tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69552840603357192242024-03-13T14:46:58.986-07:00Amanda's Twisted TruthsDispelling the myth that truth is stranger than fiction.Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-34516776608427304122012-01-02T12:54:00.000-08:002012-01-02T12:54:51.099-08:00I'm a baaaaad bloggy mommy!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehvP83xm0No/TwIP1LflWMI/AAAAAAAAAN8/2lyxUvTIYVk/s1600/sad+computer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehvP83xm0No/TwIP1LflWMI/AAAAAAAAAN8/2lyxUvTIYVk/s1600/sad+computer.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://reallynothingspecial.blogspot.com/2008/06/sad-computer-face.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://reallynothingspecial.blogspot.com/2008/06/sad-computer-face.html</span></a></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My blog is sad. It feels neglected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My book is sad. It feels malnourished.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel like a jerk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Granted my book hasn't been neglected nearly as long as my poor, poor blog but both haven't been given the time they deserve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AND</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I neglect my blog I usually neglect all of yours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ugh, I'm so sorry!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But it's a new year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, I'm not making it a New Year's resolution to blog and write more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Resolutions barely last through January.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Instead I'm taking the advice a guest speaker at church gave yesterday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Make this year a do-over</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a new year and a new <strong>clean slate</strong>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Make this year <strong>better</strong> than the last. Do things with the best of your ability.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let go of grudges and unforgiving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let go of your past failures & take only the lessons into the new year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Choose happiness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Choose <strong>awesomeness!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WWJD?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">What Would Jesus Do?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok, I guess Jesus probably wouldn't kill characters in the book He's writing and if He was stuck on a lake in a boat without oars He could just walk to shore...and I can't do that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But you get my drift, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be honorable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHF260Y9mmc/TwIV90TUKpI/AAAAAAAAAOI/tz-YKLAfVto/s1600/spread+your+love.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.roadjunky.com/article/2335/korakor-spread-the-love"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.roadjunky.com/article/2335/korakor-spread-the-love</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alrighty, enough of this mushy stuff! :P</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Besides, I'm kind of setting you up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just remember sick kids who's Christmas was ruined for my next post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okee, now to end on a goofy note because seriousness & mush makes my teeth hurt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Found this when looking for sad computers and it cracked me up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFT4XE_T8RQ/TwIXBJWsYfI/AAAAAAAAAOU/ILsu_OYB2WA/s1600/funny-sport-faces09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFT4XE_T8RQ/TwIXBJWsYfI/AAAAAAAAAOU/ILsu_OYB2WA/s320/funny-sport-faces09.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket5.blogspot.com/2011/07/reaction-face.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://photobucket5.blogspot.com/2011/07/reaction-face.html</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know, I know, he's about to be hit in the face with a tennis ball and I probably shouldn't be laughing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What can I say?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm a little sick and twisted. ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">So</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>Are any of you in need of a do-over in 2012?</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>Will you be choosing awesomeness for this year?</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>Is anyone else sick & twisted and thinks this picture is funny?</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-22925703032914201952011-09-07T11:32:00.000-07:002011-09-07T11:32:32.230-07:001st CAMPAIGNER CHALLENGE<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkInY17AqCSTIXRkWi237IPbqXiT8DVqLu6oUad3KMQPNKWb7aKTvh2BvjOm0WKyRM5xwt5cVdEHnM_R1i9rT0J_gfjHIHyqD5XQPMdxRGNNI6gN4PbsbWSrHJhVUQ0bHJ3Vzdoq1Uz5D3/s1600/campaigner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkInY17AqCSTIXRkWi237IPbqXiT8DVqLu6oUad3KMQPNKWb7aKTvh2BvjOm0WKyRM5xwt5cVdEHnM_R1i9rT0J_gfjHIHyqD5XQPMdxRGNNI6gN4PbsbWSrHJhVUQ0bHJ3Vzdoq1Uz5D3/s1600/campaigner.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So for our first challenge we have been given the prompt "The door swung open" to begin our 200 word or less flash fiction or poem. For an added challenge we can end it with "The door swung shut" and stop at 200 words exactly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I've decided to try my hand at poetry and stick with the theme that is my life. ;) Heck, I already over used the <em>life as a road</em> analogy why not abuse the <em>doors and windows in your life </em>analogy?? </div><div style="text-align: center;">For more info on this challenge and upcoming challenges check out The Campaign at <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/">Rach Writes</a>. If you didn't sign up to be a Campaigner you can still participate in the challenges but just won't be eligible for prizes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">OK, on to my poem.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please forgive me, I don't write poetry so this is going to be rough.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Feel free to make fun of my attempt at rhyming. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyQPB02O-1GeMssktfxuCE_lNy_V3X0y876BlxkCIx4FkdepdpFSRHAjWYNzFVO9fZh6-ru9kvE7AeuQRM_dh9hbcLJRcW9j9KLPGi5rFtpykRSTI5yyj_uVmDqhedasrJhYNUGKqti4D/s1600/Door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyQPB02O-1GeMssktfxuCE_lNy_V3X0y876BlxkCIx4FkdepdpFSRHAjWYNzFVO9fZh6-ru9kvE7AeuQRM_dh9hbcLJRcW9j9KLPGi5rFtpykRSTI5yyj_uVmDqhedasrJhYNUGKqti4D/s1600/Door.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><em><strong>The Door</strong></em></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>The door swung open</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>and I peered inside,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>fearing what it may be.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>A world,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>another realm,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>dark and foreign</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>with strange voices calling to me.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I stepped upon the threshold,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>to balance amid two worlds,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>to hope for bold.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Yet it didn't come.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Instead I longed for comfort</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>of the world</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>that crumpled behind me</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>and feared the world</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>so new</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>stretched far as my eyes could see.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"What trepidation is this?"</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>The voices asked.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"To dread the thrill </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>of adventure's deep kiss.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>No more looking back</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>the world you knew</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>has turned to black,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>it no longer exists for you."</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>The voices spoke truth,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>for in my heart</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I already knew.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>With a deep breath in</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I stepped into the world</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>and it caught when I felt myself fallin'</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>but when I opened my eyes</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I was flying not falling</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>and a new life unfurled.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"This is your home now</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>make of it as you desire,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>only you can make your fear bow,"</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>They said.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"We only ask that you soar higher."</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I nodded, not asking why</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I knew they were right, but</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I needed to say goodbye.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>As I turned around</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>The door swung shut.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Aha! 199 words! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com89tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-43615530790040597052011-09-02T11:42:00.000-07:002011-09-02T11:42:54.051-07:00A QUESTION FOR CAMPAIGNERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq24dpltQeX74sB2p0dxxCKKhWTSrn36pAGczG4MVqp_8rBse3Z4OYY-phkf9rzTuC9Ud4G8APkKHJAyjUS7gqJg0B0cuiFs9CCSoLnHcApjGB5B6VGDGilDWfqiT4ommnvUWSzB25y-r0/s1600/campaigner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq24dpltQeX74sB2p0dxxCKKhWTSrn36pAGczG4MVqp_8rBse3Z4OYY-phkf9rzTuC9Ud4G8APkKHJAyjUS7gqJg0B0cuiFs9CCSoLnHcApjGB5B6VGDGilDWfqiT4ommnvUWSzB25y-r0/s1600/campaigner.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm still fairly new to this blogging thing and have been learning as I go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was wondering what is the best way to respond to comments on my blog?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or, better yet, how would you prefer I respond to your comments?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been responding in my own comment section because that seems to be the most popular way but I know that I don't always go back to a post I've commented on so I know a lot of people probably will never see my response. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which is fine but sometimes you guys say something really cool and I want to make sure you know I read it and liked it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">should I go to your blog and respond in YOUR comment section to something you wrote in mine?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Should I send you an email response?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe message you on Twitter?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Facebook? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see I'm a lost newbie blogger! Lol!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdQdUjVrKWcMTfXsI5bg_pe-J-H3ofQH0-EpECkQEfJwOCQ4fIR3klsBLSn21JU6Rp5Waj32tJrVgQuRsNgpoK0757rbeBSMaPBMp6AXfPUYk-HzkB9puS4X_gosSeMu16oeOn9OXaMn6/s1600/confused_sign_post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdQdUjVrKWcMTfXsI5bg_pe-J-H3ofQH0-EpECkQEfJwOCQ4fIR3klsBLSn21JU6Rp5Waj32tJrVgQuRsNgpoK0757rbeBSMaPBMp6AXfPUYk-HzkB9puS4X_gosSeMu16oeOn9OXaMn6/s320/confused_sign_post.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mhgdblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/stuck-on-the-corner-of-lost-and-confused/">http://mhgdblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/stuck-on-the-corner-of-lost-and-confused/</a><br />
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</div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-65722550862369006862011-08-31T10:38:00.000-07:002011-08-31T10:41:57.996-07:00LET'S GO WITH ALIEN ABDUCTION<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzepKwCogxV-GV0HNIybQoyFrK-SNz-8in2cslLhHRnptlp_Vj08XUsxlwv8FuGeh3bRyFAcKrS25mret-pFudMWUMXZZM-c0StY1zOwBWyS7qsEQm4FdiXBq7W-3DpSDlsycJH6A2vuMg/s1600/I%2527m+sorry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzepKwCogxV-GV0HNIybQoyFrK-SNz-8in2cslLhHRnptlp_Vj08XUsxlwv8FuGeh3bRyFAcKrS25mret-pFudMWUMXZZM-c0StY1zOwBWyS7qsEQm4FdiXBq7W-3DpSDlsycJH6A2vuMg/s320/I%2527m+sorry.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imikimi.com/main/view_kimi/29Us-1wS">http://imikimi.com/main/view_kimi/29Us-1wS</a><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I disappeared for most of the summer and I feel really bad because I also disappeared on a blogfest I signed up for. For that I am SO SORRY.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd claim alien abduction but only a few of you would believe me. ;) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But in a way I <strong>was</strong> abducted. My brain was abducted and held captive by worry and stress. The life I thought I was going to lead was abducted and re-deposited into this new alien life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, yea, let's just go with alien abduction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it works. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTwh-CZnpYo2WuRhPWkcAEgZU8u14hcLbcPO9tRHTx3mOVPOIhNu90uaQCp5g5H7f9xg0gNslPhHUhDJPII_VnfgTJ4uk9vgtKHBg0AIJj8qMljIFnrYPWMYbZsnMHNbPkodz-MS4itCk/s1600/Abducted-By-Aliens_3997-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTwh-CZnpYo2WuRhPWkcAEgZU8u14hcLbcPO9tRHTx3mOVPOIhNu90uaQCp5g5H7f9xg0gNslPhHUhDJPII_VnfgTJ4uk9vgtKHBg0AIJj8qMljIFnrYPWMYbZsnMHNbPkodz-MS4itCk/s320/Abducted-By-Aliens_3997-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.neatoshop.com/product/Abducted-By-Aliens">http://www.neatoshop.com/product/Abducted-By-Aliens</a><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I'm sure all of you know, life derails us from time to time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes we see it coming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Other times we're cruising along, enjoying the view and next thing we know we're plunging head first into a canyon because we didn't see the bridge out signs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Lucky for me I've been derailed before (doesn't that sound super lucky?) so I learned to always watch for the bridge out and/or detour signs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But even though I saw it coming I still felt trepidation when I saw the detour loom ahead and the path I expected to take completely washed out. And as I made the turn onto this alien path, road, track (whatever analogy I'm working with. Lol!) I mourned the path I thought would be my future, looked differently upon the path behind me and feared the unknown path ahead of me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because for some ridiculous reason we think that our lives will take this straight path. When a pothole or detour stands in our way we're surprised. And it's <strong>ludicrous</strong>! (I love it when I get to use that word. Hehe!) I mean if we've lived any significant amount of time we should have learned that life is <strong><span style="font-size: large;">NEVER</span></strong> a straight path!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> When I look back at the path I've taken so far I see it wasn't by any means a smooth, straight road through a shady meadow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> No, it more closely resembled a rollercoaster rather than a path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And that's just fine! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because a straight, peaceful path is boring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A rollercoaster is exciting!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5To1WlhmBDvKs4o3UrpiLrHb5IJNBXsw8khnxeap5CmC4719yMUkmFWgybJWwAep8dSVZzsDxrlqV8Q-0TQsGbe8VMMZVp3CEIort7scPDBzHKfxYQHcwUGaDYHyWlil4nNjJPSTzciDL/s1600/roller+coaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5To1WlhmBDvKs4o3UrpiLrHb5IJNBXsw8khnxeap5CmC4719yMUkmFWgybJWwAep8dSVZzsDxrlqV8Q-0TQsGbe8VMMZVp3CEIort7scPDBzHKfxYQHcwUGaDYHyWlil4nNjJPSTzciDL/s320/roller+coaster.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lolpix.com/pictures/13/Funny_Pictures_254.htm">http://www.lolpix.com/pictures/13/Funny_Pictures_254.htm</a><br />
