tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27207210309708503412024-03-05T06:54:18.140-05:00karen Y. bynumWriter. Mother. Lover. Finder of things. Keeper of peace. Random to a fault. . .Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-87481596085148229452017-02-07T07:30:00.000-05:002017-02-07T07:30:12.387-05:00Happy Book Day to a dear friend! Reckless Hearts by Heather Van Fleet is NOW available!! #amreading<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="RecklessHarts_banner_ReleaseDay" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-23364" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RecklessHarts_banner_ReleaseDay-1024x390.jpg" height="243" width="640" /></h1>
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<b>Today I'm SO excited to take part in a dear friend's release blitz!!! <span style="color: red;"><i>Reckless Hearts </i>by Heather Van Fleet</span> is NOW available!</b></h1>
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<b> Be sure to check out the release day festivities and grab your copy today!! Squee!!</b></h1>
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<b><img alt="Reckless Hearts Cover" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23361" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Reckless-Hearts-Cover.jpg" height="500" width="309" /> </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>About <i>RECKLESS HEARTS:</i></b></span></h2>
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Between boot camp and two TOD’s in Iraq, my buddies Max, Gavin and me have been through some serious hell. So the last thing I ever expected was to find the biggest challenge of my life back home.</div>
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My girlfriend died. I couldn’t even attend her funeral, let alone tell her goodbye or that I’m sorry I wasn’t there like I should’ve been.</div>
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But she left me a gift. The best and scariest one I could’ve ever asked for. One I didn’t think I could handle…until the day I saw her tiny blues looking up at me in that airport. Chloe.</div>
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Now here I am, raising my baby girl—with the help of my two best friends. Things couldn’t be better. Until she walked into my life.</div>
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All I wanted was a nanny. Someone to take care of my girl when I couldn’t. What I didn’t count on was Addison, the brown-eyed temptress with a body of sin, and everything I didn’t need, but suddenly wanted.</div>
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<b>Get Your Copy:</b></h1>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reckless-Hearts-Heather-Van-Fleet/dp/1492637165/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467834367&sr=8-3&keywords=heather+van+fleet">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reckless-hearts-heather-van-fleet/1124075215?ean=9781492637172">BN</a> | <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Reckless-Hearts/Heather-Van-Fleet/9781492637165?id=6835551215026">BAM</a></h1>
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<img alt="Reckless Hearts Teaser _2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23363" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Reckless-Hearts-Teaser-_2.jpg" height="356" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Exclusive Excerpt:</b></span></h2>
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He answered on the third ring. “Hey, Gav. You busy?”</div>
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“Not Gav.”</div>
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My face warmed at the sound of Collin’s voice.</div>
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“You there?”</div>
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“Um, yes. But I need to speak with Gavin, please.” <i>Keep breathing, keep calm. You’ve got this.</i></div>
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“But I need to talk to <i>you</i> first.”</div>
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I clenched my teeth. “May I talk to him, please?”</div>
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“Nope.”</div>
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I threw my head back against the couch and groaned. “Why not?” If he was going to be short with his answers, I would be short with my questions.</div>
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“Need to talk to you about something first. Told you that.”</div>
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Could’ve sworn I heard the words <i>Needs to eat your pussy is more like it</i> in the background, but my mind was scrambling like the eggs I’d cooked for breakfast.</div>
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“Shut up, asshole,” Collin barked.</div>
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I spun a loose string around my finger. “What did you just say to me?”</div>
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Total déjà vu.</div>
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The wind slapped against his speaker. “Are you driving?” I unraveled the string from my finger and bounced my knee. “Because in the State of Illinois, it’s illegal to drive and talk on a cell phone unless it’s hands free.”</div>
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“Damn it, no. She’s putting that shit in her mouth.” He grumbled something else, and the sound of baby giggles tugged on my already floppy heartstrings.</div>
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I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about Chloe. I’d only been around her twice, but I kind of missed the little thing.</div>
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“Not driving. Just playin’ at the park.”</div>
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Playing at the park. Why did the image make me grin? Collin pushing Chloe in her swing, her little baby legs bouncing up and down as he did.</div>
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“Why are you calling Gavin anyway?”</div>
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“None of your business.” My smile fell. “Can you just put him on?”</div>
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“I told you I needed to talk first.”</div>
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I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Then talk.”</div>
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“Gonna take you out tonight.”</div>
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Shock pulled me into an upright position, and I stood so fast that a pile of clean towels fell to the floor. “Um, take me out?” I scrambled to pick them up.</div>
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“Gonna apologize. Again. Buy you food, return your sweater too. If you have plans, then cancel them.”</div>
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“Uh, no. Don’t think so.” At the simple thought of seeing him again, my stomach clenched in both excitement and unease. “You’re not going to pull that in-charge bullshit on me. And besides, what makes you think I want to see you anyway?”</div>
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“You don’t wanna see me, sweetheart?”</div>
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I slapped my hand over my eyes. <i>Sweetheart?</i> Seriously? “No. I don’t want to see you, <i>pumpkin</i>. Not when you got me fired from my job the other night with your ultimate-fight-club thing.” I blew out a quick breath. “Besides, I just…can’t.”</div>
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“I need a better reason.”</div>
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“Are you serious right now?” What was with this guy and his incessant need to be an asshole?</div>
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“Dead serious.” He laughed. “I’ll be by your apartment at six to pick you up. Dress casual. Gonna take you to dinner, and then we’re gonna talk. You’re going to get a free meal and an apology. Can’t get much better than that, am I right?”</div>
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<b> <img alt="RecklessHeartTeaserFinal (1)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23365" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RecklessHeartTeaserFinal-1.jpg" height="511" width="640" /></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>About Heather Van Fleet:</b></span></h2>
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<img alt="Heather Van Fleet_headshot" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23360" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Heather-Van-Fleet_headshot.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></div>
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Heather Van Fleet is stay-at-home-mom turned book boyfriend connoisseur. She’s a wife to her high school sweetheart, a mom to three little girls, and in her spare time you can find her with her head buried in her Kindle, guzzling down copious amounts of coffee.</div>
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Heather graduated from Black Hawk College in 2003 with an associate degree and has been working in the publishing industry for over five years. She is represented by Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary.</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Connect with Heather:</b></span></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorheathervanfleet">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/HLVanFleet">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hvfwrites/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/heath1005/">Pinterest</a> </h2>
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<b><img alt="Reckless Hearts Teaser _1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23362" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Reckless-Hearts-Teaser-_1.jpg" height="572" width="640" /> </b></h2>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Enter Heather’s Giveaway: </b></span></span></h2>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="4cf78adb489" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4cf78adb489/" id="rcwidget_s7ao9qe6" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-29443686114671065732016-11-11T18:25:00.000-05:002016-11-11T18:25:28.676-05:00Guest interview with author Ken Lange and beasts living between realms... #amreading #indie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamUgYP7raD-wrI1K0YNk_anTiLhBZWkV4-oJhgi1Toq4D9Wo_f84Zii74r7Up0nEC2Usvna06psXV-Q0aEsrgYQ5kSI4IwX3dCFA96bZEywR5BKKrgZ1Nxry3RWkFUZUxMcSKNIUa_jZ3/s1600/The+Wanderer+Awakens%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamUgYP7raD-wrI1K0YNk_anTiLhBZWkV4-oJhgi1Toq4D9Wo_f84Zii74r7Up0nEC2Usvna06psXV-Q0aEsrgYQ5kSI4IwX3dCFA96bZEywR5BKKrgZ1Nxry3RWkFUZUxMcSKNIUa_jZ3/s320/The+Wanderer+Awakens%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Hello, my lovelies! Today we have a special guest interview. Big shout out to Ken Lange! Take it away, Ken...</span></i><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Blurb </span></b><img src="" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My name is Viktor Engel Warden, and I’m here to tell you that there’s more to this world than you might suspect. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There are things that slither and pass unseen through the night, and it’s my job to stop them. But sometimes that’s easier said than done. Twenty years ago, I ended a nightmare that would’ve brought the world to its knees. I thought it was over…but I was wrong. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The Cult of Fenrir has returned, and they’re stronger than ever. Now I’m in a race to find the survivors of that day so I can stop them again. Permanently. If I get things wrong…which I wont…but if I do…it might just bring about the apocalypse. But, hey, no pain, no gain, and all that BS. Right? Yeah, I’m not buying it either. </span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Interview Questions</span></b><br /><br /><u><span style="font-size: large;">What is your main character’s motivation?</span></u><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Viktor is a complicated guy, but his main motivation would have to be putting one foot in front of the other to get the job done. He’s a fighter in every sense of the word. The man is unwilling to give up, he’s incapable of compromising his core beliefs, and he’ll stand up for what he thinks is right. Of course, ‘what he thinks is right’ isn’t always what’s legal or currently socially acceptable. Don’t expect that to stand in the way of doing what needs to be done. <br /><br />Then there’s the choice aspect of his personality. He’s a strong believer that everything is choice. While every situation is different and has the ability to limit a person’s choices, it never prevents them from making one. There are times when none of the available options are good, but there’s always a choice, and it’s up to the individual to do the right thing. His entire life is a constant reminder that we are free to make any choice we desire, but we are not free of the consequences.<br /><u><br />What is his secret strength/weakness?</u><br /><br />The simple answer to both: his moral code. First and foremost, he won’t interfere in certain situations, even if doing so would make his life easier. He’s exceptionally inflexible here, which is why it’s both a strength and a weakness. <br /><br />If he says he’ll do a thing, he’ll do it, no matter the cost to him personally. There’s a long list of other ethical things he believes in, but those will be touched on throughout the series. Long and short of it is this: he’s willing to fight and die for those beliefs. That’s what makes him a very dangerous man, and at times predictable, but not in the ways his adversaries would hope. <br /><br /><u>Any philosophical issues in this story?</u><br /><br />The story is meant to entertain, but it also shows a man who’s trying to do right, even if it isn’t the easy or polite thing to do. He won’t ignore a problem, he won’t shy away from his responsibilities, and he fully accepts who he really is…not the person others think him to be.<br /><br />I touch on issues of tolerance and acceptance a few times, but not for the reason you might think. I’m not making a conscious decision to put it in there…it’s just how I see the world. <br /><br />It doesn’t matter to me what label is placed on you. What matters to me is: are you a decent human being? If the answer to that is yes, we can be friends. That being the case, I know a wide range of people. That’s why I use a diverse set of characters that span the gambit of human nature. I feel that it comes closer to accurately representing the world as it is, and keeps me from confining myself to a narrow margin of the population. <br /><br /><u>When did you start to write this one and why?</u><br /><br />That’s a tough one. It’s been rumbling around for well over two decades in one form or another, but it wasn’t until 2010 that I got serious about it. That’s when I put a lot of it to paper and shared it with friends…it was terrible. The good thing is, all that research, note-taking, and terribleness led to figuring out different elements of the story and retooling the book to actually make sense.