My Monday is like no other, and yet the same...

I'm waiting for a phone call, and need to go to town.  The dilemma is if I leave, the phone call will come.  If I stay, taxes won't get paid on time.  So, when do I go?  It's the same thing if you are waiting for a repair man, delivery etc, they give you a time 'range' and leave you guessing.  I need that phone call, but I need to pay the taxes... I will wait until 1pm, then I will go, and still be back in time to get the call after 2.  I hate the whole wait thing...

The last time I was given a 'range' - it was to get Comcast installed at my son St's house and was told anywhere between 12n and 4pm.  I was on the way at 9am to get some things done in the mean time, and the guy that was going to install the cable was already at the house!  Never have I had them come early and when he called, St called me - and with in a few minutes, I was there, the guy had it done already on the outside, and well before lunch - we had Comcast cable.  But this was not the norm.

So, I will wait two more hours, maybe three, then rush to pay the taxes.  I really don't like to rush, but I want and need that phone call.  Oh well.  The dogs will love me - they get to go with me to town.  They like to go for little rides every now and then.  I take them to get gas, to the post office, its like a little treat for them.  It takes no time at all to get them in the car... and then they don't want out!  S and V take my grand puppy on rides all the time.  I saw him yesterday at the pass-off of my niece Sarah, and he loves car rides, just like my two.  But, oh course dogs are thrilled to breath, they're such happy little things - or like mine, huge things...

I wrote last night until I fell asleep at the computer.  Never did that before.  So, this morning I will go over what I wrote, since I have no clue - wow!  what if it is the best ever, that I've written?  That just boggles the mind.  I write better when I am sleeping, near unconscious, and on a dead line.

I need the famous and wonderful http://www.nanowrimo.com/ contest to start again, so I can really get another novel done.  In April, it's the http://www.nanowrimo.com/ 's contest to write a screen play in one month.  Don't know if I can do that - I have no idea how to write a screen play.  When I wrote the novel last November (and was a winner in the contest!) I used Mark Coker's book No Plot, No Problem! to help me on my way - actually how I found the site, and then after I was done - one of the other contest winners, gave me the http://www.smashwords.com/ 's site to get myself published.

So, after I look over the ramblings of last nights writings, then I'll get dressed.  Then I'll eat, and hopefully the phone call will come - so I can go on with the day's tasks - like paying the taxes!  And taking my angel (this morning anyway) puppies to town as well.

D M Wiseman,   happily (that was sarcastic) waiting and writing this day away, published author

Another snowy Sunday, spent with family and dogs...

This morning I woke to Gracie whining, she needed - or wanted to go out.  Either way, I got up and she ran out having a grand old time in the newly fallen snow.  She rolled, dug, and had snow flying before she even went to the bathroom.  I shut the door and went to find the Boomer.  He was snuggled in my chair, sleeping soundly, well noisily - snoring up a storm.  He opened an eye, then snuggled into the chair, and resumed snoring.  He didn't care to get up that early.

I put the tea kettle on, and then let Gracie in.  She was wet, out of control, and thrilled to be alive.  That is a  wonderful way to wake up.  She does it everyday, rain or shine (and seems to like the rain alittle bit better than the shine) but she is just a happy dog.  When my husband, my friend, my soul mate came down stairs, that's when Boomer woke up and greeted the day.  He's happy to wake up, but on his own time table.

I sat down, went through my mail that I didn't get to yesterday, and found our cousin Kelly in Florida had posted notes on Grandpa Elmer's sermons - the one where he compared old shoes, new shoes, to people.  I am going to get copies, and hang them down on the wall in our family room - we have pictures of Grandpa Elmer, Jim, Jerry and my father as well.  Elmer's sermons will be a wonderful addition to the wall of family.  One wall is covered in pictures of Jim's - my late father in law - pictures of his baseball team when he was in little league, swimming teams, things like that.  Elmer is in a boat fishing on one wall, the picture of Jim and Barb (my in laws) at their first dance, I could go on for an entire blog on just the pictures we have on the walls. 

Upstairs, we have a theme going, hand painted pictures by Jim, Kelly, Grandma Reid, Gram's, Jim, and Mary (an Aunt we adore!) along with the fund raiser picture of ducks on the most wonderful lake in Michigan - Corey Lake in Three Rivers Michigan.  Elmer was the director of Camp Eberhart - a YMCA camp that everyone in my husband's family has gone to, worked at, and learned from - it is the basis of our family.  I worked there for a week as well as a few special occasions - as the camp RN at the "Say AHH Inn' and both my boys, St and S were campers, counselors in training (CIT's) then Counselors.  It is a family heirloom so to speak.  Been in the family for four generations and we love that area and the lake.

I will be working within a month, and so hopefully we can go on with our plans to buy on the wonderful Corey Lake - and keep the family tradition to go on and on and on.  My grandchildren (when I finally have them) - right now it will be my grand puppy Leo along with Boomer and Gracie - will spend time at Corey Lake.  Every baby borne into the family before the first year, goes in Corey Lake.  It's like being Christened into our family.  Gives me the chills...

D M Wiseman,  member of the great family of Corey Lake and published author...

Saturday spent at the Scrapbook Emporium...

I spent twelve hours of my day with my famous sister in law Holly and our friend Michelle at the grand re-opening of the http://www.thescrapbookemporium.com/ and a large group scraping.  My husband, my friend, my soul mate just shakes his head and wonders what all the big deal is.  He laughs and says that scrapbook stuff is like 'crack' and Holly is my 'crack dealer' because the more you buy, the more you want, and then the more you buy... He doesn't get it that it's mostly about getting together with friends, family and just having fun - it is for me, anyway.

So, today I made 12 stationary cards for my mom (the one that doesn't own a computer, doesn't text or email, and is a bit behind in the times) so she can write letters (yes, hand write letters) to her friends and relatives.  I will give them to her for Mother's Day, as she doesn't need or want anything (she says that every year, but heaven help me if I don't give her any thing...) but she will use these.  I also made 6 birthday cards, Mother's Day cards for my sister Barb - from her dogs; my sister Pat - from her cats; Father's Day card from our monster dogs, to their dad (my husband, my friend, and my soul mate).  I made a lot of cards.  I didn't do any 'pages' which is NOT my strong suit, but I did think about doing some pages, so I should get some credit for that...

I spent some time listening to other women talking about what their family did all week, the things that their kids did that was funny, horrible, or how proud they are that their kids did...or were going to do...and why their kids (or husband) did what.  It's amazing that hardly anyone spoke of what they did, or what they were going to do.  It was all about family.  Or their dogs/cats/grand kids...  It never fails that women put themselves last in the whole scheme of things.  I felt a bit selfish talking about the interview I had, and how I wrote another book that made it into the premium catalog on http://www.smashwords.com/ but I did it anyway.  I am proud of that.  Then I told them about St and K getting home from sunny Florida and S and V getting ready to go to Jamaica. 

I came home late, my husband (etc) was tired and was ready for bed, I wanted to write some, and you know, just chill on my heating pad, maybe snuggle with my Boomer as Gracie slept at my feet, so here I sit, doing just that.  I am also watching Anne Hathaway on Saturday Night Live - which I have watched since I was in high school (don't tell my mom, as she can still ground me retrospectively!) and still find it funny.  I will go to bed soon, really I will - after I get a few chapters written...

