Home at Last

Home sweet home...

I am officially a Texas girl! Oscar and I have been married a month now and every moment has been one of pure bliss. I literally have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. I'm realistic enough to know that there will be bumps in the road ahead and challenges to face, but at the moment, life is a fairy tale. I've said recently that I could very well be laid up in the Cleveland Clinic in a deep coma, dreaming this whole new life. Well, if that is the case and the doctors should pull me out of it, please--someone--anyone--knock me out and put me back under cuz I don't want to wake up from this idyll.

My new home is a house made of metal situated on 25 acres of stunning property. Every evening, as we sit at the kitchen table and gaze out the west window wall of the house, our view is of the moon just above the tree line (these past few nights it's been my favorite kind of moon--a crescent moon). To the right of the moon there is a very bright planet and as the sky darkens and the stars come out, I am stunned at the sight. I can see constellations in bright, glorious clarity. It's like a movie.

I've been spending my first days in my new life taking on my new identity as Kellie Hernandez--applying for a new social security card so I can get my new driver's license, car registration and passport. It's a lot of driving but it's forcing me to learn my way around Texarkana (which is referred to as 'town'). I've also been shopping for household items. Our home is new (Oscar, Libby and Abraham just moved in at the end of March) and I'm having fun outfitting it with shelves (Oscar is an IKEA fan-yay!), small appliances, kitchen gadgets, linens, etc. Oscar has exquisite decorating taste and as such, each room is stunning--the paint colors, the floors (the kitchen floor is to die for), the countertops (you have to see them to believe them), the art on the walls--everything is beautiful. Martha Stewart would be impressed--maybe even a little jealous! Every day I walk through the house and admire the beauty of it and I am thankful to be here. I will never take for granted this life.

My baby is coming to stay next Monday. I cannot wait for Tom to get here. I miss my boy! I'm excited for him to see his new life. It will take time to adapt from city life to country life and I hope it will be as seamless for Tom as it has been for me. I can honestly say that there is no doubt I was meant to be here--in this house, in Texas, married to Oscar (the dreamiest man on the face of the earth) and living this life. I just hope it will be easy for Tom, too. I think it will be. Oscar's family is so warm and welcoming and inclusive and Tom is such an easy-going guy--always willing to try something new--I think he'll be fine here in Texas.

I should mention The Dark Prince. My latest proof should arrive today via UPS. I want to have the book out within a month so I can begin promoting it and preparing The Shadow King for publication. I am well aware of the fact that I have been a naughty writer these past couple of months because my personal life took center stage and pushed my work to the back burner. But it's time to get cracking and back to work. I have much to do--books to edit, finish, and new ones to write. I can't wait to see how my new life will affect my writing life because it will--in a big way.

I will close here for now with these parting words: Life can turn on a dime. Mine turned on a cold winter night when I was lying in bed tucked under my blankets, playing Words With Friends with a stranger named elduck123. You never know where the day will take you or what seemingly innocent action (like clicking the random opponent key on WWF) will change your life. So be on the lookout for your moment. It's coming. It'll probably be in disguise as something ordinary or routine--even banal. But don't dismiss the little things cuz that's where the beauty of life is--in the little, innocent, subtle moments that most people overlook. For me, it was simply tapping the word random on my phone. But then again, Random is my middle name. Until next time...

I See the Signs

Greetings:
My first blog as Kellie Hernandez. I love my new name...and my new family. Oscar's kids welcomed me warmly and made me feel right at home. But I have to tell you about my arrival at the Texarkana airport. It was quite something.
The Texarkana airport is very small--only one gate! I entered the terminal and went straight to the restroom to freshen up. Unbeknownst to me, Oscar and his family (and everyone else paying attention) saw me enter the restroom. I only hope they didn't see me exit, pulling my suitcase along the floor wheels side up! I gave the TSA agent a chuckle at that slick maneuver. I walked into a spectacle...people standing around...watching...waiting...because...
Oscar had planned a little surprise. Suddenly I saw signs--literally. Signs reading KELLIE...WILL YOU...MARRY ME? I realized his kids were the ones holding the signs. At first I didn't see his daughter-in-law with the camera, taking photos. Then Oscar emerged with a bouquet of roses in my favorite color--purple. He gave me a hug, then dropped on bended knee, and with jewelry box in hand, he proposed (officially). Naturally I said yes. And then I heard the onlookers' reaction of approval. It was something else...but then again...Oscar is something else.
We married the next day in Arkansas. I wore a cream-colored, knee-length Ralph Lauren dress and Oscar wore a suit. As soon as the vows were spoken and the first kiss as husband and wife was complete (sorry, kids...that was probably awkward! hahaha!!!), we changed back into comfy clothes and went to lunch. We had fun and I felt a sense of belonging instantly. Needless to say, my first 24 hours in Texas were a blur.
I'm back in Ohio now, away from my husband for the next week and the separation sucks. But Tom-Tom isn't finished with school yet. As soon as he finishes, we'll be in Texas permanently. Once I get settled there my blog is going to change. I want to chronicle my new life--going from city girl to country girl--and take you all along with me as Tom and I adapt and embrace Texas and our new home. It's bound to be dramatic...and funny...and random...because no matter where I go or what I do...random always seems to find me. Until next time!

