Ozone Guide Release and Climber Benefit

On Wednesday, October 1st, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall in NW Portland, there will be a fundraiser for climber Kevin Rauch, who was diagnosed with ALS, and his family. A hot-off-the-presses guide book to a local climbing area called Ozone, where Kevin set many of the routes, will be sold. This benefit is being arranged by Kevin's friends and it's pretty impressive how they've not only written a guidebook, but put together a silent auction full of great stuff that anyone, not just climbers, would want.

You can find out more info, including directions, at this blog they put together for the event. Here's a link to a newspaper article on the event, too.

If you're from the Portland area, I hope you'll stop by the Lucky Lab in NW PDX on Wednesday. It's a great cause and the guide book looks fantastic. See you there!

Free book giveaway!

Thanks so much for all your get well wishes and prayers. I didn't get to go to the Ice Fest last night. I couldn't even make it to Mass this morning I felt so bad. I really need to get better fast. Now onto our normal Sunday happening and the free book giveaway...

Here are your random numbers:

8
Timestamp: 2008-09-28 20:36:46 UTC

This week's free book winner is Amy. She won with a comment on the post Hit-mouse. Amy, please choose one book from the list here. Email me your choice along with your snail address.

Last week's winner Jane chose Seduction is Forever by Jenna Peterson. Enjoy the book!

A new contest begins now! To enter, post a comment on my blog. Each comment earns one entry! Good luck! I think the last two weeks we've had first time winners, too.

I'll be spending the rest of the day trying to recover. I did some online stuff, reading email and loops I'd fallen behind on, and now am ready for a nap! I'll try to do some blog hopping later if I feel better.

Ninja Kitty

I wish I'd had my camera the other day. Chaos decided to sleep in Rocket's place, which is right at my feet where I write. Big mistake. I heard a strange sound and looked down.

Rocket sat on his back feet with his front paws in the air. He did some Ninja karate moves with paws. Chaos stared at the cat with a "What the..." look on her face. You have to understand Rocket is about 15 pounds so his position was almost an effort in defying gravity.

Chaos inched closed with her nose. I told her to get back because Rocket, who had never done anything like this before, meant business. Rocket almost tapped Chaos' nose. That was enough for the dog. She walked away!

That spot has been Rocket's ever since then. Of course, I haven't been there much the last couple of days. The cold from Hell continues. I'm praying my Neti pot works. I really want to go to the Ice Fest tonight. I have all three kids sleeping elsewhere so I can go, too! Finger crossed. But first I need to make it through two soccer games.

Sorry I haven't been by any blogs lately. I haven't done much on-line at all.

I haz a bug

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My kids caught and brought some sort of cold home last week. It made its way through the three of them. Hubby's getting over his pneumonia and all the meds he was on seemed to make him immune to it. But whatever it is hit me yesterday. I still managed to write 7 brand new pages and revise a chapter, but it was between shivering, sniffling and sneezing!

My goal is to spend the today in bed. Given all I need to get done all day might be pushing it, but I'm going to try. My hands could use the rest, too. Most importantly I really can't afford to be sick since hubby is heading out of town again!

I'm thinking about sending him out to Hollywood Video to pick up a copy of King Arthur Director's Cut for me. I could watch it on my iBook in bed. I'm sure two plus hours of Lancelot would be the best medicine, don't you think?

Hope all of you are healthy and happy!

Portland Ice Fest 2008

The Climbing Cutie is at it again. He's putting on the third annual PDX Ice Fest this Saturday night at the Portland Rock Gym. Hubby and I already have sitting lined up for the kidlets and will be there. This year's cause for the money they raise...the Washington Climbers Coalition.

If you're from around here, go. If last year's was anything to go by, this year will be a blast. Climbing competitions to watch, a slide show by Wayne Wallace and free beer!

What more could you want on a Saturday night!

Hit-mouse

I just love the LOLcats that have the cats conspiring against the dog. Sorry if these are seeming old to you, but it's providing endless entertainment in our household were we're living such happenings on a daily basis.


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This is so what my cats would do. Seriously. Yes, the four seem to have come to some mutual understanding, but all hell broke lose this weekend when Chaos got a little too close to the cats. No one got hurt, but let's just say it wasn't pretty. One of these days I'll snap a picture of them when their getting along and post it. Fingers crossed it happens soon.

Hope you have a great Tuesday. I'll be out most of the day running around and driving kidlets places! What will you do be doing?

A little late with the book giveaway...

Sorry, but I never got around to blogging yesterday. My hands are acting up again so I'm having to limit my on-line time again. I even had to turn down an invitation to climb Beacon Rock which totally bummed me out, but my hands aren't up to a five pitch climb hundreds of feet in the air right now. Here's this week's free book winner....

