I'm Getting Married!!

This weekend has been a whirlwind! Saturday started out like any other day. I had a rare day off so I was working on my book. Starting the second draft now as I get suggestions from my critique partner. And then I had a lovely double date with my guy and my best friend and her husband.

During dinner, amid the talking and laughing and good food, my birthday came up. Joe said, "I have an early present for you. Close your eyes." I did. Thinking he would do something snarky because we had just been teasing each other not 10 seconds before. I waited for a minute and then he told me to open my eyes.

What I saw took my breath away! Before me was a beautiful ring. I had seen it before. It was his grandmother's anniversary ring. I couldn't breathe for a whole minute. My eyes welled with tears as he said, "Carey Ann Catherine, will you marry me?"

Well, duh! YES! He put the ring on my finger and then came around the table to give me a hug and kiss. I tried so hard not to cry. Robin was bouncing in her seat and she hugged me. "Now you have to come over so we can start planning!" Well, let me get over the shock, first!

We've been talking for a few months now about getting married. We even have a date in mind. So, this weekend, we have to talk to our pastor about picking a date and then call the caterer so we have it locked down.

I have to print off a few things today for my binder. I've already been doing that but never hurts to be over prepared.

Of course, I will be documenting this journey through my blog and my YouTube videos. At this moment, I'm getting my list together for my special treat for my side of the bridal party. They'll be thrilled, I'm sure. Tricky part will be sending one across the country. :-) I think I can manage, though.

New Website

Hey guys!
Real quick before I have to head out for the evening. I have a web site! Check it out here. It's hosted through VistaPrint and it's been really easy to put together. I'm slowly getting info up a little every day so I'll keep you all updated. Since I already have 2 blogs, the one on my web site will be strictly book news. Unless it's something I really want to share. Then I'll copy it here as well. Possibly in my RA one as well.

Later!
Carey

2015 In Review

Well, I meant to do this as a video but then I went to the Browns game on Sunday and screamed for 4 hours in 30 degree wind and snow and woke up Monday with no voice. So, no filming until I'm over this. What a way to start the new year, huh? But, I have a big mug of tea with about 6 tablespoons of sugar in front of me as I write this and Backstreet Boys on my Pandora station. That instantly made my night 200% better.

Looking back on 2015, one thing I can say is "Where the hell did it go?" Just like I thought this time in 2014. Time just got away from me... again.

Rather than focus on what I didn't get done, I'll talk about what did happen that I am so happy about.
1) My sister got engaged! My little sis isn't so little anymore. She got engaged to her wonderful guy and in October of this year they will be married. They've been together for several years and they make such a great couple. I couldn't have asked for anyone better to make my sister so happy.
2) I moved out! Yep, 31 years old and I finally moved out of Mom and Dad's over the spring/summer. I live with my boyfriend and his brother. The house isn't big but it's enough for the 3 of us. It's been an adjustment for all of us. I have to watch and keep all my "girly stuff" contained. The basement bathroom is mine for makeup and other personal items. I also have to warn the guys when I leave stuff in the washer or dryer.
3) I found my "lost novel" from NaNo 2013 and rewrote it during NaNo 2015. I've still got a lot to go but it's coming along really well and I'm excited to keep going with it. Right now I'm doing a quick reformatting and revision of "Witches of Coolersville" so I can publish that this year.
4) Returned to ComicCon in Columbus. This time Joe and I went with my best friend and her husband. It was so much fun. Robin and I cosplayed this year! I was the 11th Doctor and she was a Shield Agent. I got an autograph from Jason David Frank and even got a photo with him! I was disappointed he wasn't in his Green Ranger costume because that would have been awesome with my cosplay. Living Fan Fiction! *ponders Doctor Who/MMPR fanfic*
5) I filmed a few great videos this year, including 2 with my friend Lisa. We're definitely going to work on more this year.

So, what do I have to look forward to in 2016?

Well, I'll start with my resolution to be healthier. I received a crockpot for Christmas so I've been looking up recipes. I'm also going to get a Planet Fitness membership so I can work out more. I'll probably do that in the next couple weeks. I want to lose at least a size before my sister's wedding and be in shape to dance the night away and not have to lay in bed the next day in pain like when I went to my sister's friend's wedding in July. I'll talk more about that in my RA blog.

End of February is Cleveland ComicCon. Joe and I are planning to go because Matt Smith and Karen Gillan are supposed to be there! *fangirl squeal* I'm going to be very stingy over the next couple months so I can go and afford autographs and photo ops because they're going to be ridiculously expensive. With the exception of getting the 11 dress from Torrid because it is freaking adorable and I want to wear it to the convention! I just hope the weather is okay. Last year was one of the worst snow days of the year. I'm also trying to talk a few friends into going along who are fellow geeks and Whovians. I think they would enjoy themselves.

If I get the week of my birthday off in May, Joe and I are talking about traveling to Cincinnati for a few days. He wants to show me the University where he went to school and we might go see the Indians play the Reds. I've never been to Cincinnati before so it'll be a fun new experience. My sister has been there several times because one of her best friends lives there. So, I think this will be a great trip.

Columbus ComicCon has been moved to July, instead of the fall. I think we're just going to go for a day this year. Going for the weekend has been too much in energy and cost the past couple years. As fun as it is, sometimes you have to step back and do the responsible adult thing.

I've been helping with my sister's wedding plans. We've got her bridal shower in August and the wedding in October! I can't believe she's getting married! I'm still on the hunt for a bridesmaid dress. I'll see what they have available when prom dresses start to go on sale. Hopefully I can find something a little cheaper.

I'm off to take care of this cough and recover my voice. Wishing everyone a healthy, happy new year.

Carey

All the 2014 Things and Looking Forward to 2015

Wow. Where did the year go? It seems like last week I was hanging out with my friends and family, ready to ring in 2014. I had so much planned in my mind. I was turning 30. I was working on my writing. I was planning on traveling more and doing all kinds of fun and exciting things. And now I'm laying in bed during the first hour of the last day of that year wondering one thing. "What the hell happened to 2014?"

A hashtag began circulating Twitter about two weeks ago. #2014in5words Well, my 5 words are these. "Did not go as planned." This is true for the two major events of this year. My cousin, Dee, passing away in June at only age 44 and my health scare in July when I developed a deep vein clot in my right leg which left me hospitalized for a whole weekend and off work for 6 weeks. (I'm still not 100% from that.) But, these things were not anyone's fault and beyond anyone's control. And, it taught me a few valuable lessons:
1) Treasure every day you have. You never know what's going to happen to you so take an extra minute in the morning and say, "I'm awake. I'm breathing. I'm off to a good start." Even if you're not in the best of health, every day is a new chance so make a point to be healthier and improve your quality of life.
2) Family is everything. Now, I know there are family members we don't get along with. Either we are not that close to them or something went down and we're completely not on speaking terms. Whatever. Everyone has a situation like that. But, when something happens, you know which people in your family (and among your friends) who will stick by you through everything and hold your hand to keep you calm, even when they're terrified right with you. The ones who hold back the tears so you can sob your heart out in their arms. The ones who will cry right along with you and share a box of extra large tissue with you.
3) Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. You can either let it hit you and knock you down or roll with it and continue on as best you can. Yeah, these, and other, things happened. Yeah, some plans got pushed aside or canceled completely. But, as long as I remembered the first two lessons, I was able to keep going and make the best of what did happen that was positive in my life.

I also failed my reading challenge. I had planned to read 50 books. I think my final count was 12? But, I'm not a fast reader and I was distracted with stuff! Like being in the hospital. More on that later.

2014 wasn't all bad. I did have a lot of fun and am nearer to accomplishing a lifelong dream than I ever imagined I would be! I turned 30. My sister and her boyfriend came over and we had cake and ice cream and it's always a bunch of laughs when they're over.

I went to ComicCon again with my boyfriend in Octover., and this time we were able to stay in Columbus so it was like our first vacation together. We were able to wander the city this time and I not only got to see Jason David Frank again but I met Nicholas Brendan for the first time! I even made a new friend named Shaun while standing in line and met this lovely cosplayer/model named Samantha. I bought books from writers and talked about my own work in progress which was really exciting. And, I can't wait til Comic Con comes to Cleveland in February! It's going to be so much fun!

Also this year I finally entered the 21st century and got my first smart phone! Yay technology! I got a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini. I love this thing. I don't know how I ever lived without a smart phone before. I keep notes and my calendar and pictures. I can blog on it. I can keep up on the social medias easier.

And, finally, the best thing ever! I am just weeks away from publishing my first book! EEEEE!! I received my proof copy of my novella, Witches of Coolersville, on December 23rd, 2014! I'm going over it and plan on making a few changes to the content and the cover. But, it's happening! I'll be a published author in 2015! How exciting is that! I also started book 2 during my second consecutive victorious year participating in NaNoWriMo but it is currently in rewrite because I wrote 50,000 words of slop that I need to clean up in order to have a sequel that is equally as good as the first book.

So, that's an overview of some of the things in 2014. Now, on to 2015!!

