Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving? Where has the time gone?

Having a history of sending out the first Christmas cards, I looked at the calender last Sunday and totally freaked out. Last year, I sent them out the day before Thanksgiving and my friends chided me that my card was not the first one. I had to take in account I now live in Texas and not PA. So on Monday, I did my mail merge and printed out the labels; Tuesday, I hand wrote messages and had all of them in the mail by 5 pm Tuesday evening!

This worked out perfectly, because I got an email on Thursday from my editor to start my housekeeping on my second book due out in late January or early February 2013!  I am so excited and so thankful for Lazy Day Publishing for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime!

The news is filled with doom and gloom.

On a happier note, I spoke to some old friends this week. I tried to give them words of encouragement on moving. I have moved quite a bit in my life and each place is different. The two worst moves happened when I was in grade school and we moved from Chicago, to Springfield, IL. I had to leave all my friends and try to make new ones. Where we lived in Chicago was a neighborhood. We were in and out of each other's houses all the time. In Springfield, we lived on two acres, across the street from a farm and our neighbors were retired folks. Not too much fun for a fourth grader. If I wanted to see my friends, I had to ask my mom to drive to their house. She would get kind of cranky about it at times, but I got over it as I matured. We went back two years ago at Christmas and I saw then my parent's appeal to the area. I could definitely go back there.

My second worst move was from Chicago to Sinking Spring, PA. I had to give up my job while my husband just loved his. I had to give up the close proximity of my family still in Chicago. My husband traveled 70% of the time leaving me alone to raise my daughter. But then, I made an effort to find new friends and new ways of family support. I discovered long, lost relatives in New Jersery and New York, so in the end it all worked out.

Our move to Dallas (with the exception of our house which inspired When the Runway Went South) has been fun and I don't regret it one bit. I think with each move you more or less have to reinvent yourself. Just be brave and remain positive.

Also, this weekend was a blast. Our ex-neighbors sold their house and bought a farm. (Just like Springfield and also one of the people I spoke to.) We went to visit them and found it refreshing. Hay rides, horseback riding, chasing cattle, ponds, lots of open space and feeling really relaxed. It was definitely good for the soul. I highly recommend it!

Got through my birthday, great lunch with my friend, Linda, thanks! Received the questionaire about my cover art for the publication for my second book, Play for Me. Now I'm really excited!  Mowed, cleaned the house, worked, ran errands...whew!

Spoke to my relatives in New Jersery, DC and New York. They are fine, just frustrated without power and phone service. They all teased me about how good my timing was from moving from PA to Texas:)

But the strangest event was my trip to Barnes and Noble book store. Since they always have different cashiers, I always tell them about When the Runway Went South. and how they can view it on their nook.  I didn't think anything about it and I exited the store to my car. A lady started calling my name and was running after me. Startled, I turned around and this lady handed me her business card. She is a struggling author who is trying to get published. After speaking with her, our genres are totally different and I tried to help her. You see, I read everything. Being the anal person I am, I have kept an Excel worksheet of every book I've ever read; the author, title ,genre, publisher and editor information if available. She looked at my list in surprise but I told her to try the publishers who did support her genre. She told me what a great idea it was to keep a list I've done and I'm thinking to myself..duh...Lois. You should get some business cards printed up as well!

My heart goes out to all of my East Coast friends!  May Giant food stores have enough bread, milk and eggs for everyone and don't forget the wine! Or beer. May God Bless!

Spent a wonderful week in San Antonio, TX! Also, took a day to travel to Fredericksberg, TX in the Hill Country for some good wine and a nice visit to the Pacific War museum. My father fought in the Battle of Leyete Gulf and survived. The ship next to his was sunk, so I'm lucky I was born!
Memorable time at the hotel with swimming and intertubing down a lazy river. While at the Mall of the Shops of La Cantara, was stung in the shoulder by a bee. Youch did that hurt! Topped off the week with dinner at the River Walk. Our house is still standing (whew). Only thing to mar the vacation is our Uncle Joe died on Saturday after a courageous battle with luekemia. May God rest his soul.

I always love it when relatives come in from out of town! Not only do I get to show off my city of Flower Mound and Dallas, I get to eat out at my favorite restaurants! I don't have to cook. Yeah!!!

Hello to all!  Hope everyone had a good week!

I know some of you will make fun of me but I am so proud of myself! I finally drove to DFW airport and made it there and back in one piece! It's been under construction since we've moved here three years ago and things change on a weekly basis. Normally, someone else drives there but not this time!

Also, we went to see the Chicago Bears play the Dallas Cowboys at Jerry's world. That stadium is amazing!

The next day we went to the State Fair. Texas sure knows how to roll out the carpet! Had a great time with the nicest people. It's so refreshing to see people smiling!

Back to work on my new book series...