by Sarah | Mar 19, 2014 | All About Denver, All About Family, Blogging Life, Pour Your Heart Out, Redefining Perfect, The Teenager
As a baby he was all Mama’s boy. I was a single mom and he was my world.
As he grew, he stayed that way. He listened to my musicals in the car with me.
Everything was shared, no secrets kept.
Over time, and with age, the world began to shift.
Sisters were born.
School got harder.
Life got busier.
He became a pre-teen.
The hugging slipped away.
The talking disappeared.
Sullenness crept in where sunshine had lived.
And then we had a teenager.
Over the past few years, the ever-changing relationship has left me at time joyous, befuddled, angry, and sad.
The need for independence, coupled with the distance already formed, has left some gaps in the relationship.
I don’t understand him, although I try.
He is a sensitive one, like I always was, and I find myself now understanding my dad’s frustration when I was that age.
There are ways Denver is just like me—and ways he is nothing like me.
I don’t know how to parent a teenager. I don’t know how to let go and hold tight. I don’t know how to keep his trust as he tests mine.
Yet, in the frustration and pain, there are moments.
Times we share laughter. Times we have a playful battle of wits (or wills).
There are some subjects we share an enjoyment of (raising a Geek when you’re one helps).
Some days I think I’m losing him and will never get him back.
Some days I worry I didn’t do a good enough job raising him.
But these days, as he’s getting a little older—a little closer to good-bye—we are starting to find that middle ground.
There are times I think he might actually like his parents (heaven forbid).
And so I think there is hope.
Just so long as he knows how proud we are of him (we are, so much).
So long as he knows how smart he is and how much potential he has.
Then I am happy, and think maybe I didn’t do such a bad job in raising him after all.
*
Are you ready for the teen years? I still have two kids to go through, and they’re girls. I don’t think I’m ready for that.
*~*
Written for Things I can’t Say’s Pour Your Heart Out
by Sarah | Mar 18, 2014 | Books, Holiday, MFRWHooks, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
Ready for another Book Hook?
Since you all enjoyed my reunion/Christmas story intro last week, I’m going to stick with it. Remember as you read, Ivy and Alan last saw each other (and slept together) 8 years ago. There is more to this scene, to be shown in the coming weeks…but I’m sure you can guess what conclusions are being leapt to here:
“So you let me be the bad guy all these years when I didn’t even know?” He stepped into her path with a frown. “Real convenient for you.”
“Real presumptuous of you, don’t you think?” Even if she understood the assumption, she didn’t like to think that he, of all people, would think her capable of such a thing. “You’ve known me for years and you just assume I would do that?”
“We haven’t known each other for years. You just said so yourself.”
She bristled and straightened her spine. “Assume whatever you want, you jackass.”
“How could you?”
He really thought she’d keep his own child from him? Really? She slapped him hard. “Get your head out of your ass. I’m not a total bitch. How dare you accuse me of keeping a child from you! Did you not hear her name? Justina. As in Justin—the man I was dating last time we saw each other.”
*~*
| Amazon | SCP | BN | Smashwords | ARe |
Alan Richards returns to Lake Point for the holidays, counting the minutes until he can accomplish the dreaded goal of dealing with his aging parents and get back to the city. Finding his former soul mate living in the town they left together and swore they’d never return to tosses his ordered plans right on their head.
Ivy Nowell has never looked back since she left the city and her ballet career to raise her daughter in Lake Point. Alan’s homecoming dredges up old hurts and the love she never quite let go, but he hasn’t changed, with his relentless commitment to goals that differ completely from hers.
The attraction and instant understanding between them lingers, but neither are who they used to be. Alan wants to give it a chance, but Ivy is worried he’ll change his mind and won’t risk hurting her daughter.
It’ll take Santa and all his magic to keep them from walking away from each other again, maybe for forever this time.
*~*
MFRW Book Hooks are a chance for authors to share their work and get you intrigued. See more great hooks here:
*~*
by Sarah | Mar 18, 2014 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
This list was incredibly difficult to come up with. I have a lot of quotes I love, for various reasons, from a wide variety of reasons…including movies I didn’t even like. Actually, as I write this, my list is at 17 quotes (and I know I’ve forgotten some)…and I don’t know how to narrow it down. So I may, um…cheat this week. Forgive me, if I do.