Here are your random numbers:

31
Timestamp: 2008-09-22 13:34:25 UTC

This week's free book winner is Jane. SShe won with a comment on the post Blogging at Wedding Planners. Jane, please choose one book from the list here. Email me your choice along with your snail address.

Natalie choose The Pregnancy Promise by Barbara McMahon. Enjoy your book.

A new contest begins now! To enter, all you have to do is post a comment on my blog. Each comment earns one entry! Good luck!

Which LOLcat are you?

Your result for The Which Lolcat Are You? Test...

Sad Cookie Cat

You are the classic Shakespearian tragedy of the lolcat universe. The sad story of a baking a cookie, succumbing to gluttony, and in turn consuming the very cookie that was to be offered. Bad grammar ensues. 

To see all possible results, checka dis.

Take The Which Lolcat Are You? Test at HelloQuizzy

How did Matt do it?

A few months ago, I posted one of my favorite YouTube videos of all time called Where the Hell is Matt? on a post about dream jobs. Here's a clip where Matt explains how he got all those people from around the globe to dance with him.



Would you want to dance with Matt if he was passing through your city? I would!

A New Toy

I had to run to the store yesterday for a few things. I was walking by the electronics department and decided to take a peek at the wii section to get ideas for Christmas gifts. Imagine my surprise when I saw they had not one but two wii fit! I thought about it for about three minutes, then bought one.

My family is totally into wii. It's fun, but I have too much other stuff to do. Still I thought the wii fit might be just what we need.

First, the rain will be here soon so outdoor play time will be at a premium.

Second, with hubby's travel schedule it's harder for me to get to my Crossfit sessions or even running with no one to watch the kidlets so I thought this might be good for me during those times.

Third, I want hubby to workout even with his blown out knee soon to be operated on.

Hubby raised a dubious brow when he saw the box. The kidlets jumped up and down with glee.

Tonight, however, hubby is a total wii fit convert. The five of us created our own mii character and did the basic fitness testing. We've set weight loss goals too! Well, not the kids, but hubby and me.

I have to boast a little, too. When it came time for the balance check, I amazed my family with my near perfect center of balance. Even the wii said it was incredible. Hubby just stared at me, looking both amazed and dumbfounded. I don't know why he was so surprised. I do climb quite a bit, even if it's mainly indoors. I'd think a person's center of balance would improve from climbing, wouldn't you?

Anyway, the wii fit should be fun. I think it'll be a nice compliment to my Crossfit routines, too!

So have you been working out lately?

Blogging at Wedding Planners

Today's my day to post at The Wedding Planners. I'm blogging about wedding rings. Stop by and say hi if you get the chance.

Thanks,
Melissa


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Mailbag!

The past week has been a good one for mail. Last week I received the Harlequin Romance cover flats for my November release, Rescued by the Magic of Christmas. Today I received a box of six copies of the Mills & Boon Romance version of the book. The only difference between the two is the M&B cover is pink.

I just love when new books arrive. You can hold in your hand something that represents all the sweat and hard work from months ago. Last summer actually! The feeling never gets old, no matter if it's your first book or, in this case, my fourteenth.

Each book is special, but this is the first story I had to write. I was on pins and needles waiting to hear if my editor approved the idea because I didn't know what I'd do if she said no. Luckily, she didn't. I wrote the then titled Christmas on the Mountain, made a bunch of new climbing friends (including the climbing cutie), discovered climbing myself and fell in love with the sport!

I'll try to get all the info for the book to my webmistress this next week, including an excerpt! Things have been busy around here and I've got a new book to write, too!

Update: The UPS guy just dropped off a box containing my Harlequin Romance copies!!!!! Perfect timing!

Monday, Monday

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This picture looks so much like Rocket did when he was a kitten I had to post it! You'll be able to see him for yourself soon. I bought a scanner yesterday morning so I can scan in some old pictures!

The Family Olympics was a blast! The events were things like like Slip and Slide the farthest (Mackenna got third), kid obstacle course (Finn got third), Paper airplane toss (we got third as a family), the Mom Call (kids yell mom and I had find my own blindfolded, not as easy as it sounds), Piggy back relays (our team got 3rd, boy did I feel not doing crossfit lately with Rose on my back), hula hoop water balloon catapult (we placed but don't remember what), water balloon throw, hula hoop circle relay (our team one), driveway bowling and kick ball. They had a torch and the music from the Olympics, as well as yummy food to eat. A fun time.

Now it's Monday and time to settle into a routine with hubby being home. Of course, he's still jet-lagged. And sound asleep! Do you have any big plans for the week?