As a parent this disturbs me greatly but she is the perfect example of embracing the bumps in the road. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you're writing or reading you don't want to experience the life of a character who has a normal, cookie-cutter, straight-laced life. You rather she have no idea of what's about happen. Just when she thinks she has everything figured out you want the rug ripped out from underneath her. You want twists, turns, excitement, joy, fear, sadness, hatred and love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because that's what makes a great story</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>what makes a great life.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So when life sends you on a detour don't let it define you as the person who was abducted by aliens and re-deposited on some scary, alien path to be forever lost. Just dust yourself off, take out the probe (had to) and whip out your machete so you can forge ahead. ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And if you don't believe me here are some of the many of things that's been guiding me since being abducted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldHEJnlOWd7OoK9Qjhs6gRy-k3CZFw88jZGwFt0SUME3hvTh0f58BiStCD5NdLxB-LWjDKdXb31q_8k_Ti9urmHSDMFY-EbZqPAk9IEuG2TYFN4QUK4bUuZD87k229dbger8KulJabOkO/s1600/Two+Roads+in+a+Yellow+Wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldHEJnlOWd7OoK9Qjhs6gRy-k3CZFw88jZGwFt0SUME3hvTh0f58BiStCD5NdLxB-LWjDKdXb31q_8k_Ti9urmHSDMFY-EbZqPAk9IEuG2TYFN4QUK4bUuZD87k229dbger8KulJabOkO/s320/Two+Roads+in+a+Yellow+Wood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good old Robert Frost.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Two roads diverged in the woods and I--I took the road less traveled by, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And that has made all the difference."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-tFQrNLLUpjVPfE3urkHDsN-RJzvhaHTjutkqdrcl4g7Qe5YBgo3ml4XO9JIps7M1RMu62bWabrxe1CxUoCHdqN1LlsQohpYVYYDqY4eXeLkw7uNCwvAJczPPGwS0KeVetf7KBJQ1UPl/s320/unwritten.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"...Drench yourself with words unspoken. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Live your life with arms wide open. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is where your book begins. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rest is still unwritten..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_s5g3OhWPqVXgxj5UQroZ4TMOUmiP2HEKutjRTnDp8GPlPjO7T6761YphcPEsDfSRA_q6YI0TuPCoZAmTWJdJWztIEUwU8R6HRAJPYPJ9WSoMho-ZDdtsSsP5cVt4WQWQWsrWRr1bQdBA/s1600/the+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_s5g3OhWPqVXgxj5UQroZ4TMOUmiP2HEKutjRTnDp8GPlPjO7T6761YphcPEsDfSRA_q6YI0TuPCoZAmTWJdJWztIEUwU8R6HRAJPYPJ9WSoMho-ZDdtsSsP5cVt4WQWQWsrWRr1bQdBA/s320/the+climb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No judging! This is an awesome song! Lol!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"...The struggles I'm facing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the chances I'm taking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes might knock me down</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But no, I'm not breaking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I may not know it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But these are the moments that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm gonna remember most, yeah</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just gotta keep going.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I, I got to be strong</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just keep pushing on..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my friends had this posted on Facebook:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up and exclaiming loudly...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"WOW!!! WHAT A RIDE!!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K_zZ_fS1RvzKYAZr-1Z-2ARggn91Z7kcO7iRdav7KechuF2bjprB0OZmjcn9laXDfPlgy0lI0b1tvNGHdhyphenhyphenPxqo0kdBH25NrDyHjvk_DrsLfXgh2387-VPosVV_J8M6XqNbELd4j32UM/s1600/Marshmallows%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K_zZ_fS1RvzKYAZr-1Z-2ARggn91Z7kcO7iRdav7KechuF2bjprB0OZmjcn9laXDfPlgy0lI0b1tvNGHdhyphenhyphenPxqo0kdBH25NrDyHjvk_DrsLfXgh2387-VPosVV_J8M6XqNbELd4j32UM/s320/Marshmallows%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This just makes me giggle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So there you have it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes life throws us a major suck-fest but that doesn't mean YOUR LIFE has to suck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">YOUR LIFE is what YOU make of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go ahead and tend to your wounds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then dust yourself off,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pick yourself up,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pop your neck,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">crack those knuckles </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and say</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I GOT THIS."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>What about you? </em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>Do any of you have something that gets you through when the road gets bumpy or detours you?</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-58762253546206598442011-08-23T10:48:00.000-07:002011-08-23T10:48:37.454-07:00The CAMPAIGN formerly known as CRUSADE is Baaaack!<div align="center">First I'd like to apologize for my extended absence. I'll post about that soon.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">But for now...</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Rach is back with another <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/2011/08/third-writers-platform-building.html">CRUSADE</a>!!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Yay!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>This time with a shiny new logo and name! :)</strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><u>Behold:</u></strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/2011/08/third-writers-platform-building.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOiBSrrIGzZ73geKCmeVvvh_VJcZA6sWwwpzQURR0E7vpc-TZcFw_M0HkSA9_t6RTpMCBgJlhve5suVV8blH2cUV0G05HA6WeeyvImNd3IY5xLnZSkGKJKZAWBF4JNBvw3uzf4RSqOMa_/s1600/campaigner.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you have no idea what this is then I have this to say to you:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WTF?! Get over to <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/">Rach Writes</a> and read all about it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a great way to connect with other writers in your genre, build your platform and have fun in the process. So what are you waiting for?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-31534214236106234602011-07-06T13:48:00.000-07:002011-07-06T13:48:07.358-07:00GEARIN UP: WEEK ONE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMqa4b0GhzLjxkc-PQFEgfSUJtICeEEWtyO4KER0yxJOg4xa-5MBE-pMe1uM4hV-87ezokEmYKKZj4pds_C1VZTegYRqkOSTE1yifqp1ma72qxCeHHFY3pNyeAElD5zdfibHvzAfjP3G5/s1600/gearin+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMqa4b0GhzLjxkc-PQFEgfSUJtICeEEWtyO4KER0yxJOg4xa-5MBE-pMe1uM4hV-87ezokEmYKKZj4pds_C1VZTegYRqkOSTE1yifqp1ma72qxCeHHFY3pNyeAElD5zdfibHvzAfjP3G5/s1600/gearin+up.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/">Deana Barnhart's Blogfest</a></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;">"</span>The Rules:</span> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1) Sign up below</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2) Take the greatest, dumbest, weirdest...just whatever kind of writing question you have, and post it on your blog Wednesday. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">3) Head over to as many blogs as you can that are on the list and answer their question they've posted if you know the answer or can help.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div><span style="font-size: small;">4) Follow as many blogs you want to, make connections, build your platform</span><span style="font-size: large;">."</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I just want to get this out there: I'm awful at asking questions. I rarely do it. I never raised my hand in class. And even though "there's no such thing as a dumb question", my questions are often dumb. To add to this disclaimer, the question I'm asking isn't necessarily writing related as it is already-published-author related.</span><br />
<br />
<strong>But I just had to ask...</strong><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><strong>How the heck do authors afford all their book tours and swag?? Is it paid for by the publishing house? Is that what the advance is for? </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I always wonder this when I see tweets or posts from authors talking about heading off on another book tour, especially if it's out of country!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbTvmBJ0BjKU7n82WllIR3m-rNC7WtxJJPxe3vYZr1oKcvy_rWaixkatdDFY_NBhuxIMEfeyNTtrolcgvHH8pcghimTiPyfzVplc7BckVLsQLsjqgPUkK7s413ro_AHumdvo9Gr2u9cxo/s1600/stressed+emoticon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbTvmBJ0BjKU7n82WllIR3m-rNC7WtxJJPxe3vYZr1oKcvy_rWaixkatdDFY_NBhuxIMEfeyNTtrolcgvHH8pcghimTiPyfzVplc7BckVLsQLsjqgPUkK7s413ro_AHumdvo9Gr2u9cxo/s1600/stressed+emoticon.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> So, there's my question. I know it's not exactly writing related but I couldn't think of anything with this question swirling about in my head. ;)</span></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-91154054176818156202011-07-04T14:04:00.000-07:002011-07-04T14:04:21.937-07:00I CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">BECAUSE FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>I am proud of this country because...</strong></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFelEjia0cKvKVF-1Lu3K7xnd9PcanNdsAkE8N5smoqQZiS976aOi7src7C3OOzbVsJOLMZE9oi7uuyDwY6V9hauWr17GqXyJ_xSu222LP91trmSQpOJr1LWQJh1Bfdhyphenhyphenv_qA6ILBe8PQY/s1600/american+flag+francis+scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFelEjia0cKvKVF-1Lu3K7xnd9PcanNdsAkE8N5smoqQZiS976aOi7src7C3OOzbVsJOLMZE9oi7uuyDwY6V9hauWr17GqXyJ_xSu222LP91trmSQpOJr1LWQJh1Bfdhyphenhyphenv_qA6ILBe8PQY/s320/american+flag+francis+scott.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>"O, thus be it ever when freeman shall stand,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Between their loved home and the war's desolation!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Blest with the victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Then conquer we must, when our cause, it is just,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Last verse of Star-Spangled Banner</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>by</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Francis Scott Key</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>September 1814</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPD182857B0-Jka7DibDR4WiM80nrJAcpYj7e_DyRPp9xB1Nh8uHGq_kR0eye26AVGL04AHZTa59DJMtdlgUJdqFvT10TatGSu2kLRDZYjtUub8PJGsGFS-WMGga1mTpl7eM1okxLnuaYO/s1600/american-flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPD182857B0-Jka7DibDR4WiM80nrJAcpYj7e_DyRPp9xB1Nh8uHGq_kR0eye26AVGL04AHZTa59DJMtdlgUJdqFvT10TatGSu2kLRDZYjtUub8PJGsGFS-WMGga1mTpl7eM1okxLnuaYO/s320/american-flag.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>"Rally round the flag, boys!</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally one again;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>There are traitors in the camp boys,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>And pirates on the Main:</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>There are rebels in the front boys,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>A foes across the sea,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Who hate the proud republican</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>And scoff at you and me.</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally round the Flag, boys!</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally in your might;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Let the nations see how freemen</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Can battle for the right;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Make the throbbing mountains echo</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>With the thunder of your tread;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>With music sweet of martial feet</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Salute our gallant dead.</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally round the flag, boys;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally with cheer;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>For all you love and cherish most,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>For all that you hold dear,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Defend the brave old banner, </strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Unsullied from the earth</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Within its folds enshrined it holds</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>All that this life is worth.</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>The rally round the Flag, boys;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally, rally still!</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally from the valley,<br />
And rally from the hill;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Rally from the ship, boys,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>And rally from the plow;</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Now or never is the word--</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Never! failing now."</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgll97_2BWM72A70JfmrfMaWhgLt6_jhdvXx4msiNyhxjb1bikJRHKa_hqLD3LoR4XDO3aXmYJZ0SsjkDoRIH-G5hseuIa740g5hWRAqOvwZE6bwyls6xucGEa6SgKFfD9SMeHEGL5sjS32/s1600/american+flag+raising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgll97_2BWM72A70JfmrfMaWhgLt6_jhdvXx4msiNyhxjb1bikJRHKa_hqLD3LoR4XDO3aXmYJZ0SsjkDoRIH-G5hseuIa740g5hWRAqOvwZE6bwyls6xucGEa6SgKFfD9SMeHEGL5sjS32/s320/american+flag+raising.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Raising the flag on Iwo Jima</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>February 23, 1945</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BbUUj32zqUQwQkpirmi0EZikhD3itrJF_W9e4Q4Oksto9Hat1B6Necvo5N4Lr_s0eh9OK6GT5lpGdWbAN-IkObNheAONG98mjeDeSlPvPC6ggesb7AmgH2l5LGqFs7CASAypr-VnC754/s1600/american+flag+on+mooon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BbUUj32zqUQwQkpirmi0EZikhD3itrJF_W9e4Q4Oksto9Hat1B6Necvo5N4Lr_s0eh9OK6GT5lpGdWbAN-IkObNheAONG98mjeDeSlPvPC6ggesb7AmgH2l5LGqFs7CASAypr-VnC754/s1600/american+flag+on+mooon.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>July 1969 A.D. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>We came in peace for all mankind."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aG9K2qA3J-fATV5snF16M0wf0jp9KhLBuEtzJeSsK1F9YDBRadfzx3mogdORhyH1aVCN91Syq5EGk53vx5PduSEA6rKZZw3i8q4M3aPDpw9uJLh7zqi-ikeFXNgbOcX0sM9R5aAiLNBE/s1600/american+flag+9+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aG9K2qA3J-fATV5snF16M0wf0jp9KhLBuEtzJeSsK1F9YDBRadfzx3mogdORhyH1aVCN91Syq5EGk53vx5PduSEA6rKZZw3i8q4M3aPDpw9uJLh7zqi-ikeFXNgbOcX0sM9R5aAiLNBE/s320/american+flag+9+11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;">We will NEVER forget.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N5MHQAx-Y3xCoVRzJ6VOgPjWpxUzn4tvIMh2Wv7mKs33CSXn0Q_Bn58SAI2hH2FrCVGBwCJ_-YZMyrtJ8WpIp7Av_fWk1XAGoyzqG2MdG-eYZQAfOjE5om1YsviNFYa_I3LkAM8sODBY/s1600/American+soldier.