Julie Johnstone

Bye, bye beach babe!

2011-11-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

I’ve been a self-proclaimed beach babe for as long as I can remember. Don’t let my title mislead you. I don’t think I’m a babe, but I do love the beach! I’m pretty sure my first word was beach or maybe sunshine. My mother, bless her heart, grew up in northern Ohio where the brutally cold winters left you unable to get warm for months. When she finally escaped to the South at the ripe old age of twenty-two, I think she’d had just about enough of the cold to last her a lifetime. Because of this, mom embraced the warm summers like a child given candy for the first time. She took my brother and myself to the beach every weekend for as far back as I can remember. I have a picture of me at three sitting in the sand in my pink and white polka dot bikini. My blond hair is flapping in the wind, something sticky and red is smeared around my mouth, and my bronze skin is glowing in the sun.

Now mom always made sure I put sunscreen on, but by the time I was old enough to put the sunscreen on myself I applied it without much gusto. I wanted that Coppertone tan. I associated it with good times, sun, surf and the lazy hazy days of summer. In high school, we would mix a little Coca-cola with our number four Banana Boat to achieve the ultimate tan. In college, we would lay out the minute the temperatures hit a balmy 70, so we would have a jumpstart for shorts weather.

If I wasn’t at the beach in the summers, I was at the lake skiing, swimming or socializing in the sun. By the time I graduated from college, I had smartened up and started using spf 15 or higher, and by the time I was around twenty-five I had graduated to spf 30 as my regular go to sunscreen. When my cousin’s wife passed away of skin cancer, she was 32, I had a shock and a reality check. I was thirty-four at the time. I started going to my dermatologist twice a year to get an all over body check.

Occasionally, she would see something and have me put a pre-cancer cream on it, but it was no big deal. This summer, I was thirty-nine, and I had finally learned the sun had to be worshipped as an angry god that could hurt you. I took my kids to the pool, but I wore spf one million on my face. Just joking! I did, however, wear spf 100 and made sure it blocked every ray known to man. I also wore a hat, sunglasses and lathered spf 45 all over my body. Let the good times roll! I put my children in spf swimwear that includes a swim shirt, and I lathered them in spf 100 made for kids. They certainly were not the tannest children at the pool, but I know they’ll thank me later.

I felt pretty proud of myself and gave myself a pat on the back for becoming so smart. Then about a month ago, my dermatologist told me I had some new spots. No big deal. They were just a few precancerous spots but she wanted me to have them removed with the newest technology which is a laser.

I really wasn’t concerned because I completely trust my dermatologist. Last Tuesday, I went in and they lasered my entire face. That has to be some of the worst pain I have ever experienced. For six days my face felt like it was on fire. It cracked, peeled, bled in a few spots and finally settled into a lovely pink shade with just your basic peeling. The peeling is almost done, and the lovely pink shade has disappeared in several areas, but I do still have pink skin on a good deal of the left side of my face. My dermatologist tells me it should go away totally in four weeks.

I’ll tell you what, no tan is worth what my face felt like. The upside of my experience is that my skin is supposed to look awesome when it is totally healed. The other upside is that I am saying goodbye for good to my beach babe status. I am now a beach bunny! We’re smarter! We enjoy the beach with mega sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing. We know the hours of 10-4 are the worst, most harmful time to be in the sun. Beach bunnies understand that sunscreen must be applied with a free hand and the application must be repeated after swimming regardless of what the bottle says. Sunscreen must also be re-applied every two hours to be at its most effective.

If you’re a beach babe, I hope you will consider my little story and become a beach bunny. So far, I consider myself lucky. My folly with the sun has not done fatal damage yet. Here’s crossing my fingers for luck!

Have a great day!

Julie Johnstone

Lady Scribes: Bye, bye beach babe!

2011-11-02T10:43:00.000-05:00

Lady Scribes: Bye, bye beach babe!: I’ve been a self-proclaimed beach babe for as long as I can remember. Don’t let my title mislead you. I don’t think I’m a babe, but I do lov...

Delta is the Devil

2011-04-22T08:17:00.000-05:00

As many of you are gearing up to buy your plane tickets to go to New York for the RWA conference in June, you are probably watching the airline fares daily and looking for the best fare, or a half-way reasonable one, before you purchase your ticket. You may be like me and have not bought your ticket yet because you cannot believe how much it is going to cost you. All of us who don’t live close enough to drive to New York are going to have to bite the bullet soon and buy are tickets.

As the child of a former 40-year Continental Airline pilot, I have only lived in the world ‘real’ world of airline ticket purchaser for a few years. Before my father retired from the airlines, I lived the good life of buddy passes, and even better, when I was younger I traveled in first class for free because I was not yet eighteen and the airlines actually gave their pilots’ families great benefits back then. When my dad retired several years ago, I got a major wake-up call that has only become louder and more annoying with each passing year. Gone are the days I would take a yearly trip out of the country without giving a thought to the airfare. Now, the prospect of having to pay $600.00 to fly to New York this summer has me biting my nails and stalling on purchasing my ticket.

I know that with the rising cost of gasoline my ticket to New York is only going to get more expensive, so I am determined to hit ‘buy’ on my keyboard today.

Yesterday, as I was driving and mulling all this over, I heard a report on National Public Radio that, at first, had me swearing that Delta Airlines was the devil. According to the report on NPR yesterday, Delta Airlines has attempted to raise their airfare eleven times this year, and we are in April, for goodness sake. Five of those times the airline failed to get the rate raised because the other airlines refused to go along with the hike. Let’s do the math. That means Delta Airlines has raised their rate six times in four month. They’ve just put another rate hike out there, which if I were a betting woman, I’d say the other airlines will probably take.

Why? Is it because the airlines are made up of corporate pigs who don’t care if the common man, or woman, can afford to fly? No, not really, though it may seem that way to some of you as it did at first to me. The fact is airlines are losing money, and to stay in business, they need to raise their rates.

The Wall Street Journal had an article in MarketPlace this morning in which the headlines read: Airline Net Hits Downdraft. To read the article in its entirety you need to pick up the newspaper or go online. I want to share the bullet points with you.

The first quarter of this year has been particularly brutal for airlines. Why?

Winter storms
Rising gasoline prices
Earthquake in Japan which weakened demand for travel to Asia
2010 was the first profitable year for airlines in 3 years

The first quarter of 2011 is expected to be a loss for Delta Airlines, United-Continental Holdings, US Airway and American.

