Currently Reading: Loved, love, LOVED Lydia Michaels' White Chocolate!!!!! Definite Recommended Read! The only reason it took me so long to read this was due to being busy with family, Kenzie's release schedule, and taking care of the granddaughter. This is a wonderful love story, filled with racial issues, family tensions, and about survival. Can't wait to read more by this Ms. Michaels, lol! Also finished Amber Skyze's Spend The Night With Me. Also Recommended Read! Now I'm wondering if Kim's story is out. Love this series! Finally, I'm up to Ch 3 on The Caline Conspiracy by M.H. Mead. I won this book several months ago on Bronwyn Green's blog interview with the author, and had forgotten it. Liking it very much so far!
May 2003:
Story thus far: After undergoing two open heart surgeries and being told a test tube with his name on it had tested positive for TB, plus our oldest had experience minor bullying, we looked forward to the end of the school year, plus it was getting close to my spouse returning to work.
May was a calm month. We celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary once again at the baseball field, as our daughter was entering her 3rd and final year of Coach-Pitch Pee-Wee Softball. Our son was playing his 1st year of Major Baseball, and was proving to be a pretty good 2nd baseman. Daughter was still enjoying her stint as catcher, and both teams did well.
The first game K played, they absolutely dominated the other team. They didn't have a 10-run rule, or 9th batter rule anymore, and after being up 15-0 in the 1st inning and moving players around to strange positions, the other team finally was able to get on base. I even cheered when one player got a base hit. My friends stared at me, but realized that yeah, the other team could use a little encouragement! I think we won that game 31-3.
And the most important event? My nephew was born May 2nd:) My sister and one of her friends went into labor almost at the same time, but I think D was born first. Her friend had a daughter, G.
*****
Present Day:
Busy with house cleaning today. There is a baby in the house again on a semi-full-time basis, and we need to baby-proof. It's a miracle she hasn't swallowed any of the small Leggo's, or BeyBlades, or choked on any other small objects lying around. I've been busy with Kenzie's Release Contest and other chores, plus losing my computer in the afternoons to the youngling, or the neighborhood kids who want to watch cartoons on NetFlix, or play the educational computer games. I hope to have my schedule ironed out next week! It's after 12pm and I'm still in my jammies! Of course, sleeping in til 8am didn't help. I must have been extra tired last night. Anyway, have a great weekend and I'll have those graduation pics for you next week, as well as the End Of The Month Recap and June Reading Schedule.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Congratulations Tony Kanaan! You Did It!
Memories of the 2013 Indy 500:
1) The Weather: 63 degrees all day long. I wore three shirts, but took off my sweatshirt mid-race so son K could sit on it for padding.
2) The Record-Breaking 68 Lead Changes: Ed Carpenter would lead, then Marco would jump in front....then Ryan Hunter-Reay made a sneaky pass ala 'it's my turn now', then Marco would pass Ryan again on the next lap. Very exciting!
3) Only 5 Cautions: Every single crash only involved one car. No driver was severely injured, and most of the engine failures or other car issues made it into the pits and were pushed back to Gasoline Alley. Ed Carpenter at one point drove into the grass, but was able to get back onto the track without causing any 'traffic' issues.
4) The Safety Crew: Graham Rahal crashed at Lap 195, with Ryan Hunter-Reay in the lead. But by Lap 197, the green flag waved. Tony Kanaan grabbed the lead:) But Lap 198, Dario Franchitti crashed, bringing out the yellow Caution flag, ensuring Tony Kanaan's win at last!
Mom and I laughed that Dario heard Tony was in the lead and decided to kiss the wall to ensure his friend's win!
Here we are, L-R: Ben (half of him, anyway!); Mom is behind Ben; Ann (Ben's mom); Shobin; Rob (Friend of Ann and Ben's); Guabin; me; Sam (Shobin and Guabin's son); Kyle; Dad (standing). The Chinese family are friends of my parents. Ann's husband Bob was supposed to be there, but he'd chosen to try to jump a curb while riding his bike and broke his femur. So he's in a cast and undergoing physical therapy! Maybe we'll see him next year:)
Tony Kanaan, red hat. They introduce the drivers as part of the Opening Ceremony.
I was talking with a girl two rows behind us before the race, and she insisted I try this Straw-Beer-Rita (strawberry margarita infused with Bud Lite). I didn't really care for it, but managed to drink maybe a fourth of it.
