Seasons Greetings

Where the hell did this year go? I can't believe we'll be celebrating Christmas this week. It seems only yesterday the kids were getting out of school for the summer. Yikes.

Well, I'm really not ready for Christmas or really in the mood. I don't know why...I'm usually the farthest thing from a "Humbug" you can find. But it seems to be the prevalent mood among a lot of people this holiday season. No one seems to have had the time to really prepare for the holidays. Maybe because Thanksgiving was so late this year and we didn't get that week of 'cushion' between it and December.

I feel like I've been rushed through everything this December and I hate that. My house is only half-heartedly decorated this year. That has NEVER happened before. I did very little shopping this year as well. My Christmas spirit is at an all time low...and I seem to have lots of company in that vein.

Maybe its the state of the economy...or perhaps the planets are in some sort of weird alignment that is cosmically pulling our moods off kilter. Whatever it is, I hope it passes and I can begin the new year on a good note.

I look back over my year and it's been a decent one. I finally got The Sagittary out. Thank god no one close to me died or became ill. No one has developed any bad habits or dependencies, we still have a roof over our heads and food on the table. My family and friends are still around me. So all in all, I have had a blessed year.

I wish nothing but the deepest wishes for health and happiness this holiday season for you all. My your lives be filled with love, life and laughter and may it spill over into the new year.

Hugs and kisses to all.

TMS

Settling In for the Long Weekend

Well, the first big weekend of the holiday season is here. As I get ready to to join my family for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, I reflect on the road my life has traveled to this point in time.

Thanksgiving always is bittersweet to me--my first son was born on Thanksgiving, 14 years ago this 24th. Unfortunately, he died when he was only two months old. The bond formed between mother and child in the first months of a baby's life is a strong one, and I feel his absence now, 14 years later, as strong as the day he was taken from us. The pain has dulled, but it will never heal. I know his spirit is around us...especially his little brother. He is his Guardian Angel...and I couldn't ask for a better one.

We tend to reflect on what we are thankful for at this time of year, and I have come to realize that I am thankful that we had those two precious months with him. He looked so much like his father; even more like his brother. I truly miss him.

I am thankful for my friends, without whom I could not have gotten through that terrible period in my life, nor through the hell that followed later. Its times like that when you find out who your true friends are. And I'm glad to say that no one fell off that list.

I am thankful that my relationship with my husband has withstood all of the trials and tribulations that life has thrown at us, and that he remains after 26 years, my lover and best friend. I couldn't imagine life without him.

Lastly, I am thankful for my family...both my parents and my children. My daughter is at a terrible age when anything we do as parents is seen as an act of war. I hope she grows up to see that what we do and will continue to do is for her benefit, whether she can see it now or not, and that we truly do love her. And for my son, who helped fill the hole left behind by his brother...he has his own set of issues, but we wouldn't trade him for the world.

How true it is that what doesn't kill you, will make you stronger. And I am a stronger, better person because of those in my life. And for that, I am truly thankful.

My best wishes to all for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

TMS

Where Has the Time Gone??

I can't believe this year is almost over. Where the hell did it go?? I still have so much to do...tons of stuff to get to in the house and yard. I'm STILL not switched over to winter clothes, even though it's been in the 40s and 30s for weeks. My list of things to do is no smaller than it was when the summer had started. I still haven't painted my dining room yet. WTF?

But I know what the culprit is. It's all that time I've spent at work, wishing the day was over, wishing the weekend was here.

See....they were right.

Be careful for what you wish for.

I've wished all my time away and now I'm left lacking. Time to gather my thoughts and wits and stamina and get right to it. Roll my sleeves up and start getting things in order.

And I'd better do it now, because before you know it, the New Year will be upon us.

"The Sagittary" is here!

Thanks to my wonderful friend, DarlingDiva (Nancy) for finding out that my book is finally listed on Amazon.com!! It currently says unavailable, but I'm sure that will change this week...if BookSurge has it already posted, availability can't be far behind! I was informed two weeks, but the gods willing, I'm hoping for this week!!

*deep breath*

It seems so weird to see it actually there. Like it's not real....at least for me. I've got four of these suckers sitting on my table...three proof copies and one 'final' copy. And let me tell you, Darien is BIG...and thick...

*blushes*

But I don't want to get carried away. His ego is big enough without me pumping it up some. As I sit here writing this, he's in my mind chuckling in that deep, smooth voice of his. He's also mentioning a few things that I simply won't post here. Centaurs really know how to make a female blush. S'all I'm sayin.

Once again, thanks to all my family, friends and co-workers for your wonderful words of support, wisdom and witty criticisms. I hope Darien delivers.

Love to all,

Terri

The Countdown Begins!

Well, it's done.

I've put my OK on the final, revised, corrected, amended, realigned manuscripted proof, and the book is now in motion. *huge sigh*

According to my publishing consultant, Zach, it will be 1 to 2 weeks before "The Sagittary" is available through Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. It will also be available through www.abebooks.com and www.alibris.com.

I want to thank all my friends, family and co-workers for their kind words of support in this endeavor. It has taken nearly three years to get Darien out in print. And that's typical of him. He is quite, er...large.

To my wonderful inmates at The Keep: You guys are the best!! Thanks for all your support and allowing me to become part of your own creative storylines. You guys totally rock. Now you'll finally see the side of D that's he's kept hidden from you!! Dreamer, Trooper and Rocky....thanks for being my right-hand ladies. ^5 to you all.

My hope is to generate enough interest in the book to get one of the national publishers interested in taking a keek at it. If you like the book, please, recommend it to a friend. Word of mouth can travel faster than any marketing that I could do on my own. I'd be most grateful. If you read it and don't like it....well, I appreciate it that you took the time to find out. Perhaps my next one might work better....

Thanks again, everyone, for hanging in there with me.

TMS