by Sarah | Aug 9, 2012 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Learning, All About Me, Cross Country, Friday Fragments, Random, The Teenager
[flickr id=”7665949676″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I’ve been having a good week…month…year. Whatevs, it’s all good. Okay, so there’s been ups and downs, but as I said recently I feel like I’ve hit my prime.
But for whatever reason my mind can’t wrap around a cohesive lengthy post today so you get the ever-marvelous bullet list of awesome.
- School starts in less than a week. Three kids. Gone all day. Makes me salivate at the thought of all that might get accomplished.
- Erik is doing a lot better. We’ve had a change in diagnosis & treatment plan, and things are looking up. Hopefully soon we’ll dive more into it – when he’s ready.
- In case you missed it – I’m being published. I so cannot wait until February to cross that sucker off my 45X45 list.
- The teen is entering high school. Honestly, not sure if this goes on a list of awesome b/c it sort of freaks me out – but it is happening. He’s in JV Cross Country practices now.
- We’re going to the State Fair on Monday. I’m actually pretty excited for this. Been a long time since I’ve done this.
- Erik & I have started walking together every night. It gives us added exercise & some time for just the two of us.
- I still have this 5k coming up but with the heat I have lapsed on training. Starting again real soon because time is running out (pardon the unintentional pun)
- Did I mention school starts soon? No? Well, it DOES.
- Oh, make sure you come by here tomorrow…I’m having a fun, flirty, sexy giveaway you do NOT want to miss.
by Sarah | Aug 7, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Books, Changing Tracks, Publishing Credits, Writing
My contract has been signed, my cover art questionnaire has been filled out, my blurb has been hacked down to size and all my ducks are in a row. I’ve been bursting with this news for well over a week now and I’m so glad to be able to finally share it!
Seven years ago I set out to get published – back before ebooks were in and before I knew what an adverb whore was or how to stop myself from being one.
Three years ago I abandoned my first novel and started on this one, on this series. Changing Tracks and its main characters, Jane & Cole have come to mean so much to me. All I have wanted for them is to give them the story they deserve and to see it published in print.
I have just signed with Secret Cravings Publishing to make that dream a reality. Even better they are using the cover art I made for the book three years ago.
In February 2013* Changing Tracks will be published in ebook format. Six months later, in August of 2013* it will go to print.
Now I’m setting out on the crazy ride of getting the book into print and I’m bringing you all along with me. For now, I’ll leave you with the (long version) of my back cover blurb.
*~*
There is nothing simple about forgetting your past.
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in Dominion Falls. He makes time with his women, makes a killing gambling, and exerts his power how he pleases. One thing he never does is let anyone in.
Until the day she falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. He saves her from the pine box, and finds he can’t walk away. The problem is, if he lets her get close he could relive his past – and he worked too hard to forget it.
She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief that someone wanted her dead. With no name she keeps ‘Jane Doe’ and tries to carve out a life. She finds herself drawn to Cole, and they start a fiery relationship that sets the whole town talking. Their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – keep them from admitting the depth of their feelings, but they find they only trust each other.
Through the chaos of renegade Indian raids, an abandoned husband and her recurring nightmares they fight to find the truth of what happened to her. She soon learns that sometimes the truth is the last thing you want to learn, and she starts to think it may be best to leave the past where it is.
That past isn’t that willing to let go. A stranger proves that he’s willing to kill to keep his secrets safe. If Jane doesn’t remember soon, everyone she loves will be in danger.
*~*
*Publishing dates are estimates and subject to change. Once I receive more exact dates I’ll share that news.
by Sarah | Aug 1, 2012 | All About Denver, All About Me
I lived in Maryland for a brief year back in 2000. It turned out to be a glorious year where I found myself in New York City for the first time in my life.
And went back 5 more times (each time to see CATS before it closed, but I digress).
I loved being that close to NYC without actually being in NYC.
During my year there I had a friend come to visit. We would go to NYC together and then just spend the rest of the week hanging out. We had a great time, and as always happens the time came for her to return home.
I packed up 2 year old Denver and my friend in the car and we went to the airport to prepare for the flight.
Everything went smooth and we ended up at the airport way ahead of schedule (keeping in mind this is pre-9/11). So we checked her bags and walked through the airport. Along the way to her gate sat a ‘playground’ of sorts for the kids. STuff to climb on and in, a miniature playground-type plane to climb through, other random items I can’t even remember.
