As Days Turn

The Case of the Curious Bride

2012-01-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hero: Perry Mason
Heroine: Della Street

It's not a romance. It's a Perry Mason mystery. I love these books. I've never read one I didn't like.

In this one, Rhoda Montaine is arrested for murdering her first husband, Gregory Moxley. Her current husband Carl is ready to testify against her. Rhoda walks into the D.A.'s trick, and claims she was ringing the doorbell outside when the murder allegedly took place. Since a defense of self-defense is off the table, Perry must use his wit and wiles to come out a winner in the end. He's so smart; that's why I love him.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Case of the Curious Bride: Great

How the Marquess Was Won

2012-01-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Hero: Julian "Jules" Spenser, Marquess of Dryden aka Lord Ice
Heroine: Miss Phoebe Vale

How the Marquess Was Won is the sixth book in Ms. Long's Pennyroyal Green series. This was my first experience with Julie Anne Long's writing.

I enjoyed it. There were times where it reminded me of Jane Austen's writing. The interactions between the hero and heroine were filled with longing and angst and chemistry. I loved those scenes.

I felt like the ending was a bit off. The book opens with the hero shot, and then jumps back in time six weeks. It was a good opening that pulled me in, but toward the end of the book, where it meets back up with the beginning, I don't think six weeks time had passed. According to my math, it would have been fifteen or sixteen days, tops. I would have accepted three weeks, but not six. That sort of thing drives me crazy.

Sort-of-a-spoiler alert (highlight to read): Something else about the ending bothered me. It felt rushed when Phoebe and Jules finally got together and married. I would have loved to see another scene with their wit and sizzle. A little bit more dialogue and less narration would have been welcome. I felt cheated by the ending, even though everyone got their comeuppance and the couple wed. If it hadn't been for my disappointment with the finale, I would have ranked this book as great.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for How the Marquess Was Won: Good

True Shot

2012-01-20T21:46:00.001-07:00

Hero: Mac Hunter
Heroine: Samantha Trudeau

If you like kick-ass heroines, this book is for you. Sam Trudeau is an empath working for a branch of the FBI called the National Neural Network or N3. The book begins with her on the run after witnessing her fellow agent/friend's death, a kill ordered by Sam's creepy boss. Sam goes to hide out in her estranged family's vacation home, where she meets Mac.

The story is action-packed. I thought the violence near the end was a bit gratuitous, but maybe I'm just a bit sensitive. Quiet reporter Mac is a nice complement to alpha-heroine Sam. They make a good couple.

True Shot is the last book in Ms. Lamb's True trilogy. I haven't read True Colors or True Vision, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment one bit.

Here's my favorite exchange from the book (starting on page 193):
"So you dumped my sister for your job. Did she kick your ass?"
"Nope."
"Maybe I should do it for her."
He grinned at the feral thrill that coursed through him at the idea of Sam wrestling him to the ground and having her way with him.
"You're supposed to quake in fear, dumbass, not look forward to it," she said with a lazy drawl.
He tried his best to lose the grin but couldn't. "Sorry. You're just so incredibly hot when you get tough."

I recommend True Shot. I didn't expect to like it since I'm on a historical romance kick right now, but it pulled me in from the start.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for True Shot: Good

If the Ring Fits

2012-01-06T10:15:00.001-07:00

Hero: Dr. Travis Fisher
Heroine: Mary Karen ~~Vaughn~~ Fisher

If the Ring Fits isn't the type of book I usually consume as part of my normal reading diet, but I won a signed copy from the author. I enjoyed the story. I don't normally like romances that feature a couple who have a history, but it didn't bother me here. I fell in love with the hero. He was so dreamy.

Downside: There's a part in the book where Mary Karen has a 2:00 appointment. When she gets home, her kids are just finishing lunch. ??? Who feeds a 3-year old and two 5-year olds at 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon? Then the kids say they want to go to the park "this afternoon" - what no naps? The older kids would probably do okay, but the 3-year old would need a nap. The only scenario I could think of–and this is stretching things–was maybe they had snacks at eleven and took their naps after that, thus eating a late lunch. The whole thing took me out of the story.

Aside from that, I found the hero charming, the heroine likeable, and the story enchanting. It was a relatively quick read. I recommend it.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for If the Ring Fits: Good

The Seduction of Scandal

2012-01-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hero: Reverend William Norwich
Heroine: Lady Corinne Justine Rosemont

This is the first Cathy Maxwell book I've read, and I enjoyed it. The heroine's name (Corinne Justine) had lovely lyrical appeal. Since she was a lady, there were also lots of "my lady" appellations, which I enjoy. The heroine had spunk, moxie, and smarts. She was my favorite character in the book.

The hero was the Thorn; a Robin Hood who stole from the rich to give to the poor. I didn't love him as much as the heroine, but he was a good guy. He met the heroine years before and fell in love with her then, but he didn't want to give into his feelings out of a sense of honor.

I was going to give this book a rating of great, but the more I think about it, the less I think the story itself deserves a great rating. The heroine was great. The story was good. I liked it and would recommend it. I enjoyed it very much.

On a different note, the female cover model kept reminding me of some actress. I couldn't remember when or where I had seen her. Finally, it dawned on me. It was the girl in the Jane Doe movies: Jessy Schram. I don't know if she was the actual model, but she looks like her.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Seduction of Scandal: Good

The Days of Our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of Our Lives

2011-12-31T09:44:00.001-07:00

Hero: Ken Corday

Heroine: Days of Our Lives

It's not a romance. It's an autobiography of sorts. As a fan of Days of Our Lives, I found it interesting. It gives a little behind-the-scenes information, but it's not a juicy tell-all. It tells more about the Corday family than the Days family.

There are other books about Days of Our Lives that I would recommend over this one. I enjoyed Lorraine Zenka's Days of Our Lives: The Complete Family Album, which gave great historical information about the show. I highly recommend Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes' autobiography Like Sands Through the Hourglass both as a romance and an inside look at the show.

As for The Days of Our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of Our Lives, I finished it. I don't plan to re-read it. I may keep it on my shelf for a little while, but only because I don't want to spend the money on postage for PaperBackSwap or Bookmooch.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Days of Our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of Our Lives: Fair

Playing Dirty

2011-12-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hero: Cade Gallari
Heroine: Ava Spencer

I couldn't finish it. Playing Dirty is the last book in the Sisterhood Diaries trilogy by Susan Andersen. I started reading it in September, the day after I finished Bending the Rules. I made it to 51% on the Kindle before I finally gave up.

I really enjoyed Hot & Bothered, my first taste of Ms. Andersen's work. I enjoyed the rest of the Marines series and the first two books in the Sisterhood series. I've enjoyed Ms. Andersen's efforts in the past.

Why I quit Playing Dirty:

• The characters had a bad past, and the references to it, although not constant, became irritating. The hero had apologized multiple times for his actions, but the heroine never really accepted his apology.

• There was a bit too much introspection in some places.
• There wasn't a lot going on in a lot of the scenes. It seemed like filler, but the book didn't need filler. It needed a good purging.
• There wasn't really any romance.
• The hero and the heroine faced struggles to get together, but I wasn't rooting for them. What was there to root for? Aside from the fact that I knew they would get together in the end, I didn't see any reason for them to be a couple.
• I didn't like the hero or heroine enough to care about them.
• The final straw was the excessive misuse of the Lord's name. I can overlook the occasional misuse, but it just got to be too much. I was already irritated with the book. The insult to my God finally gave me a good excuse to give up.

I may be in the minority with my opinion of Playing Dirty, but it is what it is. I think I'm done with Ms. Andersen. There are plenty of other authors out there that tell stories I enjoy reading, and my TBR pile is overflowing with them.

His Wicked Revenge

2011-12-19T07:53:00.002-07:00

Hero: Anthony Barnett
Heroine: Lady Marissa Paget (née Joslin)

This is a short story, and a very quick read. I did not like it, and here's why (spoilers lurk below):

• The hero is bent on revenge, but he's misdirected his anger at his fellow victim, the heroine. Even when he discovers his idiocy, he still tries to punish the heroine.
• The heroine doesn't have moxie. She's stuck between her vengeful hero and her villainous brother, and she acquiesces to the one who presents the most danger to her daughter's well-being, the hero. This is ridiculous because the hero is her daughter's father. (She knows this; he doesn't.) A simple solution would have been to counter the hero's proposal (that she become his public mistress) with her own. My idea? She tells him to ruin her indebted brother, but provide for her and their daughter.
• A chance encounter, a bit too convenient for my tastes, reveals the hero's daughter to him, and he flips out. Later he realizes his reaction was unwarranted, but it was too little, too late to redeem him in my eyes. It didn't help things that the heroine considered telling him about his daughter the night before but decided to put it off for weak reasons.
• The villain never gets his comeuppance.

Things that should have bothered me, but didn't:
• I'm not a big fan of the couples-with-a-past scenario, but it worked here because the couple was separated by other people, not themselves.
• The length was super short. Any longer and I probably would have abandoned it due to my dislike of the characters.

I'm not ready to write off Vanessa Kelly yet, but I'm also not super eager to purchase any of her other work (despite a recommendation from Teresa Medeiros). I have too much on my TBR pile to give her a second chance at this time.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for His Wicked Revenge: Fair

All's Fair in Love and Seduction

2011-12-16T12:48:00.001-07:00

Hero: Lord Derek Creswell
Heroine: Miss Elizabeth Smith

This is a novella in the Elusive Lords series. It follows Sinful Surrender and A Taste of Desire. I haven't read either one, and I didn't feel like I was missing out.

Things I didn't like:
• There are a handful of typos.
• Initially, I was distracted by an overuse of adjectives. It drew me out of the story. It wasn't a problem after awhile.
• The references to Charlotte and Alex in the beginning pulled my attention away from Derek and Elizabeth. Considering their minor roles in this story, I would have preferred less about them and more about the main lovebirds.

