My house is in chaos. There are toys everywhere. My children are spoiled rotten! I thought I had reined it in from last year but somehow they ended up with even more toys than usual. Of course grandparents and aunt and uncles add to the bounty...
Overall it was a great holiday but I'll admit it - I'm glad it's over. I love Christmas, don't get me wrong. Sometimes, I'm very sad when it comes and goes. Kind of like a Christmas let down.
This year, I enjoyed myself but now it's done. Let's move on. There are things I need to do. Organize the house (all of this new stuff needs a place), I have two deadlines I need to meet (aaaahh!), and I need to help plan a wedding I'm going to be in - that's going to be a month from today. In my hometown. Talk about short amount of time...I'm feelin' for the bride, my best friend.
So yeah, I have a busy January coming up. I think my bro and his wife and baby are coming to visit too. And then February is birthday month for me and my baby girl. It's endless. I need a break.
How was YOUR Christmas?
I'm over at the Word Flirts today but I had to post this pic first.
I told Robin about this picture a while ago, then I couldn't find it.
Well, I found it. And if you take offense to Santa in a, ahem, compromising position, then I recommend you DON'T read/scroll any further.
Without further ado, here's Santa's Christmas present:
I had a hard time writing this post cos it means moving down the last post and that guy is just soooo sexy (fans self YET again). I think I'm in love.
So nothing's going on with me. Just been busy with the pre-holiday chaos. Hubby was home for the last three days and we bought the two youngest bunk beds. Rearranged their room, took stuff to Salvation Army, I cleaned house like a mad woman, and I made fudge that turned out like crap. I think I cooked it too hot, and it kinda scorched and it turned hard and crumbly. Yuck. Bye bye fudge.
Today I grocery shop (not looking forward to this), finish cleaning house, maybe even attempt to make another batch of fudge (fingers crossed). My parents are coming tomorrow and will be here through the 27th.
I have no words of wisdom, no fascinating stories. I apologize. I might write one more post before Christmas here but if I don't...
Oh my - look at this! I found him on Anne Rainey's website.
Isn't he hunkalicious? Merry Freakin' Christmas to us!
If you go to Anne's website, visit the photos page. There's a whole lotta man flesh there.
My friend was supposed to come over and make cookies with all our kids yesterday but her car broke down and so...I decided to make cookies with just me and my kids.
Big mistake. Took all the spirit right out of my sails. But the cookies turned out nice (frosted sugar cookies!).
Then I went to a chat last night with fellow CP authors Shelli Stevens, Crystal Jordan and Emma Petersen at Romance Junkies. I had to bail cos then I had to go to my daughter's preschool Christmas performance. So that was a fly by chat, lemme tell ya.
My daughter's class was so cute! They sang Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to Jesus. So precious! Then we went on a hay ride. It was so cold! But fun. My kids had a blast.
This morning it's a whopping 30 degrees and frosty as can be outside. Brrr! How's the weather in YOUR neck of the woods?
I believe Loribelle tagged me with this one a while ago (and I didn't do it - my bad) and then Eden tagged me so I thought I'd better get to it. This one is fun:
Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Retail manager
2. Newspaper Intern
3. Assistant to a crazy man
4. Graphics/website/all around go-to girl
Four Places I've Lived:
1. Redding, CA
2. Sacramento
3. Chico
4. Fresno
Four Favorite Foods:
1. pizza
2. chocolate eclairs (I just kept this one from Eden's answer - yum!)
3. Christmas cookies
4. Chinese
Movies I Could Watch Over and Over
1. Sleepless in Seattle
2. Broadcast News
3. Boogie Nights
4. Almost any movie on Lifetime (gawd I'm so cheesy)
Four TV Shows I Watch:
1. Forensic Files
2. My Name is Earl
3. The Apprentice (it's coming back on in Jan!)
4. America's Next Top Model (tho' I missed this last season)
Four Places I've Visited:
1. Maui
2. Oahu
3. Boston
4. Oregon Coast (just went there in Sept - loved it!)
Four Places I'd Like To Visit:
1. Europe
2. the Big Island (Hawaii)
3. Australia
4. Tahiti (stole this from Eden again)
Four Websites I Go To (almost) Daily:
1. myspace
2. Romance Divas
3. ALL the blogs I visit (just lumping them in as one)
4. The Story Board
I'm not tagging anyone - do it if you wanna.
I thought this was funny...
It's out later today at Cobblestone Press.
Lily the Christmas fairy must teach a lonely doctor how to love again, so she makes him fall in love with her. Big mistake since she always leaves earth the day after Christmas. But how can she leave the sweet, sexy doctor when she’s fallen in love with him, too?
If you're looking for a sweet, funny and sexy holiday story to help you forget all of the holiday chaos this weekend, then this is it. So buy it! I'm beggin' ya! lol
While you're over at Cobblestone, check out the other holiday releases coming out today by Emma Petersen and Jennifer McKenzie.
Thanks all for your responses regarding Blogger yesterday. You made me feel better cos I know that I'm not alone!
For those of you who went to The Story Board yesterday for stuff your eStocking, wasn't it insane? I had so many messages it was out of control. But lots of fun.
I went shopping last night. Mainly at the mall, and I couldn't believe how busy it was! I know we're getting closer and closer but I didn't think it would be as nuts as it was.
