Was it the new Vacuum???

Must be! Clearing the dust from my new digs seems to have led to clearing the cobwebs for writing as well! Believe it or not, I managed to revise the last Chapters and epilogue for our Madelaine...which means draft #3 is FINISHED!!

Its been sent off to Pamela and once the last few chapters are printed, she will hand them over to Peter for his critique...and then we can start on the 4th (& final???) draft...which means the hard part will only just be starting!

As for the vacuum? It seems to work really well, although I'm still skirting around a few remaining boxes. What I wouldn't give for an extra closet to just stack them in until I get the energy required to sort through them.

However, Ms Blance will be glad to know I have purchased a good quality - queen size - air mattress which will be put to use when we can arrange for a weekend of writing in "Manhattan".... My goal is to clear enough floor space now to actually use it, LOL!

Its been a very mild day, lots of rain - even thunder! - and quite foggy. If I had my way that would be the end of winter and we could just coast into spring. But I fear I don't have that much pull, so guess the weather will be what it will.

Hard to believe 2009 is just days away!

Cheers!

Liz

Jamie Tremain is back!

Welcome back Liz. This has been a time of change and the last few months have been trying for both of us. Change is inevitable , some good and some bad but we have both weathered the storm. Liz informed me she is back revising this morning, in between wrestling her new vacuum cleaner. What excitement!!!! Don't know how she can stand it.

Peter is anxiously waiting on the final chapters to edit and I will have to use the old grey cells, as Monsieur Poirot would say.I have been in neutral for a few months. Only half of my short storyis finished but I will use it again. It will be fun to get back to our routine once again and have a big editing w/e before we send the book out.

As soon as Madelaine is on it's way we have to finish Body Perfect and we can't wait. I would like a new look for the blog and have you posting your comments. We will keep it more on the writing and less on the personal side. I received a new Peter Robinson book for Christmas. It's tempting to sit down and read today as he writes the way I would like to but as my partner is back revising I had better get the lead out and do my bit.

On the personal side that I said we would be forgoing.... Ryan , our Christmas angel came home on Tuesday under 4 lbs but has now surpassed that mighty weight. He is just so perfect a baby and the family are all doing well. The other four G-sons are well and happy and Santa was very good to them. What more can you ask for.

I will blog again before the New Year and let you know where we are in our plans to be published Authors. This will be in bold script for a while until I get a cataract replaced.

Drive safe wherever you are and talk soon.

Pam

A Quick P.S.

Happy Boxing Day!

For the very first time I actually went to a large department store on Boxing Day...however not an experience I'd be in a rush to repeat!

Hope your Christmas has been peaceful and healthy.

As promised I've uploaded a more recent photo of Pam and myself taken earlier this month.

My plan is to work on Madelaine tomorrow.. yes Pam, you heard right! As long as the day brings no unexpected interruptions, I plan to be here at my desk, revising. We'll see how that works.

Cheers!
Liz

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to All

Well its nearly upon us once again – Christmas! I always find this time of year to be a time of reflection and remembering. A time to be thankful for abundant blessings and to be more aware of those who are struggling.

Growing up as a child I recall that my father became very melancholy at Christmas time and with a child’s eyes couldn’t understand the sadness, and at times anger, he displayed. Now with the passing of time I begin to see. As adults we too often have lost the innocence of those childhood Christmases, and if they were happy, joyful times with family and traditions, the passing years make us aware that we can never really re-create those times. Over time we lose family members and friends and only have memories to draw upon at times. If we are truly blessed and fortunate, we have created our own traditions with our own family and friends. So while we will always have the past as part of us, we do live in the present and need to make the most of it.

Pam is enjoying a much needed and well deserved small break before Christmas. I wish her and her family all the Best for a Merry Christmas, and for both of us I wish us a great year in 2009 – where we will see “Madelaine” being discovered and much sought after! Hey…if you don’t dream big how do you know it won’t happen?

Mark Twain once said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

We are both anxious to get back in the writing mode and I’m doing my best to get organized so that we can finish up the final draft.

A new photo will be here soon, recently taken at our Christmas lunch held last week at work. We are practicing for book jacket photos don't you know? :-)

So from both Pam and I – Merry Christmas and Slainte (meaning Health or Cheers from Pam’s Scottish background).

Cheers and be safe this Christmas Season!

Liz

Congratulation's Liz!

Liz is back but not up and running yet with the books. The first day back at work she was given a promotion. I wonder if I took some time off that would happen to me?? Liz received a well deserved kick upstairs to the sixth floor and is now training her replacement and learning her new job and still emptying boxes. I am sure she will be settled soon and knowing the way Liz works, she will have Mastered the new job in no time. Congratulations Liz. I will miss you but you will not miss me asking you a million questions all day regarding the computer.

Saw my Christmas Angel Ryan today. I held him in my arms for about an hour while he made funny faces and slept. Just beautiful. Everything in miniature . No eyebrows or lashes, long fingers and the cutest little button nose that is so tiny. Oh I could go on all day about him. He has gained about 5 ozs so he is now 3lb 9ozs. I wanted to dress him but of course they would have to be sized for a doll.

Weather miserable and rainy and cold and windy. I should hit the stores for some shopping but may wait until next w/e. Last minute person I am.

Sorry, nothing to report on the writing front but the New Year is not far off and we can get going again.

Talk soon.
Pam

Of Tissue and Boxes

And no, its not Christmas presents! Boxes and tissue packing everywhere has been my scenery for the past few days, and while I can see emptied cartons now flattened and awaiting pick up by my daughter for her upcoming move, progress at making order out of chaos seems very slow indeed!

