magick musings…

…to all!

~Sandy

…to 2009.

Hard to believe that 2008 will soon be over. I believe each year will bring new and exciting things along with its own challenges and setbacks. But that is what makes us who we are. And who we are to be. I am looking forward to it.

Got over 600 words done yesterday. I. WILL. FINISH. THIS. BOOK. I am learning to make immediate goals with a long range one penciled in. My first goal is to have what I need done for the first online critique group ‘meeting’ on January 8. Several of the Yellow Rose Romance Writers find it impossible to meet each week so we decided to form a group that works mainly online and meet only every third Thursday in person.

My second goal is to have the 25 pages ready to submit to the Duel on the Delta Contest on Feb 14. Now, you may ask “What? Only 25 pages?” But those pages need to be contest ready which is a whole ‘nother posting.

So…I’ve got a plan.

Tonight we are going to stay home, drink a toast at midnight, and watch the ball drop. I like those quiet evenings at home. I really do. I don’t mind attending a party or having friends over, but tonight seems to be just what I want to do. Think I’ll cook some fajitas, light some candles, have snacks and serve up our favorite new wine – called Ricossa Moscato D’Asti – a switch from my favorite White Zinfindel for a change. But it rocks.

Hope all you have a wonderful night tonight and the New Year brings you Happiness, Health, Wisdom, and Wealth. And lots of Love.

Be Safe…

~Sandy

…I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth!

I have been so busy at work it has been unbelievable.

But, in a nutshell, let’s get caught up:

1. Had a nice Halloween (but you already saw the art work)
2. Had a wonderful Thanksgiving (mmmm…that’s all I am going to say)
3. Put the Christmas tree/decorations out.
4. Had a fabulous Christmas (can you say parties, ribs, friends, and fun? Saw some friends I haven’t seen in awhile, met some new ones, played Christmas Trivia and Rock Band with KB, SD, and M, but only after the best pizza in the world and a glass of wine – or was it two? I won’t tell if they won’t.)
5. Visited the Zoo (the meerkats are sooo funny!)
6. Trekked to Dallas to see the Aquarium (love the penguins).
7. Danced at Billy Bob’s (not a pretty sight).
8. Work: completed two projects, almost finished with two more (with one HUGE project sneering at me from the sidelines, sigh)
9. Took Christmas tree/decorations down.
10.Caved in and joined the ranks of the Facebook pages! Here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1050011565

And for all my diligent, hard work I have this whole week off from work!

But, of course, the first day I did nothing but run around and get errands done. Important errands. Yes, pedicures ARE important! So, today, I have been getting laundry and computer stuff caught up. Downloaded (or is it uploaded) tons of pictures from the last month. Emailed a few friends. Made a few phone calls. All business, but they needed to be done. Made the trek to the attic with the storage items, vacuumed, mopped, dusted, ironed…

So, now I am sitting here, listening to my rockin’ iPod and blogging. Not that anyone will be reading as I have lost all readership, but it is theraputic for me.

Next on the agenda is to get a few pages done. That is the ‘must do’ item of the day.

Hope you all had a wonderful November and December!

~Sandy

~Author Unknown

~Sandy

……November is National Novel Writing month. Otherwise known as NaNo. Thirty days to compete against yourself and spew out 50,000 words on your WIP. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t have to be completed, no editing allowed.

But the gauntlet has been thrown by several of my writing friends to sign up again this year and I am toying with the idea.

You do realize if I actually plan anything that involves writing, it incurs the wrath of the writing gods and they will do everything in their power to thwart those plans? Hmm…(strumming my fingers on my desk trying not to smile). Should I take a chance? Can I outwit them this year? Can I find the balance between work, life, and love? (Smile fades, drumming ceases) Can I give up what I have to give up to accomplish this?

Stay tuned…

~Sandy

…Halloween is right around the corner. And Thanksgiving around the next one with Christmas around the block.

Where does the year go?

Busy weekend these last two days.

G.W. and I went to see Menopause the Musical Friday night with a few friends from his work, KB, SD, M, and KB’s mom (waving at you guys!). We laughed until our jaws ached and had so much fun. No matter what a woman’s age or where she is in her life, it is definitely worth every penny to see.

It is about four women of different caliber who meet in an upscale department store and form a friendship as only women can. Sharing the ups and downs of going through ‘the change’, the message throughout the laughs, the dancing, and the singing is that this is a normal part of every woman’s life and it is to be celebrated.

I love the parodies of the songs that ranged from country and western to Tina Turner, but the best performance of the night was G.W. dancing across the stage. The woman in the audience loved it!

He’s such a ham! I am forbidden from posting pics. (I can be bribed, though,LOL!)

Saturday night, I was treated to my favorite restaurant, PF Chang’s! Couple of glasses of White Zin, the best calamari in the world, General Chang’s spicy chicken, and the forty seven layer chocolate cake to top it off.

Holy caloric overload, Batman! But, omg, was it worth it!

You’d have thought I’d come home and crash from all the sugar and carbs. But, noooo, I didn’t sleep well and when I did, I was plagued by nightmares. Go figure. The kind that didn’t make much sense, but has you talking in your sleep and battling imaginary monsters and not aware you are doing it. Guess I am just not used to that much food and drink in one sitting any longer. And that has nothing to do with age, thankyouverymuch!

Today we worked it off by running errands (with the required stop at Home Depot), making stuffed peppers, and planting pansies. I refused to take a nap so tonight I should sleep like a baby. Have to stay up to watch Cold Case and The Unit though!

