Hopeless

Some of you who know me, know I love to read. Other's who don't.. well there you go I love to read.  I actually hadn't started reading novels until I picked up the Twilight series.  I was a new stay at home mom with an infant and after months I started to become quite bored.  I've worked since I was 16 years old.  And I had my last baby when I was 35.  So, I was bored and all this hype was going on about this Twilight story. My best friend Amber had all of the books and she said I could borrow them from her. When she lugged in 4 huge books I almost fell over.  "Are you serious, I haven't read that many books in my entire life."

I love a challenge so I jumped right in.  That was three years ago, and I haven't been seen without a book since.  I read so much while I was home with my newborn, I didn't get shit done.

Lately, I only read at night or when I'm giving Andrew a nap.  Since I figured out that you can read books from your cell phone.. Well, I'll be damned, that shit is for me and it's cheaper.  It's all down hill from there. I HAVE to read every single night before I fall asleep.  (I used to be addicted to the T.V.)  I've read all kinds of books.  Love stories, mysteries, horror and true stories.

I don't know if it's because I read so much, or because I love to write as well, I can usually figure out the end of the book many chapters before the book ends.  I give myself a pat on the back when I finish the book and it's the ending I thought it would be.  At the same time, I'm a little disappointed because I was able to figure it out.  I love to be surprised. Yes, I even read the 50 Shades Trilogy and loved all three of them, but I was able to predict the ending way before it ended.  Many, many parts of that story did shock the hell out of me though!!

This blog is inspired by the book I just read.  I seriously could not put it down.  I even read it during the day and got nothing done all damn day.  But, it was so damn worth it.

I'm recommending the book:  Hopeless by: Colleen Hoover

This book is definitely a must read.  It has twists and turns all over the place.  It actually caught me by surprise, which hardly ever happens. Because, this book took my breath away is why I'm recommending it.

Click on the link below to purchase your Kindle version.  It's only $3.99!

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies...

That's what Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she's never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past she wishes could just stay buried. 

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he's nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn't at all who he's been claiming to be. When the secrets he's been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky's life will change forever.




Hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did.  I will be looking for more books by this author.

xoxo

The Knucklehead's Adventure

The early morning moonlight shining through the blinds, wakes up Mr. Knucklehead.
He grunts and groans out of bed and heads into the kitchen and makes his morning coffee to keep him awake at the early hour of 4:30. Sitting in his old Lazy Boy watching and mocking the news anchor who is getting paid to be up at this hour.

Mrs. Knucklehead and her little Knuckleheads wake from their slumber a few hours after.

Coffee isn't even swallowed by Mrs. Knucklehead when her other half orders them all to get dressed, they will be taking a mystery ride today.

Looking outside, Mrs Knucklehead wonders why her husband wants to venture out on such a rainy cloudy day.  "Let's stay home and do laundry." she suggests.

"No, I want to go today." he barks.

The Knuckleheads drag themselves to get dressed and ready for their day.

All loaded in the car and off in the southern direction, looking for something to do. Something that cost little to no money. Not only were they a family of Knucklehead's they were also very cheap.

The Knuckleheads just moved to this area and haven't even started to discover the little gems that this new land holds.

Little Knuckleheads spot a gigantic playground from the car and squeal for Daddy Knucklehead to pull over so they can run and play.  After, watching the little Knuckleheads, slide, swing, jump and climb for nearly an hour, Mommy and Daddy practically had to drag them back to the car.

Back on the road, they found another place to explore. It turned out to be a huge campground.  Mr. Knucklehead stops the car and goes into the office. After sweet talking the attendant lady they got to explore with an extra $4.00 in their pocket.  Looking at the map, they discover their is an island they can explore.
Jumping out of the car heading for the rickety wooden bridge.

On the other side of the bridge, was the trail they were hoping to explore.  All four excited to start their adventure, they walk a single file line down the dirt path.

They walk and walk, laughing and joking.  Following the trail from one curve to the next. They hear in the background the noise of water.  The Knucklehead's love the water, little Knucklehead's love to play in the water, while Mr. Knucklehead likes to fish and Mrs. Knucklehead sit back and watch her family have fun.

They round the corner and see where the noise is coming from....

All four excited to see that they finally found a place to wander and take pictures. They notice that there are old picnic benches lined up like a make shift dock.  The little Knucklehead's ask if they can have picnic right there in the water.  Even though their name is Knucklehead the answer to that question was definitely NO!

Because of the dreary weather, the water was choppy and loud.  After walking around this area for a few minutes, so Mrs. Knucklehead could take her pictures.  The family moved on to see what else they could find.

Picking back up on their trail, they notice a carpet of pine needles..  Mrs. Knucklehead starts to wonder, how long it's been since anyone has actually ventured into this area.  She kept that thought to herself.

With the roar of the choppy water behind them, and the quiet of the tiny island in front of them.  Sounds of birds all around them.  As they continue on their adventure, they come across part of the trail where bug spray would have been needed. Trying to walk as fast as they could through the tunnel of mosquitoes is when Mr. Knucklehead mentions, "I bet there are Bob Cat's out here."  Luckily the Little's didn't hear him, but Mommy did.. and shh'ed him very quickly.  Mrs. Knucklehead looking behind her every few seconds to make sure she wasn't being stalked.

A few more minutes of walking, they finally reached the other side of the tiny Island. A beautiful tiny beach full of drift wood and shells.  Much more exploring to do right here.

The water was clean and clear, shells everywhere.  The old tree's were beautiful.

Three of the Knucklehead's walked around, searching, exploring and finding shells.
The littlest Knucklehead picked up a pretty shell.. he examined it and screamed.
Seemed he had found a shell with a hermit crab living in it.  He chucked into the water.

While they walked slowly into the water, Mrs. Knucklehead heard a splash in the water and saw a dolphin swimming and chasing his food.  The Knucklehead's stopped and quietly watched the beautiful creature dive up and down through the cool water.

Didn't actually get a picture of the dolphin

The dolphin filled it's belly and the Knucklehead's continued to slosh through the clear water, that's when the littlest Knucklehead through a shell and lost his balance and fell face first into the shallow water.  Shocked and cold he got up and started to cry when he lost his balance and fell yet again. 

Because, of the giggles and laughs Mrs. Knucklehead didn't get a chance to snap a picture of her wet little one. Thanks to unexpected swim, the adventure was coming to an end. 

Back onto the trail, to find their way back to where they started.  This time the journey wasn't filled with laughter and excitement.  This time the walk took much longer due to the little cold and wet Knucklehead whining the whole way.  Back through the tunnel of mosquitoes.. 

 Back to the bridge to a warm towel and a quiet drive home. 

They got home just in time to eat lunch and take the Knucklehead nap.

Thanks for reading my story of how we spent our Saturday morning.

xoxo

Ellen

New Year's Resolution

What I've never understood is why do people make New Year's resolutions?
If you want to make a change, why not do it right then?  Why wait till the calendar say's January 1st?

I am the same way though, and I'm not sure how to answer that question.
Actually, last year I was completely against it.  I didn't make a resolution at all.

This year, I will be making two.  And they aren't the normal kinds of resolutions.  I won't be quitting smoking, or losing weight or eating better.

Resolution number one:
I will be finished with the book that I am writing by this time next year.  And, I mean all done.  I have one year to finish first draft and have a couple of my honest friends read it over for me.

Resolution number two:
I used to coupon... and yes the extreme couponing.  I really did save tons and tons of money.  I haven't couponed in probably 6 months.  Not sure why I quit.  Well, I do, it's because I was too damn lazy to go out on Sunday and buy the newspapers.  I'm sick of going to the store for one tube of toothpaste and paying full price for it.  I was so used to just going into my stock pile cabinet and pulling out one of many I had to choose from.  When I couponed not only did I save money, but I also shared with family and friends.  I really enjoyed doing that.

So, those are my New Year's resolutions this year.

What will your's be?


Thanks for reading.
xoxo

MINE!

Writing this post I'm not thinking of  anyone specific, just people in general.   I've met so many people in my thirty eight years who are so damn selfish.  They claim to be selfless and love to help others.  But, when it really comes down to it.. It really is only about them!

We try to teach our children to be nice, respectful, share and to help others.  We aren't talking about donating our body parts that we are still using.  We all expect young children to scream MINE most of the time.  But, what we tend to overlook is, adults do the same thing.  They say it by not saying anything.  Does that make sense?

I read this article that made some really good points on why people are selfish.
The one that really stuck out for me is that the selfish person acts this way because they feel inferior.
When a person feels good about themselves they have empathy towards others.
So does that mean, if a person is selfish and greedy that they don't feel good about themselves and they want to keep it all for himself?  And, when someone feels good about their life and themselves as a person they are more likely to help and or share with others?  For me personally it makes me feel good to help or share with someone.  I've never really thought about how I feel about myself or my life before I share with someone.  HMM.

Another point it brought up was birth order.  I will include the link to the article I read at the end of this post.

I am not a selfish person at all.  There sure are times when I should be.  Maybe it's cause of my birth order. HAHA.

Anyway, here is the link to the article that I read.

Thanks for reading
xoxo

***Why are there selfish people***

"Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race."   (William E. Gladstone)

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. 
Unsuccessful people are always asking, "What's in it for me?”  (Brian Tracy)

Oh no, what did I do!?!

Emilie isn't the kind of child who asks a lot of questions about things.

This afternoon, after I picked her up from school, she goes in her room and does whatever she does in there to entertain herself.

Then she came out and stood right in front of me and said:

"Mommy, is the Tooth Fairy real?"

"Yes, Emilie the Tooth Fairy is real."  I look her right in the eye.

"Mommy, you can tell me the truth you know, I won't be upset if you say no."

"Emilie, I'm telling you, there is a Tooth Fairy."

"Are you sure you don't just give me money when I lose my teeth."

Okay, I'm starting to freak out a bit, she never has that many questions.  And usually when I tell her the answer once she doesn't question it again.

Luckily I'm a great actress.. (some people call it liar, I choose to call it acting.)

"Emilie you know how cheap I am. Unless you earn the money yourself  I don't just hand out money, right?"

She looks me right in the face, waiting for me to crack a smile, looking for something to tip her off.

Like I said, I'm a good actress, and she takes the answer and goes back to her room.
She comes out a few minutes later to get a drink and I decide to question her.

"Emilie, why were you asking me so many questions about the Tooth Fairy.  Did someone say something to you in school?"

"Nope, I was just wondering."  she saunters back to her bedroom.

I can't help to think about why she asked me such a random question.  She doesn't even have a loose tooth and hasn't lost one in quite a few months.

Then it dawns on me.. Holy shit, I was talking about Santa on the way home from school.

I've had a really bad day, we are having major money problems.  We left our Christmas decorations back in Ocala when we moved.  My best friend was coming down this weekend to visit, and she was bringing my
decorations with her.  She called today to tell me they weren't coming because she got the flu.  I seriously was and still am pretty sad about her not coming.  I miss her something crazy!

So, then I started thinking. Oh my God, how the hell are we going to decorate without my decorations.  We can not afford to buy all new stuff.  Then, I starting thinking about, how the hell are we even going to afford presents.  I was so sad today.  I feel like everything is just piled on top of me and I can't breathe.
Back in the car, on the way home from school.   Emilie was talking about everything she wants for Christmas, and I did something really, really bad.

"Emilie baby, you know I can't afford everything you want."
"Mommy, Santa will bring it all."
"Umm, no.. Santa doesn't bring all of your gifts he only brings a few and Mommy and Daddy buy the rest."

As soon as I seen her face.  I could have rolled my own head up in the window.
What the hell did I just do?  I asked myself.

Well, I guess I can't cover it up now.  I have to just go with it now.
"Emilie, I think sometimes he brings more one year and less another year.  He has so many children to deliver gifts to."

She answers "Oh."

Then she let it go.  Until the whole Tooth Fairy conversation came up.

Oh my God, what did I do?  Did I ruin it for my 8 year old daughter?

I feel horrible!