Getting Ready for Vacation

Vacation is fun, but getting ready is not fun. It's so hard to decide what to bring with. I just know I'll forget something and wish I'd thought of bringing it along.

One year my husband forgot his travelers' checks, another year, one of his pairs of glasses.
I forgot the change purse once for the tollway. That was a while ago. Now we use one of those transponders,or whatever they call it, to sail through. I forgot jeans another year.

What about you? Do you hate packing,too? Have you ever forgotten to bring something with on vacation? Please share.

Come on Over

Hi Gang,
Another detour. I'm asking you to come on over to http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com because today I'm hosting mystery writer, Chester D. Campbell's on his virtual book tour. He's got a fun post over there for you to read.

As always, comments here, there, or both are welcome. You may even win a prize over there.

Who Likes Chocolate?

I saw a flyer in the paper about the 10th Annual Long Grove Chocolate Fest taking place May 1-3. I'll be in Wisconsin then, feeding my other obsession, which is playing slots at Lake of the Torches Casino.

I'll be missing the Chocolate Fest, which is a shame since I do love chocolate. For a while I'd get headaches after eating it, but thank goodness that hasn't happened lately. I discovered some years ago I was hypoglycemic, which appeared to have happened because I'd gone on this great diet where I ate deserts but skimped on regular meals.

To recuperate, for an entire nine months I had to go without sugar, which turned out to be in many more forms than you'd ever guess. Gradually I was able to again indulge in sweets, but with caution. If I eat sugar in the morning, I'm usually tired the rest of the day. My body just can't handle sugar after fasting all night. For a while I missed my usual breakfast of chocolate long john and coffee with sugar, but I've adjusted well over the years.

The important thing is I can still eat chocolate and I love it.

What about you? Do you like chocolate?

Rascal Celebrates At Bentley's 1st Anniversary Party

Saturday the DH and I took Rascal to the 1st Anniversary Party at Rascal's favorite hangout, Bentley's Corner Barkery, where Lisa and Giovanni, the Owners, had special cake for dogs and also human cake at the back of the store.

It was a crazy day weatherwise, so we drove and parked a few blocks away to avoid getting caught in the intermittent downpours. Anyway, the party was well attended and probably would have been even more attended if the weather had been better. I took a video of the event, so you can see how the party went. Also, we got a call that Rascal won a raffle prize, so we came back on Sunday to claim Rascal's basket of goodies. That's on the movie also, but here's a pic to the left with Mia showing Rascal her basket.

Here's the Youtube Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgoDs8R3mVs

Have you ever been to a dog party before? Do you go to stores that allow pets inside? Do you prefer going to family businesses rather than large company owned places? Please share.

Meet Sherrill Bodine, Contemporary Romance Author

SHERRILL BODINE















NOW UP ON THE PLAYER IN THE LEFT COLUMN AND AT http://blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs - Interview that was aired today.

Sherrill is the author of TALK OF THE TOWN
Available at Amazon.com
and Barnes&Noble.com

Here's What It's About -

GOSSIP QUEEN DETHRONED!

Darlings, what a to-do at the Daily Mail today! After fifteen years as Chicago's gossip guru, Rebecca Covington has been demoted from divulger of secrets for the city's elite to headlining recipes in the Home and Food section. Apparently, a touchy senator is threatening legal action for Rebecca's latest extramarital scoop. But Windy City rumor has it that new CEO and dreamy Pierce Brosnan look-alike David Sumner downgraded Rebecca in favor of fresher, younger blood on the social beat.

Industry insiders expect Rebecca to fight her denouement, and inquiring minds have already seen the feisty maven trading quips and searing glances wtih her arresting new boss. Rebecca swears she'll reclaim her shining star status, but can the dishy diva even cook? And how can she ignore David's arousing effect on her sensibilities?

Sherrill Bodine
http://www.sherrillbodine.com/

We welcome comments here before or after the show.

Facebook's New Rules

Power to the People!

I just read in the Daily Herald that Facebook's new rules specify that users do own their own information when posting to Facebook.

Some months back a great storm brewed with Facebook's attempt to hold rights to certain personal content posted by members. Objections were overwhelming. I, among others, rushed over to our Facebook accounts and removed photos and articles we didn't wish to be claimed by Facebook.

Anyway, a vote was taken, the members spoke their minds, and we won!

Goes to show, if you don't like something, don't gripe where it doesn't count. Speak up to those that matter and you could make a difference.

What about you, do you use Facebook? Why? If you don't, why not? What do you think about the new rules and/or speaking up? Please share.

Are You Organized?