Things I liked:
• I was worried that Miss Kendall was going to lose me somewhere near chapters seven and eight. As the scene progressed, I kept saying 'no, that's not the way to go' but the tension continued to mount, and just when I thought the scene was going off the deep end, the heroine saved the day. Or rather, the author did. It looked like it was going one way, but it went a different way. A good way. I enjoyed the experience.
• Derek took fate in his own hands.
• Elizabeth had a good heart.
• I enjoyed the sweet way they fell in love a little at a time.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for All's Fair in Love and Seduction: Good

All's Fair in Love & Seduction - FREE

2011-12-14T10:35:00.001-07:00

All's Fair in Love & Seduction

All's Fair in Love and Seduction is a novella. It follows full length novels Sinful Surrender ($2.99) and A Taste of Desire ($4.49). Here's the Amazon.com link for the free download. I bought it when it was 99¢ - a bargain then, a steal now. I haven't read it yet. (Drat you, TBR pile!) I wanted to read the two novels first, but now I'm inclined to spend the afternoon reading the novella so I can post a review. Check back on Friday to see if I've done it yet. ;)

The Devil Wears Plaid

2011-12-09T13:16:00.001-07:00

Hero: Jamie Sinclair
Heroine: Emmaline Marlow

Let me begin by saying Teresa Medeiros has never disappointed me. I read Some Like It Wicked back in 2008, Yours Until Dawn in 2010 (excellent!), and A Kiss to Remember and One Night of Scandal this year. I highly recommend Ms. Medeiros' books. If you're wondering where to start, I suggest Yours Until Dawn or The Devil Wears Plaid.

The Devil Wears Plaid begins with Jamie kidnapping Emma at the altar. He holds her ransom for a necklace (and an admission of guilt for the murder of his parents) he believes her bridegroom (a rich old man called the Hepburn) has. The Hepburn is Jamie's biological grandfather, but the old man refuses to accept a bastard grandson, especially one mothered by a Sinclair, a family with which a centuries-old feud exists. That's just the backstory.

Jamie and Emma lust after each other soon after he kidnaps her, and love develops as the story progresses. I won't go into details, because this book is getting my highest rating (and I don't want to spoil anything), but I will say I enjoyed the lack of misunderstandings and the lack of intense introspection that some books possess. I can't think of anything bad to point out about the book; I was thoroughly satisfied. The secondary characters were well-developed, but not overwhelming. (I would like to see Ian Hepburn get a girl and story of his own.) The plot was meaty. The sex scenes were tastefully written. The hero and heroine were both very likable. All in all, a very satisfying read.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Devil Wears Plaid: Great

All About Seduction

2011-12-05T13:17:00.082-07:00

Hero: John "Jack" Applegate
Heroine: Caroline "Caro" Broadhurst

The heroine is married, but not to the hero. She married a much older man when she was fourteen. Childless at twenty-nine, her husband commands her to take a lover. As his third "barren" wife, he knows the problem is not hers. (A doctor even looked at his seed in a microscope, a detail I'm not sure I wanted to know, even though I always want too much information.) Her husband arranges for a hunting party; the irony is that he intends his wife to do the hunting (for a stallion/stud/sperm donor). When an accident occurs at the mill (Mr. Broadhurst is the wealthy owner), Caroline brings the victim into their home. The victim is none other than the man she's admired from afar: Jack Applegate.

Mr. Broadhurst is the Gothic villain in the story. Pimping out his third wife is not his only treachery. He is suspected of murdering his second wife (deemed a suicide), he hires a man to kill one of Caroline's marks (a man whom Caroline attempted to seduce), he is an apathetic employer, and perhaps the most damning of all, he beds his wife knowing he is sterile AND he doesn't even attempt to make the marital act comfortable, let alone pleasurable. (I point this out tongue-in-cheek.)

The adultery aspect of All About Seduction didn't bother me at all; in fact, I was hoping Caroline would find sexual satisfaction with one of the house guests. It irked me that none of the prospects seemed to be interested in Caroline's pleasure (Jack notwithstanding); it would have been nice for Caroline to enjoy pleasure by one man, only to discover ultimate pleasure with the man that she loved.

I read All About Seduction in a little over a week. I wanted to read the story and couldn't wait for Jack and Caroline to finally get together. By the time I was three-quarters into the book, I grew to loathe the incessant introspection and self-flagellation. Caroline and Jack both lacked confidence and self-esteem. They both felt unworthy of the attentions of the other. I can understand feelings of inadequacy, but it went on too long. There was too much attention paid to the internal workings of the characters's minds/motivations. It grew tiresome.

All About Seduction ended with the most rushed ending I've ever read. If ever there was a book where I felt the author was so tired of writing it that they tacked on an ending to make it stop, this was it. I was not satisfied by the way the conclusion came up all of a sudden and tied everything up in tidy bows. The ending itself (villain dead, hero and heroine married with children) was nice, but it seemed like a hollow victory.

I think better editing could have saved this book. Cut out at least half of the introspection, give the conclusion a better transition, and flesh out the villain by making him a bit more sympathetic (not necessarily redeemable, but at least a little human; no one is all bad). The romance between Caroline and Jack was sweet, but the distracting introspection and sloppy ending ruined this book for me.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for All About Seduction: Fair

As You Desire

2011-11-20T20:27:00.002-07:00

Hero: Harry Braxton

Heroine: Desdemona "Dizzy" Carlisle

I started reading As You Desire in early September and I finished it in late November. It took me a long time to read. Usually, that doesn't bode well for my enjoyment, since the story seems to be dragging on and on. In this case, I liked the story, but the words slowed me down. I needed more time to process the words as I read them. This wasn't the case when I read My Dearest Enemy, also by Ms. Brockway. My Dearest Enemy only took a week last year when I read it. (This was before I began reviewing books.)

Parts of As You Desire that I did not like:

1) The topic of Harry's dyslexia was well incorporated into the story in some places, but it mostly stuck out like a sore thumb. It could have been better handled.

2) I didn't get why Desdemona reacted the way she did when she saw Harry's name on the will, listing him as the heir of Darkmoor Manor. I couldn't make the leap from Desdemona making love to Harry to suddenly feeling like the bone between two dogs (Harry and his cousin Blake). It seemed like a sloppy plot device created to explain why Dizzy left the house unescorted, and thus leading to her kidnapping.

3) Magi got on my nerves.

4) The story never really resolves the money issues Desdemona experienced. It is left to the reader to assume that her marriage to Harry fixed the turkey farm problems and other cash flow concerns. It really irked me that Blake kept the gold Apis bull and sold it. It appeared that he never told Dizzy or Harry about it; I would have liked to know with certainty what happened there.

5) The point of view switched from Dizzy to Harry without clear transitions. I disliked reading Marta's POV so early in the story. There were a bunch of times I found myself wishing for a different POV throughout the book.

Things about As You Desire I liked (yes, there are some!):

1) Harry was an absolutely dashing hero with real-life characteristics and flaws. I was routing for him the whole way through.

2) Desdemona grew as a person during the story (if you ignore her odd reaction mentioned above), and was likable.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for As You Desire: fairly good

A Most Dangerous Profession

2011-10-31T13:05:00.002-06:00

Hero: Robert Hurst

Heroine: Moira MacAllister Hurst (and too many aliases to list)

This is the third installment in the Hurst Amulet series, and in my opinion, the best one by far. I enjoyed Robert's demonstration of intelligence. It's always nice when a hero or heroine has the upper hand and villains fall by the wayside. I preferred Robert to Moira, but only because of her decision toward the end which resulted from distrust (or a dumb attempt to hold on to her independence and self-reliance). Luckily, Robert was playing his A-game and anticipated her moves so Moira's stupidity didn't ruin anything.

Here are a few of my favorite things from A Most Dangerous Profession:

1) Buffon, Robert's valet, is a loyal, smart servant. I enjoyed the character. I would like reading more about him, but not as a hero. I appreciate him in the role of sidekick.

2) Robert always has the upper hand, but when it comes to Moira, he's willing to relinquish control.

3) Robert and Moira have an easy, comfortable rapport and sexual chemistry. Whether they're in the bedroom or just enjoying one another's company, they have a really good time together.

4) Robert didn't hesitate in his new role as a father. He accepted responsibility, respected Moira's role as mother, and let his surprise daughter set the pace in getting to know one another. There's nothing sexier than a man who excels at fatherhood.

I made a point of complaining about the Kindle formatting on the previous Hurst book. I am pleased to report this one did not have any issues. I didn't notice a single typo, either.

My only complaint about this book might be a slight spoiler, so skip over this paragraph if you haven't read it yet. The search for Ross' secret room was such a big plot point that I was disappointed when the actual discovery of the box was skipped over. I think it was a missed opportunity.

Rating for A Most Dangerous Profession: Great

Conor's Way

2011-10-25T21:50:00.003-06:00

Hero: Conor Branigan
Heroine: Olivia Maitland

Laura Lee Guhrke is a new author to me. A couple of authors recommended her, and when I saw Conor's Way was only 99 cents for the Kindle, I bought it. (I love a bargain!)

I read books simultaneously, and at any given time, I might be reading three to six books. I started Conor's Way at the beginning of September, and just finished it Monday night. When I really get into a certain book, I focus on reading it more than the others, and finish it sooner. (I read A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey in one week.) Since it took me nearly two months to finish Conor's Way, I think it's safe to say I never got super excited about it. I don't mean to imply it's not a good book; it is a really good story. I just didn't fly through it.

At the beginning of the book, I was turned off by the Conor flashback chapters. I didn't want to read about his horrible past; I wanted to be entertained, not saddened or horrified. Once I got to the end, I was kind of okay with those chapters, because they did help explain things. They just slowed everything down. I think I would have preferred to learn about his past when Olivia did.

I liked the characters and the plot. The ending was really great. It was an enjoyable read. I recommend it. I'm in no hurry to buy up Miss Guhrke's backlist, but I would read another book by her.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for Conor's Way: Good

Scandal in Scotland

2011-10-19T13:12:00.003-06:00

Hero: William Hurst, Navy veteran and sea captain
Heroine: Marcail Beauchamp née Miss Ferguson, actress

This is the second book in the Hurst Amulet series. (Although it might be better named the Hurst Onyx Box series at this point, since the amulet hasn't made an appearance yet.) This is not a stand-alone book, in my opinion. It's more of a stopover. Start with One Night in Scotland.

First, I have a complaint about the Kindle version. The formatting at the beginning of each chapter looked like this:

C
HAPTER 1

I don't know whose fault that is (I blame the publisher), but it irritated me. I paid $7.99 for the book; the same price as a paperback. I expect it to be as neat as a print copy. It may be a persnickety point, but it drew my attention away from the story at the beginning of every chapter.

I read a review on Amazon's site that complained about the cover art and title. Both are misleading. The action didn't take place in Scotland, and there wasn't a scandal. William never had a sword, and tartan wasn't a part of the story. The small ship in the corner of the cover was nice; William owned the Agile Witch and some of the action happened aboard. The publisher probably figured the title and cover would help the book sell. (To read more about titles, check out this post by Ashley March.) Neither played a part in my decision to purchase it; I enjoyed the first book of the series and wanted to know what happened next.

