Widgets + Q & A + veiled threats

What is with the new widgets in my sidebar?

Q. Has crazy little CJ, whose eyes like to follow anything that moves, taken over the blog and gone widget crazy?

A. No.

Q. Does big CJ want to win prizes? Is that the reason the widgets are there?

A. Partly, but I'm also excited for both books. And hey, if you visit Meljean's site, please vote for the ereader. Go check it out - she is also giving away lots of cool daily prizes!

Q. Will crazy little CJ come during the night and chop me up with her wee little arms if I don't vote for the ereader?

A. Nobody is specifically saying that.

Q. Is this a cheap fast post because big CJ is too busy to do a real one?

A. Maybe.

Q. Where in the heck is that Windflower post?

A. In fragments in a file somewhere.

Q. Is crazy little CJ angry at all the people who called her creepy?

A. Possibly.

Okay, seriously, these widgets are for two books I am totally excited to devour. You can read my past fawning over Meljean Brook's work here. Erin McCarthy is a sort of new-to-me-author who I am officially getting into; I loved Fallen (discussed by me here) and this new book sounds just excellent.

Is this creepy?

I think in some marriages the wife gets to make the decor decisions, but not in the Carolyn Jean household.

Exhibit A: this lovely and charming portrait of me, Carolyn Jean, at age 5, done by an elderly aunt who was a sort of amateur painter. I just love it. I think it's totally retro, and growing up, it was the source great pride for me--this was actually done from a school photo, and I never owned that gold bracelet or held that basket of flowers, but I liked to think of myself as the kind of little girl who maybe would sit with a basket of flowers and a pretty bracelet.

Also, my two younger sisters were bitterly jealous they didn't get portraits, too. One of the privileges of being the oldest. You seem more special because you're the first.

Anyway, cute, you say, right? Who in their right mind wouldn't want such a charming portrait in their living room?

My husband, that's who. He says this is CREEPY! He feels like my childlike eyes follow him around the room. That I have a creepy look on my face. And he won't let it be in the living room. So anyway, it's in my office. Is it creepy? Humorous maybe, okay, but creepy?

Going out of town!

I'm heading out of town this weekend, so Thrillionth will be quiet until Tuesday.

The WINDFLOWER also headed out of town yesterday, to KMONT.

When I get back I will be doing my final post on it! Not that I haven't already posted the hell out of it, but there is a lot to say about it. And I can't wait to see what everybody else says.