Thanks to all that sent “yays” and good wishes on my Dad’s return home from the hospital. He’s doing well – though still wishing he was instantly back to normal. I think just being able to be in his own bed, in his own space, is going to really speed his recovery.

I’m at home today, suffering from a wee stomach bug – nothing major, but I really didn’t want to inflict this on my coworkers.

Spent the weekend quietly reading, thinking/plotting more stuff on Blood Bargain. I think I’m going to be able to work in a bunch of scenes and such that I’d done before. Decided to lose a storyline that sounded fabulous at the time, but really, was causing me great angst and woe. I believe I was overthinking and trying a kitchen-sink approach to the book. Best to pare it down, back to my original thoughts – which were quite good, actually. ::g::

If I can salvage/work in the previously written stuff, it will put me up to about 30,000 words. Not a bad place to be.

Not quite caught up on LJ, but have skimmed over the past few days. Many hugs and best of thoughts to those several of you that have recently lost a beloved pet. My heart goes out to you all.

Great news – just got a call from my stepdad – he’s been released from purgatory the hospital and is on his way home.

SUCH good news.

He’s been eating solid food for over a week now, and everything is functioning the way it ought to – so hooray for home. He was practically speechless when he called; he was so happy.

So yesterday, after the crystallization of a supersaturated solution or (more likely) because my brain was about to just cave in with all the work stuff, I jumped over to Twitter and signed up.

I’m “chickwriter” over there, too, so if you’re twittering, feel free to add me/watch me or whatever.

I did find a few of you by sleuthing. ::g::

Did the Target/Safeway run yesterday and picked up several bags o’essentials – boring, stupid stuff, but there was ice cream involved.

Will be doing the HP thing sometime next week after work with T and whomever else wants to go from the office. Both of us want to avoid the madding crowds. I’ve read a few overviews (mostly because I don’t really care about movie spoilers, since I read the book). So far, I think I’ll probably enjoy it.

It’s off to work I go in a few. Busy, busy days.

/boring post

First and always foremost, a very Happy Birthday to the sister of sisters, birki_lib! May your day be the Best Birthday Ever!

Misc Tidbits:
– TGIW – at least we’re halfway through the week. I pulled another 12 hour day yesterday and am beyond tired.
– EUREKA!! <3s quirky small town SF show
-- HP:OOP - haven't seen it; trying to plan an outing at some point with coworkers
-- Lies of Locke Lamora – BRILLIANT book. I’m just about halfway through (as I sneak bits in before work each morning). Another coup for the brilliant Patrick, manager of Mysterious Galaxy, who told me I *must* read it. <3s the Gentlemen Bastards. (and what a GREAT name)

Just purchased:
– Wicked Lovely – a YA fantasy that sounds intriguing. Can’t remember where I first heard of it – probably on a blog.
– Contacts! Trying out bifocal contacts for the first time. I’ve worn contacts on and off since I was about 14, but switched back to glasses a few years ago. So far, so good. They can’t correct my astigmatism unless I special order the custom lenses, but I may be able to get along with these. I’m on day two and I think I might. No rash decisions yet. ::g::

Other reading:
– Nancy Pickard, mystery writer extraordinaire and a wonderful friend, just started a new blog: Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life. Stop by and say “hi” – tell her I sent you.

BTW, if you haven’t added your contact info to my previous post – please stop by and do so. I’m trying to make sure I have everyone’s snail mail and email info in one place.

All that said: I must off to work.

snagged from J.D. Rhoades

What Edward Gorey Death Will You Die?

Ursula LeGuin is made of awesome!

In other news – spent a quiet 4th at home, sleeping, reading, doing thinky writing things and mostly recuperating from Tuesday, which shall be never spoken of again.

Thanks to gblvr, who pointed me in the right direction, I was able to purchase David Hewlett’s A Dog’s Breakfast from iTunes and watch it.

Very amusing, indeed. The man certainly enjoys himself and doesn’t mind making playing the fool.

Kate Hewlett, his lovely sis, is gorgeous in it.

Today was fairly quiet @ the workplace, followed by a pedicure and hair appointment. You know, I could get used to this pampering stuff. Y, my hairdresser, is simply adorable. She was bouncing around all Tiggerish, in anticipation of her vacation, which begins tomorrow. She’s off to St. Kitts to visit the boything, who’s in med school.

Yay for tomorrow being Friday.

I leave you with a pretty icon.

Thanks to all of you that wished many attendees at my signing last Saturday, but alas, that was not to be. Evidently, the fine folks of Warrenton, VA, had other things to do that didn’t involve books.

The store was practically empty. I think there were more sales staff than actual shoppers. Elaine, the CRM, was great, and I got to spend a lot of time with
qe2 – which, hey, definitely made up for the no-shows.

Summer: 1 Lima: 0

I spent a quiet day Sunday, only to wake up at 1:30 Monday morning with a stomach bug. Yikes! Did go to work for half a day, mostly to kick start the final phases of a project launch. I spent the rest of Monday in bed.

Up today to go in to work, still a bit iffy in the digestion area, but better. Plus, I *have* to get this site launched today.

In perusing blogs this a.m., I discovered that Fred Saberhagen died last Friday. He was a strong influence in leading me to what I wanted to write and was an amazing writer.