Plumbing is not my side job

There are some things nice about old homes. They are built stronger in some ways than new homes. I think back in the 60's when my house was built, the builders used better materials than they do now. Out bedroom has the old thin wood flooring that is hard to find. There is a now unusable laundry chute. 

Then there's the headache of old technology and the fact that things get old and at some point, they need to be replaced or fixed. We've said after this house, and once the boys are out of high school, we're building a house and not fixing any more houses up. We'll see about that.

Enter my Friday night. I was doing some laundry, and found at the end of the washer cycle some very wet clothes. The washer was not draining all the way into the sink, and the sink was clogged. I did my best to open the drain with a wooden spoon handle that was in reach. No progress led me to more ideas. The plunger came out, and I had to try to get one side of the sink covered to make a tight seal for the plunger on the other side. When that didn't work, I realized there was a hose in the sink. Thinking it might work as a snake, I shoved it down the drain. Maybe a little too hard. Water started to leak out of the pipe under the sink.

 This wasn't your normal fiberglass sink. It's concrete and the left side has the old washboard in the side of the sink. I called Brian down to see if he could do something about the pipe leaking, and after some grumbles about old houses, he said the trap needed to be replaced. He started to take it off, and I headed back upstairs. A little while later, he came up and said we had to replace the whole sink because when he tried to get the trap off, the whole drain broke out of the sink. 

I guess I just wasn't meant to do laundry on a Friday night :) 

Better news: my book launch for Trying is scheduled for May 15th at Triple R in Kimball. I'll provide some snacks like I did at the launch for Moving On. Feel free to stop out and watch for more info.

Sometimes I live in a Zoo (or Farm)

It's been a crazy week at our house. There were 2 birthdays and 2 birthday parties. I spent a night away with the boys, treated one for pink eye and got it myself. We also grew our critters by leaps and bounds. Mittens had 5 kittens Saturday/Sunday. There is one that looks just like her. 

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​And then these came along Monday night. The 4 yellow ones will be chicken dinner, and the 3 brown ones should be laying hens. They are currently in my basement, and by the end of this week should be moved outside when the temps are higher. 

Last weekend, I pulled the taps from our maple trees after collecting around 75 gallons of sap to make syrup. I did get some of it cooked down, but it's sure a long process. Friday night I had my fire going for 7 hours, and cooked 10 gallons down to about 2. That's still a long way from being syrup. I even had the fire hot enough to make my blocks around the fire crack.

New book cover and proof should be to the printer by the end of this week.... I can't wait!

Book Progress and signs of Spring

Last week, I was one of many people enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather. We really didn't have a bad winter like last year, but it was long enough to appreciate warm temps and sunshine. The boys and I went for a few walks and a bike ride over the weekend. 

Proof #2 came to me yesterday, and I'm making pretty good progress on reading it over to make any additional corrections. This book is a little shorter than the first one, but without adding too much fluff, I feel it's a complete story. This book takes the same characters from the first book but is told from the perspective of Becca and her husband Boone. They are trying to grow their family with difficulties, and is aptly titled Trying. We're still on track for a May release, and hopefully (fingers crossed) it will be avalible in time for Mother's Day. 

I tried to tap my trees last year for maple sap to make maple syrup, but didn't follow through with it. This year, with a little more knowledge, I have collected over 30 gallons of sap. That sounds like a lot, right? It takes 40 gallons to make 1 gallon of syrup. You can learn more about the process and some fun facts at the Minnesota Maple Producers website: www.mnmaple.org

Why Valentine's Day is not Overrated

If someone would have told me a few years ago I would write a romance novel, I would have laughed at them. I never thought of myself as a romantic. I was more of a tomboy growing up, not into girly things. I still know very little about hair and make-up, and I'm fine with that.

Then I met a boy, who was like no one else I'd ever known before. There are some things that happen to us by a strange twist of fate I suppose, and meeting Brian was one of them. I had a date fall through, and met him at a party for the first time. A few weeks later, I saw him somewhere else, and we got to talking (ok, and kissing too, much to my brother's dismay). The next week we talked every night for hours at a time. It was strange for me, but apparently there was something between us neither of us could ignore. He brought out the romantic side of me I didn't realize I had.

Our first Valentine's day was unique. He had a dozen roses delivered to my parent's house- not cheap, I'm sure. We had plans to go sledding in the afternoon and reservations for supper. When we got together that day, I think I gave him a huge oatmeal raisin cookie in the shape of a heart. He also gave me a teddy bear and a necklace he made just for me. Back on our first date, we went to Perkin's in St. Cloud before a movie, the night before my birthday. He found a dime at the table, and we joked about it. Brian saved it, and drilled a hole in it. He found a chain, and gave the dime to me as a necklace. I still have it in my jewelry box (he made that too).

