In less than fourteen days C$ and I will be in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center, camera’s in hand, watching the launch of the STS 124 Discovery.  I’m beyond excited about this and keep hoping that the mission isn’t pushed out.  So far so good on that front.

This trip all started a few weeks ago when I told C$ I wanted to get away.  We canceled our plans for a big trip this year.  We just have way to many other things going on and needed the time and energy, and not to mention money, to focus on that.  Still, after everything I’ve been through during the past few months, I was feeling desperate for a break.  So I told him a weekend trip to the mountains would be enough.  I could get away, no cares, no worries for a few days.  He agreed, and so we started planning dates, etc.

While we were discussing this I told him ever so casually it would be kind of cool if we made the trek back down south to the Space Center.  We haven’t been in a loooong time, and since he loves all things NASA related, he was onboard.  Thus our weekend in the mountains turned into a weekend at the beach.

Where we thought: Man.  Wouldn’t it be cool to see the Shuttle on the pad while we were there!

This prompted a few searches to see if there was even the remote possiblity of a launch in the near future.  Turns out there was.  Not only was it scheduled for the near future, but the weekend we were planning for our trip.  Needless to say, we were sold!

We’ve paid up the fees and received our tickets.  The excitement is building.  For me, this excitement is twofold.  A chance to get away from everything.  And I mean everything!  Every ounce of stress, fear, concerns, worries, all of it are staying here!  And I get to be a part of history.  It’s awesome.

So this morning as I’m doing a little of this and little of that, C$ walked into the room and said, “Here’s something wierd.”

I turned to him and asked, “What?”

“We’ll actually be staying in the same place every night of our trip.”

This is very weird for us.  We never stay in the same place that many nights in a row.  Not on trips like this when we’re going for more than a long weekend.  We’re always moving.  Example.  Our trip around Lake Ontario.  Or our trip up the Outer Banks.  We’re constantly on the move.

So this trip is something wierd.  And that lead me to wonder…  Are we wierd?  How do you guys plan your vacations?  Do like to go and just hang out in the same location and just rest?  Or do you do like we do and stay on the move? 

Woo-Who!  The site is back up after some server maintenance.  Now, we’re off and running and there’s no stopping us right?!

First things first, I promised you guys some fun this weekend, and I plan to deliver.  I’m going to choose a lucky winner out of all the commenters on this brand new blog opening weekend to receive a $5 Cobblestone Press gift certificate!  Woot! Starting from yesterday’s post and running through Sunday midnight, anyone who drops by and leaves me a note will be entered.

But the real fun will begin next weekend.  I’m planning a Housewarming Party here on the blog.  Friday through Monday will be filled with lots of great posts, excerpts, spotlight authors, and contests throughout the weekend.  Seriously you guys are not going to want to miss it.

To tell the truth, I at first thought to hold the party this weekend, but quickly realized I needed more time to make it bigger and better.  And just a lot more fun!

Let the games begin!

If you only knew how excited I am right now to be blogging from my new home on the web!  Amazing isn’t it?  I’m not sure if you were aware, but I’ve wanted to make the move to Wordpress for some time and finally did it!  With the help of Web For Writers that is.  I have a new look and new home and new hosting and new goodies to break explore.  Seriously, Bree has been awesome and very patient with me as I come to her with “Uh-Ohs!” and “Can I do this, or that?”

Now I must ask that you guys please be patient with me as I learn all the nooks and cranies of Wordpress.  As you can tell, I’m still dusting and polishing things and just really settling into a whole new world of blogdom.

You’ll probably notice a few things that are different right off the bat.  All of my links are in a new home on the links page.  Man, that takes a long time to set up!  I know I’ll be rearranging and tweaking that page.  I tried not to lose any links, but if I did, please let me know.  But whew!  That’s a lot of links.  And speaking of links, if you want to link to me, and vice versa, now’s a great time.  Just let me know, and I’ll add you. 

I could go on and on right now about the wonderment that is learning Wordpress and such. But it’s already taken me a long time to type this up since I keep jumping over to do other things. 

So for now, I’ll move on to the fun stuff…  A show of hands at everyone who’s been drooling over that banner?  I know I have.

Now I’ll seriously wrap this post up with these words…  I have something fun planned for the weekend.  So be sure to check back tomorrow!  I promise you won’t be sorry… that is unless you miss it!

www.tessharrison.com is undergoing a facelift!  Check back soon!

This weekend was kind of busy and kind of strange. We made the mommy rounds for Mother’s Day. But instead of visiting them today, like we normally would have, we visited everyone yesterday. So today has felt off all day.

Add to that another dose of medication (I had a doctor’s appt Friday) and I’ve been really feeling off kilter. The strangeness actually comes and goes. But C$ did tell me he can tell a difference in me over the last couple of days. We’ll see what happens over the next few weeks before I go back for another visit.

I feel like I haven’t done much. But in reality that’s not entirely true. I’ve just been focused on different things. Like cooking and cleaning and baking a cake.

