It’s not hard to tell it’s that time of year again. Even though my own kids have grown up and don’t need those back to school supplies – I can’t say I don’t miss it because I do. The headache of trying to find new clothes, the stress of getting that perfect pencil because, and I quote, “Mom EVERYONE has a pink pencil, not the yucky yellow ones” that my daughter would always say to me. Oh, and geometry sets…….how I loved trying to get the one with everything kids need so you don’t have to go out and get extra. Calculator? No problem!! Scientific one? WHAT???????
Oh yeah, I was trying to say I missed it, wasn’t I???? In all honesty, once the kids get to a stage where they don’t need you to get things, it is a bit sad. I was out at the store recently and saw a mother with three kids trying her hardest to get things for them, and one of her children had to be starting grade one. Everytime the little boy would say something about first day of school, when he turned his head, she had a sad look on her face. Letting the kids go is not always easy, though I’ve known people who couldn’t wait to throw them on a bus and be rid of them for the day.
If only we could do the same for spouses…..you know, when they get on your nerves and you want to press the mute button, but it doesn’t seem to work? I wish I could do that sometimes when my husband starts to act like one of the kids and is unable to function without me. I love him dearly, but God help us all if he’s sick, right? We women function no matter what. I can remember hobbling around the kitchen with crutches after spraining my ankle and still getting supper cooked and the laundry done. We are tough!!
Have a great day, all, and just remember that one day you may be blessed with peace in the home, but it may be more quiet than you like…..
Okay, what is up with the young stars these days? They’re partying, irresponsible, ignorant, and proud of it! I recently read an article where one young star – and I won’t name her – mentioned how she finds it so hard to have friends because she’s too beautiful, too popular…….too modest I think. She also said that she finds news stupid and a waste of time, that people who act in comedies aren’t real actors…..has anyone told that to Jim Carrey yet? Cause I’m thinking he’d like to know he needs a new job. She proceeded to ramble on about how she loves smoking weed and can’t wait until it’s legal so she can go out and buy her first pack…….and there was plenty of profanity to accompany this article.
Well….first of all I’m thinking this girl needs a good dose of reality. That in the grand scheme of things NO actor is perfect – no actor/actress above a heart surgeon or the war veterans – people who really mean something in life – people who are saving lives and giving of themselves not for money or fame. Well, some are in it for money but you know what I mean. At least at the end of the day they’re still someone to be proud of, someone to look up to……but these kids that are in the media? God help our own children and grandchildren – they don’t have a chance to be normal because there are so many mixed messages. So many people wearing their pants too low and the crack of their ass hanging out – so many girls showing things that we don’t need to see. And they’re not attractive – they’re easy.
What is wrong with this society? When did it suddenly become cool to be a slut and an imbecile? When did it become right to put your face out in public and show the evil side? My children were brought up in a household where they respected their parents, their peers, and their community. Are they perfect? Of course not. I’m far from perfect – but we are only as good as we do. So to shoot your mouth off and show the world that you think you’re hot **** – let me enlighten you. The only thing you are is sad……and you have my sympathy. Just stay the hell away from the cameras and my children.
Have a good one!
I was supposed to blog yesterday,. but had myself in the day-off mode that so many of us mothers rarely (if ever) get. I didn’t get dressed, didn’t do the laundry or dishes, and basically left myself lots of work for today. Why is it when mothers take a day off there’s no one to pick up the slack? I mean, when kids get a day off school we still do their lunch, comb their hair, and everything is done. Father’s Day is when men have the right to do the things they do every weekend anyway, so perhaps every day is Father’s Day.
How many of you women actually took the day to yourself? How many of you received breakfast in bed, had the house cleaned, and your children were watched out for? I called my mother yesterday and told her that once the kids grow up you have more of a break, but it isn’t the same because every weekend I wake up to my husband. The kids are on their own now and although they did call and come over with cards and flowers (thank you to my beautiful children), it was almost lonely without them. I spent many years wishing someone would watch them for me so I could have that day off, and now I do. Guess we women are never happy, are we?
