Happy New Year

When I was a child, my grandma told me.. oh you have a babysitting job on New Year's eve.. that is wonderful!! She then said there was an expression that went something like.. whatever you are doing on New Year's Eve you will be doing all year long.. which meant.. cool you are working so you will have work all year..

The trouble is, that saying has stuck with me my entire life.. and every New Year's I struggle with it. If I am alone I go into a depression.. worried that I will be alone for the rest of the year.. If I am unemployed, I worry that I will not have a job... see the problem? 

Yes I know this was just a silly saying that Grandma said to me that was meant to encourage but nutcase that I am... somewhere, I took it deep into my heart and it comes out every New Year.. I am thrilled that the kids all have plans.. that means they will have plans and be surrounded by friends and or family for the entire year of 2012!!

Me I am here, working on my websites and chatting w/some authors that I have meant online.. now this might sound depressing but I have this theory.... I have been chatting w/some authors to help build up our base on Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy. So that is exciting to me, says our site will continue to grow!! And by chatting with the Authors it is opening up new areas for me. I am not suffering from some grand delusion but it seems to me that life is heading in an interesting new direction... Not sure WHAT direction but 2012 has such potential.. now let's just hope the world doesn't end in December cuz that would really suck.. You know, get something new and exciting going on in my life... then the world ends.. *grins*

But seriously, everyone.. have a HAPPY NEW YEARS!!

2011 A Year in Books at Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy

Wonder what We found to be the best books of 2011? After much hair pulling and head banging (our own not each other's) we have made our decisions Come to Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy and find out!



Here is hoping you have a happy New Year full of laughter, love and NEW BOOKS!!

A Conversation on Twitter Reminded me...

I have a Twitter and blog friend Amanda from Parnanormal Romance Novels We chat both on my twitter account as me @Shauni_46 and on my account for Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy @Bodice_Rippers and have had some very indepth discussions in 144 characters or less. Yeah I know hard to believe. So she brought up how cute it was to see a man in the romance section at the bookstore.. and it reminded me

Years ago, my ex used to buy me books.. now let me explain the man was the absolute WORST gift giver in the world. Oh he sorta kinda tried but he never got it.. like he would be out buying, gas, beer, groceries..whatever and think hey.. maybe I could get Shauni a treat so invariably he would come home with either Rocky Road Ice Cream or a Three Muskateers Bar.. kudos for the thought. Now, it's not that I dislike either of those things but they are not my favorites.. they are HIS.. One year he got me this HUGE stereo system for Christmas, he paid well over a thousand dollars for it in say 1988 so it was a pretty penny. The problem? I would have been happy with a transistor radio as I am not huge music fan, um he is.. Yeah his solution is to buy what he would like cuz well he liked it so obviously I would too. Now enough background.


He used to buy me books.. and as I have stated many times I love Romance Books.. but I am very very picky. I have preferences.. I like PNR but hate traditional Vampire. I like sensual but erotic or graphic sex bores me. I like when a woman has choices but bed hoping turns me off.. Of course he didn't know any of this.. he would bring me home a romance book.. you know pick one off the shelf and then not understand why I didn't read it. It took me years to explain (and I am still not sure that he gets it) that there are different authors, subgenres all that stuff.. ph yeah did I mention I prefer reading books by authors who actually knew how to form a sentence? I finally used music, his one true love to explain. I said how would you feel if Eric Clapton came out with a new CD and I bought you Motley Crue? I mean they are both music CD's what's the difference? I think he almost saw the light.


With that particular background whenever I see a man in the Romance Section I try really hard to offer help. I smile, kinda browse around, make myself available, make eye contact.. then eventually just ask do you need some help? I must admit it is just plain funny. The scenarios usually go something like this.

Me: Can I help you?


Poor Guy: Well my wife likes romance and I wanted to get one for her...


Me: Well, what does she like?


Poor Guy: I just told you Romance?


Me: Yes, I know but Paranormal, Urban, Mystery, Historical *grins* and of course Historical has all those time periods, Time Traveling, Scotland??


By this time his eyes have glazed over and true panic has set in...


Poor Guy: But, but, but..... there is all that?


Me: Does she have a favorite author? 


Poor Guy: Um, well, sure...


Me: OK, who?


Poor Guy: Um... (he is sweating now and starting to look a little green)


Me: Well try this one (Hands him a Nora Roberts Book) Always a safe bet.. but may I suggest that you get a piece of paper and start writing down her favorite authors, keep it with you.. Books are like.. Music (yes I learned) there are all different types of genres even within the main genre.. 


Poor Guy: Gee thanks lady... I don't know what I would have done without you but my wife is sure gonna be happy...


There is no guarantee about that but I have to think wow.. he made and effort.. and I hear all you ladies out there who read about the ice cream, three muskateers and wrong books.. he did try.. he wasn't all bad.. *grinsi

Spirit Bound, A Review

I just posted this review at Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy If you enjoyed this review please stop by and see what else we have going on

Being an avid fan of Christine Feehan makes one understand the uniqueness of her talent. Ms Feehan has an amazing ability to write about her characters instead of shoveling them into her style of writing. It is a gift that continues to astound me. Sometimes she will write a book that I find boring, insipid or even just uninteresting, then I will really look at the characters and I realize it’s not the book... I know why write about such characters? Well because they are pivotal to the main arc and others might enjoy their stories and most importantly Ms Feehan needs to write them. When I read such a book I usually place it aside only to be re read if I am reading the entire series in order.  Spirit Bound is not such a book.. Ms Feehan has eclipsed herself in this book.