Tomorrow starts another work week! 🙁 I so need some time off.

~Sandy

I have always loved music. And, like decorating my home and my choice in clothing (and even my friends), I have such eclectic taste that I tend to surround my life with things that mean something to me in some way. Comfortable things. Fun things. Things that ‘speak’ to me or move me in some way.

Every song I have on my new iPod is music I can relate to in some way or another. Music that lifts me, calms me, or just plain makes me happy.

Hi, my name is Sandy and I am a romantic down to the very depths of my soul.

But I have never had the opportunity to listen to jazz music. Wow! I never knew what I was missing!

So when Jazz on the Boulevard came to town, we jumped on the opportunity to go downtown and expose ourselves to a whole new culture.

We arrived at the festival late that afternoon, and my first clue as to how popular the festival is in our area was when searching for a parking space. I will have to admit that G.W. is a very patient man. Third time around was the charm, though, and we found a space not far from the entrance.

Upon entering, we immediately got swept up in a sound that was a mixture of blues, soul, love songs, work songs, and just plain good music. Electric keyboards, bass and rhythm guitars, drums, and the expected saxophones filled the open air and you couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment.

Booths surrounded the stages offering bounties of art, jewelry, food and drink. Wine and beer seemed to be the beverages of the night and the smells of the different ethnic foods made it hard to decide between things like hamburgers, Barbecue, Cajun shrimp or meat dishes, Mexican food, fried potato curls, and smoked turkey legs. Just to name a few.

As the twilight faded and the Texas night streaked the skies with purple, we settled in under the stars and found a place near the main stage and munched on barbecue sandwiches, shared a huge turkey leg and drank beer (him) and wine (me). I thought long and hard about a funnel cake, but hated to ruin my diet with all that sugar, so settled for another wine.

We talked and laughed and people watched and I think G.W. was finally exposed to how I can find people to communicate with anywhere anytime. He went to buy us a beverage and, when he returned, I not only found a nice couple to talk to but pilfered some chairs to rest our backsides instead of the hard street curb.

We actually left at a decent hour and just as we were exiting the festival, we ran into his friend and co-worker. SD is such a hoot! I can tell she and I would get into lots of trouble together, LOL!

Had a wonderful time and hopefully can do it again next year. In the meantime, I now have some new music to download into my iPod.

~Sandy

…but they are so pretty!

Took some friends that are new to the area to Fossil Rim Park this last weekend. The kind of park you drive through and feed the animals.

It was fabulous! The animals are not afraid of the vehicles or the people and come right up to the car like little beggars.

When buying the tickets, we were warned about the zebras – they bite. And don’t feed the Sable antelopes because they are being ‘retrained’ – they attack the vehicles in their exuberance of free snacks – so be sure and don’t feed them Awww, that’s like inviting only some to the party.

But no one warned me about this fellow. He tried to peck me. Several times. Fresh little devil!

By the time we got to the giraffes, it started pouring. We were very glad we hadn’t decided to ride the guided tour jeep that was open on three sides! Tried to get a pic of the people who did, but they were running for cover.

Decided to show the newcomers the flavor of the area and took them to the Stockyards where we gorged on all you can eat Bar B Que ribs, had a beverage at the infamous White Elephant Saloon, and finished the evening at Billy Bobs.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Can’t wait to visit the animals again in a few months.

~Sandy

…falling from the sky?

Could it be? Yep, it’s rain. Much needed rain. Although it frizzies my hair. And gets my dirty car dirtier. And all of my 10 umbrellas are in the trunk and I never think of getting one out until it is too late.

But North Texas needs the rain.

I was asked why I don’t blog as often as I use to. My answer is that I didn’t work full time then. And anyone who has worked full time knows how it sucks you dry.

Speaking of work…part of my company has relocated into a new home. Well, not new as it has been around awhile, but new to our company. Once they get 288 of 800 employees settled in, we will take up three floors of the 36 floor building in the downtown area. My office is bigger and nicer although the view is now of the parking garage. 🙁

We have dubbed the garage the ‘Speedway’ because people fly through and will run over your a** if you are not careful. And if you hesitate in any way – you are toast! You can defilnitely tell the ‘newbies’ by the fear on their faces as they walk to the elevators dodging the vehicles playing ‘chicken’ with cars and people alike.

You think I am kidding. If I make it my office alive, it is a good day.

Gotta run. Working on an article for my chapter’s newsletter and it will be due in a few days.

Here’s a pretty picture:

~Sandy

…found another blog theme. How do you like this one, BC, KB, KT, DM, MM, SS, NH?

It can be so much fun, but so frustrating at the same time.

Have been looking for something a little more modern, a little more indicative of young adult, which, thankyouverymuch, I happen to be working diligently on.

Except for Tuesday.

And Wednesday.

But tonight I got about 500 words done.

I have been struggling on setting word count goals and I am now starting Candy Havens new class called Writers Binge. In this class we are counting hours working, not pages. I only had about an hour and a bit to write tonight and was able to spit out the 500 words. She focuses on setting how many hours a day you want to write and the goal is to get immersed in your story. You can do it in one sitting or in increments here and there.

She says the best time to write is in the morning before all the stop signs awake (her words, not mine), but that is not possible for me. So I will need to set a certain timeframe each evening and work out my hours then. It is amazing that I had been thinking about doing that for the last two weeks and then got a verification from Candy’s class this week.

Great minds, yada yada!

Stay tuned.

Gotta run…

~Sandy