And now for my review:
I enjoyed parts of the book, but as a whole, the story fell flat for me. Marcail broke up with William in the backstory via a letter. She didn't mention her real reasons (his hot temper and jealousy could have jeopardized both of their burgeoning careers) in the letter, and when she revealed her true motivations years later, William's reaction ('I'm mad you lied, but yeah, you're probably right') was a let down. Come on, William, she didn't even give you a chance to screw up; she just assumed you would. You should have been mad about that.

Marcail's secret (and motivation for paying a blackmailer) seemed ridiculous, especially since there was too much telling and not enough showing. She wants to protect her sisters from being associated with an actress? Okay, then let us see an interaction between Marcail and at least one of her sisters. That would have given her more rooting value than the scene with her grandmother. The added detail of her having to pay for her sisters' seasons made it seem even more odd that she would give money to a blackmailer. Don't just tell us about her horrible father; give us a scene that shows him being a jerk.

William and Marcail really liked each other, and their problems were more fabricated than real, so they married quickly. The ending felt rushed, but I wasn't sorry to see William and Marcail's story end. It seemed almost like filler for the series. A side note: the epilogue said all of William's siblings attended the wedding, but that doesn't seem likely since Michael was still kidnapped and Robert was off chasing Moira. Details like that drive me crazy.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for Scandal in Scotland: Fair
---

By the by, the Goddess Blogs is hosting a book club on their Facebook page. The third Hurst Amulet book (A Most Dangerous Profession) was released yesterday, and there will be a discussion beginning October 31. I have never been interested in a book club before, mainly because the chosen books seemed a little too highbrow (and uninteresting) to me, but a book club with romances sounds really fun. That's the main reason I rushed through the Hurst series; I wanted to be able to join the fun.

Changed my Mind

2011-10-04T12:54:00.003-06:00

I no longer want a baby. A nice, strapping man would be much better.

Secret Wishes

2011-09-30T11:06:00.000-06:00

I want a baby. Sigh.

I did a Google image search for baby, and the photos there are so amazing. I'd post some of the photos here, but I really don't want to steal a picture of someone else's baby. (If I took a photo of an anonymous baby in a public place, I would post that. It seems different that way.)

A Portfolio of Signs

2011-04-13T09:03:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day-themed light decorations

2011-02-01T09:54:00.002-07:00

We have a dining room light.

It used to have sixteen flat glass panels suspended from a metal framework. Then one day, someone threw a tennis ball for the dog. (I won't say who, but I'm 95% sure it was me.) One of the panels fell onto the table and shattered. To make matters worse, we were working on a 1000-piece puzzle on that very table. It was a big mess. (The table still has a nick from where the sharp glass corner hit.)

Unsatisfied with a light fixture that was missing a piece, I took it upon myself to make new panels. Inspired by the look of punched tin pie safes, I decided to make something similar. I found some metal (I have no idea what we used it for; it's corrugated and white on one side) in our garage and cut it to match the size of the glass (4"x8"). I made a punch-out template on the computer and taped a copy to each metal panel. Then I got to work punching. It took awhile, but I got the job done.

I really wanted to spray-paint the gold light fixture white, but my dad and mom nixed that idea. It is their house after all.

Anyhow, I've digressed. I did all that a couple of years ago. Back to the present. I made some Valentine's Day themed panels. I saw an idea for greeting cards using crayon shavings and waxed paper, and I thought the same idea would work well for our light fixture. If I had known what a time- and labor-intensive project it would be, I probably would have skipped it. Initially, I thought I'd be able to use a paper-punching machine to cut out hearts, but I couldn't gain access to a heart punch. I know some people have Cricut or Silhouette machines; those would have simplified the project immensely. I did it the old-fashioned way: scissors. I used a paper cutter and cut out 32 4"x8" panels. (I used pink copier paper.) I took scrap paper, folded it in half, and cut out hearts until I got one I liked. I used that scrap heart and traced around it on one of the panels. I used a hole-puncher to make an opening for my scissors to fit into, and then I cut out the inside. I used that as my stencil for 16 other panels. I got smart and put two panels together and cut them out at the same time, so I wouldn't have to stencil or cut out 32 separate panels. With that done, I cut waxed paper into 4" squares. (I folded the waxed paper so I had cutting guidelines.)

I got my crayons out. Luckily they were in a box with a built-in sharpener.

I opened the bottom of the box and dumped out the old shavings.

I picked out crayons that were in the red color family.

I didn't use them all, but it was easier for me to have them all together to pick from.

I sharped the crayons and let the shavings fall on the back of a paper plate.

I spread out eight waxed paper squares and sprinkled on half of the shavings. (I also sprinkled on some glitter to see what would happen.)

I topped the squares with more waxed paper and covered everything with a paper towel. I used an iron to melt the shavings together.

Once the first batch was done and cooled, I repeated the process. (I didn't add glitter this time.) I recommend having newspaper or paper towels between the waxed paper and your table; it makes clean up easier.

One by one, I laid the waxed squares on top of the pink panels. I pivoted the squares so that the cut-out area had a good view of the melted color. I traced (free-handed) a larger diameter heart onto the waxed paper and cut the squares into hearts.

I pulled out the rubber cement, spread it over the pink panel, added the waxed heart, and topped with another pink panel.

I did that sixteen times. (Have I mentioned it was a time- and labor-intensive project?) I used a metal panel to trace out where the hanging hole needed to be.

Then I realized my hole puncher would not reach that deep. I punched where I could, and then erased the trace marks. I rubbed off excess rubber cement and hung the panels.

Please note, I have no idea if this is a fire hazard or not. We use energy-efficient bulbs, which I think are cooler temperature-wise than traditional light bulbs. The paper panels do not touch the bulbs, so I think it's safe. I only point this out because my dad wondered about potential fire danger.

Linked to Funky Junk Interiors Chandelier Special

Deer Antlers

2011-01-17T09:23:00.001-07:00

Years ago, my dad shot a buck. He had the antlers mounted.

Aren't they nice? My dad certainly thought so, but they languished in the dusty basement.

I had this lovely piece of wood, just languishing on my craft table...

Oh, look! A picture of a mounted deer head! I'd give credit to the photo and hunter, but I can't remember where I found it. It came up on Google Images. The original included the antlers, but I cropped those out.

I measured the antlers at the bone (4") and re-sized the inspiration photo to fit. The ears didn't fit on my board, so I cut the ears off and repositioned them. I forgot to take a picture of that and the next couple of steps. Anyhow, I traced around the head and ears, and filled in with brown (FolkArt 2559 Coffee Latte). I slapped some white (Apple Barrel 20403 White) on the ears, chest, eyes, and highlights. I put some black (FA 925 Wrought Iron) and dark brown (FA 462 Burnt Umber) in the shadows. I added some color (FA 949 Skintone) to the ears. I went over some spots to add shading. I rarely washed out my brush, so the colors would blend. Once I was satisfied with my dear deer, I snapped a photo.

He's not as fierce-looking as the inspiration photo, but I wanted a caricature. I screwed in the antlers.

At this point, I thought I'd better show my dad what I had done. He wasn't too impressed, but he wasn't mad. (Thumbs up! Hooray!) He said a sportsman wouldn't approve. Then he have me permission to paint the bone to match.

Here it is on the wall in his office.

I like it! It's fun. ;)

Linked to Funky Junk Interiors.

Signs!

2010-12-07T04:00:00.002-07:00


	The name of a fictional bar in an unpublished novel

Scrapbook sheet, glued to metal

Scrapbook sheet glued to wood frame

American Flag

Hometown Team

Fun bakery name for the pie-challenged

I should have moved "A.L. Mighty" down to the next board

Trademarked soda product; hand-painted sign

This one is pretty big

Trademarked game; hand-painted sign

A key-holder!


More distressed than I intended in the corner

Here are the signs I made in anticipation of a local craft fair. I only sold one. :( I don't have a fancy cutting machine for the fonts, so I carbon-traced some of the fonts. Other fonts were stencils. I had a lot of fun painting them!

Linked to Funky Junk Interiors!

Smarter than the average computer? Nope.

2010-12-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

I found the photos! Apparently, when your camera doesn't have an accurate date stamp, things happen. The computer trusts the camera's date, and when you search for photos from the last 12 months, it doesn't show you the ones from 2005.

Unfortunately, the computer still does not have the photos [I apparently forgot to take] of a baby quilt I made and mailed. *Sigh*

Sometimes you just feel like a turkey.

Where, oh, where did my photos go?

2010-12-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

I uploaded photos about a month ago, but today, when I finally decide to put them in a post, I can't find them. Ugh! And of course I deleted the originals from my camera. I'll have to do a photo shoot. Again.

I really need to upload some photos

2010-10-14T13:28:00.001-06:00

I've worked on a lot of projects, but I haven't blogged because I haven't taken photos yet...

Re-painted

2010-04-19T10:58:00.007-06:00

Remember this?

I repainted it. I sanded it down a little and primed over it. Then I did this:

I plan on giving it to my sister as soon as she has a house that's not for sale or rented. Until then, it stays with me. ;)

Console Table

2010-04-15T10:55:00.000-06:00

I built this. I painted it. I like it.

I didn't take step-by-step photos. I used 1x2s, 1x4s, and 1x6s. I also used a lot of wood filler. I used a jig saw, a compound miter saw, and a circular saw. The lumber cost just under $70. The cost of nails, screws, wood filler, wood glue, paint, stain, etc probably brought the total cost to $120. I got the drawer pulls off an old dresser; I spray painted them a caramel latte color.

It sits next to the front door. It has lots of room for shoes, and the drawers provide a nice place for dog leashes, gloves, hats, etc. I was again inspired by Ana's Knock-Off Wood site, but I designed a custom piece to serve my needs. As I was painting it, I was struck by the thought that it would make a nice changing table for a baby. Anyway, I drew up my own color-coded plans, and started building.

As I went along, I had to modify things just a bit, but as you can see, it worked out.

It was a happy accident that the electrical outlet is still accessible.

The Headboard

2010-03-01T21:46:00.001-07:00

I wanted this:

Emboldened by Ana at Knock-Off Wood...

I built this:

I modified Ana's plans. I changed the width to better fit my mattress. I used plywood instead of planks and I put a 1x6 on top instead of a 2x6 to better duplicate the bed I wanted to emulate. Since I'm prone to stubbing toes and running into things, I skipped the footboard. I just attached the headboard to the metal frame that came with my mattress using 4" bolts.

