Beautiful word: commitment

I'm busy, busy, busy working on my Spring 2012 book, RADIATE, and wanted to do a fly-by post. As I posted earlier, my sweetie proposed and we're getting married this year...that's an amazing commitment. And it gets even stronger as we just committed to a huge undertaking: kitty parents.

Meet Madison Leeny (Madi in back) and Smokey Farquar Booreguard IV (Boo in front), the newest additions to our family. We rescued them from Polly's Pet Shelter in Los Angeles, CA, after I read of their heartbreaking story online.



Madi and Boo were born to a feral mommy on Thanksgiving. A lady was watching out for the small family and leaving food out for them. She was going to wait until the kittens (three of them) were eight weeks old before taking them to the shelter. Sadly, when the babies were five weeks old, a stray dog attacked and killed the mommy and their sibling. Madi and Boo escaped unharmed, but were left orphaned. Fortunately, Polly's Pet Rescue took them in and simply by a pure miracle, I decided to look for kittens for adoption while we were staying in Los Angeles. It only took three days after the initial e-mail for the transaction to be completed.



Now Madi and Boo live very happily in the RV with us, playing and running, chasing each other, batting the balls around, and sleeping any time they want. They are an amazing addition to our family and we have fully committed to their health and well-being. They are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and microchipped.



Commitment comes in many forms...and I'm pleased to dedicate myself to these two little bundly puffs of love in my life. Well...as I write RADIATE!



Do you have a new kitten or puppy in your life? Tell us about the joys of your pets.

Hugs,
Marley = )

Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance,
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A California Christmas

My sweetie and I are on the road this Christmas, calling Southern California "home" for the holidays. It's hard to be traveling over the holidays, which includes Christmas, my birthday, and New Year's Eve, but so many people have opened their homes and hearts to us that it's overwhelming.

Our friends Kathy and Malcolm let us stay with them for a couple of weeks while our RV was getting regular maintenance. They made us feel right at home, letting us take over their dining room table with our computers and cameras. Their pets, Speedy (the dog), Precious and Scooter Boy (the two cats) treated us like we were part of the family. And, the UPS guy was even starting to recognize me from all the packages he delivered for us!

My sweetie's kidlets are with us for Christmas. They're 11 and 9 (almost 12 and 10) and they are thrilled to be in California. On the agenda is a touristy bus tour of Hollywood and the stars' homes, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, La Brea tar pits, and maybe a drive up to Big Bear, weather permitting.

Speaking of...I have NEVER seen this much rain in my life. And I've been in several tornados, two hurricanes, and a flood. I'm told this is the "Pineapple Express" weather system from Hawaii that brings such dumps of rain. Let's just say that the RV is squeaky clean from all of nature's washing.

People wonder what we'll do Christmas day...well, no worries...we have a small tree that we're going to decorate with the kidlets, stockings for them, and we'll await Santa's visit Friday night just like everyone else. Our friend Kathy has invited us to her parents' house in Escondido for Christmas dinner, which we're really looking forward to.

All in all, not you're usual Christmas. No snow or cold weather clothes. But we're together and we're blessed with wonderful friends and family.

What are you doing this holiday season?

Hugs,
Marley = )

P.S. Prayer request goes out for my missing fur-niece, Leeny, who escaped from my sister's house in Florida yesterday. Please pray that she returns home safely in time for Christmas.

Lazy Daisy Post

Ooops! I forgot to post yesterday, and since no one else has posted today, I'm throwing up a quick post to cover my slackerness. I now present some adorable pictures of my dog Daisy.

What do you mean my ear looks like a funny hat?

I want to move but my head is just ... so ... heavy.

Puppihood can be exhausting.

Yes, most of my pictures of Daisy happen to be when she's sleeping. That's because when she's not sleeping she moves too fast for me to snap a shot!

Hugs,
TLC

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@teralynnchilds

A New Member of the Family

Daisy at Home, originally uploaded by Tera Lynn Childs.

