50 Shades of It's Just A Book

Okay, I decided to show what happens when you pull information from the bible out of context and use it to back up your feelings. It's just not always legitimate. I know this is going to cause all sorts of chaos, but I'll disclaim ahead of time. 

I have a good heart. I believe in God, but I do not believe in an outdated book that people pick perfect little pieces from to support their agendas or beliefs. I believe in being kind to each other, respecting each other and the earth, and doing unto others as you'd have done to you. I believe that people should get married and have kids, in that order, but I also don't believe that premarital sex is a one-way ticket to hell. I believe that everyone has their own story, their own journey, and if it doesn't happen the way God believes or I believe it should, then I should keep my damn nose out of it, appreciate their story and love them for who they are and not their past.

I also believe in freedom of speech, gay marriage and good literature. I believe in awesome debates and butting heads because it makes people think and care about things. I believe in stepping outside of your comfort zone in nearly every aspect you can because that's usually where life happens! I believe in an open mind and that happiness is defined differently for every single person.

I'm writing this because yes, I did read 50 Shades of Grey, and I may not pay to see the movie, but I might watch it when it's free on some platform. My biggest irritation is people claiming that the bible is dead set against all themes involved with this story.

I have some feelings on this...

A: 50 Shades is a work of fiction. It's a book. I've read much more horrific and terrifying things than this. (Have you ever read Stephen King? How about the A Child Called It series by Dave Pelzer? THAT is truly horrifying.) With some people's reactions, if you've watched or read anything with any sort of love scene in it, then you're sinning, and I find it hard to believe that some of these people follow through with this conviction throughout their entire lives. That would mean very limited television, movie and book exposure. If people do live that way, then more power to you! I admire the commitment and self-control you must have.

B: The verses below are pictures I personally took from my Precious Moments bible, a "children's" bible, which I had read cover to cover by the time I was in 6th grade. Stripped of everything else in the world, do these passages seem appropriate for school-age children? Would you let your kids read this when they are in 1st-6th grade? I feel that would violate my previous sentiments.

C: The Good Book is flawed in this; bad people use it out of context, and it doesn't allow for the progressing times. I don't believe that God leads with fear, and that is what a lot of the bible drills into your head. Well, I don't want to be afraid of God. I don't think he wants me to be afraid of him. I think he accepts me for who I am, flaws and all. I think he forgives bad behaviors and rewards good behaviors. I think he allows us to feel what we want, when we want and gives us power to work through things so we learn from our journey. I think he gives us fear so that we know that these are the things we have to overcome and that if we fear something, we're probably on the right path.

Now, I'm not trying to discredit the bible, I'm not trying to start a religious uprising. All I'm trying to say is that the same bible that preaches some of the very beliefs that I uphold, that most humans-regardless of religious beliefs-adhere to (back to being kind and respectful, love thy neighbor, honor thy father & mother, etc), the same bible that preaches basic human decency, is the very place that I found some of these passages that promote heinous behaviors. Everyone is afraid of something. Fear does not equal sin. 

I do not condone domestic violence, and I understand that the relationship between the two characters-especially their physical relationship-is not something that everyone will feel comfortable with. That's fine. Nobody is being forced to read the series, watch the movies or live the lifestyle. But it's unfair to judge the books or movies if you A) haven't read/seen them, or B) don't understand the relationship.  

I get it. I don't have a relationship like this, but for whatever reason, I understand why these two characters are the way they are. I understand why they feel comfortable in their roles of their relationship. I also understand that the way they interact is not domestic violence. Plus, it's fiction. I see some manipulation, sure, but I've never met anyone on this planet that didn't manipulate in some way, even if their intentions were pure and good. It's human nature. Plus, it's just a book. I think a lot of people have judged quickly and skimmed the surface of this series. If you look deeply, there are many facets, undertones, and layers of human complications, heartache and finding a connection with someone you truly love. It's not all about the sex in this book, and that is the biggest misconception that people have thoroughly blown out of proportion. Plus: It. Is. A. Book.

I've said my piece. I'm open-minded, and I believe people are inherently good. Everyone is just looking for a place to fit in. I just think that everyone just needs to remember that these are CHARACTERS in a book, not real human beings on trial.

The Summer of Feels

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times."

This has been a year of the never-ending "somethings", as I call it. As in, there's always something happening, good or bad, and there's no slowing down. There hasn't been a lot of time to sit back and relax, enjoy or do much of anything extracurricular. 

The year started with finding out my mom had breast cancer, then immediately after that (like literally, the next day) we traveled to Boston and taped an episode of "I Found The Gown" for my sister. I planned my mom's benefit, which was equally awesome, emotional, stressful, rewarding, and exhausting. My cousin passed away at the age of 33 from a heart attack as the result of an enlarged heart, in August. Now school time is here and it's homework, meetings, cub scouts, and keeping our heads above water. 

