn't stay hydrated. Apparently it happens so often in that area, the doctor's have a term for it. Holiday Heart.
I spent my last day of vacation in the ER, nine hours, four bags of fluid, and a drip of meds to bring down my heart rate. Luckily, my heart flipped back to regular rhythm on its own, otherwise I would have needed a procedure called a cardioversion - a shock to the heart to zap it back in line.
I'm following up with a cardiologist at home. And I learned my lesson. I'm drinking lots of water and much less wine. I still hope to get to the beach again before too long. I'll just be walking with a bottle of water as well as my hat.
Take a lesson from my experience. Stay hydrated. As sweet as it sounds, you don't want a case of Holiday Heart.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
Remember The Sacrifice
As we celebrate Memorial Day here in the US, as we go to parades, and grill outside, and get together with family and friends, and simply enjoy a day off from work and school, take a moment to remember all the military who gave their lives so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. We wouldn't have the life we do today if they hadn't been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
At The Outer Banks
Sun. Surf. Sand. Shopping. And daily walks on the beach. We have two more days at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and then will be making our way back home.
Sitting on the deck overlooking the beach at our campground. Our campsite is close enough to see the water and hear the surf.
We've been really lucky with the weather. But even when the skies weren't clear blue, the clouds were beautiful.
Footprints in the sand - human and dog and bird.
I love the dunes.
Beneath Rodanthe Pier.
Standing in front of the pier, my feet in the water, wearing my new hat.
We'll be back home before we know it, but I'm relaxing and having a great time. I'm not writing, but I'm soaking up the atmosphere and taking lots of pictures. Don't be surprised if I have a few stories in the future set on the beach.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
Sitting on the deck overlooking the beach at our campground. Our campsite is close enough to see the water and hear the surf.
We've been really lucky with the weather. But even when the skies weren't clear blue, the clouds were beautiful.
Footprints in the sand - human and dog and bird.
I love the dunes.
Beneath Rodanthe Pier.
Standing in front of the pier, my feet in the water, wearing my new hat.
We'll be back home before we know it, but I'm relaxing and having a great time. I'm not writing, but I'm soaking up the atmosphere and taking lots of pictures. Don't be surprised if I have a few stories in the future set on the beach.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
Getting Ready to Go
Spring is finally here. In addition to the beautiful weather we've been having lately (don't be jealous, we had terrible weather so far in 2013) and the lovely trees blooming, and my swing once more on the back porch and a new laptop with a matte screen so I can write outside, we're getting ready for a trip to the Outer Banks.
I love to visit the Outer Banks. We used to go every May, but the last few years life has been too busy with other things. We hope to be leaving in about a week (another great thing about being retired from the day job is that if we play it by ear, it doesn't matter. I'm bringing my work with me, so we don't have to be back at a certain time.)
We brought our trailer from the campground where it is usually parked to our driveway, so my hubby can do all the maintenance things he needs to do before we take it on the road, and I can get it stocked with everything we'll need.
So I may be on the road next Monday. Guess that means I better schedule a post now, so I don't have to worry about it. After that, look for tales of my travels and some pictures of dunes and ocean waves. Can't wait to curl my toes in the sand.
Natasha
Silken Canvas-available now from Samhain
Voluptuous - coming soon from Ellora's Cave
Website
I love to visit the Outer Banks. We used to go every May, but the last few years life has been too busy with other things. We hope to be leaving in about a week (another great thing about being retired from the day job is that if we play it by ear, it doesn't matter. I'm bringing my work with me, so we don't have to be back at a certain time.)
We brought our trailer from the campground where it is usually parked to our driveway, so my hubby can do all the maintenance things he needs to do before we take it on the road, and I can get it stocked with everything we'll need.
So I may be on the road next Monday. Guess that means I better schedule a post now, so I don't have to worry about it. After that, look for tales of my travels and some pictures of dunes and ocean waves. Can't wait to curl my toes in the sand.
Natasha
Silken Canvas-available now from Samhain
Voluptuous - coming soon from Ellora's Cave
Website
Welcome to the World, Little Guy!
I'm thrilled to share the news that my grandson was born this past Friday afternoon. He was 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20 inches, those important statistics for those of you who like to know those things.
I'm sure he'll be told at some point that he was a Black Friday baby. But all that meant to us was that my daughter got to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with family before going to the hospital.
