Roller Coaster…

I think I need to invest in a case of Mylanta.  My life has been something of a roller coaster these past few days,  a series of highs and lows.  Tuesday brought a slew of medical news…some great, some uncertain, some heartbreaking.  My brother is doing fabulous after a very difficult June.  He’s been working hard (really, really hard) and his efforts are paying off.  Yippee skippy, young man!

Another family member (she’s 102) had an unusual Tuesday.  Based on her age we weren’t sure how things would turn out….by Wednesday she was back to her normal self.  Holy guacamole, does she have a great gene pool!

The sad news I’ll save for another day.  It involves an extended family member who likes their privacy.  So I’ll just keep them in my prayers every day, because sometimes that’s all we can do. 

Hmm…I hear whispering in my ear.  I promised my boys a trip to Game Stop…this will be an up and down adventure as well.  I’ll stand by patiently (or not so patiently for an hour) while they scour each aisle.  In the end it will be worth it because they’ll smile the whole way home with whatever game they decided to purchase. 

Hugs!

There are places I remember…

Seagull Beach

“There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain”  The Beatles 

I returned home from Cape Cod last night.  After unloading the car (we don’t pack lightly – just ask any member of my family), I collapsed on the couch.  A touch of melancholy set in.  It’s always hard leaving.  The beach (Seagull Beach, in particular) is my special place.  During every cycle of my life it has been an escape.  Skipping rocks. Flying kites. Hanging out watching people fish or dig for clams.  Swimming during low tide where you can walk out fifty feet into the water.  Every summer since I first learned to crawl I’ve kicked up sand on those same dunes. 

During our last evening there the boys combed the beach with their metal detector.  Of course, they only found the things my husband secretly planted.  It was good.  The past and present colliding.  

Later when the kids were settled back at the cottage I took my final fun walk with my brother.  Back to the beach we trekked…a slight salty breeze tickled our faces as we caught up on each other’s lives.  It was good. 

At the end of the month I’ll return to Seagull Beach for another visit.  Next year I hope to do the same.  It’s been my past and my present.  Fingers crossed, it will be my future.

Greetings…Happy 4th of July

Cape Cod….Beaches…Salt Water Taffy….Fireworks!!!  Perfect Holiday Weekend.   I hope everyone is enjoying a happy and safe celebration!!!!

A close up of my smile…

Actually, this post is simply to quell the rumor that the dentist accidentally pulled all of my teeth yesterday!   Although I escaped without a great deal of pain and anguish I am limited in what I can chew today.  Thank goodness….because this is aiding in my goal of dropping four pounds before I head to the beaches of Cape Cod this weekend.  The above smile, alas, is not mine but some poor soul with near perfect teeth.  I imagine (because I’m evil) that she is plagued by an extra toe on each foot. 

Although I have contributed nothing to my word count since Monday, I did finish up the books Harlequin sent me as part of their reader panel (Harlequin rocks).  Both of these books were part of the Special Edition line and they were quite good (actually one was closer to excellent).  I just sent off my feedback — hoping that more books arrive on my doorstep quickly.

Off to pack suitcases…I might check back before departing on a mini vacation tomorrow!  It gives me a good excuse to ignore housework.  Hugs!

Today is “D” Day….

Getting ready for my appointment with the dentist.  And, yes my stomach feels sick.  I’m trying to decide which of the canines above most closely resembles yours truly.  Please feel free to cast your vote in the comment section. 

Monday Meme…Uno, Dos, Tres!

I’m gearing up for a busy week. 

1. The Good – first trip this summer to Cape Cod
2. The Bad – my to do list includes cleaning the house, packing the suitcases, and meeting word count goals on my WIP
3. The UGLY – teeth get pulled tomorrow

To get my mind off of the dentist (if that’s possible),  I thought I’d think about all sorts of things that make me smile!

Three TV Shows That I Love:  NCIS, Penguins of Madagascar, General Hospital

Three Favorite Foods:  Chocolate, Buttercream Frosting, Hot Veggie Wraps

Three Places that I Have Lived:  Sarasota, Philadelphia, Reston VA

Three Places I Have Vacationed:  Nassau, St. Thomas, Paris

Three Places I Want to Visit:  Venice, Nova Scotia, the locker room at Fenway Park (when everyone is fully dressed)

Three Movies I Love to Watch:  Midnight Run, On the Waterfront, Gaslight  (yes, I like older movies better than new releases)

Three Favorite Ice Cream Flavors:  Watermellon Sherbert, Cookies and Cream (hold the cream), Peppermint Stick

Okay, no more play time.  I must leave the house if I hope to avoid my cleaning list.  Fingers crossed I don’t lose any brain cells when my teeth get yanked!!!!

What they are saying about my latest story….

Over the course of the past few weeks several reviews have come in for, Ready to Take a Chance Again.  To be honest I’m a bit of a review-phobe.  It takes minutes, sometimes hours, for me to even click the link at a particular site when I know I’m going to see my name with a certain number of stars next to it.  Pathetic?  Yes!!!  Anyway — I thought I’d share with you some of the things that are being said about my second release.  (And, no I do not know these individuals — so there has been no bribery or coercion).

Reviews for Ready to Take a Chance Again

 5 Books 

I started this book thinking I would read a couple of chapters before going to bed and I sat up until three in the morning finishing this beautiful romance evolve between Grace and Jake. It’s a book everyone should read!”  

-Tulip, Long and Short Reviews 

http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/06/ready-to-take-chance-again-by-rita.html

 4 Stars (A Page Turner)

I loved the way that it was the heroine this time who didn’t want anything to do with love, well at first. Great book by Rita and can’t wait for more of her stories. 

-Melinda, Night Owl Romance 

http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=3806 

4 Stars 

Rita writes for today’s audience with characters that are real with normal
jobs and lives.  It is nice to see a female lead that is a career woman
who isn’t relying on a man in the traditional sense.   Many readers will
relate to her book and delight in the romance surrounding the main
characters.

-Debra Gaynor, ReviewYourBook.com 

http://reviewyourbook.com/index.php/component/simple_review/?review=1667-Ready-To-Take-A-Chance-Again

Needless to say, I’m excited and extremely appreciative that these individuals took the time to both read and review my book.  Thank you, ladies

You might want to close your eyes….

File:  Nature at its wildest

A pack of dogs attack gator in Florida.  Okay this post is not for the squeamish.  We all know that nature can be cruel, but there is also beauty and justice within the animal kingdom.  The alligator, one of the oldest and most fearsome predators, can still fall victim to a normally docile opponent.   In this case a tight-knit pack of canines have found a way to outsmart their victim.

Note that the alpha dog has a muzzle hold on the gator — preventing it from breathing.  While another dog has a hold on its tail to keep it from thrashing.  Finally, a third dog attacks the soft underbelly of the gator.

Okay, now is the time to close your eyes if this is not to your taste or if you just finished breakfast.

Wait for it….

Oops, probably should suggest that this is PG-13 viewing.  Small children might get upset…

 

Summer’s Coming…

No more pencils….
no more books…
No more teacher’s dirty looks!
Out for summer!
out till fall,
We might not come back at all…(Alice Cooper)

Summer’s Top Ten List 

1. The Ice Cream Man — ding a ling -  @ 4:30 in the afternoon you will find my boys and me chasing down our neighborhood Ice Cream Truck.  So far we’ve had Strawberry Shortcake, Spiderman, Italian Ice and Sponge Bob popsicles.
2. Visits to the Ocean – not to be confused with a lake, pond or puddle. Where I reside we have access to many different bodies of water…just not the ocean.  There’s a difference.  A big one. 
3. Mini Golf – love that you get to pick your favorite color golf ball; I always try to snag cobalt blue.  So, keep  your paws off if you’re playing with me!
4. Pasta Salad – I’m not a huge fan of cooking, so nothing beats the ability to make a huge container of pasta or potato salad that can be used to accompany a meal for several nights.  Yum Yum.
5. Baseball games at night – when school is out we can take the kids to either minor or major league games without worrying about bedtime.
6. Sleeping in Late – Not me, but the children.  It’s a true blessing letting them wake up when they want and not at 6:15 in the morning.  Yahoo!!!!
7. Roasting marshmallows in the fire pit; no elaboration needed.
8. Running through the sprinkler; already picked up a crazy new rotating one that shoots water about thirty feet into the air.  Our neighbors think we’re a bit daffy.
9. Flip flops – Putting the winter boots away (which you can really only safely do between April and September in Western New York).  Crocs, sandals and flip flops mean the children don’t have to struggle with tying their laces.
10. Kite flying – nothing better than flying kites on the beaches of Cape Cod.  If you haven’t had a chance to do this…put it on your list.  Seriously!  Bring a bottle of bubbles, as well.  It’ll put a smile on your face!!!

So, what am I missing?  Name a favorite thing you like to do….

 

 

Chatting today at ….

Today I’m chatting at 3:00 – 4:00pm over at Joyfully Reviewed.  Stop by and say ‘hi’ if you get the chance! 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chatting_with_Joyfully_Reviewed/