<br /><br />Now as to the why. I’m fascinated with Norse mythology. The description of Odin’s palace, and the other gods’ homes are fantastic. They describe them as gleaming metal palaces that roar through the skies...kind of sounds like the way primitive man would describe a spacecraft.<br /><br />No, I’m not an ancient alien kind of guy, but I won’t deny that the idea of them not being gods and possibly something extra-terrestrial in nature helped the concept along. <br /><br /><u>When will it be available?</u><br /><br />15 November.<br /><br /><u>What’s next in this series or in your next book?</u><br /><br />Galen’s Peace should be next in the Warden Global Novels. Of course, the title is subject to change, this one’s did. I’m also working on the follow up to my first novel, Accession of the Stone Born…Yes there’s a title, but I’m not sharing it yet since it’s going to take place after Galen’s Peace. Don’t fret, it’s not far off. <br /><br /><u>Where do you get your ideas?</u><br /><br />Reading, art, and music. The reading gets me out of my own head and expands my viewpoint, not to mention the fact that I love it. The artwork can be almost anything, a photo, painting, even a well-done font can trigger an idea. At other times, it’s music that gives me that spark. Once it’s there, it doesn’t go away and rattles around in my head until I do something about it. <br /><br /><u>Who or what inspired you to become a writer?</u><br /><br />I’ve always been fascinated by a great story; it’s my escape from reality into the magical realms of the written word. It’s always intrigued me how scratches made on clay, stone, wood or paper can touch people so deeply. I’m truly an introvert, and this is my way of sharing the worlds spinning in my head with others. <br /><br />For me, writing heals the heart, rebuilds a broken soul, and gives hope to a failing body. It allows me to walk amongst the stars and go places that otherwise I couldn't, and it gives me the humanity that I've lost along the way. <br /><br /><u>What is the hardest part about being a writer?</u><br /><br />Trying not to ‘good idea’ myself into oblivion. Sometimes, I’m plagued by what I think are fantastic ideas then I write them down and run with it, only to realize that maybe it wasn’t as good as I’d thought. Well, at least not yet. That’s the thing about ideas—they can be used at a later date. <br /><br /><u>Where did you get the premise for this book?</u><br /><br />I was reading a lot of Norse mythos, and because a lot of it has been destroyed over the centuries, I had questions…so this is me filling in the blanks, and retelling some of their stories, along with my own.<br /><br /><u>Was there a part of the story that was difficult to write?</u><br /><br />The opening for this book was the trickiest. I actually removed the prologue—you can find it on my blog if you want to see what it originally sounded like—and finished the book, never fixing the part where I actually introduce the character. So that’s why there’s a journal entry now instead of having to wait for several chapters to get the character’s name. <br /><br /><u>What advice would you give to other writers? </u><br /><br />To be themselves and not try to be someone else. It’s a lot easier that way.</span><div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Get your copy here!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3S3C0P">Amazon US</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N3S3C0P">Amazon UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N3S3C0P">Amazon Canada</a></span></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks for stopping by!</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-78582463407946360332016-04-19T07:34:00.000-04:002016-04-19T07:34:36.989-04:00Shampoo that makes your hair thicker, saves you time, AND smells like heaven... Yes, please! #TryItTuesday #AmazonPrime<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span></div>
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Losing a TON of hair in the shower? Feel like the hairline is on the rise? Yeah, me too.</div>
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Ever since a terribly stressful event in college, plus my seborrheic dermatitis (which I now have under control thanks to this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Naturals-Scalp18-Therapeutic-Dandruff-Shampoo/dp/B0153VB80G?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage">product</a>), multiplied by having a baby and my hair had seen thicker days. Until I started using this awesome shampoo!</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Seriously. It was love at first scrub.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Today's product: Organic Argan Oil Shampoo (hair growth therapy)</span></div>
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Where to find: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Naturals-Organic-Argan-Shampoo-Regrowth/dp/B016XB280Y?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00"><i>Amazon</i></a> </div>
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Average cost: <i>$26 (totally worth it)</i></div>
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Lasts: <i>Until the bottle runs out, which will probably be a while for me because I only wash my hair two times a week and use a quarter-sized amount</i></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Karen's rating: </span></div>
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Why is this such wonderful shampoo?</span></div>
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Of course, I was skeptical at first--because I naturally always am--and didn't have very high hopes, but after about two week I could totally tell a difference. HOLLA.</div>
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1) It<span style="color: magenta;"> actually works</span>.<span style="color: magenta;"> </span>I can see new growth around my hairline, which I seriously never thought would ever thicken up.</div>
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2) It <span style="color: magenta;">smells ahhhhmazing</span>. Like, professional salon shampoo amazing.</div>
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3) I <span style="color: magenta;">don't find clumps of hair on the shower floor</span> after I've washed my hair. For real. I used to find gobs and wads and gunks of hair. Not now. It's staying firmly rooted to my scalp. Score.</div>
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4) <span style="color: magenta;">Saves me time</span>. I don't have to use conditioner anymore. The argan oil in this shampoo is rich enough to condition my hair.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span></div>
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*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.</div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/one-test-kitchen-40-slow-cookers-200.html">Slow Cooker cookbook</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-perfect-breakfast-for-peeps-on-go.html">Belvita Breakfast Biscuits</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/keepin-hot-hot-and-cold-cold-likeaboss.html">Klean Kanteen</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-book-fell-on-my-head-i-can-only-blame.html">KidKraft Bookshelf</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/horses-and-ducks-and-trucksoh-my-neigh.html">Little Blue Truck</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/wink-blink-bat-em-cos-eyes-have-it.html">BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-many-uses-of-jojoba-get-your-oil-on.html">Jojoba Oil</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html">Freezing Herbs</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html">Disposable Bibs</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html">Toddler proofing cupboards</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html">Snoozies (slippers)</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html">Nongshim Shin Noodles</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html">Nivea Lotion</a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Written while waiting for supper to cook . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-48687289948783639532016-04-18T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-18T08:00:45.891-04:00Deadlines. How to write with them. #MondayMotivation #amwriting #writeon<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday Motivation . . . Writerly things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">So you think you can write?</span></div>
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Yes? Me too. Mix in the day job (for me it's keeping up with an adorably rambunctious toddler), family, friends, social life (what's that, right?), and just plain old day-to-day living and things seem--erm, a bit hectic. And still, writing somehow happens. Now, an exciting opportunity comes your way and suddenly *cues dramatic music* a deadline stares you in the face. EEP. </div>
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You're totally stoked but also slightly--yeah, okay, definitely--terrified. All the words must be written by a certain date. For someone like me, a pantser who occasionally tosses in a timeline or rough one-chapter-ahead outline just for kicks and giggles, this is that moment. That moment where the snizzle gets uber serious and meeting those daily word counts is more than something I'd like to do . . . it's something I <i>must</i> do.</div>
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My current deadline project was for a historical fiction anthology. I had to come up with a one-sentence pitch, a synopsis, and the opening scene. Whaa?? Totally did it. Now the wait is on to see if my proposal gets picked. *fingers crossed*</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">So, let's get technical... How do you realistically make a deadline work while still living life? Excellent question.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">#1</span> What needs to be included in your proposal? Or how long does the manuscript (MS) need to be? When is it due?</div>
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After you've determined these things, you can make a daily word count (WC) goal. I gave myself a day to write the rough draft of my proposal (pitch/synopsis); although, I'd been researching events/places and mulling over themes for a few days prior.</div>
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Let's say you're working on a MS that's 15k words (approximately 60 pages), and you want to complete it in 30 days. This means a minimum of 500 words a day must be written. You could break it down even further and write 250 words before work and the last 250 before bed. I find that making goals to reach for is extremely helpful for me.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">#2</span> How do you find time to write? </div>
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This is a tough one! For me I used to write before my day job and during my lunch break. Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I usually write before the toddler wakes up and during his naptime--if I'm on a deadline I'll write after he goes to bed. But I've found that writing after 7pm isn't my most productive time, because my brain is pretty much mush by then.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">#3</span> To outline or not to outline...that is the question. </div>
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As I've confessed, I'm a pantser by nature. For this particular project, it was a proposal, so plotting was a must. I found Jane Friedman's post on <a href="https://janefriedman.com/novel-synopsis/">writing a synopsis</a> very helpful. And this post on writing a <a href="http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2013/4-easy-steps-to-an-irresistable-book-blurb/">book blurb</a> really helped me refine my story idea, so that I could write the one-sentence pitch.</div>
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When I'm writing a MS, I always refer to Michael Hauge's <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://dramatica.com/resources/articles/how-and-why-hague-six-stage.gif&imgrefurl=http://dramatica.com/articles/how-and-why-dramatica-is-different-from-six-other-story-paradigms&h=399&w=666&sz=18&tbnid=rc1-w04DiPsU9M:&tbnh=71&tbnw=118&zoom=1&usg=__zxMpYUJf0Dm0IfDQ3KHD4MyO0vw=&docid=icU7vEx_E_Hs9M&sa=X&ei=SIxRUvjIOJCg4APk_IHwBw&ved=0CEUQ9QEwAw">plot structure</a> for story structure guidance.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">#4</span> Just write. </div>
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It's as simple and as mind-blowingly (I'm a rebel, I take liberties with words) difficult as that. I have to constantly remind myself of this, but don't edit as you write. Spelling, eye color, names...all of those things can be fixed later. The important thing--especially while writing under a deadline--is to make sure words are being typed onto the page.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">#5</span> Annihilate distractions. </div>
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Yeah, so, erm, this is an extremely difficult one for me. I'm so easily-- Ooo, shiny thing. </div>
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Turn off the social medias. Stop checking email. Don't watch TV (unless that's part of your writing ritual). And one that almost sends me into a tailspin...turn off the cellphone. It's not forever. Just for a certain allotted amount of time. Even if it's only thirty minutes. Every. Minute. Counts.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">#6</span> </span>Roadblocks in the Muse's fast-lane. </div>
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Yup, they happen...to everyone, even if they don't talk about it. Something I have recently started doing: using the <insert thing here>. Get your mind out of the gutter. What I mean is, if I can't figure out a specific and it's really bothering me, I'll use a placeholder and come back to it later. I had several of these in the middle grade (MG) novel I recently finished. </div>