D M Wiseman,   all scraped out and resting it up with my two monsters, author...

Yeah! I have a second book in the premium catalog Friday...

I just got Boomer off my lap, he was a little more cuddly than normal, and went on line to check my http://www.smashwords.com/ status of the three books that are still 'pending approval' for the premium catalog - and found that the book I wrote back in 1996, tried to get published in 1997 and didn't - well it's now approved for the premium catalog!  That is huge!  It means that within two weeks, you can get it on all the ereaders like the Nook, Kindle, iPad etc and not just by downloading it to your computer, then dragging it to whatever reader you have!  It's on the actual books sites, like Stephen King's novels, or JD Robb's - not that there's any correlation, but just as an example.

I know that means nothing to some people, but if someone that doesn't read my blog (and I know there is a few people in the world that are NOT reading my blog!) can browse on http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ or http://www.kobo.com/ and find my book!!!! then buy it and read it, it's really something!  Yeah, I am on the book list on those places and more.  My books are on google, too.  I feel validated as an author - twice over now!  It is a better feeling then even yesterday.  Really, I loved yesterday, but this is really a good thing!  For me, anyway...

So, I will treat myself with pizza and beer for my husband, my friend, my soul mate and for me - pizza and Mike's Hard Pink Lemonade - or maybe even Cranberry or Raspberry!  Whoa Hoo !  I am a wild woman tonight...  I really feel great about this, and the dogs aren't that excited for me.  They are acting normally, and just want another cookie!  I want someone to squeal and clap - you know the girl way to be excited...

I want - actually I need that validation.  It is purely for my ego.  I know it's childish.  I know it's all selfish and in some way just plain bragging... but once my dad said (actually he said it a lot...)  If your don't toot your own horn, then never have that horn be tooted.  Deep stuff.  It was a little Irish ditty, but I can't remember it right now, I'm too self absorbed, childish, and an ego maniac.  I get that, but every once in awhile, we need to have a 'all about me' day.  I just spoke to V and she was excited for me - between coughing fits (she has a sinus infection and bronchitis - when it rains it pours...).  I stopped being all about me for a minute - to make sure she is OK, because they are off to Jamaica in just over a week.  She must get better...

So, I am just sitting here, being excited all by myself, Boomer sleeping half on and half off his bean bag chair, and Gracie is up on her fainting couch - so I will do all the squealing noises all by myself.  Yeah for me!!!

D M Wiseman, the selfish one with two novels in the premium catalog since this morning, author!  Yeah!

A simple day and a bit of shoveling as well...

Going to an interview, going to lunch with my husband, my friend, my soul mate, and then to shovel snow (and take the mail in) for St because he is in Florida getting a tan made for a simple day.  No big deal, nothing worth writing about.  But, today was a good day, and that is worth it.  Although shoveling for a kid on vacation as he tells me about spending the day in the sun made me want to scream in frustration with this winter stuff, I refrained...because...

I was validated in my professional life - I received a job offer.  I was validated in my family life - my son's birthday is today, and he called me - how do you like that!  I did text him this morning with the happy birthday text - but with restraint, since it was not at 630 am when I first got up - I waited until 9 am - he is on vacation after all.  I really liked him calling me, it was nice.

And I was validated in my personal life - my husband, my friend, my soul mate took me to lunch and we had a little day time date.  I like the thought that we can still make each other smile - and I hope he does too.  I also came home to the puppies, who always make me feel like I am their favorite person, that they are too excited to see me.  It is a nice feeling.  Except when the monster that is Gracie has eaten all the chips in the cupboard that she got into.  Oh well - that is my fault for leaving the pantry door open...

I do feel a little guilty, too, because right now is not the best time for me to start a new job, due to my sister needing me to help her through the chemo, radiation, doctor appointments, and the whole cancer thing.  I feel guilty over the possibility of not being there totally.  I don't know what to do, but somehow need to do what is best for me  I hate guilt, it is a negative thing that eats at our soul, and kills my teeth - I'm a clench-er, a grinder, and besides that, I eat tums to get through the days as well now, without the guilt.  And, a new job will eat into my life as an author. 

So, I will get pounding on my novel, since I will need to get it done, before I start the new job... if I take it.  I probably will - I plan to.  I want the challenge of starting something new, with new people, a new facility - so I will know by tomorrow.  I need to get the book done, in the mean time...so I can get that off my plate, and add the other stuff...

I also need to feed the puppies, as well as get dinner started ...  I want to keep the day going on my roll today.  And since I plan to write until late, as well as all day tomorrow so that Saturday can be spent with my famous sister in law Holly at www.thescrapbookemporium.com with our friend Michelle doing more cards and pages of pictures - I need to get cracking...

D M Wiseman,   happy in almost all aspects in my life, and just a bit guilty in the other, author...

Going to spend the day with sister in Brighton...

Got up to shower early, so that I can go off to visit my sister Barb in Brighton.  The puppies were confused - as both of them were in the bathroom with me.  That's different, and hard to move around.  But, did it.  Got dressed and dried my hair without dropping my hairdryer once or tripping over them as I dress.  I feel like they know that I am leaving them this morning, and won't be back until dinner.  They always know, they always can tell, they are smart like that.

I put dinner in the crock pot so there it will be ready when I walk in, and I won't have to hurry, or have to make something up at last minute, you know the leftovers that you heat in the microwave.  I try not to do that too often, it isn't the best way to make dinner.  But, the dogs always like leftovers!  I give them one bite, with their kibbles and bits, so they think it's a big deal.  They are partial to spaghetti, go figure...

I wrote last night, and really got a good amount of the story line down, and really feel it will be a good one.  I like the characters, I like the sassyness of the heroine, and it will be a fun story to finish.  I just can't type fast enough.  I really want the story to flow, without a lot of interruptions, but that doesn't look like that's going to happen.  I have too many things going this week.  So, I won't be able to get as much done as I want...so I will try to type into the night...and sleep later.

D M Wiseman,  sister, mother, wife and dog mommy this week is very busy, author...

It's a Tuesday and I am on a roll with a new story line...

I slept really well last night, and this morning I woke feeling refreshed.  AND with a new thought, on a new story line - and got right up, gave the monster dogs their morning cookies - they like peanut shaped dog biscuits.  I have finally taught Gracie to sit, do the short 1 sec down, but still having trouble with the stay.  She just doesn't get the stay.  Boomer has it - even before I ask him to sit, I get the biscuits out, he sits, lays down, (and over by the way) and waits for his treat.

Just to keep the story straight, Boomer can open the pantry door himself, but doesn't know how to get to the biscuits.  Gracie just goes along with it.  You see I keep the biscuits up high now, just better that way - since the first week Gracie was with us, and Boomer opened the pantry door, and Gracie knocked over the box, Boomer then ripped it open.  You can guess, yep - I came home to box pieces and cookie pieces every where.  So, now the cookies are up high.  You learn quick, with dogs.

