Some Friday Slack-age Fun!

It's Friday, the work week is coming to an end and the weekend lay ahead in all of it's magnificence.

Instead of posting today I thought I'd share some of my favorite linkage instead....it's been a while since I've done this and I love finding new, great blogs and sharing the bloggy love!

First up is one of the most creative blogs I've seen in a while.  And being a mother myself, I was just in awe of what this lady has done.  Thanks to DGLM for posting the linkage first!  Check this out for some completely precious and awesome baby photos. 

Seriously, go there and you won't be disappointed.  It's so cool!!!

And bestie Kim Franklin's blog is a must-see on Friday...she always posts hilarious videos!  No idea what she has in store for us all today, but it's guaranteed to give you a laugh.

I *just* found this recently awesome blog that has freaky Friday posts with real live ghost stories.  Very cool and sure to be a new addiction of mine.

If you're editing your WIP and need a good laugh (or cry depending on your desperation) check out this post by Jade over at Jade Hears Voices.

If you're heading to a writer's conference check out these great tips from Michelle Hodkin.

Okay, that's it for me this week.  I'm looking forward to some relaxation this weekend and maybe some around-the-house-type projects.  Maybe.  If I feel like it.  Mostly relaxing and taking it easy.  Isn't that what summer is all about?

Have a great weekend!
*hugs*
kristi

Yay me ~ And some pretty cool books

Okay, we all know summer is in full swing and I've admitted several times that my brain has felt fried as of late, right?  Right.

But guess what?  I've won something.  And hearing that I'd won it made me do a little happy dance in celebration.  Because I *rarely* win anything.  And this thing is pretty freakin' cool. 

I sometimes feel like I'm the kid always picked last in gym class and while I know winners are picked at random, it's hard not to believe the universe has it out for me somedays.  But not today.  Today, karma and the universe are on my side baby!  And I'm ready to share the news.  Plus, this book and the author seem really awesome and I love sharing bloggy love of the non-stalker variety.

Are you dying to know what I won???? 

Are you?  Huh?  Huh?

It's my very own autographed copy of The Deathday Letter by Shaun Hutchinson.

Check out the great cover:   

Goodreads Book Description:

The clock is ticking?

Ollie can't be bothered to care about anything but girls until he gets his Deathday Letter and learns he's going to die in twenty-four hours. Bummer.

Ollie does what he does best: nothing. Then his best friend convinces him to live a little, and go after Ronnie, the girl who recently trampled his about-to-expire heart. Ollie turns to carloads of pudding and over-the-top declarations, but even playing the death card doesn't work. All he wants is to set things right with the girl of his dreams. It's now or never?

Check out author Michelle McLean's blog for a great interview with this fun and quirky author.

Or visit Shaun's site here.

I mean, how awesome does this book sound?  Seriously.  I think it's going to rock.

And today at lunch I also purchased this beauty:

Looks like I have more books to add to my ever-growing To Be Read pile and we all know that's an awesome thing.  Yes, the book addiction continues.

Hope everyone's having a fantabulous Wednesday!

*take care*

kristi

Tuesday Inspiration...

Is it just me or has the summer time distraction hit everyone on the blogs?  Am I just trying to make myself feel better by assuming there are others out there as distracted as I am?  Or is it really true?

As for me, I blame it all on the heat.  I believe it's frying my will to live each and every time I step outside.  And I love the outdoors so it's a shame.  But after my walk at the park on Saturday, I'm thinking it's time to hibernate for a while until it cools down.  I really don't like sweating that much without the effort, you know?  Excuse me, I meant, glistening.  That's what I do...glisten.  But glistening just because I walk from the air conditioned car to the air conditioned restaurant is unacceptable.  Yuck.  Crossing my fingers for a cold front to come through...high 80's at this point would be glorious. 

Anyhoo...thought I'd share one of my musical obsessions this Tuesday.  Not just a random song by an artist I love, but one of those artists that I love every single thing they put out.  You know the ones I'm talking about.  You listen to the albums on repeat over and over and over and over and over.  And still love them.

I seriously *heart* this man.  Not like total stalker/go to his shows/throw umentionables/heart him, but just wow/I love his voice/he calms me/type of heart him.  And his voice takes a bit of getting used to, it really does. 

Some of you may really dislike him.   And I will do my absolute best not to hold that against you, but I make no promises.  I'm not even sure what it is that calls to me in his music, definitely his voice, because it's so different and beautiful and moving all by itself.  But he also has amazing lyrics and just this, I don't know, vibe about him.  This mellow moving subtle vibe.  I dig it.  Do you dig it?






Happy Tuesday!
*hugs*
kristi

A Friday full of cuteness!

TGIF everyone!

Thought it would be fun to post a few of my favorite photos, definitely not because I'm lazy and have nothing genius to say today, definitely not.  I mean, that would be crazy.  Braindead on a Friday??? NEVER!

Hope you all have a fantabulous weekend!

*hugs*
kristi

WARNING:  cuteness overload ahead

For more professional cuteness, check out my good friend Kristin's Photography Blog!  Some seriously precious, Aw-worthy pics! 

