Man I think I’m still full. Yesterday was our anniversary, so we went out to dinner. It was sooo good! Then Wizard insisted we order dessert. So we ordered chocolate cake to split (they have great lobster, but their dessert menu is limited). Anyway, I’m still full.
And I’m going to the gym today. I am! Maybe…
So yesterday I put a Happy Anniversary to Wizard post up on my personal FB page. Special K (CPA boy’s wife) saw it instantly. But Wizard hadn’t seen it yet and had no idea.
His phone dings a text and Wizard says, “I bet it’s Middle Son about going radio control car racing on Sat.” Then he looked at his phone and let out an exclamation of surprise. “It’s Special K. Hmm, that’s unusual in the middle of the day. Wonder what she wants?”
“I don’t know, read it.” And I totally did this completely believable innocent expression:
Wizard was too excited to read Special K’s text to pay attention to me. He read it out loud, “Hey Dad, you should get Mom a French bulldog for your anniversary. Mom would love it so much.” Wizard is totally baffled, sort of like this:
He turned to me. “How does Special K know it’s our anniversary?”
I know,you’re all thinking, “Um, duh, she’s married to your son. Surely he knows and told her. But nope, the kids don’t remember our anniversary because we’ve never made it a big deal with them. We’ve always chosen to do something special for the two of us, even if it’s just dinner out together. So Wizard is puzzled. Then the light went on and he turned suspicious eyes on me. “What did you do?”
I burst out laughing. “I’m not telling, but I tagged you on FB.”
He found it instantly, I posted an old picture from out wedding from so very long ago. Our wedding pics are pretty bad, but he was still entertained by it. And evidently so was Special K., LOL! And for the record he texted her back that he got me a horse, not a dog. A Mustang. He means the car. Which is a joke because I didn’t get a dog, horse or car. But I did have a great day and dinner with Wizard so I’m happy. (And for the record, we agreed on no gifts.)
This will be a working weekend for me. I love this story, but I’m feeling around for the best way to tell it. It just takes time and focus. What are your plans?
November 7th, 2014 at 3:43 am · Link
Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you two had a great time at dinner. Lobster sounds so good. You know chocolate cake is always yummy :).
You kill me with how you get Wizard all the time and those puppy photo captions are so cute! The horse and puppy haven’t arrived yet have they? You two are tons of fun.
Our anniversary is Sat and we’re going to go to PF Changs. I love sea bass and theirs is very good.
The windows have been a nightmare. They messed up my stucco on the outside of one window as well as destroying the inside wood trim. Had to rebuild. Someone will be out to fix stucco.
All of my windows have inside panes so imagine my surprise when I see them installing two side panels to my huge slider that are plain glass. Not a happy camper here. Got on the phone ranting.
Oh and they didn’t measure any of the windows correctly so they had to build in extra wood that now has to be painted. At least this can be done when they fix the trim on the other window.
The back of the house is siding so I’m dreading when that installation begins. This is a lot of money. The company is a well respected national chain. Not good.
Sorry for ranting. On the good side PeeWee is getting along a bit better. Four more weeks and he gets out of his cast :).
You have a really great weekend!
November 7th, 2014 at 7:00 am · Link
Oh no, Viki! What a pain in the butt. Word of warning: if you have the replacement windows that slide down for easy cleaning, make sure they didn’t run a bead of caulk over the sliding seam. (They’d done that here.) And if they’re tilt in, make sure they allowed for that with the inside molding. (That here, too.) :hugs:
I saw your FB post, Jenn. You were such a pretty bride. And Wizard looked dashing. I’m so glad you’ve had such a long and happy marriage. You two seem perfect for each other.
Working weekend here, too. I’m up to over 13K on the rewrite but no rest for the wicked. (I reached the ‘this sucks, I hate it’ stage last night, but I’m forging ahead because I know it doesn’t really suck and I don’t really hate it.) In self-pub news, the book is with the editor and the artist has been paid, so now I wait. Both came highly recommended, so no worries – except for ‘what if she hates what I wrote’ and ‘what if he doesn’t have the same vision’. Writerly stuff is scary.
November 7th, 2014 at 8:20 am · Link
I think you totally deserve a puppy for your anniversary. (awesome pic btw) I mean, you work hard and had 3 great boys AND you put up with him.
haha Then again, this come from a girl with 5. (funny everytime I as 5, it startles even me and I wonder how the heck that happened?)
Any who, I’m looking forward to reading more WS. I know I’ve said that before BUT ya know. They really kick ass.
