I am really pleased. Bood came down for a few days - always thrilled to see my baby girl - and I tossed her the first 88 pages of Sin Eater. "Hey, can you read a couple of pages of this? I want to see if it grabs you."

"Hmm. Maybe. I'm not promising anything." Bood grins at me. She's a VERY hard sell for books.

No big deal. I go to bed, then on to work the next day. When I walk in the door after work, Bood grabs me. "Where's the rest of this book?"

"Huh?" My mind is on what I'm going to make for dinner.

"Sin Eater!" She shakes my arm. "Where's the rest?"

"Oh! It's there." I point to the dining room table, where it's stacked in several neat little bundles. Then I smile. "You like it, huh?"

"I DO!!" Then she frowns. "Mommy - there's some typos in there -"

"It's draft, baby. Of course there's typos."

" - but I made notes of where they are, so you can fix them. Oh, and I saw your author's notes - pretty cool."

"Hmm. But you like it?"

"YES! It's really, really good! I couldn't stop reading it!" She pauses. "At first I wondered if it would be creepy, and I almost stopped reading, because I really don't like creepy ..."

"Child." I cross my arms and laugh. "You, of all people know what a chicken I am. I don't do gross creepy - just chilly."

"Yeah, that's what I told myself, so I kept reading. And then I got to the point where I couldn't stop reading. Wow!"

"How long before you were hooked?"

"About ten pages."

"Right." I think the first bit of the book is weak - I have plans for it, but right now they are just a glimmer in my mind of what they will be. I read the first chapter a few times a day and probe the words, tossing chunks of text out, pulling others in, mentally, seeing what works best. I think the end result is going to be strong, but it's not ready for paper yet. I've learned to let stuff jell a while in my head first - saves multiple rewrites and much frustration. I've found that writing, for me, is like making biscuits - for goodness sake, DON'T overwork the dough, or it's going end up tough and hard to swallow.

But I am happy. THIS is what every writer wants to hear. It's especially nice, since my mind is back in Jordan's world, where things are so much like, but not like, ours. She pointed out one or two places where she was confused or felt like I hadn't expanded enough because she wanted to know more. She actually woke me up later that night to question me about a section of the book. I groggily answered her, then fell back asleep, thinking - Okay, fix that part ...

Now she wants to read Summer's End. YAY!

Totally ganked from JSB.

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This computer is driving me nuts! I think the video card is going south - the screen gets blurry and locks up and then goes black. Only redemption is a reboot.

*snarl*

I can't believe that Sin Eater is 188 pages long so far! I managed to get 88 of those pages printed before my printer choked. I pop off the front, thinking it's just a simple paper jam then blink, frown, and bend closer. "Why is there a penny in my printer?" I wonder aloud.

"Oh sorry mom." Jeremy says from behind me. "That must have been from when Jaime and I were throwing money at each other."

Yeah.

After I de-pennyed the printer, it was time to get ready for Noah's birthday bash. That was quite fun, Noah's such a doll. I'll have to get some pictures up after I get them from my phone. It was really funny to see all these outstretched hands, holding camera phones, snapping pictures of the kids. Click, click, click!

Well, time for work. Ugh. I SO do not want to go. Four days off and not a bit of rest or down time.

I am going to get hard back to work on Sin Eater in the am - my days are overfull and this annoys me. I wish I had more TIME (I better be careful! If I keep wishing too hard, my time may manifest in the form of unemployment. Wishes do come true, they just aren't always specific - the Universe tends to lean more to the broad. Trust me on this.)

I finished The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. What a GREAT book. I just had a few small issues with it that I won't bother to post, it certainly didn't detract from the wonderfulness that made the book a fall-into read. While it's not the perfection of Rothfuss's Name of the Wind, neither is it drivel.

But, having finished that book, I realized I know what happens in Sin Eater. I had stalled on the ending but didn't freak - I knew it was there somewhere. My writing took an unfortunate turn for the worse when I quit smoking, as I have mentioned before here, but health over words, right? I really didn't realize what a creature of habit I was - smoke, write. Smoke, read what I written. Smoke, correct glaring errors. Nearly a year later, I feel much better, but am only now able to write without the smoke.

I got my new peepers the other day. Wow. Just wow. I didn't realize how freaking bad my vision had gotten until I slipped my glasses on and could SEE. I really think that's what broke my mental dam on Sin Eater; I was laying in bed, idly studying the beautifully done cover of Deliverance Dane. This is something I've done since childhood - loll around and look at pretty books. My bedroom is PERFECT for this because of all the windows - the light calms me down and allows my mind to wander.