Every time I try to get organized, it seems I slip further back into chaos. Thursday night I thought I'd get my business accounts in order online, but my password wouldn't work. I had to get another one emailed to me. Then I decided to take money from my business acount and put it into my personal account to pay some writing bills I'd put on my Amazon Visa card. I use the Amazon card to rack up points at Amazon, of course. Soon I'll get a business card that can rack up points also, but I don't have it yet.

Anyway, I got that all figured out. I made out a check to go into my personal account which I planned on depositing in the morning. Then I remembered I really should put more personal checks in my purse. I thought I'd ordered some not long ago. Well, I discovered after rummaging around that I don't have extra personal checks. I swear I ordered them, but they're nowhere to be seen. That means I only have four left. So then I wondered if there's a way to get checks fast so I have them before vacation May 1. Turns out there is a next day service for around $21.00, but it's worth it when you're desperate.

What about you? Are you organized, or do these things happen to you?

Administrative Assistant's Day and Green Thumbs

Wednesday was not only Earth Day, but also Administrative Assistants' Day. I don't know why both were designated for the same day. Somehow it doesn't seem right. After all, we have 365 days in the year, more than enough to go around.

Anyway, I whipped out my Iphone and took a photo of the flowers I got from the bosses at the firm on Wednesday. Actually, in the foreground are the flowers from this year, and I'm proud to say, in the background's a plant I got for Secretary's Day, as it was called then, at least 10-12 years ago. I don't have a green thumb, but somehow this plant has survived despite being owned by me.

What about you? Do you have a green thumb? Do you have a job that's celebrated each year? Or, would you rather not celebrate your job? Please share.

Are You Cutting Back?

Lots of people aren't spending as much as they used to. I guess that's part of the reason the economy isn't bouncing back. Another part is that people don't seem to have money to spend. Or, is it that they realize they were overspending before, and now after hearing all the warnings, they're afraid to shop?

I know I'm not spending as much as before. One reason is the DH is semi-retired, so not as much money is coming in. Another reason is much of what money I have left after paying bills goes toward my writing related expenses.

What about you? Are you spending as much as before? Are you Cutting Back? When you do shop, what kind of items do you buy? Please share.

Balanced or Unbalanced

As I walked home from the train Monday after work, I saw a woman on roller blades skating along, holding a dog with each hand. She certainly had balance, one thing I really lack.

I've never been good at roller skating,ice skating or other balance sports. I can ride a bike, but have trouble turning corners sometimes.

In other aspects, I'm not exactly a balanced person either. When I get interested in something, I go into it with all my might. I remember when I started going to Bingo, I collected all the little doo-dads to put on the table next to my cards to bring my luck - little brass dogs, even a cupie (Is that how to spell it?) doll with hair sticking up. I bought a great bag with holes on the sides to hold my dabbers of varying colors. In those days we also used magnetic chips, so I had little boxes of those to go in my bag, along with a magnetic wand to scoop them up.

That's one example of how I'm unbalanced. Another is blogging. I'm so addicted to it I feel compelled to blog daily no matter what. I also feel guilty if I don't visit the friends on my blogroll.

I'm also unbalanced when it comes to writing. I've spent the entire night going through the edits to get my new novel, Killer Career, in order. I'm almost through, but not quite. I still can't give it up. I rarely watch TV anymore, since I'd rather write.

What about you? Are you balanced or unbalanced? Confess, please.

Make Mine Mystery

Yesterday, I interviewed romantic suspense author, Margot Justes, on Blog Talk Radio Books and Blogs. If you missed the interview, you can find it on the player in the left column here.

Today, at http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com I'm featuring mystery writer, Richard Roach and his new book, Scattered Leaves. I'd appreciate your hopping over to read all about him and his book.

As always, Comments here, there or both are welcome.

Hear Margot Justes Today on Blog Talk Radio

MARGOT'S INTERVIEW IS NOW UP ON THE PLAYER
IN THE LEFT COLUMN HERE -

Margot Justes, romantic suspense author, was today's guest at http://blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs . Show time
4-4:15pm Central Daylight Savings Time (Illinois) time.
Call in Number is 347-308-8605.


Meet Margot:

Born in Poland, Margot Justes has lived in some of the world’s most wonderful places, including Israel, France and South Africa. Currently living in the Midwestern United States, she has taken her love of art and travel and cultivated it into unique settings and stories for her writing. A Hotel in Paris is her first novel.

A Member of Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she is the current President of the Chicago Chapter of Sisters in Crime.

In her spare time she enjoys travel, museums, summer art fairs, reading, gardening, music, and the occasional shopping spree. She is now working on her second novel,
A Hotel in Bath.

You can visit Margot’s website at http://www.mjustes.com/

As always, comments are welcome.