Tennessee

I'm back! Time to ramble a bit.
So...I just returned Thursday from spending a week in Tennessee. The last half of my trip I spent visiting my sisters in Savannah. We had a good time--played lots of games--Yahtzee, Scrabble and various card games--and visited and acted goofy. One afternoon while out for a walk, I was nearly attacked by a vicious dog. But thanks to learning kickboxing from my personal trainer, Jonathan, I was able to kick the dog in the face with a roundhouse, left-legged kick and that--coupled with my growling at him--caused him to back off. I usually panic in emergencies but somehow I instinctively knew that panicking would turn me into the dog's dinner. Score one, Kellie!
The first half of my Tennessee trip was spent with Oscar in Nashville. Remember my mentioning that I won an Oscar? Well, obviously I didn't win an Academy Award but rather something much more important and significant. I've been alluding to something going on in my personal life lately and over time I have revealed tidbits of information about Oscar. I will reveal a few more now.
In February I had the privilege of making the acquaintance of Oscar Hernandez in the most unusual of ways. We were randomly selected by the universe to be opponents in Words With Friends. We were evenly matched in the game and we were playing in real time. Before too long I was so enjoying the game that I felt compelled to comment on the excitement of it and to introduce myself in the chatbox. At that moment, unbeknownst to me, Oscar snapped a shot of the screen. He didn't tell me until several weeks later that he had photographed the screen at that moment because he sensed that something significant was happening and he wanted to preserve the moment. He couldn't have been more right. Something significant did happen. We talked on the phone that night for the first time and we haven't missed a day of talking since--except for one. We decided to have no phone contact the day before meeting for the first time (his idea actually--not mine--lol). We have taken many weeks to peel back the layers of each other's lives from childhood on so that when we met for the first time, a foundation was already in place on which to build a new life together.
Oscar is an amazing human being. I've never met a single soul on this earth like him. Never once have I ever heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He is humble, hardworking, compassionate, generous, kind...I could go on and on. (Full disclosure alert: he's also gorgeous!). We love each other very much. I'll stop here and save the rest of this story for another blog post. But first:
An interesting twist to this story...many of you know that I currently have four published novels in the world. (see my website www.kelliebtayer.com). In each of my books, the girl ends up with the man of her dreams (well, not exactly in The Gypsy Thief--but she will eventually) and in each book, the guy is of Latino descent. How ironic that Oscar is from Mexico. Figure the odds! It seems I have written my own fairy tale, brought it to life with me as the main character and Oscar as the hero. Now that takes talent, folks! LOL. Until next time!