Just a little out of the way area with wide open space and exits.
We sent him playing in the toy area and sat down on the ground, our backs pressed against a large pillar so we had a clear view of the whole play area. We chatted, laughed, reminisced over our time in NYC.
And then.
Denver disappeared.
No one came and snatched him, though people stood nearby, no one stepped into the play area.
He didn’t run away to make us chase him down the hall.
He just disappeared.
Poof.
My heart seized into a tight ball, I called for him. Denver, the good boy, always answered my calls.
Nothing.
Panic poured through my veins, my heart pounding a rapid cadence in my chest.
I rose to my feet on shaky legs, needing the support of that pillar to even make it.
Words clogged in my throat as I called for Denver again, frantic notes raising my pitch. A couple of heads turned our way, no one moved to help.
I gripped the pillar, unable to move my feet, this time screaming his name, searching every inch of the open area.
Finally my legs moved without my push to do so, racing through the play area. I ducked to peek into every nook, every cranny.
Hands shaking, stomach turning, sweat and tears clinging to my forehead and cheeks.
And found him.
Hiding and playing inside the pretend plane.
Happy as a clam.
Oblivious to my terror.
Never before that moment had I felt more like a mother…and less of a failure.
In truth he was “missing” for all of 30 seconds, and he was only feet away from me…but I have never been more scared.
And I hope to never have that feeling ever again in my life. I hope none of you ever do either.
by Sarah | Jul 27, 2012 | All About Family, All About Indiana, All of Us, Blogging Life, Community, Indiana Family of Farmers, Table Talk, The Reluctant Hoosier
It’s safe to say that I’ve mentioned a few times before how much I love my neighborhood. It reminds me of a neighborhood I grew up in when I lived in Buffalo. We all know each other, our kids all know each other, we watch out for each others families and homes. There isn’t a weekend that goes by that you can’t find a group of neighbors gathered at someones house. This stands true through spring, summer, fall, and into the mildest of winter weather.
One surefire way to get a group over your house is to get out the grill. Usually when we plan on cooking out, we expect to end up inviting at least two of our neighbors to join in the fun. Hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, chicken – you name it we grill it. Someone is bound to bring mac & cheese (because you can’t have any food gathering without that) – and of course type of salad. Before you know it, our deck table is absolutely overflowing with food and our deck is overflowing with neighbors.
Usually after the kids settle for ice pops. You know, the stick-pops of juice you get at the local supermarket on the cheap. Every freezer in the neighborhood is jammed full of them.
This year I’m bringing something new and fun to the party.
A [amazon_link id=”B003U9ZCRO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Quick Pop[/amazon_link] bar. Make a base of their yummy vanilla yogurt pop and lay out the fruits and chocolate shell. In minutes the kids can have a yummy popsicle they made themselves – and it’s not just sugar water. Fruit’s involved which helps with the healthy points.
Yup, this year my Quick Pops will bring all the neighbors to the yard 😉
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This post was written as part of Indiana Family of Farmers Table Talk series. As a Table Talk contributor I received products. All opinions and stories in the post are my own truth.
by Sarah | Jul 23, 2012 | All About Indiana, Blogging Life, Indiana Family of Farmers, The Reluctant Hoosier
I love the Fair.
But I never go.
Most of the time it’s a heat thing…or a money thing…or a distance thing. Seriously, we live in the outermost suburb & it’s a haul to get anywhere in Indy.
Two years ago Erik & I made the trek, but we went to see Jeff Dunham (who was amazing), and left. We got no fair food, and didn’t do much wandering.
This year we hope to change that by going twice (at least). There are so many amazing things to see and do – and we won’t go broke if I can control my urge to buy deep fried everything and anything.
One of the main reasons I want to go this year is because it’s the year of the Cow. I used to have a slight obsession and still have a box of cow decorations in my garage (for real).
Okay, the box of cow stuff is real, but my reasons for wanting to go are not. Why I really want to go is to help feed hungry families.
There are days when money is tight here and we wonder how we are going to feed the family for a full week – but when we face ourselves in reality there is always food in the cabinets and the fridge. We are not in so deep that our kids don’t think they will have to wait for school to start to get a square meal.
But there are thousands of families that are that bad off. Children and families going hungry.
The Indiana Family of Farmers is working with Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) to provide food to the hungry here in Indiana. For each person that finished the “Recipe Trail”, IFOF donates 1 pound of food to FIsH. Last year they managed to donate 2,000 pounds! This year, IFOF really increased its goal. They want to get 3,000 visitors to follow the simple recipe trail, pick up the cards and stop by the IFOF booth. You’ll not come out of it with nothing – you get a prize for finishing the trail and entered in both a daily giveaway and a grand prize of a Frigidaire® Chest Freezer.
It takes no time, and you can just sing in as you walk around the fair. Here’s an easy map for you to follow: Recipe Trail Map. All you have to do is make a stop at 8 points through the fair, and bring the recipe cards to the IFOF booth at the DuPont Pavilion.
To make it easier for you to help feed hungry families, you can win 2 tickets to the State Fair. Not just tickets to the fair, but a set of Dairy Coupons (2 milkshakes, 2 grilled cheese, & 2 kids meals). All thanks to Indiana Family of Farmers! Awesome, I know!
Entering is super easy (and for kicks I’ll give you multiple chance’s to win…but your first entry is super simple).
Easy entry:
Just leave a comment below telling me your favorite part of the fair. Is it the concerts? The animals? The FRIED stuff? Or maybe a demo-derby?
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Extra entries:
- Tweet about the contest (leave a comment w/ your twitter name)
- Facebook about the contest (leave a comment)
- Google+ the contest (leave a comment)
- Go to any of my friends blogs below and enter their contests (leave a comment for each one you enter)
That’s it! The contest will end at 11:59 PM on the 25th. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or I will pick another winner.
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Other State Fair Giveaways:
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Disclaimer: I am an IFOF Ambassador and therefore this is a sponsored post. I’ll get the same Fair tickets and Dairy coupons as the winner does. However, while I do blog for cheese, milkshakes and fair tickets – I don’t sell my opinions. All thoughts and opinions expressed in the post are my own.
by Sarah | Jul 20, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Erik, All About Indiana, All About Me, Blogging Life, Bucket List, Indy Geek Girls, The Reluctant Hoosier
[flickr id=”7604254726″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Ever since the Super Bowl back in January all anyone in Indiana can talk about is the zip line. I never stepped one foot in Super Bowl Village – but I wished I had just for the zip line.
About two months ago I found out about Go Ape! Right in my own backyard here on the West Side, inside Eagle Creek Park, is a place where you can zip line, do Tarzan Swings, and just climb through the trees like a monkey. You can really Go Ape!
So I rounded up some friends, my husband, a few of their husbands, and we swallowed our fears, strapped on a harness, and climbed.
Did I say fear? Yeah, fear.
After the “bunny hill” courses that are only a few feet off the ground – you climb and climb. High up off the ground you make your way through 5 courses of increasing difficulty – and as a bonus every course ends with the zip line.
I admittedly screamed at every one.
Out of pure joy.
[flickr id=”7604174320″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”] The last three courses have options for your routes. You can do “moderate” or “difficult” on course 3 – and on courses 4 & 5 you have your option of “Difficult” or “Extreme”.
I chose the difficult routes because I wanted to challenge myself. After all, I am wiping this sucker off my 45X45 list (“Do something daring”) – because it scared me. Holy cow am I glad I did. Knowing that I challenged myself, conquered my fear, and took the leap (literally on the Tarzan Swing) makes me feel strong and empowered.
[flickr id=”7604240872″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] The whole course left us feeling strong and empowered. Even my husband – who is terrified of heights, bridges, and couldn’t do the last Tarzan Swing (seriously, frightening stuff there) made his way through the course and felt so proud of himself for it – not that he’d do it again. ;).
It was a great ‘day date’ activity for us. It is an amazing team building activity too. Spending our time encouraging each other and cheering each other on (or is that daring each other?) to get through these courses cementing our bond of friendship.
[flickrset id=”72157630653559754″ thumbnail=”square” photos=”” overlay=”false” size=”small”]
We all left swearing to do it again.
After all, it’s in our own backyard and a combination of fun, adrenaline pumping, and an intense workout. Best of all? It’s $55 a person – and it takes you at least three hours to get through the full course. For teens it’s only $35, but you are responsible for them and limited to how many you can chaperone (Age limit of 10, height limit of 55″).
*~*
*Disclaimer: Me & 10 of my friends were given free tickets for the day by Go Ape. All the fun I had and my opinions are all my own.
