Castle in the Clouds

Took the boys to the theatre today to see Star Wars III. Even though we hit the matinee showing, I still managed to spend $30. For once, I think it was worth it. This movie rocked. Before it began I had wondered how George would turn a decent man to evil. Sure, I had seen Anikan's temper and shortcomings in the first two movies but he had a long way to go before turning into Darth Vadar. The movie didn't disappoint. A lethal combination of fear and arrogance made the young man vulnerable to sinister influences. What I found most compelling about the transformation from good to evil was the fact it was based on decisions made out of love. Had he not feared Padame's death, had he not been determined to save her, I truly believe Darth Vadar would not have been borne. The Chancellor exploited Anikan's weaknesses. Witnessing the evolution of a villian is so helpful when it comes to my own writing. Villians are difficult for me. I tend to deal in absolutes (like th

The kidlets and I got back today around 2:00. I had driven our camper (it sits in the bed of our truck) up to our family property where my dad, aunt, uncle, grandma, and a half dozen cousins awaited us. My sister followed me to make sure I had help if I needed it. Luckily, I didn't! It was a too-short vacation but I'm glad I said yes when I was asked to go. I don't recall ever taking my youngest up there and he's almost 5. It seems impossible. Surely my husband and I have been up there at some point in time over the last few years. Yet, I can't think of when. That's so sad. The only camping I ever did as a kid was done at the property and it's an awesome tradition to pass down, which means I'll have to see how the hubby feels about making at least one annual trip up there during the summer. Sitting around the campfire reminscing about all the trips we had taken up there as kids was a lot of fun. I think everything we did with our kids this wee

The run-down according to yours truly: Vegas It doesn't look good. The characters are all running in different directions. Nessa and Delinda are on a plane with what appears to be an assassin with a mark on Nessa's head. Sam quit when she realized her husband was going to buy the Montecito. Mike agreed to go on the road singing with his aunt (what the hell??). Ed's chasing after Nessa and Delinda. And Danny-boy? His dad died and his girlfriend the cop had to break the news. I can't wait to see how the writers pull everyone back together. I'd like to see Sam and her husband battling it out instead of her leaving the show. Not that I've heard she is...I'm just saying. NCIS All I can say is OMG. What the hell? They can't kill off Kate! I'm hoping that scene was just another dream sequence but it sure seemed "real". I'm still in shock. House Major threads of conflict were set up by the finale on this one. House's ex-wife,

I had a title and a little else to go on. I started writing with nothing more than a vague idea of what kind of story I wanted to tell. I probably should have been working one of the many projects I already have underway but this story seems determined to find its way onto paper. I don't know that it's a story I will share with anyone. It could be but, for the moment, I'm inclined to think this one will purge itself and be filed away under "too strange to share". Only time will tell.

Okay, this is Michelle's fault. :) Total Number of Books I Own: Hm. A lot. They're stacked on bookshelves and stowed away in boxes. If I had to guess I'd say maybe 300 or more. That might be too conservative. Or not. I don't know...I've never counted them! Last Books I Bought: Both books were purchased on my last trip to Borders: Wi'tch's Gate and Wi'tch's Star by James Clemens. I already had the first three books and wanted to complete the series. Note: The apostrophes sprinkled here and there for no apparent reason made my fingers itch for a red pen. Otherwise very enjoyable. Last Books I Read: Those would have to be the last two I purchased. I'm currently reading Binder's Road by Terry McGarry, the book I had bought on a previous trip to Borders. 5 Books That Mean A Lot To Me: This is a mean one. It's like making me choose which child I love more. It's just not possible! So I'm going to cheat. Johanna Lindsey int

1. I have two beautiful little boys. 2. I started scrapbooking in 1998. I've been addicted ever since. 3. I am a book junkie. I may need professional help. 4. My biggest aspiration is to become a published writer--one that makes enough money to quit her day job. 5. Wait. Biggest aspiration might actually be to be the best mother I can be. 6. I am a Christian. 7. I have one dog and one cat. Both are black. 8. Def Leppard is one of my favorite bands of all time. My husband makes fun of me because I love attending their concerts. 9. I may bitch about Michigan but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. 10. I have been out of the country several times, mostly to Canada. Once to the Bahamas. For the record, Customs makes me nervous even though there's absolutely no reason why it should. 11. I want to take my kids to Disneyland before they're too old to enjoy it. 12. I went to Disneyland when I was 5. Don't remember a damn thing but I've seen the

I'm having a jewelry party on Saturday. Pretty, sparkly stuff that girly girls tend to covet. Not that I'm a girly girl. Heavens, no! I just wanted that one necklace enough to actually inconvience myself by booking a party. Getting ready for a party is never fun. It's work. Lots of it. First you have to get all the addresses together in order to make sure you might have 5 or 6 guests show up (typically I send out 15-20 invites). Then you have to go around telling everyone you invited it doesn't matter if they come and, if they do, please don't feel obligated to buy ANYTHING. Really. I only booked the party so I could buy that $110 necklace for $25. Guests invited and reassured they don't need to spend their life savings on jewelry they feel obligated to buy just because they're kind enough to come to this silly thing, it's time to focus on the house. Cleaning is not my favorite pasttime. It ranks right up there with going to the dentist. H

