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Saturday, December 30, 2006

Why you probably shouldn’t drink heavily at the office holiday party… (CONTEST read to the end.)

My husband ran across this on Digg. Wonder if this girl still had a job when she got back to work on Monday morning…


Drunk At The Office Party - video powered by Metacafe


When I was about 8 months pregnant with my first, Keith and I were coming out of the supermarket and when we got to his brand new--as in only a couple of weeks old--truck, there was a shopping cart pushed right up against the passenger side door. Before I even thought, I said, “Stupid people! Can’t even take care of their carts! Sheesh!” As the words came out of my mouth though, the empty baby “bucket” that was still sitting on the cart began to register. My stomach dropped as I turned to the car next to us. A very frazzled woman with twin babies, about three or four months old, popped her head up from trying to wrestle one of the babies into their car seat and said, with a stricken expression, of course, “I’m sorry.”

What does my husband say??? “Oh, don’t mind her; she’s not usually this mean. She’s just pregnant.” Gah!!!!! Not like I didn’t already feel about 2 inches tall.

As I think back on that embarrassing moment, I realize I could have been a little gentler with my words. Keith was right, I’m not usually that caustic. But, in my defense, his truck was brand new. It’s not like we have tons of money to throw at our vehicles. Keeping them unscratched longer than a few weeks is certainly important.

And, after a couple of days--I couldn’t get the incident out of my mind--I came to the conclusion that, with the exception of the disgust in my voice and the harsh words I used, I don’t think I was out of line. If I needed to lean my cart up against something so I could get my kids into their car seats, I would have leaned the cart against MY car. In fact, I have done that on more than one occasion. So, even though I look before I speak from now on, I also don’t beat myself up for that woman’s stricken look. Use your own car next time!

So, what is your most mortifying moment? Did you say something that was overheard by the wrong person? Or, even better, were you ever on the receiving end? Oooooo! I want to know! Tell me. Oh, and to make this more interesting, all comments received to this post by...Friday, January 5, 2007, will be entered into a random drawing to receive a $5.50 GC for Borders or, if you are a blog explosion member and don’t want the GC, 500 credits (worth $5.50).

Ok, now, can we make this a little more exciting then my last contest? You know, like having more than 4 entrants?

Good luck!
Sandy :-)
Happy New Year

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Sunday, December 24, 2006

Potato Salad…

About 15 minutes ago:

Mom – Here, Sandy. Taste this. Tell me what it’s missing.

Sandy – (After a quick taste) Hmmm, did you put pepper in this?

Mom – (With a shocked look) I never put pepper in it.

Sandy – Oh…then it’s fine…

Anyone else have conversations like this? Share them with us please!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Sandy :-)


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Saturday, December 23, 2006

Exciting news for Sharon Cullen!!!

I just got an email from a very good friend and excellent critique partner. She's sold another book! This one to Samhain and they wish to make it a series. This is such wonderful news to get just before Christmas and not undeserved. Sharon is very talented. She has a way with words that makes you a part of her stories.

Contratulations, Sharon. I am so happy for you.

Sandy :-)



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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Memorable gifts...

This past summer/fall, I had the immense pleasure of participating in the Avon Fanlit contest. What began as an entertaining event, turned into a truly robust community with forums that are frequented by published Avon authors as well as Avon editors. The Avon Fanlit site has become a go-to place for aspiring authors to read daily author/editor blogs, to learn about the craft as well as share works-in-progress for feedback. If you haven't already done so, I recommend checking this wonderful community out. They have a lot to offer.

Over the past couple of weeks, the Daily Blog theme has been Holiday Traditions and Memorable Gifts. There are some wonderful posts by Eloisa James, Josie Brown, Lucia Macro, Esi Sogah, Suzanne Enoch, Sara Mackenzie, & Toni Blake.

I'd like to share the comment I made to Suzanne Enoch's post. She asked about what makes a memorable gift. My comment didn't really answer that particular question, but I did talk about what my most memorable gift was. It got me thinking, and I decided it would be something to share here as well.

"re: Suzanne Enoch: On Memorable Gifts

My most memorable gift came when I was 5. Money had always been tight and especially so that year. I remember my mom telling me she and my dad would not be able to buy me a gift. Oh, there would the ones from Santa (small trinkets, usually samples from the Avon catalogue, given by our next door neighbor,) but the usual one gift I would get from my parents was not in the budget that year.

It wasn't until recently, after having kids of my own, that I could appreciate how very hard that must have been for my mother. In any case, I patted her on the back as she hugged me and told her it was all right and that I understood. (Kids are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I really did understand and was not upset at the prospect.)

Christmas morning came and I joyfully opened all my little trinkets. Then, my mother told me I forgot one tucked way in the corner. To this day, I remember the thud of my heart as I read the little card that said, *From, Mom & Dad*. I held it close and looked at my parents through my tears and even said I thought they couldn't give me anything.

For the rest of my life, I will remember opening that package with the utmost care, afraid to even look at what lay inside. Nothing could ever compare to that gift. It was a handmade jewelry box made from dark wood, stained and sanded to a satiny finish with my name and a heart engraved in the lid. My father stayed up all night to get it done in time for Christmas morning.

I still have that jewelry box. It sits on my dresser and I remember that Christmas every time I look at it."

What is your most memorable gift? Was it something you received, or gave?


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