Well, I'm looking at the cover and can really SEE it! Every nuanced detail is there and my mind wandered off while my eyes were engaged, drinking in beauty and suddenly the ending to Sin Eater sauntered by.

Oh. Okay. THAT'S what happens!

I'm really excited. I feel like I do when I get a good book to read, because for me, Sin Eater is that good. Let's hope others think so too.

:)

Okay off to pahty hahty with my Mother-in-Law and Jaime Baby at Das Yardsales!

I had a very nice review: http://darlingreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/assiniboin-girl-by-kathleen-wallace.html

The young lady who read and reviewed the book is 16 - so exactly my audience. I love to see kids of any age reading and the ones who go that extra mile by pursuing the passion with a blog or website - well, hats off.

We are doing a pool party for the kids today at Tina's house. I've just been so freaking tired lately. I mean hard-to-get up tired, so hopefully this won't be too much of an ordeal.

Picked up the new peepers yesterday - tre difference. And I just realized I do not have them on. Darn it.

I am really still very distressed by the phone conversation I had with the Slum Landlord and finally put my finger on why: this man is willing to trade his INTEGRITY for 1200 bucks. While it may not do much good, I fully intend to take this man to court, even it it just makes him think twice about swindling the kids in the house now.

I had a dream that a fellow author reviewed Assiniboin Girl and wrote that it was sappy and had too many components - would I choose one please? I was staring at the words on the screen, wondering if I should email her, asking if she could clarify what she meant by "too many components" when I woke up. Am I the only person who never gets dream resolution??

Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is TO DIE FOR good. OMG. I love this book. The only reason I'm not done yet is that I am so tired I fall asleep holding the book.

*gross* Another dive bombing fly. *shudder* Not in the coffee boys. I need it this morning.

*yawn*

It's hard to fathom my youngest is 11. Good lord - that means I too am aging!!

*quickly.stuffs.thought.back.in.box*

I got JB the Sims 3 for the PC and a *wince* Miley Cyrus CD. I really loathe that young woman - her voice is akin to nails on a chalkboard for me, but Baby G has a serious Gurl Crush on her so whatev. It's all about making Jaime happy on her day.

When asked what she wants for her birthday dinner, Jaime instantly responded, "HAM! I want HAM!"

*blink*

What kind of kid asks for HAM for their dinner? Why not pizza? ("I don't like it.") Hotdogs? (Only if I don't have to have bread with it.") Hamburgers? ("Gross.")

She's weird. I'm certain it comes from her father's side of the family.

Briefly chatted with my Mother in Law last night - she asked me to take her to yardsales on Saturday - okay, twist my arm, Miss Betty! *laugh*

Feeling a bit nervous - have two reviewers posting reviews soon. Hope they liked it - I might have to pull an Alice on 'em otherwise! *laugh*

Speaking of that, wasn't she over the top? Take a breath before tweeting, my dear. A Moment on the Keyboard, an Eternity Online ... odds are, posting when pissed will return to haunt thee. Trust me on this.

Bought Deliverance Dane last night - no, it's NOT my birthday, but when I was getting Jaime's stuff ... well, it just looked so lonely sitting on the shelf ... I'm compassionate, what can I say? It's DELISH so far!!

Had a run-in with Terri's freaking low life slum landlord. We *will* be going to court to get her security deposit back. I wanted to crawl through the phone and choke his ass when he told me his standards of cleanliness must be higher than mine, since my daughter didn't know how to clean. My head literally spun, I was so furious. If there's one thing all my kids know how to do, it's clean, trust me. They still bitch about me making them get up early growing up on Saturdays to tear the house apart and do the weekly Deep Clean, though they've also qualified that with the fact that they're grateful because now they know how to keep a tidy house.

Enough said on that - my head's starting to throb again.

*grits.teeth*

Insert an Optometrist into Dread Wally World?

I head over at lunch to find out for myself.

Yeah.

Let's just say I wasn't thrilled with the customer service. There were probably five young ladies in white smocks rushing back and forth, avoiding eye contact with the sole customer in the place (moi). Nothing peeves me more than poor customer service; it's what I do and I work pretty hard at it, so I'm entitled to expect it in return. I can feel my neck start to tense up and my eyes narrow. A girl pauses mid-dash to ask me if I'm being helped.

"No." To borrow a phrase from LC - hello, Captain Obvious!

A clipboard is thrust into my hand ("Just let us know when you're done") and I'm directed to a waiting area in the back of the store. Oddly, the black cushion seats are covered in animal hair, so I opt to stand while filling out my paperwork. Finished, I walk back out front, where again, everyone avoids me. Feeling exasperated, I place the clipboard on the desk.

