Question #11 Fiercely Loyal

Asked by Rachel+Co (who has wisdom beyond measure and can make me laugh when I don't expect it)

What is your best relationship advice?
Where would you vacation if money was not an issue?
What is the best book you've read this year?
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I came up with three ideas. I could
probably talk your ear off on this subject, or suggest a bunch of books to read but here is the short answer.

1) A great man once said, “When you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Selfishness is the great destroyer of happy family life. If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier goal, you will be happy, and your marriage will go on throughout eternity”

2) Never stop trying (to be a good spouse), learning (to make things better in your marriage) and growing (to become a better person). Read books (together if possible), attend seminars (together if possible), look up talks, take classes (together if possible). Do you remember that first time after high school that you were asked a math question and you though, "Oh man, it's been years since I've taken a math class, I'm a little rusty..." Don't let that happen to your marriage.

3) Have fun together. Be silly. Laugh. Take some time to not be so serious. Life is hard. Marriage is hard. Sometimes it's ok to push that hard aside and just enjoy each other.

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A Vacation: Probably a Caribbean/Bahamas cruise. My hubby and I have both been on one when we were younger (with our individual families) but I'd like to go again, with him this time. Either that or touring the USA. Stay in nice hotels and eat at fun places (instead of trying to save every penny just to make it home).

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Best Book this year: Mmm I've read some good ones, all very different categories. Couldn't decide so here's a few; Miss Delacort Speaks Her Mind (Heidi Ashworth), Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins), The Dark Divine (Bree Despain), Shiver (Maggie Stiefvater)


**Want to play along? Do you have any questions for me? Go ahead and ask me here!

Question #10 Singing Sprouts

Asked by Kayla (Who kicks my butt at scrabble and most other board games)

Question #10
What kind of bribe would you have to be offered to get you to eat a serving of brussel sprouts?
What was your favorite song during your sophomore year in high school?
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Brussel Sprouts? I've had them once before and they were pretty nasty. So to get me to eat an actual entire serving (and not just a tiny bite like my 3 y/o would try to get away with) would take something serious. I'm talking like a promise to make dinner for me for a week or big cash prize ala fear factor style.

Song in HS? Light in your Eyes by Blessed Union of Souls (I think it starts about 45 seconds into the video). Of course, it reminded me of a boy. Cause mostly everything did really.





**Want to play along? Do you have any questions for me? Go ahead and ask me here!

Santa Swap with Rita

So as I mentioned in my other post I participated in the Santa Swap over at The-Mommy Files. A few people got added in late (like me, thanks Shan for still letting me play) so there were a few things to shuffle around and I got to do a swap with two fab girls!

My partner was Rita from One 2 Try who has a fun review, giveaway, recipe, food blog. Let's just saw the obvious shall we? My kids were THRILLED tto see this package. Check out the loot that Rita sent over. A coloring book, crayongs, gingerbread cookies, cute santa suckers, candy canes, big pack of Play Doh, Santa Clause chocolate, a super cute Christmas puppy, twizzler bath collection, mint chocolate cookies (yum! I've been eating them while working on my Christmas cards), and a lovely book called Misltetoe Courtship (can't wait to get started on it!). Rita thanks for the fun treats and activities for me and my fam! This was so so much fun!

Santa-Swap with Stacey

I participated in The Mommy-Files Santa Swap giveaway this month and I gotta tell ya, I can't get enough of these swaps. It's such a fun way to get to know other fun bloggers and meet a new friend. Plus you get mail and who doesn't love mail?



I got teamed up with the fabulous Stacey from StaceyBug Creations and her other blog One Domestic Darling! Stacey make some beautiful handmade cards and crafts and was so sweet to send me a box full of awesome gifts! She sent me three beautiful towels, a santa photo frame (can't wait to put my kids picture with Santa in there!), an adorable snowman pillow, a cute santa bag filled with candy (you can be sure my kids ate some of it up), and a lovely handmade card. I'm so excited to have some fun decorations to add to my home. I realized this year as I was pulling out my decorations I'm seriously lacking so I was thrilled to get this lovely gift from Stacey! Thanks so much!!

Wordless Wednesday: Serenity Now!

(Photo taken by me in June 2009 in Utah.)

Question #9 Perhaps I'll Stick To Reading

Asked by L.T. Elliot (who I've recently found likes green beans WAY more than I do)

Question #9 I'd like to know about you as a writer. What genre/age range? Who has inspired you? What is one of your favorite books? Did you ever have an idea you knew was just fabulous and you HAD to write it?
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This is a fun yet difficult question. While this year I've really enjoyed meeting tons of authors, going to reading and writing conferences and spreading the word on fantastic books I've read, I haven't really tried to write for an audience. I wrote a little (really, a little, like maybe 3000 words) about two years ago, but I've only ever dared let one person read it and I'm pretty sure I'd never want that piece to see the light of day.

So to answer your questions:
Genre/age: I think I'd go for YA.
Inspired me: A lot of good friends.
Favorite books: Oh I've read so many good ones. Here's a handful I like that I've read this year Hunger Games/Catching Fire, The Dark Divine, The Princess Bride, Shiver
Fabulous ideas: I think this is why I haven started yet. I have one searing idea, this idea I started ealier, but I'm so bad at conflict or having my characters make decisions that would hurt. Which I think means I have no plot. Haha.

**Want to play along? Do you have any questions for me? Go ahead and ask me here!

Stuff & movies about books

Bree Despains book comes out in about 7 days my friends. If you're interested she's having a "huge frakkin giveaway" you should go enter. In similar news I've made my very first ever book trailer in honor of said book. Give me a break, I was trying to get it done before the kids woke up and now that I know how to fix it I dont want to repost it because I'll loose my beloved 30 views. Haha. Tell me, doesnt this make you want to read it though? Anyone wanna be nice and rate it on youtube for me?



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My cousin is trying to reach a milestone. She needs your help. C'mon guys, it's Christmas! All she's asking for is a follower. Or five. I'm not kidding when I say you won't regret it. I view her blog like I would my morning cartoons (if I read them), brilliant and funny. Go now.