Louisa Cornell, ladydawgfan, KateS and Kelly Ryan are the winners of Fun Contest Saturday!
Lori Austin's (aka Lori Handeland) An Outlaw in Wonderland has been named one of Publisher Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013!!
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
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Have you ever felt like a hamster on a wheel? Everyday you get on the wheel and run. You like it. You know what to expect. You know what you’re doing. You’re just running on your wheel like always. Maybe you pause for a sandwich and some Judge Judy (I know hamsters don’t eat sandwiches and watch Judy. Just go with it). Then you get back on the wheel and run. Maybe do a few flying hamster tricks and buy some cute hamster heels (I know. Go with it). You’re super hamster and your life is great.
Then one day you crawl out of your fluffy hamster bedding and your wheel is broken. You think in your little hamster head, “Life has given me lemons. I’ll make lemonade.” I can do it. I’m super hamster. No sweat. Only your lemonade sucks and your wheel is still broken. But that’s okay. Just a minor set back. You can fix it. You can fix everything. So you bust out your tools and get to work. You work hard, but someone sticks their hand in your cage and grabs your wheel before you can fix it all the way. You try to “hang on baby” but they shake you out, and you’re left on your hamster back thinking WTF! WTF just happened to my wheel? Give me back my wheel!
Okay, I’ll stop now with the hamster analogy. As some of you may have noticed, I have been away from the Goddess Blogs for eight months. The other Goddesses have kept my statue in the header and dressed me according to the season. I want to thank all of them for that and for being so kind and understanding when real life knocked my feet from under me. Thank you all for keeping the wheel going until I could jump back on. And I especially want to welcome new Goddess Christie Ridgway. Don’t let her innocent face fool you, that girl is wild!
I’m back and ready to rock and roll. What have you all been up to since I went away. Babies? Book deals? New mascara that I need to know about?
89 Comments on “Ninja Hamster”
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Welcome back, Rachel. Hope your wheel is giving you time to adjust to its new spokes.
Yes. Yes, I have discovered a new mascara Fiberwig. No raccoon eyes! I also just discovered I left it in my hotel room in Germany yesterday but today I’m in Austria.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:05 am.
NO!!!! I hate when that happens.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:42 am.
Does it clump? I’ve been wondering if I needed some Fiberwig.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:23 pm.
It does not clump if you control your number of coats
Ps – I found it in my purse this afternoon. Yeah!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:19 pm.
Welcome back.
My brother’s divorce was final two weeks after their 19th anniversary. The ex-SIL said that she was still going to work for the family business (with her health problems, not sure who else would hire her), but she quit showing up to work and never called. So I took her part-time job.
My brother got a job in North Dakota working for an oil company driving fuel truck. The company sent him to Penn, W Virginia and (I think) Ohio for the summer. He says that he loves the job. We will see how he likes winter in ND for the first time since he was a toddler.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:40 am.
My dad’s girlfriend has apparently decided to spend most of the winter here in Montana. It is a waste of the house she bought a year ago. The only people that like her, are dad and the ex-SIL.
Other then that, I just go to work, read and occasionally go to a movie.
Have a great day, it is time for sleep.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:47 am.
Go to work, read and catch a movie sound like a nice calm life.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:26 pm.
Welcome back, we missed you! Life has been throwing us a few curve balls as well. You know we have had my sister’s g-sons for the last ten years and we love the stuffing out of them. Last spring the pod people arrived and stole our sweet boys. The oldest and buddies went bat-crap crazy; joy-riding, shop-lifting, pot,running away from home, and then the topper on the cake- breaking into the school for vending machine goodies. He is on probation and has to go to RAP court every Wednesday and do a UA every time his color (green) is called (3 times this week). Our youngest has been living with his mom since Sept but he wants to come home now, we are delighted.
Not all bad stuff though,I am within 9 credits of getting my degree, three weeks for this class and then two more classes and I am done!
Our mom is making arrangements to move back to Oregon from Mn.really good news.
I am spending more time with my g-girls and that makes Nana very happy.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:06 am.
Congrats on almost earning your degree.
