One Year and Counting

In exactly one year my daughter will be 15 years and 8 months old and will be expecting me to take her directly to DMV for her learners' permit. She is thoroughly looking forward to that day while I'm dreading it. Boy, time flies!!! It was just yesterday that she was born. I'm certainly not prepared for her to drive...and definitely not my SUV.

Graduation Day!

In about twelve hours, my daughter will be graduating from the eighth grade. Eighth grade!!! I can't believe she's going to high school next year. I can't believe how fast the years have passed. Just nine years ago, she was going off to kindergarten, excited about dragging her book bag full of school supplies down the sidewalk into Kingdom Preparatory Academy. She couldn't wait to get to work and learn new things. Now school is the center of her social circle, where all things good --and bad --radiate. It's a wonder I have any hair left on the top of my head from all of the teenage angst she's put me through this year. Now don't get me wrong! She's not a bad kid and I know this age is a time when most kids struggle to find/make a place for themselves in their social arena. But boy, I'll be glad when this stage is over!

I'm proud that she's made it this far and wish nothing but the best for her in the future. As she embarks on her summer break (30-day break for mom!), I pray she has a safe journey and fun in the sun. Hopefully she'll use the time she has this summer to be more introspective (as much as a hard-headed teenager can be!) and will develop the growth and maturity needed to begin her life as a freshman in high school.

I love you, Courtney Brianna!

Catching Up!

Well hello, folks!

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Birthday to me, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, Happy Inauguration to President Obama and pretty soon Happy Valentine's Day!

Once again, I've been missing in action for a long time but that doesn't mean that life's been uneventful. The holidays were loads of fun, including a surprise 40th birthday party for me thrown by my younger brothers. (Way to go, guys!)

For now, I'm recovering from all the fun: neck pain, numbness in my legs and hands and fatigue! It's kicking my butt! I can't seem to shake it but I know that with rest and patience with myself that I'm going to be fine.

So, to all of you who have been waiting for new chapters and critiques from me, please be patient as well.

Later!

The Summer is OVER!

The summer of 2008 is unofficially over with the passing of Labor Day and I'm both happy and disappointed.

I'm happy because that means the schools reopen and my daughter can get off the couch, out of my refrigerator and get back to the books. I was a bad mommy this summer because I gave in to her plea to do absolutely nothing all summer. No summer camp, no dance camp, no math review workbooks, no eighth grade prep books, no nothing! She got to be lazy all summer and capped it off with a 5-day cruise to the Caribbean just before school started. She came back looking like a crispy critter!



I'm disappointed because I used the eventful days of my summer as an excuse to do hardly any writing. OK, no writing. Instead of writing about romance, I experienced some romance of my own. The details are too precious to post in cyberspace. Let's just say that the fall and winter are looking to be very toasty indeed.



It's good to be able to kick back and bask in the admiration of someone who's genuinely interested in you on so many levels. To be able to laugh at someone's corny jokes, to flirt outrageously via text messages, to cook for someone other than the kid who only wants chicken nuggets and french fries, and to be excited about the prospect of every phone call and the mysteries of the future.



Now, it's time for me to put my nose to the grindstone and get back to work. Yeah, I know. You've heard it before, but I'm serious this time. Of course, I'm not gonna pressure myself to compete with anyone else's goals or achievements which I think was at the root of why my creativity had been stifled. I'm just gonna relax and fun. Write when I feel good and have the energy and take care of my health when I don't.



How was your summer?





AJ

One-Word Survey

I'm piggy-backing off my girls, Patricia and Denise and giving one-word answers to this fun questionnaire. Feel free to answer too! REMEMBER, ANSWERS MUST BE ONE WORD ONLY!

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your significant other? Cute
3. Your hair? Relaxed
4. Your mother? Retired
5. Your father? Walker
6. Your favorite thing? Books
7. Your dream last night? Scary
8. Your favorite drink? Tea
9. Your dream/goal? Published
10. The room you’re in? Office
11. Your ex? Gone
12. Your fear? Failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Virginia
14. Where were you last night? Home
15. What you’re not? Dumb
16. Muffins? Blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? Peace
18. Where you grew up? Richmond
19. The last thing you did? Walk
20. What are you wearing? Shorts
21. Your TV? On
22. Your pets? None
23. Your computer? Old
24. Your life? Interesting
25. Your mood? Calm
26. Missing someone? Aunt
27. Your car? Fly
28. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
29. Favorite store? Book
30. Your summer? Typical
31. Like(love) someone? Daughter
32. Your favorite color? Orange
33. Last time you laughed? Morning
34. Last time you cried? Yesterday
35. Who will re-post this? Unknown

Not too bad!
AJ

Peaking Out of the Rabbit Hole

Once again, I've fallen off the writing radar because of life's interruptions and all-around doldrums and just wanted to take a moment and poke my head out of the rabbit hole.

