Dear Management,

It has come to my attention that some of the work that I've been tasked to do falls well above my pay grade. In the future, if contact with the following items or jobs are required in my day to day occupation, I will require a significant raise in wages.

*clearing up anything that exits a dog in any way
*bodily fluids of small boys
*cleaning toilets
*yardwork of any kind
*dirty mopwater
*crisper drawers of the refrigerator
*stuff that sits in the sink for more than two days

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Regards,

Carrie Leigh

Threads of plot, half finished ideas, partially developed characters, lackluster dialogue and holes you can drive a truck through. Thank you, nanowrimo, for giving me accountability for my 36,754 words of mediocrity.

Thanksgiving week begins. Nolan's home safe and sound from his hunting trip, sans any furry creatures, the lawn is mowed, the laundry is done. Tomorrow I grocery shop for the Thanksgiving crowd, get the house clean and ready for guests, and iron. I'm glamorous, let me tell you. For now, I need your help.

Poll #1489151 Which dessert? You can choose more than one. :D
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 25

Which desserts should Carrie make for Thanksgiving?

Sort of. Isn't it yesterday still somewhere?

I'm completely derailed off my plot and have no clue where to go from here to get it back on track. I'm contemplating killing someone off just to have direction. Also, I'm 500 words short of today's goal and have no energy left to get caught up.

34,526. Rah, rah.

The icon makes me feel better.

Blergh. I had a whole post about the meaning of life and graham crackers, but I'm too tired to form the words.

You can gather the conclusions for yourself.

My little iron man is home sick, today. AJ has a sore throat and a cough and is subdued and watching cartoons, looking sort of pitiful. He never, ever gets sick, so it's a switch that he gets to stay home when Ethan goes to school. I think he might have gloated a little to his brother. Not where I could see, so I can't prove it, but gloating nonetheless. Ethan was concerned for Aaron James, so he took his allowance money to school to buy his brother something at the school book fair. :) I love my kids.

Nano is going well. I had a plot twist that just HAPPENED, brilliantly enough, and made my characters miserable. *evil snicker* I simply adore it when that happens. It's like I wield all powerful puppet strings. :D My male lead is particularly disgusted with me right now. Hee. I'm grateful for the nanowrimo accountability. Over 30,000 words and steadily rising, without detriment to my family, so far. Ysy.

I still need to post pictures from NYC. That seems like a Day 20 kind of thing. :D

OH! And after over 3 years, MY HUSBAND commented on my livejournal yesterday. Go figure.

I don't like dolphins, woodland creatures on the whole, celery, wrinkly things in baked goods (if there are brown chunks it needs to be chocolate or nuts), tapioca pudding, or gourds of any kind.

Gourds... like pumpkins, squashes, zucchini, the melon family, etc. Don't bring it around here. We'll not have it. (Well, my family might. But since I'm the head cook, grocery shopper and bottle washer, I speak for all three of the boys and myself.)

I think pumpkin pie is an aberration of nature. To quote my sister, "I think people should make dessert out of something that is, oh, I don't know, NOT a vegetable."

Preach it, Em.

SO when Mom sent me this, she knew I'd think it was freaking hysterical.

( Thanksgiving Bathroom Humor )

HEE! &hearts Thanks, Mom. I'm still grinning.

I like to pretend that I'm still young and hip and cutting edge. But let's face it. It's a sham. I've been putting an a false face to all of you for some time now. I'm living a lie, and it's time for me to come clean.

My name is Carrie, and I can't figure out how to work my damn cell phone.

About two months ago, I got a Blackberry Pearl. (I loatheloatheloathe the thing. With a deep and abiding malevolent passion.) I find myself looking at it and screaming, "AAAAAAHHHHH!" a lot. Nolan got himself an iphone (for business he says), but I got stuck with this damnable POS Blackberry. Today I tried to call Nolan, using the speed dial shortcut thingy, and ended up calling my cousin Beth instead. I mean, it was fantastic to talk to her, but, RAWR! Freaking phone. I feel like my dad, who is paralyzed by all things electronic.

I've watched the tutorial TWICE, and tried to read about what it is that I'm doing wrong. I can't stand when it guesses what word I'm about to type, I figured out how to stop that once, but can't seem to make it stop again. I've browsed the web, looked at my email, but I can't get the facebook app to work.

Don't even get me started on texting. It says I've received three, BUT I CAN'T GET TO THEM. I've yet to successfully SEND one. Bad words. Bad, freaking, punk-ass words.

It doesn't ring loud enough for me to hear, even on its loudest setting, it's so sensitive that I can't put it in my purse without having to lock the stinking keyboard (I will not even go into what a production THAT was) and the worst part? IT CALLS PEOPLE ALL BY ITSELF. I don't know; call me crazy, but I'd like to be the sentient being in the relationship!