Is this some sort of test? I wonder. Maybe I've stumbled onto a new reality show - one where customers are placed in trying situations and rated on how well they conduct themselves. I squint, looking for the hidden cameras, then shrug. Nah. It's just typical for DWW. Since no one seems to care what I do, I wander around, amusing myself by trying on different frames.

I've found the perfect pair when the Optometrist comes to get me. She holds a limp hand out for me to shake and introduces herself. Good lord! The woman's hands are like ice! I follow her into the examination room, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Have Jer's predictions about zombies finally come true? Am I mixing with the undead?

It's dim in the small room as I slide into the chair. The doctor holds a small but intense flashlight before my eyes as she looks into them. "It's a bit bright," she murmurs.

"Yeah, a little," I agree. When she steps back, I can't see anything except black bouncing dots. She points to a chart on the wall.

"Read line one."

Hmm. I really can't see anything except those black dots. When I tell her this, laughing a little, she smiles wanly. "Read line one."

"Okay." I shrug and give it a try.

"Now sit back." A huge machine is thrust at me. "Now lean forward. A little more. To the left. A little more."

"This is sort of like a mammogram, isn't it?" I laugh, expecting a little camaraderie,. She's a woman, I'm a woman - mammograms suck - that kind of thing.

Not even a chuckle. Okay - I'm really suspicious now, because I'm pretty amusing, if I say so myself and this lady isn't so much as cracking a smile. She's GOT to be a zombie, but also pretty small. I think I can take her if things start getting rough. It's also a challenge - I'm determined to get her to smile and become ever-so-much more witty, but she's a tough nut and won't crack.

I dutifully tell her lens one is better than two, five is better than six and two is better than three. The she asks if I've ever had my eyes dilated.

"Er, no." I frown. "I, uh, don't have a driver - I thought if you had your eyes dilated, you needed a driver ..."

"No. It's fine. You'll be fine. Lean back and let me put these drops in." I lean back. Yowza! Her hands are freaking FREEZING!! I flinch as she puts the drops in but there's no real sting.

Handing me a tissue, she says. "One more set of drops ..."

"OUCH!" I shriek. "That hurts!" I push her away and sit up, pressing the tissues to my eyes. It feels like my eyeball is dissolving. Oh great. How am I ever going to write? How will I ever READ?? Where is the water, so I can flush my eyes out? Is this her zombie plan? To render me incapable of fighting back by blinding me?

"Oh." Does this lady's voice ever change expression? "I must not have got enough anesthetic in them." Wait a minute ... is she - She is! A smile!

Oh, that's sick.

"It will take about ten minutes. You can wait out in the waiting room." She opens the door and waits for me to leave.

I need to use the bathroom (I'm on the twice an hour plan, thanks for asking. It's really cheaper in the long run), so I stumble out of the store. The pain has gone away, but it feels like I've rubbed petroleum jelly on my eyeballs - everything's blurry and I can't stop blinking.

Somehow I navigate the bathroom and return to the store. The doctor is waiting and takes a cursory look at my eyes. I am pronounced fit (though definitely in need of glasses) and ushered back out of the examination room. I feel something thrust into my hands and like Helen Keller, fumble with the shape, trying to figure out what it is I've been given. They are (forgive me Mamo) Mamo Shades.

Mamo Shades are big old, jet black, wrap around the head eyewear. Very attractive.

"Your eyes will be a little sensitive to the sun," she warns.

Sensitive is a relative term. When I step outside, tears immediately stream unchecked down my face. Oh my god. Where's the car? A horn blares and I realize I've stepped in front of a truck. I quickly wrap the Mamo Shades around my head and get out of the way.

It takes me ten minutes to find the car. I sit silently for a bit, gripping the wheel, wondering how I'm going to drive. Should I call someone?

The anesthetic must have leaked from my eyes onto my brain because I decide it's okay for me to drive and God took pity on me (he does that with fools occasionally, you know) since I got to work okay. I was pretty useless once there, since I couldn't see a darn thing, but hey, you can't have it all, right?

:)

• 03:59 I'm such a noodle. I just realized the reviewers copy of AG I sent to A BUNCH OF reviewers was missing 3 pages. Way to check yourself, Kaff. #
• 04:00 Most of them were really cool about it - and I was really happy when I got a few frantic emails because they were enjoying the story so much #
• 04:01 So all in all - I'm happy. Just tired. Where's my coffee? #
• 04:35 kathi430.livejournal.com/80767.html New Blog up! #
• 04:44 *squee* Someone wants to interview me for their blog!! Thank you! I'm such an easy date kinda girl ... #
• 04:47 Good heavens - enough messing about. Look at the time! Evil Day Job awaits! *dashes.off.to.shower* #
• 06:52 I'm such a nerd. *laugh* #
• 09:44 @bjmuntain thank you! *sips.coffee* *nibbles.candy* #
• 11:29 @tama513 I like the new piccie #
• 14:56 So it seems I have astigmatism, which is why the over-the-counter glasses no longer work. I got Sophia Loren frames. Chexy mama! #

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No, really. I looked up and it's Monday.

