November 29, 2007

Today is a better day.

I did manage to get to the gym yesterday and pump some iron, which felt really good. I helped my mom with the foster kitties she takes care of as well.

I'm getting ready to head out for a 4-mile walk, now when I say walk, I don't mean a stroll. We walk fast and usually complete the journey in less than an hour. I have a deep tissue massage later today to help my back...it's painful, but it also works.

Yesterday, I learned my stupid ISP company mistakenly placed a spam blocker on all emails that have a hotmail or MSN extension. It's still not fixed, so anyone trying to email me, and you use hotmail or MSN, well, you can't just yet, but keep trying.

It's 45 this morning, so the walk shouldn't be too chilly.

November 28, 2007

Yesterday was a sad day and I didn't feel like posting.

If you read my blog, then you know I am a HUGE Washington Redskins fan - yes, I have the coveted seasons tickets as well. We drive 5 hours one way to the home games. Yesterday, one of our most colorful and best players, Sean Taylor, died. He was shot in his home on Monday night and there was some hope he might live. When I woke up yesterday, I realized he had died.

I know this may seem silly to some people, but I felt a real sense of loss. I never met him, yet somehow his death really saddened me. I guess I'm not the only one, tons of fans in the D.C. area were at Fed Ex Field yesterday placing memorials all over.

I can't imagine what it is going to be like at this Sunday's game. How in the hell are all his teammates supposed to play when they are in mourning? How are all us fans supposed to be enthused?

I guess with life, comes death, but it is NEVER easy to deal with...I need to pull up my boot straps."

November 26, 2007

Thanksgiving is over and we are all a little fuller than we want to be. So much yummy food... I ended up with 13 people for dinner. It was crazy with so many people here, but it was really nice.

On Friday, we did the shopping thing on Black Friday, visited a local grist mill, and then took Larry's parents out for dinner. We came home and enjoyed a Thanksgiving tradition - watching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. After all, it is a Thanksgiving movie!

The company is all gone and it's a little quiet here. It's back to work today, but it's a little cosier... I bought an electric wood stove for my office, which does a nice job of heating my room, plus it looks really cool. It will be so cosy all winter long.

I've decided that there is too much crap in my attic and office and it must go. For some reason, I feel the need to get rid of all the clutter.

Projects and deadlines are piling up on me and I have to get cracking. Book reviews, judging book awards, reviewing manuscripts for submission, and my own books and research! 2008 is going to be so crazy for me, but I also think it's going to be awesome. It seems my western career is slowly building...

November 21, 2007

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my in-laws have arrived. Before they got here though, I was able to make my pies and cranberry sauce for tomorrow. So much more to do tomorrow before I have to serve the hungry crowd.

I got a surprise call from a long distance friend today - very cool!

Tomorrow will be a day filled with family, friends, and eating - a far cry from what the pilgrims endured. Let's see, rugged, cold conditions, strange food, and Indians as guests...hmmm. I love the 21st century!

November 20, 2007

I got the spring catalog from the University of New Mexico Press yesterday and the re-release of Taste of Tombstone is in it. Here's the link: http://www.unmpress.com/Book.php?id=11811637242152

I still can't believe that book came out almost 10 years ago. I've only got another week and a half to finish the final edits and create the indexes...

I received a nice email from a man in Florida who said he watched the Lost Worlds show and truly enjoyed it. He wanted to know when my next show would be...hmm, I want to know that as well! :)

November 19, 2007

It's hard to believe that this is Thanksgiving week already. Last week was crazy busy again. We stayed home this weekend, went wine tasting and bought groceries for this week. My in-laws arrive Weds afternoon and will stay until Saturday. I think I am cooking dinner on Thursday for 13-14 people. It's fun and I love doing it. The menu includes free-range turkeys, stuffing, asparagus, sweet potato casserole, green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce, and of course, my homemade signature pies! Apple, cranberry, and pumpkin I think for this year. I may do a pecan as well since there will be so many here. It's supposed to be 63 degrees.

I was asked to provide an endorsement for a fellow author's book, which I will likely due, but it depends upon when she needs it. Plus, I would like to read it before I endorse it.

November 14, 2007

Yesterday got away from me. I worked a bunch, and then went to help my mom rescue some adandoned kitties. That is always so sad...she trapped them and we took them to the shelter. I wish I could have taken them all home. I was so upset I didn't even eat dinner.

