Austin Under 40 Awards 2007 Finalist

I just found out that I am a finalist again in the Austin Under 40 Awards. I hear there were a lot of submissions this year in my category (Arts & Entertainment) so I feel pretty good about it. The Mayor's Coffee will be first up, and then the "Cocktails and Cowboy Boots" Gala will be in early March.

Proud to Be a Lemur

I've decided that instead of being Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, Traditionalist or Secular Progressive, I am going to be a Lemur.
I learned on television (you know, where all the really relevant knowledge is) that in the Lemur society, the females rule the roost. The lowest-ranking female is higher in status than the highest-ranking male, which, of course, makes perfect sense. Females mate only one day a year so the males spend 364 days a year pampering, spoiling and otherwise showering with attention the females in the hopes that they will be the one with whom she mates.
This sounds like the perfect solution to all of our problems, a perfectly proportioned utopia, a devastatingly simple plan that puts everything in its proper place. I officially have declared myself a Lemur and now am accepting three dozen male Lemurs to dote on my every need. (because more than a few dozen really is just a tad selfish, right?) I promise to rule with a gentle hand.

Happy Hug a Writer Day!

How happy was I this morning to receive an e-card from a friend wishing me a "Happy Hug a Writer Day!" I didn't know there was a special day for us, but now I do, and it's one more reason to celebrate! Woo Hoo!
At Hug a Writer, they say the day is dedicated to all writers – especially those who toil in anonymity through weekends and nights. Today was selected because January 24th is Saint Francis de Sales Day. Saint Francis is the patron saint of writers, another good thing to know, particularly when I'm doing all that toiling.

Official Hug A Writer Day Drink - the Platonic Hug.*
Start with 1 cup of hot coffee. Add 3 Tbsp** Benedictine and Brandy (B&B, a liqueur). Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve. Embrace (the cup).
* Not all Hug A Writer Day hugs have to be chaste, but this one should satisfy St. Francis.
** More or less, depending on how long you have before the next deadline.

Oh, Un-Happy Day!

British researchers are calling today the unhappiest day of 2007, based on "weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels, and feeling a need to take action."
Today's actually been all right for me. I finally feel like I'm getting back in to the swing of my life and work; motivation is on an upswing. It hasn't been an exciting day so far, granted, but I've accomplished some work, managed to get the trash and recycling (that I forgot to put out last night) out by the time the truck came, haven't spent too much time surfing the Internet, and will be running some errands and taking a hip hop class later. It's an all right kind of day. Here's to hoping yours is, too! :)

Character Research

As you know, I'm working on a fictional story, and I am looking for some perspective on one of my characters. She is about my age and single. Before you start thinking this is an autobiography, it definitely is not. Of course, I use my life experiences and those I've seen as inspiration, but her character definitely is not me.
What I am looking for is the character trait/s women who wait until they are older to get married tend to have. Now, I don't need the "She just hasn't met the right guy" line. I need character trait/s that you have noticed in women like this. Think character traits, not reasons.
I want to make sure my character is as authentic as possible, and I'm just looking for some perspective on it. That, and maybe it will jump start the comments after the holiday slump! Again, this isn't me so I won't be offended, even if some of your observations aren't flattering. Be loose and free! :)

Snow in Austin!

* Beware of falling ice!! Every so often, I hear a big crash in my yard as a chunk of ice falls. Finally, today, Thursday, we are starting to thaw out! Even I, sublimely happy as a homebody, was starting to get a little stir crazy!
It's snowing at my house!
When I opened the door, I could hear kids from all across the neighborhood laughing and shrieking with glee as they played in the snow.
What a nice little treat for us all!

Winter Weather

Looks like I'm settling in for the next 36 hours or so as winter weather makes its way toward Austin. I ran around today doing errands, and now I have all of my "ICE" (in case of emergency) essentials - library books, ice cream, and home beauty products. :)
I'm good for a long time - although hopefully I'll be tackling my lengthy to-do list instead of continuing to watch Forensic Files, Psychic Detectives, Cold Case Files, and all those other shows on Court TV I love and rarely get to watch!

Writing, Writing, Thinking about Literary Agents

I'm starting to make some real progress on my fiction novel now that the family emergencies and holidays are fading and my deadline work hasn't hit crunch time. I'm posting this to document to myself that I need to keep moving. Perhaps because of my perfectionistic tendencies, I find myself going back through and editing, instead of pushing through to the end and editing later. So there. I've said it. Now it must be done. ;)

Also at this point I probably should start the process of looking for a literary agent. That will be interesting, considering I know nothing about the process. It also will be somewhat of a challenge to find someone who can handle all the different types of work I plan to produce over my lifetime (I sound mighty sure of myself, don't I?) It's true, though. I have plans for these:
1.) Fiction, of the women's literature/chick lit, mystery variety.
2.) Non-fiction in the realm of the kinds of stories I already publish - kids issues, etc.
3.) I have a fascinating narrative my great-grandfather wrote about his trip to Tahiti, and I'd like to do something with it. (We found it after the recent deaths. He wrote it in 1916; it's 240 pages worth of his experiences.)
That's just what I'm thinking about at the moment so who knows where else I'll end up?! I started my master's degree in children's literature thinking I'd write children's books so that might be something I'd like to do, too. Essentially, I'd need someone who was willing to evolve with me over the next few decades.
On the positive side:
I've proven myself as a non-fiction writer.
I'm congenial and not afraid to market myself.
I potentially will be prolific.
On the negative side:
I have yet to prove myself as a fiction writer.
I need guidance.
I have to support myself in the meantime.

