13 Thursdays

1. My 2-year old said “I love you, mommy” without me telling him I loved him first (that’s BIG for that introverted one)
2. This week, I became a published author
3. I just celebrated another year of life
4. I was serenaded by Daddy
5. I knew there were some pretty nice people that I associated with, but I didn’t realize just how many wonderful people I know. I am still floating on a cloud thanks to the amount of love and support I received this week
6. I took a picture of me this week that I actually like (I am SO not photogenic)
7. My husband prepared the most awesome celebration meal! Shrimp ravioli, garlic parmesan shrimp, king crab legs, and creamy spinach served with champagne and strawberry cheesecake for dessert. My tummy is STILL smiling!
8. Fellow authors were so supportive of me by giving me and my book shout-outs on their blogs. I’ve also got a few interviews lined up
9. Multiple people have reached out to tell me they either bought my book, plan to or already read and enjoyed it (what a giddy feeling!)
10. I got a bouquet of flowers delivered to my house (I love flowers)
11. I went to the DMV to renew my driver’s license, and was in and out of there in less than 15 minutes
12. An author I have great respect for reached out to me personally to offer her congratulations, professional advice, and to tell me she bought and read my book and what she thought of it. I’m still gushing!
13. I’ve made blog posts 4 days in a row. A record, for me!
14. BONUS: I won a free book in a contest! (I never win anything!) A copy of Robin L Rotham‘s Enemy Overnight is mine, all mine! What a week!!

I hope you’re having a good week, too!

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1. Go Parasailing
2. Snorkeling / Scuba Diving
3. Visit London, England
4. Try skydiving
5. Make it to a best-seller list. Any list.
6. Develop a commercial computer game
7. Ballroom dancing
8. Voice-over in a cartoon, game or audio book
9. Be an extra in a movie (just to say I did)
10. Watch or read “The Color Purple” without crying
11. Be 100% debt free (not even a mortgage)
12. See a published book I authored, on somebody’s shelf
13. Be a grandmother

What about you? What are some things you’d like to do?

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I’d like to consider myself a very open-minded person. There’s very few (legal) things that I wouldn’t try at least once.

That doesn’t mean I never have any hesitations, however.

Here’s a list of things I was hesitant to try at first, but I’m glad I did!

1. Ice Skate. Because I’m deaf in one ear, my equilibrium is a bit off and I have terrible balance. I feared that I would do nothing but embarrass myself trying to move on ice in shoes with knives on them. But I picked it up quickly, and even learned to ice skate backwards! Doing this in gave me the courage to also try roller-blading out in public.
2. Eat sushi. Under-coked and raw fish? Wrapped in seaweed? Eww is what I thought at first. But sushi now happens to be one my absolute favorite foods.
3. Buy an eReader device. Wasn’t 100% positive I’d enjoy reading anything other than a physical book – but I love my Nook!
4. Write a book with publication in mind. I’ve loved reading and writing since I was a kid, and wrote many novellas, short stories, roleplays and screenplays before I even became an adult. But no one ever really saw them but me and those closest to me, and that was all I’d wanted. But now that I have my first book coming out soon, I’m excited, and I don’t think I can stop trying to publish more.
5. Fall in love. I don’t completely open my heart easily, simply because I didn’t trust easily, and didn’t think anybody would truly understand me, anyways. I’m so grateful that somebody (not saying any names ) convinced me to try otherwise …
6. Ride the world’s tallest rollercoaster. I’m a thrill-seeking dare-devil … who’s afraid of heights! I mean, this particular coaster shoots you over 400 feet straight into the air – and then tosses you back down at 120mph! CrAzY! Even though I almost died, I’d never felt more alive. (And I’d do it again).
7. Jet-ski. I’ve ridden on the back of a motorcycle twice  and I was thoroughly terrified both times. So I was quite hesitant to get on a jet-ski – which is a lot like a motorcycle but on water. But I loved it!  (Maybe because I was the one actually in control, perhaps)
8. Rock Wall Climbing. First off, it’s even harder to do than it looks. But what a workout, and a thrill.
9. Jump off a boat into the ocean. I really didn’t think this was a good idea (especially considering that all of the speed boat’s passengers were intoxicated – shhh!), but I gave in to beer – er, peer pressure just that once. It was definitely a memorable experience, though.
10. Go camping. Real, rugged camping, on a mountain with no plumbing. I’d never been interested in even play camping in the backyard before that. But I did have a naturally  good time! (Don’t need to ever do it again, though)
11. Live completely alone. In a state I’d never lived in before, with no one I knew (except my new co-workers) within thousands of miles. I think it was the first time I had to completely take care of myself. For a sheltered, spoiled girl like me, this was a valuable experience, and one I intentionally repeated.
12. Divulging my kinkiest secret fantasies. I was hesitant to share them with hubby because some of them just …  ain’t right. I have some that I STILL haven’t fully expressed, heh. But if I’d kept them to myself, none of them would have ever been fulfilled.
13. Running. I didn’t think I was built for running. I have flat feet (fallen arches) and jiggly parts that would protest whenever I tried to move at a speed faster than a brisk walk or light jog. But then I switched running shoes and began doubling up on the sports bras for better support, and started giving running a full go a couple of weeks ago. And I must say, I’m really enjoying it and it’s benefits!

What about you? Was there anything you were hesitant to try, but glad you did give in and try it?

