by Sarah | Dec 16, 2017 | All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Day Trippin', Redefining Perfect
Last year, I decided to take inspiration from Heather, and take my girls on a Day Trip. The boys were out of town on the voluntourism trip, I had a discount at a nearby aquarium thanks to work, and so I just did a last minute, “We’re doing this!!”
I took the girls out of school (*shock* *gasp* Oh, hush. It was an educational day, so I don’t care)…loaded them into the car, and off we went to the Newport Aquarium. A place I didn’t realize existed, had never been to, but it’s only a few hours away!
I learned that my girls are awful for more than a couple of hours in the car, because they are SO BORED.
I learned that I haven’t done this enough because my girls have NO idea about car games, how to play them, or what they are. I spent my childhood playing car games on our many jaunts.
I learned that my girls LOVE the aquarium.
I learned that we have GOT to do this more often.
Speaking of, why haven’t I done this since? I need to get on that…
Anyway…I won’t bore you with a recounting of our day, I’ll just flash some pictures your way of the fun we had.
Not shown here…the two-story Barnes & Noble that I could have spent all day in. The grilled cheese shop that turned out to be fantastic. The candy shop my girls could have spent all day in. But what I can show you to wrap this up, is this gorgeous pic of the Cincinnati skyline that we were lucky enough to start out and finish our day by seeing.
by Sarah | Dec 14, 2017 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Disney Mom, Make-A-Wish, Redefining Perfect, Universal, Universal Studios Mom
Our trips to Universal through Make-A-Wish were amazing. Hands down. The cast members, the rides, the amazing treatment we received. Universal WAS Kennedy’s wish. She wanted to see Harry Potter world. That was her ultimate goal.
We had the best time.
We also had a strange curse afflict us while there.
See, we had two days at Universal. That was more than enough time to ride every ride we wanted to ride. Even some we weren’t sure of.
Both years, we were able to ride every single ride, but one.
It was always one we really wanted to ride. Always.
On our first visit, we made it through most of the rides on our first day. We decided to save Big Mama…i.e. Rip Ride Rockit for our second day, on the theory of saving the best for last.
Our second day at Universal happened to be November 1st, and an odd thing happened that day. The weather decided that since it was November, it was going to show us how cold Florida was capable of getting. The temperature dropped into the 40’s (Thank goodness we had our jackets from home with us), and the wind picked up like you wouldn’t believe. The sun was shining bright though, so we set off on our newest adventure…
Here’s the thing…like I said, it was windy. Rip Ride Rockit starts with a super-tall straight-up climbing tower of track.
High winds.
Tall tower.
See where I’m going with this?
The ride was closed for the day. We hung our heads, made sad faces, but figured it was all right because Kennedy wasn’t tall enough to ride anyway. We didn’t know when we’d be back, but we figured once we did go back, K would be able to ride, too. (And she did, but that’s another story).
The second time we went was for Denver’s trip. He’s not a roller coaster person, but his Mimi (my mom), totally is…and by his request Mimi had come with us on the trip.
Because of the incident the year before, we made Rip Ride Rockit our top priority. We rode, it was short but glorious, and has a story to tell later.
As we made our way through the parks with my mom, I was excited to take her to the Hulk coaster because it had been so amazing the previous year.
After much of the day we finally get there to find what you see in the picture over there. The ride was closed, being torn down in Universal’s plan to make it even better. By all accounts, the new ride looks amazing, but it totally cut yet another coaster out of our trip.
I can’t say enough good things about Universal and their staff…
But whenever we do return (2019, maybe?)…I’m going to plan to fully expect at least one awesome ride to be down for whatever reason might occur.
Maybe if I plan, and expect such a thing I’ll be pleasantly surprised and the ride will be available. Yeah? Maybe?
by Sarah | Dec 13, 2017 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, I'm A Writer, Redefining Perfect, Wordy Wednesday
In 2017 I sort of unintentionally stepped back from publishing.
From writing.
From…everything.
But this coming year?
This coming year is the year of the comeback in a lot of ways for me.
Biggest of all, is my publishing goals.
In 2018 I’ll be release nine books in total.
Three of those will be original, never before seen books. One in a brand new series, a new book in the Tribe series, and a new book in the Dominion Falls series.
