In My Hand

....right now... well not exactly right now but it's within touching range...

is a copy of my Sip of Sherrie poetry book.

I got the author copies today and it looks great! I'm pleased...very pleased.

I told Steve in an email earlier that I didn't have much news to share --that maybe something would happen...

well, Steve... it did! lol

2 songs I heard today

I heard two songs today that made me smile.The first was "You're 16"... the song by Johnny Burnette that Ringo Starr remade in 1974. I heard it on the way to work. The oldies station played it. I remember a guy in my geometry class singing that song to me when I turned 16 in 78. His name was Dwayne and he used to tease me and another girl who was sooo shy. I think he liked the way our cheeks blushed. He was the same guy who told me and my friend Lisa that "Friday the 13th" was a comedy. We listened to him and to our horror... pun intended ...it was a horror flick. I didn't sleep that night and was afraid that a body would fly through my window for weeks.

The second song was "Mony Mony"... sung by Billy Idol. I was driving over to the post office at 2 and it popped on the radio. Jeff Diamond played it at Rafters and the whole bar would go wild. I had a flashback of Michelob Lite and Foosball!

BRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrr

...................it's cold again. We had a brief warm spell.

I've been busy this week at work, getting orders ready for Feb 3. I've got all but one set finished and I'll have them done by tomorrow.

I hate to confess this but I'm addicted to William's "Harry P and the Chamber of Secrets" PC game. At night when I do log on the computer, I spend my time playing it. I'm at the last stage of the game--in the chamber looking for the monster.

No real news to share---cut 7 inches off my hair. It was past my shoulder blades. Now it barely touches my shoulders. Its bouncy and I was told by several that the new do makes me look like a teen-ager. I'm not sure if that's a compliment I want. I like looking like a woman. (wink)

So my parting words are:

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful, hate me because I'm perky."

Tuesday Update

No snow. We did get some nasty cold weather but no snow. Let's dance shall we?

It is warmer today. I spent the weekend being lazy.

Some thoughts

I love my nephews. I ‘m beginning to think they are the loves of my life. When I walk into a room, they both shout a greeting and run to hug me. It doesn’t matter if I’ve seen them ten times that day—It’s always the same. Their faces light up, brighter than sunlight. I am humbled and overwhelmed with their love. In those precious moments of overwhelming love, I thank God for blessing me. And I wonder what did I do that was so right for me to deserve such unconditional love—such a heartwarming gift?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I hate having to tell the boys to stop doing whatever they’re doing when its time to go to bed. Most of the time it’s usually all three of us playing a game or watching a movie with all three of us huddled up together. It almost kills them to call an end to their day. Both boys beg to stay up for “one more minute.” But I have to be stern and off to bed they go. One day, when they’re older, I’ll tell them about our nighttime battles and only then will I confess that I long for “one more minute”, too.

Letters, Bribes and Bad HP Printers

As usual I babysat the nephews this morning while my sister Lisa went grocery shopping. We watched some cartoons while we had pancakes. I tried to make them look like footballs. It’s hard to sculpture pancake mix as it falls on a hot skillet. After we ate, William got some of my scrap paper I keep by the phone to write messages on. He wanted to write letters to people. We wrote one to Harry Potter, asking him how to find the Quiddith game on the Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets computer game. Then we wrote one to Santa, asking him if he found any more Christmas presents for us. Lastly, Ben and I wrote a letter to the Snowmen, asking them to take all the cold weather back to the North Pole, because we like warm weather. William declared that I had to put a PS on the end of that one—to leave a little cold weather because he likes it cold.

My Granny spent last night with me. She is here checking on her ornery brother who’s been sick. She’s going back home this afternoon. I had to bribe Ben to give her a hug. Isn’t that something… it cost me a quarter but…at least Granny left with a smile, all happy he hugged her so hard.

I’m at work now, wrestling with my printer. I wonder if I bribed it if it would work better?

I guess I’ll go have dinner with a friend tonight. Hopefully I’ll be home before the weather gets rough. I think we are going to mainly get rain—maybe some ice. No snow…I hope. Maybe the Snowmen will get mine and Ben’s letter today and ignore William’s PS.

My poetry book is ready for pre-ordering. If interested go to www.publishamerica.com and do a search to find it. The search box is on the right. Type in A Sip of Sherrie and it will take you where you need to go. I hate that there isn't a link to post here. Thanks... to all.

A Sher Mix

I'm a member of a survey site that offers napster downloads as a reward. I hit the mother-load the other week and got to download 15 songs. I decided to download some I don't have on CD... songs you like but don't like enough... I picked my favorite radio songs. Here they are and why I find them so special.
1) Alone Again by Dokken
Rafters...was...the best bar in G-ville with the best DJ. But that's not why I like the song. It's the perfect heavy metal ballad complete with guitar riff.

