October 29, 2008

The meeting last night was interesting. I really don't know why, but one of the members seemed intimated by me. Saying she heard me speak and all. I don't think of myself that way. I'm the same person I have always been--I just happen to have some published books and such. It was kind of sweet at least I think it was. Hmm.

Anyway, everyone took turns reading their short ghost story they prepared. Overall, they were pretty good. I didn't have time to write one, but I told a real ghost story that I experienced. I will share that one tomorrow.

Skipped the gym since I was feeling a little ill, plus Trixie had a vet appointment. I am also going to a company dinner with my husband tonight, so I needed extra work time.

October 28, 2008

I got back to the gym today, which is always nice. I am happy to report that I have lost about 12 pounds so far. I think I am in better shape now that I was 20 years ago!

Tonight is the monthly Apex Author's Guild meeting. I missed last month, so I an curious to see what they have been up to...

Busy with work, and not much else to report.

October 27, 2008

This weekend was nice and quiet. Got caught up on things and finally unpacked from NM.

I got good news this weekend. My aunt is almost completely recovered. Turns out she read her hospital records (she's a former nurse) and her liver is fine!

I had to finish my TW column, which I did, but then I had to test a recipe for the column as well. I made buffalo stew. Here is it, but you have to read the Feb issue of True West to get the recipe!

Today was busy with work.

I also got some terrific news regarding the new version of Taste of Tombstone. It turns out the Cowboys and Indians magazine (they are huge BTW) ran a book review. It was totally awesome and glowing!

My friend Bob Bell wrote about me in his blog for the last few days about our taping of the The Real Cowboys.

October 24, 2008

This week is finally over. Whew! It was a short one for me, but work has been crazy. My co-worker is on vacation and I have been doing her job, plus mine. TGIF.

I will be soooo glad when the elections are over. I hate politics. What makes seemingly nice, normal people can turn so ugly. The comments and smears are not to be believed. It's hard to imagine that some of those same nasty people will be getting into the holiday spirit in less than two months.

I've two deadlines fast approaching. One is for my next TW column and another is an endorsement I promised a fellow author. It's coming--I promise!

Sunday is the anniversary of the gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone. I will always remember my first mentor, Carl Chafin on that day.

Oh, an aunt update. She has pneumonia and cirrhosis of the liver, which are both bad. She is a strong lady and I think should can kick the pneumonia. The liver is another issue...

Have a happy weekend!

October 23, 2008

As promised. The photos are of NM tamales and the others are behind the scenes and of the set.

I did make it see my publisher on Monday morning before my flight. They were totally surprised. I got a tour from the director, Luther Wilson and I met the entire staff. It's always nice to put faces with names and voices. I may have stumbled across a new idea for a book while I was there. Things happen for a reason...

My co-worker, Roni, was kind enough to shuttle to and from the airport and publisher.


While I was waiting to board my flight to DFW, I noticed a ton of security near my gate. A nice gentleman told me the governor of NM was there. Ah. Turns out, he was taking my flight. I joked with the lady next to me that our flight would be pretty safe considering who was on board. She smiled and said yes. I guess she would know since she was his security detail (a NM state trooper). I gave her my aisle seat so she would have a better vantage point to see him. Ha, and I am not even a democrat! He was on his way to help Senator Obama with his campaign in Florida.

I only have on thing to say, remember this old saying: If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

My life is getting back to normal now that I am home. Work has been busy because one of my co-workers is on vacation.

I started back at the gym, which was tough after being away for a week.

October 20, 2008

I ended up taking the city bus to the plaza in Santa Fe. OMG--what an experience. People with bikes, in wheelchairs, with children, etc. All with their own little stories.

The plaza in Santa Fe is really pretty. I walked around and shopped. I bought bags of ground chiles and salsa. I will post some photos when I get back.

I made it out to the set on Saturday afternoon. The director/producer was happy and I offered lots of historical advice on setting some scenes for gambling and drinking. It's fascinating to see all that goes on behind the scenes.