The Wednesday Review

Hmmmm....couldn't figure out where my big dog was this morning (our boxer, Van Gogh) and found him in my toddler's room, curled up on the bed.  Think he must've heard little man get up in the middle of the night and come into our room, a light bulb went off, and he decided to swap places.  It was definitely a first.  I have to admit, I was pretty impressed.  Our dogs are not allowed on the bed and I thought his move was pure genius!  Sneaky little buggers, dogs.  By the time I showered this morning and walked into my room, he'd snuck back into our bedroom and was laying on the edge of the bed as if he belonged.  I'm weak and let him.  SHHHHH....don't tell hubs!

But on to my point.  I'm feeling quite rambly this morning.  Well, I've been reading at a snail's pace and don't have any book review, but I do have a movie review that I've been dying to share.  I watched this movie by accident actually and ended up LOVING it.

How do you watch a movie by accident???  Apparently you go to Redbox for the first time in two years and as you hunt for a romantic comedy because you're in the mood,  you choose one similar to the one you wanted to see.  Ever happen to you?  I've been really dying to see The Bounty Hunter and The Ugly Truth, which I think both have the nummy Gerard Butler in them.  I saw the cover of Love Happens and thought it was one of the ones I wanted to see. 

I get in the car and hubs is like, what's that? 

Me~the movie I've been wanting to see.

Hubs~No, it's not.  I've never heard of that before.

Me~Oh crap.  Let's return it.

Hubs~Why don't you read the reviews first and see?

Me~You are brilliant and this is why I married you.

Hubs~Just look.

So I go to my Iphone and search for Love Happens.  The reviews are horrible.  I'm determined to bring it back without watching it.  Hubs again stops me.  Why don't you watch the trailer first?  Okay, okay, I'll watch the trailer.  Before the trailer is over, he knows I've caved.  These are his words as I'm watching:  Oh, it's over.  This movie is so you.  And he was right.  I kept it and brought it home prepared for disappointment.  It never came.  It moved me.  I cried.  I laughed.  Hubs made it all the way through.

Now, I don't know if it was just that moment and I was in the mood or what, but I thought it was quite fantastical.  Granted, this in my mind is so NOT a romantic comedy.  They may have billed it as one, but it's much, much deeper than that.  I thought it was very intelligently done and made you really think about death and dealing with things, while keeping it all light and fun.  The love/romantic plot is really just a side story that helps move everything along, do not watch this for the love.  I think that's why the reviews were so horrible.  People just didn't get it.  Or maybe I didn't get it.  But if that's true, I'm perfectly fine being in the minority on this one.

Check out the trailer:   



It's good stuffs.  And I *heart* Jennifer Aniston.  How can you not?

That's it for me today, hope your week is going well!

*hugs*
kristi

Tuesday Inspiration

A little inspiration and currently one of my favorite tunes ~ I'll make this short and sweet, errr, short.

Gabrielle has a gorgeous voice and I bought this entire album and loved it!  Even hubs is a fan. 

*Happy Tuesday*
kristi

An ode to my critEKKK group ~ a little Friday Fun in poem form

A little something different this Friday, I think.  I worked very hard and long on this very serious *cough*cheesy*cough* poem that I wanted to dedicate to all the critique groups out there, and especially my own.

I've had too much caffeine today and am super-giddy.  Like laughing-to-myself-hoping-no-one-is-watching-giddy.  This is apparently what happens when you get up earlier than normal to exercise before work.  Insanity!  My brain is revolting!

Hope you enjoy my little diddy ~ happy weekend everyone!
*hugs*
kristi

An Ode to critEKKK

O writerly sisters how I adore thee,

and not just for your editing skillz,

or even the happy way you make me feelz.

not just for the great plots in your book,

or even because we all love a great hook,

not just because we have a cool group name,

or even because we dream of writerly fame

not just for your constant encouragement,

or even the way you talk me out of discouragement

not just because you make my novel more sound,

or even when your highlights, strikethroughs, and comments abound

not just because you always know just what to change,

or even because you know how it should be rearranged

There's something more about you three,

something that makes me want to sing like the characters on GLEE,

something that brings a smile to my face,

it's a special writerly bond that can't be replaced…

So as we toil towards that big publishing goal,

I just wanted you to know,

the camaraderie and laughter heals my soul

And last but not least,

many thanks for sending the writing fairy,

writer's block was way too scary,

I've locked her up tight and put her away,

had to make sure, this time she'll stay.

The Wednesday Book Recommendation

While I definitely missed all of my bloggy friends, I have a terrible secret to admit:  unplugging was rather glorious!  It was like a summer vacation for my brain! 

It seems appropriate to just slow down on all the extra-curricular activities from time to time, doesn't it?  I think we all need it.  It's good to slow down and breathe once in a while.

One thing I never need to slow down on though?  Reading.  Because, to me anyway, it's one of the most relaxing things on the planet.  Seriously nothing like a good book for the soul. 