Best of luck with your g-sons and have fun with the g-girls. G-girls are so sweet and cuddly.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:29 pm.
Yeah, they are especially my Molly (5), she is the caregiver of the group. Bella(7) is the “Pincess” and Autumn(7)is the flame across the night sky.I am such a lucky Nana.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:55 pm.
I’m still coming down from a holiday high!!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:15 am.
Wow. Must have been some holiday.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:30 pm.
Welcome back Rachel. You were missed.
My mom passed away at the end of November with cancer. She went much quicker then we thought but she is with my dad now so that is some comfort.
Work bites the big one, its amazing how one person can poison a whole office.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:25 am.
Sorry for you loss, Judy.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:32 pm.
The last 8 months have been rough for me but Gamer Dude and I are closing in on our first anniversary. Gamer Dude (formerly known as New Guy) has been working for a couple of months and if all goes according to plan then he could be put on full time. As for me, I am in therapy and Gamer Dude and I are trying for a baby (still) but we got ourselves a kitten and she is a psychotic little shower stalker. My other cat isn’t too impressed but he is coping. You have been definitely missed so please don’t go away again *big puppy eyes*
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:51 am.
Congrats on your first anniversary and psychotic kitten.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:34 pm.
Welcome Home Rachel,
I saw the header with your name on it and was so happy to see you back on the Mt. Then started reading about your hamster wheel and thought OH NO!! She is leaving us…then you left us with a HEA. Just like your novels.
My wheel is currently running smoothly. Nothing new to report and enjoying the quiet while it is here. I know it will change soon enough, it always does.
I am glad to hear that things are leveling out for you. You were missed.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:03 am.
I have come to know that the best life is a smooth running life. I don’t need great peaks of elation. Just calm and quiet.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:35 pm.
Welcome back. I really don’t like it when life throws you curve balls that you can’t see. We have been doing some traveling, getting a second rescue dog, hiking a mountain with our son and his family (picture four adults, three kids and three dogs). I’ve been reading a lot.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:15 am.
I’ve zip lined in the mountains. It was fun–when it wasn’t terrifying.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:39 pm.
Welcome back, Rachel. Missed you bunches.
My first western BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER, under my pseudonym Lori Austin came out in October, other than than, nothing new. Sad.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:18 am.
What about your werewolves? Do we get more werewolves?
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:40 pm.
Not sure. Hope so.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:18 pm.
I’m sorry to hear that the engineers that brought you the wheel aren’t standing behind their guarantee. I hope 2013 brings you joy and happiness enough to wipe out 2012.
Yeah, Actually I was bumping along then 2013 hit like a load of bricks… On the pluses I’m employed, have a roof over my head, two adorable kittens and a guy and family that loves me. The rest I’ll deal with.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:21 am.
Kitten therapy works wonders doesn’t it? I am so sorry that things have stalled in a bad way for you Pesky, I know that this year will get better for you. *hugs*
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:27 am.
I’m hoping 2013 is stress free year. I’ve warned my family.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:43 pm.
My wheel has been jammed as well, but I’m a fighter and so I’ll force that sucker into submission if need be.
glad to have you back and my the greased wheel be with you.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:46 am.
Ha! Thanks funny–”greased wheel be with you.”
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:47 pm.
Welcome back.
Things are going along pretty grand around here. We closed on a piece of rural property that we will eventually build on. In November, I participated in NaNoWriMo. And actually wrote a 50k novel, complete with beginning, middle and end. Last June, I started walking. I’ve shed a few pounds and nothing fits anymore. I’ll put off shopping as long as I can until my pants literally start falling off of my butt. Christmas tree is down, but all the other stuff is still sitting out. The snowmen are starting to stare at me, so maybe it is time to do something about that. Otherwise, just herding the kids, cat and dog.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:53 am.
Congrats on your writing and weight loss. Mr. G took our tree down last week. It was getting very dusty.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:48 pm.
Welcome back, Rachel! IT HASN’T BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT YOU!
So glad you’re getting your chi back. As for the wheel, screw it. Who needs a wheel anyway. There are fun tunnels to be made in that soft hamster bedding, tasty treats to find, and hugs from those who matter most.
