Date:	2007-12-12 13:51
Subject:	This is more serious than I thought.
Security:	Public
Mood:	Er...?
Music:	Flight of the Conchords

In order to lure miss_elisha out here, and because gwen1170 missed it, and we can't have that, Official Medication By Ice Cream Day is hereby extended to Official Medication By Ice Cream Week. Just remember, medicine needs to be handled properly - take the proper amounts and absolutely don't skip any doses.

On an entirely unrelated note, but a fascinating one all the same (also, possibly worrisome, I haven't decided yet), for those of you who haven't seen: witness the wonder of our ever-evolving language. I for one would like to know what my old English profs think of all this.

Date:	2007-12-11 23:35
Subject:	That's it...
Security:	Public
Mood:	annoyed

For various reasons, some of which may or may not include the words "family," "soap opera" and "bitch slap," I'm declaring this an Official Medication By Ice Cream Night. Feel free to join me, I've got Chocolate Pretzel.

Date:	2007-12-10 23:35
Subject:	"Red-Hot and Filthy Library Smut"
Security:	Public
Mood:	bibliorgasmic

Nnnngh. This is definitely going on my Christmas list.

Title: Same Song, Different Tune
Characters: More fun if you have to guess. Well, more fun for me...
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Language; possible rupture of time and space due to the mixing of two universes never meant to collide.
Author’s Notes: Big thanks and bigger hugs go out to katyscarlett76 and naiad8 for the beta. *loffs*

( Today's lesson: Men are the same the universe over. )

Date:	2007-12-04 22:55
Subject:	Snapshot
Security:	Public
Mood:	quiet
Music:	Nick Cave

Mmmm, Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips. I has some. Also, hot tea, good music, and bitter winds howling at the windows. All this wants is a fire.

Date:	2007-12-03 22:55
Subject:	It's enough to make a person buy stock in Lysol
Security:	Public
Mood:	tired
Music:	Soundtrack to Amélie

We're working on week four of [insert your choice of mildly contagious childhood illness here]. First the stomach bug, then a cold, now strep. Germs. We hates them, my precious. And my younger daughter told me tonight that her throat hurts. This wouldn't faze me, except that she's on day six of the antibiotics that her pediatrician prescribed for strep LAST week. *bites pillow*

On the plus side, we're in the middle of a snow and ice storm. No, really, that's a plus. The kids won't have school tomorrow (which means Nick and I don't have to get up so early), the snow provides a layer of insulation that paradoxically makes the house warmer rather than colder, and hell, it's just PRETTY. So long as the ice layer doesn't get thick enough to down trees and power lines, I can ooh and aah over the winter wonderland outside guilt-free.

One of my younger brothers and his girlfriend welcomed their first child (a little girl, very sweet and amazingly looking nothing like a squashed tomato) into the world on Monday, and another brother and his wife are expecting again; with those additions, the total number of nieces and nephews will be up to 17. My family is altogether too fertile, my mother's house is eventually going to resemble a modernized version of Lord of the Flies whenever we all get together if this baby factory isn't shut down soon.

NaNoWriMo was basically a complete fail, although I can't label it a total loss given that half of my reluctance up 'til now was simple nervousness over signing up. Now that I've slain that particular monster, next year should be easier, though given my track record, I calculate that it'll be the year 2015 or so before I hit the word count goal. I do at least have an actual beginning to the novel, and while I'm not exactly thrilled with what I've written so far, the storyline itself is pretty damned cool even if it does involve me having to research the tea trade. Whoo, sounds exciting, yes? :P No, not really.

Please forgive my continuing and appalling lack of presence on your journals, I know I'm missing out on the cool happenings in everyone's lives. I dream of a world where I have my shit together enough to get everything done in the day that needs doing. In the meantime, I have to loff you guys from afar. Hugs to you all. :)

Date:	2007-12-02 22:55
Subject:	Extra! Extra! Mad Plot Bunny Attacks Woman; Crack Crossover Results!
Security:	Public
Mood:	weird
Music:	Poe

Um...yeah, so, this is random, but would anyone who's a Doctor Who fan care to do a quick beta for a little gen-fic that just took my brain hostage? It's a Doctor Who/HP crossover (stop looking at me like that), a little over 1,200 words and very possibly makes no sense whatsoever (not that that stopped me from writing it).

Anyway, I'd be grateful for someone else's opinion, if anyone is feeling brave enough. :P

Date:	2007-11-18 22:55
Subject:	Oh, the weather inside is frightful...
Security:	Public
Mood:	determined

Six people with an on-again, off-again stomach bug isn't pretty, especially when four of those are children and one of those is still in diapers. *sigh*

andacus tagged me for this meme at a good time (or possibly bad time, depending on how you're approaching it :P). To quote from her LJ, "The rules are easy, just post six things that recently made you happy! Then tag 6 people and have them post this meme on their LJs. Because it is good. Everyone needs a little happiness once in a while."

Most of mine are yawn-worthy, but oh well, it's the little things that get you through sometimes. I loves them, anyway. *pets*
***

1. Ti Kuan Yin tea. I drink more of this stuff than can possibly be healthy.

2. Hot water bottles. A thousand blessings rained down on whichever worthy soul invented these, I'm not sure I could have gotten through parts of last week without one.