I declare every day Mother’s day!!! I want you to all wish your mother another special day and tell her how much she means to you. And if you don’t live with her, or are far away, remember that she’s missing you. My son thought he was being cute yesterday by telling me a lovely joke about women. “Why did the woman cross the road?” he asked. “I don’t know,” was my response (because, being a woman, I thought of many reasons why she may be crossing that road but didn’t want to overload my poor young man brained son. He said “better question is = what is she doing out of the kitchen???”
SLAP!
Sheesh…..no respect from the little pup! But the more I thought about it, that’s really how some young people see their mothers and fathers. The respect has gone and I’m not sure how young people today raise children in this society. In my day we feared our parents (and no, not because they beat us!!) Too many human rights and not enough sensibility. Do I think we should spank our kids? Not for me to say. I think you need to do what works for you and NOT hurt your children. But they don’t fear us because we have kids who sue their parents for grounding them – and THEY WIN!!!!!!!! This is the system that is working against us.
Okay, enough ranting. I hope you all have a great week and enjoy what’s left of spring. I’m hoping for a warm front to come this summer and a hunky pool boy to ease my burdens………
Women are known for their ability to multitask. At times we can talk on the phone, listen to our children, cook dinner, and still know what’s on the evening news. We have been given two (Big in my case) hips to carry our children – though I think it’s been many years since I’ve even seen my hips!
What about when the kids get older and you’re alone? How are we supposed to keep up with the times? The kids used to make me aware of what they were up to, what they like, and what society expects of them. Now I often wonder if I’m better with the curtains closed, TV off, and the only thing left to stare at me is the dustmill… some call a treadmill… in the corner. It calls to me, but for some reason it’s too hard to do one thing at a time. If only they would make a stove with a treadmill attached, with headphones that put the TV in one ear and radio in the other. Perhaps then I could get everything done the way I used to. My house used to be clean, the floors emaculate (okay a bit of a stretch there, but the kids didn’t mind eating off them! 
I truly believe we need to be busy. Stay at home moms have the hardest job of anyone I know. I have been both – a working mother and a stay at home mother – and I can honestly say that although the rewards were better staying home, I was always on the go. Whether it was cleaning up after the kids, washing clothes, getting all those little things done on a regular basis that when you’re working you only do a couple of times a year because weekends are now a blessing you look forward to. Plus you spend all your time off (or you should) doing things with the kids because you worked all week and didn’t see them.
I had someone ask me what I do when I’m bored. I said “what does that mean?” I had to look it up in the dictionary again because it’s been so long since I’ve been bored. I often said that I wish I had a day where I didn’t have anything to do, anywhere to go, and no one picking at me wanting “MOMMY”. However, that day is now here. Not that I don’t have anything to do – but with the kids gone I don’t have the urgent need. I just dust around my husband, pick up his feet to vacuum under, and no longer slave over a stove the way I used to.
Point? Be careful what you wish for – the next time the kids are driving you insane and you think “I can’t wait for them to take care of themselves” or “I can’t wait until they leave home so I can have some peace”. Take it from someone who used to say it……when the day comes, you will be sorry you wished it.
Serious Bonnie for a change! Someone slap me – I’m going to get a drink! See you next month!
I swear, every time I turn on the TV, there is someone telling me something different. Eat sugar, don’t eat sugar – eat eggs, don’t eat eggs. Peanut butter is good – but has bad fat. Or good fat? I can’t remember! Next thing you know someone is going to tell me that if you sleep with your eyes shut you’ll get fat!!!!!
How does one know who to listen to? I love Doctor Oz on Oprah – but is he right? Does he REALLY know what he’s talking about? Does Bob Green? I like him too, but I like a lot of people. I like myself, but I wouldn’t follow my own advice on eating. Keep a diary someone once told me. I think if I were to write down everything I ate – I would depress myself. It would be the diary of a woman in need.
The same goes for things we wear, use, and God forbid – TOUCH! Deodorant – does it cause breast cancer? Does shampoo give you tumors?? Can you imagine a world where we don’t wash our hair or put on deodorant? Why, we’d be… MEN! lol. Okay, nasty nasty. But I still think it’s men who make this stuff up. How else do we pull such crap out of our ass?
I hope you have more luck than I have with losing weight – or knowing what to wear. I like the scent free policies because I get headaches from perfume. Nothing worse than having a woman come in and smell like a tramp coming from the whorehouse. If your body odor is that bad – try SHOWERING!!!