Among the five biggest airlines only Southwest is expected to post a profit. Guess what- that profit is – 3 cents a share.

With another fuel crisis on the rise, we all need to run to our computers and buy our tickets for the summer. Fuel represents 35% of carriers’ cost, up from 24% a year ago. It is a NO BRAINER that tickets will be rising as well.

So Delta may not be the devil, but they are going to be forced to raise rates again if they want to stay in business, which means we, the poor consumers, will pay the price if we want to fly.

Have you purchased your NY ticket yet? If so, did you get a good rate? I’d love to hear how the cost of airlines tickets will affect your decision to attend the RWA conference this summer.

Have a great day!

Julie Johnstone

How to pick a good agent.

2010-04-21T10:14:00.001-05:00

The moment has arrived. Your phone rings, you answer it, and an agent is on the other line saying they love your manuscript and want to represent you! Terrific!! You hit mute on the phone and yell for joy while running around your house at a speed your body hasn’t seen in ten years. With a pounding heart, you come back onto the line to talk to the agent, trying not to pant into the receiver. “I’m yours!” you chirp. “Where do I sign the contract and how fast can you get it here?” Never mind that you sent your manuscript to at least twenty agents, and you can’t exactly remember this one. This is the first agent to want you. And you know what they say in the industry: it’s harder to get an agent than a publisher.

Who cares if you can’t remember the particulars about this agent? YOU SHOULD CARE!!! You wouldn’t have sent your manuscript to someone you hadn’t thoroughly researched would you? Not even at midnight while crying after receiving yet another rejection. Oh, yea, you did do that. Is it too late to backtrack and ask a few questions? NO, no, and no.

Compliments of the RWA Pro site here is what they say you need to ask before accepting any agent:
1. What do you like about my work/book?
2. What is it about me or my work that made me stand out as someone you wanted as a client?
3. How would you market it?
4. What is your commission?
5. Are any of your expenses charged to me?
6. How much does this generally run?
7. How often do you bill me, or do you take it from the advance?
8. May I have the ability to first approve any expenses that will total over $50?
9. Would you advise me when the expenses reach $100 or whatever?
10. Will I sign a contract with you?
11. What are the contract terms? WHEN YOU SEE DOCUMENT ASK MORE QUESTONS.
12. Do you work on a project-to-project basis or will you be representing my career?
13. How do you work with your clients?
14. Do you send copies of all letters from you and/or about the project that are sent to you?
15. Do you prefer snail mail, e-mail or phone?
16. If phone, is there a particular time of day you prefer to be called?
17. How soon do you generally return calls/e-mails?
18. How do you keep me advised on progress?
19. Do you send out a 1099 at tax form time?
20. How quickly are advances, royalties paid after you’ve received them?
21. Will you sign anything on my behalf without first consulting me?
22. If you are ill or on vacation, will somebody else handle my account while you are gone?
23. Will my contract be with you, or with the agency? What happens in the event you leave the agency?
24. Can you tell me how many clients you currently represent?
25. Can you tell me the number of sales you’ve had in the past year?
26. Can you tell me how many of these were romances?
27. Can you tell me what publishers and/or editors you have worked with?
28. Would you be willing to give me some client names as references?

Go print out these questions and keep them handy because I just know you are going to get that call very soon!

Julie Johnstone

How many balls are too many?

2010-02-24T20:31:00.000-06:00

Most of us would be and already published writers are not lucky enough to be able just to concentrate on being a writer and writing. I know few writers in this day of the doom and gloom economy living the high life, and I don't mean Miller, off their earnings as a writer.

If you are like me, you have another job, or several, which supplement your income and keep your dream afloat until the big call comes from the NY firms telling you they want to offer you a movie deal. I maintain two jobs, am a full time mother of two young children, and blog on this blog as well as my local critique group's blog and a personal blog. Sometimes it is a feat in mind gymnastics to keep up with all my commitments, and eking out time actually to write can be incredibly challenging.

I have been trying to set aside one hour every afternoon and one hour every night to writing. On a rare weekend, I sometimes get to write for four or five hours straight and in these times, I feel as if I have won the lottery. As my commitments seem to keep piling up, and my time to write dwindles before my eyes, I was reminded today of a NYT bestseller that I heard speak at Nationals. She said the most important thing you can do as a writer is write your stories. Everything else is secondary and takes away from getting your first book published or the next book published.

Obviously, a job to put food on the table is not secondary, but I do have a few things I can pull back from like judging contest, surfing the web, and too many extra curricular "fun" clubs. It's a choice, and I chose to write and make my dream come true.

Do you manage all your commitments without being taken away from writing or do you need to pull back and look at what you can wipe from your screen so you can once again see the path to your dream?

Throwing out the rules - sometimes

2010-02-10T10:33:00.000-06:00

I cannot tell you how many times another writer has pointed out to me or told me about rules that should be adhered to when you write in order to have a good manuscript that will be published. There are rules for tag lines, pov jumping, starting scenes with weather, varying your beginning of sentences, ending each chapter on a hook, having the heroine and the hero meet soon enough, prologues or the length of them… I’ll stop here, because, frankly, the rules go forever.

I’m not suggesting that these rules don’t have their merit, they do. But let me borrow a common saying – RULES WERE MADE TO BE BROKEN. I think the best authors know this because they break them ALL the time. The trick is to know when it’s okay to break a rule. You have to recognize your writing voice, and if breaking a rule fits you’re your voice then I say go for it.

Rules have been on mind a lot lately, and I think it’s because at some point in the last month or two I have noticed that the word “felt” really seems to get people up in arms. Try putting this word in a manuscript and submitting it to a contest. I bet you would get a frenzy of red ink and strikethroughs telling you to learn how to show and not tell. I speak from personal experience. What I had not realized until several weeks ago is that usually it’s unpublished writers who jump all over this word. Published authors don’t tend to be so uptight about using the word felt or breaking other “rules” every now and then.

I wondered why this was, and several days ago, I read a great article one of my critique partners passed onto us by way of a link. Literary agent, Rachel Gardner, www.cba-ramblings.blogspot.com, wrote the article. It was about knowing what makes an agent say yes to a story. One thing she said really grabbed my attention. She said usually if she says yes to representing a book it is because she has fallen in love with a writer’s voice. They can break “the rules” if they have a great voice, and the literary world will forgive them and let it slide.

