It’s been so long since I’ve written anything - including this blog - that I was starting to think perhaps someone else wrote all those books on my shelf!  But then I picked up “Lethal Memoirs” - the one my mother (bless her) just bought 20 of, and you know what???  It’s not bad!!  lol.  I realized that I’ve let myself go (in more ways than my weight) and it’s time to get back in the saddle.

I’m working full time now, and have been for almost a year - after seven years of being home either looking after children and/or being with my own.  It has been an interesting adjustment, but one I’ve enjoyed and hope to continue doing.  I went out today and bought a trampoline for … let’s just say a lot of money, and I never would have been able to do that before I began working.  I’m also driving a fairly new car, have a nice new laptop, and life is good.  I can’t complain.

My baby turns five tomorrow and I can’t believe how fast the time has flown.  She told me tonight that she wants to be four forever - but I can’t wish for that!  She also told me that she can’t wear size 4 anymore either because she is 5 now.  She has clothes in her drawers/closet that she’s been refusing to wear because they have a 5 on them.  Children’s minds!

Nicole will be 8 next month, and James (eek!) will be 16 this year!  Wow - he’ll be driving a car and keeping me up nights before you know it.  What joy!  I hope everyone has had a great year!  Get ready for some action from me……I’m going to get back to the writing tonight!  Well, first I have to watch 24… then writing. 

Let’s go to it!!!!!!!!!

With Christmas over and the kids back to school - me with another new job - things have been a little hectic around here lately. Plus this is the THIRD time I’ve written a blog because the first two either got closed and not saved on me, or there is a higher power working against me. However, not one to give up easily, here I sit again trying to share some news.

Christmas was amazing. I always say that if everyone is healthy (except for the nasty cold we all caught) and your family is able to get together - than Christmas can never be a negative thing. I received a new camera, new skates (that I finally got to try out today!) and some other necessities that I needed and appreciate. The kids had a great time as well, and were so good and I loved having them home. James is in his final year of Junior High and is an honor roll student, great worker, and all around good kid. I know, he’s young, give him time, right? haha. Nah - he’s a good kid and we’re very close so I will think positively.

I am in the process of re-releasing “One Eye in the Darkness” with Champagne Books. I’m hopeful that by going this route - it may actually make it to a bookstore this time. I won’t hold my breath, but there is hope. And I’m also working on “Just Murdered” - a new mystery that I’m very excited about. It’s the story of a serial killer who targets people about to get married (hence the title). He/she has never left a bride or groom standing - save one man. Tony Cooper was spared - and many believe that to be a sign of guilt. One of those people includes Detective Alexandra “Alex” Saunders. A sharp witted, no holds barred cop, Alex is determined to pin the murders on Tony - even if she finds herself attracted to him. Stay tuned for more information on that!

I’ve started a new job recently too. I’m an interviewer for Statistics Canada - doing the Household Spending survey and I’m enjoying it so far. I’ve met some really nice people and it’s an experience I’ll not soon forget. It runs until the end of March - though I’m sure I’ll be done of my cases by the middle of February. In the meantime I’m still substituting as an EA in the schools and writing when I get a free *cough* moment.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday and that you will find this new year to be one of hope, promise, and hey - winning the lottery wouldn’t hurt!

Lori

I had my first booksigning for “The Confession” yesterday at Indigo here in Charlottetown and it was a great success! The bookstore ordered 20 books and by the time my two hours were up, the books were all gone! How exciting for me! This is a first, too!

I just have to thank all my family and friends for coming out to support me. Without you all my writing career would be nothing - and I thank you for coming to spend time with me, and for buying my books. Some of you travelled to get there, and the weather wasn’t the best, so thank you all for that as well.

I will keep you all posted on the release date for the next book! Thanks again and I don’t know what I would do without you all - especially you, mom, for buying yet ANOTHER book. And even dad bought one too - despite the fact you have a closet full of all of my books.

Thanks again, everyone!! God bless and take care.

Lori

I just released my seventh book - and sixth suspense novel - LETHAL MEMOIRS. This book has taken me longer to write, edit, and publish than any other book to date. Why, you ask? Many reasons, really. The first and foremost was that this was a rushed book. No one’s fault but my own, but I wrote this book originally because I had a deadline to meet and my editor and publisher were wanting to see it. I was working on something else at the time (a children’s book) and so I left one project to jump into another and try and finish it.