As for me, nothing new here although I DID get the Christmas decorations down in record time this year. We won’t talk deadlines. I’m trying not to think about them too much.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:00 am.
No. No talking deadlines. Although mine is sitting on my head like an anvil.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:50 pm.
Welcome back, Rachel–we missed you! Some wheel manufacturers suck….they make them snazzy, then when the warranty runs out, THAT is when they break and you’re left trying to figure out what to do with it. Good luck keeping your new wheel running smoothly. We are glad to have you back.
As for me, it’s been very hectic, but I’m trying to keep my head down and keep plugging along. There have been HUGE changes at work, and I’m just trying to go with the flow. Had some crazy health issues with some family members, but we are hoping those are leveling out.
Here’s to hoping 2013 is amazing for us all!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:05 am.
Oh, and no new mascaras to speak of. However, on the yummy front, I did find a new and FANTASTICALLY YUMMY caramel that I had never heard of . They are from Bequet Confections in Montana. Actually, I’ve never really been a fan of caramels before, and I got these as a gift from a colleague. Let me tell you, they are ridiculously good, and not sticky. I got the ‘Soft’ ones and the ‘Celtic Sea Salt’ ones, and they are both to-die-for good. So, if you need a bite of something sweet, give those a try. They should put a smile on your face.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:33 am.
Sometimes just keeping your head down is the best option. Absolutely to an amazing 2013!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:51 pm.
Welcome back, Rachel! I hope you and your family are happy and healthy.
My wheel broke Friday and its left us spinning out of control since. Hopefully we can rectify that soon, but who knows.
Good to have you back!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:33 am.
Good luck with your wheel. That sucks.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:52 pm.
WELCOME BACK!!! Here’s to finding something better and more fun than that wheel in 2013. Looking forward to seeing your posts on here. As far as new mascara….Estee Lauder Double Wear Mascara and primer….I’m in love. That stuff doesn’t budge until you wipe it off with hot water.
Try it, you’ll love it.
Happy Monday!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:44 am.
Is the primer in the mascara or do you have to prime first? I’m really good about buying all the stuff and not using it.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:53 pm.
Prime first then mascara!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:08 pm.
Welcome back! I hope you weren’t checking your statue during the 8 months because, I seem to remember, there were a few times you were going topless. And bottom less. But not headless! Hey, props for that, right?
My news is that Only Girl is getting married in THREE MONTHS! Oh, we are going crazy over here at my house.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:45 am.
Hope you all weren’t traumatized to much by my topless and bottomless state. Oh . . . a wedding. How fab!!!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:55 pm.
Hey Rachel!! Welcome Back!! My own wheel might break on Friday (temp job that I’ve been at since October might end). If it does, I’ll just pull myself up by my bra straps and go on. But it will be TOUGH, especially in this economy!!
Sometimes when life hands you lemons, you just want to squirt lemon juice in the eye of life in response!! Know what I mean, Vern??!!!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:58 am.
I hear you on the lemon juice. And a stun gun. I’d like a stun gun.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:56 pm.
Hi Rachel, I’m a newbie to Goddess Blog contributing and love the witty posts. I can relate to the hamster wheeling from years of working two jobs, going to school and being single mom to two kids, but I’ve been off that wheel for 5 years and love my calmer, quieter life. My days are all about my secondhand bookshop, caring for elderly parents and writing, and that works just fine for me. I hope 2013 treats you well!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:01 am.
Hi Polly and welcome. I’m not sure if anyone has welcomed you or not but I figured what the hey and say hi. I’m pretty sure that people already have and I’ve just missed it or something since I am usually asleep by now (I’m in Australia where it’s quite late at night and doing a uni assignment ATM) but anyway the goddesses are all wonderful and you will make some wonderful friends here.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:15 am.
Welcome to the blogs. I love secondhand book stores. I used to haunt the ones in my town looking for old backlist.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:00 pm.
Welcome back!