Hmmm ... Well, that's a start!

Pizza Party

The other day I had a few people over for dinner. Everyone brought their own toppings, and we made homemade pizzas. The fun, laidback, cooperative spirit I envisioned when I planned the evening materialized so I think I'll have these dinners more often. It's a lot easier being the hostess when everybody helps! (Plus, not having to leave the house can't be beat!)
Here's Snickers in a couple of pictures taken by one of the pizzaioli. She isn't really sure what to make of all these crazy people tossing dough in the air and looking kinda silly.

Happy New Year!

Here are a couple of pictures from New Year's Eve at a party hosted by my friend, Marianne. It was a good group of people with which to ring in the new year and was a fun way to close out 2006.
I don't know about you all, but I am so ready to start a brand new year! 2007 sounds like it will be lucky, doesn't it?!

2006 Year in Review

I was thinking back about all that has happened this past year in my life. It has been a busy 2006, no doubt about it!

I turned 30!!
My brother and his wife had their first baby (making me a first-time aunt.)
My best friend got married.
My grandmother died.
My aunt died.
I was named an Associate Editor for Texas Family Magazine.
After 3+ years, I gave up my "Candidly Caroline" column for the Oak Hill Gazette.
I was a finalist in the Austin Under 40 Awards.
I traveled a LOT:
Matagorda County, Texas Coast
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Anna Maria Island, Clearwater/Caladesi Island, Tampa, and South Beach/Miami, Florida (five separate trips)
Southern Kentucky
San Diego, California
Coastal Maine

Here's to a little calmer - but not too calm - 2007!

Lots of Goodies

These are some of the goodies I made this Christmas. Here are my Chocolate, Vanilla, and Peppermint Marshmallows. Then, we have the Cranberry Pumpkin Bread and the S'Mores Bark. All of these recipes are my own creations.

Trail of Lights

We visited the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park again this year. I really enjoy that experience; it's fun to walk through and see all the different displays. I love the blue lights! The Trail is a mile long and a million and a half lights total, if I remember correctly - that's a lot of lights!!

Can you see me? I'm the one holding the camera. ;)

Another Christmas Angel

This has been a tough week for my family. Four days after my grandma's passing, my aunt died. Yesterday, we had memorial services for both of them. At least they, mother and daughter, are seeing Heaven for the first time together. Now, we have two new angels to look over us this Christmas.

Celebrating Life

Mourning death doesn't make much sense unless we celebrate life.

This week I was able to celebrate several events - my new niece Alivia finally coming home from the hospital (I am so looking forward to being an aunt!) and the birthdays of three friends - Ellen and Jennifer squared.

Welcome to life, Alivia!
And, Happy Birthday, Ellen, Jennifer, and Jennifer!

Goodbye, Grandma Shearer

Goodbye, Grandma.
May you live well in Heaven.
Until we meet again ... Love, Caroline

O, Christmas Tree

I finally got my Christmas tree up this weekend. It's another eight-footer and looks great, even with the one lonely present underneath it. I have done NO Christmas shopping yet and don't have any plans to start for at least a week. Oh, well!
I have my usual complaints about Christmas lights, of course. (I should not have to have a degree in electrical engineering for my lights to work properly, nor should I have to buy brand new lights each year.) With my outside reindeer, I have the sporadic problem once again of the front half of two deer lighting up and the back halves not. With the indoor lights, I checked them all before I put them on the tree, but sometime while stringing them, my clear strand that did all the neat effects stopped working. Now, it just sits on the tree, remembering how pretty it used to be.
I'm not worried about any of it, though. Christmas is my favorite time of year! I'm really looking forward to starting all my holiday baking. I tried out the S'Mores Bark, and it turned out really well so now I'm even more excited about having time to just get in the kitchen and create! I love exploring in the kitchen!

Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Party

My friend Jennifer had a Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Party this past weekend, and there were plenty of excellent choices of all three to be found -- plus, great people, of course! We had such a fun time!


Here's me and host Jennifer and then me and Ellen and another Jennifer.

Let the holiday party season begin! :)

Queen of Sky Book Signing at Mozart's

My friend Ellen, known to others as the "Queen of Sky," will host her very first book signing for "Diary of a Dysfunctional Flight Attendant: The Queen of Sky Blog," on Wednesday, December 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mozart's in Austin. A reading and question-and-answer session will start at 7 p.m. Books will be available for purchase for $24, including tax. In the event of rain, the location will be downstairs on the covered deck. Books also are available at Book People or on Amazon. Click here for more information.
I will be there on Wednesday, helping Ellen with the event.

Little Miss Alivia Rose

Here is my niece, little miss Alivia Rose. She is 4 pounds, 14 ounces and 18 inches long.
Despite being itty bitty, she already knows what she wants. When Mommy and Daddy asked her where she wants to go to college, she said, "Sign me up! Texas A&M, Class of 2029. Whoop!"