tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19901106332671449552024-02-07T09:14:11.055-08:00Journey into My Second LifeIf women had midlife crisis I would be in one. Well maybe not. I'm a stay at home mom that has an empty nest ( Thank goodness!!). I'm making the best of it by learning, growing and totally enjoying myself doing it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-85794657191423396122012-04-03T18:32:00.002-07:002012-04-03T18:32:44.891-07:00Catching up<br />
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Wow it has been a while since I have posted on this blog. Guess I better do some explaining and catching up.<br />
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It is Spring term WOOHOO day two and I'm on task HAHA! Last term was a struggle for me to keep up. I just was not feeling it like I normally do. I enjoyed both my classes so that was not it. I took a wilderness Lit class. It was the test class while the instructor went through the process of getting it accepted as an actual Literature class. He is very excited that he was able to get the class approved so it can now be taught at any PCC campus. <br />
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I had never taken a lit class before only writing classes. WOW I love to read but having to read specific books that are not normally in the genre you read was tough to say the least. A couple of the books were a real struggle to get all the way through. Even with the struggle of reading the teacher was so enthusiastic it still made class fun. We went on a couple nature hikes and part of our grade was based on a field report where we went out in to the wilderness and wrote about what we did. A few times we got up in the middle of class to go outside and look at the sky or birds. Never had a teacher do that before :-).<br />
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This term I'm taking a full load. Psy 101, Introduction to Web Design, and History 102. The history teacher is a hoot! She makes you laugh all the time and make history interesting! I'm excited about the Web design class. I get to blend my artsy side with my love of computers and be creative. It's win win. I'm also excited I get to put those skills I learn toward my new adventure. :-)<br />
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Part of why I have been so inactive on this blog is I have started a Facebook page and a blog that is associated with the Facebook page. It's about Dave and my adventures. I call it Adventures of a 4 Wheeling Mom. I have done a few interviews on it with more out with people. Not only do I want to share our adventures, but I want to also keep discussions about safety and trail ethics going on. If you haven't seen them check them out.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/4x4Mom" target="_blank">The Facebook Page can be found here</a><br />
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<a href="http://4wheelingmom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Adventures of a 4 Wheeling Mom blog can be found here</a><br />
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OH and over spring break we took over the oldest boys old room! We now have an office/ study area! </div>
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See you in cyber space! </div>
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Have a great week</div>
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Doris </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-48809983193397883222012-01-25T15:30:00.000-08:002012-01-25T15:30:28.608-08:00It Might Not be a Good Idea......It might not be a good idea to dye your hair when you have not slept in like oh 32 hours. It might not be a good idea to blog either but we will see ;-)<br />
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Reasons:<br />
1) You get as much dye on your face, neck and shoulders as you do your hair.<br />
2) Hanging your head over the bath tub for several minutes rinsing and then standing up makes you feel not so well.<br />
3) When blow drying your hair you think it is a good idea to turn the water on with the cord of the blow dryer laying across the top of the sink. You do this to rinse the comb out you used to sped the dye. Oh and you have the blow dryer on in one hand while doing the rinsing with the other.<br />
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Thank goodness the vacuuming before the dying went much better. Well once I figure out the power to the brush was turned off!<br />
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Back to watching mind numbing TV before I hurt myself or others!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-70263606596375321712011-12-14T16:34:00.000-08:002011-12-14T16:34:19.364-08:00Decompressing From Finals<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Close your eyes and imagine holding a 2 liter of pop. Taking your right hand you slowly turn the cap until you here POP! hisssssssssss and the ridged bottle become pliant in your hands. Yep that's me decompressing from this Term! WOOHOOO my last final turned in!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Writing 122 was all about arguments. The whole term was designed to lead up to a 8 to 10 page proposal worth half our grade. I'm really confident in my paper all the way up to the conclusion LOL I struggled and struggled with it. I even told my teacher she had to stop reading at the colunclusion heading :-) Good thing she has a good sense of humor .</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We will see what happens by end of next week. I'm hoping for another A but will be happy with a B. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now I get to spend the next 3 weeks catching up on all the house hold stuff I let go during the last 12 weeks. Sigh </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">OK maybe I will start that to-do list after I fry my brain on some un-educational tv :-) </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-36910038040389514222011-12-09T14:57:00.001-08:002011-12-09T15:01:01.302-08:00Does It Need To Be Fun?Author Betsy Horvath wrote an awesome blog about writing. She talks about <b>Passion, Intensity, Importance, and Gratification</b><br />
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I think it is a good read even if you are not a writer. It can apply to any thing you do in life.<br />
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Check it out here <a href="http://www.betsyhorvath.com/2011/12/08/does-it-need-to-be-fun/" target="_blank">Does It Need To Be Fun?</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-77188626645117096402011-12-07T12:44:00.001-08:002011-12-07T12:57:29.988-08:00My Jeep<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 200%;">This is an essay I wrote for a writing class. I have </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 31px;">tweaked</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 200%;"> it a bit. You know what they say. A work of writing is never done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> My Jeep wrangler is my daily driver, as well as my ride to
adventure. My husband and I love to go on adventures together. Her name is Baby
Doll, and she is seldom sparkling clean. She is built to play off road. She has a cargo rack on top to hold our
survival and recovery gear for our trips. She has enough lights to make
daylight out of the nothingness that is dark. She has a soft top that folds
down so we can have the heat of the sun and the movement of wind on our faces.
There are drain plugs in the floor so we can drain the water out if we drive
through a deep puddle; if we get mud inside we can wash it out with a garden
hose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She has
large fenders to cover large tires. The tires make a humming noise when driving
down the highway. When a small rock is picked up in the tread it will make a
clickety clack noise while driving on pavement, similar to the sound of tap
shoes. The Fenders don’t keep mud from flinging up the side of my Jeep. It is
not uncommon for the driver and passenger to take mud showers. Mud is not
always the best smelling stuff on earth.
Mud from old river beds smells like old rotting fish, mud from a field
can smell more of livestock droppings. If you are not careful you may get to
enjoy the taste of the mud. Not something I would encourage. Luckily these smells often go away once the
mud dries and leaves a crusty mess on my jeep. When the mud dries it feels the
same as if you were to run your hands over parched rough ground. This always makes me think of the old Westerns.
