October 31, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff

So I never really consider myself superstitious, but the truth is, I kind of sort of am. I have to make it all the way up the stairs before the garage door closes. I have to text Alpha Man before his basketball games or he will get hurt. I have to wear bunny slippers or I won’t be able to write . . . Okay, enough about me before you all realize how crazy I am.

Here’s what I want to know. Are you superstitious? And what are you superstitious about? Inquiring minds want to know.

October 30, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff

We’ve had an amazingly gorgeous fall. Here’s yesterday’s sunrise, caught from my car as I drove the kids to school. Which, I’d like to point out, is normally Alpha Man’s job but he had a six a.m. meeting. I do not like six a.m. meetings, Sam I am.

Here was the sunset . . .

Pretty darn awe-inspiring, right? Here’s a shot of the tree in my yard that I worked beneath in the hours in between. Where I was buzzed by a VERY annoying wasp.

And also, the leaves are starting to drop so that was a bit of a distraction from the writing. As was the fear that a bear was going to saunter by any minute. Yes, saunter.

Which brings me to a point. Yes, for those of you who have emailed doubtfully, I really honest to God see bears. Especially this time of year. They’re getting fat and happy and ready to hole up in their little caves or wherever they hole up, and they’re actively out. I have seen at least one bear every day this week. But they’re not the grizzlies. They’re not mean and aggressive. They’re passive. And hungry. Think of it as the difference between the alpha heroes you read and the betas. These brown bears here are mostly betas.

I say mostly because after eight years of seeing bears, I was growled at for the first time the other day. Not pleasant. But she was a big momma and pmsing to boot so it wasn’t her fault. I was standing between her and her delicious trash.

Where was I? Sharing some pics, I believe. Here’s a shot of Donner Lake. Too cold to go in, and not cold enough to ice up . . .

And here’s a pic of Oldest before she left, being . . . well, Oldest.

Goodness, we miss her. So very much! But back to our weather. We’re expecting snow this weekend. SNOW. Boggles the mind. Soon enough we’ll be pulling out the skis.

Which brings me to my question of the day. What are you looking forward to this winter? I’ll go first. I am looking most forward to having Oldest come home for Thanksgiving!! She comes home in 26 days. And 8 hours. And 40 minutes. In case you were wondering . . .

October 29, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff

So last year when the writer’s strike came, nobody bitched and moaned and groaned and missed their scripted TV more than me. I was hooked on so many shows, I didn’t see how I would survive the loss.

But somehow I did. And you know what? After a few weeks, the most shocking thing happened.

I found I didn’t miss TV anymore. I read more. I actually vacuumed. I threw the ball for the dogs. Did Honors English with Youngest . . .

When this fall rolled around and the new TV season hit, I shrugged my shoulders. I was so over Private Practice, Lost, House . . . over all of it. I wasn’t going to get hooked again, no siree . . .

And then I caught House and fell in love all over again. I saw Desperate Housewives and was hooked. I watched the CBS Monday night lineup of The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, et al . . .

And it happened.

My addiction was back. I even have a few new ones. My Worst Enemy because I have a secret crush on Christian Slater (I have NO idea what that’s about but he’s going on my list, sorry Alpha Man). Dirty Sexy Money (don’t even try to tell me it’s a sleazy soap, I realize this and LOVE it anyway).

My point? I’m once again a TV ‘ho and proud of it. I realize most of you are probably far more evolved than I, but if you’re not, what are you watching???? Inquiring minds want to know.

October 28, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff

Maybe it’s because I came to the big, bad scary Sierra mountains via Los Angeles that I’ve never been really nervous living in the woods. I guess I figured I was used to the big, bad, scary streets of downtown LA, so what could get me.

Alpha Man feels that way too, I think. After all, he drove an ambulance on the streets of Crenshaw. Scooped up knife and gunshot victims and gang bangers alike.

So until I got myself growled at the other day by a hungry bear, I never felt truly afraid. Then cut to yesterday on the trail, when I suddenly realized that the dogs were nervous. Ashes was herding me, staying right in front of me. And I mean RIGHT in front. I kept tripping over her, which was annoying to say the least. Mountain Barbie was behind me, sniffing along but acting far more alert than usual. (Yes, Mountain Barbie is still grounded from Alpha Man’s job, dammit)

And then suddenly Mountain Barbie went running past me, full tilt, legs pumping, head down, heading for home, not looking back. Um, Mountain Barbie? Where ya going?

Ashes started growling, now pressing her butt into my shins, not letting me move.

That’s when I saw a big fat bear way off in the distance. Just watching us curiously.

It’s funny what goes through your mind when you think that you’re about to become bear snack. I texted Alpha Man: I’m up the trail about a mile. There’s a hungry bear. I wanted someone to know where I was just in case. If you have to identify my body, I’m wearing blue sweats.

I sort of expected him to call and tell me something nice before I died. Like how I’m the love of his life, or something. Ha. I forgot. I’d married an alpha. This is what he texted me back: Text me when you’re home. Offer up a dog if you need to.

Aw. So sweet. Such love and devotion . . . Sigh. I texted him back: Your dog is probably already home. She didn’t even look back.

I got this text in response: Why aren’t you running as fast as she is?

Okay so he’s not necessarily sweet, but at least he’s always got something of value to say. I made it home in one piece and forgot to text him. Later I looked at my phone and realized I had two missed calls. From Alpha Man. His voice mail said: I really hope you’re just pissed and not bear poop.

Yeah. He’s always got something to say.

October 27, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff

1. Bring three teenagers into the store.

2. Separate from the teenagers for TWO MINUTES

3. Hear over the loud speaker that you’re needed up front

4. Discover that the teenagers made their way to the sports department, put on the boxing gloves they found in the display, and started boxing with each other. Which is when they were unceremoniously asked to leave. With me.

And not come back.

And here my friends, is my question of the day. WHY EXACTLY DO I HAVE CHILDREN?

October 25, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff

UPDATE: Winners drawn from random.org are: #17 Ali, and #33 Tori Lennox. Congrats! Email me with your snailmail and a few book choices!

Original Post:
So these two? Two of my favorite things.

I realize that they’re not everyone’s cuppa tea, lol, but they’re definitely mine. So here’s what I want to know today. What are a couple of your favorite things? I’ll be drawing names for a book from my back list, so be sure to tune back in.

Now. Favorite things?