Got on the scale this morning. Egads! I can't take it any more. I know I'm hitting that middle-age spread but please! This is ridiculous. Ignoring the effects of age, shameful eating habits, and my tendency to avoid physical exertion must come to an end. I need to eat better and I need to exercise. Excuses be damned. Somehow I always manage to find time to read, to play on the computer, or to watch tv. Giving up one or more of those activities isn't going to be easy but I know I have to do it. I'm thinking the tv is the easiest to live without. I also need to stop eating so much. I love food. Apparently it loves me, too, because it's taken up residence around my mid-section. Ew. Double ew. I want to look cute and adorable in my clothes again. And let's not even mention bathing suits, shall we? Here's my plan (please pray I find the will-power and self-control necessary for follow-through): -No more pop (a.k.a. soda). Quitting cold-turkey toda

Redeeming Angels © Krista Heiser, All Rights Reserved. This is a rough draft. It likely contains typos and other errors, and may not be copied, reproduced, or quoted in any form or format. Chapter One. Chapter One Makenna Wilkensen felt the darkling stir to life deep within her. The first tendrils of a thirst so compelling she would never completely slake it crept through her veins, demanding replenishment. Instinct created a pressure along the roof of her mouth and in her teeth. Her mood, already soured from the last hour spent trying to balance the bookstore’s accounts, darkened even further. She glanced down at the calendar on her desk. November 10th. Early by two weeks and wholly unwelcome. As she studied the calendar she knew waiting for her next night off would become an agony. She’d have to make some adjustments to the store schedule. Just as soon as she finished cashing out. She recalculated the figures only to come up short once again. Damn it. She slammed her hands do

You know as much as I bitch about my day job, it does have some great perks. I work with some truly interesting and likeable people. Icing is there a few who seem to get me--they're either great actresses or they understand my quirkyness because they can relate to it. In return, I seem to "get" them, as well. We recently hired a young woman who is an artist. She has writerly (is that a word?) aspirations but her calling is art. I wish I had my digital with me today. She made a doll for another coworker. Doll is too tame a word, though. It's a girl. And she's made out of recycled things. String. Beads. Ribbon. Yarn. Beans. Cinnamon sticks. It's unusual and beautiful all at the same time. I envy her the vision it took to create this girl. The creativity that went into that doll's creation is astounding. The detail work must have been mind-numbing. Oh, how I wish I had my digital with me so I could share this with you!

I should be. I have three more chapters to edit and then it's time for new words. Of course, I could always skip the editing and go right to the new words. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go directly to your word processing software and get busy. Yep. I should be writing.

Owen--my new nephew. He makes nephew number 8. Number 9 is on his way.... 

soccer uniforms 

Ok, so they might not interest you at all. Apparentely, blogs that talk about the blogger's day-to-day existence are boring as hell. So to my few readers...I apologize. :) Item #1: As seen in the picture below, my sister had her baby. Healthy little bugger and cute as can be. 7lbs, 14oz. 20 & 1/2 inches long. His name is Owen Zachary. How cute is that? Item #2: Have not been successful in getting in touch with son's school to pass along his hearing test results. Playing phone tag with the Speech Therapist. When I tried to call back yesterday I got a busy signal. Guess I'll have to keep trying or resort to yet another letter. Item #3: My boy scored a goal in soccer last night! Yay, little man! Item #4: Work sucks. Nothing new. Just thought I'd mention it in case you were under the misconception things had improved. Item #5: I've been editing the vampire romance. Very pleased with the results. However, chapter two is questionable in its entirety.

We took our oldest son to the Ears, Nose and Throat specialist today. I don't know if I mentioned it but last Monday he had had his hearing checked and the results weren't good. The tests revealed he could hardly hear out of his right ear. Faced with those results, our family doctor had referred him out. Well, his hearing is fine. Perfect actually. The problem? Oh, that would be the PAPER stuck down in his ear canal and the wax impacted against his eardrum. Take those minor nuisances out and voila! the boy can hear! What I want to know? How did he get paper in his ear? And why couldn't our family doctor see it?

Your Birthdate: July 20 Your birth on the 20th day of the month adds a degree of emotion, sensitivity, and intuition to your reading. The 2 energy provided here is very social, allowing you to make friends easily and quickly. Yet you are apt to have a rather nervous air in the company of a large group. You have a warmhearted nature and emotional understanding that constantly seeks affection. You are very prone to become depressed and moody, as emotions can turn inward and cause anxiety and mental turmoil. It can be hard for you to bounce back to reality when depression sets in. When things are going well, you can go just as far the other way and become extremely affectionate. What Does Your Birth Date Mean? Other than the depression thing--the blues never last for more than a day or two--this is pretty accurate.

More madness. I stopped by Laurell K. Hamilton's blog this afternoon expecting to read about her progress on her next book or some other author-related duties. Nope. Instead, she's addressing the piece of crap who tried to call her out of a luncheon by telling her assistant Laurell's grandmother was dying . After reading through her post I realized I really don't understand what drives people to be so cruel. I just don't get it. Someone else's pain, panic, or sorrow should not be source of entertainment. It shouldn't bring pleasure. I'm so sorry this happened to Laurell, that it would happen to anyone. I know she doesn't read my blog (as if!) but I'm sending lots of warm, fuzzy thoughts her way and hoping she can put this behind her as soon as possible. What I want to know is: don't these nutjobs have something better to do with their time? There are so many things to do in the world. Why waste precious time and energy thinking up a