*sigh*

1. Mexican Wedding Cookies are the best EVAR.
2. Nano word count is on target.
3. Ethan proclaims me acceptable for running lines for his play, saying that I'm better even than Blakely (10 year-old neighbor girl). He said, "But you probably have more stage experience." *cough* Just a bit, yeah, kid, thanks.

Yes, I realize it hasn't been that long since I posted for yesterday, but I'm disturbed. Veeeeerrrry disturbed.

I dreamed that I was dating Michael Jackson.

...

I'll just sit over here and let that sink in for a bit.

( Hey, subconscious? Next time you send me a dead icon to make out with, could it maybe be Cary Grant, please? Thanks. )

I have a new favorite pair of jeans. Who here loathes jeans shopping, raise your hand? I tend to find a pair I like and wear them until they fall apart. So when I found The Boyfriend Jean at Ann Taylor Loft, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I went to their website today to order another pair, and guess what? SOLD OUT. They say they may still have them in the stores, not that it does me any good because there isn't an Ann Taylor Loft in Amarillo. *bats eyelashes at my mother who lives in Arlington* Flipping figures, right?

Also, my left hand is gimpy. I don't know if it's from all the typing, or what, but it aches something fierce. Send good thoughts, please.

Last thing... the howling at the beginning of Thriller freaks Katie out. Join the club, sister. I remember being in Melissa Lovell's living room, listening to that record for the first time (I think we were in the fourth grade) and almost peeing my pants when Vincent Price started cackling at the end. I know I screamed. I was a dork even back then. ;)

Update type post: Done in bullets!

&hearts I'm so deliriously happy to be home and have my shower and my bed. I love traveling; I do, but it takes a toll. And I missed the boys. It was great to just hang out with them today.

&hearts Nolan bought the new Call of Duty game that came out this week while we were away. He stayed up til 7:30 am playing it, meaning he was still up playing when I got up. WHAT a dork. He played intermittently today while I was trying to get my nanowrimo word counts in. So actually, we're both dorks. A matched set, if you will.

&hearts Ethan got the part he wanted in the Fourth Grade Christmas play. I'm so proud of him. He told us right as we were going into the last show we were attending in New York. It was a nice moment.

&hearts I'm having 28 people at the house on Thanksgiving. It's starting to freak me out. I'm taking deep breaths and shots of vodka alternately, to combat the effects.

&hearts I've written 4,065 words today, trying to get caught up from when I was all lazy on my vacation. Most of those will be usable, I hope. I'm sure some of it is crap, and all of it will need editing, but I'm starting to get to the meat of the story and I'm REALLY starting to love my 4 main characters. They seem like good people. Anyway, 900-ish more words to get caught up and get to the plottiness/conflict. Yay.

&hearts I've got 900 metric pounds of laundry to do tomorrow. That ain't hyperbole, folks.

Have a good week everyone!

Apparently, I am in the same league as a heinous terrorist because the cute fist-sized snow globe of the Radio City Music Hall was treated like a weapon of mass destruction by the LaGuardia Airport TSA.

Travel, y'all. It tries your patience.

Nolan went and checked it, but they just took it and the box it was in, and slapped on a destination. If it makes it through three flights and the baggage handlers, it'll be a freaking miracle.

We've had a lazy day, but chock full of stuff.

I had chocolate crepes with candied bananas and an orange reduction for breakfast... yum!

We went shopping; well, I went shopping at Anthropologie! Finally! I got a really cute top and some Christmas presents for my sister and sister-in-law. Nolan went to the top of the rock observatory, and then we went to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.

Think it's too late for me to be a Rockette?  Pfft.  Never mind.  You have to be at least 5'6" tall.  It's a fair bet I'm not going to grow anymore in this lifetime.

We had lunch/dinner at an Irish Pub with the CUTEST little reheaded Irish waitress.  Her accent was adorable.

Tonight, we're going to see Superior Donuts.  And we'll be home tomorrow.  It's been a great trip.

Word Count...  um... the day's not over?  I'll make it up once I get home? :D

American Museum of Natural History - pictures as dinosaurs. :D
Shake Shack
Mac Counter
Wrote three words
Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking
Havana Cuban Food
*ded*

Happy Veterans Day!

I spent the morning in the NYC garment district with Mom buying fabric and trims... SO cute! Makes me want to sew, for sure.

Also, had dinner at Nick and Stef's steakhouse... dear heavens above.  It was decadent.  A (one) glass of wine, a prime rib, mashed potatoes, bread and creme brulee.

Then we saw Men Who Stare at Goats.

...

No.  Just... no.  Don't.  Save yourself.  It's too late for me, but you... you still have hope.

