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Archive for the 'Real Life' Category



Saturday Puzzle Contest + Open Contests!
Saturday, November 12th, 2022

UPDATE: The winner is…Charlene Whitehouse!
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It’s Saturday! I chose today’s image at random and thought it would make a good conversation starter.

It’s not something I’ve ever done, although I almost did when I was in ROTC. They decided they couldn’t waste a slot on a girl… Huh.

Anyways, solve the puzzle. Then let me know if you’ve ever or would ever do this. Or perhaps tell us about some other risky thing you’ve done for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Open Contests

Enter these contests while there’s still time!

  1. Storm’s coming… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
  2. Saturday Puzzle Contest! — Win an Amazon gift card!
  3. Word Search: Things I love about Thanksgiving! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
  4. Genevive Chamblee: Memory Keeping (Contest & Giveaway) — Win a mystery stationary gift!
Today’s Tarot
Sunday, November 6th, 2022

There was no escaping this card today. When I shuffled the deck, it fell off the bottom, so I quickly stuffed it back into the stack, reshuffled, cut the cards, then fanned them out before selecting a card—and wouldn’t you know it? This is the one I was meant to pick.

My question while I shuffled was, What will this week bring?

Now, Death doesn’t necessarily mean an actual death. It represents the end of something that you acknowledge—just like the supplicants in Hell offering gifts to Hades as they acknowledge his power over them. The Death card definitely indicates the end of something, but also the beginning of something else.

I’m not a Debbie Downer. Folks who know me think I’m more like Pollyanna—always sunny and optimistic. Trying to see the good in most people. I also don’t sweat the small shit.

What was foremost on my mind for the coming week? Well, my dd and I had just discussed our plan to hit the voting center on Tuesday, so maybe this card has something to do with that. Me being Pollyanna, I have to hope it means the outcome will not be…not sure of the word I should use here…catastrophic? Maybe I should use my own personal definition of the Death card—a change that has to be acknowledged before moving on to a new beginning.

There. Done. I rarely pull that card, but to have it happen twice this morning—I had to acknowledge it. I’m a little superstitious that way.

Here’s hoping you all have a less portentous week then it looks like I will have!

So, do you own a deck of tarot cards? Have you ever had your fortune told?

Oh, and just a note. I like the hills and the sun in the background of this card. I need to think about them when I pull out my paints…

Storm’s coming… (Contest)
Friday, November 4th, 2022

UPDATE: The winner is…Sara DoMoe!
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I’m late posting. The day’s overcast, and we have some rough storms heading our way, but our power went off for several hours this morning, which does not bode well. With nothing else to do, I took a shower in candlelight, using up the rest of the hot water in the heater. Then I worked on straightening my art room since it gets some sunlight (my office does not—it’s a basement room). The power came back on a half hour ago, so everyone’s charging their devices because we very often have outages during the kind of weather we’re projected to get (thunderstorms with the possibility of tornados).

So beyond charging our devices, we’re planning on getting takeout early so dinner prep isn’t interrupted. We’re going to feed and walk dogs early so we’re not doing it in the rain. Any chores that need doing, we’re getting out of the way early. We checked the gas cans in the shed to make sure we can power the generator if we need to… I think that’s it. Oh, I have candles and a lighter in a place I can find in the dark.

So, do you have to plan and prepare for storms? If so, what’s on your preparedness list? 

Reading devices charged up with a book or two to keep you happy in the dark? Dry snacks on the counters so you don’t have to hunt them down?

Answer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Happy Halloween! Plus, Ghosts of Halloween Past (Pictures!)
Monday, October 31st, 2022

I hope the kids have fun and that you sneak pieces of their candy! I plan to!

Ghosts of Halloweens past…

When someone was the only kid (and did not want her picture taken!)…

All four being their creepy best…

All four plus a one at the cemetary!

This year, we’re down to two… *cries*

Despite the ample chest, she’s still a kid at heart! 🙂

And the biggest kid has been working on her makeup for tonight (the sad look is part of the “look” or so I’m told)…

Halloween movie recommendations, anyone? (Contest)
Thursday, October 27th, 2022

UPDATE: The winner is…Chelsea K!
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We have a full weekend before Halloween hits, and the kids are on pins and needles waiting for the day. Their mom and I figure we can spend one night this weekend watching something fun to get ready—so forget about horror movies, y’all!

We’ve already watched Hocus Pocus and the second movie. We couldn’t wait for this weekend to do that. So, what’s left?

Make your recommendations for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card! What’s something you like watching with the family on the holiday?

Trying new things… (Contest)
Friday, October 21st, 2022

UPDATE: The winner of the Amazon gift card is…Amy Fendley!
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So, first—that’s a horribly unflattering picture. 🙂

Had to get that out of the way. We dressed for messy fun, and it was cold outside, so…layers!

What is this? A big painty mess! The local art guild that I’m a part of held an acrylic paint pour. Most of us had never tried it. Mine turned out an awful mess, but I had a blast and learned something new.

When I first started writing and publishing, I tried all kinds of genres. Over time, I’ve found my groove, but I had to experiment a lot. Now, that I’m there, I’m just a little bored with the entire process.

Thank goodness for art! I’m obsessed learning new media, playing with color, making messes… All of it is a learning journey. Is paint pouring for me? Probably not, but it did teach me how fluid acrylic paint can act, and I have some ideas for “mini-pours” that might be something I could work into collaging or pendants… See? My mind won’t stop. And that’s a good thing.

Anything that keeps us excited and engaged is good—especially as we grow older. It really does keep us young.

So, my question to you is, do you have anything new you’re trying or want to try? Have you taken steps to DO IT?
Comment below for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Fill your life with…? (Contest + More Open Contests!)
Saturday, October 15th, 2022

UPDATE: The winner of the GC is…K. Campos!
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It’s Saturday. I’m posting a little late for no good reason. I’ve been piddling. I have edits to work on and rooms to clean. I have to get started, but I’ll piddle some more, no doubt.

I found this picture for the puzzle. It appeals to me because it represents things I love. The item in the background represents my work. The item on the left is my drink of choice. The one on the right is something I love to paint.

If you were to find a picture of things to represent yourself, what would be in the picture?

Solve the puzzle then comment below for a chance to win! 

 

Open Contests

  1. What our stories are about! (Contest) This one ends soon! Win a FREE anthology!
  2. Gabbi Black: How I wound up writing a BDSM trilogy (Contest)This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
  3. Puzzle Contest! (Plus, Open Contests!)This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
  4. Carol Burnside: It’s Christmas…in October? (Contest & FREE Book!) — Win an Amazon gift card!
  5. Amber Daulton: Interview with Benjamin Starwell from ARRESTING BENJAMIN — On Sale for $0.99! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
  6. Guarding Hannah Word Search! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
  7. Genevive Chamblee: Fall Fun and Giveaway — Win an Amazon gift card!