Jennifer LaBrecque’s THE BIG HEAT is on shelves and available now!  And it’s  Featuring Cade Stone–Linc’s brother from my November Blaze, FEELING THE HEAT–this book is a must read!  Jen’s trademark humor, skillful characterization and witty dialogue make this story shine.  And Cade…  (’scuse me, I need a moment) 

Ahem.

Cade is one helluva hero.  Strong, tough and unapologetically male.  Need I say more?

Be sure and check out the Soapbox Queens on Monday when we’ll be doing an Official Book Launch for this release.  Lotsa fun and lotsa free books, Soapbox Queens style, so you know it’s going to be fun.

A new corncob to chew on.  Doesn’t take much to make my big ole furry baby happy, does it?

What’s the craziest thing your pet has ever played with?

Pants are too tight and we’re only halfway through the holiday season.  Methinks I’m screwed.

PS–We’re decorating the castle today over at the Soapbox Queens!  Pop in and hang an ornament!

The tree is up and trimmed.  Presents are wrapped, but I haven’t put the bows on them yet because the dog likes to drag them off and eat them.  What about you?  Have you decorated your tree?  If so, what colors? 

(And note to self–buy new blinds. )

In order to spend less time in the kitchen and more time working, I’ve been trying to scale back a bit in the cooking department.  Not to say that I’m not cooking–I am.  But I don’t have to fix a meat, three veggies, a salad and dessert EVERY night in order to properly feed my family.  The dh and I have discussed this and he agrees.

Our children, however, don’t. 

Particularly my daugther who recently informed me–after I’d had the nerve to fix something that wasn’t her absolute favorite–that when she had her own family she’d be fixing them individual meals so that everyone always had something they liked.

Alrighty then.

I’ve written it down and saved it in her keepsake box.  Needless to say, the first time she complains about an ungrateful child showing up at her dinner table, I’ll be pulling that little jewel out and sharing it with her. 

I’m done.

Oh, sweet mercy.  I don’t know about the rest of you, but I ate WAY too much. 

Turkey?  Check.

Dressing?  Check.

Casseroles?  Check.

Bread?  Check.

Dessert?  Check.  Check.  Check.

It’s a good thing I’m going to work some of this off today by putting up my Christmas tree.    (Picture to come later!)

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Holiday.  I am very, very thankful for each and every one of you.  *fans face*  Thank you for reading my books, being my friends–real and online–and taking a few moments of your day to come and hang out with me. 

I am truly blessed.

I cannot whine today. 

Today, I have in my possession, a BABY!  Squee!

My sister, bless her heart, has had to return to work and so I get to keep her darling daughter one day a week.  Ordinarily my mother would have her on Wednesday, but since this is the day before Thanksgiving and Mom is making lots and lots of food for the family to enjoy, and I am only bringing a few casseroles–Squash, Brocolli and Corn, to be specific–I’m keeping Maddie.  (And Karley, her older sister.  And my kids are home today from school as well, so it’s hopping here in my little house.) 

I’m going to let the kids make cookies and I’m going to hold the baby.  All day.  Because she is sweet and wonderful and smells like baby lotion.

I’m in a bit of a quandry here at Casa de Rhonda.

My living room furniture is about 7 years old and still looks nice, IMO.  It was relatively expensive stuff–at least to me–and it’s held up well despite the fact that my children and husband have wrestled and wallowed on it since the moment it was delivered into our house.  It took me WEEKS to pick out the sofa.  Sofas are important.  They have to be big and roomy.  They’ve got to be aesthetically pleasing, the right shape, size and proportion to your living area.  And color choices.  Egads, it was a nightmare.  I almost never found a sofa I was totally happy with. 

And until recently, it hadn’t occured to me not to be happy with it anymore.

Back in August, during my daughter’s birthday party, one of her little friends came inside, looked into our living room and said, “Wow, ya’ll have still got the same furniture.  How sweet.”

She’s twelve.  I overlooked her.

But then last week a good friend of mine stopped by–the one who’d been with me when I bought the couch and had been on the endless search with me–and said “Goodness, I can’t believe you’ve still got this sofa.  It’s held up well, hasn’t it?”

  It *has* held up well.  It’s a *nice* sofa.  But is there some unwritten rule about how long you are supposed to keep living room furniture?  Has my time limit expired, even it’s still pretty and in good shape and I love it?  How often are you supposed to replace a sofa anyway?  Help!  I need to know these things!

We’re talking about cuddle habits over at the Soapbox Queens today.  Pop on over and tell us if you like to spoon, or if you’d like to kick your significant other out of the bed. 

I may write romance, but I think my answer will surprise you.