Blossoming

I finally see leaves budding on the trees. It seems late for the season considering spring started a month ago. But I'll take what I can get. I am a heat-seeker--I need the sun (well, I am a Sagittarius after all--a fire sign!!!)!
I wish I had something new to report regarding The Dark Prince. Currently it's in the hands of Amazon, going through the publication process. I will be receiving my physical copy sometime in the next two weeks. I've already seen the electronic version and, unfortunately, I found some issues with it that need fixing--these things happen!
The Gypsy Thief has been getting some blog exposure lately which is great. I want to get the word out about it everywhere, especially in light of The Dark Prince's imminent birth. Once The Dark Prince is out in the world, I will then turn my attention to The Shadow King. I need to do a couple of small rewrites and then my cover designer and I will search for the boy who will be the prince featured on the cover. He is a blue-eyed blond and, of course, gorgeous!
I really feel like I'm on a roll these days. I've never been happier and I've never felt better. I've recently lost 21 lbs which means only 19 more to go to get to my goal. Then I want to train to run a half-marathon. Running a marathon is something I've had on my bucket list for a while. I only hope it isn't the thing that makes me kick the bucket. Now wouldn't that be ironic????
Tomorrow I'm going on a 10-mile urban hike. It'll be my third one in two weeks. I enjoy the walk very much--I see things I would never see in my car--small details like the Psychic Reader Shop and other unusual businesses along Mayfield Road. My friend, Laura, is coming with me. We'll have three hours of girl talk and trying to ignore the fatigue and aches that set in about mile seven-hahaha!
I shall close here but I can't leave without commenting on my countdown.
It's nearing its end...only three and a half more days until I take a trip to Nashville. My sisters live a couple of hours outside of Nashville and I will be going down to see them for a few days but first the weekend is mine. Or ours I should say. Of course I am excited and anxious. It's one of those moments in a lifetime that I daresay few people get to experience--at least, not quite like this. I can honestly say that not much about my life has been conventional. I've always done things out of order and random always seems to find me. But this time, it's different. Because this time, I'm allowing myself to believe that this is not an act of randomness that has happened to me. This is a divine intervention...a carefully thought-out plan by the Ruler of the Universe. I have been given an extraordinary gift and as much as I would like to share the details with the world (even those of you who know what I'm talking about don't know it all) I must wait a little longer so you all bear with me. Until next time...

Countdown...

Hello World:
I'm past due for a blog post. Today I feel like an astronaut, which is cool because I've always loved everything about outerspace and the sky in general. Last night there was a crescent moon hanging above the house. I always thought full moons were my favorite, but I think I prefer crescent moons. They look delicate and mysterious. Of course, my new trilogy is called The Crescent Saga, so that might have something to do with it. But...getting back to astronaut mode. Outside of the obvious (walking on the moon, the concept of going to the bathroom in space, weightlessness, etc.), what's one more thing closely associated with going to the moon? I'll tell you:
THE COUNTDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I'm all about the countdown. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have you ever felt like you've waited your whole life for just one moment? Reminds me of one of my favorite songs, "Forever," by Chris Brown. If you haven't heard it, YouTube it. The signature line in the song is "It's like I waited my whole life for this one night...it's gonna be me, you and the dance floor...double your pleasure, double your fun." And the whole song is about being above the earth anyway...flying high (on love, not drugs! hahaha). But I keep digressing...getting back to the countdown...
It feels like I've waited an awfully long time for what lies ahead...a new beginning...a new family...a new life...but mostly...love...in its truest, purest form (and no, I'm not trading in my old family for a new one--they're coming along on this ride, too). And herein lies the countdown...10 more days until I am officially awarded my Oscar. Everyone should be so lucky as to win an Oscar. But you'll have to get your own because this one is mine. I won't be placing this Oscar on a fireplace mantle for people to admire (though there is much to admire). Nope...I'm gonna hold Oscar A LOT and continually read the inscription engraved upon him...words that change and adapt to the situations of any given day, but ultimately have the same meaning..."Yo soy tuyo y tú eres mío."
So today the countdown is on...10 more days...diez días más hasta el comienzo de una nueva vida llena de amor y felicidad.
Until next time...

 

