Hell-oooh. Is this thing on?

18 fantastic years. Renee on marriage. (and Contest Drawing)

reneegeorge — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:00:18 +0000

You know, I’ve been married to my husband for 18 years. We dated for four and a half years before we were married, and I have to say, the relationship is still pretty damned good. We’ve both put on a few years, and a few pounds, but he still thinks I’m awesome, I still think he’s awesome, so it’s all good. Here are some things I’ve learned over the lifetime of our marriage that I feel might have something to do with its success.

1) You can’t not have a yours, mine, and ours in a marriage. Either go in to it thinking that everything is going to be shared, or you might as well just get a roommate. Now this doesn’t mean that he can’t do his own thing, or I can’t do mine, it just means that when we do our own thing we are still keeping the other person in mind.

2) Don’t bring up past fights. Ever. It won’t get you any leverage on the new argument, and if your only defense is something that happened in the past, well, then it’s not much of an argument to begin with. Any ways, we all fuck up, people. And when you get past it as a couple, there is nothing worse then revisiting old wounds.

3) If you are pissed at the world (job sucks, someone cut you off at the market, your child is being childish, etc.) don’t take it out on your spouse. It’s so easy to snap at your husband (or wife or significant other) because you think they’ll love you even when you act like an ass. Well, let me tell you, that only goes so far. The whole marriage ceremony may say “love until death do you part” but it lies a lot. People fall out of love every day. Don’t be one of them. Be kind to your partner. If you’re having a shitty day, tell your partner about it, rather than biting off their head because something stupid, like not replacing the toilet paper roll.

4) Be happy with your partner for who they are or get the hell out. You can’t change other people with your love. The only person who you can change or control is yourself. The sooner you figure that out the easier you’ll sleep at night (it’s also a bit of a relief as well, because once you figure that out, then you also figure out that the choices other people make are not your responsibility. Look at all that sideline guilt just flying out the window). It amazes me how much time and effort people put into trying to create the perfect partner, the same partner they thought was perfect before they married them.

5) There is no such thing as “Happily Ever After.” That’s a fairy tale folks. Stories told to children to keep them from getting nightmares. Surely as an adult, you know better. But there is good news. “Happy For Now” exists and is running rampant through a large selection of the population. Couple who work the whole HFA are the only ones who even have a smidgen of a chance for HEA. Because these are the couples who realize that a relationship is work. It doesn’t get easier when the wedding rings go on. No way, no how. So, everyday I wake up and think am I happy in my marriage, and if the answer is yes, then Woot! status quo. If the answer is no, then I work extra hard that day to make it work.

6) Don’t have children to save a failing relationship. Okay, so this one was never a problem for us. We were married for nearly five years when we decided to get pregnant with our son. But let me tell you, children, while they bring loads of joy to your life, also bring loads of headaches. They can be a strain on a good relationship, and will only make a bad relationship worse.

7) You are not the boss of your partner. Don’t ever believe for one moment that you can tell your partner what to do and they are not going to resent the hell out of you for it.

Keep the sex good. If the sex wasn’t good to begin with, well…I’m not sure what to say to that. I’m not an expert in bad sex. LOL. But if it started good, keep it good. Be honest with your partner about what you want in bed and let your partner be honest with you. No one is born the perfect lover, and each person has different wants and desires. Be open to new experiences and have lots of orgasms.

9) Jealousy is a festering wound for a relationship. Here’s a few things I know. If you or you partner are going to cheat, you are going to cheat, and no amount of jealousy is going to change that. (I lived it with my parents. It wasn’t pretty). Jealousy is a total waste of an emotion. If you can’t or are unwilling to trust your partner, you might as well contact the divorce attorney now.

10) Be supportive of your partners hopes and dreams. Nothing squashes a relationship like being told that your hopes and dreams are stupid and not worthwhile. Now, I’m not saying you should go into the poor house trying to live the fantasy, but help your partner find solutions for his/ her goals rather than always bringing up why it’s such a bad idea.