I wanted to have both my site and trailer done this weekend, but made only slight inroads on the trailer - which, I will say, is GOING TO BE DA BOMB!!! (I wish everyone could hear my voice when I say that - I even make myself laugh. Of course, I always make myself laugh, so not sure that's a good yardstick. Ahem.)

I'm using the nused (nused = fusion word: new to me, used by someone else) computer The Gizzard gave me for my birthday and apparently IT DOESN'T LIKE MOVIE MAKER!!

*falls.to.the.floor.weeping*

Okay, not really, but I was almost weeping Saturday morning when I pulled all my files back up. And then I had to spend/waste four hours researching and fixing the problem. Yes, it's fixed - I'm like a pit bull with a bone when I get annoyed at technology and will stop doing everything else to the exclusion of fixing whatever is annoying me. So yeah, it's working now, but by the time I got it working, it was late afternoon and I hadn't done jack all to the house. Or with the kids, or hubby or - well, you get the picture.

Also, my eyes are doing very poorly - and it's happened in a really short timeframe. I've had to wear glasses to read for the past year, give or take and now, when I'm in front of the computer for any length of time (say two hours) I get raging headaches accompanied by nausea - oops, sorry for the TMI. *laugh* Even right now, after just 45 mins, my eyes and head ache fiercely. *peeks.to.see.if.anyone.cares*

*laugh*

I had planned to go to the eye doctor; the one in the Dread Wally World across the street from me, but I despise Dread Wally World on weekends. It's worse in the summer. I HATE dodging all the carts driven by people who refuse to walk - and while some of them really need the carts, poor dears, you can tell others are JUST TOO LAZY to walk!! How do I know? Because I live in a small town where everybody knows everybody and I see these people elsewhere. Poor Jaime refuses to go with me, period. If I force her, she keeps her hands clamped over her ears to keep the cacophony out. Needless to say, I stopped forcing her.

So, I put off going to Dread Wally World, which I know I'll regret.

Sunday, I did some tidy things to the house, with a lot of assistance from the littles and did Jaime Baby's hair, while we watched Inkheart. Inkheart was ...weird. Confusing and weird. I don't think I liked it. As I was watching the movie, I recalled reading the book and feeling the same way - it was not one I finished because I didn't really like it. I *wanted* to like it - I'd heard so much about it and the concept is AWESOME. But sometimes, it just happens that way.

I also made some zucchini bread - yummy - and spent a nice couple of hours snuggling with my husband, laughing and talking, all curled up in his arms. That was a needed recharge for my marital batteries. I love the times we can just talk and snuggle - it makes me feel calm and happy. I was thinking that I'm so blessed that after 28 years, I still adore and am adored by someone. *happy.sigh*

Later in the day, I sent out loads of requests for reviews only to find out the file I'd sent was MISSING THREE PAGES. I felt like such an idiot, really. Can I NOT check what I'm sending? Ah well, hindsight is 20-20, right? But I keep thinking, well, you'll know better next time, right?

What was nice, was that the few reviewers who had started the file, noticed pretty quickly and emailed me to say that not only were they drawn in right away, they REALLY WANTED THOSE PAGES!! That certainly took the sting of embarrassment away. I only hope the desire to read stays with them until the end.

We shall see.

Hugs - Kaff

• 09:58 I think wasabi peas have a cumulative effect. My lips feel swollen. Step away from the peas ... #

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• 04:27 @bosley_gravel YAY Bos! #
• 09:32 Planning to finish my book trailer this weekend and uploading my website. No yard sales for me. *sad.face* #
• 10:07 Just added myself to the wefollow.com twitter directory under: #author #writer #YA #
• 14:23 Jeremy has developed an inordinate desire to discuss what the family should do in case of a zombie attack. It's making me nervous. Zombies! #
• 14:31 "Daddy - I think the garage should be the meeting place, because you built it and it's pretty strong. Can I store water in there?" #

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• 04:13 @BJMuntain I'm locked into IE6 at work - it blows being on such a tightly buttoned down regime. I remember when we were admins ... lol #
• 08:05 @bjmuntain we're stuck with NMCI. A few more than 2 tech guys ... #
• 11:17 bit.ly/JgGMq
  