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How about you? Are you writing under a deadline? Have you? What's your secret? I'd love to know.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Story prompt:</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://temp_thoughts_resize.s3.amazonaws.com/ac/919050295411e4a335af127616dfa7/1901761_598153456925715_394787231_n.jpg" width="282" /></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Want more motivation? Who doesn't? Check out more of my Monday posts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/its-okay-you-can-say-it-writing-is-hard.html">Scoop of Encouragment</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/5-elements-youll-need-when-writing.html">5 Elements of a Story</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/10-writing-tips-that-can-help-most.html">10 Writing Tips That Can Help Most Anyone</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/creative-prompt-immediate-goal-focused.html">Creative prompt + Immediate goal = Focused muse</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/doesnt-just-keep-you-alive-it-keeps.html">It Keeps Imaginary Friends Alive</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/writers-write-its-what-we-do-sometimes.html">Sometimes writing is hard</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/motivation-need-some-five-tips-for.html">5 Tips to Find Motivation</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-is-post-youre-looking-for-star.html">Star Wars on Writing</a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Writing is rewriting is coffee is chocolate is rewriting . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-84443437036979320762016-04-15T07:53:00.000-04:002016-04-15T07:55:15.938-04:00Comfort zone. *smashes out* Words. *writes like the wind* Brownies. *eats them all* #winningcombo #TGIF<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Feed . . . Doing things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Call me Karen. (writing words)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me this week. Chuggin' coffee and bangin' out the words. I had gotten my historical romance pitch/proposal--you remember, the one I'm trying to get accepted into an anthology that's set to be pubbed next year--all shiny and sent off to my agent, when she let's me know that I need sample pages of the actual story. Written. Words forming sentences and everything. Eeeeeeep. Like, ASAP. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*panics*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't even sure I could do that. I mean, I don't normally write historical fiction, so I had planned to read a ton of it before writing the story. Anywho, I wham-bammed out FIVE pages. Got them all shiny, and now, they're in my agent's hands. Double Eeeeeep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Current mood . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even if my pitch doesn't get picked for the anthology, this was such a good experience. Pushing myself out of my normal genre and comfort zone has been intense, but extremely beneficial and worthwhile. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Luke, I am your mother. (kiddo corner)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This week started out on a high note, Monday we went to an awesome new play place with friends and then out for donuts. Then, Lukey got a fever. We had to cancel our plans for Tuesday and Wednesday because he wasn't feeling well. So we just hung out at home. Read a ton of books, ate a lot of fruit, and chilled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By Wednesday afternoon, he was feeling like a new toddler. So Thursday's playdate still happened. WOOT. Today we have another playdate, and then Saturday is our super busy day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday morning is <a href="http://peninsulatowncenter.com/events/touch-a-truck/">Touch a Truck</a>. Whaaaa?! Lukey is gonna LOSE his MIND. Holla. Then, Saturday afternoon I'm going to a friend's house to work on my DIY fence post growth chart project. You remember, the one where I spent wayy more then what the blogger had spent on hers. Ohh well. Still super excited to see how it turns out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Pix for your viewing pleasure . . . </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Just keep swimming. (all the randomness)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You're born with 300 bones, but when you get to be an adult, you only have 206. (<a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/newsroomstafflist/1976848-151/humans-are-born-with-nearly-300-bones-but">Sited</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Enjoy my Friday Feed? Here's more to delight you.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/procrastination-is-mother-of-invention.html"><span style="font-size: large;">8 April</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/writing-outside-of-my-comfort-zone.html"><span style="font-size: large;">1 April</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/when-end-feels-soo-good-bunnies-eggs.html"><span style="font-size: large;">25 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/writing-words-fighting-plague-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">18 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/cry-me-riverof-words-writing-is-hard.html"><span style="font-size: large;">11 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/coffee-words-x-parenting-my-week.html"><span style="font-size: large;">19 February</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Crayons: rainbow paste in my toddler's mouth . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-13325382278687692242016-04-12T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-12T08:00:29.908-04:00One test kitchen. 40 slow cookers. 200 fresh recipes. SOLD. #bookreview #slowcooker via @TestKitchen<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ever bought a cookbook and only liked one, maybe two, recipes out of it? Yeah, me too. So for a while I stopped buying them, until my Hubs found this one. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I've made about </span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">thirty</span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> recipes out of it so far, and I only disliked one of them. Crazy, right? I know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="320" src="http://p-fst1.pixstatic.com/54bef8a4697ab01162007d4b/_w.1500_s.fit_/2015-01-19-ATK-Slow-Cooker-11.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Today's product: Healthy Slow Cooker Revolution Cookbook</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where to find: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Cooker-Revolution-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1936493950/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1460399030&sr=8-3&keywords=healthy+slow+cooker+cookbook">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/the-healthy-slow-cooker-revolution-americas-test-kitchen/1118864410/2673839740249?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP3840&k_clickid=3x3840">Barnes & Noble</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Average cost: <i>$9.00 to $17.00</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lasts: <i>Until you break the spine or burn the pages--on accident, of course</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Karen's rating: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Why is this such a great cookbook?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) It's <span style="color: magenta;">healthy without compromising flavor</span>--just be sure to add extra salt, cos the recipes tend to under-utilize the delicious food enhancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) It's <span style="color: magenta;">written by <a href="https://www.americastestkitchen.com/">America's Test Kitchen</a></span>. They're the boss, yo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) The recipes are <span style="color: magenta;">easy to understand</span>, and they use delicious ingredients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) <span style="color: magenta;">Slow cookers</span> (crock pots) <span style="color: magenta;">are awesome</span>. Throw in the ingredients and let 'em cook.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-perfect-breakfast-for-peeps-on-go.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Belvita Breakfast Biscuits</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/keepin-hot-hot-and-cold-cold-likeaboss.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Klean Kanteen</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-book-fell-on-my-head-i-can-only-blame.html"><span style="font-size: large;">KidKraft Bookshelf</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/horses-and-ducks-and-trucksoh-my-neigh.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Little Blue Truck</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/wink-blink-bat-em-cos-eyes-have-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-many-uses-of-jojoba-get-your-oil-on.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Jojoba Oil</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Freezing Herbs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Disposable Bibs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Toddler proofing cupboards</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Snoozies (slippers)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nongshim Shin Noodles</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nivea Lotion</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Powered by coffee and Snickers . . . karen</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-34000419839572075162016-04-11T07:55:00.000-04:002016-04-11T07:55:43.544-04:00It's okay. You can say it: Writing is hard. Here's a scoop of encouragement. #amwriting #BePositiveHour<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday Motivation . . . Writerly things and stuff.</span></div>
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<a href="https://majorsportstalk.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sundae.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://majorsportstalk.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sundae.png" width="101" /></a><span style="color: magenta;">Has writing that work-in-progress lost its sweetness?</span></div>
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About to bite into a woe-is-me sundae? Never fear. You’re not alone. *raises hand* I too have (and do on a daily basis) give into the saccharine allure of self-doubt…only to find it bitter and completely useless. </div>
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Seems like the Negative Nancy voice is always there to offer a non-encouraging word: You’ll never finish that project…You don’t know what you’re doing…No one will want to read it… You've never written that genre.</div>
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Even as I’m writing this post, those thoughts swirl in my mind like a dark rain cloud about to burst. </div>
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And to that voice--after I wallow for a bit--I say: Who the heck does self-doubt think she is? Hm? *lifts eyebrow* Who has time to worry? Between friends/family, chasing after a rambunctious toddler on a daily, Twitter (yes, the blue bird gets its own category), writing a story proposal, revising another story, editing, thinking up a new work-in-progress, attempting blog posts, beta-reading and somehow experiencing life…well, for Owls' sake doubt has got to take a hike. </div>
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<a href="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/10746-Sylvia-Plath-Quote-And-by-the-way-everything-in-life-is-writable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/10746-Sylvia-Plath-Quote-And-by-the-way-everything-in-life-is-writable.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sylvia_plath.html">Sylvia Plath</a> once said, “And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” </div>
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This is so true. As a writer, we are our own worst enemy. Writing is such a mental activity that if self-doubt wedges its way into the deep, dark crevices of our mind, then it’s a struggle just to see a hint of creativity. But the imagination is always there…just needs to be lured back out into the open.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On that note, I offer these three nuggets to help get you in the writing zone: </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Make a playlist.</span> For each one of my stories I have about twelve songs that set the mood, remind me of the characters, speak to me about their personalities or just make me happy. I find this tool extremely helpful for discovery time and plotting. And goodness knows, I am not naturally a plotter, but that’s another post.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Edit at the end. </span>If I edit as I write then I get caught up in unnecessary details that will most definitely change on the tenth or eleventh draft anyway. (insert maniacal laugh here) A tip that has helped me to stop editing as I go is to read only the most recent five pages before writing that day. Then I don’t stress over the inevitable plot-holes, bad spelling, poor grammar, etc.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Finish the book.</span> We all get distracted by a new idea…it’s human nature. But I try to keep in mind that my current characters need their story told too. And if I don’t do it…well, who will? It’s that feeling of typing the last word in a manuscript that keeps me going. It’s pure euphoria, like seeing the heavens open and winged unicorns fly to earth, leaving rainbows in their wake. Seriously, it’s that fantastic. And if you’re like me, after you type The End you’ll high-five yourself, smile ridiculously, and clap like a giddy fan-girl.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember, your voice is unique and your characters need to be heard, so flick the self-doubt off the sundae and remember…</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">You. Are. Plucky.</span></div>