Yesterday was my turn to be in front of the camera. It was about 44 degrees at 8 a.m. when we started. We started off with my drinking/saloon stuff. I talked about the subjects and then we made some drinks I talked about. It was really fun, but I was nervous. I also had to taste the strange things I made, so I was drinking at 9 a.m. Hey, it made me feel warmer at least. Next came the faro/gambling scenes. They we better because I had settled down and my nervousness was gone. I'll post some pics later.

I stayed on after lunch as technical adviser again. That is too much fun! I was teaching the actors how to play faro so they could deal it in the scenes. I was also checking for continuity...

We wrapped about 6 p.m., packed up and came back to the hotel. We walked to a little place called the Blue Corn Cafe dinner. It was tasty. More New Mexican food. Chile Rellenos with a Christmas sauce--which means a combo of red and green chiles.

My good friend Bob Bell got it last night so we met for drinks in the bar. I gave him the skinny of what we had done so far on the show. On of the patrons noticed him, and asked, "Are you Boze Bell?" Yep, I was hanging with a celeb!

We met for breakfast and the director/producer joined us. They left this morning to film Bob's stuff.

I am hanging in the hotel waiting for my shuttle to ABQ. I am hoping to see my publisher, if I can swing it...

October 18, 2008

Thursday was busy prepping for the show and packing.

I arrived in Albuquerque, NM yesterday. I had some time to kill while I waited for the production crew's flight to arrive. One of my co-workers lives here, so she picked me up for lunch. I had my first taste of New Mexican cuisine. I ordered the chile relleno and it was tasty! Very similar to the ones I get in Arizona.

I met the crew and they were hungry, so we stopped for lunch. Three hours after my relleno, I was eating posole. It's a spicy red chile soup.

After that we headed for Santa Fe and wet straight to the shoot site, Eaves Ranch. We looked at where we would be filming. Once we lost daylight, we headed for the hotel. Unpacked, and had a drink in the bar with the crew.

They are shooting all day today and left early this morning. It's about 40 degrees at 8 a.m. I am meeting a friend and TW buddy, Johnny Boggs, for lunch. Before that though I am going to venture to old town and check it out. After lunch, I am hoping to bum a ride from Johnny to the set. They asked me to be there as a historical expert of the saloons, gambling, etc.

Tomorrow will be a long day since we are filming my stuff.

October 15, 2008

I skipped the gym today because I am feeling a little under the weather.

I am currently the VP-Marketing for Women Writing the West and have agreed to be VP for 2009. However, since I am leaving for Santa Fe to shoot the TV show, I will have to miss our annual conference.

Because I am a board member, I had to prepare a summary of what I did, 2009 plans, and a brief update for the business meeting. Done.

I also spent some time prepping for the show.

My TW magazine column is fast approaching (the 20th) and I just realized it. Yikes.

Still no real details on my aunt. I have talked to her, but she is still having tests. Hopefully I will know something before I leave.

October 14, 2008

This football game this Sunday was disappointing to say the least.

Monday's are always tough after the five hour ride home and being in the hot sun for four hours. It was about 85 degrees on the field.

Yesterday I found out the my Aunt Juanita, she is the wife of my Uncle Donald. He was in the hospital last month and now she's in! She has an ulcer, but they are concerned about other things. She had more tests tomorrow, so I hope it all goes well.

I am supposed to be flying to New Mexico on Friday or Saturday, but the production company has not sent me any details yet. I hope to speak with the producer later today or tonight.

I took kickboxing for the first time in a while. It felt really good.

October 10, 2008

Well I missed yesterday, but after my tirade on Wednesday I figured I would give you a break. :)

We were supposed to take my niece, Tiffany to dinner last night for her 16th birthday. However she failed her driver's license test and was bummed. She canceled, so we went to pub trivia. I won a tie-breaker and I got two free beers!