Through it all, I've been silently (and sometimes not so silently) suffering; exhaustion, random aches and pains-including stiffness with staying in the same position for more than 20 minutes or so, tingling appendages, chest pain and stomach issues. It took from about April until August/September, but we finally figured out that I have fibromyalgia. I can't really explain this "disease". It's so complicated, hard to describe, hard to diagnose, and hard to convince people that you're actually suffering from something and not just whining all the time.

Being an editor/writer/paperwork girl, I'm sitting a lot, often cramped in the same position for hours without even thinking about it. I knew something was seriously wrong when I danced a single slow dance with my husband at a wedding and my hip hurt so bad, I could barely put weight on it. I mean, I know I'm out of shape, but I'm too young for arthritis...right?

So the last month or so has been a lot of symptom maintenance, chiropractor appointments, ice/heat packs and ibuprofen. I'm working on using natural methods to keep my symptoms at bay, including essential oils. 

I'm hoping that now I've learned that I need to slow my life down a little, enjoy the sweet little moments, I'll be able to write some more and keep you guys entertained. 

I've also been working on editing some more of M.R. Pritchard's work, and here's a little graphic for your enjoyment:

So that's what has been keeping me busy, and has kept me missing my blogging. I really hope that things work out so that I can come back here more often and chat. 

I've missed ya'll!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Movie Monday!

Hey hey, movie Monday! 

I found this little gem in the middle of an insomnia-fueled movie marathon a month or 2 ago, and I keep forgetting to share it!

This is a sweet little rom-com that is light and endearing. Alexis Bledel and Jay Baruchel are two of my favs, so I was interested in this movie from the start. Baruchel plays Reed Fish, who runs a radio show with the town's mayor (Katey Sagal) and his friend from school. Reed is engaged to Alexis Bledel's character, and complications arise when Reed's old crush comes back into town. He encourages her to sing at an open mic night, and thus ensues the tangled love triangle.

Very sweet movie. Not too deep, so it was a perfect light film for insomnia. You can currently find it on Netflix I believe. I hope you try it out and enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by!

My son tells me I'm beautiful, and I believe him.

I always try to lift my son up and boost his ego while still maintaining humility.

You look awesome/cool/handsome.
You did a great job!
You used good manners.
Etc....

What we have to understand is that kids can see how you perceive yourself, even when you don't realize what your own thoughts are. It only took a couple of times for my son to call me out before I caught on to him.

I remember one day saying something about how I felt chubby or something in an outfit I was wearing and Will said to me; 'You look beautiful Mommy.' Besides melting my heart, he also made me realize that I have to change my own perceptions and accept myself for who I am; imperfections and all. I may not 'live up' to what I think should be right, but I'm enough for him, and that is enough for me.

It's okay to set goals for yourself, try to be the best and healthiest you can be, but instead of shaming ourselves, we should be praising ourselves for the good job we are doing in the meantime. It's okay to teach our kids to be proud of who they are and of every effort they put in to being the best version of themselves. And if they can see us with pure innocent eyes, we should allow ourselves to look in the mirror and see the same thing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blog: Reloaded

Now that my mom's benefit is complete and I have my time back to myself, I can pour my heart into writing and editing once more. Nothing makes me happier than books, words, paper and pencil...

I'm currently working on another MR Pritchard original, Sparrow Man. I look forward to my friends and family getting into this novel. It's similar to Saratoga which was released late last year, but SM has more mature undertones and even a couple steamy scenes. I appreciate the way MR relays the intimate encounters; not too graphic, gentle verbiage, and no silly double entendres that distract from the story of the characters involved.

I have editing time open after Sparrow Man, so if anyone needs me to edit or guide, please feel free to contact me at the email listed above.

I'm looking forward to posting regularly again!

Thanks for stopping by!

Catharsis, cancer and contemplation

As I sit here listening to the Summer Hits of the '90s on Pandora and face the extremely busy week ahead, I think about the stress and chaos the last few months have laid on my shoulders. Although I've never been good with stress, I'd like to think that I've dealt with everything that I have over the last few months mostly well-with a few glitches here and there (which I hope would be expected, considering).

*Side note: If you don't know, my mom had a biopsy of a tiny spot on her breast the day after Thanksgiving, 2 lymph nodes removed the Monday after Christmas, found out she had cancer in January and started chemo on Valentine's Day. She is a few weeks out of chemo and begins radiation this coming week. I have been planning a benefit for the last few months that is taking place next weekend.