The thoughts I had during the night, an odd change in the story lines I have written in the past, and different than the story I was writing - I just put that on the burner, and now I will try out this story - see where it goes.  Hopefully,  it will take me to a sixth novel completed and published on http://www.smashwords.com/.  "Merry's Plan" is still being edited, and as soon as that is done, I will feel much better.  I hate having one just hanging around...

So, the day will be for the new story line, and of course my two monsters.  Boomer is already cuddled into his favorite - well second favorite place - on his bed, next to the fireplace.  Gracie at my feet chewing a bone - now that I shut the guest room door and cleaned up the pine cone from the bucket of potpourri that Gracie had gotten in to a little bit ago.  Again, you learn quick, with dogs.

D M Wiseman, learning to remember I call them 'monster dogs' for a reason, author...

Snow storm and yet still here...writing away!

Two weeks ago, the whole mid-west and the eastern coast line were alerted for days - about the snow storm of the century - even scaring people, closing business', schools, and even restaurants in advance!  And yet, I wake up to less snow than then with only a couple of weather alerts, and no major scare tactics - what's up with that?  There doesn't seem to be any reason for that, I also seem to think that the news was probably up for some award or maybe it was ratings week - two weeks ago, not now.

Getting up with my favorite puppies, I realized that I would have to go out in this horrible snow storm, to help clear the driveway, and I really don't want to.  I would rather have the snow stay pristine - and why bother until the second wave in today's snow comes - they say around 4pm, but you never can tell with those guys.  After all they rely on that ground hog to tell them when spring comes...

If it wasn't President's Day, my husband, my friend, my soul mate would be at work, and I could be having a PJ day - like my famous sister in law Holly is doing.  But, my husband does not understand PJ days.  He has this thing about getting dressed by 8am, starting the day, having a plan.  I plan to do laundry and that's the day that I don't get dressed.  It's like a law but he thinks it makes no sense... The puppies like it, because if I don't put on shoes or boots, I am going no where.  They get it.

D M Wiseman,  who is writing, doing laundry, and maybe getting dressed - author...

Another snow storm cometh, and I got home just in time...

I was almost home from my girls over night with my two sisters, Pat and Barb, along with our niece Cherie, when the new storm of the century began.  It was a definite blizzard, white out conditions - you know the regular snow storms that we get here in Michigan that the weather men make out to be the END of DAYS.  I got home, welcomed the dogs - who acted like I had been gone twenty years, and then made my self a cup of tea.

It is wonderful, being with my dogs, having tea, watching TV, typing away.  I also saw that I received another email from my on line only publishing company http://www.smashwords.com/ that I sold another book!! Yeah, that means I am flying now - two in two days!  I love it, I'd love it more, if I sold more, but one at a time is just fine...

So, on the way home, in between seeing idiots on the road - a guy in a convertible WITH the top DOWN (no lie, its 20 degrees and snowing...) just driving around.  I was next to him for about 4 miles, and he just kept driving - with the top down.  I wanted to take a picture to put on one of those emails you get that have captions about idiots doing dumb things, but I needed to drive in the Snow Storm, Blizzard, with the white out conditions.  He was not worth getting into an accident for... But I digress... In between seeing idiots, I came up with the next part of the plot for my novel that I am currently working on. 

And now, making dinner with my husband, my friend, and soul mate who just walked in from a fire, and who was hungry, I told him of the weekend.  We are having a salad from our favorite Italian place "Sila's" in Berkley, with B B Q'd pork chops.  What could be better on the last Sunday in the world - since the End of Days is here again, I mean the snow storm of course.  Ha.  And cursing my son St and K who we dropped off at Metro this am so they could fly to Orlando to visit Mickey and Harry P on their spring break - where it is 76 degrees... yeah.  But spending time with my man, and the dogs - not bad.  It would be better if we were on a cruise, or in the Bahamas, or even some where warm, but I'll take what I can get...

Having the furnace on, the snow flying, and the dogs doing their after dinner play time, the "Muppet Treasure Island" movie on the HUB channel, I feel blessed.  I love spending time doing just this - being lazy and yet, getting some much needed writing done.  I was watching "Lemony Snickets" but the Muppet's are just as good, when you're snuggling on the couch.

D M Wiseman,   snowed in, and not caring, one more book sold, author...

Saturdays are for the girls and the cats...

I am now going to my sister Pat's house to spend the balance of the weekend with Pat, my other sister Barb, and our collective niece Cherie.  We plan to shop, eat out, eat in, go to a movie, and watch movie's back at the Westland Compound that is brother in law less (he's off to visit the little grandson named Cash so we can have the girl thing at their house) while we eat again.  And maybe even have an adult beverage or two.

My husband, my friend, my soul mate will be holding down our fort - and playing with my two monster dogs, while I play with Pat's two cats...don't get me wrong, I love my dogs.  But I love cats, and would love one at my house, but when S lived at home we couldn't - allergies.  And now, the affore mentioned monsters would eat a cat.  Really, not meanly - just because the noises they make and their sizes - are just like the toys that Gracie destroys and Boomer guts.  So unless I want PITA on my back, I will get my cat fix at Pat's.  Like tonight.

I will write my stories tomorrow, and will try to get caught up on my own imposed writing deadline.  I tell myself I have to write this many words per day - kind of like the contest I wrote the first book that I got published - the www.NaNoWriMo.com write a book in a month - every November.  This deadline is that I have to get this new book done by April, because the new contest is to write a screen play in one month.  I've never written one before, and do not know if I can.  Do I make one of my books into the screen play or do I write a new one?  I have to decide that as well...

So, I need some help.  I could make Bryn's Family Plan into a movie, it would be on Lifetime or the Hallmark channel - it's kind of girlie.  Brie's Business Plan too.  Merry's Plan, the newest one that is done, is more shoot-em up, but still not mainstream.  The one I'm writing now, it could be on the Sci Fi channel - one of those 'B' movies my sons complain about...The Usual Reasons is a better novel...oh, well.  I have some time to decide...after I decide how to take the heroine in The New Eden to next.  Do I have her do the shoot out, and get shot?  I'll think about it on the nearly two hour drive to Pat's this morning,...

D M Wiseman, sister and by the way I sold another book this morning.... Published Author!!!

Thawing out on a Friday and two funerals...

It's a wet Friday - everything is thawing, all of a sudden it seems.  The snow is almost gone on our property, which means since the ground is still frozen, the water is just sitting everywhere.  Our pond is overflowing, and water is rushing down the hill from the ugly house up on their hill (they have 40 acres, built twenty feet from the DIRT road, and it is ugly, really.  It's ugly!) and is flooding our area.  Our house is higher up on our hill, so no worries about flooding us out, just our little bit of land is drowning ...

A couple of years ago, the weir (a little dam) up on the ugly house's hill (that they mistakenly put boards in to keep the water up on their property to have their own pond) broke.  It freaked out both Lady Bug (Mastiff) as well as Max (Bull Mastiff) and they barked as they went absolutely crazy.  It sounded like a train was coming!  The water was coming down the hill in a six foot across rush of water.  Normally it trickles constantly in about a 4 inch little river, and our pond free flows in about a 4 inch river to the pond to the house behind us.  Their pond flows out to a larger creek behind the next house.  This water way has a fresh water spring, and our pond even has fish!  But, when the weir broke, the water amount was scary. 

