January 12th 2015

Hi, it’s Christina –

Good Morning! I’m SO happy I don’t have to go anywhere today. It’s cold, there’s a wintry mix falling from the sky and wreaking havoc on the ground, and I’m wiped from driving to Vermont and back (plus playing pack mule while I was there).

We made one pit stop on our way up to Burlington. We brought lunch to a 95 year old relative, “Uncle Rudy”. (I think he’s actually my husband’s third or fourth cousin, but I was not going to allow my kids to call him by his first name.) He is a fascinating and brilliant man, even still at 95, and a lot of fun to be around. Even though you don’t know “Uncle Rudy” personally, I can just about guarantee you own something he invented and probably use almost every day… your microwave. Pretty cool, huh? Unfortunately, like many inventors, he made his while working for a large company, who, in turn, took all the credit for his work. If you were in the military, you can also thank Rudy for his work with sonar and radar. See, I told you he was an amazing guy.

Lys was funny on Saturday. She was fairly quiet the entire way up Route 87. Then when we got off the exit which would lead us to the Essex/Burlington Ferry, she removed her head phones and sat up straight. By the time the first glimpse of Lake Champlain came into view, she was practically vibrating in her seat, with a huge grin on her face. I know she was chomping at the bit to get back on campus, and I’m sure it was disappointing to be so close, but have to wait until the morning.

We stayed at a different Marriott than we usually do. I decided to use my Marriott points to pay for the room, and for some strange reason, the more expensive ($$ wise) hotel was less points. It was nice and all, but I think we’ll be going back to our regular Marriott next time. The people were very nice, but it just didn’t feel the same.

We did meet a nice family while we were eating in the hotel. After driving for six hours, I just didn’t feel like getting behind the wheel again, and Lys wasn’t even hungry, so Paulie and I decided to eat at the hotel. We bellied up to the bar and that’s where we met Valerie, Dustin and their son Mason. Mason is a junior at UVM, the college across the street from Lys’ college. We chatted while we were eating and watching the playoff game. I thoroughly enjoy meeting nice people.

Yesterday, we got Lys moved into her new dorm…not without issues, of course. LOL. Her key card worked for her room, but not for the front door of the dorm. She was not the only kid this was happening to either. So, until the locksmith can get there today and fix it, she and the others will have to rely on the RA and other residents whose keys work. Her new room is TINY, and in the basement. The one saving grace for us was there was an elevator in the building, so we didn’t have to lug all her stuff up and down stairs; and for her is it looks like she will be the room’s only occupant. There’s still a second set of everything in there, bed, desk, dresser, but she’s making due.

Okay, I’m sorry. I tried, but I’m so tired right now, I can’t concentrate on writing anything more, let alone coming up with a writing challenge. I’ll babble at you later in the week.

I hope you have a great day, and happy writing!

October 27th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

Good Morning, well technically afternoon! Sorry this is so late, I was up sick for most of the night, and I’m still not feeling all too chipper today.

I doubt I’ll be getting much writing done at all today, I’m just not feeling up to it. Yesterday’s signing went well again, and, as seems to be the happy norm, I met some wonderful people. A gentleman, visiting from Belgium, bought copies of all three of my books to bring back with him. That was a first. I’ve had a few people buy both A Second Chance and Taking Chances at the same time, but they are part of a series so I get that, but not all three. So, THANK YOU Patrick, I hope you enjoy, and safe travels home.

After the signing yesterday, Paulie and I had to attend a viewing. It’s sad to say, but we (meaning our circle of friends) have come to the age when our parents are all getting older, which unfortunately means, they are passing away. True, it is inevitable, but it is still sad nonetheless.

What was a little strange was the family was so surprised to see my husband and me show up at the viewing. They thought it was so nice that we would drive over an hour to come. As far as Paulie and I are concerned, they are “family”, so there was no way we wouldn’t have come. Hopefully we were able to provide just a tiny bit of comfort during this sad time.

Lys did arrive safely back at school, just before seven last night. They made amazing time, since they didn’t leave the rest stop on the Turnpike until after ten yesterday morning. Tori, her roommate from NY, was driving, and her GPS malfunctioned and had her going in the wrong direction, so she was almost an hour late getting to the rest stop. When she finally got there, we had to empty our her car completely so we could repack it with Lys and Lara’s things, and Chloe(the dog)’s things.

Everything fit – amazingly – and they were on their way. However, Tori’s delayed arrival put me behind schedule, and I arrived at the signing fifteen minutes late, which means my set up was over half an hour late. Apparently I was not able to mask my frazzled state well because Wayne, the owner of Canterbury Tales Forever Bookstore, asked if I was alright. No, I was not, but I would recover. I find being late extremely rude, and I try to do everything in my power not to be late. It took me to about one o’clock to dispense the need to catch up feeling I get whenever I do run late.  I hate that feeling!

Okay, I should boogie. Lys forgot something she desperately needs, so I have to run to the post office and overnight it to her. UGH! I hope you have a great day, and happy writing!

(I know I promised you pictures today, but I left the camera in the car, and I’m too lazy to go and get it now. I’ll attach them later.)

Your Next Challenge:

A visit from your past…

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

January 5th

Hi, it’s Christina –

Good Morning Y’all! Just a quick post while I’m having my first cup of coffee, but no writing challenge.

I have to hop in the shower, load the car and hit the road. I’m bringing Lys back to college, but I’m only going as far as Latham, NY. We are meeting her Friend Sammi at the Panara and then Sammi’s dad is bringing Lys the rest of the way. That means only seven hours round trip, one tank of gas, and no frozen ferry. YEAH! Hopefully the weather will hold out.

Okay, I need to boogie. Have a wonderful day and happy writing!