2) Touch me in the Morning By Diana Ross
Her voice is so sublime. Plus I can sing this song really well without being embarrassed if caught. I love the line "we see how love can grow, now we'll see how it dies."

3) Tiny Dancer by Elton JohnAlways has been my favorite EJ song. The movie Almost Famous punctuated how easy it is to get lost in sing-a-long heaven with Elton.

4) Patience by Guns & RosesI wish I could whistle like Axil. No one is perfect. When two imperfect people get together--love won't be either. We all need just a little patience with love. It's all I ask for.

5) Hard Luck Woman by KissPaul Stanley--sexy man...makeup and all. This song makes me think of men who love but are so afraid of it...they have to run.

6) Push by Matchbox 20Allen.
This song is all Allen.

7) Little Red Corvette by PrinceI love Prince.
This is my favorite song by him. Mainly because it reminds me of my days in college at ECU. Plus I love how he dances in the video. lol "love'em and leave'em fast, baby."

8) Nothing Compares to You by Prince
I love this song...Prince's version is my favorite. He jazzes it up and it doesn't whine like Sinead's version does. When you really love someone, nothing or nobody compares to them.

9) Oh Shelia by Ready for the World
Geat driving/dancing song. Plus I love to get down to some nasty belly dancing with it.

10) Let the Music Play by Shannon
Another ECU song. Used to dance to this at the old Elbo Room. Burned the floor for hours dancing.

11) Wishing Well by Terence Trent D'Arby
Gotta love the 80's. When I hear this song, I think of my roommate Jeri and I watching the video, arguing about who would get to f*ck him first and then laughing at each other as we try to dance like he did...hair swishes and all.

These last four are my all time favorites:

12) Love Shack by The B-52's
Bang bang on the door baby.... The weekend before Susie (Banshee) got married, a bunch of us girls took her out to all the bars in Fayetteville. In everyone, she requested this song and we danced. So here's to Susie... Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin Roooooooooooofffffff Ruuuuuuuuuuuussssssted.

13) She talks to Angels by The Black Crowes
I think this song was written about me. It's my number one all time favorite song.

14) Unpretty by TLC
Everyone feels insecure. But this song is liberating.

15) Drops of Jupiter by Train
Dancing across the milkway to find myself... what a thought!

My news, my whole news & nothing but my news

But seriously....

I'm feeling better--still have congestion and get tired easily but on the whole...much better.

I've become a John Mayer fan. I hear him every time I turn on the truck radio. Today I finally said..."Ok, enough hinting. I'll invest in him."

Two words on his sound... Incredible voice.

Let's see what else is going on.... nothing much really. Spent most of my energy these past 9 days or so, trying to overcome this respiratory bug.

Over the last few years, I've either collected blank journals or received them as gifts. Last night I sorted through them and marked the insides with inscriptions. I've decided to custom write poetry for special friends and loved ones. It may take a while to fill them up...but I don't mind, I have lots of words and lots of time I hope.

and now for the crazy site of the day... courtesy of my friend Jeff

Unusual Churches

Got to Love good ole Lorraine

She emailed me today. The subject line said: "Coupla fellas wish you get well."

She attached two pictures of two hung hunks...naked and ....er cocked.

Now that's the way you get a speedy recovery from me. That woman knows me too well. lol

The Fig Tree

The fig tree sits bare in winter,
Its leaves long gone to decay;
now a part of the roots that shift
through the dirt of my mind.
I spy its structure;
the posture so stern
the limbs so unbending.
In the morning fog,
it hold mysteries in the graying bark.
Within the garden of innocence
the fig tree offers a shield
to protect the new blooms from decadence.
I ask now where is my innocence?
The fig tree gives no answer
and though I wait, time bears no fruit.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
An ode to my fig tree...now bare of leaves..limbs exposed.

Desert Blossom

Another hour has passed, while I wasn’t looking.
I spin against the sun, a desert blossom;
knees soft and arms flowing—a fragrance of grace.
The sun drips orange across the horizon
and I still dance, pivoting against the four winds.
Like a twister in the sand, you charge across time,
breaking speed barriers with your Arabian gallop.
My dance stops mid-spin, yet my heart performs
half circles until a cycle is complete.
And there is no turning away from the fact
that you hold me captive within your pyramid arms.

~ ~ ~
A poem spun from belly dancing moves.

My Poetry Book's Release Date

Here's the letter from PA.

 

Dear Ms. Parnell,

Glad you liked your cover! The official release date of your book is 
3-14-05 (although it will be available sooner than that).

