Merry Christmas

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season,

Tina

Bagel Chips

1 Bagel
1/8 ts Garlic powder
1/8 ts Onion powder
1/8 ts Cumin
1/8 ts Oregano
1/8 ts Fat-free parmesan cheese
1/8 ts Chili powder

Preheat oven to 400 or toaster oven works fine. With
a sharp knife, slice bagel into very thin slices so
that you can almost see through them (you'll get about
10 slices). Place slices on a baking sheet. Lightly
spray with cooking spray. Quickly sprinkle in a small
amount of seasoning (a little goes a long way) or
leave plain. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly
browned-be careful; they burn easily. Break each slice
into 4 chips.

Great way to use stale bagels.

Tina

Results of the New Recipe

Okay, I tried out the recipe for the egg nog below and I got mixed reviews from my family.

My husband and I didn't care for it because it didn't taste like egg nog, more like melted vanilla ice cream. We couldn't taste the rum or the eggs.

My son, on the other hand, liked it better because it didn't tast like traditional egg nog so I guess the choice is up to you.

Have a great holiday season and try to stay warm.

Tina

Lemon Curd

Just got a taste of this recipe while at a HWG meeting.

Really good on scones.

6 Tbs unsalted butter--softened at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. grated lemon zest

Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer about 2 minutes. Slowly add the eggs and yolks. Beat for 1 minute. Mix in the lemon juice. The mixture will look curdled, but don't worry...

In a medium, heavy-based saucepan, cook the mixture over low heat until it looks smooth. (The curdled appearance disappears as the butter melts) Increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Be patient, this takes about 15 minutes. When you dip a spoon into the mixture and draw your finger (careful, it's hot) down the middle of the back of the spoon it will leave a path. Or, if you're like me and cook with a thermometer, it will read 170 degrees. DO NOT let the mixture boil.

Remove from heat and stirr in the zest. Transfer to a bowl and press plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill in refrigerator. The curd will continue to thicken as it cools.

Covered tightly this will keep in the fridge for a week and about 2 months in the freezer.

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!


Have a wonderful day,

Tina

Hash Brown Omelet

I like to fix this on weekend morning for the whole family.
Give it a try.

1/2 pound bacon
Frozen hash brown potatoes, enough to fill bottom of large skillet
6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup onions(my husband doesn't like onions with his eggs so I leave this out)
1 cup grated American cheese
1/4 cup green pepper, mushroom, celery(optional - pick the ones you like)

Cook bacon until crisp; remove bacon from pan. Cook potatoes in bacon drippings over low heat until thawed. Combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper; pour over potatoes.

Sprinkle bacon, onions, and other vegetables on top of egg mixture.

Cover and cook on low heat for 20 minutes or until set. Top with cheese and cover pan until cheese melts.

Slice into pie-shaped pieces and serve.

Sausage or shaved ham with mushrooms may be used instead of bacon.

Hope you enjoy this,

Tina

Night-Before French Toast

Great for a guests because you don't have to get up and start cooking.
You just pop it in the oven.

1 loaf French bread, cut into 3/4 inch slices
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

The night before serving, melt butter and brown sugar in a small pan, strirring. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Lay bread slices on top of brown sugar mix. Combine eggs with milk and cinnamon. Pour over the bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning preheat oven to 350 degreees and uncover backing dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve with syrup, honey or chopped blueberries mixed with 2 tablespoons orange juice.

Hope you enjoy this,

Tina

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Very easy and fun for the kids.

pretzels
chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate or white chocolate)
sprinkles

Lay out the pretzels on a cookie sheet. Then melt some chocolate. Get a spoon and pour chocolate on the pretzels. Then put sprinkles on them and allow them to dry.

Have fun,

Tina

Inspirational Break

A friend sent this to me and I thought I'd share.
Thanks, Cheryl St. John
At 211 degrees...water is hot.
At 212 degrees...it boils.
And with boiling water, comes steam.
And steam can power a locomotive.
And, it's that one extra degree that...makes all the difference.
It's that one extra degree of effort that separates the good from the great. - Mac Anderson

Have a great day,

Tina

Easy Divinity

Just found this recipe on http://www.northpole.com/

Sounds easy and makes about 2 dozen candies.

1 jar marshmallow cream
1/2 cup water
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla(optional items to add see list below)

Boil the sugar and water to the soft ball stage. Remove from heat and stir in marshmallow cream and vanilla. Add other items, if desired. Let cool 5-10 minutes.

Drop from spoon onto wax paper to cool. If the pieces run and are smooth, let cool for a couple more minutes before dropping any more onto paper. The pieces should be fluffy when dropped, not runny. Place peppermint on top of each piece if desired, as dropped. Let cool 30 minutes and enjoy!

The reason I like Divinty is all the ways you can change it up.

Here some suggestion on how:
add a little creme de mint and green food coloring for a green treat
add any type of nut, walnuts, pecans, almonds, peanuts
add peppermint pieces
add tiny chocolate chips
add coconutadd finely chopped dryed fruit

As you can see the options are limitless.

Hope you enjoy,

Tina

Pumpkin Torte (Eagle Brand flyer)

Easy and good, I like this better than pumpkin pie.
8 eggs
1 (29-oz) can pumpkin
1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoons ground ginger1/2 teaspoon each of ground cloves, ground mace, and ground nutmeg. (I leave out the mace)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nut Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl or blender beat eggs, then add remaining ingredients. Except the stuff for the topping. And mix well. Pour into lightly greased 9-inch spring form pan.

Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool thoroughly, remove side of pan. Spring with Nut Topping

Nut Topping - in heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine, add 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract plus a 3/4 cup of nuts. (I like walnuts) when brown sugar has melted pour over the top of the torte. Mix all ingredients together in a pan and cook until thick. Pour into bowl or pie filling and cool for several hours.

If you don't like nuts try a scoop of whip topping.

Hope you enjoy,

Tina

Pudding or Pie Filling

This is a very easy recipe which I discovered recently. It can be low calorie by using sugar-free pudding and jello Strawberry (but almost any fruit could be used)

1 box of strawberry jello

Same size box of pudding cook-to-serve(vanilla is used for most types of fruit but you might try mixing it up)

2 cups of milk (but this depends on the size of box you buy. Use whatever is on the pudding box.)

1 cup of strawberries (I use frozen but I'm sure you could use fresh too)

Mix all ingredients together in a pan and cook until thick. Pour into bowl or pie filling and cool for several hours.