My daughter and her husband struggled with fertility problems for several years, so to finally have this perfect little boy is even more of a blessing. Little guy's parents didn't agree on a name until he was born, Daddy finally giving in to Mommy's favorite. So, I hope you'll let me indulge in a little grandma bragging and show off some photos of my new grandson, Colin.
Only a few hours old, in his mommy's arms.
Grandma holding him for the first time.
He loves his grandma already, can't you tell?
Getting ready to go home.
Loving his swing.
And yes, Daddy says Colin is a Steelers fan.
Thanks for indulging a new grandma. I promise no more pictures, at least for a little while.
Natasha
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
I'm sure he'll be told at some point that he was a Black Friday baby. But all that meant to us was that my daughter got to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with family before going to the hospital.
My daughter and her husband struggled with fertility problems for several years, so to finally have this perfect little boy is even more of a blessing. Little guy's parents didn't agree on a name until he was born, Daddy finally giving in to Mommy's favorite. So, I hope you'll let me indulge in a little grandma bragging and show off some photos of my new grandson, Colin.
Only a few hours old, in his mommy's arms.
Grandma holding him for the first time.
He loves his grandma already, can't you tell?
Getting ready to go home.
Loving his swing.
And yes, Daddy says Colin is a Steelers fan.
Thanks for indulging a new grandma. I promise no more pictures, at least for a little while.
Natasha
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
Say Thank You
I know we're all so busy. We have jobs and families and homes and all the other things life throws at us. And on most days we can carry on with all those things in our life without worrying about more than getting someplace on time or forgetting to pick up the milk.
If you didn't do it yesterday, and you know, even if you did, say Thank You to a veteran. If those brave individuals weren't willing to put their lives on the line for us, we might be worrying about a whole lot more.
Natasha
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
If you didn't do it yesterday, and you know, even if you did, say Thank You to a veteran. If those brave individuals weren't willing to put their lives on the line for us, we might be worrying about a whole lot more.
Natasha
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
Do YOU Still Have One?
I'm talking about a house phone. A land line. A telephone that you can only use inside your house, can only talk on, not text or take pictures or search the internet or check your e-mail.
In preparation of leaving my day job in a few months to write full-time, we talked with a financial adviser. I had to work up a budget and it got us thinking about ways to cut down on unnecessary expenses. Hubby and I each have a cell phone. Do we really need a house phone?
I know a lot of people who only have their cell phones. None of the ones I've talked to miss their land line. So why is it such a difficult decision to make?
I talked with a friend recently who is debating the same thing. She said she heard that those of us who have had house phones for years are holding onto them for sentimental reasons. We've always had one. We've had the same number for years.
Probably members of the younger generation reading this wonders what all the fuss is about.
I'm not sure sentimentality is the reason I've been reluctant to give up the house phone. I don't like to get unexpected phone calls on my cell. To me, my cell phone has always been the number friends and family have. Everyone else gets the house phone number.
And how many people and places have only the house number? There are bound to be people I'd want to be able to reach me who only have that number. Or maybe not, if most of my friends and family have my cell phone number.
At close to $40 a month, it's tempting. Hey, think of all the space I'd have on my table if I got rid of the telephone and answering machine! So how about you? Do you still have one? If you made the decision to get rid of it, do you miss it? Or have you never had one? I'd love to hear from you!
Natasha
Paolo's Playhouse series from Samhain
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
In preparation of leaving my day job in a few months to write full-time, we talked with a financial adviser. I had to work up a budget and it got us thinking about ways to cut down on unnecessary expenses. Hubby and I each have a cell phone. Do we really need a house phone?
I know a lot of people who only have their cell phones. None of the ones I've talked to miss their land line. So why is it such a difficult decision to make?
I talked with a friend recently who is debating the same thing. She said she heard that those of us who have had house phones for years are holding onto them for sentimental reasons. We've always had one. We've had the same number for years.
Probably members of the younger generation reading this wonders what all the fuss is about.
I'm not sure sentimentality is the reason I've been reluctant to give up the house phone. I don't like to get unexpected phone calls on my cell. To me, my cell phone has always been the number friends and family have. Everyone else gets the house phone number.
And how many people and places have only the house number? There are bound to be people I'd want to be able to reach me who only have that number. Or maybe not, if most of my friends and family have my cell phone number.
At close to $40 a month, it's tempting. Hey, think of all the space I'd have on my table if I got rid of the telephone and answering machine! So how about you? Do you still have one? If you made the decision to get rid of it, do you miss it? Or have you never had one? I'd love to hear from you!
