Random Wednesday Blog: Best Summer Memories

Hey Everybody! Welcome to the Random Wednesday Blog. Today the Blogger Girlz and I are talking about our best summer memories. But, of course, before I do I need to give us some majorly hot eye candy. And here he is:

If you're interested, I am using this photo as inspiration for a book I'm working on. :-) Yep, it does certainly inspire, doesn't it? So, where was I???  Oh yeah, summer memories. I actually do have a few so here we go:

When I was a kid, my cousin Denise lived right next door to me. She was certainly more like a big sister than she was a cousin and still is now. We would do all kinds of stuff together like skate and swim and jump rope. But the thing we both still remember today is building a tent. We would drag old sheets and bedspreads out of our houses and with a clever use of a fence, clothes pins, and sticks we would build incredible tents. We'd play in them all day long. For some reason, our parents never let us sleep out in them, but believe me they would have been awesome. I remember them being very roomy and just so much fun.

As an adult, my sister and I usually go someplace during the summer. I live with her and she is ten kinds of fun. We travel so well together and we've gone to some great places like Savannah, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach. My favorite was Charleston where we stayed at Middleton Plantation. OMG! So awesome. But when we got there she decided to go exploring and I wanted to take a shower. As I'm climbing out of the tub, she came running in yelling for me. Apparently, she had followed this path down to the water and what she thought was a log floating by turned out to be an alligator. She said it spied her, stopped swimming, backed up and sunk down in the water. That's when she turned and ran away.

My last favorite summer memory was driving to see Jessica Jarman. We don't live close so it's was like a 13 hour drive, but I was staying for nearly a week. At the end, Jess decided to go home with me and then fly back a week later. We left her house around 3:30 pm or so and drove all night long. We played one CD the entire time (Will Smith) and sang and danced like we had lost our minds. I think we finally got into my place around 4:30 am and slept until noon or after. It was crazy fun.

And those are my favorite summer memories. Check out the what Bronwyn, Kris and Jessica have to say.

--GC

Random Wednesday: If I Could Have a Super Power, I'd . . . or Worship Me Mortals for I am a Kind and Benevolent Goddess

Welcome back to the Random Wednesday Blog! Last week I totally missed because I was sick . . . with pneumonia! Who has pneumonia in the summer?? Yeah, obviously this girl does. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the pills they give you are also good for plague and anthrax so I am all kinds of ready to withstand anything coming my way.

Anyway, the Blogger Girlz and I are chatting about what super power we would have, if we could have one. Oh wait, I forgot, I need to include hotness for my friend Norris:

Wow, he truly doesn't need a super power does he??? I mean the tattoo and the abs and the general almost nakedness is pretty much a power in and of itself. *sigh*

That's right, power, mine, if I could have one. So my super power would be the ability to transport anywhere I want to go. See I have friends in a lot of different places and I rarely get to see them. But, if I could zap in to visit then I could see them when I want. I also wouldn't have to deal with flying or driving, I would just go when I want. I also wouldn't have to deal with hotels and room rates and reservations. I could pop in, do what I want and then bam be back home in time to shower and go to bed.

I could also visit places that I've always wanted to see without too much fuss. Grand Canyon (bam I'm there), Scotland, England, Ireland (no problem I could do it on my vacation without all the flight delays and sitting in airports). It's the middle of January and I'm freezing my boot off, just go to Hawaii for the day and lounge on the beach for a while. Easy peasy!

Even better, I'd never have to drive to work again. I could just transport myself to the museum. Then, no matter what time I decided to leave, I could be home in a blink of an eye. I wouldn't have to pay for parking or sit in traffic ever again. *sigh* Now that is heaven.

If you are interested in what super powers the other Girlz would want, go and check them out. I am so sure you won't be disappointed. If you don't know, they are Bronwyn, Jessica, Kris, Jenny, Kellie, and Leigh

--GC

Random Wednesday Blog: The First 5 Things I'd Buy If I Won a Million Dollars

Hello and welcome back to Random Wednesday Blog. Did you miss us??? I'm sure you did, I mean where else can you find such amazingly fun women along with male hotness???

Oh wait!!  I wasn't supposed to post my husband's pic. Okay, I'll leave it there as long as none of you say anything. ;-) He's shy, you know . . . .

Anyway, the topic being kicked around today by the Blogger Girlz is the first 5 things we'd buy if we won a million dollars . . . . Bwahahahahahaha

1. I am way boring so I would pay off all my bills. I have student loans coming out the wazoo . . . which is not a good place for student loans to come out of.

