Still in Texas

We bought two new cars yesterday and three big beds today. 

His dad got a huge SUV so they turned in the rental SUV. His brother got a nice compact sedan with tons of tech in it and a crazy good sound system. We were blasting it behind the dealership. I don't think he will be allowed to have it that loud ever again. 

Everyone here drives a giant SUV or a Truck. It's weird!! LA is a sea of corollas, civics, and prius mixed with luxury sedans. His looks like this one and has the softest leather seats. 

My husband's family decided to stay in an apartment because the house they decided on is like 80% finished and they get to choose the final touches they want on it. The beds are getting delivered tonight along with some rental furniture. 

The apartment is huge and has its own garage under it with a stairway up to the unit. It's three big bedrooms and really nice! It has a lake to look at and it's close to shops and not too far from the school where his brother will take English classes. 

We are heading home in a few days. We'll have a little party tomorrow night for New Year's. I don't know if we will get to see fireworks. We have a lot to do tomorrow and his mom wants to buy things. They are out right now getting stuff and food. 

It's funny but I can tell my husband is ready to head home. He has projects to work on and a lot of people waiting for him to get back to California. I am happy here with his family. His brother says I keep his parents occupied so they leave him alone. 

I talked to my dad this morning for a long time. I think this is the longest we have been apart. I forget how much I talk to him on a daily basis. Even when we lived separately he would facetime me or come over for dinner. I miss him, but I also like being with my husband's family. 

Arguments.

Last night we argued. My husband would not say we argued, but I would. To him it was a little disagreement.

The last few days with his parents here he has been treating me really weird, like some special toddler with no sense. I was trying to just ignore it and be patient with him since I know he has a lot going on and is stressed out trying to get his parents settled. 

The last straw was at a BBQ restaurant where they ordered meat and sides for the family to share and then he got me a kid's meal with a little plastic cup of juice with a lid on it and cartoon characters. 

I was going to just let it go because I do like chicken strips with bbq sauce, but then he kept on with it saying "I got you the drink with lid so you don't spill." Then later he said: "You like your meal? It does not come with a toy, but I buy you one later if you finish eating, ok, baby?" He said these things so his parents could hear and made comments in their language which I'm sure were even more patronizing since I wouldn't understand them. I didn't say anything, just fumed quietly not wanting to argue with him in front of his family. 

When we got back to the room. We were supposed to rest a little then go out to drive around the neighborhoods with the two houses his parents are deciding between so we could see them at night and also look at Christmas lights and get hot chocolate. 

I told him I was just going to stay in the room instead of going with them and he said no I need to go and his parents enjoy me being there. 

I told him "I'm mad at you and I don't want to fight in front of them! I'm staying here." 

He said, "You are mad at me? Ok then I will stay here with you and be mad at me too. If my boy is upset then I cannot leave." Like it was a joke. 

Then his dad knocked on the door between the rooms and opened it to ask if we were ready to go. 

Husband told him "No, we are mad at me for being mean to Emi so we stay here and be mad at me together." 

His dad said, "He is annoyed because you are acting strange with him and treating him like a baby! You are not paying attention to his feelings! You are being an ass."  [His dad totally got it.]

Husband looked surprised like he hadn't realized it at all. I told them to just go without me and I wanted to rest. Husband said "I am not leaving while you are upset." 

His dad gave us some time to talk it out. Husband said he hadn't realized I was upset and he was treating me like that so I wouldn't feel left out and ignored since they are mostly speaking in Farsi. He also said that his brothers' wives don't get along well with his parents but both his parents love me a lot so he was showing them he takes good care of me. 

I guess in his twisted thinking it was his way of showing affection and attention. 

Christmas thoughts.

Next chapter of Lukas is 40% finished. I think it will be the final one. I decided to give Mr. Khorasani some fun. After 20 chapters, he deserves it. What else do I need to tie up in this series? I feel like they are reaching some finality on things. 

I had an interesting Christmas. We only brought a few of the gifts for each other since we'll have to take them home to LA when we go so I chose presents for him that are appropriate to open in front of his parents. I gave him a sturdy new leather portfolio thing since he is pretty hard on his work stuff. 

For his parents and his brother who came, we got them new iPhones with USA phone numbers. He added them to his cell plan, but his father will probably take it over since he doesn't like the thought of his son paying the bills. It is a constant fight between my husband and his dad when the check comes. My husband wants to prove he can be a provider like his father.

