Before I say anything, I just want to mention how saddened I am by Kate Duffy’s passing.  She was a pioneer in publishing.  She wasn’t one to sit idly by and ride the wave that was cresting. Nope, Kate made waves. Big ones, and everyone rode behind her.  While I never had the pleasure of working with Kate, I knew her.  She was my smoking buddy at conferences.  She was golden. I’m sure she’s up there looking down through the clouds tsk-tsking us all as she’s whipping those angels into a frenzy.  After all, if there weren’t romance novels in heaven before Sunday, you can be damned sure there will be soon!  I wonder what she’ll name her newest imprint?  Rest in Peace, Kate.

I also wanted to thank everyone who asked about my daughter here and privately.  She’s fine.  Baby is fine. Granny?  Well, she has a few more grey hairs today than she did when she woke up yesterday, but she’s surviving.  Also, my eldest daughter is going through 181 pictures she took at the shower and resizing them.  Hopefully I’ll have something to show you soon.  My living room looks like a Bay’s R Us showroom.  The kid made out:  A beautiful cherry wood crib and changer, an every day stroller plus a Jeep jogging stroller, high chair, baby shower and spa. Yes, a spa! Bottles, brushes, shampoos, lotions, bunting, a mattress, dozens and dozens of outfits, oodles of sleepers, blankets, terry towels and wash cloths.  Oh, and a Juicy Baby Couture bag.  Yes, she had to have it, and she got it.  She received an ExcerSaucer, a Baby By Your Side, cute stuffed animals, bottles, bottle sterilizer, some kind of torpedo shaped dirty diaper thing that is supposed to keep all stink contained (I’ll believe that when I don’t smell poopy diapers!)gift certificates and lots and lots of diapers.  I know I’ve forgotten stuff.  This Sunday she has another shower, this one thrown by her coworkers and her friends. I’m thinking there won’t be much this baby will need after the next shower.

This morning I took some time for myself and had brunch with my friends Chandra, Poppy and Virna.  They helped me get through a few sticking points on my L.O.S.T. story.  Thank you, ladies!   I love my friends!  LOVE! THEM! 

I’m looking forward to DWTS tonight. I’m thinking Kathy Ireland will go.  Are they eliminating two?  Hmm, if they are, maybe Tom, or Michael, or maybe even Chuck?  Nah, not Chuck, he tries too hard and has the crowd behind him.  Who do you think will go?  And wasn’t Castle a hoot last night?  I know, I know, campy and over the top, but I just can’t help but smile the entire hour.  And with this icky economy and other stressors, a smile for me is worth a million bucks!

So, speaking of smiles, and this is going to be a corny question, but with all the negatives swirling around us today, what makes you smile in spite of it all?

Karin*

Weeelll, the baby shower went off without a glitch!  And I’m exhausted.  But it’s a good exhausted.  I also waded through a boatload of receipts and bank statements last week.  

I feel like I’ve been out of touch with everyone, hopefully that will change this week.  I have a few things to wrap up today and tomorrow then I’ll be hitting the keyboard hard.  I need to move forward on my story.  I really love it, and can’t wait to get back to Marcus and Jax!

As soon as my daughter emails me the pics she took at the shower I’ll post them!

adios for now!

Karin*

Monday Night Football.  The season premier of Castle.  Dancing with the Stars, aaaand, the Monday night comedy lineup!   What’s a girl to do?! 

DVR that’s what.  I’ll start watching the football game, then DVR Castle upstairs, DVR comedy lineup downstairs (which hubby will be watching), and watch DWTS upstairs.

After the 11 o’clock news, I’ll watch Castle, while hubby will be upstairs watching Leno that he recorded earlier. He does that.  He watches Jay now at 11:30, just like the old days.  He’s never liked Conan, I’ve never minded him, but with the exception of his premiere week, I haven’t watched his show.  I wonder if it’ll make it?  Will Jay go back to late night?  And who will be the first to get kicked off of DWTS?

So, what are you watching tonight?  Oh, and did you hear that Maks am Karina broke up?  L

Karin*

Murder She Writes talking about entertaining.

C’mon of over and say hey.

Karin*

My plate runneth over.  I’ll surface when some of this stress is behind me. Hopefully that will be soon.

In the meantime, don’t forget about me!

Karin*

Blindsided with a raging case of bronchitis complete with fever! What a lousy way to end a great trip!  Today is the first day I’ve actually had energy since Saturday.  I’m fortunate that my kids and hubby are self-sufficient.  I went straight to bed from the airport on Sunday and have spent most of my time there since.  At one point, I actually went 36 hours w/o checking email or even giving a thought to a computer.  Then when I did, I only half remember some of the emails I read.  So, um if you emailed me and I haven’t returned it by now?  It was lost during the delirium.  Resend please.

So, to catch up:  The retreat was great.  I needed a change of scenery to get back on track with this L.O.S.T. book.  I needed to focus and hone my hero, which I did in spades.  Shelley and Sylvia were great help as we walked the lake.  I also found a song that epitomizes him.  I’ll share that later.

I also tweaked my para trilogy proposal that my agent is going wide with this week.  It occurred to me this morning that we’ve never gone wide with anything of mine.  It’s scary, thrilling and nerve-wracking all at the same time, but I am excited and hopeful an editor will fall madly in love with my characters and their plight and rush to pick up the series.  It deserves a good home. It has to sell. I want to tell this story.

Another highlight of the trip was meeting the delightful Bonnie H, a reader and a writer who is going to get her ass in gear and get her work out there.  Right, Bonnie????  She was a breath of fresh air on a muggy day, and I wish I had felt better when we met her.  By the time Lauren Dane popped in Saturday night, I was pretty much out of it.  I did come out of my cave to say hello, and stir up some stuff before going back to bed.  J  Lord only knows what she must think of me.  I hope she considers the fact I was on drugs, in pain, and fever laden before she answers someone who asks her, “So what did you think of that Tabke chick?”

I have to admit, for six women with six different personalities and varying diet requirements and sleeping requirements and temperature requirements and noise level requirements (see where I’m going with this?) we did ok.  Beth took charge as mommy, and I’m glad she did.  She was the bestest mom. The bestest mom at a personal sacrifice to herself.  She was the driver, and as such had to make all of the trips, even the 5 a.m. run to the airport Sunday morning, then back for the rest of us.  I need to send Beth some flowers.  She was a trooper.

All in all, a great time.  The retreat served all of it’s intended purpose for me:  I came up with a fresh approach to my story, got to hang with like minds, and learned a few new tricks.

Now?  I need to put this nose to the grindstone and get writing.  My Nov 1 deadline is fast approaching.

What deadlines do you have looming and how close are you to meeting them??

Karin*

Lovely isn’t it?  Just returned from a 2.5 mile stroll around the lake.  Sitting out back now with a cup of coffee, and getting ready to get to work.  It’s rough tho. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.  

Ciao for now!

Karin*