tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75386156484204830872024-03-13T12:55:14.438-07:00 Tracy Winegar<center>Dishing on life, love, and whatever else catches her fancy.</center>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-40028002396920501842014-09-15T19:24:00.001-07:002014-09-15T19:24:31.074-07:00Character Blog Hop<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was invited to this "Meet My Character” blog hop by author M. Leigh Marrott.
M. Leigh’s Bio:
Author M. Leigh Marrott has been coloring the world with her stories since she could talk... just like those pesky aliens used to color her walls at night when she was four. The first poem she actually wrote down was at the age of eleven as she grumbled about cleaning. When she was in high school, her quirky English teacher submitted M. Leigh’s poetry to a local paper and, to the author’s dismay, it was published. In March 2013, she had a collection of haikus published in EFiction Magazine. She is a contributor to The Liahona Project and Just An Average Mormon. M. Leigh is also a contributing author for the new YA Paranormal anthology, “Strange and Lovely” which now available for pre-order at </span><a class="_553k" href="http://www.authorcjanaya.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://www.authorcjanaya.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html</a><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Currently, M. Leigh is working on tidying up her first full-length novel for publication in early 2015.
Born and raised in Indiana, as an adult M. Leigh married a military man and has moved 11 times in their nearly fifteen years together. They are the parents of four children, and though their military life is over, they love living in patriotic Texas. M. Leigh has degrees in Criminal Justice, Social Work and Psychology and finds the human condition and relationships fascinating. She also adores baking anything chocolate, taking long road trips in the family Suburban, and having totally geeked out movie marathons.
You can read her “Meet My Character” blog post on her blog at </span><a class="_553k" href="http://thissideofinvisible-mlm.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://thissideofinvisible-mlm.blogspot.com/</a><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Websites: </span><a class="_553k" href="http://thissideofinvisible-mlm.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://thissideofinvisible-mlm.blogspot.com/</a><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><a class="_553k" href="http://beneaththepaper.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://beneaththepaper.blogspot.com/</a><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Facebook: </span><a class="_553k" href="https://www.facebook.com/authormleighmarrott" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/authormleighmarrott</a><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Twitter: </span><a class="_553k" href="https://twitter.com/leighmarrott" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/leighmarrott</a><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Goodreads: </span><a class="_553k" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8522029.M_Leigh_Marrott" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8522029.M_Leigh_Marrott</a><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Character Interview
What is the name of your character? Clairey
Is he/she fictional or a historic person? fictional
When and where is the story set? My story takes place in the 1930s in the south.
What should we know about him/her? She is fiercely loyal and is constantly evolving.
What is the main conflict? Clairey is thrown into a situation that is beyond her control and must make the best of it.
What messes up his/her life? Her father.
What is the personal goal of the character? To become better that she is.
Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it? Good Ground
When can we expect the book to be published? This book has already been published.
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-13932433684936112932013-09-30T12:47:00.000-07:002013-09-30T12:47:19.309-07:00If I Could Cast Good Ground the Movie<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Casting for Good Ground the Movie</span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444;">It is fun to imagine what my book would be like as a movie.
If I had any say in casting a movie based on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Ground, </i>these are the actors that I would choose for the
characters in my book.</span></span></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuRbxRZXg1Y/UkmlSO30WmI/AAAAAAAAASA/7uWZ0NJlKpI/s1600/Jim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuRbxRZXg1Y/UkmlSO30WmI/AAAAAAAAASA/7uWZ0NJlKpI/s200/Jim.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=ellen+page&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=KlzNVUCDQxXlnM&tbnid=DX2vhC2tfx7xSM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fartemisfowl.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AEllen_Page.jpg&ei=L6dJUvT_JYWNqQHtjYHwAw&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNEkafEd_E4KkHtK7wkzq5QZfCgeLg&ust=1380644998924631" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://images.wikia.com/artemisfowl/images/4/44/Ellen_Page.jpg" style="margin-top: 134px;" width="136" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim
Hooper<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edith Hooper<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam Worthington<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ellen Page</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="194" id="irc_mi" src="http://i2.cdnds.net/13/11/618x600/dallas-roberts.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=Embeth%20Davidtz&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Jy2Ov2wyxKUABM&tbnid=6FcV5g3WA9fysM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Fname%2Fnm0001110%2F&ei=x6lJUt-rD8aDqgGw8oAw&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNGuHDL9ClUGsHRiODDow_71vLKJGQ&ust=1380645688008168" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNDU5NzQzMTkyMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjQ2OTUwOA@@._V1_SX214_CR0,0,214,317_.jpg" style="margin-top: 133px;" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Fielding<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs. Fielding<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Dallas Roberts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Embeth Davidtz</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=joseph%20gordon-levitt&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=bqlhVnEpGRlmzM&tbnid=kF1JpAtt6Bo7jM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthemanhasstyle.com%2Ftag%2Fjoseph-gordon-levitt-2%2F&ei=mqpJUv1OgceqAe39gdAL&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNFXzWcyUVJzcvHSN8bD9_S80c11kw&ust=1380645893557628" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://themanhasstyle.