Today though, the water was coming from everywhere but the weir.  It's the snow that's melting and causing the water everywhere.  I am a bit worried about the pool, it is now getting filled with the water thawing, and Gracie had never seen the pool not frozen.  I am worried about the drowning thing... I already had that scare once with Boomer, when he was just a baby - around this same time, actually March 4th...I remember it well.  Boom almost died, was a near drowning victim, and ended up with aspiration pneumonia.  I could hold him in my arms, he was so little...but Gracie is full grown and I can't lift her out of the water...  It gives me the chills.  Ok, I guess I will be actually playing the In and Out game for my self today...until she stays off the pool...

This morning, my husband, my friend, my soul mate and I will be at his friend's memorial service, and then after the luncheon, we will be going to a different funeral for our other friend's showing.  It is a sad day for us, and for the families.  He is having a stressful day and I hope to help him through it as best I can.  Nothing puts your life into a perspective, like a funeral.  Or two in one day...

I am taking this early time to write a bit, to get my thoughts down on paper.  I'm not sure that I will be getting any writing done today or even tomorrow.  I will be at my sister Pat's house with our sister Barb, and our wonderful niece Cherie.  We are having a girl type weekend, before the daily U of M visits begin.  I take my sister Barb for her treatments and daily radiation.  Cancer sucks.  It actually says that on the wall of the radiation department - outside in the parking lot.  That says it all, by the way.  Cancer does suck, there is no other way to say it without swearing and going straight to hell - which by the way the treatment takes you, while it's killing the cancer.  Can't say it any plainer that that.

My thoughts on the new novel which is a "End of the World, Woman in Charge, Guns, Dreams and a new family way of life..." kind of book - that I have been thinking about and playing with on long drives, and told my son S - who thinks I should write, and so I think I will.  I started putting my thoughts down about it and yet I need to add some more of the guns, shooting, and maybe a good amount of intrigue as well as a few good aimed shots...

D M Wiseman,   wet from the thaw, and sad from our loss, author

Blogging very late on a Thursday, but better late than never...

I had a busy day today, and was not home due an appointment early in the morning, then the inevitable grocery shopping to pick up a few things.  I went to a new shopping mall with the normal big multipurpose shopping store that I like to go to get the really good deals - and as I went in to begin my shopping, by taking my soda cans back - I was told by the greeter to go back outside - I can't bring the cans in the store.  The can and bottle return was in an outside door, and was not accessible from the inside.  How odd...

Then, I couldn't find things.  As in I couldn't find my tea bags that I normally buy from this very store, I couldn't find the milk, sour cream, eggs, and by the time I was done with my shopping, I had to ask a total of seven employees where things were...This was a new store location for me, so maybe that's why I couldn't find things, but seriously, why is the sour cream by the muffins?  Why is the milk in the middle of the store, and why isn't tea bags by the coffee?  Serious questions, but it will not matter - I don't plan on frequenting that particular location, so it will not be an issue for me...but it brings up the question of why is the milk in the middle of the store?  And, they better not change the layout of my normal store...

When I got home, after I let the dogs out, put the groceries away, I wanted a good hot cup of tea, and a few cookies.  I went upstairs to get the cordless phone, and when I came down - my cookies were not there - they had disappeared into thin air - actually into Gracie's tummy.  My fault entirely, as I know she is a food thief, but I wasn't happy.  Those were my cookies!  I got more out, and gave her the evil eye.  She wagged her tail in response - the monster.

So, settling down to drink my tea, eat my now safe cookies, I went through my emails and generally got down to the business of writing.  Since then, I've been watching Boomer and Gracie playing with each other.  No naps for those two, and alas, Boomer's puppy (his pacifier toy) nearly got his head ripped off, and some guts came out.  Now puppy is missing an arm, a leg, and both ears.  He's looking kind of sad, really.  So I fixed puppy, and as dinner is done, Boomer is happily sucking on his puppy (he only does this after dinner - another oddity), and Gracie is chewing her bone.  All is well at my house in the rural area of Michigan...

D. M. Wiseman, relaxing as I write the new novel of the century, published author...

It's a 'I think I'll get dressed early and write all day' kind of Wednesday ...

Writing today with Boomer on my lap seems harder than normal, not sure why but he's lying on my mouse, putting his paw up on the keyboard - which makes all kinds of weird symbols and an occasional word.  He's very intelligent.  There doesn't seem to be a reason for him to be more of a lap dog than normal.  But, gotta love his warm little body...well great big body. 

We are watching the reruns of the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show - we already know the winner - not who I would have picked, but a nice dog.  My pick for a dog never wins.  I would really like to see a Mastiff or a Bull Dog, Bull Mastiff or that gorgeous Neapolitan Mastiff  win.  The Neo was wonderful and if you watched closely, all my pick of dogs - when they were doing the long walk - shook their heads and drool flew all around.  It was great.  And the Bull Mastiff had shoe strings going the whole way.  I loved it, which made me know the reason they don't win.  They drool.  It's a definite issue.  If you don't believe me, ask anyone whose been in my house in the past 11 years - drool, slobber, whatever you call it.  Gotta love it, if you own my kind of dogs...

So, writing with my babies, watching the rerun of the Dog Show, wondering how mine would do in the ring - and I know although I love mine, they would never do very well.  They are family dogs, not show dogs.  Boomer listens to me, sometimes.  Gracie listens to us, occasionally, and the others I've owned, maybe Max would have been the best - if he felt like it.  And usually, he didn't much care to do the 'show' things.  He was a good dog, and could do all the show bits, but when he felt like it. 

I should write my story of our lives with dogs - it would not be like that one they made into a movie, it would not be like Lassie either.  So, not sure what I could write - how they ate a wall, the door jam, frozen chicken, a turkey leg?  how they fell into the swimming pool and got pneumonia?  how they knocked me down and injured my hip which led me to write a novel that was published, and now I'm an author?  Oh!  Maybe that one... At least do a blog on them, which this seems to be turning into.. but hey.  It's my life, my dogs, my kids, and my husband, my friend, my soul mate - wow, my life in twenty words or less...

D M Wiseman, insightful and reflective, published author

Another chilly and windy Tuesday morning and my 5th book is done...

I was up late again last night, and found that I was done.  Merry's Plan is done!  My fifth book is completed and I am so excited.  And this morning I found an email from my artist that does my cover art and she gave me another perfect cover!  This day is going so well, I think I will go buy a lottery ticket!  Even that would just be icing on the cake of my life today...

Boomer is snoring and for once, not in my lap - he is laying on a bean bag chair all snuggled in, and Gracie is upstairs sleeping on her fainting couch - an antique fainting couch that we have had for about eleven years.  It must be something about that couch because our Bull Mastiff used to sleep on it as well!  As for me, well I am in my normal spot, and I am about a third of the way editing the book already. Product morning so far!

So, I will be editing for the rest of this Tuesday, until I can't see anymore.  I will try and get this one done faster than the last, and get it up on www.smashwords.com for all to read.  So far my other books have sold a few copies, not as many as I had thought, but I am a published author, after all - the number doesn't matter, just that I am.  Dr. Seuss once said "Don't cry because it's over - Smile because it happened."  How nice to read this today.  I like to equate my life with sayings, sometimes.  And sometimes I like to make up my own. 

