Okay all you Mommas out there..or you lucky Stay at home daddy’s, grab a glass of wine or a bottle of Dr. Pepper..whatever it is that makes you relax and feel like a real adult and get ready. Anytime I write/say the word cheers…take a drink. Hopefully by the end you feel just a little […]
I have some very exciting news. I have story that will be published in the Secrets and Doors anthology set to be released very soon. It has been quite a journey for me and I have learned a lot. If you are currently writing, or hoping to write and someday be published, trust me when […]
I am so excited about this book, what it supports, and how it came together. The stories are wonderful and the cover is so beautiful! You know you want to pick that right off of the shelf! A closer look at the back cover: Open the door and unlock the secrets in eleven short stories […]
After watching 60 minutes and many other shows on the issues now taking placing in Colorado after the legalization of Marijuana I thought about the article that my Mother once wrote about the issue. So intelligent and wise-here is a guest post from my mom. Thanks Lucy! Drug use in America continues to increase among pre-teens, […]
Today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It has been quite a year for law enforcement officers and unfortunately the negativity is continuing. We are currently on pace to lose an average of 1 officer per day in 2015. It’s sickening and we need to make big changes. In honor of the 118 officers lost in […]
I won’t ever be a food blogger, but I have learned a lot about cooking and I really enjoy it. There are a few recipes that I always get a request for, so I thought I would share a few. This is my fresh Salsa. It’s fantastic. My favorite. I have worked on this recipe […]
It seems as if I have seen the side affects of gossip my entire life. Maybe it was the small town, maybe we are just interesting. Recently, I saw this again and I find myself compelled to speak out. I am far from perfect, and know that I too make mistakes, but hope that I […]
Each morning when I look in the mirror, my body begins singing back to me. I know I use a lot of music-but I love it. Set the mood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTqGzpnolLk&sns=em At about 50 seconds is when it really begins: “A little bit softer now, A little bit softer now.” You know the part. Usually I, […]
I have previously reviewed another one of Johnny Worthen’s books, and decided to try another. I received a review copy of Eleanor and it didn’t take me very long to read it. Eleanor is magical. She is so easy to connect to that I felt engrossed in the book right from the beginning. She comes […]
I had a few compliments from friends that outweighed some recent expressed concerns from others about the way I am raising my kids. I admit, my kids may be a little spoiled. Not so much with things, but with my time and attention. Not every minute of every day is filled with fun and games […]
Many things took place within the space of two weeks. I lost my mother, Mother’s day, and her birthday (Happy Birthday Today Mom). I don’t want to mope, so instead, I thought I would share some humorous thoughts that I learned about my mom after her passing, that I really wish I could call and […]
A Day With An Angel I pick up the phone and dial your number On this special day I always remember I wish you would pick up the end of the line So I could tell you how grateful I am that you’re mine But all I have left of you now Are the memories […]
This Past weekend I had the honor of watching my sister Graduate from college. I am so very proud of her and her accomplishment. It was amazing to see her cross that stage and to watch the eyes of her children glimmer with pride. I wrote this poem for her when her daughter was born […]
I don’t usually read horror or thriller type books, but because I know Johnny, I had to give it a try. It took me a little while to get into it. Probably because it isn’t usually my style, but once I did. I really enjoyed it. It’s creepy, intense and full of twists and turns. […]
Let’s set the mood here with this one. I want you to watch this amazing video by the 2 Cellos. Think back to the “good ole’ days” and sing along if you know the words, only this time, insert the word “Awkward” every time you usually say “Thunder”. Mood set-for some of my greatest Mom […]
I have been learning so much about social media, and the many platforms. In doing so I have also been reflecting on my personal life and the impact that social media has had on me. I thought of some of my life’s biggest moments: wedding, birth of my children, loss of my mother; and some […]
This amazing art deserves a back story. I once had a job that I loved (but I love what I’m doing more-trust me). I worked with some of the very best people and I was able to help kids. For me, there really wasn’t anything better. Limiting information, my dad provided a great opportunity for […]
I recently discovered this medium called “Twitter”. I know, I am way behind the times, but I always told myself a) I am not a Twit, and b) I don’t have that much to say. However, remember that writing conference that I recently attended? In my moments of being brave and all that I could be […]
Yesterday, I had the stomach flu. I found myself slicing bananas for sidekicks lunch, hunched over because that is the only way I felt relief and feeling like every slice of the banana was like a slice through my very soul. Over-dramatic? Yes. Real. Yes, yes, yes! Today, I think I might live. A friend […]
Following up on last weeks 10 Tips for a Great Resume post, here are a few more tips to helping you land the job of your dreams. 1-From Head to Toe, It all Will Show. You must look the part, from your head to your feet. This includes your hair style and your shoes. Yes, […]
A new topic to the blog, but something I wanted to share. In the last month I have had three friends contact me for help with their resume, and I found myself giving some consistent feedback. It made me think that maybe this would be useful information for anyone writing a resume that really wants […]
One Boy, No Water is the first book in the Niuhi Shark Saga by Lehua Parker. The only negative to reading One Boy, No Water was that I read it during the winter and it left me longing for warm sun, sandy beaches and shaved ice. Zader is a young Hawaiian Boy that is allergic […]
As a second installment to my at home ABC’s, the framework for so much in learning. I created the ABC’s and 123’s for my Children. Always be you Believe in yourself Create your own luck Dream big Everyone has good in them, but if they aren’t good for you, love them from afar Family first […]