The ones where the cow boy is staggering through the desert and the scavengers
are flying overhead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She is loud
to ride in. When the top is up you hear all the wind drag noise from the top
flapping. When you have the windows out or the top down you hear all the wind
rushing past. There are days I think
about stocking her with ear plugs. You
have to yell if you are going over 35 mph to speak with your passengers. Riding
in a jeep is not like riding in a car or truck. When driving down a paved road
it is not uncommon to be tossed side to side when hitting uneven spots in the
road. I often feel like I’m on a roller coaster swaying from side to side and
jerking back and forth. This is due to the fact she is built to make my off
road ride smoother. I enjoy this
sensation it brings back memories of past adventures with my husband. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-65063548968840272042011-12-02T11:31:00.001-08:002011-12-02T13:12:59.812-08:00A Tomboy and Her Girly Girl Traits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To my mothers dismay her only child was not the princess she would like her to have been. Sure I'm a princess and I demand the spoiling of one. I just don't look like or act like the average spoiled princess. My mother loved to dress me up in the cute little frilly dresses. I on the other hand preferred jeans a t-shirt and boots. Give me a mud puddle over barbie any day.<br />
I'm no different now as an adult. If you know me, or read my blog long enough you know what I like to do. I play in the woods instead of clubbing on the weekends or hosting Candle Light Suppers. ( all you BBC watchers know what I mean LOL)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">My Idea of dinner out</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">My Idea of a romantic get away</span></td></tr>
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No need for four start hotels and fancy restaurants for me. No goose liver crap and over priced fermented fruit drinks. Give me a bag of chips, a bottle of pop and a hot dog on a stick over a fire and I'm good to go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Hmm this is his rig, why am I doing the work?</span></td></tr>
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It's a good thing my husband is man enough not to need a girly girly. Not that a girly girly is easy to handle by any means I can play that role if need be, but rather be myself. All the same he is OK with me having as much dirt under my finger nails as he has. He loves me dressed in boots, flannel and driving a lifted rig. He is also not intimidated by the fact I can out cuss many sailors. He does tend to call me a potty mouth from time to time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girly girl side</td></tr>
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I have never been one to dress up and put on make up everyday to leave the house. I have nothing against those that do. I just don't enjoy it. I do have some deep dark girly girly traits that I enjoy. The most obvious one being I LOVE to get my nails done! Not only do they look great they hide the dirt and grease I have under them most of the time. :-) My other girly girly trait is shoes. I LOVE shoes! oh and purses. Yep even a tomboy can spend her share of money of bags and shoes. Now granted I'm not buying 6 inch spike heels or glitzy glamor bags. I have an awesome selection of boots, messenger bags and backpacks! OK OK I admit it I also have some feminine type purses in that mix. Oh and a couple pair of clunky dress shoes.<br />
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I love who I am and think It made me a better mom to my boys in the long run.I was not afraid to get down and dirty and teach them to make mud pies. I love being one of the guys. I find I do a lot of things that are male dominated activities. I have never had an issue with being accepted as one of the guys. which makes it so much easier to do the activities I want to. No need to prove myself.<br />
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I remember at at friends engagement party I walked in and I hear "WOW you de-manafi well" I think it was the first time in the three or four years we had known each other that he had seen me in slacks, dress shirt and makeup LOL No I did not find this offensive LOL<br />
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Ok off to color my hair shhhhhhhhhh don't tell the guys!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-34645346765815661382011-11-23T08:49:00.001-08:002011-11-23T09:34:06.022-08:00Empty Nest Syndrome? Not this Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Definition from <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/empty-nest%20syndrome">Dictionary.com</a><br />empty-nest syndrome<br /> — n<br /> informal a condition, often involving depression, loneliness, etc,experienced by parents living in a home from which the childrenhave grown up and left.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>
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Maybe I'm cold hearted? Naw I love my kids, I loved being a stay at home mom. I loved molding their young minds. Although I still have day I wonder if I molded them properly. I loved watching them explore and learn about the world. I loved and still love our deep talks about the world, life and love. With that being said, I'm done! I'm ready to move on in my life. I have the opposite of empty-nest syndrome. <br /><br />Seriously I'm ready for my kids to be adults and move on with their lives. I'm ready to start my life and live it for me not for my family. I spent 19 years of my life being a stay at home mom ( loving almost every minute of it) Most of what I did over that 19 years was for my children. It is time for the husband and I to live life together for us. I don't have one ounce of empty-nest syndrome happening. <br /><br />Maybe because I started letting go when the boys entered their teens? We started off by going away for one night then later for the full weekend. I started doing things for myself. I volunteered in the schools most of the boys school career, but when they where in high school I was not needed as much. I found things I enjoyed doing for me. I still volunteer a great deal but for things I love doing not strictly for the betterment of my kids. I have gone back to school and loving it. <br /><br />I'm sure all these things help me not feel depressed and lonely that my kids are moving on in their lives. There is life after children. I just think we as parents need to remember to start changing our lives at the same times our children are. As my boys grew and learned to be adults and become more independent so did I. Part of our job as a parent is to pull back at some point and let the kids start living life with out us hovering. Take that time to explore yourself. Find what you want to be when YOU grow up :-) Even parents that work will have more free time on your hands. Any classes you wanted to take, or hobbies you wanted to take up? The teen years are a great time to start checking in to them. Learn to let go and enjoy your freedom. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I promise there is life after kids... </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy the journey in to your second life. </span></i></div>
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I was at a Bazaar on Saturday held in a school. Next to the school is a home with a few acres and a few horses. I love animals and especially horses. Me being me I start ticking and clicking my tongue as well as making smooching noises to the beast in the field. He raises his head and listens to me talking in my best baby talk. He cocks his head to the right and perks his ears up. I figured he was trying to look at me through the slats in the fence.<br />
He walks a bit closer to me and I notice his left eye doesn't look normal. I realize he has no eye on the left side. OH ok so that is why he cocked his head to the left, so he could see me with his one eye. He starts walking toward me. I'm still talking in my best animal baby talk as well as ticking and clicking with my tongue.<br />
SMACK!! right in to the fence with his nose! He stops and yanks his head back a bit and then cocks his head while moving his ears for a better listen. OH MY GOODNESS! This is when I notice the poor fellow has no eye on the right side either. Yep the horse is blind. Both eye sockets are healed over with skin. No eye lids or lashes. My Heart sank! I felt bad for him, and I felt awful for calling him over and making him hit the fence.<br />
I have heard of blind horses, but I have never seen one in person before. I have never seen an animal with no eye lids or lashes either. I have seen animals that have had eyes removed, but for the most part the eye lids are sewn closed. It was rather creepy looking. <br />
After all that, the fence was to high for me to reach over and give him affection. :-( and him being blind he didn't know to lift his head up so I could reach his nose. I felt so guilty calling him over and then him running right in to the fence. After all that I could not even touch him. It has been 2 days and I still feel guilty LOL OY!<br />
I know I need to just let it go :-) I'm sure he has lived a long and happy life and one smack of the face into the fence is not going to take that all away from him.<br />