Today though, I will finish editing, and then start on the next novel that could be the greatest ever written in this lifetime!  Or just by me.  Whatever, I will publish it, and be happy.  And so, maybe I will have to change my title of my blog, to already published author and writing 5th, 6th, 7th ... novels.  Ha!

D. M Wiseman, author of my fifth novel, the third and final chapter (maybe) in the Pretty Marsh Trilogy...

Happy Valentine's Day - and a day of laundry with a dash of dogs...

It is a very windy Valentine's Day - not cold, but very windy.  I am doing laundry between checking the evil wind that is making even Boomer bark.  If you know Bull Dogs, they rarely bark.  It is kind of cute - he has a deep bark, and when he barks - his whole body jumps backwards.  And then he looks surprised that he made such a noise!

The wind is making the rocking chairs on the veranda - yes, our house has a veranda (or big! porch) that goes around three sides of our house.  It is really cool and one of the reasons I wanted to buy it.  For parties, you can set up tables on the porch - it's that big.  And the cool part -we have rocking chairs out front, and the wind is making them go - kind of spooky but its broad day light.  So not the horror kind of weird, but making the dogs bark.  Then the whole fire place noises was what woke me - Gracie not sure what the noises coming from the 'big hole' in the wall.  At 730 in the morning, having to get up and close the flue, I wasn't too thrilled, but got up anyway.

Now, we are sitting as normal:  Gracie laying at my feet, chewing on a bone, and Boomer next to me, snoring away.  I am writing the end of the my story and trying to do laundry at the same time.  As well as texting my kids a Happy Valentine's Day!  I like the way that S and V do cards - they go to a card store, pick out a card and then show it to each other - then put it back!  A great way to show their love and save money.  There are other ways too.  I put notes in my husband, my friend, my soul mate's pocket.  Texting, calling, and making your own cards.  Just to say I love you, is a Valentine in itself.

D M Wiseman, dog saver from evil wind that blows, and author...

It's going to be a lazy Sunday, with my family...and my computer!

I woke to the sound of a Bull Dog coming up two flights of stairs - if you know anything about the breed, they cannot do anything silently, and its hard to go up stairs at all.  So Gracie heard and began to do her circles, to tell me it's time to get up.  The door banged open - Boomer knows how to open a lot of doors - he just bangs it open with his head.

I came down stairs to see snow, and thought that we were supposed to be warming up, and it was 20 degrees outside.  I thought that silly ground hog saw his shadow?  Or didn't see his shadow?  Whatever, we are supposed to see an early spring.  I knew that Phil character didn't go to college or lied on his resume.  I never trust that Phil  OR  the weather men either...

After yesterdays Marsh Bank Park Grand Opening, I was tired, but my husband, my friend, my soul mate, stopped at a WB Florist and bought me a dozen Roses - an early Valentine's present - he will not be home until late, as he has a Board Meeting that night.  I ask you, who would put a Board Meeting on V Day?  It should be illegal.

AND after getting home, getting warm, we went out to dinner.  Bonus!  I would have rather had Chinese, but he loves the genre of this restaurant we went to.  I love to make him happy.  Besides, the food was good, and the company - I never get tired of...I love that man.

I intend to be lazy all day, to write, to lounge, and to make a killer Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli - with fresh baked Biscuits and honey.  There is no better way to spend a Sunday.  Unless it's a total pajama day, but the affore mentioned husband doesn't like pajama days...he only takes lazy so far...but he does have to be dressed in case the phone rings, so I get it.  Me, I can be lazy (which means bad TV and writing all day...)

Just for fun - I sent the puppies upstairs to wake the husband.  I want some breakfast...

D M Wiseman, a lazy, but productive author... in her pajamas...

Going to a "Frozen Turkey Bowling" event in the cold, windy weather of a Saturday...

I got home last night late - I was out scrap booking with my very famous sister in law Holly, and our mutual friend Michelle - and let me tell you, it was fun.  I scrapped 4 pages, which - since I'm a newbie is a lot!  I also finished that calendar that I have been trying to finish forever.  And being on a roll, the Valentine's Day cards are done too.  I am beyond excited that I finally feel like I know what I am doing...

So getting up this morning, to the puppies being so excited by just getting up, playing with their favorite ball (which they just destroyed -it only lasted less than a month) and playing their In and Out game with me - as my husband, my friend, my soul mate doesn't like to play that one.  Then off to the showers because, although I would like to be lazy on a Saturday - oh no!  We have to go frozen turkey bowling...

Let me explain -- the affore mentioned husband is part of the Optimist Club and he was assigned to run the "Frozen Turkey Bowling" at the Grand Opening of the Marsh Bank Park.  Seriously, Frozen Turkey Bowling.  I don't even regular bowl, and I am going to stand out in the cold, the wind, the weather - to watch a bunch of people bowl with turkeys... there is a pun there, let me tell you...

So, after we come home, and the fingers can move - are all thawed out, then I will write.  And maybe get back into the lazy day...we are going to do pizza for dinner, and we will do some definite snuggling - and when we do, the dogs will be all over us.  They like to snuggle too, so the couch gets very crowded.  But it is warm...gotta love Saturdays.

D M Wiseman, Queen of the Frozen Turkey Bowling Alley - and thawing out author...

Finally Friday, and a long day of writing then a night of scrapping...

I got up early this morning - on purpose, in order to finish editing my latest book.  I will write until around 230p, take a shower, and then pick up my pictures (printed at local site) to take them with me to scrapping night with my now very famous sister in law Holly.  It is Chinese night at the scrapping place, where you 'scrap' from 4pm to 12m and get Chinese food included in the price.  This takes place at the Scrapbook Emporium (www.thescrapbookemporium.com) the only store I go to for my scrapping needs.

But the day has just begun, and my monster Boomer is feeling better this morning, and I am so glad.  He seems his normal self this morning, and even demanded a cookie - he knows how to open the pantry door.  He hits it with his head on the door, then it pops open, and he hangs around the pantry - usually you see only his little cute butt sticking out.  Sometimes he even falls asleep laying there, waiting for the cookies... So, I am happy he was begging this morning.  He obviously feels better...and I feel better about going scrapping...

I have not 'scrapped' any pages with pictures as of yet.  I have only made cards, the almost finished calendar and made some cool covers to Tic Tacs that look like snowmen.  So, this night is going to be different for me.  Holly, our friend Michelle and others will be 'scrapping' until midnight.  Holly says I'm a 'newbie' so they will all help me.  I probably will need it.  The pages I am making are of my husband, my friend, and soul mate's career climb up the ladder.  It will be cool - so Holly says.  It was fun going through a million pictures.  And Holly is right.  I really need to put my pictures in albums, and not leave them in baggies or the big box of life...

So, after finishing my blog, I will write until the last minute - and then go 'scrapping'.  It sounds odd.  Right now, Gracie at my feet, Boomer next to me snoring away - and my computer on my knees - I am happily writing away...

