Announcing the Hot Man, Shelly the Slacker, and Playing Tag

I’m late posting this today. Sorry, guys. I had to visit the doctor for my follow up, had to buy food, run other errands, and do some spot cleaning around the house. My family is rather helpless when it comes to certain things—food shopping and toilet scrubbing to name a few. I couldn’t possibly imagine what would happen if I were to die. What would the house end up looking like? Would Sir Poops and Hair Ball die of either dehydration or malnutrition? Would mold be the normal consumption for them (Sweetman and No-No) when I’m gone? Oh my….

So today, I name the next Hot Man of Blogs for this month. He reminds me of this guy.

Oh God! What was his name? I can’t remember. Holy schmolly! Guacamole!

Anyway, this month’s Hot Man is a teacher. A husband. And a father. I believe when he started his blog it was for the purpose of chronicling his baby son’s experiences. Poor little guy had some difficulties when he arrived into the world but he seems to be doing well now.

What I love about this is guy is his love for GOOD music and his uncanny honesty in all things.Yup. He’s truly in touch with his feelings. If he’s having a deplorable day, he’ll write about it. If he doesn’t like a book, he’ll let you know why he thought it sucked. I love this guy.

He also loves his wife and his son. He loves teaching. These are a few of the things that make him HOT!

So who is this Hottie? Brent Scott. You can find his blog at Building Castles . I hope you all go visit him. Tell him I sent you over.

Okay. On to my next issue….

SHELLY’S A SLACKER! No, really I am. I’m not much for these tag games and all the overwhelming rules that come with them. But my friend Eve Gaal over at The Desert Rocks tagged me. The only reason I can think of is because she’s trying to exercise me eye-brains.

Yup. She tagged me, and I’m it.

Since I’m a SLACKER and don’t like doing these things I’m doing it my way.

So here are my rules:

Shelly directed all her bloggy-peeps over to Eve Gaal’s blog.

Shelly will only answer five of the tag questions today saving another five for another day.

Shelly will more than likely drag this out over several blogs because she is a SLACKER and she really hates doing this stuff but she really, really loves Eve Gaal. She ‘s a sweetie-pie and it shines so in her writing.

Shelly will come up with her own questions for other tag-ees but will not name them or give her questions away yet. More than likely, Shelly will drag this one out over several blogs as well. I’m doing this kicking and screaming in a nice kind of way because I love Eve.

Eve’s Questions

1. Have you written a book? Yes. Dag-nabbit. Like three. Secondhand Shoes will soon be out. Just don’t pin me to a date yet.  My other two are patiently waiting for my return. I’ll be back. That’s what I told them.

2. Were you a participant in the famous underwear challenge of 2011? Dog-gonnit. You betcha. Well, SLACKER-SHELLY had Sir Poops and Hair Ball do it since underwear is more their thing. Especially if they can eat them. Not to mention, there’s a lot of pervs out in the world that visit this particular blog daily. I do believe I did a blog on that, titled Panty Fetishes.

3. What is your favorite children’s book? Ummmmmmmm…Pokey Little Puppy and Hansel and Gretel.

4.Tell us the last time you went to the library. Alone or with someone else? Ummmmm…like the last week in Janurary…no wait….maybe the first week in Feburary all by little lonesome.

5. Do you prefer the internet to research? What else would a slacker like me like? Right? I can sit on me arse and find whatever I need without having to get all dressed up and out of bed.

SLACKER SHELLY has had enough of this game. We will continue this at a later date.

Saturday, Sir Poops and Hair Ball will be on a cruise headed towards Mexico to seek out those thieves they saw on the news yesterday. They are in need of a vacation and I really need to post another book review. Norma Beishir’s, Chasing the Wind.

See you all later in the ink,

Shelly a/k/a SLACKER-SHELLY

Saturdays with Sir Poops-A-Lot: Some Fun Videos

 

SPAL: We want to share some of our favorite video clips with you. This first video makes Mummsy laugh really loud.

HB: That’s cruel. The poor fur person is starving and the person in the background doesn’t seem to car.

SPAL: Here’s one of kitty that prays.

HB: What’s a kitty?

SPAL: Watch and find out.

HB: So that’s a kitty? Huh? They look like a toy.

SPAL: Well…you don’t want to make them mad.

SPAL: The guy below has perfected three words out of the human language. I’ve been working on it forever. I wish I knew what his secret was.

HB: Yeah. Me, too. It be nice to say ‘I love you’ to Mummsy. She tells us all the time.

You guys have a nice day and practice saying those three words. Okay.

Sir Poops and Hair Ball

A Book Review: 7Scorpian:Book I Rebellion, by Mike Saxton

Genre: SCI FI/Apocolyptic

This book is the first one to a triology. It left me speechless but not enough to keep me from writing this review. My initial reaction to this story after I read it in its entirety: Wow! Excellent! Awesome! Ooooh!

The diddy on the scoop:

Vincent Black a/k/a Night Viper, is a super-human-soldier dude who’s battling the creepy Zodiac in a post apocalyptic world to regain its freedom. In his fight, he finds other survivors (everyday humans) to support him. There also a few surprises in the people he meets. Some are rogues. Some are geeks. Some have deviant behavior. Some of these peeps will disappoint you and the others draw you into their fight and the bonds they’re creating. Great writing, Mike!

Zodiac is the dude who caused what’s called a Flash Storm wiping out America and the rest of the world in one day. Talk about freaky. This guy also seeks out survivors so he can lobotomize them making them into his own personal war or slave zombies. But I have to admit there were times when I thought a brain-eating-zombie was going to come out of nowhere. I was sitting on the edge of my seat sincerely contemplating nail-biting again. Once again, great writing, Mike! You evoked emotion and fear in me. You also made me a nervous wreck i.e., the nail biting.

Mike’s characters were all well-rounded. Zodiac, on the other hand, was just pure evil incarnate. The character said so himself.

His story is full of action. He also did a great job with computer lingo. I’m in awe of this.

This book also seemed to serve as a messenger, that we should all beware of the abuse of power within the realms of government. In fact, my favorite line, Night Viper stated more than once, was ‘I’m what happens when the government messes with things they shouldn’t’.  Love that line!

I highly recommend this read but I must warn you. There is violence. You can find it on Amazon. The Kindle version is .99 and the paperback is $17.50.

Later in the ink all,

Shelly

Saturdays With Sir Poops-A-Lot: Hanging Out in Bed

SPAL: Mummsy’s hanging out in bed today. She had Girl-Surgery on Tuesday.

HB: Yeah. But she went to work last night.

SPAL: Only for three hours.

HB: Anyway, hop on up.

SPAL: You know I can’t.

HB: Then I get Mummsy and the bed all to myself.

SPAL: You’re sooooo stupid.

HB: You’re a pansy-boy.

SPAL: You’re rude!

 

HB: I get to be by Mummsy’s feet.  My Mummsy. Not your Mummsy. Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

SPAL: But Mummsy can’t pick me up for another week or so.

HB: You should be glad about that. It means she can’t put either one of us in the Great White Watery Abyss of Torture. Go get No-No.

SPAL: That’s useless. She hasn’t even lifted a finger to help Mummsy all week. She’s on another hypochondria kick where she can’t walk. Supposedly, she sprained her leg but only hobbles sometimes. Besides, it’s 11:42 AM and she’s still asleep.

HB: Go lay on top of her head and fart. That should wake her up.

SPAL: No it won’t. Nothing could wake her up. Not even a nuclear explosion.

HB: There’s a step in Mummsy closet then. Use that to get yourself up here. We’re going to have a fun day reading, writing, and watching television.

SPAL: What about snacks?

HB: That’s funny. Mummsy only eats healthy ones. Did you see what she had for breakfast? Sweet potato, quinoa, broccoli, and scrambled egg whites. YUCK!

SPAL: But I like broccoli and sweet potato.

HB: You would, pansy-boy. But you also like to eat out of the garbage.

SPAL: So do you.

HB: Yeah. But I’m tough. You’re not. Get up here and stop your whining.

SPAL: ****He walks toward the closet and scoots the step out toward the bed.***

SPAL: This is going to be a good day just hanging out with Mummsy in the bed.

HB: Yup. It sure is.

 

SPAL: This is great! This is the life! ***He rubs his face in the sheets and rolls a couple times.***

We hope hope you guys have a great Saturday, too.

Pacing

 

For years now, I’ve been hearing pace yourself, don’t take on too many projects…blah,blah…

But I’ve got a NOVEL about ready for the world to see and things keep kicking my butt putting me behind the eight ball. ***tantrum time***

The editor-for-hire tells me all the time ‘the book will be finished when it’s finished. Don’t rush it’.

A lot of people run a race to see who is the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into an exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more. Steve Prefontaine

Yes. I almost feel like I’m in a race but I haven’t figured out who I’m running against. Time, perhaps? Everyday I get older and I still have nothing published but I do have plenty written, including this blog.