Never never never do that! It was so unorganized, so over the place, that for the first time my editor came back with ‘this is crap!’ and she was right. I knew it when I wrote it, knew it when I sent it to her, but selfishly I was hoping she could fix it, because she was always so great at saying ‘this is what you need to do’. But even she didn’t know where to begin with this book. So I had to scrap pretty much the entire story and start fresh - with a new deadline.

Outline, people! Even writers like me who don’t follow a norm - I don’t write out the entire story and follow it. I like to create the characters and let them take on a life of their own. However, even I have to learn to plot a little bit so I don’t get to a fork in the road and take the spoon! EEK! I then changed editors mid story and with the help of everyone at Champagne Books, “Lethal Memoirs” was born and I’m very proud of it. I’m pleased with how it turned out and I know readers won’t be disappointed. Okay, I HOPE they won’t be disappointed.

I have a book signing coming up on November 17th at Indigo in Charlottetown if anyone is in the area! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all had a safe and happy Hallowe’en and I have already begun to look forward to Christmas - my absolute favorite time of year. Take care all!

Lori

Hey everyone!! I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve written in my blog. And it’s not from a lack of things to say. It’s more a lack of time - or just forgetfulness. I can blame many many things.

I’ve started a new job recently. I’m the new Membership Field Worker for the Girl Guides of Canada. I am very excited to be working for them because I love the Girl Guides organization. I grew up always belonging to some part of it - beginning with Squirrels (yes, Squirrels!), Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders, Junior Leader, to teaching Brownies for three and a half years. I’ve been away from it for a while, having taken time to get married and raise a family, but now that my daughter is old enough to be a Spark - I’ve decided to jump back in and be a leader. I love it.

I’m discovering, however, the lack of support that we as Islanders are willing to give to things outside of our home. I’ll confess, I’m one of them. I often sat on the sidelines of the soccer field growling about the coaches, but never wanting to step in. Of course I know nothing about soccer, but the fact I’m able to volunteer is still there. And I never did it. Now I”m seeing it with the Girl Guides. Everyone wants their children involved in something, but not everyone is willing to lend a hand. There are so many groups lately that we’ve had to close because we can’t find leaders for the girls. Angry parents will call me and wonder WHY????? but then I say ‘are you able to step in and be a leader?’ and I get “I can’t, I’m too busy”. I love it when someone says to me “I have kids”. Uh……hello! I have kids too. Five to be exact. Sure they don’t all live with me (two are my step children) but they’re still all busy, needing us in their own way. In fact we run four nights a week - plus weekends with many of the activities that they’re involved in. But I still decided to help out because I thought it was important for my daughter to be involved in something that wasn’t a sport or competitive in any way. It’s a community based organization and she will learn how to be a great citizen, and how to take care of other people besides herself. Something many many many children are NOT learning these days. Trust me, I’ve seen evidence to the contrary.

I am now a Spark leader in Sherwood and love it. We’re having a Halloween party this week and the kids are so excited I can’t wait to see them dressed up. One of them tells me she’s coming as Chucky’s Bride. Yup…..Chucky’s Bride. How old are these kids? They’re five and six. I’ll leave it at that. There’s never a dull moment!! Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to check out my new book that was just released as an e-book! “Lethal Memoirs” is now available at Champagne Books - www.champagnebooks.com - so get your copy today. More news on that to follow!

Lori

July 29, 2007 (my anniversary!!) 

This is my first experience for having a child go off to camp for more than a few days.  My oldest, James, who is 14, just left this morning for Cadet camp and is going to be gone for three weeks.  I can’t believe that it’s that time already and I’m hoping that the next few weeks fly by without any problems.  Most of all I hope that he has a great time and keeps in touch!

This is such a great opportunity for him that I’ve been telling him the past few weeks how happy I was that he’s going and that I can’t wait for him to get there.  However, this morning while I waited for him to load on the bus and the rain was pouring down, it took everything in me not to just bawl.  He’s so grown up, and looked so handsome in his uniform and wedge.  He wasn’t even going to hug me good-bye, being the man that he is.  But I did manage to get the ‘lean’ so that was good enough for now.  I am trying to stay strong now because his little sisters keep asking where he is and when he’s coming back. 