D M Wiseman, writing, just chillin' my Friday away published author

Thursday morning and I feel refreshed and hopefuly, re-faithed...

Yesterday, I was down - for a lot of reasons, but when I woke (way too early!) both my puppies were there for me.  Gracie doing her 'I haven't seen you since last night!' dance and was her normal loving self.  And, when Boomer got up and wiggled his little tail at me - that made my day!  He ate some breakfast and went out, so I feel better that he will be OK.  He's now snoring and snuggling like every other morning, so I can feel better too - if he can...

Like is scary sometimes, when the normal is knocked off it's axis.  So, yesterday was an aberrant moment in my life.  I will not let this get me down, and I will be up, as usual.  Maybe this is just another story to be written.  Maybe this is what was written for me, so we will see...

Yesterday, my son St told me about a walk in for a movie being filmed in FHS - where my famous sister in law Holly's two youngest children go to school - and I told her (I of course was at the before mention horrific day at U of M) so she was picked to be in the stands sitting RIGHT in front of the famous people in the movie.  So, if this movie does go to the theatres - Holly will be in a few shots!!!  She really will be famous - actually she is on the shorter side, so sitting in front of the actors - they could be sen better.  But, she is going to be famous!  I just know it...  So, there was good in yesterday, after all...

Since I did get up early to be with the dogs, I am writing now, for a bit.  Then I'm off to Holly's mom's house to scrap for awhile - to finish the calenders we had to go to remedial class for - we had too much fun in the first class back when T was here from Ca.  BUT, today we will finish.  We have to, because the mom is going on a long cruise starting next week!  So, motivation is important, and today we have no choice.  Well, it's a good goal, and we will try.  But, if we have fun doing it, that would be much more important...

Gracie just reminded me that doggie kisses are important too.  She wants to play the In and Out game for awhile, so that's what we'll do.  Boomer doesn't, he wants to continue to snuggle.  Who says you can't play two games at a time...

D M Wiseman, editing the last book, and WILL get it out by the end of the week, author...

A really horrible Wednesday...

I have had a horrible day.  Never mind how it started - when I woke up late and had to hurry to get to my sisters to take her for a check up that turned out worse then crappy - if you pray, now would be a great time to add us to your prayer list...this is the third re-occurrence of the Big C and we are going to be starting on another round of radiation with chemo soon.  So, crap.

Then I came home, and Boomer is not acting normally - as in not happy to see me, not running around excited to be alive and doesn't want to eat dinner.  So, I try to get him to eat, no dice.  I try to get him to eat a cookie - as in a biscuit - and he doesn't want one.  This in it's self, makes me sure he is sick.  He lives to eat cookies.  So I show him his leash - and he stands there.  He was sick.

I take him to the emergency vets - and he sounds funny to me - as in he is NOT making noises, not breathing loudly, like he is always doing when he is excited - or just breathing.  The doctor says he sounds congested.  Off to for an x-ray to confirm the pneumonia diagnosis, along with bilateral ear infections.  When it rains it pours.  So, he's on antibiotics, ear meds and of course - extra hugs.

I got no writing done today - and I really need a hug.  Boomer is trying to sleep, snoring like normal, Gracie is laying with him, as if she knows he is sick.  My husband, my friend, my soul mate is trying to get Boomer to eat some ice.  I really need a 'redo' of the whole day.  But, the only good note is my sister and I figured out a new plot line for the book I intend to write next...

D M Wiseman, unhappy, with too many issues today to deal with...author

Lunch, catching up, and keeping warm...on a Tuesday

It's Tuesday, and I am going to meet an old friend to catch up at lunch.  We were going to do this last week, but the Epic Historic Massive Snowpocalyse Snowmagedon Snow Storm of the Century 2011 kept me from meeting Cindy.  So, today we will attempt again.

In the mean time, the dogs are awake and playing - Boomer keeps stealing whatever toy Gracie takes to play.  So, they are playing kind of nicely - the kind where they keep bringing the toy to me, to play too.  They have already knocked my soda over - only half full, so not too bad - and tore apart one toy.  We've been up less than an hour.  They both have been out twice and that in itself, is odd.  Boomer doesn't usually go out until later.  So, sleeping all day yesterday, now they play.  Gotta love dogs.  Happy with a torn toy, a couple of cookies and snuggles.  Such a life.

I was up late last night to edit my latest book - it's not done, but I was mixed up in my thoughts and needed to remember what I wrote about a fact in the book, because I know it - but did I explain or write about it yet?  Its the chicken or the egg...in writing.  Its in my head, but did I write it down yet?  SO, after a couple hours, found it.  I will now be able to put the finishing touches on the book and then SIGH so I can start researching the next one.

Yes, I research things.  Like Merry's gun - spent almost an entire day figuring out what gun she was going to carry.  S told me girls should carry a smaller caliber gun, but when you do google research and put in 'women hand guns'  it comes up with a site that was very helpful with details and even pictures.  So, I picked a S & W Chief's Special .45 caliber (it's light and has low recoil) over the Baretta 92F or Ruger P89 - makes me sound like I know something about guns.  I don't, but research has become so much easier since the Internet and search buttons.  Google or Bing - and there it is for me to use!  Gotta love that, and wonder how we ever got along, having to run to the library all the time...

D M Wiseman, published author and sound to have another one up! and happy on a Tuesday

Monday - better late than never - and finally home...

I spent most of the day with my sister Barb out in Brighton and then having a wonderful lunch of Chinese - and we had a good visit.  It is always worth the drive to visit with her.  We laugh, talk and get caught up - while texting to our sister Pat, as well, to keep her up on our visit, she can't always be with us, so we make sure we all get the same stories and same laughs!

Got home before dinner to the puppies just waking up and needed to go outside!  They had such a good weekend, they slept from afternoon (when S and V took Leo home) until I got home today.  They went out, and right back to sleep after eating.  The puppies were so tired!  Now, Gracie is chewing on a toy - attempting to kill it completely as Boomer is sucking on his pacifier.

Yes, my Bull Dog is one of those dogs that suck on a toy, like a baby uses a pacifier - to fall asleep - he has a 'puppy' - a stuffed animal toy, that he sucks on, and kneads it like a cat does...and falls asleep with it in his mouth - like a pacifier.  Apparently, Bull Dogs and a few other dogs do this - but like the other neat attributes of a Bull Dog (snoring, drooling as well as their odoriferous odors!) they suck on things to calm down, and fall asleep.  You can see this on sites on YouTube, and my Boomer is one of those dogs...It really is funny, but thank God he does, because he needs to calm down sometimes.  Really, he does!

I was excited to go on the http://www.smashwords.com/ site to see that I had sold four more books today!  I am thrilled to see that I have sold more books, and not to family members!  Yeah, I'm on the way now !  And I am almost done with my last book in the Pretty Marsh Trilogy.  As well as went through a few new ideas for the next best novel that I will start next week.  I can't get enough of my ideas on cyberspace fast enough!  I am a writing machine...

D M Wiseman, happily finishing up the latest and greatest novel, author...

The Big Game Day is here - It's Puppy Bowl Sunday!

