You know what's NOT funny? Every time my husband has to go out of town without me something major happens. It's an unwritten law that I will have to deal with something unpleasant or unusual in his absence.

I remember clearly the day he left for his second deployment to Iraq, I managed to plug up the kitchen sink with rice so bad that I was forced to re-plump the pipes and relay the bottom of the cabinet with my dad coaxing me over the phone.

I'd rather do that again any day than deal with the trauma I just endured. And here I thought I'd made it through his time away this time with no issues.

He was only gone a week this time and only 4 hours from returning home. I cleaned the house then sat on the couch to relax with my laptop. Suddenly the curtain next to me moved and I heard a scratching sound. Naturally, I freak out and grab a broom to beat on the curtains.

But nothing's there. I pull the curtain back and notice (gasp) droppings. I've never lived in a house with mice and now I'm moving from one piece of furniture to the next. My feet aren't touching the floor until I find the source of my anxiety.

My 8 year old is the first to actually see it, notifying me with her shrill screams as she jumps onto the coffee table. Let me just pause to say that this is the same child that has a pet dwarf hamster she constantly handles. So why she's terrified is beyond me.

It's now under the couch and with a desperate call to hubby it's decided that I should pull the couch out and surround it with blankets to trap it in. Yeah, I know right.

So I do as told and the little thing starts poking its head through the blankets as if to show me that blankets won't hold it. It keeps popping it head out and back in before I can cover it with the bowl I'm holding poised and ready.

After over a half an hour of this, the kids are growing bored with helping me watch for it and I know I must take more drastic measures. So I give a bowl to my 10 year old son and instruct him to be ready to catch it when I lift the couch.

This maneuver isn't so easy as it's a heavy leather couch. I tip it back and it escapes into a blanket. I toss the extra blankets aside and focus on that one, but it runs back under the couch. I tip it again and with only one blanket for it to hide underneath and boy drops the bowl. It squeals but escapes and runs toward me (gulp) along the edge of the couch still on the ground. I try to catch it but it runs back toward the boy. After several rounds of this it gets past him and heads to the kitchen. He misses again with the bowl, but finally I got a bowl over it.

By the way, this thing really stinks! Just thought I'd let you know.

I get a cookie sheet, slide it underneath and take it outside to release it. I'd kill it, but... yuck! So once we get a good look at it and further viewing of the pic. I think it was actually a baby mole, or maybe that's how big they are when grown. I don't know.

I think the best part was the conversation with my sister afterward.

Me: We had a baby mole in our house. (I sent her above pic)
Her: OMG!! YUCKY!!
Me: Yeah! I was freaking out but I caught and release it.
Her: You caught it! You're a ninja!
Me: A screaming ninja! 
Her: Oh yes! Is there any other kind?
Me: Not when it involves rodents.
Her: Or bugs...or...gulp...ducks!
Me: No with ducks I'm the laughing ninja.
Her: Nice...just keep rubbing the salt in my wounds...my scared, fire breathing, ducks are evil wounds. (Okay there's a story there I'll tell another time perhaps.)
Me: But oh so hilarious! I love our conversations.
Her: I know! I'm at Secretary of State, laughing to myself...I look crazy...so I totally fit in.

I love my sister.
By the way here's the aftermath of our escapades.

Also I just noticed there is a stain on the bottom of the couch. It is true you learn something new everyday.

*****Update***** Upon further research and looking at pictures. I'm almost convinced it was a shrew. I'd be happier with a mole, that would be a fluke. A shrew means possibly more of them somewhere? Maybe? Hubby needs to hurry up and get home already!

I have a confession. I've not been spending any time writing the past two weeks. I started summer off with good intentions. I had plans to take the kids to the park, bowling, the beach etc... AND still make time for my writing.
Now that summer is winding down and we're preparing for back to school, I'm burned out. It seems every time I sit down to focus on my book my youngest pops up with questions just for the sake of asking questions. You know what I mean, "when is Halloween?" "Why is the sky blue?" She wants attention in any shape or form.
So I made the decision to take a break from my writing schedule and pay more attention to the kiddos. It's difficult and a little frustrating, but school will be here in just a couple weeks and I'll have time for writing again.
Oh and I'm totally addicted to these.

Midnight tonight is the drawing for 10 signed copies of my book. I'm so excited to see who wins and send them out to the lucky few. I added in an extra little surprise just because. Here's a pic of the interior packaging I chose.

Best of luck to all who have entered!

Is anyone else looking forward to cool, crisp fall days? I'm from Michigan so these hot summer days don't sit well with me. Sure Virginia summer is a thousand times better than a Louisiana one, but I'm done with this heat none the less and it's still only July!

Also it feels like a never ending task of keeping bored kids occupied, cleaning up after them and trying to still find inspiration to write. Okay enough whining!

With the following month brings some more changes for me. I've decided to opt out of KDP Select on Amazon.

I won't be able to offer free days anymore. However, not being part of KDP Select will allow me to be able to offer my book through other venues. Such as Barnes and Noble, smashwords, kobo etc... My last day in the Select program is August 9th, I will post updates as the book is available through other sites after that.

The other update is a reminder of my book giveaway on Goodreads. There are ten signed copies available and the drawing will take place on August 3rd. If you haven't already entered, be sure to sign up here.

Sorry about the silence once again these past few weeks. I've been busy with writing book 2 of Cierstos Chronicles and I'm almost halfway through the first rough draft. Settling into a new writing pattern with kids home from school has been a challenge, but I've finally adapted and the ideas are flowing once again. I've also been making notes for three other book ideas for the future.

To make up for not posting in a while here's a nice, short scene of Kathair from Monsoon Reign.

She enjoyed the walk in spite of the chill. She loved taking the side trails to the center of town. A canopy of trees enveloped the pathways, skeletal bare branches with pale, grey skies as a backdrop. The wind rushed through the empty boughs to play a peaceful song as her feet crunched along on the dead leaves to the beat. A few more weeks would bring spring, small buds forming on the lifeless branches and the chirps of birds adding their music into the song. She hoped she would still be allowed to make her daily treks back and forth when the time came, and she wouldn’t be too large or uncomfortable to enjoy it.

Happy Saturday

My newly refinished desk is already proving its worth this beautiful Saturday. I'm feeling more creative, busily typing away at book two. Even worked on some interior imaging for chapter headings. While my youngest is free to "quietly" create to her hearts content.

By the way, here is the image I've come up with so far for my chapter headers.

Flash Fiction

So I received an invite last week to participate in the Indie book of the day Flash fiction writing contest. There were five categories (Romance, Thriller, Fantasy, Non-fiction and Children's). It was so much fun trying to write something meaningful within the word limit that I ended up submitting to all five categories. While I didn't win, I did get two honorable mentions. Which is still a win to me. It was fun and feels good to place.

Here are the two pieces I placed with.
This first one was for fantasy:

Humans by Author R.C. Fettig

He’d thought they were a Fantasian myth, meant to scare the younger ones. The creatures would use his stomach to carry water, skin for covering and bones for weapons. He wanted to learn more, but instead incinerated them and burrowed underground to warn others.

This one was for Children's poetry:

Courageous Max by Author R.C. Fettig

I’m brave like my daddy.

At least that’s what mommy says.

We’re like super heroes

But in different ways.

Daddy protects our country

I take care of mommy.

That way while he’s gone

He won’t have to worry.

Here is my prize :)

I highly recommend going to the Indie book of the Day to read the winning entries and other honorable mentions. Very impressive work and I enjoyed reading them all.