Six will be the brand-spanking new revisions of the Dominion Falls series under my own imprint, and in print as well as ebook.
The final release will be the first time I re-release my standalone Historical Western Romance, Masked Hearts.
I have so much to do to get them all ready. It’s an exciting time, and an overwhelming time.
It’s time to buckle down…because it feels really good to be back in the world of words.
Come join me…it’s a fun place to be.
January 15th will be your chance for the new books.
If you haven’t checked me out yet…take a gander at MY AMAZON PAGE.
by Sarah | Dec 12, 2017 | All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect
Imagine this.
You’re a vigilant parent.
You restrict your kids access to electronics.
You allow them one. One device.
A kindle. A kindle for kids. You know, with all the protection? Restricted programs. Nothing suspicious there.
You check to see what programs they’ve downloaded.
Everything is above the board.
Everything is safe.
Until it isn’t.
Until you go into one of those programs and find something crazy.
Chat rooms.
Chat rooms where kids, young kids, are having conversations.
Sexting-type conversations.
Talking about taking off their clothes.
I’m talking 3rd graders.
Read that again…slowly.
THIRD GRADERS.
Eight year olds.
Talking about taking off each others clothes.
Then you start to think about who else might be in there.
Facilitating these conversations.
Adults.
And it’s a scary, scary thing.
Keep a close eye on where your kids are spending your time.
Me? I turned off the ability for my kids to chat.
I learned my lesson with my first kid, and hope to keep on my toes with the girls.
What steps are you taking?
by Sarah | Dec 6, 2017 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect, Wordy Wednesday
Woah, boy has it been a while since I’ve done my reading report. After July I seriously slowed down a LOT on my reading. I’ve hit 154 books, and hopefully will meet 160 by years end, if I finish everything I’m currently reading.
Because it has been SO long since I’ve done this. I’m going to highlight a few books from months past, and will likely do the same over the next couple of months. Life is about to get crazy busy with a new job and lots of writing to be done, so hopefully next year I can do at least a third as well as I did in 2017. 🙂
So, without further ado, here’s what I’ve read, and what I’m reading now will follow closely after.
What I Read
[easyazon_link identifier=”075731984X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Oola For Women[/easyazon_link]
Life changing.
I actually had seen this on netgalley a while back, but not knowing what it was didn’t click “request”. Then a friend mentioned something on twitter about #oola, and I got intrigued, then remembered seeing the book and requested it. I got approved, but it sat on my Kindle for a while…until one weekend when I had some time waiting around while doing a little bit of work…and so I went ahead and started this. I’m not sure why I did…but I’m SO glad I did.
I could go on and on, but the short of how much I liked it is this: I bought the print version of the original [easyazon_link identifier=”B01MRFPD3J” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Oola: Find Balance[/easyazon_link] for him. Then, I bought the print version of [easyazon_link identifier=”075731984X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Oola for Women[/easyazon_link] for myself…having it on my Kindle was not enough. I wanted more.
The voice is good and easy to read, the stories told are sometimes of the eye-rolling variety with some very wealthy people talking about things I could only dream about…but it didn’t detract from the core message. The core message that you’ll be hearing a bit about as I work on it. I have a long way to go to find my oola, but I’m excited for the journey.
[easyazon_link identifier=”1590400283″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Audiobook)[/easyazon_link]
I’ve been wanting to read this for a while. All my friends read it WAY back in high school…but I never did, no clue why.
A couple-few years ago, we watched the movie based on the book. It was slightly memorable, but we haven’t watched it since…
And yet, when I started listening to this, I knew the narrator sounded distinctly familiar. It had been some time since I had seen the movie, but I swore the narrator was one in the same. A quick check and I found it that it was!
Stephen Fry gave a fun, quirky read for this fun, quirky book. It was an enjoyable listen for sure.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01A4B1QFW” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]In Such Good Company (audiobook)[/easyazon_link]
I grew up watching the syndicated reruns of the Carol Burnett Show. I love it. I laughed with it. I have many good, fond memories of the show.
