Ice storms.  Ugh.

Despite the cold, Rob and I walked to the post office, then to our new neighborhood bookstore.  Yes, a real bookstore.  Small, but offers a nice variety, little bit of everything.  We had coffee and split a piece of cake, and we had our own little critique group meeting.  I really miss my critique group.  We haven't been meeting very often in the last few weeks.

I also wanted to show you a necklace I made.  I used some fancy lampwork beads, and it turned out better than I'd hoped it would.  It's for sale in my etsy shop (http://karalennox.etsy.com) if you have any interest or you'd just like to see some better pictures of it.

I'm hard at work polishing the first 100 pages of my YA paranormal.  I'm thinking of calling it PARANORMAL PREP.  Is that dorky?  I was going to send a chunk to my agent, but maybe I'll just finish the sucker.

I'm also judging Rita books.  I got a really hot, hot, hot erotica this time.  It's very well written, but I'm getting bored as there's not much of a plot.  I know I'm supposed to be objective, but it's hard for me to separate my personal prejudice from my opinion about the book's quality as a novel.  I haven't read enough erotica to know whether they normally have plots or if this is par for the course.  I'm really, really trying to be fair. 

The house renovation is moving forward ... s l o w l y.  Another week and I should have the major painting done, if I work hard.  Then I'll need to do the cleaning/decluttering thing before I can list it for sale.  I have a couple of condos I'm interested in in Long Beach.  I'd really rather have a house, but these are both pretty roomy and are very near the beach.

Guess that's about all my news.  I'll try to check in more often ...

Kara