You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you but especially at those who who don’t run and never will…those who run but don’t race…. those who started training for a race but didn’t carry through…those who got to the starting line but didn’t in the finish line… those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You’re still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you’ve outlasted. John Bingham

I have to say there are lot of peeps out there that only talk about writing a book never to attempt it.

What distinguishes those of us at the staring line from those on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the day gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate. Les Brown

Guess I could apply this quote to my writing life. Not every day is a good day. Sometimes my brain gets hazed over with a fog…writer’s block comes…our muses go on temporary vacations…family stuff can also squelch our creative process. We’re only human.

Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience. Joe Henderson

You definitely need patience to write a novel. Lots and lots of it.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars. Les Brown

Keep plugging along and you’ll reap the benefits. Even if the whole world doesn’t read your best seller, some one or a whole lot of some one’s will and they’ll love it. And even if those some ones are your family and friends.

 

Later in the ink all,

Shelly

Saturdays With Sir Poops-a-Lot: Where’s the Chocolate?

HB: Did you get any in your bowl?

SPAL: Nope.

HB: Me neither. 

SPAL: Mummsy says we can’t have any.

HB: I wonder if any fell between the sofa cushions.

SPAL: If any did, Daddy-o more than likely sucked them up in the Boogie-sucker.

HB: I don’t like that thing. It makes me want to chase and bite it.

SPAL: I just go into my house and hide. It’s way too noisy.

HB: How about No-No’s room? I bet she’s got some.

SPAL: That’s possible. She does have an endless dessert buffet.

HB: Yeah. But her door is closed.

SPAL: Oh. I wish Boo-Boo kitty was here. She was the best for confiscating the stuff. She used to hide it in a cubby hole somewhere in Mummsy’s kitchen. I sure do miss her even though she used to pee on everyone’s bed.

HB: What’s a Boo-Boo kitty?

SPAL: She was my big kitty sister.

HB: What’s that?

SPAL: Never mind, stupid. Let’s keep looking for the treat. There has to be some  crumbs somewhere.

 HB: How about Daddy-o’s side of the bed?

SPAL: Nah. The Boogie-sucker swept around his side already.

HB: I’ve got  a question then.

SPAL: What’s that?

HB: Do you think this guy got some?

SPAL: Looks more like he got a nice kiss.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYBODY!

HB: Whatever chocolate you all don’t eat, throw our way, okay. But don’t tell Mummsy.

A Kreative Blogger Award and Why I Filled the Toilet Bowel Up

Yeah. Well, just ignore the second part of my blog title. I’m in a rare mood today. It’s gloomy outside in Florida. I’ve been battling excessive fatigue. Sir Poops’ tummy troubles are back. Yaddi-yadda-yadda…. ***rolling my eyes***

There are several things I wanted to say today. Like ‘THANK YOU’ to Janet Koops, over at Postcard Fiction. She gave me the Kreative Blogger Award, however, I’ve not been able to go and retrieve it. ****shrugs*** The address won’t let me in. Anyway, Janet restarted her blogging again but this time by posting postcards and using them as prompts. She writes poetry, short-short stories, and flash fiction pieces.

And my second thing to talk about is the strange dream I had last night. My editor-for-hire planned my wedding with my character, Lila’s true love, Julio-these two are characters in my novel, Secondhand Shoes. ***scratching my head*** The editor-for-hire boiled plain ole white rice, Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, and brown rice for the wedding. She tied them up in pretty little sachet things. ***scratching me a big bald spot*** Julio and I were bombarded after our nuptials with soggy rice. Weird. I know but I swear the only thing I had before bed was about half a pot of chamomile tea so I could sleep. Wonder what else could have been in those flowers? Hmmm….

And thirdly, fatigue. Yes. I want to talk fatigue. In 2001, I was working on my undergraduate and taking the class for my LSAT-the test that can make or break you getting into law school. Halfway through this adventure, my hair, brows, and lashes started to fall out, then my nails became paper thin. Black floaters appeared in my vision daily. All my lymph nodes swelled. Dementia became a problem, too. There were times I couldn’t remember how to get to work or what things were called. It became a big problem when writing my papers for school. Every six to eight weeks, I ended up in the doctors office with flu-like symptoms. This went on for almost two years before the doctor diagnosed me with mono.