I discovered Buxom mascara… I rather dig it. Other than that, efforts continue to keep Geezer off Hoarders and clear stuff out. Still stuck in the middle of nowhere, longing for civilization, but that is changing soon
Other than that? Hrmm.. 2 of the three decent restaurants in town closed (yet the crappy ones stay open) and Gollum is still obsesses with the Geezer. Not much happens here, unfortunately.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:11 am.
I think my daughter uses Buxom.
I also think the 4 year old in my life is turning into a hoarder.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:02 pm.
Welcome back, my friend. I know you’ve been pushing that hamster wheel uphill in roller skates. Good to see you be able to jump out of the way for a minute.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:03 pm.
Some times you just have to stop doing what isn’t working.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:04 pm.
Welcome back! In the last 8 months my dh did 2 jobs on one movie and produced an animated short, while I was so lucky to be a single parent. I took the kids to Montana for summer vacation, where my dd found a blue 5.92 carat sapphire that should be arriving between now and May. We’re gearing up for the single parent thing, again,as dh has another movie coming out in September – 5 months before the original release date. I’m planning our spring break and summer vacations without him, again. On the plus side I’ve sold 5 pieces of jewelry at the end of the year.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:11 pm.
Wow. I’d love to find a sapphire. A few diamonds and emeralds while I’m at it.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:06 pm.
Welcome back!
No baby yet, but we found out in October that we’re expecting baby #3, due in June.
Otherwise, not much. We discovered that our oldest son (nearly 4) has asthma. We also discovered what it’s like to have a 2 year old get Croup with Striders (NOT fun… and truly terrifying). Thankfully, both boys are good now… of course, my oldest still has his inhalers, though. But his breathing has greatly improved.
Still working on writing my third novel; just past the half-way mark, and looking forward to getting it finished in the next couple of months. Then on to editing, etc. Yay!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:16 pm.
Congratulations, Cheri!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:26 pm.
Thank you!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:33 pm.
Congrats all around, Cheri. Better get that book done before new baby arrives.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:08 pm.
Thank you! Yes, I definitely have to get working on that…
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:34 pm.
Welcome back, Rachel. It wasn’t the same without you around. And you really do need to be here to keep your Goddess outfits in order. Otherwise, they’ll play free and easy with your Goddess clothing.
Around here just been trying to stay healthy. Can’t believe the gdaughter will be five in April. I’m around her a lot, so it’s been fun watching her grow. Actually finished a book I’d been working on for some time. Still in the fine tuning stage. Going to enter it in the RT Writing Competition at the Convention in May. Already submitted the first three chapters. No eclectic mascara, just Fast Blast Fusion by Cover Girl. Seems to work fine for me. Trying to keep DD#2 from having a nervous breakdown. Other than that, things are normal.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:53 pm.
Congrats on finishing a book. Writing is easy. Finishing is the hard part.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:10 pm.
Good to have you back! You’ve been missed. I have a book coming out this month – Lady Belling’s Secret which I think is SUPER exciting.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:54 pm.
Hey Amylynn Bright. Congrats on your book!!!!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:11 pm.
No new discoveries to share, but a Texas-size Welcome Back, Rachel. It’s good to have you here with us again.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:02 pm.
No new discoveries is always a good day.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:11 pm.
Welcome Back Rachel! my broken wheel required a double bypass August 13th! What a surprise! But I consider it a new birthday.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:03 pm.
A double bypass is scary. Hope your feeling great in 2013.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:12 pm.
Clearly after the loss of the hamster wheel the hamster took up karate. Nobody better mess with the hamster.
I’m starting up a new historical series about a Scottish family, I’m still working on the cake baking and decorating thing, and I still have a naked Christmas tree sitting in my living room.
I’m glad you’re back with us, ninja hamster! (I mean, Rachel!) *g*
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:02 pm.
Good luck with Scottish family. Can’t wait to read something besides Regency. I like Regency–but come on.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:09 pm.
Welcome back Rachel. I wish I could tell you what I’ve been doing the last eight months, but I only vaguely remember the weekend.
.
But I know this: I gotta get my hands on some fiberwig mascara.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:03 pm.