How's it going out there in the romance publishing world? Several of my friends have finished manuscripts and gotten publishing contracts and even seen their first debuts. To say that I'm not envious would be a lie, but I have no one to blame but myself. Now don't think this post is about beating myself up! I'm simply taking stock as I do every three months of so and being pragmatic about my efforts, or lack thereof.

The good news: it's summer time.

While she's out of town visiting her dad, I get a break from running back and forth, transporting my daughter to school and weekend activities. I can stay up all night (when I'm the most productive) working on my stories and doing critiques and then sleep late in the mornings. With me eating at odd times, maybe I can lose the weight I need to get into that bathing suit this summer. Of course, I want to take a much needed vacation somewhere. After the year I've had so far (thank goodness mom and dad are both recovering well), I need it.

So don't fret, y'all! I'm still alive and kickin'!
AJ

Just Checking In....

I know, I know. It's been over a month since I checked in but you don't even WANT to know what's been going on in my life over recent weeks! Suffice to say, things are settling down and I'm trying to get back on track with my writing and editing...and blogging. I also have to tackle my critique to-do list. Several of my writing friends have been making great strides in completing their manuscripts. I'm both proud and envious of them and their work ethic. Keep up the good work, ladies!

Nose to the Grindstone!

Hey All!

I haven't posted in a while because I've been very busy with my WIP, outlining my next story, critiquing and life in general. I'm making great progress in Can't Help But Love You. The story is wrapping up nicely and now it's time for editing. I'm not looking forward to that because I know how difficult pulling a cohesive story together can be.

My daughter's 12th birthday was Saturday and I can't believe how much she's grown and changed. Gone are the days of Bratz dolls, cartoons and cuddles with Mom. Now she's talking on the phone with her friends as soon as she gets out of school (mind you, they just saw each other ten minutes before), wanting big-ticket electronics, watching music video, and mumbling under her breath how much I get on her nerves. Calgon take me away!

Well that's all for now. Hope to have more later this week. What are you working on?

Happy Birthday wishes today to Shaniqua and Charlotte!

AJ

Happy "Birth" Day, Mi'Kaela!

Good News! My only niece, Mi'Kaela Macyn Jefferson was born last night at 11:31pm, Alaska time. (left: sonogram pic)

The timing was perfect. My brother arrived for R & R from Iraq on Monday, his wife's birthday was Tuesday, and Mi'Kaela arrived just before midnight on Wednesday. What a blessed first Father's Day for Michael!

I was excited the whole day. With every phone call from Mike, I got more and more excited. When I got the call at three this morning, I popped out of bed and raced to the phone. I just knew she was here. She arrived weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces and with a head full of hair.

I am ever so grateful that Michael has made it through his first six months in Iraq and arrived home safely. I dread the fact that he is leaving again in less than two weeks and still has six months left on his tour of duty. I trust God will protect him, and he will get back safe and sound.

Besides, he has a lifetime of Daddy work to do.

AJ (new Auntie)

Last Day of School...Yippy!!

Yesterday was my daughter's last day of school and I don't know who was more excited - me or her!

My excitement stemmed from the fact that I get a break from running back and forth to school - 4 times a day, 80 miles a day, and from the long nights of homework (no way in hell did we have this much homework in the sixth grade!) Also at the end of the month, I get a much-needed break from the stress of mothering the tempermental ball of love/hate I call my child while she is away visiting her dad.

I just don't know what to do with myself. Will I take the time to wrap up my current WIP, rest up and recharge my batteries after a bout of illnesses recently, or take a trip like Stella and get my "groove back."


Maybe a little of all three!

All I know is that I am too young and lovely (am I delusional or what?) to just sit around and rot away or feel sorry for myself. Besides, life is too short.

When my child gets back, we are definitely going on vacation together like we did last spring break. We had a ball riding a tandem bike on the boardwalk (well, she pedalled in front and I pretended to pedal in the back), going to see the sites and eating at a different restaurant every night.

So what are you doing this summer?
AJ

What are you reading?

This past week I was laid up with an attack and spent most of my bedrest time either sleeping or reading. As a Kimani readers subscriber, I've got a ton of books on my bookshelf. Sadly, I did very little writing. (I did however finish that love scene.)

Hopefully, I'll be back on track and more productive this week.

So, what are you reading?

6 Weird Things about Me!

Thanks to Jennifer Shirk, now I have to add to the weird quotient:

1. I broke my tailbone while delivering my daughter eleven years ago. I had no clue at the time, but the next morning I woke up with the worst pain in my lower back. I complained to my OB and he blithely proclaimed, "Oh you probably cracked your tailbone pushing." I had no idea such a thing was possible but if you think about it, it makes sense. I got an x-ray and, yep, it was cracked. Even now on rainy days I wish I had a sling for my rump.