Have a great Monday!

Sunday Book Giveaway!

Hubby's home! He brought us some fun stuff. We all got new jammies. Silk ones! Plus tea, candy and some other little things. Chaos jumped on his lap when he got in the minivan at the airport yesterday afternoon. It was so cute. And I made him a sort of homecooked meal. I stopped by Ikea when we went to pick him up and got a package of their frozen meatballs, sauce and lingonberry preserve. I added green beans, salad and a loaf of French bread. The kids couldn't get enough! One more easy meal to add to the menu!

Here are your random numbers:

26
Timestamp: 2008-09-14 14:45:16 UTC

This week's free book winner is Nathalie. SShe won with a comment on the post To Do List Help. Nathalie, please choose one book from the list here. Email me your choice along with your snail address.

Here's the update on what books have been picked:

Limecello choose Something Reckless by Jess Michaels. Catslady choose The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn. I hope you enjoy your books!

A new contest begins now! To enter, post a comment on my blog. Each comment earns one entry! Good luck!

We are off this afternoon to a Family Olympic party. We bought in to it at the kidlet's school auction last year. We are representing the country of Ireland! It should be a fun time. What are you doing today?

Needed: Two of Me

What are the odds that on the second Saturday of soccer season, my hubby is still out of town and two kidlets have games at the exact same time? Story of my life, I'm telling you. I'd be all set if I could replicate myself, but since the odds of that happening are slim to none, I'll just have to miss most of one game. The kids and I agreed that the youngest gets me since I had to leave her game at half-time last week to take hubby to the airport. Plus her game is shorter so at least I'll get to catch a little of son's game toward the end.

A workable plan, yes. But this is what my week has been like. Negotiations, compromises and asking friends for favors so one kidlet wouldn't have to miss out just because there is only one of me. Seriously I have no idea how single parents do this. My hat's off to you! Seriously.

It probably hasn't helped that the kids have been grounded from television since Tuesday. They were told to do certain things before turning it on, but didn't. So I told them they would have to earn the right to turn the TV back on. So far, they haven't. Which isn't a bad thing, but man, would it be so nice to have thirty minutes to myself without someone popping in every five to either ask a question or see what I'm doing.

I was so exhausted on Thursday that I took an hour nap when my youngest went down for hers. I fell asleep into full dream mode right away. It was so hard to get up, but I had to take the kidlets to soccer practice and Irish dance so had no choice!

At least hubby is on his way home. He took a ferry from Macao to Hong Kong and sent me an email from the plane there. One more stop off in Vancouver B.C. and he'll be back to the USA. I cannot wait.

What's going on with you?

Wanted: Time

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I know this is what my cats are thinking about me this week. (Okay, knowing cats, it's probably what they think all the time!) But with hubby gone (one of his longest trips this year) I'm barely treading water. Oh, I manage to keep their litter box clean, their water bowl full and food available for their big ole tummies, but that's not enough for them.

Unfortunately that's all I can manage right now. I have kids to take care of and drive around and a proposal to write.

I love my new story, but the one thing I'm lacking right now is time. That's why I haven't been commenting on the blog lately. Every extra minute, which isn't much with hubby gone, is going to the book. Sorry about that, but I'm seriously running on fumes and loads of unsweetened iced tea right now. I promise to be better next week.

Of course, I'm still staring at one of my To Do items on the screen from the link I posted the other day! At least I got the clothes folded last night. The clean laundry pile had me so frustrated that my eight year old son offered to help! The best part is we had a great conversation about soccer and his friends and got everything folded. The worst part is I have more in the dryer!

Any suggestions on how to keep up with laundry better?

September 11th

If you get a chance, go to the NYT's Portraits of Grief website and read some of the profiles of people who lost their lives seven years ago today. The biggest mistake we can make as a country is not to remember what happened in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. My prayers are with the victims' families and friends on this anniversary of that horrific day.

Cats and Dog

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I woke up yesterday morning and had one kidlet, one cat and one dog in bed with me. Hubby's in Macao at the moment roughing it at a hotel who's smallest suite looks like a palace! Oh, and they have four pools, too. So I wish I were there and he was the one waking up to the menagerie surrounding me! Between the nudges for rubs, the meows for food and the butting with a wet nose to be let outside I'd really like a chance to sleep in past six o'clock in the morning.


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Still, I shouldn't complain too much. My furbabies continue to amuse me endlessly. Seriously pets are so entertaining. Better than television. Spirit has become a mean, not-so-lean dog attacking machine. I've never seen anything like it. She doesn't hold back at all if Chaos gets into her space. Okay, she was on one corner of the bed this morning and Chaos on the others, but the only time she'll be nice to the dog is sleep time. Otherwise, she's permanently on DEFCON 4. Chaos, being a smart dog, keeps a wide berth when Spirit's awake because being pounced on can happen at any moment.