****Notice****

I never mentioned romance. Well, that’s because I think romance is best suited for books. It’s highly overrated and takes more energy than its worth. Things to do instead of wasting time on romance - tell your partner you love them every day; when you are in the mood to have sex, have sex, even if you’re only in the mood because of something you’ve watched on TV, read in a book, or because the new pair of jeans your partner is wearing makes his/ her ass look hot; do something nice for your partner, like make the coffee in the morning or give them a back rub, something along those lines. The way you live with your partner should say much more about the way you feel than a box of chocolates (though I’d never turn down chocolate) or some roses (although they are lovely on occasion as well).

Ten reasons my husband rocks my world:

1) There is always a pot of coffee waiting for me when I wake up in the afternoons.

2) No matter what I want to do, he says “Okay.” He never tells me “no.”

3) He spends time with our son. (You may not think it’s a big deal, but I grew up with an absent father — it’s a big deal).

4) He thinks I’m sexy 24-7 and is always in the mood.

5) He doesn’t penalize me if I’m not in the mood.

6) He doesn’t judge me. About anything.

7) He is the man. Manly, without being overbearing. I don’t think I could be with a submissive guy. I would run all over him.

If I want anything and he can provide it for me, he does. (It’s how I got my home office, peeps. LOL)

9) He is intelligent, which makes for great conversations and debates.

10) He loves me more than just about anything.

—<3

Well, now that I’ve espoused unwanted advice, and gushed about my husband, I think I’m going to crawl into bed next to him and thank him properly for 18 wonderful years of marriage. I think we both deserve it. Oh, I’ve probably left a few important things out, but you get the picture.

Hugs,

Renee

(Oh! and I’ve decided to do a contest drawing as well. Everyone who comments on the blog here will be entered. I will announce the winner on Wednesday. The prize - an $18 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Good luck!)

http://www.romance-the-night.com/mainindex.htm

New FREE desktop wallpaper. Enjoy!

reneegeorge — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:02:16 +0000

This is a piece of art I did around the fourth of July. I think it turned out pretty good. We’ll see what you all think. You can use this for your desktop background, but it for personal use only. The copyright is mine. All mine. LOL.

Hugs,

Renee

Click on the image and it will take you to a larger image. Right click on the larger image and set as desktop background.

Color her Bitten! Dakota Cassidy - Accidentally Dead.

reneegeorge — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:30:05 +0000

I’m a lousy cheerleader, not nearly as good as my BFF Dakota (I don’t have the right hair for it, lol) But her new book is releasing onto bookshelves today and I’m not one to tell you what to do, but your friggin’ NUTS if you don’t go out immediately and buy it. It’s called Accidentaly Dead. It is the hilarious follow up to The Accidental Werewolf. Dakota took the most pottiest of mouth heroines, and turned her into a vampire everyone can love (Including the most gorgeous of all vamps, Gregor). So, if you like your comedy hot, and your heroes even hotter, than you love this one.

Don’t take my word for it. Read it for yourself.

Oh, and she has a really, BIG CONTEST GIVEAWAY on her blog! Go check it out immediately.

It’s a lousy first day on the job for Nina Blackman when a patient, loopy from the anesthesia, bites her. At least he was cute. But for real drama she can’t beat the next evening. Nina wakes up with a set of razor-sharp fangs, bionic vision, supersonic hearing, and a taste for blood. But there’s a good explanation: It’s her patient, Long Island vampire Greg Statleon. Actually they’re perfect for each other—if Nina’s willing to commit to one man for eternity.

A June Wrap Up (Warning, I went on a little rant).

reneegeorge — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:48:00 +0000

(I apologize ahead of time for any bad grammar, punctuation, repetative words, and thoughts that are not well thought out, I’m tired people and in the mood to rant a little.)

I remember when I was growing up, I thought that by the year 2000 we’d be colonizing planets, all cars would be hover cars and ran on cleaner energy, that was, of course, barring nuclear Armageddon. You know us 80’s kids, we lived under constant fear that someone would push the red button, and KABOOM. The Day After people, that’s all I’m saying. The Day After. Oy.

