Okay, the subject is a little misleading since the guest, Nancy, technically hasn't arrived yet. Whatever. The important part is that I added 200 whole words to a story I have been stuck on for weeks! So 200 words isn't a ton, but it is better than what I have been managing, especially with this story which seems to have been amassing a negative word count. I'd write seventy five and erase a hundred from the day before. But, today, today I got 200 whole words added, actually 209. I am thrilled!

You may have noticed I'm really easy to please. Well, I am when I don't want to be showered in self-indulgence. Ah, that passed though, and I even did get pampered a little. My husand gave me a great neck and back rub. Sigh...

I have not gotten to start reading the novel I wanted to since I spent all my time cleaning and a large portion of this morning tidying up everything I forgot last night.

Not to mention chasing the damn ferret all over the house. I know I should get use to it. It just isn't a complete day if Kiki hasn't escaped the bedroom three times at least. And it is mildly amusing, the first time at least, to watch three cats desperately try to catch him as he dashed down the stairs or under the bathroom door. It's when he gets under the tv stand where I can't get him out that I start to get annoyed. He's done it twice today. I swear he was grinning and sticking his tongue out at me the second time. I can't be sure though because just about that time Vinnie wandered into the living room. It turns out in my hurry to grab Kiki I left the bedroom door open. All four fuzzies were happily exploring various parts of the house. Ah well. I caught them all and no one and nothing were harmed but my sanity. That was beyond repair anyway.

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Today was a pretty good day overall. Nancy arrived safely, and we all played cut throat Euchre. I won, which is rare. Then we went to see Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Brian and I had seen it before, but it was well worth rewatching.

After the movie there was dinner and conversation. The dinner was shrimp scampi, which if I do say so myself came out pretty damn good. The conversation centered around writing and Clarion. Nancy, having taught several times at both Clarions, and having been on the selection commitee once for one of them (I don't remember which) had some tremendous insights.

More Euchre followed dinner. I won again. Yep, it was a pretty good day.