Saturday Fun Pic & signed MLTF winner

G'morning, everyone. I've been awake since 4 a.m. (danged book brain), and I probably should have gotten up then, but there's always the hope that I could get back to sleep (obviously didn't happen). The dogs and kitties have been fed and pottied, and I've got a big cup of coffee, so it's all good. ; )

The pics above are proof that I have "Day Job Shangra-la" -- I work in the best agency with the most awesome co-workers. Before I left for the RT Convention last week, they presented me with that simply humongous balloon (that is STILL inflated here in my office at home), and the blue cards dangling from the streamers are everyone's business cards. They all wrote congratulations and well wishes on the backs of their business cards, then Judy (our Super Office Manager) tied them all to the balloon streamers. I also love orchids, so they gave me a gorgeous purple beauty to add to my collection. I took pics of my day-job office this past week (showing my orchids) and I'll post those soon.

No writing for me today, unless by some miracle I actually have time with all that I have to do. I essentially finished Chapter 30 late last night (at least I got to the end of it). I'll do the final tweaking on it tomorrow before I move on to the final chapter. Since my computer died and I lost five days of writing time, my editor Anne Sowards (the sweetest most fabulous editor in the world), gave me a two-week extension on my deadline! Mega woot!! I plan on turning in The Trouble With Demons before then, but I have a little breathing room, which considering what I have coming up this week, I'll need all the extra air I can suck in. As you all know, Armed & Magical's release date is this coming Tuesday. Things are going to get a little crazy for me (in a very good way), and I'll definitely be distracted to say the least.

So today is "Take care of life's errands" day. Those things that have to be done, but aren't exactly compatible with trying to finish writing one novel and getting another one out. In the next half hour, Derek & I have to drop off my Jeep at our mechanic's for an inspection and oil change, then it's off to do all the shopping (five places to go). Then I sit down with my ledger and pay the bills, and balance the bank statement. Jeez, I hate doing the bank statement, but unless I potentially want checks going "boingie", it's always good to know that the bank and I agree on how much we have. Then I need to decide what passage I'm going to read from Armed & Magical at my book release party on Tuesday and actually rehearse it. I think there's going to be dialogue involved, so wish me luck on that. ; ) I just want to "clear the decks" so to speak, so that all I have to think about next week is writing.

But one of the most important things I have to do today is to mail out the books, goodies, etc. that some of you are expecting. I will be taking care of that today, and Derek will be mailing them all on Monday.

Speaking of books and goodies -- this week's winner of a signed/personalized copy of MLTF is . . . .(drum roll). . .Tez Miller. Congrats, Tez! Just send me your mailing address and I'll get your goodies packed and ready to go today.

Well, the coffee's gone and I've got to get going (after I can get Derek out of bed).

Talk to you later!

Lisa