Here's my material list, with prices:

2-4"x4"x8' 2@$8.77 $17.54

1-1"x6"x8' $10.96

2-1"x4"x8' 7.28/2.47 $9.75

3-2"x4"x8' 3@$2.58 $7.74

1-1/2"x4'x8' $24.12

Minwax wood conditioner $4.99 (pint)

Minwax Jacobian wood stain $6.49 (quart)

Gorilla Wood Glue $4.99

3" wood screws ~$7.49

4-4" metal bolts ~$3.16 (should have used 4-1/2")

3/8" countersink bit $3.69

6% tax on $100.92 $6.06

Materials on-hand: screws, finishing nails, acrylic paint, Minwax polyshades, foam brushes, nuts, washers, drill bits, tools

Total cost: $106.98

I'm pleased with that price. Pottery Barn sells the king bed (headboard, footboard, and siderails) in the top photo for $1399 and lets you choose between two finishes. Their version is mahogany and a mahogany veneer. I used a combination of whitewood and pine. Their delivery charge is $150. Mine was less than the delivery charge. How awesome is that?!

I'll post step-by-step photos within a couple weeks. I work slow (and alone), but I was able to finish the cutting and building in two days. Staining and finishing took a bit longer. I began Tuesday morning, and the headboard was moved into my bedroom on Sunday afternoon. :)

Here it is in place:

A Mirror Project

2010-02-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

I originally planned on making this idea into a headboard, but since my landlord nixed that idea, I re-invented the idea. We had a mirror hung onto a sheet of plywood using mirror brackets, and the plywood was screwed into the wall. I forgot to take a before picture with it on the wall; it was functional but not fun. Since I have issues with photos and text in blogger, I'm just going to post the photos without comments.

If you have any questions, leave a comment or e-mail me.

Great game board storage art - a link

2010-01-22T21:09:00.001-07:00

If you've ever been annoyed by ripped/bent boxes or irritated by digging under a pile of boxes to find the game you want to play, check this out:

Beckie at Infarrantly Creative created it. Here's the link: http://infarrantlycreative.blogspot.com/2010/01/game-board-storage-art.html

Not every idea will work...

2010-01-20T18:58:00.002-07:00

So I bought these glass gems at Hobby Lobby at 50% off:

I was inspired by this:

I have a mirror (12" x 48") whose cheap plastic frame broke. I figured I'd buy a sheet of plywood, cut out a piece 24"x76", and make a headboard. I bought some flush-mount brackets last summer, anticipating a headboard project. When I described my idea to my landlord, aka "Dad", he took one look at my brackets and killed the project. He didn't think the brackets would attach to the studs properly. He has a valid point... As soon as I can figure out a smart alternative, I might get the project done.

Past projects

2010-01-11T14:38:00.041-07:00

I'm horrible about taking photographs. In addition to having a cheap camera, I work under fluorescent lights. Even if I remembered to stop and take a photo between steps (instead of breaking for naps), the quality would suffer. My bedroom doesn't have windows (i.e. no magical natural light), so the finished projects I'm about to show you look much better in real life.

The first photo set is of my dresser. I had painted it a navy blue a few years back...and finally realized I needed to repaint it. I thought it would be fun to incorporate fabric and Mod Podge, so I covered the drawers in fabric and painted the rest of it dark brown.

I think it turned out really nice. I wish I had some before photos...but nope. Not one.

The second photo set shows one of the bedside tables I made. I used the bases from some unused shop stools and scrap shelving material. I designed them with my needs in mind. I read a lot, so I created the bottom shelf for books. I made the overhang with remote controls in mind.

Used Fence Posts

2010-01-08T11:48:00.004-07:00

Back when my sister lived in the state of Iowa, her gracious neighbor gifted her with old fence posts. She was thrilled with their artistic promise, and even brought them back to SD when she moved. Since her stuff is all stored where I live, I helped myself to a couple of them. I cut two of them in half and nailed them to some scrap lumber. I threw some green paint on them and stained them with some Minwax. Here's what it looked like:

Yes, I'm using a Kodak EasyShare CD 40. I'm sure you're impressed with the quality of my photography. The camera was free with an Internet upgrade, and I haven't upgraded to a new camera yet.

It stayed like that for awhile. I couldn't decide what to put on it. Then I borrowed some words from the book of Ruth in the Bible and added a picture of a house that I found online.

I wasn't thrilled with the blue color of the house. It didn't seem rustic enough. So I painted and reshingled the house. Also, my mom thought the quote was depressing, since it started with a negative (don't). I repainted some of the words wicker white to detract from the first part of the quote. I forgot to take photos, but really, with a camera like mine, can you blame me?

Here is what it looked like with a coat of stain on top of the paint.

Some fancy crafting sites use Ralph Lauren Smoke Glaze to age things, but I didn't have any and I haven't been able to find any at the stores I frequent. So I used dark walnut Minwax, which was probably the better choice considering the deep rivulets (?) in the weathered wood.

Here's what it looked like after I wiped the stain off with scraps of an old bath towel.

Another angle:

And here it is on a wall:

I'm still not sure if I like it, but it was good practice. As the stain continues to dry or soak in, I imagine it will look a little bit different.

What do you think? Do you like the red house better than the blue? Would you have left the words all one color?

Fire Engine Triptych

2010-01-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

My nephew Henry loves fire trucks. Inspired by this, I painted him a cheaper version. Mine cost under $30. Yay!

New Year and Changes

2010-01-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling more hopeful this year. More hopeful that I will find love in 2010. More hopeful that I will post on this blog...at least once a month. More hopeful that big things will happen. Only time will tell what changes this year will bring, but I'm looking forward to them.

Apparently I've been negligent...

2009-11-08T18:08:00.005-07:00

I've been busy. I made a fire truck cake for my nephew.

I've done some other stuff, too, but I'm drawing a blank right now. Apparently, I've been in a sugar-induced coma. ;)

Online Dating Tips for Men

2009-10-16T10:43:00.001-06:00

Disclaimer: These are the opinions of this blogger. I am speaking for myself, not the entire female population.

Tip #1: If your dating website has an essay portion, do not:
A) Say you will fill it out later. Just fill it out. I'm not going to come back later just to check.
B) Complain that the site erased your first essay and you'll fill it out later. It happened to me, too, but I put the effort in and did it again. If you're not going to make an effort here, what hope is there that you will put forth an effort in dating/marriage?
C) Say you are a normal man. I will assume you are "normal" until proven otherwise.
D) Write one or two sentences, finishing with "if you have questions, just ask." This is a major annoyance for multiple reasons. Reason 1: Of course I have questions. You haven't given me any information. Where should I start? Reason 2: If you don't find yourself interesting enough to write about, why would I be interested enough to ask a question? Reason 3: You haven't said anything to make me curious enough to come up with a question. Reason 4: If you aren't going to put forth the effort to tell me about yourself (a subject you should know a lot about), why should I make an effort to ask a question? Reason 5: If I have questions, I'll ask them. You don't need to encourage me.
E) Type in all caps. IT'S ANNOYING. If you want to emphasis a word, it's fine. Just don't type the entire essay in all caps. It's equivalent to shouting.
F) Say you don't want a woman who plays games. First of all, what does that even mean? You don't want me just because I like to play cards and board games? (I'm being facetious when I say that; I assume you mean women who try to manipulate you in some way.) Secondly, saying that is a turn-off. I feel as if I have to defend myself from the start, and it makes you seem cynical and bitter. Thirdly, women who do manipulate men will not be discouraged by your statement.
G) Say you are looking for a gorgeous woman. Reason 1: I already assume all men want gorgeous women. Reason 2: I am not gorgeous. Reason 3: It makes me think you don't care about my personality at all.
H) Direct me to your myspace page or give me your e-mail address. If you can't afford membership costs, don't post a profile. I'm all for saving money, but this isn't the place to do it. I've forked out the money to join; you should do the same if you're serious about finding someone.
Tip #2: If your dating website has an essay portion, do:
A) Tell me about yourself. Where do you work? Do you enjoy your job? What do you do in your spare time? Are you close to your parents? Do you have siblings, nieces, or nephews? How do you celebrate holidays? Do you enjoy parties or quiet evenings at home? Do you spend a lot of time with friends or family? Do you have any pets? What makes you unique? Can you fly a plane or ride a horse? Are you the indoor type or outdoorsy?
B) Tell me what you're looking for. Do you want a financially-independent woman or would you like a woman who prefers working in the home? Are you open to women of all shapes and sizes or do you prefer anorexic ladies? Do you want a woman woman who loves to fish or a woman who frequents museums?
C) Tell me your expectations. Why are you on this site? Are you looking for a wife or just someone to date? Are you looking for something serious or casual? Do you want a relationship or a fling?
Tip #3: Post pictures. Don't post blurry or tiny photographs. Let me get a good look at you. I want to see at least one headshot. If you want to show full body shots, go for it, but make sure you include a close-up picture of your face. And please, wear a shirt. I am more interested in your personality than I am in your pecs or abs. I just want to know what you look like.
Tip #4: Include captions with your pictures. If you're in a group picture, tell me which one you are. If there is a woman in the shot, tell me who she is so I don't get jealous. If you pose with kids, tell me who they belong to.
Tip #5: If you are divorced or legally separated, tell me what went wrong in your marriage. You may think it's none of my business or too soon to share that information, but I want to know right from the start. I believe marriage is a lifetime commitment; if a marriage breaks, you don't throw it away, you fix it. If your wife cheated on you and ran off with the man, abandoning you after committing adultery, I might view your divorce differently than if, say, the two of you just realized you weren't "meant to be." Did you try to save your marriage or did you just give up? It says a lot about who you are.
Tip #6: Don't mention your ex-girlfriend. If you do, I will assume one of three things: 1) You're not over her yet, 2) You plan on comparing me with her, or 3) You're stuck in the past when you should be looking to the future. If I'm curious about your past relationships, I'll ask. (If this seems to contradict Tip #4, let me explain. Dating is like trying on clothes: you want to see if they fit. When you marry, you're purchasing the clothes under a "no returns" policy.)
Tip #7: Do not confuse the word "woman" with the word "women." The first refers to one, the second to multiple. Please also be careful with commonly confused words: your/you're, they're/their, through/threw, you/yew, know/no, maid/made... It only takes a few seconds to check, and it proves your literacy. (And feel free to use spell-check or a dictionary if there are words you don't know how to spell.)

I'll leave comments open in case anyone wants to add their own tips.

7 Quick Takes

2009-10-02T10:57:00.002-06:00

This is the "things I learned this week" edition.

1) Apparently washing five pillows in a washing machine at one time is not a good idea. In my defense, I thought they'd shrink down once they got wet.

2) Don't worry if you overcook your Coco Wheats. Just whisk in some extra milk or water, and it'll be as yummy as ever. And next time, don't sign on to Facebook in the middle of cooking breakfast.

