An Unplug!

Good morning blogosphere! 

Just wanted to say a quick hello and let you all know that I'm going to be unplugging this week in hopes of working on my current WIP.

There are lots of revisions and editing to be done!

Wish me luck and I'll see you all next week!

*hugs*

kristi

PS-chances are I will still be visiting and commenting while on "break".  I mean, come on, I can't quit COLD turkey.  I need some form of procrastination.

So pretty ~

Um, I got NOTHIN'! 

The brain is fried from revisions and editing, so I'll leave you with these happy weekend thoughts, courtesy of The CW and my newest TV addiction, The Vampire Diaries.

All thanks to Kim and Kristin.  How did I live without this show, girls?

*Ahhhhh*

I don't think we should have to choose, both are yummalicious!

BUT if I had to, um, yeah, this one for sure.

Always broody...and sexy

Too much anger for me, but easy on the eyes...

Only makes sense to have a gorgeous girl to offset the hot vamps.

Yeah, back to this one.  He steals the show everytime.  So bad, yet so darn pretty!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

*take care*

kristi

Ever feel like this?

Pretty funny, right?

Unless you happen to be the dog with the glow stick bracelets on your head like a tiara, listening to the crazy toddler tell you, "DON'T MOVE!"

In that case, I'm pretty sure you just feel like a fool.  (Van Gogh's face here is priceless, is it not?  It screams PLEASE HELP ME!)

AND I kind of feel like this, this week, so I can relate.

During my editing/revising fiesta I realized (with the help of others) that I need to rework a few chapters of my manuscript during the process.  And by rework--I mean destroy, rethink and rewrite.

BUT you know what?

I'm embracing my glow stick halo of shame and doing it happily.  Because deep down I know it needs to be done and now I can't sleep until it's better.  I stayed up way too late last night recreating scenes and brainstorming, scribbling away on a notepad like a mad woman.  

AND you know what?

When I gave up and called it a night, I slept like a baby.  It was therapeutic in a way.

So, here's to wearing that glowstick of shame proudly this week!

How about you?  How's your WIP or life treating you this week?

*hugs*

kristi 



Making Friends Monday!

Fellow blogger and author Tristi Pinkston came up with a fun way to meet new blogger buddies, titled "Making Friends Monday" and she's made the above super cute button just for this event. 

Nice, right?  You can read all about how to participate in her post here.

AND for those of  you that haven't met Tristi yet, here are a few fun facts before  you jump over to her blog and check it out for yourself. 

***She's been blogging since 2006.

***Her blog covers everything from writing tips and the life of a published author to kid funnies, spiritual thoughts, and embarrassing moments. She also has a weight loss blog, one for writing challenges, another for her fictional characters … and she lost count of how many others she has. You can find the links for them on her sidebar.


***Tristi is the author of five published novels and a whole kit ‘n caboodle of unpublished novels. Right now she’s focusing on cozy mysteries, although she has written historical fiction in the past and plans to write more in that genre.

***She works as a freelance editor and a virtual book tour coordinator. She loves taking long naps, being charmingly annoying, and watching good movies. She’s a Mormon, a homeschooler, a Cubmaster, and most of the time, a headless chicken.

***She's seriously funny and incredibly friendly!

So, hop on over to visit and tell her I sent you!

Tristi will spotlight three bloggers every Monday....let's start meeting some new people!

*hugs*
kristi

*Ahhhhhhhh*

Come with me to one of my favorite places:

Time to relax, refresh and recharge.

Time for a little confession?

Maybe past time?  A look back into my blog archives found my last confession-related posting was dated April 2010.

So here goes: 

Normally, I'm one of those writer's that LOVES the rough draft stage of writing.  There's something about a new shiny story that is SO captivating and thrilling!  Editing?  Um, not so much.  I've been known to describe editing as hell on earth.  And I fully meant it. 

Until now. 

I ENJOY EDITING!  

*gasp*

I know.  I was shocked too.  I don't know what happened.  I have a sneaking suspicion it has to do with my outlook or perspective in relation to the fiendish task, but why question it? 

I plan on riding this wave of happiness out until it ends.  It's nice to finally understand what those insane-editing-loving writer's are talking about.  Making your story better with each agonizing change can be refreshing, if you let it.

In non-writing related confessions: 

I like pickled okra and boiled peanuts.

It's weird, I know.  I've made fun of hubs for years and in retaliation, he's been getting me to try odd things I think are gross.  So far everything he's made me try, I've liked.  Next up:  pickled eggs.  I'm totally stalling on that one.  Sounds nasty, but he swears I'll love it.  He's been right about everything else so far, so why can't I just give in and give it a go???  Perspective is a funny thing in life, isn't it???  

Sometimes we cling so hard to what we THINK is right, we don't open ourselves up to the possibilities that surround us.  

What about you?  Any perspectives holding you back in life?

