Remembering what is important...is important!

While in college, I always dreamed of life after graduation and what I would be doing. Whether it be a CEO of a small company, a director of a fortune 500, or a day trader on Wall Street. I had so many aspirations and dreams when it came to my professional career.

For those of you who don't know, I write, I read, and I have a degree in Finance and Economics.
I like to think that I am multi-talented.

I imagined, no...daydreamed, I would be an important piece of a strategic business plan and would attend meetings in a huge conference room and help with hard decisions. Now, as I have the job that allows me to sit in those "important" meetings, I realize that it really isn't all that it is cut out to be. Today, I sat in a 4 hour meeting. It wasn't terrible but it gave me a headache. That was my college girl dream. If I could go back and relive those years of my college life....

I guess the point of this entry is, sometimes, we wish for things because we imagine they are going to be amazing. My goal is to start being thankful for moments when they happen. Lately, I have found myself thinking back to times that were easier or different. Maybe having what I wanted was not what I wanted after all?

So, Momma was right. I really should be careful what I wish for! 2012 was my year of awakening. So many exciting things have happened and I have somehow been able to decipher what is really important in life and what isn't. I have tried to cut the unnecessary stress and really focus on things that make me happy, like writing and audio book recording. So far, I think my decision of dropping some of the extra was the right one.

Life is too short to spend worrying and stressing over things that aren't really that important. Every minute we spend wasting on unimportant things, is a minute of our lives we will never be able to relive again. Use your time wisely. Sometimes one must look at the big picture of life and determine if the tasks, or the things we wish and want, are really worth it in the long haul. Don't waste your life, spend it living and enjoying every second you have.

We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.
-The great, Carl Sagan

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Disclaimer: I am not complaining about my job. I just always imagined it would be, well different. Without work , I would not be in the same place I am financially. I am completely and utterly thankful for being able to work. 1500 people applied for my position and out of those 1500 people, I made the cut and I will always and forever be grateful for the opportunity.

Black E-Holiday Giveaway: Winner Announced.

AND THE WINNER IS....



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Congratulations Patricia for winning 29 books plus a $5 Amazon Giftcard (to choose a book of your liking!) How exciting! Let us know how you enjoy your new titles!!! :)

Also, I would like to thank everyone for participating in Dawna and I's first annual E-Holiday Weekend Giveaway.  I had never done a giveaway before and wouldn't have if it weren't for Dawna allowing me to jump in on her awesome idea. (Yes, she totally thought of this!)

We plan to do this again next year, so keep your eyes open. I am sure this won't be the first or last one we host. A special thanks goes to Curiosity Quills Press, Cody Underwood, and everyone who helped spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, Google +! We appreciate you!! Wishing you all a Happy Holidays!

Courtney

I survived Black Friday and other things!

Black Friday is one of my holiday traditions. I don't usually shop in hopes of getting big ticket items and hate waiting in the long lines. Last year, I went for 16 gig flash drives for $8 bucks and the $2 dvds at Walmart. I am one of those people who is heavily addicted to electronics. Love, love LOVE them! When I found out Wal-Mart would be selling a 24 inch HD tv for $78 bucks, I knew I had to have it. 

  This was the line on my right-hand side when I went to check out. I have learned that the end lanes tend to become bottle necked, so try to make your way to the middle! 

 

This is the left side! Talk about long lines!!  Notice everyone had TV's in their baskets.

  

They had us line up in the garden center. I thought it was a little odd but it helped clear up the electronics section.

This nifty card guaranteed my spot! I was pretty excited. The lady in front of me was kind of mean or maybe she had a dry sense of humor, but I couldn't tell. She decided she didn't want to wait any longer and left. I turned around 20 minutes later and she was at the back of the line. lol.
I waited in line for 45 minutes.

 

Black Friday officially marked the first day of the Christmas Holiday Season. It was nice standing in the garden center. I got to view the christmas tree's and ornaments. The hubby was stuck in the produce section and even though he had a card, he didn't get the TV he wanted.

After we left Wal-Mart, we went to Gander Mountain and then waited outside of Best Buy but ended up returning the next day and bought a 32 inch TV to use as a studio monitor! 

 

They don't know I took this picture. Will and Garrett were working. But this is the new set up with the black friday deals. Look at that HUGE screen!!

I had a great 4 days off from work and got a lot accomplished. The mega tree isn't completed yet and the lights aren't on the house. Sheesh. Whenever I get home tomorrow, the plan is to finish that. I worked on some of my audio book project but had some family and friends come in from out of town, so didn't get a chance to complete it and I am making headway on editing the novel. 