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Story prompt:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Want more motivation? Who doesn't? Check out more of my Monday posts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/5-elements-youll-need-when-writing.html">5 Elements of a Story</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/10-writing-tips-that-can-help-most.html">10 Writing Tips That Can Help Most Anyone</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/creative-prompt-immediate-goal-focused.html">Creative prompt + Immediate goal = Focused muse</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/doesnt-just-keep-you-alive-it-keeps.html">It Keeps Imaginary Friends Alive</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/writers-write-its-what-we-do-sometimes.html">Sometimes writing is hard</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/motivation-need-some-five-tips-for.html">5 Tips to Find Motivation</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-is-post-youre-looking-for-star.html">Star Wars on Writing</a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I can knot a cherry stem with my tongue . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-17522950461848011982016-04-08T08:10:00.001-04:002016-04-08T08:10:48.272-04:00Procrastination is the mother of invention. #amwriting #FridayFeed #TGIF<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Feed . . . Doing things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Call me Karen. (writing words)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me this week...playing it cool. Um, trying. My middle grade novel is out to all my beta readers, and I'm getting nervous. LOL I've heard back from one so far, and she LOVED it. So that makes me happy. She had some great feedback, which I really appreciated. This book is sooooooo near and dear to my heart. Let's put it this way, if I ever split my soul into horcruxes, this book would be one of them. Just sayin'. I wait with baited breath for further feedback. Eeep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My proposal for the historical romance anthology is written. WOOT. Finished it up on Sunday. Sent it off to my editor to get it edited and make sure it's a story worth writing. *bites nails* Even though this will be the 9th book I've written, nervousness and self-doubt is always there, lurking--been pursuing writing as career for eight years--sooo just part of the creative process. I'm learning to live with it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Luke, I am your mother. (kiddo corner)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This week has been a very chill one. It was spring break for the schools in our area, so a lot of the activities Lukey does were canceled this week. We did go to a local farm on Wednesday, wherein Lukey said baaaaaa to all the sheep and pointed to every car in the parking lot, twice. Yesterday we braved the raindrops and ran errands. Lukey got to play in the mall's playplace. He was a bit intimidated by all the kids at first, and then he found his groove. Today we have a playdate, and we were promised baked goods. HOLLA.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Pix for your viewing pleasure . . . </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Just keep swimming. (all the randomness)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did you know . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/0544ddc33648bea4032bbcbe4c62e94fc1f3887f/c=0-0-2292-1295&r=x329&c=580x326/local/-/media/2016/03/17/USATODAY/USATODAY/635938013320944253-XXX-D01-GILMORE-GIRLS-EPISODIC-01-DCOV-1286007.JPG" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Melissa McCarthy WILL return for 'Gilmore Girls' reboot after all??? SQUEEE. Check out the USA Today post </span><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/04/07/why-melissa-mccarthy-isnt-in-the-gilmore-girls-reboot-amy-sherman-palladino/82756718/" style="font-size: x-large;">here</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Enjoy my Friday Feed? Here's more to delight you.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/04/writing-outside-of-my-comfort-zone.html"><span style="font-size: large;">1 April</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/when-end-feels-soo-good-bunnies-eggs.html"><span style="font-size: large;">25 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/writing-words-fighting-plague-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">18 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/cry-me-riverof-words-writing-is-hard.html"><span style="font-size: large;">11 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/coffee-words-x-parenting-my-week.html"><span style="font-size: large;">19 February</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Procrastination is the mother of invention . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-35385517247576775142016-04-05T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-05T08:00:09.841-04:00The perfect breakfast for peeps on the go. Quality carbohydrates. Talk foodie to me :P #TryItTuesday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">It's a cracker that's like a cookie that's like a biscuit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Basically, belVita is the Matrix--of cereal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yeah. Mind blown. I know, right? </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Today's product: Belvita Breakfast Biscuits</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where to find: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/belVita-Breakfast-Biscuits-Cinnamon-Brown/dp/B00RGL7EAA/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1459803167&sr=8-4&keywords=belvita+biscuit">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nabisco-belVita-Cinnamon-Brown-Sugar-Breakfast-Biscuits-1.76-oz-5-count/21467427">Walmart</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Average cost: $3 to more (depends on amount, flavor, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lasts: Until you finish eating them or the expiration date, whichever happens first</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Why is this such a great cracker/biscuit/thingy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) They're </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">delicious</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Yummy in your tummy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) They're SO </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">convenient</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Shove a pack into your pocket, purse, booksack, or bag . . . annnd, go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) They've got a ton of </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">variety</span><span style="font-size: large;"> for a myriad of palates. Chocolate, blueberry, cinnamon, honey oat, etc. Plus, get them in the soft/fluffy variety or as mini bites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) They're totally </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">versatile</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Eat them alone or crumbled into yogurt or oatmeal. Slather 'em in peanut butter and honey. Do you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ohh</span><span style="font-size: large;">, just thought of a fifth, they can be breakfast, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">second breakfast</span><span style="font-size: large;">, or a snack for you and the toddler. Toddlers love crackers and cookies. Trust me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Buy in bulk from your big box store. That's how we roll. Holla.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do you breakfast? Or second breakfast? What eat you?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/keepin-hot-hot-and-cold-cold-likeaboss.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Klean Kanteen</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-book-fell-on-my-head-i-can-only-blame.html"><span style="font-size: large;">KidKraft Bookshelf</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/horses-and-ducks-and-trucksoh-my-neigh.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Little Blue Truck</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/wink-blink-bat-em-cos-eyes-have-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-many-uses-of-jojoba-get-your-oil-on.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Jojoba Oil</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Freezing Herbs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Disposable Bibs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Toddler proofing cupboards</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Snoozies (slippers)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nongshim Shin Noodles</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nivea Lotion</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Cooking dinner, listening to Mozart, and trying to keep the toddler from climbing into the hot oven . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-80850079861397946732016-04-04T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-04T08:00:32.501-04:005 elements you'll need when writing a story, no matter the genre... #amwriting #MondayMotivation<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Monday Motivation . . . Writerly things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stories can be simple or complex.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They can be about anything from small-town firefighters to alien invaders to princesses who shift into firefighting werewolves from Mars. You get the idea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But all stories have FIVE things in common . . . </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Plot. Characters. Conflict. Theme. Setting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c6I24S72Jps" width="560"></iframe><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Setting sets the scene</span>. Gives the where and when.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Plot</span> is the action. A series of events. <span style="color: magenta;">A quest for satisfaction<span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Characters </span>are the people in the story who <span style="color: magenta;">carry out the action</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Conflict</span> has something going wrong. A <span style="color: magenta;">struggle in the plot </span>(internal and external).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Theme</span> is the main idea. The <span style="color: magenta;">central belief</span>. Usually something abstract.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out where you want your story to go, but if you break it down into manageable elements, it can seem less daunting. I'm actually using this process for a story proposal I'm working on at the moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, go back to the bare-bones of the story. You'll work it out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">You got this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Story prompt:</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Want more motivation? Who doesn't? Check out more of my Monday posts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/10-writing-tips-that-can-help-most.html"><span style="font-size: large;">10 Writing Tips That Can Help Most Anyone</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/creative-prompt-immediate-goal-focused.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Creative prompt + Immediate goal = Focused muse</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/doesnt-just-keep-you-alive-it-keeps.html"><span style="font-size: large;">It Keeps Imaginary Friends Alive</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/writers-write-its-what-we-do-sometimes.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes writing is hard</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/motivation-need-some-five-tips-for.html"><span style="font-size: large;">5 Tips to Find Motivation</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-is-post-youre-looking-for-star.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Star Wars on Writing</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Working it out . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-43516335604361411402016-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-01T08:00:02.789-04:00Writing outside of my comfort zone + Toddlers x Pancakes = Madness #FridayFeed<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Feed . . . Doing things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Call me Karen. (writing words)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sooo, there's this anthology. And I'm putting together a proposal to see if my idea will be accepted. If it is, it'll be published next year. It's wayyy out of my normal genre--historical romance set between 1852 and 1912--but a challenge that I'm excited about. Cut to . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">. . . me this week, only without the make-up and still in my pajamas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After much staring at the computer and surfing the crazy waves of the interwebs, I have finally landed on a year, an event, and a theme. HOLLA. Or what did they say in the early 1900s? Good job-eth? Just kidding. Clearly, imma rock a historical. Now, extensive research needs to be done, and I gotta get crackin' on my pitch, blurb, and synopsis--normally, I write those things AFTER the book is complete. Erm, so, yeah. I'm kind of terrified all around. And with the proposal deadline of 18 April coming up, I have to buckle down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Will keep you posted.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Luke, I am your mother. (kiddo corner)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://45.media.tumblr.com/6f45f30f7fbe71623656d16b1041e98e/tumblr_o34dl6qChn1tr11rio1_250.gif" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My boy had his 18 month well-check at the pediatrician Thursday. He did great. His doctor said--after watching him carry things back and forth, read a book, eat all the snacks, and try to unroll an entire roll of that crinkly disposable paper that's on the exam table--that Lukey is a very busy boy, and she loved seeing that. Only had one vaccine this time, and he didn't even cry--until the nurse put the band-aid on. Clearly, the scariest part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also had playdates and story time at the library this week. And a friend gave Lukey a kid-friendly slide. So he's having a blast mastering it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the weekend, he became a parrot. He's repeating so many words now. His latest faves are airplane (aewpun), giraffe (raff), owl (owwell), and elephant (laphant).</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Pix for your viewing pleasure . . . </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Just keep swimming. (all the randomness)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This weekend the taxes must be done. Yiss. The deadline is looming. EEP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made a discovery. If you wash out deli meat plastic containers, empty cream cheese containers, etc...they make perfect disposable food containers for leftovers. Annnd, they're great to put cookies in to give to friends. That way you don't have to ask for expensive Tupperware back. Brilliant. I know, right? Also, washing out and re-using yogurt cups are the perfect sized bowl for toddlers to us on-the-go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Public service announcement: Lavender pancakes are delicious. If you've never had them, make them. Click <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/auberge-french-lavender-pancakes-with-lavender-honey-247657">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Enjoy my Friday Feed? Here's more to delight you.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/when-end-feels-soo-good-bunnies-eggs.html"><span style="font-size: large;">25 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/writing-words-fighting-plague-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">18 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/cry-me-riverof-words-writing-is-hard.html"><span style="font-size: large;">11 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/coffee-words-x-parenting-my-week.html"><span style="font-size: large;">19 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/turtle-power-fueled-by-pizza-coffee-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">12 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/words-toddlers-and-zombies-my-week-in.html"><span style="font-size: large;">5 February</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eating like a ninja turtle, dude . . . karen</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-26443390948013666052016-03-29T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-29T08:09:16.329-04:00Keepin' hot, HOT, and cold, COLD. #likeaboss #TryItTuesday #AmazonPrime #thermos <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Tired of your coffee going cold after ten minutes? Wish you had something to actually keep your smoothie from becoming juice? Want your ice water to stay icy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Lemme introduce you to your beverage future . . .