by Sarah | Feb 21, 2013 | All About Me, All of Us, Crap, Random, Story of Me
Five years ago (5? Really? Wow….) I did a post called 100+ things about me.
I thought about completely reviving it and doing a full 100+ things about me again as quite a few of those are now old news or untrue (or have changed drastically).
But 100+ things felt like a lot to my addled brain, so I trimmed it down to 20 (for now – see after the list for my ideas).
So, without further ado…20(ish) things about me…that you may or may not know.
- I grew up in Buffalo, NY.
- A piece of my heart still calls Buffalo home…but then I realize I’ve spent more years away from NY than I did in it.
- I call myself the “Reluctant Hoosier” – because I’m slowly, and begrudgingly, realizing that to me now, Indiana is becoming home. I still hate the name ‘Hoosier’…but I am loving the state more every day.
- I am deathly allergic to cats (had one put me in the hospital 11 years ago)
- And pot (yup – going to concerts like Metallica is FUN for me).
- Growing up I ate orange juice on rice krispies or oatmeal in place of milk because of my allergies. (ick – it scarred me for life)
- I have a tattoo – on my back – between my shoulders – it’s a butterfly with my kids initials woven in.
- I am craving – craving another tattoo (or 3 or 4).
- My tattoo embarrasses the teen (the punk. It’s not like I go around flashing it to his friends).
- I have moments where I just want to walk away from it all. I don’t, but I have a flash of thought once in a while.
- I’ve been married for 10.5 years – and it’s been a bumpy ride, but we’re still going strong.
- If I could I’d have a pet snake – the husband would shit a brick, though.
- I love coloring my hair. It has nothing to do with the grays – I just like variety. In fact, it’s time again, what should I do next?
- I’m attempting to create a victorian era gown from the skin out. Underthings are done. Corset is half-done. I have the materials ready to go for petticoats and bustle. 🙂
- While I was obsessed with the Little House books growing up (seriously, read them over and over and over)…I hated the TV series because it was ‘too different’ from the books.
- The first 2 fingers on both hands and my big toes all turn inward (on toes it’s called a bunion). It’s an odd quirk I’ve had my whole life – although very soon I think my feets will need corrective surgery as they have begun to hurt.
- My ‘odd human trick’ that I used to be able to do was bark like a poodle. I cannot attest as to whether I currently can still perform this trick.
- I am a lifetime occasional smoker. I can almost always quit easily and I rarely go for more than a few months, but it happens. Now that he’s 15, my teen is highly vocal about his disgust in this sometimes-habit.
- I had an emergency hysterectomy 6 years ago. Best decision ever. I prefer hot flashes to the other mess. With 3 kids (proving my high fertility despite multiple attempts to NOT get pregnant) and frequent inactive cysts and having already lost 1 ovary in 99…I was beyond ready.
- I wrote a book. It’s been [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]published[/amazon_link]. I wrote another, it’s coming out in April. Many more on the burner. I love being an author – between it and blogging, I have the best jobs in the world.
There’s 20 for now.
I figure I’ll do one for each member of the family over the next few weeks. I might even turn it into a weekly deal for some regularity around here that can apply to whatever happens to be going on.
by Sarah | Feb 19, 2013 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us
Time is moving fast these days.
When I would like to sit back and breathe it in.
There are great things happening.
There are frightening things happening.
There are moments I want to hide away and pretend the world doesn’t exist.
And moments I want to just sit and enjoy.
When I was growing up I wished I was older. I wished I could do things I was too young for. I wished to be grown up.
Now I just wish for time to slow. For the days to not rush by in a whirlwind of activity and necessity.
Just yesterday I had a six year old son and was realizing that I might just be pregnant with Molly.
Now my son is a teenager, my daughters are almost 8 & 7. My marriage is ten years old. This blog is seven (really?).
We’ve gone from one neurotypical son to three special needs children.
They’ve grown up and are declaring independence and having dreams of their own (A doctor! A model! A teacher! Oh my.).
My husband has had his struggles and we’ve had ours together.
What I wouldn’t give for a chance to take my family outside of the home equation and give us time away. It isn’t in the cards this year, it never seems to be..and we’re running out of time.
Time that is moving way too fast.
Because soon, Denver will be in college. The girls in high school.
And we’ll blink and they’ll have their own lives.
Can we slow it down?