3) Shims are so useful. Let's say you drill some holes for a shelf (the kind that rests on pegs). Three are level and you make your mark for the fourth. If the drill bit moseys on over to the wrong side of your mark, don't worry. Just slid the peg in, lay the shelf, and level with a shim. :D

4) Polyshades from Minwax is nice, but I think I prefer staining before I add a coat of polyurethane. It's easier to fix my drips. On the other hand, maybe the waterfall-esque effect will come into vogue.

5) There are some people out there kind enough to remember our personal struggles. Just when I think my plight is all but forgotten by everyone but me, my friends offer comfort out of the blue.

6) Corner cabinets should never be placed in a corner if the bottom cupboards are straight. My head is a testament to that fact.

7) I subscribe to too many magazines. The articles tend to repeat themselves, and the stack grows quicker than it shrinks.

Untitled

2009-09-26T10:49:00.002-06:00

I've been struggling lately. I try to throw myself into projects, just to keep my mind occupied, but it hasn't been working. I still obsess. I still wonder. I still try to think of ways to accomplish what I really want.

I'm tired of struggling. I'm tired of wanting something that will not happen.

I don't know what I will do, but as long as my mind is preoccupied with wanting, this blog will be neglected.

Triple Nine

2009-09-09T11:53:00.002-06:00

I've been busy helping my sister and playing with my nephews. They're finally back on SD soil. :D I'm so happy.

I feel like I have a purpose in life when I'm with them, helping. I want to be a mother myself, but since God has other plans for me, I suppose I'll have to content myself with being an aunt.

7 Quick Takes

2009-08-21T18:09:00.002-06:00

1) My sister, brother-in-law, and adorable nephews are moving closer! Yay! I spent two weeks at their house and helped them pack stuff up. They still need to find a buyer for their house before they can get a new house in the new city, but they're coming soon!

2) I started a new quilt. I call it my quilt of many colors. I'm copying the pattern from a quilt one of my great-grandmothers made. It will take me awhile to complete. It's not difficult, just tedious. My brain (and eyes) will need to take a challenge break now and then.

3) I'm behind on my magazines, but I just saw a short story contest I could enter. I would only need to write 3,500 words before September 15. I might try it.

4) With my sister in the middle of her move, she'll probably require my help. Since I love to feel needed, I'll probably help quite a bit. It should keep me out of trouble, but I'm feeling so restless, I can't guarantee that.

5) My grandma's party was a big success. I think she had a lovely time. She really liked the wall hanging I made for her. (It was a fun project.)

6) Speaking of her party, I had a lot of fun visiting with family members. I enjoy spending time with my cousins, aunts, and uncles.

7) I'm in the mood to play games. Hand and Foot, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Cribbage, Monopoly...I'll play anything. I just need to find a partner. Until then, I'm off to play Solitaire.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch...

2009-07-22T16:18:00.003-06:00

It's so funny that I thought I would have time to read a book a day this month. I've only read two so far this month. Not only that, but I haven't had a chance to blog since June. So what have I been up to?

I finished the quilting project, made mints, created a photo family tree, helped my sister paint her kitchen, played with two rascally boys, pet-sat, fixed a wobbly mailbox, baked a cake, framed photos, cleaned out a fridge, cleaned out a spice cabinet, and took a nap.

I'm exhausted just thinking about it all. ;) I still have a week and a half to practice fondant, decorate cakes, and play with the boys. I might not be *back* until August. Happy Summer!

A book a day for a month

2009-06-29T09:40:00.002-06:00

I had this grand idea that I would read a book a day in July. Since the month hasn't begun yet, I suppose it could be a valid goal. Unfortunately, when my brain sprouted this idea, I failed to remember what's happening this month: My sister and nephews are coming to stay the last couple of weeks of July. I can knock out at least 6 books a day with Henry, but those aren't the books on my TBR pile. When he and his adorable brother visit, I can't seem to find the time to read a chapter a day.

In addition to anticipating their visit, I still need to finish a quilting project, make mints, practice rolling fondant, bake/decorate birthday cakes, make a huge batch of pasta salad, create a photo family tree, and attend a mini reunion BEFORE August 1. This all while working on novel #2. I suppose some women could do it all and still read a book a day, but I can't read that fast. Perhaps I'll save my book-a-day dream for August. ;)

7 Quick Takes

2009-06-26T08:48:00.003-06:00

1) I knew it was Friday, but I forgot about 7 Quick Takes until I saw it up at Conversion Diary. You would think I'd remember while I was trying to decide what to blog about today, but no such luck. Good thing I checked my bookmarked blogs this morning.

2) I don't own a car of my own mainly because I see no reason to buy one when my parents' three car garage is filled to capacity, my sister's Blazer is parked outside, my grandma's CRV is nearby, and we have two other vehicles ready to sell. In spite of this, I still have an urge to compare Tahoes, Suburbans, and Pilots to minivans. I have no plans to buy. I just want to know which one I would buy (used, of course), if I were to buy one.

3) I'm working on a quilting project. It's a surprise for my grandma's upcoming birthday. I don't think she knows I blog, so I could discuss it openly, but I'm hesitant. I will say this: I need a pattern for an orchid quilt block. Does anyone know where I can find one?

4) The recent deaths of celebrities (Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson) has prompted me to come up with a list of my favorite stars I don't want to see die until they're at least a hundred years old. (That was a mouthful.) They are: Dick Van Dyke, Jane Seymour, and Andy Griffith. I'm sure there are more, but those are my top three. Who would you pick?

5) If I'm ever a contestant on the Price is Right, I hope I get to play Plinko.

6) I am a huge fan of naps.

7) I used to collect pencils. I don't know why.

Wanted: A Husband

2009-06-25T10:46:00.003-06:00

In Linda Howard's book Duncan's Bride, the hero takes out an ad in a couple newspapers. The ad begins "Wanted: A Wife..." Only three people respond. To paraphrase a line from the book: A doesn't want him, he doesn't want B, and C is not right for the position. He ultimately goes with C due to their undeniable chemistry, but that's not the point of this post.

What is the point you ask? Well, I'm taking out an ad. I thought about doing it anonymously in a newspaper, but I realized that was too...risky?...silly?...embarrassing? So I'm doing it here instead.

Wanted: A Husband
• Must have a job capable of supporting a stay-at-home wife
• Must want as many kids as God gives us
Additional Details:
• I will retain my full name
• Our daughters will take my surname; our sons can have yours
• We will attend a WELS Lutheran church every week
• We will pray together as a family before every meal and at bedtime
• We will discuss expenditures before purchasing
• We will be committed to compromising when we disagree
• We will put God first, each other second, and our kids third
• Counseling is always an option; divorce never is
• Tobacco products aren't allowed, and swearing is discouraged

Have I forgotten anything? Am I too demanding?

Tuesday

2009-06-23T08:11:00.002-06:00

I finished reading my library book yesterday. (Yay!) Next up on my to-do list: Return library books.

Just when I get caught up on magazines, more arrive. Two came in the mail yesterday. I suppose I'd better get started on them so they don't pile up.

I spent the morning doing some figuring on what fabric to cut out for a quilt I'm working on. I know I make simple things complex, but it's for my sanity. I need to know ahead of time what I'm going to do. It helps prevent mistakes. I could start cutting fabric this afternoon, but I think I'll take a nap or read instead. ;)

This, that, and the other

2009-06-22T08:29:00.003-06:00

I really wish I had something really deep and inspiring to write this morning, but I don't. Things on my mind:

1) My grandma's 80th birthday extravaganza (I'm doing this, that, and the other for it)
2) My future husband (who and where the heck is he?)
3) My library books (I need to get the last one read. Today.)
4) Sleep. (Is it wrong to be tired at 8:30 am?)

Since #2 doesn't require immediate action, I suppose I'll get started on #3. Then I'll worry about #1. Wish me luck!

7 Quick Takes

2009-06-19T08:35:00.000-06:00

1) I ended up skipping out on the painting project I mentioned two weeks ago. Yippee! (The project was just postponed, but I like to celebrate small victories.)

2) The movie "The Proposal" looks like fun. Since I avoid theatres (too loud, too expensive, and too cold), I'll probably wait until it comes out on DVD. The benefits to watching movies at home: closed captioning/subtitles, cheap snacks, the pause button, comfy chairs, adjustable temperatures/volume, and replay.

3) Speaking of movies, I wouldn't mind having a date during one of my home viewings. Know of any single Christian guys? (I'm a WELS Lutheran, and I have some strict standards, but suggestions are always welcome.)

4) I'm going to start a couple of projects soon. If I think ahead, I'll take some photos to post. Projects in the works: a heavy duty, dark stained tv stand (the blueprints are in my mind; I still need to work out the details); a quilt/sewing project; a photo family tree; and a sign made of wood planks from a pallet. We'll see how those go.

5) If all goes well, by the time this post appears, I will be caught up on all my magazines.

6) Speaking of projects, I have been toying with the idea of creating a headboard for my bed. I'm thinking something upholstered, but I'm not sure yet.

7) I like playing Scrabble.

Books

2009-06-17T13:25:00.003-06:00

Here's a list of the books I'm currently reading:
• Honor's Splendour by Julie Garwood
• Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
• The Duggars: 20 and Counting by Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar
• A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family by Mary Ostyn
• The Joy of Writing Sex by Elizabeth Benedict

My interests are varied, but books #3 & #4 represent my deepest interests. I love kids; I would love to have a large family. Book #5 is research for the book I'm writing; I'm not sure if it's helping or not. It's geared toward literary works, rather than the romance genre. Books #1 & #2 are for entertainment and research purposes. I read Amanda by Kay Hooper and Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale for the same reasons. Flowers from the Storm gets five stars; it's complex, intriguing, sexy, and complete. Conflict came from all directions, and there was NO Big Misunderstanding. I enjoyed it immensely.

Prayers

2009-06-17T10:34:00.004-06:00

Here's the question of the day: Is it wrong to ask others to pray for you when it's not a life-or-death situation? For instance, I don't mind asking people to pray for me if I'm getting surgery or something extraordinary. But what about the ordinary things? What if I just want to get married? Is it wrong to ask people to pray for me? I would like a nice, kind, Christian husband of my very own. I've been praying, but I would like some extra prayers said to boost my cause.

While I don't mind praying continuously about anything and everything for myself, at what point should I solicit prayers on my behalf? When I examine my motives, I know it's a selfish thing for me to want. I don't need a husband, after all. Hmm. Any thoughts?

Way Behind

2009-06-16T12:55:00.004-06:00

I just realized I had a comment to one of my posts. Oh, I was so excited! Thank you, Kate from Momopoly; I really enjoy your blog. I don't know how you find the time with three young girls, but I'm glad you do. :) Thanks for taking the time to suggest Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I'll definitely check it out.

