Reality is Cutting Into My Reading Time 😄

Even when life gets busy, I'm thankful to have a love for reading to help take stresses away. Here are some great Contemporary Romance titles to check out. These selections are for adults only. 📖 

Underneath It All by Kate Canterbary:  I feel the need to express a warning on this one: For adults only!!!  It's the story of the courtship of Lauren and Matthew. But with the story is a very descriptive expression of their passion for one another. And it’s hot! But what I appreciate more than anything are the feelings: Matthew is a great lead character.  He is focused on his career as an architect and the drama with his family, but he falls for Lauren hard. And he doesn’t hold back how he feels.  Lauren has strong feelings for Matthew also but is more inclined to stay in denial.  She doesn’t see that there could be a balance between focusing on her career (starting/building a school) and her growing feelings for Matthew.  She pulls away many times and it was frustrating as a reader.  But I loved it too.  If you enjoy literary romance with highs and lows, I highly recommend this one.

Beautiful Oblivion by Addison Moore: Another warning on this one: steamy scenes ahead. Adults only! This is a story of young love. Reese and Ace have known each other since they were kids and have always carried a torch for one another.  They forge a strong friendship with each other believing that the other one just wants to remain friends.  One particular summer, they may a pact to have a summer fling—but promise to never let go of their friendship.  But Reese has familial commitments she feels trapped with, and feels she needs to let them go in order to be truly happy.  And Ace, well, he just loves her.  Lots of feels in this story…and it’s a roller coaster!!

Unwreck Me by Kate Dawes: Kate had a lot of life plans in place when life decided to derail them.  Her ex-boyfriend betrays her trust in one of the worst ways possible. Kate puts up a wall around herself which can be visible only to those looking very closely.  Namely Drew, who has personal issues all his own, but finds a deep attraction & connection to Kate which of course, she feels as well.  They become close rather quickly and as in life, things must move forward, change & decisions have to be made. But first, let’s add a little more life-twists just for good measure.  This one was a mellow read for me, but I definitely felt some feminist emotions.  Check it out.  

The inspiration for the title of this post, this sweatshirt completely fits into the life of a busy person who would just like to read & get away from it all. Funny yet true. 😊

Losing & finding....

 

And stories....Yes, I do!

Thankful for all creative authors & writers! XO

Consciously Thankful for a Happy Marriage

As I'm experiencing all the golden moments of this year, I try to remain conscious of all the things I'm thankful for. 

This particular morning I was inadvertently engaged in a conversation with a fellow mom at the boys' school that I have often simply said "hello" to or had quick polite conversations with.  It turns out that this mom is a single-mom who became that way when she caught her husband in bed with a woman in their home.  She has since had to navigate the tricky world of co-parenting with a man who isn't exactly fully participating in her children's lives.  She cheekily referred to her children's father as D.B.D (dead beat dad). More scandalous behavior was revealed, but the gist of the conversation is that she survived all of it, has hit rock bottom & is wiser, stronger & better for it now.  Her kids seem well-adjusted & she seems like an amazing mom.  I admire everyone who has risen above their circumstances! It's easy to be a victim and so much more character-building to focus on the positive things in life and allow yourself to be a better person everyday.

This morning's conversation leads me to continue on my path to constant gratefulness for all the blessings that surround me.  I'm certainly no expert at relationships and despite 16 years of marriage claim no masterful words of wisdom for those seeking advice on long-term unions. Sometimes, I feel like I just "lucked-out" with a husband who is also a best-friend, a man that I not only love with all my heart, but one that I actually like too. 😊 And let's be real, no one is perfect. If that's what one is seeking, I wish you all the luck in the world because that's going to be a tough search. Here's what one article suggests:

• Don't wait for Valentine's Day to celebrate.
• Try new experiences together.
• Keep tabs on each other.
• Communicate
• Argue and make-up.
• Keep each other on your toes.
• Have sex at least once a week. 

Source: 7 Things Happy Couples Do Differently

Like I said, I'm no expert, but these words of advice sound very solid to me. In my own marriage, compromise, forgiveness, communication and laughter are constant and revolving elements. If you're in a happy & loving relationship, always be thankful. If you're single, be okay with that. There are so many amazing things to be thankful for.  Live thankfully. That is one advice I solidly stand with.

   

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing everyone a day & life filled with hearts & love.♥  In honor of the romantic love I've been blessed with, I've filled out this questionnaire for married (that's us), engaged or dating couples. Feel free to copy & paste and fill out with your own answers for personal social media sites. Again, Happy Valentine's Day! XO

Love & friendship ♥

Who is older? Me, by 6 months
Did you go to the same school? Same high school
Who is the most sensitive? Most definitely me
Who has the worst temper? Me
Who is more social? It depends, but more often me.
Who is more stubborn? Him (although he would probably debate me)
Who wakes up first? Me
Who has a bigger family? He does   
Do you ever get flowers? Not recently but only because I made it clear I don’t want any. But I'm not opposed to Ghirardelli brownies, for the record.
Who wears the pants? We both wear pants. What kind of question is this? 😜
Who cries more? Oh, most definitely me.
Who hogs the bed? Him
Who said I love you first? Him
Who is a better cook? Me

 More sarcastic? He is

 Smarter? Depends on the situation

 Most Common sense? I’d say, him. LOL! 

Who is more messy? He is
Who is a better singer? He is
Who is a better driver? He is. I hate driving & I'm waiting for the day when technology will allow me to be a permanent passenger. LOL! 

How long have you been together? 16 years of marriage, 21 years as a couple. ♥

Our beloved offsprings & one of the greatest products of our love. ♥

Love is...

So thankful for our love. ♥

Found these red heart-shaped raviolis at the store. Cute themed dinner for my loves. ♥

XO! Happy Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

The song "Quiet" by MILCK

In what I feel was a very special moment at the historic "Women's March" after the Presidential Inauguration 2017, a group of women led by the song writer MILCK, started singing this beautiful song.  Putting aside political differences, the song is hauntingly lovely & powerfully fierce.

Here is the special message the artist wrote about the video and song: 

 As a survivor of anorexia, abuse, and depression, I can say that I have let the overwhelming pressures of filling media/society's expectations of "how a woman should be" overwhelm and silence my inner voices - without even realizing I was doing it. Until... I just couldn't breathe anymore. As I live more days on this planet now, I can say with full confidence that there are no standards or rules worth crushing our soul bones to fit into. Life gets better when we just... let it out.

I hope you enjoy, and feel empowered or comforted after watching. If you see some of yourself in this video, please share and pass the word on. Much love to you. 
Lyrics: Put on your face
know your place
shut up and smile
don’t spread your legs
I could do that

But no one knows me no one ever will
if I don’t say something, if I just lie still
Would I be that monster, scare them all away
If I let the-em hear what I have to say

I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
A one woman riot, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

I can’t keep quiet
For anyone
Anymore

Cuz no one knows me no one ever will
if I don’t say something, take that dry blue pill
they may see that monster, they may run away
But I have to do this, do it anyway

I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
A one woman riot, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh I can’t keep quiet
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

There’ll be someone who understands
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

Must be someone who’ll understand
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

There’ll be someone who understands
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

I can’t keep quiet

And just because the gathering of women fighting for their rights & singing so beautifully gives me feels, here's the footage from the Women's March:

You are all beautiful. Never be afraid to speak up for yourself. ♥