Let me know about the fiberwig. I tried the same sort of mascara several years ago and got little fibers in my eyes. Hopefully it’s improved.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:12 pm.
Bless your little hamster heart. It’s good to see you back!
Let’s see, what’s new? OK. Christmas is over and everything is put away. The mascara does need to be replaced but which one do I choose? I have a new kitten and I named her Sophie. She’s sooo sweet and I can’t stop snuggling her and kissing her. Umm….more books have been published and have found their way into my hands. Love it!
Take care and keep on keeping on!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:03 pm.
Try the Fiberwig and report back.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:13 pm.
Welcome back, Rachel, and thanks for the shout-out. I got some rockin’ new boots for Christmas to go with my wild side.
Hope your world is settling down!
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:17 pm.
Pleather dominatrix boots?
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:15 pm.
Welcome back Rachel!!! You definitely have been missed around here. Kept checking the header to make sure you were still around.
Darn wheels have a way of really throwing you off kilter don’t they? Hmmm past 8 months? I am supposed to remember that far back? Lets see, we also got a kitten who is just a crazy spaz but we love her anyway. The munchkin is in 3rd grade and is gearing up to take the FCATS and that is absolutely terrifying!
Nothing too exciting going on except that we are heading to Disney for the weekend on Friday. Living only 2 hrs away makes it easy but not really much less expensive. Its been 3 years since we were there last so it should be fun
Hope that 2013 is the year you are hoping it will be.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:30 pm.
Disney is very exciting. I’m thinking I need to visit the magic kingdom this summer. Have fun.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:16 pm.
Rachel glad you are back, have missed you.
The last 8 months here have been a bit of a learning curve and interesting. My eldest who was 12 in september started secondary school so all new for him and us and we have been getting used to homework and I mean homework and new routines. I found out in september that I might be made redundant in March, will find out this friday whether I have a job or not. There are 2 of us and they are making 1 job redundant so my colleague and I have had to fill in a skills audit and then a decision will be made. Fingers crossed.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:05 pm.
Redundant–eeek. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you for sure.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:17 pm.
Thanks Rachel. I will keep you posted once I know more x
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 1:57 pm.
Welcome back. Hope your wheel is working smoothly now, and you can continue to write. Looking forward to your new books.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:12 pm.
Welcome back. My life continues as usual. Three adult children now living at home. Okay, so 1 is in college & 1 is in grad school. The third is just sports blogging & not getting paid for it. Number 4 got married in July. All my besties are now retired with one moving from Minnesota to California to live closer to her daughter. I’m counting down the days until I can retire (90 student days) after 35 years of teaching, 31 here in Minneapolis. Not sure what the next step will be for me, but I will go with the flow.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:33 pm.
My sister is a teacher. Love her. Her job is so much harder than mine.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:38 pm.
Welcome back Rachel
I hope all continues to go well for you.
I’m good at this time, we are in Jan term, in 2 weeks that will be over, & Spring semester will start, and then it is game on. Staying busy at school and time just seems to fly.
Blessings to all.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:37 pm.
Glad you’re good Ginger. I’m thinking 2013 is going to be awesome. Knock wood.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:37 pm.
Welcome back! (((hugs))).
I have a quote on my desk that says “Courage isn’t always the lions roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice saying: I will try again tomorrow.”
No new mascara for me, I actually can’t wear mascara anymore (burns my eyes terribly) but I got a new do’ and it took me a few weeks to get used to it, but I like it. It is shorter and sassy and gave me that ‘something drastic’ that I wanted for the new year.
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:00 pm.
It took me about three years to learn to blow dry my hair. Now I’m thinking I need a new hair style,
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:36 pm.
We’re so glad to have you back! It just wasn’t the same without you.
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:05 am.
I am so, so late in welcoming you back, Rachel. Happy to see you here!!!!
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 3:58 am.
Dang, good thing I found you! My hamster wheel got yanked too. Way to go picking your hamsterly self back up and finding your way again. I’m still working on that — got tools and the desire — we’ll see what happens. You have no idea how much I related to this post. Thanks:) I promise I’ll be back for more goddess/hamster wisdom.
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 12:50 pm.