*hugs*

kristi   

Why I *heart* Fall!

Okay, okay, I know fall isn't here quite yet, but I'm so excited that it's around the corner, I can barely contain myself.

Fun fact:  The first day of fall this year is September 22, 2010 for the United States, Canada, and most of Europe.  Or so says my quick google search.  *grin*

In celebration of my most favorite upcoming season, I present to you:

Kristi's Top 10 reasons Fall is full of Awesome:

1 - Cooler Weather (obviously).  I don't know about you, but I'm done *glistening* for another year.  Bring on the cool breeze and nice walks in the park.

2 - The changing of the leaves.  A trip to the mountains is a must each and every year to view the leaves in all their splendor.  I relax just imagining it. 

3 - Festivals full of hay, parades and lots and lots of fun!  See below example of last year's pure joy...

4 - Halloween!  Dressing up + candy makes us all feel young again. 

5 - Pumpkins.  Have I mentioned my pumpkin addiction yet?  Pumpkin spice latte', pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin candy...honestly, you can't go wrong.  However, fall reminds me of these two not-so-healthy Halloween favorites of mine:

6 -  Football!  I don't love it as much as baseball, but hey, that's a given.  Going to a game, bundling up with a cup of hot chocolate, and watching from the bleachers is pretty nice too.  And I'll check out Favre ANYDAY.  Like maybe tonight.  Big Game.

 

7 - Crockpot recipes!!!!  Everything in the crock pot tastes better in the fall and winter.  I'm looking forward to Pot Roast, Beef Stroganoff, Split Pea Soup, Vegetable Soup, Chicken-n-dumplings, BBQ Chicken.....wow...I'm kind of hungry just thinking about it.

8 - Jeans!  I'm ready to bring back the jeans and long sleeve tees!

9 - Thanksgiving!  Something about getting family together to celebrate just can't be replaced.  I like that everyone gets together to eat and the main focus is spending time with one another...it seems to be the one time a year it's okay to overeat and do nothing.  And one of the few that I force myself to sit still.

10 - The return of television!  All of the good shows are coming back and my DVR is ready!

What about you????  Do you love fall???  Are you with me????

*take care*

kristi

 

A weekend for relaxing?

Um, not for me.  I'm beginning to think relaxing is an aquired skill I don't quite have yet.  You'd think it would be easy to just cook out, sit down by the television, and just CHILL.  Right? 

My brain and to-do list never stops.  Never.  But I did have a very lovely weekend!

And seeing as how it was Labor Day weekend, the name itself implies work.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!  We finally tackled the bathroom renovation we've been planning for weeks.  I've had two bargain mirrors we bought sitting in my kitchen for over three weeks.  (Sidenote:  love Gardenridge for great, value priced mirrors for the house!)

And since I'm proud of the results, check it out:

BEFORE!

AFTER (a little blurry I know)

BUT I did have time in between home improvement projects to sneak in a little reading of this:

I'm going slower during this read and really savoring every page.  I don't want the story to end and a part of me is postponing!

AND we did cook out both hotdogs and hamburgers over the weekend, catch up with a good friend, and spend time with family.

PLUS last night I baked some of these:

They don't look nearly as pretty as Kim's picture here, but they were just as tasty!  (Just had one for breakfast...yummers!)

 
SO, what did you do this weekend?  Anything exciting?  Did you travel?  Were you able to relax?  Did you allow yourself to rest? 

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

*hugs*
kristi

The strangest and coolest award EVER!

Ok, I'll admit it....

I've been horrible at keeping up with awards lately...I know, I know. 

*slaps self on wrist*

I don't have any awesome excuses, either.  What can I say? 

I LOVE getting them but I'm horrible at follow through. 

BUT that changes today!  Woo hoo!

You know why?  Because I recently received the "Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits" award and thought it brilliant!  The very cool Andrea Allison bestowed it upon me in this fun post. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, by all means, what are you waiting for???  Go tell her I said hello and give her some great big bloggy love.  The name of her blog alone is reason to visit Southern Writemares.  I love it. 

The 'Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits' award is given to only the strangest of folk, and as the recipient of such you are deemed very strange indeed. Congratulations.  (Yay me!  I adore being called strange!)

Now you must go forth and celebrate the strangeness of friends (and strangers - strangers are always allowed) by nominating blogs run by strange folk. *Beware, some people don't like you to refer to them as strange…Try to avoid them if possible.

Some rules:
1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post.  CHECK

2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (don't mess with strange people).  CHECK

3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.  CHECK

4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.  CHECK

5. And, if you email catephoenix(at)gmail(dot)com and tell her you've received the award for your strangeness, she'll enter you in the biggest kick-ass Strange Men competition ever. Details over at strangemeninpinstripesuits.com (click on the award link on the home page) DOUBLE CHECK.


