I love the holidays! Starting on September 1, I begin to decorate my house first with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, ending with Yule. I suppose, for me, this is a tradition. I didn’t start it until I was an adult and moved to this house, but I love it.

As you can see, the Blogger Girlz are talking about holiday traditions this week. Before I leap in and tell you any more I must share the fantastic pic of the week.

And, you’re welcome!

Okay, so when I was a kid a huge tradition we had was going out to get the tree. We were a real tree family. So early in December, my dad would pack me and my sister up and we’d go to find the tree. There were certain lots we knew had the best trees. So we’d go and usually my sister and I picked the tree. My dad was along as driver, payer, and carrier. One year though, my dad picked the tree. It was so cold that year and I guess, looking back now, he didn’t want to keep us out. So went to the place we knew had awesome trees and he picked one that hadn’t been unwrapped yet (still had the twine around it from the journey from the farm). My sister and I were glad to get it and go. When we got home, he trimmed about 2 inches off the bottom and put it in a bucket of water outside on our patio. We would get the tree one weekend and put it up the next. Let me tell you that over the week this tree expanded and expanded and expanded!!! It was ginormous!! It was the biggest tree I’d ever seen. The branches spread so far I couldn’t get out the back door to feed the dog, I had to go around from the side door. 

When he finally got it trimmed up and in the house there was enough left over branches that one of my cousins made wreathes for 4 or 5 families. It was insane. But daggone that was the best tree ever!!

When my dad died when I was 19 the tradition changed. My sister and I went out and got our own tree and did the deal for two more years and then we just couldn’t do it anymore. She was going away to college and I wasn’t doing it on my own so Mom and I bought a fake tree. Yay! I loved, loved that tree. When we decorate our tree we always talk about where the ornaments came from (who gave them to us, reason, whatever). My sister and I still do this. None of our ornaments match and all of them have stories to go with. 

One in particular is really old. It’s a small blue ball with Minnie Mouse on it. I have no idea where it came from, but this ornament meant something when we were kids. Each year my sister and I would take turns hanging Minnie on the tree. Hanging the ornament meant the holidays were here.

Now, my sister hangs it each year since I did it for so many years on my own. It’s a nice tradition we both love. And as she hangs it she announces, “I’m hanging Minnie now.” We both laugh.

When our Mom died in 2010, that changed things again for us. That first holiday sucked! But what made it so, so, so much better was our best friends Mary and Susan. They drove up from Memphis and we spend the holiday together. I can’t even tell you how much better they made the holiday for us. Last year was the first year we didn’t all get together and after it was all over we all said, “Never again.” It just stunk being apart. So this year they are driving up and Jude and I have already gotten the house all decorated. We’re talking menus and desserts and drinks. So much fun!

Anyway, those are some of our holiday traditions. Remind me and I’ll tell you about the time my sister and I saw Santa Claus. Not at the mall or whatever, but in our house on Christmas eve. In the meantime, go check out the other Blogger Girlz and their traditions. Oh and in the comments below share some of your holiday traditions. Maybe my sister and I will adopt them. 

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Kellie
Happy Holidays!! –GC

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving! I still can’t believe the time is flying by so quickly. So as the Random Wednesday Blog reaches this time of year we are all reflecting on things we’re thankful for. You know, it’s so easy to talk about how crummy things are. I think as a group people are really more apt to look at the bad stuff than the good. Oh wait, speaking of good stuff:

Anyway, onto what I’m thankful for. 

Me and Jude

Max

Warlock

Wow! I cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week already?? Time is flying by so fast. And I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m rambling about the time and blah, blah, blah. Yeah, this leads me into my 3 writing wishes. Okay, first I really want more than 3, but Jess and Bronwyn came up with the number and I gotta stick with it. Oh!! First I gotta show you manly hotness. And this pic actually has a purpose. I’m basing the character of Lochlan in the new book I’m writing on this hot, hot man.

Okay, writing wishes. So if a hot man genie popped up and would grant my 3 writing wishes here’s what I would want. Oh, let’s stick a pic in of a genie just for fun.

Wow, alrighty so my first wish would be that I could make a true living from my writing. I would love to write full time and do nothing else and be able to make good money at it. Right now, I’m writing full time, but I’m unemployed so that part sucks. But if I could be like . . . oh I don’t know Nora Roberts then I could stay home and write.

My second wish would be that my procrastination tendencies would disappear. I’m way awesome at being distracted. I think I’m like the cats in that the slightest thing will make me lose focus. You know, one minute I’m writing along and then next I’m wandering around the house for some reason. 

My last wish would be that my ideas would never dry up. I love writing. I really do love the entire process though you couldn’t tell it on the days that I’m cursing because the characters aren’t doing what I wanted or planned. But the feeling of working on a book, honing it, fixing it, and finally getting it published is magic. There’s nothing like getting emails from people telling me how much they loved one of my books. 

