Amie Stuart ~ On the Back Porch

Happy Monday Pookas!!!! I’m over at SFC today taking it down to the bare bones. Stop by and play!

Accountability Update: Saturday I managed about 8 or 9 pages on SCREWED but I got TONS of plotting done which is mega-good. Page count isn’t as big a concern as I’d thought (but my fingers are still crossed. Makes typing kinda hard but we’ll figure something out). I am reminded once again why I said I’d never write suspense. *sigh* My goal this week is 19 pages. I’d like to cross that 100 page line.

Otherwise, I had a lovely afternoon out with Lyn and Dennie (we had to case out places for our May conference–stay tuned because Margie Lawson is coming to down! SWEET!)

Other than writing and plotting and cleaning out the DVR, I cleaned my room *falls down*, cleaned out the fridge, did most of the laundry and cleaned up the laundry area (and chewed the kids out about cleaning up after themselves and doing chores. Old rules are back into effect so look out!).

Also finished Patricia Briggs’ Moon Called–really enjoyed it and will definitely be picking up the next book (yes I KNOW I’m behind–don’t remind me).

And…….last but not least, *sob* my Kevin went on his first date. Okay okay so they’re JUST FRIENDS, but still… and she’s so CUTE!!!!!!!! *sigh* damn…..

So, what’s new in your world?

SCREWED:

My new single title mom-lit about a basketball mom who kills referees who anger her just with the power of her loud shreiky voice. She’s also developed the ability to completely mortify her son, piss off the refs, and embarrass other parents in a single screech. Look for it soon from STFU Books.

(more…)

Warning slight parental rant ahead….(And I’m over at SFC today wondering what to do with my stuff)

Responsibility: A form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one’s conduct

Myspace recently entered into an agreement with 49 states to up their level of protection for children against “internet predators and bullies”. The one state that didn’t sign on? Texas.

And I say good for Greg Abbot (even if I do hate the AG’s office but that’s another rant). Don’t look so shocked. Frankly, it’s not Myspaces responsibility to protect my children. It’s mine. The buck stops with me. Not Myspace, not the state. The parent. Funny enough this announcement came on the heels of last week’s LAO: SVU episode about a 14 year old who raped four children after watching hours of porn via cable and the internet. His father was a single parent, his mother was dead. The kid thought it was okay. It was DISTURBING on levels I don’t even have the words for. Had I known what it was about, I wouldn’t have let the kids watch it with me (normally it’s no biggie), but it’ll probably go down as my least favorite of all time. The bottom line? It really drove home the importance of keeping an eye on my children.

Yes, my children use the internet, yes they have their own computer and YES I monitor them. We also have an open dialog about what’s appropriate and what’s not as well as about posting personal information on the net. At the same time, because I write erotic romance, I walk a fine line on hypocrisy. We also talk about sex and they know that what I write isn’t any more appropriate for them to read than porn is for them to watch.

So what do you think? Whose job is it? The state? Myspace? Dialogue……

Ok so I wrote this on Saturday night and I’ve been mulling it over. I THINK what really bugged me about that SVU episode is that the kid didn’t look fourteen. I have a 14 YO son. He’s taller than me and he has a baby ’stache. This kid looked like he was maybe MAYBE 12. And he’d been picked on. Don’t get me wrong, I know there are little kids in my son’s class–just like I know there’s a kid in the 7th grade who’s 6′1 …. and I know that bullying happens, but I think the fact that he was so so … babyfaced is what made it disturbing.

I’m over at NAS(ty) today – it’s rather er well not for the faint of heart so you were warned. And be prepared to play.

As you all know, I have two boys. They fight. A LOT. There is much wrestling and name calling–I even had to break up a wrestling match at 7:30 this morning. You’d think at nearly 14 and 12 they’d effing stop by now! But no.

So anyway a few months back, they’re verbally harassing each other and I decided to step in. It went something like this, “Hey #2 son. Com’ere.”

“What, oh most fabulous mommy of mine?” (because you KNOW I AM)
“Go out there and tell #1 his name was almost Elvis.”
“What tha? GET OUT NO WAY. My mom would NEVER do that to a son of hers, oh most fabulous mommy of mine!”
“You’re right, beloved son, but your dad would.” (S’truth I SWEAR!)
So with much glee, #2 son runs to the living room and says, “Ha ha you were almost named Elvis.”
At which point He Who Shall Foreverafter Be Referred to Elvis on This Blog says, “BULL!”
At which point I call out, “Oh yeah! Your dad wanted to call you Elvis…or Bruce after Bruce Lee.”
At which point Elvis comes running in my room, falls on his knees and gives me the most beseeching looking. “Mommy PLEASE tell me, did #2 brother have an alternate name?”
“Yes dear.”
At which point, he climbs a bit higher on the bed and whispers, “Please, oh darling mother of mine, tell me…what was it?”
“Kevin.”
At which point, Elvis slumps in misery at the side of the bed. Much like the Devil who went down to Georgia, Elvis knows he’s been defeated.
And this is where Elvis leaves the building…or at least my room. Even he knows there is no glory in calling his little brother by the Name He Will Forever After Be Know By on This Blog, KEVIN.

And yes, I laughed. Because even the most fabulous mommy in the world can have a bit of a mean streak.

I wish I’d taken a pic–it’s so clean! I’m so happy! I’m so grubby! Ew

but anywayyy guess what I found in the garage. A little karmic payback for cleaning out the closet. See I had this bag of clothes I put out there two years ago to give to charity *cough* but never got around to it *cough* and I decided since they had been sitting out there so long I’d WASH them and LO AND BEHOLD what did I find?

Not one but TWO pair of brand new with tags jeans I’d put out there because I’d had them for two years and never been able to fit into them.

I washed them so keep your fingers crossed.

Last night small children went to the park to play football so I got my writing done without a trip to Starbucks!

I was tagged by Mik so here goes. Things that make me shudder: DIRTY BATHROOMS (hear me not-so-small children of mine), ROACHES, EX’s, CLINGY CO-DEPENDENT PEOPLE, HOLIDAYS (especially stupid ones like oh HALLOWEEN) and THE THREAT OF WRITER’S BLOCK.

I’ll tag anyone who wants to play.

So I’ve been feeling really lousy lately. Like REALLY lousy. I’ve had writer issues to deal with and kid issues to deal with and um rain to deal with and the quitting smoking thing to deal with too so I’ve really really been dragging.

Then I realized that I’d slid back into some bad eating habits AND I’d not been taking my vitamins EVERY day like I’m supposed to which explains why I was coming home and sleeping and just feeling like a slug all the time. I’m so stupid! I’ve taken my vitamins the last two days plus my green foods. Let me tell you what–that stuff is GROSS. Ok the stuff I take isn’t that gross but it LOOKS HORRIBLE. Doesn’t matter, my body needs it. I also went and got some of my adrenal meds–the nutritionist said I could go off them, it’s been six months, but I’ve been sluggish, stressed, and cranky and I finally figured out I just need them to help me get over this smoking hump–obviously my body’s telling me I’m not ready to be off them yet. Two days of vitamins and I already feel better. Huge relief because I’ll need every ounce of energy for next week!

Bonnie Edwards is guest blogging at NAS today on that first sex scene!

Ok yes, it’s still raining……..sheesh. Karin it’s supposed to stop Monday and Tuesday though, so you should be good to go.

Yesterday we went grocery shopping and I HATE taking the kids shopping with me because it’s like they tag-team me, my brain shorts out, and I can’t think. I can’t think to the point I left a 12 pack of Sprite Zero on the bottom of the cart, paid for, didn’t get it home, AND forgot to hit the meat aisle. You can’t exactly make stuffed bell peppers without the hamburger *sigh*

I found the BEST recipe for HUMMUS!!!!!! OMG I got it off allrecipes.com my fave place to recipe-shop and it’s super easy!

1 can Garbanzo (chick peas) beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup mayo (light even)
juice of one lemon (eyeball it)
1 tbsp of sundried tomato pesto (available in the spaghetti sauce aisle)

Throw it in your blender and mix until smooth and serve with whatever your peapickin heart desires (I like melba toast). It’s SO yummy and SO good. I ate myself sick on it yesterday.

PS Haha Larissa!

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