Macabre ~ adj ~ gruesome, grim, horrible

Today's Word Goal ~ 800 Words

Today's Coffee ~ Vermont Country Blend

Fine, you caught me. This time of the year I AM a couch potato almost every night. Two of my favorites are back on TV, one will be off for a few months and I found a new one to take it's place.

Last night was the "winter finale" and just when I got that tug on my old heartstrings thinking Peter was going to kiss Olivia, it didn't happen.

I love Peter. I love his tortured past and his troubled relationship with Walter. Most of all I've loved the way he's been letting his guard down more and more around Olivia.

But we knew the truth would come out soon enough and last night Olivia saw Peter in a new light. She saw the "glimmer" of the alternate universe - she knows what Peter is.

OMG! Can't wait for spring.

Jack is back! Okay, so it's not totally believable that any of this could happen in just 24 hours, and some of the plots are way, way out there - but I have to watch!

He's always there saving the day, putting his life on the line, and maybe, just maybe he might get a little more affection this season.

I like that they've brought Renee in this time around, I hope Jack at least get some affection out of this season, it's a been a few since we've seen him with any kind of love interest. (Hey, I AM a romance writer, did you expect anything else?)

New show! Mark Valley (wow, great eyes!) plays Christopher Chance in this showed based off the comic of the same name. Valley is a West Point grad, and a gulf war vet, which gives him just a bit more of an edge in this role.

Love the dry sense of humor.

I've got a soft spot for shows and characters that operate just outside the "law."

Haven't seen this one? Give it a try.

And last, but not least... LOST is back for it's final season.

Will the Island finally give up it's secrets?

The premiere was interesting with two realities going on. One with our losties still on the island and the other - our losties aren't lost at all, they're landing in LA going on the path they would have gone if flight 815 hadn't crashed on the island.

But which one is real? Will they have to make a choice where to stay?

I loved the raw emotion we saw in Sawyer when he was trying to save Juliette, honestly 5 years ago would any of us have guessed he could love anyone that deeply and be so overcome with grief? And Sayid, OMG I think the whole house heard my sigh of relief when he came back from the dead - thank you! We can't lose Sayid now.

So, there you have it. My favorite time-sucks. Give me a warm blanket, a cup of tea and something sweet (really, anything chocolate will do!) and I'm content for a few hours.

Happy Couch Potato-ing (I'm sure that's not a word, but it's my blog and if I want to make up words... I can )

Labyrinth ~ n ~ a structure containing winding passages through which it is hard to find one's way.

Today's Word Goal ~ 800 words

Today's Coffee ~ Vermont Country Blend

I have now officially reached the age of weighing what's worse - the problem or the cure.

Two weeks ago I had my very first visit to the gastroenterologist for a few things, among my complaints? Hearburn after the gallons of coffee I drink daily and at night after the Lindt truffles I pop while watching my favorite TV shows. I should add here that I have NO intention of giving up either one of these routines.

To the doctor's credit I think he immediately picked up on my stubborn nature and didn't even mention taking a break from either offenders to see if my symptons went away. Instead he went straight for his trusty prescription pad and scribbled away. He also gave me a few samples to take home and try first.

The first side-effect on the bottle? Headaches. And they're not kidding!

Honestly, I'm not getting the point of these pills. The headache is so bad I want to gouge my eyes out with an ice-pick. Sure the heartburn is gone, but it went away with half-a-dozen tums too and at least I was getting calcium with those babies.

I go back to the doctor next Tueday to report on my progress - question - do I lie and tell him "hey those pills are great!" or do I tell him I'd rather stick with the fruity flavored tums?

And don't say to stop drinking coffee and eating chocolate. I'd rather die.

Today Puxatawny Phil will be pulled from his slumber to give his yearly prediction of a longer winter or an early spring.

I'm hoping for the early Spring... how about you?

Lackadaisical ~ adj ~ Showing lack of spirit or interest. Listless

Today's Writing Goal ~ 800 Words

Today's Coffee ~ French Vanilla

If you are expecting a blog about cookies, click away now.

Oreo is my cat.

Or as he is most frequently called in my house "the king" (a view I should add that is NOT shared by the hubby!)

The Oreo came into our lives two years ago this past Christmas when a reluctant hubby agreed to my plea to visit the local shelter.

Even though he's allergic to cats, we found ourselves in the kitten area of the shelter and all three kids were instantly in love. But to say we picked Oreo would be wrong. He most definitely picked us.

Sticking his little paws through the cage, he tapped our shoulders while we held the other kittens and cats up for adoption. He purred (so loud in fact, his cage tag was marked "Extra Loud Purr."

