Literature Parade

Today at my children's school for Halloween, they had a Literature Parade. The children could dress up as a character from a book and bring the book to share with their class. Then, they lined up and paraded around the neighborhood. Mine are the Spiderman and Charlie Brown. It was fun to see the procession of kids and some of them were very creative.

Funny Video

An old friend from New Jersey (and not an Obama supporter; in fact probably an Obama-hater) sent me this very funny video. It cracked me up.


Here's the link. It's about a minute and a half.

http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=WT.Nbb48whvMjYMVxSNm8jUxNjAyMDc-&id=

By the way, I already voted.

Naming Your Baby Part 2

Last year, I blogged about giving your book a title. At that time, I had named my book Reasonable Doubt. That title was too common and my publisher wanted me to think of some different ones. After coming up with several other titles (none of them very good), they decided to let me keep Reasonable Doubt. I was so happy. It always seemed like the perfect title for the book.

Now, I'm finding the same challenge. My next book comes out in May 2009 and I had named it One On One. It's actually been called One On One for almost 3 years when I first started writing it. It's so hard to imagine it being named something else because that's what I've known it as since it was born.

However, it is a very common term, so my publisher has once again asked me to think of additional titles. So, I'm thinking...

The book is about basketball. Basketball is a huge theme throughout the book, and the term one on one goes right along with it. This book is a spin-off of Reasonable Doubt, taking place 5 years later and tells the story of Mick Webber. He was the college basketball player who was arrested for the murder of his fiancee in Reasonable Doubt. In this new book, he is one of the anchors of a college basketball show called One On One, hence the name of the book. Also, he has some initial sparring with his co-anchor, Cara, and they eventually face off in a game of one-on-one.

Even though the title seems so perfect for this book, it's time to think of a new one. I really can't think of anything else right now. Still thinking...

8 Things About Me

My friend and college roommate, Andrea, tagged me. Here's what to do:

Post rules on your blog.
Answer the six "8" items.
Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.


8 Favorite TV Shows
The Office
Inside Edition
Grey's Anatomy
American Idol
Seinfeld
Friends
Late Show With David Letterman
Saturday Night Live

8 Things I did yesterday
Went to Church
Diego read me a story
Played a game with Omar using our Corpus Christi map
Grilled cicken for dinner
Read a few chapters of a book
Checked my e-mail
Talked to my parents on the phone
Made a wooden train layout



8 Things I look forward to
Halloween
Thanksgiving vacation
When Ruben is completely potty trained
The weather cooling off
My book being published
Thursday night shows
The movie Twilight
David Cook's album

8 Favorite Restaurants
Macaroni Grill
Red Lobster
McDonald's (Something to be said about a playplace and a few minutes of peace)
La Frontera (Salt Lake)
Olive Garden
Wendy's
Chinese
Chili's

8 Things on my wish list

Bookshelves
Books
New jeans
Curtains
Trip to Europe
Take my kids to New York City
Take my kids to California
New set of knives


8 People to tag

Nicole
Ericka
Tynel
Amber
Bethany
Alia
Cameron
Renaye

I'm Esme

I saw this quiz on a friend's blog and thought it would be fun to take. Click on the picture to find out what Twilight character you are. I'm Esme, the mother vampire. Here's what it says about me:

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be
sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

I think that sounds like me. Pretty accurate.

Here are some recent pictures of my kids, just because I feel bad that I almost never post pictures of the kids. Diego just has some great smiles. In the middle one, Ruben is hugging his cousin. And in the last one, Omar is having fun at the beach.

Political Politeness

I don't usually blog about politics, and I've thought very hard about posting this, but I feel a need to say this. Right now there is such a focus on politics and people feel very deeply about their political beliefs. I don't think there's anything wrong with nice, healthy debate about issues and candidates, but I've heard too many ugly judgements about people because of their beliefs.


I read on someone's blog that her child's friend from church was told she couldn't play with her anymore because of the parents' support of Barack Obama. Someone I know who is a member of my church once said that no one that is a Democrat could be a faithful member of the church. I don't know how someone who has not lived my life can decide for me what kind of voter I should be.


I think that our political beliefs are shaped by many factors such as our culture, background, upbringing, and life experiences. All of those things have shaped who I am--a Democrat. I can't argue with someone who says that voting Republican is right for them. I don't think they are wrong; that is who is right for them. Their decision to vote Republican was shaped by all of those factors-their culture, their background, their upbringing, and their life experiences. Those are not my mine; they're theirs, and that is why for them, it's right to vote Republican. For me, it's right to vote Democrat. I believe that that is the right vote for America, but I don't expect someone else to believe the same way.


We're all different, and we've all experienced life differently. How can I say how someone should vote when I haven't lived their life and I haven't seen the world through their eyes?


I'd like to see more political politeness. Sure, let's talk about the issues, the candidates, but let's be respectful about each other. Don't say I can't be a good member of the church because I'm a Democrat. Please let my kids still play with your kids even if I support Barack Obama. And, please, please don't accuse me of drinking the purple Kool-Aid. Obama supporters are accused of not being able to see past the charm. For me, it's not just about pretty words from a pretty man. It's so much more. It's all of those factors-my culture, upbringing, background, and life experiences that have shaped who I am and why I vote this way.


I don't even like purple Kool-Aid. Red, maybe.

Fall Into Reading Challenge

I just signed up for a Fall Into Reading challenge hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days. I've done her reading challenges before, and they're a lot of fun. The challenge officially started on September 22 and goes to December 20. I'm starting a little late, but it doesn't even feel like Fall here in Texas, so that's okay. If anyone wants to participate, it's not too late. There are also some prizes being awarded.

Here are the books I will be reading during the reading challenge.

Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh

A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell

Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black

Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde

Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack

I may add more if time permits.

A Hurricane Ike Account

Do you want to read an interesting account about surviving Hurricane Ike? My friend, Tami, posted her account on a blog I contribute to- The Ink Ladies. Tami lives in the Houston area and it was definitely an interesting experience.

Here's the link: I don't Like Ike

Omar's Birthday

Here is Omar as we celebrated his 9th birthday. I have to say that this was one of my favorite birthday parties. Usually, we have a big party with lots of kids, party games, and a pinata. This year, I talked him into doing it differently. Still recovering from last year when he had 23 kids, I just wanted something simpler. It was very hard to come up with party games for 8 year olds especially when there were 23 of them. Last year's party was fun, but there was so much work and it was very chaotic.

This year, I told him to invite only 3 friends and we would take them to a movie and come back home for pizza and cake. I really liked the 3 kids he chose. They're great kids. He chose to watch Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and it was pretty funny. My dad came with us, along with my husband and our two little ones. I think my dad enjoyed the movie more than anyone. He was cracking up.Then, we grabbed 2 pizzas. Two pizzas, that's it. Last year we had to buy so many. It was crazy. The kids had fun eating and when the time came for the cake, Ruben, my 3 year old kept saying, "it's my buthday." He kept trying to help Omar blow the candles out. Omar didn't mind. He was such a good sport.

Then, we opened the presents and the kids actually had time to play with them. In years past, the kids always want to play with the opened presents, but it's usually too crazy to do that. So, it was fun this year that they had about 30 minutes to just play and hang out. I liked this nice, simple birthday. Hopefully, the kids will like this and we can make it a trend. I'm a bit tired of the pinata and party games in the backyard.

BIAM Update

So, now it's October 4th, and so far my progress on BIAM is really bad. Actually, there is no progress. I have an excuse for each day though.

Wednesday-My parents came and I spent time with them.

Thursday- I watched the debate during my writing time.

Friday- It was my son, Omar's, birthday and after his party, I let them stay up late, eating into my writing time. It was, after all, his birthday and he wanted to stay up and play with his new stuff. So, I think he stayed up past 11:00. He was in bed, but reading a magazine when I went to bed.

Saturday-The kids might be up late again tonight. Usually, on Saturday night I get them to bed early since they have to wake up early for church on Sunday, but since there is no church tomorrow, there won't be an excuse for me to get them to bed early. Plus, tonight I'll probably be watching Saturday Night Live. Thursday's debate had all the makings of a perfect SNL skit, so I have to tune in tonight to see that!

Okay, next week, I have to get to work. My goal is about 1,200 words a day. Let's see how I do.

October BIAM

Tristi Pinkston is sponsoring a BIAM-Book In A Month Challenge. It's a challenge in which you realistically could write an entire book in a month, but don't necessarily have to. The purpose is to set a goal and try to accomplish it. By participating with others, I feel like I am more accountable and tend to push myself harder to write.

I took part in a BIAM in March and wrote like crazy. I also did one in July and August and have been able to write a lot. I am now at 63,000 words. My goal is to finish writing my manuscript by the end of this month. I feel like I can have a good rough draft done by the end of this BIAM. And, then the editing can begin which I do not enjoy.

Well, I didn't do very well today on the first day of BIAM. My parents came to town for my son, Omar's, birthday, so I was busy today. I also spent part of the day downloading songs on the MP3 player we're giving Omar for his birthday.

So, here's hoping I will do better tomorrow, but it doesn't look well. I'll probably be watching the debate tomorrow during my usual writing time. Okay, Friday definitely Friday. Maybe. That's my Omar's birthday party.