Our seats were directly in front of Dario's pit. Here he is, getting gas and tires.
TK's pit was also within viewing distance. Here he is, getting the same.
Sandi Patti (blue dress) sang the National Anthem. So good to hear her sing this again! No one sings it like Sandi:)
Since Ben Schruben was cut out of the group photo, here he is with his mom, Ann Mead. We've been friends with them for well over 25-30 years.
After the race. Mom and Dad have handicapped parking, and it took us an hour to get out of the parking lot. Here are Sam, Shobin, Guabin, and my mother, just hanging out and waiting for signs of cars to begin moving out of the lot.
The people parked next to us had a Hibachi set up and were grilling brats and burgers:) When we left, some other people had set up a corn-hole tossing game. Dad sent Kyle ahead to direct him out of the parking spot and to make sure we weren't going to run over or hit anyone's grills/coolers/games. The race ended at 3pm; we were at the bar by 3:30; we didn't get out onto the main road until nearly 5:30. Made it back to Lafayette around 7, just in time to watch the recap on TV. Mom and Dad took the Chinese family home while I unloaded the coolers. When the parents arrived back, Sandi Patti was about to sing again. I began uploading my photos and we had a nice relaxing evening.
My uncle called from Florida; he and my cousin are going to try to make it up for next year's race:) Also received alarming news my aunt has a malignant mass on one kidney and her consultation is tomorrow. She's already in remission from Melanoma, so we're keeping her in our prayers.
Not sure if I'll participate in Hump Day Hook tomorrow or not. I'll post my daughter's graduation pics tomorrow or Thursday. So have a great day!
1) The Weather: 63 degrees all day long. I wore three shirts, but took off my sweatshirt mid-race so son K could sit on it for padding.
2) The Record-Breaking 68 Lead Changes: Ed Carpenter would lead, then Marco would jump in front....then Ryan Hunter-Reay made a sneaky pass ala 'it's my turn now', then Marco would pass Ryan again on the next lap. Very exciting!
3) Only 5 Cautions: Every single crash only involved one car. No driver was severely injured, and most of the engine failures or other car issues made it into the pits and were pushed back to Gasoline Alley. Ed Carpenter at one point drove into the grass, but was able to get back onto the track without causing any 'traffic' issues.
4) The Safety Crew: Graham Rahal crashed at Lap 195, with Ryan Hunter-Reay in the lead. But by Lap 197, the green flag waved. Tony Kanaan grabbed the lead:) But Lap 198, Dario Franchitti crashed, bringing out the yellow Caution flag, ensuring Tony Kanaan's win at last!
Mom and I laughed that Dario heard Tony was in the lead and decided to kiss the wall to ensure his friend's win!
Here we are, L-R: Ben (half of him, anyway!); Mom is behind Ben; Ann (Ben's mom); Shobin; Rob (Friend of Ann and Ben's); Guabin; me; Sam (Shobin and Guabin's son); Kyle; Dad (standing). The Chinese family are friends of my parents. Ann's husband Bob was supposed to be there, but he'd chosen to try to jump a curb while riding his bike and broke his femur. So he's in a cast and undergoing physical therapy! Maybe we'll see him next year:)
Tony Kanaan, red hat. They introduce the drivers as part of the Opening Ceremony.
I was talking with a girl two rows behind us before the race, and she insisted I try this Straw-Beer-Rita (strawberry margarita infused with Bud Lite). I didn't really care for it, but managed to drink maybe a fourth of it.
Our seats were directly in front of Dario's pit. Here he is, getting gas and tires.
TK's pit was also within viewing distance. Here he is, getting the same.
Sandi Patti (blue dress) sang the National Anthem. So good to hear her sing this again! No one sings it like Sandi:)
Since Ben Schruben was cut out of the group photo, here he is with his mom, Ann Mead. We've been friends with them for well over 25-30 years.
After the race. Mom and Dad have handicapped parking, and it took us an hour to get out of the parking lot. Here are Sam, Shobin, Guabin, and my mother, just hanging out and waiting for signs of cars to begin moving out of the lot.