IN OTHER WORDS, STRICT ADHERANCE TO RULES WILL NOT SELL YOUR MANUSCRIPT. LEARNING AND PERFECTING YOUR VOICE WILL.

If you haven’t already guessed it, I wholeheartedly agree. If the word “felt” works every now and then for my voice then I’m going to use it. If a book really must start out in the middle of a storm, then so be it. Think about this: if you change your voice to fit a rule then you just may ruin your voice. Now don’t go throwing all the rules out the window all the time. The mechanics still have to be there, but don’t be afraid to go with your gut and take a chance.

Last night I started a new romance by one of the biggest NYT best selling authors. Do you know on one page she used the word “felt” six times. It did not bother me in the least. The story flowed and captivated me despite her risky use of the word! While getting ready for bed, I thought of some of my favorite writers. They LOVE to break the rules. One of them uses long prologues in a good many of her stories, while yet another writer never has had a hero or heroine who met before page 35! Just imagine.

I’ll leave you with this question: what rule of writing seems to be hammered into you the most by others and can you think of an instance when you have seen this rule broken and done well?

Julie Johnstone

Are You in the Mood for Mercy?

2010-01-08T18:01:00.000-06:00

Picture your hero or heroine with the villain exactly where they want them. The gun is loaded, the sword is drawn, or the poison is mixed. But wait - a moment of hesitation allows just enough time for the hero or heroine to question whether they should deliver the justice of an eye for an eye they have spent an entire novel seeking or if justice can be served a different way.

You cringe at your keyboard. What the heck is wrong with your waffling hero or heroine. They were bold, they were angry, they were about to kick some villain butt. Why shouldn’t you plunge the dagger into the heart of the blackguard who stole your land, kidnapped you fiancé, ruined your reputation and left you penniless. Here are a few reasons to let the worst of the bad guys, and gals to be absolutely fair, live on to reform or reek havoc another day.

1. The hero or heroine should grow during the novel. A great way for your main character to evolve is to show mercy. Even if YOU don't want to allow your villain one little inch of kindness your hero/heroine just might need to.
2. On the flip side, sometimes justice is not a quick appetizer - aka the big kill. It is a long seven-course dinner served out over a miserable lifetime where the villain suffers their due rewards every single bleary day of the rest of their life. He, he, he she cackles evilly!
3. The villain can be captured then escape which can lead to your next book. Can you say sequel baby? Cha-ching!
4. If you don't kill the villain you can always bring them back if you want/need to. This is like a nice side road that is always available to meander down for fun.
5. Finally, that fallen person just may have something deep inside of them that can be redeemed, saved and turned into a fallible person with a complex past who often will make the best hero or heroine in your next novel.

Happy Writing My Friends!

When you just gotta kill em!

2009-12-30T17:23:00.000-06:00

There’s a moment when every writer stops with fingers hovering over the keyboard and ask themselves should the bad guy die. We all come to our decisions about the fate of our characters in different ways. Some writers shy away from killing off the enemy while others jump in and gut the enemy with zeal.

I must say, I am not a violent person whatsoever in real life but when it comes to my novels and my hero and heroine’s enemies nine times out of ten those suckers are going to eat dirt. Maybe I read one too many Stephen King novels as a teen or maybe I’m pouring out all my suppressed anger onto my fictional bad boys, but when someone crosses my hero or heroine and threatens their life or those of the ones they love that person is going down or going to wish they were dead.

I haven’t written a novel where I didn’t have a bad guy die. This surprised me when I started to think about it. So I began to analyze what I think killing off someone does for a story. Here’s my quickie list.

1. Death means action and action means heart-pounding pages.

2. Death brings people together emotionally.

3. Ever heard of the need to feel alive after someone dies? This often leads to uninhibited sex! These spur of the moment actions can lead to all kinds of interesting plot twists.

4. Killing off a character can be unexpected and keep the reader glued to the story.

5. Everyone wants the bad guys to fall and what writer doesn’t want to please their reader.

6. The planning of a death can lead to a powerful revenge plot.

This may sound like I kill off all the bad guys without remorse, but it just is not so. Now I’m a fair minded girl so when do I let my bad boys live? I’ll get back to you next week with the answer.

Until then – Happy New Year!

In search of a hero

2009-12-23T09:24:00.001-06:00

I've been told my hero is too mean, too gruff, too short, not loving enough, too bad etc. etc. The response that always pops into my head is life is too mean, too gruff, too short, not loving enough and hard to the core many a times. Why should my hero conform to some crazy unrealistic ideal? I want a real hero with flaws. Show me a man with a weakness who overcomes or conquers the weakness to save the woman, get the girl or defeat the enemy. Was Rhett Butler perfect? Hell no. Rhett had plenty of flaws and that's why we love him. What about Cary Grant in the Philadelphia Story? He drank too much, partied too hard and did not want to grow up. But he was fun, entertaining and willing to change his bad boy ways to get Katherine Hepburn back. Or how about anyone who plays James Bond? The hero is always cool, unruffled, unreachable on an emoional level until wait... he steps outside of his carefully constructed world to save the day, defeat the enemy and get the girl. We love every bone in this bad boy's body. So my point is this - I think heroes do not have to fit some mold that many in the romance world may say they do. I know many people will dissagree with me, but if my hero cannot have flaws then I think I need to look into writing in another genre. What character has been your favorite hero and how do you come up with your heroes in your stories?

What to do when the romance dies

2009-12-16T22:18:00.000-06:00

The story in your head - that is. I am supposed to be a romance writer, but for the last two weeks every time I sit down to write all I can think of is the new contemporay book idea I had, which in no sense can be classifed as romance. This idea is literary fiction and high concept. I'm now at war with myself. Should I run with the contemporary or go back to my historical romance, which I already started then failed to blaze a trail across my keyboard - so to speak. Here's the problem as I see it. I plotted my second novel out completely, and I have NEVER done this. I feel boxed in, stifled and forced to think about what I plotted every time I sit down to write. Here my friends is the oh my god moment. I am not a plotter, I'm a panster. some people consider this a dirty word, but I think it may be my salvation. I'm going to write on my contemporary for the next week and try and forget about the meticulously plotted out historical romance. After Christmas, I'll come back to it with just the characters in mind and let them take me where they know they need to go. Are you a plotter or a panster or do you consider yourself both?

Ten Ways to Put off the Dreaded Query Letter

2009-12-15T12:32:00.001-06:00

Shhh - this is my personal list.