Then again, maybe I won’t. I’ll stick with the comedy quotes. 😀
10. “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” “Doctor.” ~ From, of course, the movie [amazon_link id=”B001EBV0RG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Spies Like Us[/amazon_link]. I only vaguely remember watching the movie when I was younger, but this section stuck with me…until I rewatched the movie in adulthood.
9. “Maybe you’re the plucky comic relief.” ~ [amazon_link id=”B00AEFY3DQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Galaxy Quest[/amazon_link]!!! This is one of my favorite go-to movies. As a trek geek, it makes me happy.
8. “A shrubbery!” ~[amazon_link id=”B0016492BW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Monty Python and the Holy Grail[/amazon_link]. Because, of course.
7. “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” ~[amazon_link id=”B008FD36IC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Princess Bride[/amazon_link]. (Well, duh)
6. “The price is wrong, bitch!” ~[amazon_link id=”B001BA9FIG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Happy Gilmore[/amazon_link]. I’m actually on the fence on this movie. It’s not my favorite, but unlike many of the comedies the hubby watches, this one does make me laugh.
5. “We’re on a mission from God.” ~[amazon_link id=”B001AQO446″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Blues Brothers[/amazon_link].
4. “Ohhh, don’t step on broccori.” ~[amazon_link id=”B003GAFA8S” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Police Academy[/amazon_link]. We watched this over and over when I was younger, and my dad is still known to quote this line.
3. “Sometimes I have the feeling I can do crystal meth, but then I think, mmmm…better not.” ~[amazon_link id=”B008JFUUQ2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Pitch Perfect[/amazon_link]. LOVE Fat Amy and this movie, I laughed a lot.
2. “Goonies never say die.” ~[amazon_link id=”B005KQVDH8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Goonies[/amazon_link]…like I would leave this one off!!
1. “Never give up. Never surrender!” ~ [amazon_link id=”B00AEFY3DQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Galaxy Quest[/amazon_link]…yup, again. LOVE THIS MOVIE. Have I mentioned that?
*~*
And those are my top ten in the comedy ranges…because I can’t narrow it down any other way.
I have a feeling a list like this would be tons more challenging for my husband.
What about you? What are some of your favorite movies?
by Sarah | Mar 17, 2014 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
It’s Spring Break and while the rest of America seems to be on vacation, I seem to be working. I snuck out for one beach day with my kiddos, but the day job has been calling loud and clear this week. But that hasn’t stopped me from daydreaming about holidays recently. And with good reason—all year long, I’m releasing books about finding love on some of the most special days of the year. I call it the “Holiday Hearts” series and I hope you’ll come check it out—the first two novellas, New Year’s Eve and The Cupid Caper, are already out, and a full-length book, Lucky in Love, will be out later this month.
10—Halloween: I haven’t been a big Halloween person for years. I’m just not into all the spooky, scary stuff. But then I had kids. And I love seeing my kids just be kids and enjoy themselves. So Halloween is back on the list because seeing my kids smile makes me smile.
9—New Year’s: I’m not a big resolution maker. But in recent years, I’ve been trying to be more intentional with how I’m living my life and I’ve found that identifying a word or theme for my year has been very useful for me. I do like the idea of drawing a line in the sand and trying to do things different or better. We all need a new start from time to time.
8—Texas Independence Day: I’m a sixth-generation Texan. My great-to-the-something grandfather was the original judge in Anderson County, Texas, and his commission was signed by the one and only Sam Houston. I have a copy of it. Forty-nine other states couldn’t care less about the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, but in the Ethridge house, we remember the Alamo. Ha ha!
7—St. Patrick’s Day: I have two redheaded children. Enough said. They look adorable in leprechaun shirts. Besides, who couldn’t use a little of the Luck of the Irish?
6—Valentine’s Day: A day to be in love with love. I think a lot of it is over-the-top and super-cheesy. But there’s nothing wrong with doing something out-of-the-ordinary to show someone that they are special to you. If we all took the time to tell those we love what they mean to us, I think the world would be a better place.
5—Easter: I love Easter for what it represents as a religious holiday, but I also love it because hands down, it has the best candy. From bunnies to marshmallow eggs, Easter candy is worth stocking up on. Just not Peeps. I don’t do Peeps.