Natasha
Paolo's Playhouse series from Samhain
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
Hiking at the Gorge
Rain threatened early in the day, but it turned out to be beautiful weather for a walk through Chautauqua Gorge. Hubby and I went with our son, his fiance, and another couple, our good friends who have hiked around the gorge before.
My son and his girlfriend were looking for places that would be good photo ops for their engagement photos. The steep, narrow trails down to the water were a little tricky, but a walking stick helped a lot.
You need to wear shoes or sandals that are sturdy and you don't mind getting wet. You often have to walk through the creek. We haven't had a lot of rain this summer so the water levels were down quite a bit.
Since the water levels are down, some of the waterfalls have barely a trickle. But we did find a few to enjoy.
Hubby rested his feet for a few minutes and I used the time to get a picture.
And here is one photo op of the kids.
We had a great time getting some fresh air, sunshine, laughter and more than a little wet. Yeah, so it goes without saying that some of these rocks are slippery, right? Even with the walking stick I managed to slide into the water at one point. No, I don't have a picture of that - thank goodness. Next time I'll be sure to wear some lightweight shorts instead of heavy denim, so they'll dry out faster.
Summer is rapidly drawing to an end and we've been trying to hold on tight with both hands, enjoying the good weather for as long as we can. What did you do this weekend?
Natasha
Plaything - Paolo's Playhouse #4
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
My son and his girlfriend were looking for places that would be good photo ops for their engagement photos. The steep, narrow trails down to the water were a little tricky, but a walking stick helped a lot.
You need to wear shoes or sandals that are sturdy and you don't mind getting wet. You often have to walk through the creek. We haven't had a lot of rain this summer so the water levels were down quite a bit.
Since the water levels are down, some of the waterfalls have barely a trickle. But we did find a few to enjoy.
Hubby rested his feet for a few minutes and I used the time to get a picture.
And here is one photo op of the kids.
We had a great time getting some fresh air, sunshine, laughter and more than a little wet. Yeah, so it goes without saying that some of these rocks are slippery, right? Even with the walking stick I managed to slide into the water at one point. No, I don't have a picture of that - thank goodness. Next time I'll be sure to wear some lightweight shorts instead of heavy denim, so they'll dry out faster.
Summer is rapidly drawing to an end and we've been trying to hold on tight with both hands, enjoying the good weather for as long as we can. What did you do this weekend?
Natasha
Plaything - Paolo's Playhouse #4
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com
Bittersweet Mysteries
Odd title, I know, but kind of appropriate, considering my topic. I got to thinking the other day (uh oh) about the past because of a story idea rolling around in my head, and I remembered something that had somehow slipped into one of the untidy little closets of my mind. There are many, so it was lost for a good long while, but I apparently opened a cognitive door and out it tumbled.
Before I go further, let me ask you: Do you remember your first kiss? How intense the whole experience was? I know some of you do, because we've blogged here about it before and the comments were wonderful. Well, my first kiss was wonderful, too. It was the whole crush-on-the-guy-who-didn't-seem-interested-after-the-date that sort of ruined the rest of the year for me. Oh, it was one of those puppy love kinds of things, and the truth be known, I dated him on the rebound from another crush, so I was vulnerable. I spent hours thinking about him and what I'd done or hadn't done to make him lose interest and why the kiss didn't mean as much to him as it did to me and blah blah blah--all that boy drama. I learned a great deal about myself from this one little event, and, like many experiences in our teen years, it shaped me and my ideas about romance and love and, of course, kissing.
Great heroine stuff, eh? lol
But that's not the mysterious part. The memory that came back to me was that just before he asked me out, I found the prettiest little ring. It looked like a gemstone, but it was cheap and fake. I liked it, though, because I'm easily distracted by sparkly things, and since I found it on the sidewalk, I just slipped it on my finger and made it mine. So, right before this incredibly intense experience in my life, I found this mysterious little ring. Months later, after I finally figured out what a creep the guy was and my better sense prevailed, I realized the ring was gone. I went to put it on one morning, and it had disappeared from my dresser. I never saw it again.
Being a writer, I think I always wondered if it was coincidence, or was there something about that ring that put those events in motion that changed my life forever...with one kiss? Strange, isn't it?