1.Write a Query Letter for someone else - It's easier because you have nothing personal at stake.
2.Cook a gourmet dinner - even though you do not know how to cook.
3.Start on a new novel - since this one is a pain in the ass.
4.Critique someone elses work - who has already been published and does not really need your advice.
5.Spend several hours reading on-line about how to write a query letter - then tell yourself you will start tomorrow.
6.Have a glass of wine - now you are tooooo tired to do it, so you can just go to bed.
7.Read the backs of a bunch of books to get ideas - but hey, now all you want to do is read those books and forget the dreaded query.
8.Go back and revise your manuscript even though it had been revised 10,000 times.
9.Browse the internet for what agents say about query letters that caught their eyes then you realize they all say JUST DO IT.
10.Write a blog about how to put off a query and when you come to the end, force your nimble little fingers to go straight to your own blank query letter!

Gotcha - Go Write That Letter and Get Published!

To save or not to save -that is the question

2009-11-24T23:23:00.002-06:00

I save my rejections, but I know some writers who delete them or throw them away the minute the ugly "your just not right for me" is read. Why would I save something that marks concretely someone did not think my writing was good enough? I swear I'm not masochistic. I keep my rejections because I KNOW my writing is good, and someday these people who did not have enough foresight to see it will also know it. Then, I want to be able to go back and tell my kids look at this list guys. These people did not believe in me, but I believed in myself. Self belief and determination are two of the most important things you need to succeed as a writer. That and thick skin, the ability to stay up crazy hours, single mindedness and a passion for the story.

So - Do you or don't you save your rejections?

Another Final

2009-06-30T22:08:00.004-05:00

Tonight the nectar of the Gods is Gin and Tonic!

I've had some good news. My second novel, DECODING DECEPTION, has finaled in another contest. This makes three contest finals for this novel in two months. This latest final is a biggie because my novel will go in front of my dream editor. Everything possible is crossed on my body. I'm now a contortionist!

So... in honor of the yet to be published but I know it will be soon book here is the back jacket cover I've created.

Enter a world where Napoleon advances, King George III sinks deeper into insanity, and a list that could decide the Napoleonic Wars lands in the hands of a woman determined to destroy the spy she loved and married.

When Lady Madelaine’s father is murdered, she vows to find his killer and avenge her father’s death. Armed with her father’s secret coded list and his deathbed warnings regarding the King and traitors, she flees the murderer to seek the one man her father promised could save her, a man who once rejected her innocent profession of love.

Born and sworn to serve the King above all else, Cameron Trevelle not only hunts a missing list of the King’s personal spies, he also pursues the man who murdered his father. Cameron believes the devil who killed his father also holds the list that could obliterate England’s covert channel of information that helps to hold Napoleon at bay.

United by their fathers’ similar murders, Cameron and Madelaine blaze across England determined to find answers and secure vengeance. Desire explodes, turning two wary hearts into husband and wife. But as the body count rises, each suspects the other of treachery. When Madelaine discovers a shattering secret about Cameron, she flees into the night with her father’s old solicitor. Now as Cameron hunts his deceitful wife, Madelaine decodes her father’s list and realizes she has run away from the wrong man. Their last chance for love could be the royal intrigue that binds them. And when they both may be destroyed in the race to save the remaining spies and preserve England’s power, each of them must surrender to their carefully guarded hearts and trust in love once more.

Hope this makes all of you want to read it.

I've also started my third novel - SOMEONE TO REDEEM ME. This is another historical romantic suspense.

Fun stuff - I joined the Kiss of Death Chapter of RWA. I just love to say that. What can I say? I'm easily amused.

I'm going to Jackson! We take off to drink, be merry and bask in the glow of the fireworks with our kids and friends on Friday.

Happy Fourth Happy People!

The Big Wait

2009-06-18T08:15:00.002-05:00

Life's been busy to say the least. My novel is done, again. While re-writing my second novel I've learned a great deal. Hopfully, it will be picked up by one of the agents who has requested to read it. For now I simply wait and wait.

Quick update - I've taken a telecomute job as a line editor with a publishing company called Sapphire Blue Publishing. I'm very excited about this. My second romantic suspense has finaled in two contest, one first place in another contest and second place in yet another contest.

I've gotten a new idea for another Napoleonic Era spy/romance novel.

Oh, and some fun news - I'm going to the Romance Writers of America Conference in Washington with my husband July 15 - 19. Here they will announce the winners of the Daphne du Maurier Kiss of Death Writing Contest. My novel has finaled in this contest, so keep your fingers crossed for me. The best part is the pre-party is a Death by Chocalate Party! This is right up my alley!!!

Make each moment count today!

Julie J. writer of Sweeping, suspenseful, sizzling historicals – history's never been so hot.

I Challenge YOU!

2008-09-29T21:06:00.002-05:00

Glass of Wine tonight - Alas, no! I either have allergies or a cold and am not feeling like anything but a hot bath and bed!

I went to a meeting today and the woman who spoke touched and moved me with what she had to say. She really made me think about life and myself. I am not going to go into the details, but I want to ask each of you to do one thing tomorrow. Just once tomorrow, if someone ask you how you are doing or if everything is ok don't put on your society face and give the automatic "everything is great response." If things are not super perfect jump out on that ledge and offer the truth. You might just connect with another human being for a moment and either help them or yourself.

Now, I also want to ask each of you to e-mail be back on WEDNESDAY and tell me if you got a positive or negative response from that one someone you offered the truth about your day to. By the way this does not have to be a stranger it can be a good friend. We all put on a society face even with our friends many times. Good luck!

Potty Play, Ambulances, and The End of An Affair - A Day in the Life

2008-09-24T00:21:00.002-05:00

I am going to be very brief due to the late hour but I will expand on all topics in tomorrow nights blog.

First - No need to buy toys ladies. Apparently, the toilet is a super fun place for a toddler and little boy to play. Tonight I found both of my children giggling hysterically in the bathroom with their hands in the toilet water splashing each other. Yes, they had already been bathed! What next?

Second - Toilet water fun happened AFTER I made a 911 call because my oldest child had stuck an extra long magic marker cap in his mouth and somehow managed to get it lodged between the roof of his mouth and back of his front teeth. After several attempts to get it out and me trying to stay calm as he spiraled into hysteria, I finally called 911! What's a mother to do? I was afraid he would choke and die! Guess, what. Seconds after making the call, he managed to pry his little mouth open just a wee bit wider and out popped the marker cap! Literally - thanks be to GOD!

