Melani Blazer

I started baking. Not sure what bug bit me and why I just had to scratch it, but I’ve actually made progress toward the season’s cookie stash. I’m scared. Proud of myself, but scared.

We started decorating for Christmas. Likely this will be an ongoing thing that will directly morph into removing said decorations, but I have to tell ya, one year the spirit hit us on Dec 24th. Hmmm, much different. And it’s not like the weather’s helping either. What’s with the 60+ degree temps? At least by Friday we’ll see snow. I hate the cold–detest it, but even I can’t have Christmas without snow.

Getting in the spirit, I just put up the link for the Christmas contest I’m taking part in. If you haven’t been there, please check out all the other wonderful authors part of After Midnight Fantasies. The contest link is up there in the header. See it? Good, that’s real important because this contest is about finding something–a small candy cane to be exact. Now, you can’t enter until Friday, but you can get a head start finding the candy canes and preparing that entry. Good luck!

And with that, I’ve got a story talking to me, so I’m heading off to write. See ya!

Check it OUT!

Trophy Girl is now available in print. I’m so excited. In case you missed it in e-book form, here’s the blurb…

What would you do?

Hint, he’s not taking no for an answer, so be ready at 6…

Thanks Jaci….but it’s the holidays so I won’t say no…

Your Name: Mel–Melani Blazer

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? wrapped (mostly)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? colored

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yep, I have this giant gold jinglebell adorned with mistletoe that we’ve had for years. I always hang it in the hallway.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Sometime after Thanksgiving and before Christmas

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Um…..there are so many!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Spending Christmas as my grandma’s. She had a little trailer, but her kids, grandkids and sometimes others would pile in and it would be a roar of noise, but all love and happiness. We’d play with our toys, the adults would chat and there’d be lots of food.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don’t remember. Probably when I recognized my dad’s handwriting on the tags.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We split family visits between Eve and Day, so yeah.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? It’s more of a sentimental tree than a “theme”, tho I do like those. We have ornaments from when Hubby and I were kids, and the ones our daughter made, plus ornaments we’ve received as gifts or bought special.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Ugh, I hate being cold.

12. Can you ice skate? A wee little bit.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? engagement ring (although he’d already asked and I’d said yes months before, I got the ring at Christmas time)

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
I’m a giver. I love to watch the faces of those I love when they open presents.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I have to choose?

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Making cookies for my friends.

17. What tops your tree? A light up Angel holding a star above her head.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
GIving, without any doubt.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Don’t have one. But the hubby was goofing off and singing along (in a falsetto voice) to Santa Baby the other day and it was hilarious.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? traditional peppermint ones? Yum. But I’m no go for these new “flavored” colored ones.

I don’t know who to tag (that visits often enough and hasn’t already BEEN tagged) so I think EVERYONE should try this. And let me know if you do, I want to get to know all of you, too!

Just watched one of the best football games of the year. I’m still cranky Michigan lost, but we were simply out-played. I’m hoping the Colts don’t decide to give up their undefeated season the same weekend as the Wolverines, or I will be devastated.
At least I wasn’t screaming at the TV like the husband was. *snicker* I always find that hilarious. Often I ask, “Do you think they can hear you?”

So tomorrow it’ll be more football, and the last NASCAR race of the season. While I’m almost ready to agree that the racing season is too long, I’m going to miss watching it every weekend. Might mean it’s time to dig into another NASCAR themed book. I’ve had a couple of people ask for one, so I just may have to oblige.

As for the stars, I’m super bummed because tonight is the peak of the Lenoid Meteor showers and our area is blanketed in thick cloud cover. We’re even supposed to get snow. Snow. Uh-huh. I wanted to watch shooting stars, a-la one of my favorite scenes in Brand Name Dates….*sigh* I think curling up on a blanket out in the country with my honey to watch nature’s fireworks has got to be one of the sexiest things. Unfortunately, unless I get a mirrored ball to hang from the ceiling fan/light, I don’t think I’m gonna see any streaking lights in the sky.

So, whatcha up to?

I was ROLLING while at work today. I pulled my email at lunch and found my husband had sent these to me. My coworkers enjoyed them as well, but I think we eyed each other with the same thought “Which one is she thinking applies to me?”.

Anyway, just cuz I can’t resist….

40 THINGS YOU’D LIKE TO SAY AT WORK, BUT CAN’T

1. I can see your point, but I still think you’re full of shit.

2. I don’t know what your problem is, but I’ll bet it’s hard to pronounce.

3. How about never? Is never good for you?

4. I see you’ve set aside this special time to publicly humiliate yourself.

5. I’m really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.

6. Who lit the fuse on your tampon?

7. I’m out of my mind at the moment, but feel free to leave a message.

8. I don’t work here - I’m a consultant.

9. It sounds like English, but I don’t understand a damn word you’re saying.

10. Ahhh. I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.

11. I like you. You remind me of myself when I was young and stupid.

12. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.

13. I have plenty of talent and vision - I just don’t give a damn.

14. I’m already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.

15. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.

16. Thank you. We’re all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.

17. The fact that no one understands you doesn’t mean you’re an artist.

18. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.

19. What am I? Flypaper for freaks?

20. I’m not being rude. You’re just insignificant.

21. It’s a thankless job, but I’ve got a lot of karma to burn off.

22. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.

23. And your cry-baby whiny assed opinion would be?

24. Do I look like a f..king people person to you?

25. This isn’t an office. It’s Hell with fluorescent
lighting.

26. I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.

27. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.

28. If I throw a stick, will you leave?

29. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.

30. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

31. Oh, I get it. Like humor. Only different.

32. A cubicle is just a padded cell without the door.

33. Can I trade this job for what’s behind door number 1?

34. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.

35. Nice perfume, but must you marinate in it?

36. Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is finally done.

37. How do I set a laser printer to stun.

38. I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted a salary.

39. I’ll try being nicer if you try being smarter.

40. Wait a minute - I’m just trying to imagine you with a personality.

Second round edits are here… minor stuff, and thank GOD I wrote the blurb already. I’ll work on those tomorrow, I guess. Maybe later today.

This hubby just called on his way home from work (yeah, we’re workaholics around here… 6 days a week) and said he took a detour around the lakefront park. He said the waves there (Lake Michigan) are huu-u-u-uge. Wheeee–and I just bought film for the 35mm, too. I know what *I* am doing today!!!

I’m a photog nut. Occasionally I snap a pic that gives me the warm fuzzies inside and make others nod and tell me it’s a keeper. Since I’m now in control of my website/blog/stuff here, I am seriously thinking about digging out those keeper pics and slapping them up.

So… while it’s blustery cold and windy today, I’m excited about being outside (for a little while…I think coffee shop will be stop #2). Anyone got cool plans this weekend?

Oh, and Happy Veterans Day.