So, on to the nominations...hands down the BEST PART:

1 - Honestly, this girl was the first to come to mind.  She has more hobbies than anyone I know.  She not only writes but paints, plays piano, takes professional photos...I'm sure the list goes on and on and makes the rest of us look like the universe's biggest slackers.  Have you guessed it yet???  Our very own K-Rae, who can be found at Kristin Creative and Kristin Rae Photography.

2 - Next up is Jade from Jade Hears Voices.  Um, did you read the name of the blog???  Both hilarious and strange, right?  Right.  The good kind.  Her ramblings are some of my favorite to read and she posts great images and photos.

3 - Then there's Vicki Rocho over at Rambles and Randomness.  This lady keeps me laughing with her fun and hilarious stories.  Don't believe me?  Check out this post.  It was one of my favorites and seeing how she entertains me non-stop, that's saying something. 

4 - Next up is another girl filled with awesomeness and more hot boy love than anyone I know.  I envy her total passion for hot boys and young adult literature!  She's bubbly, fun and irreplacable, not to mention strange!  It's Kim Franklin!  (As if you all didn't already know, right?)  It's strange how much I love and adore her fun blog.  It never ceases to make me smile.

5 - This next blog is a new addition to my Must-Read pile of blogs...it's Michelle Hodkin over at The Michelle Show.  Her posts are always perfect, easy and quick to read, full of funny quirkiness and laughs.  If you haven't checked her out yet, you should...she's definitely my kind of strange.
 
6 - I couldn't give out this award without mentioning fellow blogger and friend Eva O'Dell from Screaming Whispers.  If you've never visited her site and read her poetry, you're missing out.  This lady has a way with words that is purely brilliant and moving, sometimes dark.  She's amazing.
 
7 - This last blog is definitely another of my favorites.  This guy reminds me of a big snuggly teddy bear.  He's like the big brother of the blogosphere!  And imagining someone that way has to be a little strange, right?  Right.  And I bet I'm not alone, am I???  It's DL from Cruising Altitude!  I'm pretty sure he's always smiling and supportive.  I don't think the guy has bad days.  I could be wrong.  Hmmm...do you, DL?
 
AND that wraps up my strange blog award ceremony!  Are you a little sad it's over???  Yeah, me too.  That was pretty fun.  And there were so many other strange blog of the good variety that I didn't even get to mention.  Don't forget if you won the award to send Cate an email and be entered for some strange loot!  I know I will!
 
Hope you all have a terrific holiday weekend!  Anyone doing anything exciting???
 
*take care*
kristi 

The Wednesday Book Recommendation...okay, I'm playing catch up...Recommendationssssssssss

Apparently living in Hermitville for a week or two allowed me to catch up on quite a bit of reading!  I just realized how many books I have yet to tell you about!  I know most of the books I add to my TBR pile come from blog or friend recommendations, so why don't we spread the love?

Here's what's been on my list the past few weeks...

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Book Description:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

My Review:
I loved, no, that's not quite right. I ADORED this book. It was an easy read that flowed well and held my interest with each and every page. The writing was often beautiful and the style fresh.

The imagery was lovely and the story touching. I can't wait to dive into the next book!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Book Description:
In Mary's world there are simple truths.

The Sisterhood always knows best.

The Guardians will protect and serve.

The Unconsecrated will never relent.

And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future-between the one she loves and the one who loves her.

And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

My Review:
This was such an interesting book and definitely worth every star.

It was a really refreshing read for me. I couldn't put it down and finished it in three days because I just HAD to know what happened.

I never would've expected a zombie book to captivate me so much and it's definitely part of the reason I'm so impressed. The world Ryan creates in this book is so real that I was lost in it for days and even once I'd finished the book, my mind didn't stop thinking about it. Actually I lost a few nights sleep unable to shut my brain off after reading...there was just something about it I can't explain. It's full of heart, faith, hope, love, loss, and basically awesome stuff.

I definitely plan to read the sequel but will wait a few months and read some lighthearted material first.

The Deathday Letter by Shaun Hutchinson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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?.

My Review:
You know what? I loved this book and enjoyed every minute.

It was an easy read and a very delightful break from the norm for me. Shaun has mastered the voice of a teenage boy and while one could argue that most of this book is about teenage boy hormones and silliness, there's a definite underlying theme and seriousness to it all. And I really feel that it's honest. I totally believed all the things that ran through Ollie's head, both the good and the bad.

One of the major highlights of this book for me was the friendship between Ollie and his best friend, Shane. It sparkled and made me want to be a part of the club. AND I don't believe I'm spoiling anything by saying yes, I cried at the end. Hutchinson got me in the last few pages. We all know from the beginning how Ollie's journey will end, but it doesn't make it any easier. Great, fun loving story.

Carpe Mortediem!

SO now there's only one thing to do????  MOVE ON TO MOCKINGJAY!  I can hardly wait...

Happy Hump Day!
Kristi