2. The day after receiving my driver's license at 16 and 8 months, I hit a pedestrian while driving to the library. Talk about horrifying! My mother was driving right behind me when she turned right to go home and I continued straight toward the library. As traffic backed up into the intersection because of a stopped car ahead. I changed lanes to get out the intersection before the light changed. As I was proceeding forward, a guy dashed from between the stopped car and a city bus. I slammed on the brakes but it was too late. I clipped the guy in the leg, throwing him up onto the hood and into my windshield. When my car jarred to a halt, he rolled to the ground and hit his head once more on a parked car. I freaked out royally! I'll never forget the look on his face and the shock in his eyes. I had plenty of witness since it was rush hour and folks were getting off from work. Someone from the crowd came over and got my mother's number and she got to the scene just as medics were putting the young man into the ambulance. He suffered a broken leg, cracked ribs and a concussion, but survived. Thanks God! BTW, he got a ticket for jaywalking.

3. I go to the hair salon every week. I hate washing my own hair and look forward to my weekly pampering session. I don't drink, smoke, gamble or do drugs. This and reading are my two obsessions.

4. I never had a date in high school. What a nerd I was!

5. My favorite television shows: from the 70s was Good Times, from the 80s was Dance Fever, from the 90s was The Cosby Show and now CSI.

6. Like Chicki Brown, I hate silence. My television even puts me to sleep at night. When I work I'm listening to my Sirius radio or Yahoo Launchcast or listening to the tv. When it's quiet I draw a blank.

Three Facts About Me...

I'm being lazy today and copying a post I made today on http://themavensofthepen.blogspot.com.

Three little-known facts about me.....

1. I was high school valedictorian and tortured unmercifully for being the smartest girl in class. But I wear my survival through senior year like a badge of honor.
2. Among my friends, I am the "Queen of Useless Information." They come to me like I am resident 411 operator, able to answer their questions on practically any topic or find the answer in a flash.
3. I once jumped out of an airplane. Because I was too afraid to take the required swimming class in college, I chose to take sports parachuting. Doing a static-line jump at the end of the semester was not required to pass the class but I ending up being one of three students who "took the leap." Talk about a rush! But I promised my family I wouldn't do it again.

Let's Get to Know One Another

My friend, Jennifer Shirk, sent me this list of get-to-know-you questions and asked me to post my responses on my blog. Talk about torture! Well, Jennifer, here are my answers.

1) What’s your favorite song?
"I Believe I Can Fly"

2) Name the top 3 favorite vacations you’ve had:
Los Angeles, Disney World, Barbados

3) Name the top 3 vacations you’d like to have:
Paris, Alaska, South Africa

4) Who’s your favorite romance author?
Beverly Jenkins

5) Name your top 5 all-time favorite books:
The Edge of Dawn by Beverly Jenkins
Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Nobody's Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen

6) If you were/are married, how’d you meet your husband?
No married

7) What’s your favorite food and/or beverage to have when writing or working?
Coffee and water

8) If you had your choice, name the top 3 agents you would want to represent you.
Deirdre Knight
Steve Axelrod
Vivian Beck

9) Harrison Ford, Colin Firth, Denzel Washington, Patrick Dempsey, Keifer Sutherland, or Jamie Foxx? (Pick only one, ladies)
Denzel Washington

10) LAST QUESTION (a la Barbara Walters to Katherine Hepburn): If you could be a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
A willow tree (flexible yet strong)

Romance Bookaholic - That's Me!

I have been a romance bookaholic since I was nine-years-old when my mother gave a Harlequin Romance she was reading so that I could get out of her face for awhile. I am addicted. So addicted that I carry a romance every where I go. I read at least 3 single titles per week and resale them on Amazon.com. My family laughs at me - or gets seriously irritated - when I can't seem to function with my book. Every night I read myself to sleep and if I am standing in the grocery store line, car wash line, or waiting for my meal at a restaurant, I have my trusty book along. If I misplace a book that I am reading, I have a fit. (laughing)

My daughter is NOT a reader and is quite sick of my book habit but my hobby (uh, addiction) has gone from being just a hobby to now research into the art of writing a selling romance novel. I'll be the first to admit that reading does distract me from writing. But I am working on that. I can't even begin to list my favorite authors. The first novel that touched my soul was Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (1979). Oh my God!I still remember the story and characters of the Civil War Era novel after all these years. Cole Latimer was the perfect hero. He was complex, conflicted, gentle, sensual, at times temperamental, but with a heart of gold. Alaina MacGaren was definitely a strong heroine, able to adapt and handle every situation that was thrown at her. Her strength and determination were admirable. I enjoyed the fact that she challenged Cole during various situations and was able to outsmart him to boot. Now that I'm thinking about the story, I'm going to have to read it again. I kept the book until I graduated from high school then lost it when I went to college.

But the seed was planted for sure!

I enjoy most genre of romance novels but I love the vampire and werewolf stories, single titles as a part of a series, and romantic suspense. I've picked up some erotica - and many of my male friends think I read romance simply for the sexual content - but the erotica can be disappointing because they tend to lack character development and a truly fleshed out plot.

So, my love for books and romances started at a young age and I will always make time to read a book. Hopefully, when I'm published I can touch readers in the same way Kathleen Woodiwiss and the early writers of romance touched me and plant the seed for another book addict.

Ta-ta for now!