First Round of Edits!

My first round of edits arrived this Thursday for Flag on the Play. I have a lot of work to do on the sentence structure. Augh!

So this week brings Halloween, my birthday and a surprise present from my husband. I wonder what it is? It is one of my significant birthdays, so knowing him, it will be spectacular.

Also, we learned of good news! We are having company over the holidays! I love to entertain and be with people, so I'm looking forward to it.

I think I'm getting more impatient as I get older. I wonder why that is? This past week, my car had problems and on the same day, I found out one of the pumps went out in the pool. For those of you are ever thinking of getting a pool, don't. When we moved down here, that was a requirement for our house even though the realtor warned us against it. I should've listened to her. But the reason, I'm telling you this, is because of the difference companies choose to treat their customers.

Pool company. I pay them to do weekly cleaning in the summer and then during off season just a twice a month cleaning. That is just the 'cleaning crew'.However, their "technicians" love to sock it to the customer. So far, this year alone, I've needed a new board; a new pump for the Polaris, clean the filter and the salt cell. When I went to 'pool school', I was taught when you clean the filters, that includes cleaning the salt cell. Well, not this company. They charge you extra to come out to clean it. Then I had an honest tech come out to say that a pump didn't need to be replaced, it had a loose bolt. It saved me three hundred dollars.

So, when I called about the waterfall not working; the guy comes out while I'm not home and then leaves me a voice mail telling me the entire thing has to be replaced to the tune of six hundred dollars. What?

Car. I no longer deal with the dealership done here. They rip you off big time. I have found an honest repair shop, who doesn't push unnecessary items on you and treats you with a smile. My anti brake system wasn't working and the light on the dashboard kept going on like the car was in skid mode. The young mechanic figured out that a new switch, $140 would do the trick. The worst case scenario would be to go to the dealer and get the module ($1800) to fix the problem. He installed the switch but it still didn't work. Before ordering the module, he had an idea to unplug the battery and then plug it back in to see if that would offset the switch. It worked and saved me tons of money. Why can't the pool company be like that?

I have learned here in Texas that businesses can get away with that. Ma'am? That will be one thousand dollars. I am supposed to say, okay and pay it. Not if I can help it!!!!

Technology

I recently had to get a new laptop. It was in May or around then. I debated about getting a tablet but then again, I need my laptop for my writing. I have a smart phone which is way smarter than me that I use. At that time, they only were selling laptops with Windows 8 loaded as the Operating System. I felt that I could handle that because I did work Help Desk and am attuned to new technology. Well, let me tell you, it has been a ride that at this time in my life, I wasn't prepared for.

Thank goodness one of my neighbors, a teacher, had received a copy Windows 8 for Dummies which she gladly loaned to me. Now I feel comfortable with it, but I don't know it as well as I did XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. I'm getting by.

My point is the upgrade that is now available, Windows 8.1. First off, I wanted to back up my work but learned that's not available in my version. Alrighty, then. I proceed with the download and install. I wait for about twenty minutes, the screen has a green line indicating the percentage of the download. One percent in twenty minutes. Huh? I check again in twenty more minutes. I'm now at four percent. At this point, I've resigned myself that this is going to take a while.

I go downstairs to start dinner and get it in the oven. Maybe a half hour tops? I come back upstairs and my page is at the beginning of the Microsoft Website, the one that says "Download now.' What happened to my current download? I check Task Manager and it shows that there isn't any download in progress. Really? At this point, I'm clicking all over the place trying to find out what happened. I came out empty handed.

My laptop is behaving as normal and you know what? Do I really need this update? Nope. Not at this time.

Flag on the Play

Congrats to my friend Barbara on her blog post milestone!  Way to go!

I am excited! Work has begun on my next book, Flag on the Play, due out 1/31/2014. It is a Romantic Comedy about the NFL, so it's release it right before Superbowl 2/2/2014!

I had to complete the housekeeping items for a book being published; Bio, dedication, blurb and cover art questions. I have been so pleased with the artwork on my previous works, that I just can't say enough about the artists. Tremendous! Also to the editors for their patience with me. Thank you so much!

I also went to the Texas State Fair and had a fantastic time. Granted, it turned out to be a long day but it was worth it.

Tuesday, I attended the October meeting of the Women of Flower Mound where Michaels' staff taught us how make a wreath out of burlap and paper. I am not at all crafty even though that's my husband's line of business. When I make something, it looks like a two year old made it.

I think the weather here has decided to cool down. We are only at 74 degrees but that muggy factor from the Gulf is still hanging around. One of these days, it might feel like autumn

Wishing all of you a great day!

Sunny Sunday!

It finally feels like autumn in Dallas! We had a cold front move through the area yesterday where the temps dropped from 76 to 52. Actually had to use the heat last night and this morning. I guess it's time to get those pumpkins! Somehow pumpkins and 90 degree temps don't jive with me!

Going to the State Fair this week. I am not a fried food eater, so when I moved down here and all the buzz in the papers and news, were the fried concoctions of the State Fair; I tell you, I had my doubts. I got brave and tried some and they were actually really good. I figure one day is not going to kill me and if it does, at least I will die happy. In preparation, I have been eating lots of fish and vegetables all week so I won't feel guilty.

I share all kinds of books with my family and friends. I love all genres and read quite a bit. My brother in law is a huge political mystery/thriller fan and has sent me Vince Flynn (rip), Brad Thor and Tom Clancy. I am all caught up to date with the exception of Tom Clancy. I have yet to read his last four. With his passing, I will begin to read them this week.

I actually met Tom Clancy at an author signing at the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing, PA. He along with General Fred Franks Jr. signed two copies of Into the Storm for me. The General was really funny and listened to me talk about my dad's career in the Navy. Good times. So sad to have great story tellers silenced.