Today was better. I walked for 3 miles and even made it to the gym! I picked up my car from the dealer and managed to get my job done.

My arguement with DirecTV continues...as has been for about 30 days now. They seem to have some serious equipment issues and like to bill their customers for things they shouldn't. Ugh!

November 12, 2007

The drive up to D.C. was really pretty with all the leaves changing. We stopped at a couple of wineries and ate lunch at an old tavern - pretty awesome.

Unfortunately, my team decided to let the Eagles win yesterday. Thankfully, the fans weren't all that bad-amazing!

I feel like I am getting a cold, so I didn't walk this morning and am quitting for the day. Tons of hot tea and Chinese herbs.

November 9, 2007

I did a 4-mile walk with my neighbor in about 60 mins. It was 39 degrees again.

My car died yesterday so I had to have it towed to the shop today. The noise coming from it doesn't sound good at all. I am still waiting to hear from the dealer now. It's only a 2004 and I just bought it when my lease expired in July. How typical!

We are headed to D.C. this weekend for the Redskins game. They are playing the Eagles. It's always interesting - last year I had beer thrown on me by a drunken Philly fan. Lord I hope win or they will be even more obnoxious than usual.

I got two more books for the WWA Spur Awards...they just keep rolling in. I could start a small book store at this point!

November 8, 2007

Hmm. I missed yesterday. I'm not sure how that happened. Anyway, I started yesterday with a 3-mile walk - it was 36 degrees. Brr.

We had a conference call yesterday and agreed to a new plan that would help us work normal hours again. Yeah!

I made a Mexican dish for dinner last night called, Posole. It was spicy, but good.

The University Press who published my last book, and who is doing my Taste of Tombstone reprint asked me to do a manuscript review. This is for a book they are considering for publication. What I say can mean a book contract for the author, or non-publication. I said I would do it, because I have until the end of the year to complete the review.

I am still getting good comments about the Lost Worlds show. It's funny, people who really don't care about the west, like my cousin, and people who live the west, like renowned artist, Thom Ross, both said they learned something and really enjoyed the show. Of course, both were impartial - not doubt! ;)

We watched Gordon Ramsay on Kitchen Nightmares last night. This time he was in Burbank, CA. This show was pitiful - just like the first one. Some owner/chef throwing temper tantrums and whining. Totally turns me off. I still like the BBC version so much better, which is on tonight.

November 6, 2007

So far, so good. I haven't had to work late this week. Tomorrow we are having a call about ways to fix last week's issues.

I started my day with a 4-mile walk with my neighbor. I almost missed it because when I woke and the clock indicated it was 19 minutes past the time I usually leave. However, I never changed my bedroom clock for Daylight Savings Time so I got up with time to spare!

It's Chinese food for dinner tonight and a nice glass of vino!

November 5, 2007

It's a new week and I have a new attitude.

This weekend we visited my aunt and uncle in South Carolina. My uncle is my dad's older brother and we have become very close since my father passed away. He is 83 and has so many stories about my grandparents and great-grandparents - it's really awesome. I made them steak for dinner one night and brook trout another. The leaves have started to change and it was a nice drive. It was good to get a way and do nothing after the week from hell. After my Lost Worlds show they think I'm famous!LOL

Today was pretty good and I am quitting for the day.

November 2, 2007

Today is Dia de los Muertos (Mexico), which means day of the dead. I love other cultures!

I worked until 9 p.m. last night - again. This has to stop. I believe I have a plan and now I have to get my co-workers to buy-in, which shouldn't be too difficult. I have to get this under control or I will never have time to complete another book.

It's 54 degrees and very windy because of Hurricane Noel. We are only feeling gusts of about 25 miles per hour - that's nothing compared to some others we've survived.

I am heading out for my walk and will probably do 4 miles today.

November 1, 2007

Halloween was a little more quiet this year than in the past. I actually had candy left over, which is not good for my hips! It's so funny how they ring the door bell and then peek in the windows to see what's taking so long!

I did end up having to work again until 9:45... I missed some of the little goblins who came to the door.

We watched the movies Bats and then Evolution.

I slept in today and seem to be fighting a cold or something so I skipped exercising. I'm plain, freakin' exhausted.

We're going to visit my aunt and uncle in South Carolina this weekend, so I will relax, laugh, and have fun. He's in his eighties and she's in her seventies. They are a lot of fun and he has all kinds of WWII stories about being in Germany.

Gotta go for a conference call.