3. Writing. It's been so long since I finished anything, not only had I forgotten what the euphoria of that felt like, but even the possibility was beginning to seem something of a pipe dream. I don't really have much to share, but for my own sake if no one else's, I'm glad to have proven that the fire's still burning.

4. Life without music is very nearly not worth living, and for the last few days the music of choice has been Muse. *huggles them*

5. Butternut squash muffins. They've taken over that space in my heart formerly reserved for breads of the pumpkin persuasion.

6. Roleplaying with Nick again. No, not that sort of roleplaying. This is wholesome, geeky, tabletop RPG goodness in the form of Iron Heroes. We haven't had a group to play with for a couple of years and I'm psyched to have the opportunity again, there's a solid bunch of guys involved and the GM is borderline fanatic (not a bad thing). Not to mention that my character is completely unhinged, whee!

***
Haven't checked the flist in...way too long, ouch, so I have no idea who's been tagged and who hasn't. If you want to share the love, grab the torch and run. :D

Date:	2007-11-07 22:55
Subject:	*jumping up and down and woohooing madly*
Security:	Public
Mood:	ecstatic

Nick got paid today for this project he's been working on, HOOfuckingRAY!!! I can...buy groceries, and like, pay the bills! Buy my son some pants that fit! Maybe even get an honest-to-God haircut!

You all probably think I'm insane, but I don't care, my hubby worked hard for teh monies, and maybe now I can go to sleep thinking of nice things, instead of playing the always delightful "Which shut-off notice will come in the mail next?" game.

*dances around some more*

I'm tempted to put up a countdown - after nearly seven years, we now have only six months 'til he graduates and we get to live like normal people, yay! :D

Date:	2007-11-06 22:55
Subject:	Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat (otherwise entitled Who Wants Prezzies?)
Security:	Public
Mood:	creative

Tiny bit o'random Katie history (that will come as a complete non-shock to some of you): I suck at sending things in the mail. It's not that I don't like the idea of sending cards or presents, I just have this odd aversion to the post office. And stamps. And...well, anyway, I've always been terrible about it and have never sent gifties, or Christmas cards, or even post cards, not unless compelled by some greater force. When I was younger that would have been my parents (who were only occasionally successful at it); now that it's Nick and I, and given that we're both equally bad, I rarely send anything. </history>

Like Ebenezer Scrooge, though, I'm trying to mend my ways (just as soon as I turn that whiny Bob Cratchett out into the cold; I loathe that man).

Erm...*coff*

So here's the deal! If you'd like something from me, comment here and before Christmas hell will freeze over you'll find something in your mail box handcrafted by tiny elven fingers (no, really, have you seen my fingers? It's ridiculous...) Now, there's a slight caveat: if I try to do something different for everyone I might as well call the whole thing off (cue Louis Armstrong). The things I have in mind to make, though, are of the sort that almost beg for individual variations, so I don't feel so bad sending the same general giftie to everyone. And they're pretty - I can definitely promise teh pretty. I'm also willing to offer small ficlets of your choosing; however, with those I can't guarantee a Christmas delivery, but I'll give it my best shot.

Now that we've gotten all the small print out of the way*, any takers? Not only will you get surprises in the mail but you'll be helping me overcome my phobia of all things postal. ;)

Date:	2007-11-02 22:55
Subject:	Don't you know there are children starving in Asia?
Security:	Public
Mood:	nom nom nom
Music:	Imogen Heap

I just walked past the dining room table where my two younger children were eating and saw that the scones I'd made for lunch had been reduced to a mountain of crumbs on my daughter's plate. It took me a minute to realize that she'd combed through and eaten the golden raisins and chocolate chips that I'd added (shut up, it's good, so there) but left all the bready bits behind. *sigh*

On a related note, scones and tea are like, the ultimate blustery day comfort food. Even better than hot chocolate, which I wouldn't have thought possible.

Date:	2007-11-01 16:52
Subject:	Birthday wishes for isis_uf :D
Security:	Public
Mood:	*loffs*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANIS!!!

*massive glomping loves*

Squeaking this in just under the wire (my time, anyway) - unfortunately your Present won't be showing itself before your birthday's over, but I've gotten a good chunk of it done. It'll be worth the wait, promise. ;)

Date:	2007-10-31 16:52
Subject:	Who needs enemies?
Security:	Public
Mood:	aggravated
Music:	The Cardigans

There generally isn't any way to avoid the ordeal, but every time I have to cart all four kids down to VA by myself I swear it's going to be the last time. The real irony is, it's not the kids that are the usual source of the trouble, it's everyone else around us that drives me up the crazy wall, taking me from parenting level "cranky-but-generally-cool" straight to "mommy-you're-scaring-me." Hapless victims, that's what my kids become. This visit the Crazy™ was provided by Paranoid Insomniac Mother-in-Law and Well-Meaning Techie Brother. Oh, and a brief cameo by the villainous Popped Van Tire. Every good story needs one of those.