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Sigh<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-1392480914799121412011-11-17T15:33:00.001-08:002011-11-17T17:16:15.205-08:00Living My Worst Nightmare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every since I was in high school I have the occasional nightmares. They are about not remembering my locker combination, or not being able to find my class room. In my waking world these two things are not that big of a fear. I know how to rectify the issue if they did happen. I would know who and where to go to get in my locker or get directions. </div>
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I am a very punctual person. If I'm not 10 to 20 minutes early I feel rushed and late. Being somewhere exactly on time is an anxiety trigger for me. Ask my family. :-) They will verify my antsy crabby pre-travel aggitation when I have to wait for any member of my family that is not ready the minute I'm ready to walk out the door. It is not a pretty sight to behold! If we are running behind schedule... well you really don't want to know. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">10:00 a.m. this morning 11/17/2011</span><br />
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I shoot straight up in bed. I was yelling a word that shall remain nameless. I start chanting something to the effect of crap crap crap. I jump out of bed and run for the computer to check my email for the time and location of the place I need to be this morning. Crap! Crap! Crap! The details of the email confirm my worst fear. I am exactly one hour late for my commitment. Double CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">10:30 am this morning 11/17/2011</span><br />
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I get to my post and perform my duties and have a great time doing so. I apologized no less than 200 times to my supervisor. It took me 20 minutes to get ready, get dressed, and get to my location that is about a 20 minute drive in medium traffic LOL AND I didn't break one law getting there!<br />
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Being late for something that I have committed too Ok truthfully being late for anything drives me up the wall. When going to work I like to be early for several reasons. For me it shows respect to my supervisors and employer. I have committed to something and my word that I will be there to do my job on time is a huge deal. It is part of my integrity. I also like to spend a few minutes transitioning between non work related life to work life.<br />
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I don't think I have ever been that late to anything! I totally spaced off this commitment. I stayed up late watching brain candy T.V. I planned my day out without one thought to looking at my calendar. I didn't bother to set my alarm. I snuggled down under my blanket with my cats and slept the morning away. Well until I awoke with my heart pounding and yelling curse words :-)<br />
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I can laugh at myself now, as well as kick myself into action to get to days to do list done this evening ;-)<br />
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Are you habitually early?<br />
Or are you one of those that make me curse? :-)<br />
Better Yet what would be your worst living nightmare?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-11287197880808940422011-11-13T20:34:00.001-08:002011-11-13T21:08:02.540-08:00Not Just Any Ordinary Wedding Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Bride wore the most beautiful smile as she walked down the aisle. Through the middle of the food court, while the attendees played Here comes the Bride on kazoo's. Her smile was for her true love waiting for her to finish her journey to him. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Groom stood on the carousel awaiting the arrival of his Bride. His smile shows the pride he feels for the woman he is about to wed. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They make such a lovely couple! I was blessed to be able to share this day with them! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Being pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Umm?? Can we kiss now???</span></div>
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The Pastor was so excited about pronouncing them husband and wife he forgot to let them kiss :-) </div>
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The Bride was sure to remedy that oversight :-) </div>
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<a href="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/shewhoolf/Matt%20and%20Serina/DSC_3195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/shewhoolf/Matt%20and%20Serina/DSC_3195.jpg" width="190" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Getting ready for the garter toss. Notice the shoes the bride is wearing? Not the traditional shoe of a bride, but I sure bet they are way more comfortable. I wonder where I can get a pair they are supper cute! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Got to love the mini gun and holster on the garter. Every gun loving mans dream! Obviously Mr. Sanderson thought it was a great touch!.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No wedding is complete without a wedding cake. Well unless you are attending this wedding. You would not know what to expect :-) How about a coffin of VooDoo Donuts? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All in all it was a wonderful day! I'm glad to have spent this special time with these two wonderful people. I have been blessed over the years with very unique and wonderful friends.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I should have my best friend guest blog on her </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mid-evil area wedding :-) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-2053485118254974902011-11-07T20:54:00.000-08:002011-11-07T20:54:20.812-08:00A Love Hate Relationship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I LOVE school! I love going and learning. I love interacting with the other students.I love doing my homework. Well most of the time. I love the feeling I get when I get my work back and I see the critics and praises.<br />
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I HATE not being able to fit more reading in. I hate that I have all these blogs I want to write, but by the time I'm done researching, writing, reviewing and revising I just don't feel up to tackling the blog. Sigh<br />
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Although I am ready to do another author interview. Any volunteers? :-) <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-3030426538409998152011-10-28T15:44:00.000-07:002011-11-13T22:15:18.816-08:00Interview With YA Author JILLIAN BOEHMEJILLIAN BOEHME writes MG and YA science fiction and fantasy and runs a successful blog for aspiring authors. She is the homeschooling mom of 5 incredible offspring and wishes someone would make gourmet meals for her and clean up the kitchen every night. Or at least rub her feet while she's writing. She lives with her husband and children in the rolling knolls of Middle Tennessee.<br />
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<i> I met Jillian many moons ago on a website for stay at home parents. We we won't go in to how many moons ago because that could give away some age details. We all know you never ask a woman her age! We have been online friends for most of that time .Jillian has </i><i>been willing to indulge my amateur interview skills. Someday ( hopefully in the not to distant future) Jillian will be a famous author! </i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1) </span></b><i> When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? Have you always just known? Or was it one particular event? Maybe it was gradual? </i><br />
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It's funny; when I revisit my childhood, I can see so clearly that I've always been a storyteller. I wrote my first rhyming poem when I was six, and my collection of illustrated picture books grew large over the years. I was one of those kids-who-like-to-do-lots-of-things, though, and in the end, my love of music won out. I got a degree in Music Education. It wasn't until I was in my 30s that I rediscovered my love for writing. There was a web site called Themestream that paid its writers 10 cents per click. I made hundreds of dollars and paid for Christmas that year! Unfortunately, the site's business model was flawed, and they eventually ran out of money and shut down. I came away from that experience calling myself an "essayist" and believing that I could never -- I mean NEVER -- write a novel. <br />
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Silly me. I think I was meant to write novels all along. :) <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2) </span></b><i> How did you figure out what genre you really wanted to write? What is your genre of choice.</i> <br />
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My first novel was fantasy -- no surprise, since that was always my first love. Like all first novels, it ended up with the label "practice novel" and tucked away. But my love for science fiction and fantasy hasn't changed. I'm not sure why I decided, at first, to write for teens, but now I can't imagine writing for any other audience. So my genre of choice is definitely YA, and I've written fantasy, dystopian, and--my latest--a paranormal. <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3)</span></b> <i>How do you find time to write without the distractions of life around you? I know as a home schooling stay at home mom your time must be limited. </i></div>
