Yay! I fixed my layout in Firefox, so my website should be correct in both Firefox and IE. There’s some tinkering I need to do with my blog yet (ideally, I’d like my sidebar–with all my blog links, etc.–to be on the right, but I’m not up to the task of figuring it out right now, and I’ve noticed the sidebar is too long when the comments section pops up) but for right now I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the new layout. And get back to “regular” posts!

I THOUGHT my layout was working great (and it is in Internet Explorer), but a couple of people have pointed out that it is completely wacky in Firefox. *sigh* I don’t use Firefox, so I downloaded it, but I still can’t figure out why the layout is doing what it’s doing.

So, for all those who use Firefox, I apologize for the majorly screwed up layout. I may have to call in reinforcements.

I’ve just spent the last hour googling free violin sheet music and am amazed at how much public domain violin ’stuff’ I’ve found. It makes me want to print all these scores out and start fiddlin’. ;) There are days when I really miss my ‘violin time’…if I ever find a way to get organized, I think I’ll make that part of my schedule. Organization….the thorn in my side.

I edited another chapter yesterday which felt great. Especially since I’m pleased with how it turned out. Now, it’s time to pick up where I left off and get some more writing done on the story.

Updates on the layout: I did have to redo my header and background images and scale them down, but I think they’re looking good now. Please let me know if you have any issues with the layout on your screen. I’m still tinkering with the blog, though. I want to change the look of my sidebar links, and do a few minor adjustments with font sizes and such, but I’m taking a few days break before I tackle any more CSS headaches. For now, I’m just happy to have it working!

Well….sort of….

I’m still having some sidebar issues. I want all my links and such on the right side, but everytime I add them, my layout goes wonky, so until I can figure out why, I’m going to do without. Over the next few days, you may see my layout fidgeting, but hopefully, I’ll get everything cleared up soon. I also need to return my smileys to their proper place in the comments section. It’s getting there, though!

If you browse my other website pages (at left) you’ll see that my blog now matches my newly redesigned site as well–which I’m excited about! I’d love to know what you all think! Like it? Hate it? Suggestions to make it better? Go ahead, lay it all on me. ;)

edited to add: I found another problem. Ack! I designed my site on my laptop (which has a fairly wide screen) and I just noticed when I looked at my site on my desktop that it looks huge and you have to scroll horizontally to see it all. Grr…I’m hoping this is an easy fix, because if I have to redo all my images and scale them down, I think I might scream. LOL. How does it look to you? Larger than life or just right?

For a new layout! I know I haven’t been keeping up with the blog much! I hope to change that…but I do have a valid excuse. I’ve been playing with a new layout for my site. It’s almost ready, but there are a few more kinks that need to be worked out and I don’t want to switch over until it is looking all purty.

Hopefully I’ll get it fixed this weekend!

Yes, little things excite me. But, oh, this isn’t a little thing! This is the second half of my story! I’ve been agonizing over how to get from where I am now to THE END–and how to come up with a satisfying enough black moment.

Last night, I sat down at my kitchen table (while my children were running back and forth defeating the imaginary enemy and hubby was in the shower). I stuck my ear buds in my ears, set my mp3 player to shuffle the stored tunes, picked up my trusty notebook and pen, and started a list of scenes that would propel my characters from where I left them to the end.

I thought of a cool new plot twist that I hadn’t considered before, and when my husband came out of the shower, I asked him, “Does this sound stupid?” Then, we sat and brainstormed how to make it work (he’s my #1 brainstorming partner when it comes to figuring out technical plot details). And, yep, it will work!

During this time, my oldest son comes and sits at the table, head propped in his hand. “What are you talking about?” Mr. Nosey asks. 

My husband says, “We’re talking about mom’s book.”

Mr. Nosey smiles. “Can I help?”

“Sure.”

Mr. Nosey-turned-author-extraordinaire scrunches up his face in thought for a moment, then leaps out of the chair and starts gesturing with his arms. “Okay. They’re inside the tunnel. They see a sign that says ‘BEWARE OF THE CURSE’. Suddenly, a spirit appears before them. And puts a curse on them.” Mr. Nosey grins. “It’s a pizza curse!”

“Umm….a pizza curse?”

Honestly, I forget what he said after that–probably nothing–because he took off, having imparted his words of wisdom for the perfect plot. 

So, despite a few details that need to be worked out, I HAVE A PLOT!!! And no, it doesn’t involve a pizza curse. I’ll save that for the next book.

Don’t you just love how the worst crises happen when you are in the bathroom?

Well, that’s what happened to me the other day.  I’m otherwise occupied when I hear my youngest screaming and crying as if he is in the throes of torture. So, I’m scrambling to get out of the bathroom, visions of blood and gore filling my head.

I reach the bedroom. Tears are streaming down my youngest son’s face (no blood or guts anywhere)….my oldest is nowhere to be found. Never a good sign! So, I gather youngest in my arms and say, “What happened?”

You know what he says?

” ‘Brother’ just took off his clothes and sat on my bed. Now my bed is ruined! It has germs! ” *wail, wail, carry on about how his beautiful bed is destroyed because brother ‘infected’ it with is germs*

It was morning, so my oldest was in the process of getting dressed, which explains the ‘taking his clothes of thing’….I had to assure my youngest that we could change the sheets. Now, he’s guarding his bed like it’s the Hope Diamond. :D