Have a good one, people. I’m off my soapbox (no pun intended)
Okay, how many times do you have to read a headline that says “Child shoots…” or “Child takes gun to school…” before people will stop having them in their home??????? For Christ’s sake, people, these are CHILDREN! Sure, some people say they keep their guns locked. Whatever! I keep my cookies up high too, but if someone really wanted one, they’d find a way to get it. Locks can be broken!
How about the parents who take their kids out to the woods and teach them how to hunt? Then you wonder why an 8 year old shot his father and his father’s friend. Hello!! Children don’t have the consequence thing down yet. How many of us have said they hate their parents, or have been so mad at someone that you think you want to strangle them? Would we do it? Sane people, no. Children, usually not. SOME people/children – YES. Enough do it that we should be thinking about where we keep our weapons and how much we tell children about it.
Anyone who says ‘you can’t hide them from it’ deserves a kick in the ass. You can, and should, hide them from it until they’re mature enough to make that decision. Why do you need a gun in your house? If you do – your children should NOT know you do. We are supposed to protect our children and keep them safe. Not have them worry about intruders or ‘bad’ people. You can’t tell them these things and expect them to process it like adults. Many adults don’t know how to process it for heaven’s sake.
So next time you read a headline where children are using guns – instead of pointing fingers at who is responsible – take steps to make sure you’re not one of them. Have a good one!
What is the big deal with the politicians? I mean, we’re all HUMAN, most of us have a BRAIN – so why does the media have to turn something so important into a showdown of man/woman white/black??
At the end of the day we’re all the same. I mean, when I read a book about a man and a woman – I don’t picture them white, black, yellow, red, etc. I picture them as people – people who are able to think, breathe, live, love, eat, have sex…….whatever…..and yet the media is tearing these people apart. These men and women are going to possibly lead our country – and yet Sarah’s face was on a magazine with ‘her secret lover’. GOOD LORD PEOPLE!!!!!!! Who the hell cares? Bill Clinton did his intern but he still ran the country. Do we really care about her sex life? Do I believe it? NO. Do I care that Obama smoked pot when he was younger? Hell no! I want to know who is going to lead the country and if they’re going to do a good job.
Why tear the woman apart because she’s a mom? In this day and age, if you can work, run a home, and still manage to look as good as she does – then I want her on my team! Why does it matter that she has an infant at home? What’s wrong with the man watching the baby? I care about who is going to lead, who is going to keep the values this country was built on and not change it for every Tom, Dick, and Harriet who comes in and doesn’t like the way things are run.
Let’s stop and remember that if we were in there shoes – we would want to be judged on who we are – not what we’ve done in the past (unless we’re murderers, then not such great leadership material).
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends – I hear you’re going through your own battle. Man vs. beast up there! Be thankful you don’t have the drama we have here in the States. We tend to be overly dramatic – to say the least!!!
Have a good weekend all – be safe and be smart!
I was at the bank the other day and was waited on by a lovely young girl who was in her 20’s. We had a chat about the weather, and how recently she had problems with water getting into her basement during heavy rainfalls. Well, this past weekend we had such a rainfall and she proceeded to tell me that she and her boyfriend had to look into getting a sump-pump. It really was a lovely conversation – and then she went to get my money that I had requested, and when she came back (which was perhaps a minute or two later ), she sat down again and asked me how my weekend was. I said it was great.
”Did you get any water?” I looked behind me to see if there was someone else she was speaking to. Ummm… “No, did you?” and she went through the whole conversation again. How strange!!!!!!!!!! I didn’t know if I should tell her that we just had this conversation, or if I should just sit and have it again. So I did – and it was just as exciting the second time around *snickers*.
I left feeling quite pleased that a young girl could have memory lapses – and I don’t mean that in a rude or cruel way. I worry sometimes that I do stupid things because of my age and now I know that we can get so busy in our lives that we forget the conversations that we’ve had, or we can see and talk to so many people that you forget who you told what to.
But five minutes later? Not sure I want to admit to that, and next time I’m picking the older ladies to do my banking. At least they tend to not be as chatty.
Have a good one!
I know there should be an explanation for everything. Like we have coffee so I don’t bitch at my husband for the rest of the day (oh, and there’s the staying awake thing). We have chocolate for pretty much the same reason, only not on a daily basis perhaps for some of us. Though I do love my chocolate and must have it at least for one week out of every month. Yes – it’s a necessity.
Air, to breathe. Water to wash and drink. Perhaps there is even a reason for hunky men. *sigh*. Yes, I could go on about that one, but on another blog. This time I want to discuss BUGS. Where do they come from? Why do they torture me so? I mean, I can see having bumble bees – I watched The Bee Movie and loved it. I love my flowers and know I couldn’t have them without bees. Oh, and worms. Yes, they’re slimy and icky, but they help the soil breathe and I can have my nice flowers again. I understand spiders – I don’t actually mind them because they are hanging around waiting to catch something icky. I used to tell my kids that they can’t kill the spiders because they eat all the bad bugs. My son got it, but my daughter is still not convinced. Try this: walk up to a spider web and yell as loud as you can – and watch the spider’s legs pop out with fear. *giggles*. Yes, I’m bad. But it makes them more tolerable.
But MOSQUITOS!!!!!!!!!!!! What is the use in them? I try to go visit family near a river, or sitting water somewhere and out pops the mosquitos. I hear in Canada places are infested with them and they’re sucking blood from anyone they see. How do we know they don’t spread disease? Can we really be sure? And house flies? Fruit flies? What the hell are they doing in my space??????????? I wish someone could tell me what they and dead beat dads have to do with this world. They should all be taken out, sprayed with poison, and sent back to where they came from.
Have a great one!
Thanks so much for sharing your views with us. It’s been great to see a different side to things. Well, not different because I’ve had authors here before and I’m sure I’ve had reviewers. But this is the first time I’ve had someone who does both come out and talk about it. I think we should share our talents and stories. This world was not created to keep everything a secret!
Please continue to read, write, review, and love life. I would love to know your favorite book that you read. Or the worst. But we’re not here to bash anyone or make them feel bad. However, you could tell me your favorite thing about writing and reviewing – and if you plan to continue to do both for years to come.
On that note – take care and have fun!
Sascha,
This is great to ask a man some questions – especially since the only thing my husband writes down is hockey scores and/or items he wants on his pizza. He doesn’t have a creative bone in his body and I would love to pick your brain just for a few minutes (or a week – we’ll see how you get along)
What do you think inspired you to begin writing? What is it about literature that appeals to you – or do you consider romantic fiction to be literature? Would you say it’s harder or easier for a man to write romance? What about the sex scenes? I think it’s interesting how psychologists say women are more into feeling and men are more visual. Does this affect your writing – whether it be romantic or not? Does it make your descriptions more detailed, or more black and white?
Through the eyes of a reviewer – to write must be an interesting challenge. What do you take away from reading other people’s books? Do you wish to have your books reviewed, and if so, by whom? What I mean is would you rather just a Tom Dick or Harry (or Sally, Mary, Jane, whatever) to read it, or would you want a review site? Professional reviews or volunteers?
Let’s hear what you have to say because I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know anything about the writing or reviewing world – as I’ve never done either one.
Okay, now to get down to the nitty gritty. What are the worst habits that authors do? Do you find yourself thinking about this often and making sure you don’t repeat the mistakes? Do you have it in your head the things you look for as a reviewer while writing? Do you wish you could take an author aside and tell them perhaps they’re not getting it?
And if you could give advice to a reviewer – what would it be? I mean, just because someone hates your book doesn’t mean it’s a bad story – or a bad book. I mean, there are lots of movies out there that are terrible, yet get great reviews. Most Academy Awards I find are given to either unknown movies or ones you’re thinking you’d never go see. Now that is my opinion – but does it make me right? Of course it does – this is my playground and you shall not go down my slide without my permission. 
Do you find it difficult to give bad reviews? Or do you find it harder to give great reviews? Do you wish you could write some of the things authors come up with? We all wish we’d thought of Harry Potter and had millions of dollars (or billions…….) but there is only one JK Rowling. Do you think “I wish I’d thought of that” or is it more “what the hell were they thinking?” Do you come across many stories that are similar to each other, yet the authors are not related or acquainted in any way?
I know some of the staff from Coffee Time either through interviewing them and/or sneaking onto the loops to have a look around, but I don’t have a close relationship with them. How do you get along with them all, and do you feel overpowered by women, or wish you could meet them in person? Both?
It’s not often we have men here at Coffee Time Romance – and even less often we have one who is both an author and a reviewer!
Sascha is ready to bare all (dont’ get too excited ladies because there will be no pictures) and he isn’t going to hold anything back. He will tell you how it is, though, and be prepared to listen because it’s not often we get such (or any) advice from men. *cough*.
Please be sure to comment often and ask lots of questions. Sascha/Alexix is ready and able to answer whatever you’re going to throw at him.
Let’s have fun!
Is there truly a way to deal with stress? I mean, I’ve seen the programs on TV about meditation, yoga, praying, all things I’ve tried and perhaps had some results with. However, what are you supposed to do when someone cuts you off in the parking lot….and smiles at you with a ‘ha ha you’re too late’. Or the lady at the checkout ahead of you who has ten things without a price on them and you have to wait for the cashier to call down to every department to get said prices? I mean, does no one CHECK the items before they take them to the counter anymore? What is this world coming to?
Have you ever found yourself taking a deep breath, but it feels like fire? Or when you count to ten and it feels more like 100?? What are you supposed to do then? Perhaps I need to do something more before I leave home. But it seems like this world is so stressed without me that to have me add to it wouldn’t matter. Does this make sense? What are we doing as a whole to correct this? And the kids these days!!! My goodness, if I could carry a bar of soap with me, I would. I think certain words become their vocabulary and it sounds awful. Old school? Maybe. But there’s something about a beautiful young woman with her hair all nice, fresh skin, great clothes – and then she opens her mouth and suddenly she is no better than trailer trash with dirty clothes, dirty nails, and no teeth.
What do you do for stress? I mean, don’t get me started on the money aspect of life. I think we should change the name from money to stress coin. Yeah – you get some, but it doesn’t relieve the stress – it just stresses you to think of where to put/spend it. There are so many people with their hands out that you don’t know which one to slap first. I mean – pay. Yeah, that’s what I mean.
So think long and hard next time something bothers you. Is it worth getting uptight over? Could there be worse things? Of course!! Just think – if you have the ability to complain about work – be thankful you have a job. If you’re complaining about not having enough money – remember you have some; if you can’t find a parking spot, walk from farther away and be thankful you don’t need the handicapped parking.
Will I follow my own advice? I’m pretty darned smart so I’ll sure try. Have a good one and stay cool. This heat makes me crazy!
Coffee Time has really pulled out the red carpet for authors! They’ve changed their look, made a new layout, and how about the cute chick drinking coffee? They asked me to model for a picture and I can’t believe the likeness!
I hope your all ready for a great summer full of inspiring blogs from yours truly, and from my cohort Claudine; not to mention the authors who will be interviewed.
Hang on tight – it’s gonna be one hell of a ride!
It’s been such a pleasure to get to know you these past couple of days. You jumped right in and gave us some great excerpts. I’m still wondering what happened to Claire and how she’s going to get out of her mess. When you accomplish that, you have great talent. They often say if an actor can make you hate him/her, they’ve done a great job. So when you bring conviction to a character – then you’ve done YOUR job.
I know you have tons of fans who are happy you’ve continued with your career and look forward to many books to come. What are you working on next? What can we see in the next five years from you? Too far ahead? Okay, the next year. Get feeding that addiction to published contracts and bylines. I’d love to see my name in lights – but for now I’ll settle for being here on my pedestal. Have a great one!
I feel like I was running alongside Claire and kept saying ‘keep moving, this old lady can’t run anymore!’ What great excerpts you’re sharing!
What I would like to know is how you stay motivated to keep writing. Not starting as a child – did it work against you at first, or for you? What I mean is did you find it hard to get ideas for your stories or do they still come to you? And where do they come from?
Many authors will tell me that they’ve been writing for years, yes, but that they also have a ‘TBW’ (To be written) folder, file, whatever, where they keep the stories they’ve been thinking about since they were kids.
How exciting for you to be pubished with all these companies. Is there a genre you wish you could write but haven’t been able to? Or one that you read and enjoy but know you’ll never be able to write?
I’m sorry for all the questions, but you’re so great to respond I knew you could get it all in! lol.
Romance Author Maddie James is published by Triskelion Publishing, Kensington Books, and Thorndike Press. Her non-fiction work lies mostly in the academic field, having published a chapter titled “Parent and Child Together Time” in The Handbook of Family Literacy by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, dozens of articles and teacher resources on early childhood education and parent involvement topics, as well as newspaper articles and a column for a local magazine. She is a member of Novelist’s Inc. and Romance Writers of America and various RWA chapters, including Kentucky Romance Writers.
As an educator, Maddie has over twenty-seven years of professional experience under her belt. Her day job working for a non-profit literacy organization only fuels her passion for books and reading as she sees first hand how learning to read can change people’s lives. Much of her day job focuses on supporting literacy in families on American Indian reservations.
An Ohio native and a Kentucky transplant, she claims a “bucktucky” dialect, often confusing her “y’alls” with her “you guys” depending upon which side of the Mason Dixon she happens to be at the time. Still living in Kentucky, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, home decorating, gardening and, oh yeah, writing.
Tell us more, Maddie!! I read a few interesting facts on your website about how this all began. Feel free to share excerpts, reviews, etc. It’s going to be a great few days!
Okay, I’ve had enough. I’ve talked before about people who don’t wear appropriate clothing, but now I’m just so tired of seeing crack, I feel like a drug lord. If only I could sell some of it for money – I’d make a million!
It’s not just plumbers bent over under your sink. It’s not big men sitting on the edge of a stool at the local deli counter. No – it’s spreading – and fast! The crack alert has now become part of the teenage fad and I’m afraid by the time these kids become adults, they’re going to stop wearing pants altogether. What is up with these people? And they’re not just heavy (whatever the proper word is) people. There are some skinny minny little girls with no hips, no boobs, and lots of CRACK! I know the style is to wear your pants down low, but can you please do the ‘bend over’ test before leaving the house? I’m trying to deal here.
And there are girls who seem to wear skin tight shirts and the flab hangs over the top of these jeans. Again – not big girls, but they could use a few sit ups because the flab is a hanging. You’re not supposed to see that until you’re my age and then you can name it and call it a personal friend. I call my sag “Agatha”. Why? Cause I can.
Please, if you’re a parent – don’t let your kids go out with these pants on. And if you’re a kid – for goodness sakes – pull up your drawers! We don’t care if you’re wearing a thong, panties, or nothing at all *shudders*. Just keep it to yourself. Follow the boys – they may wear pants ten times too big, but thankfully most of them follow suit with a shirt that hangs to their knees. I never thought I would take sloppiness over a girl’s choice of attire.
STOP THE CRACK! SAY NO TO LOW PANTS!
*eyes the liquor cabinet*
I’m appalled at the use of the media. I mean, we know that Britney Spears has a drinking problem and should NOT be raising children (nor should the so called father of the children either, so that’s up to courts to work it out) and we know that Brangelina are great adulterous missionaries. I get it. But when you turn on CNN and you see parents accused of kidnapping (or worse) their own children after months of searching and praying, it saddens me.
Can it happen? Hell yes. Does it happen? Hell yes. But should it be put in the papers and on the media that they are suspects in the case? No. Should they be put in the media once there is irrefutable proof? Yes. Should they be strung by their necks in the middle of time square if they are indeed guilty? Pass me the rope and I’ll do it myself!
I just don’t know why the media has the need to feed off of sorrow and devisitation from families. Look at the Virginia insident. The media couldn’t get enough pictures of people crying, families mourning, and … God knows they took enough pictures of the killer and gave him more publicity than they did any surgeon saving lives or kindness shown to a homeless person. The papers are obsessed with showing the bad in people, and teaching the future generations that in order to get your picture in the paper you have to do something so horrendous, so beyond human understanding, that people will talk about you for years to come.
What makes us read it? That’s another question. I see headlines and try not to read anything that is speculation or just plain cruel. We should all boycott this news! SHame on you for paying money to read it, for passing it on to friends, and for giving murderers exactly what they wanted before they either die or spend time (and not enough time if you ask me) in prison.
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