I was going to do a 7 Quick Takes last Friday, but I kept thinking Friday was Thursday for some reason. By the time I got my days straight, it seemed too late to post. Oh, well. There's always this Friday. I should write it now and schedule it to post on Friday. While I'm at it, I should probably change my comment preferences so that comments don't have to wait for me to find them. ;)

If only...

2009-06-16T08:17:00.001-06:00

I had the best dream last night. It seemed so real. The man I have "had my eye on" for the last couple of months was in it. He liked me...and we spent some quality time together. I didn't want to wake up this morning; I wanted to keep the dream going. I wanted to stay wrapped up in the happiness the dream gave me.

The dream was totally unexpected. I dream a lot at night, but my dreams are rarely so clear (or so dear to my heart). It was the best dream I've had in a long time.

I hope my future is as wonderful as that dream made it seem.

7 Quick Takes

2009-06-05T10:15:00.000-06:00

1) I still have a crush on a guy I saw back in February. I'm sure it will lessen soon. Or not.

2) I get to see my nephews this weekend!

3) I will be doing two things this weekend that I really would rather avoid: hosting a yard sale and painting a kitchen (including cabinets). Wish me luck!

4) Has anyone ever made a photo family tree? If so, how did you design it? I'm thinking of making one, but I can't decide if it should look like an actual tree or if it should be more linear in appearance.

5) I like taking naps.

6) My story is taking shape, but I'm still struggling with a certain aspect: what would entice a woman to stay with a stranger, and why would the stranger let her stay? There are possibilities, but I haven't found the right one yet.

7) Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale is a very interesting book.

Burt's Bees

2009-06-03T09:55:00.002-06:00

Burt's Bees is giving away free balm (1,000/day for 25 days). Here's the catch: you don't know when exactly to enter. I've been trying to win the past couple of days. Today, I came close. I hit refresh on the page; it told me not yet. The cycle continued until one of those times, my web browser said it could not connect to Burt's Bees server (or whatever it's called). Apparently the server was jammed with people getting their free lip balm, because when I was finally able to get on the site, the balm was all gone.

Oh, well. Maybe next time.

Other turn-offs

2009-06-02T08:40:00.002-06:00

I started reading another book last night. I quit one two days ago because it had a character named Piggy. I wasn't offended in any way by the name; I just thought it was ridiculous. In this new book, there are characters with somewhat nontraditional names. I can overlook that for the time being, but there's something else that irritated me as I read. There's a group of four girlfriends. Each one was described as being different from the others. That's what strikes me as annoying. I'm all for uniqueness, but it doesn't seem wholly realistic. (Yes, it's a book–I know.) Maybe I was just being nit-picky at the time, but it seems as if fictional girlfriends are always portrayed as opposites. Three girlfriends? one is a blonde, one is a brunette, one is a redhead. One is a bookworm, one loves celebrity magazines, one is illiterate. That's just an example, but what are the odds? It just seems like a lazy way of differentiating between characters. They don't have to be polar opposites. When I'm with friends, I focus on the things we have in common, not the things we don't.

Maybe I was just irritated by the large amount of exposition regarding the characters. I guess I'm more of a "let-it-trickle-out" kind of gal. I don't want a chunk of info; I want to learn things about characters throughout the book. I want to learn more about them as time goes by, like in real life. I don't know why.

This is sort of a rambling rant. Sorry about that. What things are irritating you lately?

Things to Avoid

2009-05-29T20:42:00.003-06:00

I received two more rejection letters today--that is, two more agents decided to pass on book #1. I'm waiting to hear back on 8 e-queries and 5 queries. I'm doing a lot of research so book #2 will be much better (and hopefully more salable). In honor of the books I'm currently reading (as research), I'm writing 7 Quick Takes on what to personally avoid in writing a romance.

1) Avoid calling semen the man's seed. You plant seeds in the dirt. If sperm is the seed, is the ovum dirt? The usage makes me feel uncomfortable. (Kay Hooper's Amanda comes to mind.)

2) Don't write backstory at the beginning of the book; use it sparingly and reveal it only when necessary. (Anna Jeffrey's Love of a Cowboy, for one.)

3) Show the hero and heroine's first meeting. I feel like I'm missing out when they know each other before the story begins. (Lori Foster's Hard to Handle)

4) Don't let a couple's separation span years. I don't like it when they have to wait so long for a happy ending. (Sherry Thomas' Private Arrangements)

5) If there's going to be misunderstanding, make it reasonable. Don't have the heroine believe the antagonist over the hero. (Judith McNaught's With Every Breath I Take)

6) If there is a mystery element the story, make it a good one. If I solve the mystery before the characters, I feel smart. If I solve the mystery in the middle of the book and the characters don't figure it out until the end, I can't help thinking the characters are idiots. (Stephanie Laurens' Devil's Bride)

7) Don't comment on the characters' weights. You can tell me how much someone weighs. You can describe their body shape. Just don't include your personal opinions, hang-ups, or prejudices. (Vicki Lewis Thompson comes to mind; I think her Nerd series contains anti-overweight comments.)

Birds are singing

2009-05-28T07:51:00.002-06:00

It's so nice to hear the birds chirping. I hope they're eating lots and lots of mosquitoes!

My nephews were here, and I enjoyed every minute. I had so much fun, I forgot grab a camera to document things. Oh, well. Maybe next time.

Henry (age 2) talks so much! I love listening to him. Me: "Henry, do you want to go play in the dirt?" Him: "Of course." He talks so fast, so assuredly. He's the cutest guy I know. I can't say no to him when he gazes up at me and says things like "more kissies" and "please." I love him!

Oliver (5 mos.) got his first tooth while he was visiting. You never would have known he was teething (well, he did drool a lot). He has the sweetest, happiest disposition. He goes with the flow. He smiles so brightly. He talks a lot, too. His mama calls it squawking, but he just wants to get a word in. With as much as his mama and brother talk, it's no easy feat. I love him a lot, too.

I enjoyed their time here, but boy are they exhausting! They're a pair of energy sappers. They're worth it, though. It's more important to give more kissies than to write more pages. At the end of the day, I went to bed exhausted but happy. Love is a wonderful thing.

Quick Takes

2009-05-15T08:17:00.002-06:00

I thought I'd try the 7 Quick Takes Friday Challenge.

1) My trip to the library wasn't as successful as I had hoped it would be. I only had enough time to look up half the authors on my new-to-me list, and the library's selection wasn't too promising. It had some of the authors, but it didn't have the books I wanted by those authors.

2) I'm excited to see my nephews in person!

3) I ended up checking out five books from the library: The Love of a Cowboy (Anna Jeffrey), Flowers from the Storm (Laura Kinsale), Amanda (Kay Hooper), Honor's Splendour (Julie Garwood), and Mr. Perfect (Linda Howard). I read the first two chapters of four of the books last night. (It got too late to sample Mr. Perfect.) So far, I'm liking three of the books. One of them might not last too long.

4) Is it wrong to despise the wind?

5) I struggle with jealousy on a daily basis. I've got to tame (or slay) that green-eyed monster.

6) I cut my left hand and burned my right thumb last night. Perhaps I should avoid the kitchen when I'm tired.

7) Have I mentioned I'm excited to see my nephews?

Romance

2009-05-13T08:52:00.003-06:00

So in my quest to write the best romance, I'm researching by reading the best romance. I've learned about a lot of authors I had never heard of before my search for the best books. Have you ever heard about Loretta Chase, Marsha Canham, Connie Brockway, Suzanne Brockman, Gaelen Foley, Georgette Heyer, Mary Jo Putney, Karen Ranney, or C.L. Wilson? I haven't. I'm going to go to my local library and see what I can find.

What romance authors/books do you enjoy? I'm open to suggestions and recommendations.

Happy days

2009-05-11T13:38:00.002-06:00

I've been busy celebrating my birthday and Mother's Day off-line. I'm also not disciplined when it comes to writing posts. I've been pouring myself into my real work, and this site got the short end of things. My blogging frequency probably won't improve any time soon... :)

Lemon Bars

2009-05-06T14:06:00.003-06:00

I bake like my mother, sister, and grandmothers...I use a recipe as a suggestion sheet. I follow it for the most part, but I like to change it here and there. It's fun.

Ingredients:
Crust
2 sticks (1 c.) butter, softened
2 c. flour (you could use 1/2 c. less, I'm going to try that next time)
1/2 c. powdered sugar
lemon zest, optional
Lemon layer
4 eggs
2 c. sugar (more if you increase lemon juice; I used ~2-1/2 c.)
4 Tb fresh lemon juice (I used the juice from two lemons=7 Tbs)
1 tsp almond extract, optional
4 Tb flour (more if you increase lemon juice; I used generous Tbs)
1 tsp baking powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine crust ingredients until crumbly; press into a 10x15-in glass pan or a jellyroll pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes; I pulled mine out after 19 minutes. While crust is baking; beat eggs. Add rest of ingredients. I actually beat the eggs and the sugar by themselves for awhile to dissolve the sugar. Pour lemon mixture over baked crust; return to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Apparently the top scorches easily, so you should keep an eye on it. I pulled mine out a couple minutes early. The top formed a crust of sorts; it reminded me of an angel food cake top. I let the bars cool for 30 minutes before cutting, but I probably should have waited longer. They didn't cut "pretty" but that didn't bother me. They were delicious.

Notes: If you don't like how the top looks, you could always sprinkle the bars with powdered sugar. The extra beating of the eggs and sugar made a fluffy lemon layer that I really enjoyed. I didn't really notice the lemon zest in the crust, but it didn't hurt anything.

F minus

2009-05-05T11:25:00.002-06:00

I just read a tip sheet on blogging...and there are many things I can do to improve this blog. Here's a to-do list:

1) Post more photos. This is easier said than done, not because I don't have a camera, but because I don't know what images to include.

2) Diversify content. I'm running out of "I'm single" blog post ideas anyway. I'll post recipes I like. Oh! I could post photos like Pioneer Woman...only my shots will lack the natural lighting, tripod, and camera expertise.

3) Laugh. I'll do this as soon as I can figure out how to type my super-excited, breathless, silent laugh. Seriously. My laugh is sometimes silent. It's embarrassing, especially when my sister or dad recreate it for me to watch.

So, did I mention the lemon bars I made the other day? They're delicious. I'm not really a big fan of lemon baked goods, but they were yummy.

Need vs. Want

2009-05-04T13:25:00.002-06:00

I want a husband. I don't need one. Oh, but I want one.

I want kids. I don't need them. But I would really like one sometime in the next year.

Spring is in the air!