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/4157_instagram_the_man_has_style_joseph_gordon-levitt.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /></a> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=Shailene%20Woodley&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=oEedoCGFQVdcNM&tbnid=qMwwdAGV289D4M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Fname%2Fnm0940362%2F&ei=7apJUtClDoehqwHCoYHYDA&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNGJGtg2PwuR0CS4sDRj9qZl94FAJA&ust=1380645987140593" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BOTIxNTE2NTQ3Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzMwOTk2Nw@@._V1._SX640_SY960_.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="133" /></a> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ellis Hooper <span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span>Clairey
Hooper<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously
Joseph Gordon-Levitt!!!<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shailene Woodley</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=Jay%20Baruchel&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ZZ6T2WnFg-cdZM&tbnid=DbipHZGRdBRAIM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.people.com%2Fpeople%2Farticle%2F0%2C%2C20472906%2C00.html&ei=da9JUpyLH8jTrQH9kIG4Bw&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNHOKa9983Cfb7ORS_gduz6CEzMuCg&ust=1380647113308289" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://img2-3.timeinc.net/people/i/2011/news/110321/jay-baruchel-240.jpg" style="margin-top: 131px;" width="150" /></a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=Jeremy%20Davies&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=eBsK9C050piMTM&tbnid=yrFYha6wWR5kmM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhairstylesformen.info%2Fcelebrity%2Fjeremy-davies-hairstyle%2F&ei=BrBJUoPaD8X2qQHdx4DIAQ&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNFIYQDjse7x_BfZoL_7ymarpUR08Q&ust=1380647296681621" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://hairstylesformen.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Jeremy-Davies-Hairstyle.jpg" style="margin-top: 139px;" width="153" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fergus Bayard</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Jay Baruchel or if he
were only younger Jeremy Davies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=Camilla%20Belle&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=iHmK3wipa0ZgSM&tbnid=wq4JLEtpZa7kRM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcs.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FCamilla_Belle&ei=mLZJUu0CyKmqAYufgJAN&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNEp1t3E58-vS5cvj6JQAY7BTiGTyg&ust=1380648976234160" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/CamillaBelleJun09.jpg/220px-CamillaBelleJun09.jpg" style="margin-top: 118px;" width="125" /></a> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=Lilly%20Collins&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=EmMMk772VzD2NM&tbnid=b3UxPWTNaVhS3M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zimbio.com%2Fphotos%2FLily%2BCollins%2FClinton%2BFoundation%2BDecade%2BDifference%2BGala%2F0oLBhzylLSO&ei=-rZJUpLUKcefqwGE3YE4&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNE72N6G7p7UflR07b3p6bJ8V0NBPA&ust=1380649049292714" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Lily+Collins+Clinton+Foundation+Decade+Difference+0oLBhzylLSOl.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="153" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Elvira Bayard <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; mso-spacerun: yes;"> A Camilla Belle look-alike or Lily Collins</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=beth%20grant&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=BKiWt5CtbwRstM&tbnid=lwou6bnyVJFVgM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thevro.com%2Ftag%2Fbeth-grant%2F&ei=Tc5JUrDdPMieqQHvmoGwDA&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNElMhjPltnteTrj4kcgerREhaUWJQ&ust=1380655042244118" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://interviews.thevro.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MV5BMTA3OTQ3ODE0OTheQTJeQWpwZ15BbWU3MDcyNzc4MTQ@._V1._SY314_CR180214314_.jpg" style="margin-top: 134px;" width="136" /></a> <a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=william%20hurt&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=H3iFZ4ZeJpM70M&tbnid=Trfhtx8JUw_iBM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ffeatures%2Frto%2F2010%2Fgallery%2F10_globes_arrivals-rm197955328&ei=vNBJUtfILMP6qgHo-IHoBw&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNEMQZWUHKBo5q5EbCtjaAehgcbGyw&ust=1380655661058332" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMzYxNjUyODA2OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzg5MTMxMw@@._V1._SX269_SY400_.jpg" style="margin-top: 91px;" width="134" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=lh65M9hBHQPrbM&tbnid=ZB-8iu4VoA-XjM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://social.popsugar.com/Camilla-Belle-Alanna-Masterson---Separated-Birth-1778364&ei=jWQEUozYKcTAyAHkwYCQBA&bvm=bv.50500085,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNHjfzVceSRLN1rkq-5_Ah_hsXHSNw&ust=1376105889425861"><span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a><span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Clairey's Mother Joe Davenport </span></span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Beth Grant<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>William Hurt<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-190229600002419702013-09-18T09:42:00.002-07:002013-09-18T09:45:30.686-07:00A True Love Story<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">What constitutes a true love story? In the beginning you
meet someone, have an attraction or a common purpose and the relationship
grows. While many of us experience that chemical reaction of seeing someone
that you are drawn to because of physical appearance, you general move past
that into meatier substance when you “fall in love”. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">I think of my parents who have been married now for
forty-four years. Would my mom say that she thought my dad was dang fine? Sure.