Your book will be sent to our printers next Monday. From there, it
generally takes between 3-6 weeks for the first copies to print, then you
will receive your author copies. Your book will post on the PublishAmerica
site soon after it goes to the printers. Pre-release letters will be sent,
and your book can be pre-ordered for delivery as soon as they are printed.
PublishAmerica provides a cover picture and other pertinent information to
the online stores, such as B&N and Amazon. These online stores often have a
backlog, so it will be several weeks before you will see your book posted
on these sites.

Any further questions you may have, please direct to our author support
team.

It was a pleasure working with you!

Sincerely,

 

Michelle Bragg
Cover Designer
Publish America

Scorpio's Horror Scope

Yeppers...this pretty much descibes me today.

 

Daily Scorpio Forecast
	Quickie: You have them in the palm of your hand. Now it's time to seal the deal.
	Overview: You're not in the mood for games. Fortunately, most folks won't even try to play. If they do, they'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see that they're playing with fire.
Scorpio
Daily flirt (by Astrology.com) You've got some big ideas that have been chasing you down, and now they've finally moved in for the kill. Give up and let them take over for a while.

Clover

I remember the day
you braided clover
in my dark hair
and how we laughed
at your technique.
You whispered that
it should be ruby roses
instead of green clover.
But I disagreed,
clover is so promising
to new lovers lost in heaven,
for the chance of finding
a lucky four-leaf clover
is one in a million.
And you, green eyes
covered my braids with them.

~ ~ ~ ~
sometimes...even as Jaded as I am... I still find hope in the idea of love.

Sick ole Me

I've got a nasty respiratory bug. I spent Sat and Sunday in bed. Today I'm at work. Feeling a little better--coffee is keeping me fueled.

Hope to be back to posting more fun stuff soon.

Pattern

 

Pattern

 

Wise ones say there is a pattern to love.
We must figure out the one that's right for us.

Let us refuse to go round in circles,

become boxed in by squares

or driven insane with geometric nonsense.

Instead let us grip lines of red, black, yellow

and envy.

You run cross-ways

and I'll run up and down.
We'll pattern our love in a blanket of plaid

and dare the world to hate it.

 

~ ~ ~ ~

An ode to my holiday bra and panty set--it's fabulously plaid.

A quote from a worldly woman.

"Just when you've decided that guy you can't have is one in a million, remember that means there are thirteen just like him in Los Angeles County alone."
~~Angela Jones, Actor.

Another Poetry book update

After I posted the update yesterday ...I got the bookcover for approval from PA. It looks great. I approved it immediately and its on the way to press. Maybe I will have the book available by Valentine's day. One can hope, eh?

Friday... its the first Friday of 2005

Let's celebrate it!

 

I've been fighting a cold these last few days and I think I might win. Will be a first!

 

 

A small poem for Friday:

 

The Oak Leaf

 

Drifting oak leaf,

down to the ground

it falls.

 

I watch it,

and realize

how fast time drifts.

 

Will I fall

as gracefully

when my time comes?

 

 

Sip of Sherrie Poetry Book

Someone emailed me and asked about it.
I replied to the email and realized I probably should post something here.

The book is in the art department now... they're designing the covers.
Once they are done, I'll have to approve it and then it will be finalized.
Its the last stage. After that, I'll get a notice about pre-orders, etc.

So that's the update for now.

Wednesday already

Time is already flying away.

First hump day of the year.

Had a good laugh this morning. When I drove by the plaza where the Christmas tree is displayed, I saw one guy working on it while 11 or so sat around and watched him. That made me laugh. I bet they were all giving him advice. As far as I know at 2 pm, its still up.

Dad's not too happy with my choice of Day2day desktop calendars. It's "Wild Words from Wild Woman" For example today's quote:

"I'd like to get married again, but I"m afraid of that martial commitment-- we're talking two, three years of my life." ~~Laura Kennedy, a singular comic

I told Dad it was a choice of this one or misquotes by GW Bush. He didn't say anything. I know he hated my 2003 GWB calendar. So he'll probably not mention the wild women one again.

Hello January

I'm ready for 2005.

The holidays were great. Lots of laughter and fun.

Sent my next poetry book to PA. Maybe it will be accepted. Wish me luck.

Today I've been working lightly on some orders not due until Friday. And I also ordered a complete belly dance costume at half-price. I've been eyeing it since the summer and was happy to see it was on sale today. Its lovely...the skirt has gold sequins on royal blue chiffon... and the bra is sequined with bead fringe...covers my tummy a little and is made to move with undulations. I'm excited. When I finally get enough nerve up to do a video, its the costume I'll wear.

Well, back to work.

A New Year

So it begins... a new year.

2005

What mysteries will it hold?
What trials and triumphs?
Laughter and Love?

I'm ready for it.

Ready for the new journey... into a new year.