2009-05-01T13:35:00.004-06:00

We have blossoms on our cherry tree! It's so exciting. I know it's not the biggest cherry tree and my photography skills could use some work, but the photo still brings me joy. :) The blossoms are even prettier in person.

I'm feeling so hopeful today. Sunshine and warmer temperatures have that effect on me. I think Prince Charming is going to make an appearance soon. Of course, if he doesn't, that's okay, too. I'm good at being single.

Finally

2009-04-30T10:30:00.000-06:00

Here's the shortened version of my delay: My time-shared pet took ill. I found out about it on Tuesday and couldn't blog about it because I was feeling sad. Wednesday, I drove sixty miles to visit him. I left him looking much better than I found him, but a tree-trimming job took up the rest of the day.

At this point, you're probably wondering what a time-share pet is and why someone who writes also trims trees. If you're not, feel free to abandon this post.

My grandmother has two poodles. The big one (standard poodle) has epilepsy and takes two pills every day. The little one (miniature poodle) has diabetes and gets two shots of insulin every day; he has cataracts and is essentially blind. They're both boys. Here's what they look like:My grandma visits my aunts in California every winter. She's gone for 3-4 months. I puppy-sit. I like to call it time-sharing, though. I love the boys like they're my own, and I hate returning them. Some people have suggested I get dogs of my own; unfortunately, my landlord (aka my dad) forbids it. I don't know why he allows the puppy-sitting, but I haven't pressed the question.

I'll take what I can get. But back to the story: The little one got sick and my grandma called to tell me on Tuesday. Even though he has challenges, he's a scrappy guy. He's a fighter. She made it sound like he was on his death bed. He didn't look very good when I got there, but I held him and gave him some love. Grandma left for a funeral, but I stayed. We spent some time outside and he started to perk up. I don't know if it was the fresh air or the fact that the sun was out for the first time in five days, but it seemed to revive him. By the time Grandma returned, he got up to welcome her home. She was so excited; he was back to his old self. I think he'll last awhile yet. Time will tell.

Now, on to the tree-trimmin' explanation. For the sake of accuracy, I should mention it wasn't actually a tree; it was a line of lilac bushes. Anyway, my parents run a lawn care service. It's not a full-time operation; it's more of a part-time, work-around-their-other-jobs enterprise. I like to pitch in when I can and help them out. (Since they've made it possible for me to devote my time to writing without holding down a job, I really like to be as useful as I can be.) My job in the trimming project was hauling. Dad would cut the branches; I would drag them to the trailer and toss 'em in. I also had to hop up in the trailer and jump on the branches to compress them. That part is scary; balance is imperative. It's a scratchy job, but somebody has to do it.

The Best of Intentions

2009-04-29T21:16:00.001-06:00

I didn't get a chance to write today except for this little note. I'll explain why in my next post. ;)

Love of a different kind

2009-04-28T11:42:00.002-06:00

I was going to write about loving pets, but I need more time to process. I'll be back tomorrow with something more substantial.

Regarding Friday's post

2009-04-27T08:47:00.003-06:00

Since I borrowed Friday's post from an unknown author, I feel I should extrapolate on the idea with words of my own.

While you personally may not believe in God, I do. I know He's working for the good of all who love Him. I know He doesn't allow hurt into our lives without using it to build us up in someway. He's a just and loving God. He knows what He's doing.

Sometimes I wish I had some behind-the-scenes info. I have no right to demand an explanation or an accounting from God. I just wish I had that Aha! moment while something is happening, rather than in hindsight. Does that make sense?

For instance, when His answer to a certain prayer is "no" does that mean it's "no, not now, not ever" or is it simply "no, not yet"? Because I really feel like that knowledge would help. If the answer is a firm no, I need to move on. I need to accept the answer and quit asking. But if it's a temporary no, I will be persistent in my requests and patient. I can get through the temporary disappointment if I know that the answer will one day be a yes.

I might be going about this prayer thing the wrong way. As I typed the above paragraph, I realized my desires might not match God's will. The Bible says in Philippians 4v6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." It doesn't say stop praying when nothing happens. It says in everything, talk to God. Rely on God; trust God. By wanting behind-the-scenes info, it's like admitting I don't trust God. It's basically saying I need to know what's going on before I'll trust Him. And that's just wrong.

Did you notice in one paragraph, I say God knows what He's doing, and in another, I say I want to know what He's doing? It's as if I want equality with God. Perhaps I should just back up a bit and turn to Philippians 2v5,6: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..." I think I need to sit down and re-read the entire book of Philippians. (It's short; it only has four chapters.) It talks about contentment, which is something else I need to work on.

It's always fun when I start with one topic and end on an entirely different one. Have I mentioned I lack focus?

Perfect Love

2009-04-24T09:50:00.000-06:00

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone. To have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But God to the Christian says, "No, not until you're satisfied and fulfilled and content with living, loved by Me alone and giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me, to have an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone.

"I love you, My child, and until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with Me -- exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or belongings.

"I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing, one you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best. Please allow me to bring it to you. You just keep watching Me, expecting Me, expecting the greatest things. Be content in the satisfaction of knowing I AM. Please don't be anxious and worry. Don't look around at the things others have that I've given them. Just keep looking only to Me, or you'll miss what I have to show you.

"And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would ever dream. You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, I am working this minute to have both of you ready at the same time, and until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I've prepared for you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me, and this is perfect love.

"And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty and perfection and love that I offer you with Myself. Know I love you. I am God Almighty, believe and be satisfied."

Author Unknown

What you don't know will embarrass you

2009-04-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

Good grief. Sometimes I feel like an idiot. I've always known that I don't know what I'm talking about, but the extent of my lack of knowledge is downright embarrassing. I can't even begin to discuss all the times I've felt foolish. Luckily, I'm used to it. It's not so surprising anymore.

Any time I open my mouth, there's a 80% chance that I'll make a fool of myself, and a 20% chance that I'll end up with my foot in my mouth. I really don't feel like I'm capable of making sense orally. That's why I write. I can revise. My words then have a chance of resembling actual thoughts and ideas.

If you ever converse with me in person, please excuse my befuddlement. After awhile, you'll begin to understand what I mean.

Procrastination

2009-04-22T14:00:00.002-06:00

Today as I was driving down the street, I longed for marriage and children. I don't know where the sudden feeling came from. There weren't children frolicking in the street. I didn't see any pregnant mothers. It was just such a nice day. I had the windows rolled down. The radio was playing a nice song. And I got the sudden urge to marry and have babies. The urge was so strong, I had the idea that maybe I shouldn't be so picky. Maybe I should just settle for whoever will have me.

It was a fleeting thought, but should I give it more consideration? Are my high standards just a way of procrastinating?

Marriage is a lifetime commitment. I will have to live with the person I choose for the next fifty years. I should like the guy, right?

Phonephobia

2009-04-21T10:12:00.002-06:00

Have I mentioned I'm phonephobic? When the phone rings, I get a feeling of dread in my stomach. Caller ID helps somewhat; at least I know who is going to be on the other end when I answer. If it's my sister, I relax. She already thinks I'm retarded. There's no way I can embarrass myself any more than she already expects me to. Same with my mom and dad: they know me well enough.

So imagine I need to call a guy I like. Oh, the terror. What if I call at a bad time? What if he doesn't know who I am? What if I stutter–or worse–giggle? What if I don't make any sense? What if he doesn't understand what I'm saying? What if I have my courage ready and a speech prepared, and then I get his voice mail or answering machine? Not only would I have to handle that, then I'd freak out every time the phone rang, thinking he was calling back.

If I'm calling on behalf of an organization, I'm fine. I have a certain message to impart. I have a script and I know what to say. If they reject the message, that's fine. I'm fine as long as I'm not the one being rejected.

Cowardice and Indecision

2009-04-20T09:43:00.003-06:00

When I came up with the title of this post, I had planned to describe my mixed emotions. Now I'm just not sure how to put my thoughts to words.

As a college freshman, I interviewed men in their dorm rooms for a research paper on pre-marital sex. Thinking about it now, I can't help but be in awe of my audacity. I didn't know any of the guys. Their replies were anonymous, and with their help, I aced my project. (I interviewed women, too, but I don't think that was as bold.)

My question is this: How did the girl who was courageous enough to approach total strangers to talk about sex turn into a woman too frightened to call a rancher for an interview? What's changed? Am I putting too much pressure on myself?

I live in a community of ranchers. I could ask any of them for an interview, but I've decided on one rancher in particular. I don't know him personally. I've never met him; we've never exchanged words as far as I can recall.

For my book, I need to know more about a young, single rancher's mindset. I need to know what chores he does. I need to know the simple details he takes for granted.

Maybe I should just make everything up, have a rancher's wife read it, and then revise to correct my errors.

Facebook

2009-04-18T10:08:00.002-06:00

Facebook has lots of fun quizzes. I recently took one entitled "How Well Do You Know Men?" It gives you a percentage as a score: 100% means you know men really well, 0% means you're hopeless when it comes to understanding men. Guess what I scored... Go head, guess.

Yep. A big fat zero. I laughed out loud when I saw that. I wasn't too surprised.

Just to test the validity of the quiz, I took a similar one called "How Well Do You Know Women?" Since I am a woman, I figured anything less than 100% would prove that the quizzes were inaccurate. Guess what my score was on that one.

Hm. I scored a hundred percent.

While I'm glad I know women, I was forced to face the fact that my knowledge of men is limited. Of course, it probably doesn't help that I chose the most stereotypical responses in the men quiz.

Set-ups

2009-04-17T08:43:00.001-06:00

My sister tried to set me up with a guy. Let's just say her idea of what I'm looking for is different than what I want. I think part of the problem is that she doesn't really understand who I am. She has this vision of me–I'm not sure when she formed it–that isn't accurate.

When someone wants to set you up, what's the first question that comes to mind? For me, it was 'What does he look like?' Apparently my sister found my question inappropriate. She sputtered and then chastised me for being vain. I'm not going to apologize for wanting to be attracted to a man. Our arguments started. I tried to defend myself. My sister kept hammering at me. (She was way too invested in this set-up, I'm thinking.)

Jumping ahead, the guy was very nice, but not what I'm looking for. (It probably didn't help that I had another guy on my mind.) It was a group dinner, so there wasn't any pressure on me. I didn't talk very much at all. Perhaps I was being passive-aggressive. Anyway, the behind-the-scenes dramatics between my sister and myself didn't make a pleasurable evening for either one of us. The guy and my brother-in-law hit it off, though.

Did I mention I once tried to set my cousin up with a roommate of mine? It didn't take, and I'm not surprised. I had no idea what I was doing, and I promise I'll never try it again. I don't think they work. Ever. Have you had a success story? If so, I'd love to hear it.