Just for a few days?
by Sarah | Feb 12, 2013 | I'm A Writer
In recent months my brain has returned & I’ve figured out how to separate my blogs. All of my writing posts can still be accessed by clicking Sarah’s StoryLines up in my top menu bar…or by clicking one of those links over on the right —>
I did this for several reasons, namely because I wanted to be able to host authors without overwhelming this blog – and because I felt the meshing of the blogs didn’t go very well (as I suspected it might not).
BUT, by doing this – I’ve also been lacking in telling the latest news to all of you, unless you happen to follow my Facebook Fan Page for my writing (another one for my series coming soon).
So – now you get my news.
My debut novel, [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link], the first in a series, just got published on Friday! It’s a Historical Western Romance set in the Colorado Territory in 1871.
Blurb:
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in Dominion Falls. He keeps his women at a distance, unwilling to relive a past he worked hard to forget.
Until the night Jane Doe falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief someone tried to kill her. In the strange world of amnesia she manages to find solace in Cole’s arms and he finds home in hers.
While they work together to solve the mystery of her appearance, their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – build a barrier between them.
To make matters worse, Jane’s past isn’t willing to let her go. A stranger proves he’ll kill to keep his secrets safe. With those she loves in danger, Jane’s errant memory is all that stands between them and death. Cole can only do so much to protect her, will it be enough?
I’m very proud of this novel, as I’ve worked on it and the next two in the series for a few years now. I knew that these were the books I wanted published first. I love the characters, and hope that you will too!
Buy Links:
[amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link]
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks
by Sarah | Feb 4, 2013 | All About Me, All of Us, Crap, Random
I carefully avoided those year-end wrap-ups.
The stigma of “resolutions.”
But still…
As 2013 burgeons and develops…
With ugly, nasty January a moment in the past…
With so many things looming in the coming months…
A son 6 months away from a learners permit.
A novel I wrote releasing in 4 days.
A husband that is learning new ways to handle his bi-polar/depression.
Girls that are turning into real little people with tons of attitude.
I have to believe…
And say…
That for 2013 there is only one word that fits.
Change.
by Sarah | Jan 24, 2013 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Random
With freezing temps & sick kids & edits & hubs & birthdays & Disney on Ice & chaos all around…I can barely get a coherent thought together much less a coherent post.
So what do I do? I steal a post from the ever loverly Emily, who stole it from her…and so on and so forth. I love posts like these anyway, and so as soon as I saw it I knew I’d steal it – just wasn’t sure when or how soon – turns out pretty damn fast.
So, here you go. 48 Questions You Never Asked, but I’m answering anyway.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes! My Great-Grandmothers – both of them. Sarah (she went by Sadie) and Melissa. I love this story and will tell you it if you ask. EVERY.TIME. Yup. It’s one of the areas my narcissism shines.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I can’t give you an exact date but I know it was recent. There’s been much emotionally-stuffs going on.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Nope. My print is better than my cursive – but in a rush they both suck. I write like my Dad (sorry Dad).
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey Pastrami.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Three. Crazy. Insane. children. Love ’em most of the time.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Probably. I was always friends with the geeks & nerds…and I love theater people.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
NEVER (see also: ALWAYS).
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yup.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Hmmm. I used to say “No way in Hell would that happen”…but these days I’m more daring. I’d consider it (but probably chicken out).
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I hate cereal. But occasionally go through craving spurts where I eat Special K w/ strawberries (or fake-berries, whatevs).
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never. Drives the husband up a wall.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically? Not nearly enough. Emotionally? Beyond imagination.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I’m a simple girl. Vanilla with caramel sauce.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they’re smiling.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red. I hate pink, I have always hated pink.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My body. Especially after the picture gold mine from 10 years ago I sifted through last night. What HAPPENED to me?
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My best friend Jess. She lives WAY too far away and transporters need to be invented already.
18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Budgeting. Seriously.
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
At the time I’m writing this? Brown slippers – it’s 3* out and my floors are COLD.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Pulled pork. Last night’s dinner. Yum.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Currently the news is on in the background. When i’m writing it’s often either Hard Rock or Love Songs radio on Pandora (depending on which story I’m working on).
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Burnt Orange.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
The smell of the pipe tobacco my grampa used to smoke – it evokes many memories and lets me know he’s still watching over me.
Vanilla or almond.
The wisp of smoke from a freshly extinguished candle.
The first fresh blast of crisp winter air you get in fall…it’s always so clean and cold.
Gardenias. Reminds me of my grandmother and my wedding.
