Let's talk: Back To School!!

        Let's talk: Back To School!!

      

        I love, love, love school supplies. Don't ask me why, but I do. So when back to school shopping comes, I'm excited. 

Like probably more than my kids, excited. 

One thing I don't always remember (except this year, this year I remembered but completely ignored that inner voice. WHY?) is that school shopping is fun in theory, that is until you haul three kids to the store with your list in hand. 

That is when the chaos ensues. Remember in my bio where it says I'm a Chaos Juggler... This is when that comes into play. 

 Three kids. Three people saying "mom look" of course at all different times. Oh and at the same time, that's probably even better. Jabbering away about how awesome this pencil pouch is or whining that they wanted the red one, but we got yellow. All the while you are *trying* with all your might to keep focused on the task at hand. Don't get me wrong, I love to check out what makes them excited, but at the right time, and this is not it.

At one point my oldest was sitting in the supply bin. Yes. In. The. Bin. 

Needless to say, after an hour and half in the store, I gave up and left with many items still on the list... Sigh... Another day. By myself.

Next year, I always tell myself, I'll do this shopping by myself. And then when the next year rolls around and I've forgotten the struggle, I cart all three kids back to the store. 

*Shakes head*

Did you bring the kiddos? 

CM

Winner!!! Winner!!

SO sorry it's taken me this long to pick the winner!! I've been at a dance competition all weekend, plus birthday celebrations, and yesterday was my anniversary! And to top it all off I'm Sick!! No fair! Phew!

But let me tell you, have you had the Linda's fudge cake from Cheesecake Factory.... Mmmm.. It's my favorite! 

Anyway! I just picked a winner!! Woo hoo!!!

Congratulations to.....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks everyone for entering and keep an eye out for more giveaways!! 

CM 

My day is finally here!!

Today is my BIRTHDAY💋 and the LAST day to enter to win a signed paperback of Obscured!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, today is the last day to get the Obscured e-book FREE!! 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pDbGhM

Nook: http://bit.ly/2qkiy2Z

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2qk5p9V

Apple: http://apple.co/2riI5GT  

Thanks everyone who has participated in any of my giveaways! I just love sharing with you guys!

Have a great Friday!! 

CM 

It's almost here!!!

It's my birthday FRIDAY!! How have you guys liked the giveaways so far?? 

Of course I saved the biggest giveaway for last! 

From NOW until my 5/18, Obscured (e-book) will be FREE for only the second time ever!  This is my way of thanking you all for following along with me!

Links below! 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2emoIps

Nook: http://bit.ly/2fMaseW

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fntmGo

Apple: http://apple.co/2gOqjcK

As always I'd love to hear what you thought! Write a review on Goodreads or Amazon or both!

CM 

Birthday blog Giveaway!!

My aunt is Lithuanian and she once told me that in her culture on your birthday when you go out to celebrate, it's your treat, rather than your friends taking you out! How different things are everywhere! So here's my shake on that tradition! I want to give you stuff.. 

Did you see my giveaway on FB? If not I'm buying someone their next ebook in the form of a $5 Amazon gift card! Go check it out here in the pinned post! 

Now for you special people who follow along with me here! 

This is my "C. M.'s a year older" celebration! 

I want to celebrate with you by sending one of you a signed copy of Obscured! 

Help me in celebrating by sharing this with all your friends! :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#giveaway #win 

CM

Facebook

I'm so excited to kick off the giveaways!! 

My first giveaway is on Facebook! Head on over if you haven't "liked" my page and get all the scoop there!

Ends May 9th! 

Good luck!

CM 

A little disclosure!

Hey guys! 

Things in my neck of the woods have been crazy to say the least. I've had a few people ask me when book four will be available. Normally that answer would have been fall, and it was the original plan. BUT, I have to tell you that's not going to happen.

I know. I know! I'm sorry! 

I felt I should give you a little reasoning as to why. Remember when I said things have been crazy? Well, that is sort of an understatement. My little princess was diagnosed with a sort of auto immune disease that affects her blood vessels. She is fine! But it is a long recovery and it can be pretty painful at times for her as it causes a sort of arthritis and you can imagine that isn't too pleasant. So obviously my focus has been on her and my writing took the hit. 

I'm hopeful for a winter release. I will do my best to keep you guys in the loop! And in the meantime, if you have any questions feel free to ask! 

#keepreading

Lastly, Obscured is on sale this week, I'd love it if you'd share the word! 

Thanks for following along guys!! I appreciate it more than you know! 