My Soul Mate Theory

2009-04-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

People like to tell me I need to "go out" to meet men. Out where? Bars? I don't really drink. Besides, what are the chances that my soul mate will be hanging out in the same bar I choose on some random night? In my area, we have at least four bars to choose from. He could go to Bar B, while I'm at Bar A. We'd never find each other.

People tell me there's no one in my hometown--I need to get out of town to meet guys. Where should I go? Wal-mart? A bookstore? I've already mentioned I'm "slow to warm up." I'm not the kind of person who approaches strangers to flirt.

My soul mate (a.k.a. ideal spouse) theory goes something like this. If "husband-to-be" lives in Town A, how will "going out" in Town B help me accomplish my goal? It wouldn't. Of course, I don't know where my soul mate lives. How am I going to meet him if I don't know where he is?

I realize I think too much. I'm complicating the situation. I just need to relax and "let it happen." The only problem is it hasn't worked for me in the past. I've tried being proactive. I've tried being passive. Neither method has worked for me.

I'm just feeling kind of hopeless today. Ignore my melodramatics. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow.

A totally biased depiction

2009-04-15T10:54:00.000-06:00

This is who I am.

I am a child of God. He created me, saved me from eternal punishment, and loves me unconditionally. I am a sinner and a saint. I want to be good, but I fail. Thankfully, Jesus' life and death cover me.

I'm slow to warm up. Some people misinterpret this; they either think I'm shy or they think I don't like them. I just like to hang back and get the feel of a situation before I jump in. I work at my own speed.

I am intelligent. I went to college on an academic scholarship. I do not think I'm smarter than you are. I'm just really good at taking tests. I catch on quick. I learn easily. I like math. I'm not a know-it-all.

I'm perverse. Contrary. Stubborn. I can't defend or excuse this character trait. I just know that if someone tells me I have to turn left, I'm gonna turn right.

I am polite. I say please and thank you. I cover my mouth. I say "yes, sir" and "yes, ma'am."

I'm environmentally conscious. I don't litter. I pick up trash when I can. I turn off water and lights when I'm not using them. I don't let my car run when I'm not in it, and I walk when I can. I recycle aluminum. I reuse paper. I repurpose objects sometimes.

I am creative and analytical. I like English and math. I'm not right-brained or left-brained; I go both ways. This trait probably explains my short attention span; my brain is always jumping around.

I'm tone deaf. I'm not musically gifted in any way, shape, or form. I can sing, but I'm not proficient. I have no rhythm. I can't hum a tune in tune. I don't know how to play any instruments. I can't read sheet music. Unfortunately, I still sing along to the radio and chirp away at church.

I am not afraid of being mean. It would be nice if people liked me, but I'm not going to work to make it happen. Like it or lump it, I am who I am. I'm not a people-pleaser. I frown and glare more than I should. I don't make nice. And yet...

I'm friendly. I don't understand how it's possible, considering the above characteristic, but it is. I say hello. I tell cashiers to have a nice day. I smile at strangers. If someone drops something, I'll help them pick it up. I hold doors open.

I am helpful. I'll take your plate when you're done eating. I'll empty your dishwasher if I'm staying at your house. I sometimes stop what I'm doing to serve others.

I like kids. I want to have five or seven of my own, but that's in God's hands. If I can't conceive, I'll adopt. There are a lot of kids that need loving homes.

I am proficient in the kitchen. I like to cook and bake. I take liberties with recipes and often experiment. Sometimes my creations are delicious, sometimes they're not.

I'm tidy. I don't like clutter. I like to keep things picked up.

There's so much more, but I've said enough as it is. I'm actually a private person.

Who I'm looking for

2009-04-14T09:23:00.004-06:00

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am a farrago of ideas, opinions, and statements. I don't always know what I'm saying or thinking. I'm try to figure things out as I go along. I contradict myself all the time. If you're looking for a clear picture of who I am, you won't find it here. I don't want to be trite, but I'm a work in progress.

Having said that, let me tell you what I think I'm looking for in a mate.

I want a masculine man. He is strong. He isn't afraid of blood, snakes, vomit, or spiders. He makes me feel protected.

I want a self-sufficient man. He should be able to cook. He should be able to wash his own clothes. He should know how to change a diaper. He should be able to take care of himself and the kids if I can't be there for whatever reason.

I want a supportive man. He won't criticize me or the way I do things. He will try to teach me in a supportive, encouraging manner. He will build me up, not tear me down.

I want a man who trusts in the Lord. He puts his faith in God and trusts in Him above all others. He encourages my faith, and reminds me of God's love.

I want an even-tempered man. He deals with life's frustrations and irritations in a calm way. He doesn't throw things when he's angry. He doesn't kick things. He takes a deep breath and tries to find a solution to the problem. He expresses his emotions in a non-violent manner.

I want a man with a sense of humor. He doesn't take himself too seriously. He'll laugh at himself before laughing at others. He smiles easily; he's easily amused. He's playful; he indulges my story-telling habits.

I want an optimistic man. He sees the light in the darkness. He knows that in some situations, the only thing he can control is his response, and it might as well be a positive response.

I want a faithful man. He only has eyes for me. He doesn't look to other women for fulfillment of any kind. He cherishes me by putting me second after God.

I want an educated man. He knows a little bit about everything. He's well-rounded. He listens to others, but he doesn't believe everything he hears.

I want a man who listens. He lets other people talk without feeling the need to interrupt with his own thoughts. He expresses himself, but not at the expense of someone else. He doesn't dominate the conversation.

I want a man who works. He doesn't loaf. He doesn't just clock in; he gets to work. He gets the job done and moves on. He works hard, but he also knows how to rest, relax, and play when the work is done.

I want a man who likes me as much as I like him. He admires, cherishes, and loves me. He wants to spend the rest of his life with me. He thinks I'm cute. He wants to have kids with me. He loves the people I love, simply because I love them.

The Old-Fashioned Way

2009-04-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

I recently told my grandma I'm not getting married. She seemed shocked; I explained no one wants me. She immediately slammed my hometown. She isn't surprised I haven't found anyone here; the prospects are questionable apparently. I began defending my town, but she stopped me by acknowledging that her town isn't much better. I can't tell you what she said after that. I wasn't paying attention. I was too busy biting my tongue. I wanted to tell her nobody gets married the old-fashioned way anymore, like she did.

And what is the old-fashioned way, you ask? I'll try to phrase it delicately. She gave birth to her first child two or three months after the wedding.

I don't really know how this applies to anything now that I think about it. Her situation doesn't resemble mine in the least. Maybe that's why she irritates me every time she offers up advice.

Internet dating didn't work for me

2009-04-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

I tried the whole internet dating thing. I even splurged and bought a twelve-month membership. After all, I was investing in my future. Right?

Uh, not exactly. The title of this post already gave away the ending.

Apparently I spent money on things I've always gotten for free: rejection, antipathy, disinterest, and politeness. Sure, I learned things about myself and met some nice guys, but I didn't find my husband. It didn't lead to the result I had anticipated.

I don't blame the website for my failure. I don't blame myself, either. It just didn't work. My "soul mate" must not have been on-line that year.

Deal or No Deal

2009-04-12T20:55:00.000-06:00

Although I haven't seen it on the air lately, have you ever noticed how the contestants' families on Deal or No Deal are always saying things like: "He's such a good guy. He deserves this money!" "She recycles, she saves baby seals, and she adopts orphans with AIDS. She deserves a million dollars!" "He saves me a seat on the subway every day. He deserves lots of money!" It's a game show. A game of chance. A game of odds. It's not Queen for a Day or Extreme Home Makeover. It doesn't matter if the person deserves money; if they don't know how to play the game, they won't get the money.

I'd make an awesome mom. I love kids. I'm patient. I'm caring. I find humor in most everything. I believe in discipline; kids need parents to be parents, not friends. I also know it's important to pick your battles. I want to give my kids the important things in life: love, hugs, kisses, attention, a good example, freedom to be silly, more time than toys. I want to stay home with my kids; not because I believe every mother should, but because I'm selfish in that way. I would never say I deserve kids, but I do want them. And yet, if I don't learn how to play the game of love, I won't get to have any kids.

Drafts

2009-04-10T09:29:00.003-06:00

So apparently, if you type a post and save it as a draft, it plays with the time-space continuum. When you do post it, it posts at the time you created it, not the time you posted it. It ends up below other posts. It couldn't possibly be user error, could it? :D

Good news! I just figured it out. If I click on "post options" I can set the date and time the post will be posted.

Like a tree without water

2009-04-09T20:44:00.000-06:00

Some people spend years trying to decide what they want to do with their lives. Me? I've always known. I want to be a wife and a mother. It's what I've always dreamed of becoming. I feel like it's my destiny.

When I was younger, I wished I could skip high school and college, just so I would be old enough to get married and have babies. I endured high school, earning high marks as I went along. I had lots of friends and lots of fun. I was interested in boys, but they were never interested in me. People comforted me, saying: "Don't worry. You'll meet lots of guys at college." It was true; I did meet a lot of guys at university. I had an endless supply of crushes. Unfortunately, none of the men returned the feeling. I graduated with high honors, but it was sort of an empty victory. I never cared about the degree; I would much rather have had an MRS than a BS.

Knowing what I want to do with my life and not being able to do it, makes me feel like a tree without water. I can't just conjure up a husband and slip a ring on his finger. I can't make men fall in love with me. I won't pursue a relationship with a man who's attracted to me unless I am attracted to him. I'm not desperate, but I am in despair. I'm in a situation I can't do anything about. All I can hope for is contentment with what I do have.

I don't know how to fish

2009-04-09T14:48:00.002-06:00

I'm not talking about trout and fishing poles. I'm referring to the old dating adage "there are plenty of fish in the sea." I admit it: I don't know how to fish. If I did, I suppose I'd be married by now.

How am I going to find a mate if I don't know how to fish? The question doesn't keep me up at night, but I can't help wondering if I'll be a spinster my entire life.

I'm not looking for advice. I get plenty of that from my female relatives. I'm looking for empathy. Is there a club I can join?

Fish in the sea

2009-04-09T14:43:00.003-06:00

It doesn't matter how many fish are in the sea. If you don't know how to fish, you'll never catch one.

Snow

2009-04-09T09:47:00.001-06:00

It's snowing again. Woo-hoo! (she said sarcastically). As beautiful as fresh snow can be, I've seen enough of it these past three weeks. I'm ready for sunshine. And if sunshine isn't an option, I'll take thunderstorms. Just no more cold. It makes me want to hibernate.