The people parked next to us had a Hibachi set up and were grilling brats and burgers:) When we left, some other people had set up a corn-hole tossing game. Dad sent Kyle ahead to direct him out of the parking spot and to make sure we weren't going to run over or hit anyone's grills/coolers/games. The race ended at 3pm; we were at the bar by 3:30; we didn't get out onto the main road until nearly 5:30. Made it back to Lafayette around 7, just in time to watch the recap on TV. Mom and Dad took the Chinese family home while I unloaded the coolers. When the parents arrived back, Sandi Patti was about to sing again. I began uploading my photos and we had a nice relaxing evening.
My uncle called from Florida; he and my cousin are going to try to make it up for next year's race:) Also received alarming news my aunt has a malignant mass on one kidney and her consultation is tomorrow. She's already in remission from Melanoma, so we're keeping her in our prayers.
Not sure if I'll participate in Hump Day Hook tomorrow or not. I'll post my daughter's graduation pics tomorrow or Thursday. So have a great day!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Flashback Friday
May 1993:
The weather warmed up; T's mom and I took our baby boys to a festival downtown on the Circle, and both boys enjoyed themselves. We also went to the zoo, where 17 m/o K climbed on statues of frogs, kicked nanny goats (we had to take him out of the petting area), and called 'Here Kitty Kitty Kitty' at an elephant. When that didn't work, he switched to 'Dog....dog....here dog....'
Emerson Fittipaldi won the 500, and I walked home from the track afterward. The spouse and K had dropped me off as close to the track as they could get me, then took of for Grandma H's house. I spent a quiet evening watching the race coverage on TV, so I could see what I missed, and ate Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
*******
Present Day:
Daughter graduates tonight! Meeting my parents at the Mexican restaurant, then heading over to the ceremony. Tomorrow, I'm heading to the Farmer's Market to buy two pies, raspberry and peach, from a friend and to secure a slot for June 8th, during the Red Skelton Festival. One of my friends has a book coming out sometime soon, and so I get to show him how to work a signing:) Then K and I are returning with my parents in order to go to the 500 on Sunday. So have a safe and happy Memorial Weekend!
The weather warmed up; T's mom and I took our baby boys to a festival downtown on the Circle, and both boys enjoyed themselves. We also went to the zoo, where 17 m/o K climbed on statues of frogs, kicked nanny goats (we had to take him out of the petting area), and called 'Here Kitty Kitty Kitty' at an elephant. When that didn't work, he switched to 'Dog....dog....here dog....'
Emerson Fittipaldi won the 500, and I walked home from the track afterward. The spouse and K had dropped me off as close to the track as they could get me, then took of for Grandma H's house. I spent a quiet evening watching the race coverage on TV, so I could see what I missed, and ate Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
*******
Present Day:
Daughter graduates tonight! Meeting my parents at the Mexican restaurant, then heading over to the ceremony. Tomorrow, I'm heading to the Farmer's Market to buy two pies, raspberry and peach, from a friend and to secure a slot for June 8th, during the Red Skelton Festival. One of my friends has a book coming out sometime soon, and so I get to show him how to work a signing:) Then K and I are returning with my parents in order to go to the 500 on Sunday. So have a safe and happy Memorial Weekend!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
2 More Days.....
Currently Reading: Finished Teen Fury: Unleashed by Amanda Torrey, and LOVED it! This is the 2nd time an author has combined fiction and mythology, and now I can hardly wait til I can purchase book #2. Recommended Read. Now reading White Chocolate by fellow SCP author Lydia Michaels.
My youngest only has two more days of school; technically only one, because tomorrow is a 'Field Day'. They'll play games outside and have a picnic lunch, then come inside and watch a movie.
Today is 'tie-up-some-loose-ends' day. Daughter is graduating tomorrow, so have to whip the house into shape; take her shopping for necessities; and begin preliminary packing for myself, which includes keeping an eye on the weather forecast.
I did go to the T-shirt shop yesterday, and ordered two more tees with the correct website on them. I'm planning to wear one to the 500 race on Sunday, since the weather's due to be lower 70's.
Really nothing more to say this morning; Kenzie will probably run a contest, and I might even have her on here next week as she gears up for TWO releases two days apart. So stay tuned! And tomorrow I'll be flashing back to the 1993 Indy 500. So see you tomorrow:)
Happy birthday to my BFF!!!! Hope you have a fantastic day:)
My youngest only has two more days of school; technically only one, because tomorrow is a 'Field Day'. They'll play games outside and have a picnic lunch, then come inside and watch a movie.