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Actually, quite the opposite is true! As my children enter high school, most of their work is independent, via CD-ROMS and such. I outsource the higher sciences, so they take those classes at a tutorial. My four-year-old naps from 1-3, so that's my writing time. Period. In fact, it's SACRED. I won't make appointments or anything during that time. (And woe is me, because my daughter is starting to outgrow her naps!) Also, my kids are supportive of my writing, and that helps. If they were wee, things would be a lot harder. But the older and more independent they become, the easier it is for me to write, and to work on all my writing-related things. <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4)</span></b> <i>I know you are like me in that you like to start your writing in a notebook. Letting it flow on lined paper with a pencil just seems to work so much better than sitting at a computer and letting my fingers type away. The big question is can you read your own writing? I know For me I struggle a bit to figure out what I wrote LOL. </i></div>
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My handwriting is AWFUL! I think way faster than I can write, but for some reason I keep trying to catch up anyway. I use my notebooks for working out plot, and sometimes even sketching characters (very badly -- I mean, seriously!). But once I start the actual draft, it's all on my laptop. Scrivener is my tool of choice! <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5)</span></b> <i>Speaking of reading a topic you and I have discussed on occasion. What is your favorite genres to read? </i><br />
Fantasy! Though I also love nineteenth century novels; Jane Austen is my favorite author. But I was one of those kids who read Nancy Drew and was frustrated that the ghosts and magical elements always ended up being someone pretending. Once I discovered the world of books that contained magic *for real*, I was hooked! <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6)</span></b> <i>I know you are a self-published Author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lima-Beans-Are-Allergic-Spoon/dp/159113143X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316980550&sr=8-1">“My Lima Beans Are Allergic to My Spoon”</a> . This Is a book every parent or soon to be parent should read. Do you think you will ever self-publish again? </i><br />
You know, if I were to write another non-fiction book, I would definitely self-publish. It was a great experience! But I don't believe self-publishing is necessarily the best choice for fiction. Not unless you have many thousands of dollars to invest in order to do it right. Pursuing traditional publishing can be VERY frustrating, but I'm blessed with a great agent who is enthusiastic and supportive. <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7)</span></b> <i>I know you have a new book in the works. Are you at a point you can share a little bit? Or are you still in the hush hush stage? </i> </div>
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The novel I'm currently tweaking with my agent is a YA paranormal set in a small beach town in New Jersey. It's funny, because when I started writing it, I was sure it was going to be urban fantasy. It sort of turned into a paranormal all by itself! <br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8)</span></b> <i>Is there anything else you would like to share about your writing that you have always wanted to explain to others? </i><br />
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I gave up trying to explain myself to others a long time ago! ;) But I think I would like people to know that when I'm sitting and staring out the window or at my blank screen, I'm actually WORKING. Because plotting is hard--it makes the inside of my head hurt! Logic doesn't come easily for me, so the plotting really stretches me. I guess I'm trying to say that writing novels is HARD WORK. That doesn't make me wonderful; it's just the truth. I'm glad I didn't know how hard it was when I first started, or I may have given up!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-23845477545418457612011-10-26T00:58:00.000-07:002011-10-26T00:59:03.677-07:00Obsession, Preoccupation, Neurosis, Crazy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: x-small;">How I interface with my books</span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/obsessions">Dictionary.com</a> defines Obsession as the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.<br />
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<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Reading">Dictionary.com</a> defines reading as<br />
The action or practice of a person who reads.</div>
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They are not exactly near each other in area definitions, but In my case<br />
<b>Reading = Obsession.</b></div>
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Hi My name is Doris and I have a little problem. </div>
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I can't stop thinking about the book I'm reading until I'm done reading it. Do you know what it is like to be sitting in a meeting or talking to your doctor, and all you can think about is the book you have waiting for you in your bag. That's not normal you say? You can set your book down and walk away with out feeling that need to go right back to it? For some of us a book calls to us. We must read until the end of the book. I personally prefer to pick out a series or Trilogies. One book is not enough I must read more about the characters. A single book is not enough time to really get to know them. This is not to say I won't read single stand alone books I do this often too. </div>
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I constantly think about the characters, the plot,and the location. I think about how I could be in a far far away land tagging along with the hero and heroine. I wonder what will happen next. Will they find the bad guy or maybe its treasure this time. I could be swimming with the dolphins or diving to find a lost city under the ocean. I love being there with a detective figures out who and how. Being at the take down of the bad guy is always a good feeling!<br />
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I can become so involved with a book I sometimes start to talk about the characters as if they are real people. If hear a conversation and if it makes me think of a book I have read I will blurt out So and So in the book I'm reading did that. I just leave out the part about it is a fiction book not a non fiction book ;-) Darn I'm giving away all my secrets!<br />
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Reading is my escape from the day to day pressures of life. I love that I can throw myself so deeply in to a book the world desolves around me. It drives my family nuts that I can block out everything :-) I just wish sometimes I could let it go :-) An author friend of mine bestowed on me one of the greatest gifts she could have ever given me. She let me read the first chapter of a book she is working on. I'm so obsessed I want to know what happens next. It has been weeks and I still think about the last scene I read. What was happening, what will happen next? Will XYZ happen... AND this is not just about a silly obsession! It sucked me in! :-) I have a need to know! :-) I have also been know to badger authors about their next book release. You all know who you are.<br />
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So this obsession of mine is only about 98% of the time. I know bad enough right? There are some books that I have a hard time getting in to. I will eventually read them, but it maybe in between the obsessive reading. I can't leave a book unread. Oh eek I guess that leads me right back to obsession huh? So do I need help? do they have groups for this? Or do you think I will survive on my own?<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-46579527031351489412011-10-22T15:23:00.000-07:002011-10-22T15:23:27.077-07:00If it's Not One Thing it's Another<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week the YJ's ( for those of you that don't know a YJ is a jeep wrangler between the years of 1985 through 1995) speedometer stopped working. Then when he came to a stop the RPM's would drop to about 200 yes that is 200 not 2k not cool. Dave tore in to it this weekend with the idea it maybe the speedometer gears. Sure enough the gears where chewed to crud. Yes I cleaned up the technical mechanic language there. Don't want to offend delicate ears. :-)<br />
<a href="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/shewhoolf/DSC_2747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/shewhoolf/DSC_2747.jpg" width="320" /></a>Dave ordered the part at the rate of highway robbery. OY! He went out to put the thing back together and comes right back in with a new part in his hands. SIGH! He calls around to get prices on this part. The distance sensor. It is the part that the speedometer plugs in to. It has a plug on one end and a<br />
