Freebee Friday!

So cute I couldn't help it.

--Me

Hubby deserves more credit than I give him

(Read this post for my conversation with Hubby about a couple versus a few)


Text @ 8:31 AM from Hubby: My sweatshirt showed up at Cabela's. Maybe we will go pick it up after work.

Text @ 8:43 AM from Hubby: I will need to look at a few + a couple things!!! Silk liners, reloading bullets, GPS, scope.

Text @ 8:56 AM from me: What?! I told you yesterday you don't get more than 3. For you, that word doesn't exist

Text @ 8:57 AM from Hubby: That's why it was a few + a couple things! That gives me at least five

Text @ 8:59 AM from me: You're learning quickly. This is not good…


 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 3:32 PM
To: Hubby
Subject: AFTER WORK

You know you're going to have to get me a Starbucks to keep me happy while you're trolling around in Cabela's, right?

;)


 
From: Hubby
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:00 PM
To: Me
Subject: Re: AFTER WORK

Dear Mrs. Lovely Eyes,

I regret to inform you that your personal request, dated 9/28/2011 at 3:32 pm, for such a luxurious, extravagant (and might I say highly over priced) burnt beans & watered down drink has been declined for the following reasons:

1. Your request is delinquent and has passed the contract negotiation period of 9/28/2011 at 12:00PM
2. Furthermore, independent studies conducted by the CWANA (Caffeine Watchers Association of North America) have proven that 99% of women who drink coffee past noon go crazy. (Please see attached exhibit A: Document for Independent Study Results. *Disclaimer: No Animals were killed because of these studies. However many lunches where provided to the volunteers researched in these studies that consisted of numerous species being devoured
3. It should be considered a privileged to accompany Hubby on his safari to locate the newest and greatest equipment available
4. You have no money!

You have 15 min to submit your appeal to this ruling. If you do not meet the time frame you will be considered non-responsive and penalties set forth will be upheld.

Sincerely,
No Fun 


 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:03 PM
To: Hubby
Subject: AFTER WORK

Oh. My. Gosh.

I can't believe you put that much effort into telling me no.

 PS – you know I'm going to do it anyway, right?


 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:05 PM
To: Hubby
Subject: RE: AFTER WORK


 
Ps – you forgot the attachment with the independent findings of the CWANA "we give you nothing but crap" group.


 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:05 PM
To: Hubby
Subject: RE: AFTER WORK


 
Oh, and you KNOW this is going to be made into a blog post….


 
From: Hubby
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:09 PM
To: Me
Subject: Re: AFTER WORK


 
You clearly missed the disclaimer at the bottom.

* Rule to a happy life supersedes original terms and condition set in place. This rule dictates a happy wife gets what a wife wants.


 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:23 PM
To: Hubby
Subject: RE: AFTER WORK


 
That's right.


 

Inspiration in all shapes and sizes

It's weird the things that inspire me to write. In this case the song in the first video plus the action in the second video.

Song + action = fun new book idea.

--Me

Tuxedo Row

Me and some coworkers
before the race

I ran in my first 5k race this weekend and it was a blast. It was an all women's race, so the only men were at the very end where they were dressed in tuxedos lining both sides of the street. They cheered us on as we finished the race. It was such a blast. If you watch the video, it's like your running Tuxedo Row with me. :) Better than 3D. Also, in the middle, I kind of ran into the woman in front of me. :)

Sorry lady.

--Me

Freebee Friday!

HERE
--Me

A couple is 2 a few is 3

I've been trying to teach Hubby the difference between the meaning of "a couple" and "a few". Correction: I've been trying to teach Hubby that those two phrases actually have a numeric value attached to them. I figured this was a necessity in our marriage after a few trips that went like this:

Hubby: "We need to go to the sporting goods store."

Me: "Why?"

Hubby: "I need to look at some camping/fishing/hunting stuff and a couple of other things."

Okay, I could handle that. Meanwhile, TWO HOURS and every product in the store later, I realize Hubby doesn't know that couple & few have literal values. So, I decided to educate him the next time he tried to pull this with me.