He’s going to be learning a lot about physical education and recreation and should come home with his license to referee soccer.  I gave him some money and a calling card so he can contact me anytime he wants.  I can’t imagine being selfish enough to keep him home or to keep him from experiencing something like this, but it’s tough.  We teach our children to be independant and then wonder why they don’t need us anymore.  *sigh*.  He’s a great boy, though, and we are very close and talk about everything and anything.  I’ll miss him!

June 15, 2007 

My five year old, Nicole, graduated from kindergarten last night.  I expected to be emotional, but it was too cute to be mushy.  They all stood so tall and so proud, that there were no tears shed from any of them.  Of course, they still had today to be together and they had a bowling/pizza party to look forward to.  However, when I picked Nicole up today and told her that if she had anyone she needed to say good-bye to, to do it now, she became quite sad.  Her big blue eyes were so wet and so ‘tell me it isn’t so’ that I found it difficult to hold back my own tears.  I can’t believe that ten months have gone by and it’s over now.  She’ll go to school in the fall and will no longer be home every day.  Makes me so sorry for the times I wished I could have an afternoon to myself and not have to entertain her.  What kind of mother wishes those things?

My youngest is still with me, though, so I”m going to keep reminding myself how fast Nicole grew up and how precious this time is to have her home.  She and I spent the afternoon together (Nicole stayed at Nanny and Grampie’s house) and we played in her little pool and I pushed her on her swing.  It was really nice just to be with her and it was a beautiful day today too. 

Tomorrow should be interesting.  I’m going with my oldest, James, to Summerside to go gliding with the air cadets.  I’m going to put my name down to be one of the *cough* brave parents to try it alongside their children.  My son, in true teenage form, asked me nicely not to embarrass him, so I will do my best to do just that.  haha.  Nah, I won’t torture him too badly.  He’s a good kid and will finish school next week - and goes into grade 9 next year.  Empty nest is creeping up on me. 

Have a great weekend all!!  Think of me in the air tomorrow and pray I don’t let go……..or, even worse, embarrass James.  haha

Doesn’t it just tear your heart out?  It does mine.  I have two “little ones” as I call them - my girls who are five and two years old, and have recently encountered the flu.  The two year old, Jasmine, had it just after Easter and, though it was nasty, she now thinks it was the chocolate that made her sick and won’t eat any more of it.  Could be a blessing there because she certainly doesn’t need it!  But when she was sick, she never looked so little to me.  She is petite anyway, but to see her tiny frame curled up on the couch, as white as the sheet covering her, just broke my heart.  I couldn’t help her feel better.  All I could do is sit beside her, rub her head, and hold the bucket.  I won’t go into details…but it was a helpless feeling.  She kept saying she felt better, but of course she wasn’t.

It only lasted a day, and now she is back to normal, or at least can eat and drink anything she wants.  She hasn’t fully regained her strength, though.  It takes a lot out of them.  And now last night…or I should say this morning because it was 2am, my five year old, Nicole, woke me to say she had thrown up.  I only got to sleep at 12:30 or 1am, so I was a bit groggy at first.  But then I spent the night - again - on the couch next to a little girl who was sick. 
As a mother, I wish there was a magic cure when your kids are sick.  Something you can tap their heads with to take away the pain, suffering and anguish.  However, I thank my lucky stars that it’s just the flu.  I know there are millions of moms and dads out there having to spend time in a hospital with their kids, watching them get sicker and sicker - knowing they won’t grow up to have a family of their own.  To those parents, my prayers are with you, and I bow to your strength and the dedication to your children.  You are to be commended. 

Lori

I have to say that I am a blogging virgin.  Yup, that’s me.  Can’t say I’ve used that word to describe myself in many years, but hey - feels good!  I can’t wait to try new things and talk about what’s going on in my world.  Not that I’m very exciting, but I can spin a tale or two to keep you interested, I think! 

I have six books published to date, and my newest one (The Confession) is my own personal favorite.  I love this story not only because it was the fastest and easiest for me to write (three and a half weeks in total) but also because I love the combination of romance and mystery in it.  I fell in love with the characters early on, and they still remain with me at times.  In fact, they taunt me because I’ve yet to find a pair that I cling to since. 

I aim to post here as much as I can, but please leave comments, or contact me at lbingley72@yahoo.ca.  I love to hear from readers! 

Lori