Last but not least - I ended my ongoing love affair with the characters in my latest book a mere 29 minutes ago! YES - I DO ACTUALLY MEAN I FINALLY FINISHED MY BOOK!!!!!! LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Has it Really Been That Long?

2008-09-20T22:43:00.002-05:00

Glass of Wine tonight - No. I am drinking a gin and tonic. My husband fancies himself as a master gin and tonic creator. He loves to add a splash of this and that. After writing for three hours, I happily took the drink he so generously created for me!

I have heard from several people who asked me why I haven't written lately. I have a long and quite exceptional list of goals. This week has been crazy. I have been to two charities and one birthday dinner, which means three out of my seven writing nights were already taken. Plus, my husband had commitments on two of the nights, leaving me as the sole person responsible for all things bedtime. If you have kids you know this can take a big chunk out of your night.

I looked at my blog tonight, and really could not believe I had not logged on since September 10. My original plan had been to blog every night. Ha! This is hardly happening. I promise, though, to blog at least every other day. I think this is workable for me, and as you faithful blog readers already know, I am now queen of the mini goals.

Speaking of mini goals they are the main reason you have had silence from my end. Meeting my goal of ten pages a day for my book has been hard. I swear my face looks ten years older from the lack of sleep and I surely must be writing the next War and Peace because I am STILL not finished. However, I still feel great about the progress I have made. I have written well over 100 pages since the 10th and I have done more research on Regency England then I care to remember. Put it this way, I am considering applying for a position as a Professor of History at Montevallo College that I saw in the Birmingham News. Do you think they would mind that I don't actually have a history degree? I mean shouldn't my countless hours of research count for something? Just Joking! But seriously, I am still baffled at how I did not learn until my 30s that I love history involving the Regency, Medieval and Georgian time period.

Fast update on my love hate relationship with technology. I now love technology again. This week I purchased an Ipod Shuffle, thanks to the advice of one of my dearest friends, L.R., who basically said bite the bullet and spend the money. Having followed her advice, I did go and by a shuffle and immediately, and very happily, downloaded my ITunes songs that I had previously bought without realizing I could not download them onto my USELESS Samsung music player - take that Samsung and get with the program.

I also used technology to research and ferret out the answer to my last lingering research need in my current book. Yes, it took me three days and about 20 hours, but I did it! I can now tell you with complete confidence how long it takes somebody to travel on horseback in 1810 from one destination in England to another. I can even wax poetic about the Inns along the way and tell you the main roads they would take, dangers they would encounter etc., etc. Impressive, hugh? Thanks google.

Update on my children - Little tot., aka the youngest child, bit my husband so hard today he left a nice sized purple bruise and some broken skin. Could this be because we had not given him his required, normally scheduled nap? Everyone nod yes. Instead of sticking to our schedule, we took little tot. to a Bama game day party. Does anyone else feel like the decisions we sometimes make as parents because we long for a little fun always seem to come back and kick us in the you know what?

As for my oldest child, he was perfect at the Bama party. He saved his meltdown for when we got home. For reasons only known to him, Mr. Potato Head is no longer a toy that should be taken apart and put back together. According to the eldest, once Mr. Potato head has been designed by him, you are desecrating the masterpiece by undoing the work. Personally, I think he did not want to share with little tot., but he firmly denied this theory with tears and much wailing.

What Research Can Really Lead To - Warning Adult Content

2008-09-10T21:44:00.002-05:00

Glass of Wine Tonight - STG 2005 Sonoma Valley Chardonnay - I have taken one sip, so I can't really offer my opinion tonight. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Quick Update - I want to be modest about meeting my goal but I am not going to be. I am so thrilled that I have managed to maintain my 10 page a day writng goal for four days. I have written 42 pages since Sunday! Now, onto the really funny stuff.

I'm at the point in my novel where my hero has just discovered that the woman he married may in fact be the spy he has been searching for that killed his father. This is back story - sorry I had to do it. Anyway, said hero is in a real rage and list off some words describing his new bride such as deceitful and conniving. I really wanted to be bold here and have him call her a "bitch". This was a hard decision for me because in general my characters just don't use foul language. I have always been of the stance that there is a better way to describe the mood. But in this scene if the word fits then the she-devil must wear it. So, I set out to research the word to make sure it did indeed date back to 1810 in the way I wanted to use it.

Sure enough people have been using this derogatory word to describe malicious, spitefull, domineering women since 1400. Of course we have - why did I doubt it. However the next part of my research is what really cracked me up. According to Wikipedia, "Since the 1980s, the term "bitch" became more and more accepted and less offensive. After the word was widely used between rivals Krystle and Alexis on the drama Dynasty." As a former Dynasty lover this cracked me up and gave me a good ten minute laugh. Anyone else laughing or is it just me?

Day two - I'm still standing!

2008-09-08T23:52:00.003-05:00

Glass of wine tonight - Part two! I am still drinking the wine I opened last night.

There are 10 minutes left in this day, so I will be brief. I did it! I wrote 10 more pages today on my book. At this rate, I really will be done by Sunday. I feel like I have discovered something amazing about myself. I told my husband tonight that I never realized how liberating meeting mini-goals can be. I have always been a large goal kind of girl. Perhaps that's been the problem all these years!

On another note - My oldest child went to bed without stories tonight because he called me stupid - twice. I have noticed he throws this word out at many different times, and I can tell by how he has used it that he is not comprehending the real meaning. What really bothers me is that I think he got this word from me. I now have potty mommy mouth guilt. The bright note is that I am way too tired to linger over all my imperfections tonight. Ah - there is finally something positive to be said about bone weary fatigue.

I Have Finally Met A Goal

2008-09-07T22:18:00.002-05:00

Glass of Wine tonight - I just poured myself a glass of Conde De Valdemar Crianza 2004. This is an excellent Rioja - very smooth.

I have a guilty confession before I get into my met goal. Last night my husband went to watch the Alabama football game at a friend's house. My youngest child woke up yesterday morning with a slight fever so any chance of us all going to watch the game was immediately squelched.

Here's the confession. I was not the least bit saddened by the fact that I could not go and watch the Bama game. If my husband knew this he would really be upset. I know some of you probably don't believe me, but I swear he would not understand my line of thinking. He lives for Alabama football and will NEVER understand an indifference to watching the game. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy watching the games from time to time, especially in the stadium, but just on tv, I can really take it or leave it.