I add a scoop of whip topping and it's good to go.

Hope you enjoy,

Tina

Holiday Recipes

Thought about this for a while and decide to share some of my favorite recipes for the Holiday season.

Pumpkin Bread (Found in Cooking Collectibles - From friends of the Greater Houston Unit of the American Cancer Society)

3 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps. soda
2 tsps. each nutmeg, cloves, allspice and cinnamon
4 eggs1 (20-oz.) can pumpkin
1 cup oil1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts or pecans

Sift dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. This should include the spices. (Note - you don't like a particular spice leave it out) Add oil, eggs, pumpkin and raisins soaked in the water. Blend all well and then stir in the nuts.

Grease two a 9x5x3 loaf pans (Note I've also made this in a all type of pans just adjust cooking time) with shortening and sprinkle with flour. Divide dough in two pans and bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes.

Great to serve for breakfast.

Tina

Kitchen Duty

The one thing I enjoy the most about the holiday is spending time in the kitchen with friends and family. That's not to say, I enjoy being in the kitchen alone. I like to have other people around while I cook, talking and discussing the every day events in our lives makes the time more enjoyable.

Each year, I make my husband and kids help with the preparations. This way I don't have to do everything by myself and I can spend time with them too.

I wonder, why would you not want the kitchen full of people?

Yet some people prefer to labor away by themself.

Have a great holiday season,

Tina

Pumpkins, Candy and Costumes

Are you ready for the first holiday of the fall season?
Here, pumpkins are being carved, candy is abundant in all the stores.
And now, you have to chose your costume.
Witch?
Princess?
Or pirate?
Do you put on the same old thing you wear every day?
Does a cowboy, change his clothes for Halloween?
Interesting question?

Tina

Blah Days

You know the days where you don't want to do anything.
You can't idenify where they come from, but to get your butt moving is a major effort. Interested in work?
Not really.
Want to workout?
Are you joking?
How about some chocolate?
Now, you're talking.
Even if you're having an unblah day, you can still indulge in chocolate.
Tina

Political Opinions

Like butts everyone has one.

Personally, I don't like to put mine out there and wag it.

The only thing I ask is for people to vote, let our leader know that you are an active member in our country.

Tina

Personalities We're Born With

One of the thing that has always fasinated me is the different personalities of babies.

Some are born happy and pleased with the world around them.

While others never seem to be happy until they can talk and move around on their own.

Their tiny fingers,

their cute toes,

no matter their personality, you can't look at a baby without marveling at the miracle of life.

Granted, it's hard at two o'clock in the morning when they're screaming their heads off.

Tina

Insurance for Auto Repairs

Watching television, I saw this commercial and wondered about this new trend.
You buy a new car and expect it to work properly.
Yet, you still have auto repairs that the warranty doesn’t cover.
So is it wise to buy insurance or just pay the repair bills when they come?
Easy to determine until you get a 2,000 auto repair bill.

Tina

Operator's Manual

If you’ve ever bought something that needs to be put together you’ve had to deal with an operator’s manual.

The small unreadable print makes me wonder why they don’t send a magnifying glass with it.

Then they forget to tell you there is a right and wrong side, so you put it together backwards.

Oh, the fun of assembling products.

Doesn't everyone have an engineering degree?

Tina

Saying Good-bye

With the rain and the cooler weather, I guess it’s time to say good-bye to summer.

The beauty of fall is always a pleasure, its the cold weather of winter that I don’t like.

But even winter has it’s charm.

Finding Peace in Nature

Look at a flower

or watch a humming bird,

the miracle of life is all around us.

Take a moment to appreciate nature and you'll see how amazing the world around us really is.

Tina

Bad News

Yes, I know the stock market is down.

Banks and investment groups have closed.

Gas prices are up....wait down but bound to go back up.

Some people are claiming it another depression.

Sorry, but I don’t believe it.

First there are safeguards in place, and second the vast major of us still have jobs.

Rough time, yes. Next great depression, no.

But maybe I’m missing the misery boat?

I am clueless at times.


Tina

Voting

You know our grandmothers had to fight to win the right to vote.

Yet, a large percent of women don't bother with going to the polls.

Why?

Do we not want a say in what happens in our own country?

Come on, Ladies, let your voices be heard.

Tina

College Football Rankings

Now explain to me how a team ranked number two,
who plays and loses to a number eight rank team
falls below another team,
which was rank number one,
but lost to a non-rank team
how can they get a higher ranking at the end of week.

I guess some voters have a love affair with certain teams.

Associated Press poll

Tina

Gaming

Play in an alternate world.

Live an alternate life.

Kill, fight, and rule with the sword.

Fun times.

If only people could rez in a few seconds in the real world.

Now, explain to me again why you like to do online gaming?

Football Fashion

Don’t get me wrong I like the tight pants that show off the player’s strong thighs.

But color underwear under white pants?

Who dresses these guys?

Didn't every girl in the world learn this was a fashion disaster at age twelve?

Guess it’s a benefit of being a football player – no fashion sense.

Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.

Tina

Pollyanna Syndrome

Look on the bright side tomorrow will be a better day.

Out of milk – have eggs for breakfast instead.

Run in your hose – wear pants instead.

Lost your keys -----

Hell – just go back to bed.

Tomorrow has got to be better.

Tina

Unanswerable Question

Utterly Bewildered Woman on a quest to find the secrets of the universe.

Tell me why, after finally gain enough weight to have breasts any woman could be proud of, I keep getting a heat rash between them which makes me long to be an A cup again?

Possible answer –

Stay inside where’s it cool,

Lose weight,

Use diaper ointment to cure the problem

Forget it and eat more chocolate.

Or take the Scarlet O’Hair solution and worry about it tomorrow,

Hell, I think I'll forget it all together until spring if the weather will just cool off.

Bluetooth

Must be from a dinosaur, Right?

Wrong, you won’t find it in a museum.

False teeth for hockey players?

No, it doesn't go in your mouth.

You place it on your ear and use it with your cell phone.

Who come up with these names?

Notice the order of the name of my blog

– Utterly Bewildered Mom/ Wife/ Woman, I think that should tell you where I rank in my own mind.

One brownie left, I let my kids and husband have it. (It’ll help my waistline is my rational.)

Chocolate and I’m willingly giving it up.

Wait,

Some one at the door,

Sorry, got to go.

The men in the white jackets are here to take me for a trip to the padded room again.

I can use the vacation.

Same words

Second verse – could be better but after years, it’s beyond getting worse.

