Celebrate the small things and Express Yourself

Celebrate the Small Things is the fun weekly meme hosted by Viklit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, where bloggers share things they wish to celebrate, and then hop around to other bloggers to rejoice in their celebrations, too. :) Go HERE to sign up and join the celebration!

*One of my critique partners books came out on Monday. Laurelin Paige's Forever With You. I love this series!

*Last week, on a windy and snowy day, my license, debit card, shopping list, and coupons flew out of my hand in the grocery store parking lot. I scrambled to pick everything up, but never found my license. I ordered a new one, but I'm praying that a good soul will turn in/mail my license. That may not seem like something to celebrate... so what am I celebrating with this? That I was, at least, able to recover my card! 

*I'm doing a revise on one of my projects. This time, it feels right. Like, these suggestions and changes are for the best, and it's what is needed to make this story shine.




It's also EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. Each week, we come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. Please join us HERE!

This weeks topic:  What movie/s are you wanting to watch in theaters in 2014?

Noah
The LEGO movie
The Amazing Spiderman 2
X-Men: Days of Future Past
The Fault in Our Stars
Mockingjay Part 1
Vampire Academy


Those are the ones I hope to see in theaters. 
My younger boys are excited to see The LEGO movie and Spiderman, and I love taking them to the movies!
I cannot wait to see Augustus and Hazel on the big screen in The Fault in Our Stars. I finished reading this book last week and LOVED it.

What movies are you wanting to see this year in theaters?

Express Yourself

It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. Please join us HERE!


Topic for the week: List something you look forward to this time of year.



DECORATING! Whether it be trees or cookies, I'm in! 





Every year, the week of Christmas, my sons and I make lots of cookies. Homemade even! :) We have fun baking and listening to music, and just chatting away.


I love when we put up our tree and decorate our home for the holidays. The joy on my sons faces as they help and create makes me happy. 

I also love decorating the trees at the shop because I can let my imagination run wild... sort of like when I'm writing a story.  


What do you look forward to this time of year?

EYM and Celebrate the small things

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves. 
Also, I find that it helps me to stay accountable with my blogging. Please join us in the linky below!




Topic: Who do you look up to?

Jesus - amazing sacrifice.
My hubby - soulmate.
My sons - blessings galore
My sister - the bravest person I know.
My BFF - inner and outer strength
My betas - rockstars.
Troops - so grateful for their service
and of course, without a doubt, my soultwin...
We balance each other out, craziness and all.

Celebrate the Small Things is the fun weekly meme hosted by Viklit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, where bloggers share things they wish to celebrate, and then hop around to other bloggers to rejoice in their celebrations, too. :) Go HERE to sign up and join the celebration!

*Family time for Thanksgiving dinner
*Great shopping deals
*Sons basketball games. I love going and cheering them on!
*Those that I shared in my EYM list above.

Any celebrations you'd like to share?

Express Yourself: What's in your wallet/purse?

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves. 
Also, I find that it helps me to stay accountable with my blogging. Please join us in the linky below!

This week's topic: What do you carry around in your purse or wallet? (Pics would be fun to see!)



This baby is heavy. No, really. Ask Dani. We were out shopping, and my purse was hurting my shoulder, which happens a lot. I usually end up switching back and forth, wishing I'd take some things out. 

Anyway, I said to her, "This thing weighs a ton." Then, I handed it over to her to show her, and she said, "What the heck do you have in here? Bricks?"

So, I went home and weighed it... 7 lbs 2 oz. That is the size of a newborn! 

I dumped it out onto the floor and sorted through it, thinking that the items in this purse are more like a survival kit. I arranged it here, so you can see the items better instead of leaving it in a big heap.

Hand sanitizer
Tissue packet
Ibuprofen
Lotion
Bandaids
Carmex
Floss
Toothbrush w/ holder and paste
Invisalign red case
Kindle
Hairspray
Notepad and pen for my writing ideas - I fill these things up fast.
Trail mix - a girl's gotta eat!
Hair bands - I should buy stock in these things.
Gum
Cough drops
Face moisturizer
Dryer sheet (to ward off static electricity, especially when trying on clothes)
Eyeglasses with case
Sunglasses
Wallet
And the best part.... my youngest sons toys,which you can see below: Han-Solo, Batman, The Joker, Two-face, and a few Lego's. Hey, they come in handy in those emergency situations when I'm stuck in some long line and instead of a meltdown, he plays with the toys. 