</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Today's product: Klean Kanteen insulated thermos</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Where to find:</i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Klean-Kanteen-Insulated-Stainless-Albatross/dp/B0093ISCSC?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.kleankanteen.com/">Klean Kanteen</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Average cost: </i>$12 - $50 (depends on size, style, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lasts:</i> Still have mine after 3 years</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Why is this such a great thermos?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, it's<span style="color: magenta;"> extremely versatile</span>. With so many size and lid options, you can use it for almost anything. I have the 12 oz with a 'cafe' lid for coffee, the 16 oz for water or juice or iced coffee, and the 20 oz for smoothies or for a travel water. (When I make smoothies, I use the 'cafe' lid with this--different brand--<a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/set-of-4-stainless-steel-straws/s430856?b=1&a=1552&campaignid=206595536&adgroupid=13838805656&targetid=pla-75700689416&adpos=1o1&creative=44897459936&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjwrOO3BRCX55-L9_WojHoSJAAPxcSP52d0H3lmf-8kyLI-K9AZ-T2D8L0A68Dvulr4nhoYhxoCmeDw_wcB">straw</a>.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Second, they actually do what a thermos is meant to do:<span style="color: magenta;"> Keep hot things HOT and cold things COLD--for a long mothertrekkin' time. </span>Since having my lil wild man, drinking my morning coffee is no longer a leisurely endeavor. Thankfully, I have my kanteen because it keeps my coffee hot for almost three hours (with the 'cafe' lid). That way I actually get to drink my coffee hot without microwaving it twelve times. If I use the twist-hook cap then my coffee will stay hot for a good five-ish hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My hubby absolutely swears by his Klean Kanteen tumbler for drinking water at home. He'll make an ice water before work to take his vitamins, leave it on the counter, and when he comes home from work there's still ice in the water. It's cray awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Third, I love reusing a cup. Lemme explain . . . Washing dishes sucks. So, I'll totally use my coffee kanteen all week (rinse it out at the end of the day). That way I'm not dirtying a ton of dishes. <span style="color: magenta;">Thereby conserving water AND saving money.</span> It's pretty awesome to travel with too. That way at someone else's house I don't use a ton of their mugs. Plus, my coffee stays hot. HOLLA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition to being a fantastic product, the company also gives back. According to their site: " In 2008, Klean Kanteen became a member of <a href="http://onepercentfortheplanet.org/">1% for the Planet</a>, making a commitment to donate at least 1% of annual sales to non-profit organizations working to protect, preserve and restore the natural environment." </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Lastly, holy trek, all the color choices!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do you drink? What say you?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-book-fell-on-my-head-i-can-only-blame.html"><span style="font-size: large;">KidKraft Bookshelf</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/horses-and-ducks-and-trucksoh-my-neigh.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Little Blue Truck</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/wink-blink-bat-em-cos-eyes-have-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-many-uses-of-jojoba-get-your-oil-on.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Jojoba Oil</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Freezing Herbs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Disposable Bibs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Toddler proofing cupboards</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Snoozies (slippers)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nongshim Shin Noodles</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nivea Lotion</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Drinkin' . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-2299983131629702492016-03-28T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-28T08:15:04.916-04:00The C.S. Lewis Rules for Writing. #amwriting #writemotivation #WIP #MondayMotivation<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Monday Motivation . . . Writerly things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Always try to use the language so as to make <span style="color: magenta;">quite clear</span> what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn’t mean anything else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Always prefer the plain direct word to the long, vague one. <span style="color: magenta;">Don’t implement promises</span>, but keep them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. <span style="color: magenta;">Never use abstract nouns</span> when concrete ones will do. If you mean “More people died” don’t say “Mortality rose.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. In writing. Don’t use adjectives which merely tell us how you want us to feel about the things you are describing. I mean, instead of telling us the thing is “terrible,” describe it so that we’ll be terrified. <span style="color: magenta;">Don’t say it was “delightful”; make us say “delightful” when we’ve read the description.</span> You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers “Please, will you do my job for me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. <span style="color: magenta;">Don’t use words too big for the subject.</span> Don’t say “infinitely” when you mean “very”; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Source C. S. Lewis' <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684823721/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=letofnot-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0684823721">Letters to Children</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Want more motivation? Who doesn't? Check out my other Monday posts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/10-writing-tips-that-can-help-most.html"><span style="font-size: large;">10 Writing Tips That Can Help Most Anyone</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/creative-prompt-immediate-goal-focused.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Creative prompt + Immediate goal = Focused muse</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/doesnt-just-keep-you-alive-it-keeps.html"><span style="font-size: large;">It Keeps Imaginary Friends Alive</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/writers-write-its-what-we-do-sometimes.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes writing is hard</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/motivation-need-some-five-tips-for.html"><span style="font-size: large;">5 Tips to Find Motivation</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-is-post-youre-looking-for-star.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Star Wars on Writing</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Eating spaghetti and watching YouTube videos . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-4217421354884934312016-03-25T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-25T08:00:09.302-04:00When THE END feels SOO good. Bunnies, eggs, and other unrelated things. #amwriting #FridayFeed <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Feed . . . Doing things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Call me Karen. (writing words)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, this was me earlier this week. Why? Cos, I typed THE END on my first ever middle grade novel. HOLLA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*dances*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gotta say, this story... It's all the feels. And, believe me, I felt all of them writing it. I'm so, so very excited about this story. Don't tell the others, but it's my favorite. Shhhh. I said don't tell them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to just one POV (point-of-view) for this story. Normally, I do at least three. This one, I only heard the one voice. And it thrilled me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now I'm going through it to smooth out the first draft messiness, and then I plan to have it to my betas by the end of March.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then, hopefully, off to my <a href="http://www.daniellefine.com/">freelance editor</a> by the end of April/early May.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So. Excited.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Luke, I am your mother. (kiddo corner)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Been a low-key kind of week. Stayed home all week to make sure the Lukey was fully recovered from last week's plague. Thankfully, he is. Totally full of energy and an appetite that won't quit. WOOT. Currently, he's in the kitchen pulling out all the things from all the drawers. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Pix for your viewing pleasure . . . </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Just keep swimming. (all the randomness)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crazy week! Recovering from the plague and getting the house ready for fam. Excited to have family visiting for the Easter weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Enjoy my Friday Feed? Here's more to delight you.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/writing-words-fighting-plague-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">18 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/cry-me-riverof-words-writing-is-hard.html"><span style="font-size: large;">11 March</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/coffee-words-x-parenting-my-week.html"><span style="font-size: large;">19 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/turtle-power-fueled-by-pizza-coffee-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">12 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/words-toddlers-and-zombies-my-week-in.html"><span style="font-size: large;">5 February</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Reminder: This isn't the Hunger Games. Egg hunt responsibly . . . karen</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This bookshelf could totally be used for children's books or as a sleek magazine rack or a modern-minimalist chic bookcase for your every day reads and cookbooks. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Today's product: KidKraft Bookshelf, natural</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where to find: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MCVH4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Sling-Bookshelf/10747238">Walmart</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Average cost: <i>$35</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lasts: <i>Still have ours after 2 years</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Karen's rating: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Why is this such a great bookshelf?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hubs and I bought the natural color bookshelf for our son's nursery. We love it. I actually recently moved it to the living room, because so many of the toddler's books have ended up there. It looks great next to our fireplace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Currently, I have <span style="color: magenta;">27 board books</span> in this bookshelf. About 4 of those are fairly large books (wide) and another 5 or so are medium-sized and thick-ish books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">One</span>, it holds a ton.<span style="color: magenta;"> Two</span>, it doesn't scream I'm-a-kid's-bookcase-whoohoo-look-at-my-bright-arse-colors (there is a brighter version though, if primary colors are your <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MCVH4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00">thang</a>). <span style="color: magenta;">Three</span>, it can definitely grow with us. So, after the kiddo starts collecting more books than we can keep up with, I'll probably use this bookshelf in my dining room for cookbooks--so, it's totally versatile. <span style="color: magenta;">Four</span>, it was easy to put together (at least it was for my Hubs, I did lay out all the pieces and instructions) </span><span style="font-size: large;">with minimal cursing</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do you store your books? What say you?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/horses-and-ducks-and-trucksoh-my-neigh.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Little Blue Truck</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/wink-blink-bat-em-cos-eyes-have-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-many-uses-of-jojoba-get-your-oil-on.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Jojoba Oil</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Freezing Herbs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Disposable Bibs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Toddler proofing cupboards</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Snoozies (slippers)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nongshim Shin Noodles</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nivea Lotion</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Can't cook and drive, cos illegal--food truck facts . . . karen</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Monday Motivation . . . Writerly things and stuff.</span></div>
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This post by author Janet Fitch was extremely helpful and inspirational for me, and as a writer who often battles these issues on a daily basis, I could easily relate to what she had to say.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Below I've listed Janet's 10 tips and what they meant to me. Check out <a href="http://janetfitchwrites.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/10-writing-tips-that-can-help-anyone/">Janet's blog</a> for the full post and more helpful tidbits.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">1. Write the sentence, not just the story</span></div>