Everyone knows that people who are battling cancer are going through a lot, it's visual and tangible. What I don't think people understand is that family members suffer too. Of course it's not in the same way, but we have our own concerns and face our own demons in other ways. Just because we are not struggling with an illness does not make our feelings any less important. We wonder if we are at risk too, we face a family member's mortality, we go through stages of grief even if our loved one is doing well and recovering. For me personally, it has forced me to further come to terms with something that has always scared me: life is finite. Time is precious.

That being said, I have recently had many (pleasantly) surprising encounters; mentally, spiritually, socially... I have repaired some broken bridges, found support and healing in the strangest places, and found that our family, friends and our community are some of the most solid, caring people you'll find. You just never know who has your back and these types of situations you really find the people you can lean on. I'm hoping that along the way I've been this for other people because knowing now how the smallest things or words even can help out, I realize how important it is to put into the world in order to get back.... actually, to put more than what you get back. Call it karma, call it a commandment, call it whatever you want. The golden rule is named such for a reason; do unto others as you'll have done unto you.

Something else that's been magnified is thankfulness. My heart bursts with gratitude for the help I've received in every pursuit I've set forward to accomplish, the last two months especially. It's given me a drive to continue and expand my generosity towards others. A good pat on the back or 'atta boy' can sate a sinking ego, but it doesn't hold up in the long run.

I once listened to a motivational speaker for a job I had, and although I thought some of what he said was silly and quirky (and being only about 20 at the time, I'm sure I was unable to fully digest the magnitude of what he was teaching), there is one thing that has always stuck out in  my head, even now-about 13 years later... and typing this, I feel like I've written it here before but it bears repeating..... "Remember that everyone you meet is the doing the best they can at that moment." What this means to me is that A) it reinforces the fact that you simply cannot judge someone based on a single meeting, or even a couple of meetings because you have no idea what they are going through outside of your interaction, and B) I need to be more conscious of how I am acting so that when people meet me, the best I am at that moment is uplifting, helpful, honest, and caring.

So with the likes of Vertical Horizon, Gin Blossoms, Eagle Eye Cherry and Oasis fueling this deep post, I also realize that music just doesn't have the feeling and meaning it used to. I mean, Wonderwall could be part of the soundtrack to my life, but I don't see Thrift Shop or "Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle" playing in the background in the movie of my life.

I've also come to an important life realization in all of this. I love organizing vendor and crafter fairs, but I do not want to organize benefits. They are exhausting!!!!


Oh, and WTF is up with True Blood? Why are they going all Game of Thrones on us??? I know it's the last season and all, but stop ripping my heart out every episode!!! (end rant)

So thanks for listening, and for being kind to someone who's laid their heart out there on the table for everyone to see. Remember to be kind to everyone you see because they're fighting their own battles.

Thanks for stopping by!

Book Review!

Today's book review(s) are brought to you by my good friend Meredith. I've kept some in reserve for when I need some help! I hope you enjoy!

Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices trilogy

Book 1: Clockwork Angel

I'm not big on some of these supernatural themed books. I've read a few and mostly found myself lost because I didn't understand a lot of what was going on because it was poorly executed or they were a carbon copy of another book I’ve read. I wasn't sure how I felt being transported back in time to Victorian London and being dumped into the world of Steampunk, but the author made the transition easy in this first book. Readers are introduced to this new world at a swift pace. The Shadowhunters and the main character, Tessa, explore their natural gifts as they search for her lost brother. When you get done reading this, you won’t be able to wait to get started on the next book in the series.

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars

Book 2: Clockwork Prince 
I found this second book in the series to be far better than the first. Lots of mystery and adventure and teenage angst as we learn more about the Shadowhunters and get pulled into an emotional love triangle. I was amazed that all the characters looked so pale and had hair that curled up at the napes of their long, elegant necks. Still, interesting characters, interesting plot and side stories. Overall, good read. Kept me interest, flowed much better than the first book. After reading this I was fully invested, I HAD to know what happened to everyone. So yes, I bought the third as soon as I finished this.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Book 3: Clockwork Princess 

The third book in this trilogy doesn't skip a beat, we are thrown right back into the adventure of the Shadowhunters as they seek for truths. And then... let the heart-stomping begin. I've said it before and I will say it again, I am a hopeless sap when it comes to love. The author did an excellent job creating a story in which readers can experience the relationships between all the characters and the emotional ties that bind them. That being said I finished the last chapter and I was happy with the result.

And then I read the Epilogue... And then I cried my frigging eyes out. I've never actually cried while reading. I usually save my tears for Disney movies and hangovers. But since I was reading in the dark, and my husband was already sound asleep next to me, I didn't bother holding it in. Go ahead... judge me. 

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars (I'm rating this on pure emotion right now and it may change when I get my head back together)




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Thank you Meredith!

Thanks for stopping by!