CM

Just because

How is your April going?? Can you believe it's almost May? My birthday month! 😉
I decided to discount Obscured to 0.99 just because! If you've been wanting to get your hands on Obscured, now is your chance!!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pDbGhM  
Nook: http://bit.ly/2fMaseW

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fntmGo

Apple: http://apple.co/2gOqjcK

Enjoy!! 

CM

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's day! I hope you all enjoy your day loving on all those who mean the most!! 

CM

Hearting has begun!

I love Valentine's day! The special nights out! Making others feel loved. And Chocolate, lots and lots of Chocolate!

I'm doing something new this year, that I'm enjoying a lot! And the kiddos are loving it too!

I can't take credit for this awesome idea, but I can show you what I'm doing! 😘

Each day I'm attaching a heart to everyone's door telling them something I love about them! I can't wait to see all 14 on their doors! 

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?? 

CM

I'm miffed.

I don't often post about my kids. When I do its usually because I have good reason.

Over the weekend we held a birthday party for my daughter where they made bracelets, necklaces, and jewelry boxes. My boys were there too and didn't hesitate to jump right in and make some too. What I didn't realize at the time was that my oldest had made a necklace, bracelet, and jewelry box for a girl at school that he just so happens to have HAD a crush on. It was seriously the sweetest thing, the bracelet and necklace spelled her name in beads and the top of the jewelry box had her initials. It was thoughtful.

Now knowing the problems my son has had in school with being bullied this year alone, I had my reservations. I was worried he would get teased about giving this girl his sweet gift, but I've raised my kids to be who they are despite what others have to say about it. So I said nothing, knowing my son is strong, and he would ignore these things.

But when he came home and told me that he had a partly bad day I instantly thought of the box. He pulled it out of his pocket... what was left of it.

He gave this sweet gift to her, and later on he found it smashed with the jewelry discarded beside it.

My heart broke for him. Broke into a thousand pieces. And then I got mad. Really mad.

I immediately went to all three of my kids and sat them down and said to my them, "If any boy (or girl) ever goes through the effort and trouble of giving you a gift you had better accept it, and thank them because that is what a good person does, even if it comes from a kid that you do not like, even if it comes from a kid that may not be someone you hang out with, and even if you get teased about it. You accept that gift because it was generous, and sweet and kind and our world needs more of that."

My daughter immediately replied with she would never do what this girl did, and she said it was mean.

Now let me tell you, if you have a daughter or a son, please have a talk with them about this. Why anyone would think that smashing a gift is a good thing to do? I just cant fathom what might have been going through her mind. And I have to believe that her parents would be appalled at her behavior as I would be if my child had acted that way.  I have to believe that she wasn't brave enough to stand up to the bullies and be grateful for that gift. I just have to.

I wanted to tell his story in the hopes that maybe it will save even one kid from having to go through it.

Make your children brave. Make them see how their actions affect other people. Teach them to be gracious for everything they are given. Teach them to be the person that be-friend the bullied kid. Because chances are that kid is pretty dang cool.


CM

Why books are better than food...

I know after you read that title, you're shaking your head saying yeah right... crazy lady, food is life, trust me I'm with you,  

But it's true, books are better! 

Today during my writing session, I grabbed my snack, chocolate pudding (don't judge!). So here is my pudding, of course before you eat it you have to take a good whiff of that chocolate deliciousness. Then you take the first bite. And it's heavenly. Absolutely sinful. You savor that first bite as it hits all the taste buds throughout your mouth.

You take the second bite. And it's good, but let's face it, the second bite wasn't nearly as good as the first. As you keep eating each bite gets a little less mouthwateringly tasty until it's gone and you wonder why you even ate past the first few bites.

I think it's safe to say that most things are like this. Think about it, the first drink of soda, first bite of a chocolate bar...I am naming a lot of unhealthy things aren't I? 😅 (Shh... don't tell). I think this is because as you eat your taste buds because de-sensitized by the flavor, but obviously that's not the point. The point is once you get past those first few bites, it's just not as good. 

When you pick up a book it's usually the opposite. Often there is a bit of set up as you are getting to know the characters, and learn what is torturing them, so the story starts out a little slower, a little more like the end of the pudding. But then in the end you are hooked and wanting more, more like the beginning. It's a complete flip flop where you can't get enough of these characters. And each book after that is like a whole new whiff of that delectable pudding all over again. 

If food started the way books do and just kept getting better and better, we probably would never stop eating, like ever... Am I right? To that effect, this is why we stay up well past our bedtimes... reading. 

  

What book or books are your delectable treat? 

CM

Happy New Year!