I’ve surpassed 40k word count on book #2 …and counting. I’m guessing it’s going to be about 13k words longer than #1. You think that’s a big deal with a series to have books that different in sizes?
Oh and B.E. I feel your pain on the self pub trail. I had to set up date for editing on book #2– so I have deadline for it. And even though I got edits back for FUEL, haven’t started on those yet. I also bought image for cover of #2.– I still have formatting, copyright, and…and…and… I get hives thinking about it!
November 7th, 2014 at 11:50 am · Link
Viki, I’d be furious too! That’s beyond ridiculous, a total screw up. I hope they make it right with your windows and do it fast. I’m so frustrated for you. I bet you searched for the company you thought would do the best job and now you’re in a mess.
Yep, I’m pissed on your behalf.
Putting that aside, I hope you and hubby have a great time on your anniversary Saturday.
I’m working on a dog for next year. I’d love a Frenchie, but I really would be happy with any dog that we fall in love with–including an older dog from the animal shelter. But we have to both be on the same page, or it won’t work.
Hope you have a great weekend and get a break from the window stress.
November 7th, 2014 at 11:56 am · Link
B.E., you have a lot of exciting news going on! So happy for you. You know this, but the editor is only going to make the book stronger. But it’s very scary to have your book in anyone else’s hands–but someone you’re paying to criticize is a whole different category of scary
Thanks, I was barely 20 at the time. Hard to believe I married so young and it worked. I was very fortunate.
November 7th, 2014 at 12:02 pm · Link
Ashlynn, thanks on my puppy wish
Wizard and I just have to be ready to commit and change our lives a bit.
Okay, on your question, NOPE not a big deal, especially in today’s market. If you have a good editor, she’ll tell you if there’s extra padding that you can cut, but if you need that many words to tell the story, then it’s fine. In my opinion, readers are looking for that same emotional experience with each book in a series, but word count isn’t a problem for them UNLESS you short change the story but not doing deep enough, or pad it with too much TELLING and not enough SHOWING through the action of the characters. And I’ll stop now–I get a little passionate
Have a great weekend!
November 7th, 2014 at 12:19 pm · Link
Jenn – I don’t normally creep on you but I had to go see your wedding photo. I agree with B.E. You two are lovely. Really nice gown too.
I am keeping my fingers crossed right now. This is the 5th time I’ve done window and 2nd on siding and I am beside myself with the screw ups. Yes, I went through a two month search to hire these guys. The only reason I didn’t go with my last company was a delivery issue. Now I’m kind of kicking myself.
B.E. I have checked the windows to make sure they function properly. I feel awful for you. I can’t imagine them caulking the seam like that and again not measuring properly to accommodate the molding. Makes you wonder how they stay in business.
You guys all have a great productive weekend :).
November 7th, 2014 at 1:22 pm · Link
Thanks, Viki, on the wedding pics. I wish we had better pics. But we were on a very tight budget.
You’re really in a nightmare. Maybe threaten to call the media if they don’t resolve this, then do it if you have to. But seriously how do some of these companies stay in business?
One thing for sure, I appreciate good work (like out counter tops, these guys knew what they were doing).
Crossing my fingers that someone in that company will do the right thing and resolve this.
November 7th, 2014 at 1:46 pm · Link
That does answer my question! Thanks. So with you on this one about telling vs showing and filling up the story. Unfortunately, I only got a copyedit, so thats all she did. I think its good, (it’s my weakest link), but only a copyedit.
When I edit FUEL I do know I have to add a scene and fluff it a bit. But won’t be as long as WRECK. And #3 will be about the first one’s size. I think. lol
Oh, btw, I was barely 20 and hubby 19 when we got married too.
And I thought your pics were great.
November 7th, 2014 at 9:12 pm · Link
Ashlynn, you have a strong feel for your strengths and weakness, and that’s key. You’re doing great! The trick now it to keep believing in yourself even when it’s scary.
Wow you were both babies when you married, and it did work out great! Wizard was (and still is!) older than me
November 8th, 2014 at 8:46 am · Link
Viki- the windows were all put in long before we bought this house. We’ve decided the precious owners weren’t the brightest bulbs, and we’re fixing things as we find them. My brave Hubs sat on the window ledges with a box cutter and got the caulk off so I could wash those windows. =o)
Jenn – When it’s right, it’s right – no matter the age. And yes, I know it’ll be so much better once she gets done marking it up. And so far, she does like it, so that’s good.