One of the presents he got me was this stuffed pikachu that lights up when you hug it. When I was a kid, I was really in to pokemon. I opened it in front of his parents and brother and my husband said something in Farsi to them and they laughed and looked at me like I was some little child. It was a really baby gift. It was sweet and a childhood memory, but strange that he would give me that as the gift to open in front of his parents. I don't get it... 

My husband's brother said something in their language and my husband translated to me that he said he is glad to no longer be the baby of the family anymore. SO I guess I'm the baby? I am not the baby. I'm older than his little brother but he is taller than me and built more like my husband. I am the smallest and the "light" boy. 

Today they went off with the realtor and I stayed here in our room and his brother stayed in their room. He came over and told me we should go for coffee. He doesn't speak much English so we used the google translate thing that talks. It was so cool! I had to decode what the English meant, but it was pretty good overall. 

He wanted to find girls. He asked me, "Do you know the girls here?" I said no. Then he wanted to go to the little shopping area by the hotel. I told him we should tell my husband, but he said no, they wouldn't approve. So off we went! 

He was so funny. He is an absolutely adorable guy with those eyes like my husband's that just draw you in and strong arms with cute European style. He is like a younger version of my husband, just as outgoing and strong-willed. He seems totally cool with me even though we don't speak a shared language. We got french fries and drinks at a place but he didn't see any girls he liked so we just talked through the translator. 

He said in his country they think American girls are very easy and will go with anyone. I had to explain that no they are not easy, they are just more outgoing, but you have to put in just as much work as over in his country. 

We walked around the shops and we did talk to some girls. They thought he was cute, but then the language barrier kind of turned them off. I told them they need to convince him that American girls aren't easy. They liked the challenge! He ended up exchanging phone numbers with one so they could text using the translator software. I showed him how to copy and paste to translate then type and then copy and paste to respond. 

We bonded, but I forgot my husband has the tracking app on our phones so we can see where each other is so he called me and then had me pass the phone to his brother to yell at him. Then it started raining and we had to run back in the rain. Husband was not happy at all. We are staying in tonight since it's raining. We have a delivery order coming with fajitas and stuff. Fun fun. 

I think we will be here for another week. I am having fun. I missed his dad like I miss my own. 

Family and new Lukas

I finished chapter 19 of Lukas. It Posted! You read it here

I did the chapter from Ari's perspective again. It just seemed right rather than from Lukas. Ari gets the insights Lukas doesn't know about. 

I'm thinking that Chapter 20 should be a close out. Put a cap on things. I love the series, but I feel like it's time to end it. 20 chapters is a lot. My chapters are about 10k words each so that is 200k words for the series! That is equal to 3 full size romance novels which average 60-80k words per book. 

We picked up my husband's parents at the airport in Houston. They had SO MUCH stuff with them! We parked the car in a garage and went in to help them. They kept grabbing bags off of the luggage thingy. We totally loaded the back of the giant SUV he got. I thought it was nonsense for him to get such a big car, but it was totally needed! 

His youngest brother came with them to go to school here. He is like a younger, taller, skinnier version of my husband but he is very serious. He hugged me when his dad did. He doesn't speak a lot of English. It was funny watching my husband with him. He still thinks of him as a little kid since he hasn't seen him in a few years. The little brother seems annoyed at being treated like that. 

I dont have any siblings so it's fun to watch them together and how similar their mannerisms are. 

They are all napping now since the crazy flight has their time schedules turned all around. My husband is playing a game on his computer with friends from back home in LA. We will probably just be here around the hotel today and go see houses tomorrow. tomorrow is Christmas Eve, but the realtor will show them the houses that are empty. I can't wait to see which ones they like. 

oh!! I also wanted to plug a series I have been reading on nifty called Ash & Ember. It is very well done! 

I am debating doing chapter 20 from Lukas' perspective again. I kind of see it as important with what I want to happen in there with trouble and jealousy between Lukas and the new person you will learn more about in chapter 19. If you read it! Please read it! 

Holiday prep!

What a day! Yesterday we flew in to Houston and got the hotel room and then today we went and scouted some of the properties to help his parents narrow down their list. There are some seriously beautiful places here! It's so green and lush. I spent most of the day in the backseat of a lexus while my husband and the realtor talked in Farsi. It is cold here. The houses here have so much land around them. They aren't all squeezed together like LA. 