“Hey, I’m hungry.”

He holds out his hand and says, “Hi Hungry, it’s nice to meet you.”

Change the last word and repeat to "Hey, I'm tired."

"Hi Tired, it's nice to meet you."

Multiply by three members of my family and you don't have to wonder why the men in white know my address.

Iggy

No one would believe the strange things going on in my house.

Iggy, for those of you who don’t know it, is an invisible gremlin. He isn’t seen, he doesn’t talk, but you find evidence of him everywhere, and there in lies the trouble.

He’s sneaky. He might even be in your house.

Let me give you an example.

Have you ever had a spot suddenly appear on your carpet? You ask everyone. Did you spill something? Do you know where this spot came from?

The answer to your questions from the cast of characters in your house are blank stares and strong denials.

The only one you know who didn’t do it was yourself, but who is the responsible party. Who is to blame?

With no evidence, what do you do? Blame it on the dog?

I hate to tell you but it’s not the dog. It’s Iggy.

He enjoys causing everyone trouble. Yesterday, the toilet became clogged.

Who could have done it by using too much toilet paper?

No one in my house, right?

You got it, Iggy must have struck again.

Other Cast of Characters

Fabulous Husband – FH is a wonderful man, who has brought love, joy and a warp sense of humor into my life.

Son A and Son B so named so neither is regarded higher than the other. I’ll let you get to know them as we go along.

Here is a son inspired example of the two from my “Faceless Super Hero” short story (which I haven’t finished. Names are different from the real characters in my life.)


Chapter One

The alarm sounds.

Hearing it, our super hero opens her eyes. Ever vigilant to saving the world, she responds by swatting at the button to put a stop to the endless racket. The beeping stops but the peaceful sound of silence did not follow in its wake.

Angry words, loud shouts, and grunts of conflict race down the hall to her ears.

Our hero, tired and weary from a sleepless night, leaps from her resting-place, throws her satin cape around her shoulders, slides her feet into her bunny slippers, and heads for the door. With her pace less than the speed of light, she shuffles around the corner in a rush. The sleep in her eyes blurs the sight of the kitchen, which lays only a short distance in front of her.

The scene she’s faced many times before was a battle of wills, a force of nature clashing together, their youthful action plays out the fight for dominance. One locked in the grips of puberty, the other loud with adolescent energy vibrating off the walls. Each uses his muscles to take out his frustration on the other.

With his arms around his opponent’s neck, the older one struggles for the contents of a cereal box that is between them.

“You have to finish the other cereal before you can have any of this.”

Twisting forward the smaller one tries to throw his assailant over his shoulder, but the action only achieves a more precarious position. “No, you do. I ate more than my share.”

With the weight advantage, the larger one bears down on his contender, attempting to push him to the ground. There the dance starts. With a quick dart, each move is countered with a responding movement.

If it wasn’t for the restrained violence in the movements, it could be viewed as a graceful ballet. Each knowing their part, they duck—turn--sway to the rhythm of an unseen orchestra.

Each actor makes the defensive response, but our hero knows how quickly the dance can end with someone getting hurt.

“Stop it. I haven’t even gotten dressed yet and you two are at it,” our hero communicates her displeasure, killing the action with her voice.

Sullen looks and wounded pride flash through their eyes before they release their holds. A final push, a dirty look, neither shows any weakness to the other. They each wanted to show that they were only bowing to a force stronger than both of them.

Neither was brave enough to oppose our super hero.

“He started it,” Cory whined.

“Sorry,” Haden murmured in a lower voice.

Spoken close together they both hope to win favor from their enforcer with their plea, a predictable ploy and ineffective in gaining them lenience.

With a grim look and a decisive judgment, our hero controlled the situation. “Split the last of the old cereal, then if you want more we can open the new cereal.”

“Aww, mom.”

Our super hero hits the wall of her true reality.

Doesn’t reality bite?

The Faceless Super Hero

Our story begins with a number of irresistible characters. You’ll learn them as we go along.

First is our faceless super hero. She slaves tirelessly along to right every wrong. Unnoticed but devoted, her gentle unseen hand guides the world through its troubles. Without her, the world as our characters know it would fall into total disrepair.

Unseen by the cast of characters, she has a legion of minions who silently listen to her troubles and offer advice.

“Yes, after two kids and being married for twenty plus years….someone to listen.”

Our super hero is dancing around in her bunny slippers after hearing about this newly acquired skill.

You see, our super hero is utterly bewildered by life, and it's taken her a while to master simple ability. Others drop down on her like a ton of bricks.

Tina

Give me a Holiday.

I'm falling behind, but I also came up with a new idea for my website/blog site.

After talking to several people, the one reason for people to visit a website/blog is to learn more about a particular subject.

But the reason, they go back is because they found something of interest on that site.

So I decide to change up my format to reflect my quirky personal. Some people might say I don't have a sense of humor or that I'm not funny.

Shoot, half the time I'm utterly bewildered by the strange things that occur in my life.

I feel I'm out of touch with the real world, so my blog is a ranting of the strange occurances, thoughts, and ideas which pass through my head.

Welcome to my world,

Tina

To see the lastest posting visit my website.
www.tinagayle.net

Sights around Zorinsky Lake

My husband and I visited this area over the holiday weekend. Thought I would share one of the pictures.

Also notice the name change. Over the next coming weeks, I'll be rolling out a new concept for my blog. Hope you enjoy.

Tina

What do you want on an Author's Website?

I'm always trying to improve my website to reflect more of what the readers and hopefully fans want on my website.

Most authors have a bio, book, and links section on their site. But is that enough?

Lately, I've been trying to come up with a way to make my site more interactive.

Granted, I haven't found the solution, but thought I'd see if anyone had any suggestions.
Please email me and let me know what you'd like to see on my site.

Have an awesome week,





Tina

Lewis and Clark

This summer when I visited North Dakota,I know why would anyone visit North Dakota, I found a number of very interesting things. These statues were in front of the Lewis and Clark center. The museum had a record of their travels and lots of interesting information. After visiting the center, we drove down the road to the village, where a fort had been constructed just like the one Lewis and Clark built.

If your ever in ND, you might want to check it out.

Leave me a comment and tell me where's your favorite place to go is?

Tina

Interesting Things in Small Towns

My husband and I like to travel. I'm always amazed at the interesting things we find in the most unexpected places. These statues were outside a drug store in a small town in Nebraska.

Makes you wonder about the town.

Tell me about some of the interesting places you've visited.