This book was read by Carol herself, which is awesome. The stories were a mix of details over how the show got created, how she knew some of the guest stars before they appeared, and other behind the scenes magic…along with fantastic retelling of some of the best skits, which sometimes got our wonderful narrator chuckling at the stories herself.
A fun listen, and even had me in tears as she spoke of the final episode, and her closing monologue. Definitely worth a listen if you ever watched the show.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0544336267″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Giver[/easyazon_link]
I’ve had this one on my shelf for a while. I’ve been told time and again that I should read it. Since I once worked at B&N in the late 90’s (one of my favorite jobs), I’ve been hearing about this one. By luck of the draw, I picked it off my shelf using random.org to select a book on my shelf.
I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it! It was a quick read, and very interesting. The set up of the world was perfect, descriptive, and drew me in. Loved the introduction of color into it.
For once, I totally understand why people were telling me to read it. Very good, and I highly recommend. Not sure if I’ll read on, as I have a mountain of books on my shelves…but definitely enjoyed it.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0307887448″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Ready Player One[/easyazon_link]
I got this a while ago, started reading it, then stopped. Then got the audiobook and didn’t finish before my borrow period ran out. Then hubby got it and read it all the way through and raved (never mind that I told him about it first…it took someone else telling him aobut it to read it.). So, finally, I got to borrow it again and listen all the way through.
First, if you didn’t know, this is read by Wil Wheaton. I’m a big WW fan…have been for years. His voice is perfect for this bit of nostalgic geektastic fantasy.
I really liked all the fun mentions of classic 80’s pop culture. You can’t help but grin at all of the many references. The action is interesting, and kept me wrapped up in it, worried about how it would come out.
What I’m Reading Now
[easyazon_link identifier=”0062685341″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Caroline: Little House, Revisited[/easyazon_link]
I am a huge little house fan. Have been since the age of 4. I read them 18 times between the ages of 4 and 18. Over and over. One of the few books I can claim to have re-read.
So, when I happened to see this book show up in my facebook feed, I knew I had to get it. And I did.
Set during the Little House on the Prairie novel, but told from Caroline’s perspective, it’s an intriguing look at Ma Ingalls…a character I’ve always been fascinated with and staunchly picky about in any screen-rendition of (but let’s not get into the TV show or mini-series, we’ll be here forever).
I’m about 1/3 of the way through it right now. The writing is stunningly lyrical, the imagery beautiful. My biggest hiccup, and it’s all my own issue, is getting my brain to register that this is Ma Ingalls…and it’s not a book for kids…because there is talk of her attraction to Charles, and their intimacies. A hurdle I will happily get over, because I have to continue reading it.
[easyazon_link identifier=”1943893403″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Misadventures of a City Girl[/easyazon_link]
I got most of this series off of netgalley (one of them is not available for some reason).
I’ve barely scratched the surface of it, so I have not thoughts yet, but it seems like it will be a quick enough read. If I can ever remember to open my Kindle to read with all of the print books I have lying around.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0385541996″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Meddling Kids[/easyazon_link]
Okay…I had heard nothing about this book, seen nothing about it, knew nothing of its existence. I went to the library to get the next book in the line, and had no intention of getting anything else, but I cannot go to the library without meandering.
The bright neon colors on the spine of this book called to me, and the title of “Meddling Kids”. I opened it up and read the blurb, and instantly knew I had to borrow it, even though it was on the new shelf, which meant a short borrowing period.
It’s basically a different version (yet totally familiar) of the Scooby Doo Mystery kids…all grown up, years after their last catch has passed, all still haunted by the inexplicable things that happened that night, which can’t be explained away by the very human man they apprehended.
Seems like a fun, slightly kooky read.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0058PWM1W” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Alienist[/easyazon_link]
I know next to nothing about this book. Honestly. I am pretty sure I’ve seen it on the library shelves, the title and cover seem familiar…but it is nothing I’ve picked up before. I blame this library borrow on the TV advertisement for the show that’s coming out based on the book. I thought the show seemed interesting, mentioned it to the hubster and he said, “Is it based on that book?”
I said, “What book?”
And within 30 minutes I was on my way to the library.
So there you go. We’ll see what happens.