I am halfway through the next chapter of Lukas. It's going pretty well! I am so happy that people are responding to it. It feels like things are going in a good direction. 

When my parents-in-law come in, they are also bringing my husband's youngest brother so he can go to school here. He's a few years younger than me, and I've only talked to him on facetime. He doesn't say much. His English isn't very strong. He looks like a smaller, younger version of my husband. I hope he likes me. 

I finally got my husband to take a nap. He is snoring away beside me right now. It's nice to see him so relaxed and not obsessive over work stuff. We did a hard workout at the nice gym they have here and then took a shower and snuggled and then he passed out. 

They have these crazy giant metal rings and poles over the roads here! I keep thinking they are going to fall and crush someone. 

New Lukas is posted

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Finishing Ari's Day

It was so nice to just be home the last two days without having final projects and things to work on! Everything is done and the tutor checked over things before we uploaded them so I feel good about it. 

My husband has been wrapping up his deals for the end of the year and setting his calendar for January so we can have a nice trip with his parents in Texas. 

Chapter 18 of Lukas & The Shah is 2/3 finished and I'm doing things a little differently with this chapter. I wanted to show things from Ari's perspective and a different side of things. It's tough writing from the alpha's brain. I don't know how it works. I've been with my husband for 3.5 years and he still surprises me sometimes with how he thinks or what he wants. 

Sometimes when we are out with his friends I kind of disappear quietly at his side tucked into a booth at a restaurant. I see him in a different light. Even though I don't know what they are saying, I can tell he jokes and talks about things he would think are inappropriate for me to hear. I imagine Ari like that when he is with men and away from Lukas. A man on his own. 

It's been fun learning who Ari is and where his boundaries are. Obviously these guys have different expectations for their boys than they do for themselves. Ari can be in situations where he would never allow Lukas. We'll see where that leads him. 

Houston & Lukas

In one week we will be packing for Texas. I’m so excited to see his parents. We are getting there a day before them so we can get a hotel and pick them up at the airport when they fly in from Iran. They have to take like three flights and travel for about 24 hours. It’s crazy.

My husband says we can shop for cowboy boots. He says there are a lot of Persians in Houston and stores and restaurants that will make them feel at home. He’s befriended a Persian realtor online who lives there and will be their personal concierge.

Lukas chapter 18 is halfway finished. I’m excited about it. I’m doing it from Ari’s perspective. It’s kind of taken on a life of its own. I ditched Lukas early on so we can see the dirtier side of Ari. Also I put in mostly Arabic and Farsi speakers so Ari won’t have much of his accent or cute way of saying things in English.

It’s been fun exploring his head and thinking about what he thinks about. That’s harder to do with my own husband. I know my husband has a hard job and his brain goes a mile a minute with all he has going on. He’s a guy like Ari who is very much always on and appreciates coming home to a quiet and simple boy. He gets this look on his face when I tell him about my day doing housework and online classes and the gym. He says he likes things very simple for his boy.

Chapter 17 didn’t go over too well. I got one comment. It was nice but it was about an earlier chapter so… lol.

I know it’s getting to that point in the series where I need to wrap things up and close it out. People need new stuff. Maybe for chapter 20 I’ll jump ahead to Lukas 18th birthday when he finally becomes entirely property of Ari.

tasty treat

Well the old guy I married (He is 30) was too tired to take me out tonight. We were supposed to go to dinner with his friends in Beverly Hills. There is a really cool place where they bring you meat on a sword and cut off whatever you want. I'm not big on meat, but their salad bar is so cool! They have weird flavors and pairings that are so good. 

He promises to take me out tomorrow, but that will likely be the park and Target. haha. We are turning into a boring married couple, but if I have to do it, he is my dream to do it with. 

SO anyways since he is playing video games and drinking beer with my dad tonight, I finished chapter 17 of Lukas!! I sent it in so hopefully it posts soon. 

One of my long-time readers sent me an email asking if I could do a chapter from Ari's perspective. I really want to try it. I have some good ideas for it. It will be a challenge, but I am finally starting to understand Ari. I'm preparing for it by asking my husband his thoughts on things. He is really good at explaining to me why I need to follow his ridiculously overprotective rules. He makes it sound like a good thing and not like I am a total idiot who can't fend for himself without running to daddy. 