Yesterday afternoon I dragged my parents out to search for a new dog. When my old dog of fifteen years passed more than two years ago I knew I wouldn't be ready for a new dog anytime soon. Then, after about a year in my apartment in Houston I started thinking about getting a dog. The only hitch? The $500 pet deposit I never seemed to have.

But now that I'm temporarily back home--and with the promise secured from my parents that they'll watch the dog while I travel--it was finally time.

I had done a little on Petfinder (very dangerous if you're a pet lover--they let you search for animals by zip code ... and there are sooo many) and found a couple of dogs that looked good. We drove out west of town to look at the first dog. After meeting her and many, many, many others in two hours at this no-kill shelter, we decided none of them were The One. They had all been skittish and nervous and more interested in anything and anyone than in us.

We had limited time left because we had a tree trimming part at 7:30 and we budgeted half an hour to check out the dogs at the OKC pound. We walked inside, made the rounds through the cages, dogs barking everywhere. Then we came upon Daisy. She was the other dog I'd found online. Supposedly a dalmation-setter mix (but who knows), about 9 months old, and housebroken (bonus!). She was adorable and sweet, so we took her to one of the "acquaintance" rooms to see if she clicked with us. She fetched and played and jumped up on the bench and we fell instantly in love.

Minutes later we were walking her out the door.



Expect more tales of Daisy in the future, because she's already proving herself to be a most wonderful and unique puppy.

Hugs and happy holidays,
TLC

Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp (out now!)
Forgive My Fins (coming June 1, 2010)
 

Arf Arf (aka What I Want From Santa)

don we now .., originally uploaded by saikiishiki.

Lately I've been a little obsessed with two things: 1. Finishing the sequel to my June release, FORGIVE MY FINS, and 2. Getting a dog. These two things are actually intimately connected because I have promised myself that as soon as I turn in my book I'm getting a dog.

My book is almost done which means I am thisclose to getting my dog. It's been a while. My poor sweet puppy of fifteen years passed almost two and a half years ago and this period is the only time I haven't had a dog since I was eight years old. And being back in a wintry climate has reminded of one major bonus of a furry friend: they can keep you warm. (Unless, of course, your dog is like my last puppy who did not condone cuddling unless there was serious petting involved.)

Anyway, last night I went a little crazy with the dog obsession and I scoured Flickr for some fun shots of dogs in holiday kit. I made a gallery of some of my favorite holiday dogs, which I can't figure out how to post, but you can see them on the Flickr site.

Hopefully, by this post next week I'll have my brand new-to-me rescue dog. There will definitely be pictures.

How about you, are you a dog person or a cat person? Do you have more than one? And, since I'll soon have to think up name, what are their names?

Hugs and happy holidays,
Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp (out now!)
Forgive My Fins (coming June 1, 2010)

On Winter and Motivation

Living in a tropical climate (Houston) I think I kind of forgot what winter feels like. While I know that Oklahoma City is not in full on winter mode, the signs are definitely here. Dead leaves blowing around the yard. Crisp blue skies, ultra-dry air, and fleece-worthy temperatures. Holiday-themed beverages at my favorite writing spot.

Minus the ultra-dry air, these are some of my favorite things about the winter season. Here are some other wintry things I'm looking forward to:

• The first ice storm, when all the leafless trees turn into crystalline sculptures.
• Lazy nights in front of the fire with a warm blanket, a cup of cider or cocoa, and a holiday movie. (Current fave is Holiday in Handcuffs, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez.)
• Footprints in the snow.
• Scarves and mittens.

In other news, I'm am speeding toward my deadline lightning fast and (since certain editorial type peoples insist my deadline is a fuzzy, movable line) I have come up with the greatest motivation ever. I've been talking about getting a dog for ages. I put it off in Houston because I never had the free cash for the pet deposit. But now that I'm (temporarily) at my parents' house, it's fair game. So, here is my motivation:

When I turn in my book I'm getting a dog!

Hooray! So, do you have any bits you love (or hate) about winter? Or any suggestions on how to pick out a dog (I'm going to a pound or an adoption agency, so I'm not looking for a specific breed)? Or any funny stories about how you got your pet?