*~*
That’s it for this month. I decided to go easy on us all, because there are a BUNCH that I’ve never mentioned on here, both good and bad. Hopefully next month some of these currently reading books will be read.
by Sarah | Dec 5, 2017 | 50 before 50, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Bucket List, Redefining Perfect
A few months ago I updated my former 45X45 list to become a 50X50 list. Since I first put it out, I’ve managed to check at least one more item off the list, and we’re about to head into a new year, so I thought it would be a good time to go over it, make sure I still want to do them all, and set myself a goal to finish at least one, if not two next year…
Think I can do it? Some of these are kinda crazy-pants.
50 X 50
Take a real vacation. (Not to Buffalo, not w/ the kids) (Done 4/23/12)Take my kids to Disney World. (Done, thanks to Make-A-Wish 10/28/14)See my name in print (get published, e-zine, paper-zine). (Done 6/24/12 – Sirens Call June 2012 Issue)Have a novel published. (Done 2/8/13 – Changing Tracks & 17 more times [so far] by 7/18/15)- Get my Dominion Falls books series in front of a producer.
- Completely tidy my house.
- Take a photography class (or 2 or 3)
Perform on stage again (done 12/4/15 – Violet Grey in A Charlie Brown Christmas)- See Colorado
- Camp – really camp in the Rockies
- See Yellowstone
- Go skydiving. [Yes, I feel slightly insane here]
Go to a blogger’s conference. (done 4/23/12)- Sit at a book signing/author’s conference.
- Get on a regular exercise regime & stay on it for more than 3 months.
Hand craft (knit, sew) 1 item for ME for a change. (DONE 4/1/12)- Make a complete Victorian era dress from skin out. (underthings complete, corset 50% complete)
Get some crazy color in my hair (purple, blue, pink highlites/streaks) Done 2/11/12- Read the Harry Potter series aloud to my girls. (2/3 of the way through by 8/4/17)
- Sing Karaoke
- Get up close with the wolves & photograph them at Wolf Park.
- Move to Florida.
- Pay off debt.
- Get a car that is less than 2 years old
Run a 5k. Done 9/22/12 Do something daring (paragliding, zipline, etc.) Done 7/14/12See the butterflies at the Indy Zoo (Done 3/19/13)- Learn sign language.
- Go on a road trip with a girlfriend
- Go on a hot air balloon ride
See Cirque du Soleil (Done 6/27/2012)- Ride a horse – not a trail horse. A real ride on a horse.
- Volunteer
- Stop drinking pop
Visit Disneyland (Done 5/2/17)Get a tattoo (Done 7/16/11)- Go on a Cruise [preferably Alaskan, but I’m not picky]
Go on a wine tasting (Done 10/16/10)- Get a Henna tattoo
- Take my husband to swim with sharks
- Fly first class
- Read at least 50 of the 100 Greatest Novels (I am saying the book can be from either of the 2 lists there. In total I have read 8/50 at this point)
Have a real spa day (Done, thanks to Hubs, 7/2014)Visit a real haunted location (Done 7/16/16)- Sell a photo
- Visit Salem, MA
Visit both US based Disney Parks in one year. (Done 9/4/17)See a solar eclipse. (Done 8/21/17)- Have one of my pictures on the Indianapolis Zoo website.
- Go through a sweat lodge ceremony.
The newly done items for this year were: Visit both US based Disney Parks in one year, and See a Solar Eclipse. Both were done in the past couple of months, and were awesome.
Now for 2018, I want to knock off at least two of them. One I know for sure I’ll be doing is to be sitting at a book signing/author’s conference. This is happening in March for sure, and I’m super excited. I’m hoping, maybe, that I can do the first class flight, too…if I can bump up my ticket to the conference I do every year.
Oooh, maybe I can find a place to do a sweat lodge. That would be awesome. What do you think? Which should I choose? Or is there something you think I need to add to the list that isn’t there? I’m super open to suggestions. I like having a mix of “way out there” hopes, and some more do-able. I’d even be willing to bump it up to a higher number to add items in. 😀
Last year, I decided to take inspiration from Heather, and take my girls on a Day Trip. The boys were out of town on the voluntourism trip, I had a discount at a nearby aquarium thanks to work, and so I just did a last minute, “We’re doing this!!”