The other mystery is much sweeter and way more romantic and has to do with kissing as well. Last week, I got an idea for a scene in a story and, as usual, asked my DH to help me with a little research. He, as usual, happily obliged. :)
The scene calls for the heroine to have her eyes closed and for the hero to unexpectedly kiss her. Not original, but still kind of sexy. So I closed my eyes and told DH to kiss me when he felt like it. He waited a second, and then brushed my lips with his. My knees went weak, among other physical reactions. It was WOW. We tried variations thereof, like his touching my face and taking me into his arms, all with my eyes closed and not knowing quite when the kiss would happen. It was amazing!
The mystery is why this type of kiss affected me so, and I have to tell you that until I find the answer, I plan to be a super sleuth and keep replaying the scene until the mystery is solved. lol
What about you? What little mysteries are hidden inside you? Anyone care to share? Please do, and happy, happy reading!
Before I go further, let me ask you: Do you remember your first kiss? How intense the whole experience was? I know some of you do, because we've blogged here about it before and the comments were wonderful. Well, my first kiss was wonderful, too. It was the whole crush-on-the-guy-who-didn't-seem-interested-after-the-date that sort of ruined the rest of the year for me. Oh, it was one of those puppy love kinds of things, and the truth be known, I dated him on the rebound from another crush, so I was vulnerable. I spent hours thinking about him and what I'd done or hadn't done to make him lose interest and why the kiss didn't mean as much to him as it did to me and blah blah blah--all that boy drama. I learned a great deal about myself from this one little event, and, like many experiences in our teen years, it shaped me and my ideas about romance and love and, of course, kissing.
Great heroine stuff, eh? lol
But that's not the mysterious part. The memory that came back to me was that just before he asked me out, I found the prettiest little ring. It looked like a gemstone, but it was cheap and fake. I liked it, though, because I'm easily distracted by sparkly things, and since I found it on the sidewalk, I just slipped it on my finger and made it mine. So, right before this incredibly intense experience in my life, I found this mysterious little ring. Months later, after I finally figured out what a creep the guy was and my better sense prevailed, I realized the ring was gone. I went to put it on one morning, and it had disappeared from my dresser. I never saw it again.
Being a writer, I think I always wondered if it was coincidence, or was there something about that ring that put those events in motion that changed my life forever...with one kiss? Strange, isn't it?
The other mystery is much sweeter and way more romantic and has to do with kissing as well. Last week, I got an idea for a scene in a story and, as usual, asked my DH to help me with a little research. He, as usual, happily obliged. :)
The scene calls for the heroine to have her eyes closed and for the hero to unexpectedly kiss her. Not original, but still kind of sexy. So I closed my eyes and told DH to kiss me when he felt like it. He waited a second, and then brushed my lips with his. My knees went weak, among other physical reactions. It was WOW. We tried variations thereof, like his touching my face and taking me into his arms, all with my eyes closed and not knowing quite when the kiss would happen. It was amazing!
The mystery is why this type of kiss affected me so, and I have to tell you that until I find the answer, I plan to be a super sleuth and keep replaying the scene until the mystery is solved. lol
What about you? What little mysteries are hidden inside you? Anyone care to share? Please do, and happy, happy reading!
Summer's Last Hurrah - Guest: Stephanie Haefner
In many areas of the country, the kids have already gone back to school. But not here. We have always gone back after Labor Day. The holiday weekend makes for one last hurrah before school starts. One last weekend of fun to say goodbye to lazy days. But it also gives some formality to the end of one phase and the beginning of another...a way to transition from summer mode to school mode.
As a kid, my family spent many summers camping at a local family-oriented campground. We were seasonal campers and went there every weekend between May and October. But the holiday weekends were always the best. The place was packed and there was always some kind of entertainment, usually a deejay and dance. I got to see all my camp friends one last time before school started and most of the families stopped camping.
These days, I'm a mom with a child going back to school. One who can't wait! She's had about all she can take of her little brother's pestering! LOL! But as this last weekend of summer vacation approached, I did wonder how we would celebrate it. Every year, as Labor day weekend comes, I feel as if the summer has just flown by. Had I really taken enough advantage of it? Did we play enough? Did we relax enough? Did we soak up enough of the freedom? Sadly, I never feel like we have. So this weekend becomes a time to really squish in some last minute bonding before schedules and activities take over our lives.
So for Labor Day Weekend 2011, Friday was a day at a local amusement park with my family- fun, sun, water rides, and roller coasters! Saturday, me and hubby took in the National Buffalo Wing Festival- a yummy date night! Sunday was a BBQ with old friends we always promise to see more often, but somehow never do. And today...the very last day before the chaos of hectic mornings rushing to get to the bus stop on time, homework, dance classes, school functions...we will probably just sit home and enjoy each other. :) And get ready for the next day!