We took that little 6 pound cat home and it didn't take him long to figure out he had us wrapped around his paws!

Two years later, he's not six pounds anymore! He's over 20 and spoiled rotten!

He's curious and lazy, purrs so loud you'd swear a motorboat had parked next to you on the couch, and he's a sucker for a tummy-rub.

I've had several cats over the years and can tell you most have been aloof and unless I was feeding them didn't much care for me... but not my Oreo. He sits are my feet when I write, attacks the printer with gusto when my manuscripts are printing out and lays across my desk blocking the view of my monitor whenever the mood strikes.

He's also been begging for a guest spot on the blog ... He can be quite persuasive so look for some thoughts from Oreo coming next week.

He's still testing out his tagline and his on-screen persona. When you're a cat that sleeps 18 hours a day, some things just can't be rushed.

Have a great day.

kibosh ~ n ~ (slang)  ~ end, to silence, get rid of

Today's Writing Goal ~ 800 words

Today's Coffee ~ Green Mountain Dark Roast Hazelnut

 Maybe the title of this post should be "social media whore" because that would certainly sum up how I feel lately. Just in case you missed any of the buttons on my sidebar (over there to the right - LOL) I am on Twitter, have a facebook profile and a facebook fan page, obviously I've got the website and the blog.

So you'd think that would be enough.

Well, since I am the social media whore - I've got all those things for the my crit group too. The passionate critters can be found not only at their blog and member's only forum, but you can join our "group" on facebook or follow us on twitter!

As if that isn't enough... being the President Elect of my local RWA, Dunes & Dreams, I've also signed up the group for all the above! You can follow us on twitter or fan us facebook or read our blog!

I'm guessing I am not invisible on the 'net

Stop by and see me, become a fan or tweet me or one of the groups above, let me know all my efforts to expose myself are working!

Being both an eBook author and an avid eBook reader, I've been thinking a lot about what type of reading device to get. While I love the dedicated readers like the Kindle and the Nook, I forced myself to think about what the right choice would be for me. The most important thing to me is versatility and portability. I carry a small bag, which means limited room.  My husband has had the Apple iTouch for a while and loves it. So, I gave it a whirl for a few days and was instantly hooked!

At first I didn't think I would want to spend much time reading on this small screen. WRONG.  I love the way the device almost disappears in my hand and I'm left with only the story. Besides it holding my calendar, getting my email, and letting me surf the internet - it has a Kindle app, a B&N app, and the Stanza app - all of these allow me to download books immediately from across the web! Can we say HEAVEN?  Oh yeah!

Two weeks and I'd be lost with it.

So what am I reading right now on my iTouch?

"Home for the Holidays" by Sarah Mayberry is first on my list of books read in 2010. Downloaded directly from the AllRomanceEbooks site - I choose the ePub format and loaded it right onto my iTouch through the Stanza App - in a snap!

I love the way I can choose my font color, size, overall color theme and brightness to my own perferences (whenever I want!)

I love the night screen, so I can read in bed or any dark place!

I'm a happy camper...and the general rule around my house is, "if mom is happy, the whole house is happy!"

YeeHaw!

And the book? Heartwarming and deliciously sexy. Her characters come alive with true to life emotions and conflicts. Enjoyable read! :) (Click to cover to read an excerpt and buy from AllRomanceEbooks.)

Jaunt ~ vi ~ to go from place to place; to make an excursion

Today's Coffee: Dark Roast Hazelnut

Today's Writing Goal: 1000 words

Would you believe I made a few New Year Resolutions? I don't normally go in for all that hooey, I'm of the mind that either you're going to do something or you're not, and making a resolution about it isn't going to change the outcome.

But this year, I decided to jump in and do it.

So here's my list: Be more organized. Get more exercise.  Keep my focus balanced on the three most important areas of my life; my family, my writing and my personal wellbeing.

Would you believe I have done the automatic upgrade to the new version of Wordpress THREE times this morning and I still can't get the "Upgrade Now" warning at the top to go away? WTF??? According to my site, I am running the latest version, so why won't the notice asking me to upgrade go away? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Would you believe I am absolutely LOVING my new iTouch? Of courrse you would. Between the Kindle App, the eReader app and the Stanza app - I'm loaded up with books. I've been downloading music (to walk to, so I can keep focused on getting that exercise in this year!) I've been dowloading apps to keep me organized and apps to track my writing so I know exactly when I've fallen off track and need that kick in the pants!

You're turn?  What wouldn't I believe (or would I?)