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This was something I'd actually never thought about until after I'd met my awesome freelance <a href="http://www.daniellefine.com/">editor</a>. I just wrote. Sure I'd gone back through the manuscript thousands (okay, maybe only hundreds) of times to annihilate adverbs and the evil <i>was </i>before I started querying, but I'd never actually thought about the story on it's most fundamental level...the sentence. I've become even more aware of this after writing a novella. Each sentence counts. Each word counts. After all the words are on the page, make sure to really analyze them. I love Janet's advice about reading aloud. It's kinda hard to do and way time consuming. But so worth it.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">2. Pick a better verb</span></div>
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I struggle with this one. Yes, I admit it, sometimes I fall into the one-size-fits-all custom made suit, as Janet describes it. I want to know all the words and be able to use them to carry greater meaning and enhance the theme of my stories, but it's a challenge. One that I am working on. <a href="http://thesaurus.com/">Thesaurus.com</a> is my best friend. I love it. I've even taken it out on dates. How you might ask... Erm, it's an app on my phone. Duh. The moral of Tip 2: Don't settle.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">3. Kill the cliché</span></div>
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Oh boy. It's so true what Janet says, "When you’re writing, anything you’ve ever heard or read before is a cliché." *readies the red pen* This one is a killer. Almost all of my first thoughts are a cliché. Sigh. On a positive note, I recognize it now. I try not to worry about it too much on my first drafts, but when I revise I start slashing away...tearing them down so I can build them back up. New and improved with my own Karen charm.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">4. Variety is the key</span></div>
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Sentence structure. Subjects and verbs and objects...oh myyy. I'm guilty of this. So, yeah, I have a thing for short sentences. Just do. Love. Them. Can you tell? Sometimes I wonder if it's partially because of my love for Twitter and that blue birdie's addictive 140 characters. Whether it is or it isn't, this is a shackle I'm aware of and I'm making an attempt to break free. You know? Switch it up.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">5. Explore sentences using dependent clauses</span></div>
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Okay, this is your freebie cos I just love how Janet puts it. "A dependent clause (a sentence fragment set off by commas, dontcha know) helps you explore your story by moving you deeper into the sentence. It allows you to stop and think harder about what you’ve already written. Often the story you’re looking for is inside the sentence. The dependent clause helps you uncover it."</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">6. Use the landscape</span></div>
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Don't know about you, but I'm a bare-bones kind of writer. At least I was until I started to get feedback from contests saying I needed more setting description. Challenge accepted. Another thing I've been actively working on is using landscape and setting as part of the story itself to set tone. Not just a way to give the characters location. Janet gives two great examples of authors to check out for help with this. Gotta check out her post to find out.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">7. Smarten up your protagonist</span></div>
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This one is uber important. The protagonist is that special someone your reader will connect with. Make sure (s)he is always "looking, thinking, wondering, remembering."</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">8. Learn to write dialogue</span></div>
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I love dialogue. It's one of my fave things to read and write. It's all about keeping it natural. Natural for your voice and for your characters'. It can take a lot of practice to get it right, but reading writers of great prose dialogue is extremely helpful. And practice. Read it aloud. Does it sound like something a real person would say? One of Janet's great tips: "Skip the meet and greet."</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">9. Write in scenes</span></div>
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Oh man. Janet's tip for scenes is perfect. I'm gonna be a big tease and totally make you check this one out on your own (<a href="http://janetfitchwrites.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/10-writing-tips-that-can-help-anyone/">here</a>). Bwa. Ha. Ha.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">10. Torture your protagonist</span></div>
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No problem there. I live for this. Dream about it even. I just keep throwing things at the protagonist until they probably hate me. But, I do reward them in the end. So just remember, "The more we love them, and the more cleverly we torture them along the lines of their greatest vulnerability and fear, the better the story."</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Want more motivation? Who doesn't? Check out my other Monday posts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/creative-prompt-immediate-goal-focused.html">Creative prompt + Immediate goal = Focused muse</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/doesnt-just-keep-you-alive-it-keeps.html">It Keeps Imaginary Friends Alive</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/writers-write-its-what-we-do-sometimes.html">Sometimes writing is hard</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/motivation-need-some-five-tips-for.html">5 Tips to Find Motivation</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/its-monday-bet-ya-didnt-know-there-was.html">Figurative Language</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-is-post-youre-looking-for-star.html">Star Wars on Writing</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-pantser-plotter-and-psychic-walk-into.html">Pantser or Plotter</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lie-or-lay-pulls-out-hair-which-one-is.html">Lie vs. Lay</a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/have-you-written-today-here-have-coffee.html">Word Count Goal</a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Currently being fed apple by my toddler . . . karen</span></div>
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For more on this post check out <a href="http://janetfitchwrites.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/10-writing-tips-that-can-help-anyone/">Janet Fitch's Blog</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-44976476695804515202016-03-18T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-18T08:00:08.987-04:00Writing words, fighting the plague, and searchin' for my pot o' gold! #amwriting #mommylife #FridayFeed<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Feed . . . Doing things and stuff.<br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Call me Karen. (writing words)</span></span><br /><br /><img src="https://missdreamymarie.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/writer-grrrr.gif" /><br /><br />That.<br /><br /> And then . . .<br /><br /><img src="https://twinningforbooks.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/books1.gif" /><br /><br />Yup. Been a mixed bag of emotions this week on the writing-front. Making progress though. I'm around 53k words, and I should only have about 2k left to go. HOLLA. <br /><br /> I'm soooo excited about this story. Writing a middle grade fantasy has been a wonderful, frustrating, scary, amazing journey of words. Can't wait to write The End and share my soul.<br /><br /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_ybNdDz5iz9aRjwpuDGmCoWAln_MPTlNYjHkhRTwUzFSV1CQWRw" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Luke, I am your mother. (kiddo corner)</span></span><br /><br />Omigosh, this has been a crazy week. Busy, busy bees here. Started over the weekend, trying to get things together for my DIY height chart project for Lukey (more on that below) and also trying to adjust to Daylight Savings Time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday only some of the things were done--even though, at the time, it felt like I was accomplishing a lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday we had story time at the library and had to cut our play time short for an emergency trip to a consignment shop for summer clothes. Cos, trekking-A it's suddenly 80 degrees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday morning we went to a friggin' awesome FREE farm that was sooo much fun. There were goats and sheep and peacocks and playground equipment and picnic tables and, and, and all the things. That afternoon we babysat Lukey's sweet girlfriend (teehee) for a bit, so that her parents could recuperate from the plague.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday was spent mostly cleaning puke and poop off the Lukey and off me. Four loads of laundry later, clothes are clean. Somebody wanna fold them for me?? Takers? Anyone? Yeah, don't blame ya. Laundry is the worst.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for today, who knows what surprises await.<br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Pix for your viewing pleasure . . . </span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Just keep swimming. (all the randomness) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/af/67/ae/af67ae50ab24258b42041094f7fa5dac.jpg" /><br /><br /> So, my DIY project. Update: first, there is no way in Hellz that this project cost only FIVE dollars (see below), unless the blogger had literally almost ALL the bloody materials to begin with--cos, I spent more than FIVE dollars on discount/mis-tinted paint. I digress. Second, most of my materials (paint, stencils, and brushes) have been purchased. Just gotta find a piece of fence post that hasn't been pressure-treated. Surprisingly hard. Third, despite the amount of work this project has turned out to be--and it isn't even technically started yet--I am seriously excited about it. LOL When it's finished, it's gonna be trekkin' cool, yo.<br /><br /><img height="400" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2014-11/12/19/enhanced/webdr02/enhanced-9299-1415840348-10.jpg" width="223" /><br />DIY directions <a href="http://www.thepinningmama.com/5-30-minute-wooden-growth-chart/">here</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #274e13;">In other news, Happy belated St. Patrick's Day! Hope your day was filled with good luck and cheer.</span><br /><br /><img src="http://photorator.com/photos/images/end-of-the-rainbow-at-skogafoss-falls-in-iceland-photo-by-tim-nevell--34362.jpg" /><br /><br />****<br /><span style="color: magenta;"><br />Enjoy my Friday Feed? Here's more to delight you.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/cry-me-riverof-words-writing-is-hard.html">11 March</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/coffee-words-x-parenting-my-week.html">19 February</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/turtle-power-fueled-by-pizza-coffee-and.html">12 February</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/words-toddlers-and-zombies-my-week-in.html">5 February</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/chuggin-coffee-slappin-keyboard-and.html">29 January</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/writing-words-cleaning-up-oatmeal.html">22 January</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/sings-i-will-i-will-write-you-and-other.html">15 January</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/what-does-banshee-do-in-between-wailing.html">8 January</a><br /><br />****<br /><span style="color: magenta;">Searching for the end of the rainbow . . . karen</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-14999696998599942232016-03-15T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-15T08:00:38.405-04:00Horses and ducks and trucks...oh my! Neigh. Quack. BEEP. #TryItTuesday #childrensbooks #amreading <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Looking for a fantastic children's book with just the right amount of words, beautiful illustrations, and a thoughtful message? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do I have the book for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Little Blue Truck</i> is a wonderful, fun read!</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Today's product: <i>Little Blue Truck</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where to find: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Blue-Truck-board-book/dp/0544568036/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457986567&sr=8-1&keywords=little+blue+truck">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.hmhbooks.com/littlebluetruck/">Blue's Website</a> | Library (FREE)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Average cost: $FREE to $25</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lasts: Until your kiddo destroys it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Karen's rating: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's so great about another truck book? Blue is relate-able, kind of like a little kid, learning and exploring the world around him. The best part for me (as an adult) is that the book number 1, isn't boring and has good rhythm when reading aloud. Number 2, has a simple, yet thoughtful message. Number 3, is illustrated in a lovely/rustic (not garish) manner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My 17-month-old has been all about this book since well before his first birthday. He enjoys when my hubby and I make the animal sounds, and he loves to point/find the animals. He brings us this book and another in the series (<i>Little Blue Truck's Christmas</i>) almost every night to read to him. Lots of times he'll get this book from his bookcase and climb onto the couch to look at it by himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another thing I love about this book/series: the toad. Blue and Toad are good friends. So sweet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, totally pumped for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Trucks-Halloween-Alice-Schertle/dp/0544772539/ref=pd_sim_21_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=61HuvKmW%2BQL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1EPTS5NTA0MCYYJ4YK09"><i>Little Blue Truck's Halloween</i></a>, releasing in July. WOOT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a favorite board book or children's series? What say you?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/wink-blink-bat-em-cos-eyes-have-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-many-uses-of-jojoba-get-your-oil-on.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Jojoba Oil</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Freezing Herbs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Disposable Bibs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Toddler proofing cupboards</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Snoozies (slippers)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nongshim Shin Noodles</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nivea Lotion</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Changing the toddler's <i>third</i> poop of the day . . . karen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-76751173390214325082016-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-14T08:00:15.283-04:00Creative prompt + Immediate goal = Focused muse #MondayMotivation #WriteOn #amwriting<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Monday Motivation . . . Writerly things and stuff. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Trouble on the word-front?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're struggling to make a plot point work or having issues with your characters sticking their tongues out in a ha-ha-I-do-what-I-want gesture, you may need to let your muse run wild and free for a hot second. Stories have a way of telling themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes taking a short break with a creative prompt and an immediately obtainable goal in mind really helps focus the wayward muse. Just remember when you begin this creative hiatus, to relax your mind and let your muse run free. This is the time to let your imagination go crazy. You never know what ideas will be sparked, and then you can regroup and hit the keys hard and fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Image result for writing inspiration" height="320" 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" 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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Creative prompt + Immediate goal = Focused muse</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Listen to music while browsing Pinterest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That scene when the hero and heroine make up after a huge fight isn't feeling natural? Set a limit of ten songs and search pictures of couples fighting or kissing to pin that perfect emotion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Watch a random TV show for 30 minutes while folding laundry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make sure the TV show isn't the same genre as you write. You'll be amazed how stepping outside of your character's world can give you perspective and ignite ideas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Take a walk or walk your toddler/dog/emu while imagining you are your story's antagonist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's important to make sure your villains feel real on the page. And like all real people, they have everyday tasks to perform. What would your villain be thinking as he/she walks down the street?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Listen to an audio book while doing dishes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hearing someone tell a story has a wonderful impact on the muse. Plus, you'll be feeling way accomplished now that you don't have to use the same coffee mug for the fifth day in a row. Just sayin'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">And my all-time-fave . . . Go for a drive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When windows are down and music is up, magic happens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once you've had a short break, it's back to the keyboard! Write those words. Tell your story. Because only you can bring your characters to life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Want more motivation? Who doesn't? Check out my other Monday posts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/03/doesnt-just-keep-you-alive-it-keeps.html"><span style="font-size: large;">It Keeps Imaginary Friends Alive</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/writers-write-its-what-we-do-sometimes.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes writing is hard</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/motivation-need-some-five-tips-for.html"><span style="font-size: large;">5 Tips to Find Motivation</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/its-monday-bet-ya-didnt-know-there-was.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Figurative Language</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-is-post-youre-looking-for-star.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Star Wars on Writing</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-pantser-plotter-and-psychic-walk-into.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Pantser or Plotter</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lie-or-lay-pulls-out-hair-which-one-is.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Lie vs. Lay</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/have-you-written-today-here-have-coffee.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Word Count Goal</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Pounding coffee and trying to remember my name . . . </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920349957061612653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720721030970850341.post-90460393397238552882016-03-11T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-11T08:39:10.330-05:00Cry me a river...of words. Writing is hard. Not writing is harder. #amwriting #WIP #FridayFeed<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Feed . . . Doing things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Call me Karen. (writing words)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So me this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, the tears were cos getting back into the writing groove was difficult, since I'd been gone the week before visiting family and wrote a total of a hundred-ish words. Seriously, momentum is key for me. Second, I've had several crazy emotional scenes this week, which is good, but also. EEK. All the feels. Third, sometimes it's just hard to, erm, words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had hoped to be typing The End on my middle grade novel this weekend, but I'm beginning to think it might be another week-ish. I'm cool with that. I kinda don't want the story to be over. Except, I also kinda do. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Luke, I am your mother. (kiddo corner)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Big week for the Lukey. He totally played chase/hide-and-seek at the library after story time. He also discovered that he has a love/hate relationship with puzzles--loves to dump out the pieces but hates that they don't automatically put themselves immediately back into place for dumping again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Had a zoo playdate with a couple of new mommy friends. Total blast! On the drive there he was soooo SOOOO excited to see/point to every car on the interstate. Ohhh, and one of the mommies recommended a truck tunes video on You Tube. Now, he's obsessed with it. LOL Watch the dump truck clip . . . I bet dump-dump-dump-it will be stuck in your head too. You're welcome.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Pix for your viewing pleasure . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5XrXtJ-6XjS-MwghSfmKe_GJTiQa1BUFEonCo2mp4wvon_AKOoKdFXM-nDW0ib6alhxDTjBocMzox1lG8164uiclWSkfXBW7VCwGd81KtXQrpFashY_GLG7lbO9pMtrjsk9N1iQWfy2E/s1600/IMG_20160301_154603131_TOP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5XrXtJ-6XjS-MwghSfmKe_GJTiQa1BUFEonCo2mp4wvon_AKOoKdFXM-nDW0ib6alhxDTjBocMzox1lG8164uiclWSkfXBW7VCwGd81KtXQrpFashY_GLG7lbO9pMtrjsk9N1iQWfy2E/s320/IMG_20160301_154603131_TOP.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUBaiYlJgy1n3uDquLK_uJAe4Bc_YEeTVbr3BSn7ORa988V3CpgMqeM6M2n6xThIonV2L5nonSbs3q16yxqB5HmtG6Tyl-RQRWRcAcArlBoHQaWC6zyniNv8dgZwqcODtq7IAk-6ms8Av/s1600/IMG_20160222_103018293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUBaiYlJgy1n3uDquLK_uJAe4Bc_YEeTVbr3BSn7ORa988V3CpgMqeM6M2n6xThIonV2L5nonSbs3q16yxqB5HmtG6Tyl-RQRWRcAcArlBoHQaWC6zyniNv8dgZwqcODtq7IAk-6ms8Av/s320/IMG_20160222_103018293.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Just keep swimming. (all the randomness) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I've discovered something. Did you know that <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.groupon&hl=en">Groupon</a> has an app??? Ohh, yes. There IS an app for that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Exactly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Um, it's pretty awesome. So, yeah. You've probably guessed: I live under a rock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ohhh, AND I'm going to attempt one of those things you pin on Pinterest and never look at again. Yup, it's happening. Buying supplies this weekend. What is it you ask. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*drum roll please*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A wooden growth chart for Lukey. Will keep ya posted. Get it??? Hahahaha. Didn't even plan that.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img height="400" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2014-11/12/19/enhanced/webdr02/enhanced-9299-1415840348-10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="221" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DIY directions <a href="http://www.thepinningmama.com/5-30-minute-wooden-growth-chart/">here</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Totally related, cos, chart/graph. Same thing, right? Um, anyway, found the below graph by accident. Thought it was coolness. So, ya know, sharing it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Enjoy my Friday Feed? Here's more to delight you.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/coffee-words-x-parenting-my-week.html"><span style="font-size: large;">19 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/turtle-power-fueled-by-pizza-coffee-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">12 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/words-toddlers-and-zombies-my-week-in.html"><span style="font-size: large;">5 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/chuggin-coffee-slappin-keyboard-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">29 January</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/writing-words-cleaning-up-oatmeal.html"><span style="font-size: large;">22 January</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/sings-i-will-i-will-write-you-and-other.html"><span style="font-size: large;">15 January</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/what-does-banshee-do-in-between-wailing.html"><span style="font-size: large;">8 January</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">So, Saturday, spring-forward, America . . . karen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Ever wonder if there's a mascara that actually mascaras instead of does fifty thousand other things?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guess what? There is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Meet my favorite.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Today's product: Bare Minerals Flawless Definition</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where to find:<i> <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1400056">Ulta</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bareminerals-Flawless-Definition-Mascara-Fluid/dp/B002IDPHBE/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457377441&sr=8-2&keywords=bare+mineral+mascara">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.bareescentuals.com/bareMinerals-Flawless-Definition-Mascara---Black/USmasterflawless,en_US,pd.html">Bare Minerals</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Average cost: <i>$16 to $19</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lasts:<i> Approximately three to four months for me. If I haven't finished it by then it starts to dry out in the tube. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Karen's rating: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What makes this mascara so awesome?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">First</span>, there are none of these scary things in it: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Formulated<span style="color: magenta;"> WITHOUT</span>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- Parabens</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Sulfates</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Synthetic Fragrance</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Synthetic Dyes</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- Phthalates</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Second</span>, one of the ingredients is jojoba oil--which, I love--so HOLLA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Third</span>, the thing it claims about its wand (tapered wand lengthens, darkens and lifts, separating each individual lash for precision definition) is TRUE. Crazy, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="320" src="http://images.prod.meredith.com/product/662f983e81ce040183b8ff87bb65adab/2f54103cb7deb52c720638ae9354f13f0ae8b77a86e3ca8c5b86c04a6ffd4511/l/bareminerals-flawless-definition-mascara-black" width="256" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Flawless definition? Accurate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">****</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a waterproof version of this same mascara. I used it for years and years, but then my local beauty store stopped carrying it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I tried the non-waterproof version. Honestly, I like it better. The waterproof version dried out quicker. Plus, the non-waterproof version is super easy to remove. And it really does stay in place through a few tears. Now, if you went swimming, it might give you raccoon eyes. Just sayin'.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For every day wear, it's hands down my fave mascara. Ohh, and if I want a little more glam, I do three coats before it completely dries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a favorite mascara? What say you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">****</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-many-uses-of-jojoba-get-your-oil-on.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Jojoba Oil</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Freezing Herbs</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Disposable Bibs</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Toddler proofing cupboards</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Snoozies (slippers)</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nongshim Shin Noodles</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Nivea Lotion</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">****</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Yes, they're real . . . karen</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Monday Motivation . . . Writerly things and stuff. </span><br />
<br />
The way to a writer's heart--besides buying their books and leaving glowing reviews--<br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Food. </span></span><br />
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It's important. You may get so involved in your characters and their world that you kinda forget you actually live in this one. But! never fear, your inner hunger will eventually remind you. And when it does, keep in mind these 7 foods that will help with brain power and concentration.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.trueactivist.com/7-natural-brain-foods-for-cognition-and-concentration/"><img src="http://eatdrinkpaleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/paleo_food_pyramid.jpg" height="320" width="299" /></a><br />