Well, I’m sad to say we as a civilization have not come nearly as far as I thought we would, but happy to report that at least we haven’t blown ourselves up, yet. I guess what I’m getting at is, why oh why does the “moral majority” of society continue to dictate to a minority of people who in turn aren’t allowed a voice.

Let me start with a few notions: Do you think that women would have waited so long to have the right to vote if it hadn’t been for the fact that the constituents voting were all men? How about African Americans? Yeah, sure there was something about them being able to vote after the civil war ended (1865), but the “white moral majority” made it next to impossible for many of them (especially in the southern states) to actually vote (based on literacy) until after the civil rights movement in the 60’s.

So I say, is it right for a “moral majority of heterosexuals” to determine what homosexuals rights are? I don’t think so. It’s freaking nuts to think that we have another minority out there without a voice. I mean, fine, if it’s an issue that affects all of us, like tax increases, gun legislation, education bills, etc. A majority vote is in order. But what does two same sex partners wanting to have a legally binding wedlock have anything to do with heterosexuals.

Nothing.

You know, the big argument for this issue seems to be “a marriage is between a man and woman.” So, then I say, “why?” and the answer I get in return is, “because it’s in the bible.” So, then I say, “I thought there was a separation of church and state?” And I get back a, “it’s between a man and woman, under god, because that’s the way it’s always been.” So then I turn around and say, “well, slavery used to be an accepted practice. Not allowing women to vote or own property and stuff used to be an accepted practice. Heck, in some parts of the world, both things still are acceptable. So it seems to me that view points about what’s right and what’s wrong shift with the wind.” Then I get the “you’re nuts,” look. *sigh*

Okay, well, say I’m an atheist, and I get married by a judge, and I tell him to leave god completely out of it. Does that mean, even though I’m a woman, married to a man, that I’m not really married since I have taken god completely out of the equation?

I don’t know. I think I’m walking a thin line here.

Needless to say, I think this whole hoopla about gay marriages is just another way for people to go unrepresented within their own system of government. I personally think the whole marriage thing being a legally binding contract should go away. Anyone who wants to be bound to someone by law should be able to go down to the courthouse, fill out the paper work, file it, and voila, bound. Then, if they want to do a more conventional wedding, they can have their preist, their best-friend, or even their dog marry them.

Much love to my gay and lesbian friends/ family who are dear to me (you know who you are), and much love to the heterosexuals who love you back. I think it’s nice that June is pride month, but I feel the pride for you all, all year long. It’s late, and I’m probably not making a lot of sense, but I hope I am. Other than that, I apologize for getting political. I hate politics really, but not nearly as much as I hate bigotry and extremists (and that’s on all issues!).

Oh, and Changeling Press is offering a nice 10% discount on their books until the end of this month (which means you have one day left, lol). Sorry. They have a nice selections of GLBT titles. Go check them out.

Use the discount code GLBT2008 on any order between now and the end of the month and you’ll get 10% off your order — PLUS 10 winners will get a free PDF copy of Ann Vremont’s Wolf Dance! Just buy any new release or GLBT theme book and enter the discount code GLBT2008 to receive 10% off your entire order and a chance to win a free book!

www.changelingpress.com

Oh, and a quick shout out to some gay themed movies and television I like. I’m a sucker for happy endings, so :p~~ here are my movie recommendations: Shelter (a new favorite!), Latter Days, All Over the Guy, Just a Question of Love, Adam and Steve (friggin’ hilarious), A Home at the End of the World (much better than I thought it would be), and Guys and Balls. On television: Verboten Liebe (German soap - love Christian and Ollie), Brothers and Sisters, Skins, and As If.

Hugs, peace, and love,

Renee (who should have kept it light and fluffly)

Life, reading, just stuff in general…

reneegeorge — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:56:43 +0000

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged. It’s not you, it me. No, I’m not breaking up, lol. Just doing the tortured artist thing and hiding out in the cave, otherwise known as my home.

It’s been storming like crazy here in Missouri. Last night, the lightning brilliantly illuminated the sky as the thunder cracked and rumble, basically scaring the crap out of my 13 year old son. The worst part is, the electricity kept going off and on (making it difficult to work on the computer), and it screwed up my satellite reception. Oh, the crosses we must bear! lol.