Hugs,
TLC

OH. MY. GODS. and GODDESS BOOT CAMP (out now!)
FORGIVE MY FINS (coming June 1, 2010)

New family members!

Sorry for the quick, fly-by post! I have two more chapters to write in GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE before I can read, polish, edit and get it critted before October 6th!! Tick, tick, tick...

But, I just had to share pictures of my new fur babies! They are just too adorable for words. And the sweetest little love bunnies. The black one is Natasha, or as I've been calling her, Princess Tashi-Tash of Gorgeousville. The gray one is named Stanley (for the Stanley Hotel and for the Stanley Cup), although I've been calling him Lord Stanley Baby Boy. They don't seem to mind either way.

They're getting settled in, are starting to get on a regular eat-sleep-play-pee schedule. LOL! We're just happy to have been able to give two rescue/shelter kitties a loving home.

Do you have pets? What do you love about them? (Other than they're fabulous!) I know several Buzz girls have beloved pets. How 'bout you?

Hugs,
Marley = )

GHOST HUNTRESS: The Awakening (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin)
GHOST HUNTRESS: The Guidance (Coming October 2009, Houghton Mifflin)
SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available Now! Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available Now! Puffin Books)

My frenetic life!

What? It's my turn to blog again? Oy on the vey! Where did the week go? For that matter, where has this year gone? Is it just me, or is 2008 like an eyelash blink?

Things are crazy here in my world. I work in the financial industry, so as you can imagine, it's a bit of a carnival ride right now. On top of that, I'm on deadline for my book, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE, that is due in 18 days!!!



And, as if that's not enough...my hubby and I went to the shelter last night and put down an application for two kitties.

How adorable are they?

A brother and sister who are five years old and have been there for a long time after being surrendered by their previous owner. The volunteers were sooooooo happy that we not only wanted them, but that we'll take both of them. Of course, like a good new mommy, I will post more pictures when they come home.

Oh heavens...we need names, too! Any suggestions?

Finally, some exciting news that I can share!

I spent last weekend in LA at a production company getting interviewed and filmed for a new paranormal TV. I can't give away too many details right now, but the show will premiere on The Biography Channel on Halloween night. It's being produced byA&E and they may be sneak-previewing it on the 29th. It was a really grueling pace from flying across country to working on the production for two days straight. So many LA friends were disappointed that we couldn't visit, but it was a business trip.


Well...we did have two hours on Saturday night to play. Check out the video my friend, Donn Shy, a fabulous paranormal investigator, did of our time in Hollywood.

Have you ever been to Hollywood? What was your experience? Was the cheese level as high for you? LOLOL!!!

Hugs,
Marley = )

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin)
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE (Coming October 2009, Houghton Mifflin)
SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available from Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available from Puffin Books)

Year End Buzz for the Little Animals

I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful holiday season! I had a fantastic birthday yesterday with one of our sales guys making me b-day cupcakes and topped off with an exciting lunch with my new editor. Doesn't get much better than that!

But here's something that can get better...



As a writer, I always look to real heros (gorgeous ones at that!) to base characters on. Jason Taylor (above) of the Miami Dolphins was the insiration for my football player, DeShawn Pritchard, in my SORORITY 101 books. When this PSA announcement launched yesterday -- on my b-day! -- I knew I had to do something to pass the message along.

My husband and I support the MSPCA (the Massachusetts chapter), the ASPCA and the Humane Society. Even though our condo building doesn't allow pets, we feel we have to do what we can to help those who have no one. Since the year is drawing to a close and perhaps you're looking for a last-minute tax donation for next April's income tax, think about supporting the little animals who give us nothing but love and adoration. I just did.

Thanks so much!

Hugs,
Marley = )

SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (May 2008, Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (May 2008, Puffin Books)
GHOST HUNTRESS Series (Begins May 2009, Houghton Mifflin)

Dedicated to the memory of my Puddy Tat whom we rescued and brought into our home