After that diagnosis, more things went wrong. Haishimotos disease-where your body attacks its own thyroid. Bells Palsy. Chronic fatigue. Chronic sinusitis. Chronic ear infections. New allergies surfacing sometimes on a weekly basis-drinking alcohol put me in the ICU for four days. To this day I can’t even walk across my carpet or carry a plastic grocery bag without breaking out into welts. Even my job as a stylist, makes me sick at times. I don’t dare touch hair color nor can I wear latex gloves. Everything has to be special. I also carry an Epi-pen and liquid Benadryl where ever I go for fear I could come in contact with something that could take my life.

Last Tuesday, I felt like the life had been sucked out of me. And that vampire is still sucking at me.

Every few months I get like this. My brain gets foggy leaving me unable to think. Picking up a pen or tapping at the keyboards is a challenge when the fatigue comes for a visit. But it really pisses me off too. Because years ago, I was told by the doctors that I couldn’t both work full time and go to school. I had to choose one over the other. I chose to eat and feed my daughters. I didn’t get to finish one of my goals.

And now, I’m almost to the finish line with Secondhand Shoes. The beta-readers are reading. I’m making my revisions before it goes to the editor-for-hire and my body is fighting me. WTF?!!!! I’m almost there for crying out loud. ****grrrrrr***

Sometimes I wonder about stuff like this, you know some people make it and some don’t. Maybe a lot of people were never quitters. Maybe something they had no control over stopped them in their tracks from fulfilling their dreams, their goals.

No. I’m not throwing in the towel. Not on this. I’ll just have to pace myself better. That’s all. I know I haven’t been on Facebook much and other sites. Sorry guys. It has to do with my energy levels. I’ve even limited how many blogs I visit a day. I try to be fair by logging in at different times during the week so I can visit all one-hundred- forty-nine bloggers I follow but I know I’m not getting to everyone. Sorry again, guys.

Okay. I’m done ranting. How is everyone else fairing toward their finish lines?

Later in the ink all,

Shelly

Saturdays with Sir Poops-A-Lot: Waking Up Late

SPAL: Mummsy woke up real late this morning. It’s not like her to do that.

HB: Yeah. She’s up by 5:30-6 am. She didn’t get us outside until about 9 this morning. What’s up with that?

SPAL: Well, Tuesday on her other day off she had a hard time getting up and going. She didn’t get up as late like she did today.

HB: She even watched an hour of a movie this morning and now she’s watching The Great Muppet Caper.

SPAL: Miss Piggy and Kermit are trying to act like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. That’s really strange to see.

HB: Looks more like someone’s trying to swoon Miss Piggy away from Kermit to me.

SPAL: You’re sooo stupid.

HB: You’re suuuuch a pansy!

SPAL: Whatever.***he shakes his head***How are we going to help Mummsy today. She doesn’t want to get out of bed. She’s got writing and editing to do for herself and others today.

HB: But I like it when she hangs out in bed. It’s the best thing ever. Just lying around. Sleeping. Sniffing. Sleeping some more. Watching T.V. Sleep some more. Sniff some more. And repeat.

SPAL: But Mummsy’s got a lot to do today and we have to help her. Remember she’s got laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping to do, too.

HB: What’s more important than lounging around in a nice fluffy bed all day. It’s her day off.

SPAL: But it’s a beautiful day out.  The sky is blue. Birds are flying.

HB: Which reminds me. Where’s breakfast?

SPAL: You missed it. I was starving and couldn’t help myself. I mean you were lounging around upstairs with Mummsy. So I helped myself to your bowl and mine.

HB: I’ll let you get away with it this time but the next time I’ll bite your butt and steal all your treats. And at night, I’ll head butt you off No-No’s bed.

SPAL: Whatever, stupid. We still need to figure out how to make Mummsy feel better.

HB: You sure you want to do that?

SPAL: Why do you say that?

HB: I hear she plans on putting you into the Great White Watery Abyss of Torture today.

SPAL: Really?

HB: Yeah. Really.

SPAL: ***swallows a lump*** and cowers into a corner.

HB: You’re such a pansy. ****he belly laughs***

SPAL: You’re stupid. Taking delight in another’s demise. How could you be so insensitive?

HB: It’s a form of brotherly love. If I were you, I’d beg No-No to hide you out in her room somewhere. There’s lots of great piles and stuff to hide in. ***he walks away, smirking***

SPAL: Where are you going? You have to help me! SAVE ME!

HB: Not in your life, pansy-boy. You’d do yourself a favor if you kept Mummsy in bed. That’s where I’m going. Where it’s cozy and safe and I can dream about your torture.

SPAL: But---

HB: ***continues to walk the other direction***