Let’s see, I’ve been reading some interesting books this spring:

Bobbie Faye’s Very (very, very, very) Bad Day, by Toni McGee Causey - this book is a riot! Smart, funny, and packed with action. I highly recommend going out and getting it, like today. You won’t be disappointed.

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris - I loved this adventure with Sookie Stackhouse. Charlaine Harris never lets me down for great reading.

Because Your Vampire Said So by Michele Bardsley - Yes, Michele is one of my BFF’s, but it doesn’t stop me from being a fan. All hail Queen Patsy! Oh to be 40 and cellulite free. I’d travel to Broken Heart just for that. Funny, smart, with minor heart breaks along the way, and a very happy ending.

Blood Noir by Laurell K Hamilton - There’s been a lot of bad reviews for this book, and while I would have wanted more, I’m completed hooked on Anita Blake and her wacky world. It’s sort of like being addicted to a soap opera. Even when I don’t like where the story line might be headed in one book, I stick around because I love the characters and keep hoping things will get on the right track for them. So, I suggest to those who are unhappy with where things are at for Anita and feel strongly enough to want to vent publicly, shut up about it and quit buying the books. Sheesh. I, for one, will be buying them until she quits writing them. Because…no matter where the storyline is at, I can’t put the books down until I’m finished, and I feel a little lost and sad that I won’t be able to read more of these characters for another year. Blood Noir was not an exception. I had it finished in 5 hours. *sigh* No more Anita and the boys fix until next year.

Beg for Mercy by Toni Andrews - I love, love Mercy, and the book had me begging Toni Andrews for more in the series.

Angel of Mercey by Toni Andrews - I got more. LOL. The second book was really great. We get to see her best friend develop a little more. Part of the story line had me thinking I might have to track Toni down and whack her, but she resolved it nicely. I highly recommend both these books as the beginning of what I hope is a long running series.

Well, that wraps it up for books, although I’ve read several others, those are the ones that really stick with me.

The state of Television Programming:

WTF is wrong with the networks?? Moonlight - cancelled, Men in Trees - cancelled, Shark - cancelled, New Amsterdam - cancelled, Bionic Woman - cancelled, Women’s Murder Club - cancelled, Journeyman - cancelled, Las Vegas - cancelled… and the list goes on. If I could get everyone to boycott these “staple” networks and start watching TNT, USA, and Scifi original series instead, I would. These asshat programmers need a kick in the tushy.

Movies -

Loved the new Indiana Jones movie! Woot, woot! It was so much fun to revisit old characters with new character suprises thrown in. Took my son and two of his best friends to see it. We had a blast.

Can’t wait for Hellboy 2, Hancock, The Love Guru, Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Sex in the City: The Movie, The Incredible Hulk, The Happening, The Dark Knight, The X-Files sequel, and The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emporer.

Life:

My son’s playing baseball this summer (as usual), we had two games last week, four games this week, then the schedule starts becoming manageable. We went camping over Memorial weekend. It was relaxing, even with 5 thirteen year old boys along for the ride. lol. My nephew got married at a blues club, my neice is getting married in two weeks in the same place I got married 18 years ago (my father’s front yard). It’s a nice homage to my dad who passed away from cancer two years ago. It’ll be the first time I’ve been back there since we buried him, so I’m a little stressed about that, but I can handle it (I hope). My husband has been diving the midwest. It seems like he’s off on an excursion every other week. We’ll be going to my husband’s family reunion in Iowa over the fourth of July. Should be a good trip. We’ll see. *grin* Oh, and in August…I turn the big 4-0. *le sigh*

Cons coming up:

Well, I can’t make it to Lori Foster’s. *sigh* Just not enough money or time. But, I’m going to Conestoga July 25-27, which should be a lot of fun. Michele and Dakota will be there as panelists. My husband is coming along, but he’ll be diving Tenkiller Lake while I’m doing my thing.

Speaking of Dakota and Michele, they are both doing a signing in Dallas, TX on July 11, 2008. I’m going to try and get there for it. It will just all depend. July is adding up to one busy month!

