Don't Miss It!

Remember when vampires were scary and didn't have girlfriends? Remember when you wondered if the phone would ring from a guy, and you didn't go check his facebook page? Remember when time together meant more than everyone being in the same room on their laptops? Remember when you could sit around talking with friends without all their iPhones on the table? Remember talking to someone without the interruption of text messages? Remember playing outside so late that even the lightening bugs seemed tired?

Life seems thick with stuff and no time to relax.

I've had some time lately to think about what's really important in my life and the lives of the fabulous four. I sat outside playing  my guitar and my son, covered in mud brought me the mud pie creation made by all. Proud he was, and so was I because we took advantage of a beautiful day and made it ours.

My son filled a cup with rose petals and came to pour it on my head saying he loved me. Sweet gesture, yes, except that the bottom of that cup had dirt in it. I didn't dare shake my hair out until he had walked away. His sentiment was appreciated and he was proud, so a little dirt never hurt.

I had a grand escape for just a short time down by the river. After grocery shopping, I bought a giant piece of chocolate cake, took my coffee and my writing, found a great table (without any sign of ducks) and wrote. Words came so fast that I can barely read what's on that paper. There was great freedom out there.

Wonderful weather has arrived! Make an effort to go outside and enjoy the laughter of your children, savor the splendid moments you can find alone, and take the time to enjoy those nights. There's beauty out there. Life is out there. Don't miss it!

The A-Z of The Hopeless Romantic Me: Letter C

For my A-Z Challenge I'll be sharing the ABC's of the hopeless romantic me. There will be an A-Z Bucket List of romantic places to visit I like to call Just Over the Rainbow, and you all know I can't let a month of blogging go by without chocolate, and chocolate is part of romance, don't you think? Plus, a list of fabulous songs. That's right, sappy love songs... I can't ever get enough of those!

Just over the rainbow letter C

the Colosseum in Rome

My romantic indulgence for the day. Chocolate Cookie Dough Cake.

What man wouldn't want to be stunned by this? Of course I will share the recipe!

My fantastic love song for the letter C... Come What May from the movie Moulin Rouge. There's always that one song that can make you dream about the kind of love you want. This song will take you there.


My continuing flash fiction A-Z challenge from Rach Writes. The picture prompt and my letter C challenge follows.

“Come back to me.” My only thought as I watch the water lap onto the rock where I sit. Jonathan was strong. He would find his way here, and perhaps he would bring others. He would never leave anyone behind.

Her thoughts went back to a time when anger separated them. He had changed. She saw it in his eyes. She heard it in his voice when he promised her forever. His love for her had carried him through years of torment. He never let go of the thought of her, and now, she had to believe he would find his way to her one last time. The warriors Jonathan led, five of their strongest, were going to destroy what they could and free as many as possible. Others were scattered and waiting.

The air seemed to sour. She was right. Something had gone wrong. They were coming.  

The A-Z of the Hopeless Romantic Me: Letter B

For my A-Z Challenge I'll be sharing the ABC's of the hopeless romantic me. There will be an A-Z Bucket List of romantic places to visit I like to call Just Over the Rainbow, and you all know I can't let a month of blogging go by without chocolate, so there will be a special treat thrown in for those who share my obsession. Plus, a list of fabulous songs for the heart. That's right, the sappier the better.

Letter B

Just over the rainbow destination - BORA BORA

I think I could stay here for a while.

Your letter B chocolate indulgence - Baklava

This is perhaps my favorite of all things made with chocolate. A terribly romantic dessert. 

My hopeless romantic pick for the day. Bon Jovi's Born To Be My Baby. So, it's not a sappy love song, but ladies get it, and the man who will win me over will understand Bon Jovi is what matters in music choice. The link will take you to the youtube video.



The continuing challenge from Rach Writes. The picture prompt and my "B" entry. Tragic romance.... got to love it.

I can make it on my own if I have too. I won't have a choice. No choice. I know I can't sit here much longer. I have to hide. Remembering times before. I just have to focus on the before. Jonathan and I just found one another again. Years had kept us apart. It was worth all the loss of sleep to dream about tomorrow. He never seemed to have a care in the world before they came.

A complete invasion.

She would wait until the air shifted, but no longer. Hiding was a must when the air grew brackish and thick, and sound seemed to bend as if the pressure in your ears would explode. Her brother was killed trying to protect her that first day, and she learned quick what the signs were that they were on the move. His last words to her. “Run!”

The A-Z of the Hopeless Romantic Me: Letter A

For my A-Z Challenge I'll be sharing the A-Z of the hopeless romantic me. There will be an A-Z Buck List of  places to visit I like to call Just Over the Rainbow, and you all know I can't let a month of blogging go by without chocolate, so there will be a special treat thrown in for those who share my obsession... let's face it... what's romance without chocolate? Plus, every girl has her favorite sappy song list. Enjoy!

THE LETTER A

Just Over The Rainbow

Letter A

The Acropolis 

 Athens, Greece




Chocolate... What else?
Letter A: Chocolate Avocado Pudding

I made this... no child in my house approves.

Being a hopeless romantic, I am a sucker for sappy love songs. Enjoy today's pick. Etta James, AT LAST.

After this was posted I came across a challenge within the A-Z challenge on Rach Writes. So, I'll give it a shot and keep it with my theme. Of course tragic romance is my favorite. The origin of my posts actually start with another challenge of hers. You can read the real beginning HERE. This is the picture prompt for her flash fiction challenge, and my first "A" entry following.  

Alone was always easy for me, but loneliness was overwhelming. Jonathan said he would come, but my heart feels his distance. Something was wrong. This was the place. He promised to meet back here when everything was finished. When all the bad that had taken hold of our lives had ended. It had been months since we parted and being without him felt like an eternity. Now time passed slowly, and the hour we were to meet had long gone.

Her heart began to race. What if he had been captured? What if he had been found? No one could be trusted, and Jonathan told her the only way to be together again was to run. He was going in to save his sister, and then he would find her. It was dangerous but, all the horror he would face was nothing if it meant freedom for those he loved.  

It's Here!

If you haven't signed up for the April A-Z Blogging Challenge, you still have time. It's a great way to make friends, find encouragement, and have fun.

Visit Arlee Bird, and follow him. He created the original A-Z Challenge, so thank him while you're there. Take time to hit all the links below, sign up, visit and follow all the hosts, and see just how creative people can be. There are more than 1500 people signed up, so get ready... it's going to be a great month!

The A-Z Challenge Home Page

The A-Z facebook page

The A-Z Challenge on Twitter

Don't know what to blog about for 26 days? Last year I had a mixed media A-Z, and it was a blast. You can check out last year's posts in my archives there on the left. I've always believed doing what you love comes the easiest. So that's my theme for this year. I'm blogging the ABC's of the hopeless romantic me. It's who I am. That's right, I'm just a silly sappy girly girl who believes in big love and starry eyed lovers. Come back and visit when you can this month and be sure to leave a comment to say you dropped by. I look forward to all of your posts!

The Who I Am

I never blog about writing, and I should since it's what I do. Well, it's who I am. Well, it's more than that really.... it's all of me wrapped up into the expression of words so that the real me can be heard.

I'm an introvert. Completely.
I could live in a cabin in the mountains or on a deserted beach, and never see a soul. The only people I'd really miss are my kids, and of course my mom.... she always seems to have a cup of coffee for me when I need it most. Can't do without someone like that in your life. Maybe I'd miss one more, but that's a secret that you may never know.

My writing tends to take a backseat most days, but that's about to change. Something happened recently that made me want to be more of who I'm created to be. We all need that giant push every now and then. The big wake up call in your life that says.... "get busy living, or get busy dying." Andy says it best don't you think?

When I finished the first draft of BLUE MUG MONDAYS, I put it aside. I'm not one to jump back into the editing of a piece. I have to separate myself and then go through it relentlessly. Now is that time. At least I've been writing. I've been working on book #3, and I can't help it, it's my favorite so far. It's one turn of events after another that keeps me writing fast and crying often.

Do you ever sense change? The air is different.... the way you see things is different... you WANT to be different. So, time to change a lot about how I write, when I write, and how I make my writing more than just who I am, but what I do to be more of who I want to be.

Rainer Maria Rilke says it best. "Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple "I must," then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse."


If you have a young writer in your life, share Rilke's book Letters To A Young Poet with him or her.

I know when it was shared with me, I could see myself in those words. It's good to have the encouragement of fellow writers. So all of you out there that create worlds with words, for all you bloggers, be alive in what you do and may you find great inspiration in your day.

It's All In The Win

Kids can make a contest out of anything. My mom bought a giant bag of Cheetos. In this giant bag were little one serving kid sized bags. This big bag contained two kinds of Cheetos, regular and tongue scorching hot.

No kidding. I've never tasted a chip this hot. I enjoy hot foods, so to me, they were great, but not to the kids.

Compare

That's a lot of spicy hotness on the right. 

One bite and the kids were running to get water from the refrigerator. This is where the contest of endurance came in to play. The challenge..... who could eat the hot Cheetos and NOT drink water. Great! 

First one eaten. Everyone sits and waits. My son grabs his water and yells, "I'm out!"

Second one eaten. Everyone looks around waiting. Daughter #3 grabs her water and drains half a bottle. We all laugh.

Third one eaten. Foreheads are being wiped. Fourth. Fifth. Some deep breaths are happening now, but the painful game continues. 

Six down. Some fanning of the lips and heads in hands to pause for breathing.

Seven. Daughter #1 grabs her water.

Victory to Daughter #2!
No prize. No happy dance. Just the knowing that there was a moment to outlast, outplay, outdo another sibling and yes, that made celery taste oh so sweet.