Sequel to When the Runway Went South

This week of my life reverts back to this book. What else can go wrong with things in our house? I'm afraid to ask. My husbands wants to stick a "For Sale" sign in the front yard and use the clause, 'as is'.

I ask myself if we are the only other home owners who have problems?

So far this year, money wise, has been the pool. I love my pool, but what a money pit! New pump, new O-rings, the Polaris gone wild, you name it. And that's just the motors! The surface needs to be redone and the pool's interior needs fixing.

Stopped up sinks to the tune of $250. Ouch!

Landscaping - previous owners planted trees outside our bedroom windows for privacy and noise reduction because this room does face the street. Guess what? One half of it's dying and we pay for grass, tree and shrub treatment.

Our rose bushes of six years have caught a disease and they're all dying.

Our fence sorely needs to be replaced.

The ceiling in the master bath over the window needs to be fixed from some water damage from the 'historic' rain fall we experienced this spring.

And just when I thought that was it, the garage door is not working.

Dealing with service men here in Texas is a nightmare. Not only do they cost and arm and a leg, they're always trying to sell you service contracts. Yes, they advertise coupons for $50 off repair services but then turn around and charge you a fortune for the service call.

My week ahead, as I'm trying to write my next book, is dealing with all of this.. ugh!

Maybe I will have a sequel to When the Runway Went South!

www.loiskasznia.com

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I don't know if you have been following, but I have a new website! www.loiskasznia.com, designed by Monica Dyess. I think she did a fantastic job!

Part of the old systems person I used to be, I do want to be able to update certain pages of it such as my blog and books I'm currently reading. Monica has been kind enough to teach me some basics to do so.

Since I assisted in the Help Desk area of Dimensions, back in Reading, PA, I used to love trying to solve computer problems and learn new things. The downside of the job was the temperament of the VP's who would carry on like crazy if they had computer problems and they wanted it fixed RIGHT NOW! The rest of the employees were so much more understanding when their computers acted up.

Therefore, when we moved to Dallas, I kind of shunned away from computer related issues and concentrated on my writing. When my laptop crashed in the middle of writing Not Just an Act, I was forced to learn Windows 8.1 with the purchase of a new laptop. I know just enough to get by but not like I knew Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7!

Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Stimulating My Brain!

As an author, I do need my alone time with my characters to tell me what to write. I told you last week how busy my family has been with vacation and playing catch up.

I finally got a breather this Friday and it was wonderful. I was able to devote over eight hours of uninterrupted quality time with my new work in progress!

Of course, that all changes with the weekend. Mowing, gardening, house chores and more parties. Taking this Sunday to do what I want. Read some of my favorite authors work and keep up with my writing skills! I call it a Brain Refresh!

Travel Nightmare!

I need to vent about our weekend. Sometimes, the airlines drive me crazy!

My husband is a frequent traveler and has been this way for over 22 years. He has accrued countless air miles along with experiences which have taught him what to avoid.

We attended his high school reunion in Chicago over the weekend. We had a split flight. We flew from DFW to Kansas City, then Kansas City to Chicago.

When we arrived in Chicago, our one checked bag was not in the baggage area. We filed a report on the missing bag and went to our hotel with the instructions the bag be delivered there.

Being seasoned travelers, we knew to pack essentials in our carry on bag, so we were good for the night, but visions of running to the closest mall to pickup clothes were daunting. I am petite and have problems finding clothes, where my husband is a tall man and suffers from the same thing.

Fortunately, our luggage arrived at 7 am, the next morning and things were fine.

Coming back on Monday, THE SAME THING HAPPENED! We checked our luggage at O'Hare on Flight 1046, to arrive at Dallas at 12:50 at Terminal C. Lo and behold, our luggage was not there. The baggage CSR checked to find that our bag had been put on Flight 2312, WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE and was waiting for us in Terminal A.

I don't know if anyone is familiar with DFW airport. It's huge. No one offered to get the bag for us. We were told to take the bus from C to A to pick up our bag. We waited for 40 minutes for a bus to come, in the 105 heat. Driver's excuse was that there were new drivers on the shift.

Put my writing skills to a test...how to complain effectively to get the desired results.

Only good news is? I've come up with another story for my books...

Branson, MO

This has been a world wind of a summer so far and it's not over yet!

Let's see...went to a destination wedding; went to a mechanical bull riding party, had company over the 4th of July, submitted my hockey romance, The Sin Bin, (no word from the publisher whether or not they accepted it) and went to Branson, MO.

Which is why I posted my Not Just an Act, which is based in Branson. We did things we haven't done from the last time we were there. We saw the other side of Branson which doesn't have the shows; it's where people really live. It is truly beautiful country with Table Rock Lake and the surrounding communities. And the boats? Whoa! I think that some of them cost more than the houses!

We had family with us and thanks to my brother in law, Dan, I now have a solid idea for my next book. The characters are really speaking to me. I need to buckle down and get busy!

Oh and the other thing? I passed driving my husband's new car test with flying colors! Doesn't mean I want to drive it. I'm still very attached to mine!

Milestones

It's done! I submitted my hockey romance to Lazy Day/Blushing Books! I hope they enjoy it as much as I had fun writing it!

My website is almost done! I will let you know when it's ready.

Now on to my next manuscript....

Relax? Ha!

Almost There!

What a great time with some really good friends on the Fourth of July! Thank you so much!!

This has been a really busy week for me and it looks like the coming week will be the same. Why, you ask?

I am determined to submit my book to my publisher this week. This means perfecting it as much as I can; writing my blurb to entice readers and finally building my web site with my awesome web designer. The folks I use to read my manuscript have been busy with their red pens and 'suggestions' which will make it a better story.

So, if I am quiet, you will know why!

Oh, did I mention the party we will host on Saturday for my husband's co-workers? Yup! I will be a bundle of nerves so keep the wine flowing.....