Today is 'tie-up-some-loose-ends' day. Daughter is graduating tomorrow, so have to whip the house into shape; take her shopping for necessities; and begin preliminary packing for myself, which includes keeping an eye on the weather forecast.
I did go to the T-shirt shop yesterday, and ordered two more tees with the correct website on them. I'm planning to wear one to the 500 race on Sunday, since the weather's due to be lower 70's.
Really nothing more to say this morning; Kenzie will probably run a contest, and I might even have her on here next week as she gears up for TWO releases two days apart. So stay tuned! And tomorrow I'll be flashing back to the 1993 Indy 500. So see you tomorrow:)
Happy birthday to my BFF!!!! Hope you have a fantastic day:)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
HDH #14
For more fun HDH fun, visit this site for all the links:)
Today's hook is from book #3, Keri's story in Forbidden Love.
In honor of the Indy 500 coming Sunday, here's a snippet from when Kyle goes to spend the day with Keri at the 1986 time trials. Enjoy! (BTW, she's wearing shorts under her jeans, lol!)
They had no sooner cleared the restricted area when Keri unzipped her
jeans and pulled them off, shocking an elderly Safety Patrol parking attendant.
"Is this the same girl who wouldn't let me take off her shirt after New Year's?" Kyle
laughed.
"I don't care, I'm about to have heat stroke." Keri hugged him. "I wish there was
someplace private we could go."
"Come with me, I've got a truck." He dropped a kiss on the back of her neck.
Keri pulled away. "What truck?"
"My friend Jim's. I haven't seen you in three weeks, and I want to be with you, alone,
private, and no clothes."
"Not very private with everyone around." He still wants to be with me!
"Given the stories I've heard about what goes on in the infield, I don't think we'll
attract any attention."
Forbidden Love is available at Sweet Cravings, Amazon, and B&N.
Happy birthday to an extra-special friend of mine, who's celebrating her big 5-0! Hope you have a wonderful day!!!
Happy birthday to an extra-special friend of mine, who's celebrating her big 5-0! Hope you have a wonderful day!!!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Tuesday Happenings
Currently Reading: Loved, loved, LOVED Jean Joachim's If I Loved You!!!! Definite Recommended Read! Also read Reveal Me by Cari Quinn, and now I want to know more about Kelly's character. Sabrina York's Rebound grabbed me at page one and refused to let go. Loved it, and can hardly wait to read more of this series! Another Definite Recommended Read! Then ran into a couple of duds which looked good in the blurb, and truthfully, the first one held my attention all the way through half of it until I got bored. And tried to read the 2nd and 3rd books, but nah. Again, maybe I'll try again when I have nothing left to read. Now I'm on Teen Fury: Unleashed by Amanda Torrey.
Spent the weekend working on Kenzie's two upcoming releases, and getting the ARC's shined up. Including writing in more of Cara's pet Labrador Shadow, in Off The Clock. So hopefully that won't cause dog lovers to email me with 'what happened to the dog?', which was my reaction after I saw it in pdf form! Not sure why I didn't catch it sooner.
Here I am with the former Adoptee #1; she doesn't come around as often anymore, so she's been bumped to #5. She's graduating this year, and I'm very proud of her!
Had an impromptu 'reunion with my BFF and her daughters....
L-R: Shia, Sara, me, Erica, Faunia, my mom, and Miss Alex:)
4 Generations! Alex, Sara, me, and Mom:)
Another shot...Sara, Alex, Faunia, me, Shia (we took 5 pictures, trying to get one of Shia with her eyes open, but no!), Erica
Not sure if this is coming through real good or not, but this is Erica and I back in /Sept 1994, with Faunia and Sara, ages 1 and 2 months old. Our baby girls were due just a few days apart, but my 'firecracker' came 3 weeks early while Faunia decided she'd 'cook' an extra two weeks:) So they were born a month apart instead.
My, how they've changed in 18 (almost 19!) years!
Spent the weekend working on Kenzie's two upcoming releases, and getting the ARC's shined up. Including writing in more of Cara's pet Labrador Shadow, in Off The Clock. So hopefully that won't cause dog lovers to email me with 'what happened to the dog?', which was my reaction after I saw it in pdf form! Not sure why I didn't catch it sooner.
Here I am with the former Adoptee #1; she doesn't come around as often anymore, so she's been bumped to #5. She's graduating this year, and I'm very proud of her!