Tina

A New Week

With my boys off at school, I've got a full day of writing ahead of me.

The television is off. The house is quiet. No distractions to keep me from writing pages and pages of my lastest story.

Tell me, why can't I think?

I guess every new phase of our lives takes a while to adjust.

Now, let's see where did I hide those bon-bons?

Have an awesome week,

Tina

Peaches - My Wonder Dog

We all love our pets. It amazing how they can brighten our day and lift our spirits.

Peaches is a twelve year old gray hound/lab mix. We got her from the pound when she was a puppy. I like to call her a cat in a dog's body because she loves to rub up against you.

Not particular brave, she'll bark while standing a good distance from a preditor. The hair on the back will stand up and she looks intimidating.

Just thought I'd tell you a little about my dog.

Add comments and tell me about yours.

Have a great weekend.

Tina

School Starting

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. ~Author unknown, commonly misattributed to Charles Darwin

With all the changes we go through each day of our life, some we take without question or comment while others we struggle to deal with. No matter which
way we handle it life keeps moving forward.

For all the mothers and fathers who are dealing with their child going off to kindergarden, middle school, high school and college. I can sympathize with your struggle.

It's never easy to see our babies leave the nest, but it's wonderful to see them fly.

Love,

Tina

Football Season

It's that time of year again when the grid-iron heats up.

I watched the first game last night, Colts vs. the Redskins. Not a bad game, but I like to watch college more so I'm waiting for the seasonopeners.

Luckily with Olympics starting, I have something to tide me over until the season gets underway.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Love,

Tina

My Blue Spruce

Some of you might remember my beautiful blue spruce I planted in the spring.

Here's a picture of what it currently looks like.

Silly me, I thought it was only because I hadn't water the tree enough.

With some help from a friend, I discovered I have bagworms. Luckily, we believe we caught them in time, and the tree won't die.

Beware of this pesky worm.

Tina

Home Project

This weekend I decided to redo my hall closet.

I bought one of those closet organizers. The instructions were surprisingly simple, and the whole task wasn't as difficult as I'd expected. Measuring, drilling holes, and hammering in a few nails, and the job was done. The worst part was cutting off the shelves with a hack saw.

It did take most of the day, but well worth the time.

I also found out later I'd used the wrong saw, so maybe this is easier than I think.

Have a great day,

Tina

Creative Trash

These sheep can be found in the Frankfurt Museum of Communications and are created by

Jean Luc Cornec. They are made from old telephone parts and cords.

Very interesting,

Tina

What kind of Super Power do you want?

This may sound like a strange question, but have you ever thought about it.

One night while in a restuarant, my son and I were discussing the subject when our waitress came up. I asked her what kind of super power
did she want to have. She picked the ability to stop time.

"Why," I had to ask.

"Then, I could stop class and take a nap. Then when I woke up, I wouldn't have missed a thing."

Sounded like a good reason to me.

Knowing the cosmos, when they handed out super powers, mine will probably be something silly like being able to change the color of a wall.
Not very useful, but I could drive my family crazy with multi-color rooms, and I would also save my husband many hours of painting.

Picture from www.fotosearch.com

Tina

Trying a Different kind of Exercise

After watching the olympic trials over the last few weeks and seeing the wonderful shape all the swimmers were in,
I thought I'd give swimming another try.

Easy, right?

All you do is float along and kick your feet.

Wrong, I hate to get my face wet.

Instead of graceful butterfly stokes, I move across the pool like a long neck turtle with two angry flat fish after me.

A battle of aquatic life in motion.

Have a great day,

Tina

Celebrate the sun

With summer now in full bloom make sure to get out an enjoy the sunny days while they last.

A beautiful weekend behind us, I'm trying to get out and appreciate the weather we're having. With everything else we have going on, sometimes I don't step outside during the day. I look out the window to marvel at the lush green colors, but I have to force myself to stop a minute and go outside.

Remember to take time to enjoy nature. It'll brighten your day and help clear your head.

Top Baby names

1. Jacob / Emily
2. Michael / Isabella
3. Ethan / Emma
4. Joshua / Ava
5. Daniel / Madison
6. Christopher / Sophia
7. Anthony / Olivia
8. William / Abigail
9. Matthew / Hannah
10. Andrew / Elizabeth

I have to admit I used one of the names on the list too. Anybody want to guess what my wonderful baby's name is?

Tina

Family Tree

This past weekend, I was at a place near where my relatives are buried. My father curious to find his uncle grave, took us on a trip down memory lane.

I realize some people don't like graveyards but the history of our families lie in the stone carvings of resting places.

Tina

Gamers

I don't play RPG games but everyone else in my family does. Because of this, I sometime feel like a WOW widow, which I'm sure other wives
and mothers can relate too.

I don't mind them playing the game because it is an escape from the stress of the day, or a place to met friends.
We all have online friends. I have my yahoo groups, they have the RPG friends.

For those of you who play the game check out what type of player you are at GamerDNA

Take the quest test

I took it even though I don't play, kind of fun to see how social you'd be in another world.

Young Heroes

It's hard to face the challenges that we face every day. But when a tornado screams through your camp, I can see myself
huddled behind a tree shaking in my boots.

The boys in the Iowa boy scout camp, stepped up and used every thing they
had learned to not only save themselves but their friends and camp leaders.

Smart and courageous, these boys should be commended for the challenges they faced.

Tina

End the Week with a Riddle

Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday?

Look under comments for the answer.

New Perspective

Last week, I took a vacation from writing. My family and I traveled up to North and South Dakota. We had a wonderful time visiting historical places and seeing amazing landscape.

Even after we came home I refused to do any work. I wanted to give myself a break, but I found I wanted to write, wanted to get back to work. Still I stuck to my guns and didn't write a word. (Other than a to do list.)

Now, this week I'm back at it with renewed energy and excitement.

Here's to taking a break, and don't forget to check out the pictures from my trip.

Tina

New Frontier

Over the last few days, I traveled with my family to North and South Dakota. My husband has now visited all fifty states.

We went to Ft. Abraham Lincoln which is where Lewis and Clark camped and where Custer served before going to Little Big Horn. An interesting
place to visit, we saw Custer's home and got a great view of the Missouri River.

Then we headed to Mount Rushmore and saw the four presidents. An awesome sight, I recommend seeing this place. Not only for the important
historical information, but for the sheer awesomeness of the sculpture.

Check out some of my pictures on the picture page of my website.

Tina

Memorial Day

Time to remember the wonderful men and women in the military.