My grandparents who spent a life time together had their beginnings in a
horseshoe game. My grandmother swore that when she saw the back of my grandpa’s
head she knew that was the man she would marry. My own marriage of sixteen
years began with a double take when I saw my husband for the first time walk by
and I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wow he is really good
looking</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">But then I think of the rest of the story, and I realize
that these relationships may be steeped in infatuation but they moved on to
bigger and better things. I do not profess to be an expert on love, but I will
share with you what I believe love is. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">My grandma and grandpa lived in rural Tennessee. Grandma Ruby
was the only child of Frank Amonette. Frank was a professed bachelor for a good
portion of his life and when he finally settled down and married my great-
grandmother he was growing older. When my great-grandma Mary died of breast
cancer, his fear then was of being alone. He asked my Grandma Ruby to promise
him that she would never marry. She would not agree to it, because even as a
young woman she knew that it was a promise she couldn’t keep. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Her father did not approve of my grandpa Douglas, for
various reasons (I’m sure some of them good reasons). While my Grandpa Douglas
was a good man he was human, had his weaknesses and made his mistakes. But she
loved him anyway. Because my great-grandfather Frank would not give his
blessing, they decided to elope. At one point, on their journey to exchange
vows, grandpa Douglas carried my grandma Ruby through a stream so that she
wouldn’t get wet. Doesn’t get much more romantic than that does it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But here’s the ever after part. They went on to have
children, six of them. At one point my grandma Ruby experienced a very
traumatic and difficult miscarriage. The two of them struggled to make ends
meet on their tobacco farm while raising their family. The work was hard, the
days were long. One of their sons as an adult was involved in an accident and
consequentially became a quadriplegic. My grandparents lovingly took care of
him until they died. They had many ups and downs throughout their fifty-nine
years together.</span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2paxqGls2RA/UjnWOs-PtbI/AAAAAAAAARI/8G9qp6MUfUQ/s1600/grandma+and+grandpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2paxqGls2RA/UjnWOs-PtbI/AAAAAAAAARI/8G9qp6MUfUQ/s640/grandma+and+grandpa.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Similarly, my parents met, fell in love, and were married.
Went on to have eight children! During that time my father worked hard to
support his family. My mother worked hard to keep the house in order and
provide meals for her family and make things stretch as far as they might. They
worked together to raise us children and to do the best they could with what
they were given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lost their first
grandson shortly after he was born, a constant heartache, even now after
nineteen years, for our family. They had another grandson diagnosed with
autism. I have seen firsthand their struggles and the lengths they would go to
in order to take care of their own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tjm4ZCa4mss/UjnXBCDpm3I/AAAAAAAAARc/L7eQ7SUdRjE/s1600/mom+and+dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tjm4ZCa4mss/UjnXBCDpm3I/AAAAAAAAARc/L7eQ7SUdRjE/s640/mom+and+dad.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">My own marriage has not been without its problems. My
husband and I now have four children of our own. Our second, a son, was
diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Finances and the stresses of work and
family have been difficult at times. What is my point in telling you all of
this? I guess it is to say that I believe true love happens after the happily
ever after. It is grounded in joy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i>
sorrow, in work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> play, in pleasure
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> suffering, in passion <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> temperance. It is facing hard times
and working through them together. We are older and weigh more and are wiser
and more experienced. I still think he is sexier than ever and sometimes we
still make love like it was the first time. I know him and he knows me, the good,
the bad, and the ugly. And yet, despite the imperfection, we are solid. We love
each other. We love each other enough to work through the moments that are
truly bad, because we know that there is still good somewhere in the future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, for me, is a true love story, hanging on
and hanging in with the person you have made promises to and choosing to stay
in love despite the odds being against you. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ww4OZd681k/UjnXrQsymbI/AAAAAAAAARs/u7k-FMLlVrA/s640/wedding+pic.jpg" width="512" /></div>
</div>
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-37451441679306509162013-09-05T09:58:00.002-07:002013-09-05T14:56:36.809-07:00Fashions and Hairstyles of the 1930s<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Many women of the 1930s did their best to stay in fashion by
making over clothing they already had. The depression was a tough time and
money was scarce. They might shorten a hemline or change the sleeve to make it more
presentable. Of course women of Hollywood played a big role in fashion as they
always have. Emphasis was put on the shoulders, with square cuts and broad
shoulder pads. Skirts were fitted at the waist with a subtle A line flair. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Clairey Hooper lived in the rural south, where fashion was
probably a good decade behind the times. A simple farmer would not have owned
an evening gown or anything frivolous or impractical. Her wardrobe would have
consisted primarily of house dresses, something practical and easy to work in.
Many of the ladies used cottons and calicos with floral or geometrical prints
in simply cut patterns for their day dresses. During the depression anything
usable was utilized, including fabric from flour sacks, which came in a variety
of patterns. Women made good use of these fabrics by making dresses and quilts
from them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">A rural farm girl would most likely have made many of her
own dresses, although store bought dresses were more the norm everywhere else.