Had an impromptu 'reunion with my BFF and her daughters....
L-R: Shia, Sara, me, Erica, Faunia, my mom, and Miss Alex:)
4 Generations! Alex, Sara, me, and Mom:)
Another shot...Sara, Alex, Faunia, me, Shia (we took 5 pictures, trying to get one of Shia with her eyes open, but no!), Erica
Not sure if this is coming through real good or not, but this is Erica and I back in /Sept 1994, with Faunia and Sara, ages 1 and 2 months old. Our baby girls were due just a few days apart, but my 'firecracker' came 3 weeks early while Faunia decided she'd 'cook' an extra two weeks:) So they were born a month apart instead.
My, how they've changed in 18 (almost 19!) years!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Flashback Friday
May 1983
This month was full of events. On May 12th, I met friend B at his locker before we headed outside to our elementary schools. His friend J came over, greeted B, then asked, "And how's the missus?"
Silence. Then B said, "Molly, he's talking to you."
"Oh." I blinked. "I'm fine. Yourself?"
"Good. And how are the kids?"
Kids? "They're fine too." I looked at B, who was laughing. He slammed his locker closed, hi-fived J, then curled his arm around my shoulder and led me down the hall.
"So when did we get married?" I teased him after he dropped his arm.
"You don't remember?" He spun around and motioned to J again. He whispered something in his ear; J adopted a solemn look.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you 'people'. B, kiss her before I'm late to class!'
I laughed and turned around. B followed me. "So how many kids do we have?"
"I don't know. You had 'em!"
The next day happened to be Friday the 13th. The J-Club officers were announced during the morning announcements, and B had been elected President for the next year. After 1st period, I made a beeline for B's locker to congratulate him, but before I could say anything, J swooped in.
"Here's the President and his First Lady!"
I also discovered that with my crazy schedule the next year, I'd have to take Government during the summer. Mom also signed me up for a typing class. When I complained, she reminded me I was only a year away from college, and would be required to type my papers.
"If you know how to type, kids who can't will be willing to pay you to type their papers."
Who can argue with that logic? I agreed.
And I also made my decision regarding Band Camp. I was quick to pick up routines, so I was positive missing five days of intense practice wasn't going to hurt my chances of having a slot in our parade or field show. I decided to travel to Florida with my Jr/Sr High Church Choir. Little did I know the drama which would follow in June.
Next month: "You're letting a SOPHOMORE teach you the routine?"
*****
Present Day:
We're heading north tomorrow for my BFF's daughter's graduation party. Have a great weekend!
This month was full of events. On May 12th, I met friend B at his locker before we headed outside to our elementary schools. His friend J came over, greeted B, then asked, "And how's the missus?"
Silence. Then B said, "Molly, he's talking to you."
"Oh." I blinked. "I'm fine. Yourself?"
"Good. And how are the kids?"
Kids? "They're fine too." I looked at B, who was laughing. He slammed his locker closed, hi-fived J, then curled his arm around my shoulder and led me down the hall.
"So when did we get married?" I teased him after he dropped his arm.
"You don't remember?" He spun around and motioned to J again. He whispered something in his ear; J adopted a solemn look.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you 'people'. B, kiss her before I'm late to class!'
I laughed and turned around. B followed me. "So how many kids do we have?"
"I don't know. You had 'em!"
The next day happened to be Friday the 13th. The J-Club officers were announced during the morning announcements, and B had been elected President for the next year. After 1st period, I made a beeline for B's locker to congratulate him, but before I could say anything, J swooped in.
"Here's the President and his First Lady!"
I also discovered that with my crazy schedule the next year, I'd have to take Government during the summer. Mom also signed me up for a typing class. When I complained, she reminded me I was only a year away from college, and would be required to type my papers.
"If you know how to type, kids who can't will be willing to pay you to type their papers."
Who can argue with that logic? I agreed.
And I also made my decision regarding Band Camp. I was quick to pick up routines, so I was positive missing five days of intense practice wasn't going to hurt my chances of having a slot in our parade or field show. I decided to travel to Florida with my Jr/Sr High Church Choir. Little did I know the drama which would follow in June.
Next month: "You're letting a SOPHOMORE teach you the routine?"
*****
Present Day:
We're heading north tomorrow for my BFF's daughter's graduation party. Have a great weekend!
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