Melissa's Diary

Monday, July 06, 2009

Mills and Boon Website

After trying to register at the revamped Mills & Boon website a couple months ago, I finally managed to get on last week, and I immediately went to the new community section to find the forum for the blindatebrides.com trilogy. I'd been here before during one of my failed log in attempts, but must have only scanned the page otherwise I think I would have noticed what was written in the community home page's highlighted thread box:
Blinddatebrides.com
Hot off the press ... news of Jennie Adams and Fiona Harper's new 3 book series.

My first thought was "Huh?" My next thought was "Hmmm, I wonder if this is payback for never sending in my author info for the website." My final thought before clicking through to the thread was "Oh, well, at least they mentioned it was a 3 book series." I just had to laugh.

After I posted a comment on the thread, I explored the website a little and recommend you do the same if you're a fan of category romance. I didn't have a lot of time that first day, but went back a few days later. I'm glad I did.

My biggest discovery was a great review of Dream Date with the Millionaire there. Check it out here! I usually only get reviewed in RT so reading this really made my day.

I also found a whole bunch of free on-line reads. You can scroll down the list here. Husband Material, the online read I originally wrote for eharlequin a few years ago is there, too, if you haven't read it yet. They also list upcoming and current releases in their bookstore with excerpts you can read.

I mentioned above not sending in my author info so if you happen to look for my name in the author list it isn't there, and it's 100% my fault. I lost the paperwork they sent me and think I deleted the second set they emailed me because I can't find that on my computer, either. One of these days, I'll get around to cleaning my office and organizing my writing things (i.e. contracts, royalty statements, edited manuscripts, other paperwork and foreign translations) into one place, and I'll find the forms so I can get added to the list of Mills & Boon authors. Until then, I hope my books will be enough, because really it's about them not me.

Have a great Monday!

Labels: ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 50

Halfway there!!!!

Today do:

50 walking lunges or 50 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 50 arm circles
Sarita: 50 sit ups and 50 arm circles
Melissa: 50 sit ups, 50 arm circles
Dru: 50 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Pretty much sums it up...

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I made it to 8:00 am Mass thanks to Chaos waking me up, but that's about all I've managed to do today. I didn't get to sleep until after 2 am last night and it's been so hot in the house, today's been going from one nap to the next!

Hope you're having a good day. It's cooling off now and I'm not so tired so I'm finally hoping to write more now.

Labels: , ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 49

Today do:

49 walking lunges or 49 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 49 arm circles
Sarita: 49 sit ups and 49 arm circles
Melissa: 49 sit ups, 49 arm circles
Dru: 49 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Happy Fourth of July!



Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Independence Day!

Love,
Melissa

Labels: , ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 48

Today do:

48 walking lunges or 48 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 48 arm circles
Sarita: 48 sit ups and 48 arm circles
Melissa: 48 sit ups, 48 arm circles
Dru: 48 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Friday, July 03, 2009

Random Friday

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

The one thing I love about using public restrooms...privacy. At home someone (kidlet, cat, dog) always wants to be in there with me. Sometimes more than one. If I shut the door, watch out. That can result in tears, meowing, scratching and barks. It's nice to be loved, but is a few minutes alone in the bathroom too much to ask?

Yesterday, Chaos turned 4! I took some time off to take her on a birthday walk. It was so hot we didn't go far because I didn't want her to get overheated, but she enjoyed it. Tonight she's remained plastered at my side due to all the fireworks being shot off. She really doesn't like them.

The writing marathon continues. I'm making progress. Yay! But I still have a ways to go. Boo!

Not sure what's going on with my thumb. I've done the exercises to regain mobility and that's going well. Unfortunately, it's hurting and by the end of the day more swollen than when I wake up. I'll probably call the doc tomorrow because I really don't know if that's normal or not.

What's random in your life today?

Labels: , , , ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 47

Today do:

47 walking lunges or 47 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 47 arm circles
Sarita: 47 sit ups and 46 arm circles
Melissa: 47 sit ups, 46 arm circles
Dru: 47 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Thursday, July 02, 2009

More writing

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I smiled when I saw this LOLcat. So cute! There are times, like this morning, when lying down on the floor and going back to sleep would feel so good.

I continue to wake up at the most insane hours with no alarm clock needed. Yesterday it was before 5 am. Today I managed to sleep in until 5:15 am. This is so not me!

Anyway, I get up and walk two or so steps to my chair and computer. A good thing it's not a huge distance or I might end up like the LOLcat above. Of course, being so close to the bed means I'm not burning a lot of calories right now since I'm not getting out of my bedroom much these days so a diet and extra exercise will be forthcoming, but the location sure is convenient when it's bedtime!

Better get to work! Hope you're having a fun day!

Labels: ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 46

Today do:

46 walking lunges or 46 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 46 arm circles
Sarita: 46 sit ups and 46 arm circles
Melissa: 46 sit ups, 46 arm circles
Dru: 46 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Something to Ponder...