Friday is Zumba day. It's amazing--I have lost six pounds in the last two months. The only thing I am doing different is Zumba. I don't doubt it. You dance straight for one hour and sweat like crazy.

The stock market is on a roller coaster today. It's been down all day, then it rebounds, and now it's down again. I think there are a lot of things about to happen that we may not like, but it will be better in the long run.

I haven't really changed any thing I do other than try to conserve energy better. I am trying to do my part to stimulate the economy. If everyone keeps pulling back, then the economy will suffer.

Have a great weekend because Lord only knows what Monday has in store for us.

October 8, 2008

Last night I made a pizza from scratch. I added fresh tomatoes, provolone and mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and sauce. It was really tasty! Oh, and a nice bottle of Chianti as well.

The presidential debate last night was frustrating! It didn't help clear up anything for me. I wish they would stop attacking each other. Just tell us what you are going to do for us and stop saying you're gonna bailout the poor people who are affected my the housing problem. Hey, I worked in that business for 16 years (in fraud). Most of those people don't belong in the houses they have. Really - someone making $30,000 a year can afford a $500,000 house? Not. So now they can afford it even less and the good old government is going to come along and save them. What about those of us who live within our means - what bonus do we get?

I skipped the gym today to get my hair done for the upcoming History Channel shoot.

I also stopped at the grocery store because they had triple coupons. Now I must confess that I use coupons--who in their right mind wouldn't? Anywho, now that I work from home and can shop during the week, I have run into a new breed of shopper. I prefer to call them coupons Nazis.

Seriously, they have 3-inch thick coded binders. They call each other and let other coupon Nazis know what's in stock. They hit several of the same stores in different locations. Good Lord, they are possessed.

Case in point. I went to get a can of organic tomatoes (there were only three left on the self and two were dented). I paused, there was my mistake, and this woman came around the corner. I saw the panicked look in her eye when she saw three cans. Then she looked at me. I kid you not, she cut me off and damn near ripped my face off with her arms to get the non-dented can. I stood in shock and then just chuckled. I went to the next aisle, and there were several more cans of this brand. Too funny!

Next time I better go armed with elbow pads and a hockey mask!

October 7, 2008

The weekend was nice. Saturday we did some shopping and wine tasting. Sunday was all about footall. Both our teams won, which is always nice. Sunday night I grilled Porterhouse steaks and baked prailine cookies.

Yesterday was very productive. I have a new (and really good) idea for a fictional title. I did some research on the yesterday and outline a few chapters.

Today I will hit the gym, do some work, and maybe have time to get started with the new book. It's really strange, I have friends who write fiction and have heard them say their characters speak to them. I never really understood what they meant until now. I can't get my lead lady out of my brain!

Octoer 3, 2008

Last night was a little chilly, so I made a roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. It smelled like Thanksgiving here last night. Just no pie...

Today is Friday, which means Zumba!

On my way home my mom called to ask for my help. She rescues cats and dogs and lives in a somewhat rural area. People keep dumping cats and dogs at this abandoned mobile home.

This time the *@^*#& dropped off 10 long-haired Chihuahuas. Poor things were clearly used as breeders. Their nails were three-inches long, most of their fur was missing, and they were so skinny and clearly abused. What gives people the right to use animals as their income? I swear I hope there is a special place in Hell for people who abuse or neglect animals. What kind of a person can do that? It just broke my heart to see these little creatures shaking and starving. The more I write about this the more upset I get.

I hope this weekend brings happy times...

October 2, 2008

I just realized that I haven't blogged since Monday. Oops. I have been feeling a little off this week. Not sure if it's a cold coming on or something.

I have been working with the production crew for my upcoming TV shoot. They don't know a lot about Tombstone, which is where we are filming, so I have been helping with that.

I got to speak with my good friend, Jim Clark, who used to reside in Tombstone. He is aptly called, The Train Guy. Just about any movie in Hollywood that has a train scene in it was done my Jim.

I've been hitting the gym this week, but I skipped it today because I am just too tired and my head hurts.