Wednesday, June 03, 2009

My Change of Setting

This month a lot of us are going to be blogging about the importance of setting to the Harlequin American line. I’d agree that it’s an integral part of our books. I love reading other author’s novels and getting transported to other places. Currently, I’m reading Cindi Myers’ latest, which takes place in Crested Butte, Colorado. What a fun escape from Cincinnati!

At the moment, I’m afraid I’m most consumed with my current setting-our new home. We moved last Friday, the day before my son graduated high school. Talk about poor timing! My mom and my mother-in-law were in town, parties were going on, and we were frantically doing our best to move two miles away. I was so worried we’d lose my son's cap and gown-I started carrying it everywhere with me. (yes, no matter what else would happen, my son would graduate!)

I’d love to say things went off without a hitch, but that would be lying. Phoebe the beagle learned to chew through every box that even smelled like food. Once we came home to a real mess. Somehow she discovered a box of spices and ate an entire bottle of chicken seasoning.

No, it didn’t suit her stomach.

The people who were moving into our old house were not especially nice or patient. They came early, complained to my son, and then complained about the carpet. (see earlier paragraph)

I didn't know how to tell them that she's done far worse things.

The movers accidentally broke the top to one of our tables. They’ll pay to have it repaired, which I didn’t dare complain about since Phoebe ate one of the guy's Big Macs from McDonalds…and then all the peppers on another’s Subway sandwich.

No, that didn’t suit her stomach either. I woke up during our first night in our new home to watch her uh…divest herself next to my bed.

Now things are a mess again. We’re getting wood floors installed…and having acres of white tile pulled up. Yesterday one of the workers was rushed to the emergency room for six stitches. I guess that tile is exceptionally sharp.

So, that’s our life right now. Exciting and hectic and dirty and pretty-we had deer in our new backyard yesterday!

And last but not least, my gorgeous son looked awesome in his cap and gown when he graduated on Saturday-So, as my kids would say…it’s all good.

Shelley

6 comments:

Estella said...

Congrats to your son!

shelley galloway said...

Thanks, Estella! We're really proud of him.

Shelley

Marin Thomas said...

Shelley

Congrats to your son--my Tom graduates this Sunday at the Sears Center in Chicago--crazy place for a graduation.

Good luck settling into your new home--maybe you should put a muzzle on the dog while you unpack all the food boxes. :-)

Marin
www.marinthomas.com

shelley galloway said...

Marin,

Wow, the Sears Center sounds very fancy! I hope Tom has a great day. I thought I'd get all emotional, but I just kept smiling.

That crazy beagle. She's 14 years old! You'd think she wouldn't be so naughty.

Shelley

Anonymous said...

Shelley! That sounds like a stressful weekend. But you all survived, and your son is now a high-school graduate. How wonderful!

Your pooch stories made me laugh. (Because I didn't have to clean up the mess!) You really ought to use some of those stories in a book.

Shelley Galloway said...

Hi Ann!

It was stressful, but we just had to laugh. Pets and kids sure make you learn to be flexible!

Luckily, we're getting settled in and everything is relatively calm. For now. : )

shelley