by Sarah | Jul 12, 2015 | All About Home, All About Me, Blogging Life, Holidays, Photography, Redefining Perfect, Snapshot Sunday
The past two weeks have been absolutely insane between Eagling up for Denver, me working more hours than usual, and odder days than I usually do, and 4th of July.
Long story short–my camera sat on the shelf.
However, the week wasn’t a total wash. My cell phone got some action throughout the week…so it’s not a huge outpouring, but at least I didn’t ignore my pictures all together. 🙂
Week – 6/28/15 – 7/4/15
Me, hours before the Eagle Ceremony with my Mother’s Scout pins.
Some beautiful roses in my favorite color, a gift from my new Eagle Scout.
The first blooms finally erupted on my Rose of Sharon.
This guy popped up on the neighbor’s door frame.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the 4th of July without some of the requisite fireworks photos.
And that’s it for this week!  More to come next week…considering I get my camera back out 😀
by Sarah | Jul 11, 2015 | All About Me, Crap, Random, Redefining Perfect, Story of Me
Some years ago I had my dream job working at Barnes & Noble. I wasn’t a bookseller, I worked in the cafe–but I got all the benefits. A great discount, free stripped books, and a great lot of like-minded people to work with. Plus, being surrounded by shelves of books 40+ hours a week? Um, yes please.
I have many colorful stories from the time I worked there. Fascinating people I worked with. How many of us hailed from the same place (another state entirely). The odd customers, the good customers. That was where I worked when I had my son. It was literally the place I learned I was pregnant. I was with those people when Princess Diana died. I went out with them, they gave me my baby shower, and one of them was my labor coach.
Of all the stories I have to share, the oddest by far was the story of, well let’s call him Al. *
Admittedly, at first, I didn’t like Al much. He came in from out of nowhere and took my job from me. My manager, and good friend, was leaving the store and I was pushing to take her job as Cafe Manager. Al swooped in with his tales of culinary school, and being 10 years older than me, the store manager hired him on the spot for cafe manager.
So, clearly, I wasn’t too happy to meet him.
Over time he won me, and the whole staff, over. He was jovial, friendly, hilarious, and his wife was sweet and friendly. She worked down the street at Hollywood Video as their manager. The couple had two huge beasts of dogs that were slobbery-kisses sweet.
On weekends, week nights, whenever we closed together we’d all go out and hang out at one of the local restaurants/bars. Our most frequent haunt was the restaurant right next door, who would leave the bar open just for us booksellers.
Three months into his tenure as our manager, an odd thing happened.
He disappeared.
One day he didn’t show up for work. I, as assistant, was called in.
Two more days of me pulling double shifts later, a couple of police officers walked into the store and asked for the manager.
Turns out Al and his wife were far more interesting than we’d thought.
Skilled con artists with warrants in 12 states. In the three months she’d been at Hollywood Video, she’d embezzled almost $10,000.
We were all floored.
Shocked.
Stunned.
We thought we knew him. We’d hung out with them. We’d thought they were our friends.
And none of us ever saw him again.
To this day I don’t know if they were ever caught, or where they went to.
It was a huge eye-opener for me on how a person can truly deceive you.
I still try to be as trusting as possible, but this story has never truly left me.
And likely never will.
*Name has been changed due to my memory slipping in my old age…honestly don’t remember the guys name…
by Sarah | Jul 10, 2015 | All About Kennedy, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Friday Feels, Redefining Perfect
On a regular basis, Kennedy asks to brush my hair. I’m always happy to let her, of course. Having my hair brushed is one of the most relaxing things – ever.
On one of these occasions, Erik & I were chatting. I can’t remember the exact subject matter, just that it was a quiet conversation about everyday things.
In the course of the conversation I replied with, “Well, I used to be good, anyway.”
Kennedy, in all seriousness, leaned forward. She patted my head gently, and looked me dead in the eye. “That’s because you’re getting old.”
Needless to say, my husband (9 years my senior, thank you) busted out in laughter on the couch, and Kennedy ended up the target of the tickle monster.
Kids.
Oy.
by Sarah | Jul 8, 2015 | All About Me, I'm A Writer, Redefining Perfect
Right in time for Independence Day, I have a new release in my Holidays in Lake Point series. Â Free Falling is the 10th installment in the series which revolves around a small town much like the one I live in. While this series started as just one book, it has blossomed into so much more. Each story brings another rich character and love story to the wonderful little town of Lake Point.
This installment brings us Logan Bennett, a single dad whose sole focus is his beautiful daughter, Sheridan. We also meet the stunning Ryan Detrick, who is a master furniture builder with a set plan for her life – one that doesn’t include kids.
When these two meet the fireworks were so much fun to deal with – and the fallout from an innocent mistake led to quite a fun walk of shame indeed.
So please come meet some more residents of Lake Point and see how their story turns out!
Amazon | BN | SCP | ARe | iBooks
Blurb:
Ryan Detrick thrives on the control she has over her life. Her career and business are on track, as is her love life – which isn’t much of one. After someone took away her control years ago, she swore she’d never lose it again. When she goes out on the town with her friend in hopes of another one night stand, she hones in on the hot new guy at the bar.
