My puppy. She looks like she's wrestling with a major hangover, but she's the best :)
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A guy asked me today, are you single? I am single. But...I seem to like it that way. Before, I used my daughter for an excuse. Yes, I'm single, but all my time and energy is dedicated to my daughter. And it was. But now, I still seem to have no desire for a relationship or drama or having to change my schedule or pajamas for a guy who wants to come over for the evening when all I want to do is sit in my comfy old clothes and write.

I think I'm 'set in my ways'. Ugh.

Today the weather was spectacular. After months of dark cold, snow, ice, and rain, today's sunshine and warmth was amazing. I want more of that.

After another coat of paint on the wall, the painting is finished. I still have to get everything back in its place. I took a photo, but when I have everything back the way it should be, I'll take another.
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Partial view of the painted wall. I'll take more when I have the furniture back in place.
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I was sitting at Wendy's when I spotted this trailer. I wanted to peek inside but refrained.
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Today, Spring was in the air.
 
I am so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open. My dog is lying here on the bed asleep, and I'm jealous. I have to stay awake for a while longer, then I'm off to bed. It's early, so I hope I can stay in dreamland all night.

The new color on my living room looks fantastic. I'll take a picture of it as soon as everything is finished. We painted two bookcases white, and they are still drying. The room is a total mess. One more coat of paint tomorrow, finish up the bookcases, and it's done. I just have to put everything back in its place. That will take me a while.

The last two days have been nice; sunny and not freezing. It makes me realize that Spring will come. Eventually.
 
I have some family coming down tomorrow. We're going to paint some walls in my house. Living room, maybe dining room. I'm not sure yet. Probably some shelves...

I have to get some sleep or I'm going to be hard pressed to pick up a paint brush!

I cleaned house today, thoroughly, and didn't write anything. I have some time, as I just finished one book and have three more currently being decided upon. Still, I don't want to go for very long without starting that new book.

The news is starting to heat up with talk of the impending murder trial. Jury selection has begun. I saw The Monster on the news tonight and it's difficult not to toss the TV through the window. It's a terrible feeling, that helplessness, knowing there's not one thing you can do but hope for justice. But nothing will ever make it right, and there's not enough justice in the world that can possibly make a murderer suffer as much as the people whose lives he or she destroyed.
 
Today was uneventful. No sign of that stubborn lady, Spring. I think she's hiding in the shadows, laughing at us all.

I've been thinking about going on a trip, getting out of here come Summer. Because my little sweetie couldn't travel, I haven't gone anywhere since she was born. Quite a few years. It'd be nice to get away for awhile.

I finished the MS today, so that's a big relief. I needed to put it behind me and work on something new. I love when I finish a book. That's a great feeling. And thinking about the new book, that's a great feeling. Writing is just...good.

I'm really glad I am back to it.


 
Today was pretty productive, as far as work. I did have a few forms to fill out for my publisher. Because I delayed doing those until the last minute, it took me half the night to get them finished and sent off. That'll teach me. Not really.

I connected with an old friend today on Facebook, so that was nice. I dated him eleven years ago. Wow. Eleven years. Sometimes I can't believe how quickly time passes.

Besides writing and getting through those forms, I knitted a drawstring bag, watched a movie, ate some very creamy, very cold, very delicious vanilla ice cream, cleaned the kitchen, fed the fish, took the dog out, and read a little of Stephen King's Under the Dome. I also worked out with my weight hoop. And talked on the phone, messenger, and email. That's the short version of today.

I was just thinking how, when I was a child, I said things like 'slicky' for slick, and 'I know it' instead of 'I know'. These things jump into my mind at the oddest times and for no apparent reason. But they make me smile.

The trial is in a few days. I so dread it. Three weeks of hell, sitting there in that courtroom looking at The Monster, listening to terrible things. But I want to go, to show support for my dead brother and his family. It's the right thing to do.
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I've devoted a lot of time to writing today, and the ending is in sight. I'm ready for it...
 
Snow! More snow...and wind. This is a heck of a Winter. I was going to take more pictures, but didn't see the sense. It's all white and the trees are bare. I did throw out some bread crumbs for the birds, earlier.

I'm watching figure skating and finishing up an ms. So close to the end, so close to cleaning it up and sending it in. That's always a great feeling. It means I'll be starting something new soon. I haven't found many feelings as good as starting to write a new story.

I made pancakes for breakfast; banana and blueberry ones covered with powdered sugar and maple syrup. It was national pancake day, after all. :)

Last night I cut pieces of posterboard and painted a picture on each one. On one was a barn, on another an owl, on another a big silver moon. I'm going to paint a large black posterboard with other things, such as trees and stars in the sky, then glue the smaller paintings on the large one. I'm not sure why I did it that way, but it was what I wanted to do at the moment. I'm going to give it to my niece for her bedroom when it's finished. She wanted me to paint something for her. Right now I need to finish the book, but I may finish the painting tonight when I'm finished writing. If I do, or when I do, I'll take a photo and post it here.
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It is frigid out there! The wind is gusting, blowing snow every which way. We did get a couple more inches of snow early in the morning hours, and are to expect more.

I took Delicate-Dog out to potty, and we both nearly froze. I couldn't wait to get back inside and thaw out. D-Dog is not crazy about the wind and snow either. Her paws were in dire need of defrosting when we came back in. The wind scares her. Of course, a leaf falling from a tree scares her as well, but still.

I had a banana for breakfast. It's time to get away from all the sweets and garbage I've been cramming in my body. I always feel better when I'm eating healthy foods, and God knows I want to feel better. The sweets somehow make me feel better, but only while I'm eating them.

Last night I made a few more bookmarks while watching Match Point and Bridget Jones's Diary.

A fresh cup of coffee here on my desk, and now I'm ready to write. It's a good day for it.
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More snow tonight. The ground is still covered from the last snow. It's white out there. White and black. The bare, black trees in the white snow...it's depressing, honestly. Spring, where are you?

I was sick last night. I had a pretty severe headache, and even worse, a very unhappy stomach. I held off as long as I could because I so hate to throw up, but finally my stomach left me no choice. I did feel better afterward, even my headache was somewhat less. Today I'll take it easy and eat light, uninteresting foods.

Last night I also missed my little girl so very much.

Happy Valentine's Day.
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