What's in your wallet? .... Or purse? Join us in the linky below!

Express Yourself - TV shows

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves. 
Also, I find that it helps me to stay accountable with my blogging. 
Please join us in the linky below!

This week's topic: What are the top 5 TV shows you currently watch?

My DVR is packed with shows, not just mine, but my hubby's and kiddo's, too.
So it was difficult to choose, but my top, for this season, and not in any particular order, are:

 

The Walking Dead - Zombies aren't the only hardships in this amazing comic book series made into a TV show. The relationships of the survivors, as well as, trying to stay alive in an apocalypse is awesome to watch.

Modern Family - comedy at its finest. And there is stuff in this show that Claire and Phil do that is me and my hubby to a T. 

The Vampire Diaries - two brothers slash vampires make this series addicting. I love it when Damon is brooding and sarcastic while Stefan is romantic and loyal, but the show changes stuff up so you never know what's going to happen next.

American Horror Story - every season is a new location and theme, but a lot of the cast members get recycled into other seasons so it's fun to watch them morph into different characters. Plus, the show is creepy!

The Voice - I get to watch Adam Levine. That's all that needs to be said. Okay, Okay. There are some amazing singers on the show, too. :D

Two new shows that I've added to my DVR list, but haven't made the favorites list yet, because I'm worried they'll get cancelled are below. Sometimes, that happens when I invest in show, but I really hope these two shows stick around for the long haul:

The Originals - these "original vampires" made their appearance on The Vampire Diaries. Siblings who are ruthless, kickass, and gorgeous. They're trying to stay true to themselves and their family, but struggle daily. Who wouldn't when you've lived over 1,000 years? 

Dracula - I love how this dracula is quirky and sarcastic, yet beautiful and has feelings. Make no mistake, though, he's far from passive. Don't look at him or his love cross-eyed, or you'll regret it.

Do you watch television? Is there a show that you're a fan of?

Express Yourself: School Subjects

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves.Also, I find that it helps me to blog more consistently. Sound fun? Join us in the linky below!

This week's topic: What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?

First and foremost, I loved History, specifically Western Civilization/World Religions in college. I enjoyed learning about the pasts of those before us. Also, my prof would give pop quizzes quite frequently, and I loved it! In fact, when there wasn't a pop quiz, I was disappointed.

I took Creative Writing in high school as well as my freshman year of college. It was in high school that my teacher encouraged me with my writing and had faith in me. 

What was your fave subject in school? Join the linky below and share with us!

Express Yourself - Halloween goodies

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves.Also, I find that it helps me to blog more consistently. Sound fun? Join us in the linky below!



Topic for this week: Which Halloween candy were you most excited to see in your Trick-or-Treat bags and/or in your children's bags?

Hands down, as a kid, and now, I want to see Smarties in those Trick-or-Treat bags. So yummy! And my sons usually pass any dark chocolate my way because they don't care for it, but I love it. 

What candy did you want to see in your Halloween bag when you were younger and/or what candy do you hope to see in your kid's bags?

Express Yourself

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves.Also, I find that it helps me to blog more consistently. Sound fun? Join us in the linky below!

Topic for this week: What's your fave costume ever?

For a Halloween costume party my junior year of high school, I wore a pink sweater with an even pinker poodle skirt. The guy I was dating dressed as a greaser. It was so much fun, especially seeing the other costumes. 

How about you? Any favorite Halloween costumes? Are you dressing up this year?

Express Yourself - 1st lines

It's Express Yourself  time ... a weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves.
Sound fun? Join us in the linky below!

This week's topic: Share some 1st line book openers that you adore. 

This was so hard for me so thank goodness we didn't make a limit! That first sentence sets the tone, and can make or break if a reader continues on. Here are several that did just that for me.

I've been collecting bugs since I was ten; it's the only way I can stop their whispers. (Splintered, A.G. Howard)

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. (1984, George Orwell)

T minus one day to departure for my cruise to Bermuda, I almost died on the way to work. (Triangles, Kimberly Ann Miller)

There's a big difference between death threats and love letters--even if the person writing the death threats still claims to actually love you. (Vampire Academy: Spirit Bound, Richelle Mead)

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith)

How about you? Any first sentences that make you want to keep reading?

Happy 1 year birthday to Express Yourself!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF! Dani and I created this meme a year ago and appreciate all the support we've received and continue to receive, from our fellow bloggers. You guys rock!

For those that don't know about Express Yourself ... it's a weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves.
Sound fun? Join us in the linky below!


The topic for this week:  What has been your favorite question(s) during the first year of EYM?

I love sharing and reading quotes so any of the EYM's that we asked for quotes were my faves.
I also enjoyed the times we asked about playlists. It was fun going around to other blogs and listening to music.
Some other topics that I enjoyed reading about and writing were:
Who is your favorite couple? Fictional, historical, or even present day.
Name a favorite love scene from a book.
Are there any writerly books or books in general you'd recommend to your fellow writers/readers?

Here's the EYM badge for the month of October 2013:

Express Yourself - What author would you want to share lunch with?

Express Yourself  is a weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to answer. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by sharing different things about ourselves. Sound fun? Join us in the linky below.

Topic this week:  What author(s) would you love to have lunch with?



Stephen King and Neil Gaiman. I think they'd have tons of useful advice and ideas. And their quotes... love 'em:

I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose. ~ Stephen King

Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win. ~ Stephen King

The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can. ~ Neil Gaiman

Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. ~ Neil Gaiman

What author(s) would you love to sit down and share a lunch with?

Express Yourself - movie character match-up

Express Yourself  is a weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to answer. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by sharing different things about ourselves. Sound fun? Join us in the linky below.

Topic this week:  Name a movie characters personality that is you to a tee. 




I asked the person who knows me better than I know myself... my husband.
"Right away, Allie comes to mind," he said. 
I wasn't surprised when he chose that character because we have a connection with The Notebook. (Some of the things in Allie and Noah's journey, in their younger years, describes us.)
So, I asked him to think of someone else, since that answer was a given. After thinking on it for a while, he mentioned Abby from The Ugly Truth. And after I thought about it, he's right. She's awkward, neurotic, quirky, feisty, and sassy. Just a few of my favorite things! And apparently, they're a few of his favorite things, too. :)

Is there a movie character that you relate to personality-wise?

Express Yourself Meme

Dani and I host the weekly meme - Express Yourself.  Every week, we come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to answer. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by sharing different things about ourselves. Sound fun? Join us in the linky below.

Topic this week:  What are some crafty/handy things you do or wish you did?


One thing I wish I knew how to do is sew. I do like to scrapbook, when I have time, which is hardly ever. 
I work with flowers and love doing that so much... how much? I have to take allergy med in order to not be miserable while making pretty arrangements. But I don't mind because there's just something about making someone's day by way of flowers. It's good for them, and for me. 

Here's my first attempt at creating a pig with wings. (when pigs fly :D ) The angle of the picture isn't the best so I hope you can see it clearly. The design is 1800flowers, and they have other cool things, too. 

Dani gave me a beautiful shout-out on her blog that brought me to tears. I'm a sap, what can I say? Anyway, I thought I'd say some nice things about her, though, Dani rarely cries, which isn't a bad thing at all. We keep each other balanced that way. :) 
She has a creative eye to take awesome pictures and capture memories. She makes our badges for our meme and blogfests. Seriously. She can whip them up super fast and they look amazing. In fact, I've been thinking about a new header... *hint hint Dani* lol ...  She also does all of these races that I'm in complete awe of and know that she has an outer and inner strength that we can all learn from. And she's a great friend, who takes me at my best and at my worst.

Want to participate in our meme? We'd love to have you join!

Express Yourself - photo time

Dani and I host the weekly meme - Express Yourself.  Every week, we come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to answer. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by sharing different things about ourselves.

If you're not signed up, it'd be great if you joined in on the EYM! We're still in the process of going through the list... we've updated it little by little, and some people aren't active with it any longer, so we're weeding through the list, and we'll continue to update when we can. Thanks for your patience while we work through the kinks!

This week's post:  Share some photos of anything you want.

During a trip to Florida, I took this from our room. It's a peaceful scene, in the early morning.

This is a picture I took of the clouds. To me, it looks like a shark and a dragon about to go to battle. 

 Our four sons. Blessed to be their mom. Love 'em!

Me with the hubs. <3

Any photos you'd like to share? We'd love to have you join the EYM.