Just saw The Understudy at the Roundabout Theatre.  If you didn't click the link, it had Mark Paul Gosselar in it as one of the three in the ensemble. (Also Julie White - the Mom in Transformers - she's stinking funny.)  I was never a Saved by the Bell fan (I'm a touch too old) but the boy is BUILT. And the show?  It was HYSTERICAL.  Nolan and I laughed harder than I have in weeks.  In fact, my voice is hoarse from laughing.  I don't think that's ever happened before.  Also, got hit on in Times Square by three Latino boys of whom I'm old enough to have given birth to, but who scattered when Nolan came back to the table. ;)  Had a piece of ribbon cake at My Most Favorite, and have written next to nothing, but I'm happy.

I'm in New York! We had a plane trip of three legs, switching planes twice (such is the way of life when you live in the sticks). On the last leg of the trip I sat next to a completely adorable older gentleman who told me story after story about Studio 54 in its heyday and who thought I was a teenager. *giggle*

I must seek out the octogenarian set to hang out with more often. He was funny. And he thought my accent was "charming." I have to confess, I thought his was, too.

Our hotel is The Mansfield, and it's just lovely. After a lot of misses in the hotel department for us when we've come, Nolan's finally hit a home run. It's got some great architecture. It's got a funky mix of art deco clean lines and carved wood cornices, great moulding on the ceilings... plus it has a library with a fireplace and a coffee bar that's open 24 hours. That feeds my romantic soul, that does, as well as my need for caffeine.

I've written about 600 words today, but the day's not over.  I'm gonna hang out with Nolan and then write until I hit a brick wall.  The secondary characters have demanded more screen time.  Who am I to say no?

Love to all!

I've been out of bed a total of 30 minutes today. I refuse to believe it was the 2 glasses of red wine I had with dinner yesterday (even though I'm pretty sure it was). Oh, red wine, why do you hate me when I adore you so?

Better today than tomorrow, when Nolan and I leave for New York!

Now I have to pack. BLERGH.

Words written today: 0

Stolen from the lovely sunroom havinghumbuggirl.

Picture requests. Comment with what you'd like me to take a picture of and I'll be your little slave and go take a pic. You can ask for anything. Go. Comment.  Enable me, please.

Also, Write or Die by Dr. Wicked (putting the PROD in productivity) is a writing aid that ranges from helpful ( a friendly window pop up), to mildly irritating (a horrible song plays when you pause), to downright horrifying ( I watched my words disappear one by one when I stopped typing).  I'm glad I couldn't get the electric shock function to work, now.  In any case, it made me bang out 2,000 words, so there you have it.  It works.

A kazillion dollars worth of toys, video games and movies, and son number one is doing one of my TaeBo videos from ten years ago and son number two is playing with a 'gingerbread man' he cut out of a piece of printer paper.

*shakes head*

I miss scening my old characters. I've been teased with it the last few days and only want more.

11,842 words and counting. AND... I leave for New York with my handsome husband in two days. Food, Theatre and sleep. Not necessarily in that order. Plus Mom and Tom and my aunt and uncle (who's also an actor) will be there as well. Fun vacation with adults!

So I need to write lots and lots before we leave, because I doubt Nolan's good will with Nanowrimo will last if I'm banging away on the laptop in our hotel room till the wee hours of the morning.

For another disjointed paragraph with no transition, I ask this: When I get to a scene that I've been looking forward to, with both main characters in the same room alone, and then my brain stops and throws up a roadblock... how is THAT fair? Nolan said to just set fire to the roadblock and drive through. Thank you, BOY, for your assessment of the situation.

But it appears that's what I'm going to do. So I've got to go commit literary arson. See you folks later.

Somewhere, in the attic of our beautiful house, is a wasp's nest. It's been cold, so the wasps have gone into hibernation, but because it's Texas, it's gotten warm again and they woke up. And somehow, in their cunning little waspy way, they have discovered an entry to the interior of the house. They're still moving really, really slow, though. Like they're drunk. Last night I found one on the comforter OF MY BED (OF MY BED!!!!!!!) and freaked right the crap out. Nolan was there and got that one, but there have been others... one that I trapped in the plantation shutters to await his coming home from work, and one I sucked up with the vacuum. I have had, as they say, E-FREAKING-NOUGH. And I am not kidding. *shudders and screams and flails* I just sent this email to my husband.

Carrie Leigh to Nolan - Subject: This is ENOUGH THISISENOUGH! 7:58 AM

I just killed another damn wasp. You MUST do something about it this weekend. HAVE TO. THIS IS NOT IN MY JOB DESCRIPTION.

Carrie
**********

His reply?

Nolan to me 8:02 AM

Okie Dokie.
***********
I DON'T THINK HE GETS THE FULL MEASURE OF MY CAPSLOCKY-NESS ABOUT HAVING WASPS IN MY HOUSE!!!!!!

In other news, I have a modest, yet respectable 10,523 words for nanowrimo. And 6 nablopomo posts down. Have a good weekend, all.

At one o 'clock this morning, about four miles from my home, a gas line burst and destroyed property, injured people and we could feel the explosion all the way over at our house.



At least three families have lost everything; I'm sure that lives have been lost as well. I'm in prayer for the people in my area.