So, last night I packed my husband off at 6:00 to go and watch the game, I had the kids in bed by 7:15, then I wrote for two hours on my book. After that, I ate a HUGE piece of chocolate peanut butter cake, drank a glass of red wine and watched the movie Smart People. It was the perfect night. I was totally content! What does this say about me?

The chocolate cake and movie also helped to give me some perspective. Amazing how food and a movie can do this. I have been somewhat depressed at my failure to finish my book. Here's the problem - it's a historical and I am desperately trying to make it 100% accurate and cleverly enhanced with historical details. This takes TIME!!! I spent several hours yesterday researching the placement of dinner guest along with typically served food at a Regency wedding. I can now tell you anything you need to know about turtle soup and beef ragout. Just call me!

My perspective narrowed to this - I'm a small goal kind of gal. In other words, I need mini goals. So last night, I set the goal of 10 pages per day. At this rate, I should be done in no less than a week and a half. This will put my novel around 100,000 words, which is typical for the historical market. Guess what?? I MADE MY GOAL TODAY! I wrote 14 pages! Yea. Tomorrow I can either get ahead of the game and write 10 more or give myself a break and write 6. I feel good. I totally understand now when people say their blood, sweat, and tears are in something. I feel like my efforts toward this book have been monumental. Will somebody please remind me why I decided to take up historical fiction writing.

Fast updates - My online job seems to have been a scam! I know - huge surprise. My husband his "I told you so look" quite well when I told him. The good news is I only completed one round of edits before I decided I should demand payment on a job by job basis. Can you believe I never heard back from them after this request?

The so far unmentioned magazine has still not contacted me about my submission of articles. I am still naively hopeful and will probably attempt to submit another one for their next issue. Am I a glutton for rejection or what? I figure all this article writing is good practice and can only serve to make me better. Plus - I have sincerely and specifically asked God to get me published soon and I REALLY BELIEVE he is listening. He recently answered one specific request, and I am telling you it was a minor miracle. You probably think I am joking, but I really am not.

I have abandoned MP3 technology for the last few days and opted to keep my sanity. However, if I meet my writing goal tomorrow while the kids are at MDO I may attempt Itunes again tomorrow night.

Tired of Technology

2008-09-03T22:37:00.002-05:00

Glass of Wine Tonight - Paul Valmer Merlot 2006 - From Whole Foods - this is their 365 brand - cheap but good.

I am so irritated I want to scream or maybe cry. Have you been there lately? I have spent the last three hours trying to learn how to download music to my MP3 player. Buyer Beware - I Tunes purchased songs must be converted to an MP3 format before purchasing the songs or else you can not put them on your MP3 player. Basically, I have WASTED my precious writing time on a quest to have some new music to listen to while working out. I hate technology sometimes!!!

My husband has been less than helpful as he is trying to work and asked me not to disturb him. When he did finally come to my aid, after I purchased $10 worth of songs it was 2 hours into it and $10 down the drain. I now have 10 great new songs that my husband cheerfully pointed out he can listen to because he has an IPod. Guess who can not listen to the new songs? Yep - me. I still get to carry myself to the gym tomorrow and work out to the same three groups I have listened to for over a year now. I cannot put into words how uninspiring these groups have become to me.

My night has been wasted as well as my time. I absolutely know I am ranting. I probably should not have written this until my temper cooled, but I am working on 4 hours of sleep from last night and want nothing more than to sign out and say good night - so good night. Tomorrow will be a new day - and I promise to be a happier blogger.

My goals seem to be moving faster than I can catch them.

2008-08-30T21:42:00.003-05:00

Glass of Wine tonight - Wente 2006 Morning Fog Chardonnay - Very light and crisp - a perfect summer wine.

I set some lofty goals for myself and trying to reach them is beginning to feel like trying to complete a marathon without training. However, I have made progress so I am still smiling.

Here's the update -

1. I have written another article for previously mentioned magazine that I am still hoping will have an epiphany and publish me. This one is tailor written for a topic they asked for so keep your fingers, toes and whatever you can cross - crossed.

2. No, BIG GROAN - the book is still not done. I wrote for three hours today and feel good that my pace has picked up 110% from a year ago. Sigh, sigh, sigh! The really good news on this front is that I can pack the kiddos off to Mother's Day Out this week, so there is HUGE hope that I will have a solid 8 hours of uninterrupted writing. My plan is to keep up my schedule of at least two hours a day added on to the 8 hours of MDO time. I feel so good about this book, though. Just writing it makes me happy, but let's face it, finishing it and actually getting published would make me delirious. Further bonus - I have learned more about King George III and Napoleon than I realized was possible for my pea brain. I also realized I LOVE history. Why didn't I understand this about myself while still in college?

3. I have applied for two real world jobs. Do I want them? I'm still not sure. One could suit me perfectly if I could really come to grips with going back to work full time. Is this possible? I have serious doubts. I always wanted to be home with my kids and still do, but life does not always ask you exactly what you want.

4. I obtained my first online job. I am an official editor for an online dating company not even based in the good old USA. No joke. I edited three letters yesterday and their English was not easy to follow. The pay is nothing to talk about, but I finally have some experience to add to my resume for online work.

5. I have discovered the world of online teaching - something my degree and experience says I am officially qualified for. I have had three request for my services - at least I'm appreciated somewhere. We shall see where this leads.

With everything going on I still look around me and say I'm lucky. Hope it stays this way!

Those Special Moments

2008-08-28T21:02:00.002-05:00

Glass of Wine Tonight - It's too early to know. I need to do an hour of writing and then decide.

There are moments in my life when my children unexpectedly remind me in the most touching way what is most important. Yes, I constantly blog about writing and the stress my children create for me, but they are also a soul searing joy.

Last night when I returned from new parent orientation at my son's school, my son was still awake and watching Star Wars. At first I was irritated because I had wanted to write and needed to clean, but I took a breath and sat down with my child. He leaned over and put his hand on my arm and told me, "Mommy, I think you are so wonderful." Oh, my! My son thinks I'm wonderful. This pulled on every heart string I possess.