  
  YAY! A mention! In the comments - look down! #
• 11:57 Today is Dare bear's birthday! 12 years old today. My baby's growing up. :( #

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• 06:27 Looking for reviewers for Assiniboin Girl - let me know if you're into YA and like to read! #
• 07:19 Mar Mar just told me I look horrible. Thanks kid. #
• 07:20 "No, no," she clarifies. "Just tired." #
• 07:49 good lord. never put gel in your hair in a hurry. I've got a serious case of crunchy hair. #
• 14:22 I can no longer reply to peeps here. What am I missing? #
• 18:18 @DaphneUn Yes - I often do. #
• 18:22 Twitter on IE looks different than on Firefox. As in on IE, it's missing the reply button. Reply is on Firefox. Weird. #
• 18:54 Just requested a review from Becky of Becky's Book reviews: blbooks.blogspot.com/ Crossing my fingers! #

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Ever since the time change, I've felt more or less exhausted. I'm not sure why, I just know that's the way it is. I crave sleep but never feel really rested.

I told a friend last night that I thought life got easier as one aged, but somehow more stuff just gets brought to you to do. What up, Universe? Can you give a sistah a break, please?

Now to regale you all with the myriad of cute kid stuff you've missed out on while I've been lolling in bed. Yes, it's probably going to be painful, in a slow, drawn out way.

Look at it as my gift to you. *maniacal.laughter*

Karina has been with me now, on an ever-decreasing basis as her social life has picked up, for almost five years. Lord - that's a good kid. She always calls the littles on their birthdays and texts me good wishes on Mothers Day. She's just NICE.

Jaime must have been musing about her, because not too long ago, she touched my arm, looking very serious.

"What?" I feel a little alarmed. Has Cameron gotten homemade play dough on my bedroom rug again?

"That Karina." Jaime shook her head.

"What?" Okay. It's not a mess. I relax back into my chair and take another sip of diet Mountain Dew.

"She's just getting so old, isn't she?"

"She is that." I stifle a small belch.

Jaime turns the full force of her eyes on me. Oops. Am I going to get another lecture on why it's not polite to burp, even in a ladylike fashion? I prepare my arguments. But it's not a scold at all. She gulps. "She's just growing up right before our eyes!"

Awwwww.


Yes. My baby IS the cutest in the world.

:)

• 18:34 bit.ly/w33Jv
  Assiniboin Girl is finally out! #

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http://drolleriepress.com/bookshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=86

I'm so thrilled! Finally - it's out.

Last week I confessed to a friend that I was beginning to think that I'd manufactured this elaborate fantasy about writing a book that had been accepted for publication.

I've been pinching myself all day, realizing it's not a fantasy. It's real and I'm thrilled.

WHOOT!

In other news - wow. Life is so busy. Last week I had to rush Dare-Bear to the hospital after he accidentally touched a caterpillar. I know - it sounds too weird to be real, right? But Maryland has these calico colored caterpillars that have black spikes running along their back and when startled, can release a venom-like substance that some people are really allergic to. My Dare is one of the lucky ones.

During a nature hike through the woods, Baby Boy put his hand on a tree, not realizing there was a caterpillar inching along. Ouch. Spines meet fingers and the result is not pretty.

The result: high fevers, severe headache, nausea and extreme lethargy. As an added bonus, a week later, his fingers are still purple and blotchy.

Ah well, youth is nothing if not resilient.

Today is La Roona's second birthday. Where does time go? I wrote AG while Jade was carrying Noah and next week, he'll be four.

Lord, I'm aging. But at least I'm aging well. Rather like wine.

:)

I am totally amazed that I just sold a book on Amazon for 30.00 bucks. A book I paid .25 cents for at a yard sale.

I think I may just make my next million from online sales.

Okay - my first million.

And it won't be from sales. It will be from marketing my How To Sell Stuff kit, "From Yard Sale to Riches!" I wonder how much air time on QVC costs?

*laugh*

Sent off my (hopefully) last edits yesterday.

Now I may rejoin the rest of the world.

It's funny - when I have something hanging over my head (read: edits), I feel a lot of guilt about doing anything else online until I'm done.

And this becomes a problem when I run across a plot point I can't reconcile.

Yesterday though, the dam broke. I opened the manuscript and thought - OH! That's what happens!

Duh.

So, I'll be posting again.

:)

(I'm sure all of you are breathing a sigh of relief. Hi mom! *grin*)

• 06:00 @bosley_gravel Are the gaffes consistent with the character? If you met this character would they speak this way? If so, then yes. #

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