un-removable nut on the other end. The nut broke in half. The dealer wants twice highway robbery for this part. OY! Not to mention it is on back order by 1.5 week. I'm so glad my Tj ( wrangler years 1997 through 2006) is under warranty! When crud breaks I can get it fixed cheap! for $0 if I do it at the dealer I bought if from :-)<br />
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I told Dave just to JB weld it for now! :-) LOL So off to Ace hardware he goes :-) Cross your fingers that it will hold for now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-50762046342919346732011-10-18T18:24:00.000-07:002011-10-18T18:31:44.034-07:00Interview with RS Author Betsy Horvath<div style="text-align: left;">
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BIOGRAPHY<br />
Betsy Horvath was raised on MGM musicals, old skool Harlequins, and Nancy Drew, so it should not have come as a shock that one day she'd be writing romance novels. The biggest surprise was that it took her so long to actually buckle down and do it.<br />
After mild flirtations with other genres and the completion of her B.A. in English, Betsy took a good look at her bookshelves. She realized that although she owned about a million romances, she hadn’t picked up anything by William Faulkner or James Joyce in years. An epiphany ensued and Betsy embraced her destiny as a romance author.<br />
Betsy lives in quiet, tasteful, splendor at the Palatial Horvath Estate surrounded by four cats, an elderly zebra finch, and far too much technology. You can usually find her at her website (<a href="http://www.betsyhorvath.com/">www.betsyhorvath.com</a>), on Twitter (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/BetsyHorvath">www.twitter.com/BetsyHorvath</a>), or hanging around Facebook (<a href="file:///C:/Users/Doris/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/JNMQNZ13/www.facebook.com/BetsyHorvath">www.facebook.com/BetsyHorvath</a>)<br />
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I discovered Betsy through author Toni Anderson. It all started over an invite to Google+ I had one to give and Betsy wanted one. At that point I had no idea she was an author about to have her first book <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/1FEACFE7-A729-4762-BD90-211E961313FC/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=2704DC6F-3A30-4049-9744-A4AD99046331">HOLD ME</a> released by <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/1FEACFE7-A729-4762-BD90-211E961313FC/10/134/en/Default.htm">Carina Press </a>. Once I discovered Betsys secret identity as an RS author me being me had to buy it and read it. I know big shock right? I fell in love with her leading lady Katie! She was brave, cute and wholesome all at the same time. Lucas wasn't bad as a leading man either :-) He had sex appeal, charm and self doubt.<br />
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Now on to the interview! </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1</span></b>. I think most readers are under the misguided impression that all authors are rich and all they do is write for a living. I use to be one of those misguided readers, but I have learned a lot since talking to authors. I know you have a day job. What do you do for your “day job”? ( no need to give away company secrets!) </div>
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That's the dream isn't it? And boy, I WISH all authors were rich! LOL I think authors are like actors - there's a small percentage who can support themselves by writing, and the rest of us merely aspire to reach that point. :D I do indeed have a day job. I work with an extremely large marketing database - basically I write query language to help the marketers implement various projects and strategies. It works for me, because it's actually pretty creative - you ask me for "female, age 50-60 in Florida" and I figure out the best way to get the database to cough up that data. On the other hand, it's nothing like writing, so I don't use up all of my fiction juice before I get home. Plus, working with computers so much helped a lot when I was setting up my blog. :D </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2</b>. </span>You talked on your <a href="http://www.betsyhorvath.com/betsys-blog/">blog</a> about things you have learned from the process of becoming a published author. Your first book<a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/1FEACFE7-A729-4762-BD90-211E961313FC/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=2704DC6F-3A30-4049-9744-A4AD99046331"> HOLD ME</a> came out on September 5th 2011 What one thing sticks out most? </div>
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Yes, this is the first book I've ever had published, and MAN, have I learned a lot by going through the whole publishing process. I have to say that one of the biggest things I've learned is that I can do it. I CAN get edits back on time. I CAN make my deadlines. I CAN network and blog and participate in a community. The other thing I've learned is how to handle people actually reading my book. Some people like what I've written, some people don't, and I have absolutely no control over who reads it or how they feel (or what they say about it). It's been both a joyous and humbling experience. So, okay, that's two things, not one - LOL </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>3.</b></span> As you were going through the process of finding a publisher and getting HOLD ME published what was the best part of the process? What was the worst part of the process? </div>
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Well, the best part about finding a publisher is the acceptance call! LOL But I think that goes without saying. :) Other than that, I think my favorite part was getting personal rejection letters from editors and agents. I learned so much about what they were looking for, and why they thought my book wouldn't work for them - they gave me an incredible amount of useful information. My favorite rejection letter was from the lady who became my editor at Carina Press, Rhonda Helms. <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/1FEACFE7-A729-4762-BD90-211E961313FC/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=2704DC6F-3A30-4049-9744-A4AD99046331">HOLD ME</a> was initially rejected, but I was invited to revise and resubmit. I'd made call-backs! And, obviously, I did revise and resubmit and the rest is history. :D </div>
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For me, the worst part about the hunt for a publisher is writing the query letter and the synopsis. It's not that I can't write them, because I can. It's just that I'm never sure they're GOOD enough. And there's so much information out there about writing a query and a synopsis that you can drive yourself crazy. I stew and stew over those darn things until I'm finally satisfied. Then I look at them a month or two later and find things I wish I had changed. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>4</b></span>. In an effort to get to know you a little better I spent some time reading over your blog. So you can sing the entire score to Oklahoma? WOW can you expand on why you can do this? J Oh and I think the wind swept house on the Oregon coast would be wonderful! Then I could come for a visit when I go on vacation. ( for more on this topic see Betsy’s <a href="http://www.betsyhorvath.com/2011/09/20/rejected-interesting-facts/">Blog entry</a> ) </div>
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Okla-homa! OKLA-HOMA! OKLA-HOMA!!! I know the entire score to Oklahoma because I was stage manager for our high school production. I wasn't a very GOOD stage manager, but I was there! LOL I also know it because my mind is a trash can full of knowledge - stuff goes in there and just sticks sometimes. By the way, I know the score for Carousel because I played a dancing bear. While I fainted from heat exhaustion in my costume, the music swirled around me. :D </div>
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And doesn't the windswept coast of Oregon sound nice? Someday....someday.... </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>5</b></span>. I always ask how a person figures out what genre they want to write, but you answered this question in your Bio. So instead I will ask what do you think interests you most about the Romantic Suspense genre? What parts do you like writing the most? The suspense or the romance? </div>
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I love how the romance and the suspense work together in the Romantic Suspense genre. In a good RS story, the strong emotions generated by a dangerous or life-threatening situation only serve to heighten the sense of intimacy between the hero and the heroine. All pretense is stripped away. </div>
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And for me it's all about the romance, baby! Some authors are different - for them the romance is a backdrop for the suspense. But I want the suspense to serve the romance. I want the suspense to be the vehicle that brings the hero and heroine together. </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6</span></b>. What did you do to celebrate the release of <a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/1FEACFE7-A729-4762-BD90-211E961313FC/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=2704DC6F-3A30-4049-9744-A4AD99046331">HOLD ME</a>? Anything fun and exciting? </div>