My critique partner, Virginia Kantra, sent me a link to this YouTube clip after reading a chapter of mine. Do you think she's trying to tell me something about my hero?

Labels: ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 45

Today do:

45 walking lunges or 45 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 45 arm circles
Sarita: 45 sit ups and 45 arm circles
Melissa: 45 sit ups, 45 arm circles
Dru: 45 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Ick!

funny pictures of dogs with captions
see more dog and puppy pictures

I wish Chaos had gotten into mud! Instead, she decided to poke her head around the grill last night. After hubby had roasted chicken on the BBQ. One side of her head is covered in chicken fat. It's so disgusting. I tried washing it, but she she still smells. I'm going to have to take her to one of those dog wash places or a groomers given I have a cast on one hand. Though I see the specialist today. Maybe he'll say I don't need a cast any longer! Fingers crossed!!!!

Labels: ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 44

Today do:

44 walking lunges or 44 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 44 arm circles
Sarita: 44 sit ups and 44 arm circles
Melissa: 44 sit ups, 44 arm circles
Dru: 44 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Monday, June 29, 2009

Internal Alarm Clocks

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I keep waking up earlier and earlier. No alarm clock (or alarm dog or cat) needed. Today it was 5:30 am. That's completely unheard of for me. The approaching deadline must be short-circuiting my normal inclination to sleep in.

I've never, ever been a morning person, but I'll take whatever extra writing time I can fine!

What time did you wake up today?

Labels: , ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 42 and 43

Today do:

41 walking lunges or 41 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 43 arm circles
Sarita: 43 sit ups and 43 arm circles
Melissa: 43 sit ups, 43 arm circles
Dru: 43 arm circles

Yesterday you should have done:

42 walking lunges or 42 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 42 arm circles
Sarita: 42 sit ups and 42 arm circles
Melissa: 42 sit ups, 42 arm circles
Dru: 42 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Weekend Plans

funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

This weekend will be all about writing. I'll run to Mass and the grocery store at some point, but that's about it. My hand has been hurting. Not what I need right now. The cast wasn't put on as carefully as the first one so I have some fiberglass/skin contact, too. A wee bit uncomfortable at times.

What are you doing?

Labels:

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 41

Today do:

41 walking lunges or 41 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 41 arm circles
Sarita: 41 sit ups and 41 arm circles
Melissa: 41 sit ups, 41 arm circles
Dru: 41 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Friday, June 26, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 40

Today do:

40 walking lunges or 40 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 40 arm circles
Sarita: 40 sit ups and 40 arm circles
Melissa: 40 sit ups, 40 arm circles
Dru: 35 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 39

Today do:

39 walking lunges or 39 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 39 arm circles
Sarita: 39 sit ups and 39 arm circles
Melissa: 39 sit ups, 39 arm circles
Dru: 39 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

See this...

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

It is so me right now!!!!

Have a great day!

Labels:

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 38

Today do:

38 walking lunges or 38 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 38 arm circles
Sarita: 38 sit ups and 38 arm circles
Melissa: 38 sit ups, 38 arm circles
Dru: 38 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Off-line

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Kitteh might be on-line, but my productivity greatly increases when I'm not on-line so I'm limiting my Internet time for a couple of days because I have so much to do. I've preloaded the Crossfit challenge and will try to get blogs up if I reach my writing goals. I've just been stressing out, even with an extension, and need to get caught up on writing and life.

Hope you're having fun wherever you may be!

Labels: ,

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Inspiration

Last week, I met Amy at Noah's Bagels, which was halfway between our houses. It was great to see her and catch up. She excused herself to the rest room. Right then, a new song started playing from the overhead speakers. I listened to the lyrics a little, reached for the printed out scene that was in my purse and started scribbling a new scene on the back.

The song prompted a complete change in an important plot point. It was so clear to me what I needed to do now I wondered why I'd written it another way first.

Anyway, I now have another song to add to my book's soundtrack. Here it is:

Labels: ,

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 37

Today do:

37 walking lunges or 37 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 37 arm circles
Sarita: 37 sit ups and 37 arm circles
Melissa: 37 sit ups, 37 arm circles
Dru: 37 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels:

Monday, June 22, 2009

100 Things

I got this from Marianne.

The instructions: Just copy the list of 100 accomplishments, highlight the ones you've achieved in bold, and elaborate as desired.

001. Started my own blog.

002. Slept under the stars. Many times, but I remember once in Arizona when I was camping with a co-worker and a four-footed something paid us a visit and was walking on the bottom of my sleeping bag while I tried not to shriek or move.

003. Played in a band. Clarinet. I started in 5th grade and continued through college.

004. Visited Hawaii. First time was for Spring Break my sophomore year of college. Other times were when I worked for United Airlines since it was so cheap to get over there.