Logan Bennett gave up a life full of bad decisions the moment he learned he was going to be a dad. Years of self-control have put him in a good, if lonely place. His best friend drags him out to loosen him up. Ryan’s bold approach throws him off-guard. When he takes her up on a one night stand, both of their best laid plans get thrown on their head when his daughter arrives home early.
Will they choose love? Or will fear of losing control send them running the other way?
by Sarah | Jul 7, 2015 | All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Photography, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Hooray for the return of Top Ten Tuesday!  At least I’m saying that…if I’m the only one, don’t tell me 😀  I love lists of all kinds.
This one was especially fun for me because it meant I got to do a little photo shoot with the Monster High Dolls in the house 😀  We own a few (probably close to 40 all three of us combined–the girls & me), but I have a few favorites lying around here, and not all of them are mine.
I struggled with how to do this list, because it’s so hard to pick favorites. I finally decided on the good old alphabetical method – by name, not the line.
1. Avea Trotter – She’s from the Freaky Fusion show. I had to get the daughter of the centaur for many reasons – she’s purple, she’s part horse, and holy cow is she gorgeous.
2. Catrine deMew – from the Gloom & Bloom line. She’s fancy, she’s pretty, and I love the flowering touches in this line, I want the whole thing. 😉
3. Clawdeen – This one’s from the Scaremester Collection. She’s not mine, it’s Kennedy’s, and I’m totally jealous.  Clawdeen with short hair is to die for. She’s got this cute little leather jacket, and I just love her.
4. Clawvenus – Another Freaky Fusion doll, I’m a bit obsessed. Again, unfortunately, this is not mine, I haven’t got a single Clawdeen. I am a big fan of the crazy furry jacket here, and the addition of Venus McFlytrap’s “shaved” sections of hair.
5. Draculaura – Sweet Screams indeed. She was my first purchase for myself. The wrapped pigtails did it for me. Yes, I have issues. shush. She’s pretty.
6. Ghoulia Yelps – Another from the Sweet Screams line. Ghoulia has long been one of my favorite Monster High characters–and she (not this doll, but the character) was the first one bought for Kennedy. I like the Sweet Screams version because it’s super bright and colorful – and her shoes are gummy worms for crying out loud.
7. Jane Boolittle – Another from the gloom and bloom line. I really just liked her fluffy skirt, and her pink highlights.
8. Lagoonafire – Yet another from the Freaky Fusion line. Can you tell that’s one of my favs?  Lagoonafire is, alas, not mine at all though there are two of her in this house. Both Kennedy and Molly own one, but I do not. They bought her for themselves with their own money. I love her crazy color scheme, her flaming tail, and her hair curl. I have my eye on one for myself, yes I do.
9. Rochelle Goyle – Scaris style. Look at the Eiffel Tower.  Plus, pink & grey has always been one of my favorite color combinations. I also totally dig gargoyles, and she does gargoyle in a gorgeous fashion.
10. Vandala Dubloons – She’s a pirate ghost with a pirate ship. Need I say more? (From Haunted)
Honorable Mention!!
Her photo shoot didn’t go as well, because she was the very first Monster High doll brought into the house…before K really thought to take care of them so they’d stay as pretty. We long ago lost her glasses, and her hair is no longer curly and her pictures in the photo shoot, well…they didn’t come out so pretty.
So, I’m using an old photo from the first week we had her originally posted on Instagram.
Ghoulia Yelps – I don’t know why I always liked her, but K got her for Christmas the year I had surgery and every day K brought Ghoulia to me to keep an eye on me (because she was my favorite). And so the O.G. Monster High in this house must be acknowledged.
by Sarah | Jul 5, 2015 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, Photography, Redefining Perfect, Snapshot Sunday, Weekly Winners
As I miss the days of the Weekly Winners once hosted by Lotus, I wanted to start showing pictures again. Mostly because in the past few years as I became more involved in writing, my camera became a bit neglected. In hopes of reinvigorating my photography life again, as I’ve always loved taking pictures, and miss it.
I started by giving myself themes to follow, but have since decided to just go into it with my whole heart and show the best of the weeks shots and some of what happened in the week I’m showing.
Week – 6/21/15-6/28/15
A tiny inchworm we discovered outside. Tiny tiny tiny.
The Husband
Denver’s friend & mentor (& our neighbor), Marc, giving a touching speech at Denver’s Eagle Ceremony.
The Kennedy
My most interesting event this week – meeting the fascinating Mr Chen Guan Ming, the man riding a rickshaw around the world.
I did a full on photo shoot with my daughters’ and my Monster High Dolls. I LOVE these things, I admit it. My husband thinks it’s weird as hell that I love them like I do. I think they’re beautiful. These are just a few of my favorite pictures from the session.
Sweet Screams Ghoulia Yelps
Avea Trotter
Gloom and Bloom Catrine de Mew
Scaremester Clawdeen Wolf
And that’s it for this week!  More to come next week…considering I get my camera back out 😀
The past two weeks have been absolutely insane between Eagling up for Denver, me working more hours than usual, and odder days than I usually do, and 4th of July.