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Oh, it was VERY fun and exciting. I was on the computer most of the morning answering emails and tweets and such, and promoting myself on another blog. Then I cleaned the house. Living the dream. LOL </div>
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The only thing I have to say is, don't give up. If you have something you love to do, if you have a dream you'd like to pursue, then don't give up on it. It may take you a while, you may not get there as quickly as someone else, but you CAN do it. The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. :D</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-26132298751502045102011-10-13T13:56:00.000-07:002011-10-13T13:56:05.845-07:00Rambling thoughts once again. What can I say it's how I think.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's gray and blah today. I have no motivation to do what needs to be done. So I am going to pretend I'm an insect and I'm basking in the warmth of the morning sun. AHH I feel much better now! All warm and comfortable.<br />
I do have some exciting news though. First time published Author<a href="http://www.betsyhorvath.com/"> Betsy Horvath </a>has agreed to an interview on my blog. :-) I love picking the brains of authors. I always have these silly little questions pop up when I'm reading. I'm currently reading her book. I am really enjoying her protagonist, but this is not a book review site so you will have to read her book to make your own conclusions .<br />
Right before I sat down to write this blog entry I had 20 things running through my head I wanted to touch on. and POOF! my butt hit the chair and my brain went blank. Lets see I could touch on... No Politics is not a topic I will discuss. Hmmm I could talk about off road-ing again. No not again. OH I know School.<br />
I'm really enjoying school again this term. Well my writing and research classes are fun and keep me motivated. PE/health not so much. LOL I am so not a physically motivated person. I know for my own good I really need to change my life style and truly I am trying. It is just not near as fun as reading and writing. Although it is nice that the husband is taking the class with me. Makes it much harder to not do what needs to be done when he is doing it too. We can encourage each other and well the competitive edge in me can't let him get it done first LOL and his perfectionism keeps me from being too sloppy LOL<br />
Guess I should stop day dreaming about the sun now and get back to real life and to the chores that need to be done.<br />
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Have a great weekend!!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-30067033281750495192011-10-08T23:34:00.000-07:002011-10-08T23:42:48.644-07:00It's a good day when you don't roll your Jeep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok that's a little melodramatic. Well it may sound so to those that have not ever had the slightest chance of rolling a car. Have you ever felt that feeling of your vehicle tipping to one side or the other? Or the gradually sliding down an incline to one side ? The driver knows the only way it's going to stop is when it flops you over on your side. That feeling happened to a few of the guys today. BUT everyone kept their rigs right side up! No one took any major damage home. We lost a couple tires on a trail. And a few cosmetic peaces fell off. I mean really who needs all that stuff glued to the side of a car anyway ? Dave broke his passenger side fender flare. Oh and more than one dent in rock sliders and skid plates. They did their jobs well today!<br />
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This translated for the laymen to mean <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">ONE HELL OF A GOOD DAY OFF ROAD! </span></div>
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I conquered the one trail that put fear in my heart! Well up to this point anyway :-) I'm sure I will find another one. Fire Break 5 for some reason was that one trail i just could not bring myself to do. When Dave drove it I got out and walked to the top. Today I decided the hell with it! I was going to drive it myself, and I DID! So it took me twice as long as any of the other guys to accomplish this task. That is ok because I didn't give up and turn around or make someone else drive it for me. I love it when I'm able to push myself past my comfort zone and accomplish something big!</div>
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Thank you to my friend and fellow Jeeper Vincent Sortino for taking the photos of me coming up<br />
Fire Break 5<br />
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If anyone wants to wast 6 minutes of your life and watch the video it can be <a href="http://youtu.be/o9qq2TtE_-w">found here </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Tillamook State Forest, Tillamook, OR 97141, USA45.5696866 -123.647813645.2139841 -124.27952760000001 45.9253891 -123.0160996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-33009136788093082202011-10-07T20:37:00.000-07:002011-10-07T20:37:08.966-07:00Things I saw today<br />
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A bright blue helicopter flying around the buildings down town with a white cloudy back drop.<br />
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People dancing on the sidewalks (not all of them needed headphones to have this fun)<br />
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A donk driving down the road ( if you need to know what one is <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=donk&hl=en&newwindow=1&biw=1600&bih=775&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=aLSPTr3kLuilsAKZktGZAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQsAQ">click here</a>) each their own a guess.<br />
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Goats in small pin in SE Portland ( pretty sure that is illegal ) <br />
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2 medical calls with in 1.5 blocks of each other both complete with ladder trucks and ambulance in down town Portland.<br />
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Way to many stupid people driving and talking on cell phones!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-47904457990949405362011-10-05T10:51:00.000-07:002011-10-05T10:51:20.276-07:00Reading and Walking?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Those that know me know I'm an avid reader. I read books the old fashion way in print, I read ebooks, and I listen to audio books when I don't have the time to sit and read. I do tend to carry a book with me when I leave the house, but I refrain from reading it until I'm at a full stop. Whether I be in my car or on foot. I stop movement. I pull my book out of my bag and either stand or sit to read. Now if I'm listening to a book I can continue to move and not worry so much. The reason? I can still use my eyes to see where I'm going. I don't have to worry about tripping over roots growing out of the sidewalk, or bumping in to the person standing at the light waiting to cross. The big one and I know my self well enough to know I would do this! I won't walk off the curb and fall in front of an oncoming car! WOOHOO for me!<br />
This is something I see all the time around here. People walking and reading. Sure it is nice to know I live in such a literate location, but really? Walking a reading? To me it seems almost as dangerous as texting and driving. Then again you don't hear on the news car hit by book reading pedestrian. I wonder has anyone done a study on this? They do studies on who really has the remote more often men or women? I wonder if someone will think to do a study on injures that happen to the reading walkers.<br />
I guess this is such a hard fact for me to comprehend because I can hardly walk and talk at the same time let alone walk and read LOL <br />
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My rambling thoughts for the day<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-24682866908374132142011-10-04T17:30:00.000-07:002011-10-04T17:30:03.363-07:00Me Enjoy Writing?<div style="text-align: left;">
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Who knew that I would come to love writing so much and I would want to go to school to learn more about it. Yep that's correct the English flunky LOVES I repeat LOVES writing. Sure I still have a ton to learn about proper writing, but I'm learning and enjoying as I do.<br />
I have blogged for years now. Some of my readers have been with me for more than ten years and more than a few blog moves. They have also put up with my sloppy sentence structure, horrible punctuation and we won't even talk about my spelling before spell check in browsers LOL </div>
I have always loved to share about my families adventures and my life as a stay at home mom. I never thought about using that enjoyment of sharing to work toward a career. I'm not sure exactly what I want to work toward but at least I have a direction to look in to now. I have never known what I wanted to be other than the stay at home mom that I was. It is nice to have something tangible to think about.<br />
I still need to go in and talk to my academic advisor and have my major changed. The community college doesn't offer a "writing" degree so I will have to do some sort of general study degree that will let me take lots of writing classes. I would really like to do my major in journalism. They have a journalism class but not a degree. I will have to wait until I get to the University for that. <br />