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Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 9th year of marriage and 15 total years as a couple. As I’ve confessed more than once online, my love for that man grows more and more each year rather than diminish, so I thought I’d fun instead to post a list of reasons why I’m fictitiously leaving my husband. The reasons themselves aren’t fictitious -he’s truly guilty as charged of everything listed - but the reasons to stay far outnumber the reasons not to, so I’m not really going anywhere.

1. He’ll refuse to read a book I recommend just because it’s got a picture of a hunky man on the front or the cover looks too “girly” for him to be seen with it
2. Even after 15 years of my complaining, he still leaves his dirty clothes on the floor and the tv on when he’s not watching it
3. He scratches and sniffs himself after a good workout or a long day of tending to the yard
4. He thinks “Spartacus” is a better show than “Private Practice”
5. He tells me “no”. As if he doesn’t have to obey me, or something.
6. He thinks “Hot damn, your booty is big!” is a compliment
7. He keeps bringing home chocolate (likely a conspiracy for #7)
8. Sometimes, he says tells me he can’t because he has a headache. Seriously, what husband does that?
9. He farts in the middle of the night – UNDER the sheets with me in it!
10. He made me spawn two children that are just as bad as he is
11. The children and I often trip over his size 14 shoes when he forgets to put them away
12. He keeps getting my socks mixed up with his, wearing them, and stretching them hopelessly out of shape
13. I love him too much, can’t imagine life without him. That’s just not right, I’m telling you! Nobody should be so in love!

And there you have it. Valid reasons why I should leave my husband! (*sticks out my tongue at my husband in case he’s looking*)

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Ever have one of those days at work that are so painful, you almost swear you have the worst job in the world? I was almost there today. But then I thought about jobs that I could have that really would feel like the worst jobs ever to me, and I immediately began to feel better about the one I have. Please note that if you have any of these jobs, I mean no offense, of course.

1. Jail/Prison Guard (cavity searches and taming angry, confined criminals? no thanks)
2. Circus Acrobat (the pressure! the danger!)
3. Roofer (I have no balance)
4. Gladiator or Cage Match Fighter (you mean I might DIE in the name of entertainment?!)
5. Adult Film Star Fluffer (all work, none of the fun)
6. Slave / Forced Laborer (sometimes I wonder whether or not I already have this job …)
7. Obstetrician (screaming women in painful labors that start at 1 am? booo)
8. Street Prostitute (I’m not even comfortable approaching a car just to give a stranger directions …)
9. President of the USA (don’t even get me started)
10. Fashion Model (seriously, what would I do with all of this booty?)
11. Hotel Maid or Hospital Janitor. Zoo Cleaner. Portable Toilet Cleaner. Public Restroom Janitor. (ewww, the germs, the stench, the horror!)
12. Star Wars Storm Trooper (you’re considered rather disposable by the Republic, and pretty much guaranteed to die fighting a Jedi)
13. Criminal working for a Crime Boss (I never understood why anyone would bother to work for a devious criminal – even if you too are a criminal. Haven’t you seen The Godfather, Carlito’s Way, or the 6 o’clock news? Chances are high that YOUR BOSS MIGHT KILL YOU)
14. Bonus: Helen Keller’s Teacher (I mean how do you – how can you – wow!)

I recommend you make your own list of dreadful jobs that you can refer to whenever you’re feeling pretty disgusted at your current one and need an uplift.

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As someone who seems to always has something to do, I have a hard time relating to people who complain about being bored. What is this “boredom” some people speak of, and how is it possible to be it? There are sooo many things one could do with themselves that I won’t even attempt to list them all, but here are thirteen simple reasons alone why no one should ever find themselves with a lack of things to do:

1. Books to read. There’s an (unconfirmed) estimated 3.4 billion books in the world, with hundreds of thousands of new books published every year.
2. Movies to watch. Between the hundreds of thousands movies available to buy or rent and those still yet to come, there’s plenty to watch for a lifetime.
3. TV shows to check out. Some of the best shows ever, like Star Trek The Next Generation, Stargate, ER, Law & Order, etc. have decades of episodes that you can rent or buy.
4. Video Games to beat. They’re not just kids’ play these days. Far from it. There are games with enough complex storylines, characters, puzzles and challenges to thoroughly mentally stimulate any adult. Even if you think you don’t like games, I’m almost certain there’s a type out there that would appeal to you. And there’s plenty of them.
5. Music to Make. Ever thought about learning the drums, piano, guitar or flute? Or even just taking singing lessons?
6. Spend quality time with family and friends. Even if you don’t have kids to build lego cities with or a sweetheart to wine, dine and spend cuddle time with, surely you’ve got a friend or relative who would love to chat or hang out with you. If not, it sounds like you need to get out there and start making some friends.
7. Crafts to master. Such as knitting, sewing, woodworking, photography or writing.
8. Home to improve. Whether it’s your drawers, your cabinets, your closets, or your garage – I KNOW you’ve got something to clean or organize! Or a room that could use a paint job, or a flower bed that needs to be replanted – something. (and if you don’t I’m jealous)
9. Places to go. Parks, museums, fairs, concerts, stores, beaches, restaurants, amusement parks. Towns, cities, states, countries.
10. Things to learn. Recipes, dances, foreign languages, your neighbor’s name
11. Things to try. Rock-wall climbing, ice-skating, tennis, painting, acting
12. Exercise to do. Even if you’re already in great shape, it’s good for your health to stay active
13. Blogs to read. Like this one!

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