So if you're transitioning from summer mode to school/fall mode like me, and need a sweet romance to curl up with, check out my latest release, Soap Dreams! It's set in the fall, about a woman who's never found closure for her past and has suddenly been thrust back into it. Here's a little sneak peek!
Robyn grabbed another cosmo and found a seat at a corner table, perfect for people-watching. And what she saw reminded her of high school. She shook her head as the same girls fawned over Derek. The coaches patted him on the back and shook his hand. His mother basked in the light of her son’s glory. The only thing missing was her on Derek’s arm.
“Robyn, there you are!” Penny stepped in her line of vision. “Why aren’t you mingling with everyone? Our whole class is here! It’s like a reunion!”
“I’m fine right here.”
“Oh, come on! You’re the captain of the cheerleading squad--you can’t be antisocial!” She pulled Robyn out of her seat.
“Penny, I’m good…really.”
Too late. Penny had her halfway to the dance floor, where the crowd had congregated. The drinks were obviously starting to take their effect and party guests began dancing. Robyn caught Derek’s gaze and downed the rest of her drink. She didn’t normally have more than one and this was number two--a strong one at that. Her core immediately warmed.
“Hey, I thought you left.”
“No. My ride’s still here.”
“Oh.” He looked to the floor, then back at her. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t leave.”
“Why?” The drink had given her a bit of courage. “I told you no. There’s no point in me even being here.”
“I didn’t like how we left things yesterday afternoon. I wanted to see you…maybe talk to you. Like old times.”
“Old times are over. I don’t get why no one else in this room gets that but me. The past is just that--the past.”
He gave no response as the band transitioned from an upbeat party song to a slower, sultry melody. One she knew far too well. And so did Derek. Their eyes met as the middle-aged lead singer began crooning the lyrics to Wonderful Tonight, words that had been permanently engraved on both their brains.
“Did you plan this?” Robyn snarled. “Did you ask them to play our song?”
“No, I swear.”
She turned toward the door.
“Please. Don’t leave. Not like this.” He grabbed her hand. “Dance with me.”
“You are out of your mind.” She yanked her hand away and stumbled backward in her four-inch heels.
Derek reached for her and as the room began a gentle spin, her eyes locked on his. His arms were around her waist, his chest pressed so closely to hers she could feel it rising and falling with every breath.
“Okay. Maybe just one dance.”
Robyn told herself the dance was purely to keep her from falling flat on her ass. Damn that second martini! Otherwise, she would have been out to the parking lot by now, not caring where Derek’s arms were. She wouldn’t care one bit about the smile glimmering down at her as they swayed to the same song they had a million times as teens, or the intoxicating smell of his skin.
Like a dee jay scratching a record and jolting it to a stop, her brain sent her body an urgent What the hell are you doing? message. She was a married woman. It wasn’t proper to be in another man’s arms, and especially not this close, not this man.
“I gotta go.”
He didn’t say a word as she walked away, trying her best not to look as drunk as she was.
Don’t look back. Don’t do it.
Apparently her body operated without her brain’s consent. Derek stood there--couples embraced and swaying around him--but his eyes stayed right on hers.
Thanks so much for having me today!!! Hope you all have had a fabulous Labor Day Weekend, and gave summer 2011 it's well-deserved goodbye kiss!
Stephanie
Website/Blog: www.stephaniehaefnerthewriter.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/stephanihaefner
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Haefner/99513980888
Let's Talk Pizza
Pizza. Doesn't everyone love it? We probably eat a little more than our fair share in our household, especially since, with a full time job and a writing career, I don't have as much time as I'd like to cook meals. And the convenience of a pizza shop right around the corner can't be denied.
But really, isn't pizza one of those perfect foods?
Okay, so some of the typical pizza toppings, like pepperoni and sausage, aren't the healthiest. But there are so many choices of toppings these days, you can pretty much have any kind of pizza you want. You can put practically any veggie on a pizza. Fruit too. Thin crust. Thick crust. Cheese. Extra cheese. Coffee is probably the only other order that has as many options.
And actually pizza is easy to make at home too, so I don't always order out. (Although I will admit that when I walk in to pick up my order - I did mention the shop is about a two minute walk? - I don't even have to give my name. Can you tell I've been there a few times??) Sometimes when I make them at home, I'll even by the individual size crusts so that everyone can build their own pizzas.
So what's your favorite pizza? Our tastes are pretty varied in our household, but we all agree on Hawaiian pizza. There's something about the sweetness of the pineapple with the pizza sauce that's a treat for my taste buds.
How about you?
Natasha
FLAUNT IT - Coming Aug 30th
www.natashamoore.com
But really, isn't pizza one of those perfect foods?
Okay, so some of the typical pizza toppings, like pepperoni and sausage, aren't the healthiest. But there are so many choices of toppings these days, you can pretty much have any kind of pizza you want. You can put practically any veggie on a pizza. Fruit too. Thin crust. Thick crust. Cheese. Extra cheese. Coffee is probably the only other order that has as many options.
And actually pizza is easy to make at home too, so I don't always order out. (Although I will admit that when I walk in to pick up my order - I did mention the shop is about a two minute walk? - I don't even have to give my name. Can you tell I've been there a few times??) Sometimes when I make them at home, I'll even by the individual size crusts so that everyone can build their own pizzas.
So what's your favorite pizza? Our tastes are pretty varied in our household, but we all agree on Hawaiian pizza. There's something about the sweetness of the pineapple with the pizza sauce that's a treat for my taste buds.
How about you?
Natasha
FLAUNT IT - Coming Aug 30th
www.natashamoore.com
Lessons from the Road
I'm home again after a two week vacation to Florida. Hubby and I pull a 33 foot travel trailer and that in itself can make a road trip challenging. It's nice to carry your own bathroom and kitchen with you when you need a rest stop, but manuvering that sucker in traffic and finding a large enough gas station can be a trick. So after 15 days on the road, here are a few words of wisdom.
Lesson #1 - Don't wear a sundress when you climb the 203 steps to the top of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse! And if you do, make sure you're hubby is behind you when the wind blows your skirt up over your butt!
Lesson #2 - Don't ignore that hot smell as you drive down the road. We burned up a wheel bearing on the trailer and lost 5 hours while we got it fixed.
Lesson #3 - Be Prepared. We had a total of 3 flat tires on our way home from Florida, wo of them on the side of I-77 outside Charlotte at 5pm rush hour. Always have spares! Know how to change trailer tires AND truck tires. Or have a hubby who knows how. And say a few prayers while you watch said hubby changing the tires with the traffic whizzing by.
Lesson #4 - Expect the unexpected. After 3 breakdowns in 3 days, we were almost home. New tires all the way around. We hopped into the truck Saturday morning to get gas and breakfast before hooking up and driving home. The brake pedal went straight to the floor! We'd broken a brake line. We felt a little like we were cursed, but at least it happened in the campground and not out on the road.
Lesson #5 - Keep your sense of humor. Hubby and I went through a lot of stress in the past few days. If we hadn't laughed, we probably would have cried and what's the use of tears?
Lesson #6. Enjoy each day to the fullest! When all is said and done, we had a wonderful trip to Florida, enjoyed hot, dry weather while the folks back home were cold and wet. We visited friends and family, saw the Shuttle lift off and walked the beach.
Our problems didn't start until we were headed home. Maybe that means we should have stayed amid the sun, surf and sand...
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
On The Road Again
It's a sure sign that winter is over - hubby and I have taken off with the RV for a two week vacation. We left western New York Saturday morning and plan to be in Florida Monday afternoon. Yeah, it's a three day journey each way, which means that six days of my precious fourteen day vacation will be spent on the road.
I remind myself that I have to enjoy the journey. Yeah, we've been in bumper to bumper traffic. Lost time to detours. Got cut off by a tiny black sportscar who obviously wasn't intimidated by a huge red truck pulling a thirty-three foot travel trailer. My husband used his share of swear words. My jaw was tired from clenching my teeth. And don't get me started about all the times the GPS directions differed from the Google directions.
But...
We've made it so far with no real problems. Admired the wild flowers on the side of the road. Stared in awe at sight of the fog drifting around the Smoky Mountains as we drove the winding highway. Shared stories with other travelers. Sang not-so-good harmony with my husband in the cab of the truck. And relaxed together in the trailer at night.
We're looking forward to visting family and friends during the next two weeks. Hubby wants to visit the Kennedy Space Center and I hope to walk on my share of beaches. If I come up with some more ideas, settings, characters for future stories that will just be icing on the cake.
So this morning we'll be leaving South Carolina behind for the last leg of our trip south. I hope to share some pictures and stories later on down the road. Enjoy your Monday.
Are you taking any trips this year? How do you enjoy each step of your journey?
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
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