Then, this afternoon while having lunch with a friend I was really getting frustrated with him because he was being so rambunctious. He climbed on top of the booth, talked overly loud, crawled under the booth and made a scene in the bathroom. However, when all was said and done he looked at me and said, "Mommy, I wanted to buy you a pretty necklace today." It's crazy that this statement touched me but it did. He knew I was getting frustrated, and he was trying to offer something to make me happy. It brings me joy to know he has learned to care about how somebody else feels and wants to make them feel better.

These two things combined got me to thinking about my life. It's been crazy lately, but the one constant thing is the love in my family. I am going to work a little harder every day to show my kids and husband how much I cherish them. If they were gone nothing else would matter to me, and I would miss the constant Rat Race life with them provides.

If I Could Put Time In A Bottle

2008-08-26T17:51:00.003-05:00

Glass of Wine tonight - Absolutely! I'm headed for The Wine Loft to meet the girls in my wine club at 6:30 sharp.

Does anyone remember the song "If I Could Put Time In A Bottle?" I swear this is exactly how I feel. I need a time management seminar or another me.

This is going to be short and sweet. In advance, please forgive all grammar and spelling errors tonight, I am in a HUGE HURRY, and I am blogging with my 20 month old screaming and throwing food, literally! A fork, corn and black beans have zipped past my head as I am trying to write. Now, I'm typing while racing the drip of a fudge cicle I gave the chidren in hopes of them letting me type.

Update on my book. No way am I going to make my deadline! I do however still hold high hopes that the book will be finished this weekend. I have spread myself to thin, but after talking with one of my best friends, thanks K., I have decided to concentrate on one thing. So, from here on out, the book is my focus until the end of the weekend. You might be asking yourself why I say until the end of the weekend. Because it will be done by then if I have to stay up every night until three in the morning to do it.

I have another deadline looming of September 3. A magazine I want to work for is accepting new articles until then, and I really want to try and submit one for consideration.

Ok, just so you understand my mindframe while writing this, my toddler is hanging on me as I finish typing, my four year old is talking to me, I have 11 minutes left to make myself presentable for wine club, and my husband just got home from work wanting to know what I am doing and why I am being rude! Oh yea, now I remember why I absolutely only write when my children are asleep. Tonight will be my one and only acception. I hope this post has made sense, and I promise tomorrow will be more literate!

On the Edge

2008-08-24T15:38:00.003-05:00

Glass of wine tonight - NO!!! Last night we had company, and I indulged in several glasses of a 2004 Tittarelli Reserva de familia Malbec. Very yummy - but tonight I will be drinking the drink of sleep deprived mothers everywhere - RED BULL! I need to work late.

I am running toward the finish line on my book! Yea!!! After a heated discussion with my husband on Friday night about not helping me enough, he took the boys to the park for two hours today and then the grocery store. Why do men always wait until you are standing on the edge of the CLIFF OF ANGER to respond to your needs?

If you can answer that let me know, and perhaps I can be your ghostwriter for your bestseller on how to understand men. Back to the important stuff. My book is almost finished, and my goal is completion by the end of this week. Now, I just need to find someone willing to cheaply edit for grammar. I think having someone else look at your completed writing is a must. In my experience, it is very difficult to find all of your own mistakes because you are so close to your material.

Here is the daunting schedule. Have book finished by Wednesday and to (as of yet unknown) cheap editor by Thursday morning. I want the finished product back by Sunday, so I can do one last reading before sending it out to all the agents I just know are dying to represent me - this is positive thinking.

Then, because I just can't seem to let go of the first book I ever wrote I want to re-visit it in the next week and try and polish it for a re-send into the publishing jungle. The story is good and the characters are solid, but the writing is clumsy and somewhat stiff. I can't believe how much I have learned since then.

While these small goals are being accomplished I must: continue to raise my kids, write another article to submit to Lipstick Magazine - in the hopes that they adore it and publish it - work on my article idea for Southern Living, and send my small ten things articles to Portico. Oh yea, I also need to be a wife, clean the house, do laundry, feed everyone, meet my children's new teachers, remember I have friends who occasionally do like a phone call and apply to real - according to my husband - jobs because he is pressuring me to do so.

I will keep you updated on my progress nightly! Does anyone think I'm crazy besides me?

My Rant Against Blue Cross Blue Shield

2008-08-22T14:31:00.005-05:00

Glass of wine tonight - Since it is the middle of the day, I will have to get back to you. However, I feel pretty sure I will have one glass of wine tonight to unwind from the packed week. At this moment, though, I am drinking tea - fully caffeinated!

My husband just recently opened up his own law firm. Being in practice by himself means we have applied for, and are waiting to be approved for, single family insurance. I know my spouse would love for me to go and get a job, which provides good insurance; because single family insurance, for those of you who don't know, is not great. Perhaps I am being selfish, but he is pursuing his dream - to own his own firm - and I want to pursue mine - to become a writer. However, with Blue Cross Blue Shield's less than adequate policy they are offering, my dream may once again go on the back burner. I find this vastly unfair, and I personally blame BCBS for their lousy insurance policy.

Why is it lousy? 1. It's very expensive. 2. The coverage for emergency care is unreasonable. (We have to expect emergency care with children). 3. This is the big one for me: they have a vast, very encompassing Pre-Existing Conditions Clause. Basically, if anyone in my family has been treated for anything relatively major in the last year they will not cover it for the next year because it is a pre-existing condition.

How does this effect my family? My youngest child has tubes and if anything goes wrong in the next year all the money comes out of our pockets because BCBS won't cover it. This scares me.

However, what really bothers me is that they consider pregnancy, even after you are under their single family plan, a pre-existing condition. In layman's terms - you are not allowed to get pregnant the first year under their plan or they will not cover you because they have labeled this a pre-existing condition. How can a pregnancy that has yet to occur be a pre-existing condition?

This is BLATANT discrimination against women. They should cover anything that happens after you are already on their plan related to being pregnant if you were not pregnant prior to starting the plan. I think I will call and tell them that "pre" means before.

I don't know why this bothers me so much. I have two children and do not plan to have any more. However, I am very bothered, and I think all women should be upset and write or e-mail BCBS and tell them what they think of their ridiculous terms.

When Panic Sets In

2008-08-17T21:12:00.002-05:00

Glass of wine tonight - I have poured one, but every time I try and drink it I cough. This is thanks to the laryngitis I have developed from my sinus infection.