24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?
They are very important to me…that doesn’t mean I’ll share them with you. I don’t talk politics to 99% of people. Or religion. I hate arguing so I don’t do it.
25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Both. But really? Mountain hideaway would win if I had to choose.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
HOCKEY.
27. HAIR COLOR?
Currently? Chocolate Cherry. I like to experiment, though…so it could change at any time.
28. EYE COLOR?
Brown. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it (just don’t look too close especially when I’m wearing purple and they look green)
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yes! Hate myself in glasses
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Sorry. I can’t pick. Too many good things.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I hate scary movies. Husband loves them…
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Madagascar 3. Probably 30 times since it was opened Christmas morning.
Oh, wait…the last movie I actually somewhat watched was INK. I missed portions of it, but it was an interesting and unique film.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Burgundy…until I change later.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Both? I love Summer…but I also love Winter. Hell, all the seasons have my vote.
35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Mmmm….Cheesecake
36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Strength is preferred…but I get the importance of Cardio.
37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Computer.
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Mine. This one of Mine, too. (Hey, I’m reading proof copies for errors, shush. I’m not that narcissistic…much).
Also, I’ve been re-reading Harry Potter Series, and am currently on my least favorite (and longest) of all the books, Order of the Phoenix.
Also Hunger Embraced (by my crit partner, fun & sexy book)
Also MWF seeking BFF, recommended by her.
Also…oh, I’ll stop now. Let’s just say I read multiple books at once, k?
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
My mouse pad is my desk…so…a lot of crap. It needs a serious cleaning.
40. FAVORITE SOUND?
Rain.
41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
Uh…you can’t honestly expect me to pick?
42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Cafilornia. About 2 months before dah big quake in 89.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can bark like a poodle. I can sing, dance, write, knit, crochet, sew, and…sometime I think I can mother.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Buffalo, New York (well, a suburb of it)
45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Indianapolis. Circle City. In my old(er) age…I kind of love it.
[flickr id=”8396269339″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]
46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Stupid pale yellow that I’ve hated forever. Can’t afford to change it so it stays. Stupid pale yellow.
47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Beige. Stupid brown/beige crap. One day I will own a car that is a color.
48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?
I sure do. It’s fun to answer random questions.
by Sarah | Jan 21, 2013 | All About Me, Crap, Personal, Random
Nine years ago my life was different. (Sort of) newly married, only one young son at home. I had no blog, but I did have an online existence.
In one of those (now defunct) online locales I met a girl that went by Vilanaa. We talked some, but we weren’t close. Then one day she emailed me to give me a file that the internet (and my stupidity) had eaten…and from that moment on we became fast friends.
I quickly learned her real name was Jess. We bonded fast over many similar experiences and laughed over the same jokes.
For several years we shared our lives through the internet & phone. Never meeting, but she was there for everything. The first person my husband called when I went into the hospital for the girls, for my gall bladder. I became the person she called for everything, joy to crisis. We watched each others kids grow up through pictures.
We finally met several years ago when I went out to meet her. Upon arrival I ‘forgot’ my kids in the car and rushed into a tight hug that lasted five minutes while Denver got the girls unpacked and met her boys. Many tears of joy were shed.
A year an a half ago she returned the favor by driving out here for my birthday. She was present for my first tattoo and my husband finally got to know the person behind the voice.
She is my best friend. Our friendship is amazing and strong and amazing again.
But she lives so far away. Without the invention of the transporter I can’t be there when she’s in true crisis. I have to be content with knowing she has a support system that is helping. I have to be content to be on the other end of the phone to remind her to breathe when she calls me in tears.
Last month I went out with two wonderful and amazing Indy friends of mine, Casey and Shireen. These two women are best friends like Jess and I, but they live in the same town(ish). They are able to see each other at least twice a month (most times) – but at the end of the evening they embraced in a tight hug that lasted several minutes. Both apologized to me, saying it sometimes makes people uncomfortable.
I told them don’t apologize ever for that sort of closeness. That if my BFF were here I’d hug her the same way every time. We all need the bear-hug friend…whether they are five minutes away, an hour away, or 12 hours away.
Treasure your bear hug friend and hug them as often as you can.
Because this 12-hours away crap? It sucks when your best friend needs you.
Now who can get those scientists to finish up the transporters ASAP for me? I’ve got to get a bear hug.
Five years ago (5? Really? Wow….) I did a post called 100+ things about me.