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Smalls has begun to venture downstairs again whether Chaos is around or not. I think this is only because she wants to go outside. She's always come back before, but I have my doubts this time. If it was June I wouldn't worry so much, but since the rainy season will be here any minute I'm a bit worried. Though she's a pretty smart cat so I guess if it was a choice of being wet or being dry with a dog in the house she'd choose the later.


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Rocket has surprised us all with his new-found courage. He will walk right in front of Chaos now. Of course, Chaos is asleep. But he's stopped running and has even hissed on occasion. If any of the cats will change sides, I think it will be Rocket. He really loves to pal around and Chaos really wants someone to play with. Time will tell.


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To Do List Help

As usual, I've got a To Do list a mile long. Trying to figure out the best way to get things done between the family, house, writing, etc. is never easy. But I found a nifty little gadget on one of my loops to manage my daily To Do list that's quick and easy to use. It's called Now Do This.

When you go to the site, you'll see something that looks like a line from someone's To Do list on the screen. Hit the "edit list" button and type in your To Do list for the day. You have to type in what you want done in the order you plan to do it. Then save it. The first item will pop up with a button that says "done." underneath it. As soon as you complete that item, you can hit done and the next thing will pop up. Pretty nifty little management tool!

What would be the first item on your daily To Do list today? Mine is "Do Blog" which I can now mark done!

Knights, Music and YouTube

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know I put together a soundtrack for each story. I'm still adding songs for my current manuscript (working title: The Billionaire's Playground). I've already mentioned inspiration for my hero came from Lancelot (played by Ioan Gruffudd) in the movie King Arthur ao I open the story at a castle in England because well, I needed a reason to put my billionaire in a suit of armor!

Needless to say, I've been watching many (okay, way too many) King Arthur YouTube videos recently to put me in the writing mood. I've found good and not-so-good ones, but a couple stick out for various reasons and I wanted to share those with you.

This first one is a fake trailer, and I must admit, this is the movie I wished they'd made instead of the one they did.



The next one contains clips to a song from the Disney movie, Mulan. I was laughing at some of the parts. Talk about a great editing job! The clips are perfect for the lyrics!



I'd never heard this song until I found this YouTube clip, but it's now on my sound track. Touching lyrics!



And finally I can't even count how many times I've played this one. The music is absolutely beautiful and is one of the songs I listened to over and over again while writing this past weekend. It's also been added to my book soundtrack.



What songs have you been listening to recently?

Book Time!

It's been a crazy week, but I finally managed to get the list of books updated so last week's winner limecello can now choose which title she'd like.

And now for this week's winner...

Here are your random numbers:

11
Timestamp: 2008-09-07 15:51:49 UTC

This week's winner is catslady. Again! She must have an inside connection at the random number generator! She won with a comment on the post A Book Quiz. catslady, please choose one book from the list here. Email me your first and second choices (since last week's winner still needs to choose) along with your snail address and I'll send your book out. And please send me your snail address. It's already happened once in this contest and from now on if you don't, you won't get your book!

Here's the update on what books have been picked:

Weekly winners:
Tori chose Body Movers: 3 Men and a Body by Stephanie Bond.

Birthday winners:
Brandy chose Moonstruck by Susan Grant
catslady chose Bewitching the Highlander by Lois Greiman
Dru chose Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery
Marianne chose Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands
Tori chose Hot by Julia Harper

For those who are new, I run a weekly contest on this blog. All you have to do to enter is comment. Each comment earns one entry. If you click on the list link above, you can read all about it!

Have a nice Sunday!

In a world...

The legendary voice of movie trailers, Don LaFontaine passed away on Monday. If you click on his name, you can hear bits of his trailers on his website. In his honor, I thought I'd post a couple of these YouTube clips featuring him.





Don't know about you, but watching the previews has always been one of my favorite parts of seeing a movie. I will miss hearing his voice. That's for sure.

A Book Quiz

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

I gotta admit, I kinda like this meme! Not sure about the talking rabbits though!

Busy, busy...

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Sorry for not posting the contest winner yesterday. Some things came up around here and I haven't had a chance to do all that I'd planned on doing. As for this week's winner:

Here are your random numbers:

60
Timestamp: 2008-09-03 03:41:15 UTC

The winner of the contest is limecello. She won with a comment on the post The Cats and Chaos, but I haven't updated the list with the titles that were picked this past week so I'll post when limecello can choose the title she wants. Again sorry!

Hope you had a good Labor Day