So...

Let's start with the bad news. I think I've put on weight. I don't want to talk about it. I'll just make myself feel better by having a couple of jammy dodgers, and a Coke.

In other news, SuperGoo is still on vacation. I hear the theme songs of all her Disney Jr. and Nick Jr. shows in my sleep. When we do turn off the TV, she scribbles then tries to stab me with her crayons.

Sigh.

Oh, she naps for all of two hours, and doesn't fall asleep till late.

And, she thinks I double as a Jungle Gym.

Ain't motherhood great?

As far as my reading challenge goes, I've gone through five books, but according to goodreads.com - At my current pace, I am one book behind. Thanks a lot. Nothing I love more than pressure.

Maybe childbirth.

Anyway, I've decided to cheat with romance novels. They're nice, short, and don't require me to be fully awake, or lucid. No disrespect. It's a genre I have enjoyed for many, many, many years.

In writing news, all I've done is respond to interview questions (borrowed from J.R. Ward's The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide) for my heroine/protagonist for Good Intentions. I should actually be banging out an outline.

On the income side of things, I'm still talking contracts for possible freelance jobs, and exchanged a couple of emails with an illustrator for a non-fiction book I'm editing. I'm waiting for everyone, including myself, to get back to me.

How about I add you to the list ? Check out my heroine/protagonist's response sheet below, and let me know what you think. Feel free to send interview questions of your own.

MARY

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married. 2 months.

Height: 5'9

Weight: 60kg

Hair Colour: Black. Shoulder length when relaxed.

Eye Colour: Light Brown.

Identifying Physical Marks: Gap teeth with overbite. Multiple birthmarks scattered all over her back.

Occupation: Model/Housewife

Dimensions: 34 - 28 - 32

Description: Mary was beautiful, tall and somewhat striking, for such a shy person. You could almost feel her willing herself to be invisible. Maybe that's why she was such a great runway model, she was the perfect clotheshorse. Designers loved her. Skinny, with just enough curves to satisfy the local clientele, but not so much as to throw off a design. She was damn near perfect. If only she wasn't scared of cameras.

Married to: Tochukwu Clement Okoro.

Last Movie Watched: Love, Actually

Last Book Read: Summerhouse by Jude Devereux

Favourite TV Show: The Late Show with David Letterman

Last TV Show watched: Desperate Housewives

Last game played: Scrabble (with the computer as an opponent)

Greatest Fear: Divorce by Adultery

Greatest Love: God

Favourite Quote: My beloved is mine, and I am his.

Preferred Sleepwear: T-Shirt and Shorts

Watch: Kate Spade (a gift from Tochukwu)

Car: I don't drive

What time is it while you're filling this out?: 2 p.m.

Where are you?: In the parlour

What are you wearing?: T-Shirt and Shorts

What's in your closet?: Skinny jeans, a couple of black pants, lots and lots of T-Shirts in different colours, One black blazer, and one army green jacket. a couple of sundresses, a couple of leggings - one purple, one pink (got them at a show, never worn), a couple of dress shirts, one ankara dress from Jewel by Lisa (I saw it and couldn't resist), ballet flats in different colours, one pair of black Mary Janes, One brown Fossil handbag, jewellery box with one gold set from my mum, a lot of studs, and a lot of costume jewellery necklaces. A lot of skin care creams. A fully stocked, barely touched make up bag.

What was the last thing you ate?: Can't remember.

Describe your last dream: I can't remember. I did dream. It wasn't pleasant, but I can't remember a thing about it.

Coke or Pepsi?: Coke.

Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe?: Can I say both? One is strong and classy, the other's feminine and sexy. I love them both.

Omotola or Genevieve?: I love Genevieve, but Omo-sexy is so sexy.

Sports or Video Games?: Video Games, although I love to swim.

What do you like most about Tochukwu?: He’s so attentive. He’s always there when I need him.

First words spoken to him: “I’m not bored. I’m tired, and I want to go home”.

His response was: “I want to go home too! Wow! We have something in common”.

Last gift given to him: Had a cake delivered to his office on his birthday.

Most romantic thing he’s ever done for you: Proposed. He somehow managed to get a private dinner set up in one of my favourite restaurants on the island. It was on the 5th anniversary of our relationship, and I thought he just wanted to make it special. The mood was perfect. There were candles and everything. There was even some jazz playing, I think. When he went down on one knee, just before dessert, I swear, I almost threw up.

Most romantic thing you’ve done for him: Surprised him with some designer cufflinks he had mentioned wanting on Valentine’s Day.

Anything you’d change about him: No. I think he’s amazing just the way he is.

Best Friend: Naomi. We’ve been BFFs since secondary school. She’s like a sister to me.

Last time you cried:  No comment.

Last time you laughed: No comment.

Back Story Monday:...then comes Timi with a baby carriage

It's Tuesday, but you got the rest of The Egg Shower yesterday, and I really want to give you some more Back Story on What Happened To Gypsy Black.

So where were we?

Oh yeah, burial, job, no job, wedding, honeymoon, then back to Lagos as Mrs. Someborri (can I hear an uh huh uh huh?). Before the wedding, I had sent in my resume for a financial position in an entertainment company. My degree is actually in Banking and Finance, and I had already successfully written the first diet (level?) of the CIS (Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers) exam. So...new job...in finance (blurgh!)...at least, it was in entertainment.

I was invited for the first interview, and it went well.

By the time I was called for the second interview, I wasn't feeling so great. I was nauseous, I felt bloated, and was generally very cranky. I'm pretty sure I was giving the MD evil looks throughout the interview, and was not at all surprised that I got a "We'll call you". I didn't care. I was kinda hoping they didn't. I just wanted to stay home, turn off all the lights, and lie down in bed forever.

Well, they didn't call back, and I got to stay home, turn off the lights, and lie down on the floor (at that spot the air conditioner never misses) for about 10 weeks. I did get up every other hour to puke, but hey, I got what I wanted, right?

Hmm.

Worst First Trimester Ever.

When that was over, it was pretty much smooth sailing.

Until the last trimester. Where I got tired of being pregnant, and large, and uncomfortable, and being kicked all the time (the girl was a dancer from the womb). To make myself feel better, I took a bottle of Coca Cola every day, and went through a pack of Mars mini bars every week.

Sigh.

And now, I will never be skinny again.

Ever.

*sniff sniff*

Anyway, I got a beautiful bambina out of the deal, so I can't complain. It's a pretty good deal.

What does all this have to do with Gypsy Black? I got pregnant. And to my surprise, was unable to do anything else till I had the baby.

After the baby, not only could I not get much work done, I wasn't getting much sleep either. That pretty much shut the door on any creative process for like a year. Now she's 1 year and 5 months, and is off to school (Playgroup) and Mummy gets to have moments like this to think, and read, and write. Phew!

Will Gypsy Black be back? Oh yes, but there will be changes.