He says things like "You are my tasty treat and there are many who can smell how trusting you are. I need protect you from them. I am hard shell and my baby is the pretty pearl. I have to snap at anyone who come by to try and sample him." 

That's a lot nicer than saying, "You're a dumbass who can't fend for himself." 

On another note. His parents are finally going to come!!! We are going to Texas over the Christmas break and we will help them find a place to live. He has been researching things and has found homes to look at in their price range. Some of them are HUGE! One has this little river that runs in a meandering loop around the backyard! I can't wait to see it. He says if we moved there we could build a mansion in a gated area with armed guards. That is pretty much his dream. I am not moving to Texas! 

Anyways! Happy Friday!! 

Long week!

It's been a long week and it's only Tuesday! 

Lukas Chapter 17 is coming along. It's 3/4 of the way finished. Someone reminded me that it is in the authoritarian section of nifty and should be a little more... authoritarian. I do think I can start to show more of Ari's dominance. He has his boy on the hook and can start to turn him into being a proper boy. They also need some trouble brewing. 

I have tons of final projects to work on so my mind goes crazy inventing story lines for Lukas as a distraction. It's a calming thing I do when I get overwhelmed with projects. 

The husband is having a good week. He has been busy and is trying to finish up big projects so they can all get signed and settled before the holidays begin. 

We got a tree Sunday! It is so pretty. He insists on a real one. He wants that pine scent and fresh pokey needles. He isn't concerned with me spending all that time cleaning up needles and other things that come with having a live tree in the apartment. 

It is getting cold and rainy! It is going to rain again this week. It doesn't feel like LA when it rains. LA just doesn't know what to do with it. 

Big things are happening with the husband's parents!!! I am so excited. I Can't really say much because I don't want to mess anything up for them. With how immigration is going these days, everything is just weird. But hopefully we will be spending the holidays with them and helping them get a house and furniture and everything! 

Lukas vignette

Ok so Lukas has clearly veered off the reality based storyline, but I do sometimes put in little things that happened between me and my husband. I don't always leave them in (I cut out a lot of stuff). 

I'm working on chapter 17 right now and I remembered this little moment that happened about four months after we moved in together. I might not leave it in the story so I thought I'd post it here. :) It was humiliating and it sucked and I felt like a total loser, but after that he always gave me a few twenties to hold onto. It was an important argument, but I'll probably cut it from this chapter: 

I had to pee and Ari needed to make some calls so he pulled off the freeway and found a Coffee place.

“I make phone calls. You go in and do the pee, ok? And get me a coffee. You know how I like this, my love.” Ari let go of me and reached for his phone.

I dashed inside and, luckily, the restroom was open. I finished and got in line for his coffee. It quickly filled up behind me with other commuters desperate for caffeine to make their ride home. I got to the cashier and ordered Ari a coffee and a sparkling water for myself. It was kind of a surreal moment. I hadn’t ordered and paid for anything in forever. It felt so weird to not be just standing behind a Khorasani man who would order and pay for me.

And that’s when the nightmare began. I had forgotten that things had to be paid for. The cashier asked for eight dollars and sixty seven cents. I patted my pockets knowing I had no wallet or cash. I froze and looked at him helplessly.

“Um… This is where you give me cash or a card,” the cashier said. I looked at the line behind me and saw eight pairs of eyes staring at me in annoyance.

“Money… yes!” I said like it was a new concept. “I’ll be back!” I dashed out the door and ran back to the car where Ari was talking on his phone. I tapped on his window and he held up a finger like I should wait. I felt my cheeks flush and realized what a total child I had become. It hadn’t occurred to me that I would need to pay for things when I asked for them. I had regressed to that level where I couldn’t even buy myself a drink without needing him. It was a low moment.

Ari kept his finger up and I gave up. I went to the passenger side of his car and got in. He was talking through the car radio and the conversation was in some other language. He put his seatbelt on and drove away without even wondering what had happened to his coffee...

New Lukas posted

The new Lukas chapter posted! I like it and I'm happy to already be getting feedback from readers. I started on a new story arc so hopefully I can keep it going for a few chapters. 20 chapters would be a lot for this series. I feel like there is so much story left to tell with them. 

We had a good Monday, very chill. Husband came home early and took me to the doctor for a checkup from my sickness a few weeks ago. All the tests showed my potassium was low and my weight was too low and I hadn't had some vaccines and stuff so I had to go back for a review. 