Here are some of my goals/resolutions for 2015 (no order)-
1) Reading Challenge- I downloaded from Pinterest this reading challenge that looks like fun and I'll see how far I'll get on it. It's a list of different types of books to read in the coming year, like a book with a single word title. Or, a book with a color in the title. A book that came out the year you were born, that kind of thing. I'll copy the list into another entry so you can take a crack at it as well. It looks like it could be fun and maybe I'll do a better job at that than just picking a number and feeling pressured to meet the goal.
2) Move my rear out of my parents' house! For goodness sake, I'm going to be 31 this year. Time to get a move on. We'll see what the future holds for me in that department. I'll be sure to keep you all posted.
3) Stay healthy- This includes a number of things. Being more active. I'm going to try and take the pup for walks more often. I'm going to buy more juice and lay off the pop. I'll take my medicines and wear my compression braces so I don't end up in the hospital again. All that and more.
4) Continue writing- I'm so close to publishing book 1 and working on book 2. How can I stop now? I've dreamed about being a published author and seeing my name on shelves for years and years and it's finally going to happen!
5) Travel more- Returning to Columbus for ComicCon, taking weekend trips with my boyfriend or my girls. Whether it's just a drive up north to the beach or going out of state, I love to travel and see what else is outside my little town. It could provide more information and inspiration for future stories. And it's just nice to get away.
6) Buy a new computer, editing software, and an actual camcorder for the YouTubes. I'm bored with Windows Movie Maker and my current camera doesn't have the quality I want. And, my computer has certainly seen better days. Time for an upgrade. I'll probably use this one still for some things until it dies on me but I could use something new and better.

Here are my most anticipated things for 2015.
Book- Lion Heart by AC Gaughen. It's the final in the Scarlet trilogy which is a fabulous Robin Hood retelling tale. I've read the first one and when I get my hands on the third in May I'll marathon the whole trilogy.
Movie- Mockingjay Part 2! What more needs to be said?
TV- The Musketeers! Season 2 of the Musketeers is some time in January, I think. I loved the first season and I'm kinda sad Peter Capaldi won't be in it because he makes a wonderful Cardinal. But, he's obviously busy with Doctor Who now so we shall see how the new villain works out. I love me some good looking men with swords.

That's all for me right now. I'll also go ahead and post the 2015 reading challenge. Once I am able to update my web site, I'll have the list there with my progress and titles of what I've read.

Have a safe and happy new year!
Carey

September Writing Challenge- Day 12

Prompt- What do you think people misunderstand most about you?

This is a big one I experience a lot at work and when I was in school. And, I think it applies to many people.

It's a common misconception about quiet people. Quiet = weak/submissive/insert similar adjectives here But we're not. Being quiet, at least for me, means I know how to hold my tongue. Or, I have no other choice but to do so in some cases. Like at my day job, for example. I work with the public. I really have to censor myself. When a customer is nasty with me and thinks because I work at a grocery store, I am stupid and he/she can just disrespect and trash talk me over something trivial, I have to hush until I go on break or go home. Then, I can sit in the car for a few minutes and say everything I wanted to say to the person's face but couldn't because I'd be fired.

This doesn't mean I haven't slipped. There is a coworker I'm always knocking heads with. I've mentioned her before in previous posts. (Enjoying two weeks of her being on vacation. *happy dance*) She has spread rumors about how I fake my health issues just to get out of work or gain sympathy. She has accused me of mouthing off to her when I've said nothing, in an attempt to not scream out that I think she's a fire breathing bitch to her face. But, even the most patient people have a limit of what they can take and I did lose my temper with her once. She snapped at me over something stupid and I was trying to keep quiet. She thought I mumbled something and was getting on my case. I told her I didn't say anything. She wouldn't drop it. She started talking about it to another coworker who 1) is a friend of mine and 2) was still well within earshot. I couldn't take it anymore. Customers were overhearing the names she was calling me and I was being humiliated. I shouted, "I didn't say anything to you so back off. You are acting like an idiot child talking about me five feet away and in front of customers." My friend was a little frightened. She told me later she had never seen me lose my temper before and I said it was really hard to keep myself from completely let loose because I probably would have inserted a few expletives while I was yelling. But, she was already being inappropriate so I didn't want to play her game. Someone had to be the bigger person.

I describe my temper as a volcano. Dormant, quiet, patient usually. But, each time I'm pushed, the pressure builds and it gets harder and harder to stay quiet until BOOM! It's 1980 Mt. St. Helen. I think it was because I stayed quiet for so many years as a kid/teen and it did little to no good for me. About time I learned to stand up for myself.

And, this runs in the family. My mom is the same. And when family is involved, it's even harder for us to keep quiet because we're, for the most part, a close-knit bunch. A few years ago, some family members were insulted and hurt by someone and my mother went off. She had been wanting to say what she said for many years and was finally pushed to the point where she didn't care anymore and got it all out. She always tries to be the peacekeeper of the family. "Let's work it out like civil people." But, when someone you love is hurt, verbally or otherwise, you jump right in and defend them to the moon and back.

Now you know!

Thanks for reading.

Carey