Funny Stuff, Because It’s Fun

It’s been a while since I’ve done a list, so here goes. This one’s just for fun, a few things to get you through your Friday while you’re counting down the hours until the weekend.

Hyperbole and a Half a blog/webcomic by Allie Brosh @AllieBrosh

The dog posts are hilarious, especially about moving with dogs, but the little kid trying to get the cake is pretty dang funny too. I can guarantee you’ll be cracking up at your desk with these posts!

And there is a graphic novel too, so check those out while you’re at it. You won’t be disappointed! Just be sure to use the “special crazy order button.” It’s more fun that way.

Olivia Muenter on The Truth behind those Instagram photos @OliviaMuenter

I don’t use Instgram. I don’t have the time or inclination to learn the ropes of yet another social media site. Okay, I’m too lazy to set up an account. My husband has an account and I don’t. That’s speaks volumes to those who know us in real life.

Anyway, click on the link, check out Olivia, and see what it really takes to make those Instagram pics look so perfect. You’ll be laughing at your desk, wishing you could have been there to watch the chaos unfold.

Weird Al

Do I really need to say anything else? I love Weird Al and I LOVED this new song.

And if you need another laugh, look up “The Drive-Through Song.” My kids have the whole thing memorized just about!

Thoughts on Contacting the Author from Heather Havrilesky of The New Yorker

This one may only be funny to me because I totally understand where she’s coming from, but I think this can applied to many things…

“How to Contact the Author” … Go ahead, read it, laugh, and then maybe you should try to get some work done 😉

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Character Interview: Sebastian Wallace (Soul Stone)

Today I’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Wallace of Soul Stone (Escaping Fate #2) so you can make your own decision on whether he’s arrogant, annoying, and out to make Arra’s life miserable… or something else entirely.

Please join me in welcoming Bas. He’s ready to tell us more about his role in Soul Stone and why Arrabella, the girl with the dreams, apparently can’t stand him.

Bas: How did I know questions about Arra were coming? Silly me to think you wanted to hear about the curse.

By all means, tell us about the curse first. We’ll save the details about you and Arra for the end.

Bas: (shakes his head) Okay, fine with me. I missed the whole Aztec curse, as I was overseas visiting relatives during the summer. I really didn’t know what was going on with Arra even after I got back until she asked me for a favor. Even then, I wasn’t really sure what was going on, but I knew it was only the first step in a long, weird journey. One that’s probably not ending any time soon.

If you knew that, why did you decide to help Arra?

Bas: Why wouldn’t I help her?

Well… because you two don’t get along.

Bas: I get along with Arra just fine. She just doesn’t get along with me.

So, Arra’s the problem? Not you?

Bas: Of course not.

So, you didn’t give her a goose egg on her head and not apologize? Or get her phone confiscated? Or spill her chemistry experiment? Or…

Bas: Those were all accidents. Every single one of them.

And you wonder why Arra doesn’t believe you. Anyway, tell us about Sibeal Ahearn, the girl who has suddenly become the center of some very strange dreams.

Bas: Sibeal, yes, there’s definitely something weird going on with her. Aside from her creepy reflection. Really, she’s a nice girl. She’s pretty and smart, sweet. Under normal circumstances, the guys probably would have been all over her.

Including you?

Bas: Well, no …

Why not?

Bas: I’m just not interested in her like that. I mean, I want to help Arra figure out what’s going on and make sure she doesn’t die, but not for any romantic reasons.

Who would you like to save… for romantic reasons?

Bas: Are you trying to get me to admit something about Arra? It’s not going to happen. I don’t know why, but I seem to bring out the worst in her. We’re barely managing friends as it is. I just got sucked up in all of this because she’s Tanner’s girlfriend. I’m trying to help save Sibeal. It isn’t any more complicated than that.

Hmm, if you say so. What if Arra has more strange dreams? Will you help her with whatever they bring as well, or are you done after this one?

Bas: Well, just because we aren’t that great of friends doesn’t mean I want to see her die. If she needs my help again, she knows I’ll be there.

I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear that. Tanner, maybe not so much.

Bas: What’s that supposed to mean?

It looks like we’re about out of time, Bas, so sorry. I guess it will just have to remain an enigma, just like why the whole town of Grainer thinks you can do no wrong. So many mysteries, and only enough room for one more question. What will the dreams bring next?

Bas: I suppose it would be too much to ask for it to be something good. I’m not really sure, but Arra said something about Oracle Lost the other day. You’ll have to ask her for more details, I was only half paying attention because I was trying to get all of her pencils out of her backpack without her noticing at the time.

Bas, Bas, Bas. I do hope you know what you’re doing. Until we see you again, good luck with the curses, and with Arra.

Grab a copy of Book 1, ESCAPING FATE, for FREE on most ebook platforms, and then get ready to meet Sebastian Wallace in book 2, SOUL STONE.

Escaping Fate

Soul Stone

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Because puppies are just too cute

After being gone for the weekend and missing my kiddos and hubby A LOT, I came home to hugs from my family and slobber from our puppy. Unlike a cat, he didn’t hold it against me for being gone. He was just happy we were all back together and has been under my feet all day, except to do this…

I Survived! #ComicCon

The invite came a little last minute, but off to the Albuquerque Comic Con I went! Luckily I had two friends with me to keep me from getting too lost. We learned a ton about what worked and what didn’t (bring shopping bags for customers next time!), how to set up, where the best spots are, and lots more. Plus, we had a blast. I’ll post some of the tips and things we learned next week when I’m not so fried, but I thought I’d share some pics today just for fun.

Bonus points if you can tell me who are the costumes are supposed to be 🙂

Date Shark by DelSheree Gladden

Thank you so much for the review of Date Shark, Vanessa!

Snow Day!!

This was actually from last week, but I still wanted to share our snow day fun.

The kids had a great time with their cousins trying to build snow forts out of the super powdery snow that didn’t really stick together at all. The walls only made it about a foot tall and the snowballs they tried to make didn’t really stick together, but they still had fun anyway.

The forts and snowballs may not have panned out exactly like the had hoped, but there were still plenty of snow angels, snow throwing, and running around despite the freezing cold!

Our puppy, Finn, had a good time romping around in the white stuff even though he didn’t really seem to know what the heck was going on. Poor little guy doesn’t have much to speak of as far as a winter coat goes, so it didn’t take too long before he was shivering to death and whining even though he wanted to keep playing.

I hope everyone is off to a great start in the new year. Here’s to lots of fun and good times this year!

Kids and Dogs and Clorox Wipes

Honestly, I don’t know who we’re trying harder to train, our puppy or our kids.

I get that Finn is barely three months old, and while I don’t know specifically what that compares to in a human child as far as intelligence goes, but he’s a baby still. He doesn’t seem to realize that the tail he keeps trying to bite the heck out of is attached to his body. Potty training and “no biting” is going to take time.

My kids, however, are eight and eleven. They should understand that they can’t leave their shoes on the floor to get eaten and actually have to keep an eye on the puppy and remember to let him out to pee when they’re watching him. Instead, shoes get gnawed on, floors get peed on, and Finn ends up trying to eat whatever toys get left on the floor.

We’ve gone through a lot of puppy treats and Clorox wipes over the last few weeks. I wish offering my kids treats to get them to remember to help train the dog was as effective as it is with Finn. Instead, I’m considering putting them in obedience classes along with Finn. I wonder if they would give the kids dog biscuits or M&Ms? Actually my daughter would probably be okay with getting dog biscuits for rewards. She keeps asking if she can try on to see what they taste like.

So, while I search for a kid/dog training program along with the number for a good carpet cleaning company, give me your suggestions for training not only puppies, but kids as well.

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

Today’s the day! The journey to share Mason and Olivia’s story started over a year ago, but it’s finally come to an end. The final installment of The Aerling Series arrives today!

All those who pre-ordered INVINCIBLE got first crack at this book, and I’m willing to bet at least a few of them are already close to finishing. For everyone else, you can now grab a copy of Invincible and have it downloaded to you Kindle or phone or PC within seconds.

So, if you’re dying to know whether or not Olivia and Mason get to stay together and who wins the war…head over to your favorite ebook or paperback platform and put in your order. Books make excellent Christmas gifts, too. 😉 You’ve still got a little time, before tomorrow to grab a copy for your Aerling fan!

And don’t forget to let me know what you think! Reviews are always appreciated 🙂

Buy Your Copy of Intangible Here:

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Talking to Dogs…

Things you’ll probably never say unless you have a puppy…

1. Stop trying to eat your foot!

(Poor guy got his nail stuck on his cage and ripped half of it off and it had to be bandaged, which he kept trying to get off!)

2. No I don’t want doggy kisses!

3. Quit trying to eat my hair!

4. Stop biting the Christmas tree!

5. Toes are not chew toys!

6. Are you eating leaves?

7. Can you please do your business without stepping in it immediately after?

8. Why are you shoving your face down the back of the couch?

9. Seriously? You just peed five seconds ago!

10. Don’t eat rocks!

In all fairness…

I have said a few of these to my kids, too, but still. Puppies certainly are an adventure!

What crazy things have you said to one of your pets?

Everything looks perfect from far away

I enjoy listening to music while I write, and I’ve been listening to my I Heart Radio station for Hozier lately. “Take Me To Church” is an amazing song, btw, but it was actually a different song that caught my attention recently.

A line from and Iron & Wine song, Such Great Heights, had one line that really stuck with me and got me thinking.

What was the line?

“Everything looks perfect from far away.”

Not only did I find this to be rather poetic in the overall concept of the song, it struck me how true it is, and how common of a theme this is in Young Adult literature. I think this is something pretty much everyone has experienced in life. On one side of the coin or the other.

How many times have you looked at someone and thought their life seemed so perfect? It’s not, of course. No one’s is. But it looks perfect from where you’re standing. Maybe that inspires you, maybe it makes you jealous, but either way it has an effect on you in most cases.

But what about being on the other side? Things may be going well for you, or your life might just appear to be raining down gumdrops and lollipops. Other people see what they perceive your life to be and have those same reactions of jealousy, indifference, or inspiration to do better.

Those reactions can have a lasting effect on a person no matter what side of this line you’re on. Being judged, knowing you’re being judged, can make you want to shout at people that things aren’t what they seem. Maybe you’re struggling with some serious issues and nobody knows. Perhaps your world is falling apart and there’s no one there to help because everyone thinks you’ve got it all together. And if you’re the one looking on and letting your perceptions run away from you, it can either get you moving on a better path or drag you down into bitterness.

This happens with adults on a regular basis, but these types of perceptions are often dealt with in YA because not only are emotional reactions strongly reacted to with teens, YA characters are brash and make stupid decisions and fall apart over something that shouldn’t have been that significant all the time. YA is all about figuring out your place in the world, and we try to puzzle it out by comparing ourselves to other way too much.

For some, they realize the futility of constant comparison as they age. Some never do, and it shows. Take a page out of your favorite YA/coming of age novel and experience lives you’ll likely never live. Learn from their experiences and failures, and then do your best not to repeat them. This is one of the reasons I love reading so much, you get to experience a hundred lives outside your own. Science even backs up the idea that kids and teens who read are more well-rounded and empathetic.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking everyone has it better than you. Most likely, they’re struggling with the same things you are and being a source of support rather than someone else trying to tear a person down will make a difference in your life and theirs.