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.

Well, Gentle Readers, I’m headed off to meet Jen and Vicki!

We will work.  We’ll plot, plan, hash through character problems, mull over the state of the business.  And we’ll eat.  And we’ll laugh.  Then eat more.  And laugh more.

I. Can’t. Wait.

See you Monday!  (With pictures!)

Have I mentioned that reader mail warms my heart and makes bubbles of happiness burst in my chest?  If not, it does.  I’ve already started getting letters about FEELING THE HEAT–which technically is a November release, but is already on the shelves here at my Wal-Mart–and I’m tickled pink that readers are enjoying the story.  I had so much fun creating that hero and heroine, and setting the book in moody Memphis made it all the more enjoyable.  (I happen to love Memphis.) 

Anyway, this morning, I would just like to take a little moment and thank all of you for reading my books, and hanging out with me daily, here and at the Soapbox Queens.  You all are THE best!

I’m not ready for Monday. 

Over the weekend, my daughter and I planted our fall flowers.  I’ve watched a couple of movies–THE GAMEPLAN and BECOMING JANE.  (Took the kids to the former–very funny and I wasn’t sure what to expect–and myself to the latter.  Loved it.  Very good movie and it was much preferrable to the football mania going on at home. 

Me and the dh went shopping for some new clothes for him.  His twenty year high school reunion is coming up this weekend and he wanted some new duds.  Since he’s gained around sixty pounds in the last few years and FINALLY outweighs me–woot!–I got to say, “Pleats aren’t your friend anymore” while he was trying on pants and got an evil little thrill.  Yes, I know I’m bad.  (And he needed to gain the weight.  When we married he wore 28/34’s–and could wear a pair of SWEATS underneath.  Life is not fair, ya’ll.  Seriously.  Yes, he finally outweighs me, but I still feel like Jack Spratt and his wife.)

In addition to all this fun, I finished Susan Carroll’s THE HUNTRESS and loved it.  Right now I’m reading THE RAVEN PRINCE by Elizabeth Hoyt and it’s wonderful.  Very different, which is heartily refreshing.

Today, I start on the revisions for the book I just turned in and the daughter is hacking in the living room as I type this, so I’ll be tending to a sick child as well.  But after all of the relaxing activity over the weekend, I am undaunted. 

Last week I bought myself an “I Love Me” present.  I don’t do this very often, just when Vera Bradley debuts new styles in the spring and fall.  I really wanted the Bucket Tote in Mod Pink, but since the store didn’t have it, I settled for the Bucket Tote in Mod Blue.  (Instant gratification, ya’ll.  I couldn’t help myself.)  Anyway, here it is…

It even matches my site.  How perfect is that? 

So, what was your latest “I Love Me” purchase?  (And if you haven’t made one, then tell us about it

here and I’ll be happy to corrupt you.  )

…Mangled Lyrics at the Soapbox Queens today.  Come on over and share the songs you’ve mutilated.  

I’m sharing a few.

Meet Maddie! Isn’t she just the most darling little thing??? Needless to say, my entire family is overjoyed at her arrival. My sister is doing well and my brother-in-law is absolutely over the moon. Their oldest child and the proud Big Sister has been in awe all day. It’s so sweet. My kids have been especially fun to watch, particularly my cool fourteen-year-old son who cuddled her close and sniffed her little head, then gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek.

Only fly in the ointment?

“Momma, why can’t you have another baby?”

Oy. “My baby factory is closed for business.”

“But–”

“No.”

**On Friday I’m guest blogging at Heidi Betts cool web home. Be sure and click over and check it out!**

Today my sister will deliver my new neice by scheduled C-section!
How can I possibly whine? At some point today I’m going to get to hold a whole new bundle of joy and smell youth and baby lotion and watch my kids go bonkers over this newest edition to our family. Maddie will be the first baby born into our family in almost ten years (and with my brother still saying that he’s never going to have any children, then she’s probably going to be our last.)

I’ll post pictures as soon as I’m able!

This morning my kids were arguing over who was going to get to hold their new cousin first–when she arrives, which could be any day now–and here’s how I decided to handle the solution.  Both kids have guessed the baby’s birth weight and whoever is closer to the actual weight wins the honor.

“I think the baby is going to weigh 7 pounds 4 ounces because Aunt Brooke is HUGE,” my daughter says. (Lessons in tact are clearly in order.)

“I’m guessing 6 pounds 2 ounces,” says my son.  “She’s not that big.  She’s pregnant, idiot.  She’s supposed to be big.”  (I just love how they call eachother names.  It warms a mother’s heart, I can tell you.) ”And if you go over, then you lose.”

“That’s not how we’re playing.  It’s whoever is closer, remember?”

Son puffs up and shoots me a look in which I know my intellect is being called into question.  “Well, that’s not how they do it on The Price is Right.  If you go over, then you LOSE.”

Alrighty then.  That’s good to know.

Last night as I was making my nest in bed, it occurred to me that my pillows–all four of them–had to be just right for me to go to sleep.    I need two under my head, one between my knees and one to hug.  I only keep four pillows on the bed so you can guess how many that leaves my dh with.   (There’s an extra on a settee that he uses, before you all decide I am a pillow hog.  Which I am, but there’s no need for name-callin’.)  Anyway, this got me to thinking about other people’s pillow habits.  For instance, Kira Sinclair lugged her fluffy purple pillow all the way to Scotland.  The last time me, Jen and Vicki got togehter, Jen brought her pillow as well.

Hmmm.  I sensing a pattern here.  Clearly I am not the only one with pillow issues.  So…what about ya’ll?  Any pillow preferences?  Inquiring minds….  

(And it’s Free Book Friday over at the Soapbox Queens!)