Another thing I never thought about was research. I have always been the sort that if I didn't know what something was I looked it up. I want to know what people are talking about around me and learn new things. So research is something I have done on a small scale for a long time. I never thought about taking a class in how to research until my writing teacher suggested one on our syllabus. I figured what the heck it won't hurt to take it. Who knew I would enjoy learning research techniques LOL Yep I'm actually enjoying the text book. NEVER in a million years did I think I would enjoy a text book especially on research LOL<br />
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Ok off to do more home work<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-62591754186153941022011-10-02T15:05:00.000-07:002011-10-02T15:05:53.658-07:00A Drive Down Hogs back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A little Video of my of road fun :-) Pictures and stories are fun, but nothing beats a video :-) Enjoy</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-61151423705454309482011-10-01T08:59:00.000-07:002011-10-01T08:59:32.213-07:00Must Sleep With Notebook! Yawn I have a short essay do on Monday. I have not really put much thought in to it. The ideas are just kind of rolling around in the back of my head. <br />
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It is now 1:30 am Saturday morning I'm done with the other home work I needed to finish. I go to bed because I can no longer keep my eye lids open. I snuggle down in to my nice soft warm bed. I pull my blanket up to my chin, breath a sigh of contentment and start to drift off in to the place between wake and sleep. A blissful place of no worries and no stress. A deep dark black nothing.<br />
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Just as I reach my little black bliss BOOM!!!!!!!!!!! my head explodes with my essay. Words are swimming around in my head bouncing off my mostly empty cranium. The words start forming an introduction paragraph. My eyes fly open and I sit straight up. I KNOW from experience If I don't get this down on paper I will forget before morning. I toss my nice warm covers off and run half naked to the living room. Hoping all the while my son stays in his room! I grab my note book and run back to bed.<br />
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Ahhhh The words start flowing from my head to my hand. I'm writing as fast as I can. Trying to keep up with the flow of words that have stopped bouncing around and are forming complete thoughts. Well as complete as ones brain can be at 1:30 am after a day of school work. Now the hard part! Trying to read my awful handwriting LOL yep I have chicken scratch for handwriting and have a hard time reading it myself.<br />
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So far this is how all my essays start out. My eyes flying open and rushing to get my thoughts down on paper. I try to be prepared when I know I have a paper to write, but once in a while I get caught off guard with out my trusty notebook. I should just make it a habit to take it to bed every night even when I'm not working on a paper. That would mean I would have to be more organized and well that may just never happen :-)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-69014941643207850502011-09-27T19:23:00.000-07:002011-09-27T19:33:27.006-07:00Interview with Romantic Suspense Writer Toni Anderson<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Biography<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Toni Anderson is a former Marine
Biologist turned Romantic Suspense writer who now lives in the Canadian
prairies with her husband and two children. Her stories are set in the
stunning locations where she’s been lucky enough to live and work—the blustery
east coast of Scotland, the remote isolated mining communities of Northern
Labrador, the rugged landscapes of the U.S. and Australia. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Check out Toni’s </span><a href="http://tonianderson.shawwebspace.ca/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">website</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"> for a list of current titles, her </span><a href="http://tonianderson.blogspot.com/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">blog</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"> and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toni-Andersons-books/153356538022559"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook Author Page</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"> for writing news and
her personal </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/toniannanderson"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook page</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"> and </span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/toniannanderson"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Twitter</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"> for constant nonsensical chatter. She is also part of
a wonderful group blog—</span><a href="http://notyourusualsuspects.blogspot.com/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Not Your Usual
Suspects</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">. Come introduce yourself.</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b> I discovered Toni Anderson on a lark. I was in need of a long book to listen to while I did some work around the house. I checked out the Romantic Suspense genre at Audible.com ( one of my favorite genres). Toni had the longest book in the list of books that looked interesting. That book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sea-of-Suspicion-ebook/dp/B003NX7C1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317000372&sr=8-1">SEA OF SUSPICION </a>. I was hooked. After finishing this book I looked to see if she had any other books. WOOHOOO to my delight she had two more books on the shelves. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Storm-Warning-ebook/dp/B004322F9A/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3">STORM WARNING </a> and her first book published <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Her-Sanctuary-Toni-Anderson/dp/1601544189/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2">HER SANCTUARY </a>.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b> After reading all three books, I wanted more to read and I wanted to tell the author how much I enjoyed her books. I hit google up and found her on facebook. I messaged her and told her just how much I enjoyed her books and how I really hoped she had another one coming out. Luckily for me she didn't find me as stalker-ish as I'm sure I sounded and accepted my friend request on facebook. Toni has been nice enough to indulge me in my amateur interview skills and is granting me an interview for my blog. Toni describes her books with the tag line <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><i>Atmospheric Tales of Love & Murder. </i></span>I have to agree. Now on to the Interview. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>I
know you had a full career in marine biology before you became a published
Author. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Well a fiction writer
anyway? I’m sure you did plenty of writing as a marine biologist J</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b> If you want references to my old papers I am sure I
can track them down...just kidding J. The weird thing is I
did a lot of writing as a kid. Poetry, songs, torturous diary entries, but then
my older sister read my diary and exposed my secrets to the world and I don’t
think I wrote another thing—outside science—for 20 years. Then when I moved to
Canada in 1995 (for the first time) I discovered romance novels and this really
gave me the impetus to at least <i>think</i>
that I could try my hand at writing a novel. When I was back in Scotland,
expecting my first child, I finally got the time to give it a go.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>How
did you figure out what genre you wanted to write?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b> I knew what genre I loved to read—Romantic
Suspense—and the types of TV shows I love to watch (CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS),
so Romantic Suspense and Mystery seemed like a good fit. I love the idea of
people falling in love in difficult, even dangerous, circumstances. Actually, I
did once write a straight contemporary aimed at Harlequin Presents (it’s still
on my PC). It was the hardest thing I’ve ever written (perhaps barring my
current snow leopard story) because you have to maintain tension without any
external help. No bullets or bombs to bring the hero and heroine closer together
or to drive them apart. It opened my eyes as to how something so simple can
actually be incredibly hard to achieve</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>3. <span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>I
know you have shared writing strategies on <a href="http://notyourusualsuspects.blogspot.com/">“Not Your Usual Suspect “</a>
blog such as WIP organization and character naming. Do you enjoy sharing your
writing strategies with others? I know I enjoy learning how others go about
things.</b></span></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b> This is a difficult question. I do enjoy sharing
writing strategies, but I’m never sure I have that much to offer other people.
