Hi everybody, I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday. It's another slow day around here. We're all bored. It's a shame really - I have a lot of little things I need to do at home and could be getting a lot done there today. But alas, I must bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. So here I sit, waiting for the daily mail and hoping I get more than 2 things in today like I did yesterday.

First and foremost, I DID IT! I finally started writing my novel today! Let's hear it for slow days, right? Swing by my port and read "Invalid Item"  if you have a chance - and enjoy it while it's short. I just have the Prologue now but it's a start and I know it will grow from here. I'm so excited! I'm writing another novel, I'm writing another novel! Ok, no more childish silliness. Unless I feel like it! Whoo hoo and hooray! I just love writing novels and longer works. It's so exciting! I'm about to pop!

Rick said something about formatting the hard drive on my laptop Monday night. He tried to get on it to check his work E-mail quickly and found out how slow that machine can be. He asked if I back up my files regularly because he's thinking about doing it over Thanksgiving or Christmas. I'm pretty good about backing up my files, so I told him there were no worries there - just let me know when he plans to do it so I won't plan to use my laptop that day (or for however long the process takes).

Which brings me to another good point now that I'M WRITING ANOTHER NOVEL (hooray!) and many others are in the midst of NaNo right now: Back up your work. Computers are unpredictable and I know a lot of you are doing priceless work now that you're in the midst of NaNo. Don't let a system failure, konked out hard drive, virus, or any of the other funny things computers do take all of that away. You can buy flash drives pretty cheap anywhere these days - I've seen them under $20.00 at Target. There are many options for backing up files to locations other than your hard drive and it's well worth it to check into them and find something that works for your needs and budget. So that's my helpful hint for today.

In other news, I did finish reading "The Lighthouse" during my lunch break Monday. It was good - classic P.D. James. I love her work. If you like suspence/mystery, she's a great author to check out. I think I sped through that book in about a week, which must be a record for me. Then again, it wasn't very long (not long enough if you ask me, but that's ok - plots come in all sizes and shapes and delivery matters more than page count). I have decided to take a break from reading, though - offline anyway. I've been reading a book pretty continually since May and I'm ready for a reading break. I'll still rate and review here, of course, but my bookmark has been petitioning for a vacation and I think I'll let it take a much needed break.

Yesterday I worked on my Jesus cross stitch for the first time in over 2 months. Rick was very happy. He was afraid I was going to quit stitching after all that drama with the State Fair. I told him I just needed a break and now I feel ready to get back into it. It was good to do it again. Plus, this pattern is progressing much quicker and easier than the dragon did, so that's encouraging. It's nice to work on something different and I think I'm ready to buckle down and work on this one. Since I'm taking a reading break and my roses are winterized now (meaning gardening is done for the year), this will be a good thing to fill my free time. I'll keep you up to date on my progress and will post a picture of it here, of course. I'm not in a particular hurry, though. Much like with my writing, I want to enjoy the process.

I'm getting excited - the Holiday Craftsman Classic is this weekend! That's a huge craft show they have at the fairgrounds every year. I always take that Friday off and Mom and I go. That's much to the relief of Rick and Dad. It means they don't have to suffer through it with us. But really, it's an amazing event and there's so much great stuff! I've picked up a lot of cool jewlery, neat things for the house, and unique Christmas gifts there. Last year, I bought a bracelet made out of typewriter keys - one of my cooler pieces! It seemed so perfect for me. Between the writing and having an administrative job I do a lot of typing and I thought it was very unique and a great expression of my personality.

Next week, I'm going to eat, eat, eat. Dad's birthday is Sunday, so we're having dinner with the family. On Tuesday one of the big bosses is providing a Thanksgiving lunch for us (ham and turkey, folks!). Then next Thursday is Thanksgiving - back at my folks for turkey and bread dressing (yummy!) with all of the other traditional fixings. I'm making my famous macaroni and cheese casserole (ripped off from the old Church Cookbook that everybody else forgot about), and if I know Rick, he'll be on the hunt for a pumpkin pie to provide as well. My brother and sister-in-law will bring wine (thank goodness I'll finally be done with my antibiotics by then!) and a good time will be had by all.

Let's see - babble, babble, babble. This has been a whole lot of nothing, hasn't it? Kind of like an episode of Seinfield. That's ok though.

Well, that's all folks! Mail should be in soon so I'm off. Here's hoping you have a good day.

Bye!