angela_o

Although you couldn't tell it from my posting activity around here. My antepenultimate entry turned out to be a little overly optimistic. The fall was a blur of stress and dealing with a very sick child. Things are calmer now, but it's, of course, the holiday season and my oldest turned 18 yesterday. Yes, I'm the mother of a legal adult and let me tell you that's a very strange thing to realize.

I just wanted to give a figurative wave and let you know that I'm still lurking about and that I hope you're all having a wonderful December. Plus, I really wanted to use a Christmas icon.

I took E to the doctor on Tuesday and after eliminating all the other possibilities, was given the diagnosis that "in all likelihood, it's H1N1".  So, Tamiflu for him and his siblings.  He's still home from school, but hoping to return tomorrow.  So far, at least, the others haven't succumbed, although the Tamiflu makes J nauseous.  I suppose it's better to get it out of the way early in the season.  Right?

At least northern Michigan was beautiful when we went this past weekend.  It was G's birthday on Monday and we celebrated with his father and sister at his dad's lake house.  Incredibly blue skies, big fluffy clouds, and temps around 70.  Pretty close to perfect.  I managed to climb the dune at Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore again this year, though it was a near thing.  Who knew my heart could actually beat that fast?

More book updates to come soon.

 I got back from Dragon*Con last night.  While there some of the highlights for me were that I:

Went to a Charlaine Harris panel (she's a delightful Southern woman who looks like somebody's favorite aunt) and asked her whether she'd choose Eric or Bill.

Heard Diana Gabaldon read from her latest book in the Outlander series (which I didn't realize comes out 9/22.  More Jamie and Claire!!!!), asked her questions, and got my book signed, as well as saw art panels from the planned Outlander graphic novel.

Attended two great Farscape panels and actually asked the last question of the panel at the second one.  I also got autographs from Ben Browder and Claudia Black and got to ask her when she ( Read more... )


The Farscape panels were some of the best I've ever seen.  You can tell the genuine affection the cast has for each other and their deep appreciation of the fans.  Ben Browder and Claudia Black were delightful in person as well.  Yes, Jana.  I got to touch him. lol  And I even managed to behave like a rational human being while doing so.  

Saw my dear friend De who came into town in the midst of a writing deadline and took me out to brunch in her little red VW bug convertible.

Got great gifts for my family.  Older son got "It Takes A Viking to Raze a Village", older daughter got "And Then Buffy Staked Edward.  The End.", younger son got "Don't Make Me Go Zelda On You" (with all the weapons from Zelda pictured), and younger daughter who is a major lover of Snape, got a pendant with "I Always Trusted Snape".  Everyone was quite pleased.

Saw my brother who came down to hang out with me for a while at the Con.

Plus, a lot of other stuff happened.  But, the upshot was, it was a lot of fun. 

Now, I'm trying to decide what to have for dinner before taking Julia to her first concert.  The Fray are coming to the new performing arts center here in town tonight and I checked with Ticketmaster this morning and scored 6th row seats.  I'm not questioning fate on that one.  We're calling it a belated birthday present for both of us.

Plus, it looks like it might be an early fall.  Autumn is my favorite time of year, so that 's just icing on the proverbial happiness cake.

So, life is pretty good.

ETA  Jason Momoa is a pretty, pretty man.

 I decided at the last minute to attend with some friends, so I'm currently ensconced in a room on the 26th floor of the Hilton. So far today, I've gotten up at 4am, driven to Atlanta, registered for the Con, donated blood and got the cool t-shirt, bought souvenirs for 80% of my nuclear family, and am planning what to wear to tonight's Buffy Sing-A-Long and Doctor Horrible Sing-A_Long.  Oh yeah, I'm also heading to a Charlaine Harris panel in a little while.  Tomorrow it's Farscape with Ben Browder and Claudia Black and who knows what else.

By the by, steampunk is definitely the most popular costuming choice this year.

Questions to ponder:  Should I take part in the attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records for most people dancing to Thriller?  Should I buy something steampunk?  Finally, what's for dinner?

Later folks.

Coolest costumes seen so far: The Jolly Green Giant, a Marie Antoinette, an excellent Iron Man, and a Wienerlicious Girl (who was very grateful that I recognized her because 4 people had thought she was a beer garden waitress).  

More later!

 I'm failing spectacularly at LJ cutting today, so here's the whole list out in the open for all to see. I apologize if it's incredibly long on your feed.  I've starred the ones that I particularly liked.  Please feel free to ask a question about any particular book.

1. The Stupidest Angel:  A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore

 I'm heading out in a few minutes to meet one of my friends for dinner at The Melting Pot.  We're celebrating my birthday a few days early.  Gooey cheesy goodness followed by gooey chocolate goodness.   Doesn't that sound delightful?

I've also got to finally put my books for the year up.  I think I'm at 65 or so now.  *hand to chest*  I hereby do solemnly swear that I will do that before my birthday rolls around.  Feel free to make me live up to my pledge!

Anyone else ready for fall?  It's my favorite time of the year and I can't wait.

 My little girl is sixteen today.  Which means that she's old enough to date by our house rules.  I'm not sure that I'm ready for that brave new frontier.

Happy Birthday J!  You make my world a better place simply by existing in it.

Today's To Do List:

1. Make appointment for E's annual physical. 
2. Order J's birthday cake. 
3. Go to bank
4. Take E to work
5. Make arrangements for J's party.
6. Call about a rental car for tomorrow's trip to GA.
7. Order J's last two presents.
8. Pay bills.
9. Take cat to vet.
10. Send graduation card and gift to step-niece.
11. Take M for haircut.
12. Pack for trip.
13. Straighten up house.
14. Make dinner reservations for early birthday dinner for me.
15. Email father-in-law about weekend trip in September.
16. Attend Colleges that Change Lives College Fair. 
17. Call cable company about cost of upgrading service.
18. Make dinner.

Not too bad, but notice how the cleaning hasn't been done?  Yeah, me too.  Funny how I manage to skip that one.  I did do the dishes though.   That should count for something, right?

I'm heading to visit my family for the weekend with three of the kids tomorrow.  G and E have work so they'll be staying here.  J was at Duke's Young Writer's Camp in July when we went home for my mom's birthday and she wants to see my family before her 16th birthday on Monday.  Yes, she'll be 16.  Time is flying!

 I have to fly to Oregon tomorrow to get N from her grandmother's (we fly back on Friday) and as I contemplated the many hours of flying that await me in the next couple of days my thoughts turned to gadgets.  Specifically to Apple and its gadgets.  Yes, I succumbed to the lure of the 32 gig iPod Touch.  I'm justifying it as an early birthday present to myself.  Plus, the screen is much better for watching my downloaded shows than my Classic.  Rationalization is indeed my friend.

 It's a very good thing.  We're here for the week and I've got a stack of books to read while under my beach umbrella.  I hope that the rest of you are having a good week.