Now on to my book review!  This week it's:

Goodreads Book Description:

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
 
My thoughts:
This book was a definite break from the norm for me, but a refreshing one! I read quite a few young adult books (total addict) and this is definitely more of a a middle grade novel, aimed towards younger male teens, so keep that in mind if you read, because it is different.


First of all, there aren't many books well suited for young boys, most young adult novels are aimed at the female genre, so I adored this book before I even cracked the cover.

But the story doesn't disappoint. The idea of weaving Greek mythology into the current world is unique and makes for lots and lots of fun. I loved seeing characters throughout the novel that I already knew the history for. I thought Riordan did an excellent job with this concept and I'm definitely going to continue the series.

I can't wait to see the movie, although we all know, the book is always better, right?


SO, anyone out there read the book AND watched the movie???  Love to hear your thoughts!

Hope everyone is having a Happy Hump Day!  *snicker*
Makes me laugh like a teenager every time.  So silly.

*hugs*
kristi

some unplugging laughter...

Happy Thursday everyone!

Okay, I admit it, I've been a bit blog-slack this week and I honestly just think my brain has taken a vacation without me.  It's tired, it needs a break, and well, it certainly didn't ask for MY permission, so I'm just following it's lead.

I'm thinking of it as a summer-blog break.  I'm sure I will be lurking around everyone's blogs in the meantime and I plan on being back for Wednesday's book review for The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson Book #1).

But before I go, a little "unplugging" entertainment:

That last one is ALL me.  LOL.

One last note:  if you won something in my contest and haven't received your prize yet, please leave me a comment below and let me know!  Amazon said all gift certificates were delivered but it's easy to resend them!

Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC weekend!!!

*hugs*
kristi

Contest Winners!!!!

Hey everyone!  Hope you all had a happy, fun and restful Holiday! 

And what better way to end a holiday weekend than with some free cash????  I'm going to make this short and sweet, because you know what?  I've played too hard this weekend and am crashing quickly.  It's definitely time for some hard core tv-vegging.  Being outdoors in the sun sucks my life energy in a healing-make-me-feel-like-jelly-kind-of-way.

Without further ado, your first winner ($25 amazon gift card) via randomizer.org is.....

drumroll please...

DL Hammons!!!!!!

::The crowd goes wild::

Our second winner ($15 amazon gift card) via randomizer.org is....

4th guy!!!!

(Congrats to one of my newest followers!)

Our last winner ($10 amazon gift card) via randomizer.org is....

Erica Mitchell-Spickard!!!

(Another new follower!)

Congrats once again to all of the lucky winners!  I'll be emailing your prizes out to you tomorrow afternoon when I regain my energy! 

Thanks again to all who participated!  I'm off to grab dinner and sink into the cushions of my couch!

*hugs*

kristi

Giveaway Reminder, 4th of July, and other random ramblings

Hey everyone...we made it to Friday once again!  Woot, woot!  Go us!

*happy dance*

Don't forget to enter my Free Amazon Cash Giveaway...deadline is midnight, Sunday, July 4th to be entered.  You can find it by clicking the link above this post.  Good luck!

I also wanted to say Happy Independence Day to you all and take a moment to thank all of the military men/women and the brave families that support them.  This holiday reminds me above all others, the sacrifices made for the greater good.  Having grown up as a military brat in my early years, I have to admit I really don't remember too much about the naval life, except the really cool submarines and the neat looking white hat my cat loved to curl up and sleep in.  But I know we moved ALOT and I've lived in California, Virginia Beach, and South Carolina just to name a few.  I've also been around the military quite a bit in my adult years, having dated an Army man that was shipped off to the war in Iraq for awhile.  All I can say is, not fun, and wow.  I'm glad each and every day that I had the experiences I did so I can truly appreciate what these familes go through...the strength they have is amazing.  So thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  It's often a very thankless job.  Remember them all this holiday. 

As for me, I'll be looking forward to some of this:

But that's not how I'm kicking my three-day weekend off.  Because tonight I'll be hanging with some of my favorite ladies.  What do we have planned?  Oh, nothing big.  Just going to have margaritas before seeing a little movie you've probably never heard of. 

SQEEEEEEEE!!!!! 

::claps hands over mouth and hides under desk:: 

Did I really squeal out loudly like a tween?????  I tried to hide it!  Stupid pictures get me every time.  Yes, we're going to see THAT movie and yes, I'm giddy with excitement.  Number one, these ladies rock and no matter what we choose to do, it's always a good time.  Number two, they have no problem being just as goofy as I am, so I'll be in super good company.  And yes, I will be sporting a vampire themed tee-shirt to said show.  I mean, you've gotta' have some fun in life, right?  I LIVE to be silly and it will be out in full force tonight.  Note:  consuming margaritas before hand only increases before mentioned silliness.

Okay, I need to change subject and try to calm myself down.  This is worse than watching a Red Sox game, my heart is pounding a bit in anticipation.

I'll probably unplug this weekend as we'll be traveling and hanging with the family for the holidays, but I promise to be back Monday, July 5th for the big drawing to announce the Amazon Cash Giveaway winners!

Happy and safe fourth to you all!

*hugs*

kristi