Thursday, September 08, 2011

Guest Blogger Janice Maynard

Thanks so much for the invitation to blog today. I’m celebrating the release of The Billionaire’s Borrowed Baby. But at the same time, I’m hard at work on Book 3 of a series called “The Men of Wolff Mountain” which begins in January 2012. In that vein, I have decided on the topic of today’s blog. I think I’ll call it “Life Happens”.

Have you ever pulled a thread in a garment or project and ended up with a big hole? That’s what happened recently to my daughter and her husband. They decided to rip up the old carpet in their downstairs and install laminate flooring. Nice idea, right? They picked out what they wanted at Lowe’s (within their budget) and settled on a delivery date. Lowe’s pointed out that if customers rip up the carpet themselves, it saves some money on installation. So my son-in-law spent hours tearing out dusty, somewhat dirty carpet and pad.

One tall bookshelf was bolted to the wall (for kids’ safety). When Jamie moved the shelf, he found a wall with mold. Next, out comes the sheetrock revealing a two by four that was black with mold. Somewhere from up above, a tiny leak had been doing slow, insidious damage. Several estimates later, it was established that the leak is probably from the kitchen drain.

Fix it – right? Not so simple. The kitchen floor rests on a concrete slab. In order to get to the bad pipes (old galvanized steel that needs to be replaced), the tile floor will have to be jackhammered up completely.

You may be wondering what this has to do with books or writing. Well, the last I heard was that the involuntary kitchen remodel will probably take 3 weeks. My daughter, son-in-law, and three adorable little girls will have to move in with us! (Breathe, Janice). I have a book due October 1, and I was already behind before this for a variety of reasons. Now it looks like I may have to take up residence in Panera every day to get finished.

I have to laugh just thinking about it. We all try so hard to make the world operate according to our specifications, but on any given day or week, life happens. All we can do is roll with the tide and try to keep our heads above water.

If you have a chance to pick up a copy of The Billionaire’s Borrowed Baby, I hope you enjoy the story of damaged pride and second chances and love that survives a ten year separation. I think you’ll find the hero as sexy and appealing as I do.

Do you have your own “life happens” story to tell? I’ll draw a name from one comment poster today and will give away a copy of the new book. And if you have a chance, pop over to www.facebook.com/JaniceMaynardReaderPage and “Like” it. On Sunday evening, the12th of September, I’ll draw the name of one “friend” and give away $50 cash. Nothing to enter. Simply being a friend makes you eligible.

That’s it for now. If you want to see more pics of those three cute little girls, check out http://www.janicemaynard.com/.

Thanks again for inviting me to play. :)
Janice Maynard

12 comments:

Playground Monitor said...

Thanks for joining us today. All I can say about the floor is OMG! I hate when that happens.

My own "life happens" story involves a divroce. And I won't bore you with more. Suffice it to say it wasn't pretty and it just turned my life upside down.

I'm reminded of a phrase a psychologist friend uses often: "Life was never meant to be this complicated. Period."

She's right. But sometimes crap happens and you make the best of it.

And what cute granddaughters. I bet you didn't mind spoiling them while they stayed with you one little bit. I say this as one grandmother to another. ;-)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Thanks for coming to visit us today, Janice. Life Happens... story of my life. Nothing ever seems to work out like it should, especially when it comes to home renovation. When I was in college, I had an older computer and it wouldn't run a game I wanted to play. I needed Windows 95, a better video card and more memory. Well, they didn't make that kind of memory anymore so I had to upgrade my motherboard. My processor didn't work with my new motherboard, so I had to get one of those, too. And my hard drive wasn't big enough for Windows 95, much less anything else, so I also needed a new harddrive. Pretty much an entirely new computer just so I could play Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail. Worth every penny. But a pain.

EllenToo said...

I've never had a big a disaster as your daughters but...

Fortunately for me I live in a two bathroom house and I live alone....BUT one day I was having problems with the toilet in the spare bath and called someone to check it out only to find that ALL the plumbing to that bathroom had corroded away and it would entail a complete replumbing and thousands of dollars.

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

Welcome to the Playground, Janice!

What's that saying? Life is what happens when you're not paying attention? Yeah, that seems to be the story of my life. And I'd sorta like to change it, but the merry-go-round never seems to stop long enough for me to get off and do that. Juggling schedules and needs for 4 different people often leaves me feeling like I'm just running from one thing on the list to another. But I also think that's life so...

Instigator

Janice Maynard said...

Marilyn - Sounds like a tough time in your life. Glad you are on the other side so to speak.
Andrea - Funny stuff... but that's usually the way such as when they tell you your brand x modem won't talk to your brand y computer. Geek speak...
Ellen! You know exactly what I mean... yikes...
Kira - My daughter invested in one of those wall size wipe-off calendars and uses different colored markers for each family. But that doesn't cut down on the craziness.
I had a window repairman here until twenty minutes ago... now I have to get back to writing.
Catch you later. :)

CrystalGB said...

Hi Janice. Love the cover to your book. We do lots of home improvement projects and it seems that we often find that it turns out to be more than we anticipated. So we know that many trips will be made to Lowes.

Unknown said...

I have all kinds of these type of stories from loosing jobs to home project. If it can happen it will. Loosing a job of 21 years and then loosing about three others after that. Then we had the time the sewer line clogged up and had several inches of water on the bathroom floor which lead to the duck work to the heating unit getting filled with water and having to have it replaced. If it can go wrong it will.

Janice Maynard said...

Hey, Crystal! Haven't heard from you in a while. Welcome. :) And yes - how would we live without Lowe's???
Virginia - I need to give you a hug. What dreadful luck. Bless your heart... as we say here in the South!

Judy F said...

Hi Janice, just wanted to say hey. Your poor daughter, and you too.
Nothing that bad for me. the only thing I can think of is my car repairs earlier in the year. Took it in for brakes and a few minor things. It had been almost two years since I had it in so it was due. Ended up being brakes front and back, windshield wippers, back brake light, oil change etc. Also they replace my instrument panel. I had no clue how much gas I had or if my car was running hot or not. Over 1000.00 for this.
Don't enter me I have the book. hugs

Debbie Meredith said...

Hi Janice! Bless your heart! I believe you are one of the busiest women I have ever know and obviously very generous with your time and energy to everyone. I know your daughter and her family really appreciate all you do!

Hope the writing goes smoothly, even with all the commotion!

You know I will be snagging your book. I always do. If I can't find in the store, I'll order it online.

Right now, my van is in the shop, they had to pull the transmission so not a clue what that will cost and work has been beyond wacky. But other than that, just taking things one day at a time.

Big hugs to you!

Janice Maynard said...

Deb and Judy... Thanks for stopping by! Car stuff always hurts, 'cause when you're finished paying, you still have the same old car!!!! :(

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the book and gre at reviews such cure pics
Kim h