Spanked

Second post in one day after a six month hiatus.  Don't get too choked up, now. 

 

Hmmmm...may need to rethink this blog title before I publish or strangefettishgoogleman may make another appearance.  Then again, life is nothing unless lived dangerously, and that is why when I was transporting the boy to a pool party in August, we took the 'safe way.'

 

On the way to that particular end of town, you come to a crossroads.  You can go the way of twisty, dark, narrow, residential streets, or the more modern, 'safe' route with newly paved, wide streets and the same minimal traffic volume. 

 

We chose the 'safe' way. 

I should have just risked my life dodging the random escaped cow on the dangerous way.

 

So there I was, minding my own (fill-in-the-blank) business, driving my merry tuchus off.  The car in front of me wanted to turn left, signaled such, and stopped until traffic cleared.  I stopped behind and it was when I was at this dead stop and minding my own business that another car came flying around the corner (he was texting) and slammed into a Grand Cherokee that slammed into my merry little tuchus.

 Yes, folks.  That's third party damage.  The passenger in the first car came through the windshield and both passengers in the Cherokee were carted away by the ambulance as well.  The boy and I were the only two that walked away. 

I was so upset.  The Saturn was such a good car.  It was paid off!!! *commence sobbing* However, they said it could be repaired. 

And then they called to say the frame was bent in three places.  They totaled it out. 

I just notice that I tend to write in very short, very insignificant paragraphs.  Look, here's another.  ;)

Anyway, we were so set that it could be repaired that I never thought to look at/for another vehicle.  On my way home I thought, I rationalized, I compromised with my own self and I was remarkably agreeable to myself, but the line was going to be drawn on one point and that line was non negotiable.

Later that night, after the kids went to bed, I sat down next to the man as calm as I could be and said, "I honestly don't care what kind of car I drive, and I don't have much of a reputation, but what reputation I have will NOT be driving a minivan." (Apologies here to everyone who loves their mini van.  I know y'all are fiercely protective of them.)

Since I was in high school, I've been obsessed with Wranglers, pointing them out at every turn and going out of my way to park next to one so I could drool.  I've coveted a Wrangler like others want a Ferrari or a perfect round of golf.  It wasn't going to happen.  Ever.

I gave the man my pitiful, "Please Lord, don't make me drive a mini van" face and he said, "I thought you wanted a Wrangler."

Well, Yeah.
He apparently had one all picked out and had been putting money into another account to save for 'the day.'  It just came sooner than we expected. 

So, here you go

 

 



Here she is.  She's so dark, dark green that it looks black in the regular light, so I put her in the sun for this shot.  She's stock, but beautiful.  It wouldn't hurt my feelings to lift her and put on larger tires, but that day will come.

 

So after the shock of being spanked while at a God's honest dead stop twice in a matter of three months (the first left no damage), I'm thinkin' I wound up on the better end of the deal.  I'm a giddy girl.

"Recieve what cheer you may; / The night is long that never finds the day."

Hi.  It's been some time since I've updated the blog.  I hope you'll forgive me.  *bows head in humble supplication*

I could make a thousand and one excuses why I haven't blogged this century. The kids ran me ragged over the summer, I teach more students than I ever have in one semester and the essays are piling up, the curriculum has changed so I've had to start from scratch, both kids are now in school and completing homework, we've gotten a new puppy, my car was totaled, my camera is wonky, my shoulders hurt to sit and type, Blogger was giving me fits...the list can go on.

Fact of the matter is:  I quit.

I just stopped posting and then stopped for so long that it was difficult to go back to the pattern.  I wanted to.  I set aside time to. It never happened.  I wanted to read your blogs.  I missed your friendships.  Life got in the way and it was easier not to blog or read others for doing so made me even more guilty for not blogging. 

A vicious cycle, indeed.

I felt the blog was getting stale.  I wrote the same things over and over again.  Here's some zucchini.  Look, here's some more zucchini.  Guess what I harvested today.....zucchini!  You all understand, I'm sure.  The summer garden simply overwhelmed me.  I was bringing baskets and baskets up to the school over the summer and for the greater part of this school year.  Never have I had a better harvest....and now you won't believe me, for there are no pictures.  ;) 

I was burned out with the garden.  I didn't plant a fall one, and as a matter of fact, most of the summer garden is still out there, waiting for me to remove the frail grasp of soil it maintains.  I just haven't mustered the determination to clean it up.

Reading back over this, it sounds as if the waters have closed over me and I'm paddling with half a limb, but all is truly well.  Things have a pattern and there's a stable routine to our day.  I could truly live life as a dog and eat the same thing day in and day out.  Throw me a peanut butter laced treat every now and again and I'm a happy, happy girl.

If anyone happens by this, I'll catch everyone up directly and shove in pictures where I can.  The wood is coming toward Dunsinane.
The morning comes early.  Sweet gardening dreams.

Victory

It only took five years, but I've grown peppers.

Squashtastic!

And there's more in the fridge.  I wonder if you can make Granny's zucchini cupcakes with squash?

Squash Bugs? Already!?

Dammit.

Inhale, Exhale - Just Breathe

Congratulations to a girlfriend of mine whose first novel is being published today!  It's been amazing watching the novel take shape from an idea, through rough drafts through to editing and now publishing.  Kendall isn't new to the publishing world, but this is her first full length novel and I couldn't be happier for her.  I was lucky enough to have snagged a preview copy of Inhale and it was fantastic.  I can't wait for the other two books in the trilogy, Exhale and Just Breathe to come out in the coming months. 

What else is fantastic about the novel is being a whale activist herself, she's donating all proceeds to whale education.  How's that for dedication?!  If you're interested in paranormal romances, you might want to check it out.  The reviews on GoodReads and Amazon say it all!

Here is a trailer she made for the novel and a synopsis.  Follow down the page for more information on whale education and Inhale.






INHALE

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

*This book contains graphic language, sex, and some violence. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
**The author will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kendall Grey

Blog: http://www.kendallgrey.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KendallGreyAuthor

Despicable Tweets: http://www.twitter.com/kendallgrey1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5108885.Kendall_Grey

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmcmg

Round 1 - FIGHT!

That

Sucked

Ass.

I ain' even gonna lie.

Round 1 is done.  Three more to go, but none should be as bad as this.  The woman kept asking if I wanted a break.  You could tell she didn't like my answer.  I could see the shots - they were the viscosity of rubber cement - there were three full to the brim syringes.  There was a beginning and an end.  I told her it wasn't like pregnancy - a nine month unending hangover.  This was childbirth and there was an end.  An end I could see sitting on the table next to me.  Plod on, my friend.  And so she did, but I made her laugh and she pressed the plunger too hard, too fast.  Such is my life, although in hindsight it was just as terrible as the rest.

So, sports fans, it's done.  The rest of the rounds are just shots in the arm. 

Good news, this morning we caught a cat.  The wrong cat, but a cat.  The animal control called my cell around 3 and said they were at the house getting the cat.  They reset the trap and by 5 we caught the right cat.  He's in the trap caterwaling now.  I'd be pissed, too.  I can't believe it was that easy to get him.

I keep playing in my mind how grateful I am that he came after me and not one of the children.  We were all three of us standing there together.  He had his pickings.  He picked me.  Thank God.

The morning comes early, and all will be and is well.
Amen.