Hi everyone, and TGIF! It’s time to list five random things about our week. I’ll go first, since you know, it’s my blog

1. Here’s the week’s doozy for me, and the one that has Wizard and I grateful beyond words to the police department. So two of our sons, Oldest and Youngest work together. At 7:30 yesterday morning, a woman was attacked and held in a hostage or barricade situation in the building our sons work in. To be clear, the attack was in a separate business from my sons’ workplace, but in the same building–close enough for the employees who were there to see what was happening. The police were called, and arrived quickly (I believe it was under four minutes response time) and they swiftly “ended” the standoff. Our two sons hadn’t arrived at work yet when this occurred, and by the time they did, it was a crime scene. Everyone from their office was okay, although pretty shaken up. And…Baby Slayer still has his dad (and uncle!). Special K still has her husband. And my youngest son will still marry the wonderful woman he’s loved for years and years in 2019. We are grateful beyond words.
2. Maggie caught a lizard this week. Eww!! I was standing there, egging her on because I thought the lizard would run through the wrought iron fence and save himself. But nope, he doubled back and it was a CHASE. To my shock, Maggie caught him, and I’m screaming “DROP HIM! OH GOD, MAGGIE! DROP IT NOW!!” She did (probably more from my tone than obedience, plus she didn’t seem interested in killing him, just chasing) and looked at me like I’d lost my mind.  I knew Bailey Dog could catch Lizards, but I thought Maggie would lose interest after a few seconds. Lesson learned! (And also, I’m just not into torturing any creature for fun like that. I really thought the Lizard would easily escape.)
3. Baby Slayer Moment! (One day I’ll stop with the Grandma Madness…maybe)
4. Sometimes I wonder why I stay in RWA (Romance Writers of America) but today, they made we so proud and very happy I paid my dues for this year! If you’ve been following #Cockygate, regarding an author trademarking a single common word, then you know this is a big deal. RWA has stepped up to find and pay for legal representation for one of the authors who was targeted in a lawsuit. This lawsuit has wide ranging implication for freedom of speech for all authors. If interested, you can read RWA’s statement here.
5. Yesterday I did too much to keep Wizard from doing more than he should. But at the end of the day, I realized that my pain is not as bad is it would have been without any of the shots I’ve been getting. I’m making progress! It’s taking waayyy more time that I’d like (whatever happened to instant cures???), and I’m worried about all the readers I’ve let down, but that was a real lightbulb moment.  I’m definitely going in the right direction, and it gives me hope that the shots next Thursday will help even more. With luck, I’ll be able to finish the Savaged Devotion, write the other books I desperately want to, and avoid more drastic measures (surgery) at least for a while.

So that’s my five. My weekend will probably be low-key again, and that’s fine with me. Now it’s your turn to share you five.

Have a great weekend!

Today Wizard will get his stitches out, and hopefully, be able to resume some activities, like driving, as he feels up to it. That will free me up to work more!

Okay, now it’s time for our Wednesday Worthy Candidates. This has always been one of my favorites for a fun, sexy contemporary book. But as we all know, romance readers are an intelligent, diverse group with varying tastes. So what do YOU think?

Is he worthy?

**First a housekeeping note. At some point this week, my webguru will be moving my site from one server to another. My website may be down for a while. I’m not sure what day yet. I told her anytime this week is fine. Just a head’s up  

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was predictably quiet. Wizard’s not in the partying mood with his Frankenstein Stitches marching the lower third up his back   Seriously, they really are big black stitches and look a little startling, but there was a purpose to it–if the spinal leak repair didn’t hold, and the surgeon had to go back in, this was an easier way to reopen the incision.

Thankfully, that didn’t happen! Clearly the surgeon did a really good job. But I love teasing Wizard about his Frankenstein Stitches (and Wizard has a good sense of humor).

This weekend, I spent a few hours a day showing up at my computer trying to write. I know this method of re-establishing my routine will work as long as my physical condition can take it. I’ve let everything, and everyone, else come before my work, which I had to do. But it’s time I go back to this rule:  Prioritize my day to do my creative work, which takes the most brain power, first. Everything else can wait until I’m tired and out of words. It’s still a work in progress since Wizard comes first right now, but I’m setting the butt-in-chair habit, so by the end of the week when Wizard is a bit more healed and mobile, I’m back in the right mindset.

Today is Memorial Day in the States, and I always take a moment to remember of all those who gave their lives in services to our country. And to thank everyone who served. My father was a fighter pilot in WWII and while he came home physically whole, the war took an emotional toll on him. In his later years, he started having nightmares. I’m only sharing this because, while my dad had a good life until he suffered a cardiac event that took his life at 54, there is an emotional cost to military service, especially for those who see combat of any kind. My hope is that we are truly grateful enough to put significant, meaningful resources into learning how to help those who’ve served to cope with that emotional cost. As I said, my dad was lucky, mostly enduring a few nightmares and some insomnia. Other’s pay a much bigger emotional price and I hope that we learn how to help them.

Today, I’m making Wizard ribs for dinner. And Baby Slayer is coming over for a couple hours because…no matter how much I need to write, I can’t say no to him!

So how was your weekend?

Okay I’m not quite back in the swing of things, but getting there. Here’s my 5:

1. Donuts, what was I thinking??? Oh right, I felt sorry for Wizard and bought them to make him happy. Whatever, wearing pants is overrated right? (I’m giving myself through the long weekend, then begin weeding out most of the crap I’ve allowed to slip into my eating over the last couple months.)
2. Baby Slayer Cute Alert! 
3. Baby Slayer was out again on Wednesday. CPA Boy took the day off, and along with Special K, they came out to keep Wizard company. Wizard continues to heal well. Boredom is setting in, which is a great sign.
4. There’s nothing on TV. It’s so frustrating! Most nights, I can’t read or do anything useful from the nerve pain & tinnitus, so I watch TV and feel my brain cells dying off. On the other hand, it’s a great motivator to get well, LOL!
5. It’s Memorial Day weekend, but we don’t have plans since it hasn’t even been two weeks yet since Wizard’s surgery. I have the feeling I’m going to have my hands full just keeping him from overdoing it! I don’t mind though, if this last surgery works, it will all be worth it!

So that’s my Friday Five, now it’s your turn! Hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend!

Today we’re doing something a little different! I love men who have a soft spot for animals, to me that’s sexy. So this is the hunk I chose for today:

So what do you think, is he worthy? What else, besides physical appearance, makes a guy sexy to you?

Maggie got bitten by Royal Wedding Fever, and absolutely insisted we watch the wedding of Harry and Meghan. That dog is such a romantic! What???? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it (It’s the excuse I used when CPA Boy came over and saw it on TV. CPA Boy seemed skeptical of my explanation, but I know you all believe me, right?)

In other weekend news:

–Wizard is doing much better, and this recovery so far, is easier that his first back surgery. That’s a little weird since this was a more complex surgery, but we’re happy.

–Baby Slayer came over!! He’s 9 weeks old, and cooing away and giving small smiles. He really cheered up Wizard, and I got to hold him almost the entire time he was at our house.

–Maggie loves Baby Slayer!

–Friday morning, Wizard ran a very slight (100 degrees) fever. This can be normal after surgery, particularly for Wizard. An hour after I gave him Tylenol, I asked him if there was anything he wanted, and he said brownies, so I made brownies. He really should have asked for the Mustang he’s wanted for our entire marriage, LOL!

–Yesterday, I took Maggie out for her afternoon walk. Everyone is warning me of rattle snakes, so I decided to avoid the field we always go to and stayed in the neighborhood. Out of nowhere, a small dog came after us. I was able to handle it and scare the dog off, but seriously,  people need to watch their damned dogs. I’m really fed up with idiots. This dog was running loose, no owner in sight anywhere. If I EVER have to hurt a dog, I’m going to be so pissed at the irresponsible owner. In good news, Maggie did exactly as I taught her, and stayed right at behind my left leg, letting me handle it. If she’d charged, it could have escalated the situation before I could defuse it and scare the dog off without hurting it.

–I just want to write again. But I’m staying positive. We’ve made huge progress in tackling Wizard’s issues, and it’s been a long two year road. I’m proud of him for continuing to fight for answers/solutions. We are doing the same for me. #NeverGiveUp!

So that’s my weekend, now I’d love to hear all about yours!

Happy Friday! Before I start, Wizard is home and doing well after his surgery. He had a fairly significant back surgery. It’s his second in 18 months, and something we only chose to do after many tests and consultations. But it was necessary to try to relieve increasing nerve pain in his feet and legs.

But Wizard never does anything the easy way, and during the surgery, he had the rare complication of developing a spinal fluid leak. Fortunately, the surgeon caught and repaired it before he closed up. Unfortunately that required Wizard to stay in the hospital for another day. He had to lay flat on his back for 24 hours (he couldn’t get up for any reason), with nurses assessing him every hour. He had a long, miserable night, but once the 24 hour period was up, they began sitting him up to see if the repair held. Youngest Son (BLB) and I were there, and we held our breath, waiting to see if he developed the telltale headache, vomiting or other signs of a spinal fluid leak. If the repair didn’t hold, they’d have to take him back into surgery.

But Wizard was symptom free (other than pain from the surgery). In another hour, they had him out of bed and walking with the aid of a walker. And a couple of hours after that, we were able to take him home. Whew! That was a huge relief! We are very grateful for the excellent medical care he received.

It’s a little crazy, though, Wizard is two for two on rare complications. First he had a rare complication on his eye surgery that required a second surgery, and now this on his back surgery that landed him in the hospital for another day.

This obviously proves me right when I saw Wizard is complicated!

So what’s new with you guys? How’s your week been? Any plans for the weekend?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!