Shot Through the Heart

Greetings:
I'm staring out the living room window at the deceptively beautiful day. The sun is shining and the skies are filled with white, fluffy, cumulus clouds. It looks like spring except for the bare trees. But...it is belowing freezing out there--30 degrees more or less. I do think I can finally see the hint of growth on the tree limbs though, so soon we'll have warmth and leaves. I'm hoping for warmer weather this weekend so I can go on an urban hike--my Ingleside Road to Golden Gate Plaza 10-mile hike. I'm itching to put on my hiking boots and take them on a long haul. It's urban alright--sidewalks all the way through Shaker Heights, University Heights, South Euclid, Lyndhurst and Mayfield Heights. I've walked this route before and I quite enjoy it. At the destination there is a Half-Price Books store waiting for me to peruse the shelves, looking for treasures--my reward for walking 10 miles to get there (like I need another book, right??? I DO, I DO). In case you're wondering if I plan to walk the 10 miles home making it a 20-miler...nope. I think 10 will suffice. I'll call someone for a pick-up.
In my Gypsy life, I don't have any real updates. Regarding the script for The Gypsy Thief, I have opted to write a treatment instead, per my instructor's advice. He said a novelist adapting her own book to screenplay is like a lawyer representing himself in court or a doctor treating himself for an illness--apparently it isn't a good idea. That's not to say I won't do it anyway, but for now, I am preparing a treatment for The Gypsy Thief to be submitted to producers. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. The Dark Prince is scheduled for release in May. In the next week or two I will see it for the first time in actual book form. I know I will feel exactly the same way I felt when I held Gypsy for the first time--like I'm holding my newborn baby--oh, what a feeling. And then this summer I will experience it all again when The Shadow King is born. My babies are growing up! LOL!
In my other life--my real life--I have never been happier. I'm on a lucky streak, no doubt, and I just want it to continue forever. It's very hard to keep your feet planted on terra firma when your head's in the clouds. I'm in a continual state of giddiness these days and I'm wondering if I've contracted a killer case of Adult ADHD. I sure as heck hope so! As much as I'd like to elaborate on this subject, I must wait a bit, but for sure when the time comes I will be more forthcoming with information. I've often found it incredibly ironic that I am a romance writer whose only connection to romance is what I dream up and write in my books (and also read in the books written by others), not to mention the romance I see in movies and on TV shows. Imagine! A romance writer who's not in love! The horrors. A pilot without a plane--sad! A gourmet chef with no Sashimi knife--say it isn't so! A limo without a chauffeur! forgeddaboutit! A puppy without a tail--now that's just messed up! But evereything's different now. For those of you not in love at the moment, who maybe have forgotten what it feels like and looks like to be in love...hang in there...and call me...we'll do lunch and you can see it firsthand...cuz I'm Exhibit A. I'll stop here before I make you ill. Until next time...

Rebirth and Open Hearts

 

 

 

 

Spring...finally. I awoke to the sounds of birds singing this morning and sunshine peeking around the edges of the curtains above my bed...about time! I even went for a long walk in my 'hood and listened to my iPod. I am currently loving indie rock--the Black Keys, Kings of Leon, the Killers, Muse (OF COURSE!), Coldplay, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Florence and the Machine, Mumford and Sons, etc. (I think most of those are considered indie rock anyway). I also love that song "Thriftshop." It is impossible to be still when that song is on. I find myself tiring of Taylor Swift (though I love her "Speak Now" album and always will). She is overplayed on the radio. And Maroon 5/Adam Levine, whom I used not to care for, I suddenly cannot get enough of. I guess my musical tastes are evolving. Had I been writing a blog post about music three or so years ago, I'd have been talking about nothing but opera and showtunes. How I've changed...speaking of which...
I am going through a rebirth of sorts and the timing is great considering spring is when the earth goes through its own rebirthing process. I started a health/fitness kick on the first of March and I am proud to say that as this first month nears the end, I have not had one, single, off-day in my quest to improve my health! And people are starting to notice which does wonders for my self-esteem. I can fit into clothes which, six months ago, would have been a joke to even try on. I'm using an app on my phone called Lose It!  My friend Jessica told me about it and it is amazing. I highly recommend it to all of you out there who might be wanting to lose weight and/or shape up. The app tracks everything for you. It's easy to use and very motivational. Give it a try! I am also an exercise fiend. I spend a lot of time at the gym and, of course, I have Jonathan, my trainer, whom I've mentioned on this blog before. I actually want to run a half-marathon eventually (it's on my bucket list) and I feel myself getting closer and closer to making that happen. I have only experienced a runner's high one time in my life and that was when I was in the Marine Corps. I want to experience that sensation again--there's nothing like it...almost...which brings me to...
Another part of my rebirth has to do with matters of the heart. There's no way I can blog and not mention, even in the abstract, my happiness these days with a certain someone. Open, Sweet, Caring, Amazing, Romantic (yes, those adjectives are capitalized for a reason -- I like acronyms). You truly never know where or when love will find you, which makes me think of those corny Jane Seymour jewelry collection advertisements where she's pitching her "Open Hearts" collection. I used to make fun of those ads! But...it turns out she's right when she says that if you leave your heart open, love will find its way in. Who knew Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, was such a romantic! On that note, I shall sign off here. Happy spring, everyone, and remember...the best way to find something that eludes you is to just stop looking! Until next time...