Today when I got home from the grocery store, I put a cup of water in the microwave to make some tea. As usual, I was attempting to do a thousand things at once. I removed the scalding water from the microwave and set it on the counter to finish unloading groceries. This would have been fine, except my over-zealous 20 month old reached up and grabbed the handle of the cup and inevitably poured the scalding water on his arm. I was horrified and panicked. My thoughts: Why didn't I push the tea cup back farther? I know better. What the hell is the pediatrician's number. My mind was a complete blank and it took me a good minute, felt like an hour, to locate it on our refrigerator. However, before I called the pediatrician I called Children's Hospital, thinking they could tell me exactly what to do.

What a laugh. They transferred me twice and then told me they do not give medical advice over the phone. All I wanted to know was whether I should run cold water over his arm. Was this the best procedure? I could not remember, and they refused to tell me. Yes, I lost my cool and screamed into the phone that they were "extremely bad word" useless! I did mean it, and I still do. However, I wish I had refrained from cussing.

Hung up with them and called the pediatrician's office. Here I was transferred as my hands shook and my baby squirmed to get out of my arms. I had decided to put a cold towel on his arm. As I tried to hold him down, I waited to talk to the nurse on call and flipped through my American Pediatric book, which I had run downstairs to get. As I read what the book said the nurse came on the line and confirmed what I had just read.

If your child is burned you should immediately run cold water on the burned area to stop the skin from burning. Once you have done that you evaluate the child, depending on the severity. Davis, the baby, luckily only seems to have sustained first degree burns. This is like a sunburn, and it will heal on its own. I am to watch him tonight to make sure it does not blister. If it blisters then he has to go to the ER and be treated for infection. It looks pretty good so far, and he is acting perfectly normal. He was running around, dancing and climbing on things before he went to bed.

I am a CAREFUL mother. Some might call me extremely cautious. This incident just reminded me to stay on my toes and that I need to update my knowledge of first aid. The burn could have been worse, but for the grace of God. I thank him for watching over my son when I failed. I hate to preach, and I promise not to do it to often, but he is there looking out for us every second of our lives.

Airline Friends and the Viewing

2008-08-14T00:15:00.003-05:00

Glass of wine tonight - Who knows? I had one but I am completely zapped from attending my late uncle's viewing. I definitely could not tell you the name of the wine I drank. It was nothing to write home about, though, so you are not missing a thing!

I flew to Houston today to attend my Uncle Bob's viewing and funeral. Before I get to any sad stuff, I will start with my new friend I made on the airplane. I am not a shy person, but I am definitely not an in your face person. However, I seem to be in my element on an airplane. Is this crazy? I swear I can't get on a plane without making a new friend. I sat next to a lovely man who has two grandchildren and two daughters he raised himself. He lives on Lake Martin, close to my area, and he flew in Vietnam, worked on a submarine for seventeen years and now works for Michelin tires. I swear I know more about him than I do some of my friends. This all too familiar experience of making an airplane buddy got me thinking. Why does it seem so easy to make new friends when you are trapped on an airplane? Has anyone besides me ever had this experience? I think perhaps it's because you know you will probably never see this person again and it makes you less inhibited than you would normally be. Any other theories?

My Uncle's viewing - Sad. This is the overlying feeling. How did I know I would be so sad until I got there? When you hear of some one's death on the phone you feel upset, but when you immerse yourself in the moment and are surrounded by all those who loved them, it is very sad. One silver lining - I am reuniting with all my cousins and these are GREAT people. I suppose funerals are always upsetting, but perhaps they can have a benefit too. After all, they often bring you together with family you have not seen in a long time and can be the catalyst for reacquainting yourself with family loved ones you have let slip through your fingers. So here's to my Uncle, I love and miss you and thanks for all the great memories.

When Mom is Sick Who Takes Care of Her?

2008-08-12T21:28:00.005-05:00

Glass of wine tonight - NO! Drink of choice - Herbal Celestial Seasoning Peppermint Tea

My children have passed their germs to me, again. I'm fairly sure I am developing a cold. Today has been long with my throat building from a dull ache to a constant pain and head hurting. Yet still, I managed to carry on as usual. I went to the gym, now I am patting myself on the back. I even took the kids to lunch and the bookstore. My oldest was in RARE form at lunch, climbing under tables, laughing uncontrollably and eating nothing I bought for him. He did have a blast, though. My yongest played his usual game of throwing all his food on the floor. He does not eat. The kid lives on AIR! Did you know that turkey can stick to a wall as well as a human arm? I found out today, thanks to child number two. After, our adventures at The Summit, I came home and did all the usual mundane chores such as laundry, dishes etc. Then, I took the boys to a friend's house to play. On the way home, I began to think about how mothers never get to be sick. When men are sick, they demand to be coddled and taken care of by us. When mom's are sick who takes care of us? NO ONE! The show must go on. We still do all the everyday things. Gone are the days when your mother took care of you when you did not feel well. Now, you are the mother. I hope I remember to tell my mother how much I appreciate everything she did for me. My point is this: I know my friends think I am joking when I say this, but I really feel like women have an edge on men. We will always carry on and keep going because there is no choice. It's not like I can tell my 20 month old and four year old, "Hey kids, feed yourself today."

Up and running finally!!!!

2008-08-11T22:02:00.000-05:00

Glass of wine tonight -Domaine des Huards Cheverny 2006

It has taken me over two weeks to get up and running! Listen, when you have two children under the age of five I believe it is amazing to have any personal time in your day. Typical day today: I got up at 6:00 a.m. today, my second child does NOT believe in sleeping past the wee hour of 6:00 a.m. Until I get my coffee in me I contemplate why I had a second child. Then he does something cute, and I remember. I won't bore you with all the mundane details but I spent two hours at the pediatrician for child number one's double ear infection. Why is MY pediatrician always the one running way behind? Ran errands FOREVER and inked out an hour to work out. This is a must as it is my ONLY time alone right now. Spent two hours on the computer looking for a cheap airline ticket to go to Houston for my Uncle Bob's funeral. He passed away last night. I finally called an airline and asked about bereavement fare. Do you know what it saved me? They will allow me to bereave to the tune of $28.00. Yes, that's right. The major airlines can only afford to give you a break of $28.00 when you need to fly immediately to a funeral. Cursed and bought the TOO expensive ticket! It' s 10:00 and my husband is yelling at me from the living room to come and watch the Olympics for him time. Before I depart I want to leave you with a DON'T BUY baby product. Baby Trend's Ultra Light Stroller. I bought this yesterday and returned it today. The canopy will not cover your child from the sun! Who invented this? They have no children!