by Sarah | Dec 20, 2012 | All About Me, Crap, Random, WTF?
[flickr id=”8275829697″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Full of the Christmas Spirit (or is that panic?) – I dove into wrapping presents on Saturday.
I had a huge pile of gifts to go through, a good amount of new rolls of wrapping paper and some old rolls in my trust wrapping paper box that I’d used for years. I do mean years, it’s an old packing box. Plain cardboard, tall to accommodate the long rolls of paper.
Because I have been using it for years and it’s stored in our only storage area – the garage – some of the wrapping paper in it was well squashed down. Smashed and broken from years of careless tossing into the box.
With all the new rolls I thought it was as good a time to clear out the damaged rolls.
I began pulling them out of the box and realized there was stuff hidden underneath them. An old (now broken) Easter basket I never used, some Easter faux grass, some Christmas cards, stocking stuffers. I noticed an odd stain in the corner of the box and cursed that the bugs had gotten into the box like they do everything else in my garage.
And then…
I realized the stain wasn’t bug remains.
It was bird poop.
And the contributing animal lay dead midway through the box.
I have to say I almost threw up right then.
Box went in the trash and I thanked the heavens that I’d had the foresight to buy new wrapping paper.
This year?
I’m spending the money for a proper storage box.
I never.
Ever.
Want to see something like that again.
~shudder~
by Sarah | Dec 19, 2012 | All About Denver, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Molly, All of Us
[flickr id=”8285672590″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]We’ve had a rough year.
Ups and downs so often it felt like a roller coaster gone bad. But even in the rockiest times, when I feel at my lowest, I’ve got three stars shining bright to bring me back home. Three stars that overcome challenges big and small and shine in ways I never could have imagined.
Denver, the cross country star that laughs in the face of Cystic Fibrosis by his endurance and speed. That is aiming for the best grades he can (and almost always succeeding) so that he can become a doctor. Not just a doctor, but a pediatric pulmonologist so that he can help other kids like him and his sister.
Molly, the brilliant little mind trapped behind the limitations of her expressive communication. Every day she’s learning more how to step forward. She’s making real friends, and living the heck out of life in her own quirky way.
Kennedy, so many little things that could hold her back, but to her they don’t even exist. She’s my temperamental firecracker, but also the sweetest angel you ever could meet. Those big eyes and warm snuggles ease away every worry.
They bring hope and light back into my life every moment. I’m so proud of each of them. Every day.
*~*~*
Macy’s Heart of Haiti is a shining example of people filled with hope even in the greatest difficulties. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and even after the earthquake you won’t find a country more filled with hope and joy.
Macy’s believes in “Trade not Aid” as a means of helping the country of Haiti create sustainable work and provide much needed financial opportunities. By purchasing one of the more than 40 items available in Macy’s Heart of Haiti line you make a contribution to the Haitian Community.
With everything from quilts, to bowls, to picture frames – all made from recycled and sustainable items – you can find some amazingly beautiful items to give as gifts, or to decorate your home. With one click, you get to beautify your life, and strengthen a country stricken by poverty. It’s a win-win.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #CleverHaiti
by Sarah | Dec 18, 2012 | Books, Hump Day Hook, Morgana Chronicles, Writing
Time for another Hump Day hook. This week I heard from my editor for Changing Tracks at Secret Cravings Publishing. It’s funny how each little step makes the whole thing real and exciting all over again.
But, as I’m not hard at work on actual edits yet, I need to keep busy while I’m waiting on the notes that might drive me to tears.
And so I have. Into a Mirror Darkly is coming along nicely. I’m only 3 chapters in, but the FMC, Red, just rocks my socks. The male lead is going to be an interesting one. Their relationship…well it will be fun to write.
It’s a dark UF w/ romantic elements…so the romance won’t be the focus of the story by any means, but I don’t think Red or Wulfric will let me ignore it.
But I’m digressing. Here’s a small little snippet I wrote yesterday that gave me giggles. Remember, this is first draft and completely unedited & uncritiqued:
Wulfric, on the other hand, grinned and handed her his own sandwich. His rich laughter boomed through the small cottage when she took it despite her apparent anger at him. Brown eyes twinkled with amusement, crinkling at the corners. “Hunting ogres is a horrid business. Thought you’d have moved up in the ranks by now.”
“I have,” Red spoke around her food before grabbing her cup and slurping the tea out of it. Thick lumps of bread washed down her throat and she wiped a drip from her lower lip. “But the bounty on an ogre can handle two households for a full year while I hunt more elusive prey. At least I’m still hunting bounty – unlike some people that cater to the evil that invaded this land.”
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HHH banner below:
by Sarah | Dec 17, 2012 | All About Me, Holidays, Random
[flickr id=”8276894702″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I don’t know how I end up doing this to myself every year.
I swear I’ll pick “only a few”.
But then a new recipe pops up.
Or an old favorite is demanded (begged for).
And suddenly dozens of cookies in 5, 6, 7 different variations are accumulating on my table.
I’m on day 4.
I’ve got at least one day left.
If I don’t come out – send in the troops.
by Sarah | Dec 16, 2012 | Photography, Scavenger Hunt Sunday
The big day is coming….and all preparations are moving along here in the Cass house.
All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.
1. Sparkly
A wise woman puts sugar into everything she says to a man, and takes a grain of salt with everything he says to her. ~Helen rowland
[flickr id=”8276897884″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Friendship is like a glass ornament, once it is broken it can rarely be put back together exactly the same way. ~Unknown
[flickr id=”8275829697″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
2. Door
[flickr id=”8275830509″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. ~Charles A. Dana
[flickr id=”8275832453″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
3. Decorate
A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. ~Unknown
[flickr id=”8276894702″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. ~Buddha
[flickr id=”8275837319″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
4. Stripes
The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. ~William Shakespeare
[flickr id=”8261755759″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit. ~Kahlil Gibran
[flickr id=”8275827837″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
5. A Few of My Favorite Things
If ballet were easy they’d call it football. ~Unknown
[flickr id=”8276896474″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever. ~Winnie the Pooh
[flickr id=”8276895230″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
You can find more pictures over at my flickr account.
Scavenger Hunt Sunday is run by the beautiful Ashley. Head on over to see more Hunters.