Dawna and I have an ebook contest that ends in just a few hours! I cannot wait to see who wins! Oh and speaking of winning...I won $50 from playing football squares AND I won a book from goodreads! It has been a wonderful week. 

Countdown to my 13 day vacation begins now! 19 DAY UNTIL VACATION and I have nothing planned! WOOHOO!!! lol.

 

 

 

Less than 24 hours left to enter to win 20+ eBooks!

Thanks Cody Underwood for designing our awesome banner.

Black Friday is behind us and Cyber Monday is approaching at a steady pace. Monday brings Christmas prep (if you haven't already put up the tree or decorated your work desk), and with that begins the work week (for most of us).

Don't let the holiday blues get the best of you... Dawna Raver and I want to give you 20+ ebooks that are out of this world!

ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN EACH OF THESE TITLES!!!

A perfect selection of titles to last you through 2013! That's right . . . . 

 ONE WINNER + THIRTY BOOKS = A HAPPY HOLIDAY READER! 

WHICH COULD BE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

We know what it is like to love books and wanted to share the love of reading (and giving)!

MAKE SURE TO VISIT DAWNA'S BLOG AND TELL HER HELLO!!!! 

(international participants are welcome to enter!)

Giveaway begins Nov 22, 2012 at 12:01 EST and ends Nov 26, 2012 at 12:01 EST.

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

Some entries can be completed daily (like tweeting!), so come back and visit!

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Want to win some of books? Black E-Holiday Giveaway is Live!

I hope the brave survived black Friday and everyone was safe. I would like to announce that Dawna and I's, giveaway is still trucking along. Don't miss out on your chance to win some amazing titles! Seriously! Go HERE to view the original post and see the titles up for grabs!

We have a list of 30 amazing titles up for grabs for ONE LUCKY WINNER!!!

A perfection selection of titles to last you through 2013!

That's right . . . . ONE WINNER + THIRTY BOOKS = A HAPPY HOLIDAY READER! 

Thanks Cody Underwood for designing our awesome banner.

We know what it is like to love books and wanted to share the love of reading (and giving)!

MAKE SURE TO VISIT DAWNA'S BLOG AND TELL HER HELLO!!!!

(international participants are welcome to enter!)

Giveaway begins Nov 22, 2012 at 12:01 EST and ends Nov 26, 2012 at 12:01 EST.

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

Some entries can be completed daily (like tweeting!), so come back and visit!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Black E-Holiday Weekend Giveaway! ENTER NOW!!!

Don't wait for Santa to stuff your stockings because Dawna Raver and I want to stuff your e-reader full of amazing titles! There is no need to wait in line or fight a crazy crowd for this HOT deal. Today, I am excited to announce, we are kicking off our FIRST ANNUAL Black E-Holiday Weekend Giveaway. Squee! Super Squee!!

We have a list of 30 amazing titles up for grabs for ONE LUCKY WINNER!!!

A perfection selection of titles to last you through 2013!

That's right . . . . ONE WINNER + THIRTY BOOKS = A HAPPY HOLIDAY READER! 

Thanks Cody Underwood for designing our awesome banner.

We know what it is like to love books and wanted to share the love of reading (and giving)!

MAKE SURE TO VISIT DAWNA'S BLOG AND TELL HER HELLO!!!!

(international participants are welcome to enter!)

Giveaway begins Nov 22, 2012 at 12:01 EST and ends Nov 26, 2012 at 12:01 EST.

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

Some entries can be completed daily (like tweeting!), so come back and visit!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The winner will receive each one of these titles!! 

Enter now to win! :) 

Just incase you don't want to wait to win, each one of these titles are 99 cents through the holiday weekend! To find out more information you can check out:

http://curiosityquills.com/the-black-friday-book-blowout-all-cq-books-just-99-cents/

and 

www.codyunderwood.com

My Wildest Moment

For days, I have tried to think of my "wildest moments" and  I couldn't pin point one wild moment in my life. Not one, until I read Krystal Wade's entry. You know, I don't really know Krystal very well. We are acquaintances. But with each post she writes, I notice how much we have in common. Maybe one day, we will be much more than silly acquaintances! 



When I was 18, my parents had silly rules for me, like a midnight curfew.  I was never partied or did anything that would give most adults heart attacks. But, regardless, they didn't trust me. I was, seriously, the graduated student that most parents would have killed for. All parents, except my own.
One morning I was sleeping until 10am, because that's what I did, and my parents were yelling about something stupid. So stupid I don't remember what it was. I woke up and yelled back. (I can be a monster in the morning!)