There are so many more established writers out there, and some fantabulous
writing books, that what I’m sharing seems very minor. However, if I do help
anyone, offer encouragement or inspiration, well, that’s a good thing</b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span"> 4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>You have your 4<sup>th</sup> book <span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">EDGE OF SURVIVAL. Coming November 21st, 2011, from</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></i></span><a href="http://ebooks.carinapress.com/77DE97B5-68DB-4A43-B9BF-D87A49688070/10/134/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=10247674&SortBy=date"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Carina Press</span></i></a><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">. </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">I know your
readers are excited for its release. (if I could I would have stood over
you with a whip until you were done! ) When you published your first book
</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Her-Sanctuary-Toni-Anderson/dp/1601544189/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">HER SANCUARY</span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> could you imagine your 4<sup>th</sup> book coming out
just a short 2 years later (ok not so short for us readers!) </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">*Ouch*. No whips. I’m work hard,
honest </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">J</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">. And thank you for being excited </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">J</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b> When you say four books in two
years it actually sounds pretty good, huh? But, yes, I <i>could</i> imagine it because I’ve been working on these stories for a
long time. I’ve been writing for 12 years so no overnight success for me. One
thing I would say, I’m not someone who is easily satisfied and I’m never 100%
happy with my work, but I am cognizant of the fact that there is a time when
you must let it go. I’m getting better at letting go.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">5.</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Is the release
of this book as exciting to you as the first time?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b> Yes! Actually I really love all
my books. They might not be as perfect as I envisage them <i>before</i> I start writing, but I really love the stories and the
characters in my books. I was super excited to write a story set in Northern
Labrador and I adore my hero and heroine (just hoping others do too!).</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span"> 6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Do you do
anything special to celebrate each release? Like send the kids to a sitter and
enjoy some peace and quiet </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">J</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> or do you and your husband go out for a nice dinner and
night on the town?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> We go out as a family for a meal,
usually fish and chips in the great British tradition. To be honest my hubby is
Irish and any excuse for a night on the town, he’ll take it </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">J</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span">7.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">I know you are
a stay at home mom. When school is out how do you manage to get time in for
writing with the little ones running around?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> It can be pretty intense being a
mom and a writer. At first you have to pound it into people that you aren’t at
home, you’re writing. When the kids are out of school my sanity is strained
(understatement). This summer, I took to getting up at 6 am to write. This is
totally out of my natural sleep rhythm. I’d write until midday and then I’d do
stuff with the kids. I also use earplugs—isn’t that awful? </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">J</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> But my workspace is on the ground floor in an open plan
house, so I put earplugs in and ignore everything except blood and broken
bones.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">8.</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Is there
anything else you would like to share with your readers?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> I’m always thrilled to hear from readers (well, less
thrilled if you didn’t like the book but thankful you paid your hard-earned
money to buy the book </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">J</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">). And I love connecting with people online
(just ask Doris </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">J</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">) so drop me a comment on my </span><a href="http://tonianderson.blogspot.com/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">blog</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">,</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toni-Andersons-books/153356538022559"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook Author Page</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"> or </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/toniannanderson"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook page</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Again Thank you Toni. I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">appreciate</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> your willingness to play along. </span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Next Author </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;">Interview</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> will be with up and coming YA SFF </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">writer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Jill Schafer Boehme.</span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-75055854389270365922011-09-26T22:01:00.000-07:002011-09-26T22:01:50.422-07:00What a day!First day of school for my family and a few adult friends of mine. All went pretty well I think.<br />
<br />
Dave did an errand for a friend, then headed off to school. Only took him 45 minutes to find parking that was a 15 minute walk from class LOL I on the other hand only took 30 minutes to find parking 2 spots from my by building. Granted the class was at the opposite end of the building LOL. Parking is a bit of an issue for PCC. When I have early morning classes it's not an issue as I always get there supper early. This term the teacher I wanted for the class i'm taking is a mid day class. This time of day is a nasty time to try and find parking. From now on i'm not even going to try and find parking somewhat close! I'm just going to the farthest lot and call it good. I can use the extra walk for PE credit LOL<br />
<br />
After I got out of class I headed out to pick Levi up from work. My Jeep started making a LOUD pop when I turned and then there rear felt like it skipped to the opposite side as the turn. I had no idea what it was.<br />
It did one more BIG pop skip and a couple quite ones. I got to Levi's work and look under the Jeep and didn't really see anything out of place or that looked wrong. I told him about the noise. I was fully prepared for something to happen as we drove home and NOTHING! It could not make it do the noise. THEN!! About half way home it happen! I started to turn at a 3 way stop and it did it. It popped but it added a new twist to the game! There was a grinding noise now too. I stopped and did my best to get out of traffic.<br />
After pulling over and getting the idiot behind me to finally go around me ( he threw a little fit. Really? its not like I purposely chose the middle of an intersection to have car trouble sheesh! ) Levi got out to look around and could not find anything broken or fallen off.<br />
<br />
We decide to go ahead and try and make it home. As soon as we started to turn it made that awful noise again, POP the car jerks and then the grinding noise starts again. OY!!! We decided I will turn my 4 ways on and try and make it to the 7-11 down the road. halfway to 7-11 the Jeep starts making this metal on metal grinding sounds, it feels funny to drive. We limp to 7-11 and call the shop and get their address so I can call a tow truck. sigh!<br />
<br />
Got her to the shop and they take a look at her and listen to my story. By the time I get home well ok I was home about 10 minutes and I received this photo and am told my spider gears are toast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkBm3CwkzhAAYPxnnVKTLuKtfbuWxZWQlqtzpZ6tYvaKtGzCvjZNywvkOUrDXbNJvakWvo26QkXPiGUle4vHN_mKmJ7RJWXoOqRG_Z8ON_O0jBuJFp_Dppb9n-qi84qOrhCUunK3q-5M/s1600/2011-09-26_16-33-32_777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkBm3CwkzhAAYPxnnVKTLuKtfbuWxZWQlqtzpZ6tYvaKtGzCvjZNywvkOUrDXbNJvakWvo26QkXPiGUle4vHN_mKmJ7RJWXoOqRG_Z8ON_O0jBuJFp_Dppb9n-qi84qOrhCUunK3q-5M/s640/2011-09-26_16-33-32_777.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I guess she will be getting a new set. </div>
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At least everyone had a good first day of school LOL </div>
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We won't talk about David's issue with saving his home work and the computer eating it shhhhhhhhhhh</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990110633267144955.post-58153666218132358582011-09-25T09:00:00.000-07:002011-09-25T09:00:04.486-07:00What to do When a Husband and Wife argue over DrivingSo many stories I want to tell and not enough time to tell them all! OY!<br />
<br />
So what do you do when you and the spouse argue over who is going to drive the off road trails?<br />
<br />
Answer: If you are the wife you tell the husband to sell the camp trailer and take the money and buy his own dang jeep!<br />
<br />
For a little information<br />
Trail rating<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Green</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"> </span>= Easy<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Blue</span> = Moderate<br />
Single Black Diamond = Difficult<br />
Double Black Diamond = More difficult ( modified rigs)<br />
Triple Black Diamond = Most Difficult ( heavily modified rigs)<br />
<br />
I never thought I would really enjoy off road driving until I got the guts up to drive my first trail. The first trail I drove was a single black diamond! LOL nothing like jumping in feet first. I was hooked! I knew I would not be able to sit in the passenger seat anymore. I had to hold that steering wheel in my hands as I ascended and descended hill sides. I had to hold that steering wheel while I navigated around rocks, tree roots and stumps. I wanted that adrenaline rush to come from my doing the driving instead of being scared and feeling out of control as a passenger. <br />
<br />
Well Dave felt the same way. He pouted a bit each time I drove. You know a mother can only handle the pouty lip for so long before giving in!<br />
<br />
We had already planed on selling our camp trailer because we traded our tow rig in on the 2005 Jeep. I told Dave he could have that money to buy his own jeep.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/shewhoolf/De%20Jeep/De%20sibling/DSC_2014crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/shewhoolf/De%20Jeep/De%20sibling/DSC_2014crop.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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We have had so much fun with our Jeeps. We have a built in trail buddy no mater if any one else is available the day we want to go. The best part is his is paid for!!! so only payments on mine ugggg ;-( Well ok that is the second best part! LOL the best best part is I get to drive all trails! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Oregon, USA43.8041334 -120.554201240.8712409 -125.60791219999999 46.7370259 -115.5004902