Well, that’s it for now…

How’s your spring (moving into summer) going?

Hugs,

Renee

Who is Gormogon? I guess we’ll find out tonight!

reneegeorge — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:37:58 +0000

Well, Bones season finale is on tonight, and I’m a little nervous. Who is this crazy
Widow’s son? Hmmm? There has been speculation that it’s Sweet. I completely disagree. He’s just way too dorky. Some have said they suspect Zach, but he just makes a really bad liar. I can’t see it. So, I’ve done a little research, and I think it’s a minor reoccuring character named “FBI forensic tech Marcus Geier“. He’s been on six prior episodes this last season, with only one or two lines in those episodes, but to me, he is the most likely suspect.

What should I be doing instead of obsessing over Bones? Writing, damnit! But, what the hell.

Hugs,

Renee

My week in Tulsa, OK with that fabulous Bardsley chick.

reneegeorge — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:02:08 +0000

Well, Michele’s book release party was a success! She was fabulous, the fans were awesome, and our BFF’s Dakota and her dude, along with Jose Lugo traveled great distances to show their support. Michele’s new book Because Your Vampire Said So is sooo worth the read! An awesome addition to her vampire Mom series, and what was really cool is that it came out just in time for mother’s day!

Below is a great shot of Michele, signing a book, looking purty as usual. I miss her already!

Two days before Michele’s book launch, we took Charlaine Harris out to dinner! For anyone who isn’t aware. I’m a total fan girl of Charlaine’s. I’d read toilet paper if she wrote on it. LOL. She was very sweet, and gracious. And busy! She was on the second city of an eleven city book tour, and she’d just gotten back from the location shoot of True Blood (of which she had pictures!). I can’t wait to see the series when it comes out. I’ve already read From Dead to Worse. Love, love, loved it. Can’t wait for the next one. *sigh* Too long to wait, in my opinion. LOL. Below is a picture of myself with Charlaine.

I realize I look calm in the picture (Michele took the picture), but let me tell you, I felt sick with nerves. *grin*

Hugs,

Renee

Michele Bardsley is having a Party!!

reneegeorge — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:05:21 +0000

Because Your Vampire Said So Launch Party

Well, I’m going to Tulsa, Oklahoma next week to support my BFF Michele Bardsley with her book launch of the third novel in her Broken Heart, Vampire Mom, Spectacular-rific must read series. It’s a NAL release (those folks sure knew what the hell they were doing!) and, the book is awesome. Love love, Patsy (all hail the beauty shop queen of the night, lol). And Gabriel is rockin’ hawt! Why can’t a rogue diseased vampire, who’s taken the cure with pure lycan blood, and gone a little crazy (that’s the luscious Lorcan - who bit all the single moms, and one single dad in the first book and was featured in the second book with Eva) , come to my town. I think Missouri needs its own Broken Heart.

Any ways, if you all are in the area - fly, drive, bicycle, or walk, but just get thee to the bookstore! Our other BFFs Dakota Cassidy and Terri Smythe will be coming in for the event, and it should be a hoot of epic proportions! (Okay, so maybe not epic, but big, really BIG! lol).

Be there or be left out!
May 9th
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
(Southroads Shopping Center)
5231 East 41st Street
Tulsa, OK 74135
918.665.4580

Scavenger Hunt Winner!

reneegeorge — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:16:58 +0000

Is Veanna Poulsen!!

Congratulations, Veanna. And thank you, thank you, to everyone who came out to play. You guys were awesome in your hunt.

Hugs,

Renee

RT 2008 - The photo diary. LOL.

reneegeorge — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:43:42 +0000

Holy smack! I think I’m technology challenged. Either that or wordpress has got personal issues with me. LOL. I’ve been trying to upload pictures this morning in multiple ways. No such luck. So I signed up for that shutterfly thingy after seeing Nanchez’s.

So, here are my pics from RT. Stole a couple from Jaynie, Jose, and Nancy. Hope you all are cool with that.

http://reneegeorge1.shutterfly.com

Hugs,

Renee