I'm happy to say, though, that my shopping is finished! Yay! Now I need to wrap it all. Boo. And put the kids' gifts together. Double boo. I told my hubby we needed to do it early - we got my daughter the Ariel vanity/salon set and that thing will take forever to put together. Don't wanna try and attempt all of that on Xmas Eve.
Fairies & Wishes comes out tomorrow! 
Yay! I can't wait - I don't mean to brag, but I love this book. It was so much fun to write. And now I'm working on a St. Patrick's Day book - with a leprechaun. Ha ha! It's fun so far too. I think I have a thing for holiday stories...
I switched to the new Blogger format last week and all was going good. I had a few weird kinks (oh but who doesn't have a few weird kinks? lol) but other than that, it was fine.
Now no one can post a comment on my blog who has old Blogger (sorry Shelli & Cole!), and when I went to my Dashboard, it said it couldn't contact with my other group blogs that are still under the old Blogger format. "Try again later."
Sheesh. Then there's this whole long letter about how the transition is almost complete and it's going rather smoothly.
Uh, not really.
So please come back folks. Don't ditch me! Blame Blogger! I hope it'll be functioning at normal speed soon.
Merry @%#*$% Christmas.
It's tomorrow! And around 45 authors will be participating! It's gonna be insane - in a good way, of course.
Click here to check it out.
I went to my husband's company Christmas party Saturday. Had a good time, got a little drunk. Since I used to work there, saw a lot of old friends so that was cool.
You know, I can't remember the last time I got good and drunk. And all it took was two and a half drinks and I was buzzin'. I don't remember the last time I dressed up, don't remember the last time I partied. Sheesh, I'm boring.
You see, I'm lost in my own little world. I sit up here in my house with my kids and my laptop all day long and occasionally I go out to Target, or the grocery store. Or the mall. Or to see my friend who's in her own little world with her kids. And that's pretty much it.
No wonder I write sexy stories. I get to live vicariously through my characters, get to do and say stuff I would never do or say. If I didn't have this outlet, I don't know what I would do.
By the way, I'm almost finished with a sexy sizzler of a story. Whoo hoo! It's been fun to write.
See those candy canes below? I read a hot little Christmas read from Ellora's Cave this weekend and they used candy canes in a rather...creative way. Unwrapped by Lacey Alexander. Very good.
Looking for a hot Christmas read to take you away from the holiday hustle and bustle?
Then check my book out! You can purchase it for the cost of a latte at Silk's Vault.
...over at the Word Flirts, talking about my mental breakdown last night.
I need someone like this to give me a little Christmas cheer. Tee hee hee...
Her boyfriend just dumped her, she's all alone in the big city, and Christmas is just around the corner. Claire is only trying to conjure up a little Christmas spirit by setting out her few decorations - who knew one of them would fall on her head and knock her out?
But when she wakes up, she's in a strange bed and there's a sexy, slightly familiar man with her. He's willing to fulfill her every desire. Talk about a great Christmas present...
You'll find it this Saturday at Silk's Vault Publishing.
Lots of stuff! I sold my book Second Chances to
Cobblestone Press. It'll be a part of their Rune series (representing the Jera - Harvest - rune). Here's a blurb:
Widow Abby McKay is ready to make a change in her life. Eric Walsh needs to get healthy or he won't be around to even live his life. When they meet, the attraction is undeniable. But one careless night will change their lives forever...
There's a lot of emotion in this one. Not my usual light fluff. I'll keep you posted on release dates, etc.
A bunch of Cobblestone authors are going to be at the Joyfully Reviewed Yahoo loop on the 16th. Look at this gorgeous flyer Emma made:
Click the graphic to check it out...
Readers of ebooks, rejoice! Fantastic contests, blurbs and excerpts will be thrown your way all day long at The Story Board!
Not a member? Join here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Story_Board_/
Any ebook authors want to participate? The only requirement is you give away one item, and you get the chance to share your work with over 400 eager readers and writers! Interested? Email me at karen.e.erickson @ gmail.com (minus spaces) and you're in!
On with my new obsession...
I'm in lurve with a band I discovered on someone's myspace profile. Bitter:Sweet. They're labeled electronica but I wouldn't call them just that. All I can call them is freakin' awesome. I bought their CD on iTunes a few minutes ago. I'm LOVIN IT. A review called it harking back to James Bond theme songs. I found that hilarious.
I just realized they remind me of The Cardigans. I love The Cardigans! And not just that happy sappy "Love Me Love Me" song either. No, the dark stuff on their Gran Turismo CD is the friggin' bomb. Gotta thank my friend Mars for that old but still favored obsession...
Wanna hear my new favorite song? Go to my myspace page: http://myspace.com/kdid210
Not true...
Sorry but all I really want for Christmas is to be able to write something, damn it!
It's making me nuts. I tried to write all weekend - came up with nothing. (well, I'm lying - I came up with something but it was total crap)
I even dreamed about a story I want to work on. Yeah, there they were, hanging out in my dream, providing me with all kinds of ideas. Can I bring this to fruition? Right now I'm thinking not so much.
Kelley suggested an informal support group to keep track of everyone's writing progress. I want to participate, but I have nothing to keep track of!
So help me! Tell me what I should do to get the creative juices flowing. I want them to flow but they're stuck. STUCK!
Okay, I just had to get that off my chest. Tomorrow we shall resume normal blog broadcasting.