We are in preschool mode at our house. Seeing the ABC’s as the framework for so much, I started thinking about how they can guide me too. From my Children to me, my Motherhood ABC’s. Always be my friend. I know you are my mom, but be my friend too Be there for me. No […]
Health and well-being have always been important to me. I have been very active most of my life-until I had children. Then I found myself chasing them as my main form of exercise (which is a lot for our active family). I attempted to get back into the swing of things the other day. It […]
As a stay at home mom, every shower must be scheduled. (It’s even worse for a working mom-as there is that time factor). A few things must take place before said shower can occur: Kids must be fed Baby cannot be crying Everything must be safe and securely in place with “no no” areas, promptly […]
Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethington was recently recommended to me in the online book club: Bring Your Own Book Club (Do Join If You Like to Read). Plus, she is local, so I thought I would give it a try and I am so very glad that I did. Joclyn is magical. In many ways, […]
I was incredibly nervous to attend my first Writing Conference. I was going to be in the presence of many amazing and accomplished authors, not to mention my competition. It was a little overwhelming for me. I decided to do it anyway. My goals: learn a lot, approach at least one person and talk about […]
This is really a guest post by my girl one, but she is a little too small to type on her own just yet. We love the Olympics at our house. After watching one evening my four year old came up with an idea. An idea of Epic Proportions. “Let’s have our own Olympics!” Yes, […]
My Dad is a pretty amazing man. He helped me to become the person I am today. The more I look at life, the more I realize that my Dad is a pretty smart man too. Here are just a few life lessons that I learned from my Dad. 10–Puddles are made to jump in. […]
I recently had a conversation with a dear friend of mine, that is really sticking with me. This amazing woman, and truly she is, just became a grandma. How great is that? It’s wonderful and fulfilling and something that she has always wanted, but something isn’t right. Her baby, and her grand-baby are thousands of […]
A tragedy has befallen our local community. Sgt. Cory Wride of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office was killed in the line of duty. A routine stop to help a motorist in need. Something done every day, a kind act, resulted in the loss of his life. It breaks my heart for his family, and it […]
It has been said that women are moody, inconsistent, and certainly hard to read. I have taken classes and read many books on the differences between men and women. I have seen countless ideas and suggestions on how to better communicate and improve relationships. Much of them, I have found to be useful. Why is […]
I haven’t read a Zombie book in a long time, since I finished the Forest of Hands and Teeth Series, which I loved. But Nerf recently released a group of weapons specifically for the hunting of Zombies, so I decided it was due time to read another one, so I selected Medora by Wick Welker. […]
One of my very cute cousins inspired me today. She is darling, with an infectious laugh and tons of personality. She also loves dragons-so what’s not to love about this lady. Ms. Dragoness herself recently completed this beautiful work of Art. Isn’t it Lovely! So is she, and whats so great about this painting is […]
I really don’t like PRIDE parades. I don’t think I will ever attend one with my children. I do support public and group social movements, and in standing up for ones beliefs and rights. I just don’t support flaunting. There is a difference. But don’t hate me yet, keep reading. For many who know me, […]
There are so many posts and so many articles on the use of the “handheld computers” we so love and how they make us miss out on life-that really, just make me feel crummy. I myself recently was informed, “No texting while playing Barbies.” Touche little one, this is not the proper way to train […]
I contributed to my first blog, other than my own the other day. The post is located at: http://hebervalleywriters.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/more-than-a-book/ Go check out this blog and all of the great writers! More Than A Book When an author says, “Hey, buy my book!” What they are really saying is, “Hey, please support me so I […]
In the past three years, I don’t think I have passed a fountain without being asked if I had any money we could toss in for a wish, equally, I am pretty sure not a single gumball machine hasn’t been coveted by small eyes. When possible, we stop for a wish and a bubble, often […]
The very first manuscript that I finished, I titled, 21 Steps. It needs work, and I like to think that I have come a very long way. Update: After planning to share the entire book here on the blog, I have been encouraged by a very wise woman, not to do so. She’s pretty smart, […]
In 2013, Selfie topped the list of Oxford’s word of the year. It also topped many a list of words “please oh please” don’t ever say in 2014. With that in mind, and the focus on my writing works, I decided it was the perfect time to take an affirmation “selfie”. So to share with you […]
My family and I recently went to the movie Frozen. As we left the movie theater my daughter ran in circles flinging her hands into the air as if she was Elsa and had the power to freeze things. She was unaware of the gawking eyes that followed her every move. I watched this angel […]
My very first public book review! The Plague Legacy-Acquisitions by Christine Haggerty I am not sure that if my family had been killed by the plague and I was about to board a ship to the land of gladiators, that I would want to survive. Cam, however, is not given a choice and with his kind […]
Christmas is just around the corner and my family and I are busy in preparation. I love this time of year. The smells, the lights, the smiling faces and the music! I believe in God and our savior Jesus Christ. I believe in the true meaning of Christmas and in keeping Christ present. I […]
As mothers, we will never be good enough. Historically, and I know this from my mother and grandmother, they too felt inadequate. In their time, the expectation was that they have a clean house, good food on the table and well behaved children. The way they achieved this was through time spent cleaning, cooking, sending […]
I knew that I wanted to be an author when I was in the third grade. I wrote a story about a car accident that my family had recently been in. I colored the pages, had them laminated and stapled them precisely right down the middle of the crease. I was so proud and I knew […]