The purchase of a small pantry unit and microve stand will help with kitchen organizing - I hope! I have one last day free from the usual desk job and so must make this one worthwhile. Not one room is yet completely set up which is discouraging. Although yesterday's crowning triumph was to finally hang a curtain rod in the bedroom and remove the taped cardboard - it also meant the window could be opened! Hallelujah - fresh air at last!! I'm a fiend for having a bedroom window open in all weather, with a fan bringing the fresh air in even quicker! The first few nights were sweltering as there is little heat control in this apartment - its either on or off. And when its on it reaches nearly 80 degrees, which is about 10 more than I am comfortable with. So I won't even tell you about the laundry room, where I spent a few hours yesterday! I think the heat is part of the reason I'm lagging in getting organized (well its a good excuse anyway!).

Howerver, I'm very grateful that the computer is up and running, and miracle of miracles, when the internet connection was turned on, it actually worked! Not that I ever had any doubt, LOL!!

Pam has been holding down the fort at work I believe and while I'll be glad to see her and a handful of other friends there when I return tomorrow, its not a place I find much enjoyment in any more. So as the appeal of working drops, the desire to continue writing as a means to escape must increase!

Well there, decision made...I think I shall tackle this new writing room of mine and see if I can get some of the boxes cleared away and unpack my writing notes and manuscripts and get some motivation going!

And as Pam mentioned in her post, the economy is becoming a big worry to so many, so perhaps I should not grumble quite so much about my job, it may not be the best, but the pay is adequate and if I keep in line and stick to the rules, I should be OK. My daughter in law has been laid off from her job in the automotive industry, which will have an impact on her young family, and my other daughter in law's postion as a newly hired nurse may be in jeopardy as well. So this Christmas should be more about family time and not excess, although NOT spending harms the economy as well. It truly is a ripple effect, but balance is needed.

Anyway, for me I'm glad to be "back" and will next send an update when I've got Madelaine open and revising underway.

Wherever you are today, and whatever you find yourself doing, take a moment to count your blessings - and if you have a way to help improve another's situation, don't miss the opportunity.

Cheers!
Liz

Eighteen more days to Christmas!

Only eighteen more days to Christmas day. Seventeen more days to shop. That is, for those with a Christian persuasion. Everything seems very subdued this year and with good reason. Debt and job losses , the housing market falling rapidly and the car business a disaster. At the Mall yesterday, a Saturday, there was only one lonely little girl, all dressed up in her prettiest party dress to see Santa and have her picture taken. If the kids don't come out soon they will be laying off Santa and where will we be then.
I have decided , come next payday that I will have to keep the economy afloat and do my usual spending. At the sales of course of which there are many. But the down side to that, is that once stores get rid of all their inventory at very reduced prices, staff will be laid off and they head for bankruptcy, Bankruptcies are everywhere and favourite stores are no longer there.

Now that Peter and I have five beautiful grandsons in ages from 13 to 1 week old we will take pleasure in finding gifts for them to open on Christmas morning. If there is money left over then
the others will get a token to celebrate the season.

Unfortunately baby Ryan will not be home for Christmas but maybe soon after. I saw him yesterday and he is our Christmas Angel. So tiny but fiesty. he was moving around lots and I think he uses up all his energy.

I have not heard from Liz so maybe she has not hooked up her Internet yet. I hope the move went smoothly for her. It was a cold day but it stayed dry. Hurry back Liz as we have a book to finish. As if she is thinking about it at this time!

It is a bright and sunny day today but very cold. Not that I am venturing outside as I have oodles of housework to catch up on and put out the few decorations we still have. Some people do not like Sundays but I love them as I can potter to my hearts content. Something I do very well.

As this is the new age perhaps I will send an email Christmas card to everyone. I remember getting one about ten years ago and was disgusted by it. I railed against someone not taking the time to write to me personally but times change
So the question is....Christmas Cards or email? Hope to hear from some of you. Remember its what you say not how it is delivered.

Talk soon and Liz will be back in good form to finalize Madelaine.

Pam

PS.This quote I heard recently we could all live by.
"More loving,less spending"

My wee man

I could not let this opportunity go by without telling you all about my latest grandson. Born early, so he is a teeny wee thing weighing in at 3 lbs 4ozs. I was priviledged to be at his birth and I am in awe every time. Ryan Erik is breathing on his own and it won't be long before he starts to put on the pounds. Hope he is home for Christmas. and Ryan makes five grandsons!!! beautiful every one.

As you have ascertained the writing is at a standstill until Liz moves this w/e. As soon as she has her computer hooked up it will be nag, nag, nag. I know she is just as anxious as I am to finish things off and get going again.

I could talk about the state of the economy or our illustrious politicians that don't appear to know which way to turn after they were just elected,but I won't. I think Christmas will be a much quieter and hopefully more meaningful time for many, as families spend time together and not go overboard with the spending.

At work I am busy setting up boxes to collect food for the Food Drive as many are in need. We usually sponsor a family in our department but have decided to collect for Interm Place that gives help to women and children who have just come from home situations that are volatile.
There are always somebody much worse off than we are. Hope it helps someone get back on their feet again.

Weather -5 tonight so I am glad to be home. Send your thoughts to Liz as she makes the move to her new apartment. I wish her well and look forward to having our firt writers w/e in her new office.
I will update you on the wee man now and then.

Pam