( Wherein Katie finally remembers to put in an LJ cut... )

Date:	2007-10-25 16:52
Subject:	Oh, the possibilities...
Security:	Public
Mood:	curious

Going out of town for a little while, I'll be back next week. Hopefully I won't come back to find that JKR has announced something else that throws fandom into a tizzy. Not sure what else she could come up with, though. Mundungus settled down, became respectable and made a fortune as an antiques dealer? Kingsley was sekritly an underlord crime boss and that was the reason behind his success in politics? Remus was so down on his luck in the years after James and Lily died that he was forced into male prostitution?

The mind boggles.

Date:	2007-10-20 16:52
Subject:	JKR Interview Transcription
Security:	Public
Mood:	Shelly, ninja fangirl
Music:	The Cardigans

The wonderful and wily iamstarmom was at Carnegie Hall, fangirling along with rest of the audience, and came home with tapes of the whole thing because she's awesome like that. Wanna read what she's typed out so far? Oh, go on then, you know you do.

Date:	2007-10-19 16:52
Subject:	Hello Kitty fans, your time has come...
Security:	Public
Mood:	silly
Music:	The Cardigans

Once the revolution has begun, be sure to do your part in style. Don't forget your hand-crocheted shoulder-stock muffler.

Date:	2007-10-10 13:18
Subject:	Heroes *squee*
Security:	Public
Mood:	TOO MUCH CAFFEINE
Music:	Rodrigo y Gabriela

Just finished Season One a couple of nights ago and asfjhsdgfkjh HOW HAVE I GONE THIS LONG WITHOUT YOU, O WONDERFULLEST OF WONDERFUL SHOWS?

In my small imaginary universe, Hiro is now king. Or at least a really powerful prince with some well-laid plans to take over, although he may have to fight to the death with Nine for true supremacy. Oooo, what a cool story that would be...

Crap, no, evul plot bunny, get it off me! *runs away shrieking*

Date:	2007-10-08 13:18
Subject:	Autumn draws on her robes of crimson and gold
Security:	Public
Mood:	thoughtful
Music:	Soundtrack to 'The Piano'

Autumn is settling itself in and the landscape has begun to reflect the changes. The first harbingers are always the trees, flames creeping through their branches one by one until it seems that entire mountains are on fire with colour, and soon the leaves are falling along with the temperatures. At night there's a thin, pensive quality to the air, the shifting of balance from exuberant growth to that last, frantic spurt of energy before everything sinks into quiescence. The long valleys where the towns shelter slowly begin gathering about them their customary winter veil of woodsmoke, and fields that had been filled with ripeness are shorn down to golden stubble.

On days like these, falling back on the warm comfort foods I remember from childhood becomes almost as natural as breathing, and while I never thought I'd be the type to go all sentimental about such a thing, there's no denying the spark of pleasure when I see my own children enjoying those things my mother passed on to me. Lunch today was oatmeal, warm and thick, spiced with cardamom and cinnamon and studded with dried cranberries; my mother always used to put a generous pat of butter on top of everyone's bowl, so I do too, and the rich, melting fragrance of it brings back memories of other autumns, sitting at the table and eating alongside my brothers and sister. Memories are tricky things: I'm certain that meals at the house I grew up in were not in any way the peaceful events my mind is calling up now, but I'm content to let time wash over those older pictures, smooth away the rough edges.

I've never understood why autumn does this, how it can inspire such intense nostalgia, why this season more than the others should distract me with distant glimpses of the past. Jojo's death is exerting its own influence this year too, making the memories more bittersweet than is their customary wont. During my twenties I suffered from depression, destructive enough that there are holes where memories ought to be, but one thing I do remember of that time is my dislike of these months, a feeling I had never experienced before and never have since. The sorrowful nature of the season was too much for me, but blessedly that's no longer the case. While the unabashed joy and innocence of my youth are gone, there is instead a deeper reverence, by turns restless and peaceful, serving as a reminder of both life passing and the steadfastness of the world around me, and an admonition to keep in close memory those who are gone and reach out to those I care for while they're still here to hold.

Date:	2007-10-07 13:18
Subject:	I'm sorry, honey, this just isn't working out.
Security:	Public
Mood:	sore
Music:	Ryan Adams

I'm fully aware that gall bladders are highly useful organs and that having one is more preferable than otherwise, although it's certainly possible to live without them. I'm also fully aware that I'm not happy with mine, it's not all that fond of me either, and our continuing existence together might not be in the cards. We're pursuing reconciliatory measures at this point, although if it continues to put me through the hell that the last day has been for much longer, I'm calling my lawyer, and all the chocolate and roses in the world won't make me change my mind. Too bad a trial separation isn't possible in this case.

Many of you have signed it already, but in case you haven't and would like to, today and tomorrow are the two last days in which you can leave a message in the online guest book that was opened up on the Huntsville Times site after Jojo died. After tomorrow, the page will be taken down. Before that, though, all the entries will be copied in order to print them out, and then everything will be put into a memory book, along with photos of Jo, and given to her parents. If you have a little while and would like to either read what others have said, or add something yourself, now's the time. :)