Happy Birthday, Happy Halloween & Quantum of Solace

I'd like to wish my good friend, Andrea, a very Happy Birthday. I hope you have a lovely day and that the Divine Miss M behaves herself.



Happy Halloween to everyone.

When the children were smaller, I used to spend the week leading up to Halloween preparing witches and ghosts outfits, decorating the house, carving pumpkins, and getting ready for the party we inevitably had. This year, it will be a case of settling down in front of the fire, whilst making notes on novel 3 before finishing any redrafts.

Last night, R, S-S#4, J, S and self dressed up (boys in their DJs, looking very dapper) to go to the Charity Premiere of Quantum of Solace at the New Forum in Jersey. Here's a pic of the invitation.

An Aston Martin was parked by the front doors and incredibly strong Martinis served as you walked in. After chatting with friends, we all took to our seats, and given warnings that the security guards from Sony would be wearing night vision glasses to ensure that no-one taped or filmed any part of the film, and anyone caught doing so would be instantly removed from the building.

Needless to say we all behaved impeccibly, the film was as action-packed as it should be, and Daniel Craig was excellent. Looking at the stunts, it isn't surprising that the poor chap has had to have an operation on his shoulder. Judy Dench was superb as M - I loved the picture of her 007 pink diamante tattoo that she wore at the premiere the night before. I loved QoS, and we all agreed that we'll want to go and see it again.

Cafe Au Lait, Spooks & Grumpy

I was doing wonderfully well with my word count on Saturday and Sunday and was raring to go yesterday, until I decided to take a few minutes to start reading a new book. I picked up Liane's book, Cafe Au Lait and am loving it so much that I haven't written a word since. Her hero, Michael is to die for. I was thoroughly irritated that I had to return to work today, but now I'm back and once I've finished blogging, doing a bit of ironing (I wouldn't bother but it's clothes that are needed for tomorrow), I shall get right back to it again.

Did anyone watch Spooks last night? I thought it was excellent (as usual), but was horrified when Adam (the heavenly RPJ) was blown up. Noooooooooooooo! S-S#1 txt his father and asked, "Is D watching?" (He knows me too well). I knew RPJ would be going, but thought they'd give us a bit of time before he got the chop. Mind you, the ever perfect, Richard Armitage (wasn't he yummy on This Morning?) was fab as the complex Lucas North. I have to admit that not being one for patience, I then turned to BBC 3 and watched tonight's episode, which I shall no doubt watch again on terrestrial later (I admit I'm sad, so what) and then on again to BBC 3 for next weeks episode.

This morning, Grumpy was taken to the lady in the valley, who clips him and cuts his nails, to have his dewclaw cut (she forgot to do it last time and it needed a trim). Poor R drew the short straw (the only good thing about me having to go to work today) and had to take him. The entire procedure took seconds and R didn't leave Grumps at all, but apparently he was so excited to be leaving so soon and without the usual bath & blow dry. Poor thing, he doesn't realize his next appointment is in two weeks, when I'll have to take him and deal with the crying, shaking and hysteria, and that's just me!

Pumpkins, Clocks & Word Count

What Your Jack-o-Lantern Says

You are a gleeful, exuberant person. You enjoy a good party, and you even enjoy a good brawl. This Halloween, there is no question what you should be... a pirate! The candy you should give out: peanut butter cups

The Jack-o-Lantern Quiz

As Halloween is almost upon us, I thought I would post this fun Blog quiz.

Yesterday morning, I woke up, relieved to see that it was after 9am and that I'd slept in late for once. I went to join R downstairs who had just arrived home with the papers and have a chat over a cup of tea. After a short while he suggested we went out to the garden and finished planting the plants and trees (yes, more of the damn things) before the forecast rain made an appearance. So we did.

Later that afternoon, after increasing my word count by a couple of thousand words to over 50,000 (yay!), I put on the supper and shouted to R that the oven clock was wrong and needed changing. "No, it's fine," he said.
"But my watch says it's five to seven and the cooker only says five to six."
R said. "Have you put your watch back an hour yet?"

Needless to say, I'd forgotten all about the clocks going back, although it had occurred to me that the day seemed to last longer than normal. I'd forgotten to change my watch or the clock by my bed and so was on a different time to the rest of the family. Mind you, that doesn't sound very unusual, I'm usually on a different planet.

