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 9, 2015 | All About Family, All of Us, Cystic Fibrosis, Disney, Make-A-Wish, Redefining Perfect, Special Needs
When you go to Disney World with Make-A-Wish you get to stay at the Give Kids the World Village.
The Village is a magical place where you are made to feel as if you are at home…vacation style. From the food, the pools, the games, the parties, and the visits from Disney & Universal characters–there’s plenty to do if you’re too tired for a park visit that day.
When you first arrive in the village, you immediately have no doubts this place was created for the kids and the kids alone. All the buildings are bright, colorful, and creatively designed.
You aren’t welcomed in, you’re welcomed home. After a brief intro into the amenities you’re led to your own villa. Where you can settle in and get comfortable. And boy did we.
On our first night we took full advantage of the large pool and splash pad. There’s a second, smaller and quieter pool down the road if you’re looking for just a little less noise.
The kids favorite part of every day was breakfast at the Gingerbread house. I mean, who wouldn’t love a meal eaten on a table of peppermint candies? 
(No, really, look!! <—-) They had everything from eggs, to pancakes, to donuts and Belgian waffles. Even if what you wanted wasn’t on the menu, all you had to do was ask and they’d scare it up for you. The teen was all set to sign up for bacon at every single meal.
Of course, another part that was super fun for everyone with a sweet tooth (so, everyone) was the ice cream shop–which is open for business all day long (and free, like all the food on site!). I mean, at GKTW you can have ice cream for breakfast! And yes, we might have done that on our last morning there.
Our villa was amazing in itself. Somehow GKTW gave Kennedy her dream home. Her favorite colors are purple and orange…and so was our villa! Once again designed for the kids, the bathroom attached to their bedroom was HUGE. A giant walk-in shower, a Jacuzzi tub, two sinks and plenty of space. Meanwhile Erik and I had a dinky little bathroom we could hardly be in at the same time. Thankfully we got blessed with a huge, comfy king-sized bed, which was so welcoming at the end of every night.
Every moment we were at the village felt like home. There was so much to do there, I almost feel guilty we didn’t spend more time there. It just seemed like in our week there, there was so much to see and do, we couldn’t possibly squeeze it all in.
There are so many more magical things about the village, but I know they like to keep some things to surprise those coming home for a while.
But, I will say that like everything on our trip, the Village itself was pure magic.
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. 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 6, 2015 | All About Family, All About Kennedy, All of Us, Crap, Random, Redefining Perfect
I have this piece of artwork on my wall I made just a few years back. The wedding picture of Erik & I surrounded by our kids. On the left, pictures of them as babies. On the right, pictures of them “Current day”. Or, they were at the time.
Some days it catches my eye and totally stops me in my tracks.
At the time I made it Denver had seemed so old. Older than his sisters, who at the time were a mere one and two. He himself was just 9. The same age as Kennedy is today. 9 little years old. Now he’s a huge, attitude filled, stubborn teenager.
Molly aged in photography early. Before our eyes she became ‘model-ready’ in every single photo, with her sparkling blue eyes and perfect posing.
Kennedy tricked us. We thought we were safe with our doe-eyed baby girl. Her big brown eyes and constant laughter, temper tantrums and childlike wonder at everything, she’d for sure be our baby forever.
Then this happened.
I mean, HOW? When did she get so mature?
I try to focus on the things that keep her ‘young’.
Her firm belief in magic (not her attempts to get concrete proof of such things).
Her crazy laughter in the light moments (not the near-tween-like attitude she shows from time to time).
Her love of Monster High (not the extension into loving scary movies as well ~shiver~).
I’d just love for her to stay my baby girl for a while longer. With one leaving the nest next year, and another entering middle school…I’ll just ignore that she’s following right behind her sister toward departing the elementary school years. I’ll just ignore this stunning picture where she looks too old for her own good.
She is, and will always be, my bright brown eyed girl.
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.