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1. <span style="color: magenta;">Walnuts</span> - and they actually look like little <span style="color: magenta;">brains</span>. Go figure!<br />
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2. <span style="color: magenta;">Coffee</span> - surprised? Now the overly sugary drinks aren't the recommended ones. I know, sad face, right? But a cup or two of regular coffee first thing in the morning has been shown to help with brain <span style="color: magenta;">focus and concentration</span>.<br />
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3. <span style="color: magenta;">Dark chocolate</span> - the caffeine and brain-protecting antioxidants do the same as coffee.<span style="color: magenta;"> Sweet, right?</span> However, too much of a good thing can be just that. <br />
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4. <span style="color: magenta;">Berries</span> - they're the best anti-aging food around. Plus, they <span style="color: magenta;">protect</span> the brain from oxidative stress.<br />
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5. <span style="color: magenta;">Spinach</span> - whaa? Popeye didn't eat it for nothing! It's chocked full of vitamin E, which helps increase brain tissue and dopamine that control the <span style="color: magenta;">flow of information</span> to the brain. <br />
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6. <span style="color: magenta;">Carrots</span> - they help to <span style="color: magenta;">restore memory</span>. Forgetting what color your hero's eyes are? Go all Bugs Bunny. It'll help! <br />
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7. <span style="color: magenta;">Fish</span> - why? Omega 3, baby! This will give your <span style="color: magenta;">brain </span>a huge <span style="color: magenta;">boost</span>! And eating it weekly will help reduce the risk of stroke. <br />
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****</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now, where to go to write?</span></span></span><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You'd think your local coffee shop, right? Well, according to some research, this can be distracting. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://menwithpens.ca/best-places-to-write/">Men with Pens</a> say their number one pick for a writing cave is</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*drum roll*</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THE LIBRARY<br />
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<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Graz_University-Library_reading-room.jpg" height="300" width="400" /><br />
<br />
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of writing in a coffee shop anyway. I'm too easily distra--<br />
<br />
SQUIRREL.<br />
<br />
I'm definitely a fan of editing in a coffee shop--wait, there's seriously a squirrel outside my window, never mind it's a leaf--but for the writing part, I do my best work at home. Having a routine and a familiar spot is helpful for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Brew coffee, fill thermos, sit in favorite chair, torment imaginary people. Repeat. </span><br />
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What about you? Where's your fave place to write? Any rituals you must follow before the words can be written?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiZy2YvDoLRMQ9XuqHoot3SkJboSCMXIhw8zu6j9nEVtpvthL-QTZXHFL5npl-lckeES0Gkg1n2ujl7wPSA2tXC7MWOY74kmM7EEzM9DKk7ZjpjhkDkgaOHpD6B1UAijKzYw_jRe3sL-WYnkXl2jlu13oBMZ8V2w2_OXy7oA7H_tw8EqKcbhEBpjpyXBBoq01f4RxG-SzFReUXTP2zK19KuJcUjABjduYauMpsUc2gY5BBKmr0s0HQ1Hz-I9m1YcTy2XPYjYB-9tqTNEAxro18=" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">****<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Want more motivation? Who doesn't? Check out my other Monday posts.</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/writers-write-its-what-we-do-sometimes.html">Sometimes writing is hard</a><br />
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/motivation-need-some-five-tips-for.html">5 Tips to Find Motivation</a><br />
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/its-monday-bet-ya-didnt-know-there-was.html">Figurative Language</a><br />
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-is-post-youre-looking-for-star.html">Star Wars on Writing</a><br />
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-pantser-plotter-and-psychic-walk-into.html">Pantser or Plotter</a><br />
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lie-or-lay-pulls-out-hair-which-one-is.html">Lie vs. Lay</a><br />
<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/have-you-written-today-here-have-coffee.html">Word Count Goal</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">****</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Brought to you by bean salad and psychedelic mushrooms . . . karen </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Hi, friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjZhiZLAG9xQHaRDkp4tqoir3x9Z3sh1KeR5wI3lrhfC8vJZeEMJ9dgX1INp4feuBdAPGyoh9rb9QZqVjfiwaW4LVRAt1iTAxssa_QfoDFY2eWpjvATT7l5WMuagNZtNISCRn-IDGuhqkP8WuogvCH50PqmHzGGCvHjYjbn4xO3SNBeUnAovGUa3RPCZt4OZI2-qC2kjfED0Ot-eSQc96G6Z2PIBdhnTUmh-w=" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sooo, I'm going on<span style="color: magenta;"> hiatus</span>. I know, <span style="color: magenta;">I'll miss you</span> too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh9knhBrZtTn3vMRDkkIzFqIW4hQI2j70_Lc1Fq30ukA3TGL5uJwA5mkqIrH7aWKlfKJqfcP7-SkU629aMk2dR9AZr-FDlJAT2wREy10B9chWwnMiVUqRLaiiaUduhGpX5Win55qh2AK-exfH0xwSWTplE72HusGw=" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*licks your tears*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I've taken you on an emotional GIF roller coaster . . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Here's a prezzie for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Gv0H-vPoDc" width="560"></iframe><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just like Harry, I'll be back.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Returning on 7 March.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Doing all the things and stuff, so you don't have to . . . karen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Friday Feed . . . Doing things and stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Call me Karen. (writing words)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of staring at the screen and twiddling my thumbs this week. BUT, words were written. Progress is happening. And, if I can keep going at my current pace, my middle grade novel should be finished--erm, first draft anyway--by the end of March. WOOT. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm at that point in the novel where I start to feel like it's crap. I'm crap. Everything is crap. You know? Ever feel like that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm pushin' past it though. Cos, this story needs to be told. Plus, I can so clearly see the climax (black moment) for my heroine. It actually makes me get a lump in my throat and go all teary-eyed when I think about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*cues all the emotions*</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Luke, I am your mother. (kiddo corner)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lukey has learned to climb on and off the couch BY HIMSELF. Omigosh, he's growing up so fast. It's cray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He can also reach the power button on the front of the TV. If he learns how to operate the tablet, he'll be casting Netflix...it'll be <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3590338/">Puffin Rock</a> ALL the time. He loves that show, btw. There are sooo many, many kid shows that just suck. Or are annoying. Or both.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Puffin Rock is different. The Hubs and I are actually excited for season two to release in May. LOL </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Pix for your viewing pleasure . . . </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Just keep swimming. (all the randomness) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sooo, it snowed all day on Monday, and then, Tuesday happened and it was springtime. Coastal Virginia weather is INSANE in the brain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Totally binged on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3012184/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Betas</a>. It's an Amazon Prime show. Kinda like HBO's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2575988/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Silcon Valley</a>, but a little less gritty. Both shows are pretty cool. Just waiting for Silcon Valley to gimme a new season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul are back. HOLLA. Are you watching? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saw Deadpool for Valentine's. LOVED it. Even the opening credits were awesome. To be honest, I don't normally read them, but I read all of these. <span style="color: magenta;">My fave was: The Writers...the real superheroes. </span>Hahaha. So true. So true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><u>NOTE: Just like your favorite TV shows, I too am taking a hiatus. Don't worry, I'll be back on 7 March. </u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BONUS: My local RWA chapter is having our annual conference on 5 March in Williamsburg, VA. So if you can make it, come on out. More info <a href="https://chesapeakeromancewriters.wordpress.com/conference/">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Enjoy my Friday Feed? Here's more to delight you.</span></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/turtle-power-fueled-by-pizza-coffee-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">12 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/words-toddlers-and-zombies-my-week-in.html"><span style="font-size: large;">5 February</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/chuggin-coffee-slappin-keyboard-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">29 January</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/writing-words-cleaning-up-oatmeal.html"><span style="font-size: large;">22 January</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/sings-i-will-i-will-write-you-and-other.html"><span style="font-size: large;">15 January</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/what-does-banshee-do-in-between-wailing.html"><span style="font-size: large;">8 January</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">More cheese, please . . . karen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Try It Tuesday . . . Wherein I review things and stuff.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It does all the things!</span></span><br /><br />When I first bought jojoba oil, I mainly thought I'd use it as a carrier oil* for essential oils. But, holy crow, it has so many uses (for hair, skin, nails). Duude.<br /><br />Yeah, I don't know much about essential oils. Other than, quality oils come in dark bottles. So when I bought this one, I was like, coolio.<br /><br />*also known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy<br /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgXudI4ZSPCj_0GokzK6-4xdTAGqaYD68wG6mG7kHl1SX8_mPuDFkxLANZ-VoEPSxnj9DJ7dzug2xUcNVwBuh5DwT1LCzXY-vbWu3i-Z9RM8MRLr3JVDYNCAZ7rs6xzM88Uay7aqB1HBrwl8CJoZ5MnStZiP4hL_vjmza240L_NlVglbNWI5dqeRjg=" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br />Today's product: Jojoba Oil</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Where to find: </span><i>Oil shops? Is that a thing? I bought mine on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VSH7LAG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage">Amazon</a>.</i><br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Average cost: </span><i>$7.00 to $50.00</i><br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Lasts: </span><i>I use it every day (twice a day all over my face and once a day for eye make-up remover), and I've had my 4oz bottle for two months--and I haven't ran out yet.</i><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Karen's rating: </span></span><br /><br /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRe_89rARu0U2oUA0Ofl88i29QQlRMMCBMOCj59OqPP9WFJY3M0A" /><br /><br /><br />Jojoba oil has been awesome, because <span style="color: magenta;">first of all</span> it replaced my eye make-up remover, my facial moisturizer, and my aftershave (for legs/underarms/whoha). So, instead of having three things taking up space on my bathroom counter-top, I now have one. Booyah.<br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Secondly</span>, the schzit works. It's helped smooth out and calm my rosacea. It has made my eyelashes less brittle (so they don't fall out all the time) and they've gotten thicker cos they're healthier.<br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Thirdly</span>, I mixed it with a little rose hip oil, and it has practically made the fine-lines/wrinkles around my eyes and mouth invisible. <br /><br />I'm just pumped that I gave this stuff a shot. Really wasn't expecting much, but I've kinda fallen in love with it. Plus, it's <span style="color: magenta;">organic and chemical free</span>. Which is pretty awesome in itself. <br /><br />****<br /><br /><a href="http://ausnz.mrbeanbodycare.com/blogs/news/17004440-jojoba-oil-benefits-for-hair-skin-and-face">More uses</a> and <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/140756-skin-benefits-jojoba-oil/">skin benefits</a> for your reading pleasure.<br /><br /><img height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e0/be/58/e0be5873791a264c2b595e6319129e63.jpg" width="261" /><br /><br />Heard of this? Used it? What say you?<br /><br />****<br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Wanna see more red balloons go by? Thought so. Check out my previous reviews*</span><br />*Reviews are my own opinions, I am not paid to promote any items.<br /><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-freeze-herbsand-get-away-with-it.html">Freezing Herbs</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/02/theres-disposable-for-that-huh-whatll.html">Disposable Bibs</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/lost-toddler-check-cupboards-hiding-new.html">Toddler proofing cupboards</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/cozy-comfy-cheap-three-cs-of-sock.html">Snoozies (slippers)</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-hot-its-hot-its-hot-in-here-there.html">Nongshim Shin Noodles</a><br /><a href="http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/2016/01/does-your-shower-save-you-time-and-give.html">Nivea Lotion</a><br /><br />****<br /><br /><span style="color: magenta;">Oily is the new black . . . karen</span></span></div>
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