2. I really like my SUV so no new car, but I think I'd take it to a dealership and let them give it the star treatment. You know, really buff and shine and such. But I would get my sister a new car because she needs one.

3. I'd take a trip . . . to the most amazing place on Earth . . . that's right . . . Walt Disney World

I love that place and I haven't been in forever. So yeah I'm a kid at heart and I'd go and stay in the parks. Probably at the Contemporary since it has the monorail running through it. Major coolness.

4. I would rent a house on the beach maybe someplace like the Outer Banks. My sister and I are always talking about going there, but we never do. So yeah I'd rent a house for a week and invite the Blogger Girlz so we can get together and write and visit and eat and drink and . . . have a majorly good time.

5. I would build onto my house. Right now it's my sister, 4 cats, and me and we need someplace a bit bigger. We don't want to move, since that's such a hassle, but if we built on we could each have large bedrooms as well as a much bigger living room and kitchen. Win win for us.

Okay nothing very stunning, other than my hubs up there, but beyond that I'm not all wild and crazy. I wouldn't buy 7 cars or try to back pack around the world. Yeah, right, I couldn't even make it out of my neighborhood without calling my sister to come pick me up.

If you are interested in what the other Girlz would spend their hard earned winnings on go check them out: Bronwyn, Jessica, Kris, Jenny, and Leigh

See you next week!! --GC

Random Wednesday Blog: To Write I Need . . . .

Hey!!  Happy Gwens-day and welcome to another week of the Random Wednesday Blog with the Blogger Girlz! So this week's topic is all about what I need to write. *snort* Yeah, ummm, before we do this let's get in some gratuitous male hotness for my friend Kris Norris.

Ummmm, wow, okay . . .I think we should pause for just a moment to appreciate all this man is giving to us. Yep, there it is, that's all I need to write. :-)  Okay, so seriously, I don't need too much. Hell I've written in the middle of a busy doctor's office. When you gotta get the words in you do what you have to. But when I am out someplace like that the first thing I have to have is:

1) MP3 player and kick ass earbuds - because the noise of people talking and kids screaming doesn't lend itself to writing hot sex scenes. You know. I used to use the MP3 player all the time, but now I find that if I'm home and in my bedroom I don't need them anymore unless the scene calls for some awesome music.

2) Someplace comfy. I have written, like I said, on crappy office chairs, but it doesn't make me happy. I hate being squished up against people because I always think they're reading what I'm writing. And being out in a crowd while trying to be creative is incredibly draining. I'm an introvert so I NEED my space and quiet.

--True Story Time -- So Jessica Jarman and I have been friends for a very long time. We've spent close to 2 weeks with each other nonstop and I still love her to death, but the thing is, she's an introvert too. So when we were staying at my house she was in one room and I was in another and we were writing. But as we're writing were also messaging one another. Also when we go out to say someplace awesome like Starbucks or Caribou we sit across from each other with our laptops and it really looks like we're playing a huge game of Battleship. We each have our headsets and drinks and we write.

3) To just do it - see here's the deal I love to write, but often by the end of the day I am dead tired. I'm a teacher in a museum and the summer is our busiest time. So by the time it's 9:30 (like it is now) I'm lucky I'm making fairly coherent sentences. After I'm with those people all day long (kids) I just need to rest. But I also need to quite pissing around and get moving. So the biggest thing I need is:

A Kick in the Ass!!!  And that's usually where Jessica, once again, comes in.

So, there you have it. Nothing earth shattering or bizarre. I don't need handsome, half-clothed men fanning me (though it would be nice) or to be sitting at my fantastical desk in my awesome office. . . yeah, don't have either one of those. I just need to get my ass some place comfortable, open the laptop, and go.

Check out the other Blogger Girls to see if they need anything amazing. If you don't know who they are: Bronwyn, Jessica, Kris, Jenny, and Kellie.

See you next week! --GC

Random Wednesday Blog: A Few of My Favorite Things - Movies!! Or Stop Watching TV and Get Back to Writing

Hey!!!  It's Random Wednesday Blog time again and the Blogger Girlz are I are going to talk about our favorite movies. Wow! I don't know if there's enough space for me to list every single one of them, but I will cover the top pics. Now, I'll admit, I used to go to the movies all the time. But recently, not so much. It's not that the movies are any less good or whatever, but I feel as if I have too much to do and not enough time to give up 3 hours of my life. And this is why most of the movies are older. Also, they aren't in any kind of order. So enjoy!

1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy - need I say more?? I mean fantastic story, amazing visuals, and awesome cast.   And I know what you're thinking . . . someone other than Viggo was in the movies and I say, "Really? I didn't notice."