005. Watched a meteor shower.

006. Given more than I can afford to charity.

007. Been to DisneyWorld/Land. Disneyland more times than I can count.

008. Climbed a mountain. Not yet, but I hope to do this one of these days!

009. Held a praying mantis.

010. Sung a solo. I had to sing alone when I tried out for honors choir if that counts.

011. Bungee jumped.

012. Visited Paris. I backpacked around Europe after I graduated college.

013. Watched lightning at sea. On a cruise ship.

014. Taught myself an art from scratch. Wood burning.

015. Adopted a child.

016. Had food poisoning. And that's why I rarely eat Chinese food anymore.

017. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

018. Grown my own vegetables.

019. Seen the Mona Lisa in France. See above for backpacking trip. It was smaller than I imagined.

020. Slept on an overnight train. See above for backpacking trip. I remember overnight trains from Paris to Cannes, Nice to Rome, Rome to Interlaken.

021. Had a pillow fight.

022. Hitchhiked.

023. Taken a sick day when you're not ill.

024. Built a snow fort.

025. Held a lamb. I fed a lamb when I was little and took some for myself. My mom was sure I would die drinking from the same bottle as it.

026. Gone skinny dipping. Last time was in Puerto Rico.

027. Run a marathon.

028. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.

029. Seen a total eclipse.

030. Watched a sunrise or a sunset.

031. Hit a home run.

032. Been on a cruise. A cruise in the Galapagos Islands and on the QE2 out of Southampton

033. Seen Niagara Falls in person.

034. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors.

035. Seen an Amish community.

036. Taught myself a new language. I'm learning Latin.

037. Had enough money to be satisfied. At times.

038. Had a tatoo removed.

039. Spit off a bridge.

040. Seen Michelangelo's David. It's gorgeous.

041. Sung karaoke. Other's wish I hadn't.

042. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt. I've been to Yellowstone twice.

043. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.

044. Visited Africa.

045. Walked on a beach by moonlight. We went to Antigua and Grenada for our Honeymoon.

046. Been transported in an ambulance. Did the for the first time on Memorial day.

047. Had my portrait painted.

048. Gone deep sea fishing.

049. Been to the Sistine Chapel in person.

050. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I think it was closed when we were there, but not sure which tells me that's probably a no. I'm going to have to ask my friend Deb.

051. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling. I'm certified for scuba diving.

052. Kissed in the rain.

053. Played in the mud.

054. Gone to a drive-in theater. My first movie was a drive-in. When I lived in Tempe, we used to go to the drive-in a lot. We'd bring lawn chairs and sit between to speakers. Fun times.

055. Been in a movie. I was an extra in Howard the Duck.

056. Visited the Great Wall of China.

057. Started a business.

058. Taken a martial arts class.

059. Visited Russia.

060. Served at a soup kitchen.

061. Sold Girl Scout cookies.

062. Gone whale watching.

063. Got flowers for no reason.

064. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.

065. Gone sky diving.

066. Visited a Nazi concentration camp site. Dachau

067. Bounced a check.

068. Flown in a helicopter.

069. Saved a favorite childhood toy up until adulthood. I still have a little pink phone my dad bought me for Christmas. I was four months old at the time.

070. Visited the Lincoln Memorial. I think I actually sat on his lap. This was back when I was little. I was born right outside DC.

071. Eaten caviar. It's salty.

072. Pieced a quilt.

073. Stood in Times Square.

074. Toured the Everglades.

075. Been fired from a job.

076. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London. A couple of different times on various trips to London.

077. Broken a bone. My thumb during a sailing race on SF Bay. My hubby-then boyfriend-told me nothing was wrong and made me keep going. It hurt so bad.

078. Been on a speeding motorcycle.

079. Seen the Grand Canyon in person. I used to live in Arizona.

080. Published a book. More than 1!

081. Visited the Vatican. Been to the museum, Mass and confession there.

082. Bought a brand new car. I've only owned new cars.

083. Walked in Jerusalem.

084. Had my picture in the newspaper. A couple of times.

085. Read the entire Bible.

086. Visited the White House. I'd have to ask my mom. I would have been very little if I did.

087. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

088. Had chickenpox.

089. Saved someone's life.

090. Overcome a physical disability.

091. Met someone famous. Hayden Christensen in Reno.

092. Joined a book club. But I later quit.

093. Lost a loved one. Nephew

094. Had a baby. Three, actually.

095. Seen the Alamo in person.

096. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.

097. Been involved in a law suit.

098. Owned a cell phone. But I rarely use it. My hubby laughs at all my rollover minutes.

099. Been stung by a bee. A couple of times. Boy, does it hurt.

100. Ridden an elephant.

What about you?

Labels:

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 36

Today do:

36 walking lunges or 36 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 36 arm circles
Sarita: 36 sit ups and 36 arm circles
Melissa: 36 sit ups, 36 arm circles
Dru: 36 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Labels: