It's Monday Afternoon

Dear Readers,
Well it's the start of a brand new week. I have a to-do list longr than my arm to -do this week. But most of it is writing related. Not that writing is simple far from it but at least for most of the list I do not have to get out in 102-105 heat and no telling what the heat index is and that as far as I am concerned I will not be getting out until sundown. Maybe vampires and werewolves have the right idea this week just stay in the dark....
I wonder how many authors have maids? I know author has a cleaning lady and she cleans before the cleaning lady comes. I find this a riot as I can see her scrubbing the tubs and toliets so they'll be ready for the cleaning lady.
I am sure some authors have a cleaning lady and I must admit I have thought about it but I am afraid I would become "Monk" and have to prepare for the weekly cleaning lady. Heck I am paranoid when friends say they're stopping by as I play the age old game 'How many things can fit into the closet and still get the door to shut? Or how many lights can go out while still being able to see your friend? I mean it's a sunny day do we have to go inside?"
I had a grandmother who was a cleaning lady and I swear on a stack of Bibles I did not get that gene much to erie of mother, father, adopted mother, father and step-mother and step father.
What can I say "I've always been a rebel" plus I find it boring to clean yet if someone were to clean my house I would have to have it cleaning lady or maid ready and heaven help me if I had live in help. This would put me over the edge.......
We downsized and I thought it would get easier because I didn't have to climb the stairs well WRONG....very very wrong..............I am pretty sure that on judgement day God will be saying "Pamela you missed a spot"
Hugs, Pamela

The Miracle Of Peace Of Mind

Dear Readers,
So far the weekend has been pretty great. How is everyone else's weekend going? I think I have more peace right now than I have had in a while. I am looking forward to the beginning of the week. Melissa is doing good, Amy is healthy and happy, Jay is living in an apartment in Kansas City with two other roommates, Amanda's children are sick with upper respirtory infections but they seem like they are doing okay other than being sick, Mishell signed up for school and everyone is fine there, Frank is fine, Frank Jr. called and a grandson's birthday party is next weekend so all is okay with them.
I am now ready to go back to work on my book, get some stitching time in and finish reading the good books I have started. Also I am ready to tackle school work again and clean my house. I feel very positive about the future and there are a couple of group reads I can't wait to do this fall and winter.
I am just so HAPPY and lots of it is due to my friend Terri I just LOVE what she is doing to our website. This is very inspiring for an author and motivates me to no end, Melissa is very creative and last night (well three in the morning) we cooked up a wonderful book plot for the third mystery. Which means I can't wait to delve into a book title for this book and also write up the story idea so I can put it aside until I am more ready to write on the third book. Even though turning in the book was pushed back a month it is all falling into place.
Now if I could find some quilted Christmas Stocking Material life would be complete. LOLOL Okay enough with me hogging all the miracles this weekend as it's someone else's turn.

Saturday Looking Up

Okay well things are looking up. I will have my book out in plenty of time for fall even with the set back of it not going in until September 15th. The cover is picked out and nothing like what I thought I wanted but still my daughter had a good idea.
They are going home tonight and we stayed up all night doing computer things and picking covers etc....that I didn't get to bed until 5:30 this morning and woke at noon. Melissa had gotten up at ten and I guess Mishell and Cassie came over and I didn't know it. LOLOLOL
Now Melissa is napping and has been since about 12:30 so we need her to get up and get around and dressed for the day.
I hope everyone is staying cool as it's going to be 100 here today.....
I did eat pancakes for breakfast.
hugs, Pamela

Hot Flash To Murder

This seems to be my theme for the day. I am hot flashing and having horminal issues...I'll be back later!!!
Hugs, Pamela

New blog look

Dear Readers, I decided to give my blog a new look and so I hope this comes through okay. Just letting everyone know I did it on purpose. Hugs, Pamela

Monday Night---

Hi Readers, well today has been somewhat hectic but good for the most part. I wrote and I've stitched, we had spagahetti for supper and today I did some housework. It was supposed to be sunny and ended up partly cloudy. I am kinda mapping out my career plan this week as I've had to make some adjustments and will probably make more by the end of the week.
My daughter Melissa and grandson Chase will be home this weekend an that will be great for everyone. Frank and I had some down time this past weekend and I feel more recharged than before.
Hugs, Pamela

Saturday Library Bust

Hello Readers, okay well I ventured out this afternoon to the library and I was after the Simon Brett Mrs. Pargeter's Series. The only one they had was one I had read and I wanted to interlibrary loan but the person who handles all of that wasn't there. I ended up coming home and reading Mary Jane Clark's HIDE YOURSELF AWAY. It's not a cozy but it is a really good book that pulls you in with each passing page.
I also started reading WHISKERS OF EVIL by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie as DARK TORT just wasn't cutting it. I like the Rita Mae Brown Mystery a lot better and I want to collect even more of these as I don't own but this one of Harry Haristeen Mystery and I am really enjoying it. But this series will be for the 'Keeper Shelf'.............
Hugs, Pamela

Saturday Sleuths

Okay everyone,
If you had a whole Saturday to spend reading one of your favorite sleuth mysteries, which sleuth mystery would it be?

For Chick Lit Mysteries: It has to be Susan McBride and second runner up would be Victoria Laurie.

For Female Sleuth Mysteries: Carolyn Hart's Death On Demand Series. Or Mary Daheim's Bed-N-Breakfast Mystery Series

Male Sleuth Probably Tim Myers or Simon Brett

Historical EASY Emily Brightwell's Miss Jefferies Series.

Overall winner for one book one day----Susan McBride wins..............
with her DEBUTANTE DROPOUT SERIES...
But while we are talking about other strong female mystery series I say you have to try Elaine Viets Mysteries BOTH SERIES the DEAD-END JOB SERIES IS TO DIE FOR...and THE MYSTERY SHOPPER SERIES definitely will WIN YOU OVER.
I have to also add Nancy Cohen to the mix with her MARLA SHORE SERIES as BAD HAIR DAYS are nothing compared to what Marla has to endure and Nancy's Covers are great too.............
As far as Historicals I do like Kate Kingsbury and Carola Dunn's historical mysteries plus I have been hooked on Brenda Joyce's Victorian Series for a long time................
So tell who you would pick and why?????????????????
Susan McBride's Mysteries I picked because they have Pazzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Victoria Laurie writes a series that gives new meaning to OUT OF THIS WORLD....because this woman knows what readers want and she gives it to them!
Watching Monk tonight inspired me to put my thinking cap on and see what readers like and why they like them and also ask myself what I like as I reader and author and I like characters who are unique, have depth and are mostly liberals.........LOLOL
Hugs, Pamela

Friday Musing

Finally my favorite day of the week has arrived. Tonight is 'Monk Night' and stitching night. I am thrilled and that is no joke. Never sure what the weekend holds so I will cherish tonight.
Today's weather is better it's only 88 out there right now and they say we might hit 91 but we'll see as we are supposed to have storms this afternoon/evening.
I now have the energy to catch up with housework and tonight I'll stitch while watching all my mystery series. Life is good again!!!
I hope everyone has great weekend plans that the weekend goes the way you want it to and that you get plenty of time to relax and enjoy life.
If Frank ends up on call I might even write on my book this weekend. But no plans to otherwise I want to stitch and relax.........................
I do feel tired today too as I didn't sleep well last night. I should have as the temps were much more condusive to sleeping better but it just didn't happen and I had finished the Su Grafton Mystery last evening so that meant I went to bed early enough to sleep well but it didn't happen last night.
Tonight I am thinking tacos for supper.
Hugs, Pamela

Wednesday/Thursday

Hello everyone,
Well the children and grandchildren have returned to Kansas City. I am sure Melissa will have her hands full for a few days.
I am going to spend the next two days writing, and stitching....of course other things will come up too they always do but my plan is to get more writing time in this week. They want us to come to Kansas City on Saturday to the Royals Game but we haven't decided if we will or not its good to go but it would be good to stay home too.
We'll see Melissa and family in two weeks if we don't go and in two weeks if we do go.
What is new with everyone else this week? What are you stitching? Reading? Writing ? Any weekend plans?
Hugs, Pamela

Monday-Back to work

Dear Readers,
Okay it's Monday and yesterday my daughter Amy and grandson Bradley came for the afternoon and evening so we didn't get the quiet bithday that we planned but that is okay we still had a nice visit.
Today has been a little hectic as housework is demanding that I spend time doing it before the house is out of hand. So far I have made the bed, did the dishes as there were not many to do and now must do floors and laundry.
This afternoon I will start the new segment of my homework and tonight it's back to the book. I will take time out to stitch and watch the 'Closer' but since I am back to writing my book full time I am only serving an Italian Hamburger Helper and salad for supper, maybe if he's lucky I'll bake some rolls but in this heat I couldn't count on it.
We have watermelon for dessert.
I spent some more time reading 'S Is For Silence' before I got with my day this morning. This is one of Kinsey's Cases that I really want to know what is going on. It reminds me of a stand alone that Carolyn Hart Wrote a year or so ago that everyone raved about well I think Sue Grafton Fans will be raving about this one too but then again I am a sucker for Cold Cases. I find them intriguing.
I guess the weatherman says we'll get rain later which reminds me I will be washing my hair etc...before I have a BAD hair day.LOLOLOL.
Everyone stay cool..........
Hugs, Pamela

Tonight-July 14th

Dear Readers,
What a lovely evening, we watched Monk and the other shows and I thought House was especially good tonight. I stitched on 'House Haunting' and relaxed in the recliner only leaving it to refill my drink.
Frank is in bed and the cats are ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....so it's just me up with the humm........of the ceiling fan.
Life is good and I am going to find a mystery on DVD or VCR to round out the night. Goodnight all.............
Hugs, Pamela

Friday evening

Dear Readers,
Hello this evening and my is it HOT...but then again it is the middle of July. How is everyone? I hope staying in and being cool or at least staying by water if you live near water.
Today I took slower than expected because of a few stomach issues, but at least I took a small nap.
I am thinking we might have pancakes for supper tonight. It's quick and easy plus tonight is my 'Mystery Night' for Monk and other shows and I would rather cross stitch than worry about cleaning up a big mess in the kitchen from mexican food tonight.
We usually have mexican or Italian on Friday night but I made spagahetti on Thursday night.
Frank also has a tendacy to get called out with the wrecker on Friday nights with alarming regularity as it seems to be a night for being getting arrested and having to have their cars towed, or people coming back from ballgames out of town and breakig down and we won't mention the people who still drive drunk and the accidents they cause around here. So he is on call with police department and sheriff's department so it's nothing for him to be called out anywhere from nine at night to five the next morning. It sure makes for some long and interesting weekends especially if some cars, trucks are from out of town and he has to tow then to Joplin or Tulsa etc....
I have learned I get lots of stitching and writing time on Friday nights.
This is another reason I sleep in and I am not right on Instant Messenger on the weekend because if he gets called out more than twice I just stay up and read. LOLOLOL
Anyway it feels like it's going to be one of those nights aftr a while you get a feel for when things might go astray.LOLOLOL
I was looking forward to summer back in April it was all I could think about but since then I have decided to look forward to fall mostly because summer has been chaotic, swamped and my health seems to have taken a downward turn a little and I do think it's from being run down. So I am once again hoping that after this next week I'll be able to take it easy until September and have my regular routine back again.
For now though Melissa will be in Wednesday to pick up three of my grandchildren and take them to spend time with her. Now I don't know for how long she will stay with her dad and I on Wednesday but I know her and Chase will be here. Then of course Mishell was supposed to drive up there and pick the kids up next weekend or something like that but her car has problems and so I imagine Melissa will bring them home the next weekend which will mean spending the weekend with us hence there goes my free weekend. So like I said maybe after this next week and the following weekend I can get a schedule back right now there is no need to plan anything I will just take my moments as I get them between Frank's job and Melissa's schedule.
They'll all be going to a Royals Game while up there and I hear that World's Of Fun is planned too!
Hugs, Pamela

A good day for me

Dear Readers,
Hello, I am happy and excited, I spent some time tonight visiting with an author friend that I had lost touch with and I think that it's wonderful when we reconnect with friends. She is a wonderful lady and had some great public relations advice for me on my book that will be out this fall.
We discussed her writing, her career and promised to not lose touch again. We've been friends for many years and she called to let me know that she had been thinking about me.
I am so lucky to have such great friends in my life right now.
My stitching is coming along and so is my homework. I am caught up with the homework now to get caught up with my weekly writing pages for this week.
Tonight I actually made a huge meal for supper but it didn't take that long and I had time this evening to talk to my daughter Melissa and have a nice heart to heart with her that was much needed.
All in all a good and productive day. I am reading a couple of good books, looking forward to the weekend and I am going to be judging about three writing contest over the next month. Not to mention I have to also get my column in to Mary, and some reviews in, plus another interview or two written before the end of the month. Of course I love all of my life and all of my friends, and family.
Now if only I could twitch my nose and have all the housework and laundry done. LOLOLOL..........
Okay I am off to write........................

Love, Pamela In Kansas

I'm better

Hello everyone, I think I am on the mend. YIPPEEE....it has been a long long week.
Okay first I have to say that thank you to all my friends who wished me well because I swear you know I don't like to miss anything so I had to get well to keep up with everyone's news such as raises and children, birthdays of grandchildren, someone having a new book out, someone showing their house, someone else working on a cookbook, someone house hunting and someone with a new hobby heck I felt so out of the loop but now I'm back and happy about it.
I never did anything much at all for four days!!!
I am tired but that's okay I have time to rest up a little. I will stitch tonight. Finish my first exam for school and then get back on the writing horse.
It's just so good to be able to check in again. Hugs, Pamela

Tuesday Storms

Hello Readers,
It's been a very long weekend and beginning to the week. I'm sick with the stomach flu bug. Just wanted to check in long enough to let everyone know I'll be back when I can feel like writing again. UGH! This is a nasty little bug and I wish that it would go away. I am feeling better than I was over the weekend and do feel the worst is probably behind me.
I just need to rest and hopefully the rest of the dreggs of this bug will go away. I HATE being sick in the summer(well anytime) but for me the summer really upsets me.
We had storms this morning and I slept really well which is a good sign. BUT I didn't get up until noon.
Hugs, Pamela

Friday--Monk night

Hello Readers,
Hello everyone, I had a better day today than yesterday. I did my homework this afternoon and evening, I read and then I had to make a trip to town for cereal and headache meds. I was almost out yesterday so wanted to make sure I had some in case I get another headache.
Not thrilled that the weather is partly cloudy and that we are due from Sunday on to have rain sometimes thunderstorms all next week.
I have started DEAD MAN DOCKING and my bath water made me a very cool prune in the wee morning hours as this is another book I am having a hard time putting down.LOLOLOL..........
Tonight in about thirty minutes is Monk then Psyhc and Iwant to see them both and do a little stitching.
I made it to Friday and I am going to darnwell enjoy it.LOLOLOL.
hugs, Pamela

Busy but good

Dear Readers,
Well tonight as in Wednesday night was very busy. I did some homework and still need to get online and take a look at the college site that is online especially the online library. After homework, I stitched some more and the phone didn't ring once.
After that I sat in the yardswing and read then I had a late supper, Frank made chicken (remember I'm not using the kitchen unless I have to then he made my favorite cupcakes) I was good and ate a couple.LOLOLOL.
My close friend Terri sent me DEAD MAN DOCKING by Mary Daheim for my birthday!!! WHOOHOO.....I love this author and was terribly thrilled to get the hardback in the mail today.
I also ran earrands earlier in the day but got a late start to them so I decided to do some more later in the week either Thursday or Friday.
Then tonight I wrote and I wrote on my book that felt soooo good because I now have the time to really spend more and more time writing.
I don't want to jinx myself my saying that this book is probably the best book I ever wrote to date, but it truly is almost writing itself.
I haven't had a problem with it at all except of course starting and stopping due to summer and family events.
I need to devote more time to PR but maybe when the website or page is done I will kick it up a notch.
I will also be doing some quilting this weekend and I can't wait as I want to have the luxury of uninterrupted time to concentrate as in spend a day working on it. The weekends will be the only time I can do this as writing books, and homework, plus my nightly stitching sessions will leave me little time during the week to quilt.
I orignially wasn't going to think about quilting yet and pick it up in the fall but I have my new machine so I am going to do quilting one weekend day or night. Unless I find that I have extra time but that probably won't be until after THE CROSSED STITCHER comes out.
I also have my Pam's Pen Column to write every month, my reviews and interviews to do and I love all of these writing endeavors so will likely not be giving them up any time soon.
Plus I do a lot of pleasure reading and right now I have at least three authors whose books are wowing me, Susan McBride, Elaine Viets and Victoria Laurie. These ladies have made my summer.
But I also am taking time to read Emily Brightwell, Carolyn Hart, and of course Mary Daheim.
My friend Glenda also got me a book for my birthday by Lori Avocato and I can't wait to read it. I want all of Nancy Cohen's Marla Shore Mysteries in her BAD HAIR DAY SERIES and so I will try to get her books and keep up with this series as well.
Last week I learned that Monica Ferris has another stitching mystery due out soon so I want to read this one and Jo Derseke's latest along with Nancy Atherton's Latest.
Then I also want to do a buddy read on FOUR TO SCORE the Janet Evanovich Series but need to acquire that book. The library probably has this one.
Which reminds me I need to stop at the library and see what they have for summer reading. Because in a month I will be wanting something cozy to read, I will have to get my name on the waiting list now and see what is and isn't at the library. Then I need to see if any can be interlibrary loaned. If not I'll make a trip to Pittsburg and see what they have later like next month.
I also have a Lisa Scottoline I want to read and I need to catch up with Tami Hoag and Nora Roberts. Oh I think I am also two behind on Katherine Hall Page who knows what Tamar Myers and Jill Churchill have been up to lately. Let along the Jessica Fletcher Books I need to see where I left off at....
Charlaine Harris is another favorite and Valerie Wolzien plus Joanne Pence and Carola Dunn. Sarah Graves I think the library might have hers she is really popular in Kansas. So is Joanne Fluke and Donna Andrews along with Janet Evanovich.
Not to mention Earlene Fowler and Sue Grafton.
Now here are some authors that I have not seen any new books by lately.
Katy Munger (I loved this series)
Dorothy Cannell (Man I miss her books)
James Yaffe (His mom series)
Susan Rogers Cooper (Another series I want so badly to read again)
And I have to say it wouldn't break my heart to have some really great fall and Christmas Mysteries come out this year.
Although some of these summer mysteries are great this summer and I have been reading up a storm.
Jennifer Apodaca I am behind on as well as Laura Childs but what I am really wanting to find are the Simon Brett Mrs. Pargenater Mysteries I read one took me forever to figure out who wrote this series as I forgot to write it down after reading it. But recently figured it out and I am sooo in the mood for this series.
Brenda Joyce I think has one out I haven't read or maybe I am caught up with this series I will check on this one.
Now I also want to read more of Sneaky Pie the Rita Mae Brown Series this is one very entertaining series....
So I will try to find some at the libary and collect these when I can.
Kate Borden and Alice Kimberly both write a very good series that as does Julia Spencer Fleming, and it's been a while since I've read a Paula Carter Mystery too.........
Patricia Harwin is another author whose series ooozes cozy charm in her village mysteries.
Some of these authors all write more than one series.... I know Tim Meyers writes a few series and some author use pen names.....
But still I wish they would all write faster but then again everyone deserves a life.........a vacation............
Okay I am off to read!!!!
Hugs, Pamela

Peaceful Wednesday

Dear Readers,
Thank goodness it's Wednesday and I can have the house to myself for a few hours. Frank has the kitchen half done and it will stay that way for who knows how long!
I'm thinking until Thanksgiving, now I hate a half done project! So I have homework, stitching and of course a book to write, one to PR and so the world will go on but THANK GOD THAT MAN IS BACK TO WORK TODAY!!!
I don't think we could've stood eachother one more day on the home inprovement front. He was called out at five this morning to go change a flat over an hour away. I have not seen him since so he's at work and I going to spend a good chunk of another day stitching. I did this for five hours yesteday it's good for one to keep thier hands busy in my case while I stitch I plot murder. Either my current mystery or a new one lately the ideas have gushed so much that I can't help but think summer might be my most creative energy cycle.
I always thought fall was but if fall is it will have to do a lot to top this long hot summer.
Okay I am just checking in and once again I haven't had too much sleep so who knows maybe I'll nap this afternoon.
Hugs, Pamela

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY-TUES

Dear Readers,
I hope the 4th is relaxing and fun for you. It is not relaxing for us today as we are sanding the floors, hopefully laying the tile by this evening.
BUT there is a 'Monk Marathon' on the USA Channel so because the dust etc...has gotten to my sinuses I have holed myself up in the office until he calls me from time to time to shop vac the floors.
My mind is on murder though as I keep getting book ideas today. So I jot some things down while I am in the office.
The house is a complete mess but that is okay I'll clean it after this mess in done.
We will be getting storms today and it sure looks like it could too so I may have to stay off the computer. If that happens I will be reading and stitching especially stitching with the Monk Marathon on t.v. I love the USA Channel.
Hugs, Pamela

Monday Moments-2

Hello Readers,
I hope your 4th is going great. I had a Happy Birthday and am trying to get Frank to doing some 'Honey -Do Projects' but doubtful that will happen today.
Well the family has gone home and now all is slowly getting back to normal.
I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th. We did ours early this year and I am glad we did.
Probably still watch the city nightworks.
I received my first installments of course material for school, and I need to do some more writing as I left my characters hanging over the weekend. I received a new sewing machine as a present so I need to study that manuel and decide what I want to start on first.
Then I have some stitching that really need to attend to and I will have some home improvement projects for me to do soon too, summer is no longer down time its time to do all manners of things.
Hugs, Pamela