 2. Donovan's Reef - If you haven't seen this movie I highly recommend it. It was made back in 1963 and starred John Wayne, Lee Marvin, and a host of other people. It is so funny and I remember my dad and I watching it all the time. I still watch it around Christmas since the holidays are a big part of the movie.

Whoops, how did handsome Viggo get in here???

3. Raiders of the Lost Ark - I remember going to see this in high school with my girl friends. We had an absolute ball. I think we saw it together at least 5 or 6 more times. And it has Harrison Ford in it so need I say more.

There he is again

4. Star Wars - The Original and the best. I saw this movie when it first came out in 1977 . . . I was barely an embryo, but saw it just the same. The special effects totally blew me away and I loved the story. Nothing like this had ever been made before and, as a writer, I was hooked.

Yum, this is him looking so earnest and sincere. Please Gwen, come away with me. Of course, Viggo . . . 

5. The Heat - I saw this not too long ago and laughed and laughed. I love Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock. If you haven't seen it you need to especially if you need a laugh. These women are amazing.

6. High Plains Drifter - Clint Eastwood movie released in around 1973. This was another movie my dad introduced me too. In fact, any time this movie is on my sister and I sit transfixed and watch it. We love this movie with it's paranormal elements and story of vengeance. Yep, it's got everything you would want.

7. Thor & Thor: Dark World - loved them, hell I love all the movies based in the Marvel Universe. And yes Chris Hemsworth is so beautifully yummy.But the ever awesome Tom Hiddleston is even more yummy because he makes bad Loki look soooo good.

I could keep going and going, but I won't. I'll let you go so you can see what the other Blogger Girlz are up to. If you don't know yet they are: Jessica, Bronwyn, Kris, Kellie, and Tess.

See you all next week!!  --GC

RIP Maya Angelou

I love Maya Angelou. The effortless flow of words that say so much without fuss or bother. The imagery and fire in every line. This is my very favorite poem and, the older I get, the more I can relate to it. Thank you, Ms. Angelou for blessing us with your talent.

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Random Wednesday: My Dream Yard

Hello!!  Welcome to the Random Wednesday Blog. Our topic this week is what our dream yard would look like. This is an awesome topic since I've been imagining my dream yard forever so to finally talk about and share it is amazing. Oh!!  But first I must post hunkey man for my friend Kris Norris. Here you go, Eh!

Ooookay, so yeah, yards. I know it's certainly not as exciting as Abs up there, but what can you say. I don't think any topic is as exciting. So my dream yard would be large and bordered by woods. I would love to have a really cute house out far enough to have privacy, but not too far that I couldn't go to the Barnes & Noble when I wanted. This one is close, but the porches would have to be bigger and screened in. Sorry I do not like bugs.

Anyway, I would want the back of the house to have another amazing porch, which would back up to woods. The woods would have a creek running through and be close enough to the house so I can hear it. The creek must have a waterfall of some kind because I love the sound of water. It's so relaxing.

I love this waterfall (right) and obviously it's not natural, but I'd want mine to look like this anyway. My cousin has a 15 acre farm and she has a creek and waterfall and wow, it's amazing. You can hear it from her front porch.


Next you gotta have plants and by plants I mean a lot of flowers and trees. Right now, in reality, my yard does have plants. I have 4 boxwoods and 3 miniature spruce in my front yard. My sister and I just planted 3 azalea bushes and flowers also in the front yard. We are currently planning a small garden in the back and then a Japanese garden she wants. I have a very large yard, but it's crappy. The back is all up hill or down, depending on how you look at it. So the more we plant the less I have to mow.

Wait! We're talking fantasy so my dream yard has woods and a creek and a waterfall. None of this I have to mow. I also have a lovely garden close to the house. In it will be crepe myrtle, flowering cherry trees and a lot of flowers.  See there are my flowers.




If you don't know about crepe myrtle check to the left. They smell so damn good. I have wonderful friends that live in Memphis and when I go to visit, these trees are everywhere. They are gorgeous and just make everything smell wonderful.

And that if you don't know what a flowering cherry looks like, there it is to the right. They smell awesome too and they are really pretty. I planted one for realz a few years ago and it was doing great until we had a killing frost at the end of April. Yep, you guess it. Killed my poor baby tree. Bastard weather!!


So there you have it. My dream yard/house. When I finally purchase it and move in everyone is invited to my house for a cookout!

Now head over and check out the other Blogger Girlz (Bronwyn, Jessica, Kris, Jenny, Leigh, and Kellie)  to see what kinds of yards they dream of having.