I am lucky in that I have a number of family members who served in the arm forces during the WWII. Luckily, they all made it home. One uncle landed on the beach of Normandy. Another served in Japan during the reconstruction. Another one helped load the atom bomb which blew up Hiroshima.

But there were also a number of them who never made it out of the states, but they did their part to serve our country.

As you can see, I have some awesome relatives.

Have a great day,

Tina

Celebrating Lifes Events

For weeks now I've been getting ready to celebrate a special event in my son's life.
Excited by the possiblitity of every one seeing our new house, I've been planting flowers, cleaning rooms, and worrying about every detail.

On Saturday, everyone arrived. We had an awesome time visiting and sharing news. Did the flowers in the front yard matter?

No, we would have had just as good a time whether they were there or not.

You could say this is a lesson learn. Don't sweat the small stuff. But I know me, I wanted the house to look the best it could.

So..... if I had to do it again. I'll probably repeat the same journey.

Some of us never learn.

Have an awesome week.


Tina

Enjoying Spring

I am excited to say that after the bad winter we had everything is coming back nicely.

Don't you just love spring.

Have an awesome week.

Tina

A Bunch of Rocks

Thought I would give you a picture of what I spent the weekend doing.

This pile of rocks laid under my deck. These beautiful rocks had to be moved, because I'm getting a new patio poured this week. These amazing items don't appear to weigh much but it can take hours to move them. Luckily, I had help.

Here's to how a small stone can make a big ripple. My muscles can atest to the fact because they're still sore.

Hope you have an awesome week.

Tina

Exciting News

I got my first review for "Baby Decision" from Fallen Angels Reviews.

The story is centered around an eighteen year old, who is unmarried and pregnant, with the tough decision of choosing between College or a baby. I'm thrilled the reviewer liked it.

Check out the link below and see what reviewer Rachel C. has to say.


Fallen Angel Reviews


Hope you have an awesome week.

Tina

The Power Within to be Successful

We all have the power within us to create the life we want.

True or False.

Most people would say False, but the real answer is True.

This came back to me not to long ago. A friend of mine was telling me about the book “The Secret.” She even gave me the DVD to watch. It tells us how we can have whatever we want we just have to believe.

While watching this tape, I thought about another book that I’d read which said basically the same thing. Some of you might have heard of the book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”

Both books take a different approach but they deal with the power within each of us to get the things we want by believing in ourselves.

“Build it and they will come.” Field of Dreams.

Have a great week.

Tina

Pregnant Man

Heard about this story and was fascinated by the conflict.

As an author, I can see the struggle not only within
the person to decide to carry a child after deciding to be a man, but also the conflict of facing the world around him.

Funny thing is if a writer wrote this story. It wouldn't sell. Publisher would say it was unrealistic.

Goes to show us again. Life is stranger than fiction.

Have a great week.

Tina

Also a reminder "Pregnancy Plan goes to Print this Friday."

Looking forward to Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I'm ready to see the green; green grass, green leaves, green clover and I'd love to see lots of green money.

This week, I'm finally getting back to the new book I'm working on. With rewrites on Baby Decision and other projects, I haven't
been able to work on my new book. Now, I'm trying to get back on track.

Also added to the schedule is a new patio for my backyard. Talking to contractors and setting up time can eat away hours of my day, but I'm
really looking forward to being able to spend some time outside.

Yes, the beautiful color of green.

Have a great week,

Tina

Egg-cerpt for Jenny Gilliam

Wedding War by Jenny Gilliam

Blurb:

What happens when a fairytale-believing wedding planner and a jaded hot-rod builder who thinks love is nothing more than a chemical reaction end up on opposite sides of the aisle at the wedding of her best friend and his brother? A wedding war erupts.

Jake Ryan will do just about anything to keep his brother from making the same mistake he made. He’s convinced there won’t be a wedding because he’s out to stop it. Mia Briscoe’s determined this will be the most spectacular wedding she’s ever planned. And when she discovers the groom’s brother is out to break up the happy couple? The battle begins.

Jake and Mia have both suffered deep emotional wounds that prevent them from making lasting connections. And both are baffled by the intense feelings they bring out in each other. Can Mia teach Jake that love is something to cherish and not loathe? And if she can, will he be strong enough to bury his past so they can have a chance at a future together?





Excerpt:

Oh, baby. Come to mama.

Mia Briscoe had never been one for flights of fancy, but the big, bruising man sprawled out in First Class seat 2B made her want to drop to her knees and thank nature for producing such a fine specimen.

If the long, muscular legs clad in soft denim were any indication, he had to be at least two or three inches over six feet. The jeans, worn in all the right places, drew her gaze to what promised to be an impressive package. His black T-shirt hugged thick, sinewy arms roped with muscle and stretched across a pair of well-defined pecs. A ball cap hid his face, but she sensed a firm, square jaw. He stared at a magazine that lay open in his lap, as his long, masculine fingers touched the page.

Mia told herself not to stare, but damn, how could she not when the man’s body was so...mouth watering? She whimpered. She actually whimpered.

She’d never been affected by a man like this before. Not even in high school, when other girls swooned over rock and movie stars. To have this reaction here, on an airplane, of all places seemed...strange. And wonderful.

It took her mind off the fact that the last time she’d boarded an airplane it’d been to sit at the deathbed of the woman who’d raised her after her parents died in a car accident. She’d been thirteen. Aunt Eva took her in, loved her and guided her to make the right choices in life. Eleven months later, her aunt’s absence still felt as raw as an open wound. Don’t think about it.

Mia gathered herself, realizing she stood in the middle of the aisle salivating over a piece of man-candy. She glanced down at the boarding pass in her hand. 2B. Her eyes flickered to the bulkhead.

Wait a minute. Mr. Studly is in my seat!

Wow, she must have managed to repay one hell of a karmic debt, because good fortune shone on her today.

A coiffed and polished flight attendant gave Mia a plastic smile as she passed by. Mia looked back down at Mr. Studly, still engrossed in his magazine.

She cleared her throat.

No response. She tried a more direct approach. "Excuse me. I think you’re in my seat."

He finally glanced up and Mia’s heart all but stopped.

Oh, my.

Blue eyes, as deep as the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, stared up at her, an unreadable expression on his face. Intelligence shone in those gorgeous depths, and his dark brows pulled into a frown as he gave her face and body a slow perusal. Mia felt his gaze as if he’d touched her with those tough, masculine hands. She suppressed a shiver.