Zippers began to be traded out for buttons. An apron was an important part of a
housewives wardrobe to protect her dress and make laundry easier to keep up
with. The fabric dyes were not the best quality. A woman avoided washing her
dress unless it was absolutely necessary because once the dress was washed
the dye faded considerable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">The popular hairstyle of the day was the bob with finger
waves or curls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hats and gloves were a
must have staple for accessories.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p>The following are some examples of dress patterns from the 1930s, which also show lthe trends in hairstyles as well. This would have been the sort of clothing and hair that would have been fashionable in Clairey's time period. </o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CclwdthQE04/Uii2yMgefmI/AAAAAAAAAQg/V8xX0RfxusA/s1600/pattern+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CclwdthQE04/Uii2yMgefmI/AAAAAAAAAQg/V8xX0RfxusA/s400/pattern+2.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKm4IOFhJEA/Uii2v9b9WMI/AAAAAAAAAQY/9FHZ-STfmTo/s1600/pattern+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKm4IOFhJEA/Uii2v9b9WMI/AAAAAAAAAQY/9FHZ-STfmTo/s400/pattern+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VN-JTGdN_84/Uii20hrH86I/AAAAAAAAAQo/Os5PrbxPpvg/s1600/pattern+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VN-JTGdN_84/Uii20hrH86I/AAAAAAAAAQo/Os5PrbxPpvg/s400/pattern+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2bXCKc8-RA/Uii23dMzM-I/AAAAAAAAAQw/Slkjmedbm3Q/s1600/pattern+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2bXCKc8-RA/Uii23dMzM-I/AAAAAAAAAQw/Slkjmedbm3Q/s400/pattern+4.jpg" width="203" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaRWnvX7YHQ/Uii26TsyWHI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/weeIKOqDVsE/s1600/pattern+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaRWnvX7YHQ/Uii26TsyWHI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/weeIKOqDVsE/s400/pattern+5.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
</v:stroke></v:shapetype></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-47235058967920773652013-09-03T18:17:00.002-07:002013-09-03T18:18:35.434-07:00FREE Ebook<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Good Ground is free in Ebook form on Amazon September 3-6. Here's the link!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Ground-ebook/dp/B00E8GXQ76/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378256910&sr=1-1&keywords=good+ground">http://www.amazon.com/Good-Ground-ebook/dp/B00E8GXQ76/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378256910&sr=1-1&keywords=good+ground</a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-20371430638534360452013-09-03T08:51:00.001-07:002013-09-03T08:56:05.734-07:00Grandma and Grandpa Shared a Spoon<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thought I would share this video of my grandma and grandpa.
They spoke extensively about their courtship, but this little segment is about
sharing a spoon. For those of you who have read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Ground</i> you will understand where I got the inspiration for a
certain scene. Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRxQMTRKsAc" target="_blank">Grandma and Grandpa Share A Spoon</a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-74827531627061619642013-08-15T09:31:00.000-07:002013-08-15T09:31:43.536-07:00Book Signing Make Over
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">I recently had a book signing at Barnes and Noble. In order
to prepare for it, I got a new sweater and shirt and my friend Elvia Butz did
my makeup. One of my dear friends Kathy Summers says that buying a new outfit
is like getting a new set of armor. I totally agree with her. There is something
about looking good that makes you feel confident. So I am really putting myself
out there on this one.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpyLgL_QmII/Ug0AjHroW0I/AAAAAAAAAQI/GzpT2__j_uk/s1600/make+up+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iyxlbcQBTL0/Ugz9-M-cbpI/AAAAAAAAAO8/A1DIdAmHLpI/s1600/make+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iyxlbcQBTL0/Ugz9-M-cbpI/AAAAAAAAAO8/A1DIdAmHLpI/s320/make+up.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">The Before, that's right NO MAKEUP</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Elvia took some before and after shots. So, folks, you get
to see the real me, the me that looks like a dead corpse before I put my make
up on. One of Elvia’s tips was to make sure that you are exfoliated and moisturized
before you begin putting makeup on. Elzia is a professional makeup artist who
once did Alyssa Milano’s face. She offer’s her services for photographs,
weddings, television (she did my makeup for my television appearance on Fresh
Living a couple months back), theater, and film. You may contact her through email or by telephone
to book your own session with her. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>The Afters</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BSkaVh-Iic/Ugz-xBosUsI/AAAAAAAAAPI/sDQG5q3vHY4/s1600/make+up+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BSkaVh-Iic/Ugz-xBosUsI/AAAAAAAAAPI/sDQG5q3vHY4/s320/make+up+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdvrUmNihHw/Ugz_FVaynlI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/oR_zwaMRwXs/s1600/make+up+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdvrUmNihHw/Ugz_FVaynlI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/oR_zwaMRwXs/s320/make+up+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT8_90rRim8/Ugz_LafNohI/AAAAAAAAAPY/FWqZDs3GqNs/s1600/make+up+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT8_90rRim8/Ugz_LafNohI/AAAAAAAAAPY/FWqZDs3GqNs/s320/make+up+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-alMGZS6-8DM/Ugz_RnjvD0I/AAAAAAAAAPg/snYDcDjqfIc/s1600/make+up+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-alMGZS6-8DM/Ugz_RnjvD0I/AAAAAAAAAPg/snYDcDjqfIc/s320/make+up+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>The Book Signing</strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXo9yBhhxzo/Ugz_b39wCwI/AAAAAAAAAPw/xD9aoIzZGFM/s1600/make+up+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXo9yBhhxzo/Ugz_b39wCwI/AAAAAAAAAPw/xD9aoIzZGFM/s320/make+up+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With one of my biggest supporters Linda</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sneathen</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;">Book Signing Barnes and Noble August 3rd</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLmWkMHSZcg/Ugz_g-hsW5I/AAAAAAAAAP4/P4pk0_ZlDac/s1600/make+up+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLmWkMHSZcg/Ugz_g-hsW5I/AAAAAAAAAP4/P4pk0_ZlDac/s320/make+up+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: #666666;">
<strong>Elvia's Contact Info:</strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">Elvia R. Butz Mobile Beauty Services</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="mailto:mobilemakeupartist27@gmail.com"><span style="color: #666666;">mobilemakeupartist27@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">(801)300-5665<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-19830507607556136942013-07-30T10:25:00.001-07:002013-07-30T10:25:07.201-07:00Press Release<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's finally here!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.prlog.org/12183230-romance-author-tracy-winegar-shows-her-lighter-side.html" target="_blank">http://www.prlog.org/12183230-romance-author-tracy-winegar-shows-her-lighter-side.html</a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-87271223548562682502013-07-20T12:25:00.002-07:002013-07-20T12:25:59.208-07:00My New Project
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Ever
read a book and get the image of a person or celebrity as you are reading about
one of the characters? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Didn’t
start out this way, didn’t write with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in mind, but it
turns out that after much thought and consideration, I really think that he
would make the perfect Ellis Hooper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">If you
think so too, don’t be shy! Sign the petition </span><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jgl_is_ellis_hooper/">http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jgl_is_ellis_hooper/</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GD3wAG8GosQ/UerjvHlyqoI/AAAAAAAAAOo/8WjC2aZ69Ko/s1600/JGL+ellis+hooper+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GD3wAG8GosQ/UerjvHlyqoI/AAAAAAAAAOo/8WjC2aZ69Ko/s640/JGL+ellis+hooper+poster.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-74731794383716604132013-07-18T12:36:00.001-07:002013-07-18T12:37:27.155-07:00Summer Madness<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">What
has become of me? With summer in full swing in the midst of an intense heat
wave, I have fallen into bad habits. Aside from showering, I have done little
else. No make-up, no dress up, barely do my hair and that’s to brush it back
into a ponytail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not like me at all…</span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">I have been busy though.</span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">I wake to my autistic son's begging to go to the zoo every day. He doesn't give up either. He thinks that if he writes what he wants to do on the calendar that it must be so. Therefore, ever square on my calendar is now filled with his favorite activities. But it is too hot to be out and about! And then there's the laundry... I had a shameful moment when I realized that I had become just like a woman that I knew when I was a kid. You know the type. You go over to their house and have to move a two day old, stale PB&J to sit down on the couch. Well that is me (Minus the PB&J. No food allowed outside of kitchen or dining room. I do have some standards, people!) </span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Anyhow, the laundry has grown to epic proportions. I, therefore, have been doing load after load all day long for several days now. I also came up with a schedule for the children so they wouldn't be sitting and watching television all day long. They have get up and move time, reading time, craft time (which has left my dining room looking more like a dumpster than a place to eat, what with paper scraps, glue, tape, etc scattered about).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">But the thing I am most pleased with, is that I have some time to write. My long lost trilogy got pulled out and dusted off. I am
completely immersed in all things Civil War right now. I have been editing and writing,
and it feels good. More than anything, I wanted to see if I was capable of writing a trilogy. Seems like a huge accomplishment. I have finished with the first and am about three-fourths through the second. Verdict is still out on the third. Haha</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">I have also been really caught up in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Ground</i>’s release. Just a week and a half now, my friends. I
will be glad when it is finally over. I have all sorts of anxiety over it. It
is difficult to sleep at night, because my brain just can’t seem to shut down.
Excited? Yes! Scared beyond all reason? That too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">All
part of living the dream, right???<o:p></o:p></span>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-5257143231489916532013-07-03T13:06:00.001-07:002013-07-03T13:08:19.045-07:00Good Ground Give Away<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Enter to win a copy of Good Ground on Goodreads!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17668598-good-ground" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17668598-good-ground</a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-24707773468009394332013-06-25T14:03:00.002-07:002013-07-03T13:07:24.612-07:00Press Release<a href="http://www.prlog.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">PRLog (Press Release)</span></em></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> - <b><i>Jun. 21, 2013</i> - <i>DALLAS</i> -- </b>Dallas, TX: Omnific Publishing is proud to announce the upcoming publication of Good Ground, a 1900's historical romance. "Omnific is pleased to have acquired a new novel from author Tracy Winegar. GOOD GROUND is a touching story that marries the need for family with the need for survival in depression era country mountains, as two people find themselves thrown into a family by chance and by social custom. Tracy's writing style will transport readers to those lean times and have them both reaching for the tissues and cheering for the characters from beginning to end," says Lisa O'Hara, Acquisitions Director.</span>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-22727826450253457742013-06-19T19:52:00.001-07:002013-06-19T19:52:57.047-07:00Good Ground Trailer Color Version<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HQUG7_bFEHQ" width="480"></iframe><br />
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-66401545615425515362013-06-19T08:57:00.001-07:002013-06-19T19:56:21.254-07:00Book Cover Reveal<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here it is!!! Much anticipated by myself and hopefully by you too!!! I love exclamation marks!!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CRF68lWPM0/UcJvRaUJkVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/LF6lTRBb1oQ/s1600/GoodGround_FrontCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CRF68lWPM0/UcJvRaUJkVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/LF6lTRBb1oQ/s320/GoodGround_FrontCover.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<a href="http://literatibookreviews.com/2013/06/18/cover-reveal-good-ground-by-tracy-winegar/" target="_blank">http://literatibookreviews.com/2013/06/18/cover-reveal-good-ground-by-tracy-winegar/</a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-60272781949756560612013-06-06T18:50:00.001-07:002013-06-06T18:50:34.296-07:00Growing Old
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">I feel
that I should fight old age, tooth and nail. It wasn’t such an issue for me
when I was younger, because I never worried about it then. I guess most people don't
picture themselves past thirty. But now, well, now I notice the wrinkles around
my eyes, and the white hairs sprouting, and the thicker middle, and the
whiskers that grow on my chin that I pluck obsessively, and I know it is upon
me! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">I
really don’t mind being older. I mind <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">looking</i>
older. There are actually some great perks to being more mature. I am much more
comfortable in my own skin these days. There is something to be said for aging.
Suddenly I have become the sort of person who sings while in the car ( And I
mean I belt it out, people. Like really getting in to the groove in a major
way!) This is something I have always enjoyed, but remained self conscious over. Now I do it without a thought as to what the person next to me is thinking, or that
they are laughing hysterically, or that they are recording it on their phone so
that they can show others how hilarious the lady in the minivan was on the way
to work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Not
only am a lot less inhibited, I am also more myself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like I know who I am now, where as when I
was younger I had a difficult time making decisions or taking chances. I feel
the inevitable ticking of the clock, and I think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t waste your time</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
noticed a shift in my thinking a few years back, when I had to replace a chest
of drawers. I told my husband, “I am not going to make do this time and just buy
the cheapest one. I am going to wait until I have the money to buy something that
I really love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Since
then, I have tried to not only buy things that I completely and totally adore,
but also things that are quality and that will last. I spend my time in the
same manner. Of course there will always be things that are “have to dos”, but
why squander your time on things that you hate and you just do because it is
expected? I have begun to cut out things that are not necessary and that I can
live without. I have learned that the word no is not a bad word.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">The
other day I went to a dance with my son L. My husband and I were marveling at
how happy and genuine the children were as they danced like mad. They were all
special need children and they were all smiling and laughing and having the best
time. They simply did not care what they looked like or what other’s thought of
them. They were just living in the moment and enjoying every minute of it. How liberating is that? I thought <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this is my chance. I will
do the same thing</i>. And it was like that song, I danced like nobody was
watching. I had the best time, dancing with my son and all of his friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Here is
the funny and ironic part. There were a number of peer tutors (typical kids
with no disabilities) mixed in with that group. They were there assisting and
supervising the children with special needs. One of them approached my daughter
B at school and told her that she met her mom at this dance. And then she told
B that I was cool!!! What the heck? Who knew I could have been cool years ago
if I had been willing to make a fool of myself way back then?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-88978816794950146562013-06-03T14:08:00.002-07:002013-06-19T19:53:53.110-07:00Good Ground Trailer<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am so excited to announce the release of my book trailer for Good Ground! I am so pleased with the final product. A huge thank you to Jared McBride, Erin Nordberg, Suzie White, Tytan Thurgood, James McBride and Ben Winegar (the best looking "doctor" I've seen!). And a special thanks to Sean Lamb for all your videoing skills, directing skills, editing skills. Wow, you have a lot of skills! Please feel free to share this with all your family and friends. Really, I don't mind. Let me know what you think.</span><br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/JBei5Nj3LAk" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/JBei5Nj3LAk</a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-24009636571622386972013-05-29T18:47:00.003-07:002013-05-29T18:51:25.615-07:00Choir Concert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx0MYULEZ8aKDobb6OgQ50993SciqBEAVtAvoQ2R4GxcLbRJspSWe-sXfQQ8rMKhTEZqgFKjNRgenE9QEgyeg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look at my son singing with the boys choir at the school performance. He was so cute when he came out onto the stage, he waves at me and says, "Hi, Mom." I really didn't know if he would do it, but he sang, and as you can see, got down with a little boogie too. My husband and I had ear to ear smiles on our faces. We were so proud. I was very grateful to his peer tutor standing to the right and the choir teacher that let him perform with everyone else. It was a great night for us.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were times that we thought he would never make it to this point. In hindsight you can always see the miracles in life. </span>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-13324699858185531132013-05-25T07:47:00.001-07:002013-05-25T07:51:24.585-07:00Best Sugar Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgq257y3ekU/UaDNgRzaeqI/AAAAAAAAANk/WdcL7JxYOCk/s1600/S_19100_1369492502_8299dc34-3947-4750-959f-442fcdf499c6_photocardspah_0_5x7_0_0_0_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgq257y3ekU/UaDNgRzaeqI/AAAAAAAAANk/WdcL7JxYOCk/s640/S_19100_1369492502_8299dc34-3947-4750-959f-442fcdf499c6_photocardspah_0_5x7_0_0_0_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Seriously
the best sugar cookie recipe I’ve ever found. I make these, put them in
individual baggies, freeze them, and then use them for lunches. Way better than
the store bought version. No preservatives!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-69237117302561335992013-05-22T11:35:00.001-07:002013-05-22T11:36:14.955-07:00Up, Up, and Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2ibUV5izpM/UZ0NW4KkHTI/AAAAAAAAAM8/ppguLyDj_ls/s1600/hot+air+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2ibUV5izpM/UZ0NW4KkHTI/AAAAAAAAAM8/ppguLyDj_ls/s400/hot+air+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFlEvmaJnwU/UZ0NeafwKsI/AAAAAAAAANE/tuQcYpSu7rc/s1600/hot+air+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFlEvmaJnwU/UZ0NeafwKsI/AAAAAAAAANE/tuQcYpSu7rc/s400/hot+air+5.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1VeFpuUf8tY/UZ0NqAKI9XI/AAAAAAAAANM/qfZElLt_lJo/s1600/hot+air+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1VeFpuUf8tY/UZ0NqAKI9XI/AAAAAAAAANM/qfZElLt_lJo/s400/hot+air+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlC2ZhObAYc/UZ0OSueSDGI/AAAAAAAAANU/xDC9Kt8Apek/s1600/hot+air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlC2ZhObAYc/UZ0OSueSDGI/AAAAAAAAANU/xDC9Kt8Apek/s400/hot+air.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #7F7F7F; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=50000 lumo=50000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Can hardly believe I did this!!! I really do not like
heights, but I figured it was a once in a lifetime chance. So I went up! Gotta say my knees were shaking, I was a little frightened, but wow the view was incredible. Probably should have worn something more appropriate for climbing. Had to tuck the dress between my legs as I was getting in and out of the basket. Maybe I will use the experience in one of my novels some day.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-88060405883333622212013-05-20T12:19:00.003-07:002013-05-20T12:22:02.056-07:00Book Cover Reveal<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hey, everybody!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Join my book reveal and blog tour schedule to keep updated on all the goings on for the my new book <em>Good Ground </em>coming July 30, 2013!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://atomrbookblogtours.com/2013/05/14/june-2013-cover-reveal-sneak-peek-sign-ups/" target="_blank">http://atomrbookblogtours.com/2013/05/14/june-2013-cover-reveal-sneak-peek-sign-ups/</a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-18424879688663287892013-05-09T08:46:00.000-07:002013-05-09T08:46:11.871-07:00My New Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpfXH_LiObo/UYvEIhjJPBI/AAAAAAAAALs/WG5JtVSPit4/s1600/vintage+stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpfXH_LiObo/UYvEIhjJPBI/AAAAAAAAALs/WG5JtVSPit4/s400/vintage+stove.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">I am in
love! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. . . a long legged, compact beauty,
with elegant flare. My parents came to visit all the way from Tennessee for my
daughter’s birthday celebration, and when they came they had a wonderful surprise
for me! Packed carefully in the back of my daddy’s truck was a vintage 1920s
stove in perfect working condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because I don’t have a gas hookup and because my kitchen is so small, I
put her in the dining area. I was telling my husband that I should name her.
What do you name a sleek little model that’s nearly a hundred years old that
has still kept her function and her looks? He suggested Audrey. I will think
about it and see if it feels right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-30368434070203090502013-05-06T11:20:00.001-07:002013-05-06T11:31:16.609-07:00Shabby Chic Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHfSpk8nq4c/UYfFpVZiHgI/AAAAAAAAALU/azeZJdvycNo/s1600/lydia's+baptism+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHfSpk8nq4c/UYfFpVZiHgI/AAAAAAAAALU/azeZJdvycNo/s320/lydia's+baptism+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57S_Cp5aPCU/UYfFx1esjII/AAAAAAAAALc/0HHPeE8Dw-4/s1600/lydia's+baptism+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57S_Cp5aPCU/UYfFx1esjII/AAAAAAAAALc/0HHPeE8Dw-4/s320/lydia's+baptism+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pvoWxs6OtHQ/UYfE7gy0MpI/AAAAAAAAALM/chzen1Gr-wo/s1600/lydia's+baptism+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 399.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #666666;">My baby turned 8! This is a huge
milestone for us. So in honor of her big day we threw a party for a few family
and friends. Though I would have liked to do more, money was tight, so we made
do where necessary. For instance, the lace table clothes were actually plastic.
I used a few of my own vintage table clothes over the top of the plastic ones
to dress it up a little. My friend d helped me make banners and swags out of
paper with her excellent scrapbooking skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I used my great-grandmother’s depression glass and my sister found the
cutest paper plates that I couldn’t get in the USA but she could get in Canada.
My daughter was delighted that it was all desserts. I think that even though it
was simple it was also very sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 399.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-28313937487457717922013-05-03T19:11:00.001-07:002013-05-06T11:30:49.197-07:00Yippee! I Got My Hair Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Before</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnLyTahxiSI/UYRtWZmtxmI/AAAAAAAAAKw/D36khBwSa7k/s1600/hair+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnLyTahxiSI/UYRtWZmtxmI/AAAAAAAAAKw/D36khBwSa7k/s320/hair+before.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>After</strong></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j81LodnsiFk/UYRtYknaadI/AAAAAAAAAK4/7wIv2fDTXAk/s1600/another+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j81LodnsiFk/UYRtYknaadI/AAAAAAAAAK4/7wIv2fDTXAk/s320/another+after.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666;">I know they say the middle part is coming back, but I think
the side part is way more complementary to my very round face. Thanks, Harmony,
my go to gal! I couldn’t trust my crazy hair with anyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-69108594722089273912013-04-27T08:59:00.006-07:002013-04-27T08:59:47.051-07:00Our Responsibility to Children
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">I think
a lot about children, my own, my children at school, the children I teach at
church. I am surrounded by them! The hardest thing about working at a school
and establishing a bond with these little ones is to me knowing that some of
them live very sad lives, and deal with some very heavy things for such small
people. Sometimes the only happy times they have are when they are at school. I
get very emotionally invested. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
natural inclination is to step in and help. That is not always possible, and
the best that I can do is be kind to them when I have them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">So
there have been nights that I have cried over these children. And it leaves me
to wonder, as a society where are we headed? The other day my husband and I
took our two younger children to lunch. We came in and sat down in a booth,
were served our chips and salsa and drinks, and were contentedly waiting for
our meal. Another group of adults came in, and out of all of the tables
available to them in the restaurant they chose the one right next to ours. As
their conversation progressed, a woman was growing somewhat heated in her
recounting of her struggles at work and began to use some rather harsh
language.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">At this
point I was looking at my husband and he was looking at me with surprised expressions.
You know, raised eyebrows and mouths shaped in like Os. I can’t say that I have
never cursed. As a matter of fact, when one is really upset or angry cursing
seems very therapeutic and the natural thing to do. However, I am able to control
my mouth when around young children. So I can understand why she may have been
dropping a few explicatives here and there. At this point I grew somewhat
uncomfortable wondering if I should say something or just try and ignore it.
But being the loud mouth that I am I turned to her and as politely as I could,
explained to her that my children were with me and I asked her if she would
watch her language. I said thank you and then tried to go back to eating.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">The
woman was good enough to do as I asked. I will say that she and the party at
her table looked at me as if I were from outer space, but she complied. I had a
similar situation arise when I took my oldest to the park for a run. As we
rounded the corner on the trail and were running past the parking area, a group
of men who had come to play basket ball were blaring some music that was full
of base and bad lyrics. Is it just me or does one really need to use the F-bomb
several times consecutively in order to communicate one is displeased?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">I felt
apprehensive in approaching them, but no one else seemed willing. Again, I tried
to be polite, but I pointed out that they were at a park full of children. I
asked them if they would turn down the music, that the language was not
appropriate for little one’s ears. They seemed very surprised and even laughed
at me, but they turned down the music. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">Which
leads me to this question: Have we as a society, gotten to a place where we no
longer care for the sanctity of childhood? What are we saying and doing in
front of them that should be reserved for a time when they are not around? Are
we taking away their innocence by behaving in such thoughtless ways? I think as
adults and as a society, we owe them the gift of common decency. They deserve
to have uncluttered, carefree lives. They should have the chance to be childish
and naïve and lighthearted. They should be able to feel loved and secure. We
have that responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">A
woman, even if she does not have children of her own, has the gift of
motherhood, a responsibility to nurture and protect those around her. I will do
that for your children when you are not there, and I hope that you will do the
same for mine. Just asking you to think about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538615648420483087.post-46415506899441142252013-04-23T08:13:00.002-07:002013-04-23T08:13:40.282-07:00Inside Out Cupcakes
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md--62Ep0eM/UXakleDoIoI/AAAAAAAAAKc/qAp-4itBe6k/s1600/Brynlee+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md--62Ep0eM/UXakleDoIoI/AAAAAAAAAKc/qAp-4itBe6k/s320/Brynlee+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #595959; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=65000 lumo=35000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">It seems that I am always looking for ways to cut
corners or save time. One of the things I have learned is to use the freezer!
So when preparing meals, or trying to do deserts, etc. for school lunches I
employ my good friend the freezer quite often. I freeze homemade roll dough
(kinda like Rhodes), sugar cookies and inside out cupcakes for lunches, waffles
for breakfast, meatballs when I make a large batch of them, and anything else I
can think of that may save me time. I love that they are homemade, without all of the preservatives you get form the store bought stuff, yet just as quick and convenient.</span></div>
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #595959; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=65000 lumo=35000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">For my inside out cupcakes, I discovered that when you
pack an iced cupcake, the icing gets everywhere. By the time you pull it out to
eat it, most of the icing ends up staying in the baggy and you have a messy
cupcake with very little icing with which to eat. That is when I came up with
the idea to pipe the icing into the cupcake. Just like a hostess cupcake, but
no icing on top so that it doesn’t get everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #595959; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=65000 lumo=35000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">I make a whole batch of cupcakes, pipe the icing into
the middle, and then put them in individual baggies and freeze them. When my
children are packing their lunches in the mornings, they grab a cupcake, stick
it in their lunch bags, and by the time lunch comes around the cupcakes have
thawed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #595959; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=65000 lumo=35000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">Just one more way that I have found to make my life a
little easier.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11718521138038097325noreply@blogger.com6