He was happy with the pounds I gained over Thanksgiving in New York. I'm not. I know I need to be healthier, but I like being small. I love when my guy picks me up and how proud he is at carrying me from the couch to bed without waking me up. I've talked to him about this a lot. 

He says if I get to a healthy weight then he will work out more and always be strong enough to lift me. He says he wants me healthy and that's all that matters. He says some day we are going to be so old that I will have to carry him. He says me being tiny doesn't make him love me more. He says a lot of very sweet things and I know he is right. 

But the minute he makes a little noise or joke when he picks me up it makes me want to not eat for a week. I know I'm not healthy like that. I also know this blog is not my therapy spot where I should post about serious personal issues... but that's me... If I don't get it out then I just think about it obsessively. 

Home!

Six hours is a long time to be on an airplane! I did sleep for most of it. My dad picked us up at the airport and took us for dinner. 

When we were waiting at the gate in New York, these four guys were standing at the device charging table checking us out. They were dressed up nicely, two just a little older than my husband and two a lot older. We weren't doing anything weird, just sitting and sharing a sandwich and playing on our phones, but they kept looking. 

Then when we got on the plane, of course our seats were right with theirs! They had the left side and then the aisle seat on our side. We always get the window and middle seats. He sits in the middle and I cocoon at the window with the arm rest up so he can have 1/3 of my seat and stretch out. 

So we're walking down to our seats and I notice all four sets of eyes on us. He sends me into the row so he can put our bags overhead. I notice the eyes stay on him not on me. THEN I notice why! 

He was wearing his adidas track pants that are a little tight in the crotch and he usually wears a longer t-shirt that covers it a bit.... but today just a white shirt that stops at the waist... as he's putting our rolling bags in the overhead his shirt rides up to show his tummy and his bulge is seriously on display. The tight shirt showing off his chest and the gold chain didn't hurt either... The guys were completely hypnotized! 

They must have noticed "Mister Bulge," as I call it, before when he was sitting since he sits with his legs spread wide (man-spreading!). 

I've gotten used to his... gift. He's usually more covered there. 

He put the bags away and then smiled at the men in his polite way that is completely oblivious to being ogled. He made friends with them while I snuggled in under his arm and drifted off. 

Nice to know I have someone people like to look at. 😍

Lukas is 3/4 of the way finished. I got some writing time and I'm hoping to finish it this weekend! 

Thanksgiving on the Hudson

Trying to blog from my phone here. Not sure it will be as pretty as you’re used to. 

This has been the most relaxing vacation ever. We thought we were going to be in New York City. We were for the first night but the next day they drove us a few hours north to a beautiful old house in the woods near a really cute little village. The whole place looks like it’s out of a movie, one of those romantic holiday movies in a little New England town where someone comes to escape the big city. 

We are with two older guy couples, clients of my husband. They sound very New York and they’ve been really sweet to us. We aren’t doing much. We saw a winery, played in the snow, made a big fire with s’mores, visited weird little stores with art and antiques, and played a lot of board and card games. 

It’s freezing up here like hardcore winter. It’s so beautiful to see snow everywhere. I really do feel like we fell into a holiday feel good movie. I’ve been living in hoodies, sweatpants, and staying within two feet of the fireplace or my husband’s chest. He’s a natural heater. 

It’s been awesome to see him not work and just relax. He’s turned back into that playful, easygoing boy who hunted me like a hungry lion. 

Today I’m going to help cook. They wanted something from my husband’s culture so I’m making the rice his mom makes. Yesterday I made cookies with the guys. They are so cool to us. 

They picked up on my guy’s overprotective nature with me so whenever they invite me to do anything like a game or hike or baking, they ask him instead of me. “Would Em like to...?” “Should we take Em to...?” It’s interrsting. You think guys from nyc would think our relationship was strange or antiquated and they aren’t like that with each other. But they’re like ok this is who they are. 

It’s made him be at ease here. He’s usually more guarded with me when we vacation with clients. He’s more relaxed here. 

Happy thanksgiving everyone. Sorry it’s not a pretty post today. I’m doing this from my phone. 🥰🥳🤩

Lukas chugs along

So much so much! I have a wall of color coded sticky notes with check marks. I think we are finally ready for NYC! Red sticky notes was tech stuff (he has a lot of duplicate cables), yellow was fun clothes, green was sleep clothes, blue was nice going out clothes, white was bathroom stuff (I love when he takes me shopping at Staples!). 