She’d been right about that square jaw. At eleven in the morning it showed signs of a heavy beard. His strong chin boasted a faint cleft. She’d always had a weak spot for a man with a strong chin with a faint cleft.

He broke eye contact, returning his attention to his magazine. "I’m not moving."

Huh?

"I beg your pardon?" Mia asked.

"You heard me," he said, in a deep baritone.

"But…you’re in my seat." She thrust her boarding pass under his nose. "See? It says right there. Seat 2B."

"I can read, sweetheart," he said, sending Mia’s blood near boiling point.

Is this guy for real? A hunk of studly man-love he might be, but he had the manners of a garden rock. Wishing he had just kept his mouth shut, she drew up to her full five feet nine inches. "Are you sure about that?" she asked sweetly.

"Lady, I’m not gonna sit here arguing with you all day. You better sit your pretty little ass down or you’re gonna be in for a rude awakening when we take off."

Of all the pigheaded, misogynistic things to say! Mia’s blood pressure skyrocketed as a fine red mist gathered before her eyes.

Mia wasn’t one to stand by while people trampled over her in order to get their way. No, sir. She was no one’s doormat. And it infuriated her that this guy expected her to toe the line simply because he said so.

She planted her feet and propped a fist on her hip. "I’m not going anywhere. You’re the one who should move."

He glanced at her and smirked. Why did the colossal jerk have to be so damn gorgeous? It wasn’t fair.

"Not gonna happen," he drawled.

"The hell it’s not."

One black brow lifted sardonically. "What are you gonna do? Tell on me?"

"You bet your ass I am." Mia spun on her heel and smacked into the Barbie-doll flight attendant she’d seen moments ago.

"Is there a problem?" she asked Mia.

"As a matter of fact, there is. This…this person" —she infused plenty of meaning into the word so there was no mistaking what she thought of squatters, "is in my seat." She shoved the boarding pass at the flight attendant, who stared at it as though Mia handed her a smelly sock. "It’s right there. 2B." She whirled back on the interloper. "He’s in my seat."

While it pleased her enormously to vent her frustration, Mia realized her behavior was a tad childish. True, the man occupying her seat had started this whole mess, but as an adult she should have risen above it. She ran a successful—okay, successful was stretching it—wedding planning business, for crying out loud. She dealt with disasters worse than this on a daily basis.

"Sir?" the flight attendant asked. "May I see your boarding pass?"

He smiled, the act transforming his entire face. Mia wasn’t going to fall for his charming act this time. Uh-uh. No way. However, Airline Barbie was a different story. She looked ready to climb on his lap and take him for a ride. While she perused his boarding pass, he flicked a glance at Mia. And smirked.

Bastard.

"Sir, it does say here you’re in 2A." She seemed disappointed.

He turned that megawatt smile back on Airline Barbie. "It’s just I have this thing about planes," he explained, speaking to the flight attendant as if Mia had ceased to exist. "I have a real hard time flying as it is, so it helps if I sit in the aisle. I thought I was getting an aisle seat, so I just sat here."

"That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard. You are not seriously going to believe him, are you? He’s totally playing you." Mia huffed and folded her arms under her breasts.

Airline Barbie turned on Mia. "Ma’am, you need to calm down right now or I’m going to have you removed from the aircraft."

Mia’s mouth hung open. Outrage sang through her blood, but logic and reason, temporarily out to lunch, decided to make a comeback.

"If he would have said that to begin with, I would have gladly given up my seat." There. She even managed to sound the teensiest bit contrite—though she spoke through clenched teeth. "He can have the stupid seat if he’s afraid of flying. Okay? It’s not that big a deal."

Mia’s temper often landed her in situations such as this. However, had The Jerk explained his fear of flying in a calm and rational manner when she’d first spoken to him, she would have gladly traded seats. But, nooo, he had to be a big ol’ butthead about it.

Really, The Jerk deserved Mia’s ire.

Airline Barbie didn’t look convinced. In fact, she and The Jerk shared a commiserating glance, as if Mia had lost her mind. She knew she fought a losing battle. And the hell of it was, she had to sit next to him for the next five hours.

Her first time in First Class, paid for by her best friend, whose wedding she would be planning for the next two weeks, and it had been ruined by a misogynistic pig who, quite unfairly, resembled a dark, delicious and seriously yummy god.

Well, crap. It appeared her good fortune had turned into a curse.

Egg-cerpt Exchange

Hi everyone,

I'm playing the egg-cerpt exchange on my myspace page with all of my friends.

It's easy, fun, a great way to help your friends and a clever way to promote your book.

Not only will you see some great egg-cerpts on my myspace page but you can also see them on my blogsite page. Click the link above to read a few.

Or check out some of the sites around NE under my picture link.

Have a great week,



Tina

Happy Birthday to my youngest son.

Boy, they grow up so fast.

This weekend we explored a small part of Nebraska.
We drove down some rural roads. Mike, my husband took several pictures of the different things we passed. Check them out under on my picture page.

I've also finished up my edits for Baby Decision. From what I'm hearing, it should be out in the next couple of months. With Pregnancy Plan going to
print in April. I am going to have some busy months ahead of me promoting.

Hope all is going well in your world,

Tina

Egg-cerpt by Debra A. Kemp

Title: The House of Pendragon I: The Firebrand
ISBN: 1-59279-155-7
Author: Debra A. Kemp
Price: $5.25
At Amber Quill Press
www.amberquill.com/Firebrand.html
genre: Historical fiction

Egg-cerpt:
"Oh, he is good," I whispered. I wanted to watch the prince's life drain from him, just as he was draining the spirit from me. My vow to stop rebelling forgotten, I envisioned Prince Modred's blood pooling at my feet.

"What was that, Lin?"

"The bastard is good. A worthy adversary. He knew precisely where to strike. Where it would hurt most. That is why I did not see him today. Oh, for a bard's curse."

"Lin, leave it. You cannot win against him."

"Ah, but I will. Just you watch me, Dafydd. So help me, I shall win." I heaved my bowl across the room towards the palace. Its contents flew in every direction, and people in its path ducked their heads to avoid being hit by the missile. "This is between you and me, prince. Attack me all you want, but leave my brother out of it."

Want to win a free copy of FIREBRAND? Read my blog "A book is a book" and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing I'll hold on March 9, 2008.

Happy reading!
Debra A. Kemp
email: FerchArthur@aol.com
Website: www.telltalepress.com/debrakemp.html
Blog: myspace.com/debrakemp

A Bright Egg-cerpt from Jordana Ryan

Title: No Matter What
ISBN 978-1-934475-04-1
Author Jordana Ryan
Price 6.00 ebook 13.99 print
At Amira press http://www.amirapress.com


Brenden's eyes narrowed, "You were so selfish that you considered yourself above anyone else, even our daughter!"


It felt like a dam had broken within her, all the pent up emotions flowed out of her.


"Yes!" she exploded. She walked away from him, her shoulders shaking.


"You think this was so fucking easy for me Bren. Have you stopped to think that I was seventeen years old and pregnant? I was scared! My God Bren, you told me just before I found out I was pregnant you were going to school and becoming a doctor. All the plans you made, how could I ruin that for you?"


Brenden sank down on the nearby sofa, stunned by her outburst. "Well you see I never did go to school, so I guess you ruined it for me anyway."


"I told you to go on with your life!" She shouted resentfully.


Brenden blinked rapidly as if trying to hold back tears. Several minutes passed before he answered.


"How could I when the woman I loved waltzed right out of it with no explanation? I was heartbroken. All those plans you talk about, they were our plans. When you left, I didn't think beyond a minute at a time, then eventually a day at a time. I followed my father's footsteps, managing the store. It was easy for me, family business, I couldn't fail. That is my life now, I run that damn store better than ever before." His voice was acrimonious.


Bitterly she laughed. No longer caring if she hurt him, her voice oozed sarcasm.
"You think that's my fault? You think things have been so hard for you? I had no one. I had this baby by myself. To survive and put food on the table, I did what I had to do. Was I always responsible NO! But I did what I had to do."


"Cass--"


She cut him off with a gesture. "No Goddamn it, you are going to listen to me. You put me up on a pedestal. You thought I was this perfect woman. No matter how wild I got, you always made excuses for me. You justified every damn thing I ever did."


"I loved you!" He rose and walked towards her.


Cassandra began to speak and faltered, stopping to regain her composure she whispered,"I know you did, but how could I go to you, this person who loved me so much and tell you the one thing that I knew would change everything? I didn't want you by default! That's what it would have been." She hung her head dismally, not wanting him to see the tears clouding her eyes.


Brenden moved closer to Cass, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Cass, I was planning to ask you to marry me the night of prom. In the morning, I had set it up real nice, ring by your plate, the whole nine yards. There was no having me by default. You had me." His voice was tender.


She bit her lip until it throbbed like her pulse. One single teardrop fell down her cheek. When she could, she turned to face him.


"I didn't know that Bren. But I wouldn't have agreed. I was pregnant and determined. Maybe I didn't make the right choices, but they were my choices. I can't go back and undo all the pain I've caused." She dropped to the couch, face in her hands. "Please Bren, don't take Becca from me. I am trying to do the right thing, we can work something out."


His stare made her feel as if she were a mere cockroach. Deserving of it as she was, she was still angry. She glared up at him.


"What? The noble Brenden Carter would have done what was expected of him. Married the poor girl he knocked up because she wasn't responsible enough to take her pills the way she should have. Always perfect, to a fault.


"Cass I am not perfect!" He sighed running his fingers through his hair "I am merely a man, a man who loved you with all his heart."


Tense silence filled the room; Cassandra walked to him and slowly raised her hands, taking his face between her palms."If you loved me, then please don't take my child from me."


She watched his eyes soften slightly and she held her breath as she waited for him to speak.


"Cass, I'm not going to take Becca from you. I will, however, see her as much as I would like."


Cassandra slowly removed her hands from his face the tears flowing freely down her cheeks. A wave of relief washed over her. Brenden continued in a tone that suggested there would be no more argument on the matter.


"I agree for Becca's sake we need to do this right. Neither one of us is in the state of mind to deal with telling a little child something this important. Be ready tomorrow at noon, I'll be picking up you and Becca."


"What? I don't know..." Apprehension filled her as she searched her mind for a protest.


"You've had it your way, now it's my way. You will help me get to know my child, and you will be there to answer any questions she has. I didn't make this mess, you did."


She watched Brenden walk towards the door, and open it with quiet resolve. He turned back and met her eyes."Tomorrow Cass."


Cassandra nodded and he closed the door behind him. She listened as his truck roared to life and then faded into the distance. She walked slowly to the door, and opened it, looking out at the beauty that surrounded this house. She could hear birds chirping, and watched a bunny scurry over to the fountain in the yard.

Watching the bunny run around, she smiled at its innocence. Scampering away, the bunny took off for an unknown fate. Her own fate was just as undetermined; things were now out of her hands. Slowly, she walked towards the stables to find her daughter and Reese. Tomorrow may be a mystery, but she was going to enjoy today with her daughter.

Spicy Egg-cerpt from Anita Philmar

Title: Black Dragon’s Blood
ISBN: 1- 60154 – 232 - 1
Author: Anita Philmar
Price: $4.50
At The Wild Rose Press
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php

Egg-cerpt:
She stood toe to toe with him, aware that his height gave the man a distinct advantage. His close proximity sent tingles of awareness racing over her skin. “But we’re not married.”
“We soon will be.” His hands settled around her waist.
Swallowing the wet need gathering on her tongue, she quickly tried to think of a way to work her way out of the current situation. “I don’t think you understand, William. I don’t want to marry you.”
“You will.”
His arrogant statement hit her in the gut. She had no recourse. The law wouldn’t protect her. After the last war, the government had granted men with dragon slayer ancestors any mate of their choosing, a prize for gaining the country its freedom. If he wanted her as his wife, she couldn’t turn him down. But she might be able to get him to rethink his plans.
“But why would you want to marry me?”


Have a great day of fun-loving sex.

Anita Philmar

www.anitaphilmar.com

www.myspace.com/anitaphilmar

http://anitaphilmar.blogspot.com

Getting Motivated to Exercise

With the beginning of the new year, most of us have the goal to get in shape. My husband and I have been very good about
exercising in the past, but over the last few months with our move, we have gotten out of the habit.

Now, after adding a few pounds, we've both decided we need to get back to the gym. The problem is finding the motivation to get up in the
morning to exercise. We have tried doing it at the end of the day, but being tired, we'll usually opt out if given the chance.

So if you have any clues on how to stay motivated, send me an email.

Happy running, walking or moving.

Tina

Looking forward to Spring

This is the time of year I get impatient for Spring. We've had months of snow and ice. The brown grass is peeking through and a few days a week we even get over 32 degrees. Though all the snow hasn't melted.

