Snow. Cold, white, icy, snow. I don't even think it's pretty anymore. Yep, we got more snow yesterday. Today's high is supposed to be 28. Being cold makes the pain of FM and OA worse.

I stay inside as much as possible. I'm thankful our dog's bladder is expandable so the back door doesn't get opened as often.

My neurosurgeon was right. I hate to admit this. When I take off the neck brace, even for just enough time to brush my hair, my shoulder muscles begin to spasm. I've decided to quit fighting it. The brace stays on, as I've been ordered.

I don't much like taking orders. Never have. Two of my uncles were in the military, one army and one navy. Each of those uncles produced a daughter who served in the military, one army and one navy. I'd have spent most of my time in the brig.

Fifteen days until my next writing deadline and I've already started contacting people for interviews and information. I don't remember writing last month's contracted article. My editor emailed his "thanks" and there is a check sitting on my desk so I know it got written, sent and published. My editor was warned a month ahead of time about this surgery. I'm sure he did a heavy edit rather than the usual publish-as-received. I'm thankful for that.

Finished the critique/review of Hope Clark's mss yesterday. It's a good read and is certainly better than many of the books on the big-box shelves. I'm hoping she lands a great agent and a nice advance. I'm also hoping she'll send me the mss to the second in the series and that the sales figures for both will put them at the top of the charts.

Oh, yes, I'm still working on getting my online store set up. About half is up and running. Step #1: Go to my website, www.lindajhutchinson.com and, Step #2: select "Enter Gift Store" from the menu on the left. Step #3: Find all the bargains on goods you've been looking for. Step #4: Slip your credit card out of your wallet. #5: Type in where you want it sent. #6: I'll notify you as soon as the companies let me know the items have been shipped - usually the same day. #7: Please accept my heartfelt thanks for doing business with me.

I sure can give orders though, huh?

Oops! Forgot to post yesterday

How did I forget to blog here yesterday? My mind must have been flushed along with my now-working-again intestines. So much potty talk here. Sheesh.

Our trip to Louisville for Christmas has been canceled. Seems my Jeffrey, our much-loved son-in-law, is down with the flu. In a household with two adults and 5 kids, three dogs, two cats, and two goats, bugs get shared quickly. Nick was also home because he was feeling poorly. School was out due to snow. Daughter is attempting to stay well enough to work (she's the major bread-winner) and to pick up the two youngest at pre-school on her way home.

They came for Thanksgiving two years ago with 3 sick kids and one sick adult. I'm not up to doing that again. Dear hubby and I have both had our flu shots - which are medically mandatory for me, along with the pneumonia shot.

Our 2300 square foot home, which is usually large enough for the whole crew plus friends is beginning to feel very small. And that's with just the dog and me here. Michael is taking me shopping tonight to fill the list daughter sent, and to get me out of the house.

One year, about six years ago, I broke with tradition and didn't buy socks for everyone in the family. Daughter had a snit-fit as she headed to the store. Everyone complained. We didn't realize what a big deal it was.

It seems I've also created some sort of tradition for buying grown son underwear in August. Have no idea how that started, but he starts the man-talk in July about needing underwear. He's perfectly capable of going to the store to choose and pay for his own underwear, but says it just isn't the same thing.

They never really leave home.

Never.

On another note, I started reading Hope Clark's manuscript yesterday. This is the agricultural suspense/thriller she's shopping to agents. It's good! Hear ye, hear ye, o' agents of marketable authors! This one is worth a read!

This blog is worth the read just for the meta tags. HA!