In honor of the three puppies playing here, we are going to watch the Big Game today - Its Puppy Bowl Sunday - 3pm on Animal Planet.  It is like watching my two dogs playing with Leo, but all puppies!  Is is one of the most adorable things, watching all these puppies just playing with each other, and with little footballs.  Then at half time, they bring out little kittens to play - like they are the cheerleaders.  Its a little cheesy, and the commercials are all Iams and Eukanuba etc. - but I love watching it.  Its funny, and makes obvious fun of the whole football thing (and if you knew me - you'd know I don't watch or care about any sport - unless my kids are participating in a sport! Then its Go Green or Go Grizzlies!).

So, I am watching the big dogs getting ready to separate as Leo is going home today - they watch the Super Bowl thing - just for the commercials V said.  But, you can see them on the Internet, or Youtube within minutes of them being aired, so I think it will NOT be on at our house.  My husband, my fiend, my soul mate doesn't really pay attention to sports much - we watch the Olympics, and when the Red Wings are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we might turn it on, but usually we don't watch sports...except the Puppy Bowl, of course.

Yesterday, V and I went to the big garage sale at www.thescrapbookemporium.com  and I bought something for my sister Pat, something for K and all kinds of pages, stickers, etc for V to make her scrapbook pages of Jamaica - and I bought some things for me.  Now, I really have to finish my Valentine's Day cards, because I have the correct tools - the spoon didn't work so hot yesterday - don't ask.  So, as my famous sister in law Holly says 'I'm a newbie' and needed help.  It was a zoo, about 70 women in one room buying scraping things from 50 tables of women selling scraping things.  It was a bit chaotic, but worth the trip as I bought what I went there for - and saw Holly in action...she sure can control a crowd. 

As I watch the puppies splashing in the 'water-cam' at the goal lines - I will try to finish my book.  Tomorrow, I might be late on my blog as I will be at U of M with my sister Barb for a PET scan (has nothing to do with my dogs or hers) most of the day.  So, the goal for today, is to get the balance of the book done today...

D M Wiseman, rooting for the beagle puppies in the Puppy Bowl, and finish writing, author...

Total chaos at 600 in the morning...what a way to start a Saturday...

Well, S and V brought Leo over last night and wow.  The wild ones - my two monsters, Boomer and Gracie, they were very excited to see Leo, as the Out game began - no one wanted to come in - or go to sleep.  So, after hours of whining - yes my husband, my friend, my soul mate was tired of hearing Leo walking around - he didn't want to sleep (Leo that is - my husband did!) I was tired of both the husband whining wanting to sleep and the dog IN my room and the one IN the hallway, whining to play.

So, I got up at 6am, and took the two big monsters down stairs, to wake up the Boomer (not happy about interrupting his snoring!) and they all went out.  Boomer was in the house within minutes - it's too cold out there for him.  But an Alpine Mastiff - Gracie stays out for hours.  Leo is a mix and moves to quick for the cold to touch him.  Boomer and I snuggled with our tea, and watched the rerun of the 2007 Eukanuba Dog Championship - on Animal Planet - we watch these all the time, Boomer and I.  Gracie is above watching dog shows, and Leo - I don't know that he understands the concept of Best in Show.  I'm working on it...

Later today, V and I are going to attend the www.thescrapbookemporium.com 's garage sale.  Then while she and S go out with friends, my husband, my friend, my soul mate will watch the chaos continue - but maybe go out to dinner and let the three run free in our house.  I need a few new things anyway, so if they, say eat the wall - we need to paint anyway.  But if they touch any furniture, they're in trouble.  They usually do pretty well together, the three monsters, when we are gone.  At least I think they do...maybe I should have one of those Teddy Bear cameras to see what they do - but Gracie would probably eat the thing, so bad idea...

I like this early morning time, I get to write, snuggle with one of the three, have my tea, and get to chose what's on TV as my white noise in the background and on weekends, it's the Dog Show.  I have had some cool dogs in my life...poodle growing up, Black Lab in my teens (really the brother JM's dog) and when preggers with S, we got St a mutt (potty training a almost 3 y/o and the puppy while very preggers with the next one - priceless - as in you couldn't pay me enough to do that again!).  Then we had a wonderful breed, and wonderfully bull headed Bull Mastiff named Max.  Loved that dog!  and then 6 months later, rescued an English Mastiff, Ladybug - you should never name a 170lb dog Ladybug even though she was red with a black face... When Max died, then Lady, we bought the Boomer, an Old English Bull Dog, who is spoiled rotten and knows it.  Then of course, we rescued the famed Gracie...

So that's why I love to watch the Dog Shows - to see what my next breed will be.  I think a French Bull Dog - all black - I think they are so cute... and the attitude would just fit in with these three I'm playing In and Out with again...

D M Wiseman, getting my exercise today with the three dogs,  while continuing to write, author...

Going to have a happy, wonderful Friday - even though must brave my way out ...

I was up very late last night (or early this morning depending how you look at it!) and wrote until I could barely stay awake.  Then, laying down - I couldn't fall asleep.  Gracie was snoring at the foot of our bed, and Boomer was snoring, as usual.  I don't want to say who else was snoring - but I can get him to stop.  So, I lay there, and mapped out the rest of the novel I'm writing.  Constructive insomnia - its the new corporate work zone!  I think I'll patent it!  Can I patent a idea?

I also got up earlier than normal, so I could finish the chapter I had stuck in my mind, blog a bit, snuggle a bit with my angel dogs (normally I say monster dogs but they are acting really good this morning, probably getting rested up for the upcoming Leo visit!) and then go grocery shopping... S and V are coming to visit for the weekend, and will be here sometime late after dinner tonight.  V and I (along with my sisters Pat and Carol) will be going to the www.thescrapbookemporium.com  's garage sale tomorrow, to meet my famous sister in law Holly, to pick up a few new items to scrap with...

S and my husband, my friend, and my soul mate are going to be watching the puppies while we are gone.  Then S and V are meeting their friends for dinner and we get to puppy sit!  So, my pups are resting up for the long fun weekend.  I get to brave the zero (and I mean it is zero out) degree temperatures to go grocery shop!  The dogs need food and we need stuff as well...

I will then come home, and get ready for my husband, my friend, and my soul mate to take me out to dinner.  This is great - we rarely eat out, just the two of us.  And then I think we will go see K skate during the time between the first and second periods between Oakland University Grizzlies and Michigan State University Spartans in a hockey game.  This will be hard.  S and V go to MSU (Go Green!) and St and K go to OU (Growl!)  - I have to yell and boo at the same time.  I can yell for K at the intermission when she is skating, but who do I scream for?  I will be wearing an OU Skate shirt and MSU sweatshirt that zips over that...  The only way I can figure out how to do it...

So, seeing all my kids today, as well as my grand puppy.  What a great day!  How better to spend a Friday, then to see all my kids - St of course will be watching K skate, and then when S and V get to our house with Leo (well after the skating thing) I will be one happy mom.  I declare this day a Holiday! 

D M Wiseman, happy mother of two boys, with two wonderful girlfriends, and one grand puppy! on the new Holiday!  and published author...

Survived the Snowmagedon and ventured out this morning...