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N5MHQAx-Y3xCoVRzJ6VOgPjWpxUzn4tvIMh2Wv7mKs33CSXn0Q_Bn58SAI2hH2FrCVGBwCJ_-YZMyrtJ8WpIp7Av_fWk1XAGoyzqG2MdG-eYZQAfOjE5om1YsviNFYa_I3LkAM8sODBY/s320/American+soldier.bmp" width="253" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfXFKU5408tXtVmmR2fPrcBnGAr5a4fmIYkIlijzWsSu8UVt2Ih_ch9IGvAhSOme_mZaJbOQDbvjnYTyGRt4HUacF-NoPRuFGCm8CMMqpF9kGq_mID1s_MOEvF4wFYUVZcsUcgrph15lv/s1600/American-Flag1-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfXFKU5408tXtVmmR2fPrcBnGAr5a4fmIYkIlijzWsSu8UVt2Ih_ch9IGvAhSOme_mZaJbOQDbvjnYTyGRt4HUacF-NoPRuFGCm8CMMqpF9kGq_mID1s_MOEvF4wFYUVZcsUcgrph15lv/s320/American-Flag1-1024x768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhjLRwHYGf19yN72T7d2ORUTPGDx2H0zMYTORDy0xyAInDG_XGJj1TDSFAE_tHdshnQPTIcSBYsziDcde007LHw9-SAobMpk1ixGJAB3hR87kx9DASUyNvwPHUAl1EBeOUVuozkS94oYd/s1600/bin+laden+is+dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhjLRwHYGf19yN72T7d2ORUTPGDx2H0zMYTORDy0xyAInDG_XGJj1TDSFAE_tHdshnQPTIcSBYsziDcde007LHw9-SAobMpk1ixGJAB3hR87kx9DASUyNvwPHUAl1EBeOUVuozkS94oYd/s320/bin+laden+is+dead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAAyE9IWf23-QbdqtjOJZOEuFhBQTgnx6X6qV1cowteyOIEAIcWqP99HYFpwz-0S6nf5u4Y53clX7QY82_BTsBpj3XU5qsOGBQfc8Ahb5q7NBUcNAuuvWzt_ZdhDIh0bi73v9f-j75gUQ/s1600/Eagle-American-Pride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAAyE9IWf23-QbdqtjOJZOEuFhBQTgnx6X6qV1cowteyOIEAIcWqP99HYFpwz-0S6nf5u4Y53clX7QY82_BTsBpj3XU5qsOGBQfc8Ahb5q7NBUcNAuuvWzt_ZdhDIh0bi73v9f-j75gUQ/s320/Eagle-American-Pride.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF41Fr0xqMtYg0AQw0AIux7UhvldhmIPJ08npHjAsCoFIFlwnNMemDAu0knBi18WjpknEfvVpvKXna2cV3g-ocg8Uq3gWmNbsQbIgCm57Tie-rKKEStmpUC0l3FuT2oaKZj5qSLzIOJxre/s1600/independence-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF41Fr0xqMtYg0AQw0AIux7UhvldhmIPJ08npHjAsCoFIFlwnNMemDAu0knBi18WjpknEfvVpvKXna2cV3g-ocg8Uq3gWmNbsQbIgCm57Tie-rKKEStmpUC0l3FuT2oaKZj5qSLzIOJxre/s320/independence-day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">TO ALL THE AWESOME CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!</span></div><div align="center"> <em>And to all my friends from other great countries:</em></div><div align="center"><em>Have an awesome day! </em></div><div align="center"><em>Lol!</em></div><div align="center">I didn't forget you. ;)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-30460989255091069012011-06-22T22:10:00.000-07:002011-06-22T22:10:45.253-07:00SHATTER ME Contest<div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure many of you have heard of Tahereh Mafi's upcoming debut <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shatter-Me-Tahereh-Mafi/dp/0062085484/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308805077&sr=1-1">SHATTER ME</a> due to be released November 15, 2011. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(My birthday! Yay!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>If you haven't:</u></span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span id="freeText16981919501663789983">"Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. <br />
<br />
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. <br />
<br />
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. <br />
<br />
In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as <em>The Hunger Games</em> and a superhero story as thrilling as <em>The X-Men</em>. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, <em>Shatter Me</em> is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Right? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Sounds sooo good!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Well lucky for us she has ARCs!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Woo!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>And she is holding a contest with two, 2!, chances to win.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>It's going to be chosen by random.org and the more we spread the news the more entries we get.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Hence the blog.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>I really, really want this book! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>So the ARCs she has now don't have cover art</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>but</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Tahereh plans on doing another contest when the ARCs with cover art come in!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><em><strong>But seriously, we all know it's what is on the inside that counts.</strong></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXdu-MznPrTJiFXJHyLFk-5I0OW5aoaX5kW8wU4O56vkBs2HI48P0qPL7adYQqD-XfFhs2eSxTHIuizGsf-sxTRm9VApjF9TLEfimpm5dOgapzOGsTQbJcoOqPW02VZ9gaemjW5IBDk_S/s1600/shatter+me.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/2011/06/shatter-me-arc-contest-20.html">Want one? Check it out. ☺</a></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-72048961484710358452011-06-21T02:38:00.000-07:002011-06-21T02:42:44.905-07:00A TRUE UNDERDOG TALE<div style="text-align: center;">I want to tell you a story. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A story of courage, determination and triumph.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> A true underdog tale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QwrYVnFkIESS1haJ5CkvTGMwJeSfz_OVKwwYT1R5sr38jiq99nWYQOnjHisGni9rb_4lNJONtvmUQrzEjA8mZopFjFH_0zzYZ_xs4YMyk9KtXgresP15HOIbW05rFRW2pkV2zdiUp3gz/s1600/underdog-276x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QwrYVnFkIESS1haJ5CkvTGMwJeSfz_OVKwwYT1R5sr38jiq99nWYQOnjHisGni9rb_4lNJONtvmUQrzEjA8mZopFjFH_0zzYZ_xs4YMyk9KtXgresP15HOIbW05rFRW2pkV2zdiUp3gz/s1600/underdog-276x300.jpg" /></a></div><br />
No, no, no. Not that Underdog. Sillys. Though, I do feel compelled to address the super saggy gut Underdog has. What's going on there??<br />
<div align="center">I'm getting distracted.</div><div align="center">On to my Underdog story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaYj6dktWC2R5rBOQG0Xremqen8l6nyyXEFMfn-xw3y97MJ5Hr4de00yt8YGaaKzEvxJP3bcHcxB8Z4L8ywMeLSYoT1Wn_ONs1UICVpQhCOfnTA6mFXr-zdM-JYsHDj2M4HeRj8DAOosv/s1600/rudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaYj6dktWC2R5rBOQG0Xremqen8l6nyyXEFMfn-xw3y97MJ5Hr4de00yt8YGaaKzEvxJP3bcHcxB8Z4L8ywMeLSYoT1Wn_ONs1UICVpQhCOfnTA6mFXr-zdM-JYsHDj2M4HeRj8DAOosv/s320/rudy.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />
Still no. My story will pull at the heartstrings. It can even make a grown man cry. It's triumph against all odds. Can the movie RUDY make such a claim?? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(heehee) </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIF-fRhTwrCrLeTxsFoLFD8D3XJlNqdpV0UbnN5JITyp-wGb4rk-6I4lpxc6Y3Qb7mmFZLm2rXvCdM0qpS9b7-nDv9ZFzgBzxjjZO1pPMn0S0WUsKbB9t-lx8TN5gmgXP3kheBZLUi75M/s1600/Wink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIF-fRhTwrCrLeTxsFoLFD8D3XJlNqdpV0UbnN5JITyp-wGb4rk-6I4lpxc6Y3Qb7mmFZLm2rXvCdM0qpS9b7-nDv9ZFzgBzxjjZO1pPMn0S0WUsKbB9t-lx8TN5gmgXP3kheBZLUi75M/s200/Wink.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="P11"><a class="P14" href="http://www.roflcat.com/Wink.php" id="m_isp" target="_blank">http://www.roflcat.com/Wink.php</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This moving tale took place in my front yard just a few hours earlier. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">It is about</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">An inflatable slide (the villain)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvcbl3sEzbYCIUFT3TrzIb0g5Cn2KiuzqkRitZ3UNYEYLlZn1WRk7NHvaJ_1yAQ0Pt0NLEsJgvRb0X8OPJRA13FbRgkl021-_vtXoZMw-EdQGURm8wkqVbvTKMgiTIY_z3cXndQwp9eWE/s1600/inflatable+slide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvcbl3sEzbYCIUFT3TrzIb0g5Cn2KiuzqkRitZ3UNYEYLlZn1WRk7NHvaJ_1yAQ0Pt0NLEsJgvRb0X8OPJRA13FbRgkl021-_vtXoZMw-EdQGURm8wkqVbvTKMgiTIY_z3cXndQwp9eWE/s320/inflatable+slide.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>In case you're concerned the boy isn't actually headless. Oh, and that is my sister's foot. The slide tried to kill her and she narrowly escaped. See? Villain</em>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">vs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Amanda (the heroine)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTTIJmdErpr1-DMmSYM2-5ClKt7QLTWMH6aRE4vcR0QVU0QWQZk3QJjhLmubAL6Jwrofg89OedleHfAdfzu340ZJnbWuIXJ1UmYLPClqgevVb4OVxz_RtGWUaO1M45UJOAOiuhMaTGNLW/s1600/sepia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTTIJmdErpr1-DMmSYM2-5ClKt7QLTWMH6aRE4vcR0QVU0QWQZk3QJjhLmubAL6Jwrofg89OedleHfAdfzu340ZJnbWuIXJ1UmYLPClqgevVb4OVxz_RtGWUaO1M45UJOAOiuhMaTGNLW/s320/sepia.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><em>See how innocent & demure looking I am? I'm even wearing an angel necklace (thank you </em><a href="http://projectfraeya.wordpress.com/"><em>Luna</em></a><em>!) which could only mean I'm angelic. Plus! Sepia is my natural color, so obviously I'm a minority. The odds are already against me!</em><br />
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<br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Today the children decided they were no longer going to wait for summer, 78 degrees is warm enough! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">So out came the inflatable slide and goosebumps. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The day was filled with children's laughter, shrill screams and splashes. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a merry end to our extended weekend. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">But the day was growing dark and I was growing anxious. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">(Seriously. It's a type of flower and I was growing it in my- yeeaaa, that was pretty lame.) </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Because, as everyone knows, an inflatable slide only keeps up its facade of being a fun toy for children during the day.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> But after the sun goes down and the witching hour begins its true identity is revealed!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: small;"><em><strong>Duhn duhn duuuuuh!</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: small;"><em><strong>Cue sinister music. </strong></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSMMmRtnjA_6EykHfC3g1OnkYFu9Qapa5yvdrruoBW6vMOY4-B3yNCcLLR8U4JZ7OAZDQnc3qXaxLPgATAocc68QSPklrKRhbS9qDcpzzCEuhbfDBj3YgiIiYtLLp7Brso36jXvXqFxOW/s1600/inflatable_punching_clown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSMMmRtnjA_6EykHfC3g1OnkYFu9Qapa5yvdrruoBW6vMOY4-B3yNCcLLR8U4JZ7OAZDQnc3qXaxLPgATAocc68QSPklrKRhbS9qDcpzzCEuhbfDBj3YgiIiYtLLp7Brso36jXvXqFxOW/s320/inflatable_punching_clown.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">*shudders* Admit it, that is freaking terrifying!</span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">In case any of you are insane and want one</span></em>: <span class="P11"><a class="P14" href="http://www.partyexpressoutlet.com/inflatables.htm" id="m_isp" target="_blank">http://www.partyexpressoutlet.com/inflatables.htm</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">From 3 AM until sunrise its reign of terror will wreak havoc on the unsuspecting neighborhood. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">More specifically the grass underneath it. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I had no choice. I had to put it away, tonight. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">After quickly shooing the children away (they didn't need to see what would happen next) I unplugged the shape shifting slide and jumped back. This angered it greatly, it weaved back and forth in a threatening manner, hissing at me. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">But I could see it also was weakened. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">With a menacing whisper it gave me a warning: "If you put me in that Rubbermaid container while I'm wet I'll grow colonies of mildew and mold that you'll NEVER RID ME OF!!"</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I gasped. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The children would never forgive me. I checked my watch, (Actually I don't wear a watch, I checked my phone. But saying 'I checked my watch' still is the universal way of saying 'I checked the time' so I used watch in this instance. Aaand I seem to have gone off on a tangent. My apologies. ) I still had time.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> But I had to work fast! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I grabbed a towel and went to work. The slide writhed in my grip. When I tried to dry a spot it'd fall limp, making it nearly impossible. Then it would taunt me by saying, "You missed a spot." "Mold!" "Mildew!" "Slime that'll smell like FISH!" I gritted my teeth. I wouldn't let its torments get to me. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I had to be strong. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">For the children. But more importantly, for the grass. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">After I was satisfied it was thoroughly dried I heard the slide snicker.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> I knew why. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The battle had barely begun and already I was exhausted from drying it. I stared down at the slide, hoping I'd intimidate it and not let on I was trying to catch my breath. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">"Please," the slide said. "I know you're in no condition to fight me." It was going to prey on my weaknesses. "How's your foot?" It asked me. "It's fine." It wasn't. (My previous post tells <em><a href="http://amandastwistedtruths.blogspot.com/2011/05/almost-true-account-of-how-i-hurt-my_25.html">that</a></em> story.) "What about that nasty cough you had, do you think your lungs will hold up?"</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> I crossed my arms. "Of course." I wasn't so sure.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> "Fine," it said, "bring it!" </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">So I <strong>brought it</strong>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I started at its pool end. That is where it is weakest. I folded it over twice and began to roll it.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Tightly.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The slide rolled its eyes.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">It unfolded itself. It pushed out, loosening the roll. It sucked in air making unwanted air pockets.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">But I persevered.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I yanked back on it and tucked and rolled it even tighter.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I was nearing the slide portion.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I gulped.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I knelt on the roll and wiped at the sweat forming on my brow.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">"You don't have what it takes," the slide said.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">"Yes. I. <strong>DO</strong>!"</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I started using my fists to tuck in the folds. I grabbed at the air pockets and slammed them down then shoved them into the roll.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">"Stop it! I could tear. What would the children say?" </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Empty threats. It had realized it had underestimated me.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The stairs and canopy were coming up.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Both of us knew it was DO or DIE.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The slide ballooned up.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I jumped onto the roll, holding it in place.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">"You're not rolling me tight enough! I'll never fit in that Rubbermaid," it mocked.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">"I'll <strong>make</strong> you fit!" I screamed.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">With my knees on the roll I threw my upper body onto its puffed up remains.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I heard it hiss as it ballooned out on either side of me.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I punched at it.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">It hit back.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The battle was epic and if any neighbors were out they would have witnessed a miraculous show of <u>will</u>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">(Or possibly just a show.)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">We were in a brutal grappling match. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Punch. Tuck. Roll. Body Slam. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Pull. Yank. Twist.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I had burns on my cheek and arms from its rough material.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Grass and dirt was on my shirt. My hair was falling from my ponytail. The back pocket of my jeans was on my left hip. (Read pants were twisted.) </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">But a smile was on my face.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I sat on top of the roll as I listened to its last breath come out in a wheeze.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">And with the last of my strength I heaved it into the Rubbermaid container and slammed its air pump on top of it.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">Only when the lid clicked in place did I let myself cave to my exhaustion.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">I waited for the cheers.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">The pats on my back for beating the odds.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">They didn't come.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">"Mom?" I turned to see my boys and their friend behind me. "Andy (name changed to protect the "innocent".) is going to spend the night tonight, ok?" I nodded.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> "Oh, and you're going to put the slide up tomorrow, right?" </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NhAyz76K831a1IX8d9S_klkFQ3vpyqp6-qy7Eiy_fvoo17lmN4AV2-Dorp913tDGSedgZQbo60wk3vZD1UVAght551AugITxWY3VlfXQsDJwQo2QtSLypbCLGiRe1gXYaep-Crx3tGUF/s1600/Animals%252520depict%252520emoticons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NhAyz76K831a1IX8d9S_klkFQ3vpyqp6-qy7Eiy_fvoo17lmN4AV2-Dorp913tDGSedgZQbo60wk3vZD1UVAght551AugITxWY3VlfXQsDJwQo2QtSLypbCLGiRe1gXYaep-Crx3tGUF/s320/Animals%252520depict%252520emoticons.jpg" width="314" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">THE END</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">So, are all of you awed and moved?? </div><div style="text-align: center;">*crickets chirp*</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fine then, go watch your RUDY!</div><div style="text-align: center;">heehee</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Have any of you been bested by an inanimate object?</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>No?</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Ok, what about when you're writing, have any of you been harassed by one of your characters whenever he/she is not in the scene? Making it difficult to concentrate because he or she is jumping up and down saying, "Me! Me! Write about me! I'm not in this, why aren't I in this scene?!"</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Still no?</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>I guess it's just me then.</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>;-)</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-7884574170821514302011-05-25T14:14:00.000-07:002011-05-25T14:14:35.207-07:00THE ALMOST TRUE ACCOUNT OF HOW I HURT MY FOOT<em>Round three of trying to post this. Anyone else having Blogger issues right now?</em><br />
<br />
Gah!<br />
<br />
Ok, so I need to first apologize for being absent in the Blogshpere lately. Spring has been more than chaotic and my online presence has suffered greatly. But things are beginning to slow down so I'm hoping to get around to visiting your blogs soon. ☺<br />
<br />
It seems like Mother nature has been unleashing some serious wrath this spring. More currently the outbreak of tornadoes that have been wreaking havoc on the citizens of the southeast. The heart wrenching stories we hear from the victims and the stories unfolding as I type will continue as the forces of nature relentlessly terrorize. This morning my husband left for a month for Alabama where he'll be aiding the victims in Tuscaloosa.<br />
I need a distraction. And I'm sure many of you do as well. SO, I wanted to try and make you smile today. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Well besides that little tidbit of doom.)</span> I know that this is a great community of Bloggers and already many of you are using your blogging skills to help the tornado victims. You guys are all amazing, you proved that during Write Hope. ☺<br />
<br />
Last Friday I had a little incident and I've been gimping about ever since. There's been a few speculations as to what happened...all lies. Lies I tell ya!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm here to set the record straight. ;)</span><br />
<br />
Now I'm sure my husband, Bobby, will try to weave a web of lies and make you believe I wrecked a little 1978 trail bike and that's how I hurt myself. But that'd be false. In all actuality it was a<br />
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<div align="center"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">RSV4 SUPERBIKE!!!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTsmgItD01437u0pm7aCstuKWYF1Wn-iNe2ZGyVJ6O4xvSEbnxGdUNWCLRoOuS3clRwfo7ZEZ3DKdrIXRjW2jsIjnkRoxAr624l7ul6v5XFh5bfbWO0K1PWQAyEgKztdK5YhMnUJ9PFmq/s1600/crotch+rocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTsmgItD01437u0pm7aCstuKWYF1Wn-iNe2ZGyVJ6O4xvSEbnxGdUNWCLRoOuS3clRwfo7ZEZ3DKdrIXRjW2jsIjnkRoxAr624l7ul6v5XFh5bfbWO0K1PWQAyEgKztdK5YhMnUJ9PFmq/s320/crotch+rocket.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VROOM BABY!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I'm not usually one to brag but...I'm a freaking natural! This was my FIRST time ever on a vehicle that wasn't safely grounded by four wheels with a high back seat AND seat belts, safely encasing driver and passengers with metal on all sides. And I'd be amiss to say I wasn't at first intimidated my the pure raw power of this machine. So for awhile I teetered precariously on the bike ranging in speeds of 10mph and 2 as I got a feel for the clutch, brake and gears.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">But before long I was cruising up and down my street. I was pushing break neck speeds upward of 25mph!! </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I was soaring.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">It was as close to flying as I was going to get. Heck, it was as close to <em>running</em> as I was going to get.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I felt free.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Invincible.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Maybe a little cocky.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Wanting to live up to my self proclaimed title as a bad ass I started taking the turns faster. I'd put my foot down and lean into the turn as I pulled back on the throttle (As Seen on TV) making that awesome grating sound as the bottom of my shoe slid over loose gravel signifying my coolness.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Amanda Milner: <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strong>HARDCORE</strong></span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">I was flying back down my road. My fastest yet! ( I <u>had</u> to be pushing 25mph) I readied myself for another bad ass turn as I passed Bobby who was trying hard to not look impressed as he sprayed weeds in the ditch.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">HIGHWAY TO HELL by AC/DC played loudly all around me, a fitting theme song for my new hard core persona.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Of course if you ask Bobby, who's a liar, he'll tell you I was singing FREE FALLING by Tom Petty. 0.o</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Then it happened.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">~Now I think it's been well established that you can't believe a word my husband says on this matter. Obviously he is threatened by a wife who surpasses him in awesomeness. So when he tells you I got a little too cocky and took the turn a little too fast, ignore him. He may even go as far to say I hit the throttle instead of the handbrake resulting in me sliding on my side with my foot trapped under the bike which is a LIE. </div><div align="left">I mean <em>that</em> just makes me seem pathetic.~</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Nope, you have to hear my more accurate account of what happened.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Because it's AWESOME.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">You see, as I took the turn, flawlessly, I came face to face with a tank that'd completely blocked the road in a threatening manner. Strapped to the roof of the tank was an Armed. Nuclear. Warhead.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB20rCEUT0pyrh0qTsT1ND3Gl9eVR6I7RKKLJrnX0pBtuhZfSDSPbXBKQFEk1QWwmRqxCWmJNZvj1kIXZp0F2ZtSj7DSdJyhEV5AiGcwpP4H_MEQ5isOkrA54ICujkInoOlJ3JK6ujSXby/s1600/nuclear+warhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB20rCEUT0pyrh0qTsT1ND3Gl9eVR6I7RKKLJrnX0pBtuhZfSDSPbXBKQFEk1QWwmRqxCWmJNZvj1kIXZp0F2ZtSj7DSdJyhEV5AiGcwpP4H_MEQ5isOkrA54ICujkInoOlJ3JK6ujSXby/s320/nuclear+warhead.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">And guarding the nuke were guerrilla-looking terrorists with machine guns.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZUGejaVUtoh_gV0IFnIRI88fMQpu-H646P-QD8Oh_DeoxWMYprWRHWZYEGM5RJkXWsZQM1gp7_JTWzvAyp-XfJFfZ7A9fK-TTQIYphK7HDbeCvrxI4Ys1W93_5hrmZY1xqB-mMWVp3KY/s1600/2749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZUGejaVUtoh_gV0IFnIRI88fMQpu-H646P-QD8Oh_DeoxWMYprWRHWZYEGM5RJkXWsZQM1gp7_JTWzvAyp-XfJFfZ7A9fK-TTQIYphK7HDbeCvrxI4Ys1W93_5hrmZY1xqB-mMWVp3KY/s320/2749.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And ninjas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fjzClVuqQ_psLUxCtDUl5lWas1H6u6hGUDrdAnTPVNui2PJcWXR1kjiQvEdBuxcz0D0bavsU8-PF3nT3J3nn5MA1Cc7B1KLfIdkYIdmZFOqcIF5d4rLGPg3esHTwambydyzlPJ02UTHU/s1600/ninjas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fjzClVuqQ_psLUxCtDUl5lWas1H6u6hGUDrdAnTPVNui2PJcWXR1kjiQvEdBuxcz0D0bavsU8-PF3nT3J3nn5MA1Cc7B1KLfIdkYIdmZFOqcIF5d4rLGPg3esHTwambydyzlPJ02UTHU/s320/ninjas.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The nuke was aimed at my peaceful little town of Wenatchee and the ninjas and machine guns were aimed at me.<br />
<br />
There was little time to react. I looked to Bobby for guidance but he was already saving the yard from ruthless weeds.<br />
<br />
It was up to me.<br />
<br />
I alone had to save our town.<br />
<br />
And the world.<br />
<br />
I hit the throttle. Machine gun fire rained down obliterating the road before me as I dodged each lethal strike with super human precision. <br />
Right before hitting the tank I cranked the handlebars, laying the bike on its side and sliding under the tank in an explosion of sparks and curses from the terrorists. <br />
As I came to the other side I grabbed at the undercarriage of the tank and flung myself onto the back of the tank in a move that'd put Lara Croft to shame.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSO598Eduo4vAGq5mL_VioG4l50Ue62M7avAhJy_1P_uXA4cZM695-vG0yATXbdgtdcV7BU8eHj45Vm01T2K-pIJZjHYhLqQpGS2TmX3hL7YL_uS9ahSS2BBph8rD7v4wZ9xLaEOW4oEm/s1600/Lara%252BCroft%252BTomb%252BRaider%252BAngelina%252BJolie%252BJon%252BVoight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSO598Eduo4vAGq5mL_VioG4l50Ue62M7avAhJy_1P_uXA4cZM695-vG0yATXbdgtdcV7BU8eHj45Vm01T2K-pIJZjHYhLqQpGS2TmX3hL7YL_uS9ahSS2BBph8rD7v4wZ9xLaEOW4oEm/s320/Lara%252BCroft%252BTomb%252BRaider%252BAngelina%252BJolie%252BJon%252BVoight.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The stunned terrorists never had a chance to turn their weapons back on me before I had them disarmed. Defenseless they yelled for their ninjas to attack.<br />
<br />
The ninjas were fast.<br />
<br />
But I was faster.<br />
<br />
One by one they fell. Littering the tank like crumpled candy bar wrappers.<br />
<br />
With the last one down I checked on Bobby who was mercilessly annihilating a particularly bad weed.<br />
<br />
My relief was only temporary.<br />
<br />
Seconds ticked on the clock of the live nuke.<br />
<br />
I tried to disarm it but it was locked with a 20 digit code. I lifted the panel to McGyver it but it was obviously rigged with countless trick wires. One wrong clip...<br />
<br />
The nuked counted down.<br />
<br />
10<br />
9<br />
8<br />
NO! I couldn't lose now!!<br />
6<br />
Wenatchee wasn't going down like this!<br />
4<br />
So I kicked it.<br />
3<br />
I kicked the sh** out of it.<br />
1...The nuke shut down.<br />
<br />
I grimaced through my triumphant smile as I slid off the tank and into the arms of my awestruck husband.<br />
<br />
And THAT is the <em>almost </em>true account of how I hurt my foot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhpsrnFsO2omwPTBEftta2iRJuMOmnsBwwzdlD8y5soviecfOZkDPz8U0sHerIjwlMp_c_ChIG1TprI6AfdbkR_S8ryeUQGbRy2xUxj_NS2ic5o9hjLhM1Hah6wf38XiOUf8BwuIc-RPR/s1600/foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhpsrnFsO2omwPTBEftta2iRJuMOmnsBwwzdlD8y5soviecfOZkDPz8U0sHerIjwlMp_c_ChIG1TprI6AfdbkR_S8ryeUQGbRy2xUxj_NS2ic5o9hjLhM1Hah6wf38XiOUf8BwuIc-RPR/s320/foot.jpg" t8="true" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>No, my foot is not normally that lumpy. Yes, I really DO need a pedicure.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">So please tell me, have any of you done something particularly idiotic and wished there was a better story to tell when someone asked you "how the heck did THAT happen??"</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">I'd love to hear it.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">☺</span></em></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"></div><div align="center"></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-74921078531785053272011-04-29T21:14:00.000-07:002011-04-29T21:14:05.602-07:00To the WRITE HOPE volunteers, donors & bidders who rock, I salute YOU!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxnzVt_R5J5OAXIOH3k0PKsEgIjeR78b0lf-cSy9CBHwzjLSNHOp7YRAg7M8to_ONwdMnP3kNF5TTkIM7gDYoRdmIvpOB9QMsDKDTs90UVQQGxZM5i7lHRhN77XKix5ymBFTbKB6ptQvh/s1600/writehopegroupfinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxnzVt_R5J5OAXIOH3k0PKsEgIjeR78b0lf-cSy9CBHwzjLSNHOp7YRAg7M8to_ONwdMnP3kNF5TTkIM7gDYoRdmIvpOB9QMsDKDTs90UVQQGxZM5i7lHRhN77XKix5ymBFTbKB6ptQvh/s400/writehopegroupfinal.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are we not adorable?! I do believe i prefer myself this way. Our very own talented artist, <a href="http://projectfraeya.wordpress.com/">Luna</a>, drew this as a thank you to all of you who participated and helped us raise a fine chunk of change for the victims of Japan's tsunami.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And what was that fine chunk of change, you may ask?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well I'll tell ya...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the auctions...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We raised....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">$10,351 !!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Woo! Hoo!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">But wait! There's more!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's right, we're not finished.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mean why stop at $10,351?? Let's go higher!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The very talented Luna will make you your very own <a href="http://write-hope.blogspot.com/2011/04/please-read-part-two-or-thank-you.html">Write Hope t-shirt and book mark!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4Ipns_fTibdUmrVnWqG2BKL8zJntcZzKuATUcuBXMIs-fKH3B5NzL22vCwlQq_aRQBC_SnvIC9TcPtcNLF-cgG-gs2GoHA4dFSr95oDzq1cTGi4D4gPtoSV87Km0q1Fgi4e0DOsXlcGy/s1600/prettiness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4Ipns_fTibdUmrVnWqG2BKL8zJntcZzKuATUcuBXMIs-fKH3B5NzL22vCwlQq_aRQBC_SnvIC9TcPtcNLF-cgG-gs2GoHA4dFSr95oDzq1cTGi4D4gPtoSV87Km0q1Fgi4e0DOsXlcGy/s1600/prettiness.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the design. Lovely, right? And you get to choose the colors of the t-shirt and design! </div><div style="text-align: center;">So what are you waiting for?</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is not an auction so you're guaranteed to win!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Also,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>I want to apologize for being absent on blogger and with my fellow Crusaders.</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>During the auctions for Write Hope I spent all my allotted Internet time Tweeting about Write Hope and then the chaos of spring came down on me full force and I am just barely coming up for air.</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">I am sorry Crusaders!</span></u></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, if your a <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://cwtv.com/shows/the-vampire-diaries">Vampire Diaries</a></span> fan and haven't seen this weeks episode, turn away now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Possible <span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">*SPOILER*</span> coming up!</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;">OMG! OMG! OMG! </div><div style="text-align: center;">PLEASE DON'T DIE DAMON!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">PLEEEEAAAAAASSSEEEE!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I swear to Klaus I will go APE SH** CRAZY and boycott V.D.!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">heehee,</div><div style="text-align: center;">V.D.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I'm serious!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't even care that after your sweet, heartfelt moment with Elana, with those sad puppy dog eyes and your totally heart wrenching line, "I can't lose you." you went completely psychotic and forced your blood down her throat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Nope, don't care.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I get it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Desperate times.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Desperate measures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">♥I'm still Team Damon.♥</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenLVRVEhbITbRi1vDAlOdEut20pCsD37Q4IubL8PmnipMfOSUY9x5CNKOZ1ca9QrkfbMKaabPDcBiNQQ48niYPGIPM6R8A4RJILXTdrHY8lmBuCf35DjNtmQWKdsuJyFAsxGEpSZ4xsLM/s1600/damonelena3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenLVRVEhbITbRi1vDAlOdEut20pCsD37Q4IubL8PmnipMfOSUY9x5CNKOZ1ca9QrkfbMKaabPDcBiNQQ48niYPGIPM6R8A4RJILXTdrHY8lmBuCf35DjNtmQWKdsuJyFAsxGEpSZ4xsLM/s320/damonelena3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-30055911651948627722011-04-01T12:35:00.000-07:002011-04-01T12:36:24.726-07:00WRITE HOPE & iCLUE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmPQZYWZ6X8UFix588catZgwQf1cBmdyuwBXIW2QOD3ybzgnMWjrLjK4cLn3tdB5L-V3HcZXtmMu5ZfJ-SYaggS18Mr_GM-CP7zbSvC-qAAtUhV7cYhU8nC_DjOiiDO7L5x2eSe46tkU5/s1600/Nozomi+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmPQZYWZ6X8UFix588catZgwQf1cBmdyuwBXIW2QOD3ybzgnMWjrLjK4cLn3tdB5L-V3HcZXtmMu5ZfJ-SYaggS18Mr_GM-CP7zbSvC-qAAtUhV7cYhU8nC_DjOiiDO7L5x2eSe46tkU5/s320/Nozomi+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">DON'T MISS OUT ON ALL THE AWESOME GOING DOWN </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">AT</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><a href="http://write-hope.blogspot.com/">WRITE HOPE!!</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The response, not only from the bidders but the many who came forward to donate has been <em>moving</em> to say the LEAST. I absolutely ADORE this community of writers and feel honored to be a part of it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Marieke said it well in this <a href="http://write-hope.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-post.html">post</a>. I couldn't agree more. </div><div style="text-align: left;">So if by some crazy chance you haven't heard of Write Hope, you HAVE to check it out. You won't be disappointed you did. ☺</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In other news.</div><div style="text-align: center;">BETH REVIS is holding another AWESOME contest!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FZSbHPISPsu2I-RXK8E-YZUf7SkU1oPScXpjDu4op5V6FJJSxsMgJjFA85werc0kULZxT-6oHO3s73zdWokV8T7VLHIHCJmYapCe10U6Wf4crCTDWvFLNZGfjPhVwhnFDJ_o_aT00y9a/s1600/iclue-books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FZSbHPISPsu2I-RXK8E-YZUf7SkU1oPScXpjDu4op5V6FJJSxsMgJjFA85werc0kULZxT-6oHO3s73zdWokV8T7VLHIHCJmYapCe10U6Wf4crCTDWvFLNZGfjPhVwhnFDJ_o_aT00y9a/s320/iclue-books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And since I crave new, shiny, smells delish books like a crack addict craves, well...crack, I totally jumped aboard!</div><div style="text-align: center;">In her own words:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">"Here's how it works:</span></div><ul><li><span style="color: blue;">Starting on April 4th a new author will be featured on the iClue Site each week.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">The author will post their mystery on the site on Monday.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will post links to The Reading Room and two book bloggers who will be posting a special clue to help you solve the mystery.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Once you've solved the mystery you send us the correct solution using a form on the website.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">If you enter the correct solution you get one entry into the contest.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Solve all 6 mysteries you get 6 entries to win the iTouch.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">iClue launches next week (April 4th) with my mystery, featuring some of the characters from ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. Solve the mystery, get the password, and you'll get an entry to win an iPod Touch! So make sure you check back next week for this!"</span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://bit.ly/icluecontest%22"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVWPUC-apSiUcAcZfqFR_LP8gDF0hmdcU_aHQwaX0V6uKDlAXoqX47cQJlBSMwwrPODfMVsgqPwMaClSYEL_RMwx65QjR4k27L33tJ8I_AurnKVgD0Gyv7D_mn7zwVdg-Eo7RD6u2pjI7/s1600/icluebanner-rsd.jpg" /></a></center>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-46449382774638733582011-03-21T22:34:00.000-07:002011-03-21T22:45:17.615-07:002nd Challenge & Write Hope news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://write-hope.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="264" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXIkKHm1aFDZi73PQn7F8M7A6JiLK1KqM19WAOn_77qmsoNTml92KsVRaQeotHOv6VP3H1MsYdMutOkSoTFTf1Vt6z3G1h0EjQNlpKQBGobm1ZjNrYSEd4BwX4gvA1k1rCEz2uabE7Zwt/s320/Nozomi+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">~First of all~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Have you visited <a href="http://write-hope.blogspot.com/">Write Hope</a>?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Why the heck not??</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">GET OVER THERE! AWESOME THINGS ARE WAITING FOR YOU!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">These items are up for bid now:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A signed copy of XVI by Julia Karr</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A 30 minute Skype chat with Meredith Barnes</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A signed copy of The Reinvention of Edison Thomas by Jacqueline Houtman</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A 20 page critique from author Rae Carson</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A pre-order of Bad Taste in Boys and 20 page critique from Carrie Harris</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A signed copy of Losing Faith by Denise Jaden</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A signed copy of If I Stay and ARC of Where She Went by Gayle Forman</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Much More To Come!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">~Second of all~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">It's time for the <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/2011/03/write-hope-for-japan-second-crusader.html">Second Crusade Challenge</a>!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">So, in 100 words or less (you're keeeeling me Rach!) we are to write a flash fiction story starting with the words, "The goldfish bowl teetered". For even more of a challenge, write it in the genre you write.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmmm, so here is my Paranormal flash fiction starring a <span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>goldfish!</strong></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL7W2K91Fj5FTogmATSU7TE0Ct1o6WAJZC97Q_A3NXeQ8yFG-taE5paQYSTO6nvdOVOJFJY05tScR3oW3LBo1K6OtC8SZPLoaB33lBr1HAUZhoyvh-MnCxHTVRivWcWcDK3vz8SAImgZ6/s1600/fish_in_bowl_168x168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL7W2K91Fj5FTogmATSU7TE0Ct1o6WAJZC97Q_A3NXeQ8yFG-taE5paQYSTO6nvdOVOJFJY05tScR3oW3LBo1K6OtC8SZPLoaB33lBr1HAUZhoyvh-MnCxHTVRivWcWcDK3vz8SAImgZ6/s1600/fish_in_bowl_168x168.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><strong><em><span style="color: #660000;">The goldfish bowl teetered on the edge of the counter. Light flashed inside, casting warbled light on the walls.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em>"Creepy carny guy gave me a radioactive fish!" I yelled, ducking. I heard a strange whine then a loud pop, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>glass shards & water sprayed the kitchen. I peeked around the corner & gasped. A hot, yet very naked, guy replaced the fish. He blinked at the water dripping from his dark hair. "What the hell?" he mouthed before noticing me. He startled and grabbed the glass fruit bowl next to him, oranges bounced at my feet. </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>I smiled & wondered if I should tell him the bowl just magnified & distorted. </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>"Hi," I said instead. "I named you Ariel, I'm guessing that'll never do."</em></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS2WED781GZySLHvjI4rQ5A01nVktLh0qEjW24-CTGJt_BuuzaPDEjxBE2OJMJ4dDtMTy4qJ9El9hgz829QCUOUBHl9tPzmA0smxE3GvQ6qvdxGMMjwIFOVk3o0MFyk-Mlx1ydRzEn-7N/s1600/aquaman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS2WED781GZySLHvjI4rQ5A01nVktLh0qEjW24-CTGJt_BuuzaPDEjxBE2OJMJ4dDtMTy4qJ9El9hgz829QCUOUBHl9tPzmA0smxE3GvQ6qvdxGMMjwIFOVk3o0MFyk-Mlx1ydRzEn-7N/s320/aquaman.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/aquaman%20smallville/cherryvamp_photos/Motivational%2520Pictures/aquaman.jpg"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://media.photobucket.com/image/aquaman%20smallville/cherryvamp_photos/Motivational%2520Pictures/aquaman.jpg</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Whatever! HIS name could be Skidmark and I bet no one would care!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Thank you CW's Smallville for casting hot guys</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">and someone named cherryvamp over at Photobucket for the pic!</span></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-8112602091040878652011-03-16T13:14:00.000-07:002011-03-16T13:14:13.651-07:00WRITE HOPE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSvgluGZ_DMjc2INiCJFIq9MW-M9SI430Ov0Hpn5eNJMt9eMH4417Xeo3W3L12Cn2oFL_QC6pLYyWM0nBxd9bWWUVcYVHpbIiKBqSlVBZTgQleh5hwmOoAyYlBkyFV_YYa00EAqDcq2yS/s1600/Japan+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSvgluGZ_DMjc2INiCJFIq9MW-M9SI430Ov0Hpn5eNJMt9eMH4417Xeo3W3L12Cn2oFL_QC6pLYyWM0nBxd9bWWUVcYVHpbIiKBqSlVBZTgQleh5hwmOoAyYlBkyFV_YYa00EAqDcq2yS/s320/Japan+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today when I think of Japan the image that comes to mind is not of its majestic snow capped mountains, luscious vegetation, sprawling metropolis or sweeping coastline. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Not even cherry blossoms come instantly to mind. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What I see when I think of Japan are images that would put the movie <u>2012</u> to shame. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because that is what the citizens of Japan are living in right now. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Devastation of apocalyptic proportions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP8HMu9Qsq9My6kUSJMuetV6OlekHtzkccy3PGKIkwHPhYUvaka7ZSY9R72Y8VS9m-3-C4fmXImUZLkuHjzj9px2O_iBRjFamXU6L0RpMYWJ6rK7VqAg6hm5iyGi1yF3ZOwmh1FlLGgvv/s1600/japan-earthquake-tsunami-waves-0311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP8HMu9Qsq9My6kUSJMuetV6OlekHtzkccy3PGKIkwHPhYUvaka7ZSY9R72Y8VS9m-3-C4fmXImUZLkuHjzj9px2O_iBRjFamXU6L0RpMYWJ6rK7VqAg6hm5iyGi1yF3ZOwmh1FlLGgvv/s320/japan-earthquake-tsunami-waves-0311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJFwrcJz-ELmtAY2GvQRCGSminIWegw7q3eQ2r_MJiiqjFFJyfrg-VUW4GMGCy7WNNJPm3mcomT1ZvaZCdxGzTX7RNUUvJ6UCp5pb2m7UiT8DjrDeiL8zGdGXnftIuPmFP5OIYYtFMBEO/s1600/japan-earthquake-tsunami-swamp-0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJFwrcJz-ELmtAY2GvQRCGSminIWegw7q3eQ2r_MJiiqjFFJyfrg-VUW4GMGCy7WNNJPm3mcomT1ZvaZCdxGzTX7RNUUvJ6UCp5pb2m7UiT8DjrDeiL8zGdGXnftIuPmFP5OIYYtFMBEO/s320/japan-earthquake-tsunami-swamp-0316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">8.9 magnitude quake</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">5th largest quake recorded</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">2,414 confirmed dead</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">10,000 estimated death toll</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">2 people found alive in rubble</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">5 million with out power</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">76,000 buildings destroyed</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">9.8 inches the Earth was thrown off axis</span></strong></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">7.8 feet Japan was shifted</span></strong></div></li>
</ul><br />
As I watched the events unfold in awe struck horror a growing pain of sympathy and helplessness over came me. I was overwhelmed. This was impossible! How can they ever come back? It keeps getting worse!<br />
<br />
The tidbits of hope the news gave was hardly enough to sustain me when in the next breath more bad news flooded in like the tide that washed <em>a thousand bodies on shore</em>.<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">Then the obviously more brilliant ladies of my critique group came up with a plan while I walked around in a stupor. They created <a href="http://write-hope.blogspot.com/">WRITE HOPE</a>. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">"Welcome to Write Hope! We're an international group of Kidlit writers with a connection to Japan. Some of us have lived there. Some of us speak the language. Some of us love the culture. Some of us simply think Japan is exotic and mysterious.<br />
<br />
The land of the rising sun and cherry blossoms in spring.<br />
<br />
These last few days one thing that binds us above all is our mutual horror at the disasters striking Japan - from earthquakes to tsunamis to nuclear meltdowns.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">...</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">We want to do our bit to help. To that end we have formed Write Hope. We're busy preparing everything now and over the next few weeks we plan to auction kidlit books, critiques, and other prizes for donation to the relief fund of our chosen charity <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Save the Children</span></strong>. "</span></em></div><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="color: black;">Genius, right? Donations have already been coming in and it looks like the wonderful community of kidlit writers are wanting to do their part in helping. You guys are all so cool! </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://write-hope.blogspot.com/">Please check out the beautiful website!</a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjy4igt7qS4qirH6LbVB7eFhTw8a_UfZxcgSAXKOQN5DMHgdCVZTvDX7tkLCwtDKxBt73cQ0l55BQCUkxZKWQEp9NLGkt1-VGgzP3Pj16EoazKtg_jQC54gWP0NeAVuixICip2pJO0PUx/s1600/nozomibooks-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjy4igt7qS4qirH6LbVB7eFhTw8a_UfZxcgSAXKOQN5DMHgdCVZTvDX7tkLCwtDKxBt73cQ0l55BQCUkxZKWQEp9NLGkt1-VGgzP3Pj16EoazKtg_jQC54gWP0NeAVuixICip2pJO0PUx/s320/nozomibooks-1.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Nozomi, she is Write Hope's Mascot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-4044945752886360842011-03-15T22:48:00.000-07:002011-03-15T22:48:05.575-07:00BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwPKK4I-WKtKeuc7m91m4CP2kvYpkdksUxgfJJLvUk4noFnhy1drImEK9KSdA0oBNpdWxtEZTP9KPsBGyEhCut0xjRgKd762oSED2-5RKV9w2chO2iLFOJW3ml4BBF6dlaPN8YWtMadrP/s1600/beware+the+ides+of+march.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwPKK4I-WKtKeuc7m91m4CP2kvYpkdksUxgfJJLvUk4noFnhy1drImEK9KSdA0oBNpdWxtEZTP9KPsBGyEhCut0xjRgKd762oSED2-5RKV9w2chO2iLFOJW3ml4BBF6dlaPN8YWtMadrP/s320/beware+the+ides+of+march.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://waterytart23.blogspot.com/2011/02/delusional-doom-blogfest.html">Hart Johnson at Confessions of a Watery Tart</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">DISCLAIMER!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple;">I, Amanda M. Milner, have never been and hopefully will not soon be DEAD. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple;">This is merely a blogfest people.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: purple;">If it seems a touch morbid, that's because it is.</span></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #20124d;">We're all a little twisted around here.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: black;">On to the delusional doom</span><em>.</em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWAYuTWPz47w1EggdD6uGe7DH0kfCr782FZFxN_KQKpm6EFHXANcxXLUzMUXL4d-cK8o3sVhx1k2hVkE0pui99G2BcdssqgdeUkVkHWgaEsV1Am6uJYpvNSZvnNlQivxfk4w4XTcY4KBe/s1600/reaper_gallery_primary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWAYuTWPz47w1EggdD6uGe7DH0kfCr782FZFxN_KQKpm6EFHXANcxXLUzMUXL4d-cK8o3sVhx1k2hVkE0pui99G2BcdssqgdeUkVkHWgaEsV1Am6uJYpvNSZvnNlQivxfk4w4XTcY4KBe/s320/reaper_gallery_primary.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/2009-5-1-tv-shows-on-the-bubble/?comment_id=2090&page=10">http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/2009-5-1-tv-shows-on-the-bubble/?comment_id=2090&page=10</a></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #20124d;">I would be ok if HE was my Reaper! ;)</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #660000;">To: Mom, Dad, siblings, friends, grandparents and the additional masses that are my family,</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">If you're reading this then I am probably dead.</span></em> <em><span style="color: #660000;">No mom and dad, this is NOT a suicide letter.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #660000;">I WISH this was under my control. </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">It started a week ago with a headache. Actually, a headache seems too tame of a word for what I've been having. It was more like a brain bomb. BAM! Out of no where. The first time I screamed out in pain and fell into a bush on the way to school. Unfortunately a school bus of little ninth grade twits went by at the same moment and they seemed to get a kick out of my agony. Sorry, I'm getting a little off track.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">But I swear I'</span></em><em><span style="color: #660000;">m gonna haunt those jerks! </span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Anyway, a bright light flashed in front of my eyes and then the pain was gone. It freaked me out and the rest of the day I flinched at the slightest twinge of pain but it didn't come back.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Until the next morning.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Same thing, BAM, headache, flash of light. But this time I saw something in the light. A shadow of a figure. It lasted a little longer then vanished without a trace of pain for the rest of that day.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">But the next day...same time, same horrific pain, flashing light and the figure. This time I saw the figure moving, everything was blurry, like when I just wake up and my eyes refuse to focus. I felt this intense anxiety because even though I wanted the pain to stop I also knew I needed more time to figure out who this figure was. I KNEW I needed to find out soon.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">The next morning I got my wish for longer and I WANTED. TO. DIE. I apologize because I am sure the neighbors think your daughter is bat shit crazy mom and dad. The figure moved about like a uber old black and white reel movie. The light flashed over and over, each time showing a little more. The person was outside, by a street, haunched over and stumbling.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Day five. Thank God for Saturday. I knew where the figure, the person, was. It was the same street I was having these visions. The person was stumbling, hands over his or her ears, falling into the street as a car stops inches from him or her. Then he/she jumps up and walks Right. In. Front. Of. A. Bus. Not just any bus, THE bus. I watched the bus slam into this person and send him/her flying.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Day six. And I thought the other head bombs hurt. I can't be sure but I think I screamed 'stop'</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">the whole time. It wasn't a flashing light. It was clear. Sound and all. Like watching the most intensely painful movie EVER. I knew instantly as I watched this 'person' walking cautiously down my sidewalk who SHE was. I recognized everything. The sights, sound and even smells. It was like I was there walking behind her. When she grabbed her head and screamed a chill went down my spine and flinched like I felt her pain on top of what I was feeling then. I tried to yell for her to W<strong>atch out!</strong> as she stumbled into the street and the car screeched and honked. But no sound came out. I tried to run to her when I heard the bus and a kid yell "freak" out of his window. But my feet wouldn't move. I wanted to close my eyes. But they wouldn't close. Right before the bus hit a light flashed and I was in front of her. And I watched as MY face reacted to the bus barreling down on ME. As MY body flew through the air and came crashing down in a crumpled, lifeless heap.</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">It was ME.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">And tomorrow is Monday. I've always hated Mondays.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">So I wanted to tell you what happened and say that I love you all and I'm sorry. </span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Oh, and please don't forget about Freckles my hamster. He eats twice a day and likes the occasional Cheetos. </span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">love,</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Amanda</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><u><strong>UPDATE!</strong></u></span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">OMG! OMG! I am SO sorry! </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">I forgot I had this set up to post on Monday after school if I didn't come home.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">My bad!</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Yea, I just stayed home sick.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">I had the headache and I understood why dead me flipped out.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">It was just the scene of me getting hit over and over.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Seriously sucked.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">But since I was in bed instead of stupidly walking to school...</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">No bus.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">So....yeeeaaaa, never mind all that and if you all wouldn't mind not sending me to the loony bin I would be totally grateful.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000;">Thanks! ☺</span></em></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-15947420346486858852011-03-10T22:53:00.000-08:002011-03-10T22:53:37.267-08:00Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! please?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXny32l56cX20R054Kylb6jOXNoXV1KlD_5H75AFaxJI4oHbRjQaMq8T1OGA8yLZqWT1JHXFT6u5nNTrR4j5Bg9REYaZsbVuQvbGQ4sClrX3j2-75Q6XFLvKBeHLWHoeWGZTlfxqjppiY/s1600/breathless-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXny32l56cX20R054Kylb6jOXNoXV1KlD_5H75AFaxJI4oHbRjQaMq8T1OGA8yLZqWT1JHXFT6u5nNTrR4j5Bg9REYaZsbVuQvbGQ4sClrX3j2-75Q6XFLvKBeHLWHoeWGZTlfxqjppiY/s400/breathless-banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://networkedblogs.com/fhrrX">Beth Revis' AWESOME contest!</a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Seriously, who wouldn't want this?? </div><div align="center">Ok, stop all the salivating, it's seeping in between the keys of your laptop!</div><div align="center">Save the mother board!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Hehe.</div><div align="center">So I have a bad case of the gimmes. </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: red;">I WANT THOSE BOOKS</span></strong>.</div><div align="center">I may have a slight addiction. </div><div align="center">Amazon LOVES me.</div><div align="center">My bookcase has a few choice words for me as it groans under the weight of my increasing stack of books.</div><div align="center">Today I finished </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhze6W0kW6bgCywq55a6m2UD7OG6wh2XI7FFLwesS0iFjBPUuVUukknyLASVLiJ1oVY08RJNH2ALrLq8kNfyteQ6H7StZqP7Av72-3va8BEe1a_J-Zoso-G61vAi6VmFz08a4Eawk3Y7kJV/s320/TheBodyFinderBC.png" width="218" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Body-Finder-Kimberly-Derting/dp/0061779814">The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">& </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Started book two in the Hex Hall trilogy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlNZ66hAN_cfEFT4r8tJULW3nl5uMdCVOjDnmKAACNB2BX2qR3oZfQH1jgzc1AIfvgYDHmO4FiDLLNmQ5L6ofIWViuwiFVLHCL7PklkgadVMtEvlA_WY9mY895QbrdDH3XUewSIikqZEf/s1600/demon_glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlNZ66hAN_cfEFT4r8tJULW3nl5uMdCVOjDnmKAACNB2BX2qR3oZfQH1jgzc1AIfvgYDHmO4FiDLLNmQ5L6ofIWViuwiFVLHCL7PklkgadVMtEvlA_WY9mY895QbrdDH3XUewSIikqZEf/s320/demon_glass.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Demonglass-Hall-Novel-Rachel-Hawkins/dp/1423121317">Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Both are recommended reads though I will admit to being partial to Rachel Hawkins Hex Hall books because I adore Sophie's (the main character) humor. ☺ To say life has thrown her a few punches is putting it very lightly but she doesn't cease with the sarcastic remarks and I love that!</div><div align="center">Violet, in The Body Finde,r has been socked a few good ones as well and she takes it in stride. But her main source of humor is with Jay her best friend and love interest. Yes, he is very lovely. ;) Oh and Violet lives in the Pacific Northwest! </div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">Yay! Pacific Northwester here!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black;">Also, I recently read </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFMhHMAT56gy7ghnXyVzXklH4H9OaIaza69-GeGM7HAIIP4GK5GnJszuhi4YURrYwyetYKz7ZEYzKVWte5_n0SzDeWyJPZs4ISyl-1zmAWmH6AOoMEW_7ilklK356xAccNT7x-gzplF1E/s1600/Across-the-Universe_Beth-Revis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFMhHMAT56gy7ghnXyVzXklH4H9OaIaza69-GeGM7HAIIP4GK5GnJszuhi4YURrYwyetYKz7ZEYzKVWte5_n0SzDeWyJPZs4ISyl-1zmAWmH6AOoMEW_7ilklK356xAccNT7x-gzplF1E/s320/Across-the-Universe_Beth-Revis.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Across-Universe-Beth-Revis/dp/1595143971">Across the Universe by Beth Revis</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Yea I know it is one of the five I can win but mine isn't signed. :(</div><div align="center">Let me just say if this book was a movie I would have been on the edge of my seat the whole time.</div><div align="center">I probably would have fallen on my duff a few times too!</div><div align="center">When it ended I would have thrown my popcorn and cried. </div><div align="center">Instead I flipped the last page over a few times hoping each time words would magically appear on the flip side.</div><div align="center"><strong>They didn't.</strong></div><div align="center">I pouted.</div><div align="center">So I <strike>stalked</strike> tweeted Beth Revis hoping beyond hope there was a book two in the works.</div><div align="center">There is!</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: x-large;">Hooray!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black;">Hurry Beth, hurry.</span></div><div align="center">Ok, back to Sophie and her awesome snarky remarks.</div><div align="center">Goodnight everyone.</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #0c343d;"><strong>P.S. Feed my addiction people, what are your favorite reads. What books have you purchased recently? Is your TBR pile growing faster than you can read too??</strong></span></em></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-73343277126546581552011-03-03T02:31:00.000-08:002011-03-03T02:31:18.119-08:00I'm a liar and people still reward me. PART TWO<div align="center">So Monday I revealed my lie </div><div align="center">and </div><div align="center">I planned on doing a combo post for the blogger awards</div><div align="center">but</div><div align="center">as always I ran long </div><div align="center">so</div><div align="center">I cut my post, er, short.</div><div align="center">Here is</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><u>Part Two:</u></div><div align="center"><span style="color: lime;">THE AWARDS</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2VSLxc_knIgPsvjOTQ4xbZ70vOJEmJSmCbmMh2jFsNIMUk-GpzSHMjcHxBHSloSTsFf81wm0JGpcMmIjyQ4zUBt9ykFmHhbLbujlz-iwHIBEJkjQOz06TJj89vv4ChkUuTd0QQwD8rxP/s1600/I+am+a+citrusy+blogger+award.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2VSLxc_knIgPsvjOTQ4xbZ70vOJEmJSmCbmMh2jFsNIMUk-GpzSHMjcHxBHSloSTsFf81wm0JGpcMmIjyQ4zUBt9ykFmHhbLbujlz-iwHIBEJkjQOz06TJj89vv4ChkUuTd0QQwD8rxP/s1600/I+am+a+citrusy+blogger+award.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;">I have absolutely no idea what this is implying but I like it!</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">I'm giving it a thumbs up like retro dude up there. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Heehee.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left"><a href="http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com/">Susan Fields</a> gifted me this lovely award. I think you should totally visit <a href="http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com/">Susan Fields'</a> blog and commend her on her awesome deductive skills because she was the <span style="color: lime;">ONLY ONE</span> to guess MY LIE!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://amandastwistedtruths.blogspot.com/2011/02/1st-crusaders-challenge.html">Check here</a> if you haven't read my post </div><div align="center">where I hid a lie </div><div align="center">and see why this impresses me.</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm not trying to BLOVIATE (heehee) or anything but I thought my lie was quite well hidden!</span></div><div align="left">I was going to wait for the ok from Susan but the <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/supplements/best_sellers/activit_multivitamins.do">new vitamins</a> I took today have made me restless and impatient, in a totally good way. Lol! Heck, I am raring to go, I'm rarely raring anything.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center">By the power I bestowed upon myself,</div><div align="center">I now dub,</div><div align="center">Susan Fields,</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>SUPER SLEUTH</u></strong></span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoZAlYp-vOzFTZKh_GrLpoth6MT7CJjaP1FIpKb_Jbu5f3qOMXMm4DVIm-P-1xGP6mgb9hNIgtD7E5KLo8ZqdncPfZugiJ-XQ41KLsQNqTXiN2Bovw1YkxQlzOkfwGdgPpBzgxWBvAhuD/s1600/detective.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoZAlYp-vOzFTZKh_GrLpoth6MT7CJjaP1FIpKb_Jbu5f3qOMXMm4DVIm-P-1xGP6mgb9hNIgtD7E5KLo8ZqdncPfZugiJ-XQ41KLsQNqTXiN2Bovw1YkxQlzOkfwGdgPpBzgxWBvAhuD/s200/detective.bmp" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://home.comcast.net/~ssulima/sulimas_sleuths.htm">http://home.comcast.net/~ssulima/sulimas_sleuths.htm</a><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">This may or may not be an actual photo of Susan.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I think how this goes is I gift this to other deserving bloggers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><u>HELLA COOL BLOGGERS WHO GAVE ME AN AWARD 'CAUSE THEIR AWESOME</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vicki Tremper at <a href="http://vbtremper.wordpress.com/">VB Tremper A Writer's Site</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Alison Miller at <a href="http://alisonmiller20.blogspot.com/">Left Brained by Day; Write Brained-All the Time</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Alison was on Susan's list for this award as well, so obviously she is double special.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mask at <a href="http://pillowofthecommunity.blogspot.com/">The Blogger Formerly Know As</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heather Hellman at <a href="http://heatherhellmann.blogspot.com/">Pen, Paper, Lots of Coffee</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cleveland Dietz at <a href="http://everythinginasecond.com/">Everything in a Second</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Laura Moss at <a href="http://laurajmoss.com/laurablog/">laurajmoss.com</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><u>PEOPLE WHO AMUSE ME WITH THEIR AWESOME</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Patricia Timms at <a href="http://laurajmoss.com/laurablog/">Simplicity in Volumes</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kim Mullican at <a href="http://kimmullican.blogspot.com/">Altruism in Writing</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Faith at <a href="http://boughanfire.com/">Literary Coldcuts on Toasty Buns</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><u>GORGEOUS AND MADE OF AWESOMESAUCE</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rachael Harrie at <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/">Rach Writes</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tessa Quinn at <a href="http://tessyquin.blogspot.com/">The Quest for a Literary Agent</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Marieke at <a href="http://www.mariekenijkamp.com/musings/">Marieke's Musings</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Luna at <a href="http://projectfraeya.wordpress.com/">Project Fraeya</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I just have to say there are SO MANY really cool bloggers out there who I'd love to bestow awards upon but, I'm freakin' tired and my right eye is starting to twitch, <span style="color: magenta;">so wrap this up I must</span>. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>(ahem, Yoda reference)</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><strong><span style="color: #20124d;">7 Things about AMANDA</span></strong></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: xx-small;">You guys are just gluttons for punishment aren't you? ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><ol><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d;">I am half Mexican and can barely count to ten in Spanish. I took French in high school instead of trying to learn my "native tongue".</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d;">I took two years of French in high school and can't even count to ten in French. (Foreign Languages might not be my strong suit.)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d;">I have my nose pierced. The jewel fell out of the cheapy ring ages ago and I haven't changed it because this is the 5th time it's happened & it hurts like a son-of-a-b**ch to take it out. Lol! I think I heal really fast!</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d;">I've had stitches four times. I have the cool scars to show for it. One under my right eyebrow from when my babysitter tried dragging me around the house on a blanket and I fell off into the corner of the wall. One on my right knee when I decided to ride my bike with my coat tied around my waist and the sleeve caught in the spoke and I TOTALLY flipped over the handle bars & took the flesh off my knee cap nearly to the bone. It was super funky looking! Then two on my right shin when I was making a tree house with my sis and friend, we used an upside down aquarium for a stair, do you see where this is going? I stepped on our "stair" and my leg went straight through. We tried to doctor me up ourselves with toilet paper and Vaseline. My poop mother walked in on a very disturbing scene. Man, the right side has taken some serious abuse!</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7q9lzx68b1A71ltgGMfZizJL8dMbdmWHQz4VypZhwOmmkKZRxWS-2vlOJVS0nrrYbQCSH0yhXTZtk_PTWdPDaqlABRUsZqwPg8N-ixjaCIeP7E8cwreMMRSYlcWAjVk38z5qpI_9-LaS9/s1600/Tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7q9lzx68b1A71ltgGMfZizJL8dMbdmWHQz4VypZhwOmmkKZRxWS-2vlOJVS0nrrYbQCSH0yhXTZtk_PTWdPDaqlABRUsZqwPg8N-ixjaCIeP7E8cwreMMRSYlcWAjVk38z5qpI_9-LaS9/s200/Tattoo.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #20124d;">I have a tattoo on my left shoulder blade. It's in Hebrew, it says "Eternal Grace for the Immortal Soul" and I will <strong><u>never</u></strong> ask someone who speaks Hebrew if I translated it right because I really do NOT want to know if I didn't. Tattoos are kinda permanent. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry, it's red and sore looking because it was red and sore. ;) I had just got it done when the pic was taken</span>.</span></div></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="color: #20124d;"> 6. I suffer from a bizarre condition called </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_Paralysis"><span style="color: #20124d;">sleep paralysis</span></a><span style="color: #20124d;">. When people fall into REM sleep a chemical is released to paralyze them so they don't act out their dreams. Sleep walkers do not always produce this chemical. What happens to people who suffer from sleep paralysis is during this cycle their mind wakes up but they are completely unable to move. Not only that but when in REM sleep your breathing and heart rate is slowed so when you start to panic it feels like you're suffocating. This is on top of the ridiculously vivid hallucinations. This happens to me a lot but the hallucinations fool me almost every time. Hmm, maybe I should make regular blog posts about my freaky and funny (AFTER THE FACT) episodes. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> 7. I've always heard voices. Ever since childhood. At first I figured my stuffed animals were talking to me. We had lovely conversations. Then of course it was ghosts. I heard children calling out for me from outside my window at night. My parents seemed very uncomfortable about these revelations. My childhood friend said it was her coming to visit when she had out-of-body-experiences. (We all be crazy in these here parts!) Then we (mother and I) started to wonder if I just might be picking up radio frequencies. Lol! Finally I went in for a CAT Scan but it was "normal". <span style="background-color: yellow;">0.o</span> Though the doc thought I was far from normal. I was fine with the voices, I was never bored. I've always loved writing but it took until adulthood to realize the voices were simply characters that wanted their story told!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Now that I've TMI'd you guys to death</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">please don't come after me with</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #660000;">a giant butterfly net!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa156u2LrHLrxVlgwK7s5qtwS4pZOXfQEUC9kFXxw5dma1FZ4PuA_Diwzzq_VThdlBUFofQ72neBjUuMugUEwwQzlH6YOs-XgZkrV2b6yLnct09BOOKBfRjuDt6PgKoKW9jdsHBsQmroF/s1600/crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa156u2LrHLrxVlgwK7s5qtwS4pZOXfQEUC9kFXxw5dma1FZ4PuA_Diwzzq_VThdlBUFofQ72neBjUuMugUEwwQzlH6YOs-XgZkrV2b6yLnct09BOOKBfRjuDt6PgKoKW9jdsHBsQmroF/s320/crazy.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/men_in_white_coats.asp">http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/men_in_white_coats.asp</a></td></tr>
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</div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-31155457305317923102011-02-28T22:59:00.000-08:002011-02-28T23:52:54.476-08:00I'm a liar and people still reward me.<div style="text-align: center;">This will be a <span style="color: #4c1130;">Two Part Post</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yay! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Part One:</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;">THE LIE</span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLxLm2vMAiKSuJgD4fz72xv2_97LHbf5nVfY1OphcYmR5x_Zv9fRDm3p-Gdhn9WYlzBESCjCjXsAwnUEeSZ5TmTdchILasscm4JeAmbvCIvoLQafOw11Q0NksshjMec3_4I9JDl6wwtc6/s1600/happy_cow_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLxLm2vMAiKSuJgD4fz72xv2_97LHbf5nVfY1OphcYmR5x_Zv9fRDm3p-Gdhn9WYlzBESCjCjXsAwnUEeSZ5TmTdchILasscm4JeAmbvCIvoLQafOw11Q0NksshjMec3_4I9JDl6wwtc6/s200/happy_cow_large.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mygtv.net/?m=20090216">http://www.mygtv.net/?m=20090216</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">So, first I need to reveal a little something about myself I didn't reveal in my <strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amandastwistedtruths.blogspot.com/2011/02/1st-crusaders-challenge.html">previous post</a></span></strong>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Logic has never come naturally to me</span>.</div><div style="text-align: left;">This was especially true in my childhood years. Every event was just another crazy adventure in: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">~Amanda Land</span>.~ </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure this is probably true for most writers. But I thought this would help explain my post. By all accounts my last post was completely true except for <u>one</u> lie. If some things seemed far fetched to you, remember it was my teenage interpretation. Yes, I had a <strong>WILD</strong> imagination. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jbtatro.com/Recommendations.php">http://jbtatro.com/Recommendations.php</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">SERIOUSLY</div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">QUIRK:</span> Yep, <strong><span style="color: #073763;">I talk to animals</span></strong>. Present tense. I also talk to inanimate objects. Sadly, objects and animals don't always talk back. I guess they have a tendency to be shy. Before high school I would swear to you they DID talk back. Though...lots of things talked to me. But that's a whole other post-</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">I was a<strong><span style="color: #0c343d;"> member of the FFA</span></strong>. And I did just join for the animal aspect but I enjoyed it thoroughly even if I was the only "tree-hugging", "*salad-shooting" member surrounded by red-meat eating farm boys! ;)</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">ANNOYING HABIT: (according to my parents collecting animals is a <span style="font-size: large;">less</span> than redeeming quality)</span> Yes, I had two roosters-named Bonnie & Clyde- though I swore one was a girl until she started crowing. I had a goat named El Gigante that we lived in fear of. (Big horns) I had a lamb named Cheecotah who was very forgiving when I was learning the fine art of shearing. And yes, I actually did have a duck but sadly, his time with me was so temporary due to a friend's terrible wolf dog, that I don't remember his name. Dogs, cats and rats don't even complete the list! Guinea Pigs, MICE (wow, did you know they breed like friggin rabbits?!?!), a sparrow, gerbil, hamsters, fish...and the infamous rabbit. <span style="color: magenta;">LIE:</span> But I have <strong><span style="font-size: large;">NEVER OWNED A COW</span></strong>.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Since the majority of my animals were brought into the family on the sly or rescued from a terrible fate, I was met with the stink eye when I said I wanted a rabbit to show at the fair. This was the reasoning behind the goat and lamb. And of course it was educational since it was through school...but unlike the other FFA students when showing farm animals, when I was approached by a potential buyer for my critters I replied with, "Step away from the GOAT." My parents knew the animals were for keeps.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: magenta;">SECRET:</span> I caught a "wild" rabbit</span></strong>. These rabbits were at a public park where they were fed by humans and this particular rabbit was very much with child. So she was pretty slow. There was a sign at the entrance of the park that I chose to ignore, something along the lines of: Please Do NOT take rabbits off premises. </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe it was the combined trauma of being captured and having a thunder storm the same night that caused her to <strong><span style="color: #073763;">go into labor and scatter miniature rabbits</span></strong> all over the bunny enclosure. And mama bunnies have this weird quirk where they feel like eating their babies will protect them from outside dangers. Mama bunny: "Quick my darlings! Back into my tummy before the lightening strikes you all DEAD!" Of course when my young, teenage mind beheld this scene these factors did NOT fit into my logic. No, my logic went more like this: <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>BLOOD! STORM! </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">Obviously this can not be an ordinary bunny! Obviously this is a psychotic, homicidal, cannibalistic, MONSTER BUNNY! (I won't torment us any more with scary, scary bunny pictures. You're welcome.) I think this is one of my <span style="color: magenta;">BEST CHARACTER TRAITS</span>, my lack of normal logic, because who wants to be normal?? But my family would probably rather see it fit into <span style="color: magenta;">ANNOYING HABIT CATEGORY</span>.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">So I will put this into my <span style="color: magenta;">BEST CHARACTER TRAIT</span>: Yes the rabbit bit me. And even though I <u>knew</u> being bit by this <span style="color: #783f04;">MONSTER RABBIT</span> on a <span style="color: #666666;">STORMY NIGHT</span> could <u>NOT</u> end well for me. I also <u>knew</u> I couldn't let those little guys meet the same fate as their siblings. All moms are gifted with this character trait, I know, but my maternal instinct is strong to a fault. I protect <strong>anything</strong> that can not protect itself. I even save spiders. I always root for the underdog. And I save all the small mammals who fall victim to big mammals even when I know it is hopeless and even though I know I will spend the next day or two stressing over how to keep it alive and get attached and then cry when it inevitably dies. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Damn my freaky strong maternal instincts!!</em></span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Finally,</span><span style="color: black;"> come on, who doesn't love a big mug of hot vegetable stew with soy nuggets on a crisp fall evening??? It is one of my </span><span style="color: magenta;">FAVORITE THINGS!</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><u>Part Two:</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Ok, since I made Part One freakishly long and the likeliness that anyone is still reading this is slime how about we leave Part Two for tomorrow night? </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Sound good?</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I thought so.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;">☺</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">*"salad shooter" was a lovely nickname given to me by those red-meat-eating-farm-boys because I was a vegetarian. Which to them meant eating only salad, grass and the bark off trees. Which meant, ahem, diarrhea. Get it? Salad Shooter. Told you it was a lovely nickname. I'm so lucky.</span></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-84522423784388719522011-02-21T19:59:00.000-08:002011-02-21T19:59:03.350-08:001st Crusader's Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRrHW-cO463UNNZEgrYrCSANdC9V0AVJpo7jy62aZzoX_cnZPhQKcE02D725I7E_gmArccyVp8UWS0E6XtmCcAS2bC-RvHtcbqCvcMDR16uS4wvxrAlBK02myTaWDtxbi_wKVvPq0P6Ss/s1600/Crusade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="83" width="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRrHW-cO463UNNZEgrYrCSANdC9V0AVJpo7jy62aZzoX_cnZPhQKcE02D725I7E_gmArccyVp8UWS0E6XtmCcAS2bC-RvHtcbqCvcMDR16uS4wvxrAlBK02myTaWDtxbi_wKVvPq0P6Ss/s320/Crusade.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Rachael Harrie at <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/2011/02/first-crusader-challenge.html#comments">Rach Writes </a>has given us Crusaders a challenge. In 300 words or less, we must tell: <br />
“• one secret <br />
• one lie <br />
• one interesting quirk <br />
• one annoying habit <br />
• one of your best character traits, and <br />
• one of your favourite things in the whole world. <br />
The post can be in any format, including poetry (for those poets among us), but must include the random words, “bloviate,” “fuliguline,” “rabbit,” and “blade” (tee hee).” <br />
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Obviously this is how Rach gets her sick kicks! Lol! <br />
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<b>The Night of the Were Rabbit</b><br />
<i>Duhn, duhn duuuh</i><br />
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I really hate to bloviate but I, Amanda M. Milner, talk to animals. In high school I was a member of the FFA -Future Farmers of America-though I just joined for the animals. I never did any farming. I had two roosters, a goat, a lamb, a cow, a fuliguline and of course dogs, cats and rats.<br />
My best friend had a rabbit-a fancy, flop eared kind. She entered it into the county fair & desperately wanted me to show a rabbit with her. Oddly, my parents weren’t down with me getting a rabbit.<br />
No problem. I talk to animals. I could get one of the wild ones down by the dam. So by the dim light of the setting September sun we snuck onto the grounds and within minutes I had me a plump brown rabbit. The same night a thunder storm shook our house & I heard strange noises coming from the bunny enclosure. What I saw in the flash of lightening disturbed me greatly. Blood glistened on the bunny’s white whiskers. And around the cage were small fluffy balls, miniature rabbits. <br />
My heart raced. <br />
Food & water after midnight. <br />
Bright light…Oh My Gawd! The lightening!<br />
It’s a Were Rabbit!! <br />
Maternal instinct kicked in, I couldn’t leave the surviving little guys in there with that thing. They looked too much like babies. I took a deep breath & opened the cage door. I grabbed the 1st one without a problem. But when I went for the next one crimson teeth flashed and sliced into my arm like a blade. Talking to her didn’t help. She wasn’t an animal, she was a monster. And she had just infected me. Now, when the harvest moon rises, an urge so powerful overwhelms me.<br />
Carrots, potatoes, radishes.<br />
I hunger for them.<br />
Preferably in stew form. <br />
So, if in the orange glow of the Harvest Moon you hear the death cries of root vegetables, you might suspect a Were Rabbit is near.<br />
Or it might be me.<br />
~So, one of these fun facts is actually a lie. Can you guess which one it is? I bet you're wrong. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=scary+rabbit&view=detail&id=A782D1A619FB9BAEA8C457455AB8155713878B46&first=1&FORM=IDFRIR">*Super Creepy Bunny<br />
</a>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-72348920285090550262011-02-17T13:36:00.000-08:002011-02-17T13:36:11.409-08:00Crusaders & BloggersI swear I haven't forgotten about you! My poor 6 year old had dental surgery this morning and we just got home. He is feeling pretty miserable so I probably won't get around to visiting and following until later this evening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G0hJJBgMimY6CH85pMCyt0_IwshQwpMlylBaDupGMwtzJ7lYzVCUq6jJplZIqaOELy-QgreY0NN9P6LUoNx9u958e2tovUpmuK04Fa3OzGwAUWvdrHZKikFRRkphxwu7V2kb21cUh7UO/s1600/Dentist--28428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G0hJJBgMimY6CH85pMCyt0_IwshQwpMlylBaDupGMwtzJ7lYzVCUq6jJplZIqaOELy-QgreY0NN9P6LUoNx9u958e2tovUpmuK04Fa3OzGwAUWvdrHZKikFRRkphxwu7V2kb21cUh7UO/s320/Dentist--28428.jpg" /></a></div><br />
On a lighter note I did get to witness my youngest high as a kite. It was equal parts disturbing and hilarious! He had a lot of fun until they had to take him back. Apparently attempting to stand and falling on the pillows I spread around the holding room is endless amusement when your six and stoned. <br />
My baby: "It's soooo weeeiiiirrd." *giggles*<br />
Me: 0.0 "Wow, I just flashed forward to your teen years! I don't think I'm going to like it." <br />
By the time the hygienist came to get him we were both giggling uncontrollably. She probably thought I bummed some of the good stuff off my kid! Lol! <br />
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺<br />
I'll start doing the rounds again tonight!Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-70216241279939993622011-02-16T18:32:00.000-08:002011-02-16T18:32:48.063-08:00Bernard Pivot BlogfestSo I discovered this fun little contest while I was visiting my fellow Crusaders. See how easily distracted I am? I have well over 100 blogs to follow and here I am adding to my list! Heehee. Anyway, Nicole over at <br />
<a href="http://nicoleducleroir.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-new-blogfest-come-sign-up.html">One Significant Moment at A Time</a> is putting on a getting to each other better contest to celebrate hitting the 500 follower mark. (wow!) All we need to do is answer this questionnaire made famous by Inside the Actors Studio.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoxGHeI11VucJsH_AJk20DwWISw3BfRomRz1AAGcN16hiMn5wwmxzEAS9H-zJ6ajVK_QIPKaa9SUmFSNo7Ysq9kaOzVxmBhuB-2hpwX7_ZCXSRH-xDzx7wNB1afZhxewEz2K_kMnaPjDn/s1600/Bernard+Pivot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoxGHeI11VucJsH_AJk20DwWISw3BfRomRz1AAGcN16hiMn5wwmxzEAS9H-zJ6ajVK_QIPKaa9SUmFSNo7Ysq9kaOzVxmBhuB-2hpwX7_ZCXSRH-xDzx7wNB1afZhxewEz2K_kMnaPjDn/s320/Bernard+Pivot.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>1.What is your favorite word?</i> <b>Awesome. I may use it too much.</b><br />
<i>2.What is your least favorite word?</i> <b>Gah, I have a few and I find it difficult to even type them:P Ok...moist and titty and the "F" word.</b><br />
<i>3.What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?</i> <b>Music and the beauty that surrounds us.</b><br />
<i>4.What turns you off?</i> <b>Screaming children</b>.<br />
<i>5.What is your favorite curse word?</i> <b>Hmm, Fish Paste! Courtesy of Sponge Bob. No, 'shit!' slips out quite often.</b><br />
<i>6.What sound or noise do you love?</i> <b>Laughter</b><br />
<i>7.What sound or noise do you hate?</i> <b>Fork vs Plate *shudders*</b><br />
<i>8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?</i> <b>Super Hero or a Surgeon (I know, same thing)</b><br />
<i>9.What profession would you not like to do?</i><b>Telemarketer</b><br />
<i>10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?</i> <b>It does and 'Welcome Home'</b><br />
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Wee! That was fun!Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-43311607106319101352011-02-16T15:10:00.000-08:002011-02-16T15:10:35.146-08:00Making Phlegm Work for You and A Book Giveaway<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First off I want to mention this contest giving away an Arc of <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Liar-Society-Lisa-Roecker/dp/1402256337">The Liar Society</a></u>, a book I am anxious to read. If I am lucky I won’t have to wait until its release date. Go over to <u><a href="http://jillscribbles.blogspot.com/2011/02/liar-society-giveaway.html#comments">Jill Scribbles</a></u> blog and enter to win. Maybe you will be the lucky one. (Poo on you) Better hurry, contest ends tomorrow! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWm8lyCJPCxdAi1n0CQwiTOYfCbqagXCJCOAERFTo59blYvgnbiRkUwqC8bQfQ734RJ6AXfvBpA3JGsp-I0caeEjt-4PvC4IteBnTYSgR9BN4mooJrm64VTUj4RPOkDLTBnRUBlP9_IVi/s1600/the+liar+society.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWm8lyCJPCxdAi1n0CQwiTOYfCbqagXCJCOAERFTo59blYvgnbiRkUwqC8bQfQ734RJ6AXfvBpA3JGsp-I0caeEjt-4PvC4IteBnTYSgR9BN4mooJrm64VTUj4RPOkDLTBnRUBlP9_IVi/s1600/the+liar+society.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1029" style="height: 210pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 140.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Amanda\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></imagedata></shape></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On to my phlegm. I have a cold. Not a terrible one, just a run of the mill cold consisting of but not limited to: pressure against my facial orifices (oddly from the inside out), itchy eyes, tickly throat and infestation. You know, that obnoxious white trash green guy who thinks he can just go ahead and make himself at home in people’s lungs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkO7Z51AZogIiY9Lp75xeFRjRbol_ZGrMEqRwe5r0PMjYyZFZ-iFn0Exj4iEpp3cDEOmXuV8tu91Z19C0_Wn9W2A0u9ejEya6g27fP5TP6z0ttNI3N6BwRHw0OIXyGTvGoTDQ0dWxyG3G/s1600/mucinex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkO7Z51AZogIiY9Lp75xeFRjRbol_ZGrMEqRwe5r0PMjYyZFZ-iFn0Exj4iEpp3cDEOmXuV8tu91Z19C0_Wn9W2A0u9ejEya6g27fP5TP6z0ttNI3N6BwRHw0OIXyGTvGoTDQ0dWxyG3G/s1600/mucinex.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1028" style="height: 192.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 225pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Amanda\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.jpg"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></imagedata></shape></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway, I am on day four. Last night I was popping cough drops like they were my kid’s Valentine Day candy and I woke this morning feeling like a menthol breathing dragon with acid spewing from its nostrils. (Yea, you like that image? Your welcome.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">☺</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) I stumbled for the tissue box but before I reached it I became alarmed by this lump on the roof of my mouth. ‘Oh my God, what the heck is that?’ I pushed it with my tongue and it fell. Apparently my un-dissolved cough drop affixed itself there and conveniently dispersed little droplets of menthol down my throat throughout the night. Clever! I might be on to something here! Aaaaand I have sort of gone off on a tangent here. I forgot what the point was. *checks title of post*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">RIGHT!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was in my car, taking my kids to school when I felt a disturbance in my tummy. I pictured the menthol and acid mucus engrossed in an epic battle at the bottom of my otherwise empty stomach. My gag reflex became instantly alarmed. You see, Gag, thinks the best solution is to just rid the stomach of such offenders. I protested. Enter Post Nasal Drip. They both took turns flicking my uvula. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I swallowed hard.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gag and Drip went down kicking and screaming.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh wow, that was disgusting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I dropped the tykes off and was thanked for not vomiting in the car.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I drove off a thought occurred. Well, more like a scene played out:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My inner therapist is in his leather, wing-backed chair and I am lying on the couch. I have just told him (yes, my inner therapist is a stereotypical older man) what I’ve so kindly told you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ6syzTxozLqXOZfH3TT3VPJ4FH7OIyE90l8F0Og_vxI13PL7VCEAfxed2ozI9CWuP1k77ESfhh3sHGM_iVcRL0jl0_HXPEWuvOwwt-SYC8Og86hnu0MFMZlYZxVs0Y8clzVnyafbPu93/s1600/psychiatrist_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ6syzTxozLqXOZfH3TT3VPJ4FH7OIyE90l8F0Og_vxI13PL7VCEAfxed2ozI9CWuP1k77ESfhh3sHGM_iVcRL0jl0_HXPEWuvOwwt-SYC8Og86hnu0MFMZlYZxVs0Y8clzVnyafbPu93/s320/psychiatrist_.jpg" width="257" /></a><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 157.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 126.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Amanda\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></imagedata></shape></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mmhmm, okay, hmm. And how does that make you feel?” he asks. I tell him. “Most interesting. Now tell me more, dig deeper.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I dug deeper. And ignored the growing look of disgust that spread across my therapist’s face. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I dug deeper still as he pressed his fingers against his lips as to suppress the urge to vomit. After all the guy is in fact me and I tend to be overly expressive. When I finished I looked up at him expectantly. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That was, how shall I put this, vivid. Vivid and grotesque,” he said. I smiled. “So, how can we use these colorful details to better your characters’ experiences?” he asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, I guess I can give greater detail to when my character is sick.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wasn’t that obvious</i>, I thought.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He sighed. “Yes, but I was hoping you’d think a little outside the box.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1IOskI5rwS6yYRvHmiDNPUtVA7mrbDhp-PcXZ8ucpqmDrOKiZENo8A-WTjcSDkYdA0HovBvs-8KBH8C4k-xh6jyUHU0ZuUDbc6RG5-tcjj_f_Bh_zrjerhWo_M2ZYBpVsYoLQiB9VmIp/s1600/taco+bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1IOskI5rwS6yYRvHmiDNPUtVA7mrbDhp-PcXZ8ucpqmDrOKiZENo8A-WTjcSDkYdA0HovBvs-8KBH8C4k-xh6jyUHU0ZuUDbc6RG5-tcjj_f_Bh_zrjerhWo_M2ZYBpVsYoLQiB9VmIp/s320/taco+bell.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 81.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 100.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Amanda\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></imagedata></shape></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m sorry. The only thing that comes to mind is Taco Bell.” My tummy gurgled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That is ‘Outside the Bun’ you ridiculous moron,” he growled. “I am deeply embarrassed for you.” He rubbed his fingers against his temples.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You ARE me, JERK!” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’ll show him</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re right, I apologize. I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">am </b>a jerk.” He smiled at me and I felt as though I was bested, but I wasn’t sure how. “This is what I was hoping to get from you,” he continued. “Think of other circumstances where someone might feel relatively like you do now.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You mean, like when I am nervous. Or super stressed. Or maybe heartbroken. Or if I had a huge fight with someone I care about…? Right?” I checked his expression for approval.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, good, good.” He nodded then leaned forward. <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If any of these things are pivotal to the plot and journey of your character the reader needs to deeply connect. It is your job to paint these emotions on the page so that they leap out at the reader in all their glory and vivid grotesqueness. The reader must feel what your character feels. And since the vast majority of readers have yet to be involved in an epic battle where the fate of the world rests on their teenage shoulders, it is also your job to make these feelings somewhat relatable.”</span></strong> He smiled as he watched the light bulb turn on over my head.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT_0ef0Z8XTstQ4PNrhKmhYFGdUKoGe00y8yyKcFZwFMSWFzVK09SmDwV32_MPagEWHENa03OY07fmPxAszJib8QKiNSki93wOHVcLkfVKj4CBEs9T33zvEyr8WyOZWnM13jRS3w7gZdb/s1600/LightBulbDrawing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT_0ef0Z8XTstQ4PNrhKmhYFGdUKoGe00y8yyKcFZwFMSWFzVK09SmDwV32_MPagEWHENa03OY07fmPxAszJib8QKiNSki93wOHVcLkfVKj4CBEs9T33zvEyr8WyOZWnM13jRS3w7gZdb/s320/LightBulbDrawing.png" width="318" /></a><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 113.25pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 112.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Amanda\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.png"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></imagedata></shape></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ergo my acid snot belly,” I said excitedly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Exactly.” He tapped my chest and instantly dissolved into myself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back on the road I reflected on two things. First I was thankful I didn’t cause a fiery crash and was still on course toward my destination. Second, everything that happens to me, however insignificant, can be used to better my writing. This, of course, is not a new revelation. We, as writers, have been told this before. But I usually concern myself with the happenings of others when looking for inspiration. I’ve been told it can be helpful for my writing to keep a detailed journal. Yet I never got around to it. My life is boring. It didn’t seem relevant to the exciting life of my characters. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My phlegm story was my EUREKA moment. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*So, am I the only one that took having an acid snot belly to realize the relevance of journaling?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Can anyone else tell me about an event that could help the reader connect with your MC?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Was anyone deeply disturbed by my descriptions of mucus? Too bad, you read a post that had the word phlegm in it! Lol! Just kidding. Thank you for reading. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">☺</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-39151434662732248142011-02-05T00:02:00.000-08:002011-02-05T00:02:38.021-08:00It's a Crusade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UyPJa0L0vlDe0rxaHorewZBga0B3_zsWJBqpsqwPqmDaHjqfESb4OPXHGBZlYuEdFVPJwvmb9G0W4fM6XP6RFqvd5h0qTbmQrCFsdfIMLoPkUGS_aomzKDeNdd7EjwvxGVQzuYxOTLfs/s1600/Crusade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UyPJa0L0vlDe0rxaHorewZBga0B3_zsWJBqpsqwPqmDaHjqfESb4OPXHGBZlYuEdFVPJwvmb9G0W4fM6XP6RFqvd5h0qTbmQrCFsdfIMLoPkUGS_aomzKDeNdd7EjwvxGVQzuYxOTLfs/s1600/Crusade.jpg" /></a></div>And here is the push I needed to start my blog. I remember Rachel Harrie's first <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/">Crusade</a> and I wanted to make sure I had a blog to join for her next one. I foolishly convinced myself I would have more time to create a fantastic blog. Silly me. Here's my blog, less than fantastic but in time for the <a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/">Second Crusade</a>! Hooray! <br />
So the Crusade is Rach's ingenious creation to help other bloggers build up their platform. They all come together in this crusade to follow eachother, join in other blogger's contests, comment on their posts and of course take part in the Crusade Challenges!Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955284060335719224.post-45331576468223707632011-02-04T23:30:00.000-08:002011-02-04T23:30:31.716-08:00Hello Blogger People<span lang="EN"> So...I'm new. I've been rolling the idea of starting a blog around in my mind for quite a while now. But I'm a master procrastinator and a bit of a chicken. I was terrified of the idea of thinking up things to blog about on a regular basis and even more terrified of having people see these things I think up. I've been reading other writer's blogs and they all seem much more knowledgeable than I, have great guest interviews and put on 'epic' contests. I write novels. The cleverness evolves through the fabricated world and lives of my characters. Novels are generally longer than a <i>typical</i> blog post. But, I started to notice I was the ONLY person in the UNIVERSE that didn't have a blog! I felt so ALONE. Here I was, feeling <i>so</i> current being on Twitter, belonging to an on-line writers group, attending WriteOnCon, mastering Facebook...I mean I AM the go-to person for social networking and searching Google in my household (hey, its a house of seven!). But I discovered that I was quite mistaken. So here I am. A blogger. Beginning my writer's platform. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span>Amanda Milnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07582468814920761586noreply@blogger.com5