The reservations fell through that night, but after trying a dozen restaurants, we found one we could get into. We had a great time that night. Young and in love is a fun place to be.

We're busy people, and it's hard to make time to show our appreciation and love of each other. That's why I think it's important to take Valentine's day seriously. Brian still gets me flowers every year, and they always make me feel special. I don't care what some women say, flowers are nice. We don't always do gifts, and don't go over the top with going out to celebrate. But we still do something. And now we have two boys to share the day with too.

I love quotes, and there are tons out there about love and relationships. The one on the side is great. We've made the choice to show each other our love and respect on Valentine's Day.

And on a side note, my next book has a scene that ties in with my first date with Brian.

50 Shades of Grey and Valentine's Day

 

Valentine's Day is coming up, and there are 3 things on many women's minds: flowers, chocolate, and a certain movie. I read the book trilogy, more than once to be perfectly honest. Hear me out: they are not going to win any awards any time soon, but there is a very good love story under the sex and fantasy of some rich dude taking interest in an everyday lady.

I want to see the movie, but don't want to put my husband through the pain of 100 minutes of a cheesy romance movie. I'll find some of my girlfriends to see it with instead. I do not have high expectations for the movie, I was one of the people disappointed when Charlie Hunnam stepped down from the role of Christian Grey. If' you've ever seen his acting, he would have done the role much more justice than the guy they replaced him with.

I can't help but wonder if they will try to cram all three books into one movie or string it out into three movies too. Only 10 more days until we know.

In high school, I did a speech about Valentine's day. It was fun to research, and I thought I would share a few facts about the holiday here.

-Approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. 
-Teachers receive the most valentines.
-60% of red roses grown in America come from the state of California
-Romance novels make a great gift for your Valentine :)

Motivation

I had an event tonight, and had a good time. It was an author panel at a library. There were 4 of us, and a pretty good sized audience. The librarian had to cut off the questions at the end because of closing time. It's amazing how going to events and talking to other authors and the people in attendance gets my brain going.

Another thing that amazes me is the many different genres and ways to get a book 'out there'. On the panel tonight, we had short stories, young adult fiction, memoirs, and romance. One is self-published, strictly digital, one in various mediums, and contracted authors. There are so many options when it comes to books.

I've been at a bit of a stand-still on my current novel, but feel like tonight helped me gain some motivation. Of course now I don't have time tonight to write (I could if I wasn't doing this, but I need to stay current too) so tomorrow night I will carve out some time.

Just like with my last book, I have to finish what I am working on before I dive into another project. I've been thinking more about my next book than I have the one I am working on, and that's hard. The current project is another romance, and I think it is a very strong story. I can't wait to share it with everyone else. The next one I want to do is going to be a bit darker than what I have been doing, but the format I want to use is going to be fun to write.

The worst part about having motivation this time of night is going to sleep. I know the second I lay down for the night, my mind will kick into high gear and keep me up. I don't want to shut it off, that's when all the good stuff comes out. And it's about time for that to happen :)

2015 Goals

I have always been one to keep a list of goals. It's been something I started in junior high. The summer camp I went to recommended having a list of 25 goals. As you reach a goal, cross it off and write a new one. That way there is always something you are working towards. Every once in a while, I flip through some of my old notebooks and come across some of these old lists.

It's a new year, and many people start the year with resolutions. I'd like to think my goals are the same way, but more likely to happen. Resolutions seem to usually only last a few weeks, maybe a month or two for the more determined.

Goals have to be specific and attainable. The whole point of setting a goal is to blow it out of the park. If I set a bunch of goals and don't get any of them, I would be letting myself down. I'm not doing a list of 25 for this year, but here are some of the things I want to accomplish.

1. Get second book published. It is something scheduled to happen, but still one of my goals.
2. Shoot a deer with my bow. Somewhat out of my control, but I am going to take steps before the fall season to help increase my odds of getting one.
3. Take a conceal and carry class. It's something I have wanted to do, but haven't taken the time. It doesn't mean I plan on carrying all the time, maybe even at all, but I think it is a good class to take.
4. Get more than 500 miles on my bike this summer. In 4 months last year, I hit that number.
5. Get back into my Silver jeans from high school before my birthday. This might go hand in hand with #4. I turn 30 in October, and would love nothing more (okay, that's not true) than to get my butt into a pair of jeans I wore in high school. I probably wouldn't still have them if it weren't for remembering spending $78 a pair on fast food income.
6. Visit 6 wineries this year. I want to help support local/Minnesota wineries. It's kind of neat getting to meet the people who make the wine and to hear about what they put into their product. It might be sort of an artist thing.
7. Grow carrots. I fail to get anything to grow underground aside from potatoes. It was awesome having a large garden this last year, and I hope this year is even better.

I think this is a pretty good list to start with.