Flirtin’ with 50

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Today I turn 47. 😐 , fifty is right around the corner. So I thought I would have some fun with it. I of course researched my birth date as well as the number 47, here is what I found.

17,166 days have passed since the day I was born or 2452.3 weeks

351,000 babies were born on that day.

If I had never cut my hair since the day I was born, it would be almost 20 feet long (6.01 meters long)

Cost of Living in 1968
Average Monthly Rent $130.00
Gas per gallon: .34 cents
Cost of new car: $2,822.00
Movie Ticket: $1.50

Number one Song: “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel
Number one Movie: 2001: A Space Odyssey

I found a website for The 47 Society. It is a society that is dedicated to exploring the phenomenon that is 47. It is the quintessential random number, meaning when a number is picked at random, more often than not the number will be 47.

Here are some random 47 facts:

• The length of a pit stop service area in the Indianapolis Speedway is 47 feet long.

• Americans eat an average of 47 pounds of chicken a year.

• In Monsters, Inc., the factory floor went 47 days without incident before a monster came back with a kid’s sock on his fur.

• Babe Ruth’s career home run record of 714 home runs stood for 47 years until Hank Aaron broke it; the last day Ruth’s record stood was 4/7/74.

I have also found that I am a Quadragenarian. Here are how a few things have evolved in my lifetime so far.

Clothing
We’ve gone from Bell Bottoms to Skinny Jeans

TVs
We’ve gone from 12” black and white to 70” High Definition color

Game Systems
Pong vs. PS4

SOME of the Hair Styles

Evolution of Music
Shut Up and Dance

Evolution of the phone
Can you hear me now?

Age is just a number. They say 40 is the new 20 and 50 is the new 30, so…if that’s the case, it’s only going to get better right?…am I right? 🙂

I might be getting a little old, since this made me LOL.

Liebster Award!!

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

I have been nominated by the oh so talented Candice Coates for the Liebster Award. Please stop by her blog when you get a chance, her fictional stories are just brilliant. It has taken me a few days to properly accept this nomination as I was trying to find the perfect outfit for such a joyous occasion!!

Thank you Candice, I am honored to accept this nomination, and therefore I am following the strict guidelines for accepting such a prestigious wonderful award.

Once you are nominated, make a post thanking and linking the person who nominated you.

• Include the Liebster Award sticker in the post too.
• Nominate 7-10 (supposed to be 10) other bloggers who you feel are worthy of this award. Let them know they have been nominated by commenting on one of their posts. You can also nominate the person who nominated you.
• Answer the ten questions asked to you by the person who nominated you
• Make ten questions of your own for your nominees.
• Lastly, COPY these rules in the post.
• ALL THE NOMINEES ARE FREE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE NOMINATION

Here are my questions:

1. What do you find most fulfilling about blogging and writing/creating visual art?

What I find most fulfilling about blogging is being able to share all kinds of things with other people, whether it’s a story, a good book or a recipe that I have tried. I also have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful, like-minded people.

2. What genre do you tend to read most and why. (What medium do you prefer to create art with and why?)

I tend to read romance novels, because I’m just a frantic romantic at heart. I also enjoy romantic suspense novels as well.

3. As a writer, what genre are you most afraid to attempt writing or just the least interested in and why? (Artist, which style of art or medium?)

Western and Historical Fiction. Anything that goes back in a time I cannot relate to would be difficult for me. Even though I love the concept of time travel, I could only go back so far.

4. What inspired you to become a blogger?

My 40th birthday. I felt like I was getting old, fast, and always wanted to write, so I started a blog. I realized that anyone could start a blog, so I said why not? The mommy blogs and parenting blogs were popular then, and since I was a mom, I started one. It was more so for myself, to just get writing, only a handful of people were probably actually reading it. But over the past year I found different link-ups and that has encouraged me to write more.

5. Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?

It’s not very hidden when you witness it. I can whistle really loud with my fingers, great for hailing a cab, sporting events, graduations, concerts, or rounding up all the neighborhood dogs in one central location. 😀

6. Do you have a routine you follow for writing/creating art? If so, what is it?

I usually do a lot of writing in my head for awhile either hours before or days before I sit down and type anything out. I try to work out concepts, ideas, plot twists, conversations all in my head before I write anything down. It’s hard for me to sit down at my laptop with a blank page and just start typing. I don’t like to type and then backspace, type some more, backspace some more. I like to have some things worked out first. A lot of times I actually like to use a notebook and actually write out ideas in (*whispers loudly*) cursive.