My dad went on to say something to the effect, "if you don't like my rules, then leave."
I mouthed off more. Mistake number 2!
(Don't judge me! That's what eighteen year olds, who think they know everything, do.)

The argument went a little like this:

Me: fine! I will leave. (grabs trash bag to put clothes in)
Dad: If you're leaving, you're not taking anything with you. No clothes, no shoes, no car.
Me: yes, I am.
Dad: no, you're not. Get to walking and we will see how far you get.
Me:  I will.
Dad: and once you leave, don't come back.

Our tempers flared. A few other things happened: pushes, and slaps. I threw my keys at my mother and slammed my door as I sat on the floor hysterically crying. I contemplated what I would do. How I would get away. I went into the living room, crying, and quietly took my car key off the group of keychains and stuck it in my pocket. My dad continued to holler but I didn't care. I would have the last laugh.

As I sat in my room, I thought of all the different scenarios. I was tired of dealing with everything. All the bickering and fighting, stupid rules and curfews. I made up my mind. I was leaving. I quietly slid my bedroom window open and jumped out. Unlocked the car, got inside, and drove off as fast I could. Luckily, my best friends parents allowed me to stay with her. My parents threatened to report the car as stolen. My mother begged me to come home. But you know what, I never did. I didn't budge with my decision. Dad said, once you leave, don't come back, and I didn't. They didn't have to worry about that.

Was it the smartest thing to do? no.
Was it the wildest? One of them.
If I could do it all again, would I? Absolutely.

Leaving that day and never going back was one of the greatest and stupidest things I had ever done. I proved to them that I could make it on my own. And, I was 18, a legal adult, so there was nothing they could do about it. I was always strong willed and that one event helped shape who I am today.

About a year later, after everything cooled off, and it was nothing but a memory, my mom and dad told me they didn't know I had left for hours. They were leaving and noticed the mustang wasn't there and then it hit them.... that I was gone, really gone.

It has been twelve years since that happened, and in that twelve years I've done other crazy things like drive across Texas and over the Mexican border with a bunch of minors just to buy a blanket (I was only 18 at the time). Dove to the bottom of a freezing cold pool, and almost suffered from hypothermia, just to find a ring.  Sang in a rock band. Snuck into a 21 and up bar severallll times (we were underage) to sing karaoke. Jumped a fence at a coast guard military base, that we were NOT supposed to be in, just so that same BFF could meet a guy. Graduated from college, twice. Wrote novel and met people who have made a huge impact on my writing. Met the love of my life and even got married before 30. And if i wouldn't have left home when I did, I don't think half those things would have happened. It forced me to grow up, live in the real world and take responsibility.

The moral of the story is: The decisions we make (regardless if they are stupid) shape the future. Learn from those mistakes and embrace them. You never know what could happen next.

To say I haven't had any wild moments would be a lie. I just needed to dust off a few memories that were *almost* forgotten. Thanks Krystal, for helping me remember those!!

Support Indie!! The Game Changer by Marie Landry @SweetMarie83

Let me start this off with saying that Marie is an absolutely amazing indie author who has a heart of gold! The Game Changer is her third book and she is currently working on her forth during NaNoWriMo (Go Marie! You can do it!!!) I absolutely adore the cover. I love the way the models are so close they are practically kissing. At first glance, my reaction was, ooooooooooh what is this all about!? Then I read the synopsis and immediately added it to my goodreads. This is a chick-lit novel that I am buying as soon as I can. It seems to be a fun read with many glowing reviews on goodreads!

Hug An Author & Support Indie!!!

****

Melody Cartwright has never had a problem with change, but for the first time in her life the changes are beyond her control—she suddenly has a niece she never knew, but has to prove herself to; her best friend is making huge life changes of her own; and she has to deal with her ex and his crazy new girlfriend who has stalker tendencies.

When Melody meets confident, sexy Julian, she’s not interested in a relationship. He tells her it’s possible for a man and a woman to just be friends, and despite his ultra-charming ways there’s something about him that makes Melody believe he could be right.

During a time of change and turmoil, it doesn’t take long for Julian to become everything Melody never knew she needed in her life. But is it possible for them to remain ‘just friends’ or will Melody be a game changer for Julian the playboy?



***** Now doesn't that sound awesome???? ..... you should go ahead and add it to your goodreads TBR list! I sure did! Once it is released, and I am finished reading it, I plan to do a review!   

Link to add to your TBR list.

  The release date is November 13th! Woohoo! Check back on November 14th for a one on one interview with Marie!!!!! 
You can visit the author at her various social outlets:
Blog: Ramblings of a Daydreamer
Author blog: Marie Landry, Author
Facebook fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest