Sunday, September 21, 2014

September Snapshot #3

I didn't get out much this week as I had a lot of phone interviews, editing deadlines, and cleaning to do. Plus, the hubs's contract at work was up a week ago, so we're trying to save as much money as possible until he finds something. He has an interview for the position he just left tomorrow, so fingers crossed that pans out! 



But do enjoy this picture of Sir Figs sun bathing in the backyard.


A representation of my night after a particularly painful post workout day. Who else is in love with Lush? 


 Jade displeased that I put a bit of potpourri on his head.


 Dragon fruit was on sale and ripe this week. Yum! 


Punkin enjoying the fall weather ... laying in the dirt ... right after bath time. 


The first ripe spoils of our garden. 


Finished chalkboard wall section. 

Let's hope for good job news this week and maybe some outdoor adventures! 


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Liebster Award




I was nominated by Kasey from Antlers & Anchors for my second Liebster. Thanks Kasey!! (You can find my 1st Liebster here)

The Rules:
  1. Post 11 facts about yourself.
  2. Answer the 11 questions provided by the person who nominated you and then create an 11-question set for the next group of nominees.
  3. Choose up to 11 (or more or less depends on the rules you follow) bloggers to nominate and link them in the post!
  4. Let your nominees know that they’ve been tagged- and no tag-backs!
  5. Nominate blogs under 200 followers
Random Facts:

1. I am the daughter of two cancer survivors. I am so relieved to finally say that. My dad found out he was cancer free about a month ago, and my mom is going on her 11th year cancer free.
2. I love candy corn. I feel like candy corn is the fruit cake of Halloween, but I loves it.
3. I read grammar books on the regular. It’s kind of part of my job.
4. Twilight, just the first book, is my guilty pleasure.
5. Watching TV bores me. To the unending frustration of the hubs, I cannot watch a show without something else for entertainment.
6. Perhaps not shocking as I am a writer, but I have stacks of journals dating back to 2001, when I was 14 and thought I was hot sh*t.
7. When I was younger, I wanted to be a veterinarian or a zoologist or a marine biologist (notice any themes?)
8. I swear all the time. I have a really hard time controlling it and become quite paranoid around children because all the bad words are sitting on the tip of my tongue.
9. I had a flock of ducks growing up. At some point, we had around 20+. Miss those guys.
10. After 11 years with my hubs, the most frequent fight we have is over who has to hang up the clothes.
11. Every time I go to a big box store, I have to peruse the clearance section in the arts and crafts aisle. I refuse to pay full price on most supplies, since they seem a bit ridiculous to me. $5 for a pouch of buttons? Yeah, I’ll wait until those hit the clearance shelf. This sort of lends itself to everything; I hate paying full price.


Answers to Kasey's questions:


1. Besides the main social networking sites, what other tools do you use for blogging?
            I’m not that deep into blogging to know the ins and outs of the blogging world. It’s really just my public journal of sorts that I only advertise through 20sb, Bloglovin, and Twitter.

2. Do you believe anything that is supernatural, like ghosts or Bigfoot?
            I believe in ghosts and spirits, but vampires and werewolves not so much. I think there’re people who truly believe they’re vampires, and if they drink blood, I guess they fall under that category, but I don’t think bona fide drink blood or shrivel, type of beings exist.

3. What's your favorite book or movie or tv show?
            Favorite book is Frankenstein. The stuff about language, nature vs. nurture, science, etc … love that book.

4. What is the song that makes you dance whenever it comes on?
            This is a hard one. I’m such a ballad/slow beat person. I had to peruse my Pandora, and the only song that made me wanna dance a wee bit was “Lisztomania” by Pheonix, which is pretty old, haha.
           
5. Did you have a nickname when you were growing up? If so what was it?
            Soooo many: Twizzlers, La Bean, Nikki, and then we all had note codenames in case we were ever infiltrated, but I don’t remember that one.

6. How do you get rid of writer's block?
            I usually fall back to writing something fanfictioney, where I’m not afraid of the writing it since I know the characters and I have no real hope for the story; it’s just for fun. Writing in that free zone helps me open up to my original works. Aside from that, force myself to write something, even just a blog post, email, or a mundane day journal, works to open the door.

7. Coffee or Tea?
            Both and all forms.

8. Would you rather spend have a vacation at a beach or in the mountains?
            I love the beach, but I’d rather be in the mountains. A) for the aloneness of it and B) for the wildlife/feeling closer to nature aspect of it.

9. What's your favorite color?
            A nice deep blue, like ocean blue.

10. What's your favorite app and or video game?
            I’m a huge Skyrim fan. I got lost in that game for a month or so. Sims does that for me too, more the building houses and people aspects of it though.

11. If we lived in a society where people carrying weapons was a normal everyday occurrence, think Role Playing Games, what kind of weapon would you wield?
          Welp, if we’re talking any weapon that’s usually found in RPGs, I’d say a magic wand, because magic. If we’re talking real world existing weapons, I think it’d be really cool to be good with daggers or something. Simply because they’re discrete and you have to have a fair bit of agility which would lend you power even without the weapons. Bow comes in at a close second.



I nominate these lovely ladies! 

Heather @ heatheryoungnichols.com (also buy her book J)



My 11 Questions for you:

1. What was your worst job?
2. If you could teleport, where would you choose to live?
3. What fictional world do you most want to be a part of?
4. What was your favorite childhood toy? 
5. What's your favorite vegetable? 
6. Would you rather have a live in chef or live in maid? 
7. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you want? 
8. Townhouse, farm, or cabin in the woods?
9. If you had a time turner, what moment would you change or relive? 
10. What was your dream job as a kid?
11. What's your favorite blogpost? 

Sunday, September 14, 2014

September Snapshot #2


We cleaned out the storage closet this week, and I found a folder of my old papers. 
These are some of the first stories I ever wrote. 

 

And I also got stared on some NaNoWriMo prep. I'm going through a pretty intense 
plotting session right now. 



Early in the week, we had some pretty bad weather, so we ran out and got some
power outage activities. I haven't colored in so long. 


Star fruit, yum. 


Another winner in the nail polish department. I used this on Wednesday, and 
the only thing chipped today are the very tips. 



My Birchbox arrived. Anybody else get Birchbox? That hair oil spray 
and perfume were my favorite this go. 



The beginnings of my chalkboard wall ... thing. Crafty Sunday.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

September Snapshot #1


Surprise garden! This bad boy sprouted from some fallen birdseed, and I just noticed it this week.



Sir Figs enjoying some afternoon snuggles.


The hubs and I took the dogs for a walk down by the old rail station. Excuse the completely unflattering workout pants, odd hair dangly bit, and general discomfort in the pose. Let majestic Mia take your attention from those things.


Rail station and Railroad


 Selfie time. 


Yoda doth protest to much. Found at Barnes and Noble along with other Shakespearean Star Wars adventure plays.


This nail polish is possibly the best nail polish I have ever purchased. Look at that shine without a top coat! Yes, without a top coat. We're also two days in together and barely a chip. It's Nuance by Salma Hayek in True Azul at CVS.


Free wine? Why yes! 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

My Harry Potter Blood Runs Deep

It’s been three years since the last time I sat in the theaters to watch Harry Potter. It’s been seven since I last sat outside Media Play (who remembers that store??) for the midnight release of Deathly Hallows.

Yet, Harry Potter still finds a way to sneak into my consciousness.

I’m kind of known in my friend group for inappropriate dreams staring various Potter characters.

It started with a random dream many years ago now, where Harry, not Dan Rad, pulled up to me on the streets of New York in a limo asking me if I wanted to see his magic stick … Mhm, my dream brain thinks Potter’s a bit pervy.

No no, Harry. No no.
Honestly, last month, I hadn’t even seen, read, or thought about HP for quite sometime. Imagine my surprise when none other than George Weasley pops into my dreams like we’re old pals, who dream me was also secretly in love with … I was unaware that I harbored any romantic inclinations for the twins.



While it was a much more PG dream than I’m used to when it comes to fictional characters, it awakened my teenage Potter fanatic.

I’ve started rereading the series, the hubs and I watched HP 1-3 on Labor Day, and I even checked out Pottermore to catch up on Rowling’s new writing.

Can I just say how much I miss Harry Potter? The anticipation of the next book/film, midnight premieres, the whole day I’d dedicate to reading the next book. My youth revolved around that world.

And it kind of surprises me that I still find them amazing at 27 years old.

Fan stuff is also amazing

 I don’t think I’ve reached that level of fanatic with any other series. I kind of shy away from large series for that reason, too—I can be quite obsessive when it comes to books I love, so long series take big chunks of my times and funds.

I do know if Rowling ever picks up the pen for another series in that world, I’m going to be all over it. I haven’t read Mythical Beasts, but I am excited about the movie and seeing the wizarding world set in New York.

Anybody else have strange character dreams or all consuming book recommendations? What thing defines your childhood?