Do You Watch TV?

Just wondered how many of you have time to watch TV.For one thing, I don't like sports. For another, I can't seem to get into the sitcoms out there lately. Also, there don't seem to be as many of them as before.

American Idol is fun to watch, though I don't get to see it very often. Most of the time, I'd rather watch and listen to GAC, Great American Country, which mostly features country videos. I also watch the news, Chicago Tonight and Jay Leno. What I mainly prefer are movies, either on the Hallmark or Lifetime Channel, or ones I choose from On Demand. I also rent movies from the library and watch them.

All in all, TV doesn't seem as important to me any more, probably because my focus has shifted to writing and networking on the Internet.

What about you? Do you like TV as much as you used to? When you do watch TV, what do you like to watch? Please share.

Scary Signs of the Times

The DH and I were at the library Thursday night to catch a great program which I'll feature here later. Anyway, on the way out, I happened to notice these scary signs
of the times. I'm glad the library is helping people with job searches, but sad that it's necessary.






Already two people were laid off at the law firm I work at, while another is leaving voluntarily. I've already mentioned how another secretary's salary has been cut, while I'm working five days a week there now and being paid for four. I just heard the owners of some popular area malls are declaring bankruptcy. Where has our prosperity gone? Is the U.S. still the land of opportunity?

What's your take? Please share any good or bad signs of the times you've noticed or experienced.

The Mighty 100 - Appreciation Day

I just want to thank every one of the Mighty 100 who follow my Double M blog. I appreciate your checking out what I have to say each day. By now, you probably know pretty much about me - I have a DH I dearly love, a mischievous dog named Rascal, a mystery, named Two Wrongs, and romance, called Girl of My Dreams, published, with more books in the works. I also have a day job, but wish I didn't need one. I'd rather spend more time online with all my buddies.

Anyway, enough about me. Today, is appreciation day for my online friends, so take a bow.
If you're one of the Double M blog's followers, please leave a comment saying a little bit about yourself, and be sure to include your blogspot or website link for everyone to find you. And if you're not a follower, but just stopping by, I appreciate your interest also and invite you to introduce yourself if you so wish.

Thanks everyone!

Dog In the Window

Yesterday, I did a blog about Cat in the Window at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/ . Today is a follow up on that blog.

Many readers had a burning question. They wanted to know what happened to my neighbor's dog.

You'll all be glad to know the dog is back and barking as usual. Since I don't converse with that neighbor as often as I do others, I may never know why the dog was absent for a while.

Now that that mystery is at least partially solved, I invite you to hop over to my Are You Serious blog today at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/

As always, comments here, there or both are welcomed.

Cats and Dogs

Why did I, a dog lover, write a post called Cat in the Window at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/ ?


I invite you to hop over there and find out.


As always, comments are welcome here, there, or both places.

How Many Books Do you Have In You?

How many books do you have in you?

A single (standalone) book or a spinoff or a series
My mystery, Two Wrongs, is a standalone, as is my romantic comedy, Girl of My Dreams. My new release this summer, Killer Career, will also be a standalone. So far, my work in progress, Forever Young, is intended to be at least two books, maybe more. One with the central story, heroine vs. villains, at least one or two spinoffs expanding on the core plot.

What about you? How many books are you working on or have you done? Are any of them spinoffs or series material? Please share.

Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY!

Forecast here in Illinois is a beautiful Spring day, a rare treat around here for Easter.

I saw only one lady with a hat on at Church, but it was deep blue and didn't look at all like an Easter bonnet. Any Easter bonnets around you today?

We went to a brunch today at the Concorde. A pic is on the right.

Now I'm home and relaxing, but a little

bit too full. What's everyone else doing?

Have a HAPPY EASTER, however way you spend it!!

Juniors Cave Online Magazine

I first learned of Juniors Cave Online Magazine when its owner, Isaac Davis Jr., joined my book network at Book Place. I asked if he needed any book articles. That's how I became the magazine's Books and Literature Editor.

My spot there is called Big on Books, and wouldn't you know it, it's about books. Anyway, I've sent fresh content to the magazine in the form of new pics, plus my Blog Talk Radio player, which just happens to contain the last 4 episodes of my Books and Blogs Sunday shows, including interviews of JA Konrath/Jack Kilborn, Robert W. Walker, L. Diane Wolfe, and Barry Eva. Also included is a feed to this blog, which Isaac ingeniously set up in a rotating pattern, so readers can pick which blogs to catch.

I invite you to check it out when you get a chance at http://www.juniorscave.com/morganmandel.html
Please comment here and let me know how you like it.

Thanks,
Morgan