I love words, absolutely love words.. there are so many wonderful words, some that slip silently off your tongue, others that virtually dance on air. Words that hurt and words that heal.. Words that bring a character to life and other words that kills the plot. The ability to mix together the proper words is what a writer focuses on. How does she bring her characters to life? How does she show us their world, share with us their life’s journey? When done right.. oh the joy we receive. In Spirit Bound.. Ms Feehan does it oh so right!! Ms Feehan, continues her Sisters of the Heart Series.. about a group of unique women who have survived individual tragedy and come out stronger.. They find each other in therapy and form a tight circle, creating their own family.. literally Sisters of the Heart. We were introduced to these women in Water Bound and had a taste of their individual talents in Spirit Bound we see a little bit more of each of them and they definitely make fascinating secondary characters and I will look forward to learning each of their stories. While I enjoyed Water Bound it had a bland feel to it.. it was too regimented and contained of course Rikki, the heroine of the book was autistic and as I stated in my opening paragraph Ms Feehan writes her books around her characters. Rikki needed bland and regimented but in Spirit Bound we focus on Judith. Who is anything but bland!! She is vibrant and alive and filled with color. Ms feehan brings her to life completely!

In Spirit Bound we meet Stefan Prakenskii  the third Prakenskii brother to have a story. He is deep undercover ready to continue his life in the shadows.. knowing that is all his life can ever be, gray and dismal, bleak but he has a purpose. He is driven to remove as much of the truly evil element from the world as possible. To take them down as he hides his true self deep within, knowing eventually the man he is will destroy the man he could be. All he clings to is the love he has for the brothers he barely remembers. When his assignment parallels a threat to Lev, one of his brothers he leaps to defend Lev and complete the assignment by any means possible.

While in prison, pretending to be an upper echelon thug, trying to get close to Crime Lord, Boss, Resident Evil extraordinaire, Jean-Claude La Roux; Stefan has the opportunity to study Judith. As his target is completely and totally obsessed with her. Years ago Jean-Claude met and fell in love with a young artist whose innocence and beauty shines through the very pictures on the wall. Calling out to not only Jean-Claude but Stefan as well. As his assignment leads him to Sea Haven and Judith and Lev, Stefan creates an entire new persona to infiltrate the town.

Judith, a beautiful woman with a tormented past. Years of self recrimination forces her to attempt to control her gift. She compartmentalizes parts of herself forcing herself to remain calm and focused and never letting herself feel anything in the extreme and certainly never the negative emotions (For all you Nalini Singh readers out there it reminded me of how the Psy removed all emotions and created the alter netmind.. ) While this allows her to heal from the debilitating grief caused from her past, it also destroys parts of her very being. Even her art has changed... less of her joie de vivre shines through. And always an aura of sadness wraps itself around her. To the extent that instead of rejoicing in the life she has created she spends many hours hiding in the dark, creating a room of revenge. Ms Feehan delighted me while introducing both Judith and the room with the following passage

“DARK purples swirling with black lines moved across the high cobalt ceiling, weeping crystalline tears. With so much sorrow filling the room, floor to ceiling, simple stone and wood could barely contain the intensity of emotion. Sorrow lived and breathed. Rage moved in the walls, breathing in and out, so that the slashes of red and orange undulated, bulging outward and then pressing back, great gulps of air to control the force of anger, the need for retribution, for vengeance. Rage lived and breathed alongside sorrow there in the spacious confines of the large, dark studio. A breeze drifted in from the open French doors leading to the patio and backyard where great grasses obscured all view of the studio from outside, teasing at the flames flickering at the tip of each of the dark candles illuminating the paintings. The dancing light caught glints of jagged glass embedded in the dark, angry paintings. Bold, red Japanese characters wept out a single name—Paul Henderson.” *Spirit Bound Chapter 2

When Judith and Stefan meet it is instant attraction and Ms Feehan creates a relationship that sizzles with sensuous delight. It is a fast paced and unlikely relationship and yet completely believable. You, understand their almost compulsion like need for each other. Stefan, for the first time in his life finds it impossible to remain in character and parts of his real self keep revealing themselves to Judith. Judith begins to trust, really trust for the first time in years.. and as Stefan gradually reveals more and more of himself she falls deeper in love.

The necessary evil in this book is two tiered and most excellently combined. Stefan has to learn how to rely on Levi and how to trust Judith. He doesn’t quite get the concept of total honesty and Levi, the younger brother, is the one to show him the way. I liked the way the brothers interact and renew their relationship. In a way forging new ties.. with the childhood as a foundation. We do get to spend a teeny bit of time with Jonas and we see Aleksandr as the interesting and intriguing man that he is. Both Levi and Stefan recognize him for the predator he was originally written as. Which I enjoyed immensely as in the last few Drake novels, Ilya comes to power and Aleksandr comes off as the red headed step child. It’s nice to remember that he too is a dangerous man. What I didn’t like, is once again we didn’t get to see Ilya as he is off on a prolonged honeymoon with Joley. I want that reunion!!


True to form, Ms Feehan leaves enticing threads just dangling.. teasing us with what is going to happen farther along in the story arc. I can't wait for you all to read this book so we can discuss what is happening...

I will promise you this.. as far as I am concerned this was one of Ms Feehan’s BEST books! Her characters are passionate, loyal, driven and totally perfect just as they are. I rarely give a five star review as that needs to be with held for the best of the best but believe me, this one earns all five stars.

Shauni

This is Just TOO Fun

I always said that if I marry again, the ceremony would be a fun one.. Something to enjoy and maybe goof off a little. Like dancing down the aisle or when asked who gives this woman my children would all stand up and say we do and it's about time.. or finally get her off our hands.. or maybe just a hop to Vegas and an Elvis Impersonator.. not sure but fun!!

I love how this bride chose to incorporate her favorite soccer team into her wedding dress!!

Manchester City are no slouches when it comes to peddling merch: sky blue toothbrushes, gnomes and electric guitars are just some of the random garish nonsense available at the club shop. One area where the club's marketeers have missed a trick, however, is bridal wear. When 38-year-old City fan Karen Bell (presumably no relation to Manchester legend Colin Bell) decided to tie the knot with fellow Citizen Simon, she snubbed the traditional white wedding dress and got creative with some of his old jerseys. The Manchester Evening News reports:

"We wanted to do something different because we have both been married before." Karen spent three weeks at a sewing machine armed with a collection of Simon's Blues shirts from the 80s and onwards.
"It was a labour of love," she said. "I was at the sewing machine six nights a week."

After the ceremony, when most couples might put themselves on a plane pointed towards a luxurious beach resort, Karen and Simon headed straight to the Etihad Stadium, where they watched Kun Aguero and co. put three past Stoke.

Considering it's made of brightly colored sports garments collected over the past 30 years, it actually looks reasonably tasteful. But the look of the dress isn't the entire point: what greater display of commitment is there than for a man to sacrifice his entire collection of beloved football jerseys? *Dirty Tackle, Yahoo Sports

Crazy New Holidays

Chrismukkah

( R. Foreman / Fox )

Date: Holiday season on and around Dec. 25. Eight days of presents followed by one day with a lot of presents.

Origin: The blending of Christmas and Hanukkah, celebrated by kids with one Jewish and one Christian parent, was popularized by a 2003 episode of the teen drama series "The O.C." Though the actual practices are hazy, decorations include the display of a Christmas tree and a menorah and there's the Christmas Day tradition of staying in to eat Chinese takeout and watch movies such as "Fiddler on the Roof" and "It's a Wonderful Life." 

 

This just made me giggle and seemed season appropriate.. there is are a lot of new holidays I need to read up on.. Will keep you all posted

Winner Over at Bodice Rippers!!

Congratulations to Christmas Give Away Winner FRAN! She wins a copy of Lisa Kleypas' Christmas at Friday Harbor. *runs around tossing confetti and blowing horns* CONGRATULATIONS FRANNIE!!

 Be sure make sure you make Bodice Rippers a must go to location in the new year.. who knows what we have planned? Well, I do and Sandy does.. and oh yeah Barb too.. but who else knows? *grins* yeah I am a nut, I just can't help myself!!

and What's going on today? Well... its MONDAY so you know what that means? IT'S MANCANDY TIME

and later, Sandy is posting a Mailbox Monday for your enjoyment..

From Our House to Yours

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

And Peace on Earth this Christmas Day, and hopefully for all the days following

Shauni

A Special Christmas Give Away

For any of you that are interested in Romance Books we are having a give away of Lisa Kleypas' Christmas at Friday Harbor, over at Bodice Rippers.. All you have to do is join the site as a member and send an email to bodiceripperstrivia@yahoo.com... to be entered. On Christmas night a winner will be chosen in the perfectly random manner of drawing a name from a hat.. or some such thing. 

Only residents of Canada and the US are eligible...

A Special Christmas Treat!! As part of Lisa's Divas We get some fun stuff!! This week in the mail I received some copies of Lisa Kleypas' Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. The prologue to her new Friday Harbor Series.. The next book Rainshadow Road will be out in February! Christmas in Friday Harbor is a sweet book about family coming together trying to do what's right for an orphaned niece..

Publishers Weekly
"Kleypas (Love in the Afternoon) finds a little romantic magic in this spritely charmer. Mark Nolan's happy-go-lucky bachelorhood is interrupted by the death of his sister and his subsequent guardianship of her six-year-old daughter, Holly, who is traumatized into muteness and desperately seeking a maternal figure. Enter Maggie Collins, a toy shop owner who lost her own husband to cancer. As the holiday season draws closer, Maggie, Mark, and Holly begin to spend more time together, and Maggie and Mark's attraction becomes too powerful to ignore. Kleypas's holiday offering is sweet, romantic, and genuine, and avoids, thankfully, all the cheesy holiday miracle clichés. A solid romance with strong leads, this is a refreshing holiday treat."

Romantic Times
"Kleypas can do no wrong. If you want a fantastic read, pick up this poignant, heartbreaking and deeply satisfying book. Kleypas has a knack for making readers cry, laugh and cheer--often within the first couple of pages."
Annette Elton

And because Lisa was so cool to me.. I am passing this on to you!! All you have to do to have a chance at winning is make sure you are a follower of our site.. and send an email to Bodiceripperstrivia with the words Lisa Divas in your subject line...We will choose a random name from there and one lucky winner will be extending Christmas because she/he will get their present in the near future.. That's it.. no quiz, no knowledge of the author.. just passing on a thank you..

This contest will close at Midnight Christmas Night.. CST..

Hope you all have a healthy and happy Christmas..

The Rules of the Contest

1  1. You must be a member of Bodice Rippers to be eligible for ALL contests.

2. If you are not a member, go Bodice Rippers and click JOIN THIS SITE and set up a blogger account.

(here are the steps needed to join...
On the left hand column below the twitter link you will see the word Followers if you do not see a bunch of little square avatars.. then you need to refresh until you do..
Once you see that you should also see a button that says join this site.. click on it and follow the steps.. You need to join PUBLICLY.. as privately will not let us see you and we won't know that you have joined.
Once you have joined.. make sure you hit done.. I know such a simple step but I heard from others who skipped this part.... so I am including it in the instructions.. Once you are finished let us know.. and we will make sure. .. )

3. Submit your name via email with Lisa's Divas in the subject line to: bodiceripperstrivia@yahoo.com

Another Choice for Above and Beyond

Hector Chacon, a Guatemalan firefighter dressed as Santa Claus, rappels down the Belize bridge in Guatemala City December 18, 2011, to give toys to children living in the neighbourhoods under the bridge. Guatemalan firefighters have been giving toys in the Christmas period to children living in the very poor area of the city for 13 years, according to Chacon. (REUTERS/Jorge Dan Lopez)

 It's always nice to see when people just get it right!! We are so very blessed in this country, we forget that there are so many that would think our poorest of poor are wealthy beyond measure.. The thoughtfulness and tradition that these firemen are displaying proves that yes there really is a Santa Clause

Talk About a Class Act!

I love to read about people living up to their responsibilities.. to find that there are people out there who have been given much... and understand that much is expected of them!! Here is a story about San Fransisco 49ers member, Braylon Edwards...

Braylon Edwards gave 79 students $10,000 for college

By Chris Chase

At 22 college campuses across the country, there are 79 students who may not otherwise be there if not for the generosity of Braylon Edwards.

As a Cleveland Browns rookie in 2005, Edwards announced he'd give $10,000 in scholarships to 100 area eighth graders if they could graduate high school with over a 2.5 GPA and 15 hours community service. Of the 100 who were afforded the opportunity, 79 met the criteria and have begun their first year of college. Many are attending Ohio universities, but the schools represented spread across the country and include Harvard, Cornell and Johns Hopkings.

"Without this scholarship, I probably wouldn't be here," Bowling Green freshman David Gholston told ESPN's Rick Reilly.

Edwards and his mother developed the Advance 100 program as a way to give back. The way they saw it, they were blessed with Edwards' football abilities and felt the need to help out others with their good fortune. Though they didn't expect so many of the students to fit the criteria (only half of Cleveland public school students graduate high school), Edwards didn't shy away from his commitment. In fact, he increased it.

The 79 students were provided with laptops and other supplies to help them out when they arrived on campus.

"I'm supposed to give people a chance like I was given a chance," Edwards said.

Edwards hasn't played for the Browns in two years. He's a member of the San Francisco 49ers this season and is earning a $1 million base salary for the year, just about what he'll pay the those 79 students he promised to help years ago.

Related: Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers  

*from yahoo news

Wordless Wednesday

If he would have just asked for directions....

Seriously?

I am seriously confused! I live in the Chicago area... you know home of Da Bears? Yesterday they were humiliated by the Seattle Seahawks. Our offense was pathetic, our best receiver was injured.. in a way that could be life altering.. he is having back surgery today and we all know what that means. Oh sure he is expected to recover and play again but still BACK SURGERY. Last week one of our players was arrested because he wanted to become the top drug dealer in the Chicago land area... and what is the top sports news? Tim Tebow lost... 

Not only is that the top news of the day... it's said with glee... he is obviously not the chosen one after all. Ha ha.. he is a looser.. I don't get it. He actually played well and his team fell apart around him.. as opposed to him falling apart and his team held it together. It doesn't matter either way.. It's the malicious glee.. It's the fact that the media wants him to fail in the worst way. It's the fact that a decent hard working Christian Male is slammed... constantly.. He doesn't force his beliefs on the rest of the world.. he just stands by them, tries to live up to them.. He is a good and decent man who works really really hard!! 

Here we finally have a sports figure that SHOULD be used as a role model and the media is too busy gleefully tearing him down.. He goes to work early and stays late. He prepares for his job relentlessly, watches tapes.... does everything he can to get better at his job and all we hear is he is a looser... he will never make it.. he has no chance.. hmmmm... WOW!!! 

Please let's fall at the feet of the Michael Vick's and the Sam Hurds or wait DONTE STOLLWORTH.. he KILLED A MAN!! While driving drunk, he hit a man in a crosswalk and the man died.. Mr Stollworth got 30 days in jail... and is still playing in the NFL.. or how about Braylon Edwards? hmmm 9 days wonder all..

It isn't that I am not a fan of redemption it's just that I resent the desire to tear down a young man who wants nothing more than to do his best, works hard, behaves in a respectful manner and doesn't complain... and then make heroes of these inferior men. How messed up are we? To be so confused? To think that Tim Tebow is bad? That he is lacking? Someone is... I just don't think it's Timmy...

Demon Possesion (Shadow Quest Book 1) , A Review

As I may have stated a time or two I have this wonderful site called Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy that I work on with two amazing ladies... I may be a tad biased but I think it is a pretty awesome site.. go ahead, check it out... We have so much stuff going on over there and I read so very fast, sometimes there isn't room for my reviews.. So I decided to post an occasional review here! One of the initial reasons I started this blog so that I would be able to write reviews... *Grins* yeah I know any reason to give my opinions...

This Review of Demon Possesion is actually posted at Bodice Rippers feel free to check it out.. But I decided to post it here as well..

Special thanks to my friend Kimmie over at GoodReads for having this book on her TBR List. Since I started snagging books from her, I have found some really great ones!

Demon Possession is book 1 in Kiersten Fay's Shadow Quest Series and I must say.. Finally!!! A new premise!! Set mostly aboard the space ship Maradas in deep space. It’s a story of greed, revenge, salvation and redemption, oh yeah and finding love especially when you aren’t looking for it, don’t want it and would really rather live without it.. On Ms Fay’s website she describes The Shadow Quest Series as “her steamy romance series called Shadow Quest, based loosely on mythology and lore, with a little sci-fi thrown in”. I don’t usually use quotes from an author’s website but this tickled me and it was incredibly accurate.

Analia has no clue who she is, all she knows is she looks different than any species she has ever heard of and has some wicked freaky powers that others have been known to kill for. Alone, with nothing but vague memories and the occasional delusion she has been kept chained, starved, tortured and abused for centuries all she wants is freedom. When the chance for escape comes she takes it.. fearing every step of the way. Sneaking aboard the closest ship, she stows away thinking to escape at their next stop. After weeks of starvation and months of near starvation she has used her last bit of energy to make it aboard the Maradas before crawling into the nearest cubby and collapsing.

Sebastion is a demon from a destroyed planet. What little that is left of is people are either enslaved or scattered but he is blessed to have both his brother and his sister with him as well as a hodge podge of others who have drifted to his service over the years. Captain of the merchant ship Maradas, he has accepted a unique cargo that must be delivered with no stops between accepting and deliverance. No one on, No one off.. A stubborn, sexy, loyal demon all he wants is the right to survive.

Once Sebastian finds Analia, several weeks into the trip... sparks fly! He is wildly attractive to his little stow away and has no clue what to do with her. She is used to being abused whenever it strikes the fancy of her former “Master” she is terrified by Sebastian's very strength.. and yet she is drawn to him and the wonderful world he introduces her to. Ms Fay, does a wonderful job describing just how someone who has never seen anything, would react. To her joyful pleasure at seeing and waving to a child to her decadent response to chocolate, Ms Fay’s writing was a sensuous delight.

Analia is what I would call a pure character.. in spirit and action.. She has depths of rage and anger but no malice.. All she wants is to be free and it really is wonderful watching this amazing character evolve into a position of strength, drawing Sebastian’s cast of characters into her circle of friendship. It isn’t long before she is the very heart of the ship.

Sebastian and Analia must deliver the package and escape from the man who would enslave her. Who bargained with a betrayer and took her from her family. Along the way, they learn what depth one will go to, to save love. They also, find trails that lead to Analia’s mysterious past and find that their enemies are the same.

A powerful book of acceptance.. Sebastian must accept that Analia will not betray him and Analia must accept Sebastian with her very self.. her inner core of power. I really enjoyed this book, it pulls at the imagination and makes you wonder, what if...

Shauni

Celebrate Tuesdays!!

Yes, I know it's Sunday

A while ago I read a book and I am not sure who wrote it.. It could have been Nora Roberts or Jayne Ann Krentz both amazing authors.. But who wrote it doesn't really matter. What matters is this one phrase.. Celebrate Tuesdays

The leads were working on an ad campaign (about wine I think which is why it leads me to believe this was NR's The Villa) and they wanted to say hey, sit back have relax and have a glass of wine.. for no particular reason.. Celebrate Tuesdays.. Enjoy what you have!!

I forget that!! All the time and yet Celebrate Tuesdays is one of the quotes I often repeat in my head. Yes, I am carry around a handful of quotes from my favorite books that kinda declare who I am.. 

Quotes like..

What have I got in my pocket?

Do you like my hat?

and .....

Some animals are more equal than others...

and to add to those illustrious three.. Celebrate Tuesdays!!

I am one who always tries to top things.. I have silent competitions with myself.. to see if I can win.. that's not so bad but I can be a sore looser.. *grins*  I forget that sometimes others put their sweat and tears into something and they too would just like to Celebrate Tuesdays!! I am working hard on remembering!! 

oh yeah just for the heck of it.. does anyone know where my three favorite quotes came from? 

Shauni

Wanted, Square Holes

So, I was out Christmas Shopping tonight, There I was walking the mall, seeing all the happy smiling faces.. all the families out getting pictures done, listening to what they had planned for the holidays. It was a very nice night and yet.. I felt so out of the loop.. It was like I just didn't fit in the picture. I felt like someone was going to start singing, "one of these things is not like the other, one of these things doesn't belong". I felt like the proverbial Square Peg trying to squeeze into a round hole..

Then I started thinking.. if the stupid pegs need to go into a round hole, why do they make them square? Hello, maybe they should change the stupid shape of the hole! Or stop making square pegs! I have been different my entire life.. I know, I always have.. Oh, I try and fit in, but I don't.

And, it's not my imagination... I think I was two when I started hearing from my mom how I had to move out when I was 18. yeah I was ok with that.. I didn't fit.. my family has these huge reunions, oh I am welcome, even wanted but you know, no one actually invites me.. It isn't about not being liked it's about not fitting in. I always seem to see things differently. I am emotional and insecure..

Over the years, I have learned to keep most things contained.. but doing that damages me.. yeah so, maybe all the round holes are happy but I am miserable.. So today, while I was walking through the mall... I smiled at all the round holes and just laughed.. I decided that honestly, round holes bore me.. I am off to find the square ones...

I can't change who I am and frankly, I resent people who expect me to... It's like, the way I was made isn't good enough for them.. I can't be angry at them, they can no more help being a round hole than I can being a square peg... I just know that this square peg is tired of the round holes expecting me to make it work.. it takes two.. if you want me.. ok, if not, let me go.. quit trying to make me what you want.. 

I have actually, removed myself from some family relationships.. and for the first time in many many years, like EVER, there is a lightness to me.. I can't let someone's disappointment in me hurt, if I don't talk to them. Yeah, some I have to talk to but I don't have to initiate contact.. I can just wait for them. Enjoy when they condescend to talk to me and go on about my business.. They can feel like they have met their obligations and I can have days, weeks, sometimes even months of peace.. WIN/WIN.. I don't have to worry about failing to meet their expectations.. why? because I stopped trying.

I know this is not very Christmasy.. but in a way it is.. I can accept others better because I refuse to allow them to hurt me.. Go ahead, be a round hole.. be happy... I can't be, I never have been and frankly, those darn holes are boring!!

You Have Got To Be Kidding Me!!

New attorneys for sleazeball Jerry Sandusky have come up with this defense.. He was teaching them how to shower.. showing them how to put soap on their bodies? Seriously? Please, raise your hand if you even remotely think this is conceivable.

Honestly? This was a grown man who was alive during the age of child molestation? Sure it has happened since the dawn of time.. but in my lifetime it has come to light as the horrid abuse that it is.. for at least the last 30 years we have been taught that we don't have to accept anything that we find uncomfortable... even if it just seems iffy.. 

I have actually refused to let a man drive teenage girls home without another adult in the car with him... Not because I had any qualms about the man.. but because I understand today's society.. all it takes is one word and a person can be ruined.. if not legally, then via the media and public opinion.. Since that is the case.. wouldn't someone who lead an entire charity be aware of just how cautious he should be? Honestly, would he not understand that he must appear as Ceasar's wife, above reproach? Would he not understand that however innocent such actions might be he can not even appear to do wrong? And believe me Jerry buddy, this "appeared" to be wrong... 

The man is an idiot.. there is no defense and every time he opens his mouth... well.....

OCD and the Every Day Life

I have never considered myself a neat freak.. seriously, there are those who have classified me as domestically challenged. Don't get me wrong.. I KNOW how to clean a house.. I know how to make it so clean you can eat off the floors and brush your teeth from the toilet water.. and never feel like ewwwwwwwwwwwwww... not that I ever have cuz, well EWWWWWWWWW!! But my mother is such a neat freak all her pencils go the same way in her pencil drawer.. and that was while raising four children.. Or here's one, she combs the fringe on her rugs.. (note to all, just asked what grandma's rugs were called as in Oriental or Arabian and blond girl responded ANNOYING)... Honestly though, if the kids, including my now 4 yr old nephew mess up the fringe.. they have to comb it so it lays right. Every single one of us have learned to STEP OVER the fringe while walking. As a child, I would sometimes come home to all my underwear dumped into the middle of the room, why? Cuz it hadn't been folded right in my drawer.. seriously? There is a right way to fold underwear?

I have always been considered the messy one, now how messy can a person get when her underwear drawer gets dumped out? So I have no idea how they formed that conclusion when I was little, but I will conceded that they were right. I have never understood the need to make a bed.. I mean I understand cleaning the living room, kitchens and bathroom, guest rooms all that.. but your bedroom is your sanctuary and no one should be in there unless invited.. makes perfect sense to me... 

I tell you this because I am astounded by the fact that I have serious OCD.. my friends actually laugh at me.. How can someone as eclectically messy as I am have OCD? Well, it's easy... here are a few of my rather unique oddities..

1 I hate odd numbers.. everything must be in even numbers unless they are multiples of 5 cuz well that's different. By everything, I really do mean everything. 
         A. Take M&M's for example.. I open a pack... divided it by colors then 
         eat  them two at a time.. when the colors stop matching I make 
         "family"   pairs.. I create the correct color combination.
         
          B. Or better yet, Lucky Charms.. I eat as many of the cereal pieces as
          I can, avoiding as many of the marshmallow pieces as possible. Then 
          when all the cereal pieces are gone, I eat the marshmallow pieces.. that's
          right, by twos... the same way I eat M&M's

2. My closets.. honestly I don't care if the laundry gets put away or not.. BUT IF IT DOES.. all clothes must be hung up, light to dark, short sleeves to long sleeves... shirts to dresses.. 

3. And for the really insane part. . you should see my banking system.. when I do it right.. I literally create several different accounts.. one for rent, one for utilities, one for food, one for clothes, one for car, one for entertainment... if I put it all in one account the money disappears. If I split it up the minute I get the check? Well then suddenly I have money left over... How can that be? I start with the same amount of money!

4. Or, here's a fun one... My filing system.. I file and I mean seriously file!! I file my emails, my paperwork.. everything!! It's another case of it can stay on my desk forever but once it get's put away it has to be put away in an exact manner... 


5. And finally, dishes.. yes it's true, I have been known to take the dishes down and put them back correctly... 

6. OHHHHHHH and don't even get me started on spreadsheets.. I ADORE spreadsheets..


Now explain to me please how someone who willing admits to suffer from serious domestic challenges.. can be this OCD?


Just thought I would share some of my insanity with you all..

BYE BYE BLAGO

As a resident of Illinois I can only look at this weeks news with a certain amount of glee.. Yes that's right GLEE!! I am so happy to see this sorry excuse for a governor receive appropriate punishment.

I do have to say though I did not feel betrayed by him, don't get me wrong I was totally disgusted by his actions but sadly not surprised. This man from the very moment he took office used it like his own personal servants system. He was elected governor then refused to move to Springfield because his daughter, then around 7 didn't want to leave her friends.. Well shoot, I bet there are thousands of military kids who feel the same way and yet they move over and over and over again. So he refused to move down to Springfield.. can you believe this he COMMUTED.. yeah that's right he flew back and forth on a sometimes daily basis (so he could have family time) all on the taxpayers dime.

You have to figure if he did this there was plenty of other crap going on that we were totally clueless about.. and yet he was re elected.. that scared me.. made me worry about what the average voter in Illinois was thinking. Part of me, was almost apathetic when Blago was arrested.. I mean he was a corrupt, self important little man and we elected him twice to lead the state.. why? Cuz he was young and good looking? Sad fact of life.. we like young and we like attractive, heaven forbid we look for intelligence and ethics and commitment and devotion to service.. NAH.. what good would that do us? oh, I know it might get us out of the mess we are in!

Anyway... BYE BYE BLAGO.. you won't be missed..

Rest In Peace, Colonel Potter

"M*A*S*H" star Harry Morgan died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. The character actor was 96.
He was best known for playing Colonel Sherman T. Potter on the long-running army comedy.
In a 2004 interview with the The Television Academy Foundation’s Archive of American Television, Morgan acknowledged the profound effect that the iconoclastic sitcom had on his career.


"He was firm," Morgan said. "He was a good officer and he had a good sense of humor. I think it's the best part I ever had. I loved playing Colonel Potter."
Although "M*A*S*H" made him a television icon, Morgan first came to attention for his role as Officer Bill Gannon, Joe Friday's partner on the revived version of "Dragnet," which aired on NBC from 1967-70.
Morgan's ironically gruff demeanor made him an in-demand character actor for nearly five decades.
He appeared in supporting roles in more than 100 films, many of them classics such as "The Ox-Bow Incident," "High Noon,"  and "Inherit the Wind."
His resonant voice and irascible verve made him a natural for parts as authority figures, and he was frequently called upon to play judges, lawmen and military officers.
In addition to "M*A*S*H" and "Dragnet," Morgan scored small screen success playing a henpecked husband on “Pete and Gladys” (1960-62), which originated out of a supporting part he played on “December Bride” (1954-59).


Morgan also was married to Eileen Detchon for 45 years until her death in 1985.
He is survived by second wife Barbara Bushman; three sons from his first marriage, Christopher, Charles and Paul; and eight grandchildren. *yahoo news*

I know this man touched generations with his portrayel of two characters.. amazing isn't it how little it takes to touch lives.. He brightened mine every Monday night throughout my teens and as young adult!! I was trying to find a picture of his last episode of Mash where he rode out on Sophie.. but alas, I could not so instead.. we salute you Harry Morgan

SO I Get eMails from Payless

Being a single parent whose children have feet... I have always looked for the best pricing on shoes. When they were little and I wanted to care for their feet to make sure they were properly supported.. my mom bought their shoes (thank you mom, cuz otherwise they would have been barefoot) but as they turned teen and had a need for more than one or two pairs.. Cuz seriously, a girl needs more than one pair of shoes.. I started going to payless..

A few years ago, I realized that I only owned two pair of shoes myself so of course I started shopping there myself.. Now I get regular updates!! And while they are not Christian Louboutin they do have some really awesome shoes.. I find myself in lust.. I want these boots.. 

Seriously are they gorgeous or what? I can not help it I am a serious shoe girl.. If I had my way I would have closets full of shoes. I totally understand why women spend all their money on shoes.. those crazy ladies w/the rooms just for their shoes? That would be me if I had money... Good thing God made me poor

Just a little something light.. hope you have a fantastic day!!

TurnBack Tuesday

Hmmm.. I got this picture today.. it's a picture of Blond girl.. BUT those are my arms in the background.. I am thinking I want those arms again..

After years of internal debate I am fed up.. I have to do something about how I look. I can't stand looking at myself in the mirror and heaven forbid I get a picture taken.. So... I have decided I am going to get my arms back...

Yes folks.. I am holding myself accountable and going to post my weight loss journey here.. While I can not really turnback time I can turn it back enough that I have the shape I used to.. Since my shape is so well.. round.. right now no matter where I end up.. will be a shape I used to have.

I am not going to post my actual weight or how much I want to loose.. well not until I actually loose it BUT I will be posting weekly pictures and stuff..

So to start it off.. this is what I look like NOW..

Yeah that is me sitting in front.. I actually allowed my kids to take a picture with me in it.. grrr.. next year it will look way better!!

Music is Alive and Well

I spent Thanksgiving with my family at Hair Boy's this year.. it was a wonderful event and yeah I most certainly have a lot to be grateful for.. The list is endless and most of it circles around my four amazing kids but that is for another blog..

What I want to write about is something I learned. Hair Boy is an amazing musician and has started on his life's path of creating his own. He has direction and goals something he did not inherit from either his father or myself as we are both loaded with talent and have NO drive..

ANYHOW... Hair Boy had a show Friday night.. it was fabulous.. in this room above a bar.. 4 acts.. with amazing music with French Lyrics played in between sets. Yeah I want that CD.. didn't think to ask who it was of course. The thing that made me happy, other than the fact that he dedicated his show to me.. was the fact that Indie music is alive and well. I had honestly thought that that era was gone. That everyone was mainstreamed and totally boring.. but no, there is an entire culture out there with wonderful music.. wanting to share.

One of the artists was a young lady named Haley Jane She had this wicked wit along with a beautiful voice, excellent presentation and soul searching lyrics.. I would most happily purchase her music which you can do so Here.

I completely enjoyed the atmospheric room, the great music and the sometimes intellectual conversations about music. I also liked watching the way the kids were dressed. From Classic Rock to Steampunk it was great! It taught me that there is hope for those who dream. That if you search for it you will find what you are looking for. You just have to be willing to fail.. and not afraid to try..




I am so going out to find the Indie poets and writers I want to be a part of this..

Michelle Obama bood at NASCAR

This bothers me on so many levels.. 

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden were grand marshals at today’s NASCAR season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, appearing as part of their charitable campaign to support military veterans and their families. Both of these ladies have worked really hard on this program one that every American should be supporting.. This is not a political thing this is the right thing.. and we should be proud that the two most powerful women (ok Oprah isn't involved.. but the next two most important) in our country think it is important enough for us to be aware of it. It is so important that they went to a NASCAR event.. why? because a HUGE sector of our military comes from the NASCAR fan base.. Do you really think they woke up one day and said.. hey let's go to a car race?

And yet.. they went.. to honor those who serve by offering support to their families.. You don't have to like President Obama.. you don't have to like his wife.. but as Americans we should support and respect the office and what it represents and yes that includes his wife.. Even more than what they were there supporting.. they were there representing something precious.. Us.. if you don't like them.. VOTE.. ok, how many of you VOTE? yeah.. I thought so.. and yet people sit and boo the first lady for being what? married to the man who dared to try and make a difference?

This isn't about being a Republican or a Democrat it's about being an American.. It's about respecting something bigger than we are.. More people need to learn basic manners.. *sigh* yeah and vote darn it!!

Lesson Learned!!

Yes this will be a self congratulatory post.. I can't help it.. I have actually managed to do something I have NEVER been able to do.. I SHUT MY MOUTH!! Yes that is right..

I have this amazing ability to stick my foot in it.. yeah, a lot of the times I am right but at what expense? When I was a kid, I was the best at seeing the good in people and accepting their verbal batterings with a smile.. somewhere along the line I decided that I needed to change and stand up for myself.. in theory good.. in reality.. not so much.

I agree, verbal battering is bad.. it's abuse and yeah I sucked it in for a lot of years while growing up. I still do with some people.. when I respond I sound bitter and angry.. petty.. and they sound reasonable.. they aren't but my resentment doesn't change them. I had to decide that I was handling it wrong for me and figure out how to handle it right. The way I see it I have three choices..

1. Accept that the person is not going to change and if you want them in your life then you just have to accept that this is the way they are.. Doesn't make them right.. just makes it who they are
2. Remove that person from your life
3. Fight back.. 

There are problems with all three choices.. accepting a person who belittles you constantly, means the verbal abuse continues.. and I am here to tell you it does.. You have to be really strong to deal with this kind of battering.. day in and day out and honestly.. most people aren't.

Removing a person from your life.. hard, especially if it is someone like a parent, spouse, child, sibling.. you know a relative.. You KNOW they love you and if you explained that they were abusive they would be appalled or worse *rolls eyes* point out how sensitive you are... Yes you can remove some negative forces but removing all is hard..

Fight back.. yeah did I mention that doesn't work out so well with me? I always get hurt when I do this.. Either I sound like such a flaming witch, others turn away or I am so intensely passionate, once again I look like an over emotional twit.

Recently two things happened.. and I have handled both situations differently..
The first one was extremely personal and I won't go into it.. but I decided on a combination of 1 and 2.. I have to accept this person for who she is but I can do it on a very limited basis.. I don't have to be the one to initiate the relationship interaction and I can accept that things will never be where I want them to be.. In a way, I did some serious pruning to that relationship. I feel like this burden has been lifted from my shoulders.. one that has been there for so long that I had forgotten what it was like to live without it.. If I ever knew..

The second.. well a case of a person telling me how to behave and represent myself.. yeah.. the words were there.. I had a pithy response right there.. I was ready to blast her.. I worked up a spreadsheet for pete's sake.. But then, instead of giving it to her with both barrels.. I shut up.. yeah.. I refrained.. I took evasive action and have redefined how I am going to deal with this person.. Believe me that is a HUGE Step forward for me..

Life is going to get interesting because both of these people are in my life to stay.. at least for a while.. I just need to know how to work with them to my benefit.. not to let them win in my inner self..  Not to give them power over me.. the me that matters.. it will take time but every day.. each step along the path helps..

And The Broncos Win!

I LOVE IT!! While I am not a Bronco fan I am a Tim Tebow fan!! No, not one of those crazed people who does the "Tebow" all over the place, nor one who assumes he all but walks on water... nah, I just plain ole like the kid!. He is polite, considerate, a hard worker and committed to his faith... and THAT is the problem.

This young man has been more vilified than anyone in football EVER.. yeah the Penn State fiasco will blow over... OJ Who? Vick, you mean the current football darling? Favre?? yeah all those names get skipped over to insult and defame a young man who not only believes in God.. but does everything he can to live the life. Oh, I am sure he isn't perfect but of all the sports figures out there, this is a young man I have no problem with my children admiring..

I know he is a Christian.. and oh yeah he is HUMAN.. one day he may stumble from his convictions.. make a less than Christlike decision and then I am sure that they haters will dance with glee..

But for now.. The Broncos in a desperate need to win put Timmy in.. and oh how he has delivered. Not with glory but with grace.. ok, inner grace cuz his football is UGLY.. I love listening to everyone say oh yeah sure he's good at you know HS or college football and his style won't work in the NFL.. hey guys? It's working.. Why does it work? Because he makes those around him play better.. He inspires and elevates he has the something.. His team mates have been known to say that when he is in they just play better.. hmmmmm guess it's that intangible that broadcasters can't define.. I hope he continues to develop his skills and becomes that premier football player he should be.. but for now.. yeah I am giggling... Go Timmy

A Death

Recently on the news I saw a story about a town grieving.. a 10 year old girl came home from school.. asked her mother if she could be homeschooled.. her mother, a working mother said no... as would most of us.. the little girl went to her room.. Several hours later her sister found her in the closet, hanging from bar with a scarf wrapped around her neck.

This poor baby had had enough.. she couldn't take it anymore and decided to end her life. I saw this and just cried. Were the signs there? Did they even know what to look for? Our children are under constant daily attack.. and we are often so busy we put their complaints down to minor issues.. The little girl came home and asked if she could be homeschooled... Did the mom even know enough to ask why? If she did.. did she know the despair that her daughter was feeling? Did she understand that bullying is more than kids beating up on other kids. Yes that kind is bad BUT it is far worse, when one is battered by words.. a slow insidious drip.. at best it wears away at self esteem and does a life time of damage.. at worst.. well a 10 year old girl died..

I can't help putting myself in this mother's shoes.. Blond Girl for years had a stomach issue.. acidy stomach, heartburn.. yeah I blew it off.. turns out she has the makings of an ulcer.. For years she has had breathing and or passing out issues.. light headed.. no one even the nurses took her seriously.. turns out she has syncope.. a very real disorder..

PITA Boy got in trouble once in band for being where he wasn't supposed to be then reacting very negatively to the discipline enforced on him. I was appalled!! I read him the riot act.. turns out Word Girl had been there.. and PITA Boy was hanging out in that place to get away from a constant barrage of verbal abuse by one of the popular kids.. When I found out I went to the school and DEMANDED that this other child receive at LEAST the same punishment that my son received.. That of not being able to perform Middle School Night at the local HS.. yeah.. didn't happen.. The other Boy was a talented member of the band and a teacher fav.. He was not seen as someone who caused problems.. Bullies, real bullies, seldom are.. They have power, charisma, charm.. whatever. This other boy got to perform... the teacher tried to BAN PITA Boy from even attending.. yeah I in your faced her and pointed out.. it was a HS event and she had no power there.

I went to the Principal every day for weeks trying to get this boy punished.. according to the district's very By Laws.. there was NO TOLERANCE for bullying and there were witnesses.. Other than his sister.. of course anyone who knows Word Girl knows.. she won't put up with crap from her siblings and had no problem telling it like it is.. if they were in the wrong.. shoot if she just THOUGHT that they were in the wrong she made sure others knew it.. This boy was never even reprimanded.. He got away with it.. why? Because he was popular, charming and charismatic and PITA Boy was ADHD, stuttered and needy..

My point here is often we don't see what is happening, we don't understand the damage done and we don't fight hard enough to demand our children's rights.. Oh not the right to be in the advanced classes, when our child is at best a C student.. or not the right to make Varisity sports.. No the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Bullying is WRONG.. pure and simple.. but we need to learn just what it is and how to recognize it..

I weep for this poor baby and her family and her poor mother.. who will always wish she had taken just a little more time.. She did what probably every other mother in the world would do... and yet she lost her precious baby to despair..