Christmas for the Rich

Here it is. A Christmas list for those who already have everything, so what the heck, they might as well blow a few more million dollars on useless stuff. (I would not be one of these people, and I probably never will be. Even if I were, I’d be building a school in Africa instead of buying this stuff.) Extravagance at its worst. It just gives you the warm fuzzies all over, doesn’t it?

Teddy Bear with Fur Made of Gold Thread – $84,000.00
http://most-expensive.net/teddy-bear

14kt Gold Playstation 3 with Matching Gold Controllers - $4,999 Just scroll down the page to see photos of this must have stocking stuffer.

http://www.computer-choppers.com/

Snow White’s Talking Mirror Security System – This mirror won’t tell you that you are the fairest of them all, but it will tell you if someone is breaking into your home. It will also tell you when your Jacuzzi is at the perfect temperature. If you can afford to buy one after purchasing this, that is. It’s so expensive you have to contact them personally before they will actually quote a price.

http://themeaddicts.com/pages/mirror.html

Talking Animatronic Cat – The list price for this beauty is $18,125.00. However, this is your lucky day because it is on sale for $2,500.00. Rush delivery is available for Christmas.

http://www.animalmakers.com/store/products/Animatronic-Cat-in-Seated-Position.html

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cie0-d57iCg

A realistic swimming animatronic dolphin, however, will cost you a cool $45,500.00. You might as well get the real thing and save yourself a few thousand.

http://www.animalmakers.com/store/products/Animatronic-Dolphin.html

Working Mermaid Suit – You’ll be the talk of any costume party you show up to in this. Pool parties also an option since this is waterproof. $9,500.00.

http://www.animalmakers.com/store/products/Mermaid-Special-Effects-Suit.html

Real Suit of Armor – Neiman Marcus puts the price for this at $20,000. OUCH!

http://www.gizmag.com/go/3316/picture/6661/

And for Fido We Have Luxury Doghouses – $5,000.00 to $7,000.00. My dog will not be getting one of these this year. She can sleep in the dog kennel if she’s feeling the need for privacy.

http://www.gizmag.com/go/6266/picture/27935/

Eating in Darkness

A coworker told me about these restaurants that make you eat in pitch blackness so that your sense of taste is enhanced. The waiters are either blind or wear night vision goggles that allow them to see in the dark and lead you to your table. I would love to try eating in one of these places. It sounds like a lot of fun. Visiting the restroom might be difficult. Click on the link below to learn more.

http://travel.spotcoolstuff.com/unusual-restaurants-eating-in-the-dark

So who wants to go with me?

Forbidden Sea now Available for Pre-order on Amazon

My book is now available for pre-order on Amazon!!! *Insert cartwheels here* I'm like 400,000 plus in rankings, but hey, you've got to start somewhere, right? Quick, everyone go put Forbidden Sea on your amazon wishlist. You can always get rid of it later. I'll never know. : ) No cover listed yet. I'm happy with the summary as well, it doesn't give too much away.

England Here I Come

An old friend of mine and I have decided to go to England next year! I haven't done much travel out of the country so I'm thrilled beyond words to finally be going someplace exciting. (I was supposed to go to Guatemala last year but revisions on Forbidden Sea shot those plans out of the water.) It looks like we'll be staying at an English bed and breakfast. Sounds dreamy doesn't it. I'll have to bring along my laptop and take research notes for a future book set in England. Anybody out there in cyberland visited England before? What are the sights I need to see? Any special foods I shouldn't miss trying out while there? Hopefully I'll be at my goal weight by then and I'll actually get to eat real desserts once in a while. (For those who are interested in the diet update: I've lost seventeen and a half pounds so far.) I'll have to buy a stylish new wardrobe so the English don't chase me back to the states for being the truly unfashionable dresser that I am. My traveling friend lives in New York so I'll probably stop over there a few days and we'll fly out together to England. Maybe I can catch a Broadway musical. If only I didn't have to wait a whole year. *sigh*

Oh well, back to real life . . . for now.

Random News for Random People (Like Myself)

Some random bits of news:

Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher—the next book in the Sammy Keyes series—is coming out sometime next year! Can I tell you how excited I am? REALLY excited! It has been far too long since the last book. Sammy is supposed to be a bridesmaid at Officer Borsch’s wedding. With Sammy as a bridesmaid, anything could happen. Will Sammy finally find out who her father is? (I’m almost positive I know who he is already, but I want to find out if I’m right.) Will Sammy and Casey kiss for the first time? What new devious plot will Heather come up with next? Will Grams and Hudson get back together? Can I really wait until next year to find out? Good question.

I’m still waiting for the next book in the Sun and Moon series to be announced. Write faster Holly Lisle!

A live action movie starring Barbie is coming to the big screen sometime in the near future. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I meteor blew up in the atmosphere over my home state a few nights ago and I missed it. (How rude!) The explosion was so bright, eyewitnesses said the sky momentarily became as light as day. The sonic boom was so big in some places the sound made houses shake and knocked items off of shelves. People in California, Utah and Idaho all reported seeing the blinding flash of light in the sky. My dog woke me up just after midnight and wouldn’t go back to sleep. I wonder if the meteor is what upset her. Click on the link below to see video footage of the phenomenon.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8714738

My Next Big Project

Now that I'm done with the ghost marionette, I'm starting my next big art project for this year. I will be making a sculpture of the mermaid character in my book. I thought it would make a good conversation piece at any signings I attend. As you can see from the picture, I've got all the supplies I need to begin, now I just have to find some time to actually start working on it. I'll take pictures of the sculpture as it progresses over time, so stay tuned for future developments on this project.

And yes, I am a hobbyaholic.

Projects Past and Present

I finished my ghost marionette for Halloween this year. It's taken me quite a while but she is all done. I couldn't posted pictures of the finished project before Halloween because she was on display at the library. The kids loved her. We have a joke at our library that the display with the most fingerprints wins as the most popular. I had to wipe down the glass of the display cabinet at least two or three times a day, so I think the little ghost won. I made her out of glow in the dark clay so when she is under a black light she glows (as seen in the picture).

She turned out even better than I expected. I can't wait to try her out in a puppet show for Halloween next year!