A yummy pineapple nut cake. I found this recipe in a magazine at my mom’s house this weekend. It sounded yummy, so I had to write it down and make it. It’s a light recipe. Came out of one of those how to cook light recipe mags.

Actually, the recipe was a makeover of this one, using low fat ingredients instead of the full fat ones. Very delish. I don’t bake a lot, but I’ll be adding this one to my recipe collection to make again. Using the trimmed down version, the cake isn’t as sweet, which I like.

Now, here’s something you might find crazy. I want to plant an herb garden. Yes, me. The lady who isn’t allowed to touch the plants in our house because I kill them wants an herb garden. One of my very own. I asked C$ when was the right time to plant one, and he said now. So I’m researching herbs to decide which ones I want to plant. It’ll be a small garden, and that’s fine with me. Best to start off with something managable I say.

Anyone have any ideas on what herbs grow well and that are tough and can survive?

On a writerly note. I did some editing and plotting this weekend. But I’ll post more about that later. I’m starting to feel the love again for one of my stories and getting ready to write that baby up.

That’s right. Edge of Darkness is now available for purchase at Fictionwise.

Check it out!

While updating my Body of Work, one of my goals for this month, I opened up one of the stories to find the word count, etc. on the story to fill in as many blanks as possible. This particular one happened to be one of my Suspense stories, and as I glanced over the pages, I was immediately drawn into the story. I couldn’t help it. What a great feeling!

This story just popped into my head one day, and I had to sit down and write it out as it came to me. I wanted to capture the thought while it was fresh.

Now, reading back over it, I’m like damn… I wrote that. How I wish I had more moments like these. Because in all honesty they are quite inspiring. Sure pushed me to open up that other story and get my behind to editing those pages. As well as start narrowing down my list of agents to submit to on this first round of submissions.

Anyway, I thought it’d be cool to share a little bit of that story with you today. So here’s an unedited glimpse. I’m thinking I need to really revisit this one soon. What do you think?

***

“Excuse me. Do you have the time?”

Jesse blinked and glanced over his shoulder. The light glowed from behind her, encasing her in a soft shadow and preventing him from seeing her face. He didn’t recognize her voice. When he realized he was squinting in an attempt to make out facial features, he gave himself a mental shake. Just because he didn’t recognize this woman’s voice didn’t make her Susie’s killer.

“Yeah, sure.” He looked down at his wrist. “It’s ten.”

“Thanks.”

The floral scent of her perfume swirled around him as she stared at him. After a moment she moved away toward the back of the bar. The gentle sway of her hips teased him with a dare to follow. There was nothing special about the way she dressed. Her plain white t-shirt and denim jeans were no different than anyone else’s, but something about her called out to him on a primitive level. A sampling of what she offered would help obliterate his memories. At least for a little while.

A swift tightening in his groin caused him to wince. What in the hell was wrong with him? She wasn’t offering. All she did was walk across the damn bar.

He glanced down at his glass before downing its contents. As soon as the smooth liquid slid down his throat the craving hit, and he wanted another.

© Copyright 2008 Tess Harrison. All Rights Reserved.

It’s time for another Two Cent Tuesday post!

Today is my two cents on I Am Legend. I know you just can’t wait, so let’s get started.

I Am Legend (2007)

Director: Francis Lawrence

Screenplay by: Mark Protosevich & Akiva Goldsman

Based on the novel I Am Legend by Richard Matheson.

Soundtrack: James Newton Howard

First off, I really wanted to go see this movie in the theater. That didn’t happen. And I really regret not having done so. I believe I would have enjoyed the movie more. Now with that being said, here goes my two cents.

It’s Will Smith. There is not a Will Smith movie that I don’t love. He is one of my top 5. To be frank, the man can carry himself and the movie. And in this one, he does. The screenplay is so far off from the novel it barely even resembles it.

The movie is a fast movie, clocking in at only 101 minutes. There is pretty much action throughout. The graphics… Well, let’s just say, I’ve seen better and I’ve seen a lot worse. However, I do think they could have used that money to makeup the real actors they highered to play the roles and really made a spectacular movie.

As it stands, I’d love to say I loved the movie. However, I honestly can’t. What I will say is I loved Will Smith. The screenplay itself was a secondary character to him. Not even the soundtrack left a mark. The highlight of the soundtrack was Bob Marley, which doesn’t appear on the CD release.

Does this mean, I’ll never watch the movie again… No. (Did I mention Will Smith?) But it does mean, I’m not dying to watch it again right away.

Since I talked yesterday about the craft projects I worked on over the weekend I thought it’d be kind of cool to show you all where I do most of them. As well as show you where I do most of my writing and editing.

Or in other words, the corners of the house that are mine.

I’m enjoying my little crafty space as you can probably tell. Here’s a picture of my corner, complete with several projects and a little friend. That’s In Stitches open on the table with my choker lying on top. LOL! I just realized that looks a little ‘posed’ sitting there, but I swear to you guys, it’s not. You can also see the fabric I have laid out for my other recipe card holders. And even the yarn I bought to knit me a pair of socks.