So there you go, my 3 big wishes. Now I have to go and get back to Lochlan because the man is impatient in a big way. But you should go check out the other Blogger Girlz and see what their wishes are. Also, if you could have wishes what would they be. Tell me about them in the comments.

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris

See you next week!! –GC

Hello!! Welcome once again to Southern Etiquette for Difficult Situations. This is where you learn that there’s a right way, a wrong way, and a Southern way to get out of any situation you might find yourself in.

This situation was brought up by my friend Bronwyn and, I’m sure as the holidays approach, you’re going to find yourself in similar straits. 

Now, let’s discuss what not to do:

Here’s the Southern way to handle this situation:

If you all have any situations you think need a Southern solution, let me know! I’d be happy to give you all kinds of advice. I’m really good a bossing people.

Until next time! Stay Southern — GC

Huh, mad skills? I so wish I could tell you all that I’m like a secret ninja. Leaping out of the darkness to wreak vengeance on evil-doers . . . or whatever. But yeah, that’s not me.

I do have loads of pics of hot men. Is that a mad skill??

Okay, let’s just say I may have some skills, but they’re so not very mad, bad, or dangerous. I can knit . . . fairly well. But I will admit that the project I’m currently working on I’ve already ripped out and started over on it. AND, I’ve made this particular item twice before. AND I just realized that I screwed up the pattern both times. LOL So yeah I’m okay at knitting.

Huh, I also make jewelry, but I wouldn’t say I’m awesome at it. I think my pieces look good, but you wouldn’t find them in a boutique. So, no, no mad jewelry making skills.

I’m Southern and if you consider that a mad skill well then scooter I am all over that. I can bless your heart, say, “I swanee I haven’t seen you in a coon’s age.” Then make you some incredible sweet tea all while being semi-polite. 

I do consider my writing a type of mad skill, but I think my agility to procrastinate is even more ah-mazing! Jeez Louise, I can find ten other things I should do other than the job I NEED to do, like write. Then by the time I do all those things, fiddle around, knit, stare at the TV and talk to my sister it’s time to go to bed since the day’s over. Yep, procrastinators you’ve found your Empress. 

I have a really good sense of direction, so maybe that’s my mad skill. I rarely if never get lost and if I’ve been someplace once then I can usually find it again. Bam! It’s like magic!! 

Yeah, maybe you should go check out the other Blogger Girlz and see what kind of game they have. If I figure out my official mad skill I’ll give you a holler and let you know. 

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris

See you all next week!! –GC

Hey! Welcome back to the randomness that is Wednesday or, as we refer to it around these parts, Gwensday. Today we are all talking about our favorite actors and actresses. Oh, but before I jump in let’s get in male hotness

I know I’ve mentioned before that I don’t watch much TV. I have a few shows that I won’t miss, but beyond that I’m just not interested. So my list of favs is fairly short and in no particular order.

1. Viggo Mortenson – yeah if you know me well you had to have seen this coming. I love him! I think he is way hot and way talented.

2. Tom Mison – I love the show Sleepy Hollow. The character of Ichabod Crane is such a great one and Mison plays him so well. Also, the man is way easy on the eyes.

3. Lauren Bacall – this woman has it all. She’s sexy, talented, sexy,and was married to Bogart. Oh and did I mention she’s sexy???

4. Mark Harmon – (sigh) I’ve been watching NCIS since the beginning and mostly because of Mark Harmon’s character Gibbs.

5. Tom Hiddleston – I fell in love with Loki because of who played him. Loki isn’t a likable character by any stretch of the imagination, but there’s just something about the way Tom H plays him that makes you love the trickster god.

6. Katherine Hepburn – the woman is so talented and, I think, beautiful, but not in the classical sense. She was an amazing talent and so ahead of her time in her attitude.

And that’s my very small list of my fav actors and actresses. If you’d like, tell me who your favorites are. I’d love to compare notes. Also, run over to the other Blogger Girlz blogs and see who they love. I can already tell you Jarman has put Merlin and Arthur on her list. LOL!

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Kellie

See you next week! –GC

Hello! Welcome to Random Wednesday Spooky Halloween edition. Today we’re talking about our favorite Halloween memories or traditions. But before we do, let me give you some hot guyness, man I got some shit last week for not including one.

And . . . yeah, wow, okay. So memories of Halloween. When I was a kid my all time favorite costume was Bella LaGhostly of the Groovy Ghoulies (70s kids Saturday morning cartoon). I wore it a couple of years in a row

I’ve been a silent observer over the last couple weeks of the whole Kathleen Hale insanity. Now an author named Deborah Smith has jumped into the fray. I also read a post about another author, male this time, who stalked and physically assaulted a woman who reviewed his book. All I can say about all this is What the Fuck????  Have you all lost your freaking minds?? I can’t even roll out any southern “Bless Your Hearts” because you’re all too fucking out of it for that. 

So, let me see if I have the story straight. A publisher (whoever) sends an author’s book to be reviewed. Bloggers willingly accept the book with the knowledge that they are going to give an HONEST review of the book. The review will be posted hither and yon and tons of people will see the review. From what I can gather, no money exchanges hands, no guarantees are given that the blogger will like the book. The whole idea is that the book gets out to the public.

For those of you confused about why this situation is a positive for an author, let me spell it out for you. The posting of the review is what is called free publicity for the author. FREE publicity is a good thing.Authors like FREE publicity because that gets our name and book titles out to the public . . . for FREE!

No where in any of this exchange is an author guaranteed anything but a review. From where I sit, Kathleen Hale received a review as did the male author. They weren’t promised a good review, but an HONEST review. This is where the problem lies and where the confusion has obviously set in.

I have been a published author for over 10 years. I’ve got a bunch of books out and I appreciate every single person who takes an interest in my books. If you are an author who has yet to be published or is being published for the first time let me give you some awesome advice. Stick with me this might hurt, but I swear once you read this you will not become crazy stalker chick.

1. A book is just a book. Even if you write it. Once you finish it, it’s over. As Elsa says in Frozen “Let It Go!” You finished it, it’s finished, there’s nothing you can do about it.

2. If your mom and dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle tell you what an amazing writer you are that’s so wonderful. But they’re not good judges. They love you and want to encourage you. You need to hook up with REAL authors and editors who will help you grow in your craft. If you cannot stand criticism and will not take criticism STOP NOW! You are not ready to be a real author. Real authors accept criticism and grow from it. 

3. When you see a review of your book remember it’s just someone’s opinion of your book. They are not judging you. They are talking about the book. It is their OPINION and everyone has a right to theirs. 

4. No one has positive book reviews all the time. Everyone, even Nora Roberts, has been dinged by someone. Shrug it off and move on. Or better yet, don’t go looking for a review. If you do see a review and it hurts your feelings, you’re allowed to get a bit mad. BUT and this is a big BUT once you see it remember Elsa and “LET IT GO.” 

5. If you decide you want to talk to the person who reviewed your book to explain or complain or whatever. DON’T!!!  This is not healthy behavior. Remember, it’s a book. Believe me, in about two or so years you may reread what you consider a masterpiece and cringe because it’s so horrible. If that happens, pat yourself on the back, because you’re probably a better author. 

Was Kathleen Hale wrong for stalking the blogger who reviewed her book. Hell yes!!!  It was wrong. No normal person does something like that. I was diagnosed with clinical depression many years ago and take meds each day. If what Hale did sounds crazy to me, then it’s crazy, take my word for it. Let’s not even get into the male author who stalked and physically attacked the female blogger who reviewed his book. That is total what the fuckery. 

If you’re an author and think what Hale and the other dude did is an okay thing, I’m going going to tell you now YOU’RE WRONG! Bloggers are out there to help authors. They don’t get paid, they do what they do because they love books. If you can’t stand to have your tiny feelings hurt then my advice to you is go away. Do not attempt to be a published author. Go sit in your room and write stories to share with your family who will love them. But if you long to have the world read your stories grow a pair, accept criticism, and be thankful you can get anyone to read your books. If someone buys your books, even better!!

–GC

First of all, I’m going to say upfront that I loved this book!!! It was amazing and if you haven’t read it you need to. So go out and get it right now. No, wait, not right now. Read the interview with Chris first then go out and read it. 

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Hello! And welcome to the Randomness that is the Wednesday Blog. As we close in on Halloween our topic today is all about ghosts. Bwahahahahaha!!! 

First off, I do believe in ghosts. I can’t say I’ve had tons of encounters or anything. But I have had some odd things happen that affirmed to me that they exist.

So, my Mom had a massive stroke and lived for a week. It was utterly miserable and I was so stressed out as my sister and I tried to make decisions for her. Not something I would ever wish on my worst enemy. Anyway, after she passed of course my sister and I did the “What If” dance. You know the one. What if we would have done this or that. Totally worthless, but that’s how we roll. 

It was probably . . . a month after she died and I was in bed, middle of the night, on my side kind of drifting. But a noise made me open my eyes and my mom is squatting by my bed. Now, she hadn’t been able to squat in forever, because before the stroke, she was on a walker due to injuries from osteoporosis. So there she is squatting by my bed and I know I should be freaking out, but I don’t. Because it’s my mom and I missed her so much (still do). 

She tells me that my sister and I did the right thing and she’s fine. She wants me to knock off the worrying. She calls me “love” like she always did and she smiled. She looked so good, young and just amazing. A second later, I blink and she’s gone. This is the part that I roll over, sit up and freak out for about five seconds. 

Then, I realize, the guilt and stress I carried is gone. I felt so much better. She’s been gone a little over 4 years and I still miss her like crazy, but I know she’s okay.

And that’s my “ghost” story. So tell me down in the comments if you believe. Do you have an encounter? Oh and check out the other Blogger Girlz to see what they think about ghosties. 

Bronwyn
Kris
Jessica

See you next week–GC