4—Birthdays: Everyone loves the chance to have their own special day. I’ve celebrated my birthday at my favorite restaurant every year since I was 15. (Which is to say…10 years. Ha.) I eat the same thing and get the same dessert—chocolate mousse. But it’s my special day, so it’s ok that I make it my own personal version of Groundhog Day.
3—Independence Day: There’s something about fireworks. I’m lucky to live near one of the best fireworks displays in the nation, so my family goes to see it every year. (And then we wait in the car for two hours to get home, but that’s beside the point!) Our little community also puts on a great local show with games and carnival-style food for the family, plus a concert.
2—Thanksgiving: I’m something of a foodie. In fact, I love to post my favorite real food recipes on my website (www.kristenethridge.com) and share others from my blogger friends on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kristenethridgebooks) so this holiday is right up my alley. My favorite thing to eat at Thanksgiving—cajun fried turkey. I haven’t had an oven-baked turkey in years!
1—Christmas: Christmas brings out the kid in me. I love driving around to look at lights. I love getting new ornaments for the tree. Parties, families, special meals and desserts, and peppermint hot chocolate. It’s a time to celebrate with long-standing traditions like church services on Christmas Eve, to create new traditions with your kids, and to brighten someone else’s day with a donation to those less fortunate.
What’s your favorite holiday? Do you live somewhere other than the United States and get to celebrate a fun holiday unique to your own country? I’d love to hear about it!
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00IK1G58W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] |
Blurb
Sometimes you’ve got to take Cupid’s bow and arrow into your own hands.
Amanda Marsh is in love with love. As a high school English teacher, she is surrounded by poetry and classic literature, including the love stories written by her favorite author, Shakespeare. She knows she’ll never find anything as romantic as the stories that have stood the test of time, so she’s settled on having a crush on chemistry teacher Luke Baker from a far.
Luke Baker left his career as a research chemist behind to share a love of science with students. And he’s about to make his pet project a reality as the curriculum lead for the district’s new specialized science and technology academy. When a poem shows up on his desk drawing him into The Cupid Caper, the Valentine’s Day-themed dance and fundraiser for Skyview High School’s Student Council, Luke dismisses the whole thing as a silly game. But when he realizes that winning the grand prize in The Cupid Caper is the one way he can help a star student attend the new STEM Academy, he decides to play along.
Paired together, the English teacher and the chemistry teacher both realize The Cupid Caper is more than a game, but neither can tell the other their feelings are no joke. When an education in happily ever after is on the line, will a man whose life has been ruled by the scientific method and a woman who quotes sonnets miss the mark, or will Cupid’s arrow finally ring true?
The Holiday Hearts Series: Heartwarming Stories of Finding Love on the Most Special Days of the Year
*~*
About Kristen Ethridge:
The writing bug bit Kristen Ethridge around the time she first held a pencil. A 2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award Finalist, Kristen was discovered by Harlequin through their 2012 So You Think You Can Write contest.
She writes contemporary inspirational romance for Harlequin’s Love Inspired line, as well as sweet contemporary romance. Her favorite stories are filled with love, laughter, and happily ever after–and her favorite happily ever after is the story of God’s love. Although she has fun creating characters, Kristen’s favorite people are her family. She lives in Texas with her husband, children and a self-important poodle. Visit her online at www.kristenethridge.com.
by Sarah | Mar 17, 2014 | All About Kennedy, All of Us, Redefining Perfect
*You sang it, you know you did. The Addam’s Family theme song just danced through your skull. 😀
“When children die, they rot. Their skin falls off, and the worms eat them.”
“And the monsters creep under the house.”
“The ghosteses eat people.”
“And then the dead people came out of the ground, and they had skin falling off. And his eye was missing. And…”
“Children are zombies, too.”
Such are the examples of random snippets of conversation Kennedy has held with her sister, with us, and just with her own imagination.
She’s fascinated with Monster High “because it’s creepy”.
She watches horror movies with Erik.
I don’t know who this child is.
For while she might be a “mini-me” in appearance—she is all Daddy’s in her morbid fascination with death, horror, and the like.
I call her my morbid Kennedy.
But maybe I should just all her “Wednesday”.
Do you have a creep-tastic kid like mine? Please share, I’d hate to think I was alone in this.
As a baby he was all Mama’s boy. I was a single mom and he was my world.