The stores are selling tulips and mini roses, tempting me with the blooms. I want to see new buds on the trees and the farmers in the fields plowing.
Spring has to be around the corner. Right?

I'm hoping.

I guess it's a good thing I'm a writer because in my stories I can make the weather whatever I want it to be.

"A crystal clear pond with trim grass along the edges. Sun shining, fish hungry, and a pole in my hand."

Today's paradise.

Have a great week.


Tina

Memorable Valentine’s Day

“Don’t you think we should pull over and let the snow storm pass over us?” It was the third time I’d asked the same question in the past twenty minutes, but my boyfriend just smiled.

“As slow as we’re driving some people might think we’re standing still all ready.” He didn’t look at me, but kept his eyes glued to the winter wonderland in front of us.

How he kept his Pontiac Impala, “the tank”, on the road, I didn’t understand. I couldn’t see the road, just a sea of white.

Being from Texas, I’m used to Valentine’s Day being a cold crisp day with glowing sunshine. No snow, no ice, maybe some rain, but most of the time it’s a beautiful day with love in the air. Hearts and flowers decorate everything.

Did I mention no snow? Or better still never a blizzard?

“How can you see?” I asked, straining to see through the caked-on mud and dirt that covered the windshield. The wipers succeeded in shoving the falling snow off to the side, but the picture in front of us remained a dirty white field of nothingness.

He pressed the button for wiper fluid. Nothing happened.

A large truck traveling in the opposite direction zoomed past us at a break-neck speed of fifteen miles per hour. The window shook. A backlash of muddy water sprayed us with debris from the truck’s wheels. A dark veil fell over the windshield. I couldn’t see anything. My fingers dug into by boyfriend’s thigh.

Did I happen to mention it was cold?

The huge cavernous interior of the car held me prisoner, my only protector, my boyfriend’s calm composure and his steady hands on the wheel. You see, he grew up in the North. This was old hat for him.

“I’m going to pull over. I need to clean the windshield off.” He maneuvered the car to the side of the road. How he even found the side of the road I’ll never know.

My hand caused a few more bruises when the car fishtailed before coming to a stop.

“I’ll be right back.” He opened his car door slowly and left.

Alone, I began to panic. How was he going to clean the windshield off? There wasn’t any water out there. It was all frozen. The wiper fluid was gone.

I watched him out the side window as he picked up snow and threw it at the front window. I jumped when it hit. Did I mention I was terrified?

He wiped the snow over the glass with his gloves. It melted and cleaned the surface. My boyfriend was brilliant, a genius. I knew I loved that man for a reason.

When he walked back around the car and opened his door, he threw his wet gloves in the backseat. I hugged and kissed him, glad that he was back beside me.

He dug in his pocket, pulled out a jewelry box, and handed it to me. I opened it.

“Will you marry me?” he asked.

My hero, my savior, the man that held my life in the palm of his hands, wanted to know if I would be his bride.

What do you think I said?


This marks 22 years since he ask me to marry him. And I'd still give him the same answer I did then. He's an incredible guy.

Tina

Your participating in the game was priceless.

The biggest game of the year. You're the underdog team that no one believes can win.You put your heart on the line and your team wins.

The only disappointing part of the game is no one seems to know your name or your contribution to the win.You played your heart out and just kept coming.

Don't let this get you down. The fans did notice.

Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, Kawika Michell and all the other guys on the defensive line spent the game putting Tom Brady on his butt or knocking downhis passes.

These guys did a fabulous job and deserve a lot credit.

Way to go Giants. Thanks for an awesome game.


Tina

New Adventure

Hi everyone,

This past weekend I had the pleasure of doing my first talk radio program. Author Regan Taylor interviewed me on her new BlogTalkRadio show.

It was incredible easy. All I had to do was dial in, and we were connected.

People could text us messages through the BlogTalkradio website or they could just call in. Couldn't ask for an easier way to get connected to fans.

What's even better is if you weren't available Saturday you can still listen to the show.

Have a great week.

Keep it Going

As you can see, I have my new cover for "Baby Decision" from Amira Press. I will be starting the edits for it in the coming weeks.

I have a lot going on right now. Not only am I working on a new book, but I'm also submiting books I've already written to publishers. And as we all know, the goal of every author is to sell books so promoting is also factoring into the mix.

Sometime the constant demands to keep everything moving can seem overwelming. Yet at the same time, it is an adventure that can't be beat. The thrills of getting a new cover or selling a book takes you through the lows of rejections and multiple edits.

Like in all phases of life, you just have to keep going. The trip to success begins with the steps you take today.

I hope you have a lot of fun on your life's path.

Tina

Let it Brew

All during the holidays, I was wondering about what I wanted to write next. Had several stories I was thinking about but none I was very excited about.

Over the last week or so I started a new book. A woman over forty meets a younger man. Not a new concept, but one as a woman I can relate too because I'm pass those twenty-something years.

I love starting a new book because it always gets me excited about writing.

Also don't forget to vote at The Long and Short Review site for "Pregnancy Plan" for best long ebook of 2007.The link is under the picture of my cover. And while you're at it please sign my guest book.

Hope you have an awesome week.

Tina

Setting Down Goals

With the holidays over, everyone is setting down their goals for this year. I like everyone else have thesame basic goals of eating healthy, losing weight, spending more time with my family. Then I have my career goals.

Promotion looks like it is the top priority, but then if you have nothing to sell, what can you promote. So I'm doing a balancing act between the two. Writing at least two to three books this year and getting my name out there.

Also with the nomination for Best Ebook Romance for 2007from The Long and Short Review, I have been hitting the yahoo groups to garner votes.

Which reminds me, if you haven't voted, please do so. The link is under my cover. (And I hope you vote for me.)

And my last goal, which everyone should do, is to remember to laugh.
Even when you take a tumble on the ice, it might not be fun, but I'm sure my husband got a laugh out of it.

Have a great day full of fun and laughter.

Tina

Ring out the Old Year

This has been an incredible year for me with my writing career taking off. In January, I sold my first book to The Wild Rose Press."Pregnancy Plan" came out in ebook form in October 2007 and will come out in paper back in April 2008.

At the end this year, I sold my second book "Baby Decision" to Amira Press. I also just found out that "Pregnancy Plan" has been nominated for Best Ebook Romance for 2007from The Long and Short Review. I am thrilled to just be nominated, and I'm up against some stiff competition.

I'm looking forward 2008.

Hope you have a great New Year.

Tina

If you want to vote go to

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/poll.htm
Polling is from January 1 to January 31.