Dinner is ready and I'm waiting for him to come home so he can go over everything I packed and make sure we are ready. Usually he is the one who tells me what to pack, but he's been busy and I'm kind of an adult now so I'm trying to be better about these things. 

On a good note I got an inspired dream for what to do with Lukas OMG it was hot. My husband woke me up because he said I was "Doing unnatural things" to him. A boy isn't supposed to do that to his man. I think it'll work out great, but I already know people will be demanding a spinoff series. I have a bad habit of creating super interesting side characters. I already have about 3/5 of the chapter written. Hopefully I have time up there to work on it too. 

I think I got it from watching an interview with Rami Malek. Egyptian men are beautiful. Like this one... 

And Rami Malek-

Those eyes are everything!

Well so tomorrow we are off! The winter coats are ready and I am prepared to not be warm for a week unless I'm snuggled into his chest. It is supposed to be snowing and beautiful up there. We want to see the big tree lit up and all the fun winter stuff. I can't wait! 

Aliso is too quiet.

We were getting ready to head down to Orange County for brunch this morning when one of the guys called and asked us if we wanted to spend the night with them since we have a bbq down there tomorrow. Normally we would say no but the hazy smoke here is making both of us feel bad so we packed overnight bags and headed out.

The sky down here is so clear and blue away from the LA pollution and the wild fires in Ventura. We both feel better. 

I know for a fact my dad is probably having a party at our apartment while we're gone! He loves having it to himself to have friends over for sports, pizza, and beer. My husband told him it's fine and he hopes he has a nice night.

This house we are staying at! It is so nice. My husband said you can afford it this nice when it's so far away from any business center or freeway. It's so quiet out here that we are kind of freaked out! He loves it though. He says it is perfect for babies. I keep waiting for sirens, helicopters, usual LA noise. 

We're a few miles in from the Ocean, Laguna Beach. One of the guys told us that used to be a very gay city but now it's mostly gone. The guys we are staying with are married and older and have two little kids who are both very sweet and friendly. The husband has been all about them. They played, wrestled, built a lego contraption, etc...

Now the guys are putting them to bed so we took a break to hang out in the room where we're staying. The house is huge! It's two levels and this guest room is off by itself with a nice sized bathroom and a window overlooking the hillside behind them.

We thought about playing around, but I think that's kind of disrespectful in someone else's home. He seems to think it is ok. We're going to hang out with them more before bedtime and then we'll see what happens. 

Fires and Trips and Love

The western San Fernando Valley is on fire. We are on the other side and away from the haze, but the husband is keeping us indoors today where we have the air purifier going. Tomorrow we are heading down to Orange County for some fun and then a BBQ for Veteran's day with some clients of his. Should be fun! 

Evacuations from Malibu!!

Next weekend we are heading to NYC for vacation. I hope we get some snow. I've never seen it snow here. I have only seen it in Utah. We sent out winter coats to get cleaned since they have been in storage for a year or so. It never gets cold enough here for them. 

I have page 1 of the new Lukas chapter written. It could be good. I'm still working things out. Hopefully the trip will inspire me! 

Ollie and Mohammed moved into their new place. My husband says we will visit them when we get back from our trip. Ollie said they went to pick out new furniture. He said M is letting him pick out a couch and bedroom stuff, but not too much  because they are saving to buy something. 

I'm sure it will look really nice. My husband said I can pick out a housewarming gift for them we can take when we go visit. I want to get them some kitchen things. Ollie needs to learn how to take care of his alpha. He's always been quiet like me and he really wants to make M happy but doesn't know things. He texts me questions and I remind him that M is ok with teaching him and it's ok to make mistakes. 

I wish I had someone like me when I was in his position and everything was so new. My guy was super patient and sweet with me, but clearly wanted me to know things I didn't know. 

I am working on learning how to give him a good massage. I know I suck at it. I try with him, but he is a muscleboy and it's like trying to soften rocks. You really can learn anything on youtube! I'm getting better and learning points that make him go "Oh! Let's do that more!" He is now interested in helping me practice so that's a good sign! 

Our old townhouse is about 4 miles from the fires. The renters talked to my husband last night and it is hazy and smokey but they are ok. Our place isn't near a wooded area so we're not too worried about it. I hope they get control of the fires soon. 

They say it might burn straight down to the Ocean. It's rugged terrain between Thousand Oaks and Malibu so there is a lot to burn and a lot of wildlife without much place to go. 

