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.  

Poop time.  It can take HOURS.  I scream.  I cuss.  I count.  I rail.  I badger.  I chase.  I threaten.

Then, miracle of miracles, when he FINALLY goes, I praise his little fluffy ass to the skies and give him a treat.  I’ve been doing this for years–you’d think he’d catch on.

This past week there’s been a red-tailed hawk sitting on the powerlines close to my house.  I haven’t been able to get a clear picture of him with my camera–he takes off as soon as I get into close enough range–but I have to admit I’ve been utterly fascinated by him.  Until this past week, I’d never seen one before.  I mentioned the hawk to Jen and she told me that, in totem speak, the hawk was supposed to be a messenger.  If that’s the case, all I can say is that I hope he’s bringing some good news.   

For the past couple of days, I have been in a terrible mood and I don’t know why.  I just came off a wonderful weekend with a couple of my very best friends.  My house was clean when I got home.  The book I’m working on is cooperating.  In the grand scheme of things, all is well with my world.

So…what’s my problem?  Why am I in this funk?  Better still, does this ever happen to you?  Do you ever have unexplained bitchiness?  If so, please tell me.  I’d like to feel better. (And misery loves company, right? )

Food!  We’re talking about retreat food over at the Soapbox Queens!  Click on over!

1.) If you aren’t a wine drinker, even one named Novella doesn’t taste good.  (And since we were plotting a novella, I thought for sure it would be different.)

2.) Nothing smells better than a crackling fire, bread baking and the scent of this candle, even when the smoke alarm is going off.

3.) Vicki is the fire master.  She can coax a beautiful flame from a single dying coal.

4.) Jen is a thoughtful hostess, always offering to make tea, bring a drink, provide a snack, etc…  She also never sleeps and has the best laugh of anyone I have ever heard.

5.) Staying in pajamas all day is perfectly acceptable behavior, particularly when you’re with friends who are disinclined to change as well.  I don’t think I ever even brushed my hair on Saturday.  Teeth?  Yes.  Hair.  I don’t think so.

6.) Being with people who “get” you is a beautiful thing. 

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!)