I went out this morning to have breakfast with St's girlfriend K - and we had what K calls a "big honkin' breakfast" at a diner that is not too far from the OU campus (that is Oakland University - Go Grizzlies! not that Ohio school - S and V go to MSU - Go Green as well, so just clarifying!).  So we ate and talked, and caught up on things.  I haven't seen her for three weeks, so we had a nice, long visit.

Soon St and K are going with a bunch of friends down to sunny and warm Florida to have a nice adventure on their spring holiday from school - the affore mentioned OU.  I will be getting St's mail, and generally checking on his house as well as watch his netflix to catch up on the movies I meant to see, but never got to the theatre to see.  They need a vacation - from work, school, and the cold - and I need to see some chic flix on netflix!

A week or so after they come back, S and V will be on their spring holiday to an all inclusive down in Jamaica and we will be watching our grand puppy Leo - and I know our pups will be thrilled to play with him.  I will, of course get my exercise playing the In and Out game - mostly out, and generally trying to keep the calm.  But thank God for time outs - and some of the time its for me!

But I digress...after I had the most wonderful time with K, I drove up to my street to find that the wonderful county I live in - had plowed the road that I live on - which made my drive way impassable.  Now, I spent all that time yesterday getting the snow OUT of my driveway and was amazed to find more snow in the driveway that was there before the Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon, Epic Historic Massive Snow Storm of 2011.  So, I was not too thrilled, but since I drive a 4 wheel drive vehicle - my wonderful Jeep - and since IT IS an off road vehicle, I decided to take it off road.  I went up and over the pile of snow, and into my driveway. 

Thank God for gas guzzling 4 wheel drive vehicles that can deal with Michigan winters and snow plow's evil thought process...Because I want to question the reasoning of the county plow - seriously - there is nothing - absolutely nothing across the street from our house, and he had to plow our driveway in - can't they push it the other way, to the 25 empty acres on the other side?  Do they always have to plow my drive way in?  Now, I have to go out and attempt to dig out once more...

So, the pups and I are resting today, to get ready for the three day weekend with Leo, and the fun - but chaotic - time.  They need to rest up for the fun, and so do I...

D M Wiseman, survivor of the Epic Historic Massive etc snow storm of 2011 author...

Dug out and snuggled in - after the EPIC STORM of the century...

After all the hype for the storm, after watching the Weather Channel for hours, keeping up with the actual weather by talking on facebook with my friends and family all over the state - I realized that I learned a lot about weather.  New words, new phrases, and a lot of disaster predictions. 

Epic, Massive, Historic, Snowpocalypse, Snowmagedon, and End of Days Storm of 2011- but the best one was Thurndersnow.  No one can tell us what that one is!  We, in the rural area of MI was hit worse by the wind - we have a lot of drifts - as in one of my vehicles is completely covered and the Jeep next to it, is not at all.  The garage door was drifted over, but the back door was clear.  We got about a foot of snow, and I can't tell if it is snowing or the snow is blowing it around making it look like it's snowing.  But, we are all warm and safe, Boomer is actually awake and playing with a bone he stole from Gracie who is attempting to steal it back.  A new game!  I am snuggled in with a blanket around my legs, as I have ice on my broken toe (kicked the stairs yesterday and baby toe is broken! Ouch.).  So, all is well in rural MI...

My husband, my friend, my soul mate is also my hero.  The township he works in, cancelled work for today - meaning he doesn't have to go to work in this weather.  But, he is on the way to work now, anyway.  He dug out the garage, he used the snow blower to clear the driveway, and took his 4 wheel drive red truck and is braving the snow, the massive epic historic snow storm to get to his station.  He is my hero and he is others too.  Everyone loves him.  He is a really nice guy.  As I said, my hero!

But me - and the dogs, are snuggled in, watching re-runs of House, and clicking to the local weather channel, which is better than TV, they keep showing people trying to move a little car out of a huge snow bank, and all the accidents.  Its like the comedy channel.  So, I click back and forth for my own amusement.  I do have the ultimate question - if all the schools are closed - (as in the continuous ticker tape of what is closed) - why don't they just show what schools ARE OPEN.  Wouldn't that be easier?  Who is going to send their kids out in this weather anyway?  It's a long standing question...

So far this week, I have sold a few books, I wrote a new novel, and its only Wednesday.  The week is going pretty good for me.  There does seem to be a lot of snow, and wind and cold weather, but hopefully the world is not ending and we will all go on with our lives.  After all, snow will melt, then they'll warn us about flooding - so we'll watch the TV for that EPIC Flood of 2011.

I am also laughing about that whole groundhog thing - he said we will have an early spring.  Seriously?  On the day of the Massive Epic Historical Snow Storm - telling us spring is coming?  That is just too much - it is like a Sci Fi Disaster movie.  Where is one of the Baldwin brothers when you need them?  I think we should all check that groundhog's credentials, maybe check his college transcripts because it doesn't look like spring is coming...well not today, anyway.

D M Wiseman, author of four, working on the fifth, snowed in....

Awaiting the 'snow storm' of the century and published another one...

So the weather man and everyone else - has been warning us - the Michigan area - is going to be dumped with 3 to 6  or 6 to 8  or 8 to 12  or 18 inches.  No one seems to know.  I went to bed excited because I published another book, and I fully expected to wake up to the first wave of the snow storm of the century - as much snow as has been dumped on the East Coast last week - and just to make sure the weather man knows Michigan is NOT part of the East Coast - we are in the Middle - but they keep telling us that we are going to be dumped on!  But I digress...

I woke up to - wait for it - no snow.  Well, we had it on the ground already from last week, but no new snow.  So my husband, my friend, my soul mate went off to work, even though he got up early and was ready to dig out before going to his breakfast meeting.  But, it didn't happen.  So, he got off to work early, without a hitch.  Now, worrying about the ride home, will see how the 'snow flies' - and whether or not the weather man is right - maybe for once.         

Last night I finished editing my most recent novel "The Usual Reasons" and it was published on the wonderful site http://www.smashwords.com/ so I am thrilled.  It is about a computer millionaire and a toddler, the tragedy that happens and the highly intelligent programmer that helps him through.  It's a good one, if I have to say it for myself.  Yeah! This makes four published!  And the fifth is on its way...

I am almost done with the third novel in the Pretty Marsh Trilogy - which will be the fifth book I've written... I finally have the name down.  "Merry's Plan" - short and sweet.  It has been tough, but sometimes the titles come easy, other times it just doesn't make sense until the end.  I know another one is brewing in my head, and will be started soon...  I can't seem to stop writing.

The dogs are with me, the fireplace is on and I am all toasty warm, as I write this.  I will be in contact with my husband, my friend, my soul mate - as he doesn't want me to go to my lunch appointment today because it's an hour away, and because of the threat of snow, he worries.  So, I am waiting for the actual weather report - actually I will just look outside!  Honestly, they tell us all the horrible things that are coming, and so far, not so accurate.  I will just look outside and decide - to I go or stay...

Listening to Boomer snoring away, Gracie laying behind the couch, every once in a while to look outside - seeing no snow so far, and writing "Merry's Plan"  I will see about leaving for lunch.  I could just stay in and write, maybe get dressed later...

D M Wiseman waiting for the snow storm of the century that published her fourth novel ! writing the fifth...