TFX 2008 Writing Competition & A Book Launch

I am the winner of the "Home from Home" Beach Hut Award, so very kindly designed by the very talented Tom Foolery who awarded all entrants to the TFX 2008 Writing Competition with their very own bespoke awards. Isn't it wonderful.

To read our entries and see the other winners and their awards, please go to TF's brilliant site. Thanks, TF, much appreciated.

Many congratulations to the lovely Christina Phillips who has the book launch today of her "dark erotic romance with paranormal elements", Foretaste of Forever. I just love the dark, rich cover.

To read an interview with Christina, please go to Kay Manro's brilliant site where you can find out more about Foretaste of Forever's release and where you can also read a tantalising excerpt.

Gorgeous Henry Cavill & Spooks Link

Next week, R, J, S & I are off to the Charity Premier of the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace and so I was supposed to go to town and buy something for S to wear (well, give it my best shot anyway).

When I say, 'go to town', I actually mean, step out of the office, cross the road and walk about 20 steps and I'm bang in the middle, so it's hardly exhausting work. However, work has been so busy that the last thing I wanted to do was schlepp through the hoards of people and go shopping (especially as it wasn't for me). Anyhow, the sun was out and I have a conscience, not to mention I would have to come up with some believable excuse for not bothering, so off I went just before noon, armed with worn credit card and my mack.

I was just passing Accessorize, when I spotted this apparation of beauty striding down the street towards me. Wow, thought I, he's gorgeous. Then it dawned on me that I recognized him, so I did a double-take and realized it was Henry Cavill, he of The Tudors fame (or if it wasn't then he has a divine brother). Now ladies, I thought he was rather handsome on tv and in photos, but I have to say that he looked far taller, more exquisite and basically breathtaking as he strode passed me. King Street will never be the same again. {{Sigh}}

I now have my hero for novel #5 ready, all I have to do is summon up that vision, I even have the storyline - it came into my head as I drove home. I just wish I could get on with it, but I'll have to contend with making some notes and hope I can keep up this enthusiasm for a couple more months.

Spooks - I just thought I'd add this link for Lane.

Phantom Apple Picker

Can you spot the camouflaged apple picker?

As I left work this afternoon, I breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't wait to get home, kick off my shoes and relax. Well, so far, I've argued with J (nasty toe again) and phoned to book an appointment for him at the doctor tomorrow afternoon, discovered he can't possibly make it as he has History (J, not the doctor) cancelled and rebooked another appointment for Thursday and then told him that he WILL make that one.

So, as soon as I've finished making pasta and tuna bake for J & S, I'm going to go and get on with my second submission for the Slingink Competition. I've made a start and have to admit that I'm enjoying it more than I expected to. I just hope that I can write something worth sending in.

The WIP is slowly moving forward, but I desperately need to make my edits to HH&S and send it out and although I'm pretty sure of the amendments I need to make, I know I'll need time - without interruptions - to be able to concentrate and do them. There just never seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything. Oh well, time to stop moaning and get on with it.

1st Blog Anniversary & Richard Armitage

It's one year today that I posted my first blog and the first three people to comment, and therefore give me the confidence to carry on, were Leigh, Phillipa and then Lane. It's thanks to them and all the wonderful blog friends I've made since that I've gained confidence and learned so much more about writing than I did before. So, thank you.

It's a little colder today and winter looms ever closer, but at least that means that the next series of Spooks does too. Here's a great interview by Kevin Maher of the Times Online with Richard Armitage today about his new role as Lucas North, yay I can't wait, although he does say that he wants to play characters that "...are disgusting and look ugly and crap". Nevermind, I shall have to make the most of him looking gorgeous for the time being then. The new series starts the week of 27 October.

R and I have just arrived home from buying a Hydrangea (pink), two Camellias (one pink and one red), an Olive tree (love it) and a Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood). This is all well and good, but now they'll need to be planted, so I'm going to have to get the wellies back on again.

After much contemplation, it doesn't help having so many to choose from, I eventually chose a book from my tbr pile(s) and have started reading Movie Girl, by Kate Lace . I'm thoroughly enjoying it and will get back to it as soon as I've finished posting this.