7. If you could hold any profession, past, present, future or fictional, what would it be, and why?

The owner of a Bed and Breakfast. As a mom, I’ve gotten pretty good at cooking and cleaning, and accommodating my family, why not get paid for it, lol. I do like to make things comfortable for people, and I think it would be so interesting meeting people from various places. Not to mention a great character study for my novel writing at night. 🙂

8. Do you have a favorite author/artist? Who are they and what is it about them that draws you to them?

I have so many!! I’ll try to narrow it down. I have always enjoyed Carla Negger’s Romantic Suspense novels. I love the Irish influences in her writings, so much so I can hear the Irish accents from some of her characters. Recently I came across two authors Tracey Brogan and Maria Murnane. Their books are so fun to read with some really likable characters, that literally make you laugh out loud. I like the dry humor and sarcastic remarks of the main female characters in the books that I have read so far.

9. When did you finally decide to give your writing/art the time and attention you have decided to give it now?

I have had my blog for awhile, but just recently I came across the blogbattle and joined in. Doing the weekly blogbattle, when I can, is really the first time I have actually written fictional short stories. I’ve enjoyed it so much, that I will probably be looking for other opportunities to write more fiction. It has also helped me realize that my dream of writing at least one novel is not so unattainable, and these are the stepping stones to get there.

10. If you could live/vacation in any book or piece of art, which would it be?

Hands down I would LOVE to vacation in Nora Robert’s Inn Boonsboro Trilogy. This is the Trilogy about the restoration of the Inn that Robert’s herself bought and restored. It is located in Boonsboro, Maryland.

Great questions!! That was fun!! Now for my nominees. I am only listing 7 since Candice already nominated a lot of the ones I enjoy so much. 🙂

I Came for the Soup
Pheonix Grey
Northwoods Scrapbook
I Will Bloom
So not organized
Diary of a Stay at Home
Writing Straight

Now for the ten questions for my nominees:

1. When you were a child, what did you want to grow up to be? Have you fulfilled that dream?

2. Who was your favorite teacher and why?

3. Do you have any musical talents, and what are they?

4. What decade, that you have lived through, is your favorite and why?

5. When was the last time you really laughed and what was it that made you laugh?

6. Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?

7. What is your favorite holiday and why?

8. What is your proudest accomplishment?

9. Shuffle the songs on your iPod or Phone, which song comes up? Or what is your favorite song and why?

10. If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have and why?

Remember, all the nominees are free to accept or reject the nomination, I look forward to reading your answers if you do accept this nomination. I enjoy reading each one of your blogs, and always look forward to your posts. Thanks for allowing me a glimpse into a part of your world.

Happy Homemaker Monday 06/01

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Hi There!! Running a little later than usual on this post today, but it’s still Monday, so here we go. 🙂

As always Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
Better. The sun is shinning today. We had so much rain over the weekend, and it was cold!! Looks like a much better week ahead, I hope summer is on its way, and will stick around for awhile.

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
The Teller by Jonathan Stone. I just started this one, it’s a thriller. So far a bank teller witnesses the death of one of her wealthy customers, he is hit by a truck just outside the bank, and while everyone is scrambling in the commotion of it all, she transfers all his money into her account, all 1.3 million of it. This should be good!!

Going to start the third book in the Callaway Series from Barabara Freethy for the summer reading program at our library. For every book the adults read they get to put their name in for a drawing for several prizes. The children’s department has a big event at the end of summer, I think this year it’s some kind of water party. The teens, are having an in door camping event. All of these events take place on the grounds of the library. It’s a lot of fun for the kids.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:
The third house being built behind us, is having its siding put on today. So it’s time again for What’s The Winning Color, where everyone in our house picks the color of the siding for our new neighbor’s house. This time, my mom was keeping the list of votes for the color all to herself. The winning color is…green…a light celery green. I picked yellow. 😐

ON THE TV:
I finally watched the finale for Castle. I still like to watch that show, it’s just an all around good cast, glad they will be around for another season. Today starts Devious Maids, so I’ll watch that one again, it has a lot of good characters.

ON THE TO DO LIST:
Home School – our last full week. We are ending later this year, because they added some days on to the school year, and we usually start after Labor Day. As a home schooler we just have to follow the amount of days in session as the schools in the area.

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
Haven’t done my grocery shopping yet, just picked up a few things, but what I do have planned so far are:
Chicken & Rice Cassarole with some type of bread
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs on the grill
Pork Chops, green beans, Flavored noodles and corn bread

NEW RECIPE I TRIED OR WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:
The Chicken & Rice Cassarole is new, so I’ll let you know how that one turns out. What I did try that was somewhat new for me is a Dr. Pepper cake. I LOVE Dr. Pepper. This cake was really good, but it was similar to a cake my mom used to make called Texas Sheet Cake. I liked this version because it has a unique flavor and not as sweet as the Texas Sheet Cake.

DR. PEPPER CAKE

1 c. butter or margarine
1 c. Dr. Pepper
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat Dr. Pepper with margarine, but do not boil. Set aside.

Sift together flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cocoa.

Beat together eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and baking soda

Add hot Dr. Pepper mixture to dry ingredients. Stir in egg mixture and blend well.

Pour into greased and floured 15×10-inch sheet cake
image: Bake for 25 minutes.

DR. PEPPER ICING:
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. Dr. Pepper
3 tbsp. cocoa
1 (16 oz.) box confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts

Heat butter, cocoa and Dr. Pepper and blend well. Stir in other ingredients. Mix thoroughly and ice cake.

MY FAVORITE BLOG POST/VIDEO THIS WEEK:
This was one of my favorite’s from the BlogBattle. Denim Dreams Come True for Local Shopper By Marnie S.

I could so relate to this story because I have a pair of jeans that every time I put them on, I think to myself, these are the best fitting jeans I have ever had. But…they have been discontinued. I bought them from Victoria’s Secret ,when they had a whole line of clothing that I just loved, but they discontinued the whole clothing line except for lounge wear. UGH!!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA:

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):

Row of colorful flip flops on old weathered blue painted beach decking. Space for copy.

Shut Up and Dance!!

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Found this video as I was cruising the interweb. I absolutely LOVE this song, it will definitely be my go-to song for the summer…makes me want to get up and move regardless of what is going on. This video has way too many of my favorite movies in it…love dance movies too!! 🙂 Oh to be a dancer…*sighs* with that far away dreamy look in my eyes…Anniehow.

Needed something to put a smile on my face, and this did it. It’s been a cold…40 degrees cold..and rainy weekend, UGH!!

Enjoy!!

Interview with Carrie Ann, Loop #BlogBattle Winner

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

When one wins the #BlogBattle, not only do you receive the coveted blog badge to proudly display on your blog for the whole world to see, but you are also interviewed by Rachael Ritchey herself.

As a result of my win for week 10, I had the honor of sitting down with Rachael Ritchey for my interview. I must say I was a little nervous at the prospect of this, because for one, it’s Rachael Ritchey!!…two, I’ve never been interviewed before…three, what if she asks me some really tough questions?…and Ugh, what am I going to wear? Well that little freak-out was unnecessary, because I had a lovely time just chit-chatting with Rachael. Being a mom herself, she made me feel at ease, and I realized she’s just like you and me and just a fun person to be around. You can read the interview here:

Rachael Ritchey

Hi Carrie Ann! Thanks for making the trip here from Anniehow to have a little chat with me! I appreciate it. We are so happy for your win of last week’s #BlogBattle. Loop was an interesting word, and the way you used it brought tears to my eyes. I hope if any of our guests haven’t read it they’ll pop on over to your blog and take a gander.

As a new winner, we’d love to find out more about you! So, I have a few questions to pepper you with if that’s all right.

I would love to answer some interview questions.

Great! Let’s get started!

1) You’re a mom and you know what it’s like to explain things in more than one way. It’s something most moms must learn out of necessity. So, in the easiest way you can, explain to us why you enjoy writing stories.