Hubby: "I need to go to Wal-Mart."

Me: "For what?" *Trying to finish Blood Red Road*

"I need to look at a couple of things."

"First of all, you don't need to, you want to."

*Rolls his eyes* "You're right; I want to look at a couple of things I need."

Touché, Hubby, Touché. "How many things?"

"I don't know--a couple."

"A couple is two."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"Fine then. A few things."

*Doesn't look up from book* "A few is three."

"No it isn't."

"Yes it is, look it up."

"I don't like being limited."

"Tough, you have to choose. I don't want to wander around Wal-Mart for hours; it's a black hole in that place. Seriously, who puts water filters for Brita pitchers in the auto section?"

"What if I need more than three things?"

"For you, that word doesn't exist. Three's your limit"

"Fine, a few things." At which point I think the conversation is over. But then I hear him say under his breath, "Or right around there."

Just when I think I've got him….

Happy Thursday, my friends!

Some things I’ve discovered along the way in the world of writing

1. 
2. Answers don't need to be given for everything, some mystery is good (and may give rise to inspiration to other ms ideas) Nothing is ever answered fully in the real world
3. There doesn't have to be a reason behind a character's every action, merely a clear motivation (which are, in fact, two different things)
4. Nothing has to be tied into a pretty, neat, sparkly bow, it only has to be plausible and make sense, having enough of a conclusion to be realistic and satisfying for the reader
5. Not every character has to be beautiful and perfect and well-rounded. Rarely does someone in the real world fit into a nice, patterned geometric shape with bright pretty colors
6. Actions/trials/crisis can be simple to the reader, it only has to feel big and earth-shattering to the character that it's happening TO
7. Everyone needs an ally--someone to balance them out, give them encouragement, and act as a slight comic relief at times (in my opinion and in my stories, anyway—the comic relief part)
8. People don't always take the simplest, most straight-forward route out of a difficult situation
9. But then again, they usually do. Just not always
10. Some questions can't be answered and some answers aren't known. By anybody (see point 1)
11. Characters need flaws/shortcomings/insecurities and they need to feel real and relatable to your readers. They need issues to overcome, making them stronger and changing them for the better in the end (P.S. – the outcomes that make them stronger, don't always have to be happy. Again, real life.)
12. You, as a writer, need to be able to laugh and roll your eyes and criticize your own work. If you can't look at a really bad piece of writing and say to yourself, "This is horrible!" and then laugh, you won't be able to see how you can make it amazing.
13. That being said, you, as a writer, also need to look at your work and be able to cheer, puff out your chest, and admit to yourself that, "Damn, that really is GOOD."
14. It's okay to get depressed every once in a while after getting dozens and dozens of rejections from agents and/or publishers. Just park your butt on the couch, grab a gallon of your favorite Coldstone or Blue Bunny ice cream and watch a marathon of Supernatural, seasons 1-6. Just make sure you get over it when you reach the bottom of your ice cream bucket(s) and the credits roll on episode 126, ready to start fresh in the morning.

Enjoy and happy Tuesday, my friends!

Just Read...

Blood Red Road
by Moira Young

Another well-written and engaging book. Book report to follow. And it has followed.
--Me

Freebee Friday!

--Me

The Truth Hurts

When I turned 25, it was like a mid-life crisis for me.

In five more years, I'll be thirty. I'm a quarter or a century. I think I was bed-ridden for days. Once I passed that little setback, I was fine. I actually started to round up in age. I was finally over the fact that I was getting "old". Even though my birthday isn't until the end of January, I always round up and when people ask me how old I am, I tell them I'm 27. Because, after all, I'm totally over the fact that your age is what makes you old. I'm so cool and "don't care" that I'll tell people I'm older than I really am.

So, I was registering the other day for a the 5k I'm doing next weekend and filling in all the information. There's a minimum age requirement, so I skimmed across the section that said something about having to be at least nine on 9/14, or something like that, and then a lot of other stuff that sounded like yada, yada, yada.

It asked for my birthday, I put it in. Then it preceded to tell me that I'm 27.

What the heck. Only I'm allowed to round up on my age. Not some 5k online registration form. Then I remembered that thing about having to be 9 by 9/14 and I thought that had come into play, but the more I thought about it, the more confused I got. I held out my hands and did the math on my fingers.

Oh crap…..

I'm 27 turning 28. NOT 26 turning 27.

For two years I've been lying to myself/others—and believing—that I'm only 26. I'm not. I'm 27.

I told Hubby my revelation when we were driving home from work. His response? "What do you mean you're turning 28?!?! I thought you were turning 26!"

And that's why I dyed my hair brown. Not knowing my own age was a serious blonde moment. But I have to laugh, otherwise I'll cry. I'm 27, folks. In a few short months, I'll be 28.

Excuse me; I need to go get a tissue.

Sometimes, I wish I wouldn't get so many judgemental looks at work when I'm chair dancing. what? It's a good song! http://bit.ly/nAWx5e

ARC Alert!!!

Haven't done one of these bad boys in a loooong time. I don't even remember signing up for this one, to be honest. I think I'll put aside Blood Red Road and read this one. The other one is AMAZING, but it's slow going, and I feel like dipping into a quick read. So, this means that I'll have to pick up the first in the series, Halo.

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

YA Paranormal

(I guess it's not really an ARC because it came out 8/30/11, but, it still says so on the cover)

--Me

Freebee Friday!!

Love this website. http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com/


--Me

You know in movies when something bad happens and the MC just stands there, staring in disbelief? I totally know why they do that now.

Justin for Senator

From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 10:46 AM
To: Me
Subject: nonpub ad

 
This is a non-publishable ad that ran in today's pub.  Can you make it publishable please??  Thanks!

 
Justin







From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 10:59 AM
To: Justin
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

Give me a "D"
D!
Give me an "O"
O!
Give me a "N"
N!
Give me an "E"
E!

 What does that spell?!

Thank you,

Me






From: Bennett, Rachel - Boise
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:00 AM
To: Winegar, Justin - Boise
Subject: RE: Mesa Systems 543507 nonpub ad

 
I said. "What does that spell", darn it?

Thank you,

 Me






From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:01 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 Wow!  Okay, okay, it spells DONE!!  Don't hurt me!!!!!!!!

 Justin 






From: Bennett, Rachel - Boise
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:01 AM
To: Winegar, Justin - Boise
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
Darn skippy. 


 
Thanks for participating.

 
Thank you,

 
Me







From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:01 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
You're welcome. 

 
Don't you mean "damn" skippy??   


 
Justin




 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:02 AM
To: Justin
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
That too.

 
Thank you,

 
Me







From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:02 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
Good.  Now that's $10 you owe the swear jar! Ma-ha-ha

 
Justin


 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:02 AM
To: Justin
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
You cheater! You belong in Congress.

 
Thank you,

 
Me


 


From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:03 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
Hahaha, that I do!  That..I..do.

 
2012 here I come!  Congressman Ju…no, no…SENATOR Justin!  


 
Justin

 


From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:05 AM
To: Justin
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
 I will contribute to that political campaign fund.

 
What will your platform be? Swear Jars? I think that would definitely clench it for you.

 
Thank you,

 
Me







From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:07 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
Thank you!  Yes, swear jars will be my number one concern, along with making Mumford and Sons mandatory listening, once a week.  Also, some less important stuff like lowering taxes on the middle class and getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan.  


 
Justin



 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:13 AM
To: Justin
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
Those last things should only be a minor mention, though. May I also suggest adding to your list of Mandatory Listening: Frances + the Machine & Adele. It can only make our country grow stronger as individuals. That alone has the power to stop the earthquakes in Japan and the tsunamis in Thailand.

 
Also, I strongly urge you to mention something about May 21, 2011, and for those of us left, October 21, 2011 as well.

 
Thank you,

 
Me


 


From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:18 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
Good points!  I totally spaced the May 21^st thing.  Wow, I guess I don't have time for 2012, I need to be elected NOW!  The world needs to know they only have about two months left.  That means a LOT of listening to Mumford and Florence needs to be done.

 
Justin



 
From: Me
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 12:20 PM
To: Justin
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
Heck yes it does! Maybe copious amounts of listening will push back the timeline for the destruction of the world.

 
Thank you,

 
Me




 
From: Justin
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 12:23 PM
To: Me
Subject: RE: nonpub ad

 
We can only hope!

 
Justin

FINISHED! FINISHEDFINISHEDFINISHED! I'm doing my finished dance right now! Now for the fun part *cracks knuckles* EDITING!!!

Divergent

Divergent

By Veronica Roth

YA Dystopian

Rating: PG

Coffee Beans: 5/5

Spoiler Alert: None

This book was in one word: amazing.

And I know I'm going to have to have to give you a lot more than that in order to fully convince you that I'm right. I just hope that I can be coherent about it in this BR.

When I first made the post that this is one the best books I've ever read, I knew it was a powerful statement. I don't throw that title around willy-nilly. Very few books have made it onto my list, to date. I like to think of myself in being an eclectic and well-rounded reader. I don't stick to any one genre, but read across the board. Mystery, literary, YA, sci-fi/fantasy, humor, literary, MG, paranormal, romance (although, not very much), any every combination in between. I don't limit myself and read whatever I can get my hands on and whatever might sound remotely interesting. And I've read a fair amount of books in my short amount of time on this earth (26 years) – nearly a book a week or so since I was probably 12, so about 700 books.

Now, I'm not saying that that in any way makes me a guru or that my words are the gospel truth, but it does lend power to my statement that this is one hell of a great book.

I'll give you the official summary that's on the back jacket flap of the book, because I don't want to give anything away that might spoil it for you, as a reader.

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Roth is such a talented and amazing author. Most YA books are, for the most part, fairly superficial and follow pretty much the same formula (Sacrificing plot for character development, or 2D characters for a great story ARC, etc). But Divergent is much more than the typical YA book. There's a very literary quality to it without being off-putting for young readers.

All of her characters are real and deep –not one is merely a surface character created simply to take space or fill a clichéd role. Each one has their own story, their own ARC, and their own motives driving their part of the story. As a whole, the different parts come together masterfully and seamlessly to make one complete, deep and realistic setting and story.

I think what I like most, is Roth's focus on the story telling. She makes that the most important element, and as a natural result, everything else falls into place. The relationship between Tris and Four, Al, and Christina, are so dynamic and real, I found myself nodding and saying, "Yup, I've had a few of those in my life."

The descriptions were also very well done. There's one in particular that made me smile, on page 97 (for those of you with the book) when she describes Eric. It's only a couple of sentences long, but after I read that, I knew EXACTLY what kind of person (not character, because Roth turns them into people) Eric was. I didn't need anything else. And that's something else she does: she makes her words count. Word economy, people. It's a skill I wish I had on her level. There are many more examples I could give (her descriptions of heights that left me sweating), but I'll let you discover them for yourself.

I was hooked from the beginning. When Tris was looking out her school room window, watching the Dauntless rolling in on the train, jumping off as it was still moving, I was sucked into her world. I wanted to be there. I could picture it, I was there. And I said to myself, when they make this into a movie, it's going to rock.

She grips you with vivid emotions that rock your world. At the end of chapter 23 (again, no specific details because I want you to read this book for yourselves), I sat on my front porch, in stunned silence, saying out loud over and over, "Wow. Oh, wow."

I can't say enough good things about the book, except this: Go an pick it up. Or better yet, I have an extra copy. If you want it, let me know and I'll send it to you. If, by some weird freak act of nature more than one person tells me they want a copy, I'll choose the winner with Random.org and ship it out on Monday the 12^th.