I’m sure you’re all dying to see more of my little helper, too. And to be honest, I just couldn’t refuse this close up. Is she not adorable just lying on her window seat, basking in the sun. I’m sure if we were to ask her who this corner belongs to, she’d say with 100% certainity that it belongs to her.

What do you think?

Now on to my next corner. My writing corner. This is my desk. I have my most useful craft books within easy reach, right along with my huge pottery cup filled with pens to the right. There to the left is my notebook and my shelves. And the same old ancient monitor! I really need me a new monitor. I’m just very loath to buy one when I keep hoping that soon I’ll have a new Mac. C$ keeps saying soon.

My little dancing man is a lot of fun and so is my tiara. See? I am a Diva! LOL! One more thing about my desk. You can’t see them in this shot, but running along behind my keyboard and infront of my computer is my collection of hockey pucks.

Another thing missing from this shot is my little friend. But don’t worry. She’s around somewhere.

Well, the weekend is almost over, and I have a few things to show for it. One is a headache. It’s been needling at me since Saturday morning, and I still have it. I don’t know about you guys but when I have a headache it makes concentration a little hard. But still, I’ve managed to get through some things.

Friday night when I got home from work, I decided I wanted to try my hand at making one of those craft projects I mentioned in another post. So that’s what I did.

I pulled out the materials I’d bought one afternoon last week and sat down to study the directions. The result was a little bit of a combination of two different but yet similar patterns and my own twist. The result is the choker you see around my neck in the image to the left.

What do you think?

For a close up image, here it is to the right also. It’s from some pink scrap fabric I purchased for my trail run. I also used some cheap beads. In between each bead I tied a knot. When C$ first saw it he said it was very Wilma Flintstone. *shakes head* Boys.

I’ve bought some fabric and more beads. I have yet another idea for this necklace, and I can’t wait to make it. Maybe before our trip at the end of the month. We’ll see.

Well, that was Friday night. As for Saturday, I mentioned I developed a headache and that put me out of doing much on Saturday. I tried to open one of my stories and couldn’t concentrate. So I tried to read and study what my next sewing project would be and that didn’t work. And I also tried to find a simple, basic beginner knitters pattern for socks and couldn’t find the one I wanted. So I ended up vegging out most of the day.

That is until Saturday night when my friend K and I went out to dinner and then back to my place for some old fashioned hanging out. It’s always fun to just hang out and laugh and talk and laugh some more. It was fun and I was glad for it! I hadn’t been out like that in awhile.

Sunday arrived and after a trip to the grocery store, I decided to work on another project. This one from Amy Butler’s book In Stitches. See, I had this idea. With Mother’s day fast approaching I asked myself what would be cool to give our mothers. And that’s when the idea hit me. So I set to sewing.

I have to admit, I am very pleased with the project. A recipe card bag. This one was done for me as a trail run so to speak. I picked out the fabric for the mothers and then spied this totally cute ladybug fabric. Well, I had to buy it. The bottom half is done in a red with pink polka dots.

Well, I wasn’t happy with just a recipe bag. So I had to create recipe cards to go inside the bag. So once the bag was finished, that’s what I did. I set out to create cards. The bag is large enough to hold 4×6 cards. The card I created is actually larger than a 4×6 so if you have a larger sized card, no worries, it will fit.

And here’s just a tidbit for anyone out there with this book/pattern who is wanting to give it a go, (And I highly recommend it. Very easy and fast. It took me no more than 2 hours to cut out, sew and finish up the bag and I took my time doing it because I’m a newbie sewer.) I would use a large needle with a large eye (large enough for the ribbon to fit though) to do the drawstring. I tried the way the book details and got nowhere fast. Once I threaded the needle, zip-zing, I was done.

Now, I know for certain, there’ll be two more of these being made this week. I already have the fabric. To the left. Don’t you just love the cordinating pieces? They are both awesome. And matching ribbon for each.

I haven’t really decided if I’m going to keep the Ladybag, as I’ve been calling it, or if I’m going to give it away. Tough call. Because I really like that bag! But I know my sister-in-law would love it, too. But now C$ is asking me to make him a bag for his sunglasses. Only he doesn’t want ladybugs… I can’t imagine why not. Can you?

The good thing is I still have plenty of fabric left for a few more bags whatever I decide to do.

Now it’s getting on into the afternoon. I have some serious editing/writing to do since I didn’t get to any of that yesterday. I posted my new writing goals for the month over at Cobblestone-Mainstreet, and I have to get cracking if I’m going to make them. Looking back over them, I’m afraid I was a little too ambitious. But hey, nothing gets done without some ambition right?!

So here’s to an ambitious week ahead for all of us!

(P.S. Please excuse the poor quality of the photos. Lately, I can’t take a good, clear picture for nothing!)

(P.S.S. No one guessed the CDs that went back in the car. Although Yolanda came very close. They were: 4 - Howard Shore - Lord of the Rings; Return of the King, 5 - Hans Zimmer - The Last Samuri, 7 - 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie, 24 - Gotthard - Lipservice. Now I have to think of another contest to give away that other gift certificate…. )