Elections and Lukas

Tonight is all about the election watching. My husband isn't a citizen, but I am and we went through my ballot together. I don't really care about politics, but he is super interested and was excited to "help" me decide. He did the research on things that will be good for our family. He's a smart guy and even read about the long list of judges. 

The last three hours the TV has been barking and he barks back. 👀 He yells things to me and I just go, "Oh yeah, wow seriously! What is up with that??" 

I made Tacos and did some laundry and worked on my research paper while he yelled from the couch "F$#@ Indiana! Wow Colorado! What is this Texas?" He is all in. 

We did our workout and fun time early so he could focus. I am hoping at some point to pull him away for bedtime. I know he will just watch on his phone while I fall asleep. 

In Lukas news I have been getting emails from readers with some interesting ideas on where to go next. I think the way the last chapter ended put some finality on things so people picked up that it either needs some new direction or it's finished. 

A few other people reminded me that it is a reality based story and was meant to be closer to Noah and obviously I veered off of that path pretty wildly with the dad situation. 

I'm kind of at a crossroads with my writing and what I want to do next. 

We are going to NYC in 11 days! Maybe I'll get inspired with something new. 

We golf like that...

I definitely have the best guy. This morning I made him breakfast and then he got working on his laptop while I eyed him sadly from the couch. I did this for about ten minutes before he closed his computer and said, “ok! Take the pills and get dressed!”

I’ve been trapped in the house or doctor’s office since Tuesday and I needed some sunshine. He didn’t tell me where we were going until we were in Orange County. He said we need to investigate the best mini golf fun places to decide where we should buy a house.

I don’t know why but I really like mini golf. It’s right up there with zoos and I even put it in most of the series I’ve written. The best ones have good lemonade and keep up their contraptions.  This one had a big castle, an old California mission, and a creepy dollhouse, oh and a giant tiki head. That was pretty cool.

We needed some dope Khakis like these two lovebirds! 👬

We went slowly and he kept feeling my forehead but the sun and cool breeze made me feel better.

When we took a break, this little family asked to share our table so of course my husband made instant friends with them. He’s a people person. I’m an observer.

The dad was that kind of Orange County dude you see on tv. Young, buff, and clean cut. He was so cute playing with his daughter while his unattractive wife disappeared to go get food. I could tell my husband was jealous. He’s so ready to have a baby in his lap. The wife took forever to come back. She looked unpleasant and she was kinda rude to the dad.

On the way home my husband said he wished he’d started earlier with kids. He said he wished he’d met me sooner and not wasted time partying.

“I would have been in high school!” I reminded him.

“Oh… yes. Your people are late to life.” He laughed.

I told him he’s only 30 so when the first kid finishes high school he won’t yet be out of his 40’s. Then when he’s in his 50’s the kids will be in their 20’s and having their own kids. He just smiled and put his arm around me and kissed my forehead.

Sick boy

This lady took four vials of blood from me. When she pulled them out from her basket I said, "Four? You need four? What are you going to do with all that?" 

"Is for tests, they need find things. Is ok." My husband nodded at her and held my hand. Then I had to pee in a cup... she was insistent on that too. I got a flu shot, anti nausea medicine, other fun medicine for a stomach virus. 

I'm finally feeling somewhat normal again. I woke up and had a piece of toast with banana crushed onto it. First food I have kept down in a few days... so far. 🤞No meat or dairy or anything weird for a few days. I might have an apple for lunch if I feel crazy 🍎

My dad said it's because I have "the good insurance" and a husband who takes me to the doctor anytime I sneeze. He says that's why I get sick. I never used to be sick when dad worked crazy hours and we had the state kid's plan. I had the occasional cold, but now it seems like every few months I get something. 

My husband says it'll be better when we move out of LA and away from the dirty city...

Lukas chapter 16 is my next endeavor. 

A friend of mine from the university I went to is doing that NaNoWriMo (National Novel writing Month) challenge. He bragged that he did 2k words so far.

One time I put the first ten chapters of Noah's Starship into one doc to get a word count and it was 117k words! 

Popular novels average: 

• Commercial and literary novels: 80,000 – 100,000
• Science fiction and fantasy: 100,000 – 115,000
• Young adult: 55,000 – 70,000
• Middle grade: 20,000 – 55,000
• Romance: 80,000 – 100,000
• Mystery: 75,000 – 100,000
• Thriller: 90,000 – 100,000
• Memoir: 80,000 – 90,000
• Western: 45,000 – 75,000

Good night

The new Lukas is up and Im already getting nice feedback. I don't know if I will write another chapter of it. If I do then I need to start a good story arc. Something exciting. They need some drama. Or maybe a new series, something more luxury fantasy based. 🐲

I've had this storyline in my head about three brothers: Chance, Fortune "Fort," & Lucky 

The oldest one goes missing and five years later the youngest one gets a hidden message and is lured away to "find" him. Kinda cryptic... but it's percolating. 

❤👀❤👀❤👀❤👀❤👀

Husband finally tore his favorite underwear that I have been dying to throw out for a long time. He was sliding into them after we showered after the gym. They caught on his thigh or something and he was pulling too fast and... rip! They are tacky and old. Ok I know this isn't blog-worthy, but when you're married you get excited about stuff like this! 😁 Of course I comforted him and pretended to be sad like he was... I try to buy him new stuff, but he has like three or four pairs he can't get rid of... One down. 

Maybe I'll get him these? That address is an office building and our secret parking spot when we go to the hollywood bowl... Maybe it used to be a sex shop? 

New Lukas sent in! New Phone too!

Just sent in the next chapter of Lukas. I can't believe it's been a month since the last one posted. 

I'm trying to decide if I want to write a chapter 16 or do a new series. There is some happy ending in this chapter so if I do another one, it will need to start some new drama. 

Friday I got a new phone!! After the tears and tantrum when he got me the iPhone 7, this time he asked me before taking me for a new one. Well he didn't exactly ask me. He has been very annoyed with my 7 and some of our link up stuff wasn't working right. 

Two years ago he just took my 6 without telling me and surprised me with the 7. I was um... younger and um... less mature back then. 😕I got really upset because the 6 was the first thing he bought me and it was so special to me. I had it all set up perfectly and every little scratch on it was special to me. It was sentimental. He didn't get it. and honestly I don't get anymore why I was so upset. 

Anyways, this time he asked and I got the new XS. It's so pretty. He has the bigger one. My dad got the XR. He loves it. So now our phones are linked up again with the sharing and tracking stuff. 

We had a fun weekend!! I can't write anymore though. All this Lukas drained me. I hope people like it! 

Arabi

We are going to NYC for Thanksgiving! I hope it snows. I am excited. I have a winter coat that sits in the closet and I haven't touched it in over a year. We are going to get them cleaned and get our winter gear for the trip. He has a client who invited us and will show us around. I can't wait! 

I've been texting with Ollie a lot lately. It's kind of cool because recently I've come across a few guys like me who are new to dating muslim alpha guys. He texts me questions and I do my best to answer them, but honestly you can't say that one muslim alpha guy is just like the next... that would be racist or religionist or whatever it is called. 

When my husband and I got married, his mom sent me a letter she had written "to his future wife." I know at the time she didn't imagine that his future wife would be male... or white... or not read Farsi... or not be muslim... etc... But here I am and she thought enough of us to pass it along anyways. It had some advice on how to deal with him, but it had some islamic scripture stuff about what a wife can expect and should require of their husband in islam. 

This article has some of the advice, but there was other stuff in her list and he takes it very seriously. He is good about taking me out and trying to do things that please me. 

The flip side of that, his mother did not share. I assume she thought his future wife would have been raised properly and know how to care for her husband. My husband says it comes naturally to me, that I am obedient and caring with him. He says I build him up and make him feel like a champion.

He has had to correct me, but he does it in a gentle way. Still, there are times when he has said, "I am your husband! You will obey me." That came up when I walked to the drugstore on my own without his permission, and it has come up when I wanted to go out with my friends to things he didn't approve of. He isn't a harsh guy though. He genuinely cares about my safety and well-being so I defer to him on the important things. 

If I complain about him to my dad, my dad always says the same thing, "He is your husband. You are married and you should work it out with him." He isn't that helpful because he doesn't want to get involved. He knows my guy is faithful, nonviolent, and loves me so he says it is none of his business. 

I do try to obey him and follow his lead and he does try to include me in decisions even when his mind is already set. He tries